Simple Self Care Secrets October 2017

Welcome to our Simple Self Care Secrets – short bits of truths to enhance your own Self Care Journey. If something here sounds worth trying, let us know what worked and what didn’t. If something here resonated for you, we’d love to hear why. And as always, thanks for stopping by.

“When I know I am in the midst of a challenge I am working to intentionally choose self-care and to stop to notice the beauty of life and the world around me … it helps me to remember that there is joy in everything … but you have to open your heart to see it, and be willing to let it in.” – Dominique Roark

What Is Yoga?

(Shared by Dawn Budetto of Harumi Yoga Plus, Scottsdale, AZ)

Yoga is a path and a structure.
It inspires and guides.
It can settle you when anxious.
Yoga centers you when you’re scattered.
It can bring you home when you’re feeling lost.
When you’re drained, yoga can give you energy, strength when scared, and gratitude when you’re feeling pessimistic.
Yoga can open you to all of your possibilities.
It addresses your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Yoga loosens up that which is tight, expands that which is contracted, and dissolves various blocks, both physical and emotional.
The “clearing” provided by yoga creates a space to recognize and experience something much greater than self, the body and mind.
The practice of yoga creates the condition that enables the light to shine within.
It’s not just doing yoga, it’s living yoga.

“The six best doctors:

sunshine, water, rest, air, exercise, and diet.”

– Wayne Fields

Healthy Living Recipe:
Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of the earth’s bounty and the transformative powers of fire (out door grill!)  with this nutrient-rich recipe from the Kripalu Cook Book.

Grilled vegetables offer a good-sized serving of fiber and flavor, and are rich sources of phytonutrients.

Serves 4 to 6
1 bunch asparagus (remove hard ends)
1 zucchini, sliced or cut in chunks
1 summer squash, sliced or cut in chunks
1 onion, cut in large wedges
1 red pepper, cut in large chunks
? cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
Pepper to taste

Wash and cut the vegetables to desired shape and size. Place in a bowl or baking pan. Toss with olive oil and salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate; allow to marinate for one hour minimum.

Heat grill to medium-high temperature and place veggies on grill, turning them occasionally until desired tenderness is achieved, about 12 minutes.
Yummy and Easy, without heating up the kitchen.

“Everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes – including you.” – Ann Lamott

Author Ann Lamott shares what she knows as she turns 61.

“I think this says it for me, we’re a mixed grill of happy anticipation and dread.”

She offers Basic Operating Instructions to anyone feeling lost or tired in the following TED Talk. Enjoy!