Yoga and Beauty Sleep

My exercise program has been completely non-existant since my accident in September. Its really embarrassing to say that even before the accident I wasn’t exactly working out on a regular basis. That being said, I have to take better care of my body because exercise oxygenates our body and this in turn helps brighten our cells bringing more charisma and color to our complexion.

Even though there are many forms of exercise, yoga is the one I am choosing to focus on because it is balancing. Yoga effectively works to stretch and strengthen our muscles. And since yoga is more beneficial when done consistently, I am challenging myself to do yoga every day until the end of 2012. A couple times a week I will try to document my experience of practicing yoga every day.

Though diet and exercise are critical components of healthy lifestyles, it’s also important to remember that sleep is inherently linked with how we eat (and how much), how we exercise (and whether or not we lose weight), and how we function on a daily basis. Sleep is the time when our body relaxes and repairs itself, rejuvenating our skin and connective tissues and getting the proper amount of sleep each night is necessary to face the world with my best foot forward! I am going to do is make sure I get enough beauty sleep! And for the most part a great sleeper, when my head hits the pillow, Im out like a light and I am usually up by 6:30 to 7 the next day. But lately, this has not been the case, I have been up at all hours of the night, restless and achy, I can feel how poor the circulation is in my legs and lower back. Im not sure if its stress or what, but my body is having a hard time sleeping! It is my goal to get back on a routine of exercise and beauty sleep so that I can be a more happier and healthier individual.

Here is the story: Monday night I didn’t sleep well. I went to be late and then proceeded to lay in bed for an hour, only to get back up and have some tea. I read from the book A Course in Miracles, and finally hit the pillow at 2am! Only to wake back up at 6:30am to get the girls to school. A girl needs her beauty sleep and let me tell you, a girl does not feel beautiful when she is groggy from lack f sleep!

So yesterday, I started out with a yoga Sunrise Flow for Energy. It lasted 25 minutes. Although it was short, it was a dynamic yoga practice that helped me to wake up and open my heart first thing in the morning! What a way to revitalize from my night of hardly sleeping!

Next I wrote in my journal, meditated and took a nap for about an hour.

Later in the day I took a 30 minute walk and did my mom duties driving my girls around to various activities.

Tomorrow is another day….. I’ll let you know how my yoga and sleep goes! 

A yogi is not so much interested in finding the Fountain of Youth as he/she is in continuing the Spirit of Youth to the very end. There is nothing that will fill the human heart with more cheer than the practice of Yoga. ~Theos Bernard, Yoga Gave Me Superior Health

Have a wonderful day taking little steps to transform yourself!

Love,

Michelle

Check out my personal site at www.MichelleBerryShaffer.com

Insanely Chocolate Brownies

This is for all of my choc-o-holic friends. This is devilishly chocolaty and filled with amazing nutrients and high in anti-oxidants! Chocolate is super good for you!

Research and published studies show that chocolate can:

• Lower your risk of heart disease
• Enhance your immune system
• Fend off diabetes
• Fight cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Enhance blood flow
• Fight fat
• Improve cognitive health
• Slow aging
• Enhance physical energy, stamina and vitality
• Act as a safe and effective aphrodisiac

How can raw cacao do all of these marvelous things for us? Its easy, raw cacao is rich in iron, which assists in the process of respiration as it carries oxygen throughout the body. This helps with circulation, lowering the instances of heart disease, enhancing blood flow, which in turn improves cognitive health, physical energy and helps with stamina and vitality. An iron deficiency creates a low level of oxygen in the blood. This results in people feeling light-headed, tired, weak and interestingly enough an intolerance to cold which is a sign of poor blood flow.

Another great benefit to raw cacao is manganese, it  plays an important role in the formation of cartilage, bone and connective tissue. This ability to form and rebuild tissue helps slow the aging process. Awesome!

Raw Cacao Brownies:

Base:

1-3/4 cups almonds (ground to a flour in food processor)

1 cup raw cacao

1/2+ cup maple syrup or agave

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

8 drops (not droppers) of Chocolate Stevia for extra sweetness.

Dash of Himalayan salt to taste

Coconut oil (for bottom of brownie pan)

Frosting: 

2 avocados

1/2 cup maple syrup or agave or raw honey

1/2 cup raw cacao

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To Prepare Frosting:  Blend ingredients in food processor until smooth and creamy (if you need to add a little more maple syrup or water to get a smooth consistency).

To Prepare Brownie Base: Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix until ingredients start to stick together. You may need to add a little water or a little more almond flour to get the right consistency.

In your 6 x 6 brownie pan, spread coconut oil on the bottom and on the sides to prevent brownies from sticking.

Take brownie “batter” and press it into your pan.

Once you have your brownies pressed nicely into the pan, spread your delicious frosting on top, sprinkle a some coconut flakes on top and serve! This is so delicious by itself you you may have a cup of chai tea with it or even add fresh raspberries or figs.

These brownies are so delicious even your non-vegan friends will love them!

Love, peace and bliss,

Michelle

Please Feel Free to Check Out My Personal Site at www.MichelleBerryShaffer.com

Believe you can, and you can!

Although it is disappointing that California did not pass prop 37 as well as how some of our local elections turned out both with candidates and propositions that were voted on. I found it interesting throughout the election process that it was not so much about the candidates but how we see choose to see them. I think that many people give too much power to elected officials. There is no way that an official can make everyone happy and make the right decision for everyone as we are all unique individuals in unique situations. Today is a good day to look inside of ourselves and take responsibility for our own well-being and not count on others for our individual happiness & content, wealth and worth. Letting go of negative thoughts will help us to clear the air to make better decisions in our daily life and be happier more productive people.

Believe you can, and you can. Belief is one of the most powerful of problem dissolvers. When you believe that a difficulty can be overcome, you are more than halfway to victory over it already. ~Norman Vincent Peale

We create our own reality and meditation is key in helping us to deepen and understand the sacred and mystical forces of life. As we meditate we clear away the information overload that we have burdened ourselves with. As we clear away this burden we start to gain new perspectives on stressful situations and how to manage our stress. This is because meditation helps increase our self-awareness by focusing on the present and reducing negative emotions. Including those emotions and thoughts that have to do with this weeks electoral process.

For those of you who are new to meditation, the Chopra Center periodically has free guided Meditation Challenges. They also have available Meditations you can do at anytime!

Peace and love,

Michelle

Please check out my personal site at: www.MichelleBerryShaffer.com