allison keli ~ books & blogs

These Smart Choices Can Help You Create A Daily Blueprint for Wellness

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By Guest Blogger Zack Spring

Navigating through life’s daily challenges often means health takes a back seat. Yet, incorporating straightforward changes into your daily routine can dramatically influence your holistic wellness. By embracing these practices, healthy living becomes less of a chore and more of a delightful habit. This article, courtesy of Nani Lotus Bodywork, unfolds simple yet effective strategies for improving your well-being from head to toe. Let’s take a look.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking a glass of water upon waking up sets the tone for a well-hydrated day. Aim to maintain this habit and consume at least eight glasses of water as the day unfolds. Proper hydration not only enhances skin complexion but also assists in flushing out toxins and improving mental alertness. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of dehydration so you’ll know what to look for, both in yourself and your family members.

Supplement Your Nutrition

While maintaining a balanced diet remains a top priority for health, there are times when nutritional gaps are inevitable. A daily multivitamin can serve as an insurance policy, ensuring that your body gets the essential nutrients it needs. This is particularly important for individuals who have specific dietary restrictions, such as vegans who might lack sufficient vitamin B12. Talk to your doctor before starting any new regimens.

Be a Conscious Consumer

When it comes to making purchases for your family, considering the health factor is crucial. Whether it’s buying grocery items or personal care products, one should take a moment to read reviews and understand what they are adding to their cart. For instance, opting for organic fruits and vegetables can make a substantial difference in your journey toward healthy living, while some workout gear is better suited for different needs. Making informed decisions will ensure that you and your loved ones are getting the best possible products for your overall wellbeing.

Embrace Nutrient-Rich Carbs

Opting for whole grains over refined grains is a simple yet impactful step toward healthy living. Grains such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread are rich in fiber and are crucial nutrients that enhance digestive health. Additionally, they provide sustained energy, eliminating the highs and lows that come with processed options. For instance, substituting white rice with quinoa in your dishes is just one simple way to incorporate whole grains into your diet.

Organize for a Peaceful Mind

Tidying up your environment can work wonders for your mental health. Decluttering and moving your documents to a digital format such as PDFs can offer a serene space and improved accessibility, and you can use a free online tool to do it. This could help both your mental and physical well-being. For example, turning a cluttered desk into a well-organized workspace can instantly boost your productivity and decrease stress levels.

Pursue Lifelong Learning

Keeping your brain active by engaging in lifelong learning is a stellar way to boost mental health. Whether it’s an art class or an academic course, continued learning can be truly revitalizing. Obtaining an MBA degree can progress your career, and the process is made much easier with the online programs that are available today. If your current job is more stressful than it is enjoyable, consider looking for a job in a different sector and find out what qualifications you’ll need to break into the industry.

Break the Chains of Inactivity

Long periods of sitting can lead to a range of health issues. It’s advisable to break the chain by getting up, stretching, and moving around at regular intervals. Even something as simple as a five-minute walk can improve circulation and prevent potential issues linked to a sedentary lifestyle. For example, using a stand-up desk can encourage more movement and less prolonged sitting.

Prioritize Physical Activity

Incorporating a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week is a cornerstone of healthy living. This commitment provides more than just physical benefits; it also serves as a natural stress reliever and mood booster. Options for staying active are numerous, ranging from a refreshing swim to a rejuvenating jog in the park. Overall, the objective is to maintain an active lifestyle for holistic well-being.

The journey towards healthy living doesn’t require a drastic alteration in your daily routine. Instead, the incorporation of these straightforward strategies can gradually build up to a lifestyle that resonates with wellness. Let these tactics serve as your guide in fostering a balanced life, enhancing your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Zack Spring works as a tech consultant which requires him to travel frequently. He also enjoys running and cycling – staying active as possible. He created TravelFit.info to encourage his readers to stay active while traveling.

What is a Miracle?

THIS conversation was stoked by a disagreement between my brother and me.

He only believes in his five senses. He doesn’t believe in quantum mechanics or quantum physics (or, oddly enough, he seemed to balk at psychology, too). He thinks all holistic methods are quackery, even something as benign as yoga. I’m not sure exactly what he thinks yoga is, but he’s too stubborn to even engage in learning about it, so the point is moot. I’m going out on a limb here, too, but I’m guessing he thinks meditation is a bunch of hooey as well.

As far as God, he’s always proclaimed to be a Christian, but he admitted he did not know if God was real. He believes the earth is round, and that outer space does exist, even though, arguably, he nor I have ever experienced either, so maybe that’s all made up, too. (I mean, the moon moves, the stars move, the sun moves, but whatever. That’s just a projection from Hollywood.)

I forced him into relaying whether or not he thought I was a rational, logical person, and he reluctantly said yes, but only because he and I didn’t speak about such things. This is my life, people. 🤪

And anyway, this led me to ask him if he believed in miracles. His response saddened me, while his inability to discuss a topic he disagrees with irks me. His response was, of course, no.

So I proffered a tree before us as a miracle, suggesting the fact of a seed turning into a fruitful tree was in fact, miraculous. However, he proclaimed it was only probability.

Ahh, my dear friends, math and science rearing their sensory tangible heads, yet again.

I told him pseudoscience is just unproven science per western means. That doesn’t mean it’s not real. That doesn’t mean it won’t be proven to be scientific at some point.

So what exactly is a Miracle?

My brother’s definition is certainly different than mine, or at least we don’t see eye to eye because he is unwilling to accept that science, and probability, are in fact miraculous.

But let’s check our old, trusty friend, Webster, and see what he says about it.

miracle

noun

mir·a·cle ˈmir-i-kəl

1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs

the healing miracles described in the Gospels

2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment

The bridge is a miracle of engineering.

3 Christian Science : a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miracle

To start, I’m going to discount #1, as there’s no tangible proof of divine intervention being made evident, other than through our belief structures. (Don’t get me started on knowledge structures, or faith for that matter.)

Secondly, I’m going to discount #3, as I don’t know anything about Christian Science, and the description seems to open up a can of worms, begging more definitions of its contents than anything else. But can we just say that I dig the phrase “a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly”? AACK. That’s just amazing. Can something divine really be perceived as natural? Perhaps only when experienced by a human???

Digression to the fullest extent of the word.

This leaves #2. “An extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.” Yet, the example Webster gives us is this, “The bridge is a miracle of engineering.”

So my, I’ll call it, THEORY, that a common tree is a miracle seems fairly accurate as an assessment, because even Webster is calling a bridge, which is also as ubiquitous as my holly tree, a darn MIRACLE!

So, yes. I believe in Miracles. Miracles happen ALL around us. That doesn’t mean Miracles are not scientific, or mathematic. It doesn’t mean that chance, or sheer luck, wasn’t involved. Math, Science, and Miracles are not at odds with one another.

On that note, I hope your holiday season is damn miraculous, and that the ODDS, by chance, luck, mathematic probability, whatever, are in your favor. I hope you can sense in all of your palpable senses and beyond, the magic behind every thing your brain is creating, and everyone else’s brain.

May you walk this planet in grace, humor, and joy!

Be the Miracle you wish to see in the world.

Happy Holidays!

Ayurvedic Nutrition

I’m taking this course as part of ongoing training for my Yoga Alliance membership recertification. In the future, I don’t foresee me keeping this recertification up–not because I don’t love learning, you know that–but I don’t think it’ll be necessary for my future as a teaching yogi. We shall see.

Either which way, I’m taking Ayurvedic Nutrition through My Vinyasa Practice. I’ve had my eye on this company for a long while now–I had even considered doing my yoga training through them! They also have several other courses I look forward to taking in the future, and apparently I can even apply to work with them at some venture! That might be fun. But for now, let me wrap up this ramble and move onto some of my take-homes in regards to the course.

At this point in my training (a little more than halfway), my biggest AHA! is how imperative it is for future clients–as well as myself–to develop a better relationship with ALL foods. The instructor says ALL foods have some sort of nutritional value. In the past, I’ve poo poo’d certain foods by saying the exact opposite. The creator of the program is right, though–all foods are made out of something.

I’ve already tried to correct the language in my own house. I’ve had this line for years with my kid about how certain foods, that is, junk food, has zero nutritional value. He’s looked at me cross-eyed as I’m now trying to convince him otherwise. I hate that he thinks of junk food as a reward. I’ve always asked him if he was still hungry before embarking on the junk, but now I’ve started to ask him what nutritional needs he is trying to get out of the food. He’s playing along, but again — cross-eyed.

I think a big part of becoming an Ayurvedic Nutritionist means becoming a guide for others through the lens of Ayurvedic notions. The most major idea is to recreate one’s relationship with foods by simply considering a food as nourishing rather than good or bad. Another major idea is to tackle one’s relationship with nutrition by discovering which doshas, or rather, disposition, you were born with, which one you lean towards now, and how to bring them all into balance. There are three major doshas to choose from and generally speaking, one will be a little more glaring obvious than the others. Yes, as humans, we are a blend of all three.

I have such a wide and varied knowledge base at this point. I always say, master of none, but lover of all… and so I feel like I can really create a unique experience creating plans of enrichment for clients. About 15 years or so ago I created a holistic health questionnaire and never went anywhere with it. I think with the nutrition part added to it, now, I can really combine my offerings together into a cohesive document that clients can bring home and expand upon. I’m excited to look into this more over the coming months.

If anything else, it is always fun and enlightening to discover more about oneself.

Stay tuned! Only good things.

Can You Really See an Aura?

Since it’s spooky season, I feel like this question sort of aligns with ‘can you really see a ghost’? I instantly digress! I think we’d have to define what a ghost really is before tackling that question, so let’s stick to the topic at hand — what is an aura?

We’re going Merriam-Webster here for this one: a distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given source (as in: an aura of mystery); a subtle sensory stimulus (such as an aroma); a subjective sensation (voices, colored lights, crawling, numbness) experienced at the onset of a neurological condition; an energy field that is held to emanate from a living being.

For our purposes, we’re going to use the energy field definition, but isn’t it interesting that it’s also a part of brain conditions? I mean, everything happens in our minds anyway, right?

The kid and I were talking about auras this morning after him explaining an intense dream he had of being chased by a zombie and using lucidity to exit the dream state. This led to auras, him telling me he saw purple around me (!), and my insatiable thirst to see what Science — that’s capital S, folks — has to say these days.

Now, I don’t know if my kid really saw purple, but, full disclosure — I have seen colors around others and also floating in the air with my eyes open; I can see outlines of energy; I can see a pulsing in the sky above an ocean; I can see the little whirlies of white squiggles given the right lighting. (The latter is supposed to be an awareness of white blood cells. Who knew?)

I’ve seen some other weird things, and certainly felt inexplicable things, but seeing a rainbow of colors (translucent, not opaque) is most definitely one of the cooler things I’ve experienced on this rotating ball in the heavens.

The next question you might ask is whether or not I’m crazy. I don’t particularly think so. I’m fairly logical, rational. Yes, I’m emotional, and sensitive — which leads me to what I found on the web this morning about emotional synesthesia.

If you’ve read this blog before, you know I’m obsessed with all things brain.

WebMD tackles synesthesia here, but to sum up: it’s when one part of your brain takes stimuli and creates a unique response. Think seeing music as you hear it; tasting words as you hear or see them on paper. It’s not as uncommon as you think! Here’s another cool place to get you started on your exploration of synesthesia.

To sum up: I’m not crazy, the brain is cool, and yes, you can see colors out in the world that others cannot, but as to what exactly it is? Is it your projection from an emotion? Is it someone’s aura, or the emotions they are projecting in the moment?

Kirlian photography also exists which is supposed to photograph your aura in that moment. I’ve had it done twice, several years apart, in two distinct locations in the eastern U.S., and my “picture” was essentially the same both times. I’m wanting to get it photographed again — as well as my son’s — to see if my tightly controlled ball of red and orange have mellowed out to other colors. (Probably not, I’m still a hot head!)

Here are some fun books I’m interested in checking out. Let me know if you have read any of them in comments below or shoot me an email to further discuss. I hope you enjoy the vibes; stay swell out there!

The Ultimate Guide to Looking and Feeling Your Best Every Day

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By Guest Blogger Zack Spring

In today’s society, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless demands of life. With busy work schedules, social obligations, and personal responsibilities, it can be difficult to find time and energy to focus on our own well-being. However, neglecting our mental and physical health can lead to negative outcomes in all areas of our lives. That’s why it’s essential to have strategies that help us look and feel our best every day.

Shared by Nani Lotus Bodywork, here are some tips that can help you on your journey toward optimal health and wellness.

Limit Your Caffeine Intake

Many of us rely on caffeine to fuel our mornings and stay alert throughout the day. However, consuming too much caffeine can have negative effects on our well-being, including sleep disturbances, anxiety, and increased heart rate. To reduce your caffeine intake, try alternative options such as tea or decaf coffee. You could also experiment with herbal supplements like ashwagandha, or ginseng, or fruits and vegetables like bananas or sweet potatoes to boost your energy levels without relying on caffeine.

Invest in Quality Footwear

We all know that comfortable shoes are essential for a good walk, jog, or workout. But did you know that wearing the wrong shoes can cause serious injury over time? Investing in quality footwear is a key strategy for looking and feeling your best every day. Make sure your shoes fit properly, have good arch support, and are designed for your specific activity. Invest in brands that have been thoroughly studied for their safety.

Entourage Yourself with Positive People

The people we interact with each day can significantly impact our sense of well-being. Surrounding yourself with uplifting and encouraging people can boost your mood, lower stress levels, and improve overall health. You can nurture positive relationships by joining a supportive community, volunteering, or simply spending time with friends and family who make you feel good about yourself.

Online Education

Self-improvement is a powerful tool for boosting confidence and well-being, and this may help in pursuing online education or acquiring a degree in education. Going back to school can provide a sense of accomplishment and open new doors to fulfilling careers. Although challenging, the benefits of learning new things can greatly improve our mindset and enhance our lives.

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is a simple yet powerful way to increase well-being and happiness. Taking time to focus on what we’re grateful for can help us shift our perspective toward the positive, even during difficult times. Start each day by thinking about something you’re grateful for, whether it’s a person in your life, a work project, or simply a beautiful day. Write down at least three things — no matter how small or big they are — every day, and read them over before going to bed.

Laugh Often

Laughter is truly the best medicine. It has been shown to reduce stress levels, boost the immune system, and promote positive feelings. Watching your favorite comedy sketches, reading humorous books or articles, or spending time with loved ones who make you laugh can all be excellent ways to incorporate more laughter into your life. Make it a priority to find ways to laugh every day, even if it’s just a quick YouTube video or a silly text exchange with some friends.

These strategies are simple yet powerful ways to help us look and feel our best every day. By limiting our caffeine intake, boosting confidence through online education, practicing gratitude, etc., we can improve our overall well-being and lead happier, more fulfilled lives. Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish, it’s necessary. Start small and work your way up, you’ll be surprised how much of a difference these simple tips can make.