So, as you've probably noticed around here - my life is totally different as a parent. I thought before I had D that I'd still write about all kinds of things lifestyle related, but you can pretty much tell as you scroll through... I spend all my time mom-ing now. Taking care of baby business and basically living the life of a toddler's snack chef is my 24/7 - I'm not complaining though, this is the life I've always dreamed of. Delainey truly is a blessing and I'm so thankful to get to spend all my time with her.
With that said, I've had to learn to make time for myself too. I'm learning to master the art of balance in my life, in more ways than one really. It's been a struggle over the past year or so, but now that D's nearly 13 months, I'm starting to get the hang of things... maybe? She's teaching me lessons at the same time I'm trying to teach her about life, it's a balancing act in itself and one that'll be a lifelong thing - that's what parenthood really is, after all.
Ultimately, finding "me" time and still making more than enough time for her is my goal. I've been trying to do more for me, without taking away from her... so I've been practicing yoga a little more with her as my partner, meditating as much as possible while embracing her wild and crazy noisy self, and contemplating ways we all can work on balancing our lives - hence today's post.
There's no coincidence I started this new balanced lifestyle in September either, it's National Yoga Month - which means I'm not just trying to balance my life, but I'm working on my "yoga-game" lately as well and trying to find more balance there. The thing is, yoga isn't just an awesome way to build physical balance, it's a great way to center your mind and find balance mentally as well. Are you wanting to find more balance in your life? Here's my list, inspired by my most recent Peace, Love, and Yoga Babbleboxx goodies:
1. Flow - While drinking plenty of water is one important way to maintain balance in your life, the way I'm addressing flow today is more in the manner of "going with the flow". While practicing yoga, listen to your body. When you're having a rough day, try not to sweat the small stuff. Let things roll off your back, instead of worrying about every detail, and you'll soon discover, life is much happier this way.
2. Hard Work - When we have a million voices screaming at us to quit, it's easy to give up... but the thing is - quitting won't get us anywhere.
Whether it's anxious thoughts overwhelming you while prepping for a gym session, the thought of needing to quit while in a tough yoga pose, or the overwhelming urgency of needing to eat making you desperate to break your diet, there's no need to "quit". Hard work always pays off, in your thoughts, in the gym, while practicing yoga, and even when you stick to a tough diet.
With that said, making sure you are getting enough protein as a momma on the go can be tough. Check out how you can ensure your body stays nourished with Ascent Protein — The Official Sponsor of Hard Work. Coming in flavors like chocolate, vanilla bean, and lemon sorbet, I'm always craving these and love being able to make sure my body is getting what it needs, easily in yummy shake form! Want to try this delicious "reward" for all your hard work? Use the code 'YOGA' for 10% off!
3. Escape - I know I'm not the only one that just needs an escape every once in a while. It's not even just limited to a "mom thing". So when I find a book I just love, I have to share. Plus this one is a #1 New York Times Best Seller & one of Oprah's Book Club Selections in 2016, so you know it's good. Love Warrior is a painfully honest book written by Glenn Doyle Melton, about life, about love, about trusting. We are all born to be warriors and this women's memoir is a reminder that we all are powerful, capable, and brave enough to fight for what we want. At the same time, it's super raw and open, about everything. If you're looking for a gripping book, you know, the type with little bits so well-phrased and interesting that you highlight the pages... this is it.
4. Energize - Kombucha is something I've loved since I tried it, not only because it's healthy... but it's actually super tasty! I love trying new foods and I'll try anything once, but the first time I sipped kombucha, I knew it was a life-long love type of thing.
With that said, KeVita Master Brew kombucha has me feeling the same way. Fermented with a kombucha tea culture, has live probiotics, organic acids, organic caffeine (hellllllooooooooo life source), and it's also verified non-alcoholic!
I try to limit myself on kombucha since D is nursing still but I can't wait to try all the invigorating flavors! With options ranging from pineapple peach to root beer, they have kombucha everyone will love.
5. Nourish - On the same yummy note, B.O.S.S. Bars are a new family favorite! With amazing flavor combinations and premium, all raw
ingredients. These are "treats" I don't have to hide from Delainey when
I'm snacking... but sometimes I sneak away for a second anyways, just
to savor the flavor and treat myself, without having to share! LOL.
Why
do I love these so much? With paleo flavors like Dazzle, Think, Move,
Smile, what's not to love? I think so far we have enjoyed the 'Smile'
bar the most, although they all are delicious gluten-free snacks. Which
flavor catches your interest the most? Grab a stash of these goodies here
and you can score free shipping on any 5-pack and/or case of 12 on
their website through October 15, 2017 w/code BABBLEBOSS (or you can
always score some on Amazon Prime)!
6. Sweeten - Some days, life just needs a little sweetness added to it. The most recent addition to the In the Raw sweeteners, NEW Organic Stevia In The Raw is the best way to add that bit of sweetness without worrying about GMOs. This natural sweetener is my favorite way to make sure my espresso tastes just right... and since it comes in tiny little packets, I take it everywhere with me.
7. Freshen - Let's be honest, some days we don't have time to take multiple showers... but chasing these babies around definitely makes us feel a little heated alllllll day long. Or is that just me? Either way, I sometimes feel the need to freshen up mid-day... and when I don't have the time to take an all out shower, I reach for Simply Summer's Eve Cleansing cloths. These little handy-dandy personal care wipes help balance your natural pH and wipe away unwanted, odor causing bacteria - the perfect way to make sure your lady bits stay fresh, no matter how active you are!
8. Switch Perspective - Life really is all about perspective,
trying to find the positive in every situation is really the best way to
look at things - in my eyes, anyways. Nopun intended. The thing is, that isn't always easy. When
things get rough, it's best to allow yourself to be upset for a moment.
Then push past it and find a way to look at it differently.
When baby is throwing a fit and all you want to do is cry with her, instead sit down, get on her eye level and start to play. I almost guarantee that little shift in your behavior will alter her behavior as well. Life really is all about how you look at it, so try and enjoy every moment and find the good in it all. Some days it's nice to take things in from an admiring 1 year old's stance, she definitely makes the mundane seem interesting and the boring seem bright... and what is there not to love about that?!
9. Embrace - On that note, learning to embrace the crazy, the long nights, the crying, and the tough moments has probably been my biggest struggle as a parent. Therefore, it's where I've had to work at balancing life the most since D's arrival. I can honestly say I'm still working on embracing it all, but I try and take it all in now. I find balance in embracing all parts of our daily life by trying to remind myself she's only little once, regardless of how tough she can be.
Even on my busiest of days, I love the moments she needs me. When I'm struggling to get things done, I still love when she just wants mama snuggles and nothing else will do.... and when she only laughs at me and nothing else can make her giggle, those are the moments I'll always cherish. I feel honored that she loves me so much, with this extravagant, over-the-top, adoring type of love... and the thing is, I somehow love her so much more than that.
So tell me, how do you embrace parenthood? How have you achieved balance in your life as a parent? ...or if you're still navigating through the first few years of parenthood (like me), be sure to leave me some input on how you're managing to balance your life right now! Also, be sure to check out all the goodies I shared today, for your chance to refresh, sweeten, and nourish your soul.
1. Nourish your body - Fuel your body with what it needs - sleep well, eat well, love well.
2. Don't always listen to yourself - Don't believe everything you think and don't ever take your thoughts too seriously. On that same note it's okay to listen to that inner voice, just don't let it hold you back from living.
3. Challenge your mindset - Don't get stuck in a rut. Try new things, do crosswords, read books, try to learn a new language. Keep your mind active and always be willing to listen to new ideas.
4. Laugh at yourself - It's okay to be ditzy, it's alright if you tripped in public... things happen. Mindful people know this and they let it go and learn to laugh, even when it's hard.
5. Don't avoid emotions, share your feelings and work through them - While mindful people laugh at their mistakes, they also own their sadness, their anger, etc. Be sure to voice your frustrations, hurts, and other emotional feelings in a productive way and work through them.
6. Listen with concentration to those around you - Intently listening will open so many doors, whether it's a new friendship or a business adventure - be sure to listen to those around you and be present.
7. Slow down and absorb information - Instead of rushing through life, checking notifications constantly, and speed reading each book you check out from the library - take some time to "smell the roses" as it were and allow yourself to slow down and enjoy life.
8. Stay curious - Spend time outdoors, do science experiments, and be a silly amount of curious at all times. Life should be fun so go down the less taken path and enjoy it.
9. Be aware that all things come and go and accept that fact - This may be the hardest part of being mindful for me. Knowing that things come and go allows you to accept life as it is and this makes living mindfully so much easier.
10. Allow yourself to take a break - While living mindfully is important, so is taking a break. It's okay to check out, turn your phone off, try not to think of anything, and just spend time in a quiet room meditating... it's actually what mindfully living is all about.
So tell me, do you live "mindfully"? I'd love to hear your intentional behaviors that help you to leave a more mindful life! Let 'em at me in the comments below!
*This post does contain affiliate links, regardless all opinions expressed above are my own.*
While pregnancy has somewhat altered my workout routine, it hasn't completely stopped my ability to get-up and go either. I'll admit, instead of jogging or lifting heavy weights, I've been finding easier ways to work out from home that fit into my daily routine. It's best to take it easy, so I've found that yoga seems to be my favorite way to stay fit and balanced while experiencing everything pregnancy has to offer.
If you've been a follower of the blog, you know I've pretty
much always been a huge fan of yoga
and it's benefits, so when I foundGrokker
and tried out the 14 day yoga challenge, I knew I immediately found a little
community of amazing, fitness-minded people that I could connect with! Not only
did I find an amazing source of knowledge, I found a place that makes me feel
at ease... my own home, my own little yoga sanctuary plugged right into my very
own tv, so I can "attend" classes on my schedule! Do you the smiley
smirk on my face in the photo below? This is after I did my yoga routine and as you can tell, I'm glowing &
I loved every second of my practice today!
Working out really has never been easier, now that I can gain access to the videos that get my blood pumping within seconds. I know we all want to be healthy and now everyone can live a healthier, happier lifestyle with a simple addition to your daily routine. Whether you decide to work out in the AM or the PM, adding in a little bit of time to set your mind and your body right with yoga is easy using Grokker!
Whether your a beginner or an advanced yogi, you'll find a
video that suits your fancy on Grokker and you'll love the variety of fitness,
meditation, and healthy cooking videos you'll find on the website as well!
There are a lot of sites to find work out material, but withGrokker I think you'll find one of the best ways to tone your body or, in my
case, try to maintain a healthy routine daily - it's a fitness solution that
actually works for you and with you!
Are you ready to start your workout at your convenience, on
your time, on any device you please (even in HD, if you prefer)? CheckGrokker out for yourself and score a 2 week
free trial! Here's an example of the 14-day Yoga Challenge that initially got
me hooked, click play & you'll find out why:
Plus, sign up with this link to receive an exclusive discount of
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This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Grokker.
Today has been all about the day of love so it probably doesn't surprise you that I want to share a few things I really have been loving lately! If you read the last post you found out we're expecting and with that news has come a new sleep pattern for me. My new sleep pattern means I'm falling asleep way earlier than I used to and that obviously means I've become more of a morning person...
With my new found love of mornings, I've found a balanced routine I like to practice almost every day. It's just nice to start your day out with revitalizing and energizing activities... and well, I think my little morning routine is just perfect.
My favorite part of waking each morning now is knowing that I'll soon be sipping on a delicious glass of Lipton Tea. With their huge variety of new, delicious flavors including my favorites - New Berry Hibiscus herbal tea, Improved Orange Passionfruit Jasmine tea, and the New Irresistible Lady Lipton tea, it's hard to decide which flavor I want each morning so I tend to have a glass before and after my routine!
It's so delicious, I just can't pass it up! These new, refreshing flavors put a great spin on the standard "tea time" expectation, creating an exciting and unique experience. Each type of tea offering it's own distinct flavor and still complimenting my breakfast of cookies so perfectly, what more could a girl ask for?
While I'm sipping on my favorite tea of the day, I also like journaling. Sometimes I bullet journal to try and get my thoughts gathered all in one place. Allowing my journal to remind me of important things I need to accomplish and sometimes just reminding myself to stay positive. This is a hobby that I think everyone should start, tea while journaling is pretty much soul food.
After I finish up a cup of tea and a little journaling, I like to practice these 8 yoga poses to make sure my body is feeling energized, revitalized, and ready to take on anything the day has to offer. Once you start practicing each morning, it becomes an addictive and satisfying habit!
I usually begin with a little meditation while sitting in half lotus, preparing my mind and body for the day and for my yoga practice.
Half Sun Salutation is normally my next move in my yoga sequence, allowing my body to awaken and feel completely at peace.
Next I like to provide my body with a sense of power and strength by stepping into Warrior II.
Coming into triangle pose just feels natural and since it's a restorative pose, it's beneficial to practice daily.
After spending some time in triangle pose, I love slipping into a side plank, testing my body slightly and encouraging it to find strength and balance from within.
Now I like to give my body a little break and get into a pose that always feels like I'm lounging, the bridge pose is like a baby back bend and instantly relieves pressure and stress for me.
Next I like to flip over and practice cat/cow a little, allowing my face to relax and really embracing the small stretch I feel.
Last on my list of daily yoga moves is high crescent lunge, allowing my chest to really open and feel the stretch and preparing my mind for a day full of energy.
So tell me, after learning a bit more about how I spend my mornings... do you want to try my daily morning routine yourself? I guarantee you'll feel more energized and revitalized all day long after a little yoga, journaling, and tea! If you already have your own thing going, I'd love to hear how you like to start your mornings out on the right foot? Also, if you are wanting to start having tea time in the AM be sure to check out the full line-up of Lipton Green, Black and Herbal tea here.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Confused Girl sent over a pair of leggings to facilitate today's post, regardless all opinions expressed below are mine alone!
This time last year, I had just finished hosting a yoga challenge - the Everybody Yoga challenge, to be exact. It was a daily, picture sharing, yoga challenge on Instagram and boy, was it an amazing and trying experience. The 30 day challenge I hosted in 2014 was the last time I practiced yoga on a regular daily basis, for an extended period... and that, my friends, is a bummer and is going to change starting now.
I may not be able to fit an entire hour long yoga class into my daily routine but I'm going to start adding in a few poses before I get my day started and before I lay down in bed in the evening. This won't be a publicized challenge though, my practice will be all for me and I encourage you to do the same.
I want this "daily yoga challenge" to help us all feel more grounded and aware, to help us connect with our surroundings and live in the moment, while also helping us remain calm and balanced. Yoga is capable of changing your view of the world, I know this much... you might as well let it by practicing daily, is my new philosophy.
Practicing headstands, backbends, or simply meditating - my body needs the zen aspects of yoga and wants to feel the stretch. I'm so ready to get the yoga ball rolling, metaphorically and literally.
The thing is, I lost so much weight over the past year or so that none of my work out clothes really fit me anymore. Trust me, I'm not complaining... but I do need new yoga gear to practice in and that's where Confused Girl and their Crystal Inspired leggings come into play.
These gorgeous leggings are the perfect pair to get back into my groove in, the patterns made from images taken of a Gold Agate Crystal. It's like I'm practicing natural healing just by wearing these beauties, especially since Agate enhances creativity and is shown to strengthen intellect - making the pair perfect for this blogger, student, and artist...
Not only are these a groovy-looking and feeling pair of leggings, they are actually comfortable. With 4 way stretch, I don't feel squeezed into them but like they are a second skin - which is an important distinction when choosing yoga pants. They're also eco-friendly, made out of water based ink, made in the USA (in LA to be exact), and totally machine washable... What more could you ask for in a pair of leggings?
How about a story to go with the brand name? Confused Girl may make you question the brand... who wants to buy from someone confused? Well, the statement behind the name is beautiful and makes me want to buy every single crystal-inspired color of these leggings... As Giovanna, the founder of the company says, “It is really easy to accept yourself when you are feeling good and your life is the way you want it. But it isn’t so easy to accept yourself when things are tough and you are confused. We shame ourselves in times we need to be embracing ourselves.” Confused Girl is about accepting yourself just as you are at this moment.
So now, that I've shared why I love my new leggings so much, the story behind my new favorite brand of leggings, and how I plan on getting back into my "yoga groove", I'd love to hear what pair of Confused Girl leggings are your favorite and which yoga pose you favor as well! Leave me a comment and let's chat! Plus, enter to win a pair of HOPE leggings with the giveaway form below:
If you can't wait to see if you win and you decide to order a pair of these fabulous leggings today, you can score 15% off with the code "BYE FELICIA" plus free domestic shipping! So what are you waiting for?
It's true... I'll admit that I've been known to be the girl that sits out during sporty activities and I've been hit in the face by things that were thrown at me... So I may not be the definition of athletic, but I am always working to maintain my fitness! Whether I'm trying to get my zen on while practicing yoga or sneaking in some cardio after a busy day running errands, I try to make sure I live a healthy lifestyle.
{like these fun, funky leggings? be on the lookout for a post about how awesome they are later this week!}
Today I want to share 10 ways to keep your mind and your body healthy and happy... I practice all of these habits and if you don't already, you should too! Everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy life and these 10 simple steps will get you there in no time...
1. Choose Wisely - This is a simple step but one of the hardest to take, to live a healthy lifestyle one has to choose foods that fuel your body. Foods like vegetables, fruits, proteins, etc are what your body really needs, while carbs, fats, and sugars should only be eaten in moderation. I love shopping for my fruit and veggies at Walmart, they always have great deals on my favorites!
2. Elevate Your Daily Routine - This is another simple step, but this one is an easy adjustment. You must take vitamins every single day... I'm not a fan of the pill form of vitamins so I buy the gummy versions, no matter which kind you buy - just be sure to take the correct dosage every single day.
3. Monitor Your Activity - Heart Rate Monitors are a great way to make sure that you are burning a healthy amount of calories and/or taking the right amount of steps in a day to maintain or lose weight. I love my my HRM so much and I bet if you invest in one, you will love yours too!
4. Keep Things Zen - Lay out a yoga mat, put in a meditation or trance cd, and allow yourself to unwind. Let go of your worries and allow peace to fill your mind and body - this is the key to true happiness and pure health, in my opinion. A healthy, balanced mind leads to a healthy, balanced body!
5. Allow Yourself Some Me Time - Do you! Go shopping, make some awesome crafts, ride horses, or pretend your a mermaid in your neighborhood pool... whatever your heart desires! Just make sure you have time to take care of yourself and treat yourself to something you love to do!
6. Don't Obsess Over Numbers - Scales aren't the only place to achieve a healthy lifestyle victory, pay attention to the way your clothes fit or even just the amount of energy you gain - both of these factors are benefits of a healthy, happy lifestyle and definitely something to smile about!
7. Stay Young at Heart - Eat heart healthy foods and do cardio! Working your heart and making sure it isn't working too hard are two things that are incredibly important to your health!
8. Keep Things Clean - A clean house means more than a happy home, it means a healthy home which leads to healthy body. Make sure to clean counter tops, dust, sweep, and mop regularly so that your immune system isn't always battling your environment.
9. Drink Plenty of Aqua - This one is obvious but most of us are guilty of not getting enough water in each day! Grab nice, refillable water bottle next time your at Walmart and challenge yourself to drink 5 or more bottles in a day, everyday!
10. Motivate Yourself to Succeed- Buy a few items of clothing a size smaller than what you currently wear or keep an item in mind that you will buy to reward yourself when you hit a certain goal. This is a great way to motivate yourself, plus you get double the benefits once your goal is reached, you've achieved something and you also get a special treat!
Now that I've shared 10 ways to keep healthy, I have some awesome news to share! Walmart is hosting America's Biggest Health Fair on October 10th (10/10) to promote healthy lifestyles for everyone! So be sure to add the health fair to your calendar and visit your local store to learn more about how you can lead a healthier lifestyle! After you add this awesome event to your calendar, tell me all about the things that you do in your life that keep you healthy... Are you a running addict? Do you love taking your vitamins? Tell me about it!
