MINDFUL EATING

All this talk about being mindful during yoga or now intensati have you ever stopped to think about being mindful while you eat? Sadly I must admit that I come from a family of inhalers with our food and I have to say I see with one of my children that I've passed this trait on. So often we are rushing through dinner to get to an activity or back to the television or to homework and we don't take the time to enjoy each others company or the food in front of us.
So often we eat mindlessly, stuffing food into our mouths while working on the computer, watching TV or driving in the car. Too often our food is gone before we knew we even ate to begin with. While you are in the midst of enjoying the holiday season and all the wonderful food in front of you try to remember that the pleasure of eating lies in slowing down and fully experiencing all of the elements of food. Take some time to explore a bit more with your food and start to take notice and you will be amazed on how much better it can taste, how much more enjoyable it can be and even how much less you might be eating because you've taken the time to enjoy each bite. This may seem like a silly exercise but try it with your family next time you are all at the dinner table. Just the discussion and exercise alone with certainly make for a different dinner experience and maybe atleast for one meal make you all a bit more mindful of the food on your plate.

Things to explore:
Sight, Smell, Touch, Tast, Texture, Swallow, Breath, Silence.
Look at your food and then maybe bring it to your nose and experience the scent of what you are about to eat. Touch what you are going to eat and then try to experience the moment it touches your lips, tongue, teeth, etc...Begin to chew the food slowly this time, more chews than you've ever have. Chewing leads to smoother digestion. Become aware of the taste, it is juicy or sour or sweet. As you continue to chew notice the consistency and texture of the food. Take a few extra chews before you swallow the food and then take a breath. Bring the same quality of breath that you gave to the rest of the process and then sit for minute and think about what you just ate.

What comes from this is a better understanding of yourself I think and your relationship to food. Not only that but the realization of just how good (or even bad) the food really is and what it meant to you to be able to eat it. Don't forget just how much time you put into getting this food on the table either. Enjoy it all and let it be amazing!

I joined a rowing association in my town two summers ago. They are an amazing group of people who I am sad to report that I didn't get to spend much time this past summer with as I didn't row as much as I would have liked. They are passing around emails lately asking each other for advice, tips, ways of motivating each other to keep in shape over the winter. I love that they look to each other for help. Its not always easy motivating yourself. Ask for help. Don't let yourself go, in fact, don't wait til the New Year to make those resolutions. Get in atleast 20 minutes a day of exercise, find a friend to join you, start eating better in between all those holiday parties and don't let the winter blues get you down.
Every day is a NEW DAY, go be amazing!

(Read my response if you like, in fact please read their responses as well)

http://rocknrow-marbleheadrowingclub.blogspot.com/

If you shield the mountain from the windstorms, you'll never see the beauty of the carvings. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

If you shield the mountain from the windstorms, you'll never get to see the beauty of the carvings...

We all go through obstacles, have challenges that we face every day. We have a choice on how these obstacles will affect us, Look back on the last few years and ask yourself if you have grown as a result of all that has happened. Maybe while in the middle of it all you didn't quite realize it but know now that who you are and what you might be doing might never have happened had you not gone through what you did. Hold onto this and remember as you move forward. All that has happened can make you stronger and all that comes your way may just bring you closer to the end result that you see for yourself. All that is ahead can be amazing.

The power of the positive affirmation can be amazing.

An affirmation is any statement we make whether positive or negative that if said over and over again can become belief and even produce results if said enough. I just finished reading this amazing article from Louise Hay, author, lecturer and teacher who has helped people throughout the world discover and implement the full potential of their own creative powers for personal growth and self-healing. She talks about the power of the positive affirmation. She writes "We can think happy thoughts. We can think positive thoughts. We can say, “Yes, I can do it!” We can think thoughts that make us feel joyous. We can learn to think only about all the good in the world. We can lift our thoughts up. We can greet the day with a smile. We can let the world know that we’re happy to be alive. We can express gratitude at every turn. We can love our bodies. We can be our best friend. By our actions, we’ll be an example for our children. Just by watching us, they’ll learn how to create a happy and fulfilling life."

Coincidentally, I am headed to NYC tomorrow for a one week training to teach Intensati with Patricia Moreno. Intensati is a intense workout combining yoga and cardio with the power of the positive affirmations. It not only keeps you moving but also works to harness the power of the mind. Most of us need reminders to stay mindful and positive and this week I get to train to bring this to others through movement and exercise.

Check out both links. First one, the complete Louise Hay article and second a video about Intensati. Both are amazing!

http://www.healyourlife.com/author-articles/wisdom/inspiration/your-thoughts-create-your-tomorrows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6hr_rg6YbE

READY FOR AN AMAZING NEW ISA DAY?

I was introduced to Isagenix over a year ago and now with 1-2 healthy Shakes and a few other drinks, bars and yes even amazing chocolates every day, I feel healthier, leaner, stronger and more energized. Not only that but over the past year have been able to share the products with others and have seen amazing results for them including weight loss (5-20 pounds or more), more energy, and more balance in their lives. It takes some time to convince some to take the leap and try the products but I can tell you that now that I have found them I am committed to a lifetime with Isagenix and so are so many others.

What can this mean?

As with many things in our life, ask yourselves the following questions?
Is this worth doing?
Can I do this (can I see myself doing this)?

I can tell you that I am not only committed to the products but also committed to being the best coach I can with my clients. First things first, you have to try the products, get use to the energy they give you and develop a trust as your body becomes familiar with them. You will begin to see the miracle your body is if you give it the nutrients it needs. Secondly, make a commitment to use the products in a specific way that works with your lifestyle. Something I hope we can come to figure out together. As with anything, not just one way works for everyone and I'm here to figure out just what works best with you. Lastly, how do you maintain that wellbeing you achieved? That will be our journey together to figure out what you need, when you need it and how you will need it to make it work for you.

As a certified health counselor part of my job is to help you figure out a way to live a more balanced, healthier life. I have this amazing tool in my practice, Isagenix, that can simplify things for you and at the very minimum help to set you on the right path to a healthier more amazing NEW YOU!

Go to www.danaappelyoung.isagenix.com and go to videos. Watch ARE YOU TOXIC. Its a quick video but one which will show you exactly why we can't get the nutrients we need in our world and why Isagenix is a great solution.

Take the leap and get ready for an Amazing NEW ISA DAY?

THE AMAZING NEED TO FOCUS

Where has all the time gone since my last blog. I said to myself that I would update my blog every Monday morning and every Monday came by and I felt like I had so many other things to do. I promise myself every week I will set goals on Sunday night for the week and I will stick with them. I need to focus, stay motivated and keep moving forward.

I certainly am moving forward but the need to set goals, stick with them, block and focus my time has much room for improvement. We all have so much going on in our lives. We tend to go the path of least resistance and stay in our comfort zones. Well its fall now, summer is over and its time to get moving. I have three months til the end of the year and what is it I want to accomplish by the end of 2009? What am I going to do to make it happen?

Think about this for yourself. Even its one thing you know you want to do by years end. Lose some weight, find a new job, or simply clean out your basement. Write your goals down on a piece of paper, put it by your bed, tape it to your desk in your office. Do whatever it takes but do it now. Wake up every morning knowing today you are going to get that much closer to what you desire.

Its a NEW DAY and I'm going to commit myself to making it amazing in every way I can. How about you?

Life's Journey and the Spiral

If by now you haven't noticed there are spirals located all over my logo and business card. I have always been attracted to the symbol and over the last few years it certainly has come to mean alot to me. It has many meanings but one of them to me is Life's Journey and what a journey it has been for me over the past four years or so. Just last year I found myself working with a Life Coach trying to figure out where I wanted my professional life to go. It didn't take long to figure out that I had a passion for helping others and for health and fitness. It was at this time that I decided to enroll in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). It wasn't long after that my friend introduced me to Isagenix and from there everything started to get clear. Fast forward and its a year later. I have been sharing Isagenix with others since last December and just graduated in July from IIN with a certificate in Health Counseling. What a journey. What now? Well, I'm sharing Isagenix and have become "Health Coach" to many. Now its my turn to give back and coach others in their journey.

The spiral symbolizes the process of growth and evolution. It can be the process of coming to the same point over and over again but at a different level, so that everything is seen in a new light. It is my life journey and yet another chapter in my book of life. Now what. Well, its time for a new chapter and I'm having a blast. I'm out to make a name for NEW DAY, Dana Appel Young, HC, AADP, Health Coach. I'm getting new clients every day. I've found something I'm passionate about and I'm going with it. The challenge of the spiral is to grow and develop at different levels of awareness. During these times of change I have to remember to be creative, flexible, patient, open-minded and constantly be ready for a new journey. The task for me will be to continue to support the change rather than hinder it. New ventures are coming my way and I have to figure out how to find room for them, stay focused and keep moving forward.

Its a journey for all of us. I know it is the symbol that I am attracted to but try to think about the sprial and what it can mean for you. Find something that motivates you. Trust the process and great energy will be released into all areas of your life. Keep evolving, keep moving forward and make it all AMAZING.

All that I seek is already within me

Today my affirmation reads "All that I seek is already within me".


For whatever reason we all have moments where we find ourselves holding back and not achieving the success that we know deep down we are capable of. Why is that? Are we stuck because something in our subconscious is of a negative, disempowering nature and as a result is holding us back. Why is it that I can't seem to make what I know is possible for myself happen? That use to be the type of questions I asked but now I have changed the questions. The "right questions" are the empowering ones. The right questions I should wake up asking are the ones that will lead to a positive outcome.


Coincidently, I am currently reading a great book by Bill Mayer, "The Magic In Asking the Right Questions". And I ask, How am I going to utilize all that I know I am capable of and make my new business a success? How am I going to make a positive impact in someone's life today as their Health Coach? I have been asking myself this and so many more empowering questions for the past few weeks and as a result I am finding that my life is headed in the direction I want to go. There can be no excuses. What I focus on expands. If I continue in the days and weeks ahead to ask myself all the right questions then my desired outcome will begin to happen. There is so much more to learn, so much more to accomplish and I am going to keep focused and continue to ask myself how I am going to get there.

"The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your questions. Do you desire a better life? Ask better questions."

Whether in your personal or professional life try this exercise. Start your day by focusing on the positive and asking yourself the right questions. All that you seek is already within you and I'm guessing might just lead you to amazing results!

YOUR BREATH IS A VERY POWERFUL RESOURCE

The following information is taken from Andrew Weil. One of the many wonderful and amazing speakers at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Breathing is a very powerful resource and while below I have given you more information let me tell you the following words to remember.

DEEPER - SLOWER - QUIETER - MORE REGULAR

"If today you can be aware of breathing for 10 seconds more than you were yesterday, you will have taken a measurable step toward enlightenment, will have expanded your consciousness, furthered communication between mind and body, become a little more whole, and so improved your health. While diet and exercise are important, they are not the sole determinants of health. People who eat excellent diets and exercise faithfully are not always healthy, but the likelihood of being a healthy person who does not breathe well is slim."

LEARNING TO BREATHE: When learning how to breathe, begin by closing your eyes for a few minutes. Practice moving your breath. Keep your back straight. Begin with a deep, audible sigh, then quietly inhale and see how slow, deep, quiet and regular you can make your breathing and still have it feel perfectly comfortable. You should feel that you are getting enough air with no sense of not getting enough air. Do this for at least eight breaths, then open your eyes and breathe normally. This is a simple exercise but an effective one, and you should do it whenever you can.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EXHALE: If you watch people breathe, you will see that most of them use effort to inhale but none to exhale. Exhalation is usually passive and takes less time than inhalation. When you breathe this way, you do not move nearly as much air in and out of your lungs as you can. The more air you move, the healthier you will be, because the functioning of all systems of the body depends on delivery of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide. To get more air into your lungs, concentrate on getting more air out of them by attending to exhalation.
At the end of a normal breath try squeezing more air out. You will be using your intercostal muscles to do this, and you will feel the effort as they compress the rib cage. Try to make your exhalation as long or even slightly longer than inhalation. Whenever you think of it, practice this technique of extending exhalation and developing your intercostal muscles.

TRY THIS EXERCISE:
Breathe in for for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds. Do this cycle four times and work up to eight times.
If you can do it twice a day then you are doing amazing.

DO WHAT YOU CAN

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can. (Sydney Smith).

While this quote rings true in so much of our lives I am focusing or should I say blogging today with regards to exercise. So many times I hear from friends, family and clients that I just don't have the time to exercise. All I can say to that is start with a little at a time, don't put it off because you don't have the time but begin gradually. Find out what you like to do, take a walk, jumprope, get out in the garden, go for a bike ride but get out there and do something. It doesn't mean you have to sweat or that it has to be rigorous. Make it appropriate for yourself and thats how you will win. Just by adding exercise into your life, pair it with a healthy diet and you are well on your way to amazing.

Imagination is Everything

Imagination is everything. I can imagine whatever I want to be and I want to be an amazing Health Coach. I just got back from a three day Isagenix Conference. Not only did it reaffirm just how great the products are that I've been taking since last August (not that I needed anyone else to tell me how great I feel when I take them) but I just made some great new friends that I know have become part of my extended family. I get to be a part of an organization that supports each other no matter what, believes 100% in what they are sharing with others, and truly wants to make the world we live in a better place. I just made new friends from Minnesota all the way to North Carolina to New Jersey and New York. I don't know that a year ago I could have imagined that my life would be headed in the direction it is. I think some of the negative thoughts in my head were getting in the way of my heart and my ability to figure out where I wanted to be headed. I have been given the ability to rewrite my story once again and I'm doing it. I'm going to focus on the positive as I've been taught that what I focus on expands. I am going to be the change I want to be and its going to be amazing! Can you imagine that?

I ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY

Taken from my affirmation calender, Wednesday, June 17th "I enjoy every minute of whatever I am doing today". OK, so we can only hope! I had a great workout at the gym, went to the grocery store, fed my kids, cleaned and now getting work done. Does it sound amazing to you? I don't know but I'm trying to enjoy the moments. Trying to get some things done as I'm headed to a three day conference for work today. The conference promises to be motivating, empowering, educational and who knows what else. David Wood is the key speaker and from what I hear he is better than amazing! The Super Bowl of all Isagenix events so I'm told. Whatever the case, I am excited to drive three hours, see an old high school friend nearby and head there first thing tomorrow morning. Alot to do before I get myself out the door but I'm going to try my best to enjoy every minute (or atleast most). I wish for all my friends and family to enjoy the day today and the days ahead.

Its a NEW DAY, Amaze Yourself why don't you?

And get out there and make sure you atleast enjoy something today. Might be the only nice day the rest of the week!

KEEP YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

Some helpful hints taken from Julia Cameron, author of The Artists Way and most recently The Writers Diet.

While it seems like so many of us are trying to lose weight we sometimes forget some of the simplest things to keep ourselves on track. The questions and recommendations below are great for everyone to think about as we all should be accountable for the foods we put in our mouths.

Ask yourself the following questions when going for something to eat:

1. Am I hungry? or am I bored, anxious, angry, etc..?
2. Is this what I want to eat?
3. Is this whatt I want to eat now?
4. Is there something else I can eat instead?

If you stop to ask yourself these questions before grabbing for the first thing that you can get your hands on you might just be able to make the right choice.

Recommendations for success:

1. First thing go for the glass of water and drink 8 ounces of water.
2. Start to change the contents of your refrigerator and cupboards. Keep in mind that OVERPROCESSED usually means OVERWEIGHT.
3. Once a week go do something fun by yourself.
4. HALT - am I too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.
5. Have a buddy nearby that can help you through the difficult times. Don't pick someone too strict but then again stay away from the enabler.

Take a minute, think about what you have in your kitchen and start to think about the changes you can make. Some of the smallest changes can make the most difference.

Its a NEW DAY. Amaze Yourself.

NO ONE DIET WORKS FOR EVERYONE

I am now three weekends away from receiving my certificate in Health Counseling at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and I must say that its been an amazing and empowering experience. I have been introduced to numerous dietary theories covering almost every type of food that there is out there. Most of IIN’s lectures are given by an assortment of the world’s most prominent authorities on wellness, nutrition and counseling. I have come to expect that every day I walk out of class I will want to try yet another new way of eating. One day its whole grains and kale, another its Raw Food and yet another it is all about Superfoods in my Smoothie. After this past weekend I can say for sure that I might never want to touch a piece of Red Meat again. Alot of talk about the cattle industry and a great lecture by Howard Lyman, fourth-generation family farmer in Montana, former president of Earth Save, and the activist that turned Oprah Winfrey against hamburgers. That being said, I am home now and what really resonates loud and clear is that NO ONE DIET WORKS FOR EVERYONE including myself. We are introduced to all the various theories and lecturers for this very reason. There are so many ways of eating and what works for one may not work for another. It is the schools goal to teach us this and its my goal to pass this information along to you.

As your Health Coach, I want to create a Happy, Healthy life that works for you. I want to discover the food and lifestyle choices that best support you. I want to improve your eating habits, explore new foods with you, understand and help you to reduce your cravings and most of all I want you to feel better in your body. The changes can be gradual, the benefits plentiful! The results AMAZING!

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if..."

As for next year, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if..."

A good friend of mine gave me my first affirmation calendar a year ago and I loved turning the pages everyday to read my daily affirmation. Sort of like reading the word for the day but instead it was something that hopefully was going to make me feel good about the day ahead and give me some inspiration and motivation. As I opened my new calendar for 2009 the first page read, As for next year, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if...". I cut this out, taped it to the side of my desk and have been reading it every day since.

Woudn't it be wonderful if I could get my business off the ground. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could get a logo, name for my business and maybe even a website. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could do this and still have enough time to be the mother I want to be for my three kids.

Well its now almost 6 months later and it has not only been wonderful but its been AMAZING. I am two months shy of getting my certificate in nutritional counseling. I have worked with an extremely talented creative team (Keith Lane, Creative Director, Deb Norris, Web Designer, Scott Lanes, Photographer and Adam Kaufmann, Programmer) to come up with the name for my company and help design my logo and website. I have begun my new career as Health Coach and I'm loving every minute of it. All this and I think I would say I'm still taking pretty good care of my three children. They still seem to love their Mom.

I guess I'm writing all this as today is the day my website has launched and suddenly I'm feeling official. I've had business cards for a while and clients that I've been working with for months now. Once again though its something else I can cross off my list and move forward.

Thanks to Keith and Deb for all their long hours making so much of this possible. Sometimes it is those around you that will help to make it all wonderful and amazing so don't forget that it is OK to ask for help. We don't always have to do it alone. Take this moment if you are reading my blog and ask yourself "Wouldn't it be wonderful if..." and see what comes up in your mind. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time and make something happen. There is so much going on around you everyday and while we can always find distractions and reasons NOT to do something its so much more rewarding when you actually find it within to accomplish something and not only make it wonderful but make it amazing. It can be small yet meaningful but find the wonderful within yourself and make it happen.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me up to now. I can't wait for tomorrow to see what else will come my way. You too can make it happen.
Don't forget,
Its a NEW DAY
Amaze Yourself
(check out my website at http://www.amazingnewday.com/)