Celebrate Life!!

Life is what you make it.......

This past weekend was a big weekend for my family and me. I celebrated my birthday. As March 1st begins, the pre-celebration begins. It is another countdown for me, my very own personal new year. My family has all joined in to help me celebrate and although they say that can't wait for it to be over, they really make it a special time for me as well. With all of the excitement of adding another year to my life, it is also a moment where I can review and renew my commitment to being the best me that I can be.

Here's what I do to celebrate life.........

** begin each day with meditation
** give thanks for another day and all that it has to offer - challenges and all
** pray throughout the day - seek guidance
** give a shout out to the sun thanking it for doing such a great job
** take notice of the sky, see how beautiful the color is and acknowledge it
** on cloudy or rainy days, give thanks for the provision of water
** when it snows, admire the beauty of the snow
** show appreciation for the trees, plants, flowers, animals
** seek out positive affirmations
** smile, laugh, encourage
** give hugs and kisses to your loved ones, tell them I love you as often as possible
** work to make each day a great one and if it does not work out quite that way, look
forward to the next day
** be kind, thoughtful and considerate of others
** exercise and try to maintain a healthy diet
** pamper myself, treat myself to something nice :-)
** attend church, visit museums, go to the movies, concerts, plays, dine out, travel
** sing, dance, listen to music, read a good book
** make time for family and friends
** make time for me
** end each day with thanks

Do I ever cry, get angry, upset, disappointed, discouraged? Of course! I acknowledge those emotions as they are valid for the moment. However, as with the seasons, they are sure to come and go. I let them go and in some cases, it may take a bit longer to let go of the anger/disappointment. In the end, it is all up to me to let go and move on. The goal is not to pretend that life is all about sunshine, flowers, giggles and fun but to exercise the option to accept the challenges, seek solutions, let go of the things that hinders my happiness/progress - move on and celebrate life!

How do you celebrate life? (think about it)

Why Does This Happen? Health Questions Answered

Have you seen Dr. Keller Wortham on Veria TV? He has a fantastic segment called What Happens Next? Dr. Wortham's covers medical concerns with a quick review of the symptoms and follows up with the solutions all within two minutes. As you know, we are all about working to improve on our health and wellness - thus being informed is essential.

We would encourage you to check out Veria TV. They have an incredible line up of all things health and wellness and we are most confident that you will be glad you did :-) (See links below videos)

This weeks Health & Wellness will feature these four segments

Heartburn
Hernia
Vericose Veins
Vertigio









Veria Living also VeriaTV

Breastfeeding in Public - A Mother's Choice

What's all the fuss about Beyonce breastfeeding her baby in public? Is it really that big of a deal in this day and age where we claim to be a progressive society?

As a mother who breastfed all of my children, I know when it's feeding time, my breast begins to prepare for it and my baby wakes up simultaneously. It is the most incredible experience ever! It is also a moment where I find a spiritual connection of how amazingly equipped I am - I can give birth and nurture my off spring. So for me it did not matter when baby/nature calls, I respond.

What's most startling, is the fuss made about mothers breastfeeding in public. There are special brassieres made for mothers to breastfeed without exposing their full breast and in some cases where mothers have completely covered the baby with a blanket - still met opposition.

It is common knowledge that breast milk provides the baby with the essential nutrients to help with not only growth but also equips the body with the antibodies necessary to protect the baby from illnesses.

Furthermore, studies have indicated that breastfed babies have a decreased chance for allergies and dental caries. Breastfed babies are overall - healthier babies.

So whether you think that Beyonce fed her baby in public as a way to stand with the other mothers or she just knew it was time to feed her baby and that was all that matters - it's her choice to breastfeed Blue Ivy. Breastfeeding is not about being trendy, fashionable or fancy.

I just hope that our society wakes up and really get's it together. The news headlines with expressions of outrage for breast feeding in public is simply ridiculous. In my opinion, the benefits far outweighs the ignorant reactions.

For more information on breastfeeding and the initiative to promote and increase the number of breastfed children:
Center for Disease Control on Breastfeeding
World Health Organization on Breastfeeding