Feel Good, Look Good = Look Good Feel Good

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When I look good, I feel good. The reverse is also true. There have been many days where I know I didn’t look my best, but I felt good and it showed. Other people could see it and remarked how good I looked. I thought, “Really? I haven’t showered and I’m still in my grubby work clothes.” People notice.

On days where I don’t particularly feel good, (like when I’m stressed out, frustrated, and feeling resentful towards everyone and everything) but I manage to take the time to make myself presentable and look good, that shows too! And when I look good, it helps to make me feel better too.

The best way I’ve found, for me, to look good and feel good is to work it from the inside out. If you put a bunch of junk in your body, then junk is what’s going to come out. Same theory applies to what you put in your head. Aside from the occasional treats I allow myself, I eat healthy, whole foods. Not fast food or any pre-made microwavable stuff with ingredients I can’t pronounce.

I like to make large batches of food ahead of time to keep in the freezer so I can have something good when I’m in a hurry. I split it into smaller portions so I can pull out a little bit at a time.

==>Recipes

A good nights sleep is key to me looking and feeling good the next day. I organize my clothes I’m going to wear the next day as well as my thoughts. I have a plan in mind for the morning so I’m not scrambling around, grabbing whatever is convenient to eat and trying to rush out the door barely in time for work.

I do something good for myself first thing. I can’t be helpful to anyone else if I don’t first take good care of myself. And when I take care of myself on the inside, I can be fully present and more helpful to others. And being helpful to others also helps me feel better!

I take deep breaths and meditate while moving my body in a fluid motion trying to become one with the universe. Ebb and flow. I do some light yoga stretches. All this gets my blood flowing to my brain waking me up and clearing out any junk thoughts that might be floating around in there.

All these things make me feel good on the inside. I think of it as building layers, kind of like an onion, from the inside out.. When I feel good on the inside, it’s easier to look good on the outside!

Then I get myself ready on the outside.

I brush my teeth, do my hair, clean up and put my fresh face to the world. I put on clean clothes. I smile at myself in the mirror and tell myself “It’s going to be a great day!” (Even if I really think it won’t, I say it anyway. I fake it til I make it..)

When I leave the house feeling and looking good, inside and out, the world knows it, and I am better able to practice kindness to both myself and others, which ultimately benefits me in the long run!

I’m also particular about what I feed my mind. I rarely watch TV because it’s mostly junk. I prefer to read. And mostly what I read is uplifting and motivating. I try to build layers of good from the inside out. It’s helped me become a more helpful, productive, and positive person.

And I feel great!

~Thanks for reading – LC

Appreciate What You Have

My life isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve learned to appreciate what I do have. When feelings of anger, hurt, frustration, discontent, or just general bad-will start to set in, I practice gratitude.

I also start out my day with a preemptive strike against bad thoughts by making a list of what I’m grateful for. I try not to take anything I have for granted; not even seemingly small things like my morning coffee, or electricity and gas for my home.

I appreciate that the sun rises every morning.

I appreciate that I can breathe.

I appreciate that I continue to wake up every morning.

I appreciate my friends and family.

The more I practice appreciation in what I have, as opposed to disappointment, anger, or jealousy towards what I don’t have, the easier my day goes and the less worry I have.

I’ve discovered life really is too short to sweat the small stuff and waste time being angry at things I have no control over. I’ve learned to accept rather than expect. And my peace of mind directly reflects my level of acceptance.

~Thanks for reading – LC

Green Smoothie for Meditation

This recipe contains bananas, spinach, and avocado which can help boost concentration, which can help with meditation, which can lead to inner peace, which can improve your life…

Ingredients:

1 avocado
1 banana
1/2 cup spinach
1/2 cup almond milk
6 cubes of ice
3 tsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

Put all ingredients in a blender
Blend until smooth
Enjoy!

Avocado Green Goddess BLT Chopped Salad

Ingredients: Dressing, yields ~ a little less than 1 pint

2 fl. oz apple cider vinegar
8 fl. oz buttermilk
1 tsp tabasco
5 fl. oz. malt aioli
5 fl.oz sour cream
7 fl. oz greek yogurt
.5 oz minced chives
.5 oz minced parsley
.5 oz minced dill
1 avocado

Method:

Mix all ingredients together in a blender except avocado until fully incorporated
Peel and de-seed avocado
Rough chop avocado
Add avocado to blender, blend til smooth

For Salad:

Cut a few slices of turkey bacon into squares and cook them to your desired crispiness
Chop up your favorite kind of crispy lettuce
Chop up your favorite kind of crispy apples
Chop up your favorite kind of crispy cucumber
Chop up your favorite kind of tomato
Thin slice some red onion
Throw it all in a bowl and top with Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
Enjoy!

**Tip – Save the leftover dressing in the fridge for up to 3 days to use for dipping raw veggies in for a snack. Be sure to put plastic wrap directly on the dressing to keep air from getting to it. This will help slow it from oxidizing and turning brown.

Decision Making

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A lot people, including me, lack the ability to come to a definite decision in a timely manner. It’s something I’m getting better at, but I’m still practicing and probably will be for the rest of my life. In Napolean Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich”, it says people who can come to a definite decision quickly are more successful in their lives than people who make decisions slowly. I took that to mean I must make the decision now to change my habits and routines If I want my life to improve.

Procrastination is the opposite of decision. People who procrastinate are destined to fail. You can’t achieve anything if you don’t do anything. People who can make definite decisions in a timely fashion have a much higher chance of succeeding. It really is that simple.

Go ahead and make the decision RIGHT NOW to take back your life!

Go ahead and start taking the necessary steps now!

What are you waiting for? The best time is now.

Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Keep practicing every day until you form a new, better habit.

Make the decision RIGHT NOW to lose weight, get toned, gain confidence, or whatever your goals may be.

The only thing holding you back is you. This is why I created this blog. To share my experience and give tips to help get and keep you motivated and thinking positive.

Invest in yourself. YOU are worth it, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

~Thanks for reading – LC

Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients:

Cauliflower

Method:

Cut the florets from the stem
Put them in a food processor and pulse until it resembles rice
Or you can chop it with a knife

Variations:

Whenever I make cauliflower rice (or regular rice for that matter) I never just make rice. My favorite way is to start out with a little EVOO in a pot and get it hot. Then I add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced peppers. Once the onions have turned translucent I add the “rice” and mix it up for a minute or so. Then I add a little chicken stock for flavor. (Feel free to omit this to keep it vegan)

**For regular rice, the chicken stock will be the substitute for the water you would normally cook it in.

Another excellent use for cauliflower rice would be to use it in tabbouleh.

1 head cauliflower, riced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 ¼ cups fresh parsley, chopped
¾ cup cup fresh cilantro, chopped
4 stalks celery, minced
3 scallions, sliced thin
Salt & pepper to taste
Mix together

Mix the dressing:

1/3 cup EVOO
2 TBS Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp maple syrup
Pinch of salt
Mix together, add to “rice” mix
Enjoy!

Caramelized Mushroom and Kale

This recipe is best prepared in a cast iron skillet

Ingredients:

2 large handfuls of kale, washed and hand torn
½ yellow onion, diced
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, sliced
4 cremini mushrooms, sliced ¼ inch thick
1 lemon, zest, juice
several pieces of cilantro, torn
1 TBS butter
1TBS canola oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Heat a large cast iron skillet and add canola oil
Reduce heat to medium
Add the mushrooms. Make sure they’re all flat
After a minute or so, add the butter and let melt
When they are nice and crisp, but not burnt, on one side, flip the mushrooms over
After another minute or so add the garlic and onions
Stir these around with a wooden spoon
Add the sliced jalapenos, stir around
Begin adding the kale a little at a time. It will wilt and become smaller as it cooks so you can add more in
As the last of the kale goes in, add the lemon juice
Sprinkle the entire dish with the turmeric and stir in
Add the salt and pepper, stir
Garnish with lemon zest and cilantro, enjoy!

This dish goes well with cauliflower rice, quinoa, barley, just about anything!

It’s also great with andouille sausage!

The New Super You

Welcome to The New Super You!

Commitment to a healthy change in lifestyle and diet is what drives my passion to bring you information related to physical, mental, and emotional well being.

The moment we adopt a “Why do it later, when you can do it now?” mentality can literally change our lives for the better.

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It’s my goal to provide you with some basic information to help you achieve the right mindset for the journey on which you’ve just begun, plus some fun healthy recipes!

Remember, invest in YOURSELF!
Chin up, smile, look yourself in the mirror and say, “It’s going to be a great day!”
Stay positive! You can do it! You can become.. THE NEW SUPER YOU!

~Thanks for reading – LC

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible” – Audrey Hepburn

Everything in Moderation (Including Moderation)

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I like to reward myself once in awhile for being good by over-indulging in things that I normally keep at arms length.

It feels good to blow it out once in awhile and not have that worry of counting calories or acting proper.

Once in awhile I like to pig out on some junk food. I used to like to drink my face off, but since that got out of hand and can’t be moderated at all, I don’t do that anymore.

Sometimes I cut loose and get loud and don’t follow proper manners or act like a lady.

It’s great for morale, to just spend some time not worrying about consequences and just doing whatever I feel like doing.

I’ve found the best way for me to keep myself balanced is to knock myself off balance once in awhile.

~Thanks for reading – LC

Meditation and Breathing Practices

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Meditation and breathing practices are a good way to begin building your awareness of the body and mind to begin the transformation into a healthier, more positive you. Focusing on breathing helps you be in the present as opposed to dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future.

Mind/Body Connection

Interconnected and interrelated are the heart, mind, and instincts. I know when I get stressed my body gets tense and I’m uncomfortable, disturbed. This then sets off a chain reaction that finally culminates in bad eating habits, frustration, and bursts of anger. Once I realize this is happening, I focus on my breathing, my heart lightens, and I begin to relax a little.

Our breathing is connected to our emotions. We breathe differently when we become emotional. Once you become aware of your breathing, you can better control your emotions.

Being aware of my breathing is what helps me successfully make it through my day. It’s something I have to practice daily. When I practice relaxation and breathing it eventually becomes second nature. Bring the body and the mind will follow. I believe the opposite to be true as well. Since they are related, it would only make sense that if you bring presence of mind, the body will follow, too.

Healthy mind, healthy body = healthy body, healthy mind. Just work on whichever part is easiest, and with enough devotion the rest will fall in line.

Breathing Practices

Why practice breathing?

Clear the mind
Distracting thoughts subside
Experience inner peace and relaxation
Feel refreshed

So much of our stress and tension comes from the mind. When the mind stills, happiness and contentment arises.

The benefits of practicing breathing can ultimately be one of the greatest things you can do for your body, soul, and peace of mind. We can connect to our emotions through our breath. Since our emotions make us breathe differently it makes sense that we could control our emotions through breathing.

To elevate your presence of mind, become fully aware, and engage in the present moment, I practice regulating my breath. This helps me be present, or, “all the way there” when dealing with other people and situations in which I need to a part of. I’m easily distracted and my mind wanders a lot, which makes it difficult for me to engage in the present moment. Once my mind is right, my body soon follows. I’m then able to be of maximum service and fully present.

For more information on different types of breathing practices check out:

“Breathing Practices and Pranayama in Yoga”

and

“6 Breathing Exercises to Relax in 10 Minutes or Less“.

Meditation

Why meditate?

To learn how to calm yourself when difficult situations arise
To achieve mental calm and peacefulness
To overcome external circumstances that distract from a feeling of “undisturbed”
Mental balance
Ability to control your mind

I’ve found, for me, the simplest and safest way to achieve balance in both my emotional and physical states, is through meditation, not medication. I don’t like pills and I don’t think it’s right for me to have to depend on them for my sense of well being.

My mental state has dramatically improved since I began practicing meditation and breathing exercises. It helps me to get my mind prepared and ready to tackle the day, and to be able to deal with any irritations that happen on a daily basis.

I highly recommend practicing meditation for at least 8 minutes a day for a life that knows peace and comprehends serenity. For more information, check out this article about the positive effects of meditation.

Take care of yourself and respect yourself. Give yourself every advantage you possibly can. It’s a scary world out there but it doesn’t have to get you down! Stay positive and invest in yourself!