A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #52: Be Here Now

Photo by Genista via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good blog! Whether you’re a new reader or one who’s been with me since the beginning, thank you thank you thank you for sticking with this project! If you’ve been playing along, I hope you are feeling wonderfully happy, healthy, and balanced. What a great end to the year and a healthy introduction to 2013.

This week’s tip — the final one for this project! — is really to set the intention to stay present and in the moment as often as you can remember.

Join me in making Be Here Now be your mantra for 2013.

Life is precious and fleeting. Modern lifestyles are distracting and escapist. Bring it back down, get grounded, live in your body…

Be Here Now — and watch how your world unfolds.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and stay tuned for more fun stuff, goodies, healthy tips, tasty treats, and more in the new year! And to all a good night!

Lots of love,

~Andrea xo

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #51: Do Nothing

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

This week’s tip is one that sounds easy in theory but that many people find very hard. Doing nothing pushes the Reset button on your mind, body, and spirit. It is essential for natural health and beauty to learn to do nothing.

By doing nothing, I mean doing nothing.

Not zoning out in front of the TV “nothing.” Not Pinterest / Facebook / Tumblr / Twitter “nothing.” Not meditating “nothing.” Just NOTHING.

Sit or lie down.

Stare into space.

Do nothing.

Don’t set a timer. Don’t think of this as an exercise. Don’t think of this as pampering or relaxation or “me time” or anything.

It’s not anything. It’s nothing.

Just do nothing.

 

Can you do it?

~Andrea xo

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #50: Roll to Release

Image by sazztastical via Flickr

Image by sazztastical via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Building core strength is essential for maintaining good posture, preventing injury, and moving with grace and ease. Without a strong core, the body becomes dependent on the limbs, causing overcompensation and misalignment. By strengthening the muscles of your abdomen, torso, and lower- to mid-back, you also strengthen your spine and abdominal organs. There’s a saying in yoga and Pilates: You’re as young as your spine is flexible. Well, you’re also as young as your core is strong!

One way to keep your spine flexible AND your core strong is to practice a move called Rolling Like a Ball.

Rolling Like a Ball massages the spine and builds control. It helps you to learn how to move from your core outward, which makes everyday movement and grace just a bit easier. By keeping your spine in a C-curve throughout the move, you will strengthen your abdominal muscles. You will also improve your balance and concentration.

It can take some time to practice this exercise with precision and ease. Be patient. If you have a tight lower back, be sure to practice a modified version until your flexibility has increased. Never force the movement; only go as far as your body will allow. However, it’s important to practice this move regularly for the most benefits; once or twice a day. By creating a rhythmic flow, you will eventually find this move to be relaxing and fun!

Stuff to Know:

• Practice this move on a thickly padded or carpeted surface.
• If your back is stiffer, hold onto your thighs instead of your ankles.
• Keep your eyes focused on your navel throughout the move.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed throughout the move.
• Synchronize your breath with your movement.
• Yoga and Pilates should be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, standard medical and therapeutic procedures. If you have any medical or health concerns, please consult a medical professional before practicing.
• Avoid practicing this pose if you have a back injury, degenerative disk disease, or a recent or chronic injury to your hips or knees.
• Keep your breath smooth and even. Do not hold your breath.
• Be extraordinarily gentle!
• If you feel any sharp, pinching, or jabbing pain anywhere in your body during the move, stop and come out of it slowly. Never force the movement.

How to Practice Rolling Like a Ball:

1. Begin seated at the top of your mat. Bend your knees in toward your chest and hold onto your ankles. Extend your elbows and press your heels together. If you can’t clasp your ankles, hold onto your shins and bend your elbows slightly.
2. Pull your navel toward your spine, strongly engaging your abdominal muscles.
3. Spread your knees slightly, then lift your feet off the mat to balance on your tailbone.
4. Tuck your chin slightly and gaze at your navel. Round your spine into the shape of a “C”.
5. Breathe in and rock backward onto your spine, while maintaining the C-curve of your upper body. Sink your belly in deeply as you roll back and keep your head slightly lifted off the floor. Lift your hips high and point your toes toward the ceiling.
6. Exhale as you rock forward to the starting position, again keeping your spine rounded and your chin tucked. Balance on your tailbone when you come up; don’t rest your feet on the mat.
7. Repeat up to 10 times.

Do you practice Pilates?

Do you ever roll on your spine?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #49: Go on an Artist Date

Photo by zoetnet via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

A book that I consider foundational in helping to nurture my creative side is Julia Cameron‘s classic, The Artist’s Way. I remember reading it back in college and feeling like I had permission not only to be as creative as I wanted to be, but to thrive as an artist and as an adult.

One of her tips that has stuck with me all these years is to take an “artist date” with yourself. An artist date is a weekly, solo excursion doing something that will nurture, encourage, inspire, and replenish your creative self.

An artist date does not have to be “artistic”! It doesn’t mean you have to visit a museum if you don’t feel like it. All it means is to take a couple of hours to explore something that truly interests you. Some great ideas include:

• Check out (yes) a museum or art gallery
• See an independent film or theater performance
• Go see some live, local music
• Browse a bookstore or craft store
• Visit an arboretum or botanic garden
• Surround yourself with a pile of photography books at the library
• Bring a sketchbook to a park
• Write a letter to a friend
• Choose a theme and Instagram it like crazy (the color blue; circles; smiles; etc. )
• Discover cool street art in your neighborhood
• Go on a lazy, slow bike ride
• Take $10 to the dollar store or a hardware store. Create something with whatever you buy there.

I still have my dog-eared, underlined, well-worn copy of The Artist’s Way from college and I flip through it every once in a while for inspiration. If you have never read it, I do highly recommend checking it out. It’s a classic read that will never go out of style, and is a wonderful dedication to yourself as a well-rounded human.

Do you ever take an artist date?

What’s your favorite way to encourage your creative side?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #48: Make Your Own Dry Shampoo for Light, Dark, or Red Hair

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

Dry shampoo is a weekly hair savior: it de-greases, adds volume and texture, and can save a blowout for up to a week. If you have processed, curly, or dry hair — or if you’re a “no ‘poo” type and avoid shampooing entirely — you might still get greasy, limp roots and wonder whether you should subject your locks to a full wash or leave it be. Dry shampoo to the rescue! Also, if you exercise in the middle of the day and don’t have time for a complete re-do, dry shampoo saves the day!

As with most of the DIY options listed on this blog, you can find store-bought versions that work well. But they often contain ingredients you don’t need, and they can put an unnecessary dent in your wallet. We’re all about easy, frugal, and natural here, so keep reading if you share this mindset.

It’s very easy to make your own dry shampoo! In the past, I’ve used baby powder, but I didn’t like the white residue that sometimes got left on my dark parts. You can tailor this DIY ‘poo to light, dark, or red locks in a jiffy, and leave the white residue behind! You can also experiment with various additives to match your precise hair color, but be careful: I’ve heard cinnamon will bleach your hair!

You can either make a batch of this beforehand and store it in a sealed container, or make it as you go. I’ve seen some cute versions stored in shaker jars (like for herbs or parmesan cheese), which seems like a very clever solution: just sprinkle, brush, and go! I haven’t tried that yet because I don’t have an empty spice jar right now, so I just make it on the go, apply it with my fingertips, and brush through. Works just fine that way, natch The steps listed below are for a make-ahead batch.

Stuff to Know:

• Buy organic cornstarch if you can! Organic is free of GMOs and you will avoid soaking them into your system via your scalp.
• Spot test any products or ingredients before using any homemade products on your face, head, or body, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation and/or allergies.
• You can store this in a sealed container in a cool, dark place for up to a month or longer. Check the expiration date on your ingredients!

DIY Dry Shampoo for Light, Dark, or Red Hair

Ingredients for light hair:

• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Ingredients for dark hair:

• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. pure cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Ingredients for red hair:

• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. paprika
• 4-5 drops of your favorite essential oil

Steps

1. Mix together your ingredients.
2. Apply to your roots and hairline using your fingertips or an old makeup brush, or sprinkle on using a shaker jar.
3. Brush through and style your hair as usual.

Do you use dry shampoo?

How often do you shampoo your hair? Are you on the “no ‘poo” train?