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The Power of Food

March 7, 2019

Food, Health, Personal Development, Spiritual

Is there a particular food(s) that has power over you?

For some people, if there is a bag of chips, cookies, chocolate—you get the idea—in the house, they lose all self-control and eat every last bite. The result is typically massive guilt and feeling really bad on many levels.

Or, perhaps a beverage has you hooked. Coffee, energy drinks, wine, etc. have the potential to keep you revved or relaxed, and result in really crummy sleep.

Consider this: when you can’t say “NO” to something, it probably has power over you, rather than you having power over it.

When you give your power over to food or drink, it spills over into other areas of your life as well. There is not much we can control; yet most of us can choose what we eat–and how much we move.

This also applies to the excess time we spend on Facebook or other social media, watching television, and any other habit we have that keeps us from doing something more meaningful. I’m not talking about legitimate down time here; it’s the “Gee, an hour just flew by and I had planned to _________________.”(accomplish something else)

We all have stuff that gets in the way of us living our best. It’s just different stuff.

What’s holding you back? What’s taken your power?

For Christians, this Lenten season (which began on Ash Wednesday, March 6) is the perfect time to examine what it is that has a hold on us. The point is to make us more available to experience a deeper relationship with God by paring away the “stuff” that gets in the way.

Some people choose to give up chocolate, ice cream, alcohol, meat, sugar, even cauliflower—ok, that’s an easy one for me because I don’t eat it anyway.

Here’s an idea: practice letting go of whatever you feel has a real grip over your life. These forty days of Lent leading up to Easter offer intentional time to work on being your best you, by creating a different norm.

It’s about doing something that has a long-lasting positive impact, rather than doing something just to do something. And it doesn’t necessarily have to do with food.

Figure out ONE thing that would significantly impact your life, and go for it.

For me, it’s time to clear out space and let go of distractions that I allow to creep into my day. (The distractions have power over me. ENOUGH!) Creating blocks of time to focus on one thing will be of great benefit. For example: I set a timer and spend 50 minutes working on a project then take a 10-minute break. The break may be Facebook time, walking my dog, intentionally doing nothing.

I’m here if you could use some help around your stuff. I’m only an email away.

Powerfully yours,
Carol

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” ― Steve Maraboli

Lent power stuff

What Are You Grateful For?

February 28, 2019

Health, Hope, Personal Development

I walked past a couple people recently and overheard a comment that went something like this: “There’s got to be more to life than getting old and dying.”

The comments that followed had to do with aches, pains, and total depletion of joy.

Whoa.

At that moment, I was overwhelmed with gratitude…and heartbreak. Gratitude that life, even in its darkest moments, is so worth living because of so much good.

Heartbreak that not everyone can tap into that place. Ever.

Where are you today? Is there even one thing you are grateful for that makes life worth living?

I challenge you to find that “something.” Last week, I challenged you to make a commitment. Commit to feeling gratitude more often.

Here’s the deal. When we are grateful, lots of other crummy emotions and attitudes get out of the way—anger, sadness, impatience, anxiety, fear, and so on.

Try it. Right now—go ahead. Maybe you are having a day where NOTHING is going right. Or your boss is making you crazy. See what happens when you turn on the gratitude button.

You are breathing. You are YOU. You have a computer or cool phone, or you couldn’t read this. You can see. You are loved.

There, feel better? Even just a little? Our mind is the most powerful force that we can control. Use it in the best way possible.

Here’s another tip: Find the things that really light you up and that make your heart sing. Do those things. AND be grateful.

When you figure out the path in life that is right for you, you’ll love soaking every minute out of everyday. I believe that this is a great recipe for improving your health. It is a foundational piece of the puzzle.

Since I love to write, I’m grateful that you’re reading this.

THANK YOU!

If you could use some help finding clarity around how to get your gratitude game on with more consistency, send me an email and we’ll set up a time to work on it together. (My treat, because this is something else that I love to do.) There IS more to life than getting old and dying.

Gratefully Yours,
Carol

“It is impossible to feel grateful and depressed in the same moment.” —Naomi Williams

gratitude

What Are You Committed To?

February 21, 2019

Health, Personal Development

Commitment: the trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose.

Today, I’d like you to consider what you are committed to that is all about you. Yes, that’s right. It is YOUR time to focus on YOU.

No, this is not about being selfish or self-centered. This is about your commitment to being your best.

We do well when it comes to being present for our families, work, and service organizations. What about your commitment to you?

Have you honored your recent appointment with the gym? Are you getting your required amount of sleep? How many vegetables are you eating during a week?

Most of us KNOW what to do. We get busy, pre-occupied, stressed, and we fall into our customary and most comfortable habit—whatever that may be. It’s rarely the option for our highest good.

When we aren’t paying attention, we grab the chips, drink coffee all morning (or all day), munch on the M&M’s, and forget about eating anything green (except the green M&M’s).

When life gets challenging, we often fall into default mode. When our habits are not the best, neither are we.

My challenge to you this week: Decide what you are committed to and make it non-negotiable. You will do whatever it is NO MATTER WHAT.

Some ideas (this does not need to be crazy over-the-top huge):

*Schedule 2 workouts of your choice and make them happen

*Eat an extra serving of vegetables each day

*Go to bed 10-15 minutes earlier than you usually do every night

*Get a massage, do a deprivation float, or enjoy some other spa treatment

*Read a thought-provoking book 15 minutes a day

Choose one thing. Commit to change and make it happen. You are strong. You are courageous. You are worth it.

Powerfully yours,
Carol

“The real value of setting goals is not the recognition or reward, it’s the person we become by finding the discipline, courage, and commitment to achieve them.” —Anonymous

change commitment courage habits

Love, Snacks, and a Recipe for You

February 14, 2019

Food, Health

Last Sunday, Float Sixty Northwest Indiana held a “Fit February Love Yourself Wellness Event.” In attendance were a variety of local businesses all geared toward—you guessed it—wellness.

Let’s face it; there are numerous steps we can take to improve our health. How to begin?

It’s in the title of the event: love yourself.

Whether you are dialed in to increasing exercise, feeling calmer, learning to cook, or drinking more water, it begins with caring for YOU.

On this Valentine’s Day, consider not only how you will show love and gratitude to the people in your life, consider how you will do the same for you.

One way is to eat snacks that taste good and enhance wellness. Snacking throughout the day can help sustain energy and even help you lose weight!

Snack suggestions:

*Hummus with raw vegetables

*Leftovers from dinner

*Hard boiled eggs

*Apple or pear with nut butter

*Mixed raw nuts with dried fruit and cacao (or cocoa) nibs

I often make protein bars to keep on hand. These were a big hit at the wellness event! Even though they contain honey, the protein and nut butter help slow the rate at which sugar is absorbed by the body. I also cut them into small pieces, so that a couple of them do the trick when it’s snack time.

Chocolate Protein Bars

2 Cups (or 16oz. jar) Natural Peanut Butter
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 Cups Organic Honey
2 Cups Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder
3 Cups Rice Krispies

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter and honey. Heat for about 90 seconds until it stirs easily. Add protein powder and Rice Krispies and mix thoroughly (The mixture will be thick). Press into a 9 x 13 inch pan. Refrigerate for about 1 hour, or until solid enough to cut into bars. Store in refrigerator or freezer. These keep well for weeks in the freezer.

For variations on this recipe and more, check out: https://inkwellcoaching.com/recipes/?treats

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’m offering complimentary coaching sessions! Send me an email and we’ll set aside a time for YOU!

Much love,
Carol

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”—Charles M. Schulz

chocolate Float Sixty protein bars snacks Valentine's Day wellness

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