Paleo Peach Crisp

With summer coming to an end, I thought that I'd share a recipe here for one of my favorite summer fruits...the peach! I have tried Elana's Pantry recipes before, and they're good.

Haven't had a chance to try this one, so hope to make it for Labor Day! Try this summer dessert and you may find more joy in your day!

Exercise: Just Take 15

In order to try and get my exercises done during the day, I break them down into 15-minute segments in order to make them more manageable.

Here are some activities to do in Just 15!

Morning Stretches:

• Floor Bicycles: Lay on your back on the floor. Put your hands behind your head & bicycle your legs as you alternate your right elbow towards your left knee, then your left elbow towards your right knee. Repeat 15 times (or work up to this in increments of 3). Between sets, stretch your legs out & your arms over your head to elongate your body while taking 3 deep breaths. Repeat the sequence 3 times. 
• Cat/Cow Poses: After the floor bicycles, get up on all fours with your knees below your hips & your hands below your shoulders. Slowly round your back & pull your head down for Cat Pose, then arch your back & lift your head for Cow Pose. Repeat this sequence at least 3 times while taking deep breaths. 
• Child's Pose and Downward Dog: After the Cat/Cow Poses, kneel and lean your bottom on your heels, then fold your torso on the floor with your hands to your side or in front of you, demonstrated in this video for Child's Pose. Take 3 deep breaths as you hold this position. For Downward Dog, come up on all fours again, tuck in your toes, and push up with your hands and feet to raise your bottom up with head down and legs as straight as possible. Take 3 deep breaths as you hold this position. See video here for demo. 
• Forward Fold: pose as demonstrated here ---you can bend your knees slightly as you bend your body forward as far as you can. Hold for at least 3 deep breathes.    
• Triangle Pose shown on this link. Again you can bend your knees slightly during the pose if you need to. Place your feet more than shoulder width apart, and turn your right foot out. Turn your upper body towards the right, reach your hands down towards your right ankle, and reach your left arm up as you look up, while keeping your right hand on your right ankle. Hold for at least 3 deep breathes. 
• Tree Pose: demonstrated on this link --- Stand with a good, solid base, bend your right knee and place the bottom of your right foot on the inside of your left thigh. Hold this position for at least 3 deep breaths while holding your hands in prayer position over your heart center. Repeat on other side.

5 Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation:

• This is a great way to start and/or end your day!
• Link here.   

Yoga Practice:

• Beginner Yoga. Here's a great video that gives practice tips; Link here, for those starting yoga.
• Hatha/Meditative Yoga (link), for a slow, relaxing practice.
• Ashtanga/Power Yoga (here), for a more strength practice, discussed in this link.
• Vinyasa/Movement Yoga (here), for a more general-type practice.
• Bikram/Hot Yoga (here), if you want heat in your practice!
• Yoga Overview. This link gives an overview of the types of yoga, so can choose which one is best for you.  You can also mix it up, as long as you know your limits!

Walking:

• Take your 15-minute morning and afternoon breaks at work and walk at your natural pace for those15 minutes. 
• At home after dinner, take another 15 minute walk with the dog, with a spouse, or by yourself.

HIIT Exercise:

• HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) is another option for brief and effective cardio & strength training without the long hours of intensive workouts. Here's a great app for this, The 12-Minute Athlete here.
• Treadmill Intervals is easy to do. Instead of staying on a steady pace, mix it up with different speeds. Here is my usual treadmill interval training: 
• Start with a warm-up at an easy walk for 2:00 minutes.
• Pick up the pace to an easy jog for 1:00 minute.
• Pick up the pace even more to a fast jog for 2:00 minutes.
• Then up the pace to a easy run for 2:00 minute.
• Up the pace to a fast run for 1:30 minutes.
• Slow down to an easy jog for 2:00 minutes.
• Then up the pace to a fast run for 1:30 minutes.
• Slow down to a fast jog for 2:00 minutes.
• Finish with a cool-down at an easy walk for 1:00 minute.

What exercises can do in 15-minutes in order to get out of a rut or in order to stop making excuses because you don't have time? Start on that list, and you may find you get in your workout when you can segment things out into this smaller time frame, for more joy in your life!

Natural & Homemade: The Key to Looking & Feeling Young!

People often wonder how Jennifer Aniston and JLo can look so young, despite being in their mid-40's, even just turning 50, as in Sandra Bullock. Most don't believe them when they say that it's genetics and healthy living, claiming they haven't had plastic surgery or other enhancements. Maybe I'm just naive, but whether or not they are being 100% truthful, I know that naturally looking young is indeed possible. I've seen it with my friends & family, and I myself have been mistaken for being 10 years younger (remember, I'm almost Sandra Bullock's age...), even those saying I look like I'm in my late 20's to early 30's...probably just flattery I say for those compliments! My mother is in her late 70's (she'll hate that I just wrote that), but she can pass for her early 60's.

Anyway, take this un-retouched, unfiltered photo of my girlfriend and I as an example. She is only a year younger than me, though she looks like she can be in her 20's, and in person, she can look like a teenager since she's so petite. She is so active and healthy; I admire her energy and stamina. Like her, I have never smoked, rarely drink alcohol, and we both eat pretty clean, while having our treats once in awhile (code for, we love our food)! We used to run together when I lived in SoCal, and we both continue to stay fit. We both have never had any surgery done, although I do admit that I have had facials, and when I worked in dermatology and plastics 10 years ago, I did do Botox a few times (which I really didn't need at the time) and had some laser treatments (which was great for smoothing skin tone). If that has helped me with looking younger now, so be it, but I no longer get or want Botox, although I wouldn't pass up a non-invasive laser treatment and a good facial.

That being said, I believe the key to looking and feeling young is to be your most authentic self. I've been trying to eat as clean and natural as I can, making most of my meals from scratch. Another aspect of being authentic has been adding natural & homemade products to my beauty regimen, such as coconut oil for my facial & body moisturizer, and baking soda for a natural skin exfoliate. Even though I've always been pretty light-handed with the make-up, I forgo wearing any make-up 75% of the time now. Beauty products can add up in price, and can contain so many chemicals.

Recently, I have switched to a baking soda shampoo (1 part baking soda to 3 parts water---squeeze onto hair and massage through scalp and hair, then rinse well), and vinegar conditioner (1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water with 1-2 drops of essential oil, like lavender if desired---squeeze a small amount through hair and rinse well). As an extra coconut oil hair moisturizer, melt a pea-sized amount of coconut oil by rubbing it between the hands, and lightly run through the hair, especially the ends. These have been approved by my hairstylist daughter, who says these natural products are just as good for cleaning and conditioning your hair. Try all these natural & homemade ways for looking & feeling young, and you may find more joy in your life!

Reduce Stress & Inflammation in 2 Simple Steps!

Our electronic world has allowed us to be connected wherever we are, yet has disconnected us from where we are now! We are virtually present, but not actually present. We are interacting, but not with those around us.  I admit I'm just as guilty as the next person. It's difficult to 'just be' in this cyber universe of ours. We feel like we're going to miss something if we don't check our phone when it dings. What we really miss out on, when we're busy trying to keep up with the techno world, is the real world! The solution to this hyper connectivity is meditation and mindfulness.  This National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, concluded that a major benefit to following these practices is improvement of the mind & body by reducing stress and inflammation.

Step One: Meditation
Meditation helps you learn mindfulness by increasing awareness and clarity, noted by an American Psychological Association (APA) article here. Try this meditation at least once a day, for as long as you can. Meditating when you awaken is a perfect way to start the day, and sets a positive tone to your mood. 

• Get comfortable:  Find a quiet, comfortable area where you can relax. Either sit straight up in a chair, with your feet on the ground and your hands on your lap, palms facing up, or lay flat on your back, with your legs outstretched and your arms to your sides, palms up. 

• Just Relax & Breathe:  Close your eyes, relaxing your mind and body. Take a deep breath, in and out of your nose, inhaling for a count of 4, holding for a count of 7, and exhaling for a count of 8. 

• Imagine Positivity:  As you get into the rhythm of your breath, imagine a white light entering your body from the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands. As you inhale, bring that white light up through every cell of your body to the top of your head. As you are washed with positive, cleansing energy, enjoy this feeling as you hold it in. 

• Release Negativity:  Once your body is cleansed with the positive light, gather the negativity trapped in your body, and release it with your exhale, down from the top of your head and out through your palms and soles. 

• Be Still & Clear:  Repeat the last couple of bullets for up to 15 minutes, clearing your mind and body of toxic thoughts and feelings. If you want, repeat this mantra---I am Safe. I am Secure. I am Loved. God is with me. 

Step Two: Mindfulness

Mindfulness means coming back to the present moment and stilling the mind and body. Whenever you find yourself disengaged from reality, put away any distractions that are distancing you from the moment, whether it's your mind racing or wandering, or an electronic device. 

• Stop and step out of the thinking process.
• Just breathe and calm your mind and body. 
• Intentionally decide where you're going to focus your attention on.
• Focus on & experience where you are at, who you are with, what you are doing, and why.
• Just be present!

This can be quite difficult at first, but stick with the practice of meditation and mindfulness. It will pay off once you get the hang of it, eventually becoming second nature. You will find that meditating improves your mood, your stress level, and ultimately your health. The power of being mindful of your everyday actions, as you're living it at the moment, benefits both you and those around you, bringing more joy in your life!

Don't miss out...be present!

Reset with Real Food Ice Cream

Here is a real food ice cream dessert I found here, that uses lemons, blueberries, coconut milk, and an avocado. With my anniversary last week, along with our weekend getaway and anniversary party, I ate well...I mean really well!

This recipe is a great way to get back on track, while satisfying a sweet tooth! Tell me what you think of this refreshing treat, and as always, find what gives you joy in your life!

Advice I Wish I Could Give to my Newlywed Self, 25 years later...

My 25th wedding anniversary is today! It's hard to believe that my husband and I have been married this long, although it can feel like our wedding was yesterday. I've been going through old photos, putting together mini-slide shows from Flipagram, and there are so many memories in them. There are the happy and the sad, knowing that behind the pictures, there's always more to the story. I'm glad that we stuck through it all, good and bad, because marriage is not an easy road. Sometimes I wish I knew then what I know now, so here's some wisdom and advice from my own experience to those early on in their married life, even those married longer, but may be struggling.

Marriage is tough. It's not perfect, and it's not always happy. It has many challenges and can test a person in many ways. You will realize your love must be based on more than passion, because day-to-day marriage is not a romantic comedy; it's more like a dramedy! Come to think of it, marriage is like being on "Naked & Afraid"...Two people who don't know each other, who are placed in unknown territory, stripped down and vulnerable, with nothing but their own survival skills, and the willingness to work with the other person in order to survive.

Marriage takes commitment and perseverance. For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer...you stick with it! Do this, and you will find that the joy in your relationship stems from the vows you took on your wedding day, not from the feelings you felt on your wedding day. Marriage takes constant work and the will to do it everyday. You must have optimism in your future and life together. You have to accept who your spouse is, and be comfortable in what your relationship is...all without compromising who you are and what you believe in as an individual.

I found this quote a few years ago, and thought it perfectly summarized what I believe is the key to a successful marriage. "Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction" -Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Wind, Sand and Stars.

Whether you are married or in a serious relationship, remember the vows you made to each other. Realize the meaning and responsibility you took on when you promised these words to your partner. I have no doubt more people can have satisfaction in their marriages and relationships if they enjoy and appreciate the better, but also are steadfast and work through the worse.

Consider these words when you are going through a rough patch in your marriage and relationship. Believe me, it's not easy to work through these trials, but if you weather the storm, it is well worth it in the end. When you can sit with your mate and know that you are looking out into the same direction, the contentment that fills you will give you joy in your life and marriage!

<3 Cheryl Joy

Through the years (left to right): First date- Spring 1984, Engagement photo-Spring 1989, Honeymoon in Monterey, CA, 1st year at Sigma Chi Formal, 5th year on a Mexican Riviera Cruise, 10th year with the Kiddos at Panda Inn, 15th year on a cruise to Cabo, 20th year in Pasadena, CA, The day before our 25th during our daily commute in Sacramento, CA.

Daydreaming

I was one of those kids who was always in my imagination, trying to bring what I envisioned into life. I wanted to build a playhouse or a tree house. I would dream up my own versions of skits and plays, forcing my younger siblings and friends, who were like siblings to me, to perform a variety show for our parents in our downstairs den, costumes and all! Our school had a yearly May Festival, and I recreated my version in our South Pasadena backyard, selling tickets to my mother so she could buy the cookies that were used with ingredients that she had purchased! As I crossed over into Junior High, these activities seemed silly, and not so cool. This is when my time with my imagination dwindled. 

With all the responsibilities and practicalities of life, I craved something more, but couldn't put my finger on it. What seemed silly and uncool as a teenager became something I would long for as I reached adulthood, and it continued to nag at me. What I wanted was to find what gave me that joy, as I was putting my imagination into life; the creativity in my being needed expression. As corny and clique as it may sound, I wanted a passion...something that I got excited about, something that I couldn't stop thinking about, something that I enjoyed so much that time just passed by!

In order to find that need, that want, that passion in us, we need to quiet our mind, and look inward to find the clarity of our thoughts and awareness of what gives us joy. Personally, I pray and trust that God's plan will unfold, but with my stubbornness, I was never still enough to listen. This is where meditation and journaling have helped me.

Take action, and don't give up on your dreams! As you steadily realize what drives you, you will begin to just do what makes you excited & invigorated, bringing joy in your life!

<3 Cheryl Joy