Cinco de Mayo is one of those holidays when people enjoy tasty food and festive drinks, but mainly the drinks. Last year, I went out to for a night of drinks with some coworkers, which was fun and needed. This year, I think my sister and I are going to stay in and have our own little Cinco de Mayo Girl’s Night In. After much consideration, I think I’ve come with the perfect healthy Cinco de Mayo menu for home.
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I’ve been some form of “plus-size” all my life. However, a few years ago, I finally learned to move more. I even had a trainer for awhile. Although I still don’t workout as much as I should, but I’ve worked out more in the past few years more than I did in the previous 30. Sad. What’s even sadder than that were the plus size workout clothes. They were usually boring, unexciting, and ill fitting. Pretty much dull sweat suits and black spandex pants. Boring. Thankfully, times have changed and now you can actually cute plus size athletic wear.
When the weather starts getting a little warmer and inviting, my desire to get out and get moving increases. Although I wish I had this desire all the time, it’s been intense this year. So, I’ve shopping for new athletic gear that I can wear comfortable and look cute while I attempt to melt some weight off. During this process, I’ve discovered some brands that make some pretty stylish and accessible workout clothing in plus sizes. When I say “stylish”, I mean really stylish!
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I have an addiction to deodorants. Actually, it’s pretty easy to get addicted to deodorants. All you have to do is be a 8 year old girl who forgets to wear deodorant on a hot summer day in Memphis and for your older brother to exclaim (loudly) in front of all your shared friends that you’re “musty”. See? Simple. After that, prepare to spend the rest of your life carrying deodorants in your purse, no matter the season. So, yes, I’m addicted to deodorants. Ask my purse! However, in my desire to live a more natural product filled life, I’ve been exploring the world of natural deodorants.
In case you aren’t aware, most known deodorants on the market are loaded with strong chemicals and artificial ingredients, which aren’t necessary the healthiest thing to add to or on your body. Like me, you probably assumed that the point of deodorants is to prevent you from sweating and smelling. Well, that is true. However, in order for the traditional deodorants to do that, they use antiperspirants. Antiperspirants are typically aluminum, parabans, chlorohydrates, and other ingredients that are formulated to prevent you from sweating, but guess what? Your body is supposed to sweat. That’s why we are covered with sweat glands…to sweat. Sweat removes a lot of things from our body including excess water and toxins. So, you shouldn’t want those things lurking around in your body and good ole sweat helps us remove those things. Therefore, that’s one of the reasons I’ve started to use more natural deodorants.
There have been some studies about the negative side effects that those ingredients can have on your health (ask Google), but the main reason I decided to try natural deodorants is that I was more interested in exploring more natural and organic ways to live healthier lifestyle. Years ago when I first heard about natural deodorants, the main complaint was they didn’t work, because they would still sweat and smell just as bad (if not) if they wore no deodorant at all. Funny, but true. Natural deodorants have really evolved over the years and well as the market itself. There a crap load of natural deodorants out there and most have different scented options that are not only natural and break down sweat, but have fresh and fragrant options.
Ever since I added natural options to my deodorant collection, I’ve actually started to prefer my natural deodorants over the convenient antiperspirant deodorants. Below, I’ve shared some of my favorites that I feel are definitely worth trying. Even if you aren’t interested in natural products, you still my find your next favorite deodorant.
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I’ve always been one of those people that partakes in healthier eating by eating more fruits and vegetables in the warmer months. However, since I recently been paying more attention to what foods I eat, I not only eat more fruits and veggies, but those that are in season. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are not only healthier, but are fresher and tastier.
This past weekend, I watched the documentary Food Inc., which is about the I haven’t watched in years. However, it bigger impact on the healthier me of today than it did on the me of then who probably watched it while eating a bag of Cheetos. I’m embarrassed.
Food Inc. shined a light on how we get our food and the impact it has made over the year. To help improve the quality of foods we consume, one of the suggestions they gave was to eat fruits and vegetables that were organic, locally grown (if possible), and in season. Seasonal fruits and veggies are less likely to be chemically manipulated and genetically modified (GMO).
In case you haven’t noticed, when every season change so does the selection of fresh foods in your local grocery store. There are some foods such as apples, bananas, carrots, and celery are in season all year. However, most food has time frame when it’s the freshest and healthiest. No only are in season foods fresher and healthier, but are also easier to find and buy. Therefore, they are usually way less expensive than foods not in season. Fresher, healthier, and cheaper. What other reason could you want to get you to focus more on in season foods.
For more information on which foods are in season each season, check out www.EatTheSeasons.com
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For the past few months I’ve been experimenting with things and actions that help me; mentally, physically, and emotionally. As a person who has mild anxiety, I’m always looking to embrace actions that can help me relax and focus. One of the main places I need these actions the most is at work.
My career isn’t very fast-paced and nor does it require me to always be on the go. Actually, my responsibilities are pretty lax for the majority of the time. However, there are a few moments in the week when an unexpected assignment falls into my lap and/or inbox that requires my attention ASAP. As a person who works with well order and preparation, these impromptu stress sessions can be strenuously overwhelming.
Unfortunately, drinking water, deep breaths, and quick yoga stretches at my desk can only do so much. Therefore, I’ve created an arsenal of tactics that I use on the regular to help me relax at work and wanted to share them in case one of you find yourself a little stressed out at work, too.
I’m an avid support of making lists. It’s probably one of the easiest ways you can stay organized and less stressed out about daily tasks. About an hour before I leave each day, I wrap what ever I’m working on prepare for the next work day.
I also clean up my desk area by making sure everything is nicely stacked and back in it’s rightful place. This also includes taking my coffee mug and water bottle to the kitchen to clean.
The objective of doing all of this is so that when the next time I come to work, I can ease myself back into what I was working on the previous workday and without feeling too overwhelmed. Plus, who wants to arrive to an unorganized mess? Not me.
To help me with my desire to finish reading more books in 2016, I decided that it would be a great idea to keep a couple of books on my desk to read while eating my lunch or whenever I have a small window of nothing to do. However, it has also formed into a way for me to take a break when I’m feeling overwhelmed or unmotivated. Since those can be two very different feelings, I keep a couple of reading options on my desk; a funny, quick read to help relax me and a book to help inspire me on some level.
Currently, the 2 books on my desk are 1 Page At A Time by Adam J. Kurtz and The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. 1 Page At A Time is more of an activity book than a traditional book that you read. It designed as daily companion for creatives and features random activities and tasks to help enhance your creative flow, which is why I use it whenever I feel uninspired to write and/or create content.
When your 9-5 consists of you mainly sitting for 6-8 a day, then any movement is appreciated. Usually when I’m stressing over trying to finish a project or feel myself sinking into the abyss of emails, I get up and take a brisk walk from the desk. Usually, I take a bathroom break, go the kitchen area to refill my water bottle, and/or stop by another co-workers office for a quick chat (preferably not work-related). I’m usually back to my desk within a 15-20 minutes and just a little more refreshed and productive.
I’m one of those people that rarely leaves the office building on my work days, mainly because I don’t have a reason to leave. My office building has a general-style store and restaurant in the lobby. There’s even a branch to the bank that I bank at in the lobby. So, I rarely need to leave through the day. However, there are moments when I know that I need to get away from not only my desk, but the whole office environment. Therefore, I might take a 10 minute walk to Whole Foods for a juice, walk to the nail shop for a mani, or even just go sit in the partial stairwell of the parking garage to play Candy Crush. Just anything to get some fresh air to help clear my mind and de-stress me and this works wonders.
Do you have any ways you relax at work? If so, please share, because you can never know too many.
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