Image vs. Happiness

Have you seen the new show Chicago Fire?  Even coming out of a fire covered in soot, these people are beyond McDreamy gorgeous, right?!  Perfect bodies, great hair, beautiful smiles,  type A personalities, with that "it" factor that just draws you in. Images.... Are they real? Well in this case, of course not! 

But what about in the real world? Your friends, co-workers, or other people you know?  Do you ever find yourself comparing their lives to yours? Do you find them to be, better looking, smarter, having a better job or more money? Maybe they have more friends, do super cool things every weekend, or just seem to have it all together.

The number one thing that makes us feel unhappy or inadequate is the image we hold of others.  Even with people we know, we tend to glamorize their lives, never really looking at the whole picture. Social media has perpetuated these images, making life all around us seem better than our own.

What does this have to do with being fit or healthy? Everything!! 

If we can't appreciate and value where we are in our own lives, we can't appreciate the learning process and journey our lives have to offer. After all, the reason we buy into all the "diet industry" has to offer is because we cannot accept where we are in our own lives now. We crave the instant gratification of having that dream body . We look at others who have that body and wish we were more like them. 

True happiness doesn't work that way though.  Even if  the Good Witch of the North herself came with her  magic wand and granted us the body or life we wanted, the same dysfunctions of our old life would still be standing in our way of true happiness.  It is looking with-in and learning to accept and love ourselves that will create that inner peace of not needing to be like anyone else but you. And when we can truly be grateful for our own life without longing for someone elses, true health and happiness will come our way.

So when you look in the mirror and you see all of you own imperfections, look with love. Whether you see them in others or not, we all have them. We are all imperfect creatures.  Our imperfections make us human, and give us common ground. While our imperfections or dysfunctions may be different, they give us our wisdom, humbleness, and uniqueness, and set the stage for all we are to learn and pass on in life. 

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same." 

~Marianne Williamson

Grocery Item of the Week for the relentless sweet tooth!

CARAMEL NATURE DATE COCONUT ROLL WITH ALMOND

These are great to have on hand when you are really craving something sweet! 100% natural, the only ingredients are: dates, coconut, and almond slivers. They taste sinfully like candy and satisfy hunger!! Only 120 calories (if you count) per serving, and a great potassium source, these babies are awesome for a mid-day treat when your co-workers are passing around the donuts!!

I find these at my local grocery store (Safeway) in the produce section, near dates, and chocolate covered almonds. 

                                   

Grocery Item of the Week :Fresh Ground Almond butter

You can find these in health food stores, Food co-ops, and in some grocery stores in the health food or peanut butter section. (Locally, Fred Myer).  The only ingredient is raw almonds! 
You just grab a container, flip a switch, and WaLa! Almond butter!!

If you've never had almond butter, it has a great, somewhat gritty (in a good way) texture. Awesome with apple slices, bananas, toast, rice cakes, or in smoothies!  All natural, healthy, way to get your "good" fats, fiber, and protein in one power snack punch!!

                                                         

What does it mean to be a student?

The most fulfilling thing is to walk into a fitness class (in my case yoga) , as a fitness instructor, and allow myself to be a humble student.  When we can let go of our ego and trust that there is always more to learn, we can grow beyond belief. 

I learn something every time I walk into another person's class. Sometimes I learn technique, alignment, form, or just another way to get to a posture. I always learn something new about myself. Acceptance. Being in the moment. Observing my mind; am I impatient, frustrated, distracted, or at peace with the moment. 

What ever the lesson, I take it with me. I own it. I accept my imperfections as I strive to learn more. 

Next time you take a class, be it fitness, or other wise, allow yourself to be present, humble, and vulnerable. 
There is so much to discover.

Work Week Lunch Box - Rosemary Chicken Beet Salad

Chicken
Marinate chicken in a bag with:
1 large chicken breast
2 sprigs chopped rosemary
1/8 c evoo
1/2 squeezed lemon juice

Cook in George Foreman and cube

Salad: 

Toss:
1 box organic baby spring mixed greens
1 box organic baby kale
1 box fresh mint (chopped)
1 box fresh basil (chopped)
1/2 bag organic shredded carrots
1/2 bag organic shredded broccoli slaw
sugar snap peas
1 large beet - shredded (and squeezed dry)
1 bunch radishes (sliced)

Toppings: 
1/2 box strawberries (sliced)
sun flower seeds
pumpkin seeds
dressing of choice (I like Litehouse Blue Cheese or *in this pic* Bragg Organic Braggberry dressing *Fred Myer's health food section*)

I store the salad, chicken, strawberries, and toppings in different 'glass' containers for longest freshness in the fridge and it lasts from Monday to Friday! :) 

This is one of my favorite salads! I love getting in my beets without having to taste the overly "earthiness" of them. Shredding them in a salad is perfect!!!