Top 10 tips to slow down

Calm

1. Take the time to prioritize daily objectives. By focusing on the most important tasks to get done, we eliminate the hustle and stress of trying to accomplish everything at once.

2. Cut personal internet use by half. Technology has become a major element in most of our lives. Social networking, email, and web-surfing can occasionally cause our minds to lose focus and wander through hundreds of topics, thoughts and ideas. Try to use half your designated internet time to explore new hobbies, exercise or meditate.

3. Enjoy nature. When time permits – take a 5 to 10 minute break to step outside and breath-in some fresh air. Disconnect from the rest of the world and concentrate on the beauty of nature.

4. Eat Slower. A lot of us tend to speed through meals – missing the chance to appreciate different textures and flavors. Start to chew foods more slowly while trying to distinguish new tastes, aromas and consistencies. Not only will you enjoy your meal, you will also digest your food better and decrease bloating and indigestion.

5. Connect with family and friends. We all try to make a considerable amount of time to spend with close friend and family. We discuss life events, exchange stories – but how often do we catch-up while truly listening and connecting? Put away the cellphones and steer clear of noisy environments. Connect on a deeper level.

6. Make time for yourself. When’s the last time you spent valuable time by yourself? Take a night to find a new book, watch a favorite movie, meditate or cook a new recipe.

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7. Give yourself more time. Some of us like to stick to a tight schedule and plan all our daily events. Next time you’re jotting down new tasks in your planner, try to factor in a few extra minutes when estimating how long things will take. This will help you not rush through daily tasks.

8. Take the scenic route. Next time you’re driving a somewhat long distance – try taking the scenic route. Driving through open fields, mountains, or viewing a city skyline can be very relaxing. Check out the scenic routes before your next trip!

9. Sit for a moment with your eyes closed when you start your computer. Even just a few moments of meditation can set the tone for the rest of your day. Try to empty your mind and take deep breaths before jumping into your day’s tasks.

10. Remember your goals and aspirations. Each morning when you wake up, take a few moments to think about your life goals and aspirations. Try to recall the milestones you’ve already made in your life, and you’re drive to achieve new ones. Try doing this for about 5 minutes before finally getting out of bed to start your day.

Be Unproductive

Have a wonderful day!

~Coach Shannon 🙂

You Are Blessed!

Have you ever wondered where we would be without the many wonderful, rich blessings we have been given from the Giver of Life?

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So often it seems as if we are surrounded by negativity… it pulls us in, pulls us down and tries to suck the life out of us. Scientific studies show that a person with an optimistic outlook on life does not get sick as often. If they do get sick, they recover faster than a pessimistic person.  Does life HAVE to be so negative? Is there a way out? YES! There is HOPE! 🙂 What IF…what if today, we were grateful for everything?

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There is an old song that says ” When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”  The words of this song are so true!

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My great grandmother passed away one month before her 108th birthday. Every time we would visit her, she always told us…

Count your Blessings Gma D

I believe that is partly why she lived so long!! I believe we each have 10,000 Reasons for our hearts to sing! Do you?  Ann Voskamp, an author and speaker, had a friend challenge her to write down 1,000 things she loves – to name one thousand blessings – One Thousand Gifts.  Can you write down even 50? 100? 500? 1,000? 10,000 Blessings and gifts from the Heavenly Father? Try starting with just a couple a day and work up! I’ll be joining you too!

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“Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
                  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles.
                  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully.
                  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters.
                  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights.
                 His faithful love endures forever.”
-Psalm 136:3-7

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”      -1 Thessalonians 5:18

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Blessing for Any Day

Your bountiful presence
is the gift of this day and every day.
Where could we go, Dear One,
that You would not already be?
If we make our bed in the depths, You are there.
If we fly to the heavens, there, too, we find You.
Close in front, close behind.
Your right hand holding us,
Your left hand guiding us.

Your bountiful presence is our dear gift.

Hear our thanks for Your presence.
We feel its generosity
in the first light of morning,
the newspaper on the step,
the smell of coffee, poured and shared,
the sleepy child dressing for school,
the teacher who holds the door and smiles…

Your bountiful presence is our deepest gift.

For the birds whose love song is Your song,
for the sun whose warmth is Your warmth,
for the stars whose shimmering light is Your light,
hear our thanks.
~ Holly McKissick

Bless you! ~ Coach Shannon

Homemade Hummus

Hummus
Homemade Hummus

By: Shannon Beeghley, LPN, NS, CHHC

1 pint jar home-canned garbanzo beans (or use 1 store bought 16oz can)
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup tahini
1/2 teaspooon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 cup olive oil

Drain the beans; setting aside the juice for later (it is about 1/2 cup). Pull all other ingredients in a blender and process on HIGH. Slowly add in the preserved juice and scrape the sides to blend it all together. Blend until smooth or desired consistency. Refrigerate. Eat with salty chips, as a dip with cut up vegetables, on pita bread (Israeli style!) or as a mayonnaise in chicken salad etc. Many different uses!!
Refrigerate any leftovers.

Yield: about 3 cups

Note: Tahini is ground sesame seeds. It can be found at Kroger in the organic section.

Wintertime Indoor Exercises

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for joining my blog. I trust you are blessed by the contents! Since the weather outside is (somewhat) frightful, our homes inside can be so delightful…. when we keep plugging away at those resolutions to exercise or keep fit! 🙂

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Here is a list of a few suggestions for indoor exercises…

1) Jumping Jacks

2) Jogging in place

3) Planks- doing the side-to-side stretches, twists, mountain climbers etc.

4) Jumping with your jump rope

5) Walking up and down your stairs

6) Squats

7) Stretches- reaching to your toes from standing position, sitting on the floor and reaching side to side toward your toes.

8) Leap frog- (not like we used to do as children!) Jump/Side step two places to the right and bend at the knee slightly, reaching down and touching the floor and repeat going sideways to the left…

9) Use canned goods like soup or vegetables for weights as you do some of the above examples like jogging in place or jumping jacks

Dance

10) Dance to your favorite song making sure to get in some kicks forward and backward, swinging your arms side to side etc. It doesn’t need to be a dance that you know… just make it up as you go! 🙂

11)  While cooking, do arm curls with small hand weights. Do push-ups against the counter.

12) While talking on the phone, stretch, march in place or take a walk.

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Make activity a priority.  Put exercise on top of your “to-do” list. Put it on your calendar and treat it like any other important activity.

Keeping yourself fit and active will prevent other health problems from popping up and will also give you a more positive view of yourself! Start out with 10 minutes of consistent exercise a day and work up from there. When doing this routine for 21 days, it will soon become a habit. Some habits are healthy… exercise is one of them! 🙂

I’m cheering you on! Thank you for keeping me accountable too! 🙂 ~Coach Shannon