10 minute workouts

My friend shared with me a really great sight full of 10 minute work outs!  I love doing a bunch of these for a work out.  Especially if your at home.  This arm one leaves me feeling like jello every time! The best motivator line: "Just think when you wave at someone, your arms won't wave back!"

Popsugar Fit Tv

focus

"We would do well to slow down a little, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

We have been taking a mighty big slow down in our home.  Operation "focus".  What are we focusing in our day to day routines?  What are we making time for?  What are we focusing on that distracts from the truly most important moments and lets them slip by without a notice?  Put the iPad down, turn the T.V. off, stop cleaning for a second, quit reading this blog post.  And go focus on what matters most in your life. Focus on the moments you've never noticed before. While some things are vital to our day to day routines, remember to look up from them time to time and focus. It will only lead to a happier, healthy life.  You'll be surprised what you've been missing. 

Healthy Midday Snack

While I have been at college I have had a roommate who has very healthy eating habits. She inspired me to try and eat healthier with her. One thing I have found enjoyable is what I like to call "The adult lunchable Stacker". This consists of crackers, canned chicken and slices of zucchini/cucumber.
How you make it is very simple. Take your canned chicken( you could also use tuna), mix it with mayo/miracle whip, the place a little bit on a cracker and add a slice of cucumber/zucchini on top and eat. It's satisfying, and doesn't sit in your stomach like a brick. I have found it to be a good way to have a little snack if i am hungry, without snacking on chips or other unhealthy snacks.
Try it, and enjoy.

Real Life

Wow, it has been a long time since I have posted anything on here. Life has been busy, and blogging hasn't been high on my priority list...which actually, is a probably a good thing. While I enjoy the time spent processing, writing, and sharing ideas online- sometimes it is nice to just enjoy real life without constantly connecting it to the internet.

Sometimes it scares me to think about how much time I spend in front of a screen. Between my phone, my computer, and my television, I spend a significant amount of my day engaged in technology.  The worst part is, in some ways it is like I've trained my brain to think that I need to do those things in order to relax, feel connected to others, and maybe even feel happy. That is what worries me the most.

It's not always a bad thing. In fact, there are some really great things that come from technology. And sometimes it really is nice to just come home from a long day at work and turn on Netflix so I don't have to think about anything for awhile. But I think the problem for me is that when I turn to the internet or TV in a moment of relaxation, it can so easily become hours of idleness. When that happens, I always feel worse than when I sat down to take a break. I never feel recharged or re-energized.

I think one reason for that is that the kind of moments that give meaning to our lives and fill us with positive energy and emotions don't happen in front of a screen. Sure, watching an uplifting or funny TV show or winning a game on our phone can temporarily engage us in good thoughts and emotions. But that is not the kind of happiness that lasts. Real happiness and real love is found in real life moments. Along those same lines, getting 30 likes for a shared photo on Facebook can also bring a temporary feeling of worth and validation. But real confidence and self-worth doesn't come from what others like or recognize on the internet. It comes from real experiences with healthy relationships as we love and accept ourselves and others.

I've decided to end of this year on a better note and to make the holiday season more special and meaningful, by using my time differently. I want to spend more of my time in real life moments of healthiness, happiness, and love. Instead of watching Netflix when I have alone time at home, I could watch conference talks, read, cook, clean, exercise or create something. Instead of constantly trying to keep up with other people on the internet, I could actually talk to someone in person, serve someone, or do something active. It might be difficult to take a small step back from technology in this world, but I believe that it can be really beneficial, because I don't think we can find true happiness on a screen.

You Are Not Hungry.

Let me begin by saying that I am an advocate for food. I love eating. I especially love eating treats.

However, since this is a health blog, I feel like eating healthy is supposed to be good.

We, as Americans, have this nasty habit of eating food ALL THE TIME. Eat when we watch TV, eat when we do homework, eat when we do laundry... basically, we can't just do one thing at a time. We always have to do something and also eat. A party isn't a party without the food, right?

Like I said, I love food. I'll just reiterate that.

However, I saw something today that really made me laugh.

Whenever I don't have anything to do, my first instinct is always to eat. Always. I go look in my pantry for snacks, or my freezer for treats, or my fridge for milk. But most of the time, I'm not actually hungry. Eating excessively is a big part of the reason why we, as Americans, have a reputation for being obese.

I propose a solution. You don't have to cut out your snacking habits--you just have to buy more healthy snacks. Obviously, not too healthy, or you might go insane. But instead of a candybar after class (or work), eat a bowl of lightly salted popcorn or some grapes. Don't buy a lot of the candy, or you will eat it. (That's something I had to learn the hard way.)

As an added bonus, you probably won't get sighs from your dentist anymore. Two reputations saved with one simple lifestyle change.

Can I Give 1%?

Did you know that 15 minutes is 1% of your day. 

I am most happy when I study the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am most happy when I take time to study the scriptures. Living a healthy life is also living a healthy spiritual life. 

I was thinking we have been asked to study the scriptures everyday. Then during one of my group scripture studies someone pointed out to me that 15 minutes of scripture is only 1% of your day. Is it that hard to give 1% of your day to the Lord? 

Then it got me thinking can't I give more than 1% of my time to serving, or teaching, or learning about Jesus Christ and his gospel? I began thinking about tithing and how we pay 10% of what we earn to the Lord and his church, wouldn't it seem like we should at least be giving 10% of our time to the Savior, so we can be instruments for him to bring people to the gospel? 

10% of your day is 144 minutes thats 2 hours and 24 min. I am not saying that this time should just be studying the scriptures, but if we get so busy in our lives that we can't give the Lord, who gave us everything he had, 10% of what he has already given us, shouldn't we filter out some of the less productive things in our life to make us happier by giving back to our Savior? If 10% seems like too much at least strive to make time for 1% of your day to get to know our Savior better. Can you give 1%?

I Love...

This past week my cousin came home from serving an LDS mission. He started his talk off stating he was not blessed with public speaking, the very next words were "But I love Jesus Christ". It was instantly then the entire congregation became silent and his entire talk was his testimony. He battles with Asbergers Disease. Yet the Atonement allowed him to serve a mission, and for him to bring people to the gospel. 

Also this past week I was able to go to my friend's Baptism. This child of God, was someone I would have never expected to accept the teachings of the LDS faith, yet he did.

 These two experiences taught me a lot about love. Yes I know, how did a baptism and a homecoming teach me about love? Well, I believe that when we LOVE Jesus Christ he will fill in all the spaces missing in our life. 

Imagine the kind of love that performs miracles. The kind of love that accepts everyone. The kind of love that is within all of us. This kind of love is the pure love of Christ. I have been thinking a lot about charity lately and how I can acquire more of it in my life. I realized that to have more love for other people you need to love Jesus Christ more deeply. My cousin's mission president had a theme for their mission and it said:

 " Obedience is the Price. 

Faith is the Power.

 Love is the Motive. 

The Spirit is the Key. 

Christ is the Reason."

I have realized that being obedient is a great way to start, Faith is the way to act. Love is the way to move forward. The Spirit tells you the direction. And Jesus Christ is the person that makes everything possible. 

The pure love of Christ not only allows us the use His power but to become like Him more than we could ever imagine. His power is Happiness. His power is Love.