Wellness Wednesday - Getting Back In Shape

It's back to school time and time for us to get back in shape! The kids are starting back into their routines and schedules and so should you! Back on track, back in the habit, back to whatever it is you were doing before relaxing and taking a break this summer! Whether you like the gym, outdoor running, an evening walk, yoga, zumba, you tube videos, or have your own personal home workout system, set your reminder and put it back on your calendar! I know, it will be a slow transition, but stay consistent and do little at a time, building your strength and adding more each time, you will bounce yourself right back into shape! 

Hey, our kids do it! We can too!!

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Wellness - Energy Check!

This Summer, a lot of us will be traveling places, hosting at our homes or will be invited to summer bbqs, backyard parties, pool parties, play dates, lunch dates, dinners, or simply will be getting out to visit the people we know and taking our children different places. Let's remember not only to positively enjoy the summer heat, but remember our own "Summer Energy!" 

Before you present yourselves to others like your family, children, co-workers, or friends, pause for a moment to think about your energy at its current state. What state of mind are you in? Are you feeling happy, excited, sad, angry, disappointed, frustrated, stressed, cranky, melancholy, or nervous?? Acknowledge these feelings that you have beforehand, take a few deep breaths, live through them and own up to them. Release those feelings if they are negative and embrace the feelings that are positive and then share! 

It's ok to share news that's important to you if you need support or are happy about! One of the key points I remember our speaker from Saturday, Abiola Abrams, saying was stay away from positive spiritual vampires!! People who will suck your positive energy dry because they always tend to dump their "stuff" on you. You may not be in the mental space to be dumped on, you may always be there to listen, but not to be drained. We must all be responsible for the energy that we bring into any space, considering those people whose space we are entering. Whether in a home, a party, phone call, email or text, physically and mentally. 

This doesn't mean change who you are and how you're feeling for other people. It simply means take responsibility for your feelings and energy, expressing positivity and respecting the way you think that person you are connecting with deserves, putting yourself aside. Asking how that person is doing first, because you never know what another person is going through. Or, waiting until you, yourself are in the right head space to present yourself to others. Admit if you are wrong and apologize for non-intentions. We as moms have a lot going on, so let's not going around throwing people our fire, (esp. since summer is hot enough!) but present ourselves pleasant and well. 

"Be Responsible For The Energy You Bring," a quote by Dr. Jill Taylor.

 Have a beautiful sunny day!! MML!

This post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K.

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Wellness - Friends and Family

Happy Wednesday Mochas!

Hope everyone is enjoying this Easter week with your family! Whether your minis are on spring break and you've taken little a time off to spend with them, you are home, or you are back at work after the easter holiday weekend. Hopefully, you've enjoyed the company of your friends and/or family! Usually around the holidays, but most importantly, year round, it's good for your health to make the time to spend with people in your life that you love. 

"The best times are when friends and family gather round." 

Health Benefits Of Friends And Family: 8 Reasons Why It's Healthy To Spend Time With Loved Ones:

1. Parenting lengthens life- being a parent, especially a mom, can help us live longer. Giving birth and raising our children promotes longevity and encourages us to take care of ourselves to be there for our children for the long run.

2. Having different social networks are good for our health and are great ways to converse, take a break and rejuvenate whether it's just with friends or just with family.

3. Decreases loneliness- having family and friends around and spending time with people we know and love prevents depression or feelings of loneliness.

4. Friends and family are highly influential and make a difference in our health habits, for example, what we eat for dinner as a family or doing activities together to stay active.

5. Lowers stress- having other people to talk to that are close to us such as family or friends, our mothers, fathers, or siblings can lower our stress levels about any situation. 

6. Makes us feel happy! When we are around good people, we're bound to have a good time!! Relaxing and laughing just happens and we feel happy!

7. Creates growth- family and friends are awesome support networks, providing wisdom and advice that can help and enable us to grow.

8. Builds relationships-the more time we spend we someone, the closer we get with that person, good or bad. We learn each other's ways, but overall, it helps us to truly get to know a person and builds the relationship we have with have that person. 

Enjoy the time you spend with your loved ones, immediate family, distant family and friends! It will keep you healthy and well :-)

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This post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K.

Wellness: Love Languages

Happy Wednesday Mochas! 

Valentines Day is a couple days away and we're all about spreading the love!! Don't be mistaken, Valentines Day is not just about couples. It can be whatever you choose it to be! I believe it's a reminder to GIVE and RECEIVE lots of love!! To yourself, your significant other, your children, your family, friends and coworkers! 

I'm learning that it's healthy to recognize my "love language." The way in which I express and accept expressions of love. This book is still on my list of reads, "The 5 Love Languages," by Gary D. Chapman. Some of you may have read it or already know of it. Challenge yourself this week to tune in to your love language and the love languages of the people around you. Love is a significant part of living well! 

Go to www.5lovelanguages.com and take the quiz! Here are my results. My primary love language was QUALITY TIME! 

Quality Time**
In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, "I love you," like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there – with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby – makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful. Quality Time also means sharing quality conversation and quality activities.

Acts of Service**
Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an "Acts of Service" person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: "Let me do that for you." Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don't matter. Finding ways to serve speaks volumes to the recipient of these acts.

Words of Affirmation**
Actions don't always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, "I love you," are important – hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten. Kind, encouraging, and positive words are truly life-giving.

Physical Touch**

This language isn't all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face – they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive. Physical touch fosters a sense of security and belonging in any relationship.

Receiving Gifts**
Don't mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous – so would the absence of everyday gestures. Gifts are visual representations of love and are treasured greatly.

Have a lovely week and Valentines Day weekend! Xoxo,

Tiffany K.

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Wellness: M.O.O.D.

Happy Wednesday!!

Have you ever had "THAT" kind of morning? Where everything just seems to start off wrong and continues to spiral!!? Well, that my morning today!!

Unbeknownst to me, my phone died last night after I went to sleep and I didn't think to plug in the charger, so my alarm didn't go off from my phone this morning. My loving husband sleeps with the tv on so when the news came on and said it's 6am. He said, "honey, it's 6." I said ok, (which is the time I normally get up, but I was so tired!) and we both rolled over and went back to sleep. I woke up to myself snoring and it was 8am!! Which was when Erin and I usually leave the house! Mind you, she's up and had been laying in her bed. So, I jump up, tell her to get up and get dressed. I didn't even have time to shower! Don't judge me! I used the restroom, changed, did my five minute makeup face and fixed my coffee. We went out to the car and the garbage truck left our garbage can right in front of our driveway, so I had to walk down the icy driveway to move it so that I can pull my car out. And, of course, I slip and fall! F&$@ it! I left the garbage on the street to the side so my husband can get it later! I got in the car and then realized I was low on gas, I forgot Erin's water bottle and I didn't have time to make my juice. I got Erin to school late but then hit traffic on route 80. Then, I get to work and my kids are going crazy!! Sure enough, last night was a full moon! Ok, now I thought, it's time for me to stop and breathe....

My morning was spiraling and I had to stop it. We have the control to stop it. You may have had worse mornings, but it's all about the M.O.O.D. you choose to continue your day. Mind. Over. Obstacles. Daily. Once you focus your mind over any obstacles you face in a day, things automatically start to go smooth. I accepted the fact that things happen, it's ok, but it can get better! 

Thinking about the positives, Erin dressed herself, made her own snack AND lunch. I put on perfume, kept it moving and made sure my make up looked good ;-) I didn't hurt myself. I drove slow to avoid any accidents. Made it to my school on time, relaxed and had a productive and pleasant rest of the day. 

Remember mind over matter? Practice training your mind to not dwell on the negative, but more on the positive. 

Mind. Over. Obstacles. Daily.

This post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K.

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Wellness - Being Beautifully You!

Hey YOU! Don't you know that you are beautiful? Did you know that everything you are, you want and do are at the center of your being? The best version of you can only come from you! At this moment, are you able to decide to be truly yourself, unapologetic, fearless, bold, and naturally beautiful? 

A friend of mine gave me an inspirational and powerful book for my birthday. It is a book of life lessons, poems and simple prayers for women. "P.S. Pray the same for me," by Marquita Smith.

I pray that you always seek to understand yourself and no matter how painful self-reflection is, you always partake in it.

I pray that you are free to create and be the most magnificent version of yourself. Be free to have goals and continue to stretch until they are accomplished or until your inner voice tells you it is time to release and start fresh.

I pray that you are comfortable in your own skin and that you are confident enough to allow others to be comfortable in theirs.

I pray you cry when you want to cry, laugh when you want to laugh, get mad when you want to, and be silent when you need to.

I pray that you are gentle with yourself. Nurture yourself.

I pray that you embrace your weaknesses in the same measure as you do your strengths. Find the blessing and gifts in your frailties and insecurities.

I pray that you can look yourself in the mirror and love what you see.

I pray that you are anchored in security, self-acceptance, and belief in yourself.

I pray that you are able to believe in you and not in who others believe you to be. Remember that they are limited in their knowledge of your inner workings.

I pray that you don't beat yourself up for the decisions you make to better yourself.

I pray that you let go of the need for acceptance. Make sure you are giving yourself the acceptance you crave from others.

I pray that you acknowledge how great you are.

I pray that you recognize who beautiful you are.

I pray that you know the importance of being authentically you. Authentic love is deeply rooted and tied to the authenticity of love you have for yourself.

I pray all these things to you, my Mochas, and please pray the same for me. Xoxo.

Renew your membership before Jan. 31st here: http://www.mochamoms.org/renew.html. 

This post is courtesy of our fearless leader, Mocha Tiffany K.

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Wellness - Keeping the Holiday Spirit

Do you have the Holiday Spirit??!!! 

In the midst of the holiday season, there may be people who don't have any parties on their calendar, families to enjoy, or friends to celebrate with. There may be people having financial problems at this time of perilous spending, a loss of a job, a death in the family, an illness, or stress. Somebody might just be feeling down or unappreciated. 

We must remember and cherish these times to keep ourselves in good spirits and help lift other people's spirits. You never know what a person may be going through. The holidays are sometimes the toughest times of the year, but also can be the happiest times of the year!! 

Here a few ways to keep your Holiday Spirit:

1. Remember your higher being and the reason for the season!
2. Spend uninterrupted quality time with family & good friends!
3. Play Christmas music! And sing along to the songs!!
4. Decorate EVERYTHING! Deck the halls & trim the tree!!! 
5. Bake something!! Don't forget Santa's cookies! 
6. If you are invited to a party, GO!! Or better yet, host a party!! Any party! 
7. Do some shopping & start wrapping gifts! It's never too early! 
8. Watch a Christmas movie! (our favorite)
9. Mail your holiday cards
10. Call a family member or new & old friends just to chat! 
11. Put your feet up and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa!
12. Give back and donate, help someone in need, or show someone you care :-)

Because...this truly is the most wonderful time of the year!!!!!

This blog post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K. 

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