Meditation and Mindfulness

It seems like everyone is talking about meditation and mindfulness these days. No doubt, you’ve probably heard why we should all be meditating to help with daily stress and overwhelm. A quick google search shows physical benefits like lowering blood pressure and reducing headaches, to psychological benefits like increased concentration and improved emotional stabitiliy — and who doesn’t need that!

I’ve found that the practice of meditation takes time to get the hang of it. Release all the unrealistic versions that we see. Your experience may look like the picture shown above, or it may look totally different! And sometimes it’s easier to just think about having “quiet time” and taking deep breaths – it very well may be meditation, but the change in words lowers my expectations for myself!

So what’s the best way to meditate? You have to find what works for you. Try sitting in silence, adding soft music, listening to a guided meditation on YouTube or using an app like HeadSpace or Calm.

But how do you stop your thoughts? I’ve found out that it’s not really the goal to stop our thoughts. One of the best analogies I’ve heard is comparing the process of meditating to that of going underwater. When you submerge yourself underwater, you still hear muted noises in the distance and you detach from the thoughts a bit.

My challenge to you today is to sit or lay in a quiet place for 10 minutes, focus on your breathing, and when thoughts float through your head, just gently let them go. Try different variations of when, where and how you get into your quiet time. Over time you may just find that spending a few minutes a day can lead to changes in how you respond to the world.

Be Inspired!

Chicken Crust Margherita Pizza

Ingredients:

• ½ lb ground chicken breast
• 1 egg
• 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• cooking spring
• ½ cup no-sugar-added tomato sauce
• ½ cup reduced-fat shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 2 plum tomatoes, sliced
• ¼ cup chopped basil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine first four ingredients in medium-sized bowl. Form chicken mixture into a thin, circular crust shape onto a parchment-lined, lightly greased baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Top with sauce, cheese, and tomato slices, and bake until cheese is melted, about 7 to 10 minutes. Top with fresh basil before serving.

Makes 2 servings.

Per serving:
1 Lean, 2 Green, 2 Condiments

A Healthy Mind Transformation

I love getting to celebrate people and stories like Heidi’s!

“My story is more about health than weight loss. However, in the process, I did lose 20 lbs that I have kept off for 5 ½ yrs. Before I found this program I knew how to gain weight and lose weight but neither of which was healthy. On one end I was tired and bloated and on the other end, I was tired and light headed.

The “me” on the left thought taking the kids to the park to watch them play was a good day being outside. I was going through the motions of life but not really living. Now that I have found true health, the “me” on the right has lots of energy and a new love for nature. My kids and I have discovered so many beautiful hikes. It has opened a whole new world for my entire family. I had no idea what we had been missing. Thankfully through this program, along with the support and connections of the health community, I have found there is a bigger and better life out there!”

Please share this newsletter with someone who you know that is looking for a healthier mind and body!

Health and Happiness,

Tina

Tina Kucera
tinak.gethealthy@gmail.com
402-980-5362

Follow on Facebook!

Tina Kucera | http://www.tinak.optavia.com | tinak.gethealthy@gmail.com

Our mailing address is:

Optimal Health
Omaha, Nebraska 68118
United States