Monday Makeover: Early Morning Affirmations

Image via legit-faith.com

Monday, we meet again. 

Do you ever find yourself facing Monday with a less-than-stellar attitude? On a Monday morning, it's not uncommon to overhear just about every customer grumbling to the barrista about their horrible fate... "Can you BELIEVE the weekend is over? I mean, wasn't it just Friday? My to-do list this week is killer. God help me". And if we're being honest here, many times that person is ME.

Bitching and moaning just seems like the American thing to do on a Monday, right?

But you know what? I'm tired of spreading the negativity around. I've done quite enough of that in my lifetime of Mondays. Instead, this week I'm going to make a conscious effort to wake up every morning and take a moment to thank God for giving me another day - another day to feel the cool fall breeze, taste a warm pumpkin latte (thank you, Starbucks!), smile at a stranger, learn something new, help someone who needs it and spread love to every person I encounter.

I've never been one for meditation. If you know me, you know that my mind is always working and it's hard for me to quiet that chaos down. But a month ago, my client and I did a 30-Day Meditation Challenge with Deepak Chopra and Oprah. It was 15 minutes of guided meditation each morning, focusing on building abundance in your relationship with yourself and others. 

Image via jianiteo.com

We meditated on affirmations. If you're not familiar with an affirmation, it's basically a positive declaration or belief. For example, if you are ill, your affirmation could be "I am a vibrant, healthy person who will live a long and happy life" OR if you are feeling unworthy of love, your affirmation could be "I am a beautiful and caring person, deserving of a healthy, uplifting relationship."

You may not believe the affirmation that you're meditating on, but that's beside the point. By meditating on an affirmation and constantly speaking that affirmation to yourself, you will begin to see how the affirmation slowly morphs into a belief. And when you believe something to be true, it will manifest itself in your life and influence your actions and your future.

So today, join me in a Monday Makeover. Speak an affirmation to yourself, then affirm others, knowing that you have been given another Monday for a reason.

Wishing you all a very blessed week!

Weekend Wrap-Up: A Happy Balance

Image courtesy of carolynandersonmd.com

Maybe you've wondered why my blog is called Strictly Nutritious when a good bit of my posts are not directly related to food. I chose that name because I believe that nutrition is much more than the food you eat. Your nutrition depends on many factors that make up your lifestyle - physical activity, career, relationships and spirituality. When you're able to find a balance between these important aspects of your life (in addition to the food that you eat), then your life will be more happy, more healthy... more nutritious!

Sadly, though they help us nurture the area of relationships (hello, holiday parties), the holidays can be a bit taxing when it comes to the other areas of your life. It's pretty hard to feel spiritual when you're standing in line at Macy's with 5 trillion other impatient people and a few screaming children. I know I feel much less mindful when December hits and the subways become a bit more crowded than usual as everyone descends on New York to check out the Rockefeller Center tree or Central Park ice skating. On top of that, physical activity tends to take the back seat this month as time is limited and holiday goodies are flowing.

So what's a girl (or guy) to do?

I think the best way to have a successful holiday season is to remember to make time to nurture yourself. In other words, RELAX! The food will eventually get made, the presents will eventually get wrapped and the house will eventually clean itself (well, maybe I lied a little on this one). The important thing to remember is that your body still needs to be fed. It needs time set aside to relax. It needs time set aside to be still and recharge the battery. It needs time to remember what the holiday season is all about. 

And believe me... when you take time to nurture yourself you'll be much better equipped to do the same for others.

So what did I do this weekend? I took some time to relax and have a little fun!! A girl's gotta take her own advice every now and then!

Enjoy the pictures and remember to take a deep breath (and maybe a nap) this holiday season!

Taking in our first Brooklyn Nets basketball game at the new stadium in our neighborhood.
I don't mean to brag, but JayZ was there. I think I caught him looking at me. ;)

Documenting our great seats! Only 9 rows back. Thanks, bossman!

An early morning brunch with my bestie.

If you haven't been to Peels on Bowery for brunch, you should stop by and get a rosemary muffin. Heaven!

Walter prefers fresh, running water. What a snob!

Being the nerds that we are, we spent Saturday evening working on a puzzle. How old are we again?

Followed by some light reading straight from the Travel Essays section of B&N.
Dangerous reading for a girl that likes to travel.

Sunday morning at the Brooklyn Flea (housed in the old bank).

Check out that architecture!

If only there was a little nephew in my life to buy for. Hello, there's a ninja turtle figurine! AWESOME!

Check out these cool iPhone cases made from old vinyls.

A rainy search for brunch brought us upon this cool mural in Ft. Greene.

Rain, rain, go away!

Finally... a cozy spot at Franny's.

Followed by some marinated olives (a fan fav)...

... and a pizza (it was splurge day, ok?)!

Puzzle... complete!

Now don't we look well rested?