Five Things I’ve Learned About Worrying And Why It Really Doesn’t Help
Posted by Karen Bishop | Leave a Comment
Photo: www.nappy.co
Over the years I’ve been told that I worry too much. Especially, when I was younger. As I get older, I’m much better at taming that worrying beast. I think worrying is natural, especially being a mother. When you’re responsible for someone’s life, it’s more than likely you’ll worry about them. Your mind is constantly trying to confirm if you’re actions as a parent is right or wrong. Life naturally causes us to worry about bills, our families, being successful and just about anything you can think of.
It requires a different way of thinking to change how you deal with worry and worrisome situations. It takes time and maturity for the most part. As you grow and gain different life experiences, you realize worrying really doesn’t help you. There’s no benefit to it. You get better at learning not to sweat the small stuff, deal with the big stuff and you gradually figure out what is truly important. Some people do breathing exercises, others are great with self-talk.
Here’s what I’ve learned about myself when I worry,
- It causes stress and stress can affect my health. Without my health, I’m no good to myself or anyone else.
- At no time has worrying helped my situation. Not one time!
- The faster I am able to calm my emotions, I can use my brain power to figure out a solution. I actually spend less time worrying.
- Pray about it. If you believe in a higher power like I do, just leave it with him, her or the universe (or whatever). An answer will come. It may not be the way you expect but a solution will appear none-the-less.
- Worrying clouds my judgment. So keeping calm helps me think clearly.
The reality is, some people worry more than others. Like I said, I am naturally a worry wart but it’s getting better. For the most part, it’s easier said than done to tell yourself, “Stop, think logically and do not let this stressful situation get to you.” Changing our mindset sometimes requires a bit of advice or guidance on how to do it. Through my life experiences, I’ve been able to deal with worrying a lot less. I’ve also learned a few tips and tricks from the book “How To Stop Worrying And Start Living.”
There are too many tips to list but here are my top three,
1. One grain of sand at a time, one task at a time. I know we’re told that multi-tasking is a great skill to have but you simply can’t do two things at once. Well, at least not effectively.
2. Let’s be content to live the only time we can possibly live: for now until bedtime.
3. Discover the worst that could possibly happen, accept it and then use your time to improve upon the worst.
Worrying sucks just like any negative emotion we feel but if we can tackle it on head-on, I truly believe we’ll live a much longer, healthier life.
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Read MoreRecipe: Gluten-Free Cacao Cranberry Loaf
Posted by Karen Bishop | 1 Comment
I’m not a lover of cooking. I mean, I don’t like long prep times to prepare meals. If I can spend less than 20 minutes in the kitchen to make a meal, I’m all for it. Anything beyond that, I get a bit antsy. Okay, I’m exaggerating a little (not really) Christmas breakfast took me at least one hour to prepare. Not including the slow baked ham. So the holidays are an exception.
It’s a new year and with a new year comes new goals. My number one goal is to keep to a solid healthy eating routine. I don’t mean simply minimizing the amount of bad food that I eat but really making an effort to cut them out of my diet permanently. My number one priority is to eliminate all gluten.
In general, I’m conscious of what I eat. I very rarely eat white flour, drink pop, or fried foods. I drink lots of water, not always a full 8 glasses but I get up there. I do occasionally have a sugar and bread binge but eventually I get back on track. Since being gluten-free is my priority and snacking tends be a weakness, I’ve decided the best way to control my gluten intake (especially when I crave sweets) is to make my snacks from scratch. I’m not sure how long the Betty Crocker effect will last. Remember, I’m not one for slaving away in the kitchen for too long. But at least, I can feed my occasional craving in a fairly healthy way.
Enter in my gluten-free-cacao-cranberry loaf….
A personal recipe inspired by whatever I had sitting in my kitchen cupboard (mostly). It was only my third time making the loaf but it’s been a life saver for breakfast or as a quick snack. And the best part is it only takes 20 minutes to prepare. Like I said, 20 minutes or less and I’m a happy camper!
Bon Appétit!
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PREP TIME: 20 minutes or less
COOKING TIME: 30 – 40 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup of gluten-free flour
1 cup of brown rice flour
1/4 cup of flax meal
1 tablespoon of baking soda
1/2 cup of organic cane sugar (1 cup if you want a sweeter taste)
1/4 cup of organic cacao bits
1/4 cup of cranberries (fresh, frozen)
2 1/2 cups of Almond milk (3 cups if you want to make the batter a bit thinner)
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1/2 tbsp of nutritional yeast
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix the brown rice flour and gluten-free flour in a large mixing bowl with a fork. Then mix in the baking soda, nutritional yeast, flax meal, again continue to use the fork. Then mix in the cane sugar.
Once all of the dry ingredients are mixed together, add the milk, cocoa bits and cranberries and then mix everything together one last time. Let it sit for a few minutes and dust a bread pan or cake pan with a bit of flour and pour in the mixture. Put in the oven.
Let bake for 30 minutes or until brown at 275 – 300 degrees. To ensure the middle is cooked insert a butter knife or toothpick in the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean with nothing sticking, the cake is done.
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All Things Natural At The Textur’d Hair And Beauty Show
Posted by Karen Bishop | Leave a Comment
I’ve worn my hair naturally mostly under protective hairstyles for a few years now. It just made things easier. But easier isn’t always better if you let a busy schedule and a non-existent hair care routine get in the way. If your natural hair isn’t getting TLC on a regular basis it will take a toll on the health of your hair. Let’s just say, my hair is in need of TLC, a good hair care routine and a few good products to match. Coincidently, timing couldn’t be better. The Textur’d Natural Hair & Beauty Show was happening right in my neck of the woods and I was able to catch day 2 of the event.
With over forty (mostly female) vendor’s, I looked forward to chatting it up with hair and beauty brands from Toronto and the United States. It was hard just to choose just one item from the variety of organic, vegan and naturally handmade products available. Almost all of the brands had a solution to maintain, repair and encourage healthy hair growth.
Not just a vendor showcase, several workshop facilitators shared their unique knowledge on everything to do with natural hair, body and skin care. Nutritional Consultant, Trisha Smith, discussed natural remedies and the connection between digestive disorders and the various effects on the hair. Certified Shea Butter Technician, Kedar Waterman, discussed the many healing properties of premium grade Shea Butter and it’s benefits.
I ATE whole wheat roti, coconut curry chickpeas and quinoa salad courtesy of Chic Peas Veg, a plant based catering company. I CHATTED with Ndija Anderson-Yantha, a natural hair advocate and author of “What are you going to do with that hair?” A non-fiction book encouraging young girls to celebrate and love their natural hair. And I BOUGHT, (with so many wonderful products to choose from) En’tyce Your Beauty’s Herbal Temple Root Gro to help with thinning edges. And Muthaland Secrets’ Three Leaves Special Body Bar to help tone and purify your skin. It was a great afternoon fill with positivity and love for all things natural!
My haircare brands wish-list to definitely try,
- Up North Naturals
- Flawless by Gabrielle Union
- Design Essentials
- London Ivy Products
What do you use in your natural hair?
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Must Try Turmeric Infused Energy Boosters
Posted by Karen Bishop | Leave a Comment
Getting through a tough work week can be tricky when overloaded with tasks and to do lists. For me, working a 9-5 while slowly transitioning to full-time blogging can be a bit stressful (mentally and physically). Working long hours can often make me feel sluggish and lack energy and a great energy booster often gets me through the day. I was never a coffee drinker and for better health I stopped drinking caffeinated teas and pop some time ago. As a natural alternative to any sugary or caffeinated drink, pure turmeric infused juices have been my savings grace!
Why turmeric juice?
- It’s a great detoxifier for your liver and blood
- It promotes good digestion and improves gas and bloating
- It acts as a natural anti-inflammatory
- Helps to boost the immune system
Haven’t tried a turmeric infused juice yet? Lucky for me our city has a number of organic juice bars with great tasting pure turmeric juices.
Here’s a few to get you started,
FRESH
Their cold pressed Healer blend is a mix of turmeric root, ginger, orange, pineapple, celery, lemon and Himalayan pink salt. They produce their juices in small batches, is 100% organic, raw, vegan and cold pressed.
THE GROW UP
Their Golden Potion is a mix of yellow turmeric root, grapefruit, lemon, orange, ginger and hemp oil. They also have Runner’s High blend with white turmeric root, ginger, pineapple, lemon and chlorella.
VILLAGE JUICERY
Their turmeric booster shot is a fresh blend of turmeric root, orange and black pepper.
GREEN HOUSE JUICE
Their YYZ booster is a mixture of orange, turmeric, ginger, organic camu camu.
Try one it will be well worth it!
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3 Ways To Take 10 Minutes And Make It Me Time
Posted by Karen Bishop | Leave a Comment
Last weekend, I spent the entire weekend driving around running errands, dropping kids off, visiting with family and still had to find time to get some real work done. You know, like, developing content! It’s amazing how 12 – 18hrs can fly by without a moment’s notice.
By all means, I’m not complaining. I had an amazing weekend. I enjoyed an evening with friends as they celebrated their daughter’s recent graduation from law school. And stuffed my face at a 55th birthday BBQ. It was nice to lay back and not be bogged down with a long list of to do’s. But as much as I loved spending time in the sun, being outdoors, laughing and sharing good vibes, there’s that little voice in my head asking for just 10 minutes of me-time. Even if the time I’m spending with family and friends is enjoyable.
As a busy women, mother, blogger with very high entrepreneurial ambitions I can be taken so far down the work-business-family responsibilities rabbit-hole, I often forget to take time for myself. So, whenever I can squeeze in 10 minutes just for me, I’ll take it!
10 MINUTES OF ME TIME !
Massage Yourself. I know it may not be as appealing as an actual massage. And the entire point of a massage is someone else doing the work. But if you’re undistracted and have time to sit with your head phones on and some warm body oil, a 10 minute self-massage allows your mind to slow down and your body to relax. If you can’t get to your entire body in 10 minutes (it’s difficult, I tried) attempt to get to your feet and hands. We tend to use them the most.
Colouring? I mentioned this briefly in my “How To Unplug” from social media post. Without trying, Adult colouring (yes, there’s a term) can be the most relaxing activity you can do in a matter of minutes. Have you ever picked up one of your children’s colouring books and found yourself meaninglessly doodling around to finishing an entire page some time later? I have. Colouring automatically calms the mind and forces your brain to focus. It’s been said to bring down stress levels, act as an alternative to meditation and helps you to enhance your creativity.
Take A Bath! If you have a full house, wake up a bit earlier than your family, fill your tub with some scented oils (to help calm your nerves), Epsom salt (to relieve muscle pain, headaches etc) and soak. I’m a shower girl myself. I usually don’t have time to sit in a tub and do nothing. I constantly feel like there’s something I need to get to that absolutely can’t wait (hence the reason for this post). Like most, I do a lot of my thinking in the shower, or while I’m washing dishes. When I do get time to take a bath and soak for a few minutes, I’m so calm I often find myself dosing off. I’m definitely more relaxed and have a clearer mind to start my day.
Do whatever it takes to get you to your stress free place. These are merely suggestions. All it takes is 10 minutes to get your mind and body back in balance.
Photos via
Love,
