Pahhh.. turn off the news, turn up the stereo and sing and dance your way through the day and buck the trend! Even better, do that every day through January and this month will be a breeze.
Schedule uplifting activities and events in your diary to look forward to and do something that makes your heart smile every day! (eg. play with a pet, go for a crisp winter walk, read/tell a joke, call a good friend or of course come and play with us at our DYBO classes or One to One sessions – that always does the trick!
Check this out (Miki is on the Happiness Plan)
90% of Serotonin (our happy hormone) is produced in our Gut, affecting mood. From personal experience and the research I have read, rebalancing your Gut Biome has been shown to treat depression, anxiety, low mood and motivation. It also helps with conditions that make us feel low too (Menopause, PMT, Heartburn, IBS, Leaky Bowel, Colitis, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, weight gain, the list goes on).
Declan, Steve, me and 12 of your DYBO comrades are currently completing a Gut Cleanse so let’s see if we have noticed a boost in mood, despite the time of year, too!
I know that an environmental clear out also lifts mood and creates clarity of mind and emotional lightness and a book by Japanese author Marie Kondo entitled ‘The Life Changing Magic of Tidying’ is being spoken about a great deal. I shall get the book and try her tips!
Move your Body, Move your Mind (and move your bowels!)
Exercise is obviously one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy – it boosts mood, metabolism and motility through the gut. The best type of exercise is one that you will start and stick with,rather than drop out of, so finding something that you enjoy (rather than ‘on trend’) is key to keeping exercise part of your life.
All round health, fitness, wellness, physical and psychological comfort relies of achieving training in all components of fitness i.e. cardiovascular, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility (aiding ease of movement, alignment and technique), joint stability and posture training plus balance and co-ordination work
Fitness and Mental Flexibility
Being flexible in mind and body can help us stay calm and function optimally when life’s curved balls come our way.
Routine is great for helping us stay on top of things especially when life is busy but if we are a slave to routine it becomes our master, resulting in us feeling overwhelmed when things don’t go to plan.
You are welcome to attend any of our classes so if your schedule is thrown off and you can’t make your regular class we offer 11 classes across 5 nights a week plus daytime appointments at our PT gym (you can train with a Pal, if you like). Our new, bigger gym will accommodate small groups – I will keep you posted about that. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest anyway.
Nourish – Feed your mind healthy information, perform nourishing movements, hang out with people who nourish your heart and eat body nourishing food!
Here is a fabulous soup recipe we had yesterday, it is lovely!
Courgette and Pesto Soup
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 cups (750 ml) Veggie stock
750 g Courgettes, thinly sliced
1 cup (50 g) firmly packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup (25 g) grated veggie Parmesan cheese/ Veggie cheese
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (60 ml) cream (we use coconut cream or non dairy)
Method
- Heat the oil in a large heavy-based pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft.
- Meanwhile, bring the stock to the boil in a separate pan. Add the courgettes and hot stock to the onion mixture. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the courgettes are very soft.
- To make the pesto, process the basil, parmesan and pine nuts in a food processor for 20 seconds, or until finely chopped. Gradually add the olive oil and process until smooth. Spoon into a small bowl.
- Transfer the courgette mixture to a blender or food processor and blend in batches until smooth. Return the mixture to the pan, stir through the cream and 2 tablespoons of the pesto, and reheat over medium heat until hot. Season with salt and cracked pepper and serve.
Serve any remaining pesto in a bowl for diners to help themselves, or cover with olive oil and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
(Adapted from Good Food dot com)
Have a bright and cheerful day, remember – I love ya!
Helen xxxxx
