Smoothie Sunday #4 Valentine's Day Edition

Hey everyone! I hope you are all well and good. Unfortunately I was sick during the week. I feel better now, so I am really excited to be back blogging. 

So it's that time in February again. People either love or hate Valentine's day. Personally I think it's a fantastic holiday were people can place loved ones at forefront of their minds. It's also the day where chocolates are given and Ben and Jerry's are half price. If you are planning on stocking up on ice-cream and sitting in front of the TV Saturday night, you should try something different, and by that I mean something healthier. 

Today I am going to share a recipe with you that will naturally satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. The key ingredient in this recipe are raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. These are citrus fruits high in vitamin C. When you eat natural whole foods you will feel better from the inside out I promise you! 

Ingredients:

Small handful of mixed berries. (fresh or frozen)
1 chopped banana.
2 tablespoons of natural yoghurt.
5 tablespoons of coconut water.
1/2 a teaspoon of vanilla extract. 
Ice cubes.
Dessicated coconut and raspberries to garnish. (optional)

Method:

Blend all the ingredients together. All blenders are different so modify it to suit your desired consistency. 

"Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love" -1st John 4:8 

How to Have The Happiest New Year + DIY

Hey guys, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with love, joy and peace! 

I'm at the back left!

So this time last year I came across a DIY project that is super simple yet effective. It's a happiness jar. In a previous post I discussed The secret to happiness. It's appreciation for what you got, whether it's a little or a lot. 

You will need:

1. A jar/container.
2. Scrap pieces of paper. 

So this year I challenge you to write down who/what made you happy and how they did it and place it in the jar. You can take it out at the end of the month/year or whenever you feel sad. It will re-direct your mind to positive times thus lifting your mood. I guarantee you! 

It looks like empty scrap pieces of paper but there are stuff written on it!

A lot of the times we focus on the outward appearance of people and things. The truth is if things aren't right on the inside it will affect the life you ought to live. This is where it all begins, by showing gratitude. Last year my goal was to be happy. I accomplished that goal and this year has been an amazing. My faith had a lot to do with it too. If you show gratitude in your attitude your life won't remain the same, I promise you! 

Have nothing to be grateful for? Of course you do, your internet connection, otherwise you won't be reading this now!

In order to reap the full benefits of this experiment you will need to be consistent. I wish all my readers a Happy New Year in advance. It would make my day if you could please like my new Facebook Page. You can also find me on Twitter and Instagram. 

How was your 2014? Do you practice gratitude? Will you be trying this out?

"If you wait for the right conditions, you won't accomplish anything"

Family reunion vacation

This summer my relatives decided to plan a reunion in San Antonio, Texas. There was 22 of us in total coming from 3 various continents.The retreat ranged from thrilling roller coasters to a relaxing boat ride.

Arriving at Fiesta Texas!

At the Rainforest Cafe!

Being freaks at a shoot

Heading to the Water park at Six Flags

Time for the River walk at the "Alamo"

The River walk at the "Alamo"

Headed to the largest mall in Texas "The Galleria"

4th of July!

Florals on the Fourth 

Car selfie

Overall the reunion was a fantastic time for me because it was different. I learned a lot of things about myself and family from doing simple things like playing cards. It's important for our health to mix things up and spend quality time with positive people. By doing this we regenerate our happy hormones (endorphins) and it makes us happier. You might not be able to plan a retreat but remember "Simplicity is the ulimate sophistication" Making a phone call, writing a letter or sending a Facebook message is practically the same thing. Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!

                                     "The love of a family is life's greatest blessing" -unknown

The simple secret to Happiness?!

Is it...

• How much you earn?
• Your appearance?
• Your intelligence?

Nope. It's knowing that you don't have it all and accepting that. 

No matter what your story is, if you focus on what you have, you'll have more. If you concentrate on what you don't have you'll never have enough. Two words that are scientifically proven to make you happier are THANK YOU. When we show gratitude it redirects our brain to positive thoughts and actions. 

The Gratitude Experiment?

1. Get yourself an empty journal, diary or notebook. You have to physically write it down because there is power in the words.
2. Divide it into 3 categories. People, Places & Things.
3. Write down what you are thankful for daily.
4. Recommended: Contact the people you wrote down to appreciate them even more! 

Does it work?

I've been doing it for 6 months and I'm much more positive and happier. Oprah Winfrey has been doing it for 18 years and says acknowledging these things made her more receptive to the goodness in her life. She believes keeping this journal was the single most important thing she's ever done. Give it a try! you've got nothing to lose.        

  More info on the experiment!

                                                                     Thanks for reading, 

                                                                                           Jen'shealth.

                                                                     

Feel Good Friday!

So, we have all heard the famous quote "Health is your greatest wealth!" It makes sense I mean if you are extremely rich it doesn't do much good if you can't enjoy the money. With all the sicknesses in our day and age, I don't want to end up in the hospital. I don't think anyone does. 

My sudden interest in health and well-being stemmed from being exposed to hospital life. In Transition Year I did a Work Experience course titled "Introduction to Hospital Life" There I saw hundreds of patients of all ages looking for ways to make themselves better. That's when I realised that I didn't want have to be in their position, I didn't want to wait until my sickness came. I wanted to take as many preventative measures to ensure I'd be healthy and happy for the rest of my life. I come across so many negative and miserable people in my life and I don't want to live that way. We weren't created to just merely survive, but to thrive. 

So, where to start? Here are my top 5 tips to help you feel happier and healthier. I can do a follow-up post on each technique if your interested? 

1. Your mindset. You need to say "I am going to live a happy, healthy positive life" as cheesy as it may sound positive declarations do work! Don't forget to constantly remind yourself of this affirmation. 
2. Your environment. The people you surround yourself with are incredibly important when it comes to living a HHPL (Happy, healthy, positive life!) They have such a big influence on our thoughts and actions. 
3. Be grateful. I found out the secret to happiness, appreciation for what you have, whether it's a little or a lot. I have a gratitude journal and I have never felt more at peace.
4. Exercise and meditation. When we do exercise it releases endorphin's, the happy hormone! Meditation is great for calming the mind and muscles also!
5. You are what you eat! Try to eat everything in moderation, a balanced diet is key! Don't forget about drinking a ton of water. 

Guys, I have been incorporating these tips into my lifestyle the past few years and I can honestly say I feel much better about myself and much more confident. I do have bad days, but not as much as I use to! 

So, is health really your greatest wealth? 
                                                                              -Jen'shealth