Spring is here (Part one)

The days are getting longer (well technically not longer but lighter for longer), the temperature is slowly getting warmer and in my garden I see the start of spring.  The same applies to my routines; whether it be beauty, fitness or business routines.

·         My fitness regime alters due to the increasing light in the mornings; hopefully less treadmill and more outside exercise

·         I tend to change from a lipstick to a lip gloss.  A great all round balm with a super zesty scent is the Neal’s Yard Bee Lovely Balm

·         Time to give a super Spring Clean to my make-up brushes

·         I like to brighten my colour palette; not just for make-up but clothing.  Moving away from dark earthy tones to lighter, pastel colours

·         I’ll check through all my make-up throwing away anything that’s past its expiry date (top top; when starting a new mascara/foundation etc , write the date you opened on the product with a sharpie.  Now you know when to bin)

·         Business wise I’m planning treatments and promotions around Easter/Ostara

·         My Filofax and Planning setup hasn’t changed (at the moment although I’m always scouring Ebay and Philofaxy for my dream binder)

·         Efforts to improve the condition of my feet start now ready for sandal wearing.  Let me know below if you’d like some super nourishing pedicure pamper secrets

How do you plan on Spring Cleaning your routine?  Next time, we will be upscaling our house Spring Cleaning products using nature and essential oils. 

PS – for my regular readers I have kept to the majority of my January resolutions.  I’m still posting my running miles into Jantastic having only used the joker once for when hubby was in hospital.  Although I had a break with the 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene, I’m back on the mat and oh how I missed thee.  

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Resolutions, Goals and New Beginnings

Happy New Year dear readers.  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  Our Christmas and New Year wasn’t quite as relaxing as I had hoped but nevertheless still enjoyable.  It was lovely to spend extended time with my family.

Taking a break from work between Christmas and New Year meant it was easy to find the time to start my New Year’s resolutions of keeping fit both mentally and physically.  A combination of daily Reiki, Meditation and Yoga along with physical exercise has ensured I feel optimistic about 2015.  I’m currently participating in 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene (http://yogawithadriene.com/30days/ via @yogawithadriene) which I’m loving.  Running is not something I’m great at but I’m beginning to enjoy the health benefits so I’m also in a ‘Too Fat To Run’ Jantastic Team https://www.jantastic.me/

Now I’ve announced my January resolutions it’s given me even more motivation to keep going with them – gulp!

So have you set yourself any goals or resolutions for this year?  I’d love to know in the comments below (announcing them to the world helps your resolutions or goals to stick).  Are they physical challenges?  Maybe you’ve even thought about a change in career (or a small business side-line).  If you enjoy natural, organic skincare and would like the opportunity to save 20% off future purchases, I’m looking for members to join my Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic team – contact me for further information.  

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A spoonful of ....

I know the song says "A spoonful of sugar ..." however I've taken a spoonful of my own medicine.  Towards the end of last week the warning signs of 'burnout' started to rear its head again.  No matter how long I managed to sleep for I still felt completely spent.

THE WARNING BELLS BEGAN CLANGING

So taking some time off work; do you like my view for my coffee on Monday morning?

Oh yeah.

I'm so lucky to live near Bradgate Park so I walked up to Old John and enjoyed the solitary silence.  Watching Leicestershire slowly wake whilst doing yoga was freaking wonderful.  It certainly started the replenishment of my soul.

*  Laying on the sofa and leisurely reading magazines - massive tick.
*  Soaking in the bath with divine, aromatic bath oils and crystals - yummy.
*  Not watching the clock but letting the day slide along
*  Mini-me spa treatments; facial, head and foot massage, Reiki and meditation
*  Plenty of nourishing raw foods
*  Social Media shut down
*  Afternoon naps on the settee snuggled under a blanket
*  I got a wonderful massage to ease out the tension in my back
*  I treated myself to a manicure

Unfortunately, I still got the effects of a cold.  Plenty of Ribena, echinacea, herbal teas and eucalyptus inhalations.  I'm almost back to full fitness (and certainly much quicker than I anticipated) but I certainly still need more rest.  I believe in filling my cup otherwise how can I help fill the cup of others?

So tell me readers, do you recognise when you're heading towards 'burnout'.  Are you lucky enough to be able to put yourself first and replenish yourself?  What would be your ideal replenishment routine?

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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How to make your dreams come true

What is Reiki?

Last week I discussed why I was initially drawn to Reiki but what is Reiki (pronounced Ray-kee)?

The word Reiki translates from the original Japanese meaning spiritual/Universal energy. Eastern medicine has always recognised and worked with this energy, which flows through all living things and is vital to well-being. Known as ‘ki’ in Japan, ‘chi’ in China and ‘prana’ in India and the practices of Acupuncture, T’ai chi and Yoga are also based on the free-flow of this energy in a person. The system of Reiki was developed by a gentleman called Mikao Usui in the early 1900’s. I think Reiki can sound confusing and very hippy and this can put people off just trying Reiki.

In basic terms, a Reiki practitioner asks the recipient to sit or lie somewhere comfortably. The Reiki practitioner then places their hands on or just above various areas of the recipient’s body. Reiki is activated by intention and addresses physical, emotional, spiritual and mental imbalances. The recipient’s physical, emotional and spiritual systems responds by moving toward balance. This response is typically experienced as relaxation. Whilst in this state of relaxation, your body starts to heal and balance itself. The Reiki Practitioner is not the healer; your body uses the Reiki Practitioner as a channel to this spiritual/universal energy.

There are 5 reiki precepts which everyone could bring into their daily life and the five I like to work with daily are:-

Just for today do not worry
Just for today do not anger
Respect every living thing
Honour your parents, teachers and elders
Earn your living honestly

I meditate on these 5 precepts twice daily and they are in the front of my Filofax as a constant reminder.

Do you have any questions about Reiki? Ask me below and I will try and answer them for you.

Why not give Reiki a try? What have you got to loose?

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