Dance: Exercise for the Body and Soul

Ever since my youth, all I ever wanted to do was dance. Dancing sets me free. It helps me discover my own infinity.

Unfortunately, in recent years I had to give up taking lessons due to lack of time and financial reasons. I miss my dancing days. I miss performing in front of a crowd and disengaging my mind. I miss connecting to the music and my space, being one with the room and all the ambient sounds that fill it. 

I had been longing to dance. So when I was with my best friend (a stunning dancer) the other day, I felt inspired. I donned my leggings, high socks and crop top, ready for a dance session. We went to the gym in her apartment complex and commandeered the racket ball room. All alone in a sacred space. One would pick a song for the other and then we would improvise. 

Once I began dancing, my body began to rejoice. Slowly but surely my feet would recall a new movement. My arms would reach. My heart leaped inside my chest. My body remembered more than I thought it would. 

Dancing, to say it in layman's terms, is sooooo good for your body and your overall well-being! Here's why:

• Enhances conditions of heart and lungs
• Increases muscular strength, motor fitness and endurance
• Increases muscle tone
• Counts as aerobic fitness
• Healthy for your bones and reduces risk of osteoporosis
• Increases flexibility 
• Increases balance and coordination
• Self-esteem booster
• Helps you gain more social skills (if dancing in a group or with a partner)
• Helps with weight management

-Better Health Channel

Dancing is not only a valuable physical exercise but also one of the most freeing experiences. The phrase "Dance like nobody is watching" is a wise one. When I danced the other day, I felt like a bird that was just liberated from its cage.

Dancing burns a massive amount of calories as well. Using my Lose It! app, (Download it!!!) I calculated that I burned about 250 calories from dancing for 45 minutes! And it did not even feel like I was exercising, because it was so fun and engaging. 

Here is a video snippet of my improv dance session from the other day. I apologize; I know the video quality is not top notch. This was by no means rehearsed and I do not consider this my best work. But I still felt it worthy of sharing. :) I am dancing to the song Blindness by Justin Timberlake. 

Tips: 

1. Always warm up and cool down with full body stretches

2. Take breaks in between songs to drink water

3. Dance like nobody is watching!

4. Have fun!

If you like to dance, I would recommend trying a Zumba class! Super fun fitness and a total calorie burning workout! 

Go dance the night away! Tell us about your freeing dance experience in the comments below! 

Stay golden. 

Elsie <3

Getting Back Into It!

Alright gang, I know it has been WAAAAAAY too long since I last posted. *Insert Elsie's most sincere apology here. I know it's not a valid excuse but I have been so tied down. Busy would be an understatement. 

My fellow college students can understand the strain and anxiety that accompany FINALS week. FINALS--such an evil word. Before that, I was on Thanksgiving break.  I took some time off with the purpose of rebooting my system. I spent time strictly with my family and friends whom I had missed dearly. I wanted to permeate myself with good vibes and feelings before I attempted to tackle the end of this overwhelming semester. 

During the week prior and the week of finals week...my health suffered. I'm gonna be honest. I was not treating my body like a temple. Let's just say it was not on the priority list. THIS IS BAD. Your health should ALWAYS be on the priority list, no matter how hectic life gets. Health is a privilege, a gift. Your overall morale and satisfaction with life will be exceptionally better if you treat yourself right!

I was denying myself sufficient sleep. I went to Taco Bell and in the same day I went to Publix and bought a half gallon of Blue Bell ice cream. I ate it in less than a week, without help I might add. Not a proud moment. I neglected to work out. I was eating whatever was easy. Accessible. Needless to say, taking the time to cook a nutritious meal was unappealing. I'm sure this situation sounds familiar to you all. I assume I'm not alone on this one. 

Now, this is where I say, you can turn this back around!! Do not get discouraged. Simply realize that you need to change your habits and take the steps to do it. 


Here are some tips for "Getting Back Into It!"

1. Make EASY wholesome meals that do not require cooking! This way it doesn't take much time away from your study sessions. 
Lunch and Dinner: Summery Salad- Greens, sunflower seeds, Feta cheese, crisp red apples and red wine vinegar dressing
*For protein, add roles of deli meat such as turkey or ham 
Breakfast: Greek yogurt (I use Cabot vanilla bean), granola of choice, raspberries, dash of cinnamon, drizzled honey

2. Say YES to opportunities to exercise
--My roommate asked me if I wanted to join her for a run one night and I said yes! Let me just say, I DESPISE running. I wish I liked it. But unless I am being chased by a chain saw...running is not my first choice of exercise. I always wonder when the whole "runner's high" comes in. You know when they say, "I ran that far, so it just made me want to keep running." Yeah, that phenomenon does not happen to me. Anyway, I went and I was extremely impressed with myself. I did not stop once and I kept a steady pace the whole time! It was such an encouragement!! This illustrated to me that if you commit, your body can get back into it quicker than you think. 

3. RELAX
When you are overwhelmed with stress, neither your brain nor your body functions properly. Like I did over Thanksgiving break, take a bit of time to recharge. Once you are refilled with energy, you will be ready to accomplish your goals with conviction! 

Remember health is the true wealth! Keep it on the priority list! Share your tips on "Getting Back Into It" in the comments below! 

Stay Golden,
Elsie <3

Take a YOU Day!

Today's post is going to be short and sweet. I recommend that you take a "personal health day!" Do something strictly for yourself. I, like many others, forget how valuable this is. Sometimes life can get too damn crazy. With school, work, gym, social life, romance, extra curricular activities, it is way too simple to loose time for yourself. It's overwhelming! Finding a healthy balance can be difficult.

On the About  page, it says that my journal is where my writing began. Writing in my journal = Me time. I realized the other day that I had not written in my journal for awhile. I had not taken the time to clear my head and release my vitality onto a page for a long time. I needed to. So I went to my most cherished spot on campus, a little nook in the stairs of my old residence hall, and I wrote a poem. Now this isn't just any ole' nook. It overlooks a marvelous tree with red flowers. It is just high enough that it feels almost celestial, like I'm above the earth and nothing can touch me. Nothing except for the delicate kisses of the sun's pleasant rays. 

I only stayed for 45 minutes or so until I had class. But after that little me session, my day became infinitely BETTER! I felt stronger. I felt invigorated. My spirit was uplifted. Just those 45 minutes did wonders for my mental health. I felt it worthy of sharing.

Sometime this week, plan out at least an hour of time that you can spend just for YOU. If one can not learn to enjoy their own company, I do not think that they can truly enjoy someone else's. Those solo moments are the ones that teach you most about who you are. 

You know when you hear a song where all the sounds just mesh together perfectly? It's like your ears give thanks for listening to it. Try to create that perfect sound in your life! Focus on allowing all the elements of your life to create beautiful harmony. 

Even if it is just taking 45 minutes to watch the new episode of Vampire Diaries (Elsie's fav show) or actually using the stove to cook a delicious meal instead of warming up a frozen dinner, DO IT! Set aside time on your calendar that nothing else can fill up. 

What will you dedicate your YOU day to? Let's hear about it in the comments below!

Stay golden. 
Elsie <3

Balanced Meal That Will Brighten Breakfast

Listen to your mother when she says "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day". Many people assume that if you skip breakfast, it will be easier to loose weight. WRONG. Eating breakfast allows you to jump start your metabolism so your body has to utilize less energy to digest the food you consume throughout the day. It also gives you more energy to participate in physical activity! People who eat 3 wholesome meals a day with a couple of nutritious snacks in-between find it easier to maintain a healthy weight. 

Here is an appetizing, quick meal that is guaranteed to brighten breakfast time!

 Avocado Egg Toast

• Avocado (***The GOOD kind of fat)
• Egg 
• Piece of whole grain bread
• Olive oil
• Mexican 4 cheese (A slice of good ole' Colby Jack would do just fine! Or for an extra kick, go for his brother, Pepper Jack!)
• Salt & Pepper

Toast your bread to your liking. Meanwhile, heat a pan on medium. Coat it with either olive oil or butter. Cook the egg sunny side up, lightly salt. Spread desired amount of avocado onto the toast. Drizzle with olive oil. Top with cooked egg. Sprinkle cheese. Pepper lightly. Bake for about 2 minutes in the toaster oven or broil in conventional oven to melt the cheese! Voila!

FUN FACT: Eggs are remarkably healthy! Eggs are considered to be the "perfect protein." In the words of Kris Gunnars, author of Authority Nutrition, "Just imagine...a whole egg contains all the nutrients needed to turn a single cell into an entire baby chicken." How cool right? I highly recommend Kris's blog!

Is your mouth watering like mine is? How could a sunny side up egg not brighten your day?? 

Do you have a favorite breakfast recipe? Share it below in the comments!

Stay whole.

Elsie <3

Love and Cherish Your Cloth (Written and edited by Elsie, co-written by Kelly)

Recently, I have felt invigorated by all the support I have been receiving for my blog. It has been a breath of fresh air, as cliché as that sounds. I wrote in my first post “The Beginning” that the onset of this semester was a challenging period for me. I felt unmotivated by school. I felt like an outsider in my own life. I didn't know where I belonged. I did not know what I was “supposed to be doing”.

I know now. And it is, creating meaning as my nimble fingers perform a tango across the keyboard of this humble laptop. It is being the author of this blog.

I have never done this before but a friend reached out to me and asked if I “needed an article for my blog”. It turns out that this week has been specifically trying for me to write. I have so many ideas ricocheting off the confines of my mind. But I am having trouble transforming those ideas into coherent words.  So when she sent me this message, a little lantern appeared in the distance. I am so thankful that she offered up her story. I think it is a very powerful piece that an extensive audience could relate to. I will share her work and give my thoughts on the situation as well.

This piece has been a combined effort between my dear friend and I. I made some edits to her original piece while still maintaining her style. This, is Kelly’s reflection…

I've been trying to figure out myself ever since I can remember: Who am I? What do I want? Who do I want? The list is endless it seems. Now I am 20 years old and I still have no idea who I am, what I want or who I want. I've been in a serious committed relationship with my boyfriend (we’ll call him X) for four and a half years. We met when I was a sophomore in high school and he was a junior.  We've been attached at the hip ever since. I was 15 when I started dating X and I had no idea what I was doing, but I sure acted like I did. I didn't know what it means to be a good girlfriend. I didn't know how much was going to be asked of me in the next 4 and a half years. So here I am now, a junior in college, and I've never been so lost.

            Being with someone for a long time is difficult, to say the least. And if we’re being completely honest, it gets boring, repetitive, annoying and taxing. At some point just touching the other person is nearly impossible, let alone enjoyable. How did we get like this? That’s the question I ask myself daily. It is dispiriting to know that I don’t have a brilliant solution for it all. Like I said…I’m lost.           

            The word “lost” can mean a lot of different things, to many different people. To me, it means not having a secure sense of self. Somehow over the course of my relationship with X I've completely and totally emptied myself of my identity and refilled myself with him. I can’t separate the two now. It’s like we’re a piece of cloth, so tightly woven together that I can’t pull apart my own fibers from his. Your cloth is yourself, it’s what makes you you.  It is perfect the way it is, whether or not you believe it. And right now I don’t believe it, and that’s an appalling spot to be in. It affects everything that I do. It makes doubting myself as simple and effortless as making a PB&J. 

I have so much anger and resentment built up that I cannot seem to let go. Losing my sense of self has saturated me with insecurities, depression, issues with body image, and hatred for anything and everything. I’m sure like most people, I can’t help but compare my relationship to ones I see in movies or in public. I gaze upon those relationships with jealous eyes, knowing that they have something that I don’t. They appear to be so happy, beautifully consumed by one another and most importantly healthy. I analyze my relationship and see only loss of interest, hatred and distance. Why can’t I get my boyfriend to look at me the way Noah looks at Allie in The Notebook??

            This constant comparison only fuels my depression and drives my insecurities deeper and deeper until I can’t even bear to look at myself in the mirror. I've spiraled so far down into this black hole of a shit relationship and I can’t dig myself out of it. For anyone lucky enough not to know what this feels like, it is undeniably handicapping like you wouldn't believe. When you place all of your eggs in one basket that has a hole, it is almost inevitable that you will lose them all.    

            I have this huge, ugly ego that makes forgiveness excruciating. I have more pride than a fucking pack of lions and I’m probably the most stubborn person I that I know. These qualities will send you straight to relationship jail if you don’t get your shit together quickly. That is where I've been circa 2010. This “relationship jail”, to say it nicely, makes being with you much less than pleasant. My relationship has proven to be a messy web of failed attempts at starting over.

            I've tried the whole “doin me” gig and it is more strenuous than it looks. I’m always looking for help with my relationship: self-help books, articles, advice from friends, advice from strangers, you name it.  All that crap you read on Facebook like “How to Rekindle Your Love Life” is one big cheesy lie.  You’re supposed to somehow drop all the baggage you've been carrying for YEARS and start over? Does anyone know how hard that actually is? Verbal abuse, hurting, resentment, anger, insecurities, bad decisions and low self-esteem creates a pretty hefty size burden. And if this burden was formed over years of time, how it can take just days to diminish? When I read articles that fork up relationship advice like: hold hands more, have more sex, love deeper, become best friends again, ride a roller coaster together and all that BS it creates the delusion that relationships can be a simple fix. If that were true, I sure as hell would fix it! I don’t know anyone who deserves a fresh start more than X and I do.  We've struggled so hard to “make it work” but it’s been nothing but beating the dead horse. We have had countless heart-to-hearts where we devise this plan to allow us to love each other again and we feel so full and great… give it 24 hours and we’re back at each other’s throats. So, I guess the question presents itself: when do you know if it’s the right time to give up or to continue to try working things out?

            X and I have been at a crossroad for a of couple years now and when I see my relationship with him written out on paper, the answer seems so brazenly obvious…LEAVE! I wish it were that easy. I would pay SERIOUS money to make it that easy but that’s not the way life works.  That’s not a fun pill to swallow. Part of me knows I should walk away and never look back but I’m too afraid to do that. The idea of leaving the one and only love I've ever had and entering into the real world again crushes me to the core. It brings me to my knees in tears. I know anyone older and wiser than myself would tell me that, “It will all be okay and you’ll move on”, but this huge part of me doesn't want to believe that.           

            X deserves someone great, someone special and life changing; he deserves support, love, intimacy, forgiveness, and everything that’s good under these skies. I deserve all that too! Shit, everyone deserves that!  But is it actually attainable? Are the relationships I observe on day-to-day bases really all that great or are they facades like my relationship is too? X and I are great actors, we perform daily and we've fooled a lot of people. But if we’re being honest, we hate more than we ever love.

            Not even a year into my relationship with X I was making plans, serious plans. I wanted to be married by 25 and have at least one kid before I was 30. I wanted to live in a trailer on a huge piece of property because size never mattered to me. I wanted an easy life. I didn't care about money or fancy cars or clothes, I just wanted him, in his most natural form. I wanted pure bliss with him and I still do, it just seems so unreachable. How is it possible to lose yourself so much, to get so derailed from everything you thought you were and wanted? When did life get so freaking hard?

            Relationships are one of the most difficult things you will ever do in your life. Everything is against you from the start. The world we live in now makes being in a healthy relationship harder than an obese kid trying to complete a triathlon. Social media sits right at your fingertips and makes voyeurism a socially acceptable thing. Every couple looks happy and in love. You are forced to believe that EVERYONE is doing better than you are. Studies have actually proven that you are more likely to become depressed if you view social media often. Movies these days are filled with porn-like love scenes and perfectly sculpted women and the standard for what a woman “should be” these days is absolutely absurd. But we all buy into it! We are all guilty of seeing what the world believes is beautiful and internalizing it as self-loathing. We look at ourselves and notice insignificant flaws and we develop a hatred for our body, mind, and spirit. It is hideous and I hate it more than anything. I want respect for both men and women. I believe that love is a gift God gave us here on earth to illustrate just a miniscule fraction of what His love is really like. We must get out of society’s mindset in order to be satisfied with ourselves again because what we are taught relationships should be like these days is disturbing.

            My journey to being happy again is going to be a long, treacherous one but I have to accept myself before I begin. I am a 20-year-old in a 30-year-old body. Pickup lines and frat parties don’t amuse me and they never will. To me, one-night stands are trashy and distasteful and I will never lose hope for finding a love that is extraordinary. I know more about real-life than I would prefer. When you've been with someone since you were 15, maturing prematurely is almost a given.

 Sitting here writing this, I don’t know if I’m single or not.  And I don’t know when I’ll start loving myself again. The one thing I still have is hope. No matter who you are or what situation you are in, it does not have to end here. There is always hope for today and most certainly hope for tomorrow.  Don’t worry about getting answers for all your questions. Drop the idea of instant gratification because life’s a Bitch and she don’t roll that way. Love the spot you’re in right at this very moment and stop convincing yourself that you are supposed to be somewhere else. Accept yourself and the things you cannot change. You can always start over but you can never change your cloth. (Kelly 2014)

I chose to share Kelly’s article because I think it coincides with my philosophy about learning to be a “whole” person.

The need to form relationships is not a learned characteristic of human beings. According to Floyd’s Communication Matters 2nd. Ed., forming relationships is an innate characteristic of humans. We NEED relationships, healthy relationships that is. As I have previously written in “That Bitch Called Breakup”, many people have the tendency to feel “complete” once they meet “the one”. As someone who has been in a serious, committed relationship for 4 years as well, I KNOW how easy it is to permit that kind of thinking. You almost have to catch yourself and say, “No. I am my OWN person. I am the owner of my identity.” If you adopt the identity of “your person”, then they might as well be in a relationship with his/herself!

Kelly’s cloth metaphor is an excellent perspective. Imagine the cloth as a garment. Allowing yourself to be completed by your romantic partner is like cutting a small unnecessary piece of their garment and clothing yourself with it. You abandon all of your attire that has been acquired over years and years of personal growth. If that person must leave the picture, you are left naked. Nude. Stripped…physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Now you have the daunting task of regaining that wardrobe you had built up your entire life.

Accepting your cloth and dismissing the crippling body issues is the equivalent to regaining your socks and shoes. Now at least you are not barefoot. You can walk upon the rugged road sans the pain in your feet.

Seeking help is like putting on your pants. Being able to look in the mirror and say, “I have self-worth. I am beautiful. My cloth is perfect” is like buckling up that old sturdy leather belt.

Continuing on the journey is like putting on the undershirt. Taking the necessary steps and taking it each day at a time.

Finally, when you can love yourself, ALL of yourself, everything that is you, that is when you button up the shirt and are fully clad in YOUR identity cloth.

(My “lost” story)

After my senior year is high school, I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. It proved to be one of the most challenging, exhilarating, interesting, heart-breaking, uplifting and rewarding years of my life. I had been planning on traveling across the seas for years before I made the voyage. There was only ONE thing that contributed to the anxious dreams at night. The ones where I would run off the plane and could not follow through…my love wouldn't be coming with me. Leaving the comfort of his arms in tears at the airport was still one of the most agonizing things I have ever done. This may seem dramatic. I can assure you it is not. Perhaps I have not experienced much agony in my life, for this I am eternally grateful. But being away from him hurt in places that I didn't know were there. Somehow I mustered up the strength and courage to leap into the unknown. I flew to Spain.

My boyfriend and I were in a long distance relationship for 10 solid months. We were 4,000 miles and a 6 hour time difference apart. We communicated through Skype and texts. Some nights I could barely find the strength to hit the end call button on my screen.  My computer morphed into inescapable metal bars. I just wanted to reach out and grab him, like the Wonka bar in Charley and the Chocolate Factory.

After about 5 months, I hit a low point in my trip. I was begging my mother to book a plane ticket for me. I had never felt so “lost” or alone. I just wanted to go home.

After several weeks of self-reflection and critical thinking I came to the conclusion, “What would I do at home?” My boyfriend is a year younger so he was in his Senior year of high school. Would I wait desperately every day for him to come frolicking home from school? Would I go back to my same job and work every day? I hadn't applied to college yet so further education wasn't an option. I thought, “I chose to do this for a reason. This is for me. I have to be able to do something on my own.” I figured if I could continue to grow and mature, then I would have so much more to offer. I could be a better person for my boyfriend and for myself.

I ended up sticking it out. Now, I speak and write another language fluently. Speaking Spanish has become so dear to my heart. It is one of my favorite qualities about myself. I can connect with many more people. I have seen parts of the world that many have never or may never experience. I honestly feel like my intelligence is far more developed. And when my boyfriend adorably tries to speak sweet words to me in Spanish, my heart melts.

Going to Spain was definitely a burden for my relationship with my boyfriend. It was hard as hell at times to not just hop on a plane home. I am so thankful for all his support and encouragement. He was my warrior during that year. He knew that I needed to do it. Now we still live apart in two different cities. He desired so badly to go to school in Orlando. Of course I did not want to be apart from him again. It hurt just thinking about inviting that pain back into my life after 10 lengthy months of it. But I could never have the capacity to stand in his way. I want him to grow and experience just as I did. I never want to be the one that dims down his luminous light.

We had to choose to live for ourselves while loving the other. We love each other and would do ANYTHING for one another, except cut away each other’s cloth.

To quote another one of my favorite pieces of literature, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, “I would die for you. But I won’t live for you.”

Now please do not take this as a: my relationship is better than your relationship. This is not my intention. I am grateful that Kelly has come to the conclusion that her cloth is beautifully constructed and just as important as anyone else’s. And in order to create a healthy relationship, both parties must believe this. I hope that she discovers her rightful path. Maybe her and X will try once more. Perhaps not. Only they can know. But if they do “start over” once more, they MUST maintain their own identities and learn to love more than hate.

Live each day with a purpose. LOVE yourself. Maintain your WHOLE self. Your relationships will be so much more invincible if you cherish your cloth first.

Elsie <3

15 Ways to Fuse More Fitness Into Your Life!

According to the National Health Information Survey, it was reported that much less than HALF of American adults meet the suggested amount of cardiovascular activities and muscle strengthening exercises for sustaining a healthy life-style. To maintain the ideal amount of fitness in your life, examine these guidelines provided by health.gov. Exercise is the easiest hindrance of heart disease (The NUMBER ONE cause of death in America [For statistics click here]), stroke, osteoporosis, depression and a hand full of other health issues as stated in Harvard Health Publications.

This is one trend that you should not wish to follow. Here's 15 reasonable recommendations on how to Fuse More Fitness Into Your Life!! Some may be easier than others for each individual. I am attempting to appeal to a wide range of readers with these helpful hints.

1. One of simplest ways to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine is TAKE THE STAIRS! You will also be utilizing less energy by abandoning elevators--always a plus!

2. To get some extra strength-training in, do at least 25 squats every time you brush your teeth. That way you get at least 50 squats in per day, assuming you brush your teeth twice a day. One of my best friends gave me this valuable piece of advice, which I am ever thankful for.

3. Don't wait until Spring cleaning time to scrub down your living space! You might be surprised to know that merely tidying up your humble abode burns calories. Take a glimpse at this site for a list of household chores you can perform that also can count towards your physical fitness for the week! **If you truly want to burn those calories, transform your room, and move the furniture around. To achieve harmony and balance in your home, perhaps try the Chinese art of feng shui (mentioned in "That B*tch Called Breakup" post.)

4. Take a delightful stroll around your area. If your area consists of mountainous terrain, take an afternoon hike. Enjoy the company of a partner or use this time for self-reflection.

5. While watching TV, perform 10 push ups or sit ups during each commercial break. This way you can take time to relax, but you are also invigorating your muscles and burning calories gained throughout the day.

6. Partake in one of the most glorious pleasures in life, SEX! Safe sex, of course (sex between consenting adults with the use of some form of birth control). Sex is a pleasurable way in which to burn calories! Sex relieves stress and tension from your body. During sex, your heart rate increases. Sex manipulates a diversity of muscles. Relationships that include the most sex are generally the happiest, showing that sex nurtures relationships. For more health benefits of sex, review these websites: WebMD, Fitness Magazine  Medicine Net.
**Fun Fact for women: As written in Human Sexuality:Diversity in Contemporary America, 8th Edition. by Yarber, Sayad, and Strong, orgasms can subdue the pain of period cramps!

7. Go dancing! Some people neglect exercising due to a lack of time to visit a gym or simply because they do not enjoy it. Dancing can be your solution! Dancing is not just for entertainment, but exercise as well. You do not even need to go out on the town to dance. You can do what I do and blast the music while cleaning or cooking and dance your heart out. :)

8. Join a local/community sports team or the intramurals team at your school. This is a great way to potentially meet new friends. Playing on a team builds trust and generates higher self-esteem. Students who play on a school sports team have also demonstrated higher academic achievement as well. Playing on a team allows others to hold you accountable and help you achieve your personal goals.

9. Substitute a short drive in a car for a walk or bike ride. If you are close enough, walk or bike to class. It takes me 20-23 minutes to walk from my home to class. That is at least 120 minutes of brisk walking (40 minutes round trip, 3 days a week) I can count on having in my routine each week.

10. Stretch before turning in for the night. Stretching can have a relaxing effect on the body. After stretching, your body and mind will find itself in a state of tranquility perfect for preparing to go to sleep. Check this out for specific before bedtime stretches!

11. Go for a dip in the pool. WebMD explains that swimming can be considered cardiovascular AND strengthening simultaneously! Win Win! Also, swimming can be a lifetime exercise seeing as how there is no tough jarring on the joints, as concluded by Bucknell University.

12. Garden or work out in the yard. Use your green thumb to not just improve the health of your plants, but also that of your own!

13. Play outside with your pet or children. Children and dogs can be extremely rambunctious and sprightly. Keeping up with them requires loads of energy. Over the summer, I was a nanny for a two year old and four year old. After 8 constant hours of running around as super heroes, swimming, playing at the park, cooking, piggy-backing, cleaning, and holding the children, I was exhausted. **Here's where I give a massive sign of respect and admiration to all parents. You truly have the most difficult and important job in the world!

14. Partake in any of these fun-filled activities: Ice-skating, horse-back riding, fishing, jumping on a trampoline, jump roping, or ping pong!! All great forms of entertainment and exercise; ones you can share with your friends as well!

15. Connect with nature and go on a kayaking or canoeing adventure. Many universities in Florida have outdoor recreation programs that allow students/staff to rent outdoor equipment, universities including USF, UNF, and UCF. Look at your university's campus recreation website to find out if they have a similar program!

The key is to stay active! Try choosing a couple activities that you can add to your weekly physical fitness routine. Besides going on a run or lifting weights at the gym (equally important activities), you can find more enjoyable ways to keep your blood flowing and your muscles mobile.

Health is the true wealth my friends. :)

Elsie <3

Fresh Friday!

Wholesome and tasty food Friday!

Here's a quick recipe that ONLY requires 7 ingredients and it won't break your wallet! Gotta love it!

Eggplant Pizza                                        Before

*inspired by the Healthy Fitness Meals Instagram! There is a link on my home page under Check This Out tab for more delectable and nutritious meals! 

Ingredients: 

• Eggplant
• Spinach
• Any marinara red sauce (I used the Classico brand Fire Roasted Tomatoes & Garlic. I also like the Tomato Basil sauce by the same brand.)
• Provolone or Mozzarella cheese (I used a mixture of white cheeses for extra flavor: Parmesan, Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, Fotina and Asiago)
• Cherry or grape tomatoes 
• Spices-Basil, Oregano (Any mixture of Italian Seasoning would do just fine)

Simple Steps on how to make it:

1. Slice the eggplant short ways into desired thickness (I suggest about 1/2'')
2. Arrange the eggplant onto cooking sheets and lightly salt. (If you are using a conventional oven bake on 425 for about 15 minutes. I bake them for 6-8 minutes on 400 in a toaster oven.)
3. Spoon marinara sauce onto the slices
4. Sprinkle cheese! I say you can never have too much cheese!
5. Cut tomatoes into small pieces and place them onto the pizza. Add spinach leaves!
6. Top them off with your spices
7. Bake for 10 minutes
8. Broil for 2-5 minutes depending on your oven choice. (Until cheese is melted and brown)
9. Disfruta!   

                                                      After!

Eggplant is one of my staple foods. It can be cooked in several different fashions and it will always brighten your taste buds' day! :) It also contains much nutritional value, so your body will graciously thank you as well! Take a peek at this link for a cornucopia of more savory Eggplant Recipes. 

Peruse this website for details on how eggplant nourishes your body!


Nutritional Facts about Eggplant:
One cup of raw eggplant:
Calories-20

Fat-0
Total Carbohydrate-5g
Sugars-2g
Protein-1g
A number of vitamins and minerals including:Fiber, Vitamin B1, Copper, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B3, Potassium, Folate and Vitamin K

If you try out this recipe, give a shout out on the Ask Elsie page or simply comment below! I would love to hear about it.

Live whole and prosper! 
Elsie <3

That Bitch Called Breakup

Recently, I have been inspired by my absolute best friend to write this post...about break ups. Your mental and emotional health can take a severe blow when experiencing a break up. Everything that you thought you knew, everything you became accustomed to, is now not your reality anymore. Instead, you have a new reality; one that consists of heart-ache, confusion, questioning, wondering, doubt and a plethora of other unpleasant and damaging feelings. 

Now, in my opinion, you have two options. You're presented with two paths.

One in which you can diminish your self-worth and go over every little tiny detail, everything that went wrong...OR you can learn from the experience and blossom into the refurbished you, the one with a shiny new perspective. Choosing between these two paths may seem easy when explained in this way. However, when the decision transpires, unfortunately, many choose the first option. 

The length of time the relationship lasted, the intensity of feelings, the presence or non-presence of sexual intimacy, metamorphic life experiences and abuse are all relevant factors that determine the difficulty post-breakup. *** (If you have experienced any form of relationship abuse: sexual, physical, emotional, neglect etc. tell an adult and solicit the help of a professional immediately.) I am not going to claim that every break up should be treated the same. Maybe this advice can not be useful for all situations. But I will speak in general terms about the rebuilding process that occurs after such a heartbreaking event.

I have a boyfriend who I am passionately in love with. Each day my love for him and for us grows. When you share such an extraordinary love like that of which we share, you become susceptible to the idea that your person "completes you." This suggests that before you met this person, you were an incomplete human being, that you were not a "whole" person before this! Rather than allowing yourself to think this way, know that you are perfectly capable of living life ON YOUR OWN. You did it for years before you met this person or fell in love. Many times, life seems unimaginable without that person by your side. It is important to remember that you have lived life without them before, you can always learn to do it again. I always tell my boyfriend. "You do not complete me. You compliment me." 

First step: Recognize that your life requires a new direction. No use dwelling on the fruitless questions such as, "Why was I not good enough?"

Next: Switch it up! Find a new hobby. Join a gym. Attend fitness classes such as Yoga or Zumba! Read a new book or reread a beloved old one. Take cooking classes. Surround yourself with friends who will instill confidence and supply fun and adventure. Join a club at school. Volunteer for a local charity. Start watching a new television series. Go swimming or bike riding. Paint! Redecorate your space, (***especially if it is filled with memories of your ex) perhaps Feng Shui. Write in a diary. (Writing can be very therapeutic. I find that writing down my thoughts cleanses my being and can serve as an archive to look back on. When you are feeling down, reviewing a positive journal entry can brighten your day!)

Remember: It is okay, beneficial even, to ask for help. Find someone you can trust. Someone whose opinion matters to you. Someone who knows you in and out. Someone who will guide you in a healthy direction when you do not have the capacity to do so yourself. Whether this be calling your best friend, talking to a parent /guardian, pursuing the advice of a counselor; seeking help demonstrates personal willpower and humility. 

Set goals for yourself! This way you have something other than the break up to focus on. My friend who just met that b*tch named Breakup is struggling to find a fresh path. I suggested to utilize the bad feelings to create a game if you will. Mark on your calendar every day that you shut the door to that dark place, every day that you turn away from those feelings that just get you down. Every time you turn away and eliminate the toxins from your life, mark an X. If you end up breaking your streak, it will devastate you. Eventually you will not want to break it! This way you have something tangible that proves your progress. If you wish to truly treat yourself, instead of a mark on the calendar, add money to a jar. Once your jar becomes filled, spend the money on a YOU day. Buy a nice outfit that makes you feel invincible. Pay a visit to the salon and get your toes did. Or buy the latest apple product you have been eyeing for weeks. 

There will be some good days and some bad days. Accept the bad days for what they are and tell yourself that tomorrow will be better. 

One is not defined by their relationships alone. To quote my favorite book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, "The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." (This would be a wonderful recommendation for that new book you wish to read!!!)

Discover your new sun! Take the time you need to replenish and nurture your emotional and mental health, because it is important. Focus, you can do this!

Stay "whole." Health is the true wealth my friends. 

Elsie <3

Zzzzzzzzzz

Hello, my name is Elsie. And I am a sleep addict. 

I awoke from my peaceful slumber right at the crack of 12:45 pm today. Granted, I stayed up very late last night creating this blog. Once I published my first post, the butterflies began to flutter. I don't know what it was. ?? I couldn't sleep!! Which is EXTREMELY uncharacteristic of a sleep addict. I would equate my nervous/excited sensation to that feeling I got after I just received that first special kiss. You are excited that it happened, but also hesitant and skeptical of the direction it will take. 

Now I would not have stayed up so late if I did not know that I could sleep in this morning. When I have class or something scheduled for the next morning, I always make sure I will have AT LEAST 7 hours of sleep. Though, I prefer 8. 

In your college years, sleep becomes an elusive entity that is somehow always just out of reach. If you have an exam the following day, sleep is irrelevant. You find yourself at Club Lib and your books and notes become your companions. As well as our good trusty old friend, Mr. Starbucks. 

According to the published work of Harvard Medical School, "a sleep-deprived person cannot focus attention optimally and therefore cannot learn efficiently." Is that not what we are striving to do in college? Learn? So if you do not possess the capacity to retain information because you are sleep deprived, then this whole learning thing is going to prove to be much more difficult than you want. 

Research demonstrates that 'good' sleep is vital to our health. In the words of HealthyPeople, "Adequate sleep is necessary to fight off infection, support metabolism..., perform well in school, and work efficiently and safely." Those that are sleep deprived have been linked to several health symptoms that resemble depression, increased risk of heart attack and decreases in immune system strength. We all know what happened to the test subjects of the Russian Sleep Experiment. (This experiment is considered to be unethical by today's standards. Viewer discretion is advised. You may determine if you believe this experiment to be fact or fiction based. If you simply Google search, many other results will appear.) 

 Now I am not going to say that you have the ability to sleep 8 hours every night. I study at a university; I know how it is guys. You justify with yourself and think, "Oh, I can take this exam after only 4 hours of sleep." Which if you can pass an exam with little to no sleep, I deem you inhuman! A demi-god such as Thor perhaps! I simply can't do it. I can not even function before the hour of 10 am. That is why I enjoy the fact that I can choose my own class schedule. An 8 am lecture for me is nothing less than a bad joke.

That is why I did not arise from my chambers until 12:45 pm on this lovely day. Many may argue that waking up that late is a "waste of your day." I debate that maintaining my health is NEVER a waste of my time. 

 Once again, always exceptions to the rule. If you have a billion things to do that day, then sleeping in till 12:45 is inadvisable. Know your limits. And if you feel you are at your limit and are in dire need of a nap DO it! TAKE ONE! It has been proven that a 10 minute power nap can do wonders for your body! I know disrupting a schedule can be a struggle, but only 10 minutes will not kill you! Rather it will make you feel better! It can help control stress.  

Don't hate on sleep guys. Do not overlook such an imperative benefactor!

Well time to start my day. Remember, stay whole! Live whole and prosper! 

Elsie <3

The Beginning...

Attempting to start this blog has proven to be a challenge. I have so many ideas and so many thoughts that I wish to share but just like any piece of written work, the beginning always proves to be the most difficult part. Just like sitting down to write an essay. That blank, seemingly harmless, Word document suddenly morphs into this tremendous precipice that you must ascend. It scoffs at your strength and it impugns your intelligence. You feel completely unprepared. But the only way to climb it is by simply taking the first advance. You just have to start! 

I have thought of writing a blog for awhile now. At the beginning of this school year, an overwhelming sense of discouragement befell me. I felt unmotivated and uninterested with my studies. I needed something! Something to which I could dedicate my time. Something that I felt, mattered. I really enjoy writing. Writing takes me to a safe place, to my sweet disposition. There is a diary that sits on my desk; a modest rose colored book filled with my most intimate thoughts, scribbled poems, hailed quotes, sacred documents written at the wee hours of the night. When I am feeling especially inspired and confident I might discover the courage to share one of my poems. However, this confidence does not come often. 

So, I figured a blog is a little less personal way to share my writing and thoughts. 

My blog will be about my ideas of how to live a healthy, "whole" and "prosperous" lifestyle. During these college years, I find that health, many times, gets put on the back burner. Which I really can't understand why this happens. To me, good over-all health and a firm feeling of well-being is crucial to finding happiness in this life. Another day of life to me is equivalent to receiving a precious gift. It is a priceless fortune, one beyond any monetary value. I never wish to throw that gift away. 

So in attempt to give thanks for this life, I plan to keep myself healthy, to maintain my "wholeness." Health comes in many forms: physical (the most common idea of this complexity), mental, sexual, emotional, etc. Often someone will maintain a balanced diet and make regular trips to the gym, but they neglect their mental health. They neglect the fact that having peace of mind is also a health essential. Together, we shall fix this epidemic!!

I aspire to aid all of you that sometimes disregard the importance of living as a whole human being. I wish to give you a helping hand in keeping your health high on the priority list. I wish to demonstrate this task in an easy, budget friendly way. I hope this blog can be a place for you to turn to. 

Well, here it goes! 

Stay golden! Live whole and prosper!

Elsie <3