I always keep my eyes out for natural remedies and beneficial healthy routines.  One of my favorite new practices has been drinking a cup of hot water with coconut oil and lemon every morning.  I've been doing it for a month now and I wanted to share my experience with you.

Now I've been a fan of coconut oil for years, but I've pretty much limited its use to hair, skin, and cooking. Last month, I saw a Facebook post of the benefits on hot water, lemon juice and coconut oil, and I was pretty shocked to see coconut oil in the mix!

Back in January, I did a 30 day oil pulling challenge with coconut oil that I shared with you all, and it was such a great experience. With that being said I knew that the benefits of this new concoction would be great because I saw first hand how well the oil works on fighting bacteria.

The best website that I came across that explains the benefits comes from the COCONUTMAGIC Blog and the author gives the following explanation:

"Effects

Lemon water cleanses your palate on the way down. Once in your body, it helps gently flush your kidneys and your liver of wastes and toxins. Coconut oil behaves as a natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral tonic in the body, flushing out unwanted bacteria, and viral over loads and reducing stress on the body’s organs. Coconut oil can help detox the body of some of its most stubborn toxic waste.

Benefits

Lemon provides a high amount of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and assists digestion. Coconut oil helps with the absorption of vitamins and sends fuel to the brain by creating ketones. Ketones are what your body produces when it converts a good fat (as opposed to glucose) into energy. A primary source of ketone bodies, are the Medium Chain Fatty Triglycerides (MCT’s) found in coconut oil. "

So what do I do?

I put a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil and squeeze half a lemon into a cup of hot water and drink! The idea is to drink it on an empty stomach. Drink it 15 minutes before eating or if in the evening, a while after your food has settled.


What's been the benefits for me?

I've noticed such a difference in my digestion and my satiation throughout the day. I drink the water within the first 15 minutes after waking up and sometimes right before bed and I'm telling you, it acts like a mini cleanse and it feels really good. I also am pretty active and have a fast metabolism, but at times I want a lot of food! Well, my appetite hasn't been as big and I believe as a result I've lost some inches.

As a follow up to my morning cup, I also now just sip room temperature water with lemon, and that's been great too!

Try this, and let me know what you think!

BE Well~
By: Tiffany W.

For centuries, Eastern societies have known something that only Westerners have recently began exploring within the last century: the practice of being present and mindfulness.

Mindfulness is a concept of being of aware of where you are in the moment with no concentration or judgment on the past or future. With focus on the future you can practice gratitude and be truly aligned with your mind, body and spirit. Practicing mindfulness reduces stress, tension, negative emotions, worry and so much more.

According to Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, "mindfulness is the miracle which we master and restore ourselves."

Today, I wanted to share your some words that may impart some mindfulness in your life

BE Present. BE Still. BE Expanding.

BE Mindful~
By: Tiffany W.

“It is easy to believe we are each waves and forget we are also the ocean.” -Jon J. Muth

The majority of people believe that they are truly on the receiving end of what the world "gives" to them: their careers, spouses, and even how people treat them.

What a smaller fraction of people actually know and can attest to is that we are much more powerful than we believe. Not from a cliché sense of the notion, but actually powerful in terms of being a catalyst for action and not just a reactionary organism.

Within each of us is a guiding spirit to help us along the way of our journey. regardless of one's sense of spirituality, an universal wisdom across time and ways of life is that we are spiritual or at least energy encompassing beings with the power to bring out what we desire with our thoughts and vibrations.

So what does it mean? Your world and all that exists, which you may or may not like, is a reflection of your spirit and the energy you emit.

Ever find it a coincidence when you are thinking of someone they call or text you? Or what about when you "have a feeling" something is going to happen and it often does. Or what about if you were thinking of a song and you "happen" to hear it around you? These are not coincidences. There are no coincidences.

The fears that you often focus on, even continue to play out in your head subconsciously, often times manifest. The desires that you deeply wanted, believed in, and put forth effort in, manifest.

You have power and knowing that you have power is why it's so important to not only Honor Your Spirit but also follow the other commandments of Self Love: Honor Thyself, Honor thy Mind, Honor thy Body and Forgive. BE mindful of what you feed yourself, physically and spiritually. What people are allowing to sow into your spirit? What environments are you in?

People often think it doesn't matter, but who and what you're around matters. What you listen to and watch, matters. Any opportunity for your brain to receive information, affects and shapes it.  Everyday, your brain is making new connection. Therefore its working to create a frame of reference for your thoughts and behaviors.

Feed your spirit what you want. Speak what you want. BElieve that you can attain what you want. Above all, keep this process to yourself. There are people who don't believe in their power, therefore they may not believe in your power. There are people who do not believe that "anything is possible" and they will unintentionally plant seeds of doubt in you.

Protect your spirit while declaring what you want. If you want a different life, than sit back and examine your thoughts. Listen through meditative silence what is running rapid through your mind.

Take time to your self. Become more connected with your spirit. Let it guide you and create the world that not only you desire but that serves your highest state of being and the those around you.

BE Elevated~
By: Tiffany W.

One aspect of Honor Thy Body that's very important to me is fitness. Being physically active really does help me balance my mood and motivates me to push through life. Since the beginning of the year I've been doing 2 fitness challenges: at least 10mins of jump rope a day and run at least 1 mile per day. Well I regret to say I've missed 3 days haha but I'm still rocking with both challenges and it feels great.

The greatest thing about a challenge is understanding the psychology of it all. You actually get a perspective into your own level of commitment,  excuses making, and patterns of consistency. If this was me last year I would have been so mad at myself for missing those days, but not 2015 Tiffany. I was still active those days, I just didn't go outside at all, so I didn't complete those days, and now I'm starting over, and I'm ok with that.

Well 5 days ago, a friend and wellness client of mine asked if I would find an ab challenge to do with her. I was excited because I haven't done much of abs in a while. I found this challenge and absolutely love it. Fitness in general for me is for physical and mental health, but ab work is for vanity and I'm ok with that too!

Take a stab at it for 30 days. The key to getting results is 80% nutrition so you MUST be watching what you eat. Lots of green veggies, lots of water (ideally half your body weight, but in oz of water), compelx carbs like brown rice, quinoa (keen-wah), sweet potatoes/yams (not southern style), cous cous, lentils, etc.  Eat clean and do this ab challenge and I'm sure your tummy will look quite different at the end of 30days!

BE Well,
By: Tiffany W.

Always find a reason to keep going.
Life is a process, process takes action. Unlike a tree we cannot just BE still and expect life to take its course. We have to take some type of action and sometimes we just don't want to.

19 days in January and I already missed 3 days of some personal goals for myself.  I didn't beat myself up but I had to dig deep to push myself to keep going.

You, and I, must keep yourself open to receiving the inspiration you need to live a life you deserve and BE who should and want to BE. You gave more power than you beleieve and the more you tap into it, the stronger the power gets. Honor your mjnd and spirit by really focusing in feeding it content that assures you of who you are
  Our mundd is our greatest enemy.  Creating limiting beliefs, doubts and stories of blame thus creating a life of struggle. BE assured that challenges will occur, but do you think they're meant to constantly keep you down? I know what it feels like to get caught up in your own mind. It happens to me when I get off track and don't use the tools I know that keep my mind, body, and spirit aligned and free of negative energy.

We all have access to a life of purpose and prosperity and I do believe we can easily flow into it if we are functioning in the right spiritual space. You can only flow when you focus on that flow. Yes, even BEing in flow takes focus. Whatever we want to BE, whatver whatever state we desire to BE in, must have a concentrated energy on that.

Ahhh it's Wellness Wednesday and I want to propose looking at fitness as a chore, but as a metaphor for life! Connecting to fitness as a means of maintaining health and building your character.

I remember when I was younger,  I used to think most women had "perfect bodies" because they were naturally thin. I had no idea until I got to be about 23 that those women actually (on average) ate rather well and were physically active.

The older I get and the deeper I get into my self love journey, I know how important it is to honor my body. especially through matters of fitness. For one, the more active I am, the less stress/anxious I am and the nicer I am (in my opinion). Of course any Physician, Trainer or Psychologist can really explain the physiological explanation for why fitness is beneficial,  but for me its more than that.

Fitness can be seen as a symbolic platform of life itself. The idea of setting a goal and going for it. Not only going for your goal, but putting in the energy to exceed your goal. The symbolism of pushing yourself to get through something you don't feel like doing. Pushing yourself through pain because you know its a part of the process.

Those are all principles that can take us through life! Tough times, jobs, relationships, business, confusion, and of course, depression. Just think about how many tasks you drop or procrastinate on; You let your feelings get in the way or just want to throw in the towel just because you can.

I'm telling you, being consistent in fitness will alter your perception of life and change your habits.  I even see the difference when I decide to do something for 10 minutes vs. a rigorous schedule of doing a routine for at least 30 minutes.

Being that it's early in the new year, if your health and body permits I say choose to commit to something. It can be walking, running, yoga, dancing, martial arts,  or what ever.  Something that gets your body moving. Your mind, spirit and life will thank you.

BE Well~
By: Tiffany W.

According to traditional psychology, we are wired with 5 basic emotions: fear, anger, disgust, joy and sadness. Since the 70's psychologists have come to find that these are basic emotions which are often associated with more complex experiences.

In knowing that we have these emotions essentially hard wired in us, it is no secret that these emotions, and all emotions in general serve a purpose. Emotions are how we express or can identify our experiences. They allow us to relate and communicate with others.

No emotion is "bad" in itself because it is merely a natural reaction. But what happens when some of the emotions that typically are negative occur too much? What if we choose to hold on to them?

Furthermore, what happens to someone who is described by a predominant emotion? She's a "sad", "joyful", or "scared" person?

Wellness and Natural Medicine practitioners both modern and ancient, as well as Spirtual leaders of many beliefs, know one thing to be very true: our mind, body and spirit are very connected. Therefore anything positive or negative that occurs in one sphere will be reflected in another.

Case and point: our bodies are affected by emotions.

Are you aware that under stress, your body holds that experience throughout your body? You might feel it in the form of pain, discomfort, soreness, or inflammation.

What about emotions like anger or unforgiveness? Did you know this could effect your joints, certain organs or your sleep?

Negative emotions have a place in your life. They are triggers for what makes you uncomfortable.  They are flags for even areas you can stand to have more patience and understanding in. Beyond that,  holding on to negative emotions does way more harm than good.

So how do you release them? You must explore that journey. First thing first is recognition.  Write down what you've been holding on to and why. Also write how you feel holding onto such emotions has affected you. Read this list or letter (whatever form you decide to write it in) to yourself. Once you're finished,  take 3 very deep breaths, counting in 6 seconds and breathing out 6 seconds. Then say aloud: I release you. After that, I suggest burning or ripping up and throwing away that paper.

An activity like I'm describing speaks to 2 Commandments of Self Love: Honor Thyself and Forgiveness.

I guarantee you, releasing negative energy is a part of a lifelong healing process.  It's ok to not be upbeat all the time or even get a long or agree with everyone.  But what we choose to experience within that spectrum of emotion and understanding, is up to us.

BE Free~
By: Tiffany W.