As the weather continues to change, 3 tips to help keep (or find :)) your zen:

1. Start your morning with a glass of warm/hot water with a little bit of lemon. 

• This is a great way to hydrate (replenish from the night's sleep) and get your digestive system moving. 
• You may also feel it helps relax your brain -- there is something comforting about a warm glass -- especially as the weather continues to get cooler!

2. Take 5 minutes each day (I like to do this first thing in the morning and then again before bed) to just find a quiet place and breathe. 

• Close your eyes, play some soft music maybe.... and just focus on listening to your breathe. 
• If you can - practice taking a deep inhale for a count of 4 and then exhale for the same count.
• allow yourself to indulge and even get lost in the moment! (set an alarm or play a song that is 5 minutes if you are really worried about getting too lost in the moment :))

3. Practice smiling throughout the day. 

• It may sound silly -- but I realized for myself -- I thought I'm a pretty easy-going person, but it seems as if there are less opportunities to smile through the day. I noticed that I would spend a lot of my time at work wanting to come across as serious - and didn't realize that it by default I was smiling less and less... Then I would go grocery shopping and I had to get through the aisles -- head down and no small talk -- OR smiling... and then I had to finish all my errands.... and so on and so on... and at the end of the day I was exhausted.... 
• So now, I try and smile - once every hour at least -- and my day is much more pleasurable. 
• Try it yourself -- smile once a day, then progress to 2x a day...

Homework for those inclined to master their zen and happiness:

• once you have mastered smiling therapy -- graduate to laughter therapy -- laugh for 1 minute a day... then progress to 2... and keep going -- how long can you laugh for...
• Sounds silly right? But why do we hold ourselves back from being happy -- allowing ourselves to experience happiness?

Cheers to being happy and keeping/finding our zen - as the weather changes -- and always!

Allergies and Apple Cider Vinegar

Here it is - the dreaded change of season!  Coughing, sniffling nose, back drip and watery eyes.  Many options are available for over the counter and prescription medicine. But what if you cannot take them (say you are pregnant) or you want to opt for natural relief with fewer side effects.

Apple cider vinegar is a fabulous option for allergy and asthma relief.  It is something I personally take each season and up my dosage during flare-ups. 

1.  Steep a cup of water with 2-3 cinnamon sticks, 2 teaspoons of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of black pepper.  You can make larger quantities and store in the fridge and reheat as needed.  Also, it can be steeped in a tea kettle and kept warm in it all day for immediate use. 
2.  Pour 3 oz of brew
3.  Add cap full of apple cider vinegar
4.  Add local honey (also wonders for allergies)

It is a like a little shot of health!  It is strong but the honey helps to offset the strong vinegar taste.

Take as needed during the day - I personally like morning and evening. 

Cheers to good health!