Being kind is probably a part of your every day life. After all, you
have to be nice, in general, to get what you want and to keep the
people you love happy.
But what about being kind
simply for the sake of being kind? What about doing something kind for
someone you don't need anything from, or even someone you don't know?
Practicing
kindness, and passing it on to others encourages other to do the same
thing. If we're all being kind, and doing kind things for each other,
the world is bound to be a better place. And doing something nice for
someone "just because" creates a feel good moment for the giver and
recipient!
This week's challenge: Do something kind for
someone at least once daily! Offer kind words to a stranger, offer a
helping hand to someone who needs it, pay for some one's
coffee(remember when that went on at the local Starbucks?!), mow
someones lawn, move some one's trash can in on garbage day, leave a
kind note on someone’s door, etc. Have fun with it!
Need
some good ideas? Check out some ideas posted by the Random Acts of
Kindness Foundation (yep, there really IS such a thing!) here!
Have a great week!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
2013 Weekly Challenge #25: Sensational Swimsuit Challenge
Now that it is finally, officially, summer, who doesn't want to look
better in a swimsuit? Just 5 minutes every morning is all it takes!
The Sensational Swimsuit Series:
30 Toe taps
Flip over for the swim (count to 30)
30 double pump bicycles
Super woman (hold for a count of 30)
Your Challenge: every morning, take 5 minutes to do the moves above. You'll be looking sensational in that swimsuit, and your body will love you for it!
The Sensational Swimsuit Series:
30 Toe taps
Flip over for the swim (count to 30)
30 double pump bicycles
Super woman (hold for a count of 30)
Your Challenge: every morning, take 5 minutes to do the moves above. You'll be looking sensational in that swimsuit, and your body will love you for it!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Meet Coach Lillie
I was drawn to MBC by a social media discount coupon. Emotionally, I felt trapped in a body I no longer liked. No matter how much physical activity (walking) I did, it did not matter because my eating habits did not change. Spiritually, I continued to keep the faith.
What made you want to become a coach?
The phrase “You can do it!”. Within one year with MBC, I received support and encouragement from coaches and other MBC mamas. I love passing on that same care and support to other mamas.
What is the best part of coaching?
The look on the mama’s faces when they have met any of their goals. Watching mamas become stronger and healthier. Not only am I a coach, but I am also a mama. I have been where they are, and I’m still a work in progress. I love helping others with whatever support I can give.
What are your interests and hobbies?
I love music, art, traveling and sports.
What is your life like?
Busy! Can I get a few more hours in the day for me? Being a mama and then a coach has given me back my sense of direction. I just needed someone to take my hand and guide me. Mama Bootcamp has given me that.
What is your favorite snack?
Not much on snacks, but I love caramel rice cakes.
Friday, June 14, 2013
2013 Weekly Challenge #24: Eat Local!
You hear it all the time: Eat Local! But why?
Here are 8 reasons to eat local foods (taken from about.com):
1. Local Foods Are Fresher (and Taste Better)
Food that was picked within the last few days tastes way better than food that was picked (unripened) and trucked thousands of miles to get to you. And fresh food lasts longer, too.
2. Local Foods Are Seasonal (and Taste Better)
It must be said: Deprivation leads to greater appreciation. When does a cozy room feel best? When you've come in from out of the freezing cold. Fresh corn in season tastes best when you haven't eaten any in 9 or 10 months--long enough for its taste to be a slightly blurred memory that is suddenly awakened with that first bite of the season. Eating locally means eating seasonally, with all the deprivation and resulting pleasure that accompanies it.
3. Local Foods Usually Have Less Environmental Impact
Those thousands of miles some food is shipped? That leads to a big carbon footprint for a little bunch of herbs.
4. Local Foods Preserve Green Space & Farmland
The environmental question of where you food comes from is bigger than its "carbon footprint." By buying foods grown and raised closer to where you live, you help maintain farmland and green space in your area.
5. Local Foods Promote Food Safety
The fewer steps there are between your food's source and your table the less chance there is of contamination. Also, when you know where your food comes from and who grows it, you know a lot more about that food.
6. Local Foods Support Your Local Economy
Money spent with local farmers, growers, and artisans and locally-owned purveyors and restaurants all stays close to home, working to build your local economy instead of being handed over to a corporation in another city, state, or country. Since the food moves through fewer hands, more of the money you spend tends to get to the people growing it.
7. Local Foods Promote Variety
Local foods create greater variety of foods available. Farmers who run community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs), sell at farmers' markets, and provide local restaurants have the demand and the support for raising more types of produce and livestock. Think Brandywines, Early Girls, and Lemon Boys instead of "tomatoes."
8. Local Foods Create Community
Knowing where your food is from connects you to the people who raise and grow it. Instead of having a single relationship--to a big supermarket--you develop smaller connections to more food sources: vendors at the farmers' market, the local cheese shop, your favorite butcher, the co-op that sells local eggs, a local café that roasts coffee.
Your challenge this week: Eat LOCAL by shopping at a Farmer's Market near you. Take a look around and choose food that is seasonal, local, delicious and healthy. Your body will love you for it!
To find a Farmers' Market near you, visit: www.cafarmersmarkets.com
Here are 8 reasons to eat local foods (taken from about.com):
1. Local Foods Are Fresher (and Taste Better)
Food that was picked within the last few days tastes way better than food that was picked (unripened) and trucked thousands of miles to get to you. And fresh food lasts longer, too.
2. Local Foods Are Seasonal (and Taste Better)
It must be said: Deprivation leads to greater appreciation. When does a cozy room feel best? When you've come in from out of the freezing cold. Fresh corn in season tastes best when you haven't eaten any in 9 or 10 months--long enough for its taste to be a slightly blurred memory that is suddenly awakened with that first bite of the season. Eating locally means eating seasonally, with all the deprivation and resulting pleasure that accompanies it.
3. Local Foods Usually Have Less Environmental Impact
Those thousands of miles some food is shipped? That leads to a big carbon footprint for a little bunch of herbs.
4. Local Foods Preserve Green Space & Farmland
The environmental question of where you food comes from is bigger than its "carbon footprint." By buying foods grown and raised closer to where you live, you help maintain farmland and green space in your area.
5. Local Foods Promote Food Safety
The fewer steps there are between your food's source and your table the less chance there is of contamination. Also, when you know where your food comes from and who grows it, you know a lot more about that food.
6. Local Foods Support Your Local Economy
Money spent with local farmers, growers, and artisans and locally-owned purveyors and restaurants all stays close to home, working to build your local economy instead of being handed over to a corporation in another city, state, or country. Since the food moves through fewer hands, more of the money you spend tends to get to the people growing it.
7. Local Foods Promote Variety
Local foods create greater variety of foods available. Farmers who run community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs), sell at farmers' markets, and provide local restaurants have the demand and the support for raising more types of produce and livestock. Think Brandywines, Early Girls, and Lemon Boys instead of "tomatoes."
8. Local Foods Create Community
Knowing where your food is from connects you to the people who raise and grow it. Instead of having a single relationship--to a big supermarket--you develop smaller connections to more food sources: vendors at the farmers' market, the local cheese shop, your favorite butcher, the co-op that sells local eggs, a local café that roasts coffee.
Your challenge this week: Eat LOCAL by shopping at a Farmer's Market near you. Take a look around and choose food that is seasonal, local, delicious and healthy. Your body will love you for it!
To find a Farmers' Market near you, visit: www.cafarmersmarkets.com
Friday, June 7, 2013
2013 Weekly Challenge #23: The Power of Encouragement
G. K. Chesterton, an English journalist, once wrote, “The really great person is the person who makes every person feel great.”
When two people interact, they are both changed. The change can be for the better, or not. Whether our influence is helpful or hurtful, positive or negative, depends on whether we give each other the gift of encouragement.
When you interact with someone, are you an encourager or a discourager?
Encouragers are pleasant to be around. They are enthusiastic, and optimistic. Encouragers have the self-confidence to be other-focused rather than self-centered and attention demanding. Discouragers, on the other hand, lead us to doubt ourselves, to put our dreams on a shelf, to focus on our weaknesses and dampen our spirits.
How often do you save your kind words, nice manners and encouragement for strangers, while sending discouragement to those who are closest to you? Funny how the family dog usually hears "what a good dog you are!" while the kids and spouses hear "no you can't" and "why don't you?"
Who needs encouragement? Anyone who is breathing! We live in a discouraging world, looking for an encouraging word.
YOUR CHALLENGE: Encourage someone every single day. It can be anyone - a friend, family member, your hubby, your child, or even a stranger! Do it by cheering someone on, giving a compliment, providing a supportive ear, or giving some positive reinforcement. They will feel uplifted, empowered and motivated. And you will benefit too - it feels great to lift someone’s spirit. That's what I call a total win/win!
Have an excellent week!
When two people interact, they are both changed. The change can be for the better, or not. Whether our influence is helpful or hurtful, positive or negative, depends on whether we give each other the gift of encouragement.
When you interact with someone, are you an encourager or a discourager?
Encouragers are pleasant to be around. They are enthusiastic, and optimistic. Encouragers have the self-confidence to be other-focused rather than self-centered and attention demanding. Discouragers, on the other hand, lead us to doubt ourselves, to put our dreams on a shelf, to focus on our weaknesses and dampen our spirits.
How often do you save your kind words, nice manners and encouragement for strangers, while sending discouragement to those who are closest to you? Funny how the family dog usually hears "what a good dog you are!" while the kids and spouses hear "no you can't" and "why don't you?"
Who needs encouragement? Anyone who is breathing! We live in a discouraging world, looking for an encouraging word.
YOUR CHALLENGE: Encourage someone every single day. It can be anyone - a friend, family member, your hubby, your child, or even a stranger! Do it by cheering someone on, giving a compliment, providing a supportive ear, or giving some positive reinforcement. They will feel uplifted, empowered and motivated. And you will benefit too - it feels great to lift someone’s spirit. That's what I call a total win/win!
Have an excellent week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
