What is Mindfulness & Meditation?

Mindfulness is being aware of the present moment and accepting our feelings, thoughts, and body movement. Mindfulness can be done through meditation. Mindfulness focuses on breathing and listening. Through Mindfulness, you can take a pause through daily activities. Mindfulness strengthens the body and the mind.

Mindfulness does more than reducing stress and it helps you to be more creative. Mindfulness helps you to be aware of daily activities. While Meditation is a technique to reduce stress and relaxation. Mindfulness and Meditation is not a religion. There are many forms of meditation.

One way to practice meditation is by focusing on an object, breath, and movement. The second way to practice meditation is through Mindfulness, where you are aware and have an open mind. Mindfulness focuses on your attitude and Meditation calms the mind. Here are more resources about meditation and about mindfulness. 

What is Meditation: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-meditation-2795927

Getting Started with Mindfulness:https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/

What is Mindfulness: https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/

The Difference between Meditation and Mindfulness: https://chopra.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-meditation-and-mindfulness

*Free Clip Art of Mindfulness: https://www.kisspng.com/png-meditation-mindfulness-in-the-workplaces-royalty-f-4756312/preview.html

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How to stay calm during daily events that go wrong?

You are running late to go to work and your cell phone is dropped on a puddle of water and you couldn’t fix it due to lack of time. Don’t get upset. Realize it wasn’t your fault. There are so many unexpected mishaps that sometimes make us feel quilt, makes us worry more, and to have more anger. However, you can’t have your emotions bottled up inside either. Therefore, I have created my own list of how to cope when things go wrong.

1. Don’t feel guilt.

2. Take care of yourself and practice loving-kindness meditation or another type of meditation.

3. Let go of any of your frustrations by writing it out or by talking to a friend.

4. Read motivational quotes.

5. Take a walk and enjoy the scenery.

6. Take photos of what you saw during your walking experience. (I love to take photos of flowers because of its natural beauty of nature.)

7. Take a break and don’t feel sad.

8. Stay positive and calm during and after the situation.

Even if you don’t have enough money to pay all your bills, just remain calm and strong that things will work out. Just like the Chinese proverb, buy the necessary items and flowers to cheer you up. Small mishaps shouldn't make you angry. It can be frustrating but it shouldn't make you feel sad either. Here are more resources about how to cope when things go wrong. 

Ways to Cope: http://femalescriblerian.com/2018/03/02/ways-to-cope-when-things-go-wrong/

28 Ways to Bounce Back: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17815/28-ways-to-bounce-back-when-everything-goes-wrong.html

How to Survive: https://www.heysigmund.com/when-bad-things-happen-how-to-survive-thrive-and-never-look-back/

9 Ways to Cope: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/9-ways-to-cope-when-bad-things-happen/

Quote from: http://www.gardendigest.com/flowers5.htm#Lily

Epsom Salt Bath for Relaxation

When you are feeling tired, exhausted, and your muscles hurt, you can try an Epsom salt bath. These days there are a variety of Epsom salts with essential oils to choose from such as Lavender, Witch Hazel, Juniper, Spearmint, and Peppermint essential oil. By soaking in the bathtub for ten or fifteen minutes in Epsom salts, you will improve your sleep and you will improve your concentration. Your skin will absorb the magnesium and your skin will release any toxins that you may have. Your skin will have a natural glow.

Epsom salts are helpful for your skin and it will stop the itch caused by dry skin or any other skin condition. Simply sit in the bathtub and relax. If you don’t like essential oils for any reason, you can always get plain Epsom salts and get the same benefits that the Epsom salts provide. You can massage Epsom salts on your feet and your entire body. I wouldn’t recommend using Epsom salts on your face especially if you have sensitive skin.

After doing an Epsom salt bath, you will feel so relaxed. You will be ready to go to sleep. I wouldn’t recommend doing Epsom salt baths every day. It might dry your skin too much especially if you already suffer from dry skin issues. However, I would recommend moisturizing your skin if you feel your skin is too dry after doing an Epsom salt bath. Here are more resources about Epsom Salt Baths for relaxation. 

Epsom Salt Bath # 1: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/epsom-salt-bath#1

Epsom Salt Bath: https://www.elizabethrider.com/epsom-salt-bath/

Epsom Salt Bath: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-13952/why-everyone-should-try-an-epsom-salt-bath.html

* Photo Image Courtesy of Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bath-blur-brush-candles-275765/

Broccoli and Vegetable Soup

One of my favorite vegetable soups is broccoli, carrots, cabbage, yucca, parsley, red bell peppers, and lemon juice with chicken broth. Carrots and Parsley are good for the eyes and for controlling your sugar levels. Another vegetable that is beneficial for the eyes is red bell peppers. Red Bell peppers have vitamin C just like Broccoli. Broccoli is good for the bones and for the immune system.

In general, carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli are great for the skin too. Carrots have beta carotene, vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and vitamin K. Whereas broccoli also has vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and folic acid. In addition, parsley has vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E along with antioxidants. Some of these vegetables can be eaten raw or can be cooked for soups. Here is my recipe for this broccoli vegetable soup.

1 bag of carrots

1 Yucca

1 Red Bell Pepper

2 Stalks of Broccoli

1 Cabbage

A few sprigs of Parsley

1 Lemon

2 Chicken Bouillon or 2 Cans of Chicken Broth

First, wash and peel off the skin of the carrots. Then, chop the carrots into small pieces. Wash and remove the seeds of the bell peppers. Cut the bell peppers in thin slices or in small pieces. Continue washing the vegetables and peeling off the skin of the yucca. Wash the cabbage and the broccoli. Chop the cabbage into small pieces. Wash and cut the stalks of the broccoli. Wash and remove the leaves of the parsley. 

Afterward, fill one pot with water and with the vegetables. After the vegetables have been cooking for a few minutes, add the chicken bouillon or the chicken broth. Add a few parsley leaves inside the soup. Add salt if needed and lemon juice before serving the soup. This soup will be ready in an hour or when all the vegetables are soft to eat. This soup serves approximately four people. Here are more resources about broccoli, red bell peppers, carrots, and parsley. 

Broccoli Health Benefits:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266765.php

Broccoli: 
https://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/All-Star-Foods/Vegetables/Article-Viewer/Article/91/health-benefits-of-broccoli

Red Bell Peppers: 
https://www.webmd.com/diet/peppers-health-benefits

Carrots:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/carrots

Parsley: 
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-parsley.html

Chai Tea for Heart Health and Other Health Benefits

Chai tea is one of my favorite teas to drink during the Winter and Spring seasons because of the aroma and for the health benefits that it provides. Chai tea is beneficial for the heart because it lowers the cholesterol and lowers the risk of heart disease due to the black tea content. This spicy tea also lowers the sugar because of the cinnamon and ginger that it contains. Chai tea has a calming effect and keeps you awake without feeling nervous throughout the day. This tea can be a coffee substitute because it contains caffeine.

In addition, this tea helps with the digestive system and keeps you full.  Although there are many variations to make chai tea, this tea is the perfect tea to drink in the morning or in the afternoon to stay awake and to feel calm. The best part of this tea is the antioxidants and the anti-inflammatory properties to combat the pain caused by arthritis. It has nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, fennel, star anise, black pepper, and black tea which makes a delightful aroma. After drinking this tea, your mood might be a little bit more cheerful and you will feel less stressed out. Here are more resources about chai tea. 

Chai Tea: 
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chai-tea

Why Everyone Should Drink Chai Tea: 
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5825/Why-Everyone-Should-Drink-Chai-Tea.html

Drinking Chai Tea: 
https://www.positivehealthwellness.com/diet-nutrition/drinking-chai-tea-need-know/

Chai Tea Benefits: 
https://www.wellandgood.com/good-food/chai-tea-benefits/

Health Benefits of Chai Tea: 
https://www.livestrong.com/article/23035-health-benefits-chai-tea/

*Free Chai Tea Clip Art: 
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Tuna Sandwich for Stress Relief

Feeling stressed out? Are your nerves frazzled? Eating a tuna sandwich will help you relax due to omega 3, magnesium, and vitamin A. It also has B6 and B12 vitamins that will give you energy. In addition, it contains iron which helps with the nervous system and for the heart. 

This tuna sandwich has red onions, celery, tomatoes, and mayonnaise on rye bread. Rye bread has magnesium, fiber, iron, B vitamins, potassium, and calcium. Eating rye bread controls your sugar levels and controls your blood pressure. Red Onions have antioxidants, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. While Celeries have potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin K. 

Last, tomatoes have Lycopene, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Eating onions, celery, and tomatoes are good for the heart. Mayonnaise and lemon juice will add more flavor to the tuna. You can choose light mayonnaise or low-fat mayonnaise if you prefer. It is recommended to eat tuna twice a week. 

My tuna sandwich recipe:

1. One Can of tuna

2. Two slices of rye bread

3. One tomato

4. Two or Three stalks of celery

5. One half of a red onion

6. One lemon

7. Two or three spoons of mayonnaise

Cut celeries and red onions in small pieces. Open one can of tuna and mix tuna with the celeries. Then mix the celeries and tuna with the red onions. Add two or three spoons of mayonnaise. Afterward cut one lemon and squeeze the lemon juice onto the tuna. Enjoy!

Here are more resources about eating tuna. 

Health Benefits of Rye:
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/cereal/rye.html

Benefits of Eating Rye Bread:
https://www.livestrong.com/article/458494-what-are-the-benefits-of-eating-rye-bread-for-weight-loss/

Benefits of Celery: 
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/health-benefits-of-celery

Benefits of Tomatoes: 
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/tomatoes.html

Benefits of Red Onions: 
https://www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/eating-red-onions.php

Benefits of Tuna: 
https://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/7-health-benefits-of-tuna.html

Is Tuna Healthy to Eat: 
https://www.livestrong.com/article/326532-is-tuna-healthy-to-eat/

Is Canned Tuna Good for You: 
https://www.livestrong.com/article/376793-is-canned-tuna-good-for-you/

Coloring Binder Cover Pages

Today, I have created four coloring binder cover pages. These binder covers can be used for school, college, office, and for your recipe binder. Each design is hand drawn and created by me. You can also use these binder covers for your planners or for your journal binder. Each cover has a unique design.

The first binder cover has butterflies. The second binder cover has leaves and other elements. The third binder cover has stripes and lines. The fourth binder cover has flowers and leaves. Each binder cover can be printed and ready to be colored. These binder covers are free for your personal use. Enjoy!

Thank you for reading my blog. 

Meditating in the Garden

Meditating in the garden can help you relax and improve your health. When you breathe in the fresh air, you will feel relaxed and have a better mood. You can feel the wet dirt on your feet or with your hands and just relax. Simply seeing the beauty of the new flowers that have grown in your garden or planting new flowers can help you forget about your personal problems. You will automatically feel less stress and feel calmer when you do a little bit of gardening. 

In addition, you can write in your journal while being outdoors and this will help you get more ideas and feel more creative. You will feel more awake and at peace. You can also use your senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Walking in your garden and taking photos of new flowers that have bloomed, birds that are in your garden, or butterflies will help you forget about any negative event or negative thought. Smell the flowers, feel the breezes, and simply contemplate. After meditating in the garden, you will be ready to find solutions to the problems that can be solved in your life. If there aren't any solutions just it let it be. Here are more websites about meditating outdoors. 

Meditating Outdoors: 
http://www.dfyoga.com/meditating-outdoors-makes-a-difference

6 Benefits to Meditating Outside: 
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/03/spring-is-coming-6-benefits-to-meditating-outside/

Meditating Outside: 
https://mindworks.org/blog/meditating-outside-nature/

Photo Courtesy of Pexels: 
https://www.pexels.com/photo/beautiful-bloom-blooming-blossom-414160/

Orange Essential Oil for Work

Do you want to try a new essential oil for work? Orange Essential Oil can be used at work and at home. This essential oil can help improve your mood, lower your blood pressure, and can help you relax. The Orange Essential Oil can be used on the skin to help with acne.  Simply blend Orange Essential Oil with a carrier oil such as Sweet Almond oil, Clove oil, or any other carrier oil. 

The Orange essential oil has antibacterial properties and reduces pain caused by inflammation. This essential oil can be used as a diffuser at work because it helps with anxiety, depression, and stress.  When this scent is inhaled, it sends signals to the brain to help you relax. Therefore, Orange Essential Oil can help you be more productive at work and energetic. Last, this essential oil can help you with dry skin issues. Here are more resources about Orange Essential Oil. 

Benefits of Orange Essential Oil: 
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-orange-essential-oil-88788

Benefits-Uses of Orange Essential Oil: 
https://www.naturallivingideas.com/orange-essential-oil-benefits-uses/

Orange Oil-Enhance Your Immunity, Skin, and Kitchen: 
https://draxe.com/orange-oil/

* Orange Essential Oil Clip Art:
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Love Poetry in Photo Images

Happy Valentine's Day! I have written two love poems in photo images. The first poem is about love with rhyming words. The second poem doesn't rhyme. I hope you will enjoy reading my poetry. 

Free St. Patrick's Day Coloring Pages

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Therefore, I have created three coloring pages for St. Patrick’s Day. I hope you will enjoy these free shamrock coloring pages. These coloring pages are for your personal use only.  Just click on the Shamrock Coloring Pages and right click to save the coloring page. Have fun! 

Free Spring Coloring Bookmarks

Coloring can help you stop worrying and can help you relax. Coloring can be one of your favorite pass times and it can help you feel creative. Therefore, I have created five bookmarks for the Spring Season. Once again, I left a few blank areas, where you can put your favorite quote, favorite words, or anything else.  These free coloring bookmarks are for your personal use. Thank you for reading my blog.  

Free Bird Coloring Pages

Since the Spring Season is almost here, I have created three coloring pages about birds. The first coloring page is my version of an Ostrich. The second coloring page is a Peacock. The Third coloring page is a parrot in love coloring page. I hope you will enjoy these coloring pages. Thank you for reading my blog.

Vegetable Soup is Good for your Health

This vegetable soup is good for your health because it lowers your blood pressure, it lowers your sugar levels, and it helps with the immune system. For this soup, you will need Cabbage, Chayote, Yucca, Cilantro, and Cauliflower. Cabbage contains Fiber, Vitamin C, and Beta Carotene. Cauliflower has Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and antioxidants. In contrast, Yucca has Vitamin C, Potassium, and Acid Folic which will boost your brain and immune system. 

Cilantro also has Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, and Iron. Last, Chayote has small amounts of Potassium. It also has Vitamin C and Acid Folic. In addition, Chayote and Yucca control your sugar levels. All these vegetables help to boost the immune system and the circulatory system. 

My vegetable soup recipe:

1. Two yuccas

2. One batch of cilantro

3.  Four chayotes

4. One cauliflower

5. One cabbage

6.  One Chicken bouillon or can of chicken broth

7. One lemon

First, wash all the vegetables. Second, peel off the vegetable skin of the Chayote and Yucca. Cut the leaves off from the cauliflower. Continue cutting the vegetables in small pieces. 

Afterward, cut the cabbage in small pieces. 

Then add water in a pot and cook the vegetables inside the pot. After the water begins to evaporate, you can add chicken broth or any other flavored broth. Chicken broth has potassium. You can choose low sodium chicken broth. Nonetheless, this vegetable soup can also be made with chicken bouillon instead of chicken broth. Continue adding more water if needed. You can add salt if needed.

This vegetable soup serves four people or more. Once the vegetables are soft to eat, you can add a little bit of lemon juice to add more flavor to the soup. This soup might be a little bit sweet due to the Yucca. However, all these vegetables have a high content of minerals, vitamins, and cancer-fighting properties. Here are more resources about Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chayote, Cilantro, and Yucca.

Benefits of Cabbage: 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cabbage

Benefits of Yucca: 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-yucca-89536

Health Benefits of Chayote:

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-chayote-7733.html

Health Benefits of Cilantro: 

https://thegoodinside.com/7-health-benefits-of-cilantro/

Health Benefits of Cauliflower: https://pallensmith.com/2017/09/13/health-benefits-cauliflower/

Meditating in the Spring Season

The Spring Season has always been one of my favorite seasons. Meditating in the Spring Season brings new ideas, creativity, and new opportunities to improve ourselves. It is a time to reflect on what you are thankful for and to enjoy what you have. Nonetheless, you can remove your shoes and feel the grass with your feet. Simply relax and smell the new flowers that have grown in your garden.

Contemplate on what you need to improve in your life. Stop thinking about the past and stop having expectations of what could happen in the future. Live in the present moment. Take risks and opportunities. If you are having a hard time making decisions, do a meditation walk.

Meditating in the Spring allows you to be open to new experiences and to be open-minded. In addition, you can practice kindness and make a gratitude list. Learn new recipes and meditate while you eat. Always have a positive attitude and don't let others give you a negative mood. It might be difficult at first, but why ruin your good mood and your day.

Another way to meditate in the Spring is by listening first and give your support to others. By being silent you will be able to understand the other person. Write down your thoughts and emotions. Don't let the weather get you down and depressed. Listen to the rain and meditate. Here are more resources about meditating in the Spring Season. 

Meditation Spring: 
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/your-mind/2014/03/monthly-meditation-spring-as-a-time-of-transition/

Spring Cleaning Meditation to tidy up the mind: 
https://chopra.com/articles/spring-cleaning-meditation-to-tidy-up-the-mind

A Simple Meditation: 
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17752/a-simple-meditation-to-declutter-your-mind-for-a-fresh-start.html

* Free Flower Clip Art: https://www.pizap.com/

Poetry in Photo Images By Melissa

Today, I’m sharing with you three poems that I have written. The first poem is about success. The second poem is about being persistent. The third poem is about thinking positively to achieve your goals. I hope these poems in photo images, that I have created will motivate you to continue accomplishing your objectives and not to give up. 
Thank you for reading my blog. Enjoy!  

Benefits of Violet Essential Oil

Do you suffer from Sinus infections and headaches? Violet Essential Oil helps to relieve headaches, pain from swollen muscles, and helps with sinus infections. Inhaling Violet Essential Oil for a few minutes will loosen any mucus from the sinuses. Another benefit of using Violet Essential Oil is that it can be used for dry skin issues such as eczema and acne. This essential oil can be blended with Lavender, Peppermint, and Lemon.

Also, if you can’t sleep or have insomnia, Violet Essential Oil can help you relax. In addition, this oil helps with anxiety. By using a few drops of Violet Essential Oil and a carrier oil, you can massage this oil to help with arthritis. It has a mild soft scent when used for massage, aromatherapy, and for meditation. Last, the scent comes and goes which can be the perfect diffuser for any room. Here are more resources about Violet Essential Oil.

Violet Essential Oil: 
http://www.essentialoilsareus.com/violet-essential-oil/

5 Uses for Violet Essential Oil: 
https://healthyfocus.org/5-uses-for-violet-essential-oil/

Natural Therapies:
https://www.healthguideinfo.com/natural-therapies/p80794/

* Free Violet Clip Art: https://gallery.yopriceville.com/var/resizes/Free-Clipart-Pictures/Flowers-PNG/Blue_Violet_Flower_PNG_Clipart.png?m=1507172106

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