Hello everyone and welcome back to the blog! We are kicking off this new month of September with an update and wrap up of August! Let’s catch up! August and more! It really has been awhile since I last updated you all on what has […]
Fitness and life update Hello again everyone, I thought I would check in with everyone with a fitness and life update today. If you recall in this blog post, I stated I was about to start my summer fitness shape up. All was fine at first, […]
I personally don’t drink coffee (I know—a college student and artist who doesn’t drink coffee, unbelievable!).
I have tried a few times through the years, but every time I do, I always feel pretty bad afterwards. So I’m afraid coffee and I will never find a completely happy medium…well, maybe in ice cream and chocolate.
For me, tea is where it’s at! There are so many different herbs and combinations from all over the world that you can make tea with, and every place has a different tradition and type they prefer. I would love to know what you do in your country or home in this regard, so feel free to drop a comment! I’m always looking for new recommendations.
My personal favorite type of tea is herbal tea, and especially in variations of mint. My Current tea mission is to find a ginger and mint tea. It’s been surprisingly hard to find in local stores so I will most likely have to take to the internet to search out this combination, or make it myself!
Other than the great fun of trying new types, another reason I love herbal teas are the health benefits that come from various herbs. I’ve found that tea can greatly assist in the healing process of different health issues, whether that is skin blemishes, upset stomach, or battling a cold. When I was still trying to figure out why I was having such horrible stomach pains (later learning it was caused from eating gluten!), I would drink a cup of mint/spearmint/peppermint tea and it would do wonders to help sooth my beginning symptoms. This is because mint (especially peppermint) is a remedy for digestive problems, easing headaches, stimulating circulation, as well as a cooling herb.
Another favorite herb of mine to find in tea is lemongrass. This one is also great for digestive problems, and acts fairly similarly to mint, which is why you can often find these two together in blends. Lemongrass is also great in other forms such as an essential oil.
Two warming herbs that I love in my teas are ginger and cinnamon. Cinnamon is another good herb for digestive issues as well as stimulating circulation, easing cold symptoms, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is similar to cinnamon, but also helps to relieve nausea, muscle and menstrual cramps, and in some studies has been shown to improve brain function.
I could easily make a whole list of favorite tea herbs like turmeric, jasmine, orange, hibiscus, pomegranate etc…and list all of their benefits, but there are plenty of books and sites solely dedicated to that!
If you are not a fan of tea, I would encourage you to not completely give up on it, because there are so many different types! Keep experimenting and I’m sure you will find a type that matches your personal tastes. If you are a coffee fan, I would recommend trying some different black teas since these are stronger and often have more caffeine than others.
In the end, no matter what type I happen to be drinking, my favorite way to enjoy a nice cup of tea is relaxing with a good book (or a sketchbook)—either in the company of nature or curled up in a comfy spot watching thunderstorms roll by….How do you prefer to drink your tea and where? 😉
If you are interested in seeing the coloring process of this illustration, then feel free to check out my Youtube channel HERE. I will be posting the process video in the coming week!
The “Cosmic Mini Dress” & “Mermaid tears” earrings…. The “Cosmic Mini Dress”…. If you are looking for the perfect dress to wear on your next vacation, date night, or festival…look no further! The “Cosmic Mini dress”, Is backless, and has an alluring corseted detail […]
The Summer Style post series….outfit ideas and accessories for the summer season The Undine Dress and Gossamery Mermaid Jewelry collection Who doesn’t love summer style? All those flowing sundresses, cute mini dresses, shorts with breezy tops? When the weather turns warm, the carefree clothing […]
I feel so much gratitude for being gifted the chance to live in an area where there are 4 seasons. Every few months I have new sights, sounds, weather, and foods to look forward to. When spring rolls around, I love to watch the trees, as they begin to explode forth with new green leaves. It’s amazing to watch the tulips and daffodils emerge from the soil, and the dogwood and redbud trees bless us with delicate pink and white blooms. This change of season also signals a reset in my fitness program. It’s time to shed the “winter fluff” that has accumulated on my body, and shred down to show off my hard earned muscle. Usually around October, I begin to add more calories to my daily meals. I love all the hearty warming food fall has to offer, and I enjoy myself thoroughly. I still workout, but my focus is more on building muscle tissue, and less on “getting shredded.” I never allow myself to gain more than 5 to 7 pounds over the autumn/winter season. If I were to gain more than that, it would just make it harder, and take longer to sweat it off, and I have better things to do with my time. LOL!
Hands down, my favorite way to lean out for summer doesn’t require a gym membership! It is free, and anyone, anywhere can do it! All one has to do is step outside! My two favorite ways to get my sweat on in spring are walking/running, or mountain biking. When ever I take to the outdoors for my workout, I actually burn more calories than if I was on an elliptical, treadmill, or other cardio machine. The beauty, and energy all around me, is so motivating and inspiring, that I find I push myself harder and sweat more. Being out on a beautiful trail also eases my stress, and clears my head. It’s so good for the soul to reconnect with the natural world. This week I have started to ramp up my outdoor workouts. I have several trails and areas I like to frequent. I really want to visit some new places I haven’t been before, and review them for this blog. I am so lucky to live in an area with so many options for outdoor exercise. There are thousands of miles of trails all over. It’s just amazing.
I always train with weights, and this does require a gym membership, or purchasing your own equipment. Over the years, we have purchased many pieces of equipment, and have our own gym in our garage. After I had kids, I found the convenience of working out at home, a much easier option….and it also saved us a lot of money (not just in gym fees but gas to get to the gym!) I have worked out at gyms as well, but I prefer not having to wait in line for equipment, or being exposed to germs (YUCK!) as not all people are considerate, and stay at home when ill.
I train with weights 5 days a week for spring/summer training, and in the autumn/winter, I usually cut that down to 3 or 4 days a week (heavy weights). I currently am utilizing a split routine, and work at least two body parts a day. I usually will follow this up with some sort of cardio. If I am not taking my cardio outdoors, I perform HIIT for 10 to 20 minutes on my treadmill, or with a body weight circuit of plyometric exercises.
For my body type, I absolutely need to do regular cardio. I gain muscle fairly easy, especially in my upper body. I hold my body fat in my lower abdomen and legs, and regular cardio is what melts it off in those areas. If you have stubborn body fat on your lower body, then sprints are your best friend, I highly recommend them, especially if you have a hill you can get at! Sprint up the hill, then walk back down. This will also work for a long flight of stairs.
I also do well with a more moderate carbohydrate intake. If I eat too many carbs, I bloat. I will literally gain a pound or two in water weight overnight! This being said, if I am going to load up on carbs, I make sure to burn them off. If I know I am going to mountain bike all day with my family, I consume those carbs.
I have now started my summer fitness program. It will be interesting to see how fast or slow I will lean out. We spend a lot of time out on our boat, so I am always wearing swimwear. Who doesn’t want to look their best in a bikini? I will be updating my progress as time goes on here. If you want an idea of what type of weight training I do, just click HERE. What are your favorite ways to get in shape for summer? Are you ready to join me in my fitness quest? Comment below and join the conversation!
Have a wonderful week everyone! Stay fit and healthy!
Meditation is the key…. Meditation practice is on the rise these days, and everyone from seniors to children are giving it a go! This really comes as no surprise. Life isn’t always easy with the constant stress, deadlines, and traffic….not to mention the absolute absurdity […]