A Delicious Life

Did you acknowledge yourself yesterday? If not, please go back and do that exercise first before you work on this one. If so, good job! Don’t forget to recognize yourself on regular basis.

What do you want to accomplish next year? Do you have specific goals in mind? Start making them a reality by writing down a list of everything you could possibly imagine happening - and even some things that you think are unimaginable. Pick out your top goals and write them in a list that you can post some place where you will see them on a daily basis. To reinforce this exercise, for each goal you can write out a list of reasons why it is important for you to accomplish it. This way, you will have greater reasons to go for them.

When was the last time that you acknowledged your own accomplishments? What was that, did you say never?

We are so often filled with criticism about our faults, and rarely do we admit when we are successful. A lot of people believe that to pat ourselves on the back is arrogant. Not so - it’s a great way for you to take care of yourself and build yourself up.

Now is the time to learn how to recognize everything that you do right. Write a letter to yourself praising everything that you’ve accomplished over the year. Let yourself know why you are so happy and proud of everything that you have done.

How many times a day do you remember to breathe? None?

The breath is the key to reaching the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system that controls our entire system. By practicing deep breathing exercises, we can learn how to relax and tap into our natural healing abilities.

Make today the first of many days where you start your breathing practice. A simple way to start is by simply pausing your activities and focusing on your breath. This is also the basis for many forms of meditation.

Sit upright on a chair, spine straight. Now, focus on your breathing. Breathe in and watch how you naturally pause at the end of the in breath; then breathe out and notice when you finish and the space in between the out breath and next in breath.

Practice this for five minutes. Now, notice the difference in your mood, emotions and feelings. How do you feel? Are you more calm? Relaxed? Let me know how this practice works for you by leaving a message for me.

Want to feel festive? Get into the holiday spirit by looking at neighborhood light displays. Gather your family or friends and take a walk after dark. If your neighborhood is not all aglow with Christmas merriment, take a drive or subway ride to a neighborhood that is. In New York City, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn is an excellent neighborhood in which to see truly glorious displays of Santas, reindeer, light strings, and all assortments of incandescent characters. What neighborhood near your home is best for light gazing?

Share some hot cider with someone you love:

Ingredients:
2 cups apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
3-4 cloves
ground cinnamon
ground cardamom (optional)

Heat ground spices, cloves and cider in a sauce pan on the stove until very warm (but not boiling). Pour into two mugs and add one cinnamon stick to each mug. Enjoy!

Movement makes us feel good. It gets our energy flowing and gets us back in touch with our bodies. Sitting for too many hours each day makes us sleepy and lethargic and slows down our metabolism. Listen to a favorite song and dance. It doesn’t matter if anyone’s watching - if you’re self conscious, close your eyes or look down. Imagine you’re an amazing dancer. You are amazing - enjoy your dance of joy.

Macrobiotics is not just about eating brown rice and vegetables; there are a whole set of lifestyle recommendations that go along with this type of eating. One of the recommendations, from Michio Kushi, is to sing a happy song or chant with proper breathing.

Take some time today to sing a happy song to yourself - in the car, in the shower, or maybe in the grocery store.  Maybe other people will sing along with you, too. Or if you’re brave, why not do a karaoke number and act as if you’re a rock star? What ever feels right to you.

If you are spending a lot of time walking around shopping and getting things done, your feet are probably pretty tired. Take some time out this afternoon to get a reflexology massage. This ancient technique is based on the accupressure system of healing - each point on the foot stimulates different organs and moves the energy in the body to promote healing. Take some time out to get a professional foot massage and pamper your feet that work so hard to get you where ever you need to go.

Take time out to enjoy an old favorite holiday movie - it could be a classic like White Christmas or a modern classic like A Christmas Story. Whatever brings back the warm fuzzies and is fun for you to watch either by yourself or with good friends or loved ones. Get cozy, pop some popcorn, and enjoy the show.

Come back to center with a moving meditative practice. Take Yoga, try Tai Chi, Martial Arts, or some other moving meditation that will bring your mind and body back together as one. Yoga uses postures, breathing and meditation to integrate mind, body and soul. Tai Chi focuses on flowing movement to help stimulate the movement of energy (Chi) in the body and improve health. Martial Arts rely on discipline, breathing practices and focus to condition the body and gain strength and power. Whatever you choose, enjoy being fully present in your practice.