Motivation Monday

Mondays. For some they can be difficult because it is the start to a brand new work week. For others, they relaxed so much over the weekend it is hard to get up on Monday morning. For me it is a fresh new start. A brand new checklist. A brand new week. For me Monday’s motivate me to get a ton done over the next seven days.

My lists are always way more than what one can accomplish in a week, but I always hope and try hard to get it all done.

Lately, I have been working on breastfeeding, a nap schedule and cloth diapers with my son. Throughout the week it gets tougher and tougher, but today, Monday, I feel I can do anything and so far so good. We have used three cloth diapers, he is currently taking his first nap for the day with not too much fussy and we breastfed just a little before his nap. I finished a little of my work work and wrote out my to do list for the week. I am feeling good.

Here are my tips to get motivated on Monday.

Create your list on Sunday: This will help you sleep and be ready to go on Monday morning.

Wake up with a positive attitude: A positive attitude can make any experience easier and more joyful.

You have the entire week: Seven days is a long time, do a little bit everyday.

Time block: This has helped me a ton. I might not get every task done, but I have done a little of the task.

Prioritize: I number my list so I know the things I have to get done this week.

Stay strict: It can be hard but remember the task at hand.

Reward yourself: If you gt all or a majority of the stuff done, take Sunday off, or if you worked really hard one morning, take a nap with your little one.

Those are my tips and tricks to get things done and stay motivated on Mondays.

It feels great to get stuff done. If you do not get everything done this week. There is always next week or the week after that. You did your best and that is all that matters.

9Apr2016

My at Home Spa Day

Posted in A Healthy Self, Self/Spa Saturday by katrina2182

I can not stress enough that you have to take care of your self before you can ever take care of anyone else. Yes, that means you can be selfish. Have someone come over to take care of the kids or put them to bed early, lock your self in the bathroom and you an at home spa day! Below is what I try to do every other week or once a month.

SETTING THE MOOD

Lock yourself in the bathroom.
Get rid of all distractions.
Put on your favorite music.
Have a glass of wine or hot cup of tea to sip on.
Light candles, dim the lights and/or have an oil burner going.

MY PERSONAL SPA STEPS

Start a hot bath and add Epson salt, essential oil (I love peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender), carrier oil and prepare your towel or robe. (I suggest heating it in the dryer)
Put on face mask. (See below recipe)
Put on hair mask. (See below recipe)
Prepare foot mask and wrap. (See below recipe)
Put all items you will need near the tub. (I like nail clippers, nail file, dental floss, wash cloth, body scrub and anything else.
Get in tub and relax. Breath in all the essential oils and just be at peace.
Rub muscles and us body scrub to exfoliate body.
Put on foot mask and foot wrap.
Floss teeth.
Push finger nail cuticles and file nails. Rinse and rub feet and push cuticles and file toes.
Shave your legs.
Drain and relax.
Turn on hot shower and rinse.
Shampoo and deep condition hair.
Enjoy the steam by breathing in and out. I envision white light doing in and black bad going out.
Wrap up in your warm towel.
Message and put on a thick lotion or personal oil. (See below recipe)
Paint your finger and toe nails.
While they dry sit, meditate and breath more.
Put on comfortable clothes.
Open the door and rejoin reality.

Happy SPA Time!

MY FAVORITE RECIPES

Oatmeal Face Mask

If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up that will leave you feeling and looking better, give yourself an oatmeal facial. Combine 1/2 cup hot—not boiling—water and 1/3 cup oatmeal. After the water and oatmeal have settled for two or three minutes, mix in 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 small egg white. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. (Be sure to place a metal or plastic strainer in your sink to avoid clogging the drain with the granules.)

Source: http://www.rd.com/health/beauty/homemade-facial-masks-recipes/

Detoxifying, De-Puffing Mocha Mask

The caffeine from coffee grounds in this cocoa-licious mask helps to reduce swelling and puffiness, while the antioxidants in the cocoa help to reduce aging, and the yogurt replenishes lost moisture.

2 tablespoons freshly ground coffee
2 tablespoons pure cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons yogurt or sour cream

Blend all of the ingredients together, spread evenly over skin, and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. When you rinse it off, massage your face gently to exfoliate as well. If there’s any mask left over after you wash your face with it, add a bit of water to it and use it as a scrub for the backs of your arms and any other body part that could do with some smoothing.

Source: http://inhabitat.com/7-diy-face-masks-for-a-gorgeous-spring-and-summer-skin/

Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Hair Mask

If you have a dry and flaky scalp, this is the mask for you! All you have to do is mix 2 tbsp fresh of lemon juice with 2 tbsp of olive oil and 2 tbsp water. Once this is done massage the mask into your scalp with damp hair. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes and then wash your hair regularly. This treatment can be applied to your hair every other week.

Source: http://allwomenstalk.com/7-best-home-made-hair-masks

Banana Foot Mask

Half a banana

1 tsp of honey

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put banana and honey in a bowl and stir well.

2. Add the mask mixture to both feet before wrapping feet in plastic wrap.

3. Leave mask on for at least 10 minutes before washing it off.

4. Use pumice stone on soles of feet before applying moisturizer.

Source: http://www.youthfulhabits.com/body/beauty/best-homemade-foot-soak-foot-mask-recipes#sthash.Ip1heQZ1.dpuf

I hope you can enjoy a personal spa day with no interruptions very soon.

What are your best at home spa treatments?

8Apr2016

Coping with Those Crazy Days

Posted in A Healthy Self by katrina2182

inspirational-parenting-poem I have found that our feelings and our sense of self get lost in a mile high pile of laundry and list of things to do. Being a mom is hard. Being a new mom is even harder. I know for me it has been difficult going from productive, appreciated career woman to being at the beck and call of a screaming baby who does not show love but instead pukes all over you.

A lot of times our feeling get over looked or pushed a side so that we can push on, do more or make everyone else feel better. Sometimes I do not think it is fair, sometimes I wish I could just run away, but even if I did, I would miss my son, my crazy life and all my daily activities. So where does that leave me? It leaves me a little frustrated and drained.

What do I do to cope on those really crazy days?

This too shall pass. My son will grow and as he does he will be come more and more independent and some day I will miss the days that he needed me so much.

Take care of yourself before anyone else. You are no good if you are not feeling good, so always do things for you.

Eat healthy. Not only does this keep your energy levels up but it will also make you feel better.

Just Breath. I have found breathing helps to calm my nerves and helps me through the really tough times.

Ask for Help. There will be days you just can not do it. In those rare cases, ask a friend to come over and help you with the little one.

Keep a social life. It helps to get out there and hang with other moms or even just have lunch with old co workers. Not only is it nice to have an adult conversation but you get to eat with both hands.

If you can, work part time. Again this helps me to get away, even for a brief time and it gives me an extra little cash to do something nice for myself.

I know it is hard and we all want to run away at time but for me at the end of the crazy day full of diapers, feeding, pumping and a screaming little one. When my little peanut falls a sleep and is peaceful and quiet. I am so happy at where my life is and my life’s journey. I am so excited to see where it takes me.