Today I’m talking all about self-care. You know the one ‘thing’ we all don’t get around to do enough of. Self-care can mean many different things to many different people. It can mean actually going for that facial you’ve been putting off for months because life kept getting in the way. Or it can be simply waking up each morning, standing in the mirror and saying… “Hello, self. I can do this. I am a strong, badass woman who can conquer anything.” For me, self-care did not come overnight. It wasn’t something I really understood or believed in until I started this blog. I started connecting with a community of people that uplifted my spirits and filled my soul with happiness daily. Finally figuring out that the simpler I lived the happier I became. Taking those 5, 10, 15, minutes per day to just “do you”. To just “be you”. Realizing that life isn’t about what the next person in line is ordering at Starbucks, or feeling like your not a healthy human until you jump on the newest health trend there is this week, or worrying about what would happen if you let that sweet guy from work take you out for casual dinner. Listen, take it from me… the girl who had her setbacks, who had her constant worries of “what if” and often times then none, her self-doubts of not being good enough. I was that person with absolutely no self-confidence in myself and my life. Now, because of the experiences I have gone through and the God given “tribe” I have met along the way, I am truly my strongest self. Here is a little bit of what I do for self-care and why it works for me, myself and I.

I’m sure many of you can guess what my most important self-care ritual is… and your right. It’s fitness. Let’s dive in more specifically. Many people ask me HOW and WHY I run so often and many are curious as to how I naturally conjure up enough energy to wake up at 5am (most days) to go for a minimal 5-6 mile run. More often times then none adding in different types of circuit or strength training on those mornings as well. Lately, I’ve even incorporated walking outside with music or a good-feelin’ podcast, cycling classes and I’ve definitely fallen back in love with the good flow of Yoga.

Depending on the day and on how my body feels all of these amazingly beneficial exercise options are there at my reach and even though I often choose to run I am so fortunate to be able to have the ability to move my body at different paces, intensities and strides day in and day out. Mentally, running helps me with anxiety, tension and stress due to the chemical release of endorphins happening naturally inside my body. Side note: this chemical release not only happens when running but also during any form of regular physical activity. Many studies show that people who exercise regularly benefit with a positive boost in mood which is definitely an addiction I never want to rid myself of. Running also amplifies my self-esteem and gives me an energizing outlook on life. All of these reasons and more are why I hit the pavement as often as I do. Call it crazy, nuts, physco, call it whatever you wish! Just remember that just because I do it as often as I do does not make it any easier and self-pride is something no one can ever take away from you.

No matter what it is that gives you a sense of energy, a sense of inner strength, positivity, hope, joy and self-esteem just remember that it is making you feel good because it is who you are. It is uplifting you in all the right ways and making you feel as though you have wings because you love doing it. You love being in the moment of where you feel you belong and where you feel most resilient. For those of you with self-doubt… I advise you to kick it to the curb. Know that your the only one that determines who you get to be, so get up and stride past those negative thoughts and non-believers with resilience. Do it now, don’t hold back. And when you feel as though you might fall, climb back in and remind yourself that every single day is a new beginning.

Self-love reminder: No one is you. And that is your super power. ❤️

I want to share with you my simple daily self-care rituals but before I do I’d like to share with you a few life lessons I learned just recently after reading ‘Option B’ by Sheryl Sandberg.

“As we get older, we define happiness less in terms of excitement and more in terms of peacefulness. Peace is joy at rest, and joy is peace on its feet.”

“Resilience comes from deep within us and from support outside us. It comes from gratitude for what’s good in our lives and from leaning in to the suck. It comes from analyzing how we process grief and from simply accepting that grief. Sometimes we have less control than we think. Other times we have more. I learned that when life pulls you under, you can kick against the bottom, break the surface, and breathe again.”

Self-care can be broken down and defined into a lot of things. For me, self care is living a very simple yet rewarding life. Here is what I do on a day to day basis to fulfill myself and nourish my soul.

1. Wake up early

2. Drink a large mug of hot water mixed with lemon slices, fresh ginger and a dash of apple cider vinegar. ACV is great for digestion. Along with lemon it cleanses your system leaving your skin glowing & clear. It gives me more energy, reduces bloating & water weight, suppresses appetite (because it balances your pH levels and thus your glucose & insulin levels making you fell satisfied longer). Ginger is a well-known root around the world for all of its health properties, especially as an anti-inflammatory and for its gastric properties that assist the digestive system. I have been religiously doing this first thing in the morning and I have noticed my digestion and bloating issues have disappeared completely and also my skin is less inflamed and irritated.

3. Next thing on my self-care daily regime is going for a long run and/or enjoying a good, healthy sweat at the gym.

4. I ALWAYS make sure to find the time to eat a peaceful, healthy, delicious breakfast and a freshly brewed coffee. (this moment is always a bonus when babe is beside me!) And YES I am a firm believer in Breakfast being the most important meal of the day.

5. Most of you know from my Instagram stories that I do incorporate my adaptogens into my morning regime that boost my energy and most support my joint, muscle, skin and hair health. I also use Nuzest Pea Protein in all of my smoothies and bowls 🙂 Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (which I order off www.purefeast.com) is also hidden in my smoothies because its tasteless, Sun Potion’s Ashwagandha Ayurvedic antioxidant powder and Maca powder for support of hormone balance and to help tonify my immune system (I also order all of my Sun Potion products from PureFeast). I also am dedicated to the companies I work for including Manitoba Harvest, I sprinkle these tiny super seeds on really any meal for extra protein and Omega’s. Finally adding in some of Bee Keepers Naturals bee pollen again for glowing skin and for its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Lastly, I do incorporate Bulletproofs Brain Octane into my morning coffee as well which basically naturally ‘fuels your brain’ and definitely helps me to stay focused for the day ahead. Just recently I started to incorporate another adaptogen called Toco’s into my matcha’s and certain flavoured smoothie bowl and so far I’m loving the rich vanilla ice cream flavour it naturally gives to anything you add it in! For those of you who don’t know Tocos is most famous as a super-rich source of fat-soluble natural vitamin E and is widely recognized as being exceptional for connective tissue and skin.

Even though self-care can seem like it’s about putting your feet up and resting (which it is) it is different for everyone and so for me number #6 is definitely part of my self-care even though it involves me being on my feet.

6. Tackling my “to-do list” in sequence from #1 being my top priority for the day. Knowing that if I don’t check off everything today I can always re-arrange tomorrow. This may seem like a strange way to incorporate self-care but for me planning, organizing, accomplishing tasks and continuing to move throughout the day make me feel alive and well.

7. Taking time to slow down my pace and thoughts to enjoy a mid-day tea or matcha and put my cell phone on silent (for at least an hour). Definitely has helped to soothe and calm my spirits. My absolute favourite calming/anti-inflammatory drink (which I consume most often in the evening) would be Turmeric Golden Latte’s, my recipe being McKel’s from Nutrition Stripped. You can find it here http://nutritionstripped.com/turmeric-milk-latte-elevated/ *I omit the canned coconut milk and it turns out 100 percent amazing.

8. Meal planning & prepping for the day/days ahead is definitely something I do daily and has been my go-to self care regime for the past year or so. Knowing there are delicious, well-balanced meals waiting in my fridge makes me the happiest woman on earth!

9. Spending time with my dog Myla of course!

10. I would say taking the time to get together with friends and spending time with family is SO important to your vital health and well-being. Getting out in the community and supporting not only the ones you know but others that need extra help or care is also such a rewarding benefit to my life. Seeing the world in a different lime light and realizing how lucky I am to be in the place I am at this very moment and knowing I brought myself here. Also, being able to get up everything single day, so focused, driven and alive hoping to inspire others to do the same.

“It’s the fire in my eyes and the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist, and the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.” ~ Maya Angelou.