Ringing in the New Year!

Be Me Website
Be Me Facebook Page
Be Me Blog
Be Me Herbal Products


Ringing in the New Year!
Happy 2013!  I love the holiday season, the spirit, the energy and also time off! Each year I do something different with my time not purposefully, just serendipitously!  But it always includes relaxing!

Diggin' in the Dirt
This year I gravitated to the garden and, of course, the beach!  I was yearning to get my hands dirty and feel the soil, connect and breath with nature. We tend to get caught up in the busy cycle of life - work, activities, commitments etc. that we have to put some things on the back burner.  So, it was my intention to spend my relaxing time off in the garden.

Going Deeper
Being in the garden is a beautiful place to reflect. Allow your mind to be open and clear for new ideas and thoughts to appear!  I relate those lively plants to us alot in regards to how we grow and blossom during certain times of year and need extra support, nutrients and love in others. Again, a cycle.
I have been thankful this past year to share a garden with 2 others.

Closing the year by tending to the garden, caring and giving thanks, is healthful for the soul. Beginning the new year by starting seeds, nourishing the soil, harvesting and planting is very fulfilling!  Currently in the garden are many varieties of mustard greens, chinese cabbage and bok choy, kale, spinach, herbs, brocolli, brussel sprouts and more!

Happy and Healthy 2013!

Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind!

Road Trippin' It

Road Trippin' It
Over the weekend my husband and I took a road trip to Ft. Lauderdale.  At one point in my life, these road trips created such mindful stress.  I needed to make sure the days leading up to the trip was as little stress on my body so my hip wasn't acting up while I was seated in the car for hours.   I know many other people experience or have experienced that inconvenience.
Car Dancing
Thankfully, I have come out of that place and can enjoy the trip.  I take this time, as a passenger since my husband likes to drive, to catch up on reading and delightful conversation!  Sometimes we're quiet and sometimes we bust out with the tunes.  I love to car dance.  I dance as much as I can in my seat!  I'm bouncing off my buns, shaking and wiggling my shoulders, chest, moving my spine forward, back, side to side and also wave, lift and move my hands and arms!  Yes, the cars driving by may wonder what the heck I'm doing or wish they were having as much fun.
As a driver, my husband tames down the car dancing but has his own trance dance.  He's been traveling for years and often times by himself.  He 'rocks' forward and back and uses his core instead of his legs.  While you're car dancing in whatever form, use your core and loosen up your legs, back and neck.

Car Posture
Whether you are on a long road trip or a trip to the store or work, being in the car is an important place to check your position.  Look to see where you position your bum.  Is one hip higher than another when you sit in your car, intentionally or unintentionally?  Another item of utmost importance is the position of your steering wheel.  If it's too high, your shoulders and neck may be in a constant state of muscle contraction (aka- tightness!).  Stretch the chest on the other seat by putting your hand behind the neck of the seat and opening the heart.  Oh, and about the neck of the seat...most of them today encourage a forward head position (bad idea).  If you can, take the headrest off or place it in a position where it allows you to place your head so your ears are above your shoulders (instead of your head jetting forward).  If you are on the road for a while, adjust the position of the spine (if you are not car dancing!).  Sometimes stack the spine (which is more correct posture), then roll the hips under slightly so you can stretch the low back and you should feel the lower abdominals a little more.  Also pretend you are hula-hooping  (both directions).
As you are making a turn or need to stop suddenly, get in the habit of relaxing your leg muscles, shoulders and neck and use your core!
If you need assistance getting in and out of the car from the handle above the seat, use your core strength (and I don't use those words lightly) first and foremost.  Then use the arm, the whole arm,  which would include actions from the shoulder, wrists, chest, and bicep along with the lower body.  If you use assistance getting in, are you always using the same arm and leg to pull creating a repetitive movement (not always a good thing).  If you use assistance on the exit, do you always step with the same leg first and pull with the same arm?
Be aware of your body!  Joseph Pilates states that 'Perfect Posture Aims to give you mastery of the mind'. 
 





Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind!  www.bodyandmindenrichment.org

Live in the Moment

It’s mid March. We are a quarter of the way through this new year, 2010. Where are you in your ‘resolutions’?

I am writing in hopes to inspire you. Did you set goals? If so, where are you? If not, set one! As you achieve goals, see it as a beginning to another journey or experience.

My motto in 2010 is to live more in the moment. However, my goals this year is to travel more and continue to spread the word about the importance of Body and Mind Enrichment (B ME). Along with many other people, we have had to pinch our pennies and get creative with making ends meet. My husband and I love to travel but have not been in the financial position to do so. We decided to put business and travel together. I wanted to take my Body and Mind Enrichment wellness workshops on the road and he could visit or find new accounts (he manufactures apparel). I am so proud to say, it is only March and we have successfully done the first B ME and MJR Apparel trip! I certainly plan on doing more this year!

The trip was a tremendous amount of work to put together. There were multiple cities we were visiting and coordinating the location of the workshops, promoting, making a new fresh batch of B ME products, handouts, did I mention promoting etc. During the preparatory busy times, I did my best to remember the journey. As soon as it became too overwhelming, it was time to take a break. Granted, I had deadlines, but again, I did the best I could to enjoy the ride.

My products take time, meaning the infusions take a few weeks to ‘brew’ and generate the medicinal properties. Therefore, there is alot of thinking ahead. What happened to ‘good things come to those who wait.’ We are such a convenience society. What happened before there were microwaves and fast food? There is something to be said for the brewing, cultivating, manifesting, empowering, connecting, anticipating and more. I am speaking more than just my herbal products, you know!! Such is life! Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

Jay and I deemed the trip a success but what does that mean exactly? Success was determined by our experiences. Our journey was an experience! Yes, it also helped that financially it was in our favor, but it certainly was a working vacation (alot of work before and during!). Additionally, we experienced many blessings on the trip such as seeing and staying with friends, Wii, and the weather during this bizarre winter. We also blessed the seasonal foods. We loaded up on fresh citrus - to share with our friends and also to sustain ourselves. I believe foods are grown certain times of year for powerful benefits. Maybe we needed the extra nutrients from the citrus to sustain our busy schedule, various places and possibly ‘stressing’ our body.

On the journey, I experienced time with my husband, busy-ness, business, tightness (financially and muscular since I didn’t get to exercise like on my ‘normal’ routine), cold temperatures, memories (and great ones at that!!), seeing friends and making new ones, more inspiration and awareness.

As a fitness person, I had to get creative with exercise and reminde myself how I was exercising my body and mind on this particular journey! I managed to take a nice walk in Alabama one day including hills and new surroundings. Another day, I ran up some hills after assessing them the day prior! In Kansas City, we were busy working day and night. The weather was too cold in the morning for a Florida girl to go out running, so I did my own yoga and pilates fusion, push ups and also managed to go to UMKC’s gym one day (thanks Fred!).

All in all, we did a great job of living in the moment! Be aware of each moment even during times of anticipation. If you anticipate something such as a trip, phone call, date or a presentation, you may overlook the journey in getting there. Life has so much to offer. If you are anticipating, you may miss the present moment!

I thank you for taking your time and precious moments to read these words. I hope I have enriched your body and mind.


Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind! www.bodyandmindenrichment.org

Homemade Cough/Cold Syrup

Often times, I take seasonal fruits and herbs to create my version of cough syrup. I keep this on hand and use it as needed or if I feel run down, 'stressed out', or possibly exposed to someone that was sick. I wanted you to use food and herbs you have easy access to. A few suggestions would be to add thyme, sage, lemongrass, peppermint, hibiscus, cayenne pepper, ginger, lemon balm or rosemary herbs to help with a sore throat, cold or stay healthy! Some fruits I use are lemon, lime, blackberries, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, oranges, figs to name a few. Get local honey and make a tasty combination. Use your discretion depending upon how thick you want your syrup. Either take a spoonful, add to tea, make a hot tottie (tea with whisky or brandy), or even add to plain yoghurt. As you warm the honey, please keep it on a warm setting so you don't scorch the honey. Save all those medicinal properties!

For example:
1/4 cup of water
1/4 cup honey
splashes of cayenne
a few tablespoons of herbs
fruit of choice
Simmer water and gently and lovingly mash fruit - a palmful of berries or 1/2 of citrus. Lower heat or turn off heat and cover ~90% so the honey melts with the infusion. Add honey. Allow to blend - the time is up to you. I try to allow it to blend for ~20-30 minutes. You also can keep the herbs in the syrup so they continue to infuse. Put in a jar and label. Enjoy!! Again, you can make this thicker by using more honey, or thinner with less honey or more water. You decide.

Recently, I did organic blackberries with rosemary and a splash of cayenne. I started on the stovetop. Then, allowed it to infuse in the window sill for another few days. Fabulous!!!! Strawberries, lemon, and peppermint.


Body and Mind Enrichment. A unique way of exercising your body and mind! www.bodyandmindenrichment.org