In Which Nature Heals // Utah Hiking

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CentrumFunFlavors #CollectiveBias

I reposted this post on my social media accounts the other day. I mentioned in my comments on this post about how May can be a difficult time for those who struggle with mental illness. I'm not entirely sure if it's because it's a change of season, there happens to be lots of rain and clouds in this month (seriously! It keeps raining here!) or if it's the fact that it is usually a very busy month with lots of stress with end of the year activities, etc. 

For me, it is imperative that I work out during this time of year. May is very stressful month in the life of a teacher. With end of the year testing, crazy behaviors of students, and end of the year activities, it is a time of constant go-go-go! As many of you know, I have been working out like crazy. I am trying everything in my power to staying healthy by going to the gym, lifting weights and doing cardio. My favorite thing to do for lower impact cardio is to go for hikes. 

Living in Utah means that I can drive up to the mountains in ten minutes and enjoy a beautiful hike with #saylorthepup and friends and family. I have read numerous studies about the positive impacts of hiking. For me, I try everything I can to have a relaxing time on the weekend. Like they say, there is no tired like end-of-year teacher tired (except maybe mom tired ha!).  Some people may not think of hiking as "relaxing", but I assure you, there is something about nature that heals your body physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Some of the most profound experiences that I have ever had have been while hiking and being out in nature. I have also noticed a huge impact on my attitude when I take care of myself. These include taking my vitamins (Raspberry Vitamints are the best!) and other supplements. 

My favorite thing to do to help "unwind" on the weekend is to grab my hiking backpack with all of the essentials and head up into the mountains. Here is a tutorial of what to put in your hiking backpack: 

Raspberry Vitamints!

Cool Mint Vitamints 

Tiger's Milk Protein Bars (Or any other protein bars!) 

Water! Lots and lots of water! 

Sunglasses

Sunscreen 

1. Grab your water!!! (I am recently obsessed with SmartWater. It is a little bit of a problem.) 

 2. Next, add your Raspberry Vitamints! (These are seriously so good and I have noticed a difference for how I feel!). 

3. Combine them! 

4. Grab your tiger's milk protein bars (or other protein bars) and put them in your backpack. 

5. Add your sunglasses, sunscreen, and jacket. Boom! You have your hiking pack! 

 You can find these Centrum Vitamints near the pharmacy section in your local Walmart. 

Here is what I have noticed about nature. It's healing powers are truly incredible. 

-The beauty of the hikes. Right now, everything is so green and luscious (because of all that rain!). The mountains are full of rivers and trees. Simply just being in the mountains with fresh air makes a significant difference. 

-The exercise! Walking and moving and going up hills makes that sweat feel just a little bit better, ya know? 

-Hiking helps with anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses. It helps clear the mind. 

-Hiking in nature has been proven to positively affect high blood pressure, muscle strength, sleep quality, weight, and cholesterol. 

Continuing the Utah Hiking series...I have posted this hike before, but this is Horsetail Falls. 

Other Hikes: Summit Trailhead AF Canyon Hike //  Bells Canyon // Horsetail Falls // Battle Creek Falls // Y Mountain Hike // Salamander Flats 

And, as always, it allows for a healthier lifestyle. You can enjoy staying healthy with simple solutions like Centrum Gummies and Vitamints. 

Grab your Coupon Here! 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

Intuitive Eating // Sierra's Book Reviews

I am sitting here with a horrible migraine. I have been sick so much this month, so reading has become a past time for me. These migraines have taken over my life, but sometimes writing and keeping my mind occupied while I sit here helps. Stupid hormones. 

YOU GUYS. Have you read this? If not, you need to...right now. As many of you know, I have been doing a Health Plan since the beginning of October. And although it has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, it has been such a good learning experience for me. I will, probably, be finishing up this health plan at the beginning of March. With that being said, I will continue the habits that I have learned. Although the growth (or lack thereof!) has not been exactly what I was hoping, I have seen a difference in how I feel. I am down 14 pounds total, which isn't horrible. I have slipped up and made mistakes, but that's okay. 

My counselor recommended that I read this book. I tend to be a perfectionist, especially when it comes to my body. I tend to feel "less than" because of my weight gain, and a lot of that stems from childhood. With that being said, this book, for me was a life changing book. It allowed me to analyze what I was eating, when I was full, WHY I was eating, and just being "in touch" with food and my body. I came to realization that eating when I am emotional or bored is something that I need to be aware of. I also learned that choosing to eat something (or to not eat something!) does not define who you are as a person. You can see my review (and reviews from other books) on my Goodreads. (Best app ever!)

Some of my favorite quotes/parts of the book: 

(see more of my favorite quotes while I was reading this book on Twitter.) 

If you don’t love it, don’t eat it, and if you love it, savor it.

Having a healthy relationship with food means you are not morally superior or inferior based on your eating choices.

Screen away the voice that says "I'm good" for eating minimal calories and "I'm bad" for eating a piece of chocolate.

Monitor your hunger before/during/after you eat. Monitor it every 3 hours. Stick to that monitor. Listen to your body!

No one can or should tell you what you should or shouldn't eat at ANY time.

Never be embarrassed to be hungry!!! It's your body telling you that you need more fuel

The food you choose to eat or not eat does not make you good or bad.

Respect your fullness. If you are full, STOP EATING. It's that simple.

Honor your feelings without using food. If you are hungry, go take a kickboxing class. If you are depressed, go for a walk or talk to a therapist. Do not turn to food to heal you.

After reading this book, I really want to listen/read to Mindless Eating. 

Other Book Reviews: 

Happier at Home // Happiness Project // Wild // Elizabeth Smart: My Story // 

Have you read this book? 

What was your favorite part or quote from the book? 

Are there any other books similar to this that you have loved? 

What's In Your Purse?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias Inc., and it's advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BeHealthyForEveryPartofLife #CollectiveBias

My purse is my little sidekick. I find that I am constantly outside of my adorable new home so I am in constant need of all of the essentials in my purse. As the winter time is starting to roll around, sickness is among us. I have been down and out with sickness for a few weeks. And yes, to be honest, I am sick of it! 10 points for alliteration. (The life of a teacher. In both senses ;) ). Because I am just getting over being sick, I need to build up my immune system again. I am constantly hauling around Vitamin C, Advil to help with sinus headaches, and natural vitamins to help boost my immune system in my purse. My friends like to make fun of me because I always have everything in my purse: gloves (in the winter), sunglasses (in the summer), gum, q-tips, bobby pins, medicine, Advil, chapstick, lipstick, etc. Hey, I just want to be prepared! I take my Mary Poppins purse as a compliment, thank you. 

Got my "Mary Poppins" purse stocked full and I am ready to go out! 

There are many things that I keep in my purse, essentially during the winter time. I always have Advil, my Emergen-C Vitamin Chewable, and Centrum Daily Vitamints. 

I carry these items for the following reasons: 

Centrum Daily Vitamints- These new Centrum Vitamints are adult multivitamins with a refreshingly minty taste that you can take/enjoy any time of day without food or water. I am constantly on the go, in my car or in my classroom and sometimes I do not have the luxury of having food or water with me. This is the perfect way to get these daily vitamins while in a hurry. And they taste pretty good as well! 

Emergen-C Vitamin Chewable: Helps boost my immune system! It helps with my more healthy days, more healthy nights. 

Advil Tablet Vial: Nothing's stronger, longer lasting or better on your tough aches and pains than Advil, and nothing works on more pains than Advil (among OTC pain relievers). 

Along with my "healthy" items, I find that I am always keeping gum, lipstick, Tide To Go (because, let's be honest, I am always spilling), and pens, in case they are needed. Which, in fact, all of these items are ones that I am digging out on a regular basis. 

What are some of your personal purse favorites? 

I found these products under "Personal Care" and "Multivitamins/Headache" aisles specifically, at my local Walmart.  The advil was located by the checkout stand!