He Is Risen!

May you have a wonderful Easter!

Spring Into Action!

I just came from a great spin workout and I have to share one of the motivating phrases that my instructor Alex shouted out about forty minutes into class.  He said,  "come on... it works if you do it!!!"
Most of us have great intentions and good ideas but we must move forward with actions if we want to be successful.  If your goal is to experience better health in body, mind, or soul, which affects your personal and your professional life, you will need to put an action plan together and then as Alex said, "it works if you do it!"

  It's Spring and I love it!  Although it's been a little tougher to get to bed on time and even more difficult to drag myself out of bed by my usual early hour, I really do love this time change!
 Spring is a time of new growth and new beginnings.  The trees are budding, the flowers are bright and beautiful, and there's a fragrant smell all around.   Next Sunday is Easter which makes it an even more significant week as we prepare for all that Easter means concerning new life and renewed hope.  We remember that although he was crucified, dead, and buried,  Jesus became fully alive again.  This is an important reminder that although we may have ideas which seem to have died,  there is always the hope of the resurrection which is the promise of new life.

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Spring is also a time of "Spring Cleaning" and this doesn't only mean cleaning out our closets and drawers.  It's a time where we look at our habits and routines and take inventory on what is working and what is not.  I have just recently added some new things to my life so that I may feel more alive, refreshed, and ready to move forward with my ambitions.  I've added a workout called "Beach Fit" which is taught by my daughter, Christina Sinclair.   If you are local and would like to join me then show up at Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Point any Friday at 10am.   The cost is just $10.  For great fitness tips go to beachbabefitness.com and for directions to Friday's class click here

Stretching in between exercises at "Beach Fit" which is each Friday at 10am at Salt Creek Beach Park

   I encourage you to get in shape in all three areas of your life.  If you need a mid-month lift plan on joining my husband Robert and I on our monthly health calls.  We discuss all kinds of spiritual, emotional, and physical health topics and we interview expert guests too!  All in the comfort of your own home since you attend class via your telephone.  For more information or to sign-up click here 

I will also continue to report on and suggest what kind of products are best for you.  Everything you eat, drink, breath, think, or put on your body will either have a negative or a positive effect on your health.   I've been researching and investigating companies you can trust in "truth in labeling" and you can be sure that they manufacture the best products available! 

Since the sun is now getting closer to the earth this time of year I want to focus on sunscreen.   Make sure that you protect your skin but be sure that what you apply to it is not causing more harm than good.  Many sunscreens are carcinogenic which means that they may actually encourage what they profess to prevent!   Click on the following link for a partial listing of the sunscreens that made the "hall of shame" for their toxic ingredients: http://www.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/hall-of-shame-whats-wrong-with-the-sunscreen-protection-business/
 If you want to try a safe sunscreen then click here to check out Suntegrity.  They have many sunscreens including one for babies.
I encourage you to be diligent in finding out what is okay to put in or on your body and what products may be causing more harm than good, especially for the young ones who are exposed to many more pollutants than we were.    For various product recommendations click on my "products" tab above.

"But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."  John 3:21

May you move forward with daily actions which will produce the fragrant fruits of success, hope, joy, truth, and love. 

God is blessing you for a very Happy Easter!  Donna

National Nutrition Month

My mom and I at the Temple Mount/Dome of The Rock, Jerusalem 2010

 For almost two decades I have begun most of my health and nutrition lectures and workshops the same way.  I have participants close their eyes and listen to the following:
"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own;  you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body."  1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
I then have them open their eyes and take turns sharing what images came to mind while I was reading.  Most respond with comments like, " I picture a beautiful place ", "a sacred place", "my body should be a shining example" or one of the best ones I have heard to date is "it makes me realize that I have a responsibility to take care of my body, out of gratitude for the life that I have been given."

Our grandson, Robert IV at 9 mos.  A "perfect" baby-body!

  The physical body you were born with is the only body you will ever have.  It will wear out eventually.  Our bodies show the world who we are and there's rarely any hiding it if we are unhealthy:  this goes for being both over-weight and under-weight.  Unless we are living in a situation where we don't have enough money to put food on our tables, what we put in our mouth is one of the few things in life that we do have control over.
Food can also become addictive in the same way that people can abuse drugs or alcohol;  it can become our God and control our lives if we aren't conscience about the choices we make.  We cannot be healthy in body, mind, and soul if we are controlled by food, or by anything.  I believe that to be healthy, to be whole, we need to honor God by taking care of our bodies.  I am also aware that as a result of emotional scars or unresolved psychological trauma,  some people use food to escape.  I am not trying to minimize this situation but I am warning you to be aware of this possible means of false fulfillment and to seek help if you need it.

Eat smart to protect your over-all health.  There are two major philosophies at work concerning health.  One is to fight disease (or illness).  The other is to support life (build your immune system).  I embrace the idea that we should support our life, health, body,  and "temple of the holy spirit".  Only in emergencies should we need to fight illness with needed medicine, surgery, etc.  I ascribe to what Hippocrates said:  "Let food be your medicine, medicine your food."

Obesity has become the leading cause for the majority of illnesses and diseases in the USA.   I love what the following article says about science finding out the there is a huge connection between what we eat and how healthy we are.  My husband and I have been teaching this for over twenty years! 

 "Experts Want More Studies On Diet's Role For The Heart"

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/health/experts-want-more-studies-of-mediterranean-diets-role-for-the-heart.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130303

"The National Nutrition Month 2013 theme, "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day," encourages personalized healthy eating styles and recognizes that food preferences, lifestyle, cultural and ethnic traditions and health concerns all impact individual food choices.
 The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year is the 40th anniversary of National Nutrition Month. "

 

If I can help you in any way with your nutrition and wellness: your body, mind, soul health, I am here for you, even over the telephone if you live out of my area.
I also highly recommend supplementing your diet.  Food is not as nutrient dense as it once was so it is very difficult to feed your body all of it's daily nutritional needs.  I have some recommended companies that I know and trust.   Not all nutritional supplements are equal or are what they claim to be.   Click on my "products" tab" above and you can go on their websites and read about various supplements.   If you have any questions feel free to email me at:  donna@donnaschuller.com

"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"  Matthew 26:41


God is blessing you for a healthy body, mind, and soul.   Donna