Book Review - The Pillars of Health - Your Foundations For Lifelong Wellness

About a month ago I signed up to join Hay House Book Nook.  I get to choose a newly published book, they ship it to me for FREE and all I have to do is read it and blog about it.  So here is what my thoughts are about this book.

I was first drawn to the book because it asked "Do you go to the gym religiously? - for a couple of weeks at a time?"  I immediately nodded yes.  And then the next few questions sold me on it.  "Do you find yourself desperately to focus but unable to keep up with everything going on in your hectic life?  Are you frustrated by a world that seems full of inconsiderate, unpleasant people?"  I know that I could answer yes to these with great ease.  I could even relate to the fourth question "Have you been on every diet imaginable, yet still feel unhealthy and low on energy."

As I started reading this book I was interested in what he had to say regarding the effects of processed foods on the body.  I was in agreement until we reached the point where he started talking about how bad animal proteins are on the body.  This was something that I immediately reacted adversely to.  I love meat.  I am a rancher's daughter.  I am a meatatarian.  I eat vegetables because the meat I like to eat like vegetables.  And it is the way I have always been and I am not interested in changing that.  Well not full time anyway.

As I continued on with the book I loved the fact that it was not entirely about how and when and what to eat.  The author touched on more than just that.  More than the importance of getting you body moving.  He also spoke about supplements and essential oils.  I knew more about the supplements than I did about the essential oils part of things.  So once I finished the book I was so interested I contacted a friend so that I was able to learn even more.  This is what makes for a good book in my opinion.  It sparks the desire to learn.

Mental Acuity is one of the pillars of health.  He spoke o the importance of exercising your brain.  To really challenge it in different areas.  This was honestly something that I never gave much thought to.  I am blessed with an excellent memory and razor sharp wit.  Never before did I consider that I may lose that.

The final pillar - compassion - spoke deeply to me.  This is a huge part of my life and something that I believe in greatly.  It was incredibly refreshing to see that someone else thought that compassion for yourself and others was important enough to be a pillar of health. This is certainly not something you see in every health and weight loss book.

Since reading this book I have made some changes in my life.  I can credit 'The Pillars of Health' for sparking the change.  I am currently eating more of a plant based diet.  So much so that I am only eating animal protein three times a week.  I am still learning about the many uses of essential oils and I even work on exercising my mind on occasion.

Now as I mentioned previously, I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for a review of it  That being said...my review is definitely favorable.  It was a relatively easy, interesting read that was able to get me to see a different point of view.  If you are looking to purchase a book that covers whole body/mind health....this is a book for you.

Who knows....maybe you will find yourself bypassing the bacon section in the grocery store.

Wishing you a day as Beautiful as You,

Much Love,

Lisa

Today I am entirely grateful for the many opportunities that come into my life unexpectedly.

The Beauty of the Rose

The war of the roses.  Lately I have heard lots of talk regarding race and highlighting our differences.  I have heard cruel things spoken about another and people pointing out the "ugliness" of others.  I am not debating whether or not racism exists today or not.  

What I would like to do is highlight how we are all different and yet one in the same.  There are many different races that exist on this planet and yet we are all part of the same species.

Let us look at roses.  There are many different species of roses but they all belong to the family of plants called Rosaceae.  Roses come in many different colors. Pinks, whites, reds, purples, yellows, oranges, multi colored.  Some hold their petals tight together when they bloom.  Others open wide. Each rose speaks its own language (love, peace, friendship, sympathy).  Some have sharper thorns than others. Some live longer than others.  But the one thing that all roses have in common is their beauty.  Each rose looks different but all are beautiful. 

Why is it that we as humans feel the need to look at the ugliness in others?  What would happen if we all looked at each other and searched for the beauty in ourselves and others?  What would that world look like? 

 When we speak unkindly to others or about others it is because we are uncomfortable with something within ourselves.  My wish for us is that we begin each day and each interaction on a quest for beauty.  Look for the beauty in everyone you meet today.  Start first with yourself and then spread that love and light to others.

Here is a quote I have collected along the way.  I am sorry that I do not know the author.  "Our days are happier when we give people a piece of our heart rather than a piece of our minds."

"Strong people don't put others down...they lift them up!"
 Michael P. Watson.

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." Audrey Hepburn

Wishing you a day as beautiful as you are for you are beautiful, deserving, worthy and loved.

Much Love,

Lisa

What Did You Love? And What Did You Learn?

I know that I have blogged about this before but I can't help it.  I am going to write about it yet again.

In May my Husband and I were super blessed to be in the audience of John C. Maxwell.  He spoke about many things and if you have read my blog more than twice you will realize that I am a huge fan of his.  I love what he has to say on many topics.  One thing that he said that I often reflect on is:

What did you Love? And what did you learn?

He asks this question of his children and grandchildren after they have spent a day together.  I found that this has really stuck with me.  I like to reflect on my day and ask myself those questions.

What did I Love?

What did I learn?

How will I apply the lessons?

I have started keeping a word document that I can keep all of these lessons in.  So that I can look back and reflect on such things.  It also gives me a good sense of whether or not I made good use of my day.  Am I grasping the lessons that are laid out before me?  Did I take the steps to make a difference in not only my life and that of my family but the lives of others?

Each day I strive to make an impact.  Each day I hope that the ripple grows wider and reaches more people. That is my goal each morning when I wake up.  To actively make use of my talents, skills and blessings.  To live my purpose or at least journey closer to further defining my purpose.  And I have noticed that since I have been getting intentional about doing this.  And (more) consistent about doing this.  It is paying off.

What is it that you do in the morning?  What are your first thoughts before your eyes even begin to open? Are they ones of love and kindness?  Are you thinking about your day and how you can grow and help others to grow?  Or are you smashing down on the snooze button, pulling your blanket over your head and burying your face in the pillow for another nine minutes of rest? Do you welcome the potential of the day?  Or drag your feet unwillingly into the morning?

I am blessed with being a morning person.  One of those incredibly energetic and enthusiastic (aka annoying) people.  Watching me in the morning is like watching a puppy greet you with enthusiasm after you have been gone all day or even just five minutes.  I love my mornings.  My husband on the other hand, is a snooze slapper.  He would hit snooze for hours if he could.  And I actually feel bad for him when he does crawl out of bed because I am there bursting with energy.  It must be like how Beastly and Dark Heart feel when they are trapped in the rainbow of the care bear stare.  LOL.

As you go about your day look for the lessons.  In all that you do ask yourself...what did I love about this experience?  And what did I learn?  How will you apply those lessons to your life?  Some of the answers may not seem like they are life changers but it all adds up.

I wish you a day as Beautiful as you.

Much Love,

Lisa

Lead Life Joyfully