Gettin' Fit & Healthy with Rickie

 Be there, Be present...      I don't want to sound like a nag but I cannot express strongly enough, when you are with family, friends or somewhere special put down your devices, PLEASE!  I was recently on vacation in one of our beautiful National Parks in the U.S. and I know we all want to capture the beauty to share.  Be mindful how much time you are spending trying to capture that beauty, event or special moment.  Snap your pics quickly than enjoy the view first hand not through your device.     This statement from an adorable little boy at the top of a beautiful mountain with 360° view of the Atlantic Ocean, "Mom stop, no more pictures!"  I looked in their direction and I see a lovely family, and mom is continuously positioning the family in different ways and snapping pics.  I get it we want to capture the beauty and awe of the moment and our family enjoying it but don't forget to enjoy the moment yourself!  Also keep in m...

      What if??  th is year we decide to love and take care of ourselves more rather than 'trying to change ourselves'.  New Year's resolutions are almost always focusing on changing something to make ourselves or our lives better.  Consider a resolution that allows you to love yourself as you are and resolve to show yourself the love and kindness you deserve. Treat yourself the same as you would treat a loved one.  This does not mean you should not resolve to exercise but approach it from a different perspective; I am going to do what I can to take care of my body and provide it with what it needs.  Exercise can reduce stress, improve our overall health and clear our minds.  Try replacing the resolution of  ' I want to lose 30 pounds'  just resolve to move more doing something you enjoy on a regular basis and reap the rewards of how your body and mind feel.  Be patient and the weight loss will happen. Are you resolving to...

Have you heard?    It's back to school time!          This means different things to different people, some have kids going back to K-12 school, for some it is the kids heading off to college. Those with no one in the household returning to school it still brings a sense of schedule change, cooler weather, more time at home with the busy travel season coming to an end.  With the majority of students returning to in person learning this will hopefully reduce some of the stress of at home learning and possibly the chance for some adults to return to the work place. Keep in mind even though we have been here before it is important to allow your children and yourself to transition back in to this routine.  After more than a year of at home learning and remote work it WILL be an adjustment.      All that being said some families have made the decision to continue their children's education at home.  Keep in mind it is important...

 Meditation? not for me...     Has anyone ever said to you 'Have you tried meditating?'  I am sure many of you have thought no that is not for me or you envision sitting in an awkward position, humming 'om' or spending 30 minutes just sitting in one spot. Meditation is not about religion unless you wish to introduce it to your session.  None of those things are required to reap the benefits, meditation just like exercise can be adapted to your needs.  You don't need to spend a lot of time just find a few minutes out of your day, find somewhere quiet to sit without being disturbed.  You can sit on a chair, on the floor or a cushion on the floor.  Just be comfortable with the spine long and tall with the crown of the head reaching up towards the sky and the body relaxed.   Your meditation session can be as  short as 3 minutes up to as long as 30 minutes.  I do recommend beginning with short sessions and as you get more comfortabl...