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Fresh green peppers, savory onion, hearty potatoes, sweet carrots and organic free range chicken. . . what does that spell? A delicious, healthy and inexpensive home cooked meal!

Last night I was sick of the usual recipes, but I was also tired and hungry, so my mind wandered to Panda Express or to the closest burrito joint around. After a quick reminder of the effects this would likely have on my body - heavy bloat and an uncomfortable rock in the pit of my stomach - I decided to try a new recipe, Pollo de Olla. I scanned the ingredients (they sounded delish!), made a detour to the grocery store, picked up my to-be-assembled dinner and went home to cook.

I actually enjoy cooking, so deciding to cook wasn’t too difficult of a decision to make. However, as most of us do when we’re hungry and tired, I would have happily shoved the closest food-like substance into my mouth. What really stopped my “fast food” impulse is my soon-to-be-born child. I started thinking: What is best for him? What would be healthier? What would I want him to eat?

Isn’t it funny how we are more ready to provide self care for others rather than to take steps for our own well being?

A couple of hours later I was enjoying my home made Pollo de Olla or chicken stew. Simple, yet so scrumptious! Good for me and good for my baby.

Make Happiness Yours!
Susan

Sing it out!!!! . . . well not exactly. . .
I read a about a study where doctors have found that listening to music can improve not only mental health but physical health as well! (more…)

Last week I mentioned my Disaster Training with CERT and how that relates to Self Care - they emphasize safety to self.  If you feel threatened, are in danger or if you’re not sure if it’s a safe environment, walk away.

Safety to self is priority #1 in order to survive.

Survival also reinforces the importance of getting our needs met. Not only the basic needs of food, water, shelter, etc., but also making yourself a priority by balancing work and play, connecting with others and tapping into your spiritual side. It means fulfilling the personal needs that you have in order to survive. Because if you don’t get your basic personal needs met, they can RULE your life, making survival a harder task.

Think about when you’re hungry. At first it is a small grumbling that you an ignore, but then it gets louder, more intense and eventually, you might get the “shakes” from low blood-sugar levels. At this point, it’s quite hard to over look and your drive and motivation turn to finding food to meet that need. And as you’re scavenging for something to eat, your decision making skills may not be as sharp - you’re focused on food!

Now imagine it’s something more of a personal need, like connecting with others.  Again, it may start with a small “grumbling” but then if not met with healthy connections, you might turn to any kind of connection, just to satisfy that need - quality connection or not.

To get started, the first thing to do is to identify your needs. Here are some guidelines to follow when considering a need:
1. It is absolutely satisfiable (if it is not, it could be an addiction or an obsession)
2. It is something that gives you healthy energy - that fuels you positively.
3. It is NOT an option in your life - you require it.

Preparing for a disaster means maintaining your personal well-being.
And to survive, safety to self is #1.

Discovering your personal needs and starting to get those met will start you in the right direction.

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan