Here are a few basic tips to greenify your workouts (yes I know ‘greenify is not a word, but I just made it one).. Now you may do a few of these things already, if not, consider it. We are all inextricably linked so when you help the earth you help yourself directly or indirectly.

1. Buy a water bottle (aim for bpa free if plastic )… Why??

• First, this can greatly cut down on space or amount of water bottles you need to carry throughout the day.
• its stylish and cool 🙂
• you have the option to purchase insulated bottles that can keep your  drink cool
• Easier way to keep track of the ounces you’re consuming
• cuts down on the waste and harm done to the environment
• you can use this bottle outside of workouts for normal day to day use

2. Bring your own (sweat) towel to the gym

• it’s eco-savvy
• If you’re a germaphobe like me, you don’t use everyones products etc… truth is, instead of taking a risk with the towels given at the gym, use your own and you’ll have no questions
• Gyms/facilities may also have paper towels to use instead of regular towels… If you are as intense as I am, those little paper towels don’t do much and are wasteful
• towels are meant to absorb water so if your gym only offers paper towels this can be quite damaging to you your skin

Happy Fitness!!!

Jumping jacks are a good quick fitness blast you can do when you’re in a rush and don’t have a lot of time. Great thing about jumping jacks?? They don’t really require stretching and they get the blood flowing and circulating. This can easily turn into a heart pumping exercise if done long enough but it’s also quite effective in bursts as well. Put 2 minutes on the clock and do as many as you can… Each time you do it, see if you can increase the amount you do. Remember, its not a race, its a pace.. Lets Go!!! (If you don’t know how to do a proper jumping jack just search on youtube or google)

Now I know some of you may be thinking, “green smoothie yum yuck!” But… please don’t shoot down anything you’ve never tried. There is a big misconception when it comes to healthy food, and likewise, we also have color associations with food. It’s quite comical how much goes into (your thoughts) of the taste of food before you even try it. I remember in elementary school a popular brand decided to put out green ketchup..YES GREEN…Now, the ketchup apparently tasted the same, they just made it a cool color for kids. Eagerly I had my mother buy it and of course when it came time to use it, I was disgusted. I had always associated ketchup with the color red and even though it tasted the same, it wasn’t red so I didn’t want it. A lot of people do that now with food which is why many foods are artificially enhanced with chemicals to make them appear brighter or more natural looking in color. Soda for instance (which I don’t recommend consuming, or only consume in small amounts) is nothing but acidic carbonated water, an artificial flavor, and depending on the flavor they add, artificial coloring.. How many people would buy a clear strawberry soda?? Not many. Food, marketing, and the psychology of it all is quite interesting. I may post more on this at a later date. Anyway… green smoothies are very healthy, nutrient packed, and delicious.

Now, all green smoothies don’t taste the same but I will give some tips to make a simple green smoothie. Once you have the basics you can add or subtract at your own discretion. The purpose of the green smoothie is..well.. to get your greens in on a more cellular and digestible level. I recommend, 2-3 different types of greens (ie. dandelion, collards, spinach).. add those ingredients in the blender with about 1-2 cups of water and blend. Ok… I know what you’re thinking.. that doesn’t sound appetizing but we aren’t done. Next you add your fruit, I stick with apples since they are really sweet and act as a neutral when paired with veggies. About 2 (whole) apples fully sliced will do.. add to the blender and blend. Since collards and dandelion are pretty strong I also add about 2 (whole) sliced pears to the mix. Blend that on high until liquified. Next, if you have any extras, maybe fresh lemon juice, or any additional supplemental powder you can add that too. I promise it tastes DELICIOUS and it’s healthy. I’ve tested this recipe on my most carnivorous friends and they all love it. Ive even been asked for the recipe so here it is. Give it a try!! If it doesnt turn out so great, tweak it.. you may have to work your way up 80% veggies 20% fruit but progress is progress. This is great for breakfast or lunch and you can make a batch to last up to 3 days…It fills you up, gives you energy, and helps your body.. Cant get any better than that!!  Let me know how it turns out!! 🙂

This is a continuation of the Beware of Bucks post… Let me begin by saying, I’m a deep person by nature. I know we all hate those people who try to be extra deep and philosophical and everyone knows they really aren’t that way at all lol… that’s not me. I’ll see a leaf blow in the wind and my mind will go to some deep thought on the metaphysics of the leaf Lol… Hey, I’m a capricorn, what can I say. With all that being said, I believe every experience, even the horrible ones, are  lessons and tests. Therefore, the good and bad are inextricably linked and the only thing that separates the two are our perceptions. So… I really took a lot away from my buck hiking trip.. If you are unaware what that trip was about, its imperative you read my Beware of Bucks post.

Now… Ill try to keep this quick (with a brief recap)…

After the whole hiking at dusk fiasco settled in, days later, I found myself upset about the whole ordeal. I was upset at the I don’t care if these two young ladies hike up a mountain at dark white guy who refused to give us a ride up the mountain. I was upset about the  map and markers that put us in that predicament… and I was upset that it even happened at all. After the steam from my brain wore off, I decided to do a true reflection on what happened that day, and what I could take from the entire thing. As I thought, things really hit me..

That whole hike I had tons of energy, from reaching the peak, to climbing down, my battery just seemed to stay on full.. Despite this, hiking back down, I thought it would not be long before I reached my car, so mentally, I had not prepared myself to do more than 3-4 extra miles. Because of this, when we were hiking extra miles to get to the car from the bottom, my energy was slowly starting to deplete. Not only that, I was freezing, and this slowed me down a bit too. When I got to the point where I had to decide to go forward or turn around and go back (bc of the imaginary deer,) I chose to go forward. Moving forward was the best decision I could’ve made bc shortly after that I was at my car.

I learned it’s much better to roll with life, and trust your guidance. Here I was, walking up a road that I knew would take me to my destination but I didn’t know how far I was from it and how long it would take to get there. When you don’t know the details of your situation, its easy to get antsy, and even think about turning around to go back. But what do we benefit from walking in the opposite direction of our goals,dreams, or callings out of fear?? You get nothing!! It doesn’t serve you or the world. It was no coincidence that when I felt like turning around and had a break down, I was literally around the corner from my car and didn’t know it. That’s the power of faith and trust. When you do everything you know how to do, leave the rest up to faith, and you will be guided every time. It’s cliche, but the breakdown is always right before the blessing. Even if that blessing isn’t right around the corner. I appreciated my car heat so much more.. my fingers.. my body… and my strength after that night. Lessons aren’t meant to bring you down for the sake of failing you… they break you down to build you up. Not only that, someone may be riding on your strength. Me getting to my car, helped me AND my friend. FAITH. FATE. POWER. Once you’re on the road, keep pushing forward, despite how tired, exhausted, or unclear you may be.. Even if you can’t see ahead of you, when you decide to advance and take steps, everything conspires to help you. Beware of shortcuts, glitter isn’t gold. I saw several perceived “shortcuts” but I stayed on my path. When you have faith you will meet FATE. Everything that happened that day was supposed to… and from that I gained POWER. Lastly, had I had a negative attitude, I probably would’ve never made it up the mountain to begin with. Sometimes we overlook the power of our brain. I could have easily had a break down sooner than I did.. again, my feet were nearly frozen, my fingers, I was hearing noises, I was hungry, and I was worried about my friend.. but I chose to look at the positive. My mind was focused on my car. Don’t get distracted.. distractions are designed to throw you off course, but if you do, refocus yourself.. We all deserve our greatest dreams no matter how big or small… Be unstoppable and keep the faith!! 🙂