health

Elissa Goodman on Holistic Nutrition, Healing & Wellness Trends

November 3, 2017November 22, 2021by happsters2 Comments

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I had the pleasure of meeting Elissa Goodman at a recent wellness event I attended and knew I had to interview her from the moment I met her. She is a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle cleanse expert and has an incredible story to share. Enjoy ♥

1. Were you interested in holistic nutrition before you became diagnosed with cancer?

My interest was piqued from visiting the Rancho La Puerta health ranch with my mom in my teen years (she was asthmatic and these yearly visits transformed her life). In the 70’s, my mom took sugar out of the house and she was a bit ahead of her time. Although, I hated it, these things certainly stuck with me. You don’t want to have to think about those things, but ultimately they come back to you when you need it and that’s really what it was for me. This foundation was laid in my youth and came back into my life when I was ready to receive it.

2. Once you received your diagnosis, what steps did you take to explore holistic alternatives that you thought might help you?

My diagnosis really changed the course of my life. Up until that point, I was living a fast-paced life, existing on takeout, sushi, and stress was the daily norm. It didn’t take a lot of time after I was diagnosed with cancer to get into juicing, plant-based diet, therapy, yoga, colonics, and acupuncture. These felt more natural and healing then chemo and radiation (I opted out of chemo and did a shorter version of radiation). I went full speed ahead with these practices and continue to do so to this day. I was lucky to have a fresh juice shop in my area which is still is there today. I started drinking straight carrot juice and in time, gradually expanded to adding greens and other nutrients to my juices. I loved how I felt after yoga and getting into therapy for the first time in my life was a hard process, but really changed my life.

3. What was your biggest takeaway after beating cancer?

You can heal anything. Cancer was a tap on my shoulder telling me that the way I was living wasn’t working. If you provide the right environment, the body CAN heal and wants to heal. I became a seeker of knowledge and still commit myself to getting to the root cause of any health issue so I help others to do so the same.

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4. What do you eat in a typical day now?

I start my day with a Bulletproof Matcha or Coffee (depending on the day and the amount of caffeine I want!), next is a green juice (with no fruit) and flax seeds. Lunch is typically a raw salad with leafy greens lots of veggies, seeds and a vegan protein. I like to eat dinner with my family and have something warm and seasonal with either another vegan protein (tempeh is a big hit in my house), lots of green veggies, and a gluten free whole grain or 5 oz. piece of wild salmon. I stick to the rule of adding fats, greens, lean proteins, and complex carbs to make a complete dinner.

5. What is your favorite wellness trend right now?

Mindfulness. We’re all moving a million miles an hour. I’m continuously reminded how much I need to slow down and I think we all need to be a little more mindful. It shouldn’t be a trend, it should be a timeless habit, but I’m happy to see a focus on it!

6. What podcast or book are you loving lately?

I like Mind Body Green’s Podcast, That’s So Retrograde, and Lewis Howes’ “The School of Greatness”. I go through phases of reading, looking forward to The Medical Medium’s next book release on Thyroid Disease and just finished Dr. Aviva Romm’s book on Thyroid Health and it was fascinating!

7. What is your favorite mantra right now and why?

Everything happens for a reason.

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8. Do you have any morning rituals you consistently stick to?

I wake up and drink 16 ounces of water religiously (I keep it by my bedside to make it really easy to do so). I like to read my friend, Ryan Weiss’s “Waking Up with Ryan” emails to set my intention for the day.

9. How can people work with you to cleanse their own bodies and lives?

I want information on to be accessible to everyone, if you can’t come in and see me in-person for a session or don’t live in Los Angeles and can’t participate in my cleanse program, I post endless healthy recipes on my website www.elissagoodman.com as well as all the latest wellness topics. I also use my Instagram as a platform to share all my favorite products, recipes, health tips, supplement recommendations. You can also find my show The Elissa Goodman Show on YouTube, this is where I interview “wellness warriors” about how they’ve healed (lots of great tips for everyone in these interviews!).

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You can follow along on Elissa’s journey on Instagram at @elissagoodman and visit her website at http://www.elissagoodman.com.

This interview is part of Happsters Happy Questions, an ongoing series of interviews that take a peek inside the lives of inspiring women around the world.

Happiness Interviews

Kristy Malone on Nutritional Therapy, Mental Health & Using Your Intuition

June 23, 2017November 22, 2021by happstersLeave a Comment

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I’m so excited to share this interview with you today that I did with my new friend, Kristy. She has such an interesting background with experience as a mental health therapist and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and I loved how she shared practical and helpful advice about happiness, intuition and so much more. Enjoy! ♥♥♥

1. What has your journey been to becoming a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and mental health therapist?

I first received my Master’s in counseling, and I had been working with military sexual assault victims for several years when the stress of my job took a massive toll on my health. Doctors offered me diagnoses like PCOS, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune disease, and while they were quick to prescribe medications to manage my symptoms, they weren’t interested in getting at the root cause of these conditions. My intuition told me that I needed to dig deeper and I suspected that nutrition was a big piece of the puzzle. This led me to study nutritional therapy, and from there everything clicked for me. I was able to heal my body, reverse all diagnoses, and most of all I gained a deeper understanding of the powerful connection between physical and emotional health. I now combine these two skillsets to help my clients find optimal wellness and happiness!

2. Do you have any tips on tuning into your intuition?

Absolutely! Our intuition always tells us what we need, but oftentimes we forget to listen, or we rationalize it away. Sometimes intuition manifests as something you just “have a hunch” about; but I have found that intuition more frequently speaks through emotions as opposed to profound epiphanies. For example, anxiety shows up to let us know that something isn’t right in our environment or in our life balance. Conversely, we feel peace and happiness when things are in balance. Sometimes you just have a certain “feeling” about someone or something… start to pay attention to how you feel around specific people and in your daily situations.

If you feel insecure in a relationship or in your workplace, something is off and needs further investigation. You feel that way for a reason. If your romantic relationship is creating more stress than happiness, then something has to change no matter how desirable that person is or how perfect they “could” be. If you are filled with dread every Sunday night in anticipation of going back to your job on Monday, you need to ask yourself if that job is truly serving you, no matter how great the pay is or how good it looks on paper. These emotional cues, if we pay attention to them, can connect us to our intuition and guide us towards that which is good for us, and away from that which does not serve us. Ultimately, listening to your intuition is the blueprint for happiness.

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3. What are you looking forward to most in the next month, personally or professionally?

So much! This season of my life has been one of tremendous growth in all possible ways. Professionally, I have just been invited to join a private therapy practice in Carlsbad with an amazing group of people, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. Personally, I am finding that new people continue to come into my life who bring positive energy, inspiring ideas, and new experiences. I greatly look forward to deepening these relationships and opening myself up to more meaningful connection.

4. What is your go-to breakfast?

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and it’s also truly the most important one in many ways! My go-to breakfast is sweet potato ribbons sautéed in coconut oil, two fried eggs, sliced avocado, salt and pepper, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. It is SO tasty, well-balanced, and keeps me full without weighing me down!

5. What daily rituals do you have that help you stay positive and happy?

Nourishing food. Eating right for my body as well as treating myself is a huge key to my happiness. The foods we eat can impact our mood and wellbeing tremendously, so I feel my best when I’m giving my body what it needs and avoiding foods that trigger a negative response.
Positive self-talk. Anxiety shows up for me from time to time, and I have learned that the content of my thoughts has a huge impact on how severe it is and how long it stays. Rather than letting my thoughts run away with me (“Things are falling apart”, “I can’t do this,” etc), I intentionally keep my thoughts positive (“Everything will be ok”, “I can handle this”). Thoughts have power, so what you say to yourself is really important!
Human connection. Connecting with the people I love is a daily practice that keeps me grounded and optimistic even during challenging times. I have a wonderful support system and knowing that there are people who truly know me, and who will be there to celebrate the high points and have my back through the low points is more valuable than anything money can buy.

6. What has been your biggest learning experience in life?

There have been MANY, but the common thread in my most profound learning experiences has been finding the courage to let go of things that don’t serve me, and trusting that better things will follow. It is so hard to risk leaving a job, a relationship, or even a belief system without knowing what the next step will be. Sometimes even when things aren’t making us happy, mediocrity can be a comfortable place to stay because things will almost certainly get harder before they get better. However, it is SO worth it to take the risks, and to pursue a truly fulfilling life as opposed to a tolerable one. I suppose I could sum it up as “NEVER SETTLE!”

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7. What do you think is the key to a happy, joyful life?

I subscribe to the idea that happiness is more about the journey than the destination. Goals are extremely important, but ultimately, a joyful life comes from the people and experiences you have along the way. Genuine connection with other human beings, to show your soul to someone and have them show you theirs, to love and to be loved… to me, that is the essence of a happy life. We are all in this together, and that is a beautiful thing.

8. What is your favorite mantra?

I tend to adopt different mantras based on what’s going on in my life, but recently my mantra has been “Everything is figureoutable” (by Marie Forleo). It’s true- it is! It’s the limiting belief that we cannot overcome challenges that is the true obstacle.

9. Do you have any courses or retreats coming up you’d like readers to know about?

Yes! My business partner and I have a group for women called “Cravings & Connections” which focuses on un-complicating the nutritional and emotional elements of wellness. We talk about the emotional components of eating, why we have cravings and how to respond to them, exploring our relationship with ourselves and with food, and we also break down some complicated topics like blood sugar balance and digestion in a way that’s fun, actually makes sense, and provides tools for better health. More than just a group, we have created a community where profound growth, connection, and transformation occur. The feedback has been tremendous, and our next group starts Thursday June 29^th, followed by another group starting Tuesday July 18^th, and we are now taking reservations for both! Space is limited, but we do run these groups on a rotating basis. You can find more information about the group at www.paleotherapists.com, or reserve your spot by emailing paleotherapists@gmail.com.

You can follow along with Kristy’s journey on Instagram @uncommonwellness and visit her blog at https://www.uncommon-wellness.com/.

This interview is part of Happsters Happy Questions, an ongoing series of interviews that take a peek inside the lives of inspiring women around the world.

Happiness Interviews, Happsters Happy Questions, Uncategorized

Emma Seibold on Her Superpower, Barre, & Being a Mom

May 19, 2017November 22, 2021by happstersLeave a Comment

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I’ve known about Barre Body for a long time and just recently stumbled upon its founder, Emma Seibold. Once I learned a little bit about her, I knew I had to interview her for the blog as part of the Happsters Happy Questions series. She is an incredibly inspiring business owner and mom and I’m excited to share her story with you. Enjoy ♥♥♥

1. Why did you decide to start Barre Body?

Barre Body was born not long after I had my first baby, Xavier. I had been a yoga teacher for a long time and then started incorporating barre into my post baby yoga practice and noticed incredible effects with very little effort almost straight away. I loved how the small, controlled movements at the ballet barre made me feel stable and toned and shaped my body in a way that no other exercise ever had. It really is the most effective workout you’ll ever find and the blend of yoga, pilates and ballet barre conditioning means that it’s always creative and varied and you never get bored.

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

I wake up at 5am so I can fit in meditation and yoga/barre practice before my children wake up sometime after 6. Then it’s a rush to get everyone dressed and fed and out the door for school and day care. Then I sit down at my desk and get to work. I do a lot of phone conferences and create a lot of online content now that I live in Byron Bay away from our studios so I have to be really creative about how I manage the team and how I connect with Barre Body clients and social media followers. I work until about 2.30pm and then we pick the little ones up and often go to the playground before coming home and starting on dinner. The afternoon and evening is for family and then I’ll often do a little bit more work and/or connect with my husband (who is also my business partner) after the kids go to bed. Then I get ready to do it all again the next day! I try to fit in a yoga class here and there and some me time when I can. I also travel a lot for work so I’m often in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane visiting our studios.

3. What book have you recommended to friends the most?

A Return To Love by Marianne Williamson is a beautiful guidebook for how to live a life that is guided by love rather than fear. I also really like Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert which is all about nurturing creativity.

4. What gives you energy?

Alone time. I really need quiet time by myself every now and again to fill me up. A walk on the beach or a yoga class usually does the trick.

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5. What depletes your energy?

Too many demands on my time or feeling anxious.

6. What’s your super power?

I fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow which means I get to make the most of those precious sleep hours and get up nice and early the next morning.

I would also say my power of positivity!

7. What is your favorite mantra that continues to be relevant in your life and why?

Live in joy. Be present. Do it all with love.

This came to be at the beginning of this year and it was like it was to be my mantra or my guide for the year. I want to live joyfully and be present in everything I do and make all of my decisions and let all of my actions be guided by love.

8. How has being a mom changed how you’ve run your business?

I was a mum before I started my business or rather, the two happened at the same time so I’ve always had to juggle the two demands on my time. I would say that as my business has grown and matured, I’ve been able to step back a little and give more focus to my children, which is a lovely way to be. It’s always a juggle though and so I just try to really BE wherever I am. If I am with my babies, I am 100% present and likewise for Barre Body.

9. If you could tell your past self something 10 years ago, what would it be?

You are in for one hell of a ride. Trust yourself and amazing things are going to happen.

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10. Do you have any self care rituals that you’ve found recharge you?

Absolutely. Daily meditation and movement practices are central to my wellbeing and a peaceful state of mind. I also love baths and cups of tea! And walking is a favourite way for me to both exercise and clear my mind and allow my creative energy to come through.

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You can find Emma and Barre Body online at: www.instagram.com/barrebody (brand) or www.instagram.com/emmabarrebody (personal), www.barrebody.com.au and www.facebook.com/barrebody

This interview is part of Happsters Happy Questions, an ongoing series of interviews that take a peek inside the lives of inspiring women around the world.

Happiness, Happiness Interviews, Happsters Happy Questions, Uncategorized

Lindsey & Krista from Almost 30 on Friendship, Passion & Wellness

May 12, 2017May 22, 2020by happsters1 Comment

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When I learned about the Almost 30 podcast a few months ago, I listened to it immediately and loved every second of it. I knew from the very beginning that these girls were my kind of girls. Definite “Happsters” at heart!

They are so down-to-earth and interview the most amazing guests on everything from the juice craze to psychic mediums to hormones in a fun and compelling way. I was excited when the podcast hosts, Krista (blogger at The Hundred Blog) and Lindsey (actress, singer, model and SoulCycle Instructor) agreed to an interview. Krista and Lindsey answered separately, so you can see both of their responses to each question below! Enjoy ♥♥♥

1. I love love love your podcast, Almost 30! Why did you decide to start it?

LINDSEY: Krista and I were introduced by a mutual friend who knew that we would connect immediately. Our friendship is SO DAMN EASY. We have supported each other and have been one another’s sounding board from day one. Almost 30 was inspired by our deep chats about who, what, and where we are, as well as hilarious recollections of our early 20’s. We are both obsessed with finding the experts and guru’s, the practices and habits, the products and innovative ideas that will help us to be the best versions of ourselves. Sharing this with our listeners has been the BIGGEST GIFT.

KRISTA: That means so much ☺ we love you. I can’t even remember the genesis behind starting the podcast, but we recorded for a few months in a closet before we shared anything. I have been a podcast fan for years, and felt like there wasn’t a podcast out there that spoke to women in their twenties and thirties about bettering themselves and navigating life’s transitions. We also wanted to bring together a community of women who could support and encourage each other (that’s our secret Facebook group!).

2. How did you two meet?

LINDSEY: As I mentioned above, through a mutual friend! What’s funny is that we both lived in NYC before LA…and then both settled on the west side.

KRISTA: Through SoulCycle! I was auditioning to be an instructor and Lindsey offered to help me out with my audition. After I moved to LA from NYC, I remembered how cool she was and asked her to hang out. We knew instantly that we had something special. Lindsey and I are super similar because we have the same dreamer mentality, plus we work wayyyyy too hard.

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3. What has been the biggest thing you’ve learned since starting the podcast?

LINDSEY: I’ve learned that when I am passionate about something and I have a clear vision, I have the power to commit and follow through. In the past, I had convinced myself that I should be grinding and miserably over-worked in order to achieve what I wanted. The moment I realized that the space between A and B was the best part, that I could actually enjoy the process and thus be inspired to create even more, was the moment I felt free to unapologetically take pride in my path.

KRISTA: Podcasting has taught me so much! It makes me feel like there is something out there for everyone and to have faith that if you persist to do what you want to do. It may not be the first or second thing, but to keep trying. I LOVE my blog, The Hundred Blog, but knew I wanted to incorporate something else. I would have never done the podcast if I didn’t blog for a few years prior. Also, we’ve had the greatest guests on the podcast ever so each time we record I learn so much. As an example, in the Be Well By Kelly episode, I learned about incorporating the ‘Fab Four’ into your diet: Protein, Fiber, Fat and Greens. I try to incorporate that in most meals that I eat!

4. Do you have morning routines? If so, what are they?

LINDSEY: Oh, yes! When I wake up, I put my phone in my night stand drawer for 30 minutes. Within those 30 minutes, I will:

meditate on my little balcony
write three affirmations that I will turn to throughout the day
write down three things I’m grateful for
write down three things I will get done today
take my vitamins
make tea or a small amount of cold pressed coffee with a lot of almond milk
make a healthy breakfast

By then I am awake and have a clear sense of how I want to feel today. Then I can hop on my phone and computer and start to tackle the day!

KRISTA: I do! I am in love with a good morning ritual. It’s super important and sets the tone for your entire day. I would much rather get up early than sleep in and feel late any day. I don’t keep my phone in my room, so my alarm in the kitchen will most likely wake me up. I get up around 5:30 AM and once I do, I’ll take a moment to put my hand over my heart and say thanks. Thanks for waking me up, for my house, for everything! After that I’ll drink warm lemon water (because people have said it works, ha) and then I’ll meditate on the couch for 10 minutes. I usually do a TM meditation and if I can’t get into it, I’ll just do affirmations. After that I’ll leave and go workout (I always get them in early) and then have breakfast when I return. Usually a protein shake + avocado + collagen + pearl powder + maca. I love Sun warrior Protein in Vanilla or Vega Sport (super smooth and delicious).

5. When you’re having a bad day, how do you pull yourself back up?

LINDSEY: A great workout never fails to raise my vibration. It helps me to shake up any mental, physical, creative, or emotional blocks I might be experiencing. I also love being by water when I’m feeling off. Water is so calming and humbling to me, so I will usually take a walk on the beach to reset and recommit to the day.

KRISTA: Meditation really helps me to navigate any bad day. It’s changed my life in that way. I know that if I do have a bad day, or a bad week, that it’s temporary and it won’t last forever. I also don’t attach myself to the feeling. So if I am stressed for some reason, practicing un-attachment really helps me to stay happy. I remember that feeling just ‘is’ and it’s not Krista. Or I’ll have a good vent session with my sister because what else are sisters for?

6. What is your favorite mantra that continues to be relevant in your life and why?

LINDSEY: My potential is greater than any problem I have.

My dreams are big. As I pursue them my mind tends to create problems, because, well, that’s what the mind does. It tries to protect me by looking for what could go wrong or what isn’t so perfect in the moment. This mantra/affirmation reminds me that the problems are specifically for me and I am more than capable of finding flow in any situation.

KRISTA: My mantra is ‘I am’, which reminds me to always ‘be’ wherever I am, and that I can always consider myself at home. I repeat it whenever I need to be reminded to be more present. I also use it when I am saying my affirmations, I’ll use ‘I am…’ then add whatever I need to hear that day like “strong” or “golden” or “love.” After I meditate, I always do a few affirmations before I start my day.

7. Do you have any wellness rituals that you swear by?

LINDSEY: I’m learning that if I don’t take care of me now, I will be useless for my dreams later.

massage every two weeks
facial every three weeks
move my body every day
YOGA YOGA YOGA
I sleep with my crystals (placing the appropriate crystals on my chakras to balance and ground me)

I use Saje essential oils before bed and to wake up in the morning! “Cleanse” is one of my favorites. I put it on the bottom of my feet before bed and I AM KNOCKED OUT and feel amaaaazing in the morning!!

KRISTA: Honestly I have tried them all. Everything under the sun! I love trying new things, seeing how good I can feel and experimenting! I’ve tried LED Light Therapy, Cupping, Acupuncture, Reiki, Crystal Therapy, Cryotherapy…to name a few! This is so weird, but I swear by not taking birth control, ha. I stopped taking it 5 years ago, and have never felt better. My mood improved, I felt clearer, and my hair, skin and nails looks so much better – especially my hair! It’s never been so thick. I have the copper IUD which is amazing and non-hormonal. Once I got off birth control, I was also able to pay close attention to my hormone levels and feel so much more connected with myself.

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8. You two have such a great bond. Do you have any tips on how others can find friends as adults?

LINDSEY: Such a good question. It is so important that you follow what makes you happy and what fills you up. You will find like-minded people there. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more aware of what my authentic self feels like. The more I stand in that truth, the more people I attract who have similar goals, visions, love, light, and balance.

KRISTA: YES. Definitely. A lot of the way that Lindsey and I met I felt like was divine timing. It helps that at this stage we know who we are and have similar interests. Along with that, we have a deep respect for the other person. Not only do I love Lindsey, but I respect her. She’s someone I would introduce to my parents, my lifelong friends, and my co-workers because you want to be around people that you’re proud to know. If you’re looking for to listen to you complain all day about your job you hate, how will that serve you? Find people you want to be like and be friends with them. You can also find friends as an adult by doing things you love, and standing in your light, you’ll attract the right people. I found Lindsey through SoulCycle and through that activity I did for me, I was given this friendship.

9. Do you think finding “balance” is possible? If so, what are your tips on finding balance in your life?

LINDSEY: At this point in my life, balance means working really hard and loving it. I think balance will mean something different at various stages in my life. Right now I am happy and fulfilled in the work that I do, so that feels balanced. I have a wonderful group of friends, but I also truly value my alone time…that feels balanced. Krista and I are contributing so much to the podcast and putting in so many hours, but we are also having a blast and receiving so much from it. #ALMOST30NATION makes us so happy. That is balance.

KRISTA: I love this question! I do believe that you can ‘have it all,’ but ‘balance’ I am not so sure! Both are in the eye of the beholder. I would not say that anyone in my life thinks I live a balanced life, but I’m so happy! I work 7 days a week – I have a 9-5, my blog and podcast. I don’t watch TV or relax much, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Oh and if you think that you can have it all, you will. I believe that I have everything in my life that I need, and the universe responds to that by actually giving me everything I need.

Also with balance, I’m vegan and gluten free both by choice and don’t drink alcohol at all. But again, this is what makes me feel good and happy.

If there’s something that’s telling you that you’re not living a balanced life, then listen to that, but not to anyone else that could tell you that your life is unbalanced. I’ve had moments where I’ve pushed myself a little too far and I make sure to note that and chill out for a few days.

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You can find Krista and Lindsey online at www.almost30podcast.com. You can also follow them on Instagram at @almost30podcast and be sure to join their secret Facebook group where all the good stuff goes down here.

This interview is part of Happsters Happy Questions, an ongoing series of interviews that take a peek inside the lives of inspiring women around the world.

Fitness

Move Nourish Believe with Lorna Jane

May 18, 2014May 18, 2014by happsters3 Comments

i’ve known about Lorna Jane Active Living for a year or two and love not only their clothes, but also their inspiration. I’ve had this screen saver on my computer from them for awhile now and ♥ it.

“If you haven’t found it yet. Keep looking.”

When Sweat Pink asked if I’d like to come to the Lorna Jane store event in La Jolla to meet Lorna Jane herself, I was in. As I walked into the store, I was greeted by a smiley Lorna Jane employee who gave me a gift bag with some awesome Lorna Jane swag including some cool sweat bands and a visor.

I also got Natalie Jill’s (of Instagram fame) Rev4: Rev it up DVD. You do short segments of progressively intense exercise with only your body weight. Can’t wait to check it out!

I introduced myself to Natalie and she was so sweet. We actually live in the same area of town and chatted for awhile about fitness.

I made my way to the gorgeous Active Living Room where they host free classes every day. I’m hoping to go after work sometime! They look like so much fun, are free and offer a fridge full of juices from Juices Served Here. They were giving tasters at the party and are delicious.

Juices Served Here
In the Active Living Room, I got to meet Lorna Jane herself, who was so down to earth and great to chat with. I also got to meet more Lorna Jane employees. All of them were so welcoming. My kinda place!

I met up with my friend, Gina to shop and ended up getting myself a cute tank and some headbands.

Make Your Own Rules Shirt

I’m excited to go back and get some more clothes! I’m also kicking myself for not getting one of their yoga mats. I am in desperate need of a good one. I’ve decided that I just may clean their booth out at the IDEA World Fitness Convention :-).

As most of you know, I’m pretttttty obsessed with inspirational quotes and Lorna Jane is not lacking in that department. Here are a few of my favorites.

“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.”

“What you seek is seeking you.”

“For nothing is impossible if you put your true heart into it.”

P.S. They also served Lorna Jane cupcakes and had a blowout station from Dry Bar. Loved all of the little touches they included to make it an incredible event!

Lorna Jane Cupcakes

Have you ever heard of Lorna Jane? What do you like to do to stay active?

Full disclosure: I was given this opportunity through Fit Approach and received a Lorna Jane gift card. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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Happiness, Workplace Happiness

How To Create a Wellness Program in The Workplace

April 22, 2013April 28, 2013by happsters7 Comments

The IDEA Tribe took a jumping picture for a crazy birthday wish! — The IDEA Tribe

As Happsters, we know that there is no greater joy than spreading happiness to others. It is particularly rewarding to spread happiness in places where happiness is usually spread thin. Where does the majority of the world spend their time and begrudgingly so? The workplace.

Kelli and I are lucky enough to work for IDEA Health and Fitness Association, a company that truly cares for the health and happiness of its employees. After all, there are countless studies correlating health and happiness, so as a health and fitness association we want to practice what we preach! I would like to share simple ways to improve your happiness and the happiness of your coworkers by creating a Wellness Program where you work.

It starts from the top.

First and foremost, enlist the backing of someone in charge. This person does not have to participate in the Wellness Program, he or she simply needs to make it known that the Program has the support of the management. This might appear to be a tall order but remember, doubt killed more dreams than failure ever would! Approach your boss with the idea of forming an internal wellness program and committee or simply creating some onsite health projects. He or she will be impressed by your initiative and willingness to improve company health. The rise in healthcare costs is so drastic that a company would be foolish not to enlist the help of willing employees to combat this growing issue. If you need help convincing your management team to start a wellness program, this list of “Top 10 reasons why your company needs an Employee Wellness Program” should help: http://www.wellnessquotes.com/top10-reasons-why-your-company-needs-an-employee-wellness-program.html.

Here are some suggestions for what you can do at your company to make the environment a healthier and happier place. The hope of having a Wellness Program is to not only improve employee health, but also start a shift in company culture toward a health-conscious population.

Your coworkers (or employees) are your greatest asset!

The wellness committee puts together this fun schedule in the hall each month at IDEA

Start with square one: Ask your coworkers what would make them happier at work. What would be one thing they are willing to do to improve their health? At IDEA, we send out a yearly Happiness Survey to gage company morale and request suggestions for improving the work environment.

We also have a Wellness Committee that hosts biweekly meetings to plan wellness events, brainstorm ideas for improving company happiness and discuss the happenings in the subcommittees which are made up of Events, Celebrations and Recognitions, Tracking and Participation. All our subcommittees work on specific aspects of wellness that we share with the Committee as a whole.

Find out what skills and expertise you have in house.

At IDEA, we offer meditation, CORE, yoga and weight lifting classes, all taught by IDEA employees that share their passion for fitness with their fellow employees. You may not have fitness professionals on staff to teach classes, so another option that would be easy to introduce is what we like to call a “Wellness Walk”. These walks can become a staple of your day and company culture. Most likely there are groups of staff members that take a lunch break at the same time and it is well worth organizing a walk so that you can all go together. As little as 10-15 minutes will leave you refreshed, energized and with a good dose of vitamin D. It is also a great way to bring employees together that do not regularly have the opportunity to socialize and share ideas.

Vending Machines Out, Healthy Snacks In!

Petition to get the normally candy-filled vending machines removed and provide healthy snacks to keep employee brainpower churning out productivity instead! At IDEA, we offer nuts, granola bars, apples and yogurt to keep our minds sharp. The snacks are provided by IDEA and partially funded by employee donation.

Lunch n’ Learn

The IDEA Tribe had our first session with Will Marre yesterday, the author of The True Happiness Recipe. Great speaker!

Lunch n’ Learns have been some of the most well attended activities the Wellness Program has provided. We can’t all be experts at everything, so enlist an expert! There are so many experts on happiness that can give an inspirational presentation. It also demonstrates to the employees that the company truly cares for their health and happiness.

Teach Your Passion

Every employee has a passion and most likely they want to share it. Next month, we will be launching our “Teach your Passion” series where employees share an interest with fellow employees.

We are hosting:

Terrarium building
Sewing
Vision Board Creation
Cupcake Making
Cooking Demo (Weekday Meal in 30 Minutes)

These are all suggestions from IDEA employees that want to share their passion. The list could be much longer depending on what your employees want to share. Each session will take no more than 45 minutes and they will be hosted during lunchtime.

The possibilities are endless! Teach Your Passion allows employees to be create at work, share something important in their lives and provides another opportunity to socialize with coworkers in a casual environment.

Spread the Word!

The Happsters are committed to spreading happiness everywhere we go because we know that health and happiness go hand in hand. If you’re interested in improving your company’s health, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We are bursting with ideas and we’d love to hear yours!

Throughout the year, I will be contributing to the Happster blog on wellness in the workplace and all the challenges that go with it. I will highlight the events and project our Wellness Committee is tackling as well as current wellness trends. Feel free to contact me if there is a particular topic of interest you would like to read about or you want to share the successes of your own program!

In health and happiness,

Allison Doyle

adoyle@ideafit.com