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Balance Your Body Type – Based on your score, you can find better health, balance, and passion-purpose work

In 2008, I went through Deepak Chopra’s Perfect Health Program in Carlsbad, California that cost me more than any vacation I can remember. My reward has been a life changer, as I’ve used some of the life skills every day and still to this day, over a decade later (and you can use to help balance your body type).

I believe everyone can use this helpful information for their whole life in several ways, including better health to slow aging, whole balance, and finding passionate work.

HOW I DISCOVERED THE PROGRAM

I was personally struggling with remaining angry emotions from a stressful, uninspiring management position I had just left.

Some roles aren’t the right fit, and there was one in particular I held after a line of unsatisfying work that mildly put was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

You could be good at your job and hate your job, which is how I felt, so I left that position (but my story had a good ending as a new role was created for me at the same company). Continue reading…

 

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Gut Health For a Happier Life

Gut health is something that rules our happy life. This article is about reminders and what you can do about keeping the gut happy.

…And fermented foods is one way that makes for your healthier and happier life! 😊

Easy steps to make sourdough for gut health.
Easy steps to make sourdough for gut health. 👣

Like, baking sourdough is one way to take healthy measures to get a happy gut. And a great new year initiative. 🎉

For one, making sourdough is an immersive experience to learn about what fermented foods are.

In the process, you see how easily bacteria in the air (that we often avoid) is created and grows, and these become baked-in prebiotic foods to support our healthy gut bacteria.

I learned about these sides researching and writing articles for health and wellness publications… and going through the baking experience myself like so many during the pandemic.

Sourdough was a trend and maybe still is with you. 🥖

…If you’ve never tried making sourdough, it’s much easier to make (and regular bread too) than it sounds.

Actually… it’s sooo easy in steps, that it fits on the small square infographic image above that I created. ⬆️

…And that’s just one way to promote gut health.

A healthy gut is a happy life connection.

Where remember, over 90% of the happy hormones (serotonin) is made in the gut.

So if you have a less-than-balanced gut, then the happy moods can subtly run off… but often can be mood restored with TLC (self-care) and Ayurvedic restoration if it’s not caused by a health issue.

…If you don’t know why you have a sudden chip on your shoulder or are more emotionally lately, gut health could be one reason.

So it’s good to ask yourself: what have I been eating lately? And what in my life and lifestyle could have brought this temporary mood on?

The mind-body connection is as real as the happy gut health connection.

And if it’s lifestyle or mood-related, you can get your healthy and happy gut back on with some tweaks…

Eating more fiber from mostly veggies and fruits for morning starters is a good move! 🥕🥦

The fiber ones that are non-digestible are prebiotic. There’s a subset of plant-based foods or produce out there that qualify. 🍏 🍌

Prebiotic foods such as asparagus are abundant in spring. And garlic and onions peak… (see these ones peeking out here 🧅).

Along with probiotic healthy bacteria (like that found in Greek yogurt), prebiotic foods will encourage more good bacteria.

And so, mixing your banana (prebiotic) and Greek yogurt (probiotic) is a good idea. And when you add nuts or seeds and whole fruits, that makes a gut smile even more.

Starting your morning habits after a tall glass of water or ginger water sets you and your body on the right foot.

You can prevent leaky gut, dysbiosis, SIBO, and IBS caused by food habits.

Encouraging good gut bacteria growth in the body is similar to supporting positive, loving thoughts in the mind where you want to crowd out the negative, bad ones.

✋ Avoid Reminders:

Antibiotics destroy the gut microbiome and changing gut health flora. Take antibiotics when absolutely necessary.

Such as, most people wouldn’t take antibiotics for a common cold virus (as it wouldn’t help and is not necessary).

But it’s common to take antibiotics prescribed by a doctor as precaution for a growing bacterial infection. And supplementing with probiotics (including yogurt) help to support the gut damage.

If you think of a healthy gut like a well-run garden (vs. an unbalanced  jungle that can turn into weeds ), then you have a good mental picture of healthy balance vs. dysbiosis (gut imbalance).

…And you’re the gardener. 🧑‍🌾

Avoid the skin on foods that are non-organic.

Skin has nutrients but a lot of the modern healthy foods we eat today are sprayed with toxins in the process that negate the benefits and damage the gut.

So eating skin on certified organic foods or ones you personally plant and care for is the only real way to be safer in protecting your gut microbiome.

Stress is a killer. Our bodies naturally clean and detox during sleep, but stress puts wear and tear on our body’s natural defenses and adds a strain on its healthy housekeeping.

Avoiding stress at all costs is the best way.

With stressful seasons and situations that you experience, take daily deep breaths.

It’s amazing how the world looks different after a few deep breathing exercises like: Ujjayi, Lion’s Breath, or 4-7-8.

My favorite way is getting on my yoga mat to let the world and stress melt away. 🧘🏻‍♀️

It’s cathartic.

You can also take relaxing nature walks and experience tears of joy through Ayurvedic living.

The story of your stress is displayed in your gut, starting from cravings and what you eat… down to how food is digested and how it determines your bathroom life relative to other days and seasons.

The moods you think you’re feeling may not be the one your body is actually experiencing.

Remember, you are not your body or mind, but they are part of you.

You can tell signs by what you’re drawn or repelled to in foods, scents, and activities. That’s one way Ayurveda is useful to daily, modern life so you can make changes.

And that’s why I was hooked after I learned about the science …as we’re not prisoners to our situations and moods that are served up… we’re empowered to restore to our healthy and happy, best life and season.

…And we’re better off for it in daily joyful living and living healthy longer.

You can restore your moods and gut in one-fell swoop effort with your healthy moves when you know what to do (and then do it).

Mood foods are a good way to start and most fall in the anti-inflammatory food diet categories that’s catching on.

 Anti-inflammatory foods are the ones I focus on, as I found on my healthy living journey that they matter most.

They help to restore gut balance and bigger picture… they’re known to prevent certain common chronic diseases like heart diseases, Diabetes, cognitive decline, and certain cancers.

You can find anti-inflammatory profiles in many beverages, spices, and colorful polyphenol-filled rainbow foods when you look around. 🌈

…Like this butterfly blue tea drink filled with quercetin and other antioxidants that I made from bags of tea I purchased.

Keeping a daily happy gut with anti-inflammatory plant-based foods and creative healthy beverages, you live comfortably, have more energy, and get to fulfill more each day.

…Now that’s something to look forward to! ✨

One gut health pairing idea: a pear granola crumble (substitutable with apple) that’s tasty happy pair-enhanced with cinnamon. Use Ceylon cinnamon for additional anti-inflammatory benefits. 🧡 😋

 

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Pear Granola Crumble

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Author Brandy @ Healthy Happy Life Secrets

Ingredients

  • dry oats
  • pear
  • honey
  • cinnamon to liking
  • light EVOO

Instructions

  • Add your layer of oats. And drizzle honey ontop and a drizzle of light olive oil so you get the toasty granola effect.
  • Add your cut pear slices. Add cinnamon as a divine flavor pairing.
  • Add another layer of oats and more cinnamon to liking.
  • Bake until toasted.
  • For healthy Vata balancing, add orange slices or zest and additional Ceylon cinnamon.

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Hot Cocoa for Moods

Hot cocoa is something that everyone one loves, especially during cold sweater weather ❄️

…But what if certain flavors could change or restore your mood to a better one this season? …Even better, yes?

And if you’re feeling heated, your body will like the hot cocoa recipe below.

Even if you can’t drink coffee for reasons, cocoa is usually a good alternative… and raw cacao is anti-inflammatory.

Healthy Tip: Avoid the dutch processed and sweetened cocoa that often comes in packets.

Then you can add your own few marshmallows or fun zhugh at the end where you control the sugar and smile. 😊

These great ingredient tips (below) will activate those better moods.

(And that’s one aspect of Ayurveda that helps you to a healthy self.)

The first ingredient is red chili flakes that’s great if you are feeling cold that’s common for the winter season… or if you’re feeling extra Kapha or Vata, that naturally lean toward cold.

That’s why Kapha moods are typical for winter season when we want to be cozy and hibernate.

Adding a few fiery chili flakes (instead of snowflakes ❄️) will bring out the heat punch in this cocoa. The color is good too for awakening.

You can substitute with cayenne pepper for even more heat.

Tip: Don’t let the camouflage brownish cayenne color fool you… cayenne heat will sneak up on you so don’t add too much at first before taste testing.

And then if you’re feeling hot (and not cold), as in angry or irritated by triggers, then you’re going to want to add a cooling spice or herb like mint. Or no spice at all.

You can still have hot cocoa because it’s cold outside and you’re chilly in your bones. You can feel hot and cold.

A cooling spice will soothe the skin heated-effects that are based on your Pitta mind-body moods.

In those cases, a little cold and hot will be comforting to you in the winter.

Doing these body healthy moves, helps to restore your temporary imbalance or the mood season you’re in… that as pointed out, could be different than the weather outside.

A peppermint cocoa would be good for the heated (see recipe below). I even made mine in my favorite mug  (Starbucks!)

Homemade hot cocoa with a peppermint stick in a Starbucks mug.

Or if your heated season is dialed up way high, a frozen cold cocoa beverage may be called for that you can dream about jumping in!

 

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Hot Cocoa with Peppermint

Author Brandy @ Healthy Happy Life Secrets

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp Cacao (raw cocoa powder) per 6 ounce water
  • 1/8 tsp salt (Himalayan sea salt if you like)
  • 5 drops of peppermint extract

Instructions

  • Heat water and pour over cacao powder. Add peppermint extract and salt.

 

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Hope Grows Our Spirituality

Hope is what keeps us motivated in any situation that well… seems hopeless. And in hopeful or hope-filled moods, we grow our spirituality… that opposes the outward feelings we have.

This article is about changing your moods back to hope and happy ones where you started and how you find your H.O.P.E…

First of all, our lives are rigged in our favor: we are meant to be blessed.

Often what is unfavorably happening to us in our situations is actually meant to help us in some way.

Finding what that is helps you.

Resetting and looking at your blessed life, as not what it once was peppered with past problems bypasses today’s sour moods.

Your life has grown better.

…And it’s meant to grow even better!

Better requires more experience and to be prepared for what’s ahead so we don’t fall flat on our faces. Challenges are healthy to keep us on the course!

Staying on course helps bring us back to our hope.

No matter the situation (favorable or not), as birthright we are called to hope in our situations if we want to prosper… (even when the stars aren’t exactly aligned 🌠).

You can always find a silver lining in the clouds if you want to. Because you were lucky enough to be born that will transcend this life if you believe.

And that’s where the rubber meets the road… 🛞

That’s the difference between your former younger self and who you are today, more mature in beliefs.

Today, you get to do so much more.

The former problems you had before are no longer in your life.

You have other replaced or new situations that ultimately have created a better life for you.

…Life that maybe is not the way you planned in your mind, but is good when you look back and see the golden nuggets.

Those misalignments helped you out in some way.

And your future will be even better because of these re-routes when you keep your moods from souring your day… or you pause from knee-jerk reactions you once would’ve made and regretted.

Today’s Situations

And today you have situations you are waiting on to pan out.

That’s this life in a nutshell… otherwise, you’d stop trying for your best life if things were so easy and you wanted nothing.

Well, when you put it that way. 💭

I realized from taking a sabbatical year-off years ago that not having a work schedule or consistent daily purpose is a double-edge sword.

Sleep and physical health nursed and healed me back to life  but then gradually a new stress grew from the mental stress (of not having a purpose).

And that eventually became stress on the body in the mind-body connection. As a result, waking up at 3 am every night was enough of a wake-up call for me.

…I also found I didn’t have the same exciting stuff to talk about with friends… I was basically just tagging along to their happenings. And I wasn’t quick on my toes in responses like I had been.

So I plugged back into my optimal life. 🔌

That break was enough for me to believe anti-retirement is the best way… ALWAYS.

We are happiest when we’re sharing about what’s happening in our lives and not living in the shadows of others.

Plus, life is too short to watch life go by.

And even if you’re waiting for a few situations to manifest,  you can be an active participant making impact on other areas of your (and others’ lives) that’s not like throwing spaghetti at the wall. 🍝

…You’re actually building something for the future that takes time to build with your gifts and talents.

That’s a good plan if the timing isn’t there yet for what you know or have an inkling will be, and that you’re hoping for most. Take heart. ❤️

And when your doubtful mind takes over your knowing mind, get outside.

Signs of hope can be found daily around us… like the hope reminders below to remind us to Have Open Peace Everyday.

And these flowers don’t need hope. They just bloom for our enjoyment and appreciation.

Hope can be found in flowers like these peonies that bloom every May.

Earth laughs in flowers.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

We can rely on hope symbols like flowers on earth to find our inner peace (and distract our unproductive mind).

Dialing down our moods and loud thoughts is a healthy habit that we do as smart adults that used to get tossed to and from by our thoughts.

If we lean into hope and conviction in our beliefs, then we won’t fall when we’re in battle with our minds and moods.

Or else we’re back to Square One, tossed around like the daily wind that causes waves 🌊

So if we solidly know at our core what we believe, then we can withstand the tests.

…And if you’re a natural Vata body like I am, you and I need no more wind!

The stronger we make our beliefs for our best life, the stronger we are… and can lasso the moon that has the dreams we want. 🌙

Our belief grows with faith that our dreams  will come to pass even when we see no evidence at all.

…Like flowers that haven’t bloomed but we know one day will in ripe season. 🌻

Having firm beliefs and hope inside us keeps us going.

When we listen to our gut whispers, heart feelings, or what is promised to us that we’re aware of, then we are aligned with hope planted in our heart. 🪴

Our heart dreams will come to pass.

These are gentle impressions that only we ultimately know that arrive as passing thoughts and desires.

And yet our hope is that it will happen in our future. And if it doesn’t now or within a foreseeable timeframe, then we can re-route our way of thinking today to a new plan.

There’s only good in looking at hope for our productive life.

And if our flesh feelings or thoughts make us feel hopeless (that’s part of our human moody make up), our job or better way is to find our way back to hope (and NOT give up).

We can focus on the good things and progress that have happened as a result of or despite our situation, or what has happened.

That keeps us hopeful and chin up.

And then in better spirits, we can keep on moving, so that good things continue to happen and grow.

…Focusing on areas that are productive and peaceful in our lives.

H.O.P.E. today so that you keep building what is meant for you (and will actually last when it’s ready)…

Here’s what each letter stands for:

HHave resilience. When we get certain about what we want in life, we don’t give up easily. And we don’t let others define what our success looks like.

We walk away from our lesser situations that somehow we ended up in (or with) 😱, and we honor ourselves as the only ones we can control.

If we fall weak to a moment of feeling hopeless, we shake it off.

…we can use our stronger motivation to NOT GIVE UP.

For me, that’s looking for answers or doing research, both internal and external. They are proactive and that keeps the wheels going. 🛞

That always provides a new avenue.

It may not be the exact right one, but just by doing something positive, my mood shifts to better and I discover something new… ingredients in food at the grocery store or a new activity that stretches me.

So we commit to do whatever it takes to have our mind and bodies get with our better life program. That’s healthy stress we can challenge ourselves with! 💪

If our goal is to be 100% successful in our unique life however we define those areas, then finding out how we dodge our moods is going to be the game changer. That’s where Ayurveda for restoring moods can help.

…So often it’s not about the number of hours in the day. We all find enough hours to do what we’re excited, motivated or dedicated to.

It’s that we feel defeated in some way.

And if our moods are down, then we spend those hours on the couch binge-watching shows or procrastinating longer and longer.

It was never about the number of hours available.

How we communicate with ourselves (self-talk) and with others will set the tone for our lives.

And if we unknowingly encourage others to keep doing the same unwanted behaviors, then we’re setting ourselves up for more of the same frustration. Where are we unintentionally rewarding others for bad behavior we don’t want repeated? 

OOurselves is where we can find hope.

Self-sabotage in some way is often where we get stuck.

…When we get out of our own way, then our moods lift.

Getting ourselves aligned to do and think the right and better things, set us up for success.

If your situations don’t look like what you thought you wanted, figure out what you need to do to get back on the path you got off of. What were you last doing when things changed?

…Maybe you’re a little burnt out. Striking a better balance between real life vs virtual digital world could be called for.

Also, be committed to consistency (showing up), and find daily inspiration to stay the course as part of the balance.

Dig deep for answers that are already inside you waiting to emerge if they can get past your moods. 🪷

Then, hope flowers bloom again.

And tapping into hope grows spirituality.

If you take whatever your initial mind-body serves up, you’ll fall for all the irritated triggers du jour.

But when you decide on your better ways despite the bendy course you fall in, then you stay faithful to what you know will be without losing your joy that helps your hope.

P – Prioritize quiet time to your life as life unfolds. What is your mind doing when it’s not going a gazillion miles a minute or sleeping?

There is something stressful in play or as an undercurrent running in your mind if you pay attention… it’s the theme of the week or season.

If you were to sit on a bench or yoga mat quietly and scan your thoughts as they come in, you can intercept the moods and find better answers to your life now.

Prioritizing a shift to your peace mode and letting things go lets the Universe work things out on your behalf.

Your problems mysteriously work themselves out.

But if you let your ego intercept, that boxes in your possibilities because you’ve taken aggressive action.

Your ego doesn’t want your success or peace.

The ego wants you safe from anything new or questionable.

It will trick your perceptions and even attach unfactual information so it can keep running your show.

There’s no hope in ego drama.

EEgo-free living is the way back to hope.

Your ego will make its way back in without prompting and avoiding ego every time will produce your hopeful results that have a lasting chance.

In metro culture we’re not taught “to be”like a monk.

So finding a daily way to honor your ego without turning it on is a way to grow more aware.

When you do get quiet, you can hear nature outside or building equipment running inside. That’s when you can hear the silence of the ego.

You can observe thoughts.

And for romantics who watch the Hallmark channel, your ego calms because the movie ending is predictable. The girl ends up with the guy. But the plot circumstances are different and the drama in between is what’s going on as life is in play.

What usually makes the difference is that each character pauses or is confronted to take a look at their life and what’s important. And it always points to love.

Love is hope and the opposite of ego-living. And ego-free living helps grow our spirituality. 🧡

To your ego-free week! 😊

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Mango Smoothie Benefits

Mango in a smoothie is one way to start your healthy morning. Learn about the fruit benefits and get ideas for your smoothie.

Mango is full of healthy benefits that you can add to a smoothie.

You’ll learn all about the mango healthy sides here…

First of all, the stone fruit has a good amount of fiber, so it’s a great morning starter to rev up the gut engines… plus the bright taste and sunny color is going to leave you happy. 🌅

You may not have a choice about what side of the bed you woke up on… but you do have a say in turning that wake-up frown, upside down to prepare you for your better day! 🥭

And saying yes to the fruit means adding vitamins and minerals that you may not have without.

For starters, mangos are loaded with Vitamin C that’s a smart morning staple. It’s the vitamin that has stayed constant in health benefits over the centuries. The “C” could stand for “cure” as it has been. And is a great immunity booster.

Plus, it’s water soluble so you can’t take too much.

The fruit is also a good source of Vitamin A good for eyesight and dry eyes if that’s you.

Mangos are inexpensive and found year-round in the U.S so there’s nothing stopping you.

You can get a fresh juice in seconds for less than you would pay for a soda loaded with sugars.

And if you think a mango is loaded with sugar… you’re right. It’s like a pineapple in that way. And mango has more sugar than low-sugar cookies.

…But the 20 or more vitamin and mineral benefits offset the sugar sides as shown in a 12-week study.

The findings include that despite the high sugar amount in a mango, the blood sugar in study participants tested lower as a deemed low-glycemic index food.

That’s what actually counts more than the printed sugar count on a cookie package.

And that news can be a game changer for pre-diabetes, preventing or even managing Diabetes if that’s a concern.

It also is named an anti-inflammatory food… that we like! And is good for everyone to protect against chronic inflammation and diseases.

Because of the polyphenol and fiber counts, eating a mango does good to help offset the gut-inflammatory aspects.

And in my own tests, my skin doesn’t crawl when I eat them… and is probably adding a rainbow glow and erasing lines. 😊

Which btw, you can probably guess what rainbow polyphenols are living in a mango based on its Goldenrod bright orange (paper) color. There was a Vitamin A hint above.

Found in carrots too, mangos have beta-carotene. They also have quercetin (found in apples and onions) as part of the great mango tango.

…And maybe that makes you dance inside a ‘lil 💃🏻 or look at a mango more positively than before.

Or even consider mango as a smoothie starter.

Add a banana and water or milk, and you’ve got a solid mango smoothie!

But you don’t have to stop there…

You can add all the healthy ingredients that help your gut, detox, and provide vitamins and antioxidants on top of mango!

You can pucker up with lemon that’s a winter citrus. It has a summer fruit reputation despite its year-round availability.

And for a third taste dimension, add ginger and turmeric that would make a super mango smoothie, that’s an anti-inflammatory powerhouse.

If you’re food dreaming of a mango drink 🥭, then you may also love mango lassi spiced just right or a mango juice vs. orange juice. Or a tropical green smoothie or morning mango parfait for probiotic gut-health bonus.

The healthy variety of tastes is unlimited!

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Mango Parfait

A morning mango parfait is an easy way to bring a smile to your mornings and weekends.
Author Brandy @ Healthy Happy Life Secrets

Ingredients

  • mango, pureed
  • Greek yogurt
  • blueberries or blackberries (optional)

Instructions

  • Layer yogurt bottom and add mango puree. Add a layer of contrasting berries if you like. Enjoy!
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Tropical Smoothie Cool Drinks

Tropical smoothie drinks is something we gravitate toward in the hot months. 🥭

A smoothie is one of the easiest meals you can make. You need no cooking skills. A little imperfect chopping and peeling is about all you need.

Oh, and a little clean up skills never hurts.

And with restaurant prices going up, up, and up, you can save money making your own fresh smoothies at home.

The cost of smoothie ingredients is a fraction of the cost. You save money when you’re the smoothie maker.

There is no waiting time.

So let’s begin with… these tropical smoothie treats that are made with an easy blender that’s all you need.

I use a Magic Bullet that’s a small, easy blender. It looks like a capsule. You add your chopped ingredients and pulse.

Then you have a delicious and nutritious smoothie with no added sugar. You can let your imagination go wild.

With a Magic Bullet, it’s important to maintain a good seal. The machine comes with a rubber seal ring, but be sure when you’re cleaning that you don’t accidentally throw it out.

And when you replace, get a good, same size one… otherwise you’ll get leakage.

These are a few tropical smoothie drinks that’ll remind you of being poolside or in the tropics somewhere with blue waters:

Pina Colada Avocado – cream of coconut, pineapple. I find this drink is naturally super sweet, so I ground with a balancing avocado and greener banana. You can also add a layer of greens.

Mango Green Smoothie – a mango smoothie stands on its own. And like a pina colada, it can be sweet so balancing with a kale or spinach layer will tame down the drink.

You can also try a green mango smoothie.

tropical green smoothie
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Green Mango Smoothie

This is a two layer smoothie.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Author Brandy @ Healthy Happy Life Secrets

Ingredients

  • 1 mango
  • milk of choice
  • cinnamon
  • spinach or kale
  • ginger

Instructions

  • Blend mango and milk until thickness consistency desired.
  • Add cinnamon for another taste dimension.
  • Pour about half of the mango smoothie into a drinking glass. Freeze.
  • With the remaining mango smoothie add chopped greens. Blend.
  • After the first mango layer is frozen, add the greens layer to the glass.
  • You can start drinking the greens layer or freeze the glass.
  • When you pull out, let it melt at room temperature and watch the mango and green colors change.

 

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