We’ve got three more days of 2008 left! Take some time to reflect on this past year. What went well? What was challenging? How did your life change? How did it stay the same?
Based on your reflections, you may want to make some resolutions for the New Year. Millions of New Year’s resolutions made in the United States each year revolve around losing weight and other wellness-related goals…and they frequently get broken by Valentine’s Day.
This year, try making your resolutions realistic. If you’re inclined to resolve to work out at the gym one hour every day of the week and you’re currently getting to the gym twice a week for a half hour, scale that resolution down to a time commitment you can really make. If your goal is around getting more sleep at night, make your resolution specific to HOW you will accomplish that goal (so instead of having the goal of “getting more sleep at night,” make it a goal to “make 9:30pm quiet time for reading in bed so when lights go off at 10pm, I’m relaxed and ready to sleep.”
Wellness resolutions for 2009 need not be focused on physical activity, nutrition and sleep. Any goal that will help you be happier will improve your overall wellness. Resolutions to have more fun through monthly weekend trips with loved ones or to increase connection to your community through volunteering an hour per week with another organization or your church are both rooted in your wellness.
Here’s a worksheet that you can use to help you craft your New Year’s resolutions. Print them out and put them someplace where you’ll see them on a daily basis (like your bedroom mirror, the fridge, or even your car dashboard; girls can put them in their locker or inside a school notebook):
2009 NEW YEAR’S WELLNESS RESOLUTIONS
I, _________________________________, resolve to work towards the three wellness goals listed below during 2009. I have reflected on my goals and they are realistic for me to accomplish this year. I promise not to beat up on myself if I stray from my goals and I commit to pursuing my goals for the whole twelve months of the year.
GOAL ONE:
Why am I making this a goal?
How will I accomplish this goal?
How will I know if I’m on track?
What will success look and feel like?
GOAL TWO:
Why am I making this a goal?
How will I accomplish this goal?
How will I know if I’m on track?
What will success look and feel like?
GOAL THREE:
Why am I making this a goal?
How will I accomplish this goal?
How will I know if I’m on track?
What will success look and feel like?
MAY 2009 BE HOLISTICALLY HEALTHY & JOY-FILLED!
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Don't Stress! Last Minute Healthy Holiday Gift Idea!
No matter what religious or cultural tradition you follow, the Winter Solstice (shortest day and longest night of the year) was yesterday and we’re now less than ten days from the New Year. I think it’s safe to say the winter holidays are finally here!
For those of us still scrambling to get gifts for family or friends, here’s a recipe for making a holistically healthy skin scrub. Everyone who baths or showers can enjoy this gift, and it’s easy, quick, and inexpensive to make. For those of us who have all our holiday gifts taken care off, treat yourself with this skin scrub and a nice warm bath to get in the right mood for holiday vacation…
Here’s some background: All-natural scrubs help to renew and promote healthy skin by gently clearing away dead skin cells and allowing the living skin cells to absorb moisture and nutrients. Salt Scrubs help to eliminate toxins from the body while leaving your skin silky and soft.
A Salt Scrub is easy to make and ingredients are available at your local grocery store, no matter where you usually shop. If you want a special essential oil or fragrance, they sell them at Richard’s Markets and certain “regular” grocery stores, such as Sweetbay. To make, simply mix together all the ingredients in a bowl. Put the scrub in mason jar or other small container (even a plastic baggies works) with a ribbon and you’ve got an easy, affordable, all-natural holiday gift!
You may want to add a pretty card with the ingredients and instructions for use:
“When in the shower or bath tub, in a circular motion, gently massage salt scrub on your body, starting at the feet and massaging upward. Do not put on any open cuts as it will sting or freshly shaven legs. Don't use on your face. Can leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.”
What You Need:
1/4 cup fine sea salt
1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons oil (or olive, almond, apricot oil)
What You Can Add:
1 tsp. honey
2 drops essential oil OR 6 drops fragrance according to what you like
NOTE: Be careful with essential oils. They are very strong and need to be diluted into other ingredients, or else they can burn the skin.
Notes On Choosing Salt & Sugar:
Since you are using these common ingredients for skincare, it is preferable to use all-natural sea salt and organic cane sugar.
The reason for using both salt and sugar is that the two substances have different textures, which helps exfoliate the skin.
In choosing a sugar, the raw cane varieties tend to have larger grains and may not be the best choice for people with very sensitive skin.
Notes On Choosing An Oil:
Olive Oil: Olive Oil will help you shed dead skin, but retain moisture in your skin. It has been used for hundreds of years as a beauty treatment, and has a two year shelf life. It's also relatively easy to obtain, which makes it desirable for those who don't want to place a specialty order for a more unusual and expensive oils like sweet almond oil.
Sesame Oil: Contains fatty acids, vitamins B, E, minerals, proteins, very nourishing, moisturizing and soothing. For skin: use for dry, normal, damaged skin, eczema, psoriasis
Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E Oil is very easy to obtain, and can be found in most drugstores. Vitamin E Oil is typically used by pregnant women because it helps prevent stretch marks, and may even help repair ones that form. It is useful in scarred and damaged skin, and has an incredibly long shelf life.
May your soul be fed throughout the winter holiday celebrations with the joyful blessings of family and friends. Don't forget to feed your body some nutritious veggies and plenty of clean water in addition to the delicious holiday treats ;)
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
For those of us still scrambling to get gifts for family or friends, here’s a recipe for making a holistically healthy skin scrub. Everyone who baths or showers can enjoy this gift, and it’s easy, quick, and inexpensive to make. For those of us who have all our holiday gifts taken care off, treat yourself with this skin scrub and a nice warm bath to get in the right mood for holiday vacation…
Here’s some background: All-natural scrubs help to renew and promote healthy skin by gently clearing away dead skin cells and allowing the living skin cells to absorb moisture and nutrients. Salt Scrubs help to eliminate toxins from the body while leaving your skin silky and soft.
A Salt Scrub is easy to make and ingredients are available at your local grocery store, no matter where you usually shop. If you want a special essential oil or fragrance, they sell them at Richard’s Markets and certain “regular” grocery stores, such as Sweetbay. To make, simply mix together all the ingredients in a bowl. Put the scrub in mason jar or other small container (even a plastic baggies works) with a ribbon and you’ve got an easy, affordable, all-natural holiday gift!
You may want to add a pretty card with the ingredients and instructions for use:
“When in the shower or bath tub, in a circular motion, gently massage salt scrub on your body, starting at the feet and massaging upward. Do not put on any open cuts as it will sting or freshly shaven legs. Don't use on your face. Can leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.”
What You Need:
1/4 cup fine sea salt
1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons oil (or olive, almond, apricot oil)
What You Can Add:
1 tsp. honey
2 drops essential oil OR 6 drops fragrance according to what you like
NOTE: Be careful with essential oils. They are very strong and need to be diluted into other ingredients, or else they can burn the skin.
Notes On Choosing Salt & Sugar:
Since you are using these common ingredients for skincare, it is preferable to use all-natural sea salt and organic cane sugar.
The reason for using both salt and sugar is that the two substances have different textures, which helps exfoliate the skin.
In choosing a sugar, the raw cane varieties tend to have larger grains and may not be the best choice for people with very sensitive skin.
Notes On Choosing An Oil:
Olive Oil: Olive Oil will help you shed dead skin, but retain moisture in your skin. It has been used for hundreds of years as a beauty treatment, and has a two year shelf life. It's also relatively easy to obtain, which makes it desirable for those who don't want to place a specialty order for a more unusual and expensive oils like sweet almond oil.
Sesame Oil: Contains fatty acids, vitamins B, E, minerals, proteins, very nourishing, moisturizing and soothing. For skin: use for dry, normal, damaged skin, eczema, psoriasis
Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E Oil is very easy to obtain, and can be found in most drugstores. Vitamin E Oil is typically used by pregnant women because it helps prevent stretch marks, and may even help repair ones that form. It is useful in scarred and damaged skin, and has an incredibly long shelf life.
May your soul be fed throughout the winter holiday celebrations with the joyful blessings of family and friends. Don't forget to feed your body some nutritious veggies and plenty of clean water in addition to the delicious holiday treats ;)
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Friday, December 5, 2008
No School on January 12th! Have Fun in the Park Instead!
No School January 12th! Special Fitness & Nature Event!
Healthy Girls Initiative invites girls ages 8-14 to...
Fitness & Nature Day @ Oscar Scherer State Park!
Instead of sitting around at home bored all day, bring your friends and come spend the day in the park. We will ride the new paved bike trail, swim in the lake and hike along the river. While doing these things we will search for Gopher Tortoises and Scrub Jays. You will also have an opportunity to talk to the rangers and find out what an average day in the park is like. For lunch, we will practice our cooking skills and make our lunch over a campfire!
Location: Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Date: Monday, January 12th, 2009
Time: 8:30am to 5pm
Deadline to Register: December 29, 2008
Fee: $20 (includes lunch and bike rental)
Bring: Water, sunblock, bike riding clothes, bathing suit and towel
To Sign Up: Contact the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. at (941) 921-5358 and tell the receptionist that you want to attend the "Fitness & Nature Day," Program # 52-175.
Questions? E-Mail Julia @ juliao@gsgcf.org
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Healthy Girls Initiative invites girls ages 8-14 to...
Fitness & Nature Day @ Oscar Scherer State Park!
Instead of sitting around at home bored all day, bring your friends and come spend the day in the park. We will ride the new paved bike trail, swim in the lake and hike along the river. While doing these things we will search for Gopher Tortoises and Scrub Jays. You will also have an opportunity to talk to the rangers and find out what an average day in the park is like. For lunch, we will practice our cooking skills and make our lunch over a campfire!
Location: Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Date: Monday, January 12th, 2009
Time: 8:30am to 5pm
Deadline to Register: December 29, 2008
Fee: $20 (includes lunch and bike rental)
Bring: Water, sunblock, bike riding clothes, bathing suit and towel
To Sign Up: Contact the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. at (941) 921-5358 and tell the receptionist that you want to attend the "Fitness & Nature Day," Program # 52-175.
Questions? E-Mail Julia @ juliao@gsgcf.org
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Calling All Girl Superheros in South Sarasota County!
Want to change the world?
Start with your community!
The HEALTHY GIRLS INITIATIVE
is accepting nominations
for the 2009 Youth Leadership Task Force!
12 girls ages 10-14 living in Venice, North Port, Englewood, Laurel, Nokomis or Osprey will be selected to serve on the Task Force from January through October 2009.
The Task Force is a COMMUNITY SERVICE opportunity focused on making South Sarasota County a shining model of a HOLISTICALLY HEALTHY COMMUNITY of YOUTH for other counties in Florida and the USA!
To nominate a girl or yourself, please send an e-mail with the name, contact information (phone, e-mail, address), and a few sentences explaining why the girl could be a wellness leader in your community to Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay at: juliao@gsgcf.org
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY, JANUARY 9th!
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Start with your community!
The HEALTHY GIRLS INITIATIVE
is accepting nominations
for the 2009 Youth Leadership Task Force!
12 girls ages 10-14 living in Venice, North Port, Englewood, Laurel, Nokomis or Osprey will be selected to serve on the Task Force from January through October 2009.
The Task Force is a COMMUNITY SERVICE opportunity focused on making South Sarasota County a shining model of a HOLISTICALLY HEALTHY COMMUNITY of YOUTH for other counties in Florida and the USA!
To nominate a girl or yourself, please send an e-mail with the name, contact information (phone, e-mail, address), and a few sentences explaining why the girl could be a wellness leader in your community to Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay at: juliao@gsgcf.org
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY, JANUARY 9th!
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Introducing the Healthy Girls Initiative Monthly Newsletter!
Hungry for the latest information about the Healthy Girls Initiative? Nourish your mind with monthly e-updates with fresh information about HGI programs, events, partnerships and wellness tips! Sign up to receive the monthly e-newsletter by shooting an e-mail to Program Specialist Julia Onnie-Hay at: juliao@gsgcf.org
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
Want more Healthy Girls Initiative online? Visit: http://www.myspace.com/healthygirlsinitiative !
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