Stay active

Being and staying healthy is and can be a constant battle... Here are some tips that have helped me! Have you done any of these?

-Keep a health journal! Record when you worked out, how long, and how you felt before and after! Keep a record of your weight and measurements! As well as a food history!

-Change up your exercise from time to time! Don't do the same routine day in and day out! I enjoy the change and it keeps me motivated! Change up cardio, strength, and stretching!

-Drink green tea!!!! Yes!! Love this one!! Drink it iced in the summer and warm in the winter! It'll give you energy and help speed up your metabolism! Try it and see!!

-Reward yourself (without junk food). Each week you accomplish your fitness goals, treat yourself to something that'll inspire you to stick with it!! Like a new exercise mat or workout top! New workout DVDs maybe!? :-)

Stay active! Live healthy! Love life!!
BeYOUtiful!

Intro to herbs

Echinacea may very well be the herb that started my love for herbs and natural health!! Not only is it a beautiful flower but it also helps with building the immune system!! :-) So it's only fitting that I start out my new blog with the beautiful purple cone flower!!

So what can you use echinacea for and how can you use it!? If your new to herbs it makes for a very enjoyable, soothing tea during a cold or flu! Not to mention it helps fight the infection going on in your body!

What!? How do you make it into a tea!? What parts do you use!? Good questions!!! You can use the flowers, leaves, or roots! For tea I especially like the flowers! You can use them dry or fresh! Here is a very simple echinacea tea recipe:

1-2 Tablespoons echinacea
1 cup hot water

Put echinacea into a mesh tea ball or directly into mug (if you put them directly in mug you will need to strain). Steap 5 minutes covered! Remove echinacea. Add sweetner as desired and enjoy!