A recent study done by Men's Health Magazine rated America's top 5 Fittest cities and top Fattest cities.  The authors calculated percentages for the following factors among city residents: overweight, type 2 diabetes, money spent on junk food, inactivity and more. So look at this list and see if you live there or maybe you know someone who does. Amazingly, Texas has four cities on this list. See if you can make any connections between why one city may be super fit while another is considered unhealthy.

Fittest
1. San Francisco
2. Burlington, Vermont
3. Washington D.C.
4. Seattle
5. Austin, Texas

Fattest
1. Corpus Christi, Texas
2. Charleston, West Virginia
3. El Paso,Texas
4. Dallas
5. Memphis, Tennessee

Be Well,
-Christian

When you use Aromatherapeutic essential oils, people always seem to comment on how great you smell, so you're getting compliments while at the same time safeguarding your health...especially during cold and flu season. Aromatherapy is a science as well as an art, but you don't have to be an aromatherapist to take advantage of the health benefits of essential oils. An essential oil is a highly concentrated, chemically complex substance derived from the flowers, leaves, wood, fruit, seeds or roots of plants and is completely natural. Once oils are produced through one of a variety of ways, the molecules enter the bloodstream through capillaries in either the skin or lungs. No needles, pills or patches needed to receive the glory of these natural gifts...all you have to do is introduce them to the skin or breath them in. Different oils have different properties and benefits. Some are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial. These are of great benefit not only during cold and flu season but all year long, especially if you work in a school or hospital.  I have a client who is a first grade teacher and she diffuses them into her classroom daily to protect her and her students from viruses and airborne germs. In addition to the physical benefits of oils is their lovely influence on the emotions. Some essential oils have mood elevating abilities, can act as natural sedatives, and aphrodisiacs. Sounds amazing right? That's because they are! Aromatherapy oils, though user friendly, should be used with care and caution, though you should also have fun and  get creative with them. Essential oils are alive and active and have a vibration of their own ...part of the reason they rock! There are many ways to utilize oils for general health, beauty, and first aid. Since I'm not writing a book and just a short blog, I will list below some books, oils, techniques and companies I recommend you acquaint yourself with. Have fun with it and love that life of yours.

Books I like: The Art of Aromatherapy by Robert Tisserand Aromatherapy-An A-Z by Patricia Davis
Essential Oil Companies I like: Green Valley Aromatherapy (Great oils, small company, great prices) Young Living (Unique blends, great quality) Aura Cacia (Health food grocers usually carry this brand. Is good if you can't order online for better prices)
Three Oils I am Never Without: Lavender- Can put directly on the skin without diluting in an oil. A great base and is an antidepressant, antitoxic, and  a natural perfume and deodorant. Orange-Antiseptic, digestive, sedative and aphrodisiac. Is photosensitive, so should not be put on skin that will be exposed to bright sun. TeaTree-A strong antiseptic,anti-inflammatory and antibacterial oil. A medicine cabinet must have.
My Favorite Techniques to Reap Oil Benefits: Diffusing oil into the air with either an electric or candle diffuser. Candle diffusers must be watched as the oil dissolves quickly. Diluted in almond oil and put in the bath or used for a full body massage oil. 10 drops of Lavender put into a 4oz spray bottle filled with witch hazel and used to tone my skin. Love love love it!

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I really love working with this mother and daughter Yoga duo. They really understand what i feel is the "true spirit" of yoga;  having fun, smiling and enjoying their yoga, while at the same time staying focused and connected. "The family that does yoga together, stays together."

Salt. Were not talking table salt here. Were talking Magnesium Sulfate, otherwise known by it's common name 'Epsom Salt'. This amazing compound provides wonderful and numerous benefits for the human body.  My favorite use  for this crystal white creation is in the bath. Baths are one of the simplest things we can do to promote our health, yet have such profound effects on the body, mind and spirit. Ok, so lets break it down. Stress is one of the main components in the cause of illness because it  drains the body of magnesium stores. When 2-3 cups of Epsom Salt are dissolved in a tub of warm to hot water, the magnesium sulfate is able to penetrate the skin, enter the body and restore levels of magnesium. As a side effect, the salt also draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling and relaxes muscles. Let me put some emphasis on this next benefit.....it also helps produce Seratonin, the chemical in our brain that creates feelings of calm and well being. This is a huge component in feeling 'well' on a daily basis. Fifteen to twenty minutes with your body immersed in the salt laden tub is all it takes to reap huge benefits. Huge. So much of how we feel is related to what is chemically happening in the body. This is why food is such a key component to vibrant health. It's so interesting and wonderful how one little thing can make such a difference in our life and the lives of those around us. It's a trickle down effect. When we feel calm and happy, we can handle new stresses in a more relaxed way. We feel balanced, we make better choices, we age less quickly, we look better, feel better and are so much nicer to be around. All of this from something that takes very little money, about 30 minutes of our time and feels amazing while were doing it. We came from a warm cozy, small space filled with water, and we were happy then, most of us just can't remember.  Get in those tubs and remind yourselves how good life can feel.

A great 2 minute video on the yoga posture Downward Facing Dog. Yeah, we have probably all heard of it and some of us maybe have even done it, but even advanced practitioners can get something from this great instructional clip from Natasha Rizopolous. There are some great tips that will change the way you experience Downward Dog.  Feel your whole upper body and lower body stretch and open with this wonderful posture. Love your life today by doing and enjoying the benefits of this posture.

Sometimes there's just something in the air that motivates me in a big way. This past Labor Day weekend got me pumped for the Fall. I'm born under the Aries sun sign. I like change and I love an opportunity for a fresh start. I'm always talking about ways to get inspired and one surefire way for me is to put away all my seasonal clothes and clean out my drawers and closet to get ready for the new season. This project started with one small trip to Nordstroms Rack. When I do a revamp, I usually clean out items first and then replace them if  I need to. This time it was the opposite. I bought a few new items and it inspired me to clean out my wardrobe to make room for my new purchases.  I would no doubt find more new treasures as well, now that there's room. I got myself a nice, icy  beverage and I began with the closet. You too can clean it out and allow the new into to your wardrobe. You may be surprised at what you find, that you forgot you had or now have a new found love for.  I  guarantee it will change your attitude. It changed mine! Step 1: Start with either your closet or dresser. Pull out each piece and put it into it's appropriate  pile: Your  clothes  should fit into one of these categories: 'out of season', 'stained' or 'torn' (in a not so good way), 'too big', 'too small',  'wont wear' and the best of all.....'keepers'. Step 2: Fold all the seasonal clothes that you still like and that fit. You can  put them away in a moth proof container and  stowe them away 'til that season rolls around again.  Don't pack away the items that are too small....even if you think you may get back into them. This creates stagnant energy and a little disappointment if you pull them out next season and you still aren't able to get into them comfortably. Step 3: Toss any torn or stained items. Never wear something if it's stained (even if you think no one can see it:)). Soft tees make good cleaning rags, so contribute those to your rag bag if you have one and start one if you don't... a way to be green without spending a dime. Step 4: Fold all items that are too big, too small and the ones you wont wear (haven't worn in at least 6 months). If they are expensive pieces, you may want to sell them to your local resale shop or keep them for a clothes trade party. If they were not expensive, you can donate them to someone who could use them now instead of waiting 'til you gain  or lose weight to wear them again. Again, another way to recycle and help others while you do it. I like to donate to women's shelters in my area as long as the clothes are in decent shape. Step 5: Let's talk 'keepers'. These are the items that you like, that fit, that are intact, clean, and wearable during the current season. I like to arrange my duds in order of type of piece and then color. I do this because I often dress according to what color I'm in the mood to wear. Example: all jeans, all dress pants, all skirts, all dresses, all tops-all color coordinated-dark to light. With this system, I always know where a piece is, but of course use whatever system works for you. Since the revamp, I've had more fun getting dressed and I feel inspired to get more creative than just my usual uniform of t-shirt and jeans.   Have fun and rock your new wardrobe with inspiration and style!

I'm a woman who loves to be efficient. It excites me to do so. Well, I've found the ultimate way to be efficient. I can improve balance and posture, tone my body and do household stuff all at the same time.  Now that's efficiency. What, you ask? They are called "Shape-up Shoes". 'Shape ups' are an ingenious and simple pair of flip flops  (they also come in an 'ugg' style boot and a 'croc' style clog) that are engineered to shape you up while you simply stand or walk around the house. My favorite time to wear mine are while doing dishes. Just standing at the sink is a subtle act of balance and strength that engages my core and tightens my muscles. The company recommends wearing them for 30 minutes a day to see improvement in the body. I wear mine any chance I get because they make a beautiful difference. I love when I  find a product that is so good that I want to share it with everyone I know. 'Shape up Shoes' are one of these products. The shoes were actually designed for pregnant women to help increase circulation in the legs,  then low and behold these pregnant ladies were developing very shapely legs. Run, don't walk to the website and order yours! No, I'm not getting a commission, but maybe I should be:). Cheers to your clean dishes and your sexy legs.

We all know that starting our day right is so important, but yet so few of us take the time to set any intent for the day that is ahead of us. I, at times, am also a victim of this. We usually get up, take a shower, maybe eat a little, drink some coffee and then we are on our way into the work-world. People and places come at us from all angles and we need to be strong and prepared for all that comes at us. In my experience, just taking five minutes, right after we plop out of bed, to sit and set an intent for our day is of vital importance. We need to be a 'creator' of our day, not a 'victim' of our day. I know it is hard to do with all that is going on in our busy lives; work, kids, etc., but 5 minutes is all I ask of you.  5 minutes of your time is not too much to ask, to feel good, confident and empowered for the day ahead, is it? My suggestion is this: Pick a room where you will not be disturbed and sit on a chair or if you are more inclined, you can sit in a cross-legged style on a mat or cushion or yoga mat if you have one. Now take about one minute to focus on your breathing and as you become more comfortable, try to make your inhales and exhales a little fuller and slower each time. This will calm the body. The slower and fuller the breath, the more relaxed the body and mind become. Make sense? Now setting intent is a personal thing and I won't tell you what to intend, but some things that I intend for my day might be; to help someone in need, that i be successful in my endeavors, that I attract abundance and prosperity into my day, that I am joyful in my work. I think you get the idea. Setting intent is a broad and personal matter. It is all about the idea and feeling behind it that put you in that state. If your intent was that you are a prosperous and abundant person, then how do you act? Probably alot differently then if you started your day bitching about how your boss is screwing you over or how bad you are feeling. These feelings carry over into all that we do and that affects everything. Now, this is just a beginning practice that can be expanded upon, but at least can get you started on the right path of noticing how our thoughts and emotions affect us directly, even if we are aware of it or not. If we think and feel successful, we act successful and this leads to confidence, which leads to other people feeling that successful, confident energy coming from us. So, please try this 5 minute practice of setting your daily intent and let me know how it goes....I have seen great results from current/past clients and students that I have worked with. I'd be interested in seeing if you notice any shifts in your life. Good Luck!