I just completed the first challenge of the Spontaneity chapter of the Beauty Equation book. The challenge is to look at a photo and create a narrative of what is going on in the picture. I had so much fun writing the story of my chosen photo, that I thought I’d post it here as well. I wrote about Photo #2, which is the top photo on page 85 of the Beauty Equation book. It shows two models in a convertible: a woman in the driver’s seat leaning out the window, and a man looking rather horrified in the passenger seat.

One note: I do not condone the reckless driving that I’m about to describe. It’s fiction. Drive carefully!

The Story

The models were going out for an evening drive before a night out on the town. They’d known each other for a couple months, but this was their first time going out together. He drove to her house to pick her up and set his car keys down on the table just inside the front door while he waited for her to finish getting ready. Moments later, she appeared in the front hall looking radiant and smiling genuinely. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and a breezy hello. Before he knew what was happening, she spun around and snatched the car keys off the front table and practically skipped out her front door and down to the convertible he’d parked in the driveway. That left him to close her front door behind them and to wonder how he’d just let that happen: he did not let other people drive his car.

As they drove, she eased his anxiety about not being in the driver’s seat by asking him questions and really listening to what he had to say. The questions struck him as important and unordinary, not just small talk. Suddenly she turned onto an unmarked back road. He knew this wasn’t the way into downtown, but she said it was the scenic route. He didn’t get what was so scenic about it: there were no flashy lights, no pretty sights; just dark roads deserted of all other cars on the outskirts of the city.

She smiled as she meandered along the different roads, turning onto whatever street felt right. A dog barked in the distance. Immediately the smile evaporated from her face. She had not become unhappy; rather, she suddenly had an idea that required her full attention. She thought about all the dogs she’d seen riding in cars with their heads out the window, and how free and happy they all seemed to her. She decided she must experience that feeling. She checked the road ahead to make sure it was straight and long, with no other cars in sight. Then she set the convertible to cruise control. Nearly standing up out of her seat, using the steering wheel and car door to leverage herself, she pushed her head out the side of the car.

He asked her with a horrified look on his face what on earth she was doing. But she didn’t hear him. In fact, she didn’t even know he was there anymore. She was caught up in the moment: smelling the different smells of the neighborhood as they rushed by her, feeling the wind on her face and whipping her hair into knots. She had a new understanding of dogs: they knew what it felt like to be free. She had never known how caged she felt until she thought to seek her own freedom.

After a few moments, she sat back down in the car, took the wheel with both hands, and slowed to make a right turn onto a main road as if nothing had happened. As it turns out, her spontaneity and innate sense of direction head landed them just a block from their destination. The two of them had not spoken a word to one another since he realized she wasn’t hearing him with her head out the window. Normally he’d be furious at someone for driving his car without asking and then being so reckless with their lives as she drove through the back roads, but somehow he wasn’t. Instead he just wanted to understand her better. He was curious. He was hooked.

She eased the car to the curb in front of their destination, and as they got out of the car, he noticed that she whispered something about freedom into the valet’s ear while giving him the car keys. Her date stood nervously on the sidewalk. As she smiled at him and slipped her arm through his, he felt his muscles ease and his face begin to grin, despite himself. “Who is this girl?” he thought. “Isn’t it a beautiful night?” she said, her face red from the wind and her hair still windblown. He told her she was beautiful, and that she somehow seemed even more beautiful to him now than just an hour before when he picked her up. “Isn’t freedom beautiful?” She asked intently, before laughing and pulling him inside the building by the hand.

My best friend Denise and I have had some really fantastic, enlightening conversations over the years (she lives in Colorado so we have weekly phone dates), but the past few conversations we’ve had, have been REALLY incredible…

She is pregnant,with my GOD-DAUGHTER!  And with this, she has shared with me how she has become less and less tolerant of people, places and things that have been less than a positive feed for her life.  “Interesting…”, I would tell her because over the past year, I too have become less tolerant of the same.  Perhaps it’s getting older.  Perhaps it’s that life is too short.  Perhaps it’s about realizing what takes priority in ones life.  Whatever it is, we both agreed that there were seriously toxic forces in our lives that needed to be removed asap!  Once we did that, our lives had become so much better, so much healthier and so much more peaceful.  It was not the easiest process, but it was one that had to be done.  I thought that I would feel badly about ridding toxic forces from my life, but to my surprise, I didn’t feel badly at all.  In fact, once that was done, I had more room for positive people and things that have enriched my life in more ways than I could ever imagine.  Denise agreed.  It was so very refreshing and comforting to share this same thought process with Denise because I (we) realized that life is about quality, not quantity.  Get rid of people, places and things that bring you down.  Spend time at places and with people who will compliment your life and make it more beautiful.  Once I (and Denise) did this, we realized how much WE have control over our happiness.  My ‘disease to please’ attitude is long gone and I’m a much happier person for it.  That’s why I truly cherish the amazing friends, family, clients and gifts that I have.  I don’t take any of that for granted and I will always be grateful for those that make my life as wonderful as it is.

With that, I asked Denise if she would like to share her ‘out with the negative’ journey in an article.  So, here it is.  Enjoy.  It’s beautifully written and I really believe this will make a strong impact on your life.

~EAH

Reaching the Top of the Mountain: The Glorious Freedom of Letting Go

By Denise Powell

How begins the daunting task of letting go? Many of us find ourselves explaining a situation that we feel trapped in to another, only to hear the over simplified solution, “just let it go.” For the lucky few, expecting that kind of immediacy in the process may be easy. For most, the seemingly endless process of letting go of whatever haunts us as individuals is a constant feat with a series of steps forward, fall backs, and epiphanies along the way. The acceptance itself that we need to cut something out of our lives can take months, sometimes years, to fully internalize.

Begins the tireless uphill trek with a 50-pound pack strapped to your back. Bring plenty of water, a dry shirt to change into, as you will encounter rain, a flashlight, as it will get dark, and a flask of Jameson. Luckily, there will be passers-by on their way back down from the same place who can offer you a piece of wisdom, and an extra pair of socks. These are the people who will help get you through. Be humble, and take what they offer you, no matter how small. You are not alone.

My uphill journey began carrying a baby. Not on my back, but in my belly, as I am days away from delivering my first baby. Not surprisingly, imagining another being entirely dependent on me altered my view of the world and my place in it. At first, I thought I could still live practically the same life I had lived before including exercise and working 3 jobs. Saying “no” to things was never my strong suit, as I have battled the need to please everyone and that was more important than doing what I instinctively felt was right. I was the product of overprotective parents who made a lot of decisions for me at an early age. When I felt the baby kicking inside of me for the first time, I became worried about all the stress I was under and that it was somehow transferred to her. I began to resent those in my life demanding my energy in various ways. I wanted to push them all away, to build a barrier around my growing baby and me.

Something had to give. I had no choice but to let go of the people and things in my life that were not serving us. I did not want to leave the door ajar anymore. I needed to cut my losses once and for all in order to really let my new life in. Over time, with practice, my tolerance of staying in a relationship or situation that was toxically stealing my precious energy while it could/should be spent on more important things that would lead to authentic happiness, started to dissipate. It was not an easy transition and it did not take overnight. Sometimes I still deal with conflicting thoughts and question if I am living the way I am meant to. Dealing with setbacks takes constant monitoring and subsequent action.

My motivation in letting go was the impending birth of my child. My wish is to raise a strong-minded young woman who trusts herself and can make hard decisions early on, not listen to those who seek to take advantage, while respecting that she is an individual with her own views and instincts.

Sometimes we need to sacrifice being well-liked for self-honesty. It’s too easy to lie to ourselves, to go with the flow as not to provoke confrontation. The reality is that if we had the courage to face the awkward and uncomfortable scenario of conflict, we would find a shortcut to the life we are meant to live. It’s time to get tough. Stop mulling over our grievances too long, move forward, and stop being so nice to people whom take without giving back. It’s imperative to follow our individual catalysts, as long as it’s not destructive, to open ourselves up to making an enemy or two in exchange for self-honesty, because not everyone has our best interest at heart.

Take the trek uphill, even if in the dark. Remember, you are equipped with a flashlight and the rising dawn of the sun every new day. The journey home is all downhill.

I wanted to share the research I gathered from various articles on the benefits of my favorite three nuts.  The pistachio, almond and cashew.  I always keep them in my bag to munch on between clients, work-outs and hunger pangs!  Packed with vitamins, nutrients and an all around fabulous taste, feel ‘guilt free’ when reaching for these guys as a snack of choice!  Enjoy!

PISTACHIOS

Pistachios are not only tasty they are also good for you. Health benefits of pistachios range from many areas. With the help of magnesium and vitamins, pistachios are a stable of many healthy eaters. In the nut family, pistachios stand out as a healthier nut which offers many benefits to the consumer. Pistachios can help in many ways. Some health benefits of pistachios are:

1. Cholesterol-free – Everyone likes a product which is cholesterol free. Because it is cholesterol free, pistachios offer a chance to track your weight. You have the opportunity to be healthier if you follow and eat pistachios. It is not a hard task to perform because it is a nut that you don’t have to feel guilty of eating too much.

2. High in monounsaturated fat – This means that it is a good fat and pistachios, with other nuts, will help with weight loss and circulation.
With many people wanting to watch what they eat, having a nut that has healthy fat is a good idea to eat.

3. Protect you from heart attacks – This alone would get anyone to start incorporating pistachios into their diets. Nobody wants to have heart attacks. Whether you are old or young, eating pistachios are a very good thing to consider.
Another health benefit of pistachios is that the flavor which is given is an ice-creamed flavor taste. Pistachios offer many nutrients and value among other nuts in its family. Pistachios also contain 10% of the needed nutrients your body is in need of everyday. Having these health benefits of pistachios is beneficial to you and the ones you care about. Always remembering your health is the main focus.

Health benefits of pistachios are only as good as the healthy eater. Therefore, if you don’t eat them, you can’t get the benefits. Always be mindful of your body and divulge in pistachios. Plus you help your immune system because of the different vitamins. Your body will thank you later with the prevention of so many harmful diseases, it is no wonder why this nut is the right choice.

ALMONDS

Heart-healthy

Almonds contain several phytochemicals including beta-sisterol stigmasterol and campesterol which is thought to contribute to a healthy heart. A handful of almonds a day helps reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering LDL, or ‘bad’ blood cholesterol by as much as ten percent.
Their high monounsaturated fat content, a key fat found in many Mediterranean diets, gives them much greater benefits than simply being cholesterol-lowering. Nearly every research study shows those who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet not only have a lower risk of heart disease and cancer, they also live longer.

Weight Loss Aid

For many years almonds were considered ‘fattening’. However, studies, including the Nurses’ Health Study and the Physicians’ Follow-up Study showed those who ate the most nuts tended to have lower body mass indexes. Although almonds are high in fat and calories, eating them in moderation can actually help with weight loss.
One study comparing two groups of dieters eating the same amount of calories found the group eating 500 of their calories from almonds lost more weight. One theory is that almond cell walls may limit the amount of dietary fat available for digestion, or for absorption. Therefore, it is a possibility that a small portion of the calories from almonds may not be completely absorbed by the body. Either way, replacing a given amount of calories in the diet with almonds will not equal the same in weight gain.
High Protein Source

As almonds are high in protein, around 18 percent, and contain virtually no carbohydrates, they are ideal for diabetics, pre-diabetics or anyone with blood sugar issues.
Anti-inflammatory and Anti-spasmodic

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, almonds are considered anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, emollient and are also used as a tonic. They are also known as brain and bone food, probably due to their high calcium content. They help with alkalinizing the blood and relieve chi stagnation in the liver.

*In Ayurvedic medicine almonds are used to strengthen ojas and are said to nurture self control and calmness of the mind and nerves.

CASHEWS

Sometimes called “nature’s vitamin pill,” cashew nuts, which now rank #1 among nut crops in the world with 4.1 billion pounds produced in 2002 , have been used to promote wellness for centuries.
Medical Benefits

The cashew tree’s leaves and bark as well as the popular cashew apple possess herbal health benefits that include killing bacteria and germs, stopping diarrhea, drying secretions, increasing the libido, and reducing fever, blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature, but unfortunately the byproducts of these parts of the cashew tree are not available in North America and Europe, mainly due to their highly perishable qualities.
The cashew nut, a popular treat found on grocery and health food store shelves across the world, is jam-packed with nutritional content. It packs 5 grams of protein per ounce and high levels of the essential minerals iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and manganese, which are utilized in holistic health solutions and healthy diets.
Diet and Weight Management

Cashew nuts do have a relatively high fat content (12 grams per ounce, 2 grams saturated fat), but it is considered “good fat.” This is due to the agreeable fat ratio in the nut, 1:2:1 for saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated, respectively, which scientists say is the ideal ratio for optimal health.
Cashew nuts also have a fatty acid profile that contributes to good health through phytosterols, tocopherols, and sqaulene, all of which lower the risk of heart disease, combined with the nut’s zero percent cholesterol content.
Even with the relatively high fat content, cashew nuts are considered to be a “low-fat” nut. In fact, cashew nuts contain less fat per serving than many other popular nuts commonly found in grocery stores and health food stores, including almonds, walnuts, peanuts and pecans.
Recommendations vary for cashew nut consumption in diet and weight loss. Cashew nuts have a high energy density and high amount of dietary fiber, both which have been attributed to a beneficial effect on weight management, but only when eaten in moderation
Cardiovascular and Circulatory Health

With no cholesterol, a rarity for such a tasty and pleasing treat, cashew nuts are a healthy fat food for heart patients. And because of their high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, they also help support healthy levels of low good (HDL) cholesterol.

Hope you all enjoyed this info.

In health,
~EAH