Tuesday, January 5, 2016

How to Stick to a Meditation Practice: Inside The New MNDFL NYC

In some ways, meditation - being and breathing in the present moment - should be the easiest thing in the world. But, as we all know, it's just not. Our minds are stuffed to the brim with more clutter than ever before these days and finding the path back to centered, mindful calm can be tougher than it seems.  We asked TCM contributor, Ellie Burrows and business partner, Lodro Rinzler of the recently opened MNDFL Meditation to let us in on a few tips. The key it seems? Consistency.  The gorgeous new MNDFL studios on East 8th Street in New York have been designed to help us achieve a state of bliss (or at least a state of calm) - dare we say it? - 'conveniently.'  We love the new space, the strong concept, and the fact that MNDFL teachers can also come to you right in the office! Whether you are lucky enough to live nearby and snag a cushion in one of their new classes or just need a little reminder on how to properly set aside that time for yourself at home, founders Ellie and Lodro are sharing their perspective on daily meditation with these accessible tips... Let’s face it: Meditation isn’t easy. The benefits are lovely, like lowered stress levels and more presence in your daily life, but starting a practice can feel a little gnarly. You sit down in your home, set a timer on your phone and dive in. A minute later you’re thinking about how you need to vacuum your rug, someone is texting you, and your mind is still running at 100 miles per hour. We founded MNDFL, New York City’s premier meditation studio, for people like you. An optimal environment to launch a meditation practice, we supply the quiet, the teacher, the cushions and even a hot cup of tea on the house. But, if you’re not based in New York and can’t visit us, we can still help you. There are some time-tested tips that we have found help whenever someone launches a meditation practice. Here’s the bottom line: Consistency is key. And if you’re still having trouble connecting to your own cushion, you can always offer up a little incentive to help create the environment. Consider what would happen if you gave yourself some breathing room in your very busy life.

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Simplest Health Tip Ever: Detox Daily With This Juice Shot

Lemon water has become a staple in our immunity and nutrition arsenal year round. So, since at least half of us are gearing up for a juice cleanse this month, we were excited when Claire Thomas of Kitchy Kitchen whipped up the perfect complement to our pending detox - a simple, yet powerful juice shot to amp up lemon water and turn it into an even more powerful cleanser. Make up a batch and knock it back during your juice cleanse - or just when you need to bounce back fast from a long weekend!  Sometimes your body needs a hard reset. When your nose is stuffed up, your chest is heavy, your throat is sore, or you just feel gross, a simple remedy of hot water with lemon and honey can be a game changer. But why not go one step further? I added himalayan pink salt, cayenne, ginger and ginseng for extra zip. The spice and heat breaks down phlegm, while the honey coats your throat, and the other ingredients help with immunity. I love this drink hot when I’m sick, or cold when I need a mini detox. Enjoy!

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Monday, January 4, 2016

Meet Our January Guest Editor: A New Year With Molly Sims

What would Molly Do? That's what we're asking ourselves all month as we welcome our first guest of 2016 - model, actress, mother and author, Molly Sims. Molly is a woman with an unstoppable spark and a resume that just won't stop, juggling a family, Hollywood career, and writing a second book! We've been keeping up on Molly's blog and dog-earring her best beauty and wellness tips from her first book, The Everyday Supermodel. Now, we're bringing all the deets to you! She's sworn to us that she truly is human and has worked hard to get to where she is. We've asked Molly to dish out some serious notes on her New Year's resolutions and goals and how she maintains that fierce willpower. We love to spotlight women like Molly who know how to keep self-care and health in balance and keep time for self, family and friends carved into her schedule. Join with us all January as we share Molly's best tips and ideas to stays motivated and kick off the new year in style! [olists num=1]

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Smoothies + Supplements: 10 Subscription Delivery Services We Love

This month, we're finding all kinds of ways help you fulfill your resolutions for the new year! To make the transition from holiday cookies to resolutions a little easier we've rounded up our favorite healthy delivery services that you should get hooked on stat. From frozen smoothies to paleo meals, Sakara's snacks to healthful chocolates, find a service that hits your buttons and you'll have one less excuse to keep you from your wellness goals...

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TCM January: What’s In Our Shop + On Our Minds For 2016

It's a season filled with aspiration--half hope and dreams, half anxiety and self-scrutiny. On that note, just a reminder here, you're a human being - not a human doing. All that you'll do this year is just about half as important as who you'll become - although, clearly, they're related. Just like you, we're poised to start the year right, recover from the indulgences of the holidays, and aim higher than ever before. But, in the midst of all the resolution making, word choosing, and pavement pounding, don't forget to honor all you've done to get yourself to 2016 in one piece. This January, we'll be talking - what else? - green juice, detoxification, and finding balance through movement. There's nothing wrong with keeping a few yearly cycles in place and a few days of juice cleansing at the head of the year is a habit we plan on keeping in place for life. We'll be sharing tips and insights from some of our favorite pros and TCM contributors, as well as a personal perspective on the new year and wellness from our gorgeous January Guest Editor, Molly Sims. We've stocked The Shop this month with tools that will help you accomplish your goals mindfully - and in great taste. For us, making the process fun and beautiful is key to making those resolutions last! This copper water bottle has been super-popular ever since we mentioned it in this ayurvedic story. Stay more consistently hydrated, add minerals back to your diet (they're sapped by caffeine, alcohol, etc.), and tote along a really useful, beautiful accessory. A Pressed Juicery juice cleanse is part of our January ritual every year. Taking  that short, but long three days each change of season to hit the 'reset button' does a world of good. We've included some gorgeous yoga gear, an adorable mug for teas and potions, and a couple of books that are inspiring our socks off. Enjoy our picks - and let us know what we've left off the list. Happy New Year, Chalkboard readers!

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Friday, January 1, 2016

New Year, New Language: On Choosing A Theme Word For 2016

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice.”  - T.S. Eliot We love this simple idea for New Year's inspiration from Goldpress Paper's Alisha Sanvicens. We're big believers in the simple power of a well-spoken word. We know well enough that both our emotions and our expectations follow right in the footsteps of our own daily banter. Harness that power and pick a meaningful word or phrase that will help keep you focused and inspired as you start a whole new year. Happy New Year! Whether you’ve already made 100 goals for 2016 or are in the anti-resolution camp, as a Chalkboard reader you’re no doubt on board with taking time to take stock of what’s been, and to re-calibrate and refocus at the New Year. We are resolution and vision-board junkies here at Goldpress, so this time of year absolutely sparkles with the potential and possibility of what lies ahead. I founded Goldpress on the belief that words are powerful, and so are you. We love to help people tap in to the energy behind their words. On the first day of this new year, here's what we suggest: sit down and identify a word or phrase that will be your M.O. for the upcoming season. Create a plan to remember that word or phrase and come back to it throughout the months. Here are a few inspiration points to get you started... Find your word: Make a date with your journal and start that stream-of-consciousness writing. You may already have an inkling of a fitting word/phrase for the season, but, if not, ask for it and then listen to what your heart is telling you for the year ahead. Don’t be paralyzed by finding the perfect word; it’s okay to pivot when a clearer direction appears later! Dig in deep: Spend some time fleshing out what "success" would look like to you if you really allowed this word to permeate. Say your word is “freedom” - write or draw the word or create a Pinterest board about what freedom looks and feels like to you. How do you want to feel on December 31, 2016?  How do you know when you’re operating in freedom? And what do you need to succeed? Tattoo. to. forehead: Okay, maybe that’s an extreme measure, but the point is - do whatever you need to do to keep this word front and center. The more you see it, the more you internalize it and can call upon it when you’re feeling otherwise. Write your word in huge letters on the front of your journal, write it in small letters on a post-it on your computer screen, make it the wallpaper on your phone, or paint it and hang it in your bedroom so it’s the first thing you see when you rise and when you go to sleep. Have a key from the Giving Keys imprinted with your word and wear it around your neck. At Goldpress, we print cards and posters with just this in mind - words and phrases designed to focus and inspire you. Pick one and hang it with washi tape on your wall or tuck it onto your nightstand. Just make it easy for your peepers to access that word at all times. Share it with a friend: Need an excuse to gather with the girls? Get some friends together, bring pen and paper, and ask them to choose words too. Share each other's words so you can spur one another on during the year! Get wine or coffee involved and you’ll be amazed at what comes up... Check yo' self: Resolutions often fail for lack of maintenance, so put a date on the calendar for sometime in February or March and do a quick check-in with yourself or with your friends. Has the theme or word shifted? What have been some wins? What are you still working on? Picking a theme word is a really fun way to stay tuned in to what season we're living through in life. It's a simple tool that helps us filter our experiences and stay true to ourselves and the direction we're headed in. Finding your theme word shouldn’t be arduous, so keep it light! Give yourself the space you need to focus on all the beauty and goodness 2016 is sure to hold.

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In My Gym Bag: Printed Leggings + Coconut Water With A Miami Pro

We're all about this Miami beauty's fitness inspiration and approach for the new year! Idalis Valazques, founder of IV Fitness and creator of the PowerUP60, keeps things so real, training  her clients based on what works for their own unique bodies and lifestyle needs vs the tired one size fits all approach. This month, Idalis has joined with The People’s Bootcamp creator, Adam Rosante, to create the C9 Champion Commit to Fit series – a 21-day workout featuring five videos to freshen up your routine by focusing on every part of your body. Each short video is designed to help us reinvigorate our fitness goals at home with little to no equipment - and in just fifteen minutes. Whether you're reinstating your gym membership or figuring out which new yoga studio to join, start the new year off with at least one "no excuses" fail safe in place. We're relying on a few C9 Champion Commit to Fit videos to help us fill in the gaps and stay motivated!  We asked Idalis to share a few insights with us based on her own fitspiration – after chatting with her, we can’t wait to follow along! From her favorite gear to the moment that transformed her fitness routine, find out what this pro can’t live without in her gym bag…[olists num=1][olists num=2]

C9 Champion gear is on sale starting December 27 through January 16. Get those resolution in high gear…

This post is brought to you by Target. Commit to Fit this January with C9 Champion's 21-day workout video series, and get new C9 Champion gear only at Target!

 

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