"Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death." - Anaïs Nin |
|
***Due to some technology issues, we were unable to make complete edits of this edition. Thank you for understanding of any inconsistencies related to text and fonts.*** |
|
Greetings!
Happy 1st of February! As we delve into the second month of the year, let's renew our commitment to wellness and continue to explore important health tips and practices to enhance our physical and mental well-being.
Mark this newsletter and share it with friends. It contains lots of useful information for February including menu ideas, calendar, and monthly challenges.
How did you do with Focus last month? Were you able to select a word that captures your vision for the year? If you missed January's newsletter, you can review it here: JANUARY NEWSLETTER
February brings us into the season of clearing and cleansing. Candlemas marks the official end of the Christmas season. St. Brigid's Day and Imbolc recognize the start of the planting season and return of the bees. And of course we have Groundhog Day, Pancake Day, Lunar New Year, and Ash Wednesday coming up. See more details in the Calendar below.
Following the darkest, coldest days, with the coming light and warmth, a new season commences and our productivity awakens. Just as the farmer must clear the remains of the previous harvest and prepare the soil for the new plantings, it is also a time for us to clear and lay the foundations of the seeds that we are sowing in our lives this year. What has not fallen away naturally must be cleared out to make space for the new growth, buds, and eventually blossoms and harvest.
In the Chinese New Year tradition, the home is meant to be cleaned before the start of the new year. This involves literally sweeping out the old year, clearing accumulated clutter, and repairing objects as needed. While this may or may not bring the good luck that the superstition promises, there is evidence that keeping our space clear brings clarity of mind. And I for one feel lighter when I've released those things that no longer bring value to my life.
The focus of the month is PURIFICATION. In this accelerated time we are living in, it's more important than ever to lighten the load. That may mean some challenging reflections on the parts of yourself that you choose to express and the relationships you participate in. Consciously or unconsciously, we choose everything in our lives. Sometimes, those people and things remain with us for most or all of our lives, other times they are only meant to guide us on. Just like a child wouldn't stay in primary school doing basics, we have so much more to discover and explore when we take that step to the next level.
This is an opportunity to bring your vision of 2024 to the next step. Once you are clear on your path forward, the fun begins. Here are a few ideas:
- Clear the kitchen and pantry of processed junk food to make space to fill it with nutritionally dense options.
- Organize your finances and start saving for that experience you want to have later in the year.
- Review your daily schedule and carve out 20-30 minutes a day to work on your goals or dedicate time to relax. Fitness, creativity, cooking, relationships, reading, time outside... whatever that means to you.
- Get a massage or body treatment to release any built up tensions from the past several weeks.
- Go through toiletries and medicine cabinet. Get rid of things that have expired or you no longer need. Consider minimizing toxic load and replacing soaps, shampoos, make-up, and so on with more natural options.
- Think about how you can participate in the season on Lent to practice discipline and commit to learning about yourself. Maybe it's something you consume or a behavior that you want to change. Could you eliminate it for 40 days? February 14 is the first day of Lent this year.
Well, I expect that's given you plenty to think about coming up on this first weekend of the new month. As I write this, the sun is shining here in London, an inspired reminder of the growing light of the season. Wishing you all the blessings of February with candles, pancakes, red envelopes, and there's even a bonus day for leap year!
Cheers,
Sheila
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MINI SESSIONS
Mini-sessions are available on an ongoing basis. Sometimes a quick chat with a couple of specific questions can provide a lot of clarity and point you in the right direction.
I'm a big fan of trying out unconventional things, and there's also lots of health advice out there that isn't necessarily good for everyone. In the current environment of over-saturation of information it's super easy to go down rabbit holes and even unnecessary or potentially harmful detours.
We've experienced that first hand in our own family. What read about in headlines or social media rarely tells the whole story and is specifically meant to benefit someone, not likely yourself or myself.
25-minute sessions for voice call or video call to ask me anything and get tips and tricks to navigate through any issues that are currently coming up.
All calls are confidential and appropriate for yourself or challenges a child or other person in the family are dealing with. I have extensive personal experience with mental health like anxiety, depression, or mania, family wellness, inflammation, weight management and pre-diabetes, stress, and hormone balance.
Cost: £20 per session
--> --> How to sign up?
Great question. Just click on the link below. Pop me an email and we'll get you scheduled in. Be sure to send a couple of preferred time windows.
|
|
1:1 Health Coaching:
What is a Health Coach anyway?
A health coach is a health detective, a personal GPS to steer you when you take a detour, a cheerleader, and more. A health coach supports you to work through obstacles, provide resources customized to you and your situation, and guides you through the challenges pushing you to achieve your goals - no quitting.
This can include a myriad of health and wellness concerns including stress management, weight loss, sleep routines, creating work/ life balance, and advising on the best dietary and lifestyle approaches to address conditions such as inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, diabetes, obesity, hormonal imbalances, mental and behavioral health, and IBS.
A Health Coach is an expert at sorting through the details to identify the source of the challenges and works together with you create a plan towards an obtainable solution.
All 1:1 clients get fully customized support to find the most simple adjustments to reach their health and wellness goals through a variety of holistic modalities.
GROUP COACHING:
Want your family to be in a better mood or your team to be more productive? Or do you just want to team up with others towards better health and increased energy? Diet and lifestyle choices make a huge impact especially in terms of longterm vitality.
This can range from a one-time workshop or talk to a full extended program with weekly sessions.
All of my work is totally bespoke to you and your group. Email me at sheila@sheilascoaching.com to discuss how we can work together.
|
|
February -
Focus of the Month: PURIFICATION
February and March - Season of clearing and purification in preparation for the celebrations of renewal to come in late March and April . While January is the beginning of the calendar year, Spring is the beginning of new life after the darkness and hibernation of winter.
21 January - 19 February - Aquarius Season - Air sign ruled by Uranus. Creative and innovative ideas are sparked as you settle into the projects of the season. May be a good time to take risks that propel you forward.
1 February - Imbolc - Fire Sabat in the the Celtic Pagan calendar marking the halfway point from Solstice to Equinox. Candles are lit throughout the house to represent new birth and a return of the light. Celebrated as a festival of light.
1 February - St. Brigid's Day/Ireland - Marks the beginning of the planting season Celebrated since the 7th century and aligned with Imbolc traditions. Also celebrates St. Brigid, the patroness saint of Ireland. Celebrated with apple cake and making of St. Brigid's crosses.
2 February - Candlemas Day - The 40th day of Christmas and the end of the Christmas season. Also the beginning of the planting season which led to various weather lore regarding the coming season and even the productivity of bees!
2 February - Groundhog Day/USA - This comes from a Candlemas tradition of the Pennsylvania Dutch, the early German speaking settlers to Pennsylvania. The original from the tradition was a badger.
9 February - New Moon - The new moon is a time of clearing out and setting intentions for the month ahead. This month's new moon ushers in the lunar new year and Lenten season.
10 February - Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon - also referred to as Chinese New Year. A significant cultural holiday celebrated in many Asian communities around the world. Festivities include family gatherings, feasting on traditional foods and citrus fruits, giving red envelopes, parades, and dragon & lion dances.
Year of the Dragon (occurs every 12 years) symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and opportunities. Those born in Year of the Dragon may be known for their natural enthusiasm in life.
|
|
13 February - Shrove Tuesday/MardiGras/Pancake Day - Final day before the 40 Lenten fast of the Christian tradition, recognized around the world with festivals and parties, and of course pancakes!
14 February - Ash Wednesday - First day of the 40 days of Lent.
14 February - St.Valentine's Day - A day to celebrate affections for lovers and loved ones.
19 February - Pisces season begins - Water sign. Imagination is heightened to make the impossible possible.
24 February - Full Moon - This year the Full Moon is the Lenten Moon which is the last full moon before the Spring Equinox and happens during the Lenten period. This may be a good time to assess your daily routines and make adjustments, even establish new ones as we move into the spring period and the season of renewal.
29 February - Leap Year bonus day!
|
|
Challenges of the Month - PURIFICATION
It's important to remember that our body, mind, and spirit are all connected. Many things will support more than one simultaneously. Also, when we focus on one area we may find ourselves uplifted in other areas as well.
FAMILY CONNECTION: Share the monthly challenges and ask family members which one they are most interested in trying out. This is a great way to connect collectively or individually. You can get a pulse on how everyone is doing while strengthening honest and open communication which gives everyone the opportunity to support one another. That's a WIN - WIN - WIN in my books!
- MIND:
- Take an inventory of emotional well-being. Notice negative thoughts and behaviors. Consider one change of attitude or behavior to focus on this year.
- SPIRIT:
- Unplug from devices and outside influences for 20 minutes (or more) each day. Notice how there is space to breath when we allow it.
- BODY:
- Choose one area of your physical space and do a deep clean. Be grateful for the provision of the things in your life, and then let them go. Maybe it's time to go through your wardrobe and get rid of some of the old worn stuff.
- Detox or eliminate one of your top offenders for 5 days or 10 days. May a choice for yourself and follow the plan! It only works if you do it.
I love focusing on just a couple of things at a time. Remember this is about building strong foundations one brick at a time. Continue to stay well hydrated, get plenty of movement throughout the day, don't skimp on sleep, and practice gratitude.
|
|
MENU OF THE MONTH:
Remember that eating protein before something very sweet reduces blood sugar fluctuations which often lead to unstable energy.
These menus, like my coaching sessions, are made for you to customize them according to your likes and preferences and what fits best into your life and your regular meals. They are a framework meant to be adjusted.
Get in touch if you would like more menu support or would like a specific recipe.
Breakfast:
Winter Vegetable Frittata with seasonal vegetables
Add turkey sausage and top with parmesan cheese as preferred.
Yogurt Parfait with fruit and nuts.
Add appropriate seeds for seed cycling.
Lunch:
Lentil Soup with leeks and other seasonal veggies
Half of sandwich or meat + cheese roll-ups
Blood orange
Snack:
Edamames
Sashimi or small sushi roll
Dinner:
Beef Stir-Fry - add an egg for extra protein!
Rice or Cauliflower Rice
Coconut chia pudding with mango
After dinner/bedtime beverage:
Warm milk with honey or chamomile tea
|
|
There are dozens of routes you could take to navigate health challenges, and you need to know which one will work best for you and your situation.
In my experience, it's the simple tweaks that can really move the needle here and they might be in your blind spot.
|
|
Want to receive this weekly email directly into your inbox?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
