Self-care is Essential

by RochelleRedding | Mar 6, 2018 | Managing Stress | 0 comments

I’ve been traveling quite a bit over the past couple of weeks for work and have slacked a bit in my blogging. I know I have promised to post some of my favorite Daniel Fast recipes and I most definitely will continue to do that. But Lent is much more than fasting and sacrifice it’s more importantly about prayer and spending time with God. For me that time is between 4:30-5 am when my house is silent and everyone else is fast asleep, this is my prayer and meditation time. Sometimes, I multi-task and while working out at the gym I am praying and talking to God. Praying while driving in the car to work is also a favorite of mine but oftentimes I can go from point A to point B and not know how I got there.

My Life Coach recently asked “what does your self-care look like”, well for me the following are must haves:

Quiet time in the morning, at least 30 minutes
Massage at least once a month
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week or more if possible
I do not listen to music that promotes violence, disrespects women or tears people down “Garbage in; Garbage out”
I eat a healthy breakfast (this is new for me, only in the past year have a finally got this one under control)
No Toxic people in my life (period)
Bedtime by 9:00pm weeknights and 10pm on weekends

My nice to haves that I am striving for:

Move from walking to running more and outdoors in nature instead of in the gym
Journaling
Reading
Crocheting

My self-care regime helps me to stay grounded and focused. I am able to handle whatever comes my way, but I have noticed that when I neglect these things I become off balanced and I’m not able to handle life’s challenges so well. As a mother and now grandmother, it is not easy to put yourself first but one thing I know for sure is I am no good to anyone else if I am not healthy and grounded.

My prayer during this Lenten season is that God will order my steps in the way He wants me to go and that I will walk fearless and free.

Recipe of the week

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/chickpea-salad-with-parsley-lemon-and-sun-dried-tomatoes-106823

Chick Pea and Sundried Tomato Salad

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

2 15 1/2-ounce cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed, drained

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup thinly sliced drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

Preparation

Combine oil and cumin seeds in heavy small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Cool completely.
Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl. Add cumin oil and toss to blend. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Combine oil and cumin seeds in heavy small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Cool completely.
Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl. Add cumin oil and toss to blend. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Combine oil and cumin seeds in heavy small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Cool completely.
Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl. Add cumin oil and toss to blend. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Combine oil and cumin seeds in heavy small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Cool completely.

Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl. Add cumin oil and toss to blend. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.

You can also add sautéed Kale or Spinach to make salad heartier.

DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

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About Rochelle

Rochelle Redding, M.S. is a wife, mother of four, and the owner and operator of Rochelle Redding Coaching and Consulting Services (RRCCS). RRCCS is a spiritually-based coaching service dedicated to helping women be their best selves and achieve wellness in all aspects of their life. Learn about life coaching services with Rochelle by clicking here.

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