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Get Inspired! reawaken mind, body and spirit



Holistic Health and Wellness



barbara fetta-Moniz

(bijali)



on empathy and compassion



Nurturing Relationships with Empathy and Compassion
4/19/20





We are now deep in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. At first, it may have seemed surreal and imaginary, but as the weeks and months go by, it becomes more and more realistic and our new normal is changing our lives like nothing ever has before. Some are on the front lines, while others have an easier job... and that job is to simply stay at home. Either way, the basic human emotions of empathy and compassion have come to the forefront during this unprecedented time, allowing us to unite and look toward one common goal -- survival. We are working together toward physical, emotional and economic survival.


I started thinking about the qualities of empathy and compassion recently, and let my mind delve a little more thoroughly into how these two qualities are the same, and how they differ. And also how these qualities seem to be innate in most people, but yet there are those who seem not to possess them at all. Why is that, I wondered.


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Self care during stressful times



For Physical and Emotional Wellbeing
3/16/20





In these unprecedented times of uncertainty, self care is more important than ever in order to maintain emotional and physical wellbeing, Stress and anxiety levels are high right now -- and for good reason. The nation is temporarily shutting down and life as we know it has been suspended indefinitely. Socialization, which is a basic human need for health and wellbeing, isn’t possible right now. And we all know how important touch is; all living beings respond instinctively to the power of touch. Touch makes babies grow, cats purr and children calm down. For now though, touch is on hold. Shaking hands is a thing of the past; hugs and kisses are out of the question.


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Self care during stressful times



For Physical and Emotional Wellbeing
3/16/20





In these unprecedented times of uncertainty, self care is more important than ever in order to maintain emotional and physical wellbeing, Stress and anxiety levels are high right now -- and for good reason. The nation is temporarily shutting down and life as we know it has been suspended indefinitely. Socialization, which is a basic human need for health and wellbeing, isn’t possible right now. And we all know how important touch is; all living beings respond instinctively to the power of touch. Touch makes babies grow, cats purr and children calm down. For now though, touch is on hold. Shaking hands is a thing of the past; hugs and kisses are out of the question.


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SPRING DETOX



A Fresh Start





Spring is here again -- an opportunity for renewal and rejuvenation….a time to cleanse and to replenish the mind/body and prepare it for all of the delightful promises of summer. Here in New England, it doesn’t really feel like Spring at all -- it’s been chilly and raining for what seems to be an eternity. But I promise you, my fellow New Englanders, that this too shall pass; and we will be on our way to sunny days, singing birds and the vibrant colors that will stir up all of the positive vibes that Springtime generally brings along with it.


I did have the opportunity to run off to my favorite ashram in the Bahamas recently -- it’s a very secluded spot where meditating, practicing yoga and cleansing the mind, body and spirit become second nature. Everybody there is doing the same thing, so there are no temptations other than the fact the the Atlantis Resort is just a short walk down the beach. To that distraction, I did not succumb, however. I look forward to time at the ashram as an opportunity to cleanse without effort. All meals are vegan, and there is no alcohol or caffeine on the premises. So the exercise of cleansing and purifying the mind, body and spirit is not as challenging as it might be at home.


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21-Day Fall Cleanse



Nurturing Mind, Body and Spirit





As much as I enjoy the cool, crisp, colorful days of Autumn, it’s always hard for me to let go of the carefree days of summer. I love the idea of simply throwing on something light and airy and slipping my feet into a pair of flip-flops before heading out the door. It feels so free and easy.

​

The reality of the situation is, however, that September 23 was the “official” first day of Fall, and for me that means the start of a 21-day Fall Cleanse for mind, body and spirit. Just as many people give their homes a really good sprucing up in the Spring and the Fall, it’s a good idea to spruce up our minds, bodies and spirits seasonally. Fall is an ideal time to do just that, after summertime indulgences and before heading into the festivities of the holidays and then in to winter -- which can be a wonderful time for meditation, rest, and contemplation.



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the university of life

there is always meaning to be found - especially in the Struggle



September 19, 2018





As a “glass half-full” kind of person, it’s always been pretty easy for me to find the bright spots in life, even when things look glum. I assume that attitude transcends to the clients that I see in my holistic counseling practice. It seems that my positive energy emanates and they somehow connect with it and find it helpful in their own struggles.



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Morning Smoothie Recipe



October 22, 2017





Those who know me well are aware that in general, I start each day with a smoothie and a piece of life-changing bread. Many of my yogis have asked for my smoothie recipe, so I thought it would be beneficial to post it here on my blog for easy reference. And don't worry, the life-changing bread recipe will follow at a later date!


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life changing bread Recipe



April 8, 2018





Here at last is the long overdue recipe for the gluten-free Life Changing Bread that I have promised to so many for so long. I had guests for dinner last night who tasted my life changing bread and wanted the recipe, so what better time than now, I thought, to finally post.... thank you Bill and Melissa for prompting me to get moving. I must give credit though, to my friend Dominique, who is the one who turned me on to Life Changing Bread in the first place (Thank you D!). I had it at her home several years ago, and it has been a staple in my home ever since. It must be said though, that the real credit goes to the recipe's creator, Sarah Britton, a holistic nutritionist who hosts a wonderful blog, My New Roots (www.MyNewRoots.org). There you will find a plethora of recipes incorporating whole foods -- lots of veggies, fruits, whole grains, seeds, nuts....all things delicious and contributing to health and wellness from the inside out. Her Life Changing Loaf of Bread is filled with nutritious ingredients, and also contains psyllium which not only helps to hold the bread together without flour, but also is so good for the digestive tract....it just may change your life! Click below for the recipe - and enjoy!


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the value of positive affirmations



May 22, 2017





The idea of “optimistic autosuggestion” was first introduced in the 1920’s by Emile Coue, a French psychologist and pharmacist who believed that we could actually reprogram our minds by repeating positive affirmations over and over again. He is responsible for the affirmation “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better”, which covers a lot of ground in that it can be applied to whatever your particular self-improvement goal might be.


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YOga is much more than a physical exercise



May 20, 2017





Yoga is much more than a discipline of physical exercise. It is a powerful, transformational practice that integrates all of the parts of who you are. It is a clearing process – a way of encountering and releasing physical, mental and emotional blocks that may be keeping you from living your life to your fullest potential. It is important to remember that yoga is a “practice”, and the more you practice, the better you become at it. Not only at the physical postures (asanas), but more importantly, you become better at connecting with yourself at soul level.


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Welcome!



April 30, 2017





Welcome to my Blog, a platform that I will use to share ideas for a holistic approach to health and wellness – an approach that involves nurturing mind, body and spirit. I’d like to begin by sharing something that I often say in my yoga classes when I transition students into a resting pose, like Child’s Pose or Savasana, after a more vigorous series of asanas. I’ll say “Remember to maintain balance between exertion and rest and relaxation, not only in your yoga class, but also in your daily life”. In our busy world, we’re often so focused on “doing” that we don’t allow ourselves down time.



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