Category Archives: Live Well Library

10 Day Re-boot: Molly’s Day 1

4 Moves to Increase Your Flexibility

Amy Younkman

iGnite leader Amy Younkman shares 4 moves to increase your flexibility to get you on the path to increased mobility, reduced chance of injury and just plain feeling great!

1. Passive Hamstring Stretch

Pretty much all of us could use more flexible hamstrings, right? Who doesn’t want to be closer to touching their toes? This passive stretch is a safe and excellent stretch for the hamstring, best done in a doorway or on a corner where 2 walls meet.

Passive Hamstring Stretch

Lying on your back, lift one leg up the wall, while the other leg stretches out along the ground inside the doorframe.
Settle the pelvis onto the ground and position the upward leg so that you feel a gentle, but not too intense stretch.
Breathe and hold for 3 – 5 minutes.
If you are recuperating from a hamstring tear or strain or need a less intense stretch, move the body further away from the wall so that you do not feel strain in the injured hamstring.

2. Front of Hip/Psoas Stretch

Stretching out the front of the hip/psoas muscle is something not many of us think to do, but it is a crucial area to stretch, especially for runners. Not only does the psoas enable you to walk and run, but it also promotes good posture.

Front of Hip/Psoas Stretch

Come into a low lunge position on your knees, with the right foot in front and both knees bent at a 90 degree angle.
With hands on the hips, lift the hip points up and root the tailbone down as you draw the navel towards the spine (creating a posterior tilt). You will feel a deep stretch in the front of the left hip.
Lift your left arm on the inhale, exhale and side bend over to the right.
Stay here and breathe for 8 breaths as you feel a deep stretch in the front and outer area of the left hip.
Repeat on the other side.

3. Thoracic Spine/Chest Opening Stretch

After long days of hunching forward, sitting at desks, sitting in the car, and on and on, this stretch feels incredible — allowing you to open up your chest and counteract all of that forward bending. Goodbye, hunchback!

Spine Stretch / Chest Opener

Lie back on a foam roller (a rolled up yoga mat can work as well) with the roller just below the shoulder blades.
With knees bent and bottom on the ground, reach fingertips behind your head as you lengthen your neck.
On the inhale, curl back over the the roller
On the exhale, knit the ribs together as you curl up and draw elbows together.
With each successive breath, see if you can find more ease and expansiveness as you coordinate movement with breath.
Repeat 8 – 10 times.

4. Bridge Pose

The perfect pose to tie the first three stretches together!

Bridge Pose

Lie on your back with knees bent, heels in line with your sit bones, and toes pointed straight ahead.
Root down through all four corners of both feet as you press your arms into the mat and lift your hips.
Lengthen the back of the neck and feel a nice stretch along the sides of the neck.
Firm your glutes, and stretch your knees out over your ankles, as you stretch the front of the hips while strengthening the hamstrings and glutes.
Stay here and breathe for 8 breaths
Slowly lower the hips as you gently lay the spine down, bone by bone.
Repeat 3 – 5 times.

Photos by Catherine Sanderson

10-Day Reboot: Neissa’s Day 6

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by Neissa Brown Springmann, founder of iGnite

Having come off a hectic summer of selling our house then moving to San Diego in August, this Re-boot could not have come at a better time! So many of the healthy habits I have practiced for years have fallen by the wayside, and therefore my body, energy and overall health has suffered. So, re-implementing the Re-boot elements has given me a focus and routine — and I’m feeling great!

What I have enjoyed the most is giving myself permission to get 7-9 hours of sleep, properly hydrating, exercising outdoors and eliminating caffeine. Sleep, hydration, outdoor exercise and not drinking caffeine go hand in hand for me. When I sleep, hydrate and exercise, I make better food choices and I notice a distinct difference in the way I feel and function. Also, I am a caffeine abuser. It gives me a false sense of energy and therefore I don’t get the sleep I need. Then, when I don’t get the sleep I need, the whole vicious cycle of needing more caffeine, not properly hydrating, not making good food choices and then not feeling like exercising starts all over again. So, for me, eliminating caffeine and getting more sleep are the two most important pieces that set me up for feeling great!

Top left: For hydration and extra cleansing I love the SUJA Lemon Love from Costco. I found it in the San Diego Costco and it’s “Master Cleanse-ish” but without the maple syrup and is sweetened with Stevia. Next, is a jug of cranberry water, SUJA Organic Mighty Greens (also found in the San Diego Costco) and Kombucha (also much cheaper when purchased at Costco); Bottom Left: Morning Hot Lemon Water; Right: Numi Organic Chia Hot Caffeine-free tea on page 22 of our Re-Boot Booklet. I steep when I am wanting a warm coffee drink. I usually make it with Coconut Milk but I was out so I made it with Almond Milk.

My 2 favorite cookbooks

I do not enjoy cooking. I am not creative, and I loath the mess I have to clean up afterwards; therefore, too often I stick with the same boring things. However, what I do find most helpful is using two of my favorite cookbooks, Against All Grain and Everyday Detox, and the iGnite Re-Boot Booklet. These two beautifully written cookbooks are loaded with Re-boot friendly recipes. So, last weekend I dog-eared the recipes I wanted to use for the Re-boot, headed to the grocery store and have had a fully-loaded pantry and refrigerator.

Paleo and Re-Boot friendly pancakes from Against All Grain for the family, and a Strawberry Basil Blast from Everyday Detox for me. Bottom Right: Chocolate Chai Smoothie – A delicious meal or snack that is Re-boot Friendly!

Detox Salad from p. 28 of the Re-Boot Booklet with avocado and white fish. Bottom: Veggie and Shrimp Bonsai bowl from Wahoo Taco: brown rice, black beans, shrimp and lots of veggies

Detox Salad from p. 28 of the Re-Boot Booklet with avocado and white fish. Bottom: Veggie and Shrimp Bonsai bowl from Wahoo’s Fish Taco: brown rice, black beans, shrimp and lots of veggies

What has been the most difficult for me is that this Re-Boot has fallen during my husband’s birthday, so I haven’t been perfect. The kids and I made him a delicious cake and rather than not participate in the celebration (that would be terrible!), I enjoyed festivities, devoured my cake, had a class of wine with him and followed up with extra hydration and clean eating. I have found that when I enjoy a splurge or drink alcohol, the best antidote is to follow with extra hydration. It’s cleansing and seems to reverse the often times gross after-effect feelings.

Outdoor Band Exercise with my kids at one of our neighboorhood parks

What I once had to force because I was told I needed them, I am an Epsom salt bath and body-brushing lover. But, unfortuntely and ridicously, I have not made time to do either yet. This is another habit that I have dropped and I am determined to get at least two in by the end of the Re-boot.

All in all, I love the Re-boot! It always seems to come at the perfect time for me, when my good habits have dwindled. What’s always interesting is that on the front end, it seems like it adds an extra layer of complexitiy to my life, but once I’m in it, I consistently realize how it truly simplifies my life. I am more mindful, peaceful and rested. And, I LOVE taking a break from social media. I’m not a huge fan of social media, but when I do sneak a peek, it sucks me in! So, if anyone wants to permantly boycott it with me, let me know. I’ll be happy to be the ring-leader 🙂

10-Day Reboot: Karen’s Day 5

10-Day Reboot: Cary’s Day 4

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by Cary Fyfe

Hot.Buttered.Toast. I am sorry, I am, if this causes anyone to run like a wild animal to a pantry that has no — NO — bread in it. But this is where my mind is, because of Mercy Watson, and the Earth.

No, this is not a Re-Boot-induced delirium, and it will make sense — in a very odd way — in just a moment. But first, I will share a verbal and pictorial journal of my Thursday. So sit back, grab your green smoothie, and read on…

Breakfast: grass-fed sausage and a green smoothie

Breakfast: grass-fed sausages and a green smoothie

My morning begins with me whistling a tune and frying up my grass-fed sausages, little organic pigs and turkeys that got to play freely with their friends before they were…omigosh, I can’t think about that. So while little bluebirds land on my shoulder, I add my green smoothie to the picture, because the sausages look very sad and lonely on that plate. Doesn’t my smoothie look so cute in that little mason jar?? This healthy food is so pretty, and I do feel good! Really, the best part of this for me is that my very self is taking care of, well, my very self. That does feel good, and might be just enough. BUT, while I’m on this track to watch what I put in my body, I have become aware of something not-so-pretty: I like to snack. Fine, right? Would be, but I like to comfort-snack. Quite a revelation, and why I didn’t know it before is anybody’s guess.

After my dreamy breakfast, and feeling pretty smug about how “clean” I feel, (and already thinking about what I’m going to eat next), I head off to see my first student, a darling, brown-eyed seven year-old boy. My bluebirds and I work merrily with my student, and after he does his work, I get to read out loud to him, from a book called Mercy Watson. And — warning — change of tone…MERCY WATSON BE DAMNED. The bluebirds have flown, and dark clouds gather. Freakin’ Mercy is a happily rotund pink pig, and she LOVES — sorry again — Hot Buttered Toast. My favorite comfort snack.There is, I am not joking at all, a picture of hot buttered toast on EVERY page of that blasted book.

Mercy Watson and her hot buttered toast!

Oh.My.Gosh. Seriously, it’s all I can think about now! And as I’m reading, I’m thankful I’m just reading and not having to assess or teach or anything that requires my brain to think of something other than hot buttered toast! Somehow, I make it through the session with my dignity intact, and I move on to meet my next student, a high schooler. We are studying World Cultures, and I will be safe there.

First question on the practice test is about — really, people?? — the Earth’s CRUST. So Mercy Watson be damned again, not only am I thinking about hot buttered toast, but it’s WHITE BREAD toast! That was in my lunch every day when I was a kid! That is the only “crust” that I see! I lunge across the table in a panic, aggressively grab my cranberry water, and when I see my student’s look of concern (or is it terror?), I regroup, smile, and sip that nectar like the true lady that I am. We’re back on track, and I’m going to float away to King Cranberry’s Castle, where there is no candy…or toast.

Thankfully, I make it through the rest of the day with lots of nuts and safe crunchy things that are in the book of sanctioned treats, but now — should not have agreed to write about this particular day — I am hosting my Book Club tonight. No problem, I tell myself, they’ll eat clean and won’t think a thing about it. And then the Door of Doom slams again, because these women, they love their, we love our — I’m not going to write what we love, because I’ve already tortured you with hot buttered toast. Y’all know what it is I’m talking about, don’t you? Do not run to your refrigerator, don’t do it!!

At the risk of being ejected from this Reboot, I will write one more little tidbit, about whether or not I succumbed to, um, a glass of what my Book Club pals enjoyed. I did not partake (well, I did take a sip…really, it was just a sip, ask Leslie Yzaguirre, fellow iGniter, she was there). And now I feel really, really good– not because I am denying myself treats that I love, no…that isn’t what this is about. I am, rather, taking sweet care of my body, because it houses my little spirit that has been so kind to me all these years…and I am so happy to now know, that is quite enough.

10-Day Reboot: Payton’s Day 3

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by Payton Merriman

My first iGnite experience was participating in last Spring’s Reboot. I really enjoyed how I felt after the 10 days and was able to make some changes in my diet and exercise routine that I desperately needed.

Lunch: a salad from Trader Joe’s

Well, after the summer vacations, playdates, and eating out of the summer schedule I was ready to get back on track and excited to participate in the Reboot again.

I woke up feeling very refreshed after a good night’s sleep and even felt a little less “foggy” without my morning coffee. Coffee is probably one of the things I miss the most during the Reboot. There is just something about getting lunches packed and kids out the door in the morning that is a little better with that cup of coffee in hand! I have replaced the coffee with my hot lemon water and ACV.

Snack: rice cracker with peanut butter and apples

My on-the-go snack of almonds

One aspect I have definitely had to be more prepared for is making sure when I leave in the morning that I have snacks on hand to take with me. I found that I was eating a good breakfast and then would head out on the day’s errands and would not eat until much later in the day and was overeating because I was so hungry due to the amount of time between meals.

My kids have also enjoyed the new food choices in the pantry and refrigerator.

My son Weston enjoying an avocado for breakfast

This morning for breakfast I had scrambled eggs and avocado, and my 6 year-old asked if he could have some avocado also. I was glad to cut one up to add to his meal. Again this morning as we were having a snack of hummus and carrots, my 3 year old ate almost the whole bag of carrots while he was playing — he kept coming back and asking for one more!

The most difficult aspect so far has been not being able to make it to an ignite workout this week. My kids have been home sick this week, so I have not been able to do much exercise. I hope that everyone makes it to school tomorrow and I will be at Molly’s kickboxing class.

My son Weston and I sat outside and did homework and had a snack together

Overall I am enjoying this experience and look forward to finishing out the next 7 days!

Ending the day with an Epsom salt bath

10-Day Reboot: Molly’s Day 2

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by Molly Daniels

With this being the fourth time I’ve Re-booted with iGnite, I knew what to expect, and I knew what would be easy for me and what I would crave more than ever throughout the 10 days: my Mexican food with black beans, rice, avocado, corn tortillas and chips! I know I can have everything I listed excluding the tortillas and chips, and I told myself Sunday night that I was going to be okay without going to Trudy’s (my favorite) for 10 days — this would be good for my system! I think I actually want it more now than I ever have because I know I can’t have it (it = chips). I haven’t caved…so far, so good! 😉

Snack time around 10am while working: almonds, rice crackers and hummus 😋

Day 2 was great for me. I found that I had slightly less energy than I did on day 1 and struggled to make it through the 2pm slump. I took at quick 30-minute power nap before teaching my afternoon class and felt much better. SLEEP cures all! On another hand, I already feel ‘clean’ from two days of focus — my organs, my stomach, my mind…everything feels great!

Enjoying my book before bed

I am really enjoying and appreciating the quiet time I’m having. Usually, when I’m finished with work and sit on the couch to relax before we get dinner started, I can spend several minutes mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, Words with Friends, and Snapchat and not even realize how much time has passed and been wasted. I note that I could have spent that quality time with my husband!! Because he is away for work this week, I am taking the time to read a new book my sister gave me two weeks ago. I love to read, but shamefully admit that I spend more time on social media. My sister asked me, “Will you be finished with the book by the time I come to Austin?“, and I can now say with certainty that I will be able to give the book back to her this weekend! My mind feels more at ease, and my eyes and brain thank me for not stimulating it with bright lights right before bed.

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs with salsa and avocado and my apple cider vinegar

One aspect I am really trying to work on is getting more protein in my diet. I am a vegetarian (but I do eat fish and all seafood), and I do not enjoy cooking. My goal for myself for these 10 days and beyond is to spend time looking through recipes to find more creative ways to incorporate protein into my meals. It’s hard for me to do, but I will make it work! I did start the day off with two scrambled eggs, which satisfied my hunger when I woke up. I’ve learned I need to carve out more time for myself in the mornings in order to fit in my protein-packed breakfast rather than grabbing a bar and running!

Our Cardio Circuit workout

We’re AWESOME! Feeling good and happy after iGnite Cardio Circuit class at Rollingwood Park

Last week I didn’t get to fit much exercise in my schedule and noticed I was grumpy because of it. Being active is (obviously) a huge part of my life and not being able to spend time with the iGnite community in classes last week (outside of my own that I teach) made me sad! Knowing we are encouraged to exercise 4 days per week and spend time outside (and with friends!), I enjoyed a challenging and FUN class with Kathleen yesterday morning and 18 of my friends! It started my day on the right foot, I felt strong and proud and left with a smile on my face.

Day 3, here we come! We’ve got this!

10-Day Reboot: Catherine’s Day 1

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Getting my “outside time” in as much as possible — a great excuse was enjoying the sunset, distraction-free!

by Catherine Sanderson

Morning lemon water with no phone distractions — so nice!

With my pregnancy, I told myself I was going to eat as clean as possible, not just for me, but of course for the benefit of the little human inside me. Well… I did great during my first trimester, but the second trimester has come with the craziest sweet tooth, and unfortunately I completely fell off the wagon and have been eating sweets like crazy! And with all I know about health and nutrition, I know that just can’t be good. So, needless to say, I was really excited for the Reboot to start to get back on track and have a fresh start of cleaner eating for my pregnancy and to balance my healthy habits during such an important time in my, and my future baby’s health.

Snack & work time: apples (with the seeds!) and natural, unsweetened, organic peanut butter (I made sure to bring this with me b/c I knew I wouldn’t be able to find it in the stores in Port A)

It turned out that day 1 of the Reboot for me was over my family’s long weekend beach trip to Port Aransas. “Cleansing” on vacation has looked a little different than it would at home, but it’s always good to figure out that you can make it work no matter where you are!

Aspect of the Re-boot I’m enjoying the most:
So far, I’m liking most what the technology turn-off and break from social media are doing for me. Waking up knowing that my only option was to get ready for the day, make my lemon water and sit outside and stare at the ocean for 15 minutes as opposed to checking emails or scanning Instagram on my phone was so freeing! I found myself really soaking in the relaxing moments a lot more than I would have if I knew I could look at my friends’ and family’s pictures any time I’m sitting down.

Breakfast: scrambled eggs, avocado & tomatoes — all with some olive oil & salt & pepper

Also, it was great at night excusing myself from the TV watching (we were just watching whatever was on) to go read for 30 minutes before falling asleep. It was a great, relaxing way to cap off my night and get ready for bed.

I’ve also found the journaling to be a great system for accountability for mindless snacking, knowing I’ll have to write everything down that I eat. It’s also made me pay more attention and ask myself how I felt all day and how I feel first thing when I wake up. I’m excited to see those things change over the course of the Reboot!

It was helpful to have the journal out on the table staring at me all day, keeping me accountable

It was really helpful to have the journal out on the table staring at me all day, keeping me accountable

Through the food journaling, I also realized that I naturally reach for and eat a lot more fruit throughout the day, and not so many vegetables. So, I’m going to make it a goal over the 10 days to flip that ratio & make my journal each day filled with more veggies than fruits!

It’s not easy, but I am feeling newly empowered. I’m realizing that getting back on track just takes some willpower and knowing you’re trying hard alongside a group of friends!

My dessert vs. everyone else's: Cranberry ACV "Cocktail" vs. Nestle cookies. The cookie smell was taunting me!

My vacation dessert vs. everyone else’s: Cranberry ACV “Cocktail” vs. Nestle cookies. The fresh-baked cookie smell was taunting me! But the cocktail felt surprisingly like a treat and curbed the craving

Exercise time: dragged the husband along for a 30-minute beach walk :)

Exercise time: I dragged the husband along for a 30-minute beach walk 🙂 Not a bad way to fit it in, but this will obviously change when I’m back home!

Finding Mindfulness…on the Mat

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by Amy Younkman

In the day and age of quick fixes, constant fads and “7 minute workouts,” it can be hard to slow down and ask ourselves, Is this really what’s best for my body? In our American culture, there seems to be an ongoing obsession with ‘new forms’ of exercise; for example, the latest, greatest form of functional fitness, performed in an efficient, short period of time, giving you the most “bang for your buck,” and relying on external sources to guide and motivate you.

While these forms of exercise are effective and do lead to a fit, strong body, they are only part of the picture if we are truly seeking a healthy lifestyle. By relying solely on these forms of fitness, we risk creating a vicious cycle of continually striving to be faster, stronger, look younger, be more ripped, track more daily steps…etc. We never actually “arrive”, because there’s always that next level to strive for. And that can get exhausting!

Yogalates on Lady Bird Lake

It’s important to balance these forms of exercise with what I like to call “mindfulness on the mat” so that we can continue to enjoy a variety of activities and pursuits, and most importantly, so we can prevent injuries and be more mindful of our existing ones. When we step onto our yoga or Pilates mat, our first priority is tuning into our body and tuning out our goals, expectations, what we did yesterday, and what we need to do tomorrow. If we pay attention, our body will tell us what it needs. The ego is not invited onto our mat. With time, practice, and patience we begin to notice imbalances and places we hold tension and resistance. We learn to practice compassionate observation and tolerance for ourself so we are in a better place to extend it to others once off the mat.

Yoga and Pilates are two wonderful practices that teach mindfulness on the mat so that we can be more self-aware in our over-stimulated, consumer-driven world. Yoga is over 5000 years old. Pilates is nearly 100 years old. These time-honored practices have much to teach us!

Pilates is a form of strength training with little to no impact. It emphasizes alignment, core strength, muscular rebalancing and joint strength. It is a very safe way to stay fit, prevent injury, and rehabilitate from injury, while increasing balance, body awareness, confidence and better posture. While we use props during class to keep it interesting and fun, the classical Mat Pilates series is a total body workout using your own body as your guide.

Yoga has become so westernized that it’s hard to define what yoga is today. In its truest form, yoga teaches us about ourselves and our relationship to the world. It ignites awareness about how we respond to difficulty and ease, to consistency and change, to the way we face our universal human struggles of avoiding difficult situations (hard yoga postures, tough life issues), or the way we cling to the familiar and comfortable (postures that we can do, habits we grow accustomed to).

Power Pilates

Besides reducing stress, yoga also teaches us balance between sthira (effort) and sukha (ease) both in our yoga practice and in life. It teaches us to balance stability with mobility, and strength with flexibility, so that we can balance setting boundaries in our relationships with creating the space we need. Yoga teaches us to feel the poses rather than force them. The postures are questions, not answers. We ask ourselves, “How can I create more ease in this pose?” which then translates off the mat to “How can I create more ease in my life?” Yoga is not about doing the poses; it’s about undoing what gets in the way of the poses.

In a Vinyasa Yoga class, we become aware of our breath, the life force that pulsates through our body. From there we let the breath guide us and connect us with movement. While we get stronger and more flexible practicing weight-bearing and balancing exercises, twists, backbends, forward folds and inversions, we also become stronger and more flexible in our mind. We tune into the subtle energy body and discover what we have always heard to be true: that the body and mind cannot act separately from one another. Yoga is a practice because, rather that striving to accomplish something, we continually return to the bottomless well of wisdom and guidance from within. As Judith Lasater, veteran yogi, says: “Slowing down is the same thing as waking up.”

So, as you plan your fitness program, be sure and schedule time to consistently practice “mindfulness on the mat” through Pilates and yoga. With regular practice, you will not only become more mindful and body-aware, you will find more ease and inner strength in your body and in your life. Best of all, you will bring your newfound insights into everything you do, which will add to your enjoyment and keep you safe and injury-free!

Our 20 Habits for Feeling Our Best

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20 Habits for Feeling Your Best

As a group of health & fitness professionals, the iGnite leadership team uses a number of habits to keep ourselves feeling our absolute best. And since we all love hearing new ideas, tips & tricks for living our best life, we thought — better to share them! So, here are some of our team’s tips & tricks for feeling our best — hopefully you’ll find they enhance and improve your life in body, mind and spirit, too 🙂

1. Prioritize Sleep

Catherine Sanderson

“The thing that has made the biggest difference in making my body feel its best and healthiest has been prioritizing SLEEP. Yes, that means over working out(!), over late nights of squeezing in that last to-do followed by early mornings, over my favorite tv shows, over … lots of things! I’ve found that I am a completely new person when I make sure that I get around 8 hours of sleep. The idea that you will be ‘healthier’ if you skimp on sleep in order to exercise more is just plain wrong. Your body needs sleep to heal and rest before it can perform exercise well and in a way that is helping your body more than hurting it. The second I accepted this and prioritized sleep for health above all else, my energy, mood and ability to take on other things skyrocketed.
I’ve learned that that workout/errand/to do list item/television show can wait. Making sleep #1 and then scheduling in an exercise routine that allows me to get the zzzzzz’s our bodies so crave is my feel-great secret!”

2. Prepared Healthy Snacks

Amy Younkman

“I always fave a variety of cut-up veggies in the fridge so I’m less apt to reach for crackers to dip and munch on.”

3. Regularly Getting in the Water

Kathleen Parker

“Dunking myself in any water, anywhere, anytime is something that I crave and that makes me feel rejuvenated. Studies have proven that if you are in, on or near water you are 90 percent happier! I don’t think there is anyone around who does not feel rejuvenated when jumping in a pool, river, lake or ocean.”

4. Take Probiotics

Betty Cunningham

“One of my stay healthy secrets is Ortho Probiotic. I used to suffer from dry mold allergies every fall. I was congested from October into November, and I had a constant cough. The Ortho Probiotic has made a huge difference. I take one in the morning on an empty stomach before I run.”

5. Planned Date Nights

Amy Younkman

“One thing that helps me feel my best is my Friday date night with the hubster at Fonda San Miguel here in Austin – we hit happy hour followed by a quiet evening at home.”

6. Get Regular Massages

Jill Watts

“I get monthly massages at Massage Envy, it’s reasonably priced and a sure way to get yourself a relaxing massage once a month! I really enjoy it — they have great therapists for all types of massage and the monthly fee is only $59.99. Plus you get other perks and discounts being a member and you can go to locations all over the U.S. if you want to get a massage while traveling.”

Molly Daniels

“I make sure to schedule a 60 minute massage quarterly, if not more often! I have been to several places in Austin, all varying in price, including Mecca Gym and Spa, Massage Harmony in Westlake and Foot Massage in Northwest Hills. With how much I am on my feet during the week, I make this a priority to help me feel good!”

7. Morning Prayer

Amy Younkman

“I make sure to pray before I get out of bed in the morning.”

8. Juicing

Jill Watts

“I bought a NutriBullet about a year ago and I absolutely love it! I try to have one a day, and it’s a perfect way to get a healthy boost without spending $8 on a green smoothie.
I just pop in 1/2 greens (I prefer spinach), and then 1/2 fruits, (whatever I have) and then a boost like flax seed, chia, almonds, etc. Then you just add water, so no added sugar!
It takes a few minutes to extract all the healthy nutrients from those veggies and fruits. You can put any type of veggie and fruit in. It’s quick, easy and healthy!”

9. Calming Pet Time

Cary Fyfe

“My go-to for nurturing my emotional self is to sit down — that’s the key part, sitting down — to pet my dog, Sam. Within seconds, I feel my heart slow down, my brain quiets and a smile comes across my face — no matter what weights I’m carrying that day. Then the icing on the cake is when all my other animals hear the “love-rubs” happening, and here they come! It’s a guaranteed drop in blood pressure…and, really, what is better than a dog-smile?”

10. Homemade Skin Care

Alli Phillips

“With ingredients most of us probably already have in our pantry and fridge, I create lotions, scrubs, and occasionally masks, to supplement my skin-care routine. I have a few “must-have” skin-care staples, listed below. And when I have time to treat myself to a full “home-spa-day” I’ll experiment with more “complex” recipes.

Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil
Instead of store-bought moisturizer and body lotion, I use coconut oil (unrefined and organic) on my skin. I apply it daily after I shower/bathe to both body and face, and I also use the excess on my hands as a “leave-in conditioner,” running my fingers through my hair after applying to my face and body. (Also, although I don’t wear make-up very often, I discovered coconut oil is a great natural make-up remover.)

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Organic Brown Sugar
About once a week I make a body-scrub using EVOO and brown sugar. I don’t follow a recipe, I simply mix the two ingredients together adding more or less of one or the other until I get the consistency/texture I want, depending on the exfoliation intensity needed/desired (coarse for feet, legs, hands, and arms; medium coarseness for torso; light coarseness for neck and face). This scrub is very gentle and leaves the skin feeling amazing.

In a quick online search of “home-made skin-care” you’ll find countless recipes that include nourishing yet simple ingredients like oats, honey, almond milk, peaches, avocado, pumpkin, cucumber, lemon, and even coffee and cocoa(!) to name just a few!”

11. Nutritionist Consultations

Molly Daniels

“I see Applied Clinical Nutritionist Joseph Strickland of Better Body Clinical Nutrition once every 12 weeks. I began seeing Joseph in May 2012 specifically for allergy issues, hives, and constant fatigue, and after the success I’ve had with him, I continue my visits to check in and see how my body is functioning. I currently take 4 different Standard Process supplements that he specifically recommends for my body that I buy from People’s Pharmacy. I can tell a difference when I miss a day or two, and I know how important they are for me to maintain a healthy body.”

12. Nighttime Technology Turnoff

Amy Younkman

“I make sure to turn off the computer at night and crawl into bed with a good read.”

13. Evening Treat

Kathleen Parker

“I always drink a large glass of chocolate milk each evening. It has been proven by studies over and over again–even by our University of Texas — as the number one muscle recovery drink of all time! It tastes SO good and truly helps my muscles recover, and I sleep so well. I love it!”

14. Varied Workouts

Molly Daniels

“I make sure to go to different iGnite workout classes weekly. Yes, I know I work for iGnite, but I feel different when I teach versus when I participate. I am “on” in different ways when I teach than when I take a class. I’m able to step out of my ‘teaching brain’ and simply follow the leader’s instructions. I don’t enjoy working out on my own, and in fact, I don’t do it. I appreciate going to different classes, and I listen to my body when it’s telling me to speed up or slow down.”

15. Self-Guided Yoga

Amy Younkman

“I make sure to schedule a weekly yoga session with and for myself.”

16. Cranberry Water

Molly Daniels

“I always have a pitcher of the iGnite cranberry water in my fridge! I get bored of drinking plain water, and I enjoy this refreshing drink.”

17. Morning Stretching Ritual

Amy Younkman

“Kitchen counter stretching and moving my spine in 6 ways first thing each morning while waiting for my tea to steep helps me continue to feel my best.”

18. A Favorite Eye Cream

Kathleen Parker

“My eye cream Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Eye Cream: I am addicted to it and put it on three times a day! It has a little glisten to it and it so hydrating. It truly has helped my bags under my eyes go away that I inherited from my sweet Mom — it is awesome stuff, AND is available at the grocery store!”

19. Body Oil

Cary Fyfe

“My go-to for just feeling pretty and well-taken care of is to spray a few drops of my favorite oil — Caudalie Divine Oil — onto my palms, then I rub it behind my ears, under my nose and on my neck. It smells so quietly fresh, and hydrates my skin beautifully. I sometimes rub a little onto the ends of my hair, and, well, it just makes me feel pretty and fresh!”

20. Bike Ride Escape

Amy Younkman

“I go for a bike ride and leave any worries or distractions behind me!”

Although all of these habits are unique to each of us, one common habit we all share (in addition to exercise!) is that all of us rest and recognize that we can’t have one (exercise) without the other (rest)! No one can perform exercise to their fullest ability without adequate rest.

So, go ahead — pick out one or a few of these habits and test drive them in your own wellness routine! We hope they iGnite your body, mind and spirit.

Have some great healthy habits and tricks of your own? Please share them with us by leaving a comment below! We love hearing your feedback and learning from you.

the iGnite blog

Body + Mind + Spirit

Category Archives: Live Well Library

10 Day Re-boot: Molly’s Day 1

4 Moves to Increase Your Flexibility

1. Passive Hamstring Stretch

2. Front of Hip/Psoas Stretch

3. Thoracic Spine/Chest Opening Stretch

4. Bridge Pose

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10-Day Reboot: Neissa’s Day 6

10-Day Reboot: Karen’s Day 5

10-Day Reboot: Cary’s Day 4

10-Day Reboot: Payton’s Day 3

10-Day Reboot: Molly’s Day 2

10-Day Reboot: Catherine’s Day 1

Finding Mindfulness…on the Mat

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Our 20 Habits for Feeling Our Best

1. Prioritize Sleep

2. Prepared Healthy Snacks

3. Regularly Getting in the Water

4. Take Probiotics

5. Planned Date Nights

6. Get Regular Massages

7. Morning Prayer

8. Juicing

9. Calming Pet Time

10. Homemade Skin Care

11. Nutritionist Consultations

12. Nighttime Technology Turnoff

13. Evening Treat

14. Varied Workouts

15. Self-Guided Yoga

16. Cranberry Water

17. Morning Stretching Ritual

18. A Favorite Eye Cream

19. Body Oil

20. Bike Ride Escape

You Might Also Like:

Share this:

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1. Passive Hamstring Stretch

2. Front of Hip/Psoas Stretch

3. Thoracic Spine/Chest Opening Stretch

4. Bridge Pose

You Might Also Like:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

You Might Also Like:

Share this:

Like this:

1. Prioritize Sleep

2. Prepared Healthy Snacks

3. Regularly Getting in the Water

4. Take Probiotics

5. Planned Date Nights

6. Get Regular Massages

7. Morning Prayer

8. Juicing

9. Calming Pet Time

10. Homemade Skin Care

11. Nutritionist Consultations

12. Nighttime Technology Turnoff

13. Evening Treat

14. Varied Workouts

15. Self-Guided Yoga

16. Cranberry Water

17. Morning Stretching Ritual

18. A Favorite Eye Cream

19. Body Oil

20. Bike Ride Escape

You Might Also Like:

Share this:

Like this: