How much of your day is spent taking care of other people, chores, work? Whether you've had it up to here or you get a thrill from being a caretaker and task master, now is the perfect time to start including YOU in your to-do's. You know the airplane rule: place the oxygen mask over your own face first and then on your child's second? The same concept applies to breathing in new life in order to be your best self. Only then, when you are calm, centered and nurtured can you truly be your most authentic self, happier, more relaxed and ready to face the world or re-treat again if you so choose.
As women, we are praised in our society for helping and serving others. When was the last time you were given a pat on the back for making time for you? When I was growing up, self-care was often misconstrued as something akin to self-obsession, over-indulgence and being "spoiled." Years later, after burning out as a stay-at-home mom who worked part time from home, I came to realize that I was the one who needed the time outs! A new gym membership, yoga, running, meditating, massages, travel and focusing on nutritious cooking were necessary measures to quiet my mind and bring me back to myself. The idea that self-care is somehow wrong or undeserved is completely misguided.
Your assignment: Take on self-care beginning today. Make a to-do list of nurturing actions that will fill you with delight. Below are suggestions to get you started. The point is to calm you, not have you feeling even more stressed about accomplishing tasks. If the thought of doing more is overwhelming, choose just one activity to add to your routine, and see how it makes you feel. When you are ready, try another or swap one regimen for the next until you find your own brand of self-care that really hits the spot. I'd love to hear what you enjoy most in your self care regimen. Please share in the comments below.
Self-Care To-Do's
Grilled Chicken and Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri
What could be easier on a summer evening than grilled skewers? Separating the chicken from the veggies allows you to grill them at different times as needed. This recipe is part of my summer 5-day detox program. More like this to come in my fall detox, details coming soon.
Serves 2
Print recipe
For the Skewers:
2 organic, free-range boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into one-inch chunks
6 cremini mushrooms, wiped clean and foot trimmed
1 small zucchini or summer squash, cut into one-inch chunks
1 bell pepper, seeded and cut into one-inch chunks
1 small sweet onion, cut into large chunks
For the Chimichurri:
1 c lightly packed chopped parsley
3 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
1/3 c red wine vinegar
¼ c packed cilantro
½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp freshly ground pepper
Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, brush lightly with olive oil, then season with salt & pepper. Thread the veggies onto different skewers and repeat.
Heat your grill to medium high heat, and grill the skewers until they are lightly browned and the chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes total. Pull veggie skewers off sooner if they appear cooked and with grill marks.
Meanwhile, make the chimichurri by combining the chimichurri ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth, then drizzle over the skewers before serving. Store any remaining sauce in an airtight glass container for about a week in the fridge.
Note: If you’re using wooden or bamboo skewers, you’ll need to soak them in water for 15 minutes before using in order to keep them from catching fire while on the grill.
As women, we are praised in our society for helping and serving others. When was the last time you were given a pat on the back for making time for you? When I was growing up, self-care was often misconstrued as something akin to self-obsession, over-indulgence and being "spoiled." Years later, after burning out as a stay-at-home mom who worked part time from home, I came to realize that I was the one who needed the time outs! A new gym membership, yoga, running, meditating, massages, travel and focusing on nutritious cooking were necessary measures to quiet my mind and bring me back to myself. The idea that self-care is somehow wrong or undeserved is completely misguided.
Your assignment: Take on self-care beginning today. Make a to-do list of nurturing actions that will fill you with delight. Below are suggestions to get you started. The point is to calm you, not have you feeling even more stressed about accomplishing tasks. If the thought of doing more is overwhelming, choose just one activity to add to your routine, and see how it makes you feel. When you are ready, try another or swap one regimen for the next until you find your own brand of self-care that really hits the spot. I'd love to hear what you enjoy most in your self care regimen. Please share in the comments below.
Self-Care To-Do's
- Drink water first thing in the morning
- Have a green smoothie
- Eat organic whole food
- Walk barefoot on the beach
- Get a massage, facial, pedicure or other spa service
- Take a yoga class
- Enroll at a gym
- Try a new cardio or dance class
- Begin a mediation practice for 5 minutes a day
- Take a hike
- Spend time with friends
- Take a class either online or at a local school
- Go shopping for a little retail therapy
- See a therapist
- Take a transformational workshop
- Plan a trip
- Adopt a pet
- Schedule quiet time for reading
- Take a nap
- Do a puzzle
- Make a pot of tea
- Light a scented candle
- Take an epsom salt bath
Grilled Chicken and Veggie Skewers with Chimichurri
What could be easier on a summer evening than grilled skewers? Separating the chicken from the veggies allows you to grill them at different times as needed. This recipe is part of my summer 5-day detox program. More like this to come in my fall detox, details coming soon.
Serves 2
Print recipe
For the Skewers:
2 organic, free-range boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into one-inch chunks
6 cremini mushrooms, wiped clean and foot trimmed
1 small zucchini or summer squash, cut into one-inch chunks
1 bell pepper, seeded and cut into one-inch chunks
1 small sweet onion, cut into large chunks
For the Chimichurri:
1 c lightly packed chopped parsley
3 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
1/3 c red wine vinegar
¼ c packed cilantro
½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp freshly ground pepper
Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, brush lightly with olive oil, then season with salt & pepper. Thread the veggies onto different skewers and repeat.
Heat your grill to medium high heat, and grill the skewers until they are lightly browned and the chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes total. Pull veggie skewers off sooner if they appear cooked and with grill marks.
Meanwhile, make the chimichurri by combining the chimichurri ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth, then drizzle over the skewers before serving. Store any remaining sauce in an airtight glass container for about a week in the fridge.
Note: If you’re using wooden or bamboo skewers, you’ll need to soak them in water for 15 minutes before using in order to keep them from catching fire while on the grill.