Quality of life

.I talk a lot about how to take care of yourself so that you can be healthy and enjoy life, I post delicious recipes which are healthy and easy to cook, I talk about how to make your surroundings pretty, and give lots of tips on how to save time so that you have extra time for the things you enjoy doing. In other words - all things that contribute to quality of life.

But one of the key things to having quality of life is figuring out what makes you happy and what you enjoy doing in your free time. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time? When I started eating according to the ketogenic lifestyle I found that I had a lot of extra time (all that time I had spent on planning and thinking about food I now had back), and I needed more things to do and a new hobby. I started knitting!

I picked knitting for several reasons. I've have always wanted to learn to meditate, but without any success. When I start knitting I get so absorbed into the knitting and reading the directions that it becomes my own meditation. It clears my mind and calms me. Another reason is that I feel connected to my mom who passed away last August. She had a favorite pattern she would follow to make potholders, which our friends loved to receive as gifts. Now I'm keeping the tradition going at the same time as I'm taking care of my mind and soul.

So what is your favorite thing to do? Do you have a hobby that makes you happy and feeds your soul?

My next project?

knitting

Photo: Pinterest

Time to relax

.Happy Friday!

Have you taken time to relax this week? I’m a magazine junkie (yes, I admit it, but it’s better than the Diet Coke addiction I used to have). Reading is of the ways I like to get some time to myself. There is nothing better than sitting down in a quiet corner and reading, learning new things and getting motivated to do new projects or exercise. Here is one of the magazines I enjoy reading -

Women's Health Magazine

Avocado Moisturizing Hair Mask

Sunday’s are great for a little bit of pampering. This homemade Avocado Moisturizing Hair Mask works wonders. I sometimes keep it in my hair while I’m running around the house cleaning. The queen of multi-tasking… Avocado Moisturizing Hair Mask

Ingredients

• I ripe avocado • 1 tbsp honey

Directions

1. Mash the avocado into a puree and mix in the honey. 2. Wash your hair and towel dry it. 3. Massage the avocado mixture into the hair and leave it in for about 30 minutes. 4. Rinse well and shampoo again.

Lavender oil for cuticles

Giving away gifts is more fun than receiving gifts. Don’t you agree? If they are homemade it’s even more fun. Here is an oil I make and use myself, but also love to give to friends. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so start making some! Ingredients

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 5 drops lavender essential oil 2 drops lemon essential oil

Directions Warm the oil to a comfortable temperature and add the oils. Stir to mix. Soak your fingertips for about 10 minutes. Pour the oil in a bottle for storage.

The oil can be reused several time. Store it in a bottle in a cool place and re-heat before use.

What are you reading?

I went to the book store the other day to get a break and to find some inspiration. It’s one of my favorite places. We have a coffee shop in our book store and I can sit there for hours reading and drinking coffee. My husband and I take our kids there on the weekends when we need to get out of the house, and they love it as much as we do. The other day when I was sitting there I started thinking about the kind of books and magazines I read. For example, I don’t read the news every day. I skim the world news, but that is it. I probably should pay more attention to the news but they make me really upset and sad so I’ve stopped. I read cook books, interior design books, workout magazines, business magazines etc. In other words everything that inspires me and makes me happy. Are you paying attention to what you are reading every day? It affects our emotions more than we think.

And speaking of being selective in what we read…I passed by the “diet” section. These books I crossed of my reading list as soon as I found LCHF. One of the main reasons why I love LCHF is because it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle you can live by. Who would anyone want to be on a diet and be hungry all the time? Check out Eat more fat, Fatty and cross off these books from your reading list too. Let’s live!