Take to the track Thursday

Happiness comes from within; happy people choose to be happy, therefore they do things differently to make and keep themselves happy. One of the many things you will find happy people doing is Exercise. Many studies have shown that there's a link between happiness and exercise (The pursuit of Happiness), from increasing happiness levels to boosting self-esteems, giving you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.

Real life can often intrude with our best intentions and one missed workout turns into two, three, and before you know it, we have created a list of excuses not to workout. Spring is here and there are only a few weeks until summer so make exercise a habit and cement a workout plan to stick to. Lace up and take to the track (or run to your favorite cupcake shop)!. 

 

Less than three,

Chalaudas

Won't be long before Winter's gone Wednesday

It won't be long before Winter is gone and we spring into Spring! In the spirit of being mindful and expressing gratitude, let's celebrate all things winter one last time this season. Its only in Winter that the Chalauda's love skiing and snowboarding, enjoy taking long walks in the snow covered forest, sticking out our tongues to catch Winter's first flakes, running in the chill of winter's air, warming up with hot cocoa and fondue, finding cute winter mittens, scarves, and hats, seeing a white winter wonderland, long nights cuddling in flannel pjs, a crackling fireplace, seeing snow glisten in the sun, cross country skiing, taking a hot shower or bath, beach vacations while hearing about "snowmageddon" back home, snowball fights, an excuse to eat treats and cupcakes...and the list goes on! So before you groan about overcast skies and seemingly never ending snow, celebrate the things you DO love about winter! Because even though the grass will be greener on the other side, winter will be gone before you know it!

Less than three,
Chalauda

Tagalong Trail mix Tuesday

Trail mixes can be a perfect blend of nutrition and energy snack that can tagalong for on-the-go moments. Supermarkets offers countless brands and varieties of premixed trail mix bars that does the thinking for us.  The negative aspect of this is that the bars contain a large ratio of the unhealthy ingredients (peanuts and raisins) compared to the healthy ones because they're less expensive; so you are paying more than what it's worth. 

An alternative is to create your own!  Homemade trail mix can be cheaper, healthier, and more nutritious.  Making a bagful takes less than 5 minutes and depending on what you combine, each serving provides carbohydrates (for quick energy), protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals to fuel you throughout the day. Trail mix was intended to be a healthy snack, so avoid adding things like pretzels, marshmallows, or sugar coated anything.  However, if you find your trail mix to be boring, then add a little treat for a tasty addition (fun-size M&M's or dark chocolate chips)! You can have a treat and be healthy too!

Less than three,
Chalauda

Mushroom movement Monday

How many corporate logos can you recognize? We bet more than you think! Did you know that even pre-schoolers can easily identify hundreds of logos even before they know how to read? Now let's switch lanes, and ask how many types of mushrooms you can name? If you are like us you could barely name a handful of different kinds of mushrooms. Little did we know, there are over 14,000 different types of mushrooms including 3,000 edible varieties, and 1,400 poisonous ones! Mushrooms have some pretty amazing properties, which is why today is mushroom movement Monday! Why not sit down with a cup cake, and take a few minutes to find out all about the wonderful benefits of mushrooms. Let us know what you find out!

Less than three,
Chalauda

Tadasana Mountain Thursday

Do you ever feel guilty when you don't find time to make it to the gym? Stop it! You don't have to spend hours at the gym lifting weights to feel strong. Look within yourself and find the strength of a mountain. Stand tall, strong and unwavering in Tadasana pose (for more on this yoga pose click here). Focus on your breath, as you take a big inhale in from your belly and exhale slowly through your nose. Use this time as a standing meditation. The intention of meditation is not to have a blank mind, but to be mindful of the present. As you stand in mountain pose, let go of all your racing thoughts and concentrate in singularity on your breath. Feel the power of your feet root down into the ground, your quads engaged as you grow tall from the crown of your head. You are powerful. You are strong. Stand tall, strong and unwavering in Tadasana for atleast 1 minute today, then go have a cupcake to celebrate your strength!

Copyright: Chalauda Photography 2013

Less than three,
Chalauda

Waste be gone Wednesday!

It's the first day of Spring and that means Spring cleaning! Kick of Spring this Wednesday by getting rid of your unnecessary waste, and spring clean from the inside out. Declutter that messy chaotic closet, let go of the baggage that serves no purposes in you life and eliminate the negativity that is hanging around you and slowing you down. Get rid of symbols of sadness in your life. Hanging on to so many possessions can make us feel overwhelm and lose sight of what's important. Few belongings = more freedom. Why?
Because less mass = more energy. So grab a cupcake and clean!

“Letting go isn’t the end of the world; it’s the beginning of a new life.” ~Unknown

Less than three,
Chalauda 

Tummy Tuck Tuesday

Food nourishes the body and comforts the soul. But sometimes our hectic schedules can interfere with the choices we make in terms of the things we eat. Spoil yourself everyday by putting your health first. Fast food doesn't have to mean compromising your body and soul, it just means eating something convenient and easy to prepare. Eating simply can be as easy as 1-2-3 or 3-2-1. Check out one of our favorite recipes for " 3-2-1 Chalauda Salad"

3-2-1 Chalauda Salad with 1-2-3 Dressing

3 veggies of any kind (we love spinach, kale, and celery)
2 fruits of any kind (try blackberries and avocado)
1 protein (eggs, fish, or nuts)

1-2-3 Chalauda Dressing Recipe
1 part olive oil
2 parts maple syrup
3 parts lemon juice

Chop up and mix together all of your 3-2-1 ingredients in a bowl. Mix together your 1-2-3 dressing and drizzle over your 3-2-1 salad. 5-4-3-2-1 ready, set, enjoy!

Don't forget to add a side of cupcake!

Copyright: Chalauda Photography 2013

Copyright: Chalauda Photography 2013

Less than three,
Chalauda

March madness Monday

Today kicks off the official start of March Madness; for a few weeks, Americans go mad for college basketball trying to determine the national champions by the fill of their brackets. Among all the frenzy and chaos that takes place throughout the month of March, remember that the true national champions are those who have won your friendship, love, respect, admiration, etc; they are the trophies you would be proud to display openly on your mantel for others to see.

Less than three,
Chalauda

Tranquility Thursday

What is the secret to life? Why are some happier than others when they're both working the same job or doing the same activities? Today for Thursday we focus on tranquility: an untroubled state of peace and quiet, free from stress, emotions, or disturbances. The secret to life is doing what you like, but most importantly, the key to happiness in life is liking what you do. Have a tranquil Thursday with a side of cupcake!

Copyright: Chalauda Photography 2013

Less than three, 

Chalauda 

Wake up Wednesdays!

Did you know that spending time outdoors can vastly improve both your physical and mental health? Check out the many benefits here. We're making today's blog short and sweet because its Wake Up Wednesdays. We're logging off the computer early today, hiding our phones, and getting lost in nature. Devote at least 10 minutes of your day today immersed and concentrated in nature.  Wherever you are, let nature awaken your senses. Some of our favorites from today, feeling winter's cool blast of wind and snow on our cheeks, hearing the birds chirping in the morning, smelling the fresh outside air instead of being inside, tasting sweet maple syrup on our pancakes, and of course seeing a pretty sunset at the beach! Enjoy Wake up Wednesdays and get outside with a cupcake :)

Copyright: Chlauda Photography 2013

Less than three,
Chalauda  

Munching on Cupcake Monday!

As an adult, happiness is so complex, elusive, and hard to capture. We are constantly bombarded with the message that happiness can be found by seeking bigger and better things; a dream vacation, a promotion at work, or a passionate new relationship worthy of being made into a romantic comedy to name a few. To a child, happiness is so simple. Some of life's best lessons are those taught to us by children. Happiness is found in life's simple pleasures. It's about finding your cupcake in life, finding the joy  in your daily routine and appreciating your surroundings. So what's making the Chalaudas smile today? We are  Munching on Mondays with these fabulous cupcakes!

Less than three,
Chalauda

Finding Friday Time

Where is the time to think and wonder, to introspect, get lost in thought, to day dream? We are in constant connection with technology, but we have never been more unconnected from the self. Finding Friday time takes us inward, towards a yogic way of living. Today, we are finding our mind, soul, body connection and devoting this Friday to the "cupcake pose". Do your cupcake pose by practicing any yoga move that makes you smile; first inwardly than outwardly.

Copyright: Chalauda Photography 2013

Less than three,
Chalauda

Thoughts for Thursday...Spreading love

In today's society empowered by technologies, it is so easy for us to lose sight of what really matters: building friendships and relationships we already have and spreading love.

Each and everyone of us is in fact loved; so remind others that they are loved as well! The next time you see a friend or family member, how will you express your love to let them know how great they are?

Skip the text messages and make it more meaningful and personal with a Do- It- Yourself (DIY) 3-D I love you sign language hand art. Add this with a cupcake and I'm sure it'll melt their hearts.

Use different colors to express your love! 

Less than three, 

Chalauda

Wash your face Wednesday!

What's in your lotion? Have you ever stopped to wonder how many chemicals are secretly hiding in the everyday products that you use to "clean" your body (Read about Dangers on phthalates)? Living simply is so easy, and we've started by making changes to the products we use on our bodies. Instead of reaching for that highly processed chemical mixture, try looking in the kitchen for nutrient rich ingredients good enough to eat.

One of our favorites is this homemade coconut honey sugar scrub!

Recipe
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 table spoon sugar
1 table spoon honey

To nourish your skin, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Before applying the scrub, rinse your face with warm water to open your pores. This scrub is  good enough to eat! Be sure to check out all of the amazing benefits and uses for coconut oil (here).

Sending lots of cupcake love!
Less than three,
Chalauda

Tea time Tuesday

"Tea is a cup of life." -Unknown

What's in your cup???

"Find passion in a cup of tea and be tea passionate."

Mundane Monday...but it doesn't have to be!

Happy Monday Cupcakes! According to Wikipedia, Monday is the day of the week between Sunday and Tuesday. It is the tomorrow of Sunday and the yesterday of Tuesday, or as what some says... "What Sunday threw up."  But are Mondays as mundane and blue as we think or make it to be? According to an article published by Arthur A. Stone in New York Times (article website), a study was conducted searching for evidence that Monday was bluer than Tuesday or Wednesday and none was found. It turns out,"Mondays are as pleasant to Americans as the three days that follow, and only a trifle less joyful than Friday."

Every day of the week can be joyful like Friday if we make it to be. There are 10 things science (and Buddhism) says we can do that will make us happy (10 things), and facebooking is not one of them. Take 10 minutes to read this article and you'll be looking at things on the brighter side!

Copyright: Chalauda Photography 2013

T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U!
(and we're saying it like we mean it!)

Less than three,
Chalauda

Chao! Bem-vindo!

Namaste and Welcome to our CHALAUDA blog!

This is a blog dedicated to inspire joyful living. We are a trio of friends looking to spread our Chalauda message of well-being. In an age where depression and anxiety have never been so widespread and those on psychiatric medication has never been higher (See article from the APA), we are on a mission to promote healthy living and natural pathways to mental fitness.

We invite you on our joyful living journey by practicing the Chalauda way. Its as easy as: being thankful, reflecting positively, living simply, using your talents, exercising, and meditating. Be sure to follow our blog as we find ways to practice and find joyful living! May the spirit in us honor the spirit in you.  Congratulations on finding a happier you, we'll be celebrating with cupcakes :) 

 Copyright: Chalauda Photography 2013

Less than three,
Chalauda