Kelly Bonanno

Life & Wellness Coach & Matchmaker helping you make your next chapter your best chapter

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7 Good Reasons to Practice Yoga

Yoga is rich in benefits for the mind, body, and spirit

Yoga studios have been popping up everywhere in the last few years. It’s like Starbucks, seems like there’s one on every corner, right?! It’s more popular than ever, with over 20 million Americans practicing. I have been an avid yogini on and off for more than 20 years. Unfortunately, I’ve been more ‘off’ for too long. I do plenty of cardio and strength training and I’m usually good about doing some yogic stretches afterward but haven’t had the steady yoga practice that I used to. I miss it! 

In fact, I was just telling a friend at lunch the other day that I want to commit to a regular practice again. Honestly, I see and feel a clear difference in both the way I look and feel when yoga is a regular part of my fitness routine. Writing this has inspired me and now I’ve put it out there, you can hold me accountable! Check back in a few weeks to see where I’m at 😉 

A good yoga session leaves you with an inner peace that stays with you throughout the day. The mind body experience of yoga has benefits that go beyond leaner muscles and a more zen state of being. No chanting necessary, so roll out your yoga mat and strike a pose.

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The Mind Body Connection
In yoga, you focus on your breathing, as well as what your body is doing and how it is feeling and reacting to each pose. That focus carries through to other aspects of your life. “I think the most important benefit of a yoga practice is learning how to replace habits with mindfulness,” says Leeann Carey, founder, Yāpana by Leeann Carey Yoga. “Mindfulness is a strategy for turning knowing into doing and being. It is more than striking a yoga pose. It is about noticing what you are doing and how you are doing it. A yoga practice is a method for implementing this.”

Increased Strength and Stamina Yoga doesn’t just make you more flexible, it really makes your muscles strong. You work all of your body parts and many of the poses take a tremendous amount of strength, particularly when you challenge your body to hold them for at least five breaths. I notice a lot more definition when I practice yoga on a regular basis. A good yoga class really works me and I love it.

Stress Reduction

Yoga has a calming effect on the nervous system. Stress causes a PLETHORA of health problems, seriously, it’s a killer. Anything you can do to manage stress will be unbelievably beneficial. Mindful breathing is one of the best things you can do to bring your stress levels down. In yoga, you focus on your breath as you move from pose to pose. Yoga has been shown to increase levels of a chemical in your brain that helps decrease anxiety known as GABA (gamma-amniobutyric). That wonderful afterglow of yoga known as the “yoga buzz” keeps you energized and calm.

Pain Relief

The Group Health  Research Institute in Seattle recently conducted a study where they found that 60 percent of their subjects suffering from chronic back pain reported significant relief after just 12 yoga classes.

Weight Loss

There isn’t a huge amount of research regarding yoga and weight loss but studies have shown a correlation. Carey says she has seen countless students lose weight through yoga, “There are plenty of styles of yoga that promote weight loss — some that are more aerobic than others. But the most important and enduring effect is a mindful lifestyle which supports overall healthy choices in food, activity, thought, and action in all things,” says Carey.

It Just Might Reduce Inflammation 

Inflammation is the primary cause of disease and aging. Reducing toxic load and maintaining a healthy weight are huge factors in keeping inflammation in check. The Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research reported a study that found individuals who practiced yoga had lower inflammatory markers levels than those who didn’t.

Yoga Is for Everyone

It doesn’t matter what your fitness  level is or how old you are, there are modifications for each pose that allow everyone to practice and reap the benefits. Yoga is now mainstream; it’s easy to find a good class. There are several different types of yoga, so do a little research and find the best fit for you. Be sure to choose a reputable yoga studio with skilled instructors. It is crucial that they know how to teach proper alignment and make necessary adjustments in the poses to avoid injuries. Namaste 

Yoga tree pose

This post was originally published in 2016, it has been updated and revised for your enjoyment.

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Lessons My Mother Taught Me

My Beautiful Mother

My Beautiful Mother

Naturally, I thought about my mom and how much I miss her on Mother’s Day. I had a lovely dream about her the night before. She was happy, showing me around her new home. She always did have a flair for decorating, our home while I was growing up was beautiful. I view that dream as her way of communicating to me that she’s happy and peaceful among the angels ♥ having fun with my dad.

I wrote this article a few years after she passed. I learned a lot from her, these are a few of the gems…

After we become moms, we can’t help but see our own mothers in a slightly different light. We have a deeper understanding of the love they feel for us and we appreciate the sacrifices they made. Unfortunately my mother is no longer with us. I miss her and often wish I could talk with her and seek her advice on life, parenting, and how she kept her skin so smooth. There are moments when I think to myself how grateful I am for both the big and small lessons I learned from her while I was growing up.

She taught me proper etiquette and the importance of being polite. Because of my mom, I know which one is the salad fork, and that a simple thank you note is a lovely expression of gratitude. When we receive a gift or when someone goes out of their way to do something special for us, a handwritten thank you note is a show of gratitude that never goes out of style. My mom impressed upon me how important a thank you note is and I have done the same with my kids. It’s a simple gesture that shows a great deal of appreciation.

My mother was nurturing and taught me the important things in life, but she also modeled healthy living that certainly shaped how I live today… Read entire article at Parent Society.

 

 

 

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Lessons My Father Taught Me

His optimism and perseverance never cease to amaze me

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It’s a year ago today that my father passed away. The year of firsts… first Christmas without him, first Father’s Day without him… but I miss him every single day. The world felt safer with him in it. I am fortunate to have had a father I admire and respect. I am the woman I am today because of the way he and my mother raised me and the abundance of love they gave me. In honor of him, I am reposting this article I wrote about him for Parent Society…

I reflected on some of the many lessons I learned from my mother in a recent article. On Father’s Day, I couldn’t help but think about the things my father taught me. He is a brave man who has endured a lot during the course of his long life. My dad is a likable character with a great sense of humor…. a great storyteller with a vivid memory that allows him to recount events in his life with great detail. His advice throughout the years has stayed with me and served me well in life.

My father is the most optimistic person I know.  He has had some serious hard knocks in his life but he keeps a positive outlook, pulls himself up by the boot straps and carries on. Some might say he’s positive to a fault and that his thinking may be unrealistic in some instances. However, negative thinking never gets anyone anywhere. Scores of studies have touted the benefits that positive thinking has on our health and well being. Some believe this way of thinking is inherited. I’m fairly optimistic so there just might be some truth to that. Whether it’s genetic or not, he modeled it so I learned it.

He perseveres. It’s not enough to simply think positively in the face of adversity, learn what you can from the situation, move past it, and keep living your best life. He has had many blessings in his lifetime… Read entire article at Parent Society.

His optimism and positive attitude were an inspriation

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Lessons My Mother Taught Me

As I celebrated an especially fun Mother’s Day, I found myself reflecting on lessons I hope to pass on to my children

photo (1)After we become moms, we can’t help but see our own mothers in a slightly different light. We have a deeper understanding of the love they feel for us and we appreciate the sacrifices they made. Unfortunately my mother is no longer with us. I miss her and often wish I could talk with her and seek her advice on life, parenting, and how she kept her skin so smooth. There are moments when I think to myself how grateful I am for both the big and small lessons I learned from her while I was growing up.

She taught me proper etiquette and the importance of being polite. Because of my mom, I know which one is the salad fork, and that a simple thank you note is a lovely expression of gratitude. When we receive a gift or when someone goes out of their way to do something special for us, a handwritten thank you note is a show of gratitude that never goes out of style. My mom impressed upon me how important a thank you note is and I have done the same with my kids. It’s a simple gesture that shows a great deal of appreciation… Read entire article at Parent Society.

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6 Simple Ideas for Summer Fun

While away the hours this summer with these simple pleasures that won’t break the bank

Work deadlines, bills, housework, errands, chauffeuring the kids … there is always so much to do. Our lives are busier than ever, but don’t let the lazy days of summer pass you by without indulging in a little summer fun. Remember, autumn doesn’t start until the 21st of September so give yourself permission to enjoy some of summer’s sweetest activities while you can, because you’ll miss it when that first sign of winter appears. Escape and enjoy some simple pleasures this summer with these ideas that won’t drain your wallet.

134398338Go Berry Picking
This is something my kids and I do every summer. Many local farms will let you go out on the field and pick your own blueberries and strawberries. It’s a fun way to teach them a little bit about where fresh food comes from and how it’s grown. This is also one surefire way to get them to eat healthy. They find it quite sweet to eat the fruits of their labor.

Try Something New
Summer is a great time to swim in a lake, hit the beach, or take a long bike ride. Switch it up and do something different that you’ve been longing to try like rock climbing, karate, a yoga painting, or gourmet cooking class… Read entire article at Parent Society.

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10 Tips for a Successful Garage Sale

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

I am the opposite of a hoarder. I like to purge, clean out, and organize whenever the mood strikes. I’ve moved a lot over the years so I’ve had many successful garage sales and some not so successful so I’ve learned a few things about what works and what doesn’t. It’s a great time of year to clean out that garage and basement, organize those closets, and earn a little mad money for all that stuff you don’t need.

bigstock_Garage_Sale_Horizontal_57190511. Get organized.

Give yourself enough time to get ready for the sale. Don’t fool yourself: These sales are hard work so have a game plan. Take a few weeks to go through your entire house and give yourself enough time to clean out your house out from top to bottom. It’s cathartic and you’ll feel great when you’re done. Make signs and plan where you’ll hang them. When the sale is over, be sure to take them down and either recycle them or save them for next year’s sale.

2. Be prepared.

Have plenty of one dollar bills and quarters so you can make change for your patrons. Have a calculator nearby and keep a bunch of grocery bags on hand so you can offer them to your customers.  People tend to come in waves and it will get hectic when there’s a rush, so have your money on you and keep an eye on small items. At a previous sale of ours, a pair of earrings were stolen during the chaos.

MovingTips5-300x2003. Get the neighbors involved.

A neighborhood-wide sale attracts people. You’ll get more traffic and likely sell more, so encourage neighbors to clean out that basement and let go of all that stuff they’ll never use. There’s a fun vibe in the air when lots of neighbors are out; it gives your hood a good energy… Read entire article at Parent Society.

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3 Healthy Alternatives to Kids’ Favorite Foods

When was the last time your child asked you for a plate of steamed vegetable? Never, right?! If they’re like most kids they’re begging for cookies, cheeseburgers, pizza, candy, etc… right?!

Providing our kids with a healthy diet is a constant battle for parents. Our culture is obsessed with junk food, and spends more than 110 billion dollars on fast food every year. Over 30 percent of children in America under age 17 are overweight. Kids are the target market for all the junk food out there. We don’t want to deprive them of the foods they love, but it’s our job to make sure they’re getting proper nutrition. Many of their favorite foods are unhealthy, but fortunately there are some delicious alternatives. Read on to learn about my picks …

1. Healthy pancakes.

Love to make pancakes every Sunday morning? Look for a mix that’s made with organic stone ground whole grain flour, pure raw evaporated cane juice or pure raw sugar, and aluminum-free leavening. I make them even healthier by adding ground flax seeds and wheat germ. (My kids don’t even notice.) The recipe calls for oil, so opt for a healthy option like grape seed oil, then top with a little 100 percent pure maple syrup. My kids love them! Try Bob’s Red Mill buttermilk pancake and waffle mix or organic seven-grain pancake mix from Nuts.com… Read entire article at Parent Society. 

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5 Ways to Green Your Beauty Routine

A few simple changes can make a positive impact

86525535-300x200What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in our bodies. The skin is the body’s largest organ; it absorbs up to 60 percent of what we put on it. Most women use an average of up to 20 personal care items every day and the ingredients in those products go straight to our bloodstream. Treat the earth and yourself a little kinder with these five natural tips to be a greener glamour girl.

1. Know Your Ingredients
Many are carcinogenic, others adversely affect our reproductive systems, and some disrupt our endocrine systems. The cosmetic industry is not regulated, so companies are not required to disclose ingredients. Safety testing is left to the manufacturers, so they can use nearly anything they want in their formulations. The European Union bans over 1300 cosmetic ingredients. The U.S. has banned only 11. If you are curious about whether or not your favorite cosmetics contain toxic chemicals, a good resource is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Data Base. They rate the safety of several products. Ava Anderson Non Toxic has great products and the whole line is pure and non toxic. 

2. Screen Your Sunscreen

Most dermatologists agree that the number one anti-aging secret is protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. However, like cosmetics, most sunscreens have harmful chemicals as well. Steer clear of sunscreen that contains ingredients like… Read entire article at Parent Society.