NURTURE A LITTLE FAMILY BONDING

I am thrilled to report that after almost two years Momma Jane and I were finally able to take a trip together. Sure, it was just a quick little jaunt to Dallas for some speed shopping and overeating, but it was long overdue. Since we opened Nurture Day Spa & Yoga Studio we have not been able to get away together. Which has been sad because we have always enjoyed travelling together. So a short vaca was just what the family doctor oredered. We were able to relax, bond, and have fun while nixing any biz talk.

Momma Jane and I are consumed with work and after a long day we nearly always end up on the phone talking about more work...it drives our hubbies crazy. We clearly needed some mother/daughter bonding time that did not include work and we finally got it. I hope all of you mothers and daughters, sisters, and girlfriends out there find the opportunity for quality bonding. It does not have to involve a road trip, a nice lunch with plenty of chatting will do the trick.

NURTURE A LITTLE LEARNING

After a little browsing and perusing some super helpful sites I have finally added my favorite reads to the site (see right). Coming from a not so tech savvy individual, this was a quite an accomplishment. So I am taking a moment to pat myself on the back.

I hope you all get a chance to check out the blogs that we are following on Be Nurtured (still trying to figure out how to add links, next on the list) Pink Heels, and Women Wise Marketing are great blogs for women in business. I have been gobbling up all kinds of great info since I found those wonderful sites. Happy blogging to all.

Namaste

NURTURE LOVING KINDNESS (Metta Bhavana)

Happy Valentine's Day or Single Awareness Day to all.

It is always easy to remember your loved ones, those that are dear to your heart on this day. May I suggest that in your meditations today, challenge yourself to enlarge your circle of family, friends, and dear ones to include those who have wronged you or treated you poorly. When you send your love out to the world today be sure to include the those that you would not usually think to encompass. It is easy on the mind to focus your love and kind thoughts onto the ones you care about, it is most difficult to send kind affection to the ones you may dislike. When you come to the realization that we are all one, that we are all interconnected, it becomes easier to let go of past hurts and resentment. Cultivate loving kindness in your meditations today.

Wishing everyone loving kindness today and hope you all get to celebrate romance with your honey, give/receive cupcakes, relish dark chocolates, and enjoy a decadent day of love.

Namaste

NURTURE PATIENCE

After delving into a tedious morning of pouring over our rapidly booked up V-day schedule I have realized the utmost importance of cultivating patience. Three part yogic breath is very helpful in times of stress and eases our minds if only for a few moments. Find your breath, inhale slowly noticing your breath flow in from your chest to your ribs to your belly. Exhale noticing your breath flow out from your chest, your ribs, your belly. Once you have the full force of oxygen flowing you can get back on track with a calming attitude and hopefully a little more patience. Remember that we are all where we need to be in each moment, the present moment is all that we have. There is no use in rushing forward or trying to predict the future, a conscience focus on each moment nurtures our patience toward ourselves and others. Take a bit of time today, at your desk, on your break, or in the school pick up lane to consciously be in each moment and feel the need to hurry, hurry, hurry pass.

Namaste

NURTURE YOUR JOURNEY

I HAVE TO SHARE ONE OF MY FAVE QUOTES FROM ONE OF MY FAVE BOOKS...

"IF YOU CANNOT FIND A COMPANION EQUAL TO OR BETTER THAN YOURSELF, JOURNEY ALONE-DO NOT TRAVEL WITH A FOOL." EXCERPT FROM The Dhammapada (Classics of Indian Spirituality).


MY HUBS FINDS THIS OFFENSIVE FOR SOME REASON, MAYBE HE THINKS I WOULD RATHER BE TRAVELLING ALONE HA HA, NEVERTHELESS, IT RESONATES WITH ME. IF WE PICTURE LIFE AS A WONDROUS JOURNEY THEN WE SHOULD ALL BE AWARE OF WHO IS TRAVELLING WITH US. IT IS A REMINDER TO CHERISH THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE THAT ACCOMPANY US ON THIS JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE.

NAMASTE

NURTURE TRANQUILIT

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO NURTURE DAY SPA & YOGA STUDIO LATELY YOU HAVE BEEN MISSING OUT ON WHAT I REFER TO AS OUR "SHRINE TO KIMBERLY WILSON". KIMBERLY WILSON IS THE AUTHOR OF Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat
AND VERY INSPIRING YOGA TEACHER WITH YOGA STUDIOS IN WASHINGTON D.C. I AM ADDICTED TO her Blog WHERE I WAS INTRODUCED TO HER LINE OF YOGA WEAR... TRANQUILIT THROUGH MY CONSTANT BROWSING OF HER WEBSITE. I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE TRANQUILIT HOODIE (SEE MOI ON THE RIGHT IN CRANBERRY HOODIE) AND HAD TO ORDER IT IMMEDIATELY. AS SOON AS MY NEW ITEM ARRIVED I KNEW THAT NURTURE HAD TO CARRY THIS LINE OF VERSATILE AND STYLISH YOGA WEAR FOR OUR SAVVY YOGINIS.

VERSATILE YOGA WEAR LINE TRANQUILIT, DESIGNED BY WASHINGTON D.C. YOGA INSTRUCTOR KIMBERLY WILSON WHO DEVELOPED THE LINE, "OUT OF A NECESSITY FOR CHIC, COMFY YOGA TOGS THAT TRANSITIONED EASILY TO ON-THE-TOWN WEAR." TRANQUILIT ITEMS ARE MADE FROM SUSTAINABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY, ORGANIC BAMBOO, ORGANIC COTTON, AND SOY. SUPER COMFY AND VERSATILE CLOTING THAT IS EASY ON THE EYES AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE HOODIE IS A WONDERFUL SHOWCASE OF THE VERSATILITY OF TRANQUILIT ITEMS. IT CAN BE WORN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS, YOU CAN EVEN PUT IT ON BACKWARDS. IT IS THE PERFECT PIECE TO THROW ON OVER YOUR LEGGINGS AND TANK WHEN YOU DASH OFF TO YOUR YOGA SESSION AND WILL CARRY YOU TO A DINNER DATE, A MOVIE, OR JUST RUNNING ERRANDS AROUND TOWN. HOWEVER, I HAVE FOUND MYSELF PAIRING IT OVER JEANS AND A TANK AND OVER DRESSES FOR A LITTLE ADDED WARMTH.

STOP BY NURTURE DAY SPA & YOGA STUDIO TO SHOP SUSTAINALBE LIFESTYLE WEAR FOR YOGA AND BEYOND.

NAMASTE

I HEART SATURDAYS

I JUST HAVE TO GUSH ABOUT ALL THE LOVELY LADIES THAT COME BY FOR ULTRA PAMPERING ON SATURDAYS. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, INDULGING GROUPS OF GIRLFRIENDS IN TOTAL RELAXATION. IT IS SO MUCH FUN TO SEE THE GALS GETTING TOGETHER AND HAVING A DAY OF FUN FILLED TREATS.

SURE, YOU ARE PROBABLY THINKING, HOW IS WORKING ON SATURDAYS ANY FUN? AND I HEAR YA, BUT I HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL WOMEN IN MY LIFE THAT I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF SPENDING TIME TOGETHER WHICH IS WHY I ABSOLUTELY SAVOR WORKING ON SATURDAYS.

NURTURE, HANDS DOWN, HAS THE BEST GUESTS EVER. I AM NOT SURE HOW TO EXPLAIN IT, BUT WE JUST DO. THE BEST. COUPLES AND GAL PALS RETREATING FOR A FEW HOURS COME HERE TO LAUGH AND HAVE A GOOD TIME. WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH FABULOUS PEOPLE WALK THROUGH OUR DOORS. WE COULD NOT ASK FOR MORE.

SO IF YOU ARE THINKING OF PLANNING A GIRL'S DAY COME SEE US AND IF YOU WANT A FEW NURTURE FACIALS THROWN IN THE MIX, ASK FOR KRISTIN (AKA FACIAL LADY THAT HEARTS SATURDAYS). BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR 'GIGGLING ALLOWED' PACKAGE AS IT IS DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR THE GALS TO GET TOGETHER AND BE NURTURED.

NAMASTE

NURTURE ROMANCE

WITH THE RED, WHITE, AND PINK HOLIDAY QUICKLY APPROACHING WE HAVE COME UP WITH SOME TIPS ON HOW TO NURTURE ROMANCE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

*GET YOUR CREATIVITIY ON
*HOMEMADE CARDS & GIFTS ARE ALWAYS THE BEST
*DITCH THE CANDY & SAVOR A DELICIOUS LUNCH INSTEAD
*SCHEDULE A COUPLES MASSAGE OR SPA PACKAGE
*BAKE COOKIES WITH ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
*VISIT www.snapfish.com & CREATE A FESTIVE PHOTO ALBUM FULL OF MEMORABLE PICS OF YOU & YOUR HONEY
*TAKE WHAT YOU LOVE & SHARE IT WITH SOMEONE SPECIAL
*CARVE OUT TIME FOR A HIKE
*WHIP UP ORGANIC AVOCADO SANDWICHES, THROW A BLANKET DOWN IN THE LIVING ROOM FOR AN INDOOR PICNIC, TAKE IT OUTSIDE IF THE SUN IS SHINING
*CREATE A VISION BOARD TOGETHER OF YOUR GOALS & PLACES YOU WANT TO VISIT
*VISIT THAT NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MUSEUM
*POP POPCORN ON THE STOVE AND SNUGGLE IN WITH CLASSIC ROMANTIC MOVIES


CELEBRATING THE 14th AS 'SINGLE AWARENESS DAY'? WE DIDN'T FORGET ABOUT YOU

*TREAT YOURSELF TO YOUR FAVE BOTTLE OF WINE & SAVOR A GLASS OR TWO
*RELAX WITH YOUR REGULAR YOGA CLASS
*SOAK IN A BUBBLE BATH WITH YOUR LATEST READ (I SUGGEST MY LATEST GUILTY PLEASURE CANDACE BUSHNELL'S 'ONE FIFTH AVENUE')
*BAKE YOURSELF COOKIES USING ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
*CREATE YOUR OWN BLOG & PROFESS YOUR FABULOUSNESS
*HIT THE TOWN WITH YOUR BEST GAL PALS OR BOYS CREW
*SIGN UP FOR FACEBOOK & WATCH THE HOURS FLY BY WHILE RECONNECTING WITH PEOPLE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IN AGES
*SCHEDULE YOURSELF A SPA DAY & INDULGE IN DECADENT SELF CARE

WHETHER YOU ARE CELEBRATING ROMANCE WITH YOUR HONEY OR CELEBRATING SINGLE AWARENESS DAY WITH YOUR FABULOUS SELF REMEMBER TO NURTURE YOURSELF. SELF LOVE IS OFTEN FORGOTTEN BUT EASILY REMEDIED.

P.S. IF YOU ARE SCHEDULING YOUR SPA SERVICES AT NURTURE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY HURRY BECAUSE WE ARE BOOKING UP LIKE CRAZY.

NAMASTE

OOPS

SO IT SEEMS THAT A CAR RAN INTO A POWER LINE THIS MORNING, NOT TOO FAR FROM THE NURTURE ABODE. WHILE WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED, WE ARE MUY FRUSTRATED THAT WE WERE OUT OF POWER ALL MORNING. OUR APOLOGIES TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ENDURED YOUR CLASSES WITHOUT HEAT OR MUSIC AND FOR THE APPOINTMENTS THAT WE HAD TO RESCHEDULE.

I AM TELLING YOU, WE NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AROUND HERE, BUT YOU CAN BE SURE THAT IT IS ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE.

ON A LOVELIER NOTE, MOM AND I WERE ABLE TO CHECK OUT A MOST WONDERFUL LAKEHOUSE FOR OUR UPCOMING SPRING RETREAT. EVEN WITH THE LAKE BEING DOWN (I THINK IT WILL BE BACK UP IN MARCH) IT IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A YOGINI GETAWAY. DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD TO MORE DETAILS ON THE WAY.

NAMASTE

NURTURE YOUR PEEPERS

POST YOGA YESTERDAY EVENING, LINDA M., A REGULAR YOGINI, ASKED ME WHAT TO DO ABOUT PUFFY EYES. SO I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE MY ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE PESKY PUFFS, LINES, AND DARK CIRCLES. PORES AND PEEPERS ARE THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN THAT I HEAR ON A DAILY BASIS. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NOT A LOT WE CAN DO FOR PORES BESIDES KEEPING THEM CLEAN WITH REGULAR FACIALS, EXTRACTIONS, AND AT HOME EXFOLIATING AND MASKING. PEEPERS ON THE OTHER HAND, THOSE CONCERNS CAN BE DEALT WITH RATHER SWIFTLY.

MY BEST 'ON THE GO' RECOMMENDATION IS TO POP 2 SPOONS IN THE FREEZER, ONCE THEY ARE NICE AND COLD PLACE THEM OVER YOUR CLOSED EYELIDS. THE COOLING EFFECT NOT ONLY FEELS GOOD BUT HELPS TO INSTANTLY DE-PUFF. SOME PEOPLE SAY CUCUMBERS, WHICH DO FEEL NICE, BUT I PREFER SPOONS AS THEY HOLD THE CHILL A LITTLE LONGER. IF ALLERGIES KEEP YOU PUFFY FOR MOST OF THE YEAR, A NICE EYEPAD IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT. GEL EYEPADS ARE GREAT FOR POPPING IN THE FREEZER, BUT IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE TO GET OUT OF BED TO INDULGE, LAVENDER FILLED EYEPADS ARE FABULOUS. OUR TRANQUILIT LAVENDER EYEPADDS HAVE A SILK BACKING WHICH IS SOOTHING AND COOLING, MINUS THE TRIP TO THE KITCHEN.

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT MENTION ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS...EYE CREAM. BEING THE PRODUCT JUNKIE THAT I AM (MY SKIN CARE ARSENAL IS MORE LIKE A SMALL COUNTRY THAN AN ARMY)PICKING FAVORITES IS RATHER DIFFICULT. HAVING WORKED IN COSMETICS AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, EYE CREAM IS ONE OF THE PRODUCTS I HAVE CONTINUED TO USE TWICE DAILY WITHOUT FAIL. WHILE THOSE LAUGH LINES ARE BEGINNING TO ETCH THEIR WAY IN, I AM STILL CROW'S FEET FREE!!! PCA EYEXCELLENCE IS A TRIPLE ACTION EYE CREAM THAT COMBATS PUFFINESS, DARK CIRCLES, AND FINE LINES. WHAT MORE COULD WE ASK FOR FROM A TINY LITTLE TUBE. I HAVE BEEN A HUGE FAN OF PCA PEELS AND PRODUCTS FOR YEARS AND AM DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE IT WITH OTHERS THROUGH
NURTURE. Listed below is more detailed info on EyeXcellence...

pHaze 12 eyeXcellence

Product Overview
A triple-action eye cream formulated to reduce puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles around the eye area.

Three peptides join forces to increase collagen production, capillary function and circulation to leave the eye area smooth, even and bright.

Grape seed extract, aloe and vitamin E moisturize and leave the skin healthy and hydrated.

May be used twice daily to decrease fine lines, puffiness and dark circles while providing potent antioxidant action to the delicate eye area.

NAMASTE

NURTURE THYSELF

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SO OVERWHELMED THAT YOU CANNOT MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO DO THE SIMPLEST OF TASKS? I AM SO THERE. UNFORNTUATELY I HAD TO PLACE THE NURUTRE BLOG AT THE BOTTOM OF MY TO DO LIST FOR AWHILE. I BIT OFF A LITTLE MORE THAN I COULD CHEW WHEN I BEGAN THE BLOG, BUT NOW I AM BACK IN ACTION.

IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO NURTURE THYSELF WHEN YOU ARE SO FRAZZLED THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY HEAR THE ENDS OF YOUR HAIR SPLITTING. TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO BREATHE, RELAX, AND REGROUP. YOGA, MEDITATION, MASSAGE, AND FACIALS ARE A WONDERFUL WAY TO RELAX AND DESTRESS. ONCE YOU HAVE RELEASED THAT STRESS YOU HAVE BEEN CLINGING ON TO IT IS EASIER TO MOVE FORWARD.

MY INTENTION FOR THE NEW YEAR CAN BE SUMMED UP IN THE WORD 'ACCEPTANCE'. ACCEPTING WHERE I AM IN THIS MOMENT AND MAKING SMALL STEPS TO FINISH THE TASKS AT HAND TO MOVE FORWARD. MY FIRST STEP WAS TO INVEST IN A PLANNER TO KEEP UP WITH APPOINTMENTS AND DEADLINES WITH A FABULOUS RED PLANNER COVER TO KEEP UP WITH ALL MY LITTLE NOTES AND REMINDERS. HAVING EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE CLEARS MY HEAD FOR NEW IDEAS AND PLANS. NOW IF I COULD JUST REMEMBER TO GLANCE AT IT EVERYDAY...I AM GETTING THERE.

SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO STOP EVERYTHING, TAKE TIME FOR OURSELVES, AND AFTER SOME DOWN TIME YOU CAN FACE THE FULL VOICEMAIL BOX, THE STACK OF MAIL ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER, AND THOSE LINGERING E-MAILS WITH GUSTO.

CHEERS, HERE'S TO NURTURING OURSELVES!!!