Tag: wellbeing

Friday, March 3

Today is Friday, March 3. This week’s practice to expand your vitality is to try something new that has health-promoting properties, matcha. If this option is a tool that appeals to you, please join us.

Think about this: Matcha is a powder form of special Japanese green tea leaves that have been grown in the shade. It does have caffeine. Due to the high amount of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, there is evidence suggesting it has anti-inflammatory effects, may prevent cancer, reduce blood pressure and protect the blood vessels, improve brain function and prevent some brain disorders as well as improve insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate metabolism.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Matcha as a powder, does not dissolve in water so it has to be well blended in a liquid before drinking. It does not need to be steeped because you drink the powdered tea leaves. Use a bamboo whisk or milk frother and whisk 1 tsp matcha with 1-2 Tbs hot water until smooth. Dilute with additional water or milk of your choice to taste. Use a bamboo whisk, milk frother, blender, or shake it up in a mixing jar until it is frothy for your final drink. Remember, matcha does have caffeine.  

A quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, “If we choose to drink a cup of tea in mindfulness, the pleasure of drinking tea will more than double because we are truly there and the tea is also truly there.

Thank you to Payoon Gerinto for this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, August 28

Today is Friday, August 28, 2020. Willow trees are swaying and creating a lovely curtain for the ducks who have gathered together. The ducklings look grown up.

Inspiration: A Quote from Jimmy Fallon

“’Have Fun’ is my message. Be silly. You’re allowed to be silly. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

Photo by Ashish Mehta

We invite you to experience the Joy of Reflective Journaling. You may repeat this prompt until the next one is released.

Reflective Journaling Prompt: What made you smile today? What brought you joy today? Did you have fun today, even for a brief moment? What makes something fun? What can you do to increase the joy and fun in your life- or someone else’s?

The Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:  

  • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
  • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
  • Organize your mind.
    1. Imagine a box with a lid. It can be colorful or plain. It can be large or small or any size you want. Put that box on the side.
    2. Take those feelings that don’t serve you right now and place them in the box.
    3. Now, place all the thoughts about things you don’t have control over, and place them in the box also.
    4. Close the box.
    5. You can come back to the box any time to add or examine what you have in there, but you don’t need to carry it with you. You can leave it for a bit. It will be safe there.

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am resilient and learning every day. I am a part of the global community. I love myself because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness out to all people.”

 With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,  

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

The Daily Gifts of Vitality are released 3 times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.