HOW WORD CHOICES TRANSFORM YOUR MIND

HOW WORD CHOICES TRANSFORM YOUR MIND

By lifehack.org - Tamara Techner

The way we speak has powerful impact on our ability to be successful and happy yet few of us are intentional with our choice of words. Studies have shown that use of negative words like “no” can actually change the release of hormones and neurotransmitters  to ones that damage key structures that regulate your memory, feelings, and emotions.  Changing the way we speak to ourselves and to others through making better word choices can impact our optimism and improve the willingness of others to hear what we are saying.

Here are a few tips on how to make your language work for you.

"The words you speak become the house you live in" - Hafiz

The most powerful word in your vocabulary…YET.

Often we make statements like “I can’t speak French” or “I don’t know how to lose weight” but by adding one little word, yet, to the end of each sentence you change the sentiment from something you cannot do to something you aspire to do. Your brain recognizes the subtle difference between a hopeless statement and one that suggests that at a future time it will happen. Whenever you start something new, remember this helper word to make sentences stronger and more hopeful. For example, “I don’t know anything about economics yet” or “I haven’t run a marathon yet.”

Take BUSY out of your life.

The word busy has certainly become a buzzword of this generation. We aspire to be busy as though it proves that we are doing important things and not wasting our lives. Busy implies doing a lot or even struggling to complete all that needs to be done. I suggest replacing busy with productive or full. This simple switch empowers you to have a results that you control without implied turbulence. Getting the hurry gone and slowing down mentally actually makes us more effective at multitasking. Don’t have busy days — have productive days!

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100 TINY SWAPS THAT CAN MAKE YOUR LIFE TOTALLY DIFFERENT

100 TINY SWAPS THAT CAN MAKE YOUR LIFE TOTALLY DIFFERENT

By lifehack.org - Amy Johnson

mall things add up. If you want to improve your life, check out these 100 small swaps you can make today to improve various aspects of your life, making you happier, healthier, and more productive.

Happiness

1. Swap texting for a phone call. Even if you initially feel shy or awkward, once you are used to making phone calls you will find them faster and more enjoyable!

2. Swap sitting on social media for an hour for Skyping with a friend. You will have more fun and you will strengthen a bond with someone you love.

3. Swap each complaint for gratitude. The world will seem like a more positive place when you change your outlook.

4. Swap watching television to reading a book. It is more peaceful and relaxing, and nothing feels better than getting lost in a book.

5. Swap playing on your phone for taking a walk. People can waste hours checking Twitter and Instagram on their phones – instead of looking at filtered pictures, go get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors.

6. Swap stressing for meditation – it is much more likely to relax you.

7. Swap frowning for smiling – it will help you to feel happier and more positive.

8. Swap safe clothes for your favourite top to feel more confident.

9. Swap falling asleep whenever for setting a bedtime – this will improve your sleeping habits and the quality of your sleep.

10. Swap seething for venting. If you feel annoyed, talking it out will help to relax you and clear your head.

11. Swap ignoring strangers for smiling at them. It will improve your mood – and theirs!

12. Swap over-planning for saying “no.” If you don’t want to do something, be honest. You will be happier for it!

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NO BAKE CHOCOLATE BANANA CREAM CAKE - GLUTEN FREE AND VEGAN

NO BAKE CHOCOLATE BANANA CREAM CAKE - GLUTEN FREE AND VEGAN

By onegreenplanet.org - Pauline Hanuise

Nougat Base:

2 tablespoons coconut flour

1 tablespoon almond butter

2 tablespoons coconut cream

1/2 to 1 tablespoon of your favourite sweetener

1 pinch cinnamon

1 pinch sea salt

Banana Layer:

1 fresh banana sliced

Chocolate Cream Layer:

4 tablespoons melted coconut oil

1 tablespoon of your favourite sweetener

1 heaping tablespoon cacao powder

1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons coconut milk

1 pinch cinnamon

1 pinch sea salt

Coconut Whipped Cream:

1 can coconut cream refrigerated

1 tablespoon of your favourite sweetener

To Make the Base:

In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients for your base with a spoon (or with your hands) until well combined. You should obtain a sticky texture.  Spread and press the mixture into a small tin covered with parchment paper and place the first layer of banana slices on top. Place in the freezer to set while preparing your chocolate.

To Make the Chocolate Cream:

Combined all your ingredients (except coconut milk) in a mixing bowl and stir well.  Add your coconut milk at the end and stir well.  Spread over your base and put back in the freezer to set.

To Make the Coconut Whipped Cream:

Open your coconut cream can and place the thick substance (the cream) in your high speed blender. Don’t use the liquid substance (the milk).  Add your sweetener and blend until you obtain a consistent, thick whipped cream texture.  Spread on top of your cake and place in the freezer to set.

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID NEGATIVE PEOPLE

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID NEGATIVE PEOPLE

By lifehack.org - Shawn Doyle

Do you want to be successful?

Do you want achieve great things in life and make all of your dreams come true?

Then one thing I think you have to be very careful about is deciding who you associate with in your life personally and professionally. What I have found is the most successful people that I’ve met have made it a rule to avoid negative people.

Here are 10 reasons why you should avoid negative people in your life.

1. Negative people can affect your attitude

I’m now the author of 18 books, but when I first started writing I told anyone who would listen that the first goal was to write five books in three years. Friends and family were very encouraging, and told me that it was a great goal. Acquaintances however were quite a different story. Some of them said that I was being unrealistic, that I was setting the bar too high, and that writing five books in three years was nearly impossible. If I had chosen to listen to those negative people, or chosen to believe what they had to say, it would have affected my attitude about writing and my goals.

Negative people will discourage you and they will try to drag you down with them to the dark side. As Robert Tew once said, “Don’t let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out.”

2. Negative feedback from negative people affects your thinking

I’ve often said that negative people are ESV’s which stands for energy sucking vampires! The problem with negative people is if you hang around with them enough, and listen to them long enough, they start impacting your thinking, and you soon realize that instead of thinking positively you are thinking negatively. They are very stealth at this. Before you know it, you will find it can definitely impact the way that you think and change your belief system when it shouldn’t.

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RAW CUSTARD APPLE AND APRICOT CHEESECAKE - GLUTEN FREE - VEGAN

RAW CUSTARD APPLE AND APRICOT CHEESECAKE - GLUTEN FREE - VEGAN

By onegreenplanet.org - Kelly Fielding

For the Crust:

75g/1/2 cup of flaked almonds

40g/1/2 cup of desiccated coconut

75g/1/2 cup of sunflower seeds

5 dried apricots

100g/1/2 cup of soft dates (soak in warm water and strain, if need be)

1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder

For the Filling:

1 ripe, soft, medium size custard apple, flesh only

2 small or 1 medium-sized ripe banana

225g/1 1/2 cups of cashews (soak for 2-4 hours, then strained and rinsed well)

1 heaped tablespoon of coconut nectar

2 tablespoons of coconut oil

A tiny pinch of salt

1/4 teaspoon of clove powder

1 teaspoon of vanilla essence

1/2 teaspoon of blood orange zest

2 tablespoons of almond milk

To Make the Crust:

Place all of the base ingredients in your food processor and process until the mixture comes together.  Press it into the base of a square baking tin and place in the fridge while you make the filling

To Make the Filling:

Place all of the ingredients, except for the coconut oil, into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy. You can add a touch more almond milk, if needed.  Add the coconut oil and blend for another 30-60 seconds until the mixture is smooth and creamy and not grainy.  Spoon the mixture into the base and smooth it over evenly.

To Serve:

Place in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours to set and then serve. Top with walnuts and orange slices.

CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRY CHIA PUDDING

CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRY CHIA PUDDING

By mariaushakova.com

CHOCOLATE AND RASPBERRY CHIA PUDDING

INGREDIENTS:

6 Tbsp chia seeds

480ml/2 cups coconut milk beverage or any non-dairy milk

6 large squares dark chocolate (yield about 2 Tbsp melted + 4 Tbsp grated chocolate to decorate)

100g/½ cup fresh or frozen raspberries + a few raspberries to decorate

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a small pot melt about 4 chocolate squares over low heat (should yield about 2 tablespoons melted chocolate). Add 1 cup of the coconut milk beverage or your favourite non-dairy milk and stir until combined making sure the mixture doesn’t become too hot. Turn off the heat and let it cool to the room temperature.  In the meantime, add the raspberries and 1 cup of coconut milk beverage or your favourite non-dairy milk to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into a jar or a glass container and add 3 tablespoons of chia seeds. Mix well until all the chia seeds are covered with the liquid. Cover with a tight lid and place in the refrigerator.  Once the chocolate mixture is cool, pour it into a jar or a glass container and add 3 tablespoons of the chia seeds. Mix well until all the chia seeds are covered with the liquid. Cover with a tight lid and place in the refrigerator. Keep the chia seeds in the fridge overnight or for at least 8 hours.  Once ready to prepare the pudding, check the consistency of the chocolate chia. If you find it too thick add 2 or 3 tablespoons of the milk of your choice and mix well.  Divide the chocolate chia in half and place each half into 2 small bowls or dessert glasses. Divide the raspberry chia in half and place on top of the chocolate chia.  Grate the remaining 2 squares of the dark chocolate using a grater or shave it with a knife. To decorate the chia pudding, add about 2 tablespoons of the shaved chocolate and a few raspberries to each dessert glass.

NOTES:

This dessert keeps well in the fridge for up to 10 hours. This recipe makes 2 puddings about 1 cup each. You can also make 4 mini-puddings about 1/2 cup each.

GUACAMOLE STUFFED CHICKEN - PALEO GLUTEN FREE

GUACAMOLE STUFFED CHICKEN - PALEO GLUTEN FREE

By paleoleap.com

SERVES: 4

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless;

2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted;

50g/¼ cup red onion, diced;

50g/¼ cup fresh tomato, diced;

1 tbsp. lime juice;

1 garlic clove, minced;

¼ tsp. chili powder;

¼ tsp. ground cumin;

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper;

Seasoned Flour Ingredients

1 egg, lightly beaten;

120g/1 cup almond flour;

1 tbsp. paprika;

1 tsp garlic powder;

1 tsp. dried oregano;

1 tsp. chili powder;

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper;

Preheat your oven to 400 F/200C.  Pound each chicken breast thin and flat, using a meat mallet or rolling pin.  Place the avocados in a bowl and mash with a potato masher or a fork.  Add the tomato, onion, garlic, lime juice, chili powder, and cumin to the mashed avocados. Season to taste and stir until well combined.  Spread an equal amount of guacamole in a thin layer over each chicken breast.  Roll up each chicken breast and secure with toothpick or cooking string.  Mix together almond flour, paprika, garlic, oregano, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste.  Carefully dredge each chicken breast in beaten egg and then coat with the almond flour mixture.  Place chicken in a greased baking dish, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

5 THINGS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THEIR MENSTRUAL CYCLE

5 THINGS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THEIR MENSTRUAL CYCLE

By lifehack.org - Jenna Anderson

It seems like from the time we are very young women are affected in some way by the monthly cycle. For young girls it is through our older sisters, cousins, aunts, and female relatives where we see the effects of menstruation, in how they change their day to day, moods, and how they interact with us as children.

In adolescence we look forward to the growth into womanhood. We think that menstruation will be a sign showing we’re becoming adults, even though we don’t understand the hormones and moodiness which we later learn will plague us through one week out of the month– not to mention the uncomfortable cramps, struggling with being at school when you don’t feel good, and not being able adequately process and deal with the all the changes happening in our suddenly strange little bodies.

Once we’ve passed the mile marker into adulthood, we spend the rest of our time trying to figure out how to get rid of menses, contain it, control it, or otherwise manipulate this very natural part of our lives until menopause…which is an entirely different post.

What we don’t learn about our periods is learning to track and pay attention to what your cycle is doing; naturally, this is your first clue as to what’s happening with your health. Furthermore, it’ll give you great insight into your own moods, feelings, energy levels, and the power of really knowing and understanding your menstrual cycle. This gives you the power to use the information to enhance your life, instead of believing it is a burden.

Here are five things you may not have known about your cycle and how they can relate to your health.

1) Notice the Flow

Just keeping an eye on your monthly flow can help you determine changes happening in your body. Is it lighter? Heavier? Did you have to use more protection or less? Are you suddenly bleeding more than usual?

Granted, it may seem like you’re losing a lot of blood during your cycle, but, on average, women only shed about a cup from the uterine lining. It’s not unusual to have a few days of heavy flow. With that said, increased heavy flow for 5 days or more can cause anemia, polyps, or endometriosis, some very serious health issues.

On the other side of this, if you continually experience extremely light periods (without birth control) you could be suffering from poor nutrition, extreme stress, or it could be an indicator of an auto-immune disorder or other health issue.

READ MORE HERE

RAW LIME TART WITH CACAO CRUST

RAW LIME TART WITH CACAO CRUST

By onegreenplanet.org - Tiana Haines

LIME TART WITH A CACAO CRUST [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]

For the Crust:

16 Medjool dates, seeds removed

150g/1 cup raw buckwheat groats

75g/1/2 cup raw macadamias

40g/1/2 cup desiccated coconut

2 tablespoons cacao powder

1 tablespoon coconut oil

For the Filling:

4 medium avocados

120ml/1/2 cup lime juice

70g/1/3 cup coconut oil

170g/1/2 cup maple syrup

Zest of 1 lime

Instructions

For the crust  -  blend together all ingredients until combined (don’t over blend as the crust is better a bit crumbly).  Line a round springform cake tin at the bottom only with baking paper and press the crust into the tin, transfer into freezer while making the filling.

Cut avocados in half, remove seeds and scoop filling out, place in blender along with all remaining filling ingredients, and blend until smooth.  Pour on the base the spread evenly with the back of a dessert spoon, place back into freezer for 3-4 hours.  Take out and add optional toppings, like lime zest and pistachios.  Store in fridge or store in freezer until ready to serve.