Happy Friday!
Today we're giving away two $30 Gift Cards for Craftsy Classes. (Details at the end of the post.)
When caught in the weight loss struggle it can be easy to spend so much time focused on tending to our bodies, we forget to nourish and exercise our minds. A healthy mind is every bit as important as a healthy body. Granted eating well and exercising are as good for our brains as our bodies. But for optimal growth and happiness, our minds need more.
So, for this week's Friday Favorites I thought I would share some of my favorite ways for exercising the mind.
1. Read
Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. I have stacks of books on a wide range of topics scattered throughout the house and eBooks in my iPad. Being part of a book club can be a fun way to explore what your reading with friends. Delicious calorie free exercise to nourish your mind.
2. Journal
Morning writing is a great way to get centered before the day begins. The more I do it the more I appreciate journaling's powerful benefits. Writing is a great way to release whatever is weighing on my mind, prioritize what I need to get done, and remind myself of all I have to be grateful for.
3. Do Yoga
A regular yoga practice makes everything in my life better. When people talk about yoga, they often focus on the physical benefits of the practice, such as increased flexibility and decreased muscle stiffness. But many people don’t realize, until after they begin taking yoga classes, that the mental benefits are just as profound as the physical benefits. Yoga has helped me heal severe low back pain, calm down, manage anxiety, cope with traumatic loss, build confidence and learn to trust myself. Thanks to yoga I'm stronger, calmer, better balanced and more resilient. (Here's a great article from Yoga Journal on 5 Ways Yoga Benefits Your Mental Health)
4. Attend Workshops and Conferences
I've always enjoyed attending the occasional workshop or conference, which is why I'm looking forward to heading out to Indianapolis for the FitBloggin Conference later this month. Getting out and hearing from people who are doing what you do, but differently, can reignite your enthusiasm. I always return home energized and filled with new ideas. As a creature of habit with a sometimes overly serious nature, there's a lot to be said for breaking away from my day-to-day routine and just allowing myself to have some fun.
5. Try New Things
Learning new things and practicing new skills creates new neural wiring in your brain. Which is why it's important to stretch beyond our comfort zones. Study a foreign language, learn a musical instrument, go horseback riding, try salsa dancing, build a website, or take a class.
A lifelong learner, I've begun taking online cooking classes. In addition to being much less expensive than live ones, I like that you get lifetime access to self-paced classes taught by renowned culinary experts in the comfort of your own home.
How awesome is that?
I'm about half-way through my first class, Love Your Vegetables, which I'm loving.
Additional classes on my list to take include:
- Healthy Mediterranean Cooking
- Slow Cooker Savvy
- The Art of Stir Frying
- Mexican Street Food
- Cook More Weigh Less
- Cook Smarter Solutions for Weeknight Dinners
- One Dish Meals Made New
- Smart Baking Substitutions
If cooking classes aren't your thing, maybe you'll want to check out one of the many art or crafts classes available. It seems like an excellent way to make the most of any free time you have this summer while challenging your brain.
And Now for the Giveaway…
TO ENTER
To enter the giveaway, just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:
- Hop over to the Craftsy website and look through their classes, then come back here and share with me which class you would most like to take.
Just let me know which Craftsy class is most interesting to you and you'll be entered to win one of two $30 Gift Cards.
THE RULES
One entry per person, please
Winners will be announced next Tuesday. Be sure to check back to see if you won.
Good luck!
7/5/16 GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!
The winners of the Craftsy Gift Cards are:
Kathy N who said, "Oooh.. so many good choices but I am really excited about Zippered Bags With a Twist: The One-Zip Way. So cool!."
Blyn C who said, "I would love to take Zip it Up! That would be so awesome. I struggle with zippers."
Congratulations Kathy and Blyn! Contact support@simple-nourished-living.com to claim your prize. And thanks to all of you who stopped by and participated. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you being part of this community.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
This giveaway is sponsored by Simple Nourished Living. Awarded prize may differ slightly (color, design, etc.) from images that appear here - based on availability. Giveaway prizes may be forfeited if not claimed within 90 days.
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Pam W
I would like to improve my crochet methods so this one looks perfect: Improve Your Crochet...Essential Techniques.
Yvonne Phillips
Martha, I would like to learn how to use the embroidery machine my husband gave me for Christmas last year. I believe that "Twenty Things every Machine Embroider Should Know" by Lindee Goodall would get me started on my way. I would love to take this class.
Thank you for considering me as a winner.
Teresa Beckham
I would LOVE to try one of the photography classes! I have a love for taking photos (not real good at it) and love to try and capture just a small image of God's goodness and abundance! Or one of the quilting classes too would be great!
Diane Strozyk
I would like to take the class, "Cook More, Weigh Less" because I am trying to lose weight and I need to learn how to cook healthier.
Diane Strozyk
I would like to take the cooking class, "Cooking More, Eating Less" so that I can learn to cook healthier and lose weight. I love to watch the cooking shows, but most of them make high calorie foods. I also would be interested in one of the painting classes. I love water colors.
Susan Silver
I would love to take the class New Approaches to Mixed Media by Carol Nelson. I've been working in different collage techniques lately, and this would give me many new ideas.
Leslie
Favorite Asian dumplings from scratch would be my first choice for a cooking class. I've taken some of the knitting classes and the free classes and they have all been great. They get really good instructors.
Marianne
Watercolor has been on my bucket list forever...would love to learn how!
Liz
I would love to take the healthy Mediterranean cooking class. 🙂
JCB
I would also love to try the jewelry making class. I think my grand daughter and I could have fun together!
Patty Wininger
I would love the "Cooking with Spices" Craftsy Online Cooking Class. That looks like a lot of fun. Do you know about the Big Picture site? They have have great paper crafting classes. Some are free; some have a charge.
Deb S
Hi , I would love to take the class how to make better meringue. My mom use to make the best for her lemon pie. My son loved, but I can't make like she did would be fun to learn!
Julie Goodman
I would love to take Improve your Knitting class
Rhonda Wold
I would like to take the " Love Your Vegetables" class too. I grew up with only peas,corn and beans! I really need help with vegetables!
Karen W.
I would love to try the knitting class for beginners.
Maria B.
I would love to take a cake decorating class. I love to bake, but would love to be able to decorate the cakes,other than just with frosting.
Terrip
I would take a sewing or quilting course. When my children were growing up I made the majority of their clothes. I returned to school after they graduated high school and moved out of the house. I have been interested in picking up the hobby again but feel a little intimidated and not sure where to start.
Vicki
Hi! I'd love to learn either of the Mexican food classes, but firstly Mexican: comfort food. Our family recently started doing the Dave Ramsey program to pay off debt to try to move to a better house. I recently had my 6th back surgery fusing 11 levels and we need to have a house we can modify for my new disability. Therefore, I'd love to learn some new recipes, especially Mexican because that is our favorite ethnic cusinie. Thank you!
Dawn Miller
I would more than like take this class: Scrapbooking With Style: Clean & Simple Layouts
as I have always wanted to Scrapbook...and even have some materials for it, just never seem to give myself the time.
Deanna Harrison
I would take the class on cooking curries. We like Indian food and I can ever make it as good as my Indian frieds.