1st Quarter Challenge Is Almost Here!

If you want to participate in the 1st quarter challenge, "Drink more water, less soda", make sure you register today because the challenge starts on January 29th! To register,

1. Log on to MyOrriant.com
2. Click COMPETITIONS on the left side menu.
3. Click the “SIGN ME UP” button next to the “Drink More Water” Challenge.
4. Click on “MY QUICK VIEW” on left side menu. Then, scroll down to the orange section titled “GOAL PERFORMANCE ENTRY WORKSHEET”.
5. Track your daily points in boxes under the “Drink More Water” goal. +1 for each 8 oz. glass of water, -1 for each soda, and –2 for each energy drink.
6. Finalize all the tracking online by 11:59 pm on February 28, 2012.

Tips to reach your physical and emotional wellness! goals in 2012!

1. Put some thought into your goals. Choose goals that are important to you!
2. Make your goals realistic
3. Break a long-term goal into goals you can accomplish daily
4. Create weekly or monthly checkpoints for yourself
5. Find someone you trust and tell them about your goals. Ask him or her to check in with your regularly.
6. Make a daily goal to write down three things you are thankful for
7. Create a reward or incentive system for yourself.

Wellness

When you think about your health, do you tend to focus on just your physical health? Remember, health is more than just physical, it's also mental, emotional, social and spiritual. When setting goals to improve your health, analyze all these aspects of your health and remember that they are connected. It's important to be healthy in all areas!

Healthy Breakfast Cookies!

Breakfast Cookie!
Ingredients- 1.5 cups of oats
2-3 super rippened bananas
1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
handful of craisins
pinch of cinnamon
Pretty much just throw everything together, mix it up pretty well, throw it on a baking sheet at 350 for about 35 minutes and enjoy!
It's great and super healthy for you!

Goals...

In the beginning, you need to say "yes" to a lot of things to discover and establish your goals. Later on, you need to say "no" to a lot of things and concentrate on your goals.

How Did You Sleep?

Sleep is more important to your health than you might realize. Lack of sleep can throw off your appetite-regulating hormones which can make you gain weight and create blood-sugar problems. Ignoring your body's clock isn't a good idea, so here's a few tips to help you rest easy.

1. Set the scene- make sure your bedroom is cool and dark to help signal your body to go to sleep, drown out background noise with white noise like a fan, and wear non-restrictive sleepwear to help you feel relaxed.

2. Avoid working or watching TV in bed- That stimulates your brain to stay awake instead of sending the message that it's time to sleep.

3. Watch what you eat late at night- Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine a few hours before bed. This will help you fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep throughout the night. Don't exercise right before bed either, as this can keep you energized and unable to get to sleep.

4. Stick to a schedule- When you stick to a regular wake-up schedule, even on the weekends, your body's internal clock will be trained to follow that schedule. This helps you feel more energized during the day, and ready for bed when it's time to sleep.

5. Get a good mattress- You spend a lot of time sleeping, so make sure you have a comfortable and good quality mattress to give you the most restful sleep.

6. If you can't sleep, get up- tossing and turning doesn't help you relax. Try reading a book until you feel sleepy, or do some gentle stretches and deep breathing. If your mind is racing, try jotting your thoughts down to get them on paper and out of your mind.

For more tips and ideas, click here.

Goals

Our actions have to reflect our goals and desires...

Recipe: Easy Hummus

Ingredients:

1 can (15 oz.) Garbanzo Beans, drained, liquid reserved
1 to 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:
In a blender or food processor combine garbanzo beans, garlic (add what you prefer), cumin, salt, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend on low speed, gradually adding reserved bean liquid, until desired consistency is achieved. Serve as a dip for fresh veggies, tortilla chips, pita chips, or as a sandwich spread.

New Year, New Beginning!

With the new year just beginning, it's a good time to set a goal to improve your wellness! As you set goals, make sure you consider whether or not your goal is SMART:

Specific- the goal is clear and unambiguous, not general.
Measurable- tracking your progress is possible.
Attainable- the goal is realistic, not extreme.
Relevent- The goal is worthwhile and important to you.
Time-Bound- The goal has a deadline for completion.

If you haven't written your new years resolutions, it's not too late! The year has just begun and even small improvements to your health can make a big difference a few years down the road. To keep you motivated, write down your goals, give yourself reminders if needed, and decide on a reward for yourself as you make progress.

Stay relaxed!

Stress is a fact of life for most people, and at this time of year it can be heightened. When you start to feel overwhelmed, try the following-

Learn better ways to manage your time- make a schedule and do the most important things first.

Find better ways to cope- Take a look at how you've been dealing with stress and decide what works and what doesn't. Think about what could work better (exercise, meditation, yoga, reading etc.)

Take care of yourself- make sure you're getting enough sleep and eating well.

Ask for help- your network of family and friends can be a helpful resource.

Be present- Don't worry about things you can't change, or haven't happened yet. Stay focused on what you're doing now.