In defense of bellies

Do you wish you had a flat stomach? Here are reasons you should love you belly, as is, right now.

Body Image, Inspiration, Living WellCara McDonaldJanuary 15, 2015body image, Solar plexus chakra

The last 12 Mindful Days challenge is to go outside and look up. Consider these thoughts as you gaze into the vastness of the sky.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 20, 201412mindfuldays, mindfulness, sky

[12 Mindful Days] Day 11: It's Christmas ... Why Do You Care?

There’s more to Christmas than to-do lists — a fact that’s easily forgotten. Today's challenge is to remember what Christmas means to you.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 19, 201412mindfuldays, challenge, Christmas

[12 Mindful Days] Day 10: Breathe

Today's exercise involves one minute and a pair of lungs. That's it.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 18, 201412mindfuldays, mindfulness, breath, prana

[12 Mindful Days] Day 9: Put a Bow On It

Use what may seem like a chore — wrapping a gift — as a mindfulness exercise. BONUS: This also turns into a gratitude practice.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 17, 201412mindfuldays, mindfulness, challenge, Christmas

[12 Mindful Days] Day 8: Yuletide Yoga

Sometimes we go through our yoga poses — asana — without mindfulness. We’re thinking about our to-do list we need to tackle after our practice. Or we skipped our practice all together because we simply “don’t have time.”

Yoga, Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 16, 201412mindfuldays, mindfulness, yoga, challenge

[12 Mindful Days] Day 7: Practice When Things are Less-than-Merry

We set high expectations, as if there’s a certain way things “should” be. Because it’s “tradition,” because it’s what your Mom did or maybe because you saw it on Pinterest. And then things go wrong.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 15, 2014mindfulness, stress, 12mindfuldays, challenge

[12 Mindful Days] Day 6: Talk to the Salesperson

When you're checking out at the store, do you really pay attention to the sales clerk? Or are you playing on your phone or watching your tab add up?

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 13, 201412mindfuldays, mindfulness

The Chocolate Meditation

Today's challenge: Play this short chocolate meditation as you enjoy a treat today.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 12, 2014chocolate, meditation, mindfulness, 12mindfuldays, mindful eating

[12 Mindful Days] Day 4: A Day of Gratitude

Today's challenge: Practice an attitude of gratitude ALL DAY. Especially in those moments you feel negative thoughts creep in.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 11, 201412mindfuldays, mindfulness, Gratitude

[12 Mindful Days] Day 3: Turn Off Your Phone

Unplug for at least 30 minutes to encourage yourself to be fully present in the moment.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 10, 2014technology, 12mindfuldays, mindfulness

[12 Mindful Days] Day 2: A Cup of Cheer

Are you a coffee lover like me? You'll love Day 2 of the #12MindfulDays challenge. Prepare your favorite winter beverage and fully enjoy it with this simple mindfulness exercise.

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 9, 2014morning, mindful eating, challenge, 12mindfuldays, drink, mindfulness

[12 Mindful Days] Day 1: Walking Light Tour

This 12 Mindful Days challenge is as much for myself as it is for you. The concept: One simple mindfulness exercise per day, for 12 days during the holiday season. I'd love for your to join me on day one! All you have to do is walk ...

Living WellCara McDonaldDecember 8, 201412mindfuldays, challenge, mindfulness

{Recipe} Quick & Easy Vegetarian Chili

This is my go-to vegetarian chili. The key to making it YUM instead of ho-hum are two secret ingredients. (Shhhh...)

Living WellCara McDonaldNovember 30, 2014winter, recipe, vegetarian, quinoa, vegan, chili, Christmas