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The need to feed your soul

I grabbed the yellow and the navy throw pillows and piled them up around me. The flames in the fire place were swaying back and forth as my favorite music filled the air with tunes so familiar to my soul.

It was only September, but lighting the fire place felt appropriate. The stress from getting four kids started in a daily routine at three new schools had built up in my 44-year old cranky body. I longed for the warmth of the fire to melt away my stress, smooth the wrinkles on my forehead, lower my tense shoulders and loosen the knot in my stomach. My entire body felt like the bi-product of a head-on collision between tension and worry.

I grabbed a book and one of my newly made popsicles filled with love, fresh fruit and a delicious Odwalla® Mango Tango® juice. I snuggled into the throw pillows. For each page I read, I felt the warmth from the fireplace and the wholesome goodness from the popsicle slowly melt away the stress and tightness held in every fibre of my being.

What are your go-to activities when you feel depleted and in need of a boost of warmth and happiness to fill your heart and soul?

We recently moved from South Florida to the Pacific Northwest, everything around us screams “newness” and adjustments. However, instead of getting overwhelmed by constantly having to acclimate and relate to new impressions, I have learned to embrace the adventure.

These seven activities have refueled my soul and warmed my heart through the transition from “akward and new” to “exciting and adventurous” – all without breaking the bank.

7 ways to feed your soul when you feel depleted

1. Walking/ hiking/ biking
   1. Hit the trails and go for a walk, bring a friend or loved one along for added benefits.
   2. Better yet, go on a child-led walk through a park or on a nature trail. Let your little one, regardless of age, set the pace and show you the excitement nature brings from his vantage point.
   3. Don’t forget, the beauty of riding a bike is that you never forget how to do it.
   4. We recently bought bikes for everyone in our family. Now our favorite family evening activity is to ride the local bike trail and marvel at the wildlife.
2. The beach
   1. Since we left Florida, I realize that I took the sandy warm beaches for granted. However, a beach is never too cold for a therapeutic search for pretty shells, shark’s teeth, sea glass or other treasures of the ocean.
3. Yoga
   1. You don’t have to get in your car and drive miles to the coolest and hippest yoga studio in town. There are countless yoga classes online, either free or for a low subscription fee.
   2. Personally, I like the restorative yoga sequences in Yin Yoga.
   3. The beauty of yoga is that you don’t “compete” with anyone and you are never “done.” Even the same yoga routine can be improved upon for years by the same person.

1. Gardening
   1. There’s simply nothing more calming than spending quiet time outside in the open air, while weeding, planting or pruning the landscaping – and the end result is a beautiful yard, so a total win win.
2. Crafting or writing
   1. Get those creative juices flowing. Processing thoughts and unspoken feelings through creativity is a wonderful way to explore, grow and learn.
   2. Personally, I love crafting with my kids, as it gives me an opportunity to learn more about their world and imagination.
   3. Writing is (obviously) also a favorite pastime of mine.
3. Reading
   1. Is there anything better than delving into a good book, getting lost in its pages and emerging on the other side of the last page as a changed person?! I think not!
4. Cooking
   1. “Taste” is a powerful sense. Eating or drinking a familiar flavor can take us right back to a familiar time, or help us explore an adventure at a whole new level.
   2. Fueling your body with wholesome foods and healthy choices is also a great way to honor yourself and take pride in your health.

When I recently needed a little “hug” and nurturing after a particularly stressful week, I went into the kitchen and created a healthy snack. It immediately brought me back to my carefree childhood, while also nourishing my body and soul with it’s high quality ingredients and comforting flavors.

Next time you need a great tasting snack, do yourself a favor – make these Frozen Odwalla® Fruit Popsicles.

Frozen Odwalla Fruit Popsicles:

Why Odwalla:

• Odwalla is our family’s favorite juice smoothie and a staple of our kitchen.
• Odwalla juice smoothies are 100% juice, non-GMO and they have no added sugar, so our entire family drinks them and feels good about it!
• One of our favorite flavors: Mango Tango® has the juice from 1 1/2 oranges, 1 1/4 apples and the puree of 1/3 mango and 1/2 banana – lots of delicious fruit you can taste in every sip.
• Odwalla is found in the refrigerated section of your local Target. Not that you needed another reason to head to Target, but next time you are there, stock up on Odwalla.
• Check out for yourself why Odwalla is every bit as awesome as I think it is. 

 

Frozen Odwalla Fruit Popsicle Ingredients:

• Odwalla® Mango Tango® 100% Juice Smoothie
• Odwalla® Original Superfood® 100% Juice Smoothie
• Strawberries
• Grapes (seedless)
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Popsicle molds with sticks

How to Make Frozen Odwalla Fruit Popsicles:

1. Fill 1/4 of the popsicle mold with Odwalla Original Superfood.
2. Freeze for two hours, until the juice sets and won’t mix when the other juice is poured on top.
3. Fill the popsicle mold 3/4 full of fresh fruit. You can use the medley I referenced above, or pick fruit of your liking.
4. Pour Odwalla Mango Tango in the popsicle mold, up to the “fill” line.
5. Insert popsicle stick and place mold in the freezer, preferably overnight for best results.
6. When removing the Frozen Odwalla Fruit Popsicle from the mold, run warm water over the mold, until it slips off the popsicle without using force.
7. ENJOY! – Recharge your batteries and fill your soul.

What is your favorite Odwalla flavor? Which fresh fruit combination will you add to your Frozen Odwalla Fruit Popsicle?