Dressing Room Mirrors

We all have had those experiences in a clothing store where you are excited about trying on the clothes, until you notice how you look in the dressing room mirror. The next thing you know you end up leaving with nothing. 




No matter how much pep-talk or positive talk we give ourselves, a lot of the time when you leave a dressing room you aren't feeling too good about how you look! Dressing room mirrors aren't usually great self-esteem boosters. Here are the facts about dressing rooms, and some tips and tricks to help you to leave feeling good about how you look!




FOCUS ON JUST ONE PEICE
Try and focus on only the item you are trying on, if you like it, and if it fits that single body part the way you would like. Just that one piece, not the rest of your body. 




STAND AS FAR BACK FROM THE MIRROR AS POSSIBLE
You are usually standing at a close distance to the mirror because dressing rooms are small. When you look at yourself standing at close range in any mirror, it's going to create a different illusion than how you really look. Stand as far back from the mirror as possible!




WEIRD ANGLED MIRRORS
A lot of the time in dressing rooms the mirrors are at weird angles, most of the time are tilted. Depending on the angle, this is going to create an illusion that you look bigger and shorter. (Don't worry, your legs aren't really that short)
;)




FUNKY LIGHTING
Dressing rooms are either dimly light, have funky lighting, or are extremely bright. Try to, again, just focus of the piece of clothing you are trying on, not the rest of your body. If you are trying on a complete outfit, just focus on the clothes. Just pay attention to the cut, detailing, etc.




BRING SOME POST IT NOTES 
This is going to sound silly, but keep some post it notes and a pen in your purse when you go shopping. When you get in the dressing room, before trying anything on, write "I am beautiful" or "I am gorgeous" or "I am fabulous", or something along those lines on the post it note. Then stick it up on the mirror for the entire time you are trying clothes on. Every time you think about how you don't like what you are seeing, look at the post it note! If you feel so inclined, you could even leave it on the mirror for the next person! :)




Remember that if  you left your house looking one way, chances are the dressing room mirror didn't change what you look like.  Remind yourself that you are fabulous and beautiful!
 








~Written by Dani California. All opinions are my own~

Whole Wheat Veggie Tostada Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• Whole wheat tortillas
• Baby green lettuce
• (For faster preparation time) Package of pre-cooked veggies (Zucchini, Squash, Carrots, etc)
• Black beans
• Red onion
• Brown rice
• Avocado
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Low-fat sour cream OR guacamole

HOW TO COOK:

1. Cook brown rice and saute the veggies and onions to your desired liking. 
2. Place 1 whole wheat tortilla in the oven directly on the rack and cook at 350º until browned and crispy
3. Slice the avocado
4. When tortilla is crispy, take out and place on plate
5. Put cooked brown rice, baby greens, black beans, sliced avocado, and sauteed veggies onto tortilla, in whichever order you want (I suggest putting brown rice and lettuce on first)
6. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and add a spoonful of low-fat sour cream or guacamole on top and enjoy! 

Credit for this recipe goes to my fabulous mother! <3 

Daily Inspiration

Credit: Dani California www.danicaliforniaoutfits.com

Radiate - Song for your "Happy Playlist"

Today as I was listening to Pandora Radio online, a website where you put in a song and it plays songs with a similar sound. Anyway, a song came on that I wasn't paying much attention to at first, but then the lyrics caught my attention.

I instantly looked the lyrics up and found that this song is a MUST HAVE for your "Happy Playlist" to keep you in a good mood, and self esteem high!!

The song is called "Radiate" by Cadia. The lyrics are below. Enjoy!

Are you feeling alone
Like you're so out of place
I've been there before
Stumbling every time you try
Sometime it's easier to hide

You wear your heart on your sleeve
And so do I
Just enough to believe
That we can make a change if we try
The fear becomes like dust in the light

Let go, it's your chance
To live out loud

Take this time to shine, don't waste a minute
'Cause the love you've got inside is a gift you give away
So come on, come on and radiate
Don't be shy you know you gotta live it
'Cause the light you've got inside can be the difference today
So come on, come on and radiate
I see a spark in your eyes

It's obvious
That hope is alive
You were meant for more in this life
You're glowing like the sun in the sky

Here you go, it's your chance
To live out loud

CHORUS
Don't be afraid don't be ashamed
To let it show, let 'em know, yea let it out
Love like there is no other way
No better time than now

Let go, it's your chance
To live out loud

CHORUS

Words and Music by Rob Hawkins, Joy Williams, Britt Nicole 

Peace,
Dani California

4th Annual Fitness Magazine Healthy Food Awards: Snacks

It's that time again when Fitness Magazine publishes their "Annual Fitness Healthy Food Awards"! Here are the winners in the snack category:

1) 365 Everyday Value Chocolate Cherry Trail Mix
Peanuts, cherries and chocolate made this trail mix a favorite. Calories per 1/4 cup: 150 

2) Michael Season's Baked Cheddar Cheese Curls
Low in fat but full of cheesy goodness.
Calories per cup: 130 

 3) Food Should Taste Good Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips
High in whole grains, these chips are dangerously addictive.
Calories per ounce: 140

4) Dove Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Singles Bar
Peanut butter cocooned in a chocolate shell. Bliss!
Calories per 5 pieces: 220

 5) Nestle Cherry Raisinets
Plump, tart cherries nestled in dark chocolate.
Calories per 1/4 cup: 200

6) York Pieces Candies
York Peppermint Pattie meets M&M's.
Calories per 50 pieces: 170

   7) Pepperidge Farm Ginerman Homestyle Cookies
The right amount of ginger without being overpowering.
Calories per 4 cookies: 130

 8) Sun-Maid Mixed Fruit
A delicious blend of dried apples, pears, apricots and plums.
Calories per 1/4 cup: 100

9) Luna White Chocolate Macadamia bar
With nine grams of protein, this energy bar will give you the pick-me-up you need.
Calories per bar: 190

10) Chocolate 70% Strong Dark
A truly dark dark chocolate.
Calories per 1/3 bar: 170

11) Late July Organic Dark Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
"My new favorite way to get a chocolate fix," one tester said.
Calories per 3 cookies: 150

12) Nature's Path Organic Mmmaple Pecan Granola Bars
A drizzle of maple syrup makes this bar a sweet treat anytime.
Calories per bar: 150

13) Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds 100 Calorie Pack
Sprinkled with cocoa powder, these nuts can pass for dessert.
Calories per pack: 100

14) Cape Cod 40% Reduced Fat Potato Chips
These are so good, you won't believe they're not full of fat.
Calories per ounce: 130

15) Athenos Whole Wheat Pita Chips
Delish with hummus, great on their own.
Calories per 11 chips: 120         

   

5 Minute Workouts Throughout The Day

Honestly, now that it's Summer your ready to hang out with friends, go to the beach, relax, etc. and don't put working out at the top of your "To Do List"...am I right? "Did you know that short bouts of exercise can add up to the same benefit as if you had done it continuously?" Instead of having to free up your fun schedule to find a time to workout, take 5 minutes throughout your day, to do these short workouts and be fit, energized, and ready to continue on with your rockin' summer body!

Note: Doing every single one of these is not absolutely necessary, but try to fit in as many as you can! Also note, that depending on your age, etc. adjust - For example, if you don't have a job, then the exercise "after meeting" can be done after anything else you are doing during your day. Adjust for what you are doing each day!

START YOUR DAY:

• AS YOU ROLL OUT OF BED

 Get out of bed, roll out your mat, and use this to release accumulated back tension and work your abs. Sit with your knees bent and soles of feet touching. Holding ankles, roll onto your back, then roll back up to sitting. Keep chin tucked into chest. Repeat.

• BEFORE YOU GET IN THE SHOWER

Before you get in the shower, work up a quick sweat by jogging in place. You'll rev your heart rate and increase circulation. A simple jog will do the trick, but to boost intensity, try bending your elbows and pumping your arms, or bring your heels to your buttocks.

• WHILE YOUR COFFEE IS BREWING/BREAKFAST IS COOKING

Waiting for your coffee to brew? Breakfast to cook? Grab some cans or light dumb-bells and take a few laps around the inside of your house, doing bicep curls as you walk. You'll work several major muscle groups as you get your circulation pumping.

• AFTER BREAKFAST

To build and circulate energy, stand in one place with knees soft and bounce for a minute. As you build your momentum, gently shake your wrists, arms, and head, keeping your knees and elbows soft. After a few minutes, slowly come back to a bounce and, eventually, a full stop.

MIDMORNING:

• PARK AND WALK

You've heard this before, but now it's the time to do it: Park several blocks away from where you are going and speed walk there. Or run an errand on foot. Either way, bend your elbows and swing your arms straight back and fourth to boost cardio benefits.

• WHILE YOU'RE ON THE PHONE

Tone legs and buttocks while you are on the phone. Stand with feet wide, toes turned out, hands on hips. Inhale and bend knees, lowering as far as possible; exhale and squeeze inner thighs and glutes as you come back to standing.

• BEFORE A MEETING

Get energized before a meeting with a jump-rope simulation. Stand with your weight on the balls of your feet, heels slightly lifted, knees softly bent. Take small hops, rotating your clenched hands by your hips as if jumping rope.

•  AFTER MEETING

Stand against a wall. Keeping your back on the wall, bend knees to a 19-degree angle (walk out a few steps). Raise arms against the wall until elbows are shoulder height; arms form a 90-degree angle, fingertips pointing up. Hold 1 minute, rest 10 seconds, and repeat.


NOON:

• ON THE WAY TO PICK UP LUNCH

On your way to pick up lunch, hit the nearest staircase and climb to flights, taking the stairs two at a time to maximize the cardio workout while also building leg strength. Head back down the stairs with quick, light steps, then repeat until five minutes are up.

•  BEFORE LUNCH

Boost energy while working your legs, obliques, and back with side crunches. Stand with arms straight above your head. Lift your right knee out to your right side as you bring the elbow to meet it. Return to the starting position, then repeat on the left. Keep alternating.

• BEFORE YOU EAT

Before you dig into lunch, take some time to tone the lower body and raise your heart rate. With hands on hips, step your right foot out 2 feet and bend both knees into a squat. Return to start, then step and squat to the left. Repeat.

• AFTER LUNCH

Don't settle in for the afternoon just yet. Stand a foot away from a wall, arms outstretched and palms on the wall a bit wider than your shoulders. Inhale and bend your elbows, lowering yourself to the wall; exhale, draw your navel in, and push the wall away. Repeat.

• WHILE SHOPPING AT THE MALL

Turn your mall shopping into an exercise stint by taking a full lap around the mall before starting to shop. You will not only add another five-minute interval to your day, but also get a preview of all the stores-so you'll know where to go and shop more efficiently!

• WHILE WAITING IN LINE

Make good use of your time you spend waiting in long shopping lines by working your butt. Squeeze your glutes for a count of five, then release. Keep repeating. This action tightens and strengthens your backside.

MIDAFTERNOON:

• BEFORE EXCITING MIDAFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

Focus and energize before what ever your afternoon holds. Hope feet out and raise arms to shoulder height; pause. Jump feet together and lift arms above head; pause. Hope feet out and lower arms to shoulder height; pause. Bring feet together, and arms down to sides. Repeat.

• AFTERNOON SLUMP?

When that afternoon slump hits, boost your circulation and release shoulder stress. Standing or sitting tall, extend your arms out to your sides and start making large circles, working down to small circles. Reverse direction. Repeat with arms to the front and above the head.

Refresh your mind and body with a fast walk around the office, outside, or up and down hallways. Walk quickly, pump your arms, and resist temptation to stop and chat until your five minutes are up.

EVENING:

• WAITING FOR DINNER TO BE READY

While waiting for dinner to be done (or while it's cooking if you're the one making it), work your major muscle groups. Stand with feet hip-width apart. Lift arms forward to shoulder heights and lower into a squat. Reach up with arms as you jump straight up, landing in a standing position with knees soft. Repeat.

• AFTER DINNER

To help digest your evening meal and leave the day's stresses behind, close your eyes and imagine yourself in a beautiful, snowy landscape. Keeping your stomach drawn in, bring your knees up one by one at a time and swing your arms as if walking through deep snow.

• SHAKE IT

Release tension as you bump up your heart rate by putting on a favorite five minute song and dancing however the mood strikes!

~Exercises and quotes from Body + Soul Magazine. Original article written by Kate Hanley~

Feel good & look good in your swimsuit!

Summer is here and it's important to feel awesome in your swimsuit!! It's no fun not going to the beach or pool all summer and missing out just because of how you think you look in a bikini. Here's some ways you can get ready for a fantastic summer in your fantastic swimsuit!

Put it on and go!
Don't obsess over how you look in your swimsuit in the mirror. Put it on and go! Don't think twice! If you bought it, then that means you thought it looked good enough then, nothing has changed!

Fun and colorful
Buy a swimsuit with a fun print! If your swimsuit is fun and colorful, then more people will be paying attention to your suit, not your body!

Have fun
Play beach volleyball, or a game like marco polo in the pool, anything that is fun! When your having fun you will be less worried and not thinking about what you look like as much. Besides, most of the time the people that look the most beautiful are the ones who are having fun, smiling, and laughing, not the ones sitting on the beach because they are worried about how they look.

Work out
Starting now, do a light work out regularly. You might not see a difference right away, but you will feel good about yourself and over time you will start getting more toned!
(Seventeen Magaize online has great workout videos that are perfect for summer. Check it out here: http://www.seventeen.com/fun-stuff/video-hub/?c=HealthandFitness#v24938882001)

Salty Foods
Try and stay away from a lot of salty foods, they cause you to bloat and absorb water more, and that extra bloating won't make you feel any better about yourself! When you get that craving for something salty, try an alternate with less salt that still satisfies your taste buds :)












Follow these tips and your in for an awesome fantastically fun feel good summer!!

Accidental Low Self Esteem?

More times than not, low self esteem can come from something we aren't even realizing we are doing. Here are a couple of examples, and what to do instead!

Stop analyzing yourself in the mirror

When you stand and analyze yourself in the mirror, you are bound to find things you don't like about yourself no matter what you look like or what you think you look like. Instead of standing in front of the mirror analyzing yourself and finding all of the things you don't like, spend that time finding all of the things you DO like about yourself! It's ok to analyze yourself, but find the things you like about yourself instead!

Surround yourself with positive and supportive people

Pay attention to the attitudes of the people you hang around and how they treat you. Surround yourself and spend your time with positive and supportive people. Don't waste your time on those who make you feel bad about yourself or are insulting. Sometimes you might not even realize you're around those people, so make sure to pay close attention to how negative or positive they are, and their energy they are putting off! 

SMILE :) 

Have you ever thought about how much time you spend smiling versus frowning? When your smiling your more approachable and even feel better about yourself. When you smile, it actually sends a message to your brain that your happy! So even if it's a "fake" smile at first, it's still a smile and a good start! Of course this doesn't mean you have to have a constant smile on your face, but try to make an effort to smile when you can!

What kind of music are you listening to? 

|Pay attention to the type of music you are listening to and the lyrics. Without realizing it, you could be listening to songs with depressing or sad lyrics. Not only is this going to put you in a "down" mood, it's going to be sub consciously sending messages to your brain of how to feel. Choose songs on your playlist with more upbeat lyrics! :) You can still rock out to your favorite song even if it has depressing lyrics, just mix it in with other songs with positive lyrics! 

~All photos courtesy of Getty Images~ 

The power of journaling

"Journal writing is a voyage to the interior" ~ Christina Baldwin

Journal writing is the activity in which we are able to write and express all of our up most personal secrets, lies, doubts, truths, happiness, sadness, and uniqueness. We reflect on our lives and who we are inside and out. Journaling not only helps us realize who we are within, but it helps us realize the person we are striving to be.

Journaling is a powerful exersise that I would suggest to anyone, everywhere, at every age. For as long as I can remember I have kept a journal of some sort and I still have every single one of them saved in a drawer in my desk. I sometimes even go back and read my journal from when I was 6 (it was Hello Kitty of course). It's fun to read and remember the innocence of life then ;)

Whether your journaling takes place in a torn up notebook or a hand crafted woven book, it's a journal and it's YOURS. It's your private space to feel that no one can barge in without knocking and no one can judge. It's the ultimate place for you to feel heard.

Dani California's journal recommendation: 

"The True and the Questions" by Sabrina Ward Harrison

This journal is fantasic and is written by a fantastic writer. Check out her website too at: http://www.sabrinawardharrison.com

Peace & Happy Journaling,

Dani California

Article about self esteem

Today I ran across this great article on body image and self esteem. It explains what influences bad self esteem, how to boost your own, and other great tips! Check it out here: http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/problems/body_image.html

Peace,
Dani California