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International Self-Care Day

July 24 is International Self-Care Day and it’s an opportunity to pause and reflect on our own self-care practices and general well-being.

As we continue to adjust to the changes brought on by the pandemic, self-care can easily slip to the bottom of the priority list. Over the past few months, many of us have faced challenges including balancing childcare with work, pivoting business strategies and financial worries. In stressful times, it’s more important than ever to practice self-care.

When you notice your self-care slipping, there are simple things you can do to nurture your well-being.

Three self-care activities that increase your well-being:

• Schedule time for yourself – Whether you set aside time to reconnect with hobbies you enjoy, catch up with a friend or go for a walk alone, this “me time” helps recharge your battery.
• Prioritize healthy habits – Lack of structure and increased stress can make it easy to reach for snack foods or skip a workout. However, eating well and getting enough sleep and physical activity helps you feel better in the present and over the long term.
• Be kind to yourself – In these uncertain times, it’s important to set realistic expectations and forgive yourself if you don’t meet them.

For more information on International Self-Care Day, visit: https://isfglobal.org/

Sources:
International Self-Care Foundation
Child Mind Institute

Self-care is essential for a balanced, vibrant and satisfied life.

Self-care takes many forms and is any activity you do intentionally to take care of your mental, emotional and physical health. The benefits of investing in self-care are plentiful and include improved productivity and self-esteem, reduced stress, better physical and mental health and more generosity and compassion.

Here are some simple self-care practices you can incorporate into your life:

• Begin your day with a satisfying activity such as stretching, enjoying a cup of tea or meditating. This sets a positive tone for your day.
• Eat a healthy and nutritious diet. When we eat well, we feel well.
• Make yourself a priority by learning when to say no to others and put your needs first.
• Get enough sleep. The average person needs between seven and eight hours of sleep each night.
• Schedule activities that bring you joy, whether it’s watching a movie, going for a hike or catching up with a friend.

Source: The Law of Attraction

Whole-grain Tortilla Pizza with Hummus

Whole-grain tortillas and hummus give this comfort food a healthy twist. The whole-grain tortillas add beneficial fibre and the red pepper hummus is heart healthy and rich in plant-based protein.

Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup roasted red pepper hummus
• ¼ cup tomato sauce
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp basil, dried
• 1 tsp oregano, dried
• ½ tsp olive or avocado oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• ¼ cup red onion, sliced
• ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 4 whole-grain tortillas
• ¼ cup baby arugula
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tbs parmesan (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Add the oil to a small skillet over medium-high heat.
• Once the pan and oil are hot, add the bell pepper, onion and mushrooms and sauté them until just soft, about five minutes.
• Set the pan and veggies aside.
• Make the pizza sauce by mixing the hummus, tomato sauce, onion powder, basil and oregano together in a small bowl.
• Spread the pizza sauce onto the four tortillas; there should be none left over.
• Top the tortillas with the cooked veggies and shredded cheese.
• Bake the tortilla pizzas in a cast-iron skillet, on a pizza stone or directly on the oven rack for five to eight minutes or until the tortillas have browned and the cheese melts. (If you bake the tortillas directly on the oven rack, put a cookie sheet below to catch any melted cheese drips. After about four minutes, keep an eye on your pizzas to make sure the tortillas don’t burn.)
• Remove the pizzas from the oven, sprinkle them with arugula and let them cool before slicing.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes and parmesan on your pizzas and serve.

Yield: 4 pizzas

Source: Eating Bird Food