Whether you breastfeed for 2 days or 2 years, I applaud you. Breastfeeding is WORK! It is sacrificing, time consuming, and can be exhausting YET it is nourishing, beautiful, joyful, fulfilling and life changing! Here are some breastfeeding encouragement tips to support any mama or soon to be mama that would like to breastfeed.

1. Remind yourself of the benefits of breastfeeding! It is liquid gold! A nutritious and complete meal for babies. It protects babies from so many infections and diseases like obesity, and diabetes. It also helps babies go to sleep and lowers the risk of ovarian and breast cancers in mothers.

2. Breastfeeding WILL get easier! The beginning is the worst. Don’t give up.

3. Use nursing props! Nursing pillows and silver nipple cups are great for comfort.

4. Find support from fellow breastfeeding mommies. Support is key to success and it will build your confidence which helps a lot on this journey!

5. Remember you are your baby’s #1 caregiver, you must keep yourself happy and hydrated to stay stress-free. These hormones are no joke! Whatever you are feeling goes straight to your baby when you are breastfeeding. Therefore, most importantly do what makes you happy because mama knows best!

Wellness is lifestyle. Wellness is a state of being that encompasses every aspect of our lives. It's about taking care of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to neglect one or more of these dimensions, but doing so can have negative consequences on our well-being. That's why it's important to understand the four dimensions of wellness and make them a part of our daily lives.

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness is about finding meaning and purpose in life. It involves connecting with something greater than ourselves, whether it's through religion, nature, or other sources of inspiration. Spiritual wellness helps us to develop a sense of inner peace and purpose, which can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment.

To cultivate spiritual wellness, you can spend time in nature, meditate, practice gratitude, or engage in activities that bring you a sense of peace and serenity. You might also explore different spiritual practices, such as yoga or prayer, to find what resonates with you.

Just For Today by Author Unknown.

Just for today, I will let go of anger.

Just for today, I will let go of worry.

Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing.

Just for today, I will take responsibility for everything that happens to me.

Just for today, I will take some action that will move me closer to my dreams.

Just for today, I will take 20 minutes for meditation, prayer, and/or reflection.

Just for today, I will focus on the journey instead of the destination.

Just for today, I will not put junk food in my body.

Just for today, I will be kind to myself.

Just for today, I will remember that everyone is doing the best that they can.

Before you begin... A Blessing For Yourself

Before you begin your practice bless yourself.

Bless all of your past, your mistakes your triumphs, all the decisions you have made to get to this point.

Bless the times that you fell to your knees and the times you rose above yourself.

Bless all of your present.

Bless this moment pregnant with possibility, hope and openness.

Bless yourself for showing up here to practice, to learn, to grow and evolve.

Bless yourself for trying no matter what the circumstances are - you are doing your best.

Bless your courage, your strength.

Bless all of your future. The lands & experiences that lay before you, the relationships that you are yet to have.

Bless all the outcomes of all the choices you make today, knowing that you are being guided and looked after.

Bless all parts of yourself, all the sweetness, all the struggles.

Bless yourself for being you!

Source: The Language of Yin, by Gabrielle Harris

PUMPKIN SEEDS RECIPE INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cups raw whole pumpkin seeds

• 2 teaspoons olive oil or coconut oil

• 1 pinch sea salt

  PUMPKIN SEEDS RECIPE DIRECTIONS

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

• Step 2

  Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.

Yoga is you. Yoga is alchemy. It is transformation at its highest form; you showing up for yourself. 

Yoga is an inner thing. No one has to give it to you. You don’t need a mat, and you don’t need anyone else to do it with. No equipment necessary. Yoga is literally just you. 

 Yoga is about showing up and doing the work. Creating a spiritual practice that involves opening ourselves up to improvement and new ideas, rather than remaining stuck in the closed loops of deep subconscious patterns. Yoga is a lifestyle. It is spiritual wellness and all about cultivating inner contentment.

Noble Dre*Ali is a multi-disciplined Visual Artist who has resided in The Bronx since the mid-1980s.

Being inspired by his older brothers’ interest in drawing and comic books as well as being exposed to colorful intricate Graffiti murals in his environment would serve as a foundation for his creativity.

He excelled in his High School (JFK) art programs and went on to Bronx Community College where he received an AA in Graphic Arts. He then attended Lehman College where he earned his BA in Studio Art. With this education, it allowed him to create comfortably in multiple mediums such as screen printing, sculpture, video editing/production, photography, computer animation, painting, drawing, stencils, and collage.

Noble thinks of his works as Spiritual Pop Art. He utilizes popular culture imagery then infuses it with spiritual symbols. His aim is to connect the ancient with the future beautifully.

Noble Alkhemy offers a personalized holistic healing retreat for couples seeking a truly transformative getaway. 

This is for anyone seeking a naturally inspired healing experience. Our retreats provide an escape filled with relaxation all while staying in the Bronx! For over 8 years, co-owners Dee and Dre have welcomed guests via being Airbnb Super-hosts, to now sharing their authentic wellness and art lifestyle through delicious organic meals, peaceful and cozy accommodations surrounded by art, and facilities in a beautiful area of the Bronx near wonderful nature bathing and magical hiking spots.

Whatever your wellness goal: whether stress-reduction, COVID-19 prevention, weight-loss, detoxification, or seek rejuvenation, we can support you in meeting your goals.

Laughter meditation is a form of meditation that combines breathing exercises and laughter to promote a sense of well-being, joy, and relaxation. This type of meditation is also known as laughing yoga or laughter therapy, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. Laughter meditation is an inner experience. When we laugh we are totally free. We can’t be in the past laughing, or in the future. Laughing brings us to the present moment. Laughter meditation is a cost-effective healing tool used to transform the present moment into child-like playfulness while honoring your inner child. Laughter meditation is strong preventative medicine and has a profound effect on the mind, body and spirit.

Did you know children can laugh up to 400 times a day, versus adults who laugh 15 times a day?

During a laughter meditation session, participants engage in laughter exercises that involve deep breathing, physical movements, and vocalizations. These exercises are designed to trigger laughter and create a positive, relaxed state of mind.