Travel and Lifestyle

40 Tips Toward A Healthy Mind, Body, & Spirit


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Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

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My life on the run: Mailbox to Marathon!

Sunrise Training Run Hilton Head, SC

I Love running! This wasn't the case 10 years ago. I was overweight and out of shape! I couldn't run from my front door to the mailbox at the end of the driveway!  During this time, I decided to make a lifestyle change. In a quest to overcome a fast food addiction, I joined the YMCA and started making healthy food choices. In a couple of months,  I'd lost weight and was feeling great! But, I became bored with the gym and wanted to try something new.

One day I over heard fellow gymmates discussing upcoming Tybee Marathon. Sounded interesting, so I decided to sign up!  As I proceeded to fill out sign up form a young later asked, "Have you ever run 26.2miles before?" I gasp, as I stared blankly at her. "What?!? People run that far? At the same time?" Remember, I couldn't run to my mailbox. She quickly recommend I start with a 5k and my life on the run began!

Yes, my running journey began out of boredom and ignorance.



I downloaded  C25k app to my cell phone and began training. I also signed up for my first 5k, Run of the Lakes in Rincon, GA. This was the hardest thing I'd ever done! My self training started on the treadmill and eventually I built the courage to run at the park.

In 2005, I ran my first 5k and won 2nd place for my age group. It was only two of us, but nonetheless, I'd won! This did wonders for my ego!


At 5k, a fellow runner suggested I sign up for the Atlanta Peachtree 10k Road Race. I signed up, and after  my first Peachtree I was hooked! I'd never seen so many people,  in one place, at one time,  doing one thing...Running!



Jeff Galloway Peachtree 10K 2009

Peachtree 10K 2010


Peachtree 10k 2011


Peachtree 10k 2012




After my 5th Peachtree 10k, I wanted to run further!.
But I needed help. While I was training and running races, I hated running!

Breast Cancer 5K 2008






















Gate River 15K 2010 Jacksonville, GA



Enmark Bridge 10k 2008 Start

It was hard! I ached horribly and could hardly breathe once I got started.
While running with my mentor, she suggested I seek the help of trainer Isaiah Douglas (15+ Boston Marathon Runner). This man changed my life! Isaiah taught me  the art of running down to proper breathing, proper shoes, pacing, etc. He challenged me to run a half marathon!


Tybee Half Marathon 2010 Isaiah Douglas

Because of his training, I began to fall in love with the sport. (Especially when I experienced the runners high).

Five years after running my first 5k, I had trained and completed Tybee Half Marathon!
Despite 35 degree weather, torrential downpour, and knee injury I crossed the finished line!  It was exhilarating, emotional, challenging, and rewarding.

After conquering a 5k, 10k, 15k, and half marathon, I began to ponder that prosperous idea of running a full marathon!

My trainer had faith! So we trained. But shortly afterwards, I relocated to Atlanta, GA (HIll City). With trainer and running group left behind in Savannah, I was forced to complete Marathon training alone. Working two jobs in a new city, I started to doubt the possibility of making the impossible possible!
But  I was determined.


Once I became settled in my new job, I met crazy people who loved to run also!

Black Girls Run Atlanta




On March 2012, I signed up for the Savannah Rock -N- Roll Marathon ( 7yrs after making that ignorant declaration at the local YMCA). There was no turning back. Blood, sweat, tears, shin splints, etc. I was going to become a Marathoner!

Race day, November 2012, arrived and I was standing at the start line. This was a very surreal moment. I'd train long and hard. Running was over 80%mental!  If the mind can conceive it, the body can achieve it. And trust me, at mile 20 my body gave up! I telephoned a friend (literally) for inspiration! She said, you can do it, Don't give up! That was the push I needed to finish the last leg of my marathon.

Victory never taste so sweet than when I crossed that finish line. I officially change my name to Sapphire Marathoner Anderson! NO words can describe the feeling you get when you make your dreams a reality. After completing a marathon, I felt invisible and nothing could stop me from LIVING my Life!



Savannah Rock n Roll Marathon 2012


My Two Cents: Want to start running?

1) Just do it! Start walking or jogging today! Even if its only to your mailbox!

2) Set SMART goals! Specific, Measurable, Attainable, revelent, Time-centered! Want to run a 5k, sign up today and then begin to train!

3)Train, Train, Train! There's a plethora of training schedules and guides to help get you started! Also the best decision I made was to join a local running group!  Great for accountability and a opportunity to learn from your peers. Download free running apps such as C25K and Runkeeper.

4) Running Shoes! Go to your local running specialty store and get fitted for a good pair of running shoes! I initially got fitted at Fleet Feet Savannah for my first pair of running shoes and once i found the perfect shoe, I then ordered shoes online Investing in a good pair of shoes is essential to becoming a good runner! 
5) Have fun! Enjoy the journey and the amazing people you will meet along the way! 













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TGIF-Recipe for Detox Bath




Baths are wonderfully healing, and it is easy to make your own homemade, detox baths.
Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin, according to Naturopath Dr. Hazel Parcells. Epsom salts augment this detoxification by causing you to sweat. Other salts—all highly alkaline and cleansing—used in baths include sea salt, baking soda, clay, and Dead Sea salts.
Basic Salt Soak Bath Formula
Minerals and salts make the bath water feel silky and leave your skin cleansed and soft.

1 cup sea salts
2 cups baking soda
1 cup Epsom salts
1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin per bath

Combine the sea salts, baking soda, and Epsom salts in a bowl. Stir to blend. Pour 1/4 cup or so into the bath while the tub is filling. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin to keep your skin from drying out (more for dry skin, less for oily skin) and essential oils of choice.
Why it Works
According to The Epsom Salt Council, Epsom Salt is a pure mineral compound (magnesium sulfate) in crystal form that gently exfoliates skin and smoothes rough patches. Mixed with your favorite deep conditioner, Epsom Salt helps to add body to hair. Dissolved in a bath, Epsom Salt is absorbed through the skin to replenish the body's levels of magnesium. Studies indicate this may help to relieve stress in a number of ways, including:
Raising the body's level of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

Offsetting excess levels of adrenaline generated by pressure and stress; magnesium ions relax and reduce irritability by lowering the affects of adrenaline.

Helping to regulate the electrical functions that spark through miles of nerves.

Lowering blood pressure.

Researchers have found that magnesium also increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy packets made in the cells. Experts recommend soaking with Epsom Salt at least three times a week to look better, feel better, and have more energy.
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Time For Success

The average life span is 70 years- 25,568 days, 613,620 hours, 36,817,200 minutes, 2,209,032,000 seconds. How you spend every second, minute, hour, day, of your life is critical to your emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual development. As I watch the 2008 summer Olympics, I’m amazed at the level of skill, precision, dedication, athleticism of the athletes. In the Olympics the best of the best compete for the coveted gold medal. I wonder what did it take and how much time was spent on becoming the best at their sport.

Michael Phelps, World Breaking Olympic Gold Medallists Swimmer, trains for six hours a day, six days a week, without fail. Even if Christmas day falls on a training day, he does a full day of training. Total dedication to his training program has made him a world champion. He swims approximately 50 miles (80km) each week, which is over 8 miles per training day. He has two massages everyday and also takes ice baths to help his body to recover.



Usain Bolt, a Jamaican sprinter, at the 2008 Summer Olympics became the first man to win all three events at a single Olympics since Carl Lewis in 1984, and the first man in history to set world records in all three at a single Olympics. He trains 5 times per week on track, 3 times in the gym for average sessions that lasts 2.5 hours.



Shawn Johnson, Olympic Gold American gymnast, has disciplined herself to practice four hours a day, five days a week.



What do you want to accomplish? What do you do with your time? What sacrifices are you willing to make? How you spend your time demonstrates your willingness to be successful at the goals you set. Everyone has the ability to be great! But are you taking the time to develop your talent and work diligently toward it. Do you spend a lot of time watching television, surfing the net, talking or text on the phone. What value do they add to your personal achievements? If your constantly eating unhealthy foods and not active you will gain weight and be at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes. Want to advance in your career, but are you taking time to take classes or get higher education to achieve that goal? Saving for a new car or new home, you don’t want to spend your paycheck every time there is a sale at the mall. Spending time with your family is necessary in developing strong, lasting bonds. You become what you develop! I’ve found the best way to manage my time is to create a to-do list for the week. This keeps me focus on my goals and eliminates temptations to deviate from my intended task. Sometimes life’s daily activities can distract us from our intended goals and we lose sight of our dreams. Maybe you don't have time for yourself because you've acquired baggage that makes it very difficult to carry out your dreams. Try the following to get back on track:


Eliminate activities that are not getting you where you want to go, or helping you achieve your goals.

Evaluate relationships that do not contribute to your overall success. Eliminate or reduce the amount of time spent on relationships that aren’t going anywhere or taking you in opposite direction of where you’re going.

Avoid Spending money on items not used or does not add value or have lasting benefits.

Eliminate time spent that is not contributing to your overall well-being or mission in life.
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