One of my recommendations in the Take the Rose Instead Course - Guaranteed Weight Loss, one beautiful choice at a time, is counting first! instead of drinking one glass of water at a time, count first by filling a pitcher. It is much easier to keep track of how much more you need daily if you can see it.

Mycala knows I love flavored waters! This is one of my birthday presents - a Fruit Infusion Pitcher. It came with a book called Cool Waters which contains "50 refreshing, healthy, homemade thirst quenchers". Everything they recommend is natural and healthy with no sweeteners or processed products in any of the recipes. I can hardly wait to create some recipes with fresh herbs!

The session on water is below, first with the rationale and followed with the action step.

Thank you Mycala! Tomorrow - Strawberry Apple Ginger!

When the body sends a signal that we are thirsty, nothing satisfies like pure clean water!  70 % of our bodies are made of water and replenishing has numerous benefits. Unfortunately, we often wait too long before we hydrate. One study states that if you wait until you are thirsty, you are already becoming dehydrated. 

If you need to be reminded, or would like additional incentive to drink regularly throughout out the day, consider these reasons to drink water. 

• Water flushes impurities out of our systems.
• It helps us maintain a neutral Ph 7, strengthening our immune system.
• It contributes to weight loss by suppressing the appetite. Drink a glass of water 30 minutes before you eat. You'll be amazed how much it fills you up and you'll eat less.
• One of the leading causes of headaches is becoming dehydrated. The glass of water may be as, or even more, beneficial than the pain reliever you are taking to relieve your headache. Next time, take a glass of water first, wait 15 minutes and see if you still need the pill.
• It keeps cells plumb and moisturized, giving a more youthful look.You’ll be less likely to get dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, and even wrinkles.
• Drinking enough water increases your metabolic rate.
• Water has the ability to dilute cancer causing agents and has been credited with reducing bladder and colon cancer.
• I drink a glass of water as soon as I get that “I’m hungry” feeling. Stopping for water fills my stomach and allows me to assess if I really need food, or if there is something else going on. I am committed to drinking water daily but my biggest challenge is that I lose count! So I have a simple solution.
  

Find a beautiful pitcher - something that will make you smile every time you open the refrigerator door. You’ll need a container that can hold eight glasses of water. Fill it with water in the morning, cover, and as the day progresses, you will have a visual indicator of how much more you should be drinking. 

• Simple and effective. I rarely had enough water when I poured one glass at a time! This way I can easily see how much more there is to drink and pace myself.
• You may chose earthen ware pottery, cut glass crystal, a funky modern blown glass - chose a container that delights you as you reach for it. 
• Then use your imagination to make your water even more enticing. Sliced cucumbers and mint, or lemon slices and borage flowers will take it to another level! 

The evening started off with some frustration with accessing the conference call line, but it all came together and this e-mail from Lisa is so affirming. I can't think of a more perfect "Today's Treasure"! Thank you Lisa!

June, the month that honors the rose, is winding down. So before we begin July, let's take a few moments to look at the creative ways the Treasure Styles use roses!

See the June 18 entry below for a Free downloadable Ode to the Rose eBook.

Diamonds may have an heirloom vase that has been passed down through the family to display these treasures. It could be a crystal bud vase or a vase large enough to hold an entire dozen! We can be certain that the Diamond will display their roses with elegance and flair, and with a reverence and appreciation for the flower and the memories it holds.

Amethysts, always creating an over the top experience, are the treasure most likely to make a statement in excess! They may fill the room with roses! They may send seven bouquets, one every hour, to celebrate their seventh anniversary! The Amethyst may carpet an entire floor - or bed - with roses! They may decide to get a rose tattoo or have rose colored streaks in their hair!

Rubies are most interested in feelings, and love variety in types of flowers as well as colors, fragrances and textures.  They might gather a few roses from their garden and combine them with other flowers and herbs, writing a poem about the bouquet and the floral symbolism. They are the treasure most likely to sprinkle the unsprayed petals in a salad.They might also make a quilt honoring the rose!

The Emerald is the most succinct of the treasures. They use few words, yet can make a grand sweeping gesture in simplicity. They will take the time to research the most appropriate color for the statement they want to make and deliver one flower, abundant with symbolism and meaning.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy roses is to "Take the Rose Instead", a beautiful way to lose weight and begin to live a healthy, beautiful life style, one rose at a time!  Simply pick up a rose when you enter the grocery store and put it in your cart to remind you that you are beautiful and you deserve fresh, healthy foods, low in fat, salt and sugar. Remember, if you don't take unhealthy food home with you, you won't eat it! And when you return home, the rose will continue to remind you to make choices that are best for you!

 When we think of 'feeding' ourselves, our first thought is "when do we eat!", but there is so much more to feed us than food. This afternoon was a delicious reminder of all things sensuous. 

Mycala, my oldest daughter, treated me to a 1 1/2 hour massage for Mother's Day. The experience was self indulgent and not something I would do for myself. Maybe I need to rethink that! 

Even before the masseuse began the session, my senses were stimulated. A very delicate fragrance of lavender permeated the air.  An instrumental background selection was the perfect choice. I melted into the softness of the sheets on the massage table, cocooned under the weightless blanket. 

All of this, followed by ninety minutes of skilled attention to knead and relax muscle tissue transported me to a meditative state. I stopped thinking about what was next. I became reminded that I can shift to be in the moment in an instant, simply make the choice to pause and be aware of the gifts of this moment, right now. 

There is a Zen saying, "Don't hurry. Ever." In today's world we can feel rushed, pushed and pulled, and don't often allow ourselves that gift.  When we slow down and experience the present moment, we can become aware of so many pleasures that will soothe our souls. We can enhance our experiences through fragrances, music, textures, thoughts and soothing sights. How can you make your home or office more spa-like? Flowers, scented candles, a favorite hand lotion, soothing music, inspirational quotes, a favorite painting, and soft throws can bring our focus to beauty.

My Mother's Day gift will live with me beyond the delightful experience. It will remind me to proactively integrate more delightful experiences into my life. Thank you Mycala!