What Is My Passion Thursdays: Sojourner's Healthy Lifestyle and Green Juice

For those of you who have been following our What Is My Passion Thursdays blog for the month of October, you would have been previously introduced to Sojourner and her son Ohm.  Sojourner's passion and purposeful career includes a love for travel, blogging, teaching, volunteering, and bringing her son along for the adventures.   It is also worth mentioning that Sojourner is an entrepreneur.  She is producer of a line of Reiki infused body care products (body butters and fragrance oils) called Touch of Ohm.  

This woman has it going on.  What or whom makes it possible for her to develop and maintain her passions? For one, she has God in her life (she's a Preacher's Kid aka "PK" too).  Secondly, she has a healthy lifestyle in body, mind, and spirit, including the practices of Yoga.  And thirdly, it's in her juice, her green juice to be precise.

When we met Sojourner and her son during Labor Day weekend, Sojourner had a green drink in her hand.  So what was in Sojourner's green drink?*  

Photo Credit:  healthycosmos.com

Kale- Green leafy vegetable.  Excellent source of Calcium and Vitamins A, C & K.  Bonus:  it's often linked to cancer protection and lowered cholesterol. 

Cucumber- Made up of 95% water, this vegetable rehydrates the body and aids in its elimination of toxins.  It's also an excellent source of B Vitamins and Vitamin C.  Bonus: placed on the eyes, it reduces swelling with it's anti-flammatory properties. 

Apple- An apple a day keeps the Dr away!! This benefit is highly taunted but extremely true.  Often linked to reducing risk of heart disease, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.  Bonus: eat an apple before exercise and it increases your endurance.

Ginger- As an herb, it's used as a spice.  But it does so much more including treatment of nausea (and other stomach upsets) and menstrual cramps.  Bonus:  as ginger juice, apply to skin to treat burns and as a drink, aids in naturally reducing a fever and the subsequent "common cold".

*Information retrieved from several websites, including Eating Well and Medical News Today.

Rhonda and I also juice fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, in addition to taking daily supplements.  It keeps our mind and body regulated, and along with exercise and meditation/prayers, it empowers us to be our best as we align ourselves in our Passionate and Purposeful Careers.

So, how do you, our dear readers, maintain a healthy lifestyle? And how does it aid you in finding and/or maintaining your Passionate and Purposeful Career?

Rhonda W. & Sharee W.

Guest Post: Traveling Abroad As A Family

Traveling with loved ones can be an exciting, unforgettable time. It can, however, also be a big headache if proper planning and accommodations aren’t made. Below are some things you should consider for a smooth and memorable vacation:

Destination and Accommodations

Plan accordingly for age-appropriate destinations for children. Consider their safety, the busyness of the city, fun attractions for kids and the affordability of the place you are visiting.

Also consider using a vacation rental instead of booking a hotel – it is a great way to get a feel of how the locals live. You can save some money too by looking for vacation rentals on sites such as Vrbo or Airbnb for affordable accommodation options for your family.

Air Travel

When it comes to air travel, try booking window seats so that the family can stay together and children have a little more freedom and space from other passengers. If anyone in your family has special needs, be sure to notify the airline you are using beforehand. They will most likely be able to accommodate any special requests that you may have.

Packing

Don’t pack anything you can’t carry. Ancient streets often mean cobbled or unevenly paved roads, making rolling backpacks difficult to navigate. And, If you go to gems of cities such as Florence, Italy, the buildings stay true to their old world appeal, meaning tiny elevators or no elevators at all. Hauling heavy luggage up many flights of stairs may be a good workout, but it is nonetheless a hassle.

Moreover, if you’re planning a trip across many cities via train or plane, lugging your luggage from one form of transport to another is a burden.

Also, instead of packing your whole closet, pack a few key clothing pieces for you and your family that can be mixed and matched effortlessly with other easy-to-wash clothing items. 

A favorite toy can keep a child company during a long trip, so be sure to include this with your packing. Also remember to pack any necessary medications and keep your family’s immune systems strong and healthy with plenty of vitamin C. 

Budget

There will be plenty of souvenirs that will be tempting to buy; however, it is important to keep a budget for your expenses. Research beforehand for popular cheap eats that you know your children will enjoy. If your children are picky and you’re worried they won’t be interested in the local food you want to try, consider telling them about the places you hope to visit and “hype” up the food, so they’ll be excited to try it when it comes. You can also pack familiar snacks from home that the children already like in case the local cuisine isn’t to their liking.

Keep in mind

Being in close parameters with people who know you well (and therefore, know how to push your buttons) can take its toll on anyone, especially after a long day of traveling. While traveling is supposed to be a form of a getaway, there is always a chance of getting on each other’s nerves. Just be aware of this possibility and step outside (safely, don’t get lost!) for a breather when needed.

Traveling has so many benefits, especially for children. When kids have the opportunity to travel, they gain exposure to different cultures and languages, and they gain a better appreciation for their own culture and other cultures’ ways of living. Such exposure to different languages is brain expanding, and promotes a sense of adventure and creative thinking.

Safety

It is important before your trip that you discuss safety measures with your family, such as

what to do when a family member gets lost. If you’re bringing electronic devices, have each others’ phone numbers ready, and have local family members or authorities’ numbers ready for emergencies.

Traveling can be a fulfilling, grand adventure that creates bonds with your family. By planning ahead and being prepared, you and your family can have a shared experience that you won’t soon forget.

 

Virginia Cunningham is a freelance writer and mother of three who loves traveling abroad with her entire family. She has been all over the world with her children, and every experience has been enjoyable because they were always well-prepared.