Hello, sweet friends of mine! I’m super excited about today’s topic but before we get to that, we’ve got to recap the day! Today began like most: with a workout!
Workout
I created my own 40-minute strength workout using a bunch of routines that really worked my whole body! I started with the Bikini Booty and Bikini Arms routines from the Tone It Up Beach Babe DVD and followed it up with these short and very effective videos:
- Tone It Up Sleek & Slender Abs
- Tara Stiles Cardio Yoga part 1
- Tara Stiles Yoga Challenge
- Valerie Waters Pump it on the Patio
I was drenched in sweat by the end. If you try pairing these routines, let me know how it goes!
Lunch
After working at the clinic, I came home and prepared a fantastic stir fry, thanks to Trader Joe’s!
In a small wok, I sauteed 3/4 cup organic & sprouted tofu, broccoli, mushrooms, 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast, and one big handful of spinach in 1 tsp. coconut oil and 2 Tbsp. Trader Joe’s Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette. I garnished it with fresh mint leaves, which really brought out all of the wonderful flavors. Served with sweet potato wedges (what else?) and a squirt of organic ketchup, it was a meal of my dreams.
Let’s Talk Idols
It’s another vlog day, my friends! Today, I really wanted to break down the subject of idols. Although people will always have the inclination to make idols out of people and/or things, I’ve been seeing it pop up more frequently around the social media realms of Instagram and Pinterest – and it’s time to squash ‘em…because they are not healthy for us! I have to give a huge shout out to my soul sister Gabrielle Bernstein, for inspiring me to take my own journey towards ridding myself of the idols in my life.
Let’s get to it!
Stay lovely,
Heather
Thank you for this, sis! You did a wonderful job on this! On our Skype date we should talk more about this! I love this topic and breaking down idols is something I started working on this summer, too!
I love you so much and thank you for the inspiration ONCE AGAIN <3
Aww, thank you so much Meg!
YES. OKAY. When is this Skype date happening?! I can’t wait to talk more about it. I love you too, babe! Sooo much.
I didnt have a chance to listen to your vlog yet but I read her “ing” book and loved it, it really spoke to me and helped me!
Aw, that’s okay Kaitlin! So glad you’re a fellow ing follower!
This was so awesome! I’m really excited to read this book now. I think, preliminarily I can say that one of my idols is my mom, and that I idolize her because she works hard and is incredibly generous to the point of it almost being ridiculous. I think I idolize her because I wish I had more to be generous with, but if I’m creative I can find non-material things to share with others.
Oh, Patti, my girl, you’re going to LOVE the book! I just know it. I can relate to idolizing your mom and that’s one of the most rewarding things…letting go of idolizing someone who is so close to you. Thank you so much for sharing; I know that must have been difficult! xoxo
I use to idolize so many people , but after read Gabby’s book it all changed for me. Breaking it down and finally seeing the light of my inner spirit helped change so much in my life. I’ve become so much more confident , less stressed and happier. Listening to my ~ing
Your blog is amazing <3
Love
YES! A fellow soul sister!
Love this. YOU’RE amazing, Lakshmi.
Great post on idols! We need to discuss more in our next skype date!:)
Is Thursday good for you? The usual time?
I love Gabby’s book, such a great read!
Thank you boo!! YES. 1:00 p.m. my time tomorrow. WE ARE DOIN’ IT!!!
Perfect!!!:)
Thanks for that vlog, it was very inspiring!
I have actually never had idols, I don’t know why that is. What I do though, and a lot of it, is focus on traits in other people, that I don’t have myself. It can be confidence, ambition etc. What you said about people being good at different things, but not better than one another as a person is something I need to tell myself more often. It’s a journey
So anyway, very good post! It made me think!
C
Just thought about it, I realise personal traitsis what idolizing is about, I guess. I just meant I’ve never focused on one person in particular.
I loved reading your comments, Cassie. You really put honest thought into it and that is so great! xoxo
Great post Heather! I’m going to have to pick up her book! I’ve never heard of Gabrielle Bernstein before this vlog so now I am really intrigued to check her out! I definitely struggle with self confidence and you have inspired to take some steps towards improving that! Thank you!
Gabrielle is great, we love her too. We have a few idols that inspire us daily. It is good to have people to look up to, people who push you to be your best!
Loved this post Heather. This is something that has been an issue with me as well. I never give myself enough credit and always think negatively. Other people see my strong points but I always struggle to find them personally. I looked into that book you mentioned and think it’s something that could help me. I placed a hold on it at my local library so I hope it comes in soon
[...] on the blog, Twitter, and Instagram in regards to yesterday’s post on getting rid of idols. I’m so happy that we can have these deep chats and explore our spirituality together. [...]
This is slightly oblique, but one of my favorite quotes from Gloria Steinem is “we are becoming the men we wanted to marry.” In the context of the women’s movement, this was an encouragement for women to stop looking toward relationships, love, infatuation, and the promise of marriage as a means of feeling fulfilled, and start finding it from work, life experience, and from within.
You’re talking about something similar, which is to stop looking outward for inspiration, and find it in yourself. I think it’s healthy to be inspired by folks around us — I certainly have some role models in my life — but idolatry is definitely problematic. I’m glad you’re realizing that you have everything that you admire within you!
I love your comments so much, Gena, because they really make me think. A lot. Haha! You’re the best. Why can’t we live closer? I know we would have epic coffee chats.
Wow! This is such an awesome vlog! I found your blog last week and I am really enjoying following it. I agree that everyone has idols, but we can rid our lives of them if we recognize them for what they are. You do a great job of explaining how to start this process. I never thought about putting thought into what I am trying to get from each idol… Wow! This is eye opening. I spent time this morning thinking about idols in my life and here are a few….
Some healthy living bloggers. Lately, I have been using some blogs/bloggers as idols. I use them as a measure of my own worth. I look at their lifestyles and idolize their commitment to eating healthy and exercising. This takes me away from what is best for me right now, which is not what many of them are doing in terms of their lifestyles,
Another idol for me has been food. I find myself idolizing food. I seek it to be ‘perfect’ I worship it, like it’s a God. I know that sounds so messed up, but it’s true.
I also idolize those with eating disorders some times, while I am pushing towards complete covert, I find myself looking to use with Eds and idolizing their self control and discipline.
This comment is absolutely beautiful, Karla! Now that you’ve admitted to your idols, you can work on getting rid of them! You can work to have a balanced eating / fitness routine. Perfection is not real. I’m not perfect; non HLB is perfect. Believe me, anyone with an eating disorder is not someone you want to be. Eating disorders are obsessive and those who have eating disorders are so detached from enjoying life and, at the end of the day, that’s what life is about – ENJOYING IT! If you ever need anything, I’m here for you. <3 xoxo
You are amazing. I’ve never really commented before but this post really spoke to me and help to lift a huge weight off of my shoulders:) xo
[...] think I have an idol to rid in my life (to hear more about idols please view Heather's post). I felt as though I had to blog every day, but I know I don't. So, in attempt to [...]
Hello, I found your blog through Meggy
Interesting vlog! I’m not a very ‘spiritual’ person but this sounds really interesting. Thanks for sharing!