The Abundance Diet

Are you thinking, "An abundance diet? That's the last thing I wanna be doing! I wanna be having an abundance banquet!!!"?

Well that makes absolute sense, I don't doubt everyone feels the same way!

However, the kind of abundance diet I'm talking about simply means that you're cutting down on the amount of work you have to put in and getting 10x healthy and nutritious results.

Have I tickled your fancy now? (Totally wrote that in my Mum's voice!)

Whatever you have learned about manifesting and whatever you believe you need to do to bring more of the things you really want into your life, there are actually only 2 things you need to do in order to create more of it. Two things!

So now are you ready to go on an abundance diet? Awesome-sauce!


Before we get into the 'how', majority of us are first going to have to deal with the 'what'. In this case the 'what' is our fears, blocks and self sabotaging habits such as scarcity, debt, lack and a 'not enough' mentality.

Imagine if you suddenly had 10x more money in your bank account, how would you really feel? If you're wired in scarcity chances are you are going to feel even more anxious and stressed and become insanely impulsive.

You can combat this by really knowing that you don't have to get it perfect every step of the way. You can create abundance no matter where you're at (yes, even if you're in a lot of debt) because the key to it all is about it being fun and lighthearted!

Decide now that you are going to withdraw the negative power from your scarcity thoughts and decide to focus only on abundance in a pleasurable way.

Abundance Mantra: "I have the power to create anything I want!" - click to tweet

Now that you know (and I mean know) that you can create an experience of abundance no matter where you are or what 'state' you're currently in, we can get onto the juicy stuff! How to actually create abundance!

1. Daily Gratitude: Holla! How grateful are you in life atm? Could you be more grateful in areas? Get on it!
   
   Focus all of your attention on the things you're grateful for that you already have and that's already in your life. If you're feeling the scarcity, intercept your thoughts back onto appreciating the abundance you've already got. Then also be grateful for the new things you want to experience.
   
   I tested myself for two weeks of adding a simple morning gratitude routine. Every morning I would wake and lie there for 3 - 5 minutes and just go through what I was grateful for. Whether it was my lungs, my cat Binka or my Mac. I lay there and I felt it out.
   
   Within those two weeks I managed to lose 2lbs, money started coming out of nowhere, my friends were giving me extra love, Scott was treating me extra special, even Binka was smooching up to me more! I actually began to feel like my true self again. All within two weeks!! So yeah, try it out!
   



2. Evoke + Feel: This is always such a fun and juicy activity for me! Set aside 15 - 20 minutes each day to sit or lie down, close your eyes and imagine the new reality you want to experience.
   
   It takes practice but aim to imagine it as real and life-like as seeing it all through your own eyes, not like you're an audience member observing yourself. Be it. It's not the visualization that's not important but about what you feel like.
   
   To get you in the mood, ask yourself 'If I was already there. If I already had all the money I needed, lots of loving and nurturing friendships and relationships, a happy and healthy body and mind, how would I feel having a life like this?'.
   
   The goal is to get good at doing this evoking & feeling exercise every day. Start where you are. I've already had the most amazing luxurious holiday in Hawaii as well as bought my own beach house for my own spiritual retreats. What about you?

You'll notice as you do this each day, you'll start to feel changes happening in other aspects of your life. Usually where there is least resistance but everything will start leveling up slowly.

The point of getting into that place of feeling every day is that we want to make feeling abundant our default state of being.

When you wake up in the morning, when you go about your day and even before you head to the land of nod, these feelings will infect your daily life.

Less work + more gain = the abundance diet!

How To Bring More Joy Into Your Life (Interview with Aditi Ramchandani from I Live With Joy)

I have been lucky to have interviewed the gorgeous Aditi Ranmchandani!

I've actually had the pleasure of knowing Aditi for a few months now and she is seriously one to keep an eye on!

She is a hard core inspiration junkie and has a beautiful spiritual nature. She loves to inspire herself and it automatically inspires those around her.

Ever since her yoga teacher recommended one inspirational book to her, she got hooked and has been on a journey to continue reading and talking to others to help her find and build a life she loves.

She launched an inspirational platform last summer called I Live With Joy where she documents her journey on finding ways to build a life of joy for herself while inspiring her hundreds of readers to join in as well!

1) Tell us your story and why you're on this path?

A couple years ago my Aunt asked me what makes me happy. And I was stumped. I really had no idea. I was like - I guess my friends, music, my job?? The answer didn’t feel authentic. I just kind of figured those are the things that make people happy. My aunt told me how she has a post-it with a list of things that make her happy and picks one of those things on the list to do every day.

I thought it was a pretty neat idea and figured it would help when I’m upset so I decided to go soul searching to find out what does make me happy. I started paying attention to my daily routine to notice what things made me feel good inside. I made the list too and I am still living by this list today. In fact as I write this, I just completed one of the items on my list about an hour ago.

I’m on this path because I know that life can be better than how most people or society portray it. I want to have an extraordinary life and I’m going to keep trying new things to make that happen and help people around me on the way!

2) Why did you decide to pursue the art of joy?

I decided to pursue the art of joy because I think it is something everyone would like more of in their lives. I meet many people who are like living zombies, they wake up in the morning, work, come home, maybe workout, eat, sleep, and repeat 365 days a year without much excitement. 

When you live like a zombie you are on auto-pilot and living in a neutral feeling state also known as ‘numb’ and they feel ‘eh’ about their lives. I think that many of us are missing out on a beautiful life that is flying by without us. 

I made it my personal mission to find ways to live with joy in my own life with the hope that it inspires others to do the same.

3) How do you manifest joy in your life?

I manifest joy in my life by choosing it. When I am in a bad mood, I allow myself to feel out the emotions I need to feel and then I choose a better feeling for myself. I engage in activities that light me up and make me feel calm within. I make it an intention to surround myself with like-minded positive people. By surrounding yourself with positivity, you tend to attract more of it into your life.

4) Time for some honesty, are you joyful 24/7?

Haha. Definitely not! People tend to think since I am the joy girl that I am always happy. This is not the case at all nor do I feel that should be the aim.

Ironically, this evening I had a bit of an episode of anger with a few individuals in which I usually found myself ruining my whole night because of it. But instead I ended up leaving the situation and attending a Jazzercise class and when I came home I did one of the things on my joy list, and now I am back to my normal state.

I think it is important to feel all sorts of emotions but how we deal with it and bring ourselves back to our inner joy is what matters. I would consider myself a girl who is on a journey to find ways to bring her back to joy and help others find their way back to joy too rather than someone who is joyful 24/7.
 

5) What are you tips for others desiring more joy? 

I think one of the main things is to do what my aunt told me to do. Find out what makes you happy. Most people cannot answer what makes you happy just like I couldn’t when I was first was asked.

Pay attention to this upcoming week and see what makes you smile or tingle inside. Write it down in a list and post it up on your mirror. Pick one thing on the list each day and do it. The good thing is that it won’t feel like a chore because you actually enjoy the things on the list! By engaging in activities that make you feel good on a consistent basis will make a big difference in your life.

Second, pay attention to your thoughts. Are you constantly beating yourself up about things? Are you constantly judging people around you and finding yourself only feeling worse? Notice these thoughts. Forgive them, and pick a better feeling thought. 

Changing my thought patterns is the single most thing that has benefited me in having more joy in my life as well as bringing more success into my life. Thinking good thoughts helps your creativity flow better and think clearer. Negative thoughts block a lot of the good ideas that are floating in your mind from coming up.

6) For the times we're 'less than joyful', do you have some tips on getting through?

Once you have your joy list (from question 5) ready, it will make those less than joyful moments easier to get through. Pick something from that list and do it!

Another thing that helps me when I am not feeling so great is I decide (sometimes force myself) to be more thankful for things I DO have. Even as simple as thanking the room for protecting me with its 4 walls or thanking the sun for giving me light today. I had a low point this week where I was dragging my feet and I decided to practice more gratitude and was eventually able to get myself out of my hole.

Another profound thing I learned recently from a conference I attended was from a man named Michael Chase. He said to us, “The missing element in self-help is helping others.” He went on to tell us that when we are feeling depressed, we should help someone else who is depressed. 

Or when we are down about a certain situation, we should help someone else who is going through a similar situation. I tried this idea this week while I was down and it worked wonders. I was upset about my job situation but I ended up helping another person spice up their resume and interview skills and by the end of our meeting we were both empowered and re-energized. 

I would strongly suggest this technique when people are feeling less than joyful!

7) What's a juicy thing you currently want to manifest for yourself?

Right now I want to manifest a job that gives me flexible hours, good compensation, and a positive environment to work in! I am hoping to find something to continue to support me while I build a side gig that truly gives me joy =).

8) Where can we find you online?

At the moment you can find me at www.ilivewithjoy.com. For more tips on how to live with joy feel free to sign up on the right side bar of my website and “Joy Tips for Today” will be delivered straight to your inbox. You can also catch me on twitter at @ilivewithjoy and facebook.

Manifesting a Fit & Healthy Life (Interview with Lyn MacFarlane of Stilettos & Green Juice)

How many times have you written down 'get fit', 'be healthy' or 'lose weight' on your manifesting lists?

How'd it go?

Like I said in a previous post, when it comes to manifesting some of your desires you're going to need a little help.

So, how would you like some help in achieving those awesome body and well-being goals?

Today I am SO excited to share with you my fabulous interview with the incredible Lyn McFarlane of Stilettos and Green Juice.

In this interview, you are gonna learn some juicy secrets to help you start manifesting a fit and healthy life. So without further ado, let's welcome Lyn!

1) You are a super intelligent and ultra hot health and fitness expert, what made you decide to get into the industry?

Haha, wow can I add that to my bio?

Good health was not something that came easily to me and in my teens and early 20's I battled and conquered several chronic illnesses. It was an incredibly hard fight but I was determined to heal myself so I delved into learning as much as I could about health and healing the body naturally.

Once my body was fully healed I became as active as I could be. I went from not being able to get out of bed to being a complete gym junkie. Every time I lifted a weight I was so grateful for the strength I had!

I had been working in the media and marketing industry but was feeling really deflated by all the huge egos and bullies. I was desperate to move into a career that was of service to people but I was scared to make the change.

I had been training at the gym for 10 years and had toyed with the idea of personal training but the past 12 months I have had so many things align to lead me towards turning my passion into a career. I have learnt so much about nutrition and have personally overcome a sugar & junk food addiction and totally transformed my diet.

I feel so amazing having overcome my addictions that I want to help as many people as I can learn to live a healthy life. I was also seeing a lot of health and fitness programs out there that were focused on trying to look a certain way. You know the typical "Get a bikini body in 12 weeks" BS and I wanted to teach women something different.

I wanted to lead the way in educating women on how to be kind and nurture themselves and to set an intention to be healthy rather than try and look like a bikini model! That was the main inspiration behind my blog and becoming a PT and health coach! 

2) Can you give us a sneak peek into your daily well-being routine?

My daily health formula looks like this:

meditate + green smoothie or juice + eat healthy + exercise + give thanks = happy healthy me!

If I don’t follow this formula I am off balance, lack energy and feel unhappy. If you can only make one change to your diet I always advise people to start with a green smoothie. I make a big batch of green smoothie once a week and freeze it and have my smoothie every 2nd day. You can see my green smoothie recipe here.

Every other day I have green juice (which I buy). I also have a shot of apple cider vinegar every day for digestion and I alternate between spirulina, chlorophyll or a super green supplement (whatever is on special at the store!).

3) What does a typical day's diet look like?

Diet is the main factor in health and fitness so it's important that I stick to clean eating, this means no processed foods, sugar, white flour or dairy (or at least a reduction in these things).

I try to eat good health nurturing foods that are close to their natural source as possible. I actually eat a fair bit as I lift heavy weights so not everyone needs as much protein as I consume!

A typical day of eating looks like this:

• Meal 1: Organic pea protein shake with cacao, banana and chia seed
• Meal 2: Green Smoothie followed half hour later by 2 eggs and 1/4 cup of egg whites scrambled, 2 pieces of spelt toast with avocado
• Meal 3: Chicken or fish with salad, quinoa and wholemeal or spelt bread
• Meal 4: More eggs! Usually 1 whole egg and half cup of eggwhites
• Meal 5: Lean meat, fish or chicken with sweet potato and lots of vegetables Snacks - Almonds, organic dark chocolate, sunflower seeds, coconut oil and cinnamon on bread.
  
  

4) Do you believe that spirituality and food/fitness are related?

Absolutely. I am the type of person that looks at everything through spiritual eyes.

Food addiction is something that comes from fear based ego thoughts and these thoughts are what separate us from love. Separation from love is a downward spiral that is really hard to climb out of but when you let go of fear you let go of your excess weight.

Marianne Williamson states in A Course in Weight Loss that, "Neither poor diet or lack of exercise are the cause of your excess weight. Mind is cause; body is effect. The cause of your excess weight is in your mind".

It's a really in depth topic but I really believe people's struggle to stick to a health of fitness plan is due to lack of self love which is often due to a disconnection from their higher self or a higher power.

5) Alright, now we want the truth! Are you ALWAYS exercising and eating right?

Well I do always exercise. I love it and have to force myself to sit still! (I know I am super annoying like that) BUT- now it's confession time – I just ate a McDonalds cheeseburger meal!! I very rarely eat McDonald's (although I use to be a total addict!) but decided to indulge today.

I eat clean 90% of the time which means that I also enjoy a cheat meal at least once a week. Usually it is something like a burger and fries although I usually choose a healthier version than McDonalds!

I have to be careful not to have sugar every cheat meal because it is so addictive it would be too easy to slip into old habits, but in saying that once you give up sugar you won't want it as much. I think people always assume eating healthy means denying themselves of foods they enjoy but eating clean is a way of life, it is not a diet.

I love to enjoy my social life so I eat clean most of the time so that I can go out and not worry about what I eat or drink. I never want to be that girl who goes to someone's house for dinner and won't eat anything!

6) What are some tips for others wanting to manifest a fit and healthy life?

1. Believe that you are worthy and deserving of vibrant health and a beautiful body.
2. Be kind to yourself.
3. Start thinking and acting like a skinny person. Act like you already have your dream body and do the things that you think you can't do because of your size Meditate on feeling vibrantly healthy.
4. Spend time in meditation repeating the mantra "I am perfect health" or "I am beautiful" or "I am my perfect weight" and visualize yourself living the life you desire in the body you desire with the energy you desire. When I was chronically ill I use to meditate every day visualizing myself roller-blading by the beach with lots of every. I don’t doubt that this played a part in my healing!
5. You also need to really dig deep and ask yourself what is stopping yourself from achieving your ultimate health and weight.
6. Ask yourself how your situation is serving you and start journaling your thoughts on this. This is a big eye opener!
   

7) On those days when we are less than motivated to move our asses, what is something you would recommend to do to counter act it?

The days that you don't feel like working out are usually the days you need to! I always find I have the best workouts the days I walk into the gym really exhausted and unmotivated! I usually walk out feeling amazing!

If you really don't feel like going to the gym try cranking up the stereo and dancing around your living room, or meet a friend for a walk. Try different things to keep yourself motivated.

Also incorporate fitness into your daily life so you won't feel so bad if you don't make it to the gym, such as get off the bus one stop early, take the stairs instead of the lift, walk around the block at lunch, just do little things throughout the day.

If you are having a really lazy week than just make sure you are eating really clean. A lazy week and a lazy unhealthy diet is an equation for weight gain! 

8) What's a biggie thing you want to manifest for yourself this year?

Everything!! I have this strong feeling this is the year it will all happen at once! I guess the thing I would like to manifest before everything else is a life partner and stop the endless cycle of dating assholes!

This is the hardest one for me as I have a lot of blocks in this area. On the other hand I have always been brilliant at manifesting everything else and I really plan to launch a successful online health and fitness empire! One of which will be of service to thousands of women around the globe!

9) Where in the world are you and how can we connect?

I am an Aussie beach girl residing in the beautiful eastern suburbs of Sydney!

I would love to connect and help anyone with their health or fitness so please come visit my website Stilettos and Green Juice sign up to my newsletter or message me on my facebook page with any questions.

If you're in Sydney, I run bootcamps and am available for personal training sessions and if you're not in Sydney you can book a health coaching session with me which we will do over skype and email.

I also have an ebook coming out very soon called "The Skinny Secrets" and I will be giving away a Sneak peak of the book to all those that sign up to my blog.

"I want LOVE but there is NO decent guy in sight!"

Hands up if this is what you believe.. Holla! This was me a few years ago - no kidding.

I have had many a time where I have pleaded with god, buddha, the universe, some fucking goatherd in the Himalayas to just send me a man full of love to give (because I. just. couldn't. give it to myself).

And every single time without fail, I got the guy that was NOT full of the good lovin' and had way. too. many. issues going on.

Argh. Is this you now? Maybe it's just barren land with no sign of life on the horizon.. Or maybe there IS something (or someone) but you seem to have developed expert repelling powers..

Oy vey, what's a girl to do?

Time to chill out and get off the hate train.

I yearned for a loving relationship for sooo damn long, but the truth was that deep down I didn't even like men. I thought they were liars and cheats and I treated them like they were.

Seriously attractive.

I guarded myself, I was hurtful with my words and I was unkind in many ways even if I was "only joking".

I was working in America at the time when a guy I hardly knew started chatting to me one day and asked, "Elise, why are you so mean to guys?".

I had no idea what he was talking about.

"What? I'm not mean to guys."

"Do you not like men?"

"Yeah of course, why?"

"You have a really strange way of showing it."

"What do you mean?"

"Insults, little digs here and there and making fun.."

"Huh? Oh noooo, I'm just joking when I do that!"

"Yeah well, next time think about what you say and do because it actually hurts and no one wants to be around someone that constantly makes them feel bad."

Triple slap in the face.

I thought this was INSANE because all I wanted was a relationship!

That was the start of my journey to healing myself and the vicious self-sabotaging pattern I had.

It took months and months of work on myself to get me into a better feeling place about myself. And coincidentally that's when the magic started to happen!

I met men of all kinds! Funny, kind, sensitive and just so much fun to be around. And best of all? They all dug the hell outta me, Cause I dug myself. Woo!

So if you just saw a lot of yourself in there but what you really want to manifest is a loving relationship, here's what I want you to start working on.

Practice kindness with your word and actions.

I'm sure you will have seen what positive words do to a child. Telling a little innocent being that their crazy blue squiggle painting is the most AMAZING thing you've ever seen on the entire planet makes their whole spirit shine.

And guess what? You're still that same being!

Practice kindness towards yourself: It could be whispering sweet self love mantras to yourself when you're resting, it could be showering yourself with love by taking a relaxing bath, letting the self-berating go for once or making yourself a beautiful gift like a chocolate cake!

Practice kindness with others (especially men): Give compliments, express affection, if you meet a guy that seems 'SO not your type' - be grateful to have at least met him. Use your words and actions as imaginary hugs, not swords.

Manifesting a beautiful, loving and honest relationship was sooooooo far out of reach because the only vibration I was giving off was that 'I'm not worth my own love so feel free to come and shit all over me'.

It took me learning to be kinder to myself first to start healing my own wounds. And from that I was able to open up more and express kindness onto other men.

And now? I am in the most incredible relationship with a man who out of everyone in the world chose to love and adore me!

Your action step for today

Now in the comments below, I would like to know from you one thing you can do today to practice more kindness to yourself? And bonus question, what is one way you could be kinder to men?

You can do it sweetie!

Elise xo

How I Went From “Woe is Me” to “WOW, That’s Me!!”

Guest Post by Eyenie Schultz

One day after school as all the kids left, I walked alone to start heading home. I thought nobody was on the playground until I suddenly heard, “Hey Eyenie!”

"Yeah?” I said, looking up.

“You’re pretty!”

Ok…had I just heard that? Elation and giddiness came over me. It turned instantly bitter when the other verbal shoe dropped with, “UGLY! Hahaha! You’re PRETTY UGLY!”

Though I felt humiliated, these boys weren’t telling me anything new, but simply confirming what I already thought about myself.

Though my family has always been supportive and lovely, somehow they inadvertently made me believe that in order to be “enough” I needed to be beautiful, and I saw nothing beautiful about myself.

So, I developed this whole set of beliefs in my head that were based on the assumption, “Eyenie is ugly and not enough.” You can imagine what sorts of other thoughts this lead to…

I tried to exceed in other areas and please everyone as much as possible (which is impossible, let’s face it); it was exhausting. I was the good girl, dutiful, the person you could always count on, no matter how uncomfortable it was for me. I became a self-deprecating doormat and thought that it was much more important to make sure everyone around me was ok. And worst of all, I was always chipper and happy-go-lucky, but didn’t understand how people could feel joy or be happy…

I sure wasn’t! I got small bursts of what seemed like happiness when receiving accolades, or solving problems, or getting approval… all from someone else.

As soon as I finished university I decided to leave Colorado, where I grew up, in order to find happiness. I went to New York. Then Los Angeles. I tried New Orleans, France…I left every place feeling miserable and empty. One day it dawned on me: if all these amazing places and people I was meeting couldn’t make me happy, then something inside of me needed to change!

This simple notion created a huge shift, and I started learning about ways to change from within. I’ve put together a list of the tools that have helped me love myself. They support me on a daily basis so I can R A D I A T E to my fullest potential. Some of my faves are:

1.) Do as much as you can from a space of LOVE and not FEAR. When your decisions are fear-based, you’re not living your truth or stepping into your power or owning your strengths. Stop acting on fear, and love yourself enough to do what’s best for you…even if others don’t like it.

2.) “Thoughts are like raindrops. Would you argue with a raindrop?” ~ Byron Katie. Well, would you? Other people’s thoughts are simply that: other people’s thoughts. They do not define who or what you are, what you can or can’t do, your worth, etc.

3.) People don’t make me feel bad; I make myself feel bad! If someone says something, I can let it hurt me…or, I can remember # 2 and decide not to let someone else’s thought or vision affect me and my experience.

4.) Happiness is a choice, and “if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice” ~Rush. If you’re not feeling happy or joyful, you have the choice to do something that will make you feel good

5.) You are beautiful, even if you don’t fit everyone’s standards. There are many lovely things about you; take the time to pay attention! 

6.) Your focus creates your reality. If you only focus on your perceived shortcomings, or what isn’t right in your life, that’s all you will see! When you start focusing on what you do have going for you, and what is right with your life, you’ll find that starts expanding! 

7.) Allow yourself some “want” and stop “shoulding all over yourself”! Doing things you LOVE makes you the best possible you! And when you’re that version of yourself, you are a love, abundance, happiness and positivity magnet!

What’s holding you back from feeling beautiful and really living a life you love? How can you take action today, even with a simple mindset shift?


Eyenie Schultz {pronounced “eh-zjeh-knee” or like “Jenny” with an “eh” before it} is a Certified Confidence Coach & Razzle-Dazzle living expert who helps women feel at home within themselves so they can love, live and thrive anywhere in the world. 

After years of chasing happiness, she realized it could only be found through self-love and confidence from within. 

Today, Eyenie lives in a tiny medieval village in France, and is happier than ever before. She knows how to use her magic tool kit to sprinkle every day with razzle-dazzle, pizzazz, flow and ease…and she ecstatically helps her clients do exactly the same!!

To download the “Thought-Shifter” worksheet, a free gift, and learn more about Eyenie and her services, visit www.lucidmusing.com.