2 years later and I’m still a coffee junkie.  Of course, I’ve tried to give it up, but lethargy and headaches won the battle, and I’m right back to square one.  So in another bid to try to quit the coffee dragon, I decided to blog about it while ‘quitting coffee’.

A couple of reason to give up coffee include dehydration, caffeine dependency, the crash afterwards, and not to mention it stains your teeth after a few years.  Here are a few Zen tips to help Me you quit your caffeine addiction:

1.  A low starch diet
Cutting starches from your diet is a great way to help relieve your dependency on coffee.  Starchy foods raise your insulin levels.  Have you ever felt lethargic after eating a big meal?  Chances are you also ate a ton of starches.  Since giving up the starchy foods, my energy level stays up throughout the day, without the need for an extra boost from caffeine.

2.  Eat small meals throughout the day
Many of us are cutting back on meals due to diet or a busy schedule.  Actually, we are supposed to eat 5 small meals throughout the day.  Eating these 5 small meals throughout the day, enhances our energy levels naturally, and boost our metabolism.

3.  Start your day with an enzymatic fruit.
Enzymatic fruits are great for burning fat and boosting our metabolism.  Eating fruit on an empty stomach allows it to quickly pass through your system and give your blood glucose a boost; without the caffeine.

4.  The Power of H2O
Drinking 8 full glasses of water a day is a much better alternative to one cup of coffee.  Our bodies need water for proper hydration inside and out.  Water keeps our skin soft and supple.

5.  Avoid sugary snacks
Sugars and sugary snacks raise our glycemic levels.  All of that goes hand in hand with coffee.  Instead, opt for foods and and snacks with whole grains or fruits.

Zen-Tips.com

In our new series of How To Tips, we decided to write an article on the best ways to save money at the grocery store, so here we go.

1.  Coupons
I cannot stress the importance of clipping coupons.  Coupon Moms across the nation are saving up to 70% on the grocery bills with Sunday paper coupons.  Also check the Internet for even more money savings at your favorite grocers.

2.  Club Member Cards
It’s so hard to keep up with all of the grocery store club member cards on your key chain, but the hassle may be worth it in the end.  Club member cards can cut up to 30% off your next grocery store bill.  Stores like Costco, which charge an annual membership fee, can save you even more money by buying in bulk; especially for our larger sized family readers.  The annual fee of $45.00 may seem expensive, but the saving over a span of a year is well worth the cost.

3.  List It
Do not, I repeat, do not enter a grocery store with your family without a grocery list.  It’s so easy to stray away from family food needs, especially when the kids are in tow.  Sticking to the absolute necessities will keep food costs down at the end of your trip.

4. Do Not Shop Hungry
Entering a grocery store while your hungry is like stuffing yourself at a buffet.  It’s hard for anyone to look at aisles of food while they are starving or if the kids are hungry.  Eat a healthy snack before hitting up grocery aisles.

5.  Healthy Choices
Try to avoid sugary snacks and heavy starches for the family.  Instead, opt for healthy fruit cup snacks, yogurts and such for the kids.

6.  All Stores are Not Created Equal
Let’s face it, some grocery store are pricier than others. If you have a family of 5, then gourmet grocers such as Whole Foods may not be a smart family grocery shopping choice for you.  However, if you have a Trader Joes in your area, you can get the same gourmet feel, without the high prices.  I would even recommend a smaller brand store, that may not seem as fancy. For example, I discovered a small grocery chain by the name of Jons in Los Angeles.  The lights may not be as bright, but I have cut my bill by 50% by shopping their religiously.

7.  Avoid the Top Shelf
Retailers user place their brad name and higher priced merchandise on the top shelf.  As the shelf goes down, less expensive items tend to be placed either low or high.  The strategy is that you have to think about them and perhaps stretch a little to get to them, instead of having the comfort of just reaching up or in front of you to grab your quick choice.

8.  Keep Your Eyes Open
It’s very important to keep your eye on the cashier while they are checking you out.  Many times, the cashier may accidentally scan the item twice or the scanner are known to make mistakes as well.  As recently as last week, I was almost charged for 11 cucumbers instead of 1 because the cashier hit the 1 button twice.

9.  Store Incentives
As shoppers are becoming more discerning, retailers are tyring to lure them back in with incentives.  Keep an eye on all receipts because you just may have an offer to do a free on-line survey in exchange for a certain dollar amount off your next purchase with them.

10.  Shop at Night
Sometimes the simple act of visiting the grocery store during off hours, can take the stress out of the situation and help you make smarter grocery shopping choices.

Zen-Tips.com

With all that being said, sometimes it just isn’t enough to meditate our way through harsh financial times.  The good news is that if you are already leading a zen lifestyle, you can incorporate zen into some pretty cool money saving tips for yourself.  The even better news is that even if you aren’t into the whole zen thing, it’s never too late to learn.  Zen-Tips.com has come up with a list of How To Save Money Tips with the Powers of Zen.  Check it out:

1.  The early bird gets the worm.
Zen wisdom says you should fuel your car when it’s cooler, which is usually in the morning.  The theory is that cooler gas is more dense, so you will get more bang for your buck in the gas tank.

2.  A penny saved is a penny earned.
Don’t forget to pay yourself.  Use the powers of zen to discipline yourself to save at least 10% of your paycheck, no matter what.

3.  The 20/80 rule.
The 20/80 rule says that 20% of the things in our lives fulfill about 80% of our lives.  For example:  If you are in sales, more than likely 20% of your clients are bringing in 80% of your income.  Meaning, once you can figure out what that 20% is, you can trim the fat and focus on earning more by working less.

4.  You aren’t what you own.
Many of us associate ourselves with the things we own.  Some examples include luxury cars, designer handbags like Louis Vuitton, and the list goes on.  Separate your identity from the things you own.

5.  Become a Coupon Clipper
Coupon Moms around the nation are cutting their grocery bills by up to 70% by saving coupons from the Sunday paper and visiting sites like coupons.com

6.  Just say No
I know it’s hard to turn your little ones down when you visit the mall for a request for the latest pair of Jordan gym shoes or new toy.  However, saying No and teaching your kids the value of money from a young age is a great benefit to them. 

7.  Stay healthy.
I know that sounds so simple, but it really is important to make sure you eat healthy, and exercise daily.  As we all know, medical insurance is at an all time high in America.  If you are self-employed like I am, then medical insurance costs are even more expensive out of pocket and can cost up to $500.00/monthly.  Ouch!  Using the power of zen through yoga and meditation can help you make sure you are at your peak in health for a long time, to avoid expensive medical costs.

8.  Slow down.
Take the time to stay in the present and smell the roses.  Many of us are running from the time we wake up in the morning to the time we get back in the bed to go to sleep.  We spend so much time chasing things we don’t have yet, instead of enjoying the present and appreciating the good things we have been blessed with at this very moment … such as taking the time to read this article.

9.  Save the planet … save money.
Do a check of your household to see where you can save money.  For instance, consider installing a shower timer in your bathroom to save money on your water bill.

10.  Know your worth.
Make sure you getting the salary you are worth by doing your homework prior to interviewing for a job.  We suggest sites like glassdoor.com or Payscale.  Aim a little higher when negotiating your next salary.

Zen-Tips.com

I think by now we all aware that over 50% of Americans are considered obese.  Sadly, Americans are becoming the most unhealthy population on the planet.  While Pacific Islanders and the Asians consume  a healthy diet of mostly vegetables and fish, Americans are known for stuffing their faces with fast food.  I recently heard a rumor that the fast food market goes so far as to treat their food with chemicals that make out bodies crave more of the super sized foods after we eat them.  To be honest with you, I’m inclined to believe the rumors.

The Zen Macrobiotic Diet can keep you healthy, happy and it may even save your life.  The zen macrobiotic diet is a mainly vegetarian diet consisting of 50% whole cereal grains, 20 to 30% locally grown vegetables, small amounts of soups, beans and sea vegetables, white meat, fish and fruit in limited amounts.  The diet originated over a century ago by Sagen Ishizuka, who believed he cured himself of cancer with this diet. 

Some presumed reasons on why the diet works are low in sodium’s and fats, along with thyroid stimulating substances found in sea vegetables.  While the Zen Macrobiotic Diet remains a highly alternative way to treat cancer, it is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy.  Below are the 5 main guidelines to a Macrobiotic Diet:

1. Foods are the foundation of health and happiness.

2. Sodium and potassium (as in salt) are the primary antagonistic and complementary elements in food. They most strongly determine its character-or “yin / yang” quality of each food.

3. Grain is proper and nature staple food of man.

4. Food should be unrefined, whole, and natural.

5. Food should be grown locally and eaten in season.

Zen-Tips.com

Unfortunately, increased stress levels usually make out bodies ill; sometimes without us even realizing it until it’s too late.  A few years ago, I was running my own company and took on the task of becoming a property manager of almost 20 units.  Needless to say, the stress got to me and I almost ended up in the hospital.  I visited an Asian Acupuncture specialist who warned me that the stress would make me sick, but I was a non believer at the time.

These days, when I feel my stress levels are elevated, I turn to Zen Yoga for help.  Zen yoga is different from traditional yoga in the terms of it being very gentle and it being well suited to helping people prevent ill health.  Zen yoga poses combine traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine.  The postures are designed to channel energy, instead of blood flow.

When you understand how important energy is in Oriental philosophy, you will then understand why diseas and ilness feels the way it does inside our bodies.  Instead of focusing on the symptom itself, Oriental diagnosis looks at what is going on in the meridians, and a healing approach is based on this, instead of a rigidly defined solution for a set of symptoms.

Now if you are slightly confused by the above, no need to fret.  Try some of the harder postures first, then move on to an easy one.  Go back and forth, all the while monitoring the way your body feels during and after Zen Yoga.  Zen yoga reduced my stress levels and gave me my life back. I’ve never felt more healthy or energetic.

Zen-Tips.com

Does this scenario sound familiar to anyone else?  So what should a girl do?  Well, I pulled my bootstraps up, calmed myself down, breathed deeply and finished my scene with him.  I was well aware that everyone around us was wondering if I was going to walk off the set.  Because I knew this, I knew it was imperative that I called upon all the powers of zen to calm myself down and still do the work at hand.

Once the day was wrapped, the director was on his best behavior I had ever seen and I felt a newborn respect from my peers.  Now, I’m not saying it is okay to rip into people. Actually, I am an advocate of not doing such things, but sometimes the stress of holding back your anger can hurt you more than holding it inside of us.  Fast forward to a few days and I actually feel lighter now that I have let go of some of the resentment that had been building towards this person. How does he feel?  To be honest, I do not know and he has his own crosses to bear.

I guess what I am saying is that we all have to find out own ways of letting go of anger and not letting resentment build.  We are all human and no one is perfect, but to forgive is to be human.  So I decided to collect some of the benefits of letting go of rage and anger. I hope the list helps you.

• Lower blood pressure
• Stress reduction
• Less hostility
• Better anger management skills
• Lower heart rate
• Lower risk of alcohol or substance abuse
• Fewer depression symptoms
• Fewer anxiety symptoms
• Reduction in chronic pain
• More friendships
• Healthier relationships
• Greater religious or spiritual well-being
• Improved psychological well-being

Feel free to leave comments to add to this list or to advise on techniques you use to let go of anger.  We would love to hear them.

Zen-Tips.com

1.  Aromatherapy Massage
Treat yourself to an aromatherapy massage at a spa.  I especially recommend Lavender.  The massage will relax your body and the aromatherapy will revitalize your senses.  The combination should keep your body silky soft for a few days.

2.  Skin Tightening
Keeping our bodies physically fit is just as important.  As we age, we lose elasticity in our skin.  Skin Brushing is a great technique to keep the skin on our bodies tight and youthful.  Purchase a boar bristle brush from your local drugstore.  Before showering, brush the bottoms of your feet, then start brushing upward from the ankles.  Never brush in a downward motion.  Always brush towards the heart. 

3.  Hand Soother
Winter time can bring dry, cracked hands.  Mix some brown sugar with a teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil.  Stir together until smooth, then rub into your hands.  Put some plastic gloves on your hands for about 15 minutes.  Afterwards, take the gloves off and rinse away the mixture.  Your hands should be smooth as a baby’s bottom for at least a week.

4.  Avocado Facial Mask
My favorite face mask of all time consists of half and avocado, a teaspoon of honey and a couple of drops of coconut oil.  Mix the combo together and apply to your freshly washed face.  Leave on for half an hour. Afterwards, clean the excess off with some soft tissue paper.  Massage the leftover avocado and oils into your skin for added moisture benefits.

5.  Brighter Skin
If your skin is anything like mine, it can bruise easily and leave marks from a blemish.  I have also always suffered from dark elbows and knees.  Cut a fresh lemon in half, then rub it on any dark spots.  Do this a few times a week until all dark spots disappear.

We all have a ton of things on our mind.  Personally, I spend my days thinking about my dog dying too soon, my next audition, ways to save more money, my car needs new brake pads, and a plethora of other things.  With all of this thinking going on, it’s very easy to become stressed on a daily basis. 

Zen practices are a great way to break the cycle of stress, and Mindfulness is the focus of today’s article.  Mindfulness means you are living in the present and now.  Being Mindful means you are becoming more self aware of your thoughts and feelings, without judging them.  It’s perfectly natural to feel nervous, afraid or confused, depending on what’s going on with your life.  The task at hand is to accept the feelings, but to also let them go and finish the job. 

Do not resist or try to cover the feelings.  Doing this only makes it harder to let them go.  When we are mindful of them we can only become wiser and more insightful.  For example:  I have to take my drivers test again so I become nervous. I acknowledge the nervousness and welcome it. I then start to take even breaths, which calm me.  After I allow myself to feel nervous, the feeling goes away as I complete my exam.  All is good in my world with Zen Mindfulness.

Now that the holidays are almost behind us, it’s time for all of us to find ways to de-stress ourselves and prepare for a fruitful New Year.  We, at Zen-Tips.com,hope you find your way to are more stress free, zenful lifestyle.

1. Love -
Have you ever heard that saying, “Love is all we need”?  It’s true… find time to cuddle up with loved ones when stress is at it’s peak. 

2.  Mediate -
Mediation is a key element of living a Zen Lifestyle.  Mediation calms our nerves and reduces stress levels.  Meditation can be done in our homes, our cars, just about anywhere you can sneak away to quickly.

3.  Read -
Curling up with a good novel always takes me away from my own personal burdens and whisks me away into another world; leaving my troubles behind me.

4.  Walk -
Walking is not only one of the best cardiovascular exercises we can do, it it’s a great way to get focused and to get our thoughts together.

5.  Intimacy -
The fellas will love this one.  Studies have shown that sexual relations relieves tension and stress immediately.

6.  Massage -
Massage is another key element of a zen lifestyle.  Steal away a couple of hours to a spa for a relaxing aromatherapy massage.  The massage, mixed with aromatherapy that soothes our senses, will keep you relaxed and tension free for days.

7.  Self Massage -
These trying economic times may not allow you the funds to splurge on a professional massage, but you can always do the job yourself.  Slowly roll your neck from side to side while breathing deeply.  Massage your neck, shoulders, lower back and abdomen.  Don’t forget to breathe deeply to exhale any negative toxins.

8.  Smoke -
Another one of my favorites and no, I don’t mean cigarettes.  I like to go to a local Hookah bar in my neighborhood.  The tobacco is all natural with fun flavors that can be added like Watermelon, or Lemon/Grape.  Hookah is a popular way to relax and free your mind mentally, without breaking the law.

9.  Siesta -
An afternoon Siesta is a practice that is done in Spain.  The locals usually nap for at least an hour every day and all of the businesses close down at this time.  Not a bad idea since cat naps are a good way for us to relax and re-energize our bodies.  I’m a huge fan of cat naps, and I always get an extra boost of energy after having one.

10.  Vacation -
Who doesn’t love to take a long vacation on a gorgeous island like Jamaica or the Virgin Islands.  The recession may not allow that these days, but what’s to stop you from checking yourself and your SO into a nice hotel for even one night.  Leave the kids with a sitter and relax on your mini vacation with some room service.  I have done this by myself as well.

11.  Exercise -
Exercise is another key element of a Zen Lifestyle.  Exercise is necessary for the body and mind.  Cardiovascular exercises get the blood pumping to our hearts and brains.  It also releases stress by letting us work out little frustrations out.

12.  Stretch -
Stretching is part of yoga and pilates.  Be sure to breathe in and out deeply when stretching.  Stretching and breathing sends oxygen to our brains and relaxes is immediately.

Zen-Tips.com

They say we are in a recession and I’m starting to believe the hype.  Trying economic times bring increased stresses into our lives.  Here are 5 quick zen tips that should improve your mood.

1.  Breathe.
Our breathing usually gets quicker when we get stressed.  Take a deep breath by inhaling deeply through the nose, and releasing it slowly though the lips.  Taking 5 or 6 of these slow, deep breaths should slow the heart rate and calm you down.

2.  Smile.
Scientific studies have shown that the simple act of smiling improves our mood.  The brain reacts to the physical movement of smiling and changes our mood instantly.

3.  Listen.
Music is one the most powerful stimuli to humans.  Fill your Ipod with songs that relax, stimulate and empower you.  When feeling a little down, take a music break to relax and recharge your brain.

4.  Stretch.
Whether your at work, in the car or at home, a good stretch always does the body good.  I like to do neck rolls while at a stop light, when driving.  They release tension and stretch the neck, until I get home to do some real stretches.  Remember to breathe deeply when doing any stretching to increase relaxation.

5.  Imagine
Take a mini vacation … mentally, that is.  Close your eyes, and imaging yourself on a secluded beach.  Feel the sand in your toes and the breeze on your skin.  Immerse yourself in whatever setting that relaxes you.  60 seconds of this technique will work miracles.

We hope you find these above tips helpful on your zen journey.