#thenevergiveup_official -------------------------------------------------------------------------'------- #bebetterdobetter #bebetterthanthat #bebetter #bebetteryou #bebetterme #bebettereveryday #bebetterthanstock #bebetterforyou #bebetterbestronger #bebettertogether #bebetterthanyourself #bebetter52 #bebetterzewachodakowska #bebetterthantoday #bebetterhere #bebetterthanthegap #bebettertoday #bebetterthanyesterday #bebetterthantheirparents #bebetterthanyouwereyesterday #bebetterdaily #bebetterperson #bebetternotbitter #bebettertomorrow #bebetterthenyesterday #bebetterbecomethealpha #bebetterhumans #bebetterthan #bebetternow https://www.instagram.com/p/B6R-jWRggZ9/?igshid=h7j14yjklr6t

It’s Week 51 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). The days are shorter, the nights are colder, the lights and decorations dazzle, and you're searching for the perfect gift for your loved ones. With Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Chinese New Year, it’s the season of giving. You also might be thinking about what you want for the holidays. Easily, this time of year can become one of mass consumption, so before you open all your presents, we challenge you to go through your house and find 5 gently used items to donate. After the holidays, we often leave with shiny new objects that can replace old ones. If we take the time to search, we often can find lots of things in our house that we haven’t used in ages, and they could be things that others could love. You might find items which have barely been used, and these are the perfect items to donate this year. They say it's better to give than to receive, and that goes not only for us, but also for children. Psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn designed an experiment to see if even toddlers felt better giving a special treat than receiving one. She discovered toddlers do feel better giving to others even when their parents are making them give in order to be a nice person. Studies also show you feel more connected and receive greater and more sustained happiness when you are close to the person you give to. It’s an opportunity to declutter before the new year but also an opportunity to embrace the season of giving. #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #declutter #donate #helpingothers #communityservice #neighborshelpingneighbors #seasonofgiving #sharingmeanscaring #bebetter52 #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6JF3Hqlm6f/?igshid=6fxqu6alv2nx

Compete with yourself #Bebetterthanyourself #bebetter #BeBetterThanYesterday #bebettereveryday #bebettertoday #bebetterthanyouwereyesterday #bebetterdobetter #bebetter45 #BeBetterAsHumans #bebetternotbitter #bebetterthanme #bebetterYOGA #bebetterthenyesterday #BeBetterAdvisors #bebetterthanyourexcuses #bebetterthanyestetday #bebetterbestronger #bebetterinbed #bebetterhuman #bebetterdobetterpurposefully #bebetteratwhatyoulove #bebetterbusiness #BeBetterWorld #bebetterversionofyourself #BeBetterToYourself #bebettertodaythanyesterday #bebetter52 #bebetterthenyouwereyesterday #bebetterchallenge #bebetterbehealthy https://www.instagram.com/p/CFTSK-sg3iC/?igshid=13n0hloe36u5

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It’s Week 50 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). This week’s challenge is to get yourself motivated and complete indoor workouts. Create a simple indoor workout routine that boosts your energy during the busy holiday season. The workouts need to be a realistic “push” for you, and we encourage the workouts to be at least 15 minutes long and done no less than twice this week. Of course, if you already frequent the gym daily, we ask you to push yourself a little harder this week such as adding an extra 15 minutes of cardio. Prove to yourself you are committed to your physical health before the New Year begins.  Tips:  1. Find a friend who will hold you accountable. 2. Search the internet for beginner, intermediate or advanced indoor workout options. You can find many guided indoor workouts outlined on youTube. 3. Remember not to make the challenge impossible to complete.  #mondaymotivation #bebetter52 #challengeaccepted #indoorworkout #fitnessmotivation #fit #endoftheyearchallenge #selflove #pushit #workit #healthyhabits #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B54Fno7l5bB/?igshid=1cbvqef6pannb

It’s Week 49 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). This week’s #bebetter52 challenge is to incorporate mushrooms into your diet. Mushrooms contain a mineral called Selenium which plays a major role in liver enzyme function. This mineral helps prevent cancerous compounds and decreases tumor growth rates and inflammation. Selenium, as well as high vitamin D, inhibit cancer growth rates. In addition, mushrooms supply potassium, fiber and vitamin C, vital ingredients for cardio-vascular health. They promote a healthy heart by regulating blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels and are low in blood glucose and high in fiber. Mushrooms carry compounds which enable optimal pancreatic, liver and endocrine function. They help decrease the risk of obesity and heart disease, improve complexion and hair, increase daily energy, help maintain healthy bones because they are rich in calcium and naturally boost immunity. They contain a good amount of iron, 90% of which is absorbed in the blood, that helps fight anemia and they are a rich source of copper, which helps in the regulation of iron. While mushrooms can be eaten raw, studies have shown their nutrients are increased when grilled or cooked in a small amount of olive oil due to higher antioxidant activity. What Are The Best Mushrooms to Eat? * Porcini * Golden Oyster * Pioppino * Oyster * Lions mane * Maitake * Shiitake #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture #mushrooms #superfoods #porchinimushrooms #shitakemushrooms #oystermushrooms #maitakemushrooms #cancerfightingfoods #immunebooster #increaseenergy #ironman #anemia #bonehealth #antioxidants (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5mCXrmlRV8/?igshid=qm201ip28lui

It’s Week 48 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). For this week’s challenge, we’d like you to focus on gratitude and to specifically write a list of 50 things for which you have been grateful this past year. It can be written in a journal, in an email, in a letter to yourself. We chose the number fifty purposely. Yes, a list of 50 is a long list, but that is what makes it so beneficial. It presses you to think of things for which you are thankful in all walks of your life--a new friend, a new hobby, a compassionate act, a forgiving heart, or simply the love of your family. Try to be as specific as possible. After you write it, store it in a special place. A place that you can revisit when necessary or reopen every November. We encourage you to make this week’s challenge a special tradition to continue every year during Thanksgiving. Your gratitude list becomes a documented journal reminding you of all you have to be grateful for.   #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture #bebetter52 #thanksgiving #gratitude #gratitudechallenge #gratitudejournal #gratitudeattitude (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Spxj5F23c/?igshid=1ej2wen6ed247

It’s Week 47 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). Although the bright yellow beverage, otherwise known as Golden milk, stems from India, it is gaining popularity in Western cultures. Traditionally the drink is made by warming up coconut milk with turmeric and other spices, such as black pepper, cinnamon and ginger. Golden milk helps protect cells by fighting off disease and infection. Not only that, but the combination of spices has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and joint pain.  This week’s challenge is to enjoy the benefits of spices by combining them into a delicious drink. What are the main ingredients in Golden Milk? Turmeric: Contains a special chemical compound called curcuminoids, one of the most potent natural pain relievers out there and one of nature's most powerful antioxidants. Here is a list of the proven health benefits of #turmeric :  1. Increases The Antioxidant Capacity of The Body 2. Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain Function and a Lower Risk of Brain Diseases 3. Lowers Your Risk of Heart Disease 4. Can Help Prevent (And Perhaps Even Treat) Cancer 5. May be Useful in Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease 6. Helps Reduce Arthritis Pain, Inflammation and Stiffness with Curcumin Supplementation 7. Has Incredible Benefits Against Depression 8. Helps Delay Aging and Fights Age-Related Chronic a powerful antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties.  #blackpepper - When combined with turmeric, the pepper can actually increase the bioavailability of curcumin by nearly 2,000% and assists with your metabolism.  #coconutmilk - Contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT’s) and healthy fats. It aids in reducing inflammation, supporting growth of muscles, and assisting in digestion and weight loss.  #cinnamon - Reduce blood sugar levels. #ginger - Aids in digestion.  #mondaymotivation #bebetter52 #challengeaccepted #antiinflammatorydiet #jointpainrelief #antiaging #curcumin #brainhealth #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5CEfYNF3l9/?igshid=142xnqnh53glu

It’s Week 46 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com).  This week’s #bebetter52 challenge is unlike any we have done before. This week we are asking you to forgive someone who has hurt you in the past. The forgiveness process can even include forgiving yourself. Forgiving those who have hurt us is no easy feat, but it is essential to our physical and emotional health. The process allows us to eliminate the negativity which our body and immune system respond to in destructive ways. Choosing to forgive can be done by addressing the issue directly with the person or internally by writing it out in a journal.  Forgiveness is not always easy, but with the right mindset can be made easier. We love what is said from an article from verywellmind.com: “Forgiveness is something you do for yourself to sever your emotional attachment to what happened. (Think of taking your hand off a hot stove burner--the burner remains hot, but you move away from it for your own safety.)” Why forgiveness is good for our physical and mental health: Anger is a form of stress that turns on our body’s stress response. This fight or flight response leads to harmful physiological changes that can negatively affect your body long term. By turning off that response, studies have found positive associations with five measures of health: physical symptoms (specifically heart health), medication use, sleep quality, fatigue and somatic complaints.  Ways to practice forgiveness this week.  1. Journaling and even burying the page of the journal in the ground, or burning it.  2. Meditation (especially when trying to forgive yourself).  3. Make or buy an uplifting card on which to write a letter of forgiveness. This letter never needs to be sent.  4. Fill up a biodegradable balloon with helium and send it into the sky with a message of forgiveness written on it. #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #forgiveness #forgive #forgiven #forgivenessisfreedom #forgivingheart #forgivenessheals #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vaMigFdH3/?igshid=yopp1eruraz7

It’s Week 44 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). This week’s #bebetter52 challenge is to fuel up in the morning with some overnight oats. Many nutritionists believe breakfast is the most important meal, setting the tone for the rest of the day. So do yourself a favor this week and prepare a quick, easy and nutritious breakfast the night before. There are many benefits to having overnight oats. First, you will save time in the morning, and if you are running late, you won’t be tempted to grab something unhealthy to eat on your drive. The oats will be ready the moment you wake up.  Plus the health benefits are impressive. Overnight oats help maintain healthy blood pressure while providing energy since it is high in carbohydrates and protein. They help prevent hunger and make you feel fuller during the day because they are packed with soluble fiber. While promoting healthy digestion, fighting inflammation and coronary heart disease, the oats taste delicious. All you have to do is mix some oats with some staple ingredients, stick in the fridge to soak overnight, and then wake up to a yummy and healthy breakfast.  Have some fun this week exploring different overnight oat combinations. While there are many different recipes, most explore a combinations of these ingredients.   -Use old-fashioned oats as a base; don’t use quick oats.  -Add chia seeds to create a thick pudding-like texture which also adds fiber. -Try a nut or seed butter to add creaminess and protein. -Add dairy or non-dairy milk such as almond or cashew milk. You can also split the diary base with a Greek yogurt for extra protein and thickness. -Optional: You can add a sweetener like honey, maple syrup, a ripe banana or a sweetener like monk fruit.  -In the morning add a fruit/nut topping and maybe a little cinnamon when ready to eat.  #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #overnightoats #lowerbloodpressure #fruitandnuts #healthyeating #breakfastofchampions #startyourdayright #prepareahead #packedwithpower #chiaseeds #nondairy #oatsovernight #oatmeal #readytogo #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4K2hZXFzqe/?igshid=1teq4tqn6pn2j

It’s Week 43 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). This week’s #bebetter52 challenge will help you clear your mind of the day-to-day worries and to-do lists we constantly keep in the back of our heads. We challenge you to take a few moments during your nightly routine to have some sort of inner reflection. One form of reflection that works for many people is journaling! Putting down thoughts on paper allows you to release their power over you, thereby giving you a more relaxed night’s sleep.  Some people may feel overwhelmed with the definition of journaling. They falsely believe it has to be page after page of poetic sentences or profound insights. Journaling is defined by you. Find a journaling style that excites and works for you.  Here are some simple journaling tips and ideas: Unload your worries and anxieties. Highlight the best moments of your day. Put down memorable things your kids say or do.  Jot down notes and thoughts within a daily planner.  Create a gratitude list where you add one thing you are grateful for each day.  Find a journal that offers journal prompts and questions. Answer one prompt a day.  The most important element of journaling is to stop and take a moment to reflect on your day.  #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture #reflection #relaxationmode #nighttimeroutine #journal #healingjourney #dailygratitude #unwind #writeforyourself #expressyourself #memorablemoments #captureoftheday #byebyeanxiety #goodbyeworries #clearyourmind #goodnightsleeptight (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B359qzhlmoP/?igshid=1isnu9t2w50tw

It’s Week 42 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). Do you have trouble with sleeping, stress, or high blood pressure? This week's #bebetter52 challenge could help you with all three! The challenge is to incorporate magnesium into your life by using epsom salt. You can also focus on eating foods rich in magnesium.  Magnesium helps to calm nerves, prevent migraines, avoid osteoporosis, relieve muscle aches and spasms, aid digestion by relieving constipation, improve mood, alleviate PMS, increase energy, and also treat insomnia. Stress, caffeine, alcohol, and sugar deplete magnesium which means many of us might have a magnesium deficiency and not even know it.  Luckily, there are many ways to incorporate magnesium into your life this week. Adding 2-3 cups of epsom salt to a warm bath and soaking for around 20 minutes is an easy way to complete this week's challenge. Or a detox bath might be helpful with 2 cups of epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda in a warm bath. If you're struggling with restless legs or not sleeping well, a topical magnesium oil or lotion might be a good option for you. You can make these yourself by dissolving 1/2 cup of epsom salt into 3/4 cup hot water. Magnesium oil can be added to a thick lotion and used on your feet and calves before bed. Another way to complete this week's challenge is to eat foods rich in magnesium. Banana, squash, broccoli, spinach, dark chocolate, kale, pineapple, strawberries, figs, red meat, corn, potatoes, nuts, yogurt or kefir, and seeds are all options rich in magnesium. #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture #magnesium #bathsalts #epsomsaltbath #epsomsalt #relaxingbath #darkleafygreens #squash #lowerbloodpressure #reducestress #improvesleep #insomniac #migrainerelief #muscletension #betterdigestion #bettermood #healthyliving (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3mZJRAF4ER/?igshid=15ybe3zrnvqg7

It’s Week 41 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). Do you ever feel overwhelmed by simple tasks that pile up so high, you become discouraged?  Do you sometimes ask yourself, “Where do I even begin?” This week we have a solution for the chaos we tend to create for ourselves.  This week’s #bebetter52 challenge is to practice one-touch productivity. One-touch productivity is the act of completing your daily chores without stopping to multi-task. If you have a dirty plate, instead of putting it in the sink and coming back later to wash it, complete the task in “one-touch” by washing it immediately. Don’t remove the laundry from the dryer and put it on your bed. Take it, fold it and put it away right then.  When you get in the bad habit of multi-tasking, tasks are often left half completed, and you begin to feel overwhelmed by things building up. This week complete tasks from start to finish by focusing on one thing at a time, particularly the small stuff. #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #getorganized #easytask #dontprocrastinate #geterdone #easypeasy #chores #mentalhealthhelp #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3UbgovlTZx/?igshid=ry70og1aj0ry

It’s Week 40 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). This week’s #bebetter52 challenge is to incorporate healthy nuts into your diet. So many of the nuts consumed today are covered in sugars, salts, and seasonings that turn a healthy snack into an unhealthy treat. To be their healthiest, nuts should be naked and free of additives. Whether you choose to eat your nuts plain, mixed into your morning yogurt or on top of your favorite salad, eating nuts in their bare state will allow you to receive the most benefits. Tips for eating nuts: Eat your nuts raw! Raw and unseasoned nuts offer the most nutrition without added calories or overly processed ingredients. When more “flavors” are added to your nuts, the healthy benefits are reduced.  Avoid roasted nuts. They tend to lose some of their nutritional value. Roasted nuts tend to be roasted in oils that add extra fat and calories to your diet. If you prefer roasted nuts to raw, we recommend either roasting them yourself without oil or with olive oil.  Add nuts to your meals! Nuts make a great addition to salads, smoothie bowls, yogurt, curries, etc. You will soon discover they add great texture to your meals.  Here are some of our favorite healthy nut choices: Almonds. Almonds are filled with calcium, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber. They are known to lower cholesterol and to help prevent cancer. Walnuts. Walnuts contain ellagic acid, an antioxidant that helps fight cancer. They are also great for your heart and brain. Brazil Nuts. These nuts are a great source of protein, copper, niacin, magnesium, fiber, vitamin E and selenium. Pine Nuts. Pine nuts contain vitamins A, B, D, E and P (flavonoids), and contain 70 percent of your body’s required amino acids. Cashews. Cashews are rich in copper, magnesium, zinc, iron and biotin. They contain a high amount of oleic acid, which is great for your heart. #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #walnuts #almonds #cashews #brazilnuts #pinenuts #sometimesyoufeellikeanut #healthyeating #rawfood #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3CTQ9qlX_j/?igshid=1b8yi2t8grur6

It’s Week 39 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). Positive self-talk changes the way we view ourselves. Taking a few moments each day to talk positively to ourselves increases our self-esteem immensely. And the physical and emotional benefits of self-confidence are endless. Turning low self-esteem around and embracing our strengths takes practice and effort every day, but continued action can even change a negative Nellie into a happy, self-assured person. This week’s #bebetter52 challenge is to practice positive self-talk at least once a day for a week. This means devoting just 30 seconds per day on building up your self-esteem.  Positive self-talk can encompass everything from “I’m proud of myself” to “I can do this” or “I will get this promotion.” Studies show that a positive mental attitude reduces stress, which in turn improves one’s health and well-being. Not only will your overall satisfaction with life increase, but a positive outlook also helps to reduce pain, to improve heart health and immune function. The more you do it, the easier it gets. An added bonus is that individuals like to surround themselves with upbeat people.  Basically, there are two types of positive self-talk: personal affirmations and positive thinking. Personal affirmations are compliments you give yourself or personal pep talks. Personal affirmations sound like, “I’m killing it at work” or “I have a great smile.” Positive thinking is a way of turning our negative self-talk into positive self-talk. Through this process, we change our thoughts from “I’ve never done this before” to “this is a great opportunity for me to learn.'' Both of these methods are incredibly important in turning around our self-esteem and keeping a more positive outlook on all of life.  #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #positiveselftalk #boostyourselfesteem #positivity #focusonthepositive #dailymantra #ilovemyself #iamstrong #iamcapable #todayiwillbegreat #icansucceed #winner #positiveoutlook #practiceselfworth #loveyourself #happythoughts #peaceful #thinkpositive #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2wckUfFN8J/?igshid=f4vr1dxw2lhs

It’s Week 38 of Lakewood Community Acupuncture sharing the Be Better Movement challenges (learn more about their mission at www.bebettermovement.com). This week’s #bebetter52 challenge is to make your own salad dressing. You can cut out the added sugars and extra calories found in store-bought dressings. Making your own salad dressing is a healthy alternative that is easier than you think! If you don’t fancy yourself a chef - no problem! There are some seriously simple ways to dress your salads with items you may already have in your kitchen. A tried and true favorite is olive oil with lemon or various vinegars. We suggest you add a little salt and pepper on top of the dressing to bring out the flavor. Don’t be afraid to use a variety of fresh or dried herbs and colorful, flavorful spices. Try this Chili-Lime Salad Dressing from Wholefully.com. All you need to do is combine the ingredients in a blender and chill for 30 minutes before serving. For Chili-Lime Salad Dressing * Zest and juice of 2 limes (about 4 tablespoons juice and 3 teaspoons zest) * 1/4 cup red wine vinegar * 1 tablespoon soy sauce * 1 tablespoon honey * 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil * 1 clove garlic, finely minced OR 1 teaspoon garlic powder * 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes * 1 teaspoon ground cumin * 1/2 teaspoon salt We hope you will get creative in the kitchen and have some fun with salads this week! #mondaymotivation #challengeaccepted #homechef #homemadefood #chililime #salads #bestsalad #youcanmakefriendswithsalad #eathealthy #makeityourself #diy #lakewoodcommunityacupuncture (at Lakewood Community Acupuncture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2eew35Fuwh/?igshid=3f574j2m83si