A few years ago, I semi-intentionally stopped watching the news at night, preferring to read my news online, picking and choosing the sites and stories I needed to read in order to keep up with the world.
I did the same with a lot of websites and tv shows I visited. I realized I was getting sucked into a lot of negativity and nastiness without even realizing it. We all know the internet can be a time suck if we let it. Confession – I let it. A LOT. So I made an effort to monitor what I was imbibing online. Junk in, junk out, right?
I feel better after a day of green juice and whole foods than I do after a day of Cape Cod chips and Portillos. I’m NOT saying I never have unhealthy treats or watch my favorite reality shows or go to gossip websites and indulge in my many guilty pleasures. I am saying, I’m grateful there are plenty of mentally healthy sites and blogs to visit to balance out the brain cell crushing ones I enjoy from time to time.
Here are 11, yes 11, websites and blogs I am grateful to visit regularly.
MindbodyGreen The site mission is “To revitalize the way people eat, move, & live!” It’ s a great source for healthy eating, meditation guidelines, emotional well being and all things exercise.
Elizabeth Gilbert Liz is an author of six books. Her most recent book, Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear, is an amazing read encouraging all of us to live creatively. I prefer her Facebook page updates aS she posts essays I carry with me as great resources of hope and learning.
Kris Carr I love Kris Carr for all things health and wellness, especially anything food related. Her tagline is ‘CrazySexyWellness’ and her website describes her like this: “This is my soul space where I share my experiences and reflections through blogs and videos about plant-passionate living, health, happiness, spirituality, compassion and all things Crazy Sexy.” Love her playfulness.
Man Repeller This fantastic blog is the brain child of Leandra Medine. Sweet, quirky posts about fashion, beauty, humor and culture are all rolled into one. This spot makes me smile and keeps me up to date with cool beauty products and all things fashion.
Huffington Post Good News– Huff Post’s sub section of global stories with great news, happy endings and thoughtful lessons.
Grown and Flown Parenting blog site for ‘rents of teens. Topics include all things teens, college admissions and when to cut your kids off the family payroll. Relatable, reliable, sweet, informative info.
New York Times Well Health A blog from the New York Times featuring the latest on health, fitness and nutrition.
Chopra Center Deepak Chopra founded the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California and the Center’s website is a plethora of wellness information focusing on the meditation, Ayurveda and yoga. It is a fantastic resource/guide to all things spiritual and mindful.
I Gotta Dumpster Family ChicagoNow blog. From her blog bio: “I’m a grateful drunk who doesn’t drink (sobriety date 10/4/2001), a smoker who doesn’t smoke and a mom of boy/girl twins from IVF born 1/7/13. I’m grateful for the good the bad and the ugly. It’s great to be alive!” The love. The gratitude. Oh I can’t even tell you the courage of this woman!
Ups and Downs of a Yoga Mom Another fabulous blog at ChicagoNow. From her bio: “Trying to raise children with a sense of calm in a chaotic world.” So true. I feel relaxed and rejuvenated after reading her posts and love her ‘Meatless Monday” recipes and offerings.
Between us Parents For today, my last ChicagoNow blogger. From her bio: “Mom of a tween, working hard to understand how best to parent this tricky and fabulous age group.” Between Us Parent’s posts are a wealth of information, musings and life lessons for parents of tweens and teens. I often save her posts as good resource
I hope you click on some of these sites and find some inspiring and positive resources, humor and gratitude. I am grateful for all of them. Sidenote: I have at least ten more ChicagoNow blogs I am grateful to read on the daily – I will post them closer to the end of this series.
Are you writing in your gratitude journal? Typing on your gratitude app? Let me know if you are and please share any websites or blogs you love to read for happiness and inspiration!
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