Personal Development Archives

10 Rules to Live By

Have you ever been curious, really curious, about the rules, traditions and dogmas you follow? Have you ever take time to analyze or think through some of the “rules” given to you by your school, your parents, your religion, your society? Do these rules work for you? Do they make you a better, kinder, happier human? Do they negatively affect others around you (who deserve as much happiness and peace as you do)?

I ask myself these questions regularly and come up with my own set of rules to live by based on my experiences and the curiosity that makes me ask others about their own. I truly believe that natural curiosity makes me a more compassionate and understanding member of the human species.

Here are the 10 ones I have been contemplating for the last few months and wanted to share them with you, in hopes they help you build your own. Enjoy!

Rule 1: All living creatures deserve happiness and safety

Rule 2: Take responsibility (for your actions, your thoughts, yourself)

Rule 3: See both sides of the argument before making a judgment call

Rule 4: Great achievements involve great risk, an a healthy dose of fear

Rule 5: Embrace your fear, not the other way around

Rule 6: Practice the 2-1 rule, listen twice as often as you talk (two ears for one mouth)

Rule 7: Change is part of you, and it’s a darn good thing

Rule 8: If things don’t go your way, take a step off, regroup, re-plan and redo

Rule 9: Don’t hold anger for others in your soul. That anger only hurts you

Rule 10: Be a lifelong student. Every day, find a new lesson to enrich your life.

5 Tips To Stay Healthy When Stress Is High

Let’s say you’re traveling, working crazy hours or overwhelmed with school. You’re running in a million direction and can’t really pay attention to your diet or your routine. What to do?

These super simple 5 tips can make the difference between getting sick as a dog or staying healthy in the face of high stress!

Herbal Tonic for Feminine Health

Regardless of where you are in your life: early 20’s and enjoying singlehood, perhaps ready to conceive, struggling with hormonal issues, have absolutely no sex drive, dealing with pre menopause or menopause, just to name a few, this female tonic herb will help you for sure!

First, here are the ingredients and why they are so amazing:

*Stinging Nettle

This is my most favorite all around fertility herb. Not only does it tone and nourish the uterus, it also promotes strengthening of the kidneys and adrenal glands. If you are or have ever been a coffee drinker, this herb is for you!

One, two, or even more cups per day of this high mineral tea which is also loaded with chlorophyll (a detoxifier) for several months goes a long way toward preparing a woman’s body for pregnancy and for sustaining the embryo once conception occurs.

*Red Raspberry

Red Raspberry leaves, particularly the wild kind, are very high in calcium. Like Nettle and Red Clover, Red Raspberry leaves serve as a soothing uterine tonic and hence a very effective fertility herb.

The fertility promoting effects of Red Raspberry are enhanced in combination with other herbs, particularly Red Clover.

*Red Clover

Red clover is an excellent fertility herb primarily due to the high amounts of calcium and magnesium. These two minerals are believed to be of high importance in affecting a woman’s ability to conceive.

Red clover contains every single trace element needed by the glandular system. As such, this alkalizing herb is probably the single most effective plant used for balancing of the hormones needed for conception to take place. Balancing the body acid/alkaline PH, and thereby, the uterus PH, goes a long way toward favoring conception.

Now there’s the awesome infusion:

Equal parts of:

Red Clover
Red Raspberries
Nettles

Combine in about 24 ounces or warm to hot water (not boiling hot, please) and steep overnight or during the day. Drink 1-2 cups a day and leave the rest in the fridge, drinking it daily or at least every other day.

Try it, you won’t regret it. Give it a go and let me know in the comments below!

7 Principles to Health and Wealth as a Business Woman

I have a special treat for you. Back in November of 2016, I gave a speech in front of 800 business women in my native San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Animus Summit (considered the biggest women conference in Latin America), featured 2 dozen amazing speakers, including US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (an amazing honored to be included in her company).

The conference organizers shared the video of my speech and I couldn’t wait to share it with my community. The topics was “Principles to Health and Wealth as a Business Woman”.

You’re a woman entrepreneur that feels like you need to split in 3 to get things done. And too often you’re overwhelmed and exhausted. You know your body can be better and that you need to do something but don’t know what, when or how.

Want to share your thoughts about this speech? Please leave a comment below!

The Secret to Being “Holistically Slim”

The process of slimming down starts in our minds and soul. It begins with a realization that our bodies deserve to be treated like luxury vehicles, like 5-star hotels. Very often, in my coaching practice, I help people change the internal conversation and create habits that lead to gratitude and happiness within, regardless of what the outside package look like.

So, in many ways, I teach my clients that weight loss and slimming down is as much about mindset and emotional wellbeing as it is about the foods that you eat.

Fellow coach and founder of Holistically Slim, Sarah Anne Stewart and I sat down to discuss our approach to a healthy diet and shared our views with you here. Check out the video:

Below the video, tell me: what does it mean for you to be Holistically Slim? Let me know!

Wellness Smackdown Live in NYC

The first ever Wellness Smackdown Live Event is here. I’m beyond excited, humbled and honored to bring this labor of love to you! So here are the details:

The EVENT

This 4-hour intimate experience has been designed to help you break old habits, build new, healthier ones and stick to your healthy living goals once and for all!

With Jovanka and her wellness expert guests, you will learn:

Ways to remove old patterns and behaviors that have been holding you back for years.
Learn Jovanka personal beauty and detox practices to promote energy, vitality and health.
The mindset techniques that bring you mental and emotional peace and joy.
The unique principles of the Wellness Smackdown™ that have helped Jovanka and hundreds of her clients look and feel their best.
How commit to investing in your health and longevity once and for all!

Is this EVENT for YOU

Do you ask yourself questions like:

Does food affect my hormonal balance and state of mind?
How do I eat for balance in body as well as mind/soul?
How do I remove old patterns and behaviors that have been holding me back for years?
I’m ready to commit to a better diet and a better lifestyle. Where do I start?

*Ready to join us? Click Here to Get Your Ticket and Use Discount Code: 2FOR1WS to get 50% off our ticket.

Meet our PARTNERS

My team and I have curated a list of amazing partners from vegan treats and to green juices, to essential oils and a clean beauty line. All curated with you in mind! Check out out partners here:

And btw, our goodie bags rock! Sponsored by Daily Greens, you’ll get juices samples, essential oils, even organic cotton underwear samples TomboyX. You’re going to love all our fun products.

So come join us on the first Wellness Smackdown Live on 2/27 in NYC!

Bring a friend and you’ll each get 50% off the price of entrance. Use Discount Code: 2FOR1WS

https://wellnesssmackdownlive.splashthat.com

Produced by The Lifestyle Lounge

The Power Of Words

Do you words have power? Is there some truth to the claim some people make about the power of words? Most people have strong opinions about this and I was one of them.

But after watching a documentary about water, where a scientist (dr. Masaru Emoto) that explains how your words and even your thoughts (positive or negative) can affect molecules of water. I was curious, even fascinated. Then, a few months ago, I saw a Facebook post from Danielle Laporte about an experiment she did with her son. So I set out to recreate the exact same experiment on video and see for myself.

Here’s what my experiment looked like: I cut out 1 apple in half, sealed each half in an identical Mason jar and stored them in the exact window sill for approx. 21 days.

Every day for a month I said negative and demeaning words to what I called the “bad apple”. Things like “you’re nasty, fat and ugly. You’re stupid and incapable. You can’t do anything right. Why do you even try! You suck and I hate you”.

The other half, the “good apple” heard beautiful words of encouragement. I told her things like: “you are so smart, amazing, sweet and gentle. You are amazing and I am in awe of you, you are the best, I love you”.

The first 7-10 days not much was happening… but then things started to change.

Check out the video above to learn the results.

The Blue Zones Project Review

Have you heard of the Blue Zones? A guy named Dan Buettner started following people in certain pockets of the world to live well into their 80’s and 90’s with lots of vitality, happiness and strength. I checked out their research and I’m sharing my findings here on this video. This will definitely surprise you!

**Make sure to scroll all the way down, to get access to the newest infographic! Print it, save it, share it!

Now tell me, did you know about this book and the research? If not, which of their “longevity clues” are you willing to implement into your lifestyle today? Let me know in the comments below!

And check out the new infographic here!

Hover over the image to share it on social media!

How To Practice Self Love

Yes, I’m naked on this video because I want to talk about self-love. And no, not the physical act of self love! It is about accepting and loving who you are exactly as you are!

Today, I want you acknowledge and honor your needs and feelings and practice some kindness and compassion with yourself. You can try some of these 5 different ideas on the video below.

Now, which one of these tips are you willing to try right now? Do you have any other fun ways to practice self love? Make sure to leave a comment below and let me know!

The Best Of All Yoga Breathing Exercises

Also known as alternate nostril breathing, this is a wonderful practice that you learn in yoga classes and all.

Pranayama is an ancient practice concerned with breath control. Research has shown that practicing Pranayama can relieve symptoms of asthma. It is also beneficial in treating stress related disorders, such as anxiety and depression. There are various types of Pranayama practice but the one I like the most and the one I will demonstrate here is the alternate nostril breathing.

Do you have any questions about Pranayama? Share your question and comments in the comments section below the video!

Ways To Keep Warm In The Cold Months

Are you cold ALL THE TIME! Are your hands and feet always cold, even when is not THAT cold?

I’m a tropical girl and the winter time is not my favorite time of the year. I do a variety of things and eat a variety of foods can help the body stay warm during these winter months. Here are some of the grains, spices and oils that give the body energy to keep warm:

Do you have any other food ideas to stay warm in the cold months? Leave a comment below and let’s start a conversation.

The ONLY Thing That Helps Me Stay Organized In A Crazy Busy World

Are you overwhelmed with all the stuff going on (or not) in your life?

Is it so overwhelming that it leads to expert procrastination?

Even a little clutter or lack of organization can quickly turn into overwhelming clutter that may lead to constant stress. And this constant stress is now known to increase your risk of issues like insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, obesity, heart disease and depression.

I’ve tried many systems to stay organized and disciplined and was always left looking for more. On this video I’ll show you the ONLY thing that has been effective for me and now it is used by my entire team!

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Watch Me Get Hypnotized!

In this follow up video about the topic of hypnosis, I actually went a little crazy and agreed to let Grace hypnotize me in front of the camera!

I thought it would be awkward and that I’d have to delete the video but the experience was very very sweet. Check out my mini-hypnosis session and see for yourself what it is all about!

What did you think? Mumbo Jumbo or inspirational? Let me know in the comments box below!

The Power of Hypnosis

Do you believe in hypnosis? I must admit I didn’t until I met the woman I’m interviewing on this video.

In fact, I tried hypnosis as part of a therapy session years ago and I thought it was a bunch of bologna! But when I met Grace, she was very graceful (and patient), explaining to me what hypnosis was and more importantly, what it wasn’t!!

Check out this interview to learn more.

What’s your opinion about this controversial topic? Did we convince you to at least do your own homework and find answers? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Why is Working Out So Important

I admit it, I hate working out! That’s right, I said it! I don’t like gyms, people screaming at me to “motivate me” or weight rooms. But I recognize how essential it is to shake your butt on a regular basis.

That’s why I decided to interview my friend and fitness expert Sylvia Nasser. Sylvia can teach you to love workouts and motivate you like no one else I’ve ever met and I wanted to get her take on why working out is so important and how you can get motivated to shake you butt as well!

Check out the interview below!

So… do you struggle to find time and motivation to exercise? What do you normally do as a workout? Let me know in the comment section below!

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