With that thought in mind, I’ll keep this post short and let you in on a special week at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ where you can do all of that and so much more.

Looking to work on improving your golf game?  Check!
Looking to improve your Pilates practice?  Check!
Looking to just unwind and say Ahh!? Check!
Looking to start a new activity like Tennis?  Check!
Nutrition, Weight loss, stress management, better relationships, and the list goes on.

My personal experiences at Canyon Ranch have been profound and that’s one of the reasons I’m bringing this special reduced rate to my readers.  It’s for the week of June 10 so it’s approaching soon and just in time for summer!  If you’ve been wanting to experience Canyon Ranch, this is a great time to do so.

As always, e-mail me at donna@mindfuladventures.com if you have any questions and if you’d like to get in on this reduced rate for Canyon Ranch (stays can be for 4-7 nights).

Have you been wanting to go to Canyon Ranch and maybe thought you’d wait for a great offer? This could be it and I thought I’d connect this -A- to -Z- list with something special for the Week of June 10.  Mindful Adventures has a few rooms available at a lower than usual rate for the summer.   Check out the flyer for the full details and connect with us asap to get in on this reduction and kick off the summer with a healthy getaway that may get you from where you are to where you choose to be!

Let’s get back to that A-to-Z list!

A is for Aquatic offerings. 
B is for Burdenko Land Exercise. 
C is for Cooking Demos.
D is for Dance! 
E is for Exercise.
F is for Fabulous Facials. 
G is for Golf (conditioning, clinics, lessons and more!) and the Gyrotonic system. 
H is for Healing (and Hikes in the desert). 
I is for Inner Wisdom and Integrative Medicine Consultations.
J is for Joy! 
K is for Vitamin K and the many delicious ways Canyon Ranch prepares high K veggies!
L is for Life Management. 
M is for Meditation, Mindfulness and Muscle Function Assessment.
N is for Nutrition.
O is for Optimum Health. 
P is for Pilates. 
Q is for Qi Gong.
R is for RELAX and Reconnect!
S is for Sleep, Sexuality and Stress Management. 
T is for Tennis. 
U is for Unconditional surrender! 
V is for Vitality. 
W is for Watsu.
X is for…..  
Y is for Yamuna Body Rolling. 
Z is for Zipline!

There is so much more available at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ.

You’ll notice one letter is incomplete.
Any ideas?  Leave them in the comments section and I’ll choose one for a follow-up post.

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When I refer to ‘Getting Unstuck,’ you know I’m referring to a state of being.  Whether it’s ‘Analysis Paralysis’ and yes, my hand goes up for that one or wanting to get from ‘Here to There’ and wondering what to do first.  These are examples of being stuck in a moment or series of moments that have become days, weeks or maybe even months.   Perhaps it was one event that caused us to get here or a series of events that pushed us further down the rabbit hole.  Whatever it is, I hope some of this will get you to a place of getting ‘unstuck’ and moving forward.

1. Identify what is holding you back.
Maybe it’s a few things and if that’s the case, take a few minutes and start listing what comes to mind.  Perhaps there’s a project you know you need to finish and it’s so overwhelming that you don’t know what to do first.  Break it down into smaller projects, baby steps!

2. Breaking it down.
Perhaps this will help with getting from ‘here’ to ‘there’ and instead of looking at all that needs to be done, as noted above, break it down into manageable tasks.   I realize this isn’t new information, you’ve heard it before, however perhaps knowing that you’re not alone and that others go through this will enable you to do one thing at a time and before you know it you’ll be done and ready to move on to the next.
“The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step.”  – Lao Tzu

3. How do you feel?
So how do you feel right now? Is it possible that feeling overwhelmed led you to feeling stuck in life and unable to move forward?  Maybe that’s too simple and part of feeling ’stuck’ has to do with self-doubt.  Moving on…

4. Think Confidence over Self-Doubt.
There could be other feelings connected here, however let’s look at this one.  One way to overcome this is to think about past accomplishments.  If you’re going to beat yourself up over what you’re not able to do, stop right now. Consider all of the great successes from your past and write them down.  I like to keep a ‘Kudos’ file for this very reason – notes from others on a job well done , a thank you, a success in a previous task/job.
” I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the
time.” — Anna Freud

5. Focus on the Positive.
Think about all you can do and not what you can’t do.  You’ve heard this before, I’m sure of that, so that’s where you want to guide your thinking.    Imagine/visualize positive outcomes.
“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” – Willie Nelson

6. Change your Environment.
Go for a ride and listen to music.  Go into another room.  Get up and move around.  Stretch. Go for a walk in nature. Go to a cafe and feel the energy in that environment.  Breathe.  You get the idea!  All of these (and add more to your list) could help you gain more insight.
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

7. Don’t Think About it, Do it!
Simple, so simple, yet when you’re feeling ’stuck,’ this is easier said than done and yet it’s one thing that will lead you in a forward direction.  Once you start taking action flow can begin again and with repeated action you’ll continue to move forward into the ‘flow’ of your life.
“You have to ‘Be’ before you can ‘Do’ and ‘Do’ before you can ‘Have’.” – Zig Ziglar

8. Child like Wonder.
Do something fun (ah….there’s that ‘do’ word again!).  Think back to when you were a child and what you liked to do back then. Was there a toy that brought you joy? Perhaps a game?  Is there something you’ve been wanting to do and you keep putting it off?  Maybe painting? Maybe going to the batting cage?  Maybe you just want to dance!  This is about you – create your own list and take the time to do something fun.  That’s the point here.
“Never lose the child like wonder. It’s just too important. It’s what drives us. Help others.” - Randy Pausch

9. Reconnect to your Soul and Nourish your Soul!
A very wise person mentioned this to me the other day.  Being ’stuck’ has caused me to wonder what could be fun…what makes me happy and do I even remember what ‘happy’ feels like?  I often talk about connecting to that inner wisdom – you know, a ’soul’ connection and realized that much of what gives me joy has been put off.

Reconnect to that part of yourself and you’ll begin to get ‘unstuck’ and then continue to nourish it.  I’m giving you permission!  Maybe that’s all it takes is knowing that it’s okay to do something fun.  So many of us feel the need to work as a way of being productive, however what I’ve discovered is that working more and not taking the time to nourish my soul has caused me to become less productive and I know I’m not alone.
So take the time and think about this one – it could very well be the most important point on this list.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself.  Life’s about creating yourself.”  – George Bernard Shaw

Conclusion: I hope you found this post helpful.  If you did, feel free to pay it forward – it may only take one word, one thought or even one of the quotes above to help someone else in some way.

Thank you for following us on Facebook:  Mindful Adventures

Special Note: I have a special for Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ for the week of June 10 (for four-seven night stays).  This is a reduced rate and an opportunity to change your environment and reconnect to your inner self and so much more. E-mail me at donna@mindfuladventures.com for more details.

Promo:  The first person pays the single occupancy rate and the second person pays 50% of that rate.
The total rate is then split equally so both friends pay the same.

This offer is available for stays through May 17, 2012 and based on availability.
It is also based on the Deluxe room or higher and other terms apply.  There’s a lot more information at this link – check out the full details.

While at Miraval, consider some of my favorite activities like Reflect and Transcend with Coach Leigh; Cultivating Resilience with Anne Parker and any of Tejpal’s classes.   I actually love all of the Experts at Miraval…and the food…and the classes and well, I could go on, however this is about you going with your best friend.

For services, have you tried Spirit Flight?  How about Taiz Sensorium?  Two highly sought after services at Miraval that require pre-booking.

Questions?  Send me a note as I’m happy to offer my insight.

See you at Miraval.

And, as if a new spa isn’t enough to ‘wow’ me this year, Miraval is also releasing their new cookbook, Mindful Eating.  The cookbook, also debuting in May 2012, is a long awaited tool for my healthy kitchen and for those of you that have been asking Miraval about a cookbook and awaiting this release, now is the time to pre-order Mindful Eating

If you’re looking for more information and insight on Miraval or another health-focused spa, feel free to ask a question in the comment section of this post or e-mail me for personal feedback.

As always, enjoy your journey!

Photo Credit: Donna Adinolfi  / Copyright 2010-2012

And,  I also believe that 2012 will be another year of reinventing and redefining who we are.  Our ‘to do’ lists will be different, however I believe we have a common goal of being the best we can be.  Have you started your creation list for 2012?  Each year I find there’s a bit of a ‘rollover’ from the previous year and then a few new goals.  I’m finding a greater sense of urgency to accomplish these goals the older I get and it sometimes feels like a 2×4 is hitting me to move toward the direction of these dreams vs getting stuck in just thinking about them.  It’s so empowering to reach even the smallest of goals and so with that said, here are a few plans I’m getting ready to work on for this new chapter, new year and what I hope will be an amazing journey moving forward.

1 Planning: This is an annual tradition – the purchase of a new day planner.  A place where I can enter as much as possible for the new year.  Birthdays, anniversaries, special dates, appointments and goal setting.  If it’s written down, I find the odds are in my favor.   I still have a book called, “Write it Down and Make it Happen,” and it works.

2. Vision Board: A must have moving forward.  If you have one, you can easily refresh yours with new photos and new words, phrases and/or symbols.  If you don’t have one, consider creating one that you can view every day.  It works and I’m excited to see how the new one will unfold.

3. H2O: Yes, every year I make an effort to drink more water and I have to say that 2011 worked out okay, however I must refocus on this one.   If this isn’t on your list, think about it.  Are you getting enough water to stay hydrated and healthy?  I picked up a water carafe to help me out – always keeping water on my desk ensures I’ll stay with this.  For more on the benefits of water, perhaps some things that you haven’t thought about, check out this article.

4. Spa Cooking at Home: Let’s face out, going out to dinner is fun, great for socializing (outside the four walls) and it’s relaxing, however this year I intend on cooking at home more.   Since part of my business is working with destination spas, I know how simple, healthy and enjoyable ’spa cooking’ can be and it’s really about cooking healthy – fresh veggies, organic products where possible and portion control.  With that said, I’m going through my Spa Cook Books and staying in more…and will hopefully shed a few pounds.  Check back here from time to time for some healthy spa meals, photos of my efforts and notes on how they turn out.  And with the help of my new KitchenAid blender, healthy spa-like smoothies are on the menu!

Here is one Spa cookbook to consider from Canyon Ranch, a destination spa:
Canyon Ranch: Nourish: Indulgently Healthy Cuisine

And, if you’re a fan of Miraval Arizona, their much awaited Mindful Eating Cookbook will be available in May 2012.

5.  Journal: This is always on my list.  I have a Gratitude Journal and another journal for ideas, and day to day entries.  I keep both the Gratitude journal and the Idea Journal by my bed.   Begin yours by entering what you’re thankful for each day – it could be one, two, five or more things.  A sunny day, connecting with an old friend, drinking your water, anything and everything you’re grateful for.  A Gratitude Journal is about awareness – reflecting on what we’re thankful for keeps us in a positive mindset and that is what will help us move forward.   Your journal can be a notebook, however if you’d like something special, consider this one Gratitude: A Daily Journal

If you’re looking for a journal that will help guide you to rediscovering yourself, this may be another to consider Soul Catcher: A Journal to Help You Become Who You Really Are

These are just a few of my personal thoughts, plans, ideas for 2012.  What is on your list?  Perhaps one of these will inspire you to Plan to Cook More at Home, Begin your Gratitude Journal, Create a Vision Board and Drink your Water.  And, a carry over for me from 2011 is to write my book…looking forward to taking the first step to chapter one.  (And, yes, exercise and moving more are always on the list!)

“The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a Single Step.” – Lao Tzu
What step will you take today to begin this new journey in your life?

May 2012 be a year of good health, joyful living, new adventures and much prosperity!  Believe in yourself, continue to have faith and trust that you are exactly where you’re meant to be.  Happy New Year from Mindful Adventures.

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Photography by Donna Adinolfi.  Copyright 2010.

1.  Shop locally
Now that I live in Michigan I’ve been paying more attention to what I can send from this area.  Michigan is one of the largest producers of cherries and for that reason, I like Cherry Republic, located in Traverse City, otherwise known as ‘The Cherry Capital’ of the world.  Cherries are also healthy and one of my favorites is the Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries – double dose of goodness.   And, I must not leave off another Ann Arbor, MI institution – Zingerman’s!  There’s still time to send out some delicious treats and you’ll love the choices – so many to consider.  Both of these Michigan options are offering flat rate shipping.

2. Tea
Do you enjoy tea?  This is another favorite gift because tea is more than a beverage to me, it’s ceremonial and all about mindfulness.  Think about the old Tea Houses and Afternoon Tea.  Nothing is rushed.  It’s a time to be in the moment and enjoy a relaxing cup of tea with friends or on your own for a few moments of solitude.   Check out Tea Forte for some last minute ideas and consider one of my favorite books Tea Here Now.

3.  Nourishing & Natural Body Products
Most of you enjoy chemical-free, natural products and one of my favorites for this is Burt’s Bees.   Their Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub is great for this season as well as the Bee Pampered Spa Set.   There are great gift ideas for everyone and they’re affordable and so well received.

4.  Uplifting Books
Another favorite gift is a Day Book.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving year round because each day there’s an uplifting message and when I find one I like for myself I often gift it to friends, family or colleagues.   One of my personal favorites is by Mark Nepo titled The Book of Awakening.

And, if you or a loved one is going through a difficult time due to the loss of a loved one, or other personal loss, this one came into my life and helped me and I feel compelled to share with others, especially at this time of year.  It’s by Susan Barbara Apollon and is titled Touched by the Extraordinary and her second book, Book 2: Healing Stories of Love, Loss & Hope

5. Wine & Dine with a different twist
These are some of my favorite vino finds.  Some can be ordered online and others can be found at your favorite wine store.  In addition to giving the gift of wine, consider making it more of an event – include a note to enjoy a wine-pairing dinner that you prepare at home, or perhaps a private wine tasting with your friends. These aren’t new ideas, however perhaps they’ll spark another idea for a last minute gift with more meaning and an opportunity to get out more and enjoy the moment with your friends and family.  Okay, the list… Tres Sabores Vineyard – I love their Red Zinfandel; Husch Vineyards – check out the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; and Cline’s Cashmere – this one has a limited supply available for both the ‘09 and 2010.    And how about an added link for some wine pairings for that special wine & dine gift at your house!

6. Gifts that Give Back
The best gift is the one that keeps on giving.  These are few to consider:  Rails to Trails Conservancy, Feeding America, Bread for the World, American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.

7. Relaxation and Rejuvenation
Well, this one is on my list every year – it’s the gift of spa.   A gift card to their favorite day spa to enjoy a relaxing massage or revitalizing facial, or perhaps a year of Yoga or Pilates.  There are so many options to give the gift that enhances their health and rejuvenates their body, mind and spirit.   Another favorite is a destination spa – an opportunity to immerse into a week or so of activities, healthy meals, hiking, fitness and services that uplift, rejuvenate and inspire.  If you’re looking for more insight on a destination spa like Miraval Arizona, Canyon Ranch, Red Mountain Spa, Rancho la Puerta or other last minute ideas, e-mail me at donna@mindfuladventures.com.

There you have it – a short list with some ideas to get you going or help you finish up your holiday shopping.  Thank you for stopping by. – DMA

Author Susan Apollon shares ‘Eleven Steps to Help You Tune into Your Inner Self and Forgive and Love Unconditionally’ and I’ve included them as she has written them below.  My hope is that you will focus on living in the moment and enjoy your own Mindful Adventures.   Happy Holidays!

Find Peace on Earth…(and Peace Within):
Eleven Steps to Help You Tune into Your Inner Self and Forgive and Love Unconditionally

Being present and loving during the holidays is not always easy.  But Susan Apollon, author of Touched by the Extraordinary, Book Two: Healing Stories of Love, Loss & Hope , says there are steps you can take to find inner peace that can help you survive and even enjoy the hectic holiday season. The practice of visualization and meditation can help you reclaim control of your mind and emotions during this time of year.

These methods will not only help you stay centered during holiday events, they will allow you to achieve your intention to show unconditional love to your family and friends. But perhaps most importantly, these techniques will help you forgive yourself and others and move past negative emotion. When you learn to let go of painful memories and release the power other people hold over you, the holiday season will brighten considerably. Read on to learn how to find inner balance and be present throughout the holidays.

• Set the stage. Choose a room that feels good and that has a chair or a comfortable place to sit: peaceful, safe, and inviting. If possible, use the same location and sitting position every time. You want to create a sense of strong association. This scene will become a trigger in your mind’s eye. With enough practice, you will be able to immediately quiet and center yourself just by thinking of the space.

• Play quiet, gentle music. Apollon recommends Pachelbel or Native American flute music. However, anything that helps you relax and get centered is fine.

• Assume the “meditative or intuition posture.” Sit comfortably with spine straight, feet flat on the floor, palms up. This will help you visualize. With your feet on the ground, you can visualize that you are connected to the earth. With palms up, you will feel more inviting and that the universe is open to your energy and you are open to the energy of the universe.

• Count to ten as you begin to quiet and center yourself. Hold your breath to a fast count to ten and release your breath to a count to ten. While you are exhaling, visualize the breath moving through the body, as it moves through every cell in your body. (The next two tips provide more details on how to do this. Understand that these tips are not necessarily sequential; some of them will happen simultaneously.)

• Give your breath color and shape. Feel the warmth of your breath as you breathe in. Visualize that your breath has a shape and color. You might find it helpful to choose a color that symbolizes your intent. For instance:
Green = Healing
Blue = Peace
White = Divine energy
Pink = Compassion
Research with imagery has validated the importance of visualizing your breath. As you consciously breathe deep, relaxing breaths, chemicals in the brain much like an elixir are released to help you feel greater warmth and relaxation.

• Follow your breath on its travels. See the breath actually entering the crown and watch it start the journey through the body. You want to see it to feel it in your mind’s eye. Visualize it going through every organ, limb, vertebrae, muscle, and tissue. Picture it flowing through your bloodstream. Envision every cell delighting in the breath. See yourself feeling the warmth and see yourself feeling good. This facilitates progressive relaxation. “While doing the breathing, you will experience an increased sense of heaviness,” notes Apollon. “The paradox is that you will notice a feeling of lightness.”

• Find your mantra. I’m feeling more peaceful. I’m becoming pure love. I am grateful for my loved ones. These are just a few suggestions. Your mantra can be a favorite expression, the first line of your favorite prayer (e.g., “The Lord is my Shepherd”), or something that just helps you relax, like “Shalom.” Whatever you choose, associate the tone of your mantra with finding peace. Whatever your mantra is, say it over and over in your mind. This creates your “mind’s ear” connection.

• Make a connection with something greater than yourself. It doesn’t matter whether your “something greater” is God, Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Universal Energy, or Mind. Just imagine breathing in Its divine energy. Ask your Higher Power for help and guidance.

•Begin with gratitude. Be certain to give thanks for your blessings, which include your family and friends that you may be seeing over the holidays. The vibration of thank you, the vibration of blessings, is very powerful. It brings to us what we secretly desire. Gratitude is a higher state of consciousness. So be very generous in reminding yourself of your life’s blessings.

• Love is the Key. Fill your body with love. Imagine your whole body being filled up with love. Not romantic love, but pure, unconditional love—the kind you would feel for a baby, a puppy, or a kitten. Make love your intention. Give it a color and a shape. See yourself feeling it and becoming love. If you are intuiting specifically “for” another person—perhaps someone you would like to forgive, consciously fill your heart with feelings of love and warmth for him or her. Visualize yourself becoming loving energy and put that energy to good use in your life.

• After you’ve made the shift, state your intention. After about ten or fifteen minutes of breathing, you will feel an inner shift of consciousness. (The shift may be very subtle, and the time required to reach it will shorten with practice.) You will know this subtle shift when it happens; it means you have established a connection with your higher wisdom. This is the time to state your intention of loving and forgiving. (You may also state your intention at the beginning of the process, before you begin your breathing.) I want to love myself unconditionally. Or I want to forgive and love my mother. Or even I want to be joyful and at peace at Aunt Eunice’s holiday dinner.

Additional Note from Mindful Adventures:
Consider using your journal to write about how you feel, thoughts that come to mind when you use one of the above steps.  If you don’t journal (yet), consider beginning with a Gratitude Journal – document all of your blessings – it’s a way of staying focused on the positive in your life.  It’s powerful and can enhance your well-being.

Book information:
Touched by the Extraordinary, Book Two: Healing Stories of Love, Loss & Hope
Matters of the Soul, 2010, ISBN: 978-0-9754036-9-3, $24.95,

Also available on Amazon
Touched by the Extraordinary

There are several activities to choose from and one that I like is the Canoe & Hike – you get to enjoy a two-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail and then canoe.  They split the group in two so half hike while half canoe and then switch off at the Appalachian Trail Hut by Goose Pond.  This is only offered until October and then starts up again in May.  And it’s included in your stay!  There are several offerings for kayaking as well including group kayaking, pool kayaking and private lessons and tours.

Let’s get to that Special Offer from Mindful Adventures – if you can travel between 9/18 – 22 for either 3- or 4- nights you’ll save quite a bit, but you have to contact me directly by 9/6 or sooner.   Simply e-mail me and I’ll send you the rest of the details.  September is a great time to experience Canyon Ranch.   Space is limited.
E-mail me at donna@mindfuladventures.com.

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See you in September!

A couple of months ago (June), Spa Week and Jillian Michaels (celebrity fitness expert), partnered to give one winner a wellness retreat at the famous Golden Door Spa in Escondido, CA.

Because of the success of this last effort another opportunity is being presented and I hope you’ll consider taking action as this health-focused giveaway can be life changing in so many ways.  For instance, obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one third of adults are obese.  Resources such as fitness centers, nutritionists and personal trainers are key to conquering this growing epidemic, however  aren’t always an affordable option.   And that is why Spa Week has partnered with Joy Bauer,  the TODAY show’s resident nutritionist and diet expert, to kick-start a new, healthy lifestyle for one deserving winner by entering the Fast Track to Health Giveaway.

“Millions of people tune in to watch Joy Bauer on the Today show and The Biggest Loser to get inspired and motivate their own fitness goals, so it is extremely rewarding to host such a life-changing giveaway on SpaWeek.com,” said Spa Week Media Group CEO and President Cheryl Reid.

Take Action:
Now through September 11th, visitors to SpaWeek.com can enter for a chance to win a seven day, six night stay for two at The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu, CA to delve into the rigorous fitness and weight loss regime.    This powerful weight-loss journey offers  daily fitness and exercise activities, healthy low calorie meals, relaxing spa services, educational lectures and a private cooking class with the resort’s on-site executive chef.   One important key to sustaining weight loss and continuing on the path of wellness will be to stay on track upon returning home, so the winner will also receive a take-home package including Joy’s bestselling book, Food Cures, a personalized nutritional plan designed by Joy, and $175 in SpaWeek Gift Cards.

Good luck!

Resources:
SpaWeek
Biggest Loser Resort

Photo credit: Biggest Loser Resort, Malibu, CA