Following my last posts, I hope you’ve been inspired to break up with the things in your life that are no longer benefiting you. If so, it is time for the next step. The hard part is over and the beautiful part can begin. You have made room in your energetic capacity for something good to come to you. It’s time for you to let go of everything, and move on.

Last week at U of O, the Break Up and Move Ottawa event took place. The morning consisted of a relaxing yoga class and discussion with relationship and health experts about breaking up with bad habits and replacing them with options that work. From breaking up with a bad friend, that annoying habit you’ve been dying to ditch or even sexual health-based issues such as a birth control method that isn’t ideal, no topic was too personal. In case you missed it, be sure to check out the event photos below.

If you read my last post, you know I am ALL about letting go of the things in your life that aren’t benefiting you anymore. If you haven’t, go read it! Have you had a similar breakup? Maybe something totally different happened to you? Share your stories with me on social media @SammiMcLeod with #BreakUpAndMove.

Are you usually happy every day?  Do you feel fulfilled in almost all areas of your life? Are you excited about your future and what possibilities lie ahead?  If your honest answer is no… then maybe it’s time to break up with some things in your life.

At times, you may feel attached to people or behaviours in your life, and believe without them, you’d be missing something that you might need. Thinking this way is often caused by fear. Maybe you hold on to things because you fear that losing them could end in disaster. So instead, you pursue things that you assume will make you happier. We often tend to think that more means better, but that’s not the case! If you feel this has been your reality for a while, maybe you should try something different. Maybe you should try breaking up. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Break ups are letting go of what isn’t making you happy everyday and, in return, making room for something that will.

I've been there too! With all of the information out there, it can get VERY confusing on what is right and what is wrong. Don't you feel like nothing matches up and everything out there is made to confuse you!? Really, when it comes down to it, every body is different. What works for one person, may not work for the next. BUT I have sorted through and figured out what works for me, and that is what I can share with you, in hopes it can work for you too! 

"Believe you can and you are half war there." Such a statement of power. Such a statement of truth. The mind creates the world the appears in front of the eyes. "Whether you think you can or can't, you are right." Ever heard that before?  Henry Ford made a very spot on realization when he said that. That is because the most determining factor of an outcome is what you internally believe to your core. Therefore, if you BELIEVE you can, you will. If you BELIEVE you can't, you won't. Set a goal, focus on the end result and BELIEVE you will achieve it no matter what. 

Belief is a DECISION. 

Once you believe, you are half way there! The rest will fall into place by the Amazing Law of ATTRACTION. <3 

Raw Vegan seems to be the new "Thing". I have been doing lots of research on the whole concept, different lifestyles {because vegan is more than a diet} and recipes and it has been intriguing me for months. I did a detox the past 2 weeks starting with 5 days of only raw foods. My sister, Andrea, did it with me and we were both SOO impressed with how we felt. Eating loads of whole, natural, organic fruits and vegetables as well as some nuts and seeds, we were filled with energy and clarity. I am sharing my experience and further plans, feel free to join me. Follow my progress on instagram at @sammimcleod. I want to see your stuff by #rawvolution and tag me! 

I'm sure you've heard the saying "everything happens for a reason." Whether you believe it or not, it is really true!! Your thoughts and feelings are what create your reality, therefore, if you want a different reality, change your thoughts and feelings. If you think being "positive" is some hokey pokey dumb dream word thing.... you may want to open your mind and try it for yourself. The most powerful universal law we live with is the Law of Attraction. "What you think about, you bring about." So when you hear "Everything happens for a reason... it is 100% the truth. 

What is it that makes you smile so big? What is it that excites you?!  What is it that gives you drive? Makes you giddy? Makes you want to jump up and down? What is your passion? What creates your bliss? When you follow your bliss, magic will happen all around you. I am speaking from pure experience and I have hours of mind-blowing storied to prove how strong this simple concept is! Do what you love and enjoy everyday! Always remember, your only job in this life is to be happy! 

Juicing seems to be all the rage these days so I have decided to share WHY I juice. The concept behind juicing and what you should know about doing a  juicing cleanse. 
First off, everyone is different. Everyone is in a different state of health. If you see information, videos, stories etc. about a juicing cleanse and are thinking of doing one, I think you need to research and plan properly. There are many reasons for this, so don't just buy a juicer and stop eating food.

What is it that you want in life? In only one word? 

Happiness. That is most people's answer. As it should be! Life is that simple. It's not about money or possession or what car you drive. It is not about what brand your shoes are or how big your mansion is. If you make life about that stuff, you may not even be happy. 

So many people think that kind of stuff will make them happy. The answer is very simple though, its it flipped. When you are happy, you will receive everything you want on the outside. EVERYTHING in this life starts from within YOU. You have to be happy FIRST;  then everything will work out! Your PURPOSE in the life is to be HAPPY. To SPREAD happiness. To SHARE happiness with the people you love. When it comes down to it, that is all that matters. Don't you want to be remembered as a happy person who had a happy life? Make it so! 

Happiness is a decision you make everyday. If you need a bit of boost, just think about all of the things you are grateful for. You have so much to thank around you. So many people who love and care for you. So many memories of smiling and laughing and enjoying life. Turn to those thoughts and you will start to be happy! 

So today, DECIDE to be happy. It is really that simple! Try it! This is my girl Junie in the photo! She is so happy to be playing in the snow!!


Photo by Lindsay Staples Photography :) Thank you Lindsay!

SMILE! It is good for your health! I don't think we smile enough. What are we afraid of!? You deserve to smile every single day. Did you know, if you smile for 5 minutes, your mood will automatically get better? Don't believe me? Try it! Start every day that way!! 

Do you know how many people in this world are feeling alone and unworthy? Many feel like they are invisible and unimportant. Imagine if your smile was the action between their decision of staying in this world or not. 

It is not something pleasant to talk about, but it is true! Imagine someone was feeling that they we're done in this world and you smiled randomly at that person and it triggered a feeling of acceptance and value. You just saved a life with your smile. 

Remember, a bad day doesn't mean a bad life. It will get better! 

The possibilities in the world today are endless. So many people have given up hope and faith for anything amazing in their life. People are focusing on the bad stuff out there. There is a whole lot of AMAZING stuff too, but if you aren't open to it, you won't see it!! SO, if you are looking for something to believe in, start with yourself! Self love is SOOOOO important. Everything starts from within!! If you don't love yourself, how will anyone else? If you don't respect yourself, how will anyone else? If you don't believe in yourself, how will anyone else!! The way you see yourself is the way other people will see you!!! Now, STOP that negative talk in that mind of yours!! When you look in the mirror, can you say, "I LOVE AND RESPECT AND BELIVE IN YOU!" ? It is a hard thing for most people to do but can I tell you a secret? 

What really determines your health is your mindset! What are you thinking? What are you feeling? What self talk do you have in that mind? Do you count your problems or your blessings? All of this can change the entire makeup of your body and health! Every thought is a creation! If you say "I am fat and ugly." That is how people will see you. If you say "I am beautiful and loved", that is how people will see you. 

I know it seems to simple to work, but I assure you, it is true! When you want to have a certain life, health, body and perception, all you have to do is change your thoughts! Every thought is a creation right... so think about what you want to create!! Fill your mind, surroundings with everything you WANT in life. Happiness, Joy, Excitement, Love, Health, Abundance!! You deserve all of it, never let anyone tell you otherwise.

Protein shakes are getting VERY popular for all sorts of reasons. Some use them for a meal replacement to lose weigh, some use them to help build muscle, some just because they are quick and easy! 

These are all good reasons but with the growing increase in protein shake popularity, the quality is decreasing. Companies want to make BIG BUCKS. So they add in cheap ingredients that may not be so beneficial to your health. Branding and marketing has made everyone think that they need "WHEY" protein. Well, whey comes from milk. It deteriorates and goes bad faster, and most people have a hard time digesting whey. If you are lactose intolerant or vegan, you want to avoid whey always! This is not the only problem with whey. In many of the most popular protein powders on the market, they have found overloads of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury. These are shakes that are branded as HEATHY and SAFE... even for pregnant women.

Studies show that MOST people already get enough protein in a regular balanced diet. I have 1 Arbonne Protein Shake a day. Why?

1. Because I LOVE them
2. Because it ensures I have 20 grams of vegan protein (Easiest to digest from peas and brown rice)
3. Because it ensures I have 22 grams of essential vitamins and minerals
4. Because it acts as a full meal replacement so it can help with weight loss
5. Because it is Botanically-based, vegan and gluten free
6. Because it contains extras like flax and its sweetened naturally 
7. Because it contains natural ingredients that help curve and satisfy hunger.
8. Because it satisfies my craving for CHOCOLATE :)
9. Because it keeps me full for hours
10. Because it when I'm on the go, this is the easiest option!!

There are so many benefits and uses to Apple Cider Vinegar. Make sure you get Organic, Unfiltered, unpasteurized like this one. The main ingredient that comes from this powerhouse is acetic acid which has many body boosts!! 
You can use this stuff for shiny hair, clearer skin, weight loss, internal body balancing and detox and even allergies! What I do is put 1 tsp in a glass of water with a sprinkle of cinnamon, stir it up and drink it as soon as I wake up. I don't have breakfast for another 30 min to an hour. It helps balance your body's PH which can help you cut your fat. It contains enzymes that help kill Candida Yeast. By adding the cinnamon, you have a natural boost to the metabolism to start off the day!  

Apple Cider Vinegar also has antibiotic properties and can help sooth tummy issues and indigestion! It's a great thing to add to hot water to kill a sore throat or sooth a stuffy nose. With it's potassium, it will give you a boost of energy to fight fatigue and lactic acid buildup. It can even whiten your teeth and clean your toilet!! Magic stuff! 

There are several reasons why I am vegan so I will share those. To each their own, but here is what backs my decision. 

1. Animal treatment and processing
Most people know that animals probably aren't treated to well. They hear some of the stories like how the animals and loaded into tiny spaces and cant run around or graze the fields. Thats a start but honestly nothing close to the full truth. Every country is different too so do your research under the regulations your country follows. unfortunately, in most places, those "regulations" look good to the public eye but when it comes down to specific details, they are very vague. We go for "free range" or "Grain fed" because we think that makes the whole problem solved. For canadians, you can read their section "Understanding your choices" for more definitions. As they state, there are no legal definitions for most of those terms and are therefore used mainly for marketing. 

This picture right here from my Instagram is the reason from Sammi's Secrets to come alive. I decided on July 4th, 2013 to make a change in my diet. I was always feeling bloated and I had trouble getting rid of excess fat from my midsection, thighs, booty and upper arms. Sound familiar? I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired! I decided I was going to find my solution and stick to it. The first row in the picture is me on DAY 1 of my new lifestyle. After 1 week and a half I took the second row of pictures. After 3 weeks, I took the last row of pictures. I have never had results like this. I felt amazing! I still do!! I can literally notice everyday less and less fat in all of those problem places!! 

I had about 30 people message me asking for what I did so I decided this is my COMMITMENT. I will CONTINUE to post and share my transformation and this is JUST the beginning!! I want to share this with as many people possible! I want to help you reach the goals you want and to get the body you've always dreamed of with me! Once you start following this plan and you find what system works for you, send me your results! I will be featuring some on this blog! Be proud of your accomplishments and share them!! :) 

DAY 1 I cancelled my gym membership. You are probably thinking "This girl is whack." I wanted to see results based completely on my eating habits. Instead of paying $60 a month, I decided to dedicate myself to at home work outs for the first few months. I will start working out again after 1 month, August 1, 2013!!  I will be sharing that progress too through the Fitness page! 

My next secret to optimal health and weight loss: The jar concept. Imagine your digestive system is one big jar. It goes from the top of your stomach down to.. well.. your bum. There's a tiny hole at the bottom the the jar and what you put in it eventually breaks down small enough to empty out the bottom. 

When you look at "The Food Triangle" post, you see the order of foods from fruit to veggie to complex. The way you want to put those foods in the jar is by flipping that triangle upside-down.  Fruit only takes about 30 minutes to leave the stomach because it is filled with enzymes that your body can use to digest easily. You want to eat fruit only on an empty stomach so that its at the bottom of the jar! If you had a big breakfast of carbs (like any normal breakfast of cereal, toast, oatmeal etc.) and then had a fruit salad or an apple and banana at lunch, the bottom of you jar is clogged! That's because it takes the system longer to digest a complex food, maybe a few hours! So if you have a bunch of complex at the bottom of your jar and the new fruit digests fast, it will sit on top until the complex is done. What does that mean? Fruit FERMENTING in the acids of your system! What does that leave you with? Gas and bloating!! Yes, you might be eating all healthy things but for optimal digestion, you have to eat them in the right order!

Vegan/ Gluten-free/ Health people (Like me, and maybe you soon) have a very different food pyramid than the one on the mainstream. I divid it into 3 categories: Fruits, Vegetables and Complex. I call them complex.. you can call them whatever you want. It means they are foods that are harder for the body to digest so you have to eat them with foods that are EASY for the body to digest.

Ok. So in most diets or "Lifestyles" its all about calories, carbs, proteins.. count this count that, eat this, eat that. NO MORE. I am focused on digestion. Maybe not many people WANT to talk about digestion? Whatever, get over it because digestion is the most important function in your body that your decisions affect. Digestion (Or lack there of) had been my problem for the past 4 or 5 years. I became lactose intolerant, always bloated, gained weight and either I couldn't go to the bathroom for a long time or I had to go NOW (as soon as I ate a big meal).

Most people only trust a traditional medical doctor when it comes to healing and treating health issues. I have always been interested, intrigued by and open minded towards alternate healing methods. Traditional Chinese Medicine practices have been around for 2000-3000 years. There are a large range of alternate healing methods from around the world including; acupuncture, aromatherapy, light therapy, reflexology, reiki, herbal therapies, acupressure, massage therapy, iridology, craniosacral therapy etc. The treatments are divided into a few categories; energy, herbal, manipulative, body-mind etc.