Spotlight: Find Your Balance

Every so often I come across a blog that stays in my mind- a blog that inspires me and challenges me to be a little better, to push a little harder towards my goals.

So last month I began a Spotlight feature here on healthy ashley to shine some light on a few of these blogs just in case you haven't yet found them yourself.

The first Spotlight was on Oh She Glows, found here.

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Meet Michelle:

A few weeks ago I found her awesome blog Find Your Balance and have been stalking her ever since. Her clean, crisp site draws you in with tons of info, recipes, tips and fun! But I would expect nothing else from Michelle- you can just tell she is insanely sweet, positive and lovable. We could be very best friends.

Plus she has my dream job as a health counselor and yoga teacher. Pretty cool, right?

Michelle has gone through a little health makeover that really inspires me. But I’ll let her tell you about that:

What changes have you made to lead a healthier life? Why?

I started paying attention to what I was consuming and how it was affecting me. Like, one time I noticed that eating pancakes for breakfast would almost immediately require taking a nap afterwards. Same with other sugary breakfast choices I’d typically eat for, say, Sunday brunch. So I stopped doing that and started having much more fun, active weekends! This sort of consciousness has brought about so much change for the better. I just wasn’t paying attention before, and wondered why I was so tired and sick! I also started doing yoga, which really feels good to my body. I love my yoga practice.

Any tips for someone thinking about making healthy changes in their own life?

Just start paying attention. Investigate your habits and choices. Learn about where your food comes from and what is in it. Just start playing detective and be open to trying new things and making changes as you learn.

Is there anything would you say to someone who is already pretty healthy but wants some extra healthy shazam (ex: a certain food? To drink tons more water? To go vegan one day every month?)? How to make the good better?

Haha that’s a good question. I find most people know at least 2 or 3 things they can be doing for themselves and their health, but maybe for some reason they aren’t doing it. That’s one of the ways I work with clients, to figure out what they know to be true about their health and help them accomplish their goals. What is something you could be doing for your health? Ask yourself and you’ll be surprised how much you already know. Sometimes it’s simple. I stopped drinking water after 8pm and now I don’t have my sleep interrupted by having to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. I sleep better and have more energy. Woohoo!

Your job looks amazing. As a health counselor and yoga teacher, what is a typical day like for you?

Well, I work mostly from home so I am either working with clients or doing some kind of marketing/blog writing while wearing comfy clothes and slippers. And there is almost always a cat sitting in my lap. Every day is different but I get out of the house for a walk or go to yoga daily. Then at night my husband comes home from work and we spend the evening together! It’s lovely.

Have you always worked as a health counselor and yoga teacher?

Oh no. I worked in advertising as an art director for many years. I knew I wanted to do something more meaningful though – something I was passionate about. It took some time to change careers but I’m finally doing what I love!

What advice can you share for someone wanting to start practicing yoga?

Find a teacher who rocks your world. Really. There are so many kinds of yoga but the only kind that matters is the kind you do and love. Start by taking different classes offered in your area and don’t be afraid to jump around and give different teachers a try. Maybe the 105 degree, hot, sweat-your-butt-off yoga is your thing. Maybe it’s not. Find out!

I have a little mental list of foods I would marry if it was legal (frozen mango, avocado, sweet potato fries and edamame). What foods would you marry?

Hmmm…first I’d date olive oil. Then I’d ultimately marry ghee. Ghee just smells so much better!

Now hurry over to her site because Michelle is hosting a contest for a great cookbook until April 8th!

ps- this is my 300th Post!!! Thank you to all my fantastic readers for reading all my rambles and supporting me!