5 Pillar Friday is your weekly roundup of insights and tips from The Life Delicious’ 5 wellness pillars:
Mindset
Movement
Nutrition
Sleep
Connection
This week and last week, we’re sharing wellness highlights from our amazing trip to B.C.’s Shuswap Region!
To plan your winter wellness escape, visit www.shuswaptourism.ca
The Life Delicious helps you create feel-good brain chemistry and hardwire healthy habits – by shifting the way you think, move, eat, sleep and connect – so you can lead a pleasurable and productive life.
MINDSET
MINDSET >>> “All my relations” is a beautiful, powerful mindset on interconnectedness central to Indigenous beliefs, we learned from Tanner Francois, one of @QuaaoutLodge’s Cultural Interpreters, during our Kekuli experience last week.
Seeing everything as connected – between generations, cultures, species and the environment – informs so many things, including the way we treat ourselves, each other and nature.
Bronwyn sat with rapt attention as we gathered around the crackling fire, threw an offering of tobacco and sage into the flames, and listened to Tanner’s storytelling and drumming. What an amazing experience!!
The Kekuli (winter pit house) is one of a number of traditional structures on site at @QuaaoutLodge, including the brand new sweat lodge (which I didn’t get to experience but so wanted to – next time!).
Check out @indigenoustourismbc’s video of Tanner sharing a traditional smudging ceremony in their ‘Living Legends’ series!
To book an experience with Quaaout Lodge’s Cultural Interpreters, visit www.quaaoutlodge.com
MOVEMENT
MOVEMENT >>> We’ve been taking Bronwyn swimming a lot lately! Not only to instill our love of physical activity and the importance of an #antisedentaryrevolution, but of hot tubs 😊 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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@QuaaoutLodge’s pool and hot tub were hot enough and cool enough, respectively, for little kiddos that we could play and relax in both all together – the best after exploring outside in the snow!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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One of the most significant benefits I noticed from our winter wellness getaway to the Shuswap was how calm and present we were. All that exercise (snowshoeing, swimming, walking), fresh air, stunning nature and togetherness had a big impact on our nervous systems and mindset. Take me back!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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To plan your winter wellness escape, visit www.shuswaptourism.ca⠀⠀⠀
NUTRITION
NUTRITION >>> The Shuswap has such a great culinary scene! @celistaestate, owned by Jake and Marg Ootes, is one of the northernmost wineries in Canada! These go-getters – both very accomplished professionals (a journalist/publisher/politician and social worker/art gallery owner, respectively) in their former hometown of Yellowknife – bought the totally undeveloped 160-acre property to relaxedly retire upon, but after planting some experimental vines over a decade ago decided to run with the idea of producing wine… and now they’re celebrating 10 years of award-winning winemaking! Celista’s wines are available online and at more than a dozen B.C. liquor stores. Winter winetasting hours by appointment only.
We were really wishing we could’ve come back to @thescotchcreekhub for some live entertainment at night, what a cool venue! Alas, daytime (which was very tasty!) is the culinary realm of us parents travelling with a wee one.
And the last stop on our little roadtrip through the region, @shuswappieco: BEST. PIE. EVER. That crust!
SLEEP
SLEEP >>> Sneak peek of @QuaaoutLodge’s renovation! The new rooms are not only gorgeous, they check a ton of #sleephygiene boxes: with dark, soothing hues and heavy curtains, relaxing light sources (fireplace and option for dim bathroom lights), comfy beds, and plenty of natural light and opportunities for physical activity (snowshoeing! cross-country skiing! swimming!) during the day (to help balance melatonin and cortisol). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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How to maintain sleep hygiene when you travel? Modify your AM/PM rituals and hope you find sanctuary!
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#PMrituals: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1️⃣ Disconnect⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2️⃣ Wind down⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3️⃣ Dark⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#AMrituals: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1️⃣ Light⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2️⃣ Connect⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3️⃣ Fuel⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sanctuary:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1️⃣ Cool⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2️⃣ Calm⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3️⃣ Purposeful⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
CONNECTION
CONNECTION >>> Life is busy. And crazy. And stressful. We’ve been feeling the weight lately. Our winter wellness escape to the Shuswap allowed us to shed so many layers of heaviness. The vastness of nature, the quiet, the fresh air, the stunning beauty of the lakes and mountains. The countless opportunities to connect with ourselves, each other and nature. The wisdom and beauty of Indigenous culture. The delicious food. The opportunities to move our bodies. To rest. To slow down. To breathe. We’re so grateful.
To plan your winter wellness escape, visit www.shuswaptourism.ca⠀⠀⠀⠀