On the first date with my husband I discovered an alcoholic drink called a Monkey's Lunch.  It was the best thing I had EVER tasted!  Well, that is until I tried a Chi Chi.  To this day whenever I order a Monkey's Lunch it brings back fond memories of that awkward first date.  You can imagine how happy I was when I discovered a HEALTHY version of the Monkey's Lunch!  Arbonne's Chocolate Protein powder is gluten free, soy free, sugar free, and provides 20 grams of vegan protein from pea, rice and cranberry that is easily digestible and provides essential amino acids plus more than 20 essential vitamins and minerals per serving. Clinically tested and certified to have a low glycemic index, which has little effect on blood sugar levels and does not cause a spike in blood sugar. Here is the recipe for Arbonne's version of the Monkey's Lunch:

• 2 scoops Chocolate protein powder
• 1/2 banana
  
• 1 tbsp. peanut butter
  
• 1 cup water
  

Blend and enjoy with one of those little umbrellas!  Found them at the dollar store.

Stress and anxiety can occasionally be overwhelming, especially when we are faced with uncertainty. Fortunately, mindfulness can easily be incorporated into your daily routine.  When you feel that tightness in your belly try one of these tips to bring yourself back into the moment.  

• Focus on your breath for one minute.  Turn the airplane mode on your phone and set the timer for one minutes.  Stay with it as best you can.
• Observe a natural object in your environment with your full attention.  I keep a rock that has meaning to me on my desk and whenever I feel a bit uneasy, I grasp it and look at it with the eyes of a curious infant.
• Listen to your favorite song, bringing awareness to each note and instrument played.
• Sip a cup of tea, noticing the warmth and sensation of the liquid as it slides down to your stomach.

Try one of these strategies to bring you into presence.  This moment will remind you that whatever you are thinking is likely something in your past or future.  It is not your reality at THIS moment.

Commitment is about building a relationship over time. More specifically it is about supporting each other by focusing on the other's needs.  It is not about doing for your partner what they can do for themselves or about rescuing them from unpleasant situations.  If we do that we rob them of the opportunity to dig a little deeper within themselves to tackle the problem.  Below are some quick pointers:

• Listen when you spouse talks about his/her needs and concerns.
• Let your partner know your limitations in solving their problem.
• Find healthy ways to support your partner as they get help with their problem.

There you have it. Over the last few weeks there have been four, easy to implement suggestions toward building commitment.  The challenge comes in applying them and committing to build them into your daily life.  There is surprising power in following through with just one suggestion.  Happy Anniversary!