How to Recognize and Combat ‘Decision Fatigue’ at Work: “The Silent Stressor”
As professionals, we’re constantly faced with decisions—big and small—throughout the day. From deciding which task to tackle first to making high-stakes calls in meetings, decision-making is an integral part of our work lives. However, did you know that the constant...
Meditate on the Move: 7 Simple Positions to Tackle Stress at Work
In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by deadlines, meetings, and constant demands. For busy professionals, finding a moment of peace in the middle of the workday can feel impossible. However, incorporating meditation into your daily...
Celebrating Kwanzaa: A Celebration of African Heritage
Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration honoring African heritage, is observed annually from December 26th to January 1st. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is a time for reflection, celebration, and reaffirming connections within the African American community....
No-Spend Christmas Gift Ideas: Creative and Heartfelt Gifts
Feeling the pinch this holiday season? Don’t let financial stress dampen your Christmas cheer. Here are some budget-friendly gifts that are equally thoughtful, if not more so, than expensive ones, and you don’t need to be a crafting expert to make...
Embrace Fall Flavors: Top Produce to Cook With This Season
Embrace Fall Flavors: Top Produce to Cook With This Season As autumn arrives, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the rich flavors of fall produce. Cooking with seasonal fruits and vegetables not only makes your meals more delicious but also keeps your diet fresh and...
Why a Digital Detox Might Be Exactly What You Need
Why a Digital Detox Might Be Exactly What You Need Feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications and screen time? You’re not alone. Taking a break from digital devices, known as a digital detox, can be a game-changer for your well-being. It helps lower stress levels,...The Perks of Being Plastic-Free
The Perks of Being Plastic-Free Plastic is everywhere – water bottles, sandwich bags, utensil covers, and so many more items we probably don’t even realize because of how often we use them. Recent studies have shown that particles from plastic bottles, bags, and...Setting Intentions For A Successful School Year
Setting Intentions For A Successful School Year As the new school year approaches, it’s a great opportunity to talk with your child about setting goals for the upcoming academic year. Similar to making New Year’s resolutions, this is a chance for both of...
The Power of Positive Affirmations: Transforming Your Mind for Success
The Power of Positive Affirmations: Transforming Your Mind for Success Our thoughts have a significant impact on our reality. When we focus on positive beliefs and affirmations, we create a better environment for success and fulfillment. Let’s dive into the...
Unlock the Secrets of Deep Sleep: Here’s Why Quality Sleep Is Important for Your Health
Unlock the Secrets of Deep Sleep: Here’s Why Quality Sleep Is Important for Your Health Getting a good night’s rest is important for our physical and mental well-being. However, many people struggle to sleep well due to our packed schedules and fast-paced world....
How To Celebrate African-American Music Month
How To Celebrate African-American Music Month June is African American Music Month! Join us in appreciating African American artists’ profound impact on the music industry. This celebration isn’t just about acknowledging history; it’s about truly...
Kindness Is Good For The Soul
Kindness Is Good For The Soul We’ve all been there—those days when nothing seems to go right, and someone compliments you. Maybe it’s a coworker commenting on your presentation skills or a friend admiring how you handled a challenging situation. Suddenly,...
Mom, It’s Time to Reduce Your Workload
Mom, It’s Time to Reduce Your Workload Being a mom is one of the most rewarding roles, but let’s be honest—it’s also one of the most demanding. The ‘ to-do ‘ list can feel endless between juggling the kids, home, and often an external job....
How Mothers Can Celebrate Themselves on Mother’s Day
How Mothers Can Celebrate Themselves on Mother’s Day Mother’s Day isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s a shout-out to all the superhero moms who manage to do it all: the chauffeuring, cooking, comforting, and occasional refereeing.... A Guide for Stress Awareness Month
Stress is more than just feeling pressured—it’s a response to life’s demands. It can show up in various forms, from work deadlines to relationship tension, impacting both body and mind. Recognizing the signs of stress is crucial to regaining control of our...
Five Ways to Celebrate Couple’s Appreciation Month
Did you know February isn’t the only month to love and appreciate your partner? April is Couple’s Appreciation Month! There’s no time like the present to show your partner how much they mean to you. No matter how big or small the gesture, love is best felt...
Winning in Womanhood: Celebrating the Little Things
Women’s History Month is about more than honoring heroes of the past and champions in the present. It’s more than the grand inventions and impressive accolades women across the world have made thus far. It’s also a celebration of imperfection, resilience, and...
Heritage and Healing: Exploring Traditional Wellness Practices in African Culture
Western medicine has revolutionized the medical field and our ability to live longer, healthier lives. But did you know that many of the healing practices we use today stem from African culture? With centuries-old traditions, African heritage is rich with holistic...
Understanding Inflammation: The Body’s Balancing Act
We’ve all heard of inflammation— whether in the context of swollen joints or in reference to our bodies’ reactions to “bad” food. Let’s unravel the mystery behind inflammation, its importance, and how cultivating a balanced lifestyle, including a healthy diet and...
Discover the Power of Three African Superfoods for a Healthier You
Exploring superfoods from around the world can help you unlock new levels in your health journey. Three African superfoods—hibiscus, tamarind, and coconut—stand out not just for their incredible flavors but also for their unparalleled health benefits. Hibiscus...
Mastering Meal Prep: Your Key to Healthier Eating and Time Management
The start of the new year can be hectic and finding time to prepare healthy meals can often feel like a daunting task. But don’t worry! Meal prepping can alleviate that stress by simplifying your week and freeing up your time so you can focus on the things that matter...
Savoring National Soup Month: A Hearty Celebration of Health and Flavor
Happy New Year!! January marks a time for new beginnings, new goals, and a celebration of one of the most versatile and nourishing dishes—soup! There’s something truly nostalgic about homemade soups. From the broth simmering on the stove to the rich medley...
Help Your Kids Set Goals for Their New Year’s Resolutions
Adults aren’t the only ones who can benefit from having a New Year’s Resolution. So can your kids! Taking the time to think about, create and work towards achieving a goal helps children appreciate their accomplishments throughout the year even more and teaches them...
The Power of Small Business
When was the last time you shopped locally and supported a small business? Small businesses are often seen as the “little guys”, but did you know that they make up the majority of the U.S. economy? That’s right! According to the U.S. Small Business Administration...
Don’t Throw Away Those Leftovers
Our favorite part of Thanksgiving is the quality time spent with family and friends eating our favorite comfort foods. If you’re like us, certain foods just taste better this time of year. Maybe it’s the fact that our family members spend hours preparing it, infusing...
What’s In Your Tea?
People across the world have been drinking tea for thousands of centuries and with good reason. Many studies have shown that teas have the power to boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even prevent cancer and heart disease. While some teas provide...
Stress Less This Fall
It’s October! Time for hoodies, football, warm drinks and… packed schedules. It’s true, between work, a new school year, holidays and many social events, this time of year can be an extremely busy one. But it can also be a restful time of year as well. Cooler months...
Craft Your Perfect Blend of Tea with Keys’ Teas
At Keys, we believe every client is unique, and so are their health needs and desires. That’s why we’ve launched a tea line to take our mission a step further and help you get closer to reaching your personal health and wellness goals. What would you love to have more...
Extracurriculars Are Key
What extracurricular activities is your child participating in this school year? I’ll go a step further and ask, what extracurricular activities are YOU participating in this year? We lose the importance of incorporating fun activities in our own lives as we start...
What’s for Lunch?
As the first day of school gets closer, you probably have started thinking about the age-old question: what’s for lunch today? Research shows that lunch is an important meal for both adults and children. What we eat for lunch provides our brains and bodies with the...
Press Pause
With the days of summer winding down and the busyness of fall just ahead of us, it is a great time to participate in Lazy Day! On this August 10th celebration, the key is to press pause on all of life’s demands and do things that recharge you! Trust me, your to-do...
“Friends, How Many of Us Have Them?”
Although our masks are down, social distancing requirements have lifted, and businesses are back open, the lasting effects of the pandemic are still present in many areas of our lives — like our friendships. Studies have shown that friendships took the hardest hit...
July is National Blueberry Month!
Did you know that July is National Blueberry Month? Blueberries are available year-round, but the spring and summer months are peak season, so it’s a great time to consider the benefits of this tiny but mighty super fruit! Check out some of the proven health benefits...
The Power of Mentorship
Think about your childhood. Now, think about your middle and high school experiences. Now, think about college. In addition to the myriad of other thoughts that probably flooded your mind about that time in your life, was there also a person or...
Eat Well and Live Well with Keys All Summer Long
Keys’ was launched with a mission to empower individuals to live healthier and happier lives by teaching healthy cooking classes and practical lifestyle skills. Our programs have grown since the organization started 18 years ago, so we are breaking down our offerings...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Your mental health impacts every area of your life – how you work, how you live and how you play. When your mental health starts to suffer, it becomes harder to complete everyday tasks with the same vigor and energy. If you find yourself in a slump this month, take a...
A Special Blog for The Keys’ Team
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to dedicate this blog to my amazing team of chefs, facilitators, and instructors who help make Keys to Abundant Life the incredible organization that it is. Every week, I brag about y’all – how much you pay attention...
Gardeners – Let’s Start Composting!
The average American generates roughly four and a half pounds of waste – that’s about 1,600 pounds per year per person. Can you guess what the largest component of waste is? Food scraps. That’s right! The food from our dinner tables make up about 22% of solid waste at...
Feeling stressed? Eat these foods!
Did you know that April is stress awareness month? We’re breaking down the correlation between the foods we eat and our ability to manage stress effectively. The reality is that everyone experiences stress at some point in time and how we deal with it makes all the...
The Power of Women
Women’s History Month is a time where the world recognizes the strength, fortitude and perseverance of women. It’s also important that during this month we take time to remind women that there is also power in them just – being. Not having to perform, not having to...
Celebrate Women’s History Month with Keys’
Women’s History Month is celebrated globally by recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Women’s Day (March 8) also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. This year’s theme is #embracequity...
Black Pioneers Who Forever Changed Food
Did you know that Black people have made contributions to the food industry dating back to the 1800s? As we celebrate Black History Month, Keys’ wants to recognize the accomplishments of Black scientists, chefs, and innovators whose work in various disciplines has had...
Join Keys’ in Celebrating Black History Month
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” ― Carter G. Woodson Did you know Black History Month started as “Negro History Week”? Carter G. Woodson, also known as the...
When was the last time you learned something new?
The pandemic had a major impact on all of our lives but one thing I am grateful for was the time I had to sit, reflect and learn new things. I perfected my favorite recipes and taught myself a few new ones, too. I learned how to make jewelry and key chains, and read...
Are you well rested?
With the hustle and bustle of each day, sleep is one of the primary things we tend to compromise. I’m sure you’ve heard about how important sleep is to your body and immune system, many of us have; but the reality is very few of us prioritize resting enough to reap...Try This, Instead of That
Eating healthy can be a challenge when you add on other responsibilities that take our time and attention. Between parenting, working, finding time to exercise, and socializing, figuring out what to eat everyday can become a chore. Here are a few tips we’re sharing to...
4 Tips to Help You Find Balance on Your Plate This Holiday Season
Between the piles of candy on Halloween and the potlucks afterwards to celebrate New Year’s and everything in between, sticking to your health and wellness goals can be a challenge. If you’re like me, you give it your best effort to resist the temptation to eat all...
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming An Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship is one of the hardest yet rewarding experiences. I launched my company, Keys to Abundant Life Inc. seventeen years ago and have learned so much in the process! If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or have just launched your own business, here are 5 tips...
Battling The Holiday Blues
The holidays are hallmarked by warm sweaters, festive drinks, and fellowship with family and friends. While this can be a wonderful time of year, it is also the hardest time of the year for others. It’s common to have feelings of sadness that last throughout the...
Ease Into the Holiday Season
It’s officially Fall and while I am excited to embrace the cooler months, I know there are many of you who have mixed feelings about this time of year. So, consider this a check-in. I want to remind you that it’s okay to slow things down, to take more time for...
When is the last time you focused on your emotional wellness?
Emotional wellness: Our ability to process feelings in a healthy, positive way and manage the stress of everyday life. Our hectic schedules and buzzing devices have made it more crucial than ever to maintain a sense of calm and balance. The more we have going on in...
The Best Ways to Cleanse Your System
What you need to know about detoxing It’s that time of the year! Pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween candy, holiday desserts and comfort meals are about to be in full effect. If you’re like me though, you’re marking this time of year as an opportunity to flush the system...‘Fall’ Into Fun
With summer (and the summer heat) making way for Fall, it’s the perfect time for you to start planning your autumn activities so you can ‘Summer’ all year long! While fall does not officially kick-off until September 21, early bird tickets and reservations for many...
Black Farmers are Business Owners, Too
When is the last time you supported a Black farmer? Despite the agriculture industry steadily growing, Black farmers in the United States have declined over the last century with just 1.4% of farmers identifying as Black or mixed compared to 14 percent 100 years ago....
Celebrate National Black Business Month
Did you know that August is National Black Business Month? That’s right! August is a time to acknowledge, celebrate and support Black-owned businesses in the United States. The history of Black-owned businesses in the United States stems back to the 1700s, when free...
Detox Your Mind
We’ve all seen the headlines – the shootings, the supreme court rulings, gas prices, discrimination against farmers, supply chain demand issues – and the chaos of it all can feel all-consuming. I want to encourage you to mentally step away from all the things in life...
Let’s Get Moving!
So many things in life are replaceable. You can buy a new car, a new house, new clothes; you can buy almost anything – except a new body. Well, I guess you can do that too! Lol. However, I’d rather work with the body I was gifted at birth. This motivates me to...
What Does Juneteenth Meant to You?
Juneteenth (June-Nineteenth), also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, commemorates the freedom of enslaved Black people in 1865 when Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas, declaring the Civil War to be over and the end of slavery in the U.S....
Lean Into What Makes You Special
A special blog from Keys’ CEO, Kyira Harris Since its inception, my company has grown exponentially over the last 5 years addressing the whole body with enrichment activities, physical fitness activities, professional development and academics for more than 5,000...
3 Tips on How to Help Your Children Take Charge of Their Mental Health
In our last blog, we discussed the importance of prioritizing our mental health. This week, we’re dropping gems on how to pass that empowerment down to your children. If you’re like most parents, you’re on top of your children’s wellness visits to the doctor and...
Are You Prioritizing Your Mental Health?
It’s no secret how important your mental health is but do you know why? We’re going back to the basics to educate you on the power of your beautiful mind. Your mental health impacts your physical and emotional health There’s a reason your mood, eating, and sleeping...
How to Sell Your Company on Corporate Wellness
Here’s Keys’ quick guide to convincing your boss your health is worth the investment You’ve heard it before: people are an organization’s biggest asset. Every company’s success, from the quality of its products to its office culture depends on whether its employees...
Join Keys’ Active April Work Week Wellness Challenge
Wellness is one thing that can’t wait until after work. That’s why we’ve made it our business to make healthy habits easy with our Work Week Wellness Challenge. Get up and actively engage with your health this month by completing at least one wellness activity...
You Are What You Eat: How what you eat affects your sleep
We’re all juggling many things throughout the day and having enough energy to manage it all is important. Getting a good night’s rest is dependent on a lot more than what time we go to bed at night and get up in the morning. Our quality of sleep is impacted by how...
Celebrating Women’s History Month: Black Trailblazers in Medicine
Happy Women’s History Month! This month, we’re proud to highlight revolutionary Black women who made strides in the medical field and ultimately, unlocked doors that led to advancements in medicine. Black women have been practicing medicine for centuries, starting...
Claim Your Health by Reclaiming Your Heritage
Try these African heritage foods for Black history month. The standard American diet includes large quantities of meat, refined sugar, and processed junk food. No matter where your ancestors are from, I’m confident their diets were much healthier. Our current cooking... 14 Valentine’s Day Ideas for Any Kind of Love
Who says the only type of love worth celebrating on Valentine’s Day is romantic? Here are 14 platonic date ideas to help you spread love no matter what your relationship status is. Undress your stress at the spa with a day of rest and relaxation.Fall in love with your...
Nourishing Timeless Skin from Within
As we anticipate colder temperatures, don’t forget to renew, refresh, and wrap up your body’s first line of defense – your skin. The cold air and low humidity during this season can be brutal on our skin. Harsh winter weather ...
7 Diet Myths to Leave in 2021
As much as there is to gain in 2022, consider our first blog of the year a liquidation sale. Everything must go including your poor relationship with food and nutrition! Ditch these dieting myths and transform your food choices, preparation, and your outlook on health...
10 Fitness Resolutions Worth More Than Weight
Every year on New Year’s, millions of people commit to transforming their lives through weight loss. More than half of them abandon those hopes before achieving their goal. So, toss the scale in 2022 and commit to weight-free goals instead. 54% of Diet Resolutions...
Unlock the Secret to Holiday Portion Control
Don’t let a wild ride on the holiday gravy train derail your 2021 health journey as you reach the finish line. This holiday season purge the urge to splurge at any winter holiday celebration with Keys to Abundant Life’s tips on portion control. The key to successful...
Push Past the Potluck with a Culture of Gratitude
This year alone, full-time employees on average will work 261 days and 2,088 hours. Throughout our lives, this adds up to nearly 90,000 hours. With so much time spent working instead of resting or practicing wellness, I challenge you to consider the following...
Hold Fast to Dreams with Accountability
Whipping up a dream is easy. Mix a dash of confidence, passion, and imagination to taste — and Voilá! You have a dream! Now, how will you use it? Sometimes, we treat our goals like forgotten leftovers. After making them, we have a helping and store the rest in... Getting Your Health in Harmony: How Vitamin D Can Help Combat Seasonal Depression
While our versions of healthy may come in different textures, shapes, and sizes, the definition of what it means to be healthy remains the same from one person to the next: to be in a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit. But what really is...
Fall in Love with Gardening
When people think of fall foliage, they seldom imagine fields of green. They think of brittle grass and close-to-being-bare brown trees being hugged tightly at the feet by mountains of dying leaves. They think of grey overcast skies, full moons, and brisk air. They...
Engage, Empower, Enrich: Enhancing Your Remote Work Community
COVID-19 has changed the way we live, work, and have fun. Over the past year alone, we’ve touched on topics like virtual learning, virtual celebrations, and adjusting to social life indoors. We’ve been challenged to find new ways to connect, recognize inequities, and...
Preparing Your Young Ones to Return to In-Person Learning
I know what you’re thinking. Change? Again? A little more than a year ago, each of us made life-altering adjustments to our families’ everyday lives. Many began working from home while simultaneously overseeing their students’ virtual learning. Work and home dynamics...
Rise & Shine: Waking Up with Intention
Let’s talk about intention. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines intention as: in·ten·tion | in-ˈten(t)-shən a determination to act in a certain way: RESOLVE We often hear the word used in the context of wellness in phrases like “intentional...
Mindfulness, More Than Meditation
If you, like me, have experimented with different types of meditation, you may have heard the term mindfulness to describe the act of breathing deeply and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the current moment. This form of meditation helps you...
Have a Healthy Homemade Summer Part II
We are only a few weeks into Summer 2021, and with more than two months of high temperatures and extended daylight left, there are still endless opportunities to get active, explore, and whip up some fun healthy homemade recipes with Keys to Abundant Life. ICYMI, Part...
Have a Healthy Homemade Summer
Summertime is finally here bringing with it an abundance of sunshine and vacation time, family barbecues, beach trips, festivals, day camps, and outdoor sports to name a few. Needless to say, for Summer 2021, we are heading outside! It’s going to be a summer full of...
19 Historically Relevant Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth
Image by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Juneteenth, a holiday recognized by African Americans and their allies in 47 US states, has been called many names throughout its 155-year history. To some, it is known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and...
Practice What You Plant: Lessons Learned From 7 Easy Houseplants
Practice What You Plant: Lessons Learned From 7 Easy Houseplants For an aspiring or new plant parent – even old ones, a nursery full of colorful foliage can leave you awe-struck pondering where all these beautiful shades of green have been hiding all of your life. You...
No Diet? No Sweat!
No Diet? No Sweat! ICYMI, May 6th is the annual International No Diet Day. Yes, you read that correctly! It is No Diet Day, and though it has already passed, it is never too late to set aside just one day to forget about your body goals and show appreciation for the...
Make This Mother’s Day Special
make this mother’s day special In anticipation of next Sunday, display racks across the country are filled with flowers, perfumes, balloons, greeting cards, and jewelry any mother would love. Many of us have already purchased gifts to present to our mothers,...
3 Healthy Alternatives to Coffee (And Why You Should Try Them)
For many professionals, coffee is an essential part of the daily routine. The comforting aroma, the energy boost, and the ritual of that first cup in the morning—coffee can feel like a necessity. But while it can help you feel more alert and energized, caffeine is not...
Boost Team Collaboration with Simple and Fun Ice Breakers
Starting a meeting or project with a quick icebreaker can work wonders for team collaboration and creativity. Whether your team is new or has been working together for years, these fun, easy-to-implement ice breakers will help get everyone talking, laughing, and...
How Celebrating Valentine’s Day Can Boost Your Company Culture and Employee Wellness
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, and while it’s often associated with romantic relationships, it’s also the perfect opportunity to spread some positivity and appreciation in the workplace. Managers who tap into this holiday can use it as a tool to...
Honoring Black History Month: A Time to Lean In and Stay Connected
As we approach Black History Month this year, it feels more important than ever to reflect on the deep significance of this time. It’s a time to honor our heritage, celebrate the trailblazers who paved the way, and take pride in the strength and resilience that have...
