I was coaching a client just this week who was hesitant to embark on a wellness program that had worked really well for her 8 years ago. She was afraid that this time the path wouldn’t be as easy and she wouldn’t see the same wonderful results if she did it again. Her mind held onto and enhanced the memories of how easy and perfect it all worked out for her back then. She didn’t want to risk being disappointed in the results this time...
Read MoreFor many years I resisted my fatigue. THIS ISN’T ME, DAMNIT!! Before my “health crisis” I was unstoppable. Superwoman, Bree Van de kamp, Martha Stewart - I could rival them all. My energy was boundless. In retrospect, it was a bit manic though, too.
Then all of a sudden the energetic “wind” was completely knocked out of me. I found myself barely able to pack the kids’ lunches or muster the energy to pick them up from school, much less create and host elaborate birthday parties or...
Read MoreIt’s been a busy month. School and all the activities surrounding it have crash landed into our easygoing summer disorder. Plans are being made. Schedules are filling up. Weekends no longer blissfully blend into weeks as sports games, birthday parties and obligations begin to fill the ever diminishing free spaces.
Until a few years ago, I welcomed this structure. With busyness came a sense of control. Control equaled perfection. Perfection meant I didn’t have to face stillness. I could numb the pain. I didn’t realize that meant I was also numbing the joy.
Read MoreIf I can’t be superwoman for my family then how can I really be there for them? How can I insure that I’m doing everything possible to raise my children (or grandchildren) in a loving and supportive environment in the midst of my dis-ease? What does this look like?
I know what it doesn’t look like. It doesn’t look like giving and giving and giving at the expense of yourself, only to end up playing the martyr. Been there. Done that. It didn’t feel so good.
When I first overhauled my diet and lifestyle in 2011 so that I could be superwoman for everyone around me (kids, husband, employer, parents, etc) I thought that being a “yes woman” was the epitome of selflessness. Admirable, right?
Well, let’s take a closer look at the word “selfless” from Merriam Webster...
Read MoreDON'T FORGET TO DUCK!
Have you gone through a really rough time in your life and felt the relief of having made it to the other side only to find yourself knee deep in something so similar that you can swear you’re living the nightmare all over again?
Read MoreHave you ever had that feeling in the pit of your stomach when faced with a new challenge? That gut punch and rapid heartbeat that seem to electrify you at the near mention of an activity outside your comfort zone? I find it happening more and more lately now that I’m no longer “sick”. So many thrilling life experiences were put on hold for half a decade while I found myself increasingly confined to the stability of my own safe little world. Now that I’m really living life again I find that activities I once took for granted sometimes scare the crap out of me.
Read MoreI was drawn to this quote by Dr. Seuss when decorating my son’s “big boy” room years ago. I displayed it proudly above his bed in those adhesive vinyl letters that were so popular (and maybe still are?).
Read MoreIt doesn't get much easier than this guys. Really. A dehydrator and food processor are required, so if you have those fancy tools stored away for a wild hit of inspiration, now's the time to drag those babies out of hiding.
Read MoreAmong the some 88,000 chakras, or energy centers, in the human body, Hinduism recognizes seven major ones that run along the spine to the crown of the head. According to some Eastern traditions, learning how to balance these energy centers can optimize energy flow to fuel and sustain aspects of your life and your body. Let's take a look at location, color and basic connection associated with each of these major chakras...
Read MorePhytonutrients, also known as phytochemicals, are the powerhouse components of plants that give them their wide array of vibrant colors and flavors. We now know that we need more than fats, proteins, carbs, vitamins and minerals to achieve and sustain optimal health. Phytonutrients with their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and disease-fighting abilities are crucial for growth and wellbeing.
Read MoreI'm more of a frittata fan personally since Paleo crusts made with almond flour tend to be a bit heavy. However, I stumbled upon this one from Everyday Maven and had to give it a try. The almond flour is balanced by the tapioca flour and she chose the perfect blend of just a few simple spices to enhance the flavor. I ended up with four mini quiches and had to force myself to put the last one in the freezer or I would have eaten these every single morning this week!
Read MoreOne of my favorite sources is winter squash, especially butternut. Its sweet, nutty taste compliments bitter greens nicely and satisfies my sugar cravings. Doesn't hurt that it's an excellent source of vitamins A and C. When I first starting eating it regularly a few years ago I was unsure of how exactly to tackle cutting the thing. Here are my simple tips...
Read MoreWhile the jury is still out on whether or not their private label products are actually 100% GMO-free (see Food Babe's post), they certainly seem to be a company dedicated to pleasing their customers. They offer many products that are free of antibiotics, preservatives and synthetic colors, they are super friendly, and their prices can't be beat!
I thought it might be fun to post some of my discoveries from time to time. Today I happened to have some kid-free time on my hands and decided to inspect the shelves more closely. I wasn't disappointed!
Read MoreBefore moving down south to sunnier Sarasota, Florida, we lived in Ponte Vedra and often ate at a wonderful little organic, raw food cafe in St Augustine called The Present Moment. They gave me permission to post one or two of their recipes when I was there, so I thought I would start with this one. It has antioxidant-rich raw cacao, the ancient Chinese superfruit goji powder, and hormone-balancing maca root powder...
Read MoreThe Singing Canary has become a regular part of my morning routine several times/week since my poor adrenals are still on the mend. Decades of abuse can take years to repair and my adrenals are apparently among the last of my body parts to fully heal.
Their Facebook post gives you all the details, but I made a few little changes...
Read MoreActivated charcoal has been shown to combat ingested toxins and food poisoning, prevent hangovers, sooth insect bites, lower cholesterol and even battle acne. On top of all that it can also whiten teeth!
Read MoreIn spite of its name, buckwheat is not actually wheat at all. It's a gluten-free, wheat-free and grain-free fruit seed that is known for its blood pressure and cholesterol lowering effects. It is a complete protein, containing all 8 essential amino acids. Taking the extra step to sprout buckwheat helps to breakdown the anti-nutrients and hard-to-digest components of the seed and at the same time, helps to release highly beneficial nutrients.
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