Have YOU Checked in Yourself?

If you live in the land of social media, chances are you've checked in on FourSquare, uploaded to Instagram, posted to Pinterest, liked Facebook and followed Twitter.  In this land of addiction and this goal of staying connected, often times we find ourselves checked out. If social media isn't your thing, then I'm sure you can agree how quickly times change.  Seasons change.  Relationships change.  The state of our health or our thoughts can change in a matter of just a few minutes, hours or days. What happens when we are out of alignment or not connected with change?  What is the one story you must hear that forces you to take action towards a better way of life?  Is it the fibrous materials found in chicken nuggets that sway you away from fast food or is it a friend that receives a diagnosis from their doctor that makes you change your ways? Whatever life brings your way, a change of season or a change in your life is the perfect time to check in with yourself. How do you go about checking in with yourself?  You can start by finding a comfortable seated (or lay down) position.  Close your eyes.  Play soft, healing music and light an incense or a candle.  (I like to set the mood and anchor the space when I go within.)  You can choose what works best for you.  These are just a few ideas.  Take a few moments to notice your breath and watch as your thoughts flow by.  This is the practice of meditation.  Meditation is a practice of becoming still (mentally, physically and emotionally).  When we do this we turn within to discover an inner world that is vast and real.*  Meditation allows us to slow down our habitual thinking so we can begin to see patterns of creation. More importantly, it allows us to tap into the brilliance of life within us.  Right within us is so much inspiration, intuition, power and presence, but we must go within to build a relationship with it.  This is scary for many because the first thing they will see is how messed up their thinking may be.  That's when most people retreat and run for cover.  That's just the initial entry and it calms down pretty quickly if you stay with it, relax, and enjoy the moments of silence.* Meditation cannot be mastered quickly.  It is a practice that calls us to years of work.  Like going to the gym consistently and seeing results in a few months, this is also true for meditation.  You will experience more energy, peace, freedom of thought and clarity.* *Excerpt from Bodhi Spiritual Center.

Dairy - Kind Does Matter!

I've been asked lately if dairy is bad for you.  As with anything, it depends what kind of dairy you are eating.  Let's take milk for example.

First, there's conventional dairy.  I believe it's the worst thing you can put in your body.  The average milk contains:

• 20+ different chemicals and medications
• 5 types of antibiotics including rBGH which has been linked to an increase risk of cancer by 35%
• 5 types of steroids and growth hormones

Second, buying organic milk is a step up.  Organic milk has no pesticides, herbicides or hormones.  However, it is highly pasteurized at temperatures of 280 degrees and homogenized.  This damages the enzymes that our body needs.  Also, most cows are grass-fed, but not grass finished.  This means that cows only have to eat a diet that is 30% grass to be labeled as grass-fed.  Other parts of their diet could include corn, grain and antibiotics.  Sneaky ha?

Click here to read more.

I'm looking into Beyond Organic and their kefir drink called Amasai as a viable option to nourish the body with the maximum amount of strains of good bacteria.  Click here to see for yourself. 

I do not represent or sell this product.  However, I have a friend that does.  If you have interest please let me know and I'm happy to connect you.

Just because it's from Trader Joe's ...

Heard this before from your friends or family members?  “Mmm where did you get this from?” and she says, “Don’t worry, it’s from Trader Joe’s, so it’s organic.” The fact that people assume all products from Trader Joe’s are organic or healthy or better than what you would find elsewhere is an alarming misconception.

Just because you buy something from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods does not mean it's healthy, local, organic or good for you.

As companies continue to be under close scrutiny we need to get educated on the ingredients that we put into our bodies.  You can do this by first checking the ingredients list.  High fructose corn syrup, canola oil, msg, but, food colorings and added sugars are just a few of the ingredients that should not be on the list of what you are consuming.  

Your best bet is to purchase things that do not come in packages such as fruits and vegetables.  

To read more on this fascinating topic click here.

Hello Anxiety and Thank You for Stopping By - How I'm Overcoming Anxiety

It's been said to me by some that I always seem to have it all "put together".  As if I have never struggled, been a part of strife or had down days.  It's because of my struggles, strife and down days that have led me to the journey I am on today.  We've all had struggles with some element of our lives, but it doesn't have to be this way.


When I realized there was a higher calling for the work that needed to be done on this planet, I took a leap of faith from a 20-year career.  With any life change comes adjustment.  Big adjustment.  This is the beautiful thing about change.  It's why I love change.  If you accept the challenge, change can keep you outside of your comfort zone, that's where the big lessons are learned.  Emotions, feelings and pain will come up and cause you to lose focus.  The strategic placement in your body should be reason enough to find out why.

Will you let your emotions take you off course?  Will you acknowledge the anxiety, for example, that is present and let it have it's way with you?  Can you be ok with this?  You always have a choice.  You can listen to the negative thoughts and believe them (a belief is a thought that you keep believing) or can you observe the deep, panicky, shallow breath that anxiety brings and say thanks for stopping by but I won't be needing your services today.

Like a screaming child throwing a fit, this deep, panicky, shallow breath shall too evolve.  When so much change is flowing, your ego starts to talk.  "Will I do it right?", "What if it doesn't work?", "What if I do nothing?"

When I encounter a panic attack or wake up to anxiety, I'm certain I am out of alignment.  I tell myself it would feel healthier to me to let this evolve.  To get back into alignment, I practice the following technique:

1.  First, breathe!
2.  Second, relax!
3.  Third, feel it!
4.  Watch it.
5.  Allow it.

It also helps to practice yoga and/or meditation every morning.  After 1 month of this practice, I can now breathe freely, knowing that there will always be contrast and that it feels better to take note without it taking over.  Remember, you control the anxiety.  Don't let it control you.  You've got a higher calling.

"The more you think about it, the more you vibrate like it."

- Excerpt from the book Ask and it is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks.

Farmer's Market Saturday = Buttered Leeks and Radishes Monday

While talking to my friend Chef Jim this week, I realized that I hadn't been to one farmer's market this season.  How sad is that?  I remember going twice a week on Tuesday's and Thursday's downtown.

You can probably guess where I headed this past Saturday - Lincoln Park's Green City Farmer's Market.  For $20 I scored an eggplant, a red pepper, a gorgeous bunch of purple carrots, many interesting looking zucchini and summer squash, a few gorgeous heirloom tomatoes and a leek.

I also found these amazing looking and tasting radishes.  I had never seen such a thing.  Click here to make this delicious side dish this week - Buttered Leeks and Radishes.

One conversation and $20 literally brought me back to creating so much joy for myself last Saturday afternoon.  Thanks Jim.

Are you a 1 or a 5?

When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing that you do?

Do you check your phone, do you peruse emails, do you answer your phone?  

Do you ever ask yourself what your intention is for the day?

What is your top priority?  Make a list now of the top 5 things that you do every day.  What are they?  Why are they?  Have you made the cut?  I challenge you for the next week to put yourself at the top of your priority list.  Your health, your body and your mind will thank you.

Here are the top 5 things I do first thing every morning for ME!

1.  Awake to a beautiful flower bedside.  This is especially helpful in the Midwest when the sun doesn't want to play.

2.  I journal 3 things I appreciate today.

3.  I read a book for 30 minutes.  I'm currently reading Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss

4.  I practice 20 minutes of yoga for free at www.yogadownload.com

5.  Finally, I set an intention for how I want to feel each day.  

Caution:  This practice is contagious!

Top 5 Summer Healthy Munchies

Summer travel is in the works.  If you've been on the road this summer and haven't packed a cooler of healthy meals and snacks, you'll be facing a plethora of mindless eating, fast food and poor digestion.  This means less time for healthy eating and good choices.  Here are my top 5 favorite summer munchies:

1.  Bob's Red Mill Original Whole Grain Natural Granola

• No fat added
• Good source of fiber
• Perfect for cold cereal, over yogurt or right out of the bag

2.  Raw Almonds

• Good source of fiber
• Good source of protein
• Good source of Vitamin E

3.  Cherries

• Great antioxidant
• Helps clean the lymphatic system
• May help reduce arthritis and inflammation

4.  Carrots

• Good for your teeth
• Good for your eyes
• Beta-carotene

5.  Snap peas

• May help to lower cholesterol
• 1 cup has as much Vitamin C as an orange
• Good source of Vitamin K

What are some of your favorite summer munchies?