Get Your Spring Fever ON

As we emerge from the winter months, we wake up to the early morning sunlight returning and the smell of blooming flowers poking their heads through to warming earth.

Given the energetics of spring we often feel the urge to cleanse our lives, our bodies, and our beings for a clearer and energized new season of living life to the fullest.

As you read through the following tips, take a moment to ponder what needs cleansing in your life.  What do you seek to shed this spring to “lighten” up and access the inner freedom we all yearn for?

So often when we think of cleansing, we see visions of ancient yogi’s fasting, or modern health food junkies checking out the newest cleansing trends.

Don't fret, this year let's clean out and cleanse what is not serving us in our lives.  Let us use the energy of the season of spring to enhance the journey to more radiance and vitality from the inside out.

Your Spring Sparkle comes from a combination of so many components, some of which include of your inner health, your thoughts, how you move your body each day, and your sacred space or home.

1.  Body Bliss

Can you access the bliss your physical body is designed to feel?  When you wake up each day are you ready to conquer your life with energy and vitality?  If you feel like many people do these days, a little tired, a little sluggish try these health secrets to enhance your energy.

Eat with the season – As the leafy greens spring up, and the dandelions fill your yard, try finding some ways to cleanse your diet with some of natures spring gifts.

In the spring we are designed to eat lighter, darker and leafier greens, and oh those dandelions do wonders for cleansing the liver. (be sure they are pesticide free before you eat, or buy at your local health food store)

Juice – Juicing daily blesses the body with a huge amount of extra nutrients that are easily absorbed.  As you pulverize and strain those veggies in the juicer, you do a huge favor to your digestion. You pour liquid nutrients into your system for a fountain of amazing energy and purification.

Reset your energy with a Whole Food lifestyle – This spring try to eat only WHOLE FOODS for one whole week.  Whole food eating means eating food found in its whole form.  Avoid processed foods, refined carbohydrates and foods that have an ingredient list.

2.  Flip your Script

If you are someone who hears your own self-critic loud and clear all day long, full of shame, blame and self sabotage…it is time to “clean” up your self-talk.  Flipping your script means giving your that common mental script an overhaul.  What are the most common thoughts that bring you down?  Are they about your body, your past decisions, your bad habits?

Whenever you hear the negative thoughts try to take note, then flip them around in to a positive affirmation as often as you can to practice unconditional happiness and self-love.

3.  Move it and Shake it

One of most effective ways to your energize your life is through daily movement.  How is your MOJO?  Practices such as YOGA, BRISK WALKING/HIKING and DANCE can move energy in big ways.  Get yourself out of inertia this spring and MOVE IT SHAKE IT GROOVE IT.  Enliven your spirit and up your MOJO with some juicy movement of your own.

Take walk in the beautiful spring air,  inspire yourself with your favorite yoga teacher or make yourself a new playlist to inspire your daily run. Learn to feel good in your body through movement you love.

4.  Clear out your Space

Spring-cleaning is not a made up phenomenon.  We naturally cleanse during the spring season because it feels so therapeutic to climb out of the winter hibernation into a fresh and clear environment.

Getting rid of the old and making room for the new is an important energizer for your space and your experience this spring.

But in addition to aesthetics, there are proven health reasons for steam-cleaning carpets, airing out curtains and the like noting that the benefits include preventing the spread of germs and keeping allergy symptoms at bay.

Clearing out clutter also helps make your environment a happier as well as a healthier place.  For a little spring cleaning joy, add some essential oils to your eco-friendly cleaning supplies.  Try rearranging and reorganize your sacred space.

You are off to a great start for some revitalization and renewal this year.  Spring is always an exciting time to start anew, plant our seeds of intention and watch, tend, and nurture them as the season unfolds.  Let’s make it a beauty!  Happy Spring.

It is the time for revitalization and renewal.  Spring is always an exciting time to start anew, plant our seeds of intention and watch, tend, and nurture them as the season unfolds.  Let’s make it a beauty.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How to live a FUNK Free February

Last week I felt the February FUNK hit me like a ton of bricks. I was blah, bored, uninspired, and I would have chosen to lay in bed all day watching Netflix if I had had the choice.  Who is this person I thought to myself?  I usually hop out of bed and feel so fired up for the day.  Then I realized, it's February!! Until this week, it has been a remarkably cold winter here in Boulder.  I have to admit, I have been hibernating more than ever.  I enjoy quiet nights by the fire with my book, long tea dates, and early nights to bed most of the time.  It just started to get a bit BORING....ZZZZ.  Sound familiar?

After a particularly blah night, I went to bed with one of those uncomfortable pits in my stomach.  Am I burnt out?  Depressed? Will winter ever end?  Is my entire purpose a joke? How am I going to make it through the FUNK?

I woke up that night about 3 am.  I couldn't fall back to sleep with my mind racing and my body unsettled.  I finally I reached for my journal.  How do I turn this around?

It took a bit of soul searching, but eventually I made a breakthrough.  With my pen to paper and some other forces at play in the depths of the dark night, I wrote about so many different parts of my life that feed me.  My time outside, my relationship, my daily practices, laughter...  had they all just been forgotten?  How did this happen?

WIthin my witching hour moment of breakthrough something very simple happened...I REMEMBERED!

I made a promise to myself. I HAVE to do these simple practices EVERYDAY.

My inner fire began to return with just the recognition of my personal recipe.  Although your recipe for living FUNK FREE  is likely different than mine, they probably have something in common.

Here's a little glimpse into my FUNK FREE formula....

NATURE HEALS

Especially when it is cold and yucky out, it can require some serious motivation to bundle up and go outside. Once I do, though, the fresh air will gets my blood moving and helps me gain some perspective. Whether it is taking a short walk or going on a run or a hike, everything counts! We’ve all heard it before, but it is true - being outside in the sun provides us with our healthy daily intake of vitamin D, which we need to maintain well-being, so I make sure I am taking care of myself. Exposure to the sun also helps our bodies regulate our sleep, our appetites, and our hormonal functions, which can get out of whack during these months.

Make an effort to be outside a little bit every day to soak up some sunshine, or some fresh air and to connect with the nature around you.  Find the winter activities that work in your area and for your passion.  Try more skiing, snowshoeing, dog walking, sitting on a sunny porch, or even shoveling the drive.

EMPOWERED EATING

When I say empowered, what I mean is I call the shots.  I enjoy having all the information I need to make an informed decision about how to fuel my body.  It does take practice but with just a little trial and error (and as much support as you need) you can learn how to feel radiant in your own skin via the food you eat.

Think of the most vital foods on the planet.  Imagine the most potent foods that nature has to offer.  I consciously eat more of those.  I purify my body as a temple.  I eat super foods like they are going out of style (see a recent post:  Super foods for Super Heroes) and embody the energy that our planet has to offer.

I juice, blend, steam, chop and create the most colorful, fresh, vibrant meals I can imagine and then feel how grateful my body is for this foodie fuel.

Want a little UPLIFT?  This year (February 9th, 2015) we are joining in our seasonal whole food purification to honor the season and the self care this season loves for us to embody.  Check out all the details here.

MOJO MOVEMENT

One of most effective ways to connect with your body’s natural energy is through energizing movement.  How is your MOJO?  Practices such as YOGA, BRISK WALKING/HIKING and DANCE can move energy in big ways.  I get myself out of inertia and MOVE IT, SHAKE IT, GROOVE IT.  I enliven my spirit and up my MOJO with some juicy movement of my own.  I SWEAT out the FUNK!!

Have your own private dance party, take a walk in the woods, or inspire yourself with your favorite yoga teacher.  Learn to FEEL good in your body to reconnect with your RADIANCE.

CREATE COMMUNITY

If you are like many of us, the energy of winter might have slowed down your social life. Think about the people and places that make you the happiest. Could you incorporate more of those things into your life again? It is important for our health and vitality to stay connected to the people and communities we love.  When I put effort into my friendships and connections, I feel supported by them in return. By showing up authentically and with an open heart, I see my friends and community will be receptive to me.

This can be one of the most rewarding efforts in pulling ourselves out of a funk: remembering we are a part of something greater and that we are loved. Becoming more involved in community also helps to take the focus off of ourselves and can re-inspire us to consider issues and opportunities beyond our normal scope of thinking. "Giving is the new getting."  What you give is what you get, so give it up!

CONSCIOUS CREATIVITY

It can be difficult to get the juices flowing when we are beginning from a place that is stagnant, down, or stuck. This is just it: be where you are, and go from there. There is no wrong time or space to begin creative expression. Whatever your outlet, honor where you are NOW first, and begin gently. One way to begin that I find helpful is to practice silent sitting meditation for a few minutes – the longer I can sit, the quieter my mind becomes, and the freer I am to express myself. Making time for creativity is an incredible way to express yourself and to move your energy around. Whether it is singing, playing an instrument, chanting, dancing, drawing, painting, crafting, cooking, or anything else that brings you joy – make time in your life to be creative. It will do WONDERS for your mood and your heart!

GET OUT OF DODGE

When all else fails, I change my perspective.  It is AMAZING what a weekend road trip or a tropical yoga retreat can do for the soul.  Often when we take a break from the day-to-day, if we are so fortunate, we can gain a new view of things.  We go from the worms eye view to the eagle eye view.

Just a simple shift in my environment brings me so much clarity.  This is why we plan our ALL WOMEN's International yoga + health retreats each year!  They have a positive impact on my life, and on our participants lives that last.  This year I am off to Bali for some culture and some clarity.  Thank Goddess!!  Want to join us?  All the details are HERE.

Keep up with tweeking and fine tuning your personal recipe.  It will serve you in the long run.  Come next February, you may also forget, but you can always come back and REMEMBER.

The Biggest STRESS Syndrome of our Time

Do you yearn to recover your ENERGY, your IMMUNITY, your SLEEP QUALITY and your DAILY PLEASURES?

Your ADRENAL glands, known as the governors of STRESS and ENERGY are a vital component of how we feel in our lives each and every day.  Your resiliency, energy, sleep, and endurance ALL depend of the health and vitality of your ADRENALS.

Adrenal fatigue (hypoadrenia) is one of the most common factors playing into the most common health issues of our time.

With a wide collection of symptoms, everything from hormone imbalance, blood sugar issues, insomnia, chronic stress, frequent colds, auto-immune issues, and adult onset diabetes can all be a result of your adrenals CONKING out. Sound familiar?

The stresses that can cause ADRENAL FATIGUE can be physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and even infectious.

ANYONE can experience ADRENAL FATIGUE.  Are you?

1.  Eating for Healthy Adrenals 

• Balance your Blood Sugar: One of the most important focus points is keeping your blood sugar stable. WHEN you eat is almost as important as WHAT you eat.  Eating regular, frequent, and balance meals is critical to keep the adrenal hormones balanced therefore a healthy blood sugar balance. It is extremely important to eat before 10am to replenish your bodies glycogen supply after a long night of sleep.  With adrenal fatigue you may not feel hungry in the morning, but you should try to eat something.  Even a small nutritious snack is better than nothing.  An early lunch is better than a late lunch, and your evening meal by 6.  Be sure to keep healthy snacks near by for  in between meals

• Salt:  Craving salt is a common symptom in all stages of adrenal fatigue.  Interestingly enough, most people with adrenal fatigue have low blood pressure.  Salt (high quality sea salt) is a good addition to your diet, not excessive salting, but moderate salt to taste for your food.  Often as your adrenals improve, your salt cravings will diminish.

• Avoid fruit in the morning:  Eating fruit in the morning is a sure blood sugar spike.  Not to give fruit a bad name, as it is a nutrient dense food group, just wait for your daily serving of fruit (organic please) until later in the day, and best to eat it with something else high in protein such as nuts.

• Food combining:  If you are suspecting adrenal fatigue, try eating meals composed of fat, protein and carbohydrates.  You can also include as many organic vegetables as you like.  The importance of combining fat, protein and carbohydrates will support your adrenal output throughout the day by providing a consistent source of energy.

• Avoid eating foods you are allergic to:  Most food allergy reactions include  the release of histamines and/or other inflammatory substances in the body.  If adrenal fatigue is real for you, get your food allergies tested (fast- IgE and slow- IgG) to make sure you are not creating more inflammation, and higher levels of cortisol which stress the adrenals further.

2.  Adapt Your Yoga Practice

 A gentle, restorative yoga practice can assist you in recovering from adrenal fatigue.  If you practice asana regularly, consider downplaying the intensity of your practice – standing postures and unsupported backbends can stimulate the adrenals and work counterproductively towards your healing. Give yourself permission to SLOW DOWN and sink into that spacious place created by remaining still and breathing deeply. Restorative yoga emphasizes relaxing into postures for 2 to 5 minutes each, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system. When our adrenal glands are depleted, our parasympathetic nervous system becomes unbalanced. A balanced parasympathetic nervous system enables us to have strong digestion, good sleep, a strong immune system, and a feeling of overall calmness.

Check out your favorite yoga studio’s restorative class offerings! Here are a few yoga postures that can you can do at home to turn off the adrenal glands and find deep inner calm. Create a quiet, serene environment to absorb the benefits of these poses – light a candle, turn the lights down low, play some relaxing music, and make some time for only you.

Supported Balasana (Child’s Pose)

•          Bring your big toes together and your knees wide apart. Slide a bolster or folded blankets between your thighs. As you exhale, extend your body forward, arms resting in front of you, and surrender your torso and one cheek onto the bolster. For extra support, you can place a folded blanket between your buttocks and heels. Stay here and take slow, deep breaths for several minutes, turning your head at the halfway point. As you breathe, soften your thighs and lower abdomen, broaden your hip creases, and widen your back body. To come out, walk your hands towards your body and remove the bolster.

Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall Pose)

•          If you have never been in this pose before, you might have to play with the distance between your hips and the wall to find your sweet spot – the more flexible you are, the closer to the wall your hips can be and the higher your support can be. To begin, bring a bolster about 6 inches away from the wall and sit sideways on either end of the bolster. Bring the closer side of your body to touch the wall. On an exhale, swing your legs up onto the wall and bring your shoulders and head down onto the floor. Your torso should be gently arching from your shoulders to your pubic bone, so adjust your bolster as needed to achieve this. Soften your throat and lift your sternum towards your chin as you roll your shoulders away from one another, arms by your sides. Rest here for 5 to 15 minutes. To come out, remove the bolster first by pressing your feet into the wall and turn your body to one side, sitting up slowly.

Supported Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bound Bridge Pose)

•          Lie back over a bolster or folded blankets until your torso is elevated and your shoulders touch the floor. If your shoulders do not reach the floor, place a blanket underneath your shoulders for support. Soften your thighs, belly, ribs, chest, and shoulders; create space in your upper rib cage for slow, deep breaths. Relax your neck, throat, jaw, and face. Stay here for several minutes. When you are ready to come out, bend your knees and plant your feet underneath them, remove your bolster, and lie flat on the floor. Turn to one side and slowly press yourself back up.

3.  Add Some Adrenal Herbal Support

Herbs such as ashwaganda, tulsi (holy basil), licorice root, and eleuthero can help to strengthen the adrenal glands. Ashwaganda is my personal favorite – it has long been used in Ayurvedic healing and, like licorice root and eleuthero, functions as an adaptogen in the body. Adaptogenic herbs have an overall balancing effect on the body and are extremely effective in helping us recover from stress.

In addition to helping with stress levels, ashwaganda also stabilizes blood sugar levels and reduces anxiety. A fun and easy way to take these herbs on a regular basis is to create an herbal tea blend.

Adrenal Chai Recipe

      6 cups Water

2 Tbsp Ashwaganda

         2 Tbsp Eleuthero Root

         2 Tbsp Licorice Root

         8 Star Anise Pods

         3 Cinnamon Sticks

         1-3 inches Grated Fresh Ginger

         2 tsp Fennel Seeds

         1 Tbsp Black Peppercorns

         2 Tbsp Whole Cloves

         Honey and Milk to Taste

Place all herbs in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 45 minutes. Strain the tea and enjoy.

4.  Lead a Pleasure Based lifestyle for Adrenal Vitality

Pleasure is the most health inducing thing you can do for your health.  Find something you like to do, and do more of it!  It could be anything from dance to sacred touch, to enjoying a quiet candle lit meal.  Your pleasure is YOUR prescription to greater health and balance.  Customize your life to include daily pleasures just for you!

BONUS RECIPE:

Potassium rich foods help to keep the sodium / potassium levels balanced in the body, which is critical for adrenals.  Calcium and magnesium, vitamins A, B(s) and C are also important in stress regulation and adrenal function.

Often times, these valuable vitamins and minerals can be found in highly alkalizing vegetables.  Feeling tired? Try increasing your daily servings and keep a food log to monitor any changes.

Many people with adrenal fatigue have a high acid body and should focus on consuming cruciferous veggies.

Green Chard Wrap w/Sunflower Seed Paté

1 leaf green chard, the large part of the vein removed

1 serving of Sunflower Seed Paté (from nourishingmeals.com)*

1 avocado, sliced

1 grated carrot

1 grated beet

Cumin, to taste

Pink Himalyan Salt, to taste

 Wash and Prep the green chard leaf by removing the large part of the vein.  Make sunflower seed paté and scoop into green chard.  Top with avocado, beets, carrots, and sprinkle generously with cumin.  Then, add salt to taste.  Wrap up and devour.

 Having trouble kicking the sweet tooth- try cooking the carrots for a sweeter taste.

AN ENCHANTED WINTER SOLSTICE

The WINTER SOLSTICE is one of my favorite days of the year. WHY?  Why is the darkest day of the year so enchanting you ask? I have been resisting the cold and dark this year,  like never before. This resistance to the natural ebb and flow of the season is new for me.  The returning of the light is a comfort to me, knowing it will start tomorrow eases my mind and heart.

I decided in the past few weeks, after a few ENCHANTING moments with myself - one in front of the fire place listening to Van Morrison on one of the coldest nights I can remember, and a few sitting in front of my sweet sparkly holiday tree in the early early morning - that I would find the MAGIC in the moments of the cold and dark winter nights.

We are on the FINAL descent into the darkest night, tomorrow, and I am READY to birth the sun both around me and within me.  Will you join me??

I often think of the idea of LIGHTING myself up at this time of year, and that is where the work ENCHANTMENT comes in.  How can you be ENCHANTED in your own life.  As the light returns, what do you YEARN for in your life?  How do you want to FEEL in the upcoming year? What are the core desires that you seek to fulfill in yourself?

I invite you to go inward and sit with these questions. Ponder what your heart is desiring and honor both where you are now, where you have been in the past year.  Be sure to include your successes, your completions, and all you have accomplished, as well as the direction you seek in your feeling body.  How do you want to feel?

The magic is always there to keep life full of ENCHANTMENT. The beauty and gratitude we focus on in our lives GROWS the more we focus on it.

May your darkest nights be full of MAGIC, SPARKLE, and WISDOM.  May the rebirth of the sun in your HEART guide you HOME.

Winter Myths Exposed

  How are you feeling??  As we make the official descent into the darkest nights for the next couple weeks, we are also wrought with holiday shopping, family in town, colder weather, and even what some consider the toughest time of year on the immune system.  

I thought it would be a good time to EXPOSE some winter MYTHS for you so you can enhance your darkest days with wisdom and wellness.    Do we REALLY need to worry about our WINTER WELL BEING?  Or our we designed perfectly to match up with the season and its energetics?

Here are some of the TOP winter wellness MYTHS to explore, and then move into the season with GUSTO feeling better than ever.

Myth #1:  Can you catch a cold by getting cold?

FALSE ~ A famous Chinese Medicine saying, "Dress for the season, not the day.", has always been my rule of thumb.  Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for a long time and it definitely provides some brilliant wisdom.  

Being in the elements poses no problems directly to our health, in fact it is invigorating and energizing to be outside even during the winter.  The only concern is if we are exposed to cold and wind, especially in a few target areas, we are weakened to on coming pathogens.

The wind gate it is often used to talk about the entire back of the neck and upper back. Accord­ing to TCM, exter­nal pathogens enter the body through the wind gate. In other words, we are most sus­cep­ti­ble to envi­ron­men­tal forces such as wind when our necks are exposed to the elements.

Inva­sion by wind can lead to those all-too-familiar cold and flu symp­toms — chills, fever, body aches, runny nose, con­ges­tion, and cough. This vul­ner­a­bil­ity is increased if we also go out­side with damp hair or do other things to impair our immune sys­tem responses (poor diet, inad­e­quate rest, lack of exer­cise, drink too much alco­hol, etc…).

**Cover the back of your neck, find some cozy scarfs to accent your outfits and stay protected!


Myth #2:  How is your mood?  Are folks sinking into the deep dark depression of winter more than ever?

TRUE ~ It is true that people have a harder time with depression in the colder and darker days, but it doesn't have to be the case for you!  WIth just some simple tweeks  you can improve your mood during the winter months!  

The holiday blues or SAD (seasonal affective disorder)?  Does this sound like you?  Try some light therapy, a heavy does of vitamin D, and if it gets unbearable, amino acids such as tryptophan, tyrosine and glutamine to the rescue to boost up your brain chemistry.

Be sure you eat a protein rich diet to build your seratonin, and get enough rest to rebuild and regenerate your energy.  

Find some magic in the darker nights by lighting a fire, slow cooking your dinner, cozying up with your favorite book and tapping into your creative side with your favorite art project.

Myth #3:  Does grandma's chicken soup and homemade ginger tea really do the trick??

TRUE ~ The old wives tales usually have a good story behind them.  This is one of those.  Warm soups and liquids have a direct impact on your immune system by creating a bringing the white blood cells (aggregation) together to fight off infection and help you feel better faster.

These warm fluids can soothe a sore throat, nourish a cold or flu, and warm you up from the inside out!!

Need a recipe?  Click here for the best 24 hour ginger chicken soup this winter...

Myth #4:  Do you really need more sleep during the winter?

TRUE ~ Tired?  The bears like to hibernate at this time of year, and so should you!  You may still have to live out your daily obligations, but it is natural to curl up and snuggle up earlier than in the long summer days.  It is organic during winter to rest more and rejuvenate your life force so you are ready for a zestful spring and summer season.  

Weather or not you NEED more hours of sleep is questionable, but most of us enjoy earlier quiet winter nights and more down time to connect inward.

Myth #5:  Do we have to gain those extra few pounds in the winter?

TRUE ~ It is true that this is a common phenomenon.  We may not get outside as much, or move our bodies as often.  We tend to whole up at home more with food a plenty especially over the holidays.  Is that what you want for yourself?

TRUE.... but not necessary.  Following your hunger cues attentively, doing a New Years cleanse, and being sure to move your body regularly will prevent those winter pounds from creeping on.  

It takes a plan, some good routines, and personal commitment to health and radiance!  You CAN do it.

The Benefits of Broccoli

Who knew?? This super powered vegetable family (AKA - Brassica) is power packed with so many vital nutrients that specifically address so many health issues of our time.A few years ago (well, maybe more than a few) I went to an inspiring seminar with Dr. Robert Roundtree, author of "Conscious Health for Every Child", one of my parenting bibles. He is a health guru, MD, and holistic health expert.  He spoke about this very topic.  It was so informative and wise.  Once again, I was reminded how much food can truly be our medicine!

Brassica is not just any vegetable, it is a super powered veggie family that strikes up a health potency like no other.  Brassica is made up of veggies like kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts, watercress, radish, and even maca (a cousin of the well known radish).

They all have something in common.  That special Brassica ingredient, is a specialized molecule known in the supplement world as DIM (di-indol-3-carbinol) that is one of the best estrogen metabolizers out there.

DIM regulates hormones, balances out menopausal symptoms, PMS, and is a huge contributor to breast cancer prevention.

Dr. Robert Roundtree told us that day in the seminar that a recent study came out in the Journal for Americian Medicine.  This study stated that eating just 5 servings of the brassica family per week decreased the chances of breast cancer by 50%.  That is HUGE!!!

That means if you try to eat just something every day from the brassica family you are doing GREAT.  You are using food to contribute directly to your health and vitality.

You can throw a leaf or two into you smoothie as we mentioned in our last post - LIQUID LOVE.  You can steam up some broccoli for dinner, throw some radish into your salad, or get ready for some yummy brussel sprouts just in time for Thanksgiving.

We are going to HOOK YOU UP!!  Click the link below for the perfect fall brassica recipes.  Let me know if you need a little more brassica, and I can set you up with your very own DIM supplement.  Easy BREEZY.

Download your brassica recipes here

Have fun in the kitchen, and remember...

“The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.”   Michael Pollan

Good Morning Sunshine

It’s 6 am, and suddenly, the alarm clock pulls her out of an epic dream.  After hitting the snooze button several times, she decides to motivate, attack the grogginess and get ready for the day.  Staggering our of bed, the first thought that comes to mind is making a warm cup of brew before running out the door.

Breakfast, which may or may not happen, is something quick and easy, like a bowl of cereal, toast, or a self-proclaimed energy bar.

In less than a few hours, she feels tired and hungry again.  The cookie in the break room, or the scone at the coffee shop down the street, sounds appealing.  Before she can really think this through, she caves in and indulges in a sweet mid-morning snack.

By the time lunch rolls around, she's so hungry that she could eat a big Chipotle burrito.  She happily obliges this thought.  As mid-afternoon creeps by, she feels so run down and cranky that she can hardly stand it.  The second cup of joe isn’t an option, it’s a must - just to get her through the day.

Does this sound familiar ?  Many of us have been here, riding the blood sugar roller coaster day in and day out.  It all begins with the first meal of the day, also known as BREAKFAST.

The way we begin our day creates a foundation for how the rest of it unfolds.  If our first meal mainly consists of carbohydrates, without adequate protein and fat, then we’re bound to experience symptoms of high and low blood sugar thoughout the day.  Fortunately, we can direct our daily experiences in a healthy and mindful way by consuming a balanced breakfast.

The good news is that you can do this without much time or effort by simply making a LIQUID LOVE breakfast shake.

Why liquid love you ask?  Because you will LOVE your life oodles more when you see how good you feel!!!

Goodbye Mr. Coffee and toast, hello liquid green goddess of love!

You may think to yourself...why a shake instead of something more complete and whole like your favorite poached eggs, turkey bacon and sauted kale?  Well, if you can pull off a home cooked delightful breakfast on a week day, by all means GO FOR IT!  The problem is many of us are too rushed, feeding children, packing lunches, and sleeping until the last possible minute.

LIQUID LOVE may be the quickest and most complete option with the most super food and nutrient density ratios.

Studies show that if you start of your day on the RIGHT foot (ie low glycemic, high protein breakfast), you will eat 80% less sugar/carbohydrates throughout the day, and have a personal victory over your cravings in the late afternoon.

How does this sound to you??

Below we may have just the info you need.  Here is what LIQUID LOVE is are NOT:

They are NOT all fruit.

• They do NOT have a bunch of juice as the base.
• They do NOT taste chalky, grainy or horrible.
• They do NOT leave you feeling like you are still hungry, unsatiated or bored with breakfast.

Check out our easy to use GUIDE TO LIQUID LOVE SMOOTHIES for all the details you need to make a breakfast to change your life!

Get FRIENDLY with your FLORA

Today's question is:  ARE YOU FRIENDLY WITH YOUR FLORA?  How is your digestion?  Are you getting enough of those good little bacteria in your life? Probiotics might be a great answer for you.....

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria found in either cultured and fermented foods or in supplement form. When consumed, the benefits of this bacteria go above and beyond our gut, positively impacting our overall health.

Traditionally, people prepared and ate cultured and fermented foods on a regular basis to support intestinal and systemic function.

Since the advent of the industrial revolution, particularly in Western societies, this practice has almost vanished with more processed, devitalized food on our plates. As a result, our health has suffered with chronic disease and autoimmune conditions on the rise.

By implementing probiotics into your diet, you may be able to avoid ill health while living a longer, healthier and more vital life.

There are many benefits to friendly flora...here are a few of my favorites.

Modulates Immune Function 

Up to 80% of our immune system is located in our digestive tract, with probiotics being a key contributor. Beneficial flora has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic effects, keeping our immune systems in check.

Another bonus is their ability to detoxify and rid the body of heavy metals. Consider adding a probiotic supplement into your daily regimen to reap these immune supportive benefits.

Vitamin K Production

Probiotics provide fuel for intestinal cells, enhance healing of bowel tissue, and support healthy cell proliferation in the intestines. Vitamin K, also produced when beneficial bacteria feast on fiber, helps with calcium absorption and healthy blood clotting.

The next time you make your favorite bean dish, be sure to add some delicious cultured butter, whey or saurkraut to the mix to boost the probiotic count.

Protects the intestinal barrier

Beneficial bacteria create a protective layer on the lining of the intestines, preventing the bad bugs from sticking around and ensuring that our gut, as well as our body, stays healthy and strong. When we have a robust intestinal tract, we are more able to digest and absorb nutrients effectively, a strong contributor to optimal health. Consider substituting a glass of kefir in place of milk. You won't regret it.

When looking for a probiotic supplement be sure you look for one with different strains of good bacteria.  This will broaden the positive effect and enhance your digestion and health more effectively.

Start slow, if you find you are sensitive when starting to supplement, start with a smaller dose and build yourself up.  You can even start with a child size dosage if you like.

Let those Friendly Flora into your life!  Prepare for a strong and healthy winter, and feel better than ever. Below are our favorite probiotic rich foods that you can add into your diet with ease.  Check them out.

One easy way to help regulate my system is to consume foods rich in probiotics.  Literally, probiotics means “for life” and is the name given to the friendly intestinal microflora and beneficial bacteria that reside within all of us.

There are many enjoyable ways to increase your probiotic intake through food.  You may have even tried some without knowing it!

1)   Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is loaded with extra B vitamins and vitamin C.  Fermented cabbage offers more of an anti-carcinogenic effect than its raw or cooked relatives.  You can make it, you can buy it.  It is a great garnish for many dishes.  Add it to your meat and veggies, add it to your eggs and rice.  You can't go wrong with a little sauerkraut.  Raw is best of course.  Found in the refrigerator section at the health food store.

 2)   Kombucha

Kombucha is a popular healthful beverage made by fermenting teas.  It produces a refreshingly light, sparkling, sweet & sour drink with a fruity fragrance full of healthy acids and nutrients.  Many people have cut out alcohol and replaced their diet with Kombucha which naturally helps elevate feelings of energy and a sense of well-being.  There’s a new local start up called Zeel which offers a crafted tea blend that suits the rest of the ingredients, and the flavors merge together during the steep.  We recommend going easy on the dosage and sticking to 6 ounces or so at a time.  That means you can stretch those average bottles out over a couple of days.

3)   Yogurt

I’m sure you have heard it before on a commercial or two of the benefits of yogurt, an easy to find tasty treat.  Although the yogurt aisle can be deceiving, as different bacterias are added to the milk as part of the fermentation process.  Non-pasteurized plain yogurt is your best option.  Avoid the sugary low fat versions, and go for the whole milk, high bacteria count types.  Allergic to dairy?  Try the coconut yogurt variations (avialable at health food stores) for a great dairy free option.

4)   Microalgae

 This refers to super-food ocean-based plants such as spirulina, chorella, and blue-green algae.  These probiotic foods have been shown to increase the amount of both lactobacillus and bifidobacteria in the digestive tract.  They also offer the most amount of energetic return, per ounce, for the human system.  Sprinkle on your popcorn, add to your smoothies, garnish your grains with a little spirulina or chlorella or take as a supplement.

5)   Kimchi

An Asian form of pickled sauerkraut, kimchi can be extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage, typically served alongside meals in Korea.  Besides beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of beta-carotene, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C, B1 and B2.  Kimchi is one of the best probiotic foods you can add to your diet, assuming you can handle the heat.  Try local favorite Zuke at the next farmers market or at Shine Restaurant.

Gluten...Friend or Foe?

Most of you have heard of the gluten free movement by now. I am sure some of you have tried out this super trendy health regiment while others have shied away not knowing WHY this would be worth your time and efforts, or HOW you could ever survive without this food in your life. There are many questions when it comes to deciding if gluten free is for you. READ ON and you can make an informed decision if GLUTEN FREE LIVING is the right thing for you ~ the EATER.

Because the gluten free trend is so popular, many people are choosing to eat gluten free as a personal choice, not related to a specific allergy. Gluten is known to be an inflammatory food, and because it is found in SO MANY foods, including sauces, breads, Chinese food, grains, fried foods, salad dressings, and even soy sauce and tamari, it is often over eaten creating over exposure, inflammation and digestive distress.

Allergy, Intolerance and True Celiac Positive Tests

There are many ways to discover if you have a food allergy, food intolerance or a celiac positive situation. Having tested this on hundreds of patients using various methods, I must say that it seems critical to get your blood tested if you are seeking a scientific approach. When I administer a food allergy panel, the lab tests for fast reacting (food allergy), slow reacting (food intolerance) and celiac positive are all investigated.

This information is priceless. So often I see clients who are struggling with digestion, skin issues, chronic headaches, auto immune disease and many other issues and they are testing out the gluten free thing! Honestly, often it is NOT gluten that is the problem. So many times the results are surprising and even baffling with anything from almonds to eggs to dairy showing up and Negative gluten. WE CAN HELP! If you need this type of support simply reply to this email.

You can try to eliminate gluten for a month or so (100%) to see if you feel better and test it out in what we call the elimination/re-challenge method. You may see interesting symptoms appear, it may be as clear as day that gluten is a culprit to your health issues. This method requires a diligent removal of gluten so your body has a break from it completely. Follow up the elimination with a re-challenge so that you are confirming both the allergy and the symptoms related to the allergy.

If you do decide to go gluten free, there are many many resources available from on-line blogs and groups to on-line programs that educate you on cooking, food prep, menu-planning and product recommendations.

Gluten Free Resources Gluten-free-girl -We love Shauna! Who knew there were so many options! Gluten-free Goddesss -Karina takes really lovely photos of her gluten-free treats, and when we're looking for a gluten-free recipe, this is where we start. 101 Cookbooks -Heidi takes you on a journey through her writing, photography and recipes Oh she glows -Angela writes about her recovery in her relationship with food.  She is working on her first cookbook and shares inspirational, delicious, healthy recipes. Sprouted Kitchen - A whole foods focused blog by Sara with the intention of encouraging people to eat real foods. Elana's Pantry - Elana has written two books now on gluten-free baking, and her recipes always look fabulous!! Gluten Free Mommy - Natalie blogs healthy, family-friendly food with a gluten-free emphasis. A Gluten-Free Day - Emilia lives in Finland and posts recipes with photos that always make you want to cook and bake. Gluten-free or not, this is a must-read blog.

You can also seek the support of your nutritionist or health care practitioner. If this decision is RIGHT for you, find your support systems and build up your resources so you are set up for success.

Gluten free is not for everyone, but gluten AWARENESS is! Here are a few tips: Be sure you are not over eating refine carbohydrates and letting gluten infiltrate into every area of your diet ~ You CAN develop an allergy with over exposure of a food. Be sure you rotate your foods and eat primarily a plant based diet based in whole foods. If you are eating GLUTEN FREE, be aware of putting too many "GLUTEN FREE" products that are not whole food based into your diet. Use them sparingly so that your "go-to" are unrefined unprocessed foods.

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RASA ~ The Taste of Life!

 

How is the end of your summer?  Is your life delicious these days?  This is my favorite time of year, with the cooler nights and a lot of delicious summertime abundance in it's fullest explosion.  We get to taste life's fullness all round us.

The word RASA comes from the Sansrit language and is often translated into definitions such as “divine nectar”, “taste”, “essence”, or even “juice”. RASA includes many different flavors that we experience sparking the distinction between a sweet summer peach, a bulb of garlic and a cooling sour lemon.

Given your uniqueness and individuality you can determine the balance of RASA for your character while also balancing the flavors on your plate and your personal experience of life.  Customized RASA for feeling and flavor.

The Traditions Chinese Medicine regards each of the 5 flavors (bitter, salty, sweet, pungent and sour) as a dynamic representation, not only a specific geography of your tongue and palate but also a larger geography of your life in its constitution and balance.   Awakening to the taste of food and the taste of life can guide you to more mindfulness with meals and wakefulness with your own hunger for life.

With each of the 5 flavors take some time to investigate which flavors you are drawn to, such as the  ones you overeat, as well as the flavors you shy away from.  Practice balancing your plate with something from each flavor to come up with the perfect balance for you.  Within this balance, it is often noticed that we also balance out our own hunger cues, empower ourselves with our usual cravings and enhance our inner experience with our meals.

Sweet

Grains, milks, fruits, and nuts provide a whole body sweetness.  Sweetness is the most nourishing flavor, all the way from breast milk to a homemade desert.  Sweetness nourishes the body to the highest degree and sings to the heart’s strength and longevity.   This flavor is the most over eaten and out of balance in our culture.  Often people get all the way through lunchtime without any other flavor other than sweet on their plate. Sound familiar?

Salty

Salt, seaweed and cheeses deliver salt to the body.  Salt maintains electrolytes in the body while the salty flavor increases courage and fearlessness.

Pungent

Foods such as hot peppers, garlic and ginger diffuse pungent.  Pungent clears the sinuses and improves circulation. Pungent foods are known to increase passion and excitement ~ Oh Ya!!

Bitter

Bitter is experienced in foods like kale, spinach and chocolate.  Bitter foods purify and cleanse the body, especially the liver.  Bitter is the most lacking in the Western World's diet, even though bitter foods often offer the most health benefits and spiritual enhancement.

Sour

Citrus, green grapes, vinegars and pickles offer the sour flavor.  Sour is energizing and aids in digestion.  The sour flavor is known to increase spiritual fire and passion for life. Most of us would fancy a little more of that!

As you fine-tune your RASA you will wake up to a more sensual, descriptive and exciting experience with your relationship to food.  You have the opportunity to bring more attention and awareness to eating that will refines the senses and wake you up to the moment.  The taste of life and the true experience of food connect body with soul, and heart with mind.  Practice the art of a little more RASA and begin to taste your life to the fullest.

Enjoy the late summer days and nights, and bask in your own gratitude for life and all it's flavors.

Be a SUPER HERO in your own life!

Feeling our most energetic, powerful, and strong selves is what most of us are looking for. Our lives these days seem more full than ever before, and are demanding more attention, awareness, and multi-tasking then any other time in history to date. For example, the amount of mail we receive in a week has grown exponentially from the times when we would receive just a few letters in the mail, snail mail that was , when there was no email at all, to now where we literally skim through hundreds of mailings per day.

Many of us have a very full schedule, a busy home life with children and family, and a social life that is calling us to keep the pleasure meter rockin.

Here is the thing, I am a person who is looking for a way to give back in my own life on a global scale.  I seek to celebrate the small ways I serve my family and business while also giving back in the largest ways I can.

It takes a lot of energy to balance all we want and need to accomplish in our lives while still staying centered, balanced, and well fueled.

If you want to be a SUPER HERO in your own life, check out some of Boulder Nutrition’s favorite SUPER FOODS below. You will likely find more energy and SUPER POWER than you even knew you had with just a few of these specialized ingredients. These potent foods are most often right at your finger tips…check them out. You will be SO glad you did!

Boulder Nutrition's Top 10 Favorite SUPER FOODS

1.  RAW HONEY

“Bee-lieve” it, the benefits of raw honey rise above the myths of agave or your average wildflower honey.  Local, raw honey has higher nutrition value since it is not heated past 105 degrees and can assist in diminishing allergies.  If honey is raw it can scrub impurities from the body.  Raw honey is known for its anti-viral and anti-bacterial making is also a great immune booster. (Warning: Reports from Food Safety News groups have reported that three-fourths of the honey sold in U.S. grocery stores isn’t honey)

2.  KALE

A simple green packed with nutrients that can be prepared and enjoyed in thousands of ways.  Kale is a form of cabbage with green or purple leaves, in which the central leaves do not form a head.  Kale is high in Fiber and great for digestion.  Try adding it to your next smoothie or massaging it with sesame oil then sprinkling it with some almonds and diced peppers.  Often known as the most nutritious of all the veggies, give your kale a try - and a hug.

3.  DARK CHOCOLATE

Do you crave sweets like I do? Feel less guilty by indulging in a bite of dark chocolate.  The cacao bean contains more than 400 chemicals, and many of them affect human health.  Dark chocolate if rich of flavonoids and studies have shown antioxidant activity, endothelial function, lower blood pressure and assistance in blood clot formation. It is also known as a food to induce high amounts of pleasure.  Try a little...

4.  GOJI BERRIES

Goji berries have been used in India and around Asia for thousands of years to support sleep, energy, aging, vision, liver and kidney function.  These tasty and trendy little berries are life force inducing, easy to snack on, and one of the most potent berries found to date.  Mix them into trail mix, throw them on top of oatmeal, or just much away on there own for a sweet and sassy snack.

5.  TUMERIC

Super food, super spice. Turmeric ranked number 6 of the top 100 high ORAC value antioxidant foods.  Turmeric is a spice most commonly found in curry but it’s medical benefits are golden rich.  Some of the most amazing demonstrated properties include: destroying multi-drug resistant cancer, destroying cancer stem cells, protecting against radiation-induced damage, reducing unhealthy levels of inflammation, protecting against heavy metal toxicity and preventing and reversing Alzheimer’s disease associated pathologies.  Add tumeric to your food, take it as a supplement (commonly known as curcumin) or make it into a delicious tea.

6.  COCONUT

Coconuts are a wonder food on planet earth. Coconut is so important to stabilize blood sugar; lower cholesterol; hydrate; and even replace blood plasma in an emergency.  In ancient India, the coconut palm has been recognized as a top immune booster, antifungal, antibiotic, antiviral and antibacterial remedy for thousands of years.  Coconut oil, water, and milk can all be used as delicious ingredients to many dishes.

7.  CHIA SEEDS

Chia seed is highly nutritious, medicinal see that has been used for centuries for its beneficial properties. Chia was a staple for Incan, Mayan, and Aztec cultures. High in essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid, made up of 30% protein, Vitamins A, B, E, and D, and a wide array of trace minerals. Chia ia a wonderful addition to your snacks and meals.  Chia is filling, it has a fun texture, and it is a great way to increase your omega's with a plant based source of omega 3!  Add CHIA seeds to water, smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt for a little extra “CHI” in your life.

8.  BEET JUICE

Beetroot juice has recently been given recognition as one of the top recommended superfoods. The juice of this delicious root vegetable is rich in antioxidants and naturally occurring  healthy nitrates. When consumed, the body converts nitrates to nitric oxide, a compound that enhances blood flow in the vessels and helps lower blood pressure. Because of these beneficial attributes, beetroot juice can increase exercise performance and support heart health. Cheers to beetroot juice!

9.  MACA

Maca, a Peruvian superfood grown high in the Andes mountains, has been used for thousands of years by the Incas. Since maca is in the Brassicaceae family, it is related to the more commonly known root vegetables such as radish and turnip. Loaded with vitamins, minerals, protein, and phytonutrients, maca is purported to have a number of health benefits. These include increasing energy and stamina, balancing hormones, repairing adrenal function and enhancing sexual function. Ooh la la!

10.  LOVE

LOVE is the ultimate superfood. In our busy worlds, we are so often rushing through meals, disconnected from our food, it’s source and how it has landed on our plates. Learning to put love, reverence and intention into both the food as we eat it and our food as we prepare it makes a tangible difference in how your body assimilates the nutrients, and how your body metabolizes the food into energy.

Add some LOVE into your meals. Experiment! See how you feel when you have dinner with a loved one, or sit down on a lovely fall day in the park to enjoy your lunch. Light a candle while you cook, chant while you simmer your soups, and give thanks for the abundance you have on your plate.

Every other superfood pales in comparison to LOVE in your experience with food.  

Most of all LOVE your self with every bite.

The Best Skin Care of Your Life

Daily Skin Care in 3 Easy Steps From VASU Skin Solutions

The skincare industry is booming with products filling shelves in grocery stores, pharmacies, physician offices and even your local farmer’s market! It is easy to become confused, irritated and either purchase nothing at all or too many products doing the same thing. In the end, consumers often feel as if they do not know how to use any of their skincare products!

It is always recommended starting with a skin care analysis from a licensed aesthetician to determine your specific skin care needs. The aesthetician will discuss your primary skin care goals such as anti-aging, reducing pigment, wrinkle reduction, skin tightening, etc. The consultation sets the stage for obtaining information on each client’s lifestyle, eating habits and stress level. A formal skin analysis provides recommendations, products and treatments based on each client and their specific skin care needs.

For those of you who do not have the time for a skin consultation by a licensed aesthetician, please do not worry as I would love to share some of Vasu Skin Solutions’ skin care tips!

To begin with, let’s keep it easy and think in steps of 3! Three steps in the morning and three in the evening.

AM

1. I typically wash my face every morning with a mild cleanser.
2. In Colorado, I like to do as much as possible to protect my face from the sun’s harmful rays so, I always use some type of antioxidant such as a Vitamin C serum or lotion (depending on your skin type). Vitamin C contains potent antioxidant properties to protect cells from free radical damage.
3. The final step in the morning is to protect your skin by using SUNSCREEN. Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen should be an essential part of your skin care protocol. You can find moisturizing, tinted, non-oily, sunscreen almost anywhere. Find a sunscreen that you like and use it, every day!

PM

1. We beg you, always wash your face every evening! In the evening, I like to use an active cleanser which contains exfoliating properties such as Salicylic or Glycolic Acids (these are only a couple of examples). Exfoliating improves the texture and tone of your skin and speeds up your skins natural shedding process. Exfoliation also allows for the penetration of anti-aging products rather than sitting on the surface of your skin.
2. Now is the time to apply an anti-aging product for night time penetration! My favorite anti-aging treatments are products which contain some type of Retinols (basically Vitamin A, please note that products containing high concentrations of Vitamin A should not be used while pregnant or breast feeding - please talk with your physician).
3. Your last step is to moisturize!

These steps may seem daunting but try to keep it simple, 3 steps in the morning and 3 at night! In the morning cleanse, use an antioxidant and protect; in the evening cleanse, use anti-aging treatment and finish with a moisturizer! If you need further assistance or advice call Vasu Skin Solutions (720.470.4837) or email us at info@vasuskinsolutions.com and schedule your free skin consultation today!

Jennifer R Fisher, Owner, Vasu Skin Solutions, B.S., M.S., Certified Esthetician and Certified in Medical Aesthetic Laser/IPL.

When the SUN stands still in the SKY - Happy Solstice

Ever since I was a little girl, the summer solstice has been my most favorite day of the year.  Somehow the concept of the most light + the longest day of the year always inspired me.  Living in Canada as a child I remember camping in the Canadian Rockies where it would stay light until after 11pm.  It felt magical.  Today I still honor these prominent celestial holidays.

Along with the winter solstice, we have these two high holidays to mark what we came into the new year with back a few months ago, and how it is unfolding.  How are you continually manifesting the life you want, and where have we forgotten to focus or be diligent with (as all humans do)?  What seeds in your life were planted in the darkest nights of winter and are now growing into full bloom?

Awed by the great power of the sun, civilizations have for centuries celebrated the first day of summer otherwise known as the SUMMER SOLSTICE.  The Celts and Slavs celebrated the first day of summer with dancing and bonfires to help increase the sun's energy. The Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light.

SOL + STICE derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still."  As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.  I ask you this beautiful solstice day, to STAND STILL and pause to ask yourself the following questions:

1.  How am I living my potential?

We all know life is very precious.  What would it be like to be honoring and celebrating your life each and every day by living your calling?  When we live in the manner of passion and purpose, we have more energy and feel connected to an inner force within us driving us to our potential.  The life force with in us is flowing freely.  We are ignited in our own lives.

2.  Do I feel connected to the earth?

The seasons and the rhythms of nature have a bigger force on our own personal health and inner rhythms than we may realize.  Sometimes, rather than thinking of ourselves as living close to nature, (which is a wonderful way to think), I think of myself as being PART OF nature.  We ARE nature, therefore we are part of it's web.  Living with this in mind, especially on a day like today, the SUMMER SOLSTICE, we can match our rhythms and synchronize ourselves with the expansion of summer.  This can also lend itself to more life force, and an organic quality to how we move through life.  In the summer we are more expansive, active and move with a different pulse than the darkness of winter.  Sync yourself back up this SOLSTICE Day.

3.  Am I respecting myself?

One of the most important ways we can honor our health and well being is through self love.  This means we eat with self love, we think of ourselves with self love and we move in our world with self love.  When this is happening it is a lot easier to give love and act in a loving way towards others.  It starts from the inside out.  When we slow down and listen to our thoughts many of us are surprised at how critical and hard on ourselves we can be.  As the SOLSTICE is the lightest day of the year, I invite you to use it as an opportunity to bring in more light to your life.  Move towards loving thoughts, nourishing your body with love and staying in the light as much as possible.  YOU DESERVE IT!

Having practiced yoga for many years, I still bow to the sun every time I set foot on my yoga mat.  Today I bow, to the light in each of you.

Launch your Localicious Summer + Colorado Localicious Summer Guide

....and Learn 3 secrets that will change your relationship to food for good!

I know many of you have heard the term "localicious" before, the term referring to eating local + delicious.  Some of you may have even explored eating local, buying organic and upgrading your diet to a more healthful, and nutrient dense style.  What you may NOT have heard is how eating local can change your relationship to food and your body.

Here are a few specialized BOULDER NUTRITION secrets that will transform how you THINK about your food from here forward.

These 3 small do-able TWEAKS will transform your summer.

Start now...  REClAIM your health once and for all.

PLUS, click here and --> download your free LOCALICIOUS guide today and you will be ready to ROCK your summer ASAP!

1.  The Secret is in the SOURCE

Have you ever tried a recipe passed down from your mother's Italian grandmother, or made yourself a garden salad that you and your children planted seeds for on mothers day?  Better yet, have you ever watched your child pick carrots from the local community garden and then smack their lips and open their hearts in joy?  There is something very magical that happens when we connect with our food, the places it grows, and the love that goes into it.

There is no mistaking that a current lack of connection is a primary root cause to our countries health and obesity issues.  When we buy the majority of our food in vacuum sealed bags, large wholesale quantities, or eat fast food on the run - we lose the connection.

The food-heart connection is one secret that permeates many layers into your relationship with food.  This connection literally can shift OVER EATING, BINGING, and EMOTIONAL EATING patterns.  Eating local is a wonderful place to start.  When you sit down to a meal full of a heart connection to your plate, a totally different savoring occurs.  Just like the age old Italian grandmother's recipe, eating local allows us to treasure, enjoy and feel the love being passed down from our forks to our fondness.

2.  LOVE your Farmer, LOVE your self

The organic farmers of today remind me of good kings (or queens).  They rule the land with care, they nourish the people of the kingdom (community) and they ensure good health for all. Good kings ward off the evil villains (a.k.a. Monsanto) while protecting the lineage and age old traditions for generations to come.  Sound familiar?

Loving your farmer provides a vital link between eaters and the importance of protecting our precious farmland.  Loving your farmer directly translates into self love with every bite of fresh local food that nourishes you directly down to a cellular level.  Famers love support from the local community and YOU feel supported by your own health choices.

3.  Eating for a GREATER CAUSE

Just like anything we do, when we do it in service, it juices us up and raises our vibration.  Running a race for a cause, buying concert tickets to raise money for a global mission, or eating to support the health of our communities raises the COLLECTIVE vibration.  When every bite has meaning and passion, we then have more pleasure and gusto with our food.  Truthfully, it is more ETHICAL to eat locally.  In addition to being fresher and riper, the food hasn’t cost an ecological fortune in fossil fuels coming across the continent.  We are making an impact with our food choice for a happier planet.  Eating for a greater cause changes the dynamic between you and your plate.

YOU can do this!  The Free Download-localicious summer guide will help you to navigate your recipe book, cruise your kitchen, the local section of the grocery store and local farmers' markets with confidence.  Make this summer a localicious movement that changes your health and relationship to every bite.

GMO Roulette ~ With Expert Tips to GMO-Free Shopping

With the March against Monsanto going on world wide, and the day-to-day political, and health and wellness choices we continually face at this time in the world, I thought it was particularly important to share some facts, tips and check in with you about what is REALLY going on with GMOs. We spend our dollars on food for ourselves and our families each week, but do we know where we are putting our money, do we know what we are actually buying?     

The GMO current situation may be one of the biggest challenges of our time and we are being called to become aware, to educate, and to act in what each of us consider a mindful way navigating this GMO roulette.

Today we are going to explore what is currently happening and what YOU (and I) can do to take action, protect and be wise navigating around this potential health disaster.

Stay tuned, as this information is critical to share! Also, to give you a little hand holding, we created a guide to the grocery store, our handy grocery store tips to avoid/bring awareness to GMO free food.  Hungry for Change ~ NON-GMO shopping guide

What is a GMO?

GMO foods are the product of a high tech cell invasion that uses bacteria and viruses to forcefully break a cell's natural defenses to allow genetic material to enter and create the genetically modified food.  Genetic mutations can permanently turn genes “on” or “off”.Virtually all commercial GMO foods are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.  Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights.

What are the impacts of GMOs on the environment?

Over 80% of all GMOs grown worldwide are engineered for herbicide tolerance. As a result, use of toxic herbicides like Roundup has increased 15 times since GMOs were introduced. GMO crops are also responsible for the emergence of “super weeds” and “super bugs" which can only be killed with ever more toxic poisons like 2-4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange).  GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture, and are developed and sold by the world’s biggest chemical companies. The long-term impacts of GMOs are unknown, and once released into the environment these novel organisms cannot be recalled.

How do GMOs affect farmers?


Because GMOs are novel life forms, biotechnology companies have been able to obtain patents with which to restrict their use. As a result, the companies that make GMOs now have the power to sue farmers whose fields are contaminated with GMOs, even when it is the result of inevitable drift from neighboring fields. GMOs therefore pose a serious threat to farmer sovereignty and to the national food security of any country where they are grown, including the United States.

Who is MONSANTO?

Monsanto is a global agricultural biotech company – mostly know for genetically engineered seeds.  Monsanto has become the center stage for the destruction of our seeds, our diversity, our food and our freedom.  Upheld by the supreme crt, Monsanto protection act making it immune from protecting diversity and contamination.

The only way consumers are going to win this crisis is if the mainstream demands to know what is in our food.  Labeling is important!!  That is the main goal of the march against Monsanto.

The non-GMO project

Thanks to the non-GMO project we are still (but maybe not for long) able to see which products are non-GMO.  The GMO free verification seal indicates that the product bearing the seal has gone through a strict verification process. The verification is an assurance that a product has been produced according to consensus-based best practices for GMO avoidance.

Hungry for Change ~ NON-GMO shopping guide

This is critical information of our time!  It is important to act, not just upon our health, but also upon our freedom. Our freedom to choose is something we often take for granted, and in the Monsanto Protection Act and the GMO movement in general, we are seeing this right slip away.  Making small changes in how you shop, what you eat, and where your dollars go is a great place to start.

Bring Home the Juicer- Expert tips about Juicers

Juicing is a great way to cleanse your body and your mind so don't let buying a juicer stress you out or slow you down.  I don't think there is a "best" juicer on the market but I can give you a few tips so you can decide which fits your needs.  I prefer and use almost all the Breville products.

• Best Overall- Breville Juice Fountain multi-speed: Select from five speeds to handle everything from delicate fruits to crispy vegetables.  This high powered juicer is easy and clean up and produces juice very quickly not to mention it's good looking stainless steel body.  SShhh...It's on sale now at William & Sonoma 

• Best Budget- L'Equip mini pulp ejector: This is a wide mouth juicer that gives you delicious juices quickly.  It is convenient and easy to use.  L'equip mini pulp ejector is available at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond.

• Best Versatile- Omega: Although this juicer looks scary it is very versatile and great for juicing vegetables.  It's low speed retains the highest nutritional value of the vegetables and can be used to make nut butters and other fun snacks.

• The Ultimate Guru - Vitamix: This is a high-end commercial blender that can be used to make fantastic juices, smoothies and soups very quickly and well the truth is this is the easiest to clean up.  Sometimes I will use the vitamix then run it through the juicer for a cleaner, smoother, taste.  You can save 20% off by using the Bed Bath & Beyond Coupon. Visit https://secure.vitamix.com/ for purchase details.

If this is your first go with a home juicer, I recommend starting with a centrifugal juicer such as the Breville.  It can handle a majority of fruits and vegetables in a quick amount of time and easy to clean up.  Have fun juicing, and finding your health and vitality right in your own kitchen.

Special Gift ~ Juicing Recipes to try ~  Get Juicy with Boulder Nutrition

Happy Spring!

Foodism for the Health Food Junkie

5 Tips for the Health Food Junkie

1.  Start by shopping the perimeter of the store looking for the most beautiful and local produce you can find.  This will inspire you creatively and connect you back to seasonal eating, and rhythms of nature.  The more connection we have with the food we cook, the more intuitive and wise we are with our eating.  Stock up your house with some fresh exciting ingredients that you want to explore.
2.  Check out the local farmers markets in the surrounding areas to where you live.  Talk to the farmers, try different ingredients, and trust that this connection back to nature and your farming community will heighten the vibration you bring to your table for you and your family.  Feel free to include some local wines, fresh cheeses, and of course vibrant produce.

   

3. Search out the Farm to Table organic restaurants in your town.  These restaurants define themselves by bringing you the best and most fresh nutrient dense ingredients, organic meats, and local delicacies.  You will be blown away by how these top quality ingredients can cultivate a palate explosion, fit for any foodie!
4. Download, google, and find the best recipe apps that will inspire your home cooking.  We are the generation of information, and there are so many websites, you tube videos, and sources that can hold your hand in your culinary adventures.  Pick a day each week to try something new. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Locavore

 As soon as you start this app, it finds your location and displays a list of local fruits and vegetables currently in season (and what’s coming up soon).

It also incorporates a farmer’s market finder, which quickly found several locations near home. Oh, and when you eat locally you can use Locavore to share on Facebook, and show off just how awesome (you think) you are.

Free

• Harvest – Select the Best Produce

 With a simple yet attractive interface, the Harvest Produce Guide shows you how to select and store your fruits and vegetables. It also indicates a typical “pesicide load,” so you can see at a glance which foods are most important to buy organic.

$1.99

• Seasons

 Seasons covers fruits, vegetables, lettuces, herbs, mushrooms, and nuts. It support the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Western and Central Europe. It lets you search by “local” and “imported” season. It also includes an international Farmers’ Market finder, which makes this app perfect for the traveling local foodie.

$1.99

       5.  Finally, have a little fun.  Invite some friends over to share cooking projects, host a potluck, a recipe party, or a localicious dinner adventure and dive into the courageous adventurous part of your personality. When we step out of your comfort zone, brilliant things can happen.  It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it sure can spark something new in you!

Soup-ER Winter Warming

I don’t know why but I love health food stores….It’s not the smell or the plethora of people but something about all that good fresh food stimulates my creativity and my taste buds.   My mind races as it goes back and fourth and looks for ways be both economical, while still focusing on the importance of eating organic, local, and most importantly, seasonal foods. So as I was walking through the produce jungle,  I slowly turned toward the organic winter veggies.  Some of the most power packed foods around! One common quality in winter veggies is their strong and often bitter or pungent flavor. Often with veggies like beets or brussel sprouts ­– you either love them or you hate them. One of the most delicious to please the palate with winter veggies is with a warming, flavorful soup, customized right to your taste buds.

Experiment with root vegetables, tubers, spices, and milk substitutes (like coconut or almond) and stay nourished and cozy this winter. Some suggestions of veggies to try include:

• Parsnips: Similar to carrots and other members of apiaceae family vegetables, the white carrot ­­– parsnip too contains many poly-acetylene anti-oxidants such as falcarinol, falcarindiol, and panaxydiol.

• Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes contain iron. Most people are aware that we need the mineral iron to have adequate energy, but iron plays other important roles in our body, including red and white blood cell production, resistance to stress, proper im­mune functioning, and the metabolizing of protein, among other things.

• Butternut Squash: Like all members of the gourd family (which includes pumpkin, melon, and cucumber), butternut squash is technically a fruit because it contains seeds. Cut into its pale, yellow-beige hard skin, though, and you’ll discover a vibrant flesh that’s much denser than that of its relatives.

• Garlic: Research has shown that garlic is an effective immune stimulant and when you exercise aerobically and consume garlic in your diet, clinical trials has shown garlic increases the quality, quantity, and killing power of natural immuninty power food tenfold! This certainly is reason enough make garlic from part of your regular diet from the beginning to the end of flu season.

• Oregano: Oregano contains thymol and carvacrol, two oils that have remarkable bacteria-fighting power.  Delicious in many winter soups and stews.

Want to make it more of a complete meal add a cup of cooked quinoa and garnish with your favorite yogurt or seeds.

Vegan Carrot & Parsnip Soup 

Cook time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 carrots, peel and cut into ½ - inch rounds
• 3 parsnips, peel and cut into ½ - inch rounds
• 1 shallot, quartered
• 3 cups veggie stock (extra to blend, if necessary)
• ½ cup cashew butter
• 2-3 tbs. olive oil (or oil specific to your dosha)
• 1 tbs. apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• ¼ tsp. black ground pepper
• ¼ tsp. fresh ginger
• ¼ tsp. fresh garlic

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Place the diced carrots, parsnips, garlic and shallots on a lined baking sheet in as even a layer as possible.  Drizzle with the oil.  Combine the salt, pepper, and ginger and sprinkle over everything.  Roast for 30-45 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
2. Place the roasted vegetables in a food processor, blender or immersion blender and add in stock, cashew butter and apple cider vinegar.  Puree the vegetables, adding additional stock, until desired consistency is reached.  Pour into a pot and heat through, adjusting seasonings as needed.  Serves 3-4, Can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in a sealable container in the fridge or freezer.

Guest Blogger : Danielle Kirschner, Boulder Nutrition

Joy to You

The holiday season is upon us often wrought with busier-than-ever schedules, endless to-do lists, and one get together after another.  For many,  the holidays challenge us by finding delicious, rich, waist-expanding foods at our fingertips.  It’s easy to see how the many folks gain a few pounds and get a little stressed out. Fortunately, there are practices we can try to remain grounded and not only “get through” the holidays but find true joy the spirit of the season.  This holiday remember you get to choose!  Most importantly- take some time and practice self-care, rest, introspection, and try some Boulder Nutrition practices:

 Mindful Eating:

To understand mindful eating, we must first understand mindfulness.  Through awareness, we bring our attention to the breath and to the present moment.  Try to pay attention- physically, mentally, and emotionally.  When we find our own personal connection to our food we tend to stay more connected to our bodily cues and intuition.  Try to spend time cooking with others, use simple recipes with bright flavors that are seasonal, warming and grounding.  When you sit down to enjoy your food, eat slowly and mindfully, chew your food, breath, and stay aware of bodily sensations – especially in your stomach.

Love your self - Listen to your body

Reverence - enjoy what you have.

Mindfulness- Consume healthy foods

Move your body:

I just read a post on facebook, “if you have time to be on facebook, you have time to do yoga or exercise” and I couldn’t agree more!  Whether you have time for a few rounds of sun salutations, a quick walk around the neighborhood, or a full trip to the health club or yoga studio, find a little time to move!

Here come the darkest, most magical nights...and the birth of a new year.  As you explore your deepest self this winter, find celebration in the marriage of the awareness in your body and mind.  Remember that awareness brings back life and rejuvenates the body.   Open to more light from within then ever before and share that light with gusto and brilliance with others.

How Sweet It Is

Living in a culture bombarded with sugar and processed food is a challenge to any parent working towards raising healthy children. It is around every corner, every aisle, at every birthday party, and in almost every grandmother’s purse. How can we satisfy our children while still providing healthy choices? The most popular flavor kids want in today’s world is sweet, sweet, sweet. The sweet flavor has developed a bad reputation because of all the refined sweet treats that sneak into our daily snacks, breakfast cereals, and even peanut butters and tomato sauce. Actually, a balance of sweet with all the other flavors: bitter, sour, pungent and salty, is important to bring balance to the individual. The full sweet flavor, when in balance, is a harmonizing and relaxing food.  Sweet is the flavor of the earth element, according to traditional Chinese medicine, and is also associated with the nurturing mother energy found in most of our very first foods, out own mothers breast milk. Sweetness is Earth’s taste, and when it is out of balance we will crave sweet things, because natural sweetness is what feeds and nourishes the Earth element in each of us. Therefore, when we eat balanced sweet foods, such as succulent fruits, brown rice, or oatmeal, we are getting a more balanced flavor that is very nourishing to both the palate and to our internal energetics.

On the other hand, table sugar requires extra effort to digest because it lacks vitamins, minerals and fiber.  The typical processing of sugar strips necessary nutrients, so our body depletes its own store of minerals and enzymes to absorb it properly. Sugar is hence described as empty calories. Instead of providing the body with nutrition, sugar causes a deficiency. One great way to monitor the ways to balance our sweet tooth is through the glycemic index ratings of food. The glycemic index is a ranking of foods based on their immediate effect on blood sugar levels.  Carbohydrate and sugars that breakdown quickly during digestion have the highest glycemic indexes. They create a blood sugar response is fast and high. Carbohydrates and sugars that breakdown slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the bloodstream, have low glycemic indexes.

Refined sugar has the highest gylcemic index on the chart. Children (and parents too) react to white sugar like a drug. They often experiencing a fast “high” followed by a crash of some kind, usually feeling tired, hungry and/or emotional. If you notice this type of pattern in your child, check into the time of day and see if you can see any specific pattern around sugar or high glycemic carbohydrates. For example if your child eats a pop-tart for breakfast, how are they feeling an hour to an hour and a half later? Do they have a hard time focusing in school, do they act out, are they tired and lethargic, moody and irritable? These could all be symptoms of blood sugar crashes that could easily be remedied by some simple changes in diet.

Even foods like potatoes, refined honey and some fruits have a relatively high glycemic index. When we are working to balance our childrens' diet throughout the day, it is important to monitor what type of sweet foods they may be enjoying. Choose sweeteners such as rice syrup, agave syrup, maple syrup, or xylitol for teas, baking, sweet toppings etc. These varieties digest slower, and are therefore lower on the glycemic index scale and are considered more of a “full sweet” flavor.

High GlycemicFoods

>65 GI: These are foods that have 4 or more times the amount of sugar (grams) as fiber (grams).

Sugar White Rice Soda White Potato Dried Cereal Juice (non-diluted)

Moderate Glycemic Foods

45-65 GI: These foods have no more than 3 times the amount of sugar (grams) as fiber (grams).

Brown Rice Sweet Potato Raw Honey Maple Syrup

Low Glycemic Foods

<45 GI: These foods have sugar (grams) and fiber(grams) equal to each other.

Apple Agave Syrup Animal protein Oatmeal (steal cut) Beware of breakfast cereals, as well as yogurts, salad dressing, and juice drinks, all often containing straight up sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or even artificial sweeteners.

It may sound overwhelming to be shifting your lifestyle to a more health conscious one, especially with children in the picture, but keep in mind, new habits can form quickly and easily and I am not suggesting we deprive our children of sweet flavors, but more simply, upgrade the quality and the combination of how we eat our food.

Here are some simple suggestions:

• In any given recipe, substitute a more natural sweetener in place of a refined sugar. Most of the time 1:1ratio will work just fine. • Read ingredients carefully and purchase foods with healthier sweeteners. Avoid white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners. • Keep empty sweets (i.e.sugar) out of the house so children (and parents!) are not tempted. • Model for your children. Eat healthier more balanced foods yourself, and the ripple effect will flow down to the children. Talk to your children about healthy food choices, food groups,and choosing higher quality sweets. • Feed your children a low glycemic breakfast that contains a healthy serving of protein. Studies show that this will curb sugar cravings through out the day, and children will crave up to 80% less sugar/refined carbohydrates.

If your child is craving sugar all the time there may be a couple of reasons. Firstly, they may be addicted. Their blood sugar looks something like a roller coaster and their bodies are expecting the next sugar spike to bring them back up. Secondly, when there is a constant craving for sweets, the body may be protein deficient. When the body has all the different food groups in balance, and the blood sugar is stable, sweet cravings should not be overwhelming.

Remember, the best form of sweetness we can give our children is the sweetness from the heart!