Feel Inspired....

....to do something healthy today. Eat something GREEN. Maybe you are someone who cannot stand the taste of those beneficial leafy greens. Don't worry, there are many that do not find greens palatable. However, I find that it is essential to eat greens on a daily basis. Pay not attention to the "man behind the curtain" who says to eat greens only 2 x's weekly. Here is a simply way of adding greens to the diet: Green smoothies. Some people feel as if they are getting their greens through juicing, however, juicing takes the fiber out of the green. Don't get me wrong juicing greens is a good thing, BUT do not rely on this process as your primary method of putting greens into the diet. So back to the smoothie conversation, try a simple recipe such as this to start.

1 banana
1/2 pineapple
2 cups of spinach, kale or other leafy greens
ice

Blend it up and there you go!

Why must we eat greens? Here are a few of the benefits:

• Greens are alkalinizing. Many foods that the general population consumes are very acidic. A highly acidic environment in the body can lead to health issues. Greens can help balance and neutralize the body's pH.
• The chlorophyll found in greens acts as a blood detoxifier.
• Raw greens are powerhouses of nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants.
• Greens are perhaps the most concentrated source of nutrients. (calorie for calorie)
• Greens boost the immune system.

These are among many of the benefits. For more information, I recommend the book, Green for Life by raw foodist, Victoria Boutenko. Victoria Boutenko dramatically changed her health and the health of her entire family through raw foods and green smoothies. I encourage you to explore the Boutenko family's youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BoutenkoFilms#g/u as well as their website: http://www.rawfamily.com/

What is the Inland Empire CSA?

CSA

Well, I finally joined the Inland Empire CSA and received my first box last week. (If you are not exactly sure what a CSA is, see the video posted above.) I set my pick-up location for Pizza Fusion in Temecula on Thursdays. However, when I arrived to pick up my box, it was not there. I contacted Gary who handles new members/paper work, etc and I received a phone call on Friday morning. To make up for the upset, the box was delivered to my home that afternoon. You have the choice of ordering either a full share or a half share. I ordered the full share and was greatly impressed with the amount of produce in the box. It was so extremely fresh with so many lovely winter greens. I was familiar with everything in the box but with the large amount of food, it was a good opportunity for my family to try some new veggies and greens. I try to be an example to my husband and children and although they don't eat everything that I eat, they are in the process of becoming more open to foods such as greens. That night I made a yummy asian cuisine for them which included lightly sautéed baby bok choi. I am so glad that I finally joined as I am forced to eat my least favorite but extremely healthy veggie: beets. I am well aware of the benefits of these beautifully colored roots but the taste for me is not one of the benefits. I have been juicing these little beauties and what do you know….I am becoming somewhat accustomed to their taste. All in all, this is going to be beneficial for all of us. Not only will it benefit our family, but there are other benefits to our membership. By becoming a member, you are dramatically reducing your carbon footprint. Food often travels a great distance to make it to your local grocer. The two farms that provide for this CSA are local to this area. The food is also organic and sustainably farmed. The soil is not being polluting with chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides and therefore the food is much healthier as it provides more nutrients than commercially produced food. In addition, the food is extremely fresh, often picked the day of delivery. You are also supporting small family farms. As more and more small farms are losing out to 'agribusiness', joining a CSA is great way to support a family farm. You will have the opportunity to try new foods that you are not familiar with. I also find that this is also a good choice economically. I don't think I would be able to get the same amount of organic food that I am receiving in my box for the same amount of money. So check out the photos of my first box. If you are interested in joining, you can follow the link the Inland Empire CSA which will provide you with additional information. http://www.inlandempirecsa.com/index.html

Morning Glory

I just wanted to share with you an amazing smoothie that has energized me today beyond belief. I was just playing in the kitchen and here is what I came up with:

1/4 honeydew melon
1/2 fresh pineapple
1 kiwi
1 banana
4 large leaves of swiss chard
6-8 oz water
ice

This makes a large amount and can be split between two people if desired.

Blend together and enjoy. These flavors meshed really well together and the light green color was beyond beautiful!

Do Something Beautiful Today...

Do something for you today. Begin to take those baby steps towards a more beautified and healthier you. When you take care of yourself, you can better care for those you love.

Here is a list of baby steps that you can take TODAY so that you may walk or even run towards the healthiest and most beautiful version of you.

1. Go to a fitness class.

2. Go for a walk.

3. Paint your toenails.

4. Make a green smoothie.

5. Journal.

6. Begin a good book.

7. Take a warm bath.

8. Enjoy a few minutes, even just 5 minutes, of the yoga resting posture, savasana. Lay on your back, close your eyes and just let go!

9. Talk to yourself. Say positive things about you.

10. Make a juice with fresh veggies or fruits.

Once you have completed a task or two, be inspired to set a few long term goals. I think one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family is moving towards healthier and cleaner eating habits. Make a decision to eat locally and more organic foods. Even if you only switch to eating organic apples, make that commitment today. Being more mindful of honoring yourself by taking the best possible care of you (for your family)is the best decision that you can make.

With love. :)

LIVE, THRIVE and INSPIRE

Just as I talked about in my previous post, I am embarking on a cleanse. However, I am taking a slightly different route than I had first anticipated. I was planning on doing the raw food cleanse. After purchasing Rainbeau Mars' DVD, Ra'Yoka, I decided to follow her recommended cleanse in the booklet that came with the DVD. The booklet does not lay out a super detailed plan. Rainbeau actually offers support and a more detailed plan but this comes with a fee. I felt inclined to embark on this one on my own. The first week, which for me was last week, is basically eating very clean and not much different than my typical diet- vegan, unprocessed whole foods. This worked well for me as I had those few splurge days over the holidays. It is amazing how quickly your body can respond to the addictive nature of sugar and bad fat. I just kept thinking about eating and that just wasn't healthy. Week 1 helped me to refocus and essentially by eating just as I should, the cravings subsided. I am now in the midst of week 2: all raw. I feel amazing but of course everything that is cooked looks so good to me. I know that this too shall pass as I dig deeper. I was fortunate enough to purchase a vitamix last week so this has been helpful in making the smoothest and tastiest smoothies and raw soups. Next week is week 3 and I will go on a one week smoothie and juice fast....one day will be fasting on watermelon only. This is the week that counts as you would begin to rest your digestive system and put more energy into ridding the body of harmful toxins as well as healing both physically and emotionally.

Someone asked me the other day, "why do you feel you need to detox if you already eat so healthy, did you do something bad?" It is not so much the food but there are other things that we need to detox from. There are toxins in the environment that we are exposed to. Aside from that, this time can be used to emotionally detox and release feelings of regret, grudges, self-loathing among other feelings that are harmful to a person. We learn to forgive ourselves and others of harmful but unchangeable events of the past. Depending on each individual, we all detox on our own level. For me, the harmful (for me) indulgences that I embarked upon over the holidays taught me a lesson. I am learning again to indulge on a healthy level. We must indulge daily in all things that are healthy and beautiful. This is thriving. We must learn to thrive instead of merely existing. By doing so, we will let our inner beauty shine through to our physical existence. By cleaning out the insides both emotionally and physically, we let our beauty and creativity radiate. It is my hope that by cleansing and detoxing, I can experience both the emotional freedom and happiness and the physical effects like healthy glowing skin and more energy. When we get rid of what is hindering us both physically and emotionally, we can begin to LIVE, THRIVE and INSPIRE. Imagine what the world would be like if we all existed to experience life to the fullest and inspire others to be their greatest...

New Year: New Realizations: New Goals

Happy Holidays! With the craziness of the season, I have taken a break from the blogging aspect of my life. As Christmas has come and gone and the new year is upon us, I feel the need to free my mind and body from excess clutter and to reconnect with what is pure and life sustaining. I have definitely come to some realizations over the past few weeks and have decided upon some goals for the New Year to come.

What I have realized:

If I made a list of what I have come to realize in 2010, this post would be way too long. Instead, I will narrow my "epiphanies" (so to speak) to the last few weeks.

-Saving yourself for that one or two days of holiday binging is not worth the effects it has on the body.

-I function better as a person on whole raw unprocessed foods.

-Christmas is about giving, love and family- not about how many gifts are under the tree. It is about being receptive to a need that a loved one may have and complying to that need.

-No matter what comes your way, remember to breathe. It is the essence of life. When we breathe deeply, we rid ourselves of that which is stale and unnecessary in our lives and we have the opportunity to give ourselves that which is fresh and clean.

-2010 was a year of many realizations. I have made new space in many aspects of my life for growth.

So there you have it. Yes, it's a bit random.

After looking back at my goals 1 year ago, I am so glad to say that I have completed every one of them. I have a good feeling about 2011. Here are my goals:

-I will start the year with a 14 day cleanse and will finish up January by eating 100% raw and continuing with at least 80% raw. I was eating 80-90% raw up until the week before Christmas. Christmas Day was quite a discovery for me. I typically bake a ton of goodies at Christmas. I limited my baking to the day before Christmas this year and made a minimal amount. However, Christmas day came around and I literally pigged out. I am totally ashamed to admit it. I ate so many things that I normally do not ever touch....chips, ranch dressing, cookies, cheesecake, candy. This was a huge mistake....especially the dairy. I haven't touched a piece of meat in a year and a half and I do not struggle with it. When it comes to holidays and dairy, I break. Never again. The day after Christmas opened my eyes. I had the worst food reaction ever. My nose was running. I was sneezing repeatedly. My digestion was way off and I had the worst headache ever. I was tired. It is because of this occurance that I have chosen this goal.

-I want to grow and expand my business. It has been a great few months working with women on weight loss, strength, and endurance. It has been a pleasure introducing them to the wonderful benefits of yoga. I have added some great options to my menu of fitness activities. I have scheduled two morning retreats that include hiking, yoga and lunch. I hope to add motivational guest speakers to the retreats as participants gain interest. I have also added personal training and am excited to continue to help and inspire others this year.

-Join a CSA. A CSA is community supported agriculture in which you pre-pay for a share of fresh local organic produce to be picked up weekly. I have talked about it and thought about it for a long time now and am ready to join in. I feel this is one of the best ways to continue my support of small local farms.


These are my goals for health fitness and community. I hope that by stating my goals, I can begin to inspire others to unleash the power they posses within to do.

"I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do." -Leonardo da Vinci