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Showing posts with label adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adventure. Show all posts
7.17.2013
Your Complete* Summer Fest Survival Guide! + Recipe for Yummy Ballz
It's about that time folks... the thick smell of burgers, sweat, spilled PBR and sweet sweet music is in the air and you're ready for the ride. You’ve been waiting for this all year… You’ve strapped your gear on: Fanny pack. Check. Sneakers. Check. Camelbak. Duh.
You know what I’m talkin about.
The long awaited SUMMER FESTS ARE HERE.
Whether it’s a low key neighborhood street fest, or music
marathon Lollapalooza, staying on point with your healthy habits can be *ahem*
“challenging” to say the least. Translation: You’re ready to say F*CK OFF GREEN
JUICE AND KALE, HELLOOO SUMMER ALES AND SAUSAGES.
You might be thinking –
“Venessa, do you honestly expect us to be health angels right smack in the
middle of hedonistic summer?!”
To which I reply: Of course not! Not without some sharp ass
tools in your belt and a survival guide to help a sister out!
Enter:
Your Complete* Summer Fest Survival Guide
*Raft not included
Let's be honest. One of the biggest challenges for healthy hustlers out there
is BOOZE. It’s everywhere. It looks fun. It makes you feel loosey goosey and
perhaps gives you that liquid courage to dance on stage.
Which brings me to survival tip Numero Uno:
Stay Hydrated with your Liquid Assets. The replenishing
kind.
Who says you need alcohol for fun? Ok, maybe a lot
of people. But here’s what I’ve found… I often go to concerts or dancing at
bars and have no alcoholic beverages at all (gasp!) and ya know what? Not only
do I feel GREAT late night and can keep going for hours, but I also feel
amazing the next day too! No hangover, achiness, digestive issues or bloat to
boot.
You might be saying to yourself – look V… this may be easy for YOU but I
like my boozin’, thank you very much.
To this, I say SHALANGE (That’s “challenge”
in a “French” accent): I challenge you to go out to that fest/concert/party and
abstain from alcohol at least once. Push yourself to be just as social, fun
loving and carefree. You just might surprise yourself (and you won’t lose hours
of your life the day after ;)
 |
| Me at Lolla, The Strokes |
Here’s the low down on what alcohol does to your body
(especially in HEAT):
Those hot summer days cause quick fluid loss through sweating,
while alcohol causes fluid loss through increased urination. Together, they =
fast dehydration or heat stroke. No es bueno.
Did you know that 1 out of 2 water recreation deaths
(swimming, boating, etc) of teens and adults involves the use of alcohol?? I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer, but please be safe and
know your limits!
Alas, I’m a realist and understand that alcohol is not the
root of all evil and can often times be a pleasure. So if you MUST drink yer
alcoholic beverages, please, FOR THE LOVE OF LOLLA, eat food when you drink and
down those replenishing liquid assets such as WATER and COCONUT WATER. So for
every alcoholic beverage you consume, drink 2 NON alcoholic beverages
(preferably water).
Here’s a quick tip – anytime you’re feeling like your
electrolyte balance is off, instead of reaching for the Gatorade, grab a
coconut water. It has tons of electrolytes & potassium and none of the
gross additives like high fructose corn syrup.
So fill up that Camelbak with
some coconut love. And if you can’t find coconut water near you, throw some sea
salt into your water for an electrolyte booster.
Survival tip #2
Prep like you’re going on vacation.
If you’re looking to avoid tempting carni food and
drinks, then it is essential that you prepare in advance, packing delicious
snacks and eating a yummy well-balanced meal before you head out. You can even
pack up a healthy high water content meal such as a Superfood Salad in a
Jar with bombass dressing. Or bring along some Power Protein Ballz (see recipe at
the bottom of this article) and plenty of kale chips or trail mix to munch on.
If you can, check out the vendor list BEFORE you go to the fest or concert and
plan to make a bee-line straight to those that are pre-approved. If no food
vendors are lookin that good, then how about cafes, restaurants or shops in the
area? There are ALWAYS options. Utilize your Yelp or Google Maps apps if you’re
in search.
Survival tip #3
Enlist a partner in crime.
It’s tough out there when you’re a lone healthy ranger.
Having a buddy to join you in on the extravaganza is key – you can both hold each
other accountable and support one another in making good choices (which can
often times go out the window when you’re in the midst of street fare fun all by yourself).
It
feels really good to know someone’s got your back and that you’re not alone. So
reach out and grab someone (besides that crowd surfer).
Survival tip #4
Pick ‘n Choose Wisely
There are a LOT of summer fun activities out there… if you
know you have a problem saying no to bacon, THEN DON’T GO TO BACON FEST. If you
are really trying to stay away from drinking, THEN DON’T GO TO THAT BEER FEST.
Easy peasy right? Wrong… when we experience weakness in certain areas of our
wellness journey, then it’s hard as hell to stay away from our addictions!
Try
this:
- Make a list of all the awesome summer activities you’d like to partake in.
- Cross off the ones where you KNOW you’ll have a very hard time saying no.
- Then fill those slots up with other cool stuff that you find – stretch yourself and get creative. If you’re trying to stay away from meat, cross off that Barbeque Fest and sub for a kick-ass beach day (and maybe ride your bike there) or go all out and sky dive!
You can always have the par-tay come to your house too, that way
YOU have control over menu and company that surrounds you.
And lastly,
Survival tip #5
Be open and go with the flow! Really.
I know all this “planning” can seem like you’re taking the spontaneity
out of your summer adventures. But that’s far from the truth! You are giving
yourself the best chance for having a healthy, happy, good ‘ole time, stress
free, so that you can free your mind of guilt and avoidance and open yourself
up to amazing new experiences and fun peeps.
Keeping yourself open to new
experiences and going with the flow ensures that you’ll have or make more fun and
connect with others, creating new experiences – which is absolutely paramount
for our health.
So get out there tiger and survive thrive at your next
Summer Fest!!
♥ ✌ ♫ ∞
Aaaaand as promised, here’s your recipe for some Power
Protein Ballz!
Power Protein Ballz
¾ cup pumpkin seeds
¾ cup sunflower seeds
4 dates
3 tablespoons flax meal or chia flour
2 tablespoons coconut oil
½ cup blueberries
½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 tablespoon raw honey (optional)
¾ cup sunflower seeds
4 dates
3 tablespoons flax meal or chia flour
2 tablespoons coconut oil
½ cup blueberries
½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
1 tablespoon raw honey (optional)
Combine all ingredients (except
for shredded coconut & blueberries) in a food processor. If you want a
sweeter batter, add an extra date or the honey. Stir in blueberries and then
form mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. Roll each ball in the
shredded coconut to coat and then refrigerate until chilled. (10 Servings)
7.01.2013
Put your game face on and level up!
When I was a wee little one, i used to love to come home from school, get me some milk ‘n cookies and sit down to diligently do my homework right away!
....
False. I rushed home to play hours upon hours of NINTENDO. I was obsessed. With Super Mario Brothers in particular. There was something exhilarating about becoming an expert in various levels, knowing the lay of the land and anticipating every Goomba or Koopa Troopa that lurked in the shadows. I could care less about the Princess (sorry sister). So, then what was the point of it all?
LEVELING UP, BABY.
For me, it was all about the journey and optimizing my new found skills and awareness to take it to the next level. Was I going to beat the game my first time playing? Of course not. It took curiosity, persistence and learning new skills and tricks to get there.
For me, it was all about the journey and optimizing my new found skills and awareness to take it to the next level. Was I going to beat the game my first time playing? Of course not. It took curiosity, persistence and learning new skills and tricks to get there.
Are you seeing the metaphor here?
Much like in real life, it takes curiosity, persistence and experience to take things to the next level. This applies to our healthy habits too! Does one go from Taco Bell Queen to Green Juice Goddess in a single day? Nope. Moving along at our own unique pace will lead to the most sustainable changes. And even the smallest changes can lead to big differences - every move matters.
✓ Read the label
✓ Less ingredients, the better
✓ It’s ok to be confused. There’s a lot of misinformation out there - so ask! Ask the staff at the store, ask a friend who’s healthy or go the distance and seek support from a pro like a health coach or doctor.
Remember, too, that it’s OK to fall back sometimes - we all have our bad days. You are the CEO of your life - no one can fire you for eating that Domino’s pizza the other night. In fact, if you do choose to drop down a level and nosh on some junk, do it with gusto and acceptance. Enjoy every minute of it, then level back up because life is about the journey. Don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
If you’re ready to LEVEL UP your health game, then sign up for the Summer Sizzle Detox and join others who are on the path to feeling awesome in their skin this summer! Click HERE to get started.
Much like in real life, it takes curiosity, persistence and experience to take things to the next level. This applies to our healthy habits too! Does one go from Taco Bell Queen to Green Juice Goddess in a single day? Nope. Moving along at our own unique pace will lead to the most sustainable changes. And even the smallest changes can lead to big differences - every move matters.
That’s why I'm giving you some tips on leveling up in your health journey, no matter what level you’re on. Check out this lil' chart I put together to pinpoint wether you're a novice, gamer or pro in 4 areas I get asked about often, and see how you can level up (or down).
Juice
You wanna make sure you're getting real juice - as in 100% real juice. The best kinds are organic, non pasteurized and not from concentrate.
Wanna go pro? Fresh pressed is king, so make your own! The lower in sugar (= less fruit), the better.
Bread/Flour
Here's where "white" really is devil. Try to stay away from highly processed refined breads and flours. Can you squish that bread loaf into a ball easily? Then it's highly processed and not "real" food at this point. Go for organic whole grain varieties, which have more nutrients and fiber (and are tastier in my opinion).
Go pro: try sprouted grain breads! Brands like Food for Life and Manna can be found in the freezer section at your local health food store.
*If you're gluten sensitive, then stay away from glutenous grains all together - opt for gluten free flours like almond or brown rice*
Snack Bar
Are there a hundred ingredients you can't pronounce in that bar? Then ditch it. Again, organic is good but doesn't always mean better... with snack bars, you really want to watch out for the sugar content. Sadly, some organic snack bars are no better than a candy bar! I would try to save snack bars for "emergency" moments (like when traveling or when you can't access food easily) - not as a meal replacement or daily snack.
Pro tips: make sure your bar has a lower sugar count and is higher in protein. Try making your own - it's actually fun and you have control of what goes in it!
Cleaning Products
Man oh man, talk about toxicity. There are so many chemicals that go into cleaning products and they absolutely have an effect on our health! Definitely check out Environmental Working Group (EWG) and their guide to healthy cleaning. It takes the guess work out of choosing cleaning products and exposes the worst offenders.
Going pro: DIY is not trendy - it's smart! AND CHEAP. So try lowering your toxic load and cleaning expenses by making your own cleaning products. I get tons of great ideas from Pinterest (warning: TIME SUCK).
BONUS: Here are some general ground rules to follow that will help guide you in your health game:
✓ Read the label
✓ Less ingredients, the better
✓ It’s ok to be confused. There’s a lot of misinformation out there - so ask! Ask the staff at the store, ask a friend who’s healthy or go the distance and seek support from a pro like a health coach or doctor.
Remember, too, that it’s OK to fall back sometimes - we all have our bad days. You are the CEO of your life - no one can fire you for eating that Domino’s pizza the other night. In fact, if you do choose to drop down a level and nosh on some junk, do it with gusto and acceptance. Enjoy every minute of it, then level back up because life is about the journey. Don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
If you’re ready to LEVEL UP your health game, then sign up for the Summer Sizzle Detox and join others who are on the path to feeling awesome in their skin this summer! Click HERE to get started.
6.19.2013
This one's for YOU! Doesn't have to be a cruel summer after all...
Alright, so I've got somethin' new for you.
And I'm all giddy like a little school girl on a post-Taylor-Swift-concert high...
It's a program I've been working on for some time now based on what I have found to be an invaluable tool and total game-changer for myself and my clients. FOR REALZ.
Most people come to me with total confusion on what foods or diets work best for them, and usually have a long list of complaints like foggy brain, fatigue & low energy, resistant weight loss, bloating and digestive issues... and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
That's what my client "Mary" (her real name is much cooler) dealt with. She was eating what she considered a healthy diet - she had cut out most processed foods, didn't drink any soda and stayed away from sugar-laden foods. On top of that she was exercising on a pretty regular basis. So then why the heck was she still gaining weight and feeling tired all of the time?? It just didn't seem fair.
Sound familiar? If you find yourself dealing with these health issues, especially resistant weight loss, and you're all like...
Most people come to me with total confusion on what foods or diets work best for them, and usually have a long list of complaints like foggy brain, fatigue & low energy, resistant weight loss, bloating and digestive issues... and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
That's what my client "Mary" (her real name is much cooler) dealt with. She was eating what she considered a healthy diet - she had cut out most processed foods, didn't drink any soda and stayed away from sugar-laden foods. On top of that she was exercising on a pretty regular basis. So then why the heck was she still gaining weight and feeling tired all of the time?? It just didn't seem fair.
Sound familiar? If you find yourself dealing with these health issues, especially resistant weight loss, and you're all like...
ENOUGH OF THIS BULL$*#@!!!
(even Yeezy is over it)
I'M SICK AND TIRED
OF BEING SICK AND TIRED!
...DON'T DESPAIR! There's something you can do about it! That's the beauty about these magnificent machines we call our bodies - they are built to repair and renew. We just have to show it some BIG LOVE and give it a chance to do it's job!
Summer Sizzle Detox is a 7-day whole foods detox program based off of the same proven method I use with my clients. It's been my secret project that I've been working on for a while and it's going to help you
✓ have more energy
✓ have more happiness
✓ feel less tired
✓ lose weight with ease
✓ get rid of unwanted bloat
Symptoms
like low energy, bloating, digestive issues, resistant weight loss,
foggy brain, bad PMS and mood swings are good signs that...
B. you're toxic, baby
Let's look at each point, shall we?
One person's superfood is another person's poison. Bioindividuality means that we each have our own unique blueprint for what works for our own body. If you're not eating the right foods for YOUR body, then foods that may be considered healthy can actually be wreaking havoc in your system!
With the 7-day Summer Sizzle Detox, you will learn
- What that blueprint looks like for your unique body
- The RIGHT foods to feed your body, overcoming confusion and dis-ease.
In the 7-day Summer Sizzle Detox, you will
- Release toxins that have been building up for years, safely
- Let go of everything that no longer serves you!
It's the SUMMER and we should be flying our freak flags, cruising to Ace of Base and feeling UH-MAZING - not sick, bloated and tired.
Are you ready to show yourself some detox love? Then click here to go to the Summer Sizzle Detox page to find out how.
I say we reclaim our health, finally feel good in our own skin and sizzle this summer!
P.S. Wondering if you're in need of a detox? Want to know how toxic you are?
Then take my free 2 minute Unveil My Toxic Load! Quiz to find out!
At the end, click on the link provided to get an evaluation based on your results.
P.P.S. Have specific questions/concerns about the detox? First click here for more info. And if your questions still aren't answered, then email me and I'd love to help!
5.30.2013
Avoid the Travel Trap: 6 tips for staying healthy on the road
It’s 3 am and you’re still packing, even though you have to be at the airport in 2 hours. You’re tired, stressed and starting to feel the overwhelm, and then, it hits you. Sh*t. There’s no hope for staying healthy on road. Good bye green juice and yoga. Hello continental breakfast bagel and bloody mary. And 5 lbs. Sigh. The travel trap.
We’ve all been there. Who wants to think about keeping up with vitamins when you’re planning adventure excursions or making dinner reservations at that 5 star restaurant you saw on TV? It seems fine for the time being, but as soon as your butt lands back at home - reality hits. And the guilt.
There is another way.
Don’t let traveling get you stuck in the vortex of airport Starbucks, hotel danishes or conference cookies! Living a healthy life is not a part time job.. and while it can be harder to keep up with our good routines on the road, it just takes some modification. Not sure about you, but I want to come back feeling just as good if not better than when I left! So here are 6 tips for keeping up with the healthy Joneses while hitting the road...
1. Use the Google.
So there’s this really awesome tool where you type in something like “healthy food in Soho” and out pops 5 results to check out!
Ok, in all seriousness, DO YOUR PRE-TRIP RESEARCH. While you’re checking out hotels and tours for your trip, do some quick searches for healthy food options nearby such as cafes or juice bars. Are there farmer’s markets or produce shops nearby where you could buy veggies and fruit to snack on? You’d be surprised at the amount of accessible healthy food if you just look for it. Here are a couple of sites to get you going:
yelp.com - this one may be obvious, but it’s a goodie. Plus their mobile app with mapping and filter functions make it super easy peasy. I’m obsessed.
http://www.happycow.net/ - an online healthy eating guide with listings across the globe.
2. SNAX: trail mix and raw bars
A killer trail mix is my favorite travel go-to... you gotta make it nutritient-packed AND tasty! My standard trail mix consist of raw almonds, cashews and macadamia (a splurge ;) along with superfoods like goji berries, golden berries and cacao nibs. Mmm mmm. The danger is you might finish the darn bag before your flight even takes off.
And then there are the raw bars. Now I’m really “meh” about bars since so many of them are chock full of sugar... but in a bind, they will make do. When you’re looking for a raw bar to munch on, make sure that there is some kind of balance between sugar in grams and protein amount so that your blood sugar doesn’t spike like crazy. I usually go for one of these three: Core Defender Raw Cashew & Cacao, GoRaw Spirulina Energy Bar, and Lara Bar Cashew Cookie.
3. Juice! Well, green juice powder, that is. And you thought you were off the hook...
When I can’t bring my own green juice or access a juice bar while traveling (or to be honest, when I’m just feeling lazy) I opt for an awesome green juice powder. There are tons to choose from, but I currently enjoy these travel size packs from Amazing Grass - and they come in a variety of flavors to switch it up. You can even make a quick smoothie with the powder and any produce you can find if you take along a mini blender like the Magic Bullet (I love that lil’ guy!) and save some dough on food while abroad!
Bonus: For those times when you’re feelin’ like something warm and cozy, opt for a good travel oatmeal pack. I like the Three Sisters brand (mmm chai...) or Nature’s Path Flax Plus.
4. Keep on movin’!
When we travel, it’s easy to put aside our exercise routine and go for the foodie tour. Or if you’re stuck in a conference, when the heck do you have the time, right? It’s important to make it EASY for yourself. Thanks to websites like DoYogaWithMe.com and apps like YOGAmazing or Daily Yoga, we can shake our asanas anywhere at anytime. Or sign up for some exciting excursions where you’ll get that body moving and heart rate going! Remember that exercising and moving your body boosts endorphins and gives you that ultimate high, in addition to revving up your metabolism and burning calories. And you thought you couldn’t feel any better on vacay...
5. Speaking of moving... keep that poop goin!
Yes I said it. Poop. Poop poop poop.
Now that we’re over that, let’s talk regularity. Traveling, especially on planes, can totally mess it up, leaving us with constipation, bloated bellies and poor digestion. NO THANK YOU. So how do you avoid getting poop train sidetracked? Magnesium my friends. Magnesium Citrate not only gets your system moving so that you can avoid any unplanned “stop-overs”, but it also calms your nerves and muscle tension so you can truly relax. CALM or Bluebonnet are good brands.
**Of course, please check with your doc before taking any supplements, y’all**
6. And lastly, because I’m such a fan of the ole’ neti... Neti Pot travel edition!
Ever notice how easy it is to get a cold or congested after traveling? The travel Neti Pot is gold for keeping those issues at bay. Stay clear of those airborne invaders circulating in the stale airplane air... gross. Another great thing to add is a DIY nasal steam - when you arrive at your destination, heat up some water in a bowl and toss in some mint tea or tea tree oil. After a long flight, breathing in that glorious moistness will be quite a relief :)
So the next time you’re cruisin’ across seas or jetting to NYC for a conference, try busting out these tricks and tools to keep your health on point and vibrancy dialed on HIGH ;)
4.23.2013
Some Earth Day love for you: A new spotlight series I'm stoked to share!
Hello fellow Earthling!
Did you get a chance to honor Earth Day yesterday? Finally sent those cans to the recycling center? Rocked that upcycled dress that used to be grandma’s? Went vegan for a day? Participated in a drum circle chanting to the animal gods?
So how about today...? Tomorrow...?
Now, I’ma ‘bout to get real here.
While I love that there’s a day designated to honoring this magnificent home of ours urging us to take part in an eco-friendly action to show our respect, I am NOT about the “hit it ‘n quit it” mentality that most of us fall under. You know what I’m talking about... you decide that for a single day you’re gonna be the greenest tree-hugging do-gooder ever, only to drop that green gusto like a bad habit (ok, faster than that) for all the rest of the 364 days of the year. So let’s be really honest with ourselves here and own up to it.... are you a green poser?
I know you’re not - so don’t fall for it!
Real change arrives from conviction and persistence.
Not a “one and done” deal. That applies to everything from your own health and fitness to the state of the environment. And there are TONS of people, organizations and companies that are on a mission to make a real lasting positive difference. So how about we keep this party going and celebrate each and every day?!
That’s why I’m starting a new spotlight series called:
Healthy People::Healthy Planet
Oh yes! I’m showcasing cool people, projects, movements, businesses and more that are making a positive difference in this world and contributing to the health and sustainability of the planet AND the people that live in it.
For the very first video spotlight of Healthy People::Healthy Planet, I’m excited to share a project I encountered in Costa Rica. I was lucky enough to do some pretty cool eco-related things there - this one tops them all!
Here I have Peter Garcar - engineer and canopy pioneer extraordinaire - talking about his eco-project and business Nature Observatorio in the video below. Find out how they are successfully saving the rainforest AND making a profit, proving that business can indeed be good for people & planet. The mission in their own words:
The Observatorio project is truly unique, and it is quite simple. We want to prove that a living tree is more valuable than a dead tree. All types of forests, and especially tropical rain forests, are disappearing. The reason is that in our “modern society,” a living tree has little or no value. So it is cut. Turned into lumber and by-products. The land-use is transformed. Every day, precious hectares of rain forest are being converted into cow fields and banana plantations. And once itʼs done, itʼs done. THIS DESTRUCTION IS IRREVERSIBLE ! An Emergens, the oldest and tallest trees in the jungle, have an irreplaceable role in the ecosystem of Planet Earth.
Watch the video below to hear his vision for the future of our rainforests and world!
4.16.2013
Live an Adventurous Life...Costa Rican-Style
Pura Vida. Talk about words to live by... now THAT is some life motto goodness I can get behind!
I just got back from Costa Rica and feelin' good! After a long period of nonstop work-yourself-to-exhaustion, I decided to take my own advice and book a last minute trip for some sweet yoga and healing, Costa Rican-style. An extravagant gift to myself? Heck yea!
Ah Costa Rica... land of coffee, cacao, banana, rainforest & biodiversity, Gallo Pinto and of course, the widely used colloquialism pura vida.
I just got back from Costa Rica and feelin' good! After a long period of nonstop work-yourself-to-exhaustion, I decided to take my own advice and book a last minute trip for some sweet yoga and healing, Costa Rican-style. An extravagant gift to myself? Heck yea!
Ah Costa Rica... land of coffee, cacao, banana, rainforest & biodiversity, Gallo Pinto and of course, the widely used colloquialism pura vida.
The literal translation of pura vida is "pure life", but it really means so much more. Pura Vida can express sentiments like
"going great", "full of life", or "this is living!" People use it as a
greeting, farewell, an answer to how things are going, and giving
thanks. What I loved most about all of this was that people not only used it... THEY MEANT IT!
Ok, perhaps it was my skeptical city girl mentality that had me suspicious of all things in the "too good to be true" category (I'm working on this...), but it was so darn refreshing to be immersed in a culture that puts LIVING LIFE at the top of the list. I don't know about you, but when I typically hear someone talking about "life" back at home it usually sounds more like "life sux", "life is hard", or "Life..." followed by a long depressing sigh.
Ok, perhaps it was my skeptical city girl mentality that had me suspicious of all things in the "too good to be true" category (I'm working on this...), but it was so darn refreshing to be immersed in a culture that puts LIVING LIFE at the top of the list. I don't know about you, but when I typically hear someone talking about "life" back at home it usually sounds more like "life sux", "life is hard", or "Life..." followed by a long depressing sigh.
Enough I say!
Life is for... living, and living well. Life's about celebrating our blessings, enjoying the experience, riding the waves and setting out on our unique adventures. And remembering to be grateful, too. I went to Costa Rica for some good 'ole sun worshiping and R&R - what I didn't expect was to get schooled on how to really live. Here are some lessons learned:
1. Nature is our greatest guru.
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| Sloths at the fantastic Jaguar Animal Rescue Center - they love to cuddle! |
I know I don't need to convince you on how insanely awesome and beautiful nature is, and how important it is to respect and replenish what we source from her. But exploring the jungle and visiting animal sanctuaries (like the one in the pic above) really reminded me that we are nature. It's easy to feel out of touch, especially if you live in a "concrete" jungle. But I'm telling you - there is some serious healing juju when you immerse yourself in nature and recognize your part in it.
I'm absolutely convinced that all the answers to any biological & environmental problem or disease can be found in nature. There is so much that is still undiscovered or unstudied, from medicinal herbs (my guide pointed out at least 10 plants for various ailments) to systems that can be biomimicked (like the structure of the awesome jungle tree house I climbed, modeled after the hanging bird nests found in Montezuma - look out for more on that in my next email!). In summary - nature is one of our greatest teachers and we should be doing everything in our power to make sure she is honored and respected!
2. Everyone has a story, and they ALL matter.
You have more in common with complete strangers than you may think. Don't believe me? Strike up a conversation with someone you don't know. 9 times out of 10, you'll not only find that you have the same fears and variations of the same problems, but you'll learn something of value.
 |
| Hangin' with my new friend Sara from France. We had some great adventures! |
 |
| Felipe, my jungle guide - he walked it..BAREFOOT :-o |
From a practical standpoint, I found that people were so incredibly genuine and willing to help me when I engaged them in an authentic and positive way. Guaranteed, I would have missed out on some of the best experiences in my trip if I had not been that way at the onset. So next time you find yourself closing off to the world, hit the reset button and start a convo with a stranger.
3. Having no plan is sometimes the best plan
In my book, rigidity = disappointment. Someone told me that Costa Rica is the land of Murphy's Law - if something can go wrong, it will. This includes getting your bus stopped by police for an hour to then be caught in the rain in the pitch dark night, with a phone that doesn't work and lost directions... shit happens. But really rad things happen too! It's KEY to stay fluid, flexible, accepting of changes and fluctuations. Don't be a fuddy-duddy and pout when things don't go as planned. Instead, use that as an opportunity to create an unexpected adventure. Did I let my above experience ruin my night (after an entire day of traveling) - hell nah! I was in Costa Rica!! Everything worked out and it added color to my experience :)
I also made sure not to have any set-in-stone plans because I wanted to be open to new things and ride that wave. Life's more fun with a lil' bit of mystery, no? ;)
In my book, rigidity = disappointment. Someone told me that Costa Rica is the land of Murphy's Law - if something can go wrong, it will. This includes getting your bus stopped by police for an hour to then be caught in the rain in the pitch dark night, with a phone that doesn't work and lost directions... shit happens. But really rad things happen too! It's KEY to stay fluid, flexible, accepting of changes and fluctuations. Don't be a fuddy-duddy and pout when things don't go as planned. Instead, use that as an opportunity to create an unexpected adventure. Did I let my above experience ruin my night (after an entire day of traveling) - hell nah! I was in Costa Rica!! Everything worked out and it added color to my experience :)
I also made sure not to have any set-in-stone plans because I wanted to be open to new things and ride that wave. Life's more fun with a lil' bit of mystery, no? ;)
There are too many more lessons I learned to list here ('cause I know you didn't sign up to read a novel), so I'll save those for another time. But I'd love to hear some lessons you've learned from past trips, adventures, experiences - please share them in the comments below!
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