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Showing posts with label primary food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label primary food. Show all posts
2.10.2014
Do these 6 things if you want to make big (& lasting) changes in your life!
Let’s be real.
How many times have you declared to yourself (possibly shouting from your cubicle <--I’ve been there): “I’M READY! This is my moment/month/year of transformation!!” ...only to fall back into the very same patterns that you’ve been trying so hard to overcome?
Whether it’s a daily intention, a New Year resolution or a life goal, there will always be obstacles and resistance in the way of real, lasting change. Often times these challenges can have you feeling discouraged, hopeless, tired and... well... sh*tty. When this happens, remember that you are still in control of your life and that we all need tools and support to help us along the way.
Here are 6 things you can do to make real lasting change in your life:
1. Make like Barbara Walters and ask the hard questions
Is fitting into those skinny jeans going to alter your universe?
What will quitting smoking/sugar/your job really do for you?
In order to make changes that last, you first need to ask what it is that you truly want... and then ask why you want it. Dig deep. You want to find the “why” that gets your heart beating and soul talking - you’ll know it when you feel it. The “why” has to be big enough to carry you through challenges and pitfalls. Once you have your “why,” check in on your goals to see if they align.
Next is to identify any triggers and patterns, and notice the emotions attached to them. For example, you may notice that you feel lonely or a lack of love right before you crave that pint of rocky road icecream. Perhaps you’re not feeling the love in your relationship, causing you to crave sweetness in other areas of your life. In this case, a goal of quitting sugar won’t last unless you find the love in your life.
2. Come clean
What is the story going through your head each day? Write down all the ways you see yourself failing and why. While positive thinking is all well and good, we need to acknowledge our self doubts and weaknesses so that they can be addressed in a healthy way. Come clean and let it all out. Be radically honest with yourself. Do this without judgement - be compassionately curious here. We tell ourselves stories all the time and when you see it on paper, it’s easier to see patterns and question the validity and truth behind them.
Ask yourself, what if the opposite were true?
3. Go small or go bust
It’s awesome to have huge aspirations, but often times our resolutions and goals can be so big and elusive that they become difficult to attain. Take your big intentions and break them down into bite size actionable steps. For example, going from the Standard American Diet (SAD) to raw vegan overnight is like jumping over a valley from one cliff to another in one leap - it’s risky but possible if you have, say, a paraglide and months of training. Not recommended for everyone.
Instead, traversing thru the valley one step at a time will ensure that you not only get to the other side more safely, but the journey will be highly educational and rewarding.
Ask yourself what is one small action you can take every day that fits within the bigger picture? Every step counts!
4. Have a clear vision for yourself
What are you working toward? What does it look and feel like? This is where a vision board can be really helpful - find images and words that fit with how you visualize yourself once you’ve already made the changes. Keep it somewhere that you’ll see every day. When we get really clear on how we want to look and feel, we start to internalize it and act the way our future selves would. This means acting as if you’ve already created lasting change and making decisions from that place, rather than the old version of yourself.
5. Ritualize and systematize
Rituals and systems are key in creating lasting changes. Schedule in your action steps throughout the day. Make reasonable deadlines for yourself. Join a movement, challenge, community, or program that will provide structure and motivation. Enlist a partner in crime to hold you accountable. And most importantly, ditch what no longer serves you - naysayers, clutter, energy draining people and activities.
What needs to be in place to set you up for success?
6. Be kind and unwind
Keeping abreast of our daily action steps and goals can get a little overwhelming at times *total understatement*. Be kind to yourself in this process and carve out time to replenish. It’s just as constructive to take an hour for that candlelit lavender epsom salt bath as it is researching for that job interview. Don’t underestimate the basics in your self care! Balance is required.
There’s always the possibility of falling off the wagon and getting down on yourself. Be forgiving and make sure not to get too attached to results or outcome. Pick yourself up and get back into the game of life. It’s your unique journey, so appreciate every single moment and savor the victories.
It's your turn to share... which one of these steps is one that you've struggled with before and what action are you going to take to make real lasting change in your life? Put it in the comments below!
7.22.2013
Make Your Life TODAY. Yes, I'm lookin at you Crankypants.
I couldn't
stop thinking about this hilarious horoscope that my friend found in
the Red Eye. It so aptly refers to what most of us do - not just those
cranky Leos ;)
Consciously or not, we all do this on a day to day basis: complain, complain, complain.
Then we wonder why we aren't content with certain aspects in our lives. I'm not saying we have to express gratitude 24/7 - I'm a (semi)realist. But it is important to look at yourself in the mirror and every so often tell that inner gremlin to SHUT UP. Your health depends on it! Truly, this one act alone can improve your health in ways we can't even measure yet.
We all know that we should be grateful for everything we have, etc and so forth, but sometimes it's just so gosh darn hard to remember...
Here's a truth:
We have the power to change our lives.
If you don't like the way things have panned out thus far - do something about it! And if you don't think that you can do it all by yourself, reach out and find someone that can help you.
My mom always told us that we need to make things happen for ourselves, we are in charge of our own lives - no one else.
Sometimes fate chimes in and has it where things change around us or things happen to us, for better or worse. How many things can you think of that have been blessings in disguise? (Hint: probably more times than you'd like to admit). Sometimes those things have a way of working out themselves, but most of the time you have to roll up your sleeves and make lemonade.
If fate hasn't kicked you in the butt yet and you're sitting around thinking, wishing, hoping, lamenting - that's the exact moment you should make your move. Don't waste another minute of your life "hoping" something will change.
This reminds me of how my parents decided to finally get married - it wasn't exactly the romantic, spontaneous event I had imagined...
Story time!
After quite a few years of dating, my mom was ready for their relationship to enter the next level. I mean after 8 years and 2 days of dating, woman was getting restless! Tired of waiting for her man to make his move, she made hers: the ultimatum. That's right. She told my dad that her clock was a-tickin' and she was NOT gonna wait much longer, plus Spain was looking really good. So move it or lose it buddy.
So of course, my dad had to oblige - she was a catch and he knew better! Shortly thereafter, he slipped a ring into her wine glass during a romantic dinner :)
Good move champ.
Obviously my point here is to demonstrate how my mom wanted something to happen and chose to do something about it. Was it the romantic spontaneous event she had probably wanted? Nope. But she was willing to let go of that in order to make her life. I'm not endorsing that you drop ultimatum bombs left and right. But I do call for mindful action!
So let's try it. Here's your assignment:
Take action on at least one thing you have been complaining about for a while, or that has been on your list of "things to do" for as long as you can remember.
(You know, that one item that makes you cringe every time you come across it on your list - it taunts me!)
I promise, it will feel goooooood!
In the comments below, tell me one thing that you can take action on today, or if you did something about it, what was it?!
Consciously or not, we all do this on a day to day basis: complain, complain, complain.
Then we wonder why we aren't content with certain aspects in our lives. I'm not saying we have to express gratitude 24/7 - I'm a (semi)realist. But it is important to look at yourself in the mirror and every so often tell that inner gremlin to SHUT UP. Your health depends on it! Truly, this one act alone can improve your health in ways we can't even measure yet.
We all know that we should be grateful for everything we have, etc and so forth, but sometimes it's just so gosh darn hard to remember...
Here's a truth:
We have the power to change our lives.
If you don't like the way things have panned out thus far - do something about it! And if you don't think that you can do it all by yourself, reach out and find someone that can help you.
My mom always told us that we need to make things happen for ourselves, we are in charge of our own lives - no one else.
Sometimes fate chimes in and has it where things change around us or things happen to us, for better or worse. How many things can you think of that have been blessings in disguise? (Hint: probably more times than you'd like to admit). Sometimes those things have a way of working out themselves, but most of the time you have to roll up your sleeves and make lemonade.
If fate hasn't kicked you in the butt yet and you're sitting around thinking, wishing, hoping, lamenting - that's the exact moment you should make your move. Don't waste another minute of your life "hoping" something will change.
This reminds me of how my parents decided to finally get married - it wasn't exactly the romantic, spontaneous event I had imagined...
Story time!
After quite a few years of dating, my mom was ready for their relationship to enter the next level. I mean after 8 years and 2 days of dating, woman was getting restless! Tired of waiting for her man to make his move, she made hers: the ultimatum. That's right. She told my dad that her clock was a-tickin' and she was NOT gonna wait much longer, plus Spain was looking really good. So move it or lose it buddy.
So of course, my dad had to oblige - she was a catch and he knew better! Shortly thereafter, he slipped a ring into her wine glass during a romantic dinner :)
Good move champ.
Obviously my point here is to demonstrate how my mom wanted something to happen and chose to do something about it. Was it the romantic spontaneous event she had probably wanted? Nope. But she was willing to let go of that in order to make her life. I'm not endorsing that you drop ultimatum bombs left and right. But I do call for mindful action!
So let's try it. Here's your assignment:
Take action on at least one thing you have been complaining about for a while, or that has been on your list of "things to do" for as long as you can remember.
(You know, that one item that makes you cringe every time you come across it on your list - it taunts me!)
I promise, it will feel goooooood!
In the comments below, tell me one thing that you can take action on today, or if you did something about it, what was it?!
P.S. Dad: sorry I totally called you out here. You're the best and I'm so glad mom made you marry her :)
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 ;)
4.16.2013
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.
 |
| 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!
2.26.2013
We screw ourselves WAY too often...
"I
feel there are two people inside me - me and my intuition. If I go
against her, she'll screw me every time, and if I follow her, we get
along quite nicely.." - Kim Basinger
Kimmy's got it right. INTUITION. Everybody's got it. Your best friend that you love to ignore. Man, how many times have I gone against my bestest buddy that's within. Truly, it's pretty embarrassing to think of how many times a day I either a. fight against her or b. completely ignore the girl. And of course, each and every time, she wins. I know I'm not alone in this... and you'd think we'd learn by now! Why is it so damn hard to just LISTEN and FOLLOW our intuition?
I recently entered this video contest for a scholarship to a program I've been wanting to do for a while now. When I first heard about it, my intuition told me THIS IS IT. This is exactly what I need, I feel it, and I could toootally do this. Didn't seem too difficult and I really wanted this scholarship. So why not? Of course the other voice within - the inner critic and naysayer - started flappin her big mouth saying things like "ha! your video's gonna suck so hard, you never win anything, sooo many other talented people are going to enter. You ain't got a chance." Of course, after many years of learning to build a defense against this, I told her to put a sock in it and proceeded to work on creating this video.
It all seemed so effortless, ideas were flowing and it seemed quite easy. Then the second roadblock set in... I had to actually implement these ideas and execute. Not only that, but I had to sacrifice things like time with a loved one who was visiting, brunch with friends, and pretty much my entire Saturday (a holy day for me since I don't get much time off). Of course, this is usually the point that's hardest to get past... the brat within and laziness started to set in. Ya feel me?
Just as I started to convince myself that this wasn't worth the effort and begin to make up a lame excuse to leave the house, Intuition said
"girl, you better do this sh*t or you're seriously
gonna regret it..."
If there's one thing I've learned in my days on this planet, it's this - Intuition IS ALWAYS RIGHT.
Damnit. Fine. I refuse to screw myself this time! On with the video production...
So I followed thru, got 'er done and sent my vid. Yes, it took sweat, work and discipline (and some tears to be honest), and ya know what? I WON A DANG SCHOLARSHIP. It was that simple. And I truly believe it can be that simple 90-95% of the time if we only just listened to ourselves and followed thru every time!
So how do you discern which voice is Intuition, actually follow it faithfully and stop screwing yourself over?
1. Remember that Intuition always has your back
If a voice is telling you that you're not good enough or why bother... warning: that is NOT Intuition. Pay no attention to that voice behind the curtain! Intuition will always have your best interest at heart, and usually comes as the very first feeling you get.
2. Tune-in to your own radio frequency, not others
You really need to pay attention to your body and feelings, stop the chatter and don't turn to anything outside of yourself for answers. Are you someone who asks everyone and their mom if you should go ahead with something? STOP. You most likely already know the answer but maybe lack the confidence or just don't like what Intuition is telling you. Trust yourself. You already have all of the wisdom you need - just remember that in the end, it will all work out for the best.
3. Practice Practice Practice
If you're not used to turning to your inner voice for guidance, or find that you have trouble following it - start out small. Try doing it with the little things first like choosing whichever food is going to make you feel the best, mail the letter now and not tomorrow because something inside of you told you to do so, etc etc. Try to pay attention to initial thoughts and feelings you get in response to things - what are they telling you? And if it's too loud in your head to even hear Intuition, start to quiet your mind with meditation or journaling. Sometimes a data dump onto paper does a mind good.
I believe if everyone followed their heart, this planet would be a lot less screw-y, don't you think? :)
What are your biggest obstacles with intuition and follow-thru? Leave a comment below if you'd like to share!
1. Remember that Intuition always has your back
If a voice is telling you that you're not good enough or why bother... warning: that is NOT Intuition. Pay no attention to that voice behind the curtain! Intuition will always have your best interest at heart, and usually comes as the very first feeling you get.
2. Tune-in to your own radio frequency, not others
You really need to pay attention to your body and feelings, stop the chatter and don't turn to anything outside of yourself for answers. Are you someone who asks everyone and their mom if you should go ahead with something? STOP. You most likely already know the answer but maybe lack the confidence or just don't like what Intuition is telling you. Trust yourself. You already have all of the wisdom you need - just remember that in the end, it will all work out for the best.
3. Practice Practice Practice
If you're not used to turning to your inner voice for guidance, or find that you have trouble following it - start out small. Try doing it with the little things first like choosing whichever food is going to make you feel the best, mail the letter now and not tomorrow because something inside of you told you to do so, etc etc. Try to pay attention to initial thoughts and feelings you get in response to things - what are they telling you? And if it's too loud in your head to even hear Intuition, start to quiet your mind with meditation or journaling. Sometimes a data dump onto paper does a mind good.
I believe if everyone followed their heart, this planet would be a lot less screw-y, don't you think? :)
What are your biggest obstacles with intuition and follow-thru? Leave a comment below if you'd like to share!
2.12.2013
Make like Dr. Feelgood and UP your Love Game, Naturally
“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.” — Rumi
Hey Lovas,
Ok, so I couldn’t help myself... I had to do a V-day love letter to y’all this week because in my eyes, more love = more healing. And while I don’t adhere to the typical Hallmark version of Valentine’s Day festivities, I do try to celebrate love EACH and EVERY DAY.
How? Well, first, by showing myself some lovin with delicious healthy foods, heartbeat raising activities and self-care practices. If I don’t take care of my own body, mind and soul first, how can I show real love for others? Then, I try to open my heart up to all the beauty that surrounds me - people, places, things. It’s amazing how much love you can feel by just opening yourself up to the world.
Of course, there are moments when it’s really hard to feel the love. I get it. Sometimes you just want to throw an F-bomb at the 4th robotic phone rep you’ve spoken to (when all you want is a correction made on your bill) after you’ve been passed around like a doobie at Woodstock. It’s moments like those that really test your zen vibe. Luckily, there are some foods and practices that can really help with getting back your love mojo if the reserves run dry.
Here are some things that’ll keep you feeling mm hmm good and up your love game...
Maca
Mmmmaca. This Peruvian root is a known aphrodisiac that does all sorts of goodness. This root regulates your hormones, enhances your immune system, increases energy and reduces anxiety. It’s full of magnesium, potassium and calcium and is considered an "adaptogenic" herb. It’s got a great nutty flavor, a bit like chicory root or coffee, yet without the caffeine stimulant properties. Maca also increases stamina and libido.... mmhmm. I love to throw in some raw maca powder in my morning smoothies, or make a maca latte with almond milk and a splash of vanilla. Make sure you start off slow (1 tsp) and work your way up.
Cacao
It is V-day after all... but this time we’re dropping all the additives and added sugars and celebrating the raw goodness of cacao (because you’re sweet enough... aww). First of all, raw chocolate is super high on the antioxidant front, and is loaded with magnesium, iron, and anandamide (aka “bliss chemical”, okaaay). This well known aphrodisiac also lifts our mood and spirits, decreases depression and makes us feel all nice and yummy. I’m sure many a female can attest to this, yes? Sooo many dope things you can do with raw cacao - use the powder form to choco-fy practically anything, or sprinkle raw cacao nibs in your banana soft serve. Um, yes please.
Chili Peppers
Okay, so I kind of have to include this on the list... being latina and all. But there’s something about chilis that can really make you hot ‘n bothered. Chilis mimic the state of sexual arousal by quickening the pulse and inducing sweating. They also stimulate the release of endorphins, which play a role in sexual pleasure. The capsaicin found in chilis indicates high antioxidant levels and can even curb your appetite. So next time, try going for a little kick and spice things up.
Exercise & Yoga
Wanna feel GOOD? Like, REALLY GOOD? Then exercise baby. Yea yea... everyone knows that exercise is good for you, but did you know that it’s just as effective as Zoloft in reducing depression? Truth... according to Dr. John Ratey, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of A User's Guide to the Brain. Exercise stimulates endorphins and all those feel-good chemicals that make you feel euphoric. I’m really ok with that. But I’m also really partial to yoga.
Why?
Well, first of all any practice that’s been alive and thriving for hundreds of years has got to have something going for it. Yoga improves and increases your awareness to your breath, posture and your own body making you feel right at home in your own skin. When you’re feeling super connected to your own body and are able to clear the mind of clutter, you become that much more aware of just how sensual you are. Martin Portner, Neurologist and author of "The Orgasmic Mind", explains this - it’s much easier to reach that orgasmic place when you’ve hushed the amygdala and all its stress activities.Ok, maybe being in a class full of half naked sweaty people also has something to do with it. Real talk.
and finally....
Write a love note!
To anyone. Maybe keep the mystery and make it anonymous... but expressing gratitude and love for anyone from your main squeeze to the really nice mail guy not only makes them feel awesome, it’ll make you feel uplifted and appreciative. When we reflect on the good stuff in our lives and express gratitude, it’s much easier to 1. see how much we can be thankful for - and 2. spread the lovin’. You don’t even have to know who you’re writing one to - just write one and leave it where a complete stranger will find it or to someone who really needs one. Heck, you could even write one to yourself... if keeping within the self-love theme. I mean, how much radder would the world be if everyone got a love letter once in a while?
So get out there and spread the LOVE!
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