Peace and Good Eating

Speaking of Making an Impact...

2011-12-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

I am a big fan of win-win situations.

When it comes to making food and clothing choices, I like knowing that someone else is also benefitting from my choice, and certainly that no one is suffering as a result of growing or producing the products I use.

So I have become a fan of Fair Trade Certified products. Fair Trade helps small farmers and indiginous communities make a fair profit for their products and services in a volatile global market that could otherwise take advantage of them or put them out of business. Furthermore, Fair Trade promotes environmental standards such as protecting water resources, banning the use of genetically modified organisms, and requiring proper waste management. It's essentially a business model that strives to uphold standards for vitality, quality and integrity all around. Through the purchase and consumption of healthy and responsibly-grown products, we can each make an impact on our own personal well-being, while protecting the environment and contributing to the development of sustainable agricultural communities around the world. I believe that's a WIN-WIN-WIN!

Watch this 2-minute video to learn more about

Fair Trade USA's Mission:

Fortunately, if you live in or near Morgan Hill, California, you don't have to look far for Fair Trade Certified products. Mike Monroe of People and Planet Fair Trade Store is a passionate Fair Trade crusader and has built a retail business on exactly these principles.

When I sat down with Mike to ask him about the inspiration for his business, he didn't hesitate. "I became interested in this because of my Christian faith and justice orientation. If you know how people live in developing countries, especially those we trade with; that they are economically and environmentally in distress, can't make a living, that their communities are in distress - if you know this, you have to do something about it."

Mike Monroe in his store, holding a
Fair Trade Certified Divine Chocolate
Advent Calendar.

Mike cited a teaching in the Bible, from the book of Matthew: (Matthew 25:40) 'The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"When you know someone is in distress, you have to do what you can. This is the test; if you see someone who is naked or imprisoned or impoverished, you would do something. For me that meant starting a Fair Trade business."

Mike started People and Planet Fair Trade Store (which began as Integrity Express) in his garage in Gilroy 13 years ago. Six and a half years ago, he moved to his current location in Morgan Hill at 15750 Vineyard Boulevard, suite 170, behind Madonna Needleworks. Although the store is not visible from the road (you have to either walk through Madonna Needleworks to the back of the building, or drive around the back of the building and enter through what appears to be a service doorway), People and Planet is well-known and thriving in the Morgan Hill community, perhaps most notably for it's Fair Trade, organic, local and gluten-free product lines.

Both knowledgeable and articulate about Fair Trade practices, Mike enjoys speaking to school and community groups about the impact we can all have by making well-educated and socially conscious choices with our buying dollars. (Click here to contact P&P and invite Mike to speak to your group!).

Mike highlighted three critical situations Fair Trade practices aim to address:

1. Environmental Sustainability: Tropical rain forests are routinely cleared, devastating the local environment, vegetation and wildlife, in order to grow and harvest coffee beans as quickly and cheaply as possible. Under these circumstances, farmers are not provided with the protective gear necessary to prevent exposure to harsh pesticides, resulting in devastating health consequences for individuals and communities. Most inexpensive coffees are grown and harvested in this way. Fair Trade sets environmental standards for protecting water resources and natural vegetation, agricultural diversification, restricting use of pesticides and fertilizers and proper management of waste.

2. Economic Education and Justice: Farm workers under these circumstances are often paid impossibly low wages, and small farmers who grow and harvest their own crops are at the mercy of the middleman with the scale at the local marketplace to determine what he'll pay for their harvest. Farmers have no access to computers, or even electricity for that matter, and are uneducated and uninformed about fair businesses practices. The Fair Trade system aims to organize these small farmers into cooperatives. Coops are able to consolidate harvests of multiple farms, and that consolidation allows a company like Green Mountain to purchase from a coop in quantities that make it worthwhile and feasible to do business with them. Coops are democratically organized – they elect officials, scales are accurate, everyone votes.

3. Empowering Communities: Communities that are disadvantaged in this way are not likely to have access to public services such as clean water systems, health clinics or schooling; making it impossible to overcome impoverished circumstances and become self sustaining. The Fair Trade system encourages coops to re-invest in their communities to provide necessary services and resources such as schools, libraries and water systems so that they can begin to grow and thrive.

Another significant impact that Mike highlighted in our conversation: "If you are unable to make a living in your own community (i.e., from coffee production), what can you do? You run north, take a chance crossing the border. Split the family up. The family takes a chance crossing border, and we have illegal immigration. Our consumer habits have a critical impact on this. "

Mike with a few of his P&P team members: Steve, Marian & Annie

When Mike talks to groups about Fair Trade, he says, he shows them his wallet. "This is the most effective way that you can make things happen. Money is the driving tool. This is what makes companies listen. If you refuse to buy sweatshop shoes or clothing, or try to buy products made in the USA, or buy local – these all make a difference. "

How and Where to Buy Fair Trade
and Support It's Mission:

A selection of Fair Trade products available at People and Planet.

People and Planet carries about 20 - 22 Fair Trade products, the three most important and impactful being coffee, tea and chocolate. Mike also carries Fair Trade grains such as quinoa, baking ingredients such as brownie mix, spices and vanilla, whey protein, and a variety of bath and body products.

Fair Trade requires practices that protect the environment and farm workers.

Check out the Fair Trade USA's website to learn more about Fair Trade.

Check out Fair Trade USA's Holiday gift guide!

Download the Fairtrade USA Facebook or iPhone app

Strategies for Healthy Stress-Less Holidays #3

2011-12-04T16:09:00.000-08:00

Sit Quietly and Breathe Every Day

People tell me all the time that they can't meditate. My answer is always the same. "Yes, that's why we do it." Half the battle, and the benefit, is sitting your butt down and just doing it. It's okay if your mind wanders or won't seem to shut off. This is exactly the point. The more we sit and breathe and gently but persistently resist the temptation to get tangled up in our thoughts, the more we develop the skills needed to be clear headed, calm and intentional, even when life seems to be chaotic. (Funny thing, when you actually think about it, it's more our reactions to things that make them seem chaotic, and the what-if's, and coulda-shoulda-woulda's going on in our heads, than the things themselves!)

Eventually, with practice, our mind just wears itself out, like a busy toddler, and the chatter peters out on it's own. (This can take a while - don't get discouraged!) And the draw to do less, to be still, to revisit this quiet place again and again, becomes natural, pleasant and routine. Just like adapting to any new habit; like eating more vegetables, or getting used to a new exercise routine.

You don't even have to call it meditation if that feels intimidating or impossible. Setting the intention and taking the time to sit quietly and breathe every day harmonizes the body and mind, and develops life skills. Some like to call it Grace.

Here are two quiet-sitting activities that I do regularly:

Nadi Shodana, or alternate nostril breathing.

Watch my short video to learn how to practice this technique. I recommend practicing 8-10 rounds per sitting, at least twice a day, morning and evening.

Loving Kindness Meditation:

This is a nice meditation for getting out of your thinking and judging mind, and into your more receptive and compassionate heart. Sit with a straight back, or lie down on the floor, and place your hands, one on top of the other, over your heart center (as if you were going to say the Pledge of Allegiance, but with both hands over your heart). Just sit or lie still for several moments in this way, dropping your mind down into the space underneath your hands that your heart occupies. Then indulge yourself in a kind or appreciative thought about yourself. Think of something you really appreciate about yourself; a talent, skill, passion or value - any positive thing that comes to mind, however big or small. Hold this image in your heart space, while silently appreciating your essential goodness.

Now shift your attention to someone else in your life, perhaps someone you love or someone who challenges you. Take a moment to appreciate a wonderful aspect about that person, hold them in your heart space, and offer them a blessing or wish them well.

Continue to sit or lie quietly for as long as you like, bathing yourself in the sensation of appreciation and loving kindness. The more you allow your nervous system to experience this sensation, the more natural it will be to bring the experience of loving kindness into all of your daily interactions and relationships.

Strategies for Healthy Stress-Less Holidays #2

2011-11-23T08:11:00.000-08:00

This one is just in time for a Happy Thanksgiving...

Avoid Excesses

While this may seem obvious, it may also seem impossible. This is the season of excess everything - eating, shopping, spending, drinking, late nights, stress - you name it! It helps me to remember where the majority of our excesses ultimately land:

Sorry this isn't the typical image of abundance and cornucopia you expect to be greeted with on Thanksgiving, but to me it represents the reality of how I feel after a couple of months of too much of everything and, ultimately, the global impact of my personal excesses. I use the image of a garbage dump because it holds personal significance.

When Bryan and I became first-time homeowners, we moved into our home and felt overwhelmed by the fact that it was so empty, and wondered how on earth we were ever going to be able to purchase the furniture and accessories to make it feel warm and comfortable. Ten years later, when we were preparing to move out of our first home, we looked around and wondered how on earth did our house become so cluttered? And that was just the beginning; we were astounded by the mountains of dusty boxes and "things" we extracted from our basement and attic, and deposited directly into a dumpster. We recognized all of the forlorn loot as gifts of holidays past, seasonal decorations we couldn't believe we had ever bought, furniture, clothes etc. etc. - much of it too decomposed to even consider donating or recycling. These "things" seemed to represent an exorbitant amount of our effort and resources over the past years, and we truly felt exhausted and deflated, and even ashamed, sending it to a landfill.

So this is a lesson that I've been thinking about a lot over the past few years. I find that it not only pertains to our consumption of "stuff," but the way we manage our time, our finances, and importantly, our personal health. Excess of one thing seems to implore excess of another. For instance, in the case of our first home, buying so much stuff required that we worked really hard, long hours, which was often excessively taxing on us physically and emotionally, which at times caused us to get run down and exhausted, which in turn caused us to rely on extreme measures (lots of coffee) to keep us going so we could keep paying the bills and maintaining the stuff....

What this means to me as we launch into the holiday season, is that too much of anything results in a stressful, ugly situation for someone, somewhere - regardless of whether the impact lands squarely on my own body, causes stress for my family in an overt or subtle way, or ultimately has a negative impact on my broader environment and community. I think that at this time of year it is especially important to remember that the greatest gift that we can give our family, friends, and community is our clear-headed, authentic, enthusiastic and loving attention - something that's really hard to give when we're feeling stressed, exhausted, or sick.

I've learned that, due to the inevitable circular nature of patterns of excess, it is as easy to diffuse and dismantle the spiral as it is to get entangled in it. Choosing one area to "reduce" in some way can effectively diminish the momentum of the pattern and begin to restore balance. Here are some possible ways to start reducing the insult of excess on your body and immune system:

Don't overeat, even though it's Thanksgiving. This is so stressful for your body. Rather than nourishing you, overconsumption - even of wonderful, healthy, homemade foods - gives your body an enormously stressful situation to deal with, and ultimately depletes you. Rather than having some of everything - just enjoy your most favorite holiday dishes, and ask if you can bring home some leftovers!

Don't over-exercise. Over-exercising does not make up for overeating - both situations are equally taxing and done in tandem will swiftly wear down your immunity. If you consider yourself an athlete but are suffering from chronic injuries, frequent colds, poor sleep, moodiness, irritability or anxiety, feeling cold all the time, or menstrual problems for women, your exercise routine may be draining you more than it's supporting you.

Don't under-exercise. Excessive sitting is as harmful as any other excess. If you don't enjoy going to the gym, then don't. But commit to some regular daily activity that engages your whole body. Try walking, dancing, playing with children, building a snowman...

Avoid overly emotional situations. Obviously this isn't always possible. It is possible, however, and one of the most profound teachings of yoga, to train ourselves not to react in an emotional way to stressful situations, and to not add fuel to a fire. A daily practice of quiet discipline; simply sitting and breathing, or regularly indulging in relaxing yoga poses to soothe your nervous system, increases your ability to access that place of calm and composure under pressure. (Be sure to stop back for my next post to learn one of my favorite techniques for developing this important skill!)

Do over-indulge in acts of love and gratitude. Take care of your amazing, healthy body; appreciate all of the things it allows you to do and experience every day. Tell the people in your life how much you appreciate them and why. Say a prayer or pause for a moment of silence before you eat. Give a compliment. Write a daily gratitude list. Give generously of your time, attention and resources where they are most needed. Give hugs. Give someone a break. Put your feet up...

What is one daily choice you can make to begin to diffuse a pattern of excess?

How can you give abundance, without the stressful after effects?

Peace, Good Eating, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Jen

Strategies for Healthy, Stress-Less Holidays #1

2011-11-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my seasonal series featuring natural healing strategies for less stress, stronger immunity and more enjoyable holidays - that won't leave you saddled with a hangover and flu bug to contend with in January! This series of posts will unfold as we make our way through the season of celebrations. Although these strategies offer powerful healing potential any time of the year, implementing them now - when you're less likely to have time for them - is exactly how to cultivate the habitual choices and skills necessary to stay healthy and strong in the long term; even in the most stressful of times!!!

Due to the typical nature of the season, I feel I have to lead with this:

#1:

Prioritize YourSELF.

Put your self care at the top of the daily to-do list, rather than the bottom (no one ever gets to the last few items on the list!!!).

For most of us, our kids, clients, bosses, boards-of-directors and co-workers won't be checking in with us to make sure we're not getting a little rough around the edges. If we're waiting for someone to say, "Gee, you look a little tired, why don't you go home and relax...," chances are it ain't gonna happen! So we have to take the initiative to do this for ourselves.

Great health doesn't happen by accident!

If you're not in the habit of indulging in daily self-care, now is the time to start! Feeling well requires putting your health and wellness choices at the top of your to-do list. There is no way around this. There are no herbs, organic foods, medications or therapies that can completely undo the cumulative effects of self-neglect. Embracing this notion gives you an enormous amount of control over your own well-being.

I'm not perfectly disciplined about this - far from it. But, I do realize that when I begin to feel a bit vulnerable and unwell, there's usually a pattern of intensity or perpetual doing that has invaded my peace-of-mind and taken precedence over my self care routines. My personal strategies include meditation and journaling, walking daily with my husband and/or dog, and weekly dance classes. Preparing a hot breakfast every day, and having help with planning and preparation of family dinners assures consistent high-quality nourishment for my whole family.

Are you ready to make your health and happiness a daily high priority? What are the high-impact health choices you make every day?

My Pick for Holiday Giving

2011-11-15T11:13:00.000-08:00

As my kids have gotten older - although the appeal of Santa Claus and all that he stands for never seems to get old - my family has been looking for ways to make Christmas less commercial and chaotic, and less stuff-oriented. Since we moved a few years ago to the West Coast from Massachusetts, where most of our family lives, our holidays have been a lot quieter; generally it's just the four of us. While we miss sharing the holiday traditions with our friends and family - tree day, the fabulous meals, Gram's chocolate pie, and yes, the thrill of giving and receiving pretty packages - we are grateful every day that our life has brought us so many blessings and the ability to provide abundantly for our family year-round.

Tree Day is probably the most important day of the whole season for our family! It's always the saturday after Thanksgiving, always involves a painstakingly long search for the "perfect tree," and always includes plenty of hot chocolate with gourmet marshmallows (even if it happens to be sunny and 70!).

A new tradition we've adopted since moving to Morgan Hill, California, is participating in the Holiday Giving Program sponsored by Community Solutions - an extraordinary organization which offers an array of services to help families who are struggling in our local community. Through this program, we have the opportunity to provide Christmas for another family. We choose the size family we'd like to support, we receive a wish list, then shop, wrap, and deliver beautiful packages filled with both needs and wishes to the Community Solutions drop location (a warehouse in Morgan Hill), and CS representatives then deliver the packages to the family.

I invite you to join us in adopting a family, or giving to families in our local community in one of the following ways:

Each year, individuals and families struggle to meet their challenges and needs during the holidays. This holiday season, you can give individuals and families in our community the gift of hope.

Here are some ways you can help:

Adopt-a-family

Select any size family

Host a drive for new items to be given as gifts

A list of needed items is available by request

Host a Giving Tree
Donate any new items that can be given as gifts
Donate Grocery Cards
Donate holiday wrapping supplies
Volunteer at the warehouse

Gifts can be delivered December 9th through December 10th.

Last year, Community Solutions helped over 500 individuals and families experience the joy and hope of the holiday season. Together, we can create opportunities for positive change in our community.

For more information, please contact Paige Day at paiged@communitysolutions.org or 408.776.6232.

Follow Community Solutions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/comsolorg
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySolutions

My Flying Trapeze Adventure

2011-11-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

This was most definitely an adventure I won't soon forget!!!

For my 41st birthday I took a group of my bravest friends to San Francisco with me to fly on the Trapeze at the Circus Center, and then out for dinner at Greens Restaurant.

Inspired by my friend Vicki, who brought a group of her coolest biker-chick friends to Palm Springs to ride in the Tour d' Palm Springs century, and enjoy a weekend of dining and pampering for her 50th last February, I thought, why not celebrate my 41st in style? I was too busy having a meltdown over my 40th (sort of threatened my husband over his intention to throw me a party....), and basically tried to pretend that it wasn't actually happening. Well, I can't say I'm completely over my hangups about this milestone, but I decided to celebrate anyway.

Not that we need to celebrate anything in order to have adventures - lest we get so comfortable in a routine that we forget that we can and should have adventures. Wasn't it Eleanor Roosevelt that advised wise women to do something that slightly scares the sh*t out of you every day? (something like that....)

I completely agree.

I am so blessed to have so many interesting, adventurous, fun and supportive friends to make this day, as well my everyday adventures, memorable and extraordinary. This particular adventure was motivated by my dancer-choreographer-flying-trapeze-artist friend Dorene (she's the one doing the upside-down flying splits in the photos below!!!), who nonchalantly informed me one day that yes, I too, could fly on the trapeze - if I had the guts. Here are some photo highlights:

The Warmups:

First trips to the platform: serious faces, deep breathing...

This is me thinking how much I want to turn around and climb back down the ladder. I'm pretty sure I would have if I hadn't dragged all my friends along with me!!!

The platform we launched from was maybe 12 inches wide. You had to get your toes hanging off the edge, and then your coach would grab your belt and move your your hips way forward...

This is a perfect demonstration of what they want you to do...

I totally thought I was doing it, but my hips were defying me....!

After a few heart-stopping moments, and some really sloppy first goes at it, we all got it down! Here are some of our best swings:

Vicki

We're a multitalented group!

Time out for a technique session. You'd think we'd be paying closer attention....

Getting coaching on the platform - Now I'm paying attention!

Susan

Marianne

Dorene's Spectacular upside-down flying splits!

Cheers! To good friends and a lifetime of fantastic adventures!!

Why I Avoid Genetically Engineered Foods, and I Hope You Will Too

2011-10-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

My blog was never meant to be a platform for activism. My intentions as a mom, natural health practitioner, and blogger are to inspire and support my clients, friends, family, fellow bloggers and incidental readers in creating a healthy, joyful and sustainable life. My clients (and my family) know that my approach is based on personal responsibility; appreciating and utilizing our strengths, gently recognizing and owning our weaknesses, and nourishing every aspect of ourselves with nutritious food, healthy relationships, and conscious life choices that reflect and realize our unique gifts and aspirations.

In any natural healing model, our well-being and success are largely determined by the seemingly small, habitual choices we make day in and day out; how we spend our time, manage our stress, the quality of rest we allow ourselves, and what we put into our bodies. So this work begins with food. And the more I read, learn, hear of others' experiences, and observe the politics of food and health, it has become startlingly clear that our food supply is one of the largest and most threatening issues of our time, making it nearly impossible to make conscientious, healthful personal choices. And the dangers lingering in our food products are not printed on our food labels, as we have come to expect them to be in the USA.

So I am not able to stand by and "see what happens" on the issue of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms - also called "Genetically Engineered" foods). As a natural health practitioner, anything that assaults, manipulates, or attempts to outsmart and improve upon nature's inherent excellence is very concerning to me. It's also compelling to look back over my family's history and see the correlation between the health challenges we've faced and the timeline and data available on GMOs. Here are a few of the details that caught my attention:

"GM plants, such as soybean, corn, cottonseed, and canola, have had foreign genes forced into their DNA. The inserted genes come from species, such as bacteria and viruses, which have never been in the human food supply." Read more h ttp://www.responsibletechnology.org/health-risks

The American Academy for Environmental Medicine recommends that all physicians educate and advise their patients to avoid GMO foods. Read more http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html

In animal studies, GMOs have been linked to allergies, GI disturbances, liver problems, infertility, organ damage and death. Read more http://www.responsibletechnology.org/health-risks

There have been no human studies to evaluate the long-term effects of GMOs. Read more http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-basics

The FDA does not require data on the safety of GMOs. Biotech companies are left to determine if their own foods are safe. Read more http://www.responsibletechnology.org/docs/145.p

I recently learned from Robyn O'Brien, food allergy crusader and author of The Unhealthy Truth, that Kraft, Coke, and Wal-mart have reformulated their products to sell abroad because the European Union refuses to allow GMOs into their food products. (See Robyn's TED video, which I've shared below)

Rates of childhood allergies, asthma, autism, ADHD, type II diabetes and obesity have increased dramatically over the past two decades. Genetically modified foods were introduced into the food supply in 1996. Read more http://www.responsibletechnology.org/newsletters/316 and The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O'Brien.

Yikes! What on earth do you do with this information?

1. If you're not sure how GMOs affect you and your family, watch Robyn O'Brien's TED Video where she tells her family's story, and the startling facts she uncovered about the integrity of our food supply.

2. Educate yourself! Read up, watch videos, download handouts and powerpoint presentations on GMOs at http://www.responsibletechnology.org.

3. Avoid GMO products. Download and use the GMO Shopping Guide or iPhone App.

4. Go to LabelGMOs.org and sign the petition for the ballot initiative to require labeling of GM foods in California!

5. Buy organic foods whenever possible, and look for the NON GMO Project label:

6. Look for these foods and ingredients on your food labels and Avoid them: rbGH milk (milk that is not labeled organic is almost definitely tainted with rbGH), corn, canola, soy, sugar beets. Also, food additives, enzymes, flavorings, processing agents and aspartame.

7. Become a trained speaker and help educate your friends, family, co-workers, community about the dangers of GMO foods.

8. Vote with your grocery dollars and your fork! Become part of the Tipping Point Movement.

Holistic Moms Lead The Way Toward A Healthier Future

2011-09-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

I like to imagine a world where great nutrition and natural medicine are the first line of defense for our health challenges, rather than the last resort. I like to imagine that health-supporting, chemical free whole foods are the rule rather than the exception in our grocery stores, and that they are more accessible and affordable than those that harm us. I like to believe that a sustainable diet/lifestyle, naturally great health, joy, and economic sustainability are the rule rather than the exception for the average family; where operating within our means, preserving our resources and supporting our local farmers and crafters is our way of life, and becomes the guiding intention for our communities and national economies. In fact, I believe that in order to save the planet and achieve national and global sustainability, this bottom-up approach is the only viable path there is.

As a culture, we've created a lifestyle that bumps up against nature day in and day out; through habits and economies of excess, pollution, and ignorance of the natural cycles. In the wise words of one of my professors of Chinese medicine: "When you fight nature, you lose." This is evidenced by the enormous amount of stress in every aspect of our lives; through poor health, in the breakdown of our environment; in the breakdown of our national and global economies.

Holistic Moms, compelled by love for their children and their hopes for a bright future, understand that this cycle needs to stop somewhere - and they're willing to make the less popular and less convenient decisions to preserve personal and environmental health. That's why I love the Holistic Mom's Network, and why I invite you to join this growing national community of intelligent and committed moms and dads, taking root now in Morgan Hill, CA.

I'M GOING!

Are you coming?

The Holistic Moms Network needs your support now more than ever! Due to an impending labor dispute at the Hilton Long Beach, Holistic Moms Network chose to support working moms and relocate the Natural Living Conference in the final hours of planning - at great expense and inconvenience - to Irvine CA. You can show your support of both working moms and the natural parenting revolution by attending this extraordinary event, which isn't likely to be on the West Coast again for several years. It will be a fabulous prelude to our local chapter launch!

Top 10 Reasons to attend the 2011 Natural Living Conference.

Unable to attend? Support Holistic Moms Network by joining our national network, or make a direct donation.

Morgan Hill Chapter

Launching in November!!

Monthly Meeting Location: The Loft Family Enrichment Center, 16360 Monterey Street, #210, Morgan Hill

Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 7-9 p.m.

Open House:

Come get to know us!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 7-9 p.m.

Monthly Meeting

Tuesday January 10, 2011, 7-9 p.m.

Mom's Night Out

Location TBD

Check out our beautiful meeting space, generously provided by The Loft Family Enrichment Center:

Email me for more information, or visit www.holisticmoms.org to join.

Hope to see you soon!

Yours in health,

Jen

Ganglion Cyst Begone!

2011-08-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Check out this ugly little fella that appeared out of nowhere on my wrist recently:

Apparently, it's just a ganglion cyst, also called a "Bible cyst," because one of the traditional treatments for it is to smash it with a Bible. As people started to notice it more and more, this strategy was suggested to me repeatedly. I wasn't into it, I like my wrist. (One half-joking friend even suggested that perhaps it was a sign that I need to sit down and spend more time with my Bible - that's probably true).

So what I found out about about ganglion cysts, is that they do appear out of nowhere around joints, usually due to some trauma or flaw in the connective tissues around the joint. I do a lot of weight-bearing in my hands and wrists in my yoga practice, although I don't remember experiencing any trauma that I can attribute this to. I literally just looked down one day and it was there. I've had no pain or problems with it; it's just sort of annoyingly present, and my kids think it looks freakish.

Possible treatments are to go to the doctor and have it aspirated with a needle, surgery, to smash it with a Bible as mentioned above (not recommended), or to let it be and allow it to resolve on its own if it's not causing any problems.

My chiropractor "activated" it several times for me (you know, with the tool they have that looks and works like a branding gun, like the thing they use at WalMart to stick prices on packages). I massaged it with castor and mahanarayan oil, applied heat, made sure there were plenty of bitter greens in my diet daily (bitter flavor helps to reduce accumulations) as well as a green superfood supplement, and took some Ayurvedic herbs internally, (manjistha and turmeric, among others). Almost two months later, nothing had changed. In fact, it seemed it was getting bigger.

This past week I went to the acupuncture clinic at Five Branches University (where I'm studying Chinese Medicine). I was hoping they'd be able to stick a needle somewhere and dissolve it once and for all. No such luck. My doctor and intern considered the fact that it was located at the intersection between two meridians, contemplating whether it was an accumulation due to a larger process of stagnation, or trauma. The presiding opinion was trauma. The treatment was massaging the surrounding area, along the meridians, with a touch of some sort of Chinese analgesic oil, and application of a heat lamp, the intention being to move the accumulated fluid back into general circulation.

After two treatments, still nothing had changed (although my intern kept assuring me it looked smaller....). I continued massaging it on my own the next several days using a similar technique, and when I woke up yesterday, I noticed it had softened and begun to spread. Today my wrist is almost normal again, yeah!

Here are the before and after photos:

As I understand it, the problem with these little buggers is that they tend to recur. Of course I'm hoping for the best, complete resolution. So I'll be keeping up with my herbs and massage for a bit longer. Probably a re-visit to the acupuncture clinic too, to see what their suggestions for followup are.

Have you had an experience with a similar cyst? Have you been able to completely resolve it? How did you do it? I'd love to hear about it...

Seventeen Years, Free Advice, and a San Francisco Restaurant Review

2011-08-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

"I laughed, tipping back my chair, my hands on the edge of the crisp white tablecloth, and stared at you as if you had just turned a double somersault above the table. The restuaurant, buoyant with laughter, made me feel I was falling, not accelerating but floating, like a feather in sunlight. You touched your silverware and stared at the rose in the middle of the table as if it were a photograph."

- Henry Bromwell

Bryan and I recently celebrated 17 years of marriage, friendship and culinary adventures together! This quote reminded me of our first date, although there was no mention of me dropping food on my lap or his best friend calling the maitre d' to harass us. And it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that food has been a central theme in our relationship ever since; he loves to cook, I love to eat; I like to talk, he likes to cook; I eat to live, he lives to eat. Is that not a match made in heaven?

This is us now:

And here's a photo from our wedding day:

I know what you're thinking:

We haven't changed a bit! Right?

To celebrate the occasion, we brought the family into the city with us to visit the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market (what else would a couple of food fanatics do on their anniversary?) and do some school shopping. Then we dropped the kids off at Fisherman's Wharf to fend for themselves for a bit (isn't it great when your kids get big?), and went out for a fabulous waterfront dinner-for-two at THE PLANT Cafe Organic.

The farmer's market was crowded and the lines at the food stalls were long, but as usual, we came home with a cooler full of delicious fresh produce, a variety of raw cheeses, fresh bread, and squash blossoms (which we've been hard pressed to find around Morgan Hill!).

Tip: It's a mob scene in the market and can be hard - once you find your culinary treasure - to find a place to sit and eat. I was determined to find a place that was both out of the sun and somewhat removed from the crowd. So we walked along the back side of the Ferry Building for a bit and there it was: the upper viewing deck. We found our own bench, a fabulous view AND cover from the sun - yeah!

Then we saw this guy:

Hilarious! His title at the bottom of the sign actually reads: Mike something-or-other, PhD. I forgot to ask what his PhD was in though. Hmmmm.

Regardless, we had a lovely conversation about, ummm, lots of random stuff. His advice on marriage and raising teens was "to keep doing what you're doing, you appear to be outrageously happy." Mike, if you ever happen to stumble upon this blog, I hope you got the girl. ; )

Our dinner at THE PLANT Cafe Organic was definitely the highlight of the day! We started at the bar for a glass of wine, among the ambiance of their small built-in pizza oven and friendly bartender, who gave us an overview of his favorite menu items while we waited for a waterfront table.

I was excited because there were at least 10 different things on the menu that I really wanted to try - typically we go out and Bryan has all the choices and there's maybe two things on the menu I'm mildly interested in, generally a fish or veggie dish, and often times I just go with sides. (This is what happens when a committed meat-eater and an almost-vegetarian live and dine together year after year; one of us is always slightly underwhelmed by the menu options). But even with the huge variety of creative vegetarian options, there were some pretty decent meat options.

All in all, Bryan was pretty happy with his Shrimp Dumpling appetizer and pizza-personalized-at-his-request with roasted chicken, wild mushrooms and Point Reyes blue cheese, although he said the chicken was a little on the dry side (he's a professional, used to competition-grade meats).

I went with the California Plant Burger (burger made of lentils, mushrooms, cashews, beets and bulghar) with avocado, white cheddar, butter lettuce and tomato on sourdough. It was aaaamazing!

My husband's remark was "Wow - my wife's eating a burger, that's pretty hot!" (I don't get it, but okay).

We shared a side of sauteed corn with shallots, chili flakes and lime. Pretty good, with a little kick, but I couldn't help thinking this would be really good with some lima beans...

I started with the avocado and grapefruit salad, which was outrageously light and delicious!

We had absolutely no room for dessert (we'll have to plan better next time!). The whole experience definitely left me looking forward to the next time; Bryan found it to be a "refreshing change of pace" and said he'd be happy to go back too. : )

Prices are moderate, $12 - $22 for entrees ($12 for a burger); "small bites" and appetizers ranging from $4 to $14. Wheat-free and vegan options are highlighted on the menu, and non-organic ingredients were highlighted with a "*." (There were very few).

Check out my other favorite restaurants:

Amber India, Santana Row, San Jose

Millennium, San Francisco

Greens Restaurant, San Francisco

Healthy Shopping: Join "The Tipping Point" Movement Against GMOs

2011-08-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, making health-supporting food choices and buying decisions is not as straight-forward as it should be. I appreciate handy little tools such as the Non-GMO Shopping Guide, a collaborative project of the Institute for Responsible Technology and the Non-GMO Project, that make clean and healthy choices a lot easier for the average consumer!

A succinct and concise resource for learning exactly what is a GMO (genetically modified organism), and why are they so harmful to our food supply, our health, and the planet, the Institute for Responsible Technology estimates that the "tipping point" against GMO products is just 5% of consumers! That means that if 5% of consumers consistently refuse to buy GMO products, the industry will respond to consumer demands and put the brakes on growing and producing GMOs!

For me, this is a powerful reminder that the way I spend my grocery dollars impacts so much more than just my family's health - it helps shape the future of our food supply and the planet. It's a big deal!

Learn more, empower yourself, "be the change!"

Download the Non-GMO Shopping Guide or iPhone app

Join the campaign

Donate

BMI Report Cards

2011-08-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

Did you know that some schools weigh and measure children, and then send home "BMI (Body Mass Index) Report Cards?"

Should we weigh and measure adults at work, and send them home with report cards? I don't think this would be tolerated.

Is it right to do this to children?

Will it help to address the obesity epidemic?

Read this recent CMAJ article, with input from obesity expert Yoni Freedhoff. Does anyone else have a strong opinion on the matter, either way? I'd love to hear your thoughts....

Living Healthy, Living Green: Are You A Holistic Mom or Dad in the Morgan Hill, CA Area?

2011-08-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled to be part of the leadership team for the new Morgan Hill Chapter of Holistic Moms Network (HMN)!

HMN is a national nonprofit organization that connects parents who are passionate about holistic health and green living.

I have been a member for several years, beginning in the Worcester, Massachusetts Chapter, and more recently the San Jose Chapter. Both have been invaluable resources for friendship, information, purchasing co-ops and practitioner referrals for my family. There are more than 120 chapters across the United States that hold monthly meetings and other events such as mom's night out, play groups, field trips and other events depending on the needs and interests of the membership. I'm super excited that the Morgan Hill Chapter leadership will represent families with small children as well as those with high school and college age children. This will allow our local chapter to welcome and provide meaningful meeting topics to families of all ages and stages. Meet my co-leader, Angelique Lorig.

Monthly meetings host guest speakers and/or discussions on topics such as alternative medicine, gentle discipline, cooking and nutrition, breastfeeding, gardening, holistic living on a budget, and other topics related to balancing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health and parenting. Members are encouraged to take an active role in recommending meeting topics and participating in events, so the discussions and activities are always relevant and valuable.

HMN also hosts dynamic national and local e-mail discussion loops, where members build strong support networks and share advice and information about parenting, holistic health, nutrition, and green living.

Learn more about the benefits of membership here.

I'm developing a list now of potential speakers and meeting topics, so would love to hear from our soon-to-be members about what topics you'd like to explore in our first meetings. If you're interested in membership, joining our leadership team, or are a practitioner who would like to volunteer to present or lead a discussion at one of our meetings, I'd love to hear from you! Email me.

Important Note: Holistic Moms Network has a strict non-solicitation policy. Health practitioners who are moms and dads are welcome and encouraged to join our community and introduce themselves as parents and professionals, but direct advertising to the members-only online communities is not allowed. This maintains the integrity of the community as a friendly and supportive forum for sharing information and resources without pressure or persuasion.

Not in the Morgan Hill area? Start or join a chapter in your own community!

Plus, check out the HMN's 8th Annual Natural Living Conference in Irvine, CA!

Featuring Exciting Speakers and Presenters:

Robyn O'Brien

Author of The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick - And What We Can Do About It

A Texas native raised on Twinkies and PoBoys, Robyn O'Brien is an unlikely crusader for cleaning up the food supply. Read more...

Mayim Bialik

Actress, Author, and Holistic Mom

Presenting: Parenting by Intuition: From Hollywood to Holistic Mom

Jennifer Waldburger, LCSW

Author of The Sleepeasy Solution: The Exhausted Parent's Guide to Getting Your Child to Sleep from Birth to Age 5

Presenting Workshop Session: Happiness is an Inside Job Read More...

See the full list of presenters and exhibitors here...

Email Me for more information or to get involved in the new Morgan Hill Chapter of HMN

A Yoga Moment: Make Like a Tree and Be....

2011-08-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

Quietly Calm and Confident.

Strong.

Grounded.

Balanced.

High- and far-reaching....

Tree pose, or "Vrksasana," is a simple, unpretentious yoga pose, but it is surprisingly effective and far-reaching in its benefits.

Ayurvedically, tree pose effectively tames the often unruly "Vata" dosha, or air element. Signs of unruly Vata include feeling flustered, anxious or overwhelmed, forgetful (where did I put my keys?), sleepless, and/or easily distracted. The simplicity and stability of tree pose integrates the nervous system, and helps us to systematically gather scattered energy inward, for more efficient expenditure. To successfuly perform tree pose, we must strike an internal balance between descending, stabilizing earth energy (known as "Kapha"dosha), and the ascending, mobile energy of Vata dosha. As earth energy imparts the virtues of groundedness, conviction, and confidence, the air element gives rise to creativity, opportunity and action.

Our nervous system is deeply affected and soothed by balancing poses, particularly the tree, because balancing requires a synergistic effort among body parts and organ systems. The bones are stacked, aligned, supportive; the muscles gently hug the bones and negotiate with gravity's pull to keep us aligned on our axis; the respiratory and circulatory systems provide freshly oxygenated blood to the muscles and brain as the body aims to accomplish the one task at hand: standing on one leg. This grossly simplifies what's involved on a physiologic level, but suffice it to say that standing on one leg trains our body and mind to perform in an organized and efficient manner. The ultimate result: we feel rejuvenated and empowered.

Even as I'm writing this, I'm thinking, Wow! All that - just from taking the time and setting the intention to stand on one leg for a few moments a day. It never ceases to amaze me how truly profound a dedicated yoga practice can be!

Here's how to do it:

Plant your standing foot into the floor with conviction; balance your weight across the four corners of the foot (ball mound of the big toe, ball mound of the little toe, inner and outer corners of the heel), and be aware of the inner arches of the feet gently lifting away from the floor. The upper leg rotates laterally, the sole of the foot meeting the ankle, calf or inner thigh of the standing leg. Lift through the inner thigh of the standing leg, the pelvic floor, the belly center, through the sternum and the back of the heart. Create length through the back of your neck, dropping your chin slightly, so it floats level with the floor. The sitting bones descend slightly and evenly, creating the sensation of spaciousness in the spine and symmetry between right and left sides. The shoulders fall away from the ears; the jaw and facial muscles are soft.

Squeeze your palms together in front of your heart center, a gesture of reverence and honor known as Anjali Mudra. Creating this dynamic seal in front of the heart is yet another multisensory technique that directs scattered energy back toward the midline of the body, the center of our being.

For variation, you can reach the arms up and out into a wide "V," like tree branches reaching towards the light of the sun; or interlace your fingers, roll the palms skywards and press up, as if you were a pillar holding up the sky.

So be like a tree.

Quietly composed and confident.

Always reach high!

Enjoy!

Let's Talk Wonderful, Delicious, Energy-Enhancing, Health-Supporting Brain Food For Our Kids! Strict Rules and Bans - BLEH!

2011-07-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

Can we just reframe the up-and-coming regulations intended to improve nutrition for children through better school food? Strict rules and bans, as reported in this recent Worcester Telegram article - just sound, well, BLEH! Who likes to be suffocated by something as oppressive and unpalatable as "strict rules and bans?" Clearly not many of the parents of this Massachusetts community, as you can see when you glance over the reader comments on this article.

I may be naive, but I don't understand how or why anyone (other than manufacturers of junk food) could be opposed to improving the quality of nourishment their kids receive through the school lunch program. (After all, if you are truly adamant that you want your kids to eat poor quality food, there's no one stopping you from serving junk at home...).

On the other hand, who doesn't love delicious food? Who doesn't enjoy feeling great, thinking clearly, and having lots of energy and confidence to pursue their wildest dreams? I am absolutely stoked that fresh, real, healing foods could potentially be provided in schools around the country, to every child every day, 180 days of the year! I like to envision a world where we require fewer doctor visits and where there is less need for prescription drugs; a world where families and communities could have lower health care costs, and children enjoy a vibrant future that does not include chronic struggles with weight, body image, or yo-yo dieting. I love the idea that school progams could work cooperatively with families and communities to help children develop strong, healthy bodies with which to enjoy life and experience all of the wonderful things it has to offer.

Who wouldn't want these things for their kids?

We do send our kids to school to learn, and what better way to learn personal care and sustainability than to practice it every day among their role models and peers! For most kids (and adults, I think) - simply reading stuff out of books, or being told what to do, isn't a fun or effective way to learn. It has been my experience, with my own kids and those that I've had the privilege to speak with and counsel on nutrition, that kids LOVE feeling healthy, intelligent and capable!

How blessed we are to live in a country where our lawmakers, health care providers, school officials and teachers care so much about the well-being and success of our children that they aim to make it standard business that every child have access to nourishing food every day - particularly for those children and families who may not have access to such basic necessities in their homes. As a parent, in a time when kids are struggling with so many serious diet-related health problems, and our country and households are burdened with astronomical health care expenses, I am truly grateful!

BRAVO Massachusetts for taking the first steps to lead the way!

Watch this inspiring video featuring Renegade Lunch Lady Ann Cooper, who proves it can be done, that kids WILL eat fresh, real, delicious food, AND love it!

As far as school lunch goes in my current home community, Morgan Hill, CA, there is definitely work to be done. So far I've only briefly tested the waters in my district, with a few discussions and emails to school officials, all of which yielded a cool or non-response. I have certainly learned that there is strength in numbers, and many people like me who are fed up with junk food and junk culture saturating our kids' lives, particularly in school. So, if there are other parents, students, local officials or Jamie Oliver's out there who would like to team up to rally in the Santa Clara County School District for Delicious and Healthy School Nutrition Policy - I'd love to hear from you!

Check out these cool resources for

School Food Advocacy and Action:

Better School Food

Two Angry Moms - It's a Movie. It's a Movement.

Fed Up With School Lunch - The School Lunch Project

Center For Science in the Public Interest School Foods Toolkit

National Farm to School Network

Center For Ecoliteracy Rethinking School Lunch Guide

New York Coalition for Healthy School Food

Chef Ann Cooper's The Lunchbox - Healthy Tools To Help All Schools

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

A Yoga Moment

2011-06-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

I've decided to get over the notion that a workout is not a workout unless it's an all out hot-and-sweaty ring-you-out-and-hang-you-out-to-dry sort of workout. I find that it's important to do something, rather than nothing, if I don't have the time to get dressed, go to the gym, get to a yoga class, ride my bike, etc. In fact, I don't like to think of my daily rejuvenation as a workout at all. It's reconnecting with my body - something I love to do, via dancing, being in nature, walking briskly, etc. And sometimes - if I'm really being honest with myself - what I really need is a timeout, much more than a workout. I can be a bit high strung, so I find that at times it makes more sense to harness my energy than it does to burn it.

So there are days when this is just the thing:

Viparita Karani
AKA: Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose

Scooch up close to the wall,
approaching it sideways,
and put one butt cheek on the wall

Then it's easy and graceful to spin your legs up onto the wall.
Your sitting bones should be touching the wall.

Don't mind my furry friend.
He likes to be on my mat with me when I'm practicing. : )

For maximum benefit, remain in the pose, breathing deeply, for at least 5 minutes. Ten to 15 minutes is even better!

To gracefully exit the pose, slide your feet down the wall, letting your knees rest on your chest.

Then turn onto one side and lift yourself to a seated position with your upper body strength.

If you find it difficult to get into position right up against the wall, here's a modification that works well:

Legs-On-The-Couch Pose

Here's why this yoga pose is an energetic powerhouse:

Viparita Karani is a restorative pose - a pose in which we set the intention to actively relax. Just setting such an intention, in itself, is deeply healing. Since it reduces the effects of stress on the body (and most health problems have their roots in some sort of stress), practicing this pose regularly can be helpful with symptoms of just about any chronic imbalance, including (but not limited to) anxiety, mild depression, insomnia, headaches, high or low blood pressure, PMS, menopause, respiratory problems, varicose veins, and digestive disturbances. Due to it's global restorative effect, it is also thought to help strengthen and restore immunity. Inverted poses are considered "anti-aging," due to the rejuvenating effects at the cellular level - improving oxygenation and nourishment to body tissues.

What I especially love about yoga is that it impacts us in a multi-dimensional way; it can help to shift our mental and emotional energy by, quite literally, changing our perspective. It has been my experience in yoga that being able to make a shift physically, going from right side up to upside down, for instance, can help encourage a more subtle energetic or emotional shift. Changing your state of mind, on the other hand, can change the way you inhabit your body by reducing muscle tension and improving breathing capacity. In this way the body and mind come together synergistically to elicit a healing response.

It feels amazing to put your feet up after a bike ride or run, and it encourages efficient drainage of metabolic debris and hastens recovery. It's a soothing way to end a day, preparing the body for restful sleep, or to take your stress level down a few notches in the middle of a particularly stressful day. If you sit in a chair all day, your body will love you for taking this time-out, and you can enhance the benefits for sitting hips by bringing the soles of your feet together and letting the outer edges of the feet slide down the wall, allowing the knees to butterfly out to the sides, to stretch the groins and inner thighs.

In my opinion and experience, this pose is fine to do during menstruation. In yogic and ayurvedic traditions, inversions (poses where your hips are higher than your head) are not recommended during the menstrual cycle because the positional change can disrupt the down-and-outward flowing energy that governs the cycle. I think (and can feel in my own body) that it's important to respect this, but since this pose is done with the hips on the floor (as long as you're not adding additional lift of the hips with a blanket or bolster), it can be beneficial if it feels right to you when you're on your cycle. As always - you are the boss of your own body - trust that you will "know" if it's right for you or not.

References and Additional Reading:
http://www.harmonyyoga.co.uk/2010/11/14/viparita-karani-turning-your-world-upside-down/
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/690
http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/1140

Celebrating My Dad

2011-06-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to make gratitude a daily practice. It helps keep me sane and focused on what's good in my life rather than the annoying minutia. Today seems like a good time to be grateful for my Dad.

Here are 11 sweet memories and things that I appreciate about my Dad:

The bike rides he used to take me on.

That he taught me how to shoot a bow and arrow.

His passion for wildlife and the outdoors.

His service to our country in the Army and the Vietnam War.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for not letting me go out with that boy on the motorcycle...

I will never forget the time that he dissected a giant snapping turtle in our back yard.

Watching Donnie & Marie with him Friday nights with an enormous bowl of popcorn on each of our laps.

That he helped me buy my first car.

That he put me through college.

Canoeing, fishing, & picking blueberries along the side of the lake.

That he now rides a Harley and has an earring and is frequently mistaken for Paul Senior on Orange County Choppers.

Happy Father's Day Dad! I hope you're relaxing and enjoying the wind in your hair!

Love you.

A Gift of Health and Rejuvenation for Mom and Baby

2011-06-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Do you know someone who's expecting a baby? Need ideas for a sweet shower gift? Here are a few of my favorite natural-health-and-well-being-inspired products to include in a gift package for expecting and new moms:

Check out my list of favorite books and products in the right side bar to order these items directly from Amazon!

Start Fresh: Your Child's Jump Start to Lifelong Healthy Eating
by Tyler Florence

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this new book - it almost makes me want to have another baby around (almost!). Besides all of the mouth-watering whole-foods recipes adapted for babies, toddlers and the entire family, it is an absolute feast for your eyes! (In my opinion, beautiful food photos are important in a cookbook; even the most fabulous recipe printed in black and white Times New Roman does little to inspire me to get my butt in the kitchen). I think this book is a gem that will bring families back together in the kitchen, inspire joy and appreciation for fresh food, and get baby off to a wonderful healthy start in life. Boy do I wish I had this when my kids were small! I mean seriously, Sweet Potato and Blueberry Pancakes? Roasted Golden Beets and Apricots? How about some Ginger Chicken with Coconut? You know I'll be making some of these recipes before I pack the gift!

Perfect Health for Kids: Ten Ayurvedic Health Secrets Every Parent Must Know
By Dr. John Douillard

Another favorite keep-em-healthy book always at my fingertips since I found it several years ago - and that I wish I had when my kids were small! Dr. Douillard is masterful at teaching common sense natural health strategies to keep-'em-healthy, treat 'em when they're sick, and help 'em to develop lifestyle habits and tools that will serve them for a lifetime. This book teaches you how to perceive your child's unique physical, mental and emotional needs, as well as their strengths and vulnerabilities. It has saved us many-a-trip to the doctor, and helped me wean my son completely off a bucket-load of aggressive asthma medications! A natural health Bible for families.

Erbaviva Back Rub Oil

Also available at People and Planet Fair Trade Store in Morgan Hill, CA

For mother's tired back and feet! New moms need to be reminded and encouraged to indulge in regular self-care. Oil massage is a deeply restorative and rejuvenating practice - make sure your dear friend, sister, colleague, wife, or auntie is getting as much love and attention as baby!

Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic Teas

Also available at People and Planet Fair Trade Store in Morgan Hill, CA

A variety of balancing herbal formulas to soothe and nourish the new momma! Organic Morning Wellness Tea includes ginger and mint for a queasy tummy, and the Mama-To-Be Tea Sampler includes calming Melissa, soothing marshmallow, and red raspberry for a healthy pregnancy!

The mama-to-be in your life will surely feel rejuvenated and empowered by your love and support!

Cheers!
Jen

Intuition - Do You Trust Yours?

2011-06-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." - Albert Einstein

Is this not so true?

Are we not taught to look outside of ourselves for the answers to life’s questions, big and small?

We need the doctor to inform us of whether we are healthy or sick, and what to do about it. We need to read books in order to be knowledgeable, and scientific studies to prove what’s true and what’s not.

BTW, have you noticed that pretty much anything that can be proven in a scientific study, can be completely disproven in another? This phenomenon is the topic of a recent Newsweek article “Why Almost Everything You Hear About Medicine is Wrong.”

Well, if that’s true, I’m glad that we have our God-given six senses (five + our common sense) with which to perceive the world, and sort through and come to our own conclusions about the heaps of textbooks, studies, news stories, and experts full of “facts” that guide and misguide us. Information is great – it can get us to think about things that may not have been on our personal radar, and it can spark curiosity and creativity. However, it seems the more educated we are, the less we trust and behave in a way that’s consistent with what we "know."

A good example is all of the information and propaganda we read about artificial sweeteners: we’re told that they’re “natural,” “safe,” and “approved.” So we believe they’re safe. Or rather, we allow ourselves to be convinced that they’re safe. This is so obvious to me whenever I give a presentation on nutrition and holistic health and inevitably someone asks me, apprehensively, what do I think about artificial sweeteners; face tilted, brow furrowed, hoping that I’ll corroborate what they’ve read, and give them “qualified” reassurance to continue with a habit that they clearly know, or at least suspect, is harmful…

What we are able to know, if we’re paying attention (and that’s a big “if”), is how we feel in our body when faced with a big decision. What foods, people and experiences nourish us, and which ones make us tired, dull and numb. What is the best course of action for me now? No one else can make this determination for you as well as you can.

Here’s what I’ve learned about intuition:

1. When I listen to and follow someone else’s knowledge or intuition over my own, whether it be a friend’s or an “expert’s,” if the choice turns out to be off the mark, I end up learning someone else’s lesson, or nothing at all. And then I have to go back, do it over again and learn my own lesson. At least if I make the big decisions from my own heart and soul, I learn something about my own strengths, weaknesses and blind spots and get to grow from the experience.

2. Access to our intuition depends on a high level of physical and emotional health. Nourishing food, regular exercise that feels good, sound sleep, breathing practices, meditation or prayer, creative expression and healthy relationships are essential for a strong connection to your inner self.

3. The small decisions you make day in and day out – the habits you choose – make all the difference. In her book Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, Christiane Northrup points out that “addictions keep us out of touch with what we know or what we feel…” Anything that becomes a vice and keeps us medicated or numb, such as habitual sugar or caffeine, alcohol, drugs or other destructive behaviors, separate us from our ability to “know” with confidence. Our moods, immunity and strength of mind are inhibited or outright altered, and tragically, it becomes easier to stay in a pattern of numb predictability than risking the turbulent waters that we must navigate in order to experience growth.

4. To stay true to your inner wisdom, you need to be okay with being disagreeable, disliked or just plain “dissed.” I am inspired by this quote by Andre Gidé: “It’s better to be hated for what you are than liked for something you are not.”

5. Intuition doesn’t always make sense at first. It may not be clear why something seems right or wrong, or why we have a distinct feeling that a certain path is the right one. Being aligned with your intuition doesn’t always mean the path is clear, but that we feel connected enough to trust a feeling, and trust the path. I think it’s true that “You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star, “ (Friedrich Nietzsche). It’s an important skill to learn to be okay with chaos when it is your soul mapping its way. In my experience, the chaos of not knowing is more the rule than the exception in life, so being able to function in its presence is critical!

6. Fear can be mistaken for intuition, such as in the case of a “feeling” that holds us back from doing extraordinary things. I think it is hard to know the difference sometimes between a valid, “oh don’t go there it won’t be good” sort of premonition, or a situation where we’re making up reasons why it won’t be good because we may be afraid of failing.

7. Life is extraordinarily stressful when you live in a manner that is not aligned with what you believe and what you love. The result is that we feel chronically bad. The body, naturally not being able to tolerate feeling chronically bad, responds with cravings to soothe the hurt temporarily, and we become vulnerable to illness or addictions.

8. Intuition isn’t mystical or irrational – it’s simply about paying attention and making decisions that create harmony in your body, your relationships, and the universe.

Do you trust yours? Is it reasonable (possible?) to trust our intuition in a time and culture that’s saturated with experts, information, and "facts?" I would love to hear your thoughts!

Monday Morning Random Images

2011-06-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

My little weekend project:

Because it makes me feel peaceful to make our home just a little more lovely!

Bryan planted our vegetable garden:

This Monday morning breakfast needed to be especially wonderful since it's the first official day of summer vacation for the kids:

Home-made cinnamon applesauce cooking! Because I'm craving fruit big-time, and my acupuncturist says "no cold food, no cheese, and no flip flops." (Jeez, why don't you take away all of my favorite things!) I get it - must stay warm for proper digestion, so I'm being a good patient.

White tea with honey, slow-cooked oatmeal with home-made applesauce and walnuts lightly toasted in ghee. If this isn't breakfast comfort food, I don't know what is!

I was sure my kids would be showering me with love and appreciation this morning.

But I ate, while they slept.

And are still sleeping.

Anyway, breakfast is waiting on the stove (it's 11 now) and all is peaceful.

Wishing you Peace and Good Eating!

My Two Cents on the New USDA Nutrition Icon: MyPlate

2011-06-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the new government-issued icon for encouraging great nutrition:

Here's a link to check out the website: ChooseMyPlate.gov

What do you think? Will this help you and your kids make better food choices?

No doubt, it makes more common sense than the previous pyramid-turned-on-its-side model:

So on the positive side, it's simple and straightforward. If we learn and practice nothing more than half of our plate should consist of fruits and veggies, it should yield great results. And there are a lot of nifty links for information at the USDA's ChooseMyPlate website to help you plan or assess your diet, and look up the stats on different foods, if you find calorie counting helpful, and detailed information on all of the food groups. There are also lots of tips for healthy eating, such as Tips to Help You Eat Whole Grains, and how to Add More Vegetables to Your Day (although, are canned vegetables REALLY a great addition to any meal?).

I couldn't help noticing within 10 seconds that there was a whole section on food safety, emphasizing hand washing and how to prevent bacteria from contaminating your food, but not a hint of what to do about agrichemicals (pesticides, fertilizers, gmo's) in your food. In fact, I did a search, using the site's own search engine, for the word "organic," and it came up once on page 73 of the 112-page Dietary Guidelines for Americans in microscopic print on a sample food label. There doesn't appear to be any mention or concern whatsoever for carcinogenic chemicals in our food. Click here to read why going organic is essential. This is a critical, um, "oversight," in my opinion.

So yes, it is a lovely and straightforward graphic, and still, I love that our First Lady has become such a crusader for good food and children's health, but I can't help wondering how much time, effort and and taxpayer money went into this simplistic redesign? After all, if you REALLY look at all of the food pyramids and recommendations since the beginning of time - at least since the time when eating became a complex issue - ALL of the models recommend a plant-based diet (whether or not meat is included in the model - it's not to say meat is bad, we just don't need quite as much meat as we do plants!!). That hasn't changed, although, it's true, sometimes it's hard to see through all of the pretty packaging and peculiar food-like products how these "foods" were once plants. I estimate that we could have fed a few million schoolchildren real food for lunch with the resources spent to re-state what should be obvious.

Do I think this model is going to help MY kids make better choices? I have to admit, I'm skeptical; because, as Michele Simon (author of Appetite for Profit) eloquently asked in her Twitterfeed during the unveiling of MyPlate yesterday: "Are they whipping it out at the 7-11? At the McDonald's drive-thru?" How about at the movie theater, ballpark, or the food stalls at the mall? Doubtful.

I believe there are still some critical pieces missing to achieve the intended results.

1. Let's get past the PR and get practical - School children need a decent meal at lunchtime that includes fresh, real, organic food. This is so important in the middle of the school day when their developing little bodies and brains so desperately need vital nutrition (that's 180 days out of the year that kids will get a great lunch! That's huge!). It's so important that we set this example in our communities, among their peers and other adult role models - my kids are tired of me encouraging, nagging, and negotiating with them to eat their veggies, and just want to eat hot dogs, Doritos and Slushies "like everyone else." I know Mrs. Obama and many others are working on this! I'm enthusiastically looking forward to seeing all of the great PR yield some great quality school food.

2. The chemicals, colorants and flavor enhancers need to be eliminated from food products so that children can actually recognize and taste real food when they encounter it. Fat, carb and calorie counting is a waste of time if their food is laced with poisons that are doing their bodies more harm than good.

3. Agricultural policy needs to change. (Click here to see a comparison of MyPlate recommendations with farm subsidy allocations, compliments of Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine.) Our government needs to stop subsidizing agribusinesses that are producing cheap, nutrient deficient foods, and support our small local organic farmers instead to grow and distribute their fresh, chemical-free, seasonal crops at reasonable prices. They are the gems who have the skills and product know-how to help us restore our health - and save the planet. Check out the outstanding CSA (Community Shares Agriculture) and conglomeration of local organic farms that we use.

Overall, I'm thrilled that we've taken another step forward, but there's much more advocacy and work to be done.

Read further commentary on MyPlate at Michele Simon's Appetite for Profit and Marion Nestle's Food Politics blogs.

As a mom who turns myself inside-out to get my kids to eat good food, I appreciate this Chicago Times article featuring obesity expert Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, who explains why parents face an insurmountable battle against junk food marketing, and why food marketing reforms are essential.

To join the fight for clean, chemical-free food and truth-in-labeling visit Organic Consumers Association.

Click here to view A Brief History of USDA Food Guides.

Digestive Health, Chiro Style

2011-05-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

I am sooo excited to share this article and interview with Dr. Nicole Conragan, a friend and local chiropractor in Morgan Hill, CA. This post is a followup to my recent post, Ayurvedic Tips for Optimal Digestion, where I discussed how essential a healthy digestive system is to our overall health. Dr. Nicole reminds me all the time how important a healthy spine and good posture are for our digestive system. I am one of her best customers since, although I teach yoga and have coached people in proper body alignment for about 20 years now, I still love to sit curled up on my couch under a blanket, cozy-style, while I work at my computer or read a book for hours at a time. This is the stuff that keeps chiropractors in business, and, as we'll find out below, prescription meds like Zantac, Prilosec, and Nexium flying off pharmacy shelves. An ex-user of Nexium myself, I most definitely don't recall my doctor asking me about my food and lifestyle habits, much less asking for an evaluation of my posture. In fact, I do remember asking if it would make a difference if I quit coffee - he said "Naahhhh, live your life, this medication is very safe...." Click here to read the list of risks and possible side effects for Nexium.

Here is some chiropractic wisdom and experience from Dr. Nicole, followed by several interview questions she answered for me:

Drs. Dave and Nicole Conragan
Community Chiropractic, Morgan Hill, CA

An Adjustment for Indigestion

By Dr. Nicole Conragan

A mom and dad came to me looking for help for their 7 week-old son. He had digestive issues, and would scream inconsolably after eating, as well as continuously in the car. For those of you who are

parents, I think you can relate to the frustration and agony one feels with a crying child. It can cause parents untold stress, and even physical pain.

Now, you may be asking yourselves, why would parents bring their child to a chiropractor for colic? First of all, the birth process can be traumatic, and subluxations occur in the upper neck or back when the baby is “helped” out by pulling. These subluxations can manifest in many ways, but a very common manifestation is colic. Colicky babies cry constantly because they are in pain! This is not a normal occurrence!!

Zantac is not the answer. It does absolutely nothing to correct the cause of the problem in the first place, and will cause a host of problems in the future. In fact, poor digestion goes hand in hand with chronic illness for children and adults alike.

Chiropractic adjustments make all the difference in the world, and made a big difference in that little baby’s life. Adjustments to his neck reduced the spinal cord tension that was inhibiting his body’s function. He started sleeping better because his pain had lessened and his digestion improved.

Another extremely important factor to consider with a colicky baby is the mother’s diet. It is common for dairy and gluten sensitivities to be felt by the baby, and when the mom eliminates dairy and wheat, the baby begins to thrive!

Jen: What might an adult or older child be experiencing if a subluxation is the cause of their digestive distress?

Dr. Nicole: There is really no way for an individual to determine whether or not a subluxation is the cause of their indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, or general abdominal discomfort (a subluxation is a misalignment in the spine that doesn’t allow normal movement in that area. It irritates or stretches the nerve affecting the muscle or organ, as well as affecting the entire brain-body connection).

It's usually a combination of factors. With babies, it's often very clear because their only food is mother's milk, and either Mom needs to fix her diet, Baby is subluxated, or both. With older kids and adults, it becomes more complicated because of years of eating history, toxicity in the body (from food additives and environmental toxins) and stress-related issues. We usually discover later, after a patient has been under care for several months, that their indigestion resolves, or they could eat foods they couldn't eat before.

If one eliminates food sensitivities, cleans up one's diet, works on stress-reducing techniques, and is still experiencing abdominal discomfort and digestive issues, the answer may lie in neurologic interference to the stomach and bowel.

Jen: Is there a certain part of the spine that relates directly to digestive function? Which nerves/vertebrae?

Dr. Nicole: Absolutely. There are multiple areas in the spine that relate to digestive function in the mid- and low-back. There is redundancy in the nerve control, meaning multiple nerves go to the same location.

In the thoracic spine, vertebral nerves 5, 6, 7 and 9, 10, 11 innervate the stomach and small intestine. Lumbar vertebral nerves 1 and 2, and the lowest thoracic vertebral nerve go to the large intestines. Thoracic vertebral nerves 5-7 and 9-11 also innervate the pancreas (responsible for digestive enzymes). Lastly, the upper cervical spine affects the entire body, including digestion.

Jen: Is there an area of the back that's likely to be achy?

Dr. Nicole: Not necessarily. Subluxations can be completely painless, even when they are affecting nerve function.

Jen: How does generally poor posture affect the digestive process? Can you explain how exactly this might impair the organs and function?

Dr. Nicole: Poor posture affects EVERYTHING!!! Structurally, it affects the amount of space the organs have to do their job. Poor posture crowds the organs, allowing for little movement and circulation. Neurologically, poor posture creates subluxation and muscle imbalances, disrupting vital nerve flow to the organs and tissues. It also eventually causes pain, which is usually what brings people in to see me.

Jen: Do you have any success stories to share regarding adults resolving digestive issues or being able to wean off medications after receiving chiropractic treatments?

Dr. Nicole: There are many. One in particular stands out because he was the owner of a large company, under tremendous stress, and had indulgent eating habits. He came to us for a low back issue he was having. We found degenerative arthritis in his spine and recommended a long-term course of corrective care. It wasn’t until his second re-examination (four months later) that he asked the question: “Do adjustments have anything to do with my digestion? I don’t need my meds any more, and I can eat steak!”

Apparently, he had such bad heartburn that he couldn’t eat many of his favorite foods even while on medication. After several months of care, he realized that he didn’t have to limit himself, and he didn’t need the meds.

Of course, diet modification and exercise was also recommended! But the only thing he changed in his hectic life was to get adjusted, and it totally relieved the intense, burning pain he felt after eating.

Dr. Nicole Conragan is a Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate and has been in practice with her husband for 15 years.

Get Spring and Summer Savvy with Ayurveda

2011-05-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I HATE being sick. I strongly dislike doctors and hospitals (although I'm grateful that they're there with their miraculous skills and interventions, just in case). And I believe most pharmaceuticals do more harm than good. I avoid them at all costs. I have no patience for disruptions to my life such as colds, flus, bellyaches, allergies, or trips to the doctor or the emergency room for asthma attacks or other health crises. So I go out of my way to protect my and my family's health to avoid such nuisances that drain us of our energy and time.

Ayurveda, the 5000-year-old system of natural medicine or "science of life," teaches us how to shift and change with the seasons to maintain our strength and luster throughout the year and throughout our lifetime. In my experience, it's absolutely remarkable how tapping into the natural cycles of the day, the seasons, and our life - being aware of potential accumulations and vulnerabilities that can occur throughout these cycles - can empower us to prevent annoying and even catastrophic physical and emotional meltdowns!

Here's how you can recruit the subtle rhythms and offerings of nature to work for you to keep you healthy and resilient during the spring and summer months:

A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE

2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."

1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."

1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."

1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."

1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."

2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"

(author unknown)

Spring Is The Time To Lighten Your Body and Your Spirit!

What happens in our environment: There's rain, mud, pollen, lots of new growth around us, and the spring harvest of berries, sprouts and greens is beginning to thrive. The weather can be damp and cool, and the daylight hours are starting to get longer.

If you have a body/mind type that mirrors the qualities of spring, or "kapha," as it's called in Ayurveda, you'll be more vulnerable in the spring than other seasons. If you have a larger body frame, tend to put on weight easily, have a generally laid back, sweet, loving, supportive, disposition, move a little slower; maybe you don't love to exercise or being the center of attention but enjoy supporting and connecting with others, and are a very sound sleeper, you may be a kapha body/mind type.

What you may be feeling: As we're resurfacing from the cold winter months, our bodies can feel a bit heavier - an accumulation of the appropriately heavier foods that we eat throughout the cold months to stay warm and strong. When the moisture of spring is superimposed on this natural heaviness, we can start feeling REALLY heavy; these accumulations begin to result in overflow, and classicly, the onset of a spring cold, excess weight, low energy, perhaps having a hard time getting going in the morning (need coffee?), slow, sluggish digestion, congestion, allergy symptoms, even a bit of emotional heaviness or depression. These are signs that we're accumulating a little too much moist and heavy quality, or earth and water elements, which constitute "kapha" quality in Ayurveda. Keep in mind you don't HAVE to have a kapha body type to experience these symptoms in the spring!

Food: A lighter diet during the spring is key to reducing mucus formation and susceptibility to colds and allergies. Spring foods help to reduce fat accumulation that may have naturally occurred during the winter (a little bit is perfectly natural!), and also promote healthy digestion (find out why that's essential to your overall health here) and an overall feeling of lightness. Think berries and greens! LOTS of greens; bitter greens such as dandelion & mustard, microgreens such as chlorella or spirulina, and cooked greens, such as kale, swiss chard or bok choy. Vegetables that are cooked, ideally with some warming herbs & spices, will be easier for your body to digest and assimilate than raw greens like salad. Berries are in season - many varieties such as cherries and blueberries are slightly bitter and astringent, or drying, in nature, so enjoy lots of them! Plant-based protein sources such as beans, tofu or tempeh, which are lighter in nature, containing more air element or "vata" type energy, are preferable to meat in the spring. Reducing or eliminating dairy products, sugar and glutinous grains such as wheat, barley and spelt, will ease digestion and help to lighten the body. Millet and quinoa are ideal spring grains as they are lighter and warmer in nature; easier to digest, extraordinarily nutritious, and extremely versatile. Grains are always best consumed in their whole form and enjoyed in a pilaf, soup, salad, or breakfast cereal, but millet bread and quinoa pasta are also lighter choices than wheat-based products.

In short: More fresh, light, cooked and plant-based foods; less heavy, oily, dense, creamy, sweet, raw and animal-based foods.

Herbs that will help to motivate digestion, break up congestion and promote natural cleansing in spring include ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, fennel, mustard, fenugreek, cardamom, garlic and black pepper. Cook with them regularly in the spring, and/or enjoy them in tea.

Try this simple home remedy for sluggish digestion: Grate 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ginger, add a pinch of sweetener (I use honey), a pinch of sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon. Take about 15 minutes before meals. I make a small batch of it and store it in the fridge for a few days at a time.

Lifestyle and Exercise: Get up with the sun, exercise in the morning. The antidote to heaviness and congestion, in addition to light diet, is to get up and get moving. The morning is when our body is strongest, a little stiffer, and perhaps a bit congested, especially this time of year. Maybe you wake up a little stuffy, groggy and sluggish? A feeling of "stuckness" can accumulate and cause us to reach for coffee or sugar to get going....(maybe for years now?). A healthy dose of vigorous movement (according to your preference and fitness level) will help to lift your mood, move toxins out of your system for elimination, and melt away excess weight. It doesn't have to be a marathon run!!!! A brisk 10-15 minute walk with the dog in the morning will do wonders. Does this not sound like fun to you? Invest in a personal trainer, group class or fitness oriented club membership (such as a hiking, biking, or dancing group) for motivation and support. If you're someone who doesn't enjoy exercise, reaching out for motivation and support could be an investment that saves your life!

I would love to see you in my vinyasa flow yoga class Tuesday mornings at 7 at the Morgan Hill CRC!

Another great home remedy for spring congestion is to use a Neti Pot, such as this one, to rinse your sinuses with warm salt water every morning, and follow with Nasya Oil, or just plain sesame oil, to the nasal membranes. The warm salt water will wash away foreign debris and dried mucus and help to reduce inflammation. The oil will protect and lubricate your nasal and sinus membranes. I recommend performing Neti in the morning, followed by Nasya, and applying Nasya again before bed. Do not perform Neti before bed, as residual fluid could be trapped in your sinuses when you lie down and promote further accumulations. Both Neti Pots and Nasya Oil are available at People and Planet Fair Trade Store in Morgan Hill.

Summer Savvy: Cool Your Jets!

If you happen to live in or near Morgan Hill, California, as I do, you might be noticing that our hills are already changing from lush green to scorched, or rather, "golden," brown. We've already had a few days of hot, dry weather, so depending on how much the heat affects you, it may be time already to start shifting towards a summer diet and lifestyle.

What happens in the environment: It gets hot (hot and humid or hot and dry - depends where you live), the days are longer, the sun is high in the sky, cooling fruits and vegetables are harvested in abundance.

If you have a body/mind type that mirrors the qualities of summer, called "pitta" in Ayurveda, you have more fire element in your constitution. You might have a predisposition toward running hot, being a bit "hot tempered" or irritable at times; you are likely passionate, smart, competitive, maybe a bit of an over-achiever ("type A" personality), and may push yourself to work until you get sick, exhausted or burnt out. Perhaps you have difficulty falling asleep at night, some digestive acidity, and a tendency toward loose, frequent stools or diarrhea. If this sounds like you, you'll be more vulnerable in the summertime because you can be easily drained by too much heat in your body.

What you may be feeling: As the summer heat sets in, you can find yourself feeling drained, intolerant of the heat, and emotionally more irritable. If you are an athlete, you may find that your workouts are leaving you more exhausted than invigorated, and your performance may actually slip a bit, despite putting in your usual amount, or even more, time and effort.

Food: Cooling, refreshing and hydrating foods are nature's medicine for us, and particularly for pitta types, in the summertime! All types of vegetables, especially watery ones like cucumbers, sweet fruits such as melons and bananas, anything coconut; nutritious, energy-dense grains such as basmati rice, oats and whole-wheat products, and both animal and plant-based protein sources (according to your preference), such as white meat chicken, turkey, beans, and soft cheeses such as cottage cheese or goat cheese will promote strength, steady energy, and resilience. Fresh, raw dairy products are naturally cooling and sweet and are a good choice in the summer. As much as possible, reduce or avoid hot and pungent spices, stimulants, citrus and other sour foods, too much salt, red meat or alcohol, nuts, hard cheese and generally pungent foods such as garlic & onions.

In short: Cooling, watery, naturally sweet foods in abundance! Stay away from anything hot, acidic, overly fatty, or stimulating.

Herbs: Cooling herbs that you can cook with and/or enjoy in warm or cool tea include mint, coriander, cilantro, dill, turmeric and fennel.

Lifestyle/Exercise: Definitely do your main exercise in the cooler hours of the morning or evening - not in the midday sun! Getting overheated in the hot sun is likely to drain you and weaken your immune system more than it will make you stronger. Moonlit walks with loved ones will cool and support your body as well as your nervous system. Take cool showers, and be especially careful avoid hot water on your head. Choose gentle, calming, heart-opening yoga postures to shift out of your analytical mind and into your compassionate heart, and extra time spent in savasana (corpse pose) is deeply restorative. Spend lots of relaxed time with people who make you smile!

Just to close the circle.....

If you happen to have a body/mind profile that mirrors the qualities of winter, known as "vata" in Ayurveda, you have more air element in your constitution. You might have a strong aversion to cold weather and very dry conditions. You likely have a smaller body frame, quick metabolism, quick mind, like to move fast, think fast, change easily with the wind, and are perhaps a bit irregular in all ways; irregular eating times, you like a dynamic schedule that changes all the time, and even your bowel and sleep habits may be irregular. You get anxious when under stress, and your skin may have a tendency to be dry. You may struggle with the cool weather in the spring, but will likely feel naturally supported and restored as warmer weather sets in. You will also benefit from the general seasonal recommendations above.

Look for more about "vata" when we transition to fall and winter....

Most importantly, regardless of which body/mind profile you think you are, listen to your body! Pay attention to what's happening around you. Begin to perceive signs of balance and imbalance, notice accumulations of dampness, heat, or cold. Just do the opposite. It's so simple, so powerful. Before you know it you will have developed a lifestyle of healing and restoring yourself effortlessly and intuitively!

Wishing you a summer filled with extraordinary health and fantastic adventures!

You've Gotta Love Dads Doing What They Love

2011-05-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

OK, so barbecue is most definitely not my thing (I keep meaning to write a post about how a gourmet pitmaster and a tree-hugging veggie lover manage to live and eat together harmoniously - we actually do okay!), but still, I can't help but admire people who audaciously follow their hearts, challenge their skills and talents among the best and brightest, and hold nothing back in their pursuit of awesomeness!

My husband, Bryan, his friend, Chris, together with their crew members Taylor and Cole, AKA "Dads Doing What They Love," made a pretty fantastic first impression at the Morgan Hill second annual "No Bull BBQ" competition last weekend - the largest competition of it's kind in California.

The team: Chris, Cole, Bryan & Taylor

Among 67 teams, and entering recipes in 5 categories, they placed in the top ten in two categories!!! Pretty impressive for a couple of rookies! Even more impressive was the team shirt (pictured above), designed by the Hanson family, and the banner (photo below), created by Chris' children.

Congratulations DDWTL!

Here are the photo highlights:

Here's a link to the Morgan Hill Times article that featured DDWTL.

In case you missed them at the No Bull BBQ, you can catch DDWTL in San Jose in June at the Winchester Business Association BBQ Cook-Off, or in July in Oakland at the Bay Area BBQ Championship, A benefit for foster children & youth, hosted by Alternative Family Services.

They are on a mission now! (I have a feeling our back yard will soon be furnished with some swanky new BBQ gear....)

Women: Take Your Power Back in the Kitchen

2011-05-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have said it better Andrea. I totally agree!

Sugar on the Mind, and in the Arteries

2011-04-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

Sugar has definitely been on my mind this week. Partly because I haven't had any for two weeks since embarking on my spring cleanse; partly because of Jamie Oliver's passionate crusade and dramatic demonstration last week of how quickly excess sugar adds up in just one sugary drink a day (in this case the flavored milk that's served with our kids' school lunches). And partly because I took the 90 minutes to watch this compelling lecture by UCSF childhood obesity expert and researcher, Robert Lustig, mentioned in an April 13 New York Times Magazine article by Gary Taubes, "Is Sugar Toxic?" In Lustig's lecture, "Sugar: The Bitter Truth," which I've shared with you below from YouTube, Lustig plainly, scientifically, and nearly incontrovertibly explains why sugar - the way we use it in the Western world anyway - is a poison, and is largely responsible for not just our outrageous rates of obesity, but also many of the chronic diseases long thought to be attributable to too much dietary fat and cholesterol - heart disease, high blood pressure and even cancer.

This video is a must-see if you've ever toiled in the gym under the assumption that a calorie is a calorie, and if it's consumed then it can be burned - watch the video to find out why this is not the case, and exercise is not the answer.

Before you assume that this is not an issue for you because you're not that into sugar - think again. Our food supply is absolutely saturated with the dangerous processed forms of sugar - high fructose corn syrup and other processed sweeteners - that Lustig details in his lecture. If you regularly consume fast food, packaged food, bakery products, breads, snack bars, boxed cereals, fruit juice, soft drinks, sports drinks, flavored milk, designer coffee drinks, bottled or canned condiments, even baby formula, there is reason for concern and action you can take to naturally improve your health.

If you don't have time to watch the video or read the New York Times article, the conclusions are:

According to Lustig, "A calorie is not a calorie. The more you think a calorie is a calorie, the more you think, well then if you ate less and exercised more it would work. It doesn't work. All the studies show it doesn't work."

Fructose is not glucose. Glucose is energy for life. Fructose is a toxin to the liver and results in all of the manifestations of metabolic syndrome:

Hypertension
Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels
De novo lipogenesis (production of fat from carbohydrate)
Inflammation
Insulin resistance
Obesity
Leptin resistance (inability to receive the message of "I'm full, stop eating" from the central nervous system).
Hepatic steatosis (inflamed and fatty liver), known to occur with excessive alcohol consumption - also, according to Lustig, caused by excessive fructose consumption.

These are serious implications for your health - not stuff to mess around with!

Here are my recommendations for getting yourself started on a healthier path in a less-than-perfect food environment:

Recruit support for changing your diet/lifestyle. Sugar is addictive and has even been compared to cocaine and heroin because it makes you feel good to have some, and once you do you want more. And when you try to stop, it can be painful. (Do you think food companies don't know this? Think again!) I understand this physiology well because sugar has been my go-to in times of stress since I can remember. I've been in the throes of sugar highs and lows; it's wrecked my mood, destroyed my gut, and fed many-a-virus, cold, flu and sinus infection (do you know what viruses and bacteria like to eat? Yup, you guessed it, sugar!). The good news is this is all reversible with a healthier diet. I recommend working with a nutritionist or health coach who can provide ongoing support in making gradual, small, sustainable diet and lifestyle changes. If your nutritionist encourages you to read labels and count calories (implying that packaged foods are okay) - run the other way and find someone else!

Stay as close to nature as possible with your food choices - whether your diet includes meat or is entirely plant-based, get your food products as close to the source as possible - your local CSA, the farmer's market, produce department, the perimeter of the grocery store rather than the aisles, and choose packages and grains with as few ingredients as possible.

Be sure to include plenty of naturally sweet foods, especially fruits and veggies, to help gradually eliminate cravings for refined sweets. Sweet potatoes, beets, yams, carrots, bananas, berries, apples, pears, watermelon, and whole grains provide satisfying sweet flavor as nature intended, with the fiber and complex of nutrients still intact. Use small amounts of natural sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup to sweeten cereals and home-made baked goods. (Honey should not be heated, but used as a condiment).

If natural foods and spices seem plain, bland or downright yucky at first, be patient and persistent - give your body a chance to eliminate the high intensity flavor enhancers and chemicals that come in fast foods and processed foods. These intense flavors spoil our palates so that anything more natural tastes bland, and therefore we crave more of the intense flavors and food products. (Clever marketing, huh?). But your palate will be restored as you persist with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fresh herbs and spices, and your body will adapt, feel lighter, and begin to enjoy and even crave more health-supporting natural foods and flavors!

Practice seasonal cleansing in the spring and fall. A well-designed whole-foods-based cleanse will help to restore your palate, rejuvenate your body, alleviate and reset the digestive process and wash away harmful toxins and chemicals. A truly effective cleanse will always include an emotional and behavioral component, generally in the form of daily journaling and personal reflection to address the emotional aspects of food choices. Here are two cleanse programs that I like and recommend to my clients: The Colorado Cleanse and The Heart of Nourishment Cleanse. Important tip: A cleanse is not the same as a fast. A dietary fast is too harsh in many cases, does not address the emotional and behavioral components of life-long eating, and often results in rebound eating that defeats the entire process. I don't generally recommend them, except in extreme special circumstances and with supervision.

Get used to the fact that yes, it does take more time, more effort, and, unfortunately, more money to eat healthier. One of the most annoying things about this in my household is that our kitchen is quite "lived in," and it seems there are always dirty dishes in the sink and multiple pots and pans needed to make a meal. But there are worse things, like always being in the doctor's office, or being dependent on costly pharmaceuticals to maintain some semblance of "health." And the higher cost of clean, healthy food is a national injustice, for sure, that deserves our attention and advocacy - the flip side of this coin is the outrageous cost of health care in our country. There's a saying in holistic health circles that one way or another we end up paying the farmer or the pharmacist.

A good way to determine if this is something that you want to get serious about, is to take a few minutes today to make a list of your top 5-10 values in life. What are the things that most contribute to the quality of life that you wish to enjoy? If your health and that of your loved ones doesn't make the top three, maybe the temporary inconvenience of transitioning to a healthier diet/lifestyle aren't worth it for you. If your health is high on the list - don't hesitate, dig in and start enjoying more fresh, whole foods, one meal at a time.

Wishing you Peace and Good Eating!

Go Jamie!!!

2011-04-14T07:14:00.000-07:00

Jamie Oliver is at it again, boldly advocating for healthier school food, Yay Jamie! Check out the video clip below that dramatically demonstrates how quickly excess sugar can accumulate in our kids' diets - in this case in a daily portion of flavored milk.

My daughter tells me that at her high school milk and flavored milk are free when you buy lunch, but you have to pay extra for water (really??), juice or Gatorade (when did sitting in a classroom become an endurance sport?). Hmmmm.

I invite you to check out this fact sheet on flavored milk, then sign Food Revolution's petition to bring plain milk back to school.

Jamie, keep up the great work! I am right there with you!

If better nutrition for our children is important to you too, check out this Top Ten List for Better School Food, this tip sheet for eliminating unhealthy ingredients, and consider hosting a screening of this compelling school food documentary in your community.

Peace and Good Eating - It's essential to our kids' health!

Ayurvedic Tips for Optimal Digestion

2011-03-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Do you get frequent belly aches? Read on to find out why bellyaches are hazardous to your overall health, and find out what to do about it...

In Ayurveda, a healthy digestive system is considered absolutely essential to good health. The transformative capacity of our gut is our metabolic core. Our quality of digestion therefore not only determines our ability to efficiently transform food into fuel, but also relates to other transformations in the body, such as our ability to transform blood into tissues and vital body functions, ideas into action (intelligence and productivity), emotions into meaningful experiences, and metabolic debris into waste products that can be eliminated by the body. In the absence of a sufficient digestive fire, we can begin to feel heavy, tired, achy, malnourished, vulnerable, even depressed and less capable. According to Ayurveda, the “how” and “when” of eating is just as important as the “what.” Here are some signs of digestive balance and imbalance, and a list of tips for improving your digestion and revitalizing your body and mind:

Signs of healthy digestion: Stable energy and mood, feeling light, bright eyes, mental clarity, regular bowel movements, strength, good stamina, restful sleep, good color, enthusiasm, confidence, patience, smiling easily and often.

Signs of poor digestion: Energy crashes, stomach pain, gas, bloating, gurgling, belching, nausea, acidity, constipation or diarrhea, feeling weak, pallor, anxiety, irritability, sluggishness, insomnia, disinterest or inability to concentrate, easily frustrated.

To improve digestion and revitalize your body and mind:

Sit down when you eat (at a table, not in a car). There’s an old Ayurvedic saying, “When you eat standing up, death looks over your shoulder.”

Chew, chew, chew your food. Digestion begins in the mouth. Chew each mouthful 25-30 times. This will reduce digestive distress and fatigue and promote assimilation of nutrients. It will also help you lose weight by slowing down and allowing your body to recognize when it’s full – body wisdom we miss out on with the bite-and-swallow technique!

Avoid reading, TV, and intense or emotional conversations during mealtimes.

Eat meals at regular intervals and avoid snacking in between. Allow your food to digest completely before having another meal.

Have your main meal of the day at lunch. Eat lighter at breakfast and dinner. The last food of the day should be taken 2 ½ - 3 hours before bed.

Avoid drinking ice cold drinks, especially with meals. Cold water dampens the digestive fire and is much more difficult for the body to absorb. The majority of water should be taken between meals. Have small sips of warm water or a digestive tea with meals, such as ginger or fennel.

Avoid bland, sugary, chemicalized and overprocessed foods. Include a variety of natural foods and flavors in your diet (not to be confused with the “natural flavors” you read about on packaged food labels). Regularly include sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent flavors. (Email me to sign up for a cooking class or schedule an Ayurvedic consultation and receive a free copy of my handout: “Ayurvedic Tastes and Spices”)

Favor cooked foods over cold and raw foods. Cooking food essentially helps to "predigest" it, making it easier for the body to break down and absorb. Even the most nutritious foods, when taken cold, present an overwhelming task for a digestive fire that is weak or run down. If you must eat cold food (such as a bagged lunch), try to have it with a warm cup of tea. Cold food (such as salad) should be kept to 20% of a meal or less, and eating leftovers straight out of the refrigerator should be avoided - this is a digestive nightmare!

Cook with spices such as ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, fennel, cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper. Hot spices such as cayenne and mustard seed are useful too, although should be avoided if you have a tendency toward acidity. Hing (also known as asafoetida and found in Indian markets and health food stores) is a spice that can be added to soups, stews, and bean dishes at the end of the cooking process to help improve digestibility and reduce gas (just a pinch – it’s stinky!).

Reduce or eliminate caffeine: Coffee, while in small amounts after a meal can be a digestive aid, in excess, on an empty stomach, and with persistent use can dry out the digestive tract and interfere with proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

Get adequate rest! Aim to be in bed by 10 and up by 6-7 (up with the sun). Too much or too little sleep, or sleeping during the daytime hours weakens the digestive fire.

Practice seasonal cleansing (spring and fall) to eliminate excesses, heighten body intuition, and help your body to transition smoothly from one season to the next. Consult a health counselor or Ayurvedic practitioner to determine a cleanse program well suited to your needs.

If you are suffering from chronic digestive distress, principles of food combining can help to alleviate the load on your system temporarily, in order to allow your body to restore itself. For each meal, choose either a grain and vegetable dish, or a protein and vegetable dish. Eat as much as you need to feel satisfied. Avoid mixing proteins with grains at the same meal, as they are more difficult to digest when taken together. Fruit should be taken separately from all foods (20 minutes to ½ hour before a meal is best). (This strategy is a combination of Ayurvedic and Western ideas about food combining; however, the idea of getting out of your own way so your body can heal itself is truly a holistic approach to maintaining health!). Again, ask a health counselor or Ayurvedic practitioner for support.

Determine your Ayurvedic body type and choose seasonal foods that support your individual constitution.

Wishing you Peace and Good Eating,

and no more bellyaches!

Cheers,

Jen

Resources and additional reading:
Cherniske, Stephen, CAFFEINE BLUES, New York, Warner Books, 1998
Frawley, David & Lad, Vasant, THE YOGA OF HERBS, Twin Lakes, WI, Lotus Press, 2001 & 2008
Schatz, Halé Sofia & Shaiman, Shira, IF THE BUDDHA CAME TO DINNER, New York, Hyperion, 2004
Yarema, Thomas; Rhoda, Daniel; & Brannigan, Johnny, EAT, TASTE, HEAL, Hawaii, Five Elements Press, 2006

Walmart Leads the Healthy Food Revolution?

2011-02-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

Click here to read the recent ABC News article about Walmart partnering with Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign.

I can't say that I'm jumping over the moon about this. The world's largest retailer is making a big to-do about leading the country into healthier habits. For Walmart, this certainly makes sense from a public relations perspective, since Michelle Obama's healthy foods crusade is trending big time these days. I'm happy about that, but wondering why it's a major corporation in the front and center of this initiative, and not farms and farmer's markets? Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that farms and farmer's markets can't afford to pay a public relations team to roll out a national campaign? Or, maybe because if our nation's major farms were held in the spotlight, we wouldn't like what we saw (remember Food, Inc.?).

My biggest criticism is that a lot of the initiative focuses on reducing sugar and sodium in packaged foods and relabeling them as healthier versions of those foods - I can't see how that even begins to address the problem! Reducing certain "bad" ingredients simply does not transform a dead, empty food into a nutrient-rich, health-supporting superfood. Although there is a focus on making fresh produce more affordable in this initiative, I'm not clear how much of it (if any) will be sourced locally and organically. (Read why going organic is essential)

So many times I've heard healthy food crusaders criticized for being on an"elitist" mission. If nothing else, I'm hoping Walmart's efforts will help to dispel this nonsense, in addition to raising awareness about the importance of healthful choices. I just think it's so unfortunate that something as basic as wholesome food is perceived as an elitist ideal - I don't really know where that came from, but I'm guessing it probably started with some public relations team responsible for driving the bottom line by selling cheap, packaged foods.

The people whom I've met that are passionate enough to make the time and energy to get behind such a basic concept as nutritious food; those who show up at monthly organization meetings, schlep to State Houses and their representatives' offices, speak at school wellness committee meetings and press conferences (which I did for a few years in Massachusetts), produce documentaries, national networks and entire curriculums to advocate and educate about healthy food, even produce prime time reality-show series' on the issue - really and truly believe that fresh, real, nutritious food should be an absolute no-brainer in our country.

My sincere hope is that although this particular initiative seems a bit off the mark, perhaps the partnership between Walmart and Michelle Obama will generate a ripple effect that begins to address the problem at the root of our food system's dysfunction: farm and food policy that make packaged food cheap and real food expensive and out of reach.

That said - I want to express my sincere appreciation for our First Lady's efforts - that she "gets it" and is boldly and unapologetically applying her resources and influence to give our child health crisis and dysfunctional food system the national attention it deserves.

Check out this video which details the goals of Let's Move!:

Food Feature: Quinoa

2011-01-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

A Superfood For You, The Planet, and The Kids of Bolivian Farmers

As soon as I saw this NPR article on Quinoa and it's economic and nutritional implications in Bolivia, I knew the time was right to highlight this ancient superfood as a must-have in a holistic kitchen.

For the first time in history, Bolivian farmers are sending their children to college thanks to the rise in popularity and price of this grain in the modern world. Because of it's superior nutritional profile, the Bolivian government provides rations of quinoa to pregnant women and children to prevent malnourishment. And it's grown sustainably! According to the article, "people who use chemical fertilizers or uproot native grasses around quinoa fields are fined, or even punished." (Bravo! What a concept!) Naturally, there are concerns, however, that as demand increases abroad, prices could soar above what locals can afford, and more aggressive farming practices will replace traditional ones.

Why Quinoa is a Superfood

Where do I start?....Quinoa is outrageously nutritious, inexpensive, light, easy on digestion, gluten-free, and remarkably versatile - It works marvelously for breakfast, lunch and dinner; porridge, pilaf, soup, stew, salad, even pasta. So with a little bit of creativity, you could eat quinoa three meals a day, seven days a week and never get bored (that's essentially what we do with wheat and flour products, right?).

Quinoa is high in lysine, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, B vitamins, Vitamin E, and calcium.

As noted in The Energetics of Food by Steve Gagne, quinoa is warm, dry, fast and regular in nature. It is strengthening due to it's high protein content - with an amino acid profile very similar to that of animal foods. Due to it's inherent warm, energizing nature, it's easier for the body to break down than animal foods, wheat and perhaps even oats and brown rice. It is not a mucus-forming food like other heavier or processed grains or dairy products, and therefore is less likely to contribute to accumulation of excesses (mucus, moisture, fat, etc.) or stagnation in the body. For these reasons quinoa can be a supportive part of a healing diet - requiring less of the body's energy for digestion and leaving more for healing.

Quinoa is an extremely sturdy and resilient crop and thrives in barren conditions, generally in high, cold altitudes, as in Bolivia. From a truly holistic perspective, consuming such naturally robust and tenacious foods imparts similar qualities of body, mind and spirit. Its energetic nature is to move downward and inward in the body, nourishing and rebalancing the vital organs, particularly the kidneys.

Contrast the sturdy constitutional profile of quinoa with the processed, puffy nature of say, Rice Crispies, and it's easy to understand how this grain has nearly single-handedly sustained less fortunate populations for thousands of years.

Ayurvedically speaking, quinoa is considered a "sattvic" food, or one that promotes lightness and clarity. It is most balancing for kapha dosha (or spring body types), providing exceptional nutrition without increasing heaviness, and counterbalancing the damp, muddy, stagnant qualities of kapha with it's dry, light and motivating qualities. My experience of quinoa is that it can be a bit too light and fast for vata and pitta (winter and summer) types, leaving them hungry shortly after a meal. This can be deliciously remedied by enjoying quinoa with something heavier and more grounding in nature, such as ghee, avocado, root vegetables or chicken. Combining quinoa with other grains, such as oatmeal or rice, for a breakfast porridge with milk and honey, for instance, works well too. For all body types, quinoa will be most supportive during the springtime, or any time there are damp, cold environmental conditions.

How to use Quinoa:

Rinse it: Quinoa has a natural bitter chemical coating, called saponins, that help protect it from insects and the elements. Soaking it for a little while, and/or rinsing it, will help to reveal its natural nutty flavor.

Cooking: 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water, boil, then simmer 15-20 minutes.

For Breakfast: Quinoa and almonds or walnuts sauteed in ghee and topped avocado. Add honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Or, Quinoa and Greens (Swiss Chard or Kale) sauteed with ghee. Add currants or apples and walnuts. (Have the quinoa pre-cooked and in the fridge, so all you have to do is steam your greens and sautee it up! : )

For Lunch or Dinner:

Try this Quinoa Tabouleh recipe from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Warm Quinoa Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing:
Contributed by Holistic Personal Chef, Anika Canton

Ingredients:

1c quinoa
Splash of oil
2 1/4c water
Splash of salt
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1c broccoli, chopped
1 small bell pepper, chopped
1 can chickpeas

1/2c currants
1/4c pumpkin seeds
1/4c sunflower seeds

Dressing:

3/4c cashews, soaked for 30 minutes then drained and rinsed
1/3c packed cilantro
2 garlic cloves
3 Tbl nutritional yeast
1/2-1c water
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a small pot (with a lid), add the quinoa, water, salt and oil, and bring to a boil on high heat. Then reduce heat down and simmer for 25 minutes, or until tender.

2. While the quinoa is cooking, add onion and a good splash of oil to a medium pan, and saute onions until golden brown (about 7 minutes).

3. Add the broccoli and continue to stir fry for 3 more minutes. Then add the chickpeas, currants, and bell pepper. Turn down to low and cook until everything is heated throughout.

4. In a separate small pan, dry roast sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds until they begin to pop, stirring constantly. (about 3 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.

5. In a blender, add all the the dressing ingredients, making sure to use fresh water (not the soaking water). Blend until smooth.

6. Combine everything in a hot pan and enjoy.

Bryan’s Kielbasa and Kale Soup

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic
¼ cup white wine
1 lb turkey kielbasa, sliced
1-2 fennel bulbs, (depending on size) sliced
1 bunch kale, chopped
1 15 oz can cannellini beans
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock or broth (you can add more if needed)
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed

crushed red pepper (optional - to taste)
salt and pepper

1. Heat oil over medium high heat in a pot.

2. Sauté kielbasa until cut sides are slightly darkened, remove from pot and set aside. Deglaze pot with white wine: Scrape all the remains of the kielbasa from the bottom of the pan and mix with the white wine. This enhances flavor.

3. Add garlic and fennel bulb, cook 3-4 minutes. Add kielbasa back and cook for a few more minutes.

4. Add chicken stock and rinsed quinoa. Let simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Add cannellini beans. Crush a few against the edge of the pot, this acts as a thickener. Simmer 5 minutes.

6. Add kale and let it wilt (without losing its vibrant green color), about 5 minutes.

7. Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper.

Garnish with fresh grated Romano cheese if desired. Always make plenty because it tastes even better the next day!

Don't take anything I say at face value - try some quinoa this week and see how it feels in YOUR body!

Wishing you Peace and Good Eating!

Resources/Additional Reading
Gagné, Steve. The Energetics of Food, Encounters with Your Most Intimate Relationship. Spiral Sciences, 1990 and 2006
Morningstar, Amadea. Ayurvedic Cooking For Westerners. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press, 1995
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods. Third Edition. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books, 2002

Do Your Daily Choices Support or Diminish Your Personal Power?

2011-01-19T13:46:00.000-08:00

If you're reading this blog, you probably already know that your food choices and other personal habits have a profound effect on every aspect of your life. The smallest, most mundane moment-to-moment choices that we make repeatedly and habitually, and tend not to think about in the greater scheme of our lives, are the ones that ultimately determine the course of our life. Like the constant lap of the ocean chiseling the coastline, the effects of these choices accumulate over time to shape our physical and emotional health, as well as our sense of personal power. Some examples:

What do you choose to read first thing in the morning? Do you inspire yourself? Or concern, overwhelm and upset yourself with the world's problems?

What is the first thing you put in your mouth? Nothing until noontime (running on empty)? An infusion of Starbucks to fire you up, evacuate your gut and rev your adrenals and nervous system? Fresh fruits and vegetables? Warm whole grains?

What is your first thought when you wake in the morning? "Oh shit here we go again," or "Thank you for another glorious day!!"

What TV shows and media outlets do you choose to nourish your psyche with?

Who do you choose to spend your time with? Do you choose amazing people to live and laugh with? Or just tolerate whoever happens to land in your personal space?

Do you weigh yourself every day? There are two possible outcomes to this fairly useless measure of health and wellness as far as I can tell: "Wow! I actually feel a lot better than I thought I did!" (Really??) or "Jeez I suck, I'll start dieting again next week..." If we're paying attention, most of us generally know when we feel heavy and imbalanced. I think our culture's reliance on experts, charts and scales to tell us how we're doing completely obscures and diminishes our inner intelligence.

Do you risk failing and experience the world every day, or do you sit around, trapped in a cubicle or on your couch and think about what you will do "someday"?

Do you spend the majority of your time looking at devices, or making eye contact with people and experiencing the world through your five senses?

Do you sit up straight or slouch? Have you ever considered how powerful and confident a person looks when their posture is horrendous? Exposing your heart with a dignified, open posture exudes and cultivates a potent and dynamic balance between vulnerability and fearlessness!

Is your living space filled with "stuff?" Clutter? Art? Beauty? Nature? Meaningful photographs and momentos from your life's experiences?

Do you sit down to eat your meals with good company, in pleasant surroundings? Or swallow whole sandwiches in under 5 minutes while working or driving?

How do you spend quiet, idle moments? Reflection? Meditation? Being creative? Stuffing Cheetos into your mouth in front of the TV?

Do you habitually run yourself into the ground when you exercise, furiously burning calories, with repeated and chronic injuries, perhaps even so much that you can't slow down at the end of the day to get a good night's sleep?

Do you avoid exercise, movement, and "being in your body" completely? (aka, "don't have time")

Do you listen and make changes when your body informs you that it's tired, hurt, toxic, ill at ease with your choices, or in need of attention?

Do you eat foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day that make you feel light, beautiful, strong and capable? Or foods that make you constipated, tired and foggy? (There is nothing sexy or empowered about feeling gassy and constipated, right?)

My point is, it's the little things - the priorities we set and activities we choose every day, day after day, for weeks, months and years, that ultimately empower us or do us in. Dreaming up and setting huge goals and intentions is magnificent!! (Check out the notes from our recent "Bucket List" discussion). However, the true physical, mental and emotional stamina necessary to realize magnificence is cultivated through a persistent practice of self love and discipline, attentiveness and compassion.

What small thing will you do to empower yourself today?

Winter SuperSpice: Cinnamon

2010-12-27T07:33:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon, although not considered a significant source of macro- or micronutrients, adds incredible vitality and essence to many holiday foods. I’m a fan of choosing foods and spices for their subtle and medicinal properties, according to the seasons, and to intentionally promote health and balance. Cinnamon is warming, sweet, and slightly astringent, or drying, in nature. Enjoying natural sweet flavors regularly, such as in cinnamon tea, can help to reduce sugar cravings. The warming quality of cinnamon is useful for promoting efficient digestion and breaking up excess mucus, such as in cough, cold, flu or sinus conditions. Cinnamon promotes circulation and warmth – an antidote for cold fingers and toes in the winter. It’s also been shown to have possible beneficial properties for balancing blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:

Brew up some tea by simmering a cinnamon stick or two in a pot of hot water – the house will smell delicious too! Sipping hot tea, especially one with warming and astringent properties like cinnamon, is helpful for relieving cough and congestion due to colds and flu.

Add a cinnamon stick to the cooking water of your morning oatmeal, or sprinkle ground cinnamon on top.

Simmer a bit of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg in warm milk for a sweet, soothing treat before bed to help promote restful sleep. Sprinkle on French toast, baked apples, applesauce, or over quinoa with walnuts & currants for a breakfast pilaf.

Acorn squash baked with butter or ghee and cinnamon is grounding, nutritious and sweet – a perfect winter and holiday side dish.

Anika's Holiday Chai

Enjoy!

Resources/Additional Reading:

Frawley, David & Lad, Vasant, THE YOGA OF HERBS, Twin Lakes, WI, Lotus Press, 2001 & 2008

Tierra, Michael, THE WAY OF AYURVEDIC HERBS, Twin Lakes, WI, Lotus Press, 2008

McBride, Judy, Cinnamon Extracts Boost Insulin Sensitivity. (Agricultural Research Service) July, 2000 http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/ar/archive/jul00/cinn0700.htm

Shomon, Mary, Cinnamon: Help For Insulin Resistance and Weight Loss. (Thyroid-info.com) 1997-2008 http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/cinnamon.htm

Khan A, Safdar M, Ali Khan MM, Khattak KN, Anderson RA. Cinnamon Improves Glucose and Lipids of people with Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care December 2003 26:3215-3218; doi:10.2337/diacare.26.12.3215. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14633804?dopt=Abstract

10 Nonfat, Drug-free, Chemical-Free, Low- or No-Cost Holiday Uppers to Help You Feel Fabulous This Holiday Season

2010-12-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

Being truly healthy in a holistic sense requires the skill and ability to shift "bad" or stuck energy into positive, authentic, conscious manifestations of your best self. We've all experienced how stress can accumulate and make us feel awful physically, mentally and emotionally; and if there's anything that's a sure thing in life it's that there's going to be stress - a lot of it at times. We all have the nuts and bolts to deal with it, but it does require conscious decisions and carefully selected behaviors to prevent the effects of stress from accumulating and becoming so much to bear that we begin to break down and get sick. Eating the right foods, exercising, and all the things we do to take care of our physical body are important, but only really address the very outer layer of our capacity to manifest true health. In my experience, it's the inner vibration that we commit to; the feelings and sensations that we focus on and cause to grow, that determine how wonderful or awful we feel. How fortunate that we get to make those decisions and that things don't have to just happen to us! Where do you allow your thoughts and energies to reside?

If you're feeling a little stuck on something that's bumming you out, perhaps one or more of these non-food strategies for redirecting your attention and rejuvenating your body, mind and soul can help you stay sharp and resilient during the holiday season:

Sit quietly and breathe for 5 minutes in the morning and evening - this will help train your nervous system to stay calm, which is essential for efficient metabolism, immunity, and maintaining good health.

Become a volunteer or give to a local charity such as Community Solutions Holiday Giving Program, volunteer in a soup kitchen, or spend some time walking or playing with furry friends in a local animal shelter. Giving is receiving!

Go to bed early (by 10) and get up with the sun (6:30 -7ish during daylight savings time) every day, even on the weekends. Take the cue from nature and get a little more rest during these months of cooler weather and extended darkness. Your body needs to know that it can count on you to give it what it needs. If you get in the habit of giving it plenty of rest every day (most days anyway), your body will learn to trust you, and will soon relax, do it's magical healing thing and will have the strength and resilience to support you even in the face of cold and flu season!

Use your creativity, senses and hands to make holiday gifts and decorations rather than buying them - A great strategy for getting out of your head and into your body, as well as into the spirit of the holiday.

My son Curtis with his Gram - They made crazy hats for Tree Day.

Gram was dreaming of Aruba....

Taylor's was most whimsical

Curtis is a fan of toasted marshmallows

Taylor gets crafty making holiday cards

Write thank you notes, write in a gratitude journal, or find other ways to express your appreciation for the people and blessings in your life every day.

If you're not absolutely thrilled about going to a holiday event, politely decline the invitation; stay home and have a hot bath or curl up with a great book instead.

Hang out with little people - they'll crack you up and are so appreciative of your time and attention!!!

My nephew, Jacob, is hilarious!

It's never boring with these two around....

Take a Saturday or Sunday completely off from work, activities and chores and only do things that make you feel fabulous!

Join a light-hearted and uplifting group such as Women Food and...., a book group or other interest group. Share yourself, "be" with others, learn, interact and enjoy! It's so important to our well being to stay connected to others, positively engaged, and to regularly nourish our mind and soul - even (particularly) during stressful times.

Bundle up and get outside for a 10-20 minute walk each morning. The cold air will invigorate you, the walk with kick start your metabolism, and being in nature is deeply restorative.

Any other ideas? I'd love to hear about them!

Wishing you Peace and Amazingly Good Health!

Jen

Food is Love, and Love is Nourishment

2010-11-15T21:13:00.000-08:00

Holidays are so much about food, and this time of year can be really difficult and overwhelming for people who are who are trying to adopt a more health-supporting lifestyle. I encourage you to think less about whether to deny or allow yourself the indulgences of the season, but to remember that food has the capacity to nourish and support, or to be quite destructive. Taken with the right intention, with sensitivity, and with respect for food’s subtle energies, even sweet holiday treats can be deeply nourishing and bring us into a deeper experience of the holiday spirit.

Western nutrition theory completely overlooks the subtler energetic properties of food. Food is more than calories, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, macro- and micronutrients. Even though we don’t completely understand or have the technology to measure these subtler energies, we can surely experience them with our body, mind and spirit. Food is charged with the energy field of its source, its preparation methods and the intention of the preparer.

Our food imparts the energy of the earth from which it was grown, the strength or sickly nature of the animal from which it was derived, and/or the chemicalized Dr.-Jekyl-and-Mr.-Hyde energy of the processing plant in which it was denatured, concocted and packaged. Likewise, the various flavors in foods -- sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent – each impart unique energetic qualities. Foods that are naturally sweet have a cooling effect on the body, whereas foods that are salty, sour or pungent have warming properties. Foods that are bitter and astringent are cooling and cleansing in nature. Cooking and preparation methods matter too. For instance, slow-baked or roasted vegetables impart a quality of sustained warmth; boiled vegetables or soft, swollen noodles in a soup bestow a moist, boggy, heavier quality, and lightly sautéed vegetables offer just a touch of heat with a stronger, firmer texture.

If energy is constant (basic physics, right?), how can we dismiss the idea that the quality of our food source intimately impacts the quality of energy derived from the food, and therefore our quality of digestion, absorption, tissue formation, as well as our capacity to think, love, experience, and be productive?

Here are a few energetic contrasts that you can experiment with:

While enjoying your holiday treats, consider whether your festive cookies and pies were prepared with the intention of generating profits (cheap ingredients, plastic packaging), or the intention of sharing, loving and celebrating (prepared by hand, wholesome ingredients, creatively presented).

Consider how different you feel consuming turkey soup prepared at home with holiday leftovers, versus a canned turkey vegetable soup.

Pay attention to the quality of your digestion after eating a cold, raw salad, versus a medley of roasted root vegetables. You will likely notice that the warm root vegetables digest more easily, whereas the salad (particularly when eaten during a cold time of year, and particularly if you are a person with a cooler, drier constitution) may be difficult for your digestive system to break down and assimilate, leaving you wanting for something warm, nutritious, and heavy in order to feel full and satisfied. Both the root vegetables and the salad could be considered equally good choices in terms of nutrient value, however, the temperature, texture, and digestibility will drastically affect the way we feel after consuming the food.

Experiment with various spices; although not a significant source of macro- or micronutrients, many herbs and spices have potent medicinal qualities. Add some cayenne pepper to your food and notice that the food not only tastes “hot,” but it adds warmth to your entire digestive system, enhancing your digestive and transformative capacity. By contrast, mint and cilantro are cooling in nature, and can cool our inner fire and be particularly beneficial if we have a predisposition toward hyperacidity or “running warm.” Likewise, turmeric has an astringent quality, which can help to absorb excess fluids, particularly in a damper, heavier, more congested body-type, promoting a quality of lightness. Cinnamon, a spice used in many fall and holiday recipes, is both sweet and warming – qualities often associated with the holidays - as well as naturally stimulating.

Lastly, experience the way you feel physically, emotionally, and energetically after a meal eaten alone at your desk or in your car, versus a meal shared with loved ones in a relaxed environment at a thoughtfully set dinner table. Which experience makes you feel warmer? More loved? More completely satisfied?

Most importantly, remember that the intention that goes into preparing our food, as well as the sensitivity with which we consume it, makes a huge difference in food’s ability to be healing or destructive. Being rigid, prohibitive, or having guilty feelings around food creates a negative vibe and is likely to be destructive, whereas imperfect choices, made with intention, attention, and sensitivity, are likely to be nourishing on multiple levels. If you choose foods with the intention of nourishing your body, mind and spirit; eat slowly, chew your food, and pay attention to how your body receives the food; and respond to your body with foods and behaviors that truly make it feel light and amazing, then your food will be love, and love, in any form, is most definitely nourishment.

Wishing you a peaceful, light-hearted and truly magical Thanksgiving Holiday!

Yours in health,

Jen

Sources:

Frawley, David, and Lad, Vasant. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press, 1986, 2001.

Gagné, Steve. The Energetics of Food, Encounters with Your Most Intimate Relationship. Spiral Sciences, 1990 and 2006

Cleanse Reflections

2010-10-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

This is a reflection I wrote almost a year ago, and never found the courage to post. It was a result of journaling that I did after my fall cleanse last year. For some reason I was reminded of it after a very moving conversation with an amazing friend recently, and it seemed relevant because I'm preparing to begin my annual fall cleanse next week. I'll have to admit, I'm a little scared, because I'm trying a new Ayurvedic method of cleansing. I haven't had a truly cathartic cleanse experience since my very first one several years ago, with Hale Sophia Schatz, which was the first time I ever detoxed from Starbucks and sugar. I vaguely remember being face-down on the carpet at a very lovely retreat center in Western Massachusetts with someone rubbing my back, assuring me that I wasn't going to die, and whispering something like "what is it you think your body is trying to tell you?....." Still, I always feel refreshed and rejuvenated after a Heart of Nourishment cleanse, but I have a feeling there's some deeper cleaning that still needs to be done. Check back at the end of October to find out if I survived, and what kind of scary emotional and biological debris comes flying out of me this time! : )

Well, here it is. Enjoy!

We All Make Mistakes: Move On.

Have you ever sought comfort in the arms of an old flame, just to be reminded--oh so swiftly after the thrill of the moment is over--why the relationship was toxic in the first place? Yup, I did that today (I just cleansed last week dammit!). It was so tempting, and seemed like a good idea at the time. I was vulnerable and needy in that moment, and just knew it would help, just this once....but somehow, even the split second of sensual satisfaction wasn't quite what it used to be, not to mention the awkward and slightly sickening aftermath!

I went overboard with sugar today. I was cold and hit-the-wall hungry when I got home at 9 a.m. from teaching my early morning yoga class and dropping the kids off at school. I knew I had a box of Tazo Chai in the cabinet, and some fresh raw milk in the fridge. (Tazo Chai had been one of my step-down foods from Starbucks triple-latte's, and although lighter on caffeine, definitely delivers a sugar rush!). It was in the cabinet because over the course of several stressful months, I had begun allowing myself one here and there as comfort food, which was fine. But then I became more regularly dependent on it as the weather became colder--to the point where I would become irritable if I didn't have one every morning. That's when I knew I'd entered the addictive cycle again. Anyhow, a week-long whole-foods cleanse helped me to let go again, re-set and re-establish a healthier daily pattern of nourishment. I was feeling light, balanced, my energy was high, and I felt happy. Then I faltered in a moment of weakness.

I really enjoyed my warm cup of chai, but didn't get a lot done that morning. I sat at my computer, sipping my chai more than I was getting anything productive accomplished. When I was done sipping, half of my morning was gone and I was nearly late for my next appointment. My belly gurgled all morning. After lunch, which I had way too late because I had been so full from the rich cup of chai, I went looking for chocolate. And had a little too much. Still riding high from my morning indulgence, I actually knew I didn't really want it even as I was hunting it down, unwrapping it and eating it. It tasted just okay (even though I always buy the best chocolate I can get my hands on!), which was disappointing, because my reason for indulging in chocolate is that it tastes AMAZING, and I feel incredibly satisfied after having it. I just felt gross. It spoiled my dinner, caused a brain fog, and upset my stomach.

This was the best cup of cappuccino I've ever had. It was at a mom and pop cafe in Rome. I'll never forget it. We asked for coffee to go; they laughed at us and then said absolutely not, sit down and have a cappuccino with us!!! We were late for our tour at the Vatican, but who cares, it was the BEST cappuccino experience ever!

My hunky husband with the adorable Italian who
served us the best cappuccino ever.

It amazes me how much sugar and extreme foods affect me, once I've experienced the place of genuine balance and clarity. I can't even believe that I used to live in captivity to these foods, day in and day out. I used to actually structure my life around making a trip to get my late-morning muffin and coffee, and another in the afternoon; even dragged my kids to Starbucks after school (and told them "no" when they asked for a brownie!!). I avoided scheduling social events, meetings or other demanding activities during those times of day, assuring that I had enough time to satisfy my cravings....and then take a nap after I crashed. What a waste of time!!!! Day in and day out for how many years???????? Giving this stuff up was truly the best thing I ever did for myself.

I'm not going to try to tell you that chai or chocolate or even coffee are bad. I still enjoy these things from time to time, and usually it's fine and I drop right back into a pattern of more health-supporting habits after enjoying my indulgence. What is bad and destructive is needing sugar, caffeine or other extreme foods or behaviors to get through the day. Being dependent on a destructive food or behavior isn't a whole lot different from being addicted to a toxic relationship. If you can recognize this sort of pattern in your life, that's half the battle. With awareness, we can move forward with a sense of where we've been, where we want to be, and seek out new strategies and support for developing the quality of life we desire.

That said, sometimes an icky and painful mishap is just what we need to propel us into the next stage of growth. With eyes wide open, we move on.

Power Lunches

2010-10-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

I hosted a cooking class at my home last week, together with my most wonderful Holistic Chef friend Anika Canton. We had a lively group of home-chefs-in-training, enthusiastic about fresh whole foods and aspiring to broaden their kitchen savvy.

Here are some photo highlights:

Anika is amazing - knowledgeable, warm, funny, and extremely talented in the kitchen!

Beautiful organic ingredients

She took a basic Indian kitchari recipe, made a few small adaptations, and created an absolutely magical dish!!!! I can't wait to make this myself. Kitchari is a simple, deeply nutritious, easy-to-digest and very balancing meal, used for healing purposes in Ayurveda.

Ghee-making demonstration - basically just organic, unsalted clarified butter. When you're using fat, it's absolutely essential that it's organic - the animal's metabolic debris and toxins are stored in its fat cells. Only a healthy animal, fed a proper diet and raised in a clean environment, can yield a pure, health-supporting product.

Care must be taken to be sure the milk solids are completely cooked out of the fat. Milk solids can be clogging. Ghee actually helps to open the gross and subtle channels of the body. It helps to penetrate and release toxins for elimination, nourishes and lubricates bodily tissues, and strengthens digestive fire. It's also an ideal cooking medium since it has a high smoke point and won't break down into harmful free radicals in high-heat cooking. All this, and its wonderful, rich, satisfying flavor, make it an absolute staple in a holistic kitchen.

When the milk solids are golden brown and stuck to the bottom of the pan, ghee is ready! Last step is to strain it through a cheesecloth into a clean glass jar. Ghee is a very stable fat, so no refrigeration required.

Happy Kitchen

The Barley Bean and Greens Soup was to die for! Comfort food for body and soul. I love fresh made soups for lunch because they can easily be prepared in under an hour, and they're easy to make in quantity for future meals. Store in single-serving containers in the freezer to take to work, or warm over the stove in the morning (rather than warming in the microwave at lunch) and store in a good quality thermos until lunchtime.

We're on a mission

Kitchen chit-chat.

These Asian-Inspired Veggie Wraps were sooooo quick to make - any variety of veggies will do - whatever you have in the fridge or is in season from your CSA. Such a simple dressing on top but oh-so-delicious!

I'll check in with Mike at People and Planet Fair Trade Store in Morgan Hill tomorrow to see if he can order these wonderful Hemp tortillas for us - the consensus from our discussion was that they are more nutritious and gentler on digestion than whole wheat wraps, nicer texture than brown rice wraps, and they don't fall apart!

Nothing was wasted. All the scraps went in the stock pot - cover with water and simmer 1/2 hour for veggie broth. So many uses for veggie broth in a holistic kitchen!

It's the love that makes Anika's cooking special!

Besides teaching classes, Anika also provides Personal Chef Services. She's been coming to my house on Monday afternoons for about a month now to prepare a few meals for us to get us through the busiest days of our week. Everything she makes is phenomenal! She takes special care to make sure she prepares foods that suit your family's dietary needs and taste buds. She uses fresh ingredients, prepares food in quantity so we have prepared lunches to take to work and school, and my kitchen is spotless when she leaves. Her rates are reasonable and soooo worthwhile for the extra time relaxing in with your family in the evening rather than toiling in the kitchen!!!

Thanks to everyone who participated in this class - Wendy, Mary, Yvonne, Heidi, Tricia and Lacy - We enjoyed your company and appreciated your enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing you in October and November for Bringing Breakfast Back Home and Delicious Dinners.

Email me by October 15 to join one of our next classes and get a copy of Anika's wonderful "Power Lunches" recipes! jmoiles@charter.net

Huge thanks to our incredible photographer, Lacy Young!!!!!!!!!

You're Invited! Cooking Classes & Other Fun Events

2010-09-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

I hope your summer was filled with wonderful and relaxing things! When I wasn't doing wonderful and relaxing things, I was working on completing my Ayurvedic internship and finally graduated last weekend as a certified practitioner, Yay!!! I have a full 30-day break now before I begin my thesis and masters program. I've also been busy planning a couple of fun and whole-health supporting events for this fall, that I hope you'll be as excited about as I am. Please check out my events page for details.....

Warm regards,

Jen

Your Breath Is The Universal Rhythm

2010-08-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Your breath is the universal rhythm;
The natural pattern of expansion & contraction
That makes the world go round.

We breathe in, we breathe out, just as
The tide rolls in, the tide rolls out.
The day turns to night, and the night back into day,
An economy expands and contracts.
It's just what happens.

We give of our talents, we take in all the universe has to offer.

When this rhythm stops or gets stuck,
Such as when we forget to breathe or we become insecure and fearful and hold back our gifts,
This natural cycle of give and take gets interrupted, and we get stuck,
Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, energetically.

This breathing thing is a constant giving and taking, coming & going.
As in friendships, circumstances, finances, the circle of life,
The natural order.

It's not complicated.
Simply breathe in, then breathe out.

Regarding Seasons & Cycles

2010-07-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

By Tatyanna Teeuwisse

This is a short article by friend and acupuncturist Tatyanna Teeuwisse, submitted for my Relax and Restore post. I thought it was a great stand-alone piece, and so I've asked her permission to publish it here. I love how this personal perspective aligns with the principles of Ayurveda. Although she and I practice different holistic disciplines, from seemingly different worlds--Ayurveda being the 5,000-year-old "science of life" from India, and Acupuncture having its roots in Classical Chinese Medicine--the indisputable perfection of Nature and her healing principles are an outstanding commonality. In my mind, this just goes to show that when there is absolute truth in a philosophy or modality, it withstands the test of time, makes perfect common sense, does not contradict or refute other expressions of truth, and reinforces our innate cellular intelligence.

Thank you Tatyanna for sharing
your inner wisdom!

Regarding Seasons & Cycles.....

In a culture where progress is the benchmark, we strive to achieve on every front and beat ourselves up for not being better & faster all the time. We shove fuel in to keep up the frantic pace, sometimes forgetting to taste, chew, breathe.

I was never much of a rain person. I used to see it as an obstacle to my task list, inconvenient and unpleasant. For some reason as I'm aging I've come to love the rain. I actually start to long for it by fall! When the sky is cold and dark(er), I feel permission to slow down. Summer with all its glorious beauty also entails for me a certain pressure to perform. But winter almost dictates that I take it slower, build a cozy fire and rest more. Dream.

This year was the first I deliberately managed my energy during winter time and it was obvious that is why I came out renewed and without getting sick once. It was also the springboard to my decision to quit sugar once and for all and continue to pace myself through the rest of the year.

Interestingly enough, the ancient medicine I practice has a very old text that lists ways to prevent disease and one of the main tenets is to live by the seasons. When it's summer you wake up early and go to bed late, when it's winter you wake up late and go to bed early (who does that anymore with heaters, light bulbs, and videos to watch! ; )

It is definitely still a challenge to surrender to peaceful non-action when there is so much to achieve out there. And indeed it can feel like a long hard slog doing all the right things dutifully for days and days without apparent 'reward.' But then, you get up one day and see it HAS paid off, and there ARE treasures at your feet. It would be nice to have instant gratification all the time--a stomach ache from a cookie and a big rush of self-love from steamed kale. Sometimes there is, but usually it's more about laying the deep trust that we know in our bones.

Preparing for the future by living well today. There is a simple joy in consistency. Accepting my own cycles--their gifts and limitations--allows me to be more creative and present and loving, most surprisingly with myself!

Tatyanna's Relax and Restore Routines:
"In general these things have helped me the most: taiji, qi gong, yoga, meditation, retreats (I like backpacking and hot springs), regular massage and acupuncture, herbal medicine, plenty of sleep, gardening, creative arts/reading/writing/cooking, maintaining a sense of humor, and minimizing my social life (quality not quantity)...I give myself permission to cultivate tranquility."

Visit Tatyanna at Artemis Healing Center, Los Gatos, or at Whole Medicine, Santa Cruz

Meditation (sounds a lot like “mediCAtion”)

2010-07-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

At the age of 39, I finally started meditating every day.

And it was no longer a struggle. It became a welcome reprieve from the chaos that had started to unravel in my life. Not that my life had become any more chaotic than it had always been in my experience as an adult with adult responsibilities, but I could see that I was handling it less and less well. It actually felt like a welcome relief to sit quietly for 15 minutes, rather than a chore.

I have been a sporadic and emergency situation meditator for years. It always helped in those situations. Having set out numerous times to begin a regular practice, I had bought CDs, a cushion, a meditation bench, incense for creating the right ambiance and had created a simple altar in my living room. Still it always felt like pulling teeth to discipline myself to sit quietly every day.

I admire people who can commit to a discipline and establish a habit once they make the decision to do so. I am generally a slow learner and have difficulty making changes (even positive changes) and sticking with them. I believe that I laid the groundwork for an effective meditation practice through many years of practicing yoga and being mindful about how my lifestyle choices were affecting my health, my productivity and even (especially) the people around me—even though I wasn’t able to change the behavior or establish the habit in the moment that I recognized that what I was doing was destructive.

The most important thing, I think, is to be persistent. Sit quietly when you remember to. Take conscious breaths while you are driving. Surround yourself with people who exhibit qualities and habits that you appreciate. Join a community that practices meditation or prayer together. Or write yourself a note and place it someplace where you’ll see it every day that says “Be Still and Know.”

It’s not random or insignificant that there is a theme of meditation or prayer fundamental to every ancient and modern religious and spiritual tradition known to man. This is a habit worth cultivating.

Action item:

Aim to practice meditation and simple breathing exercises every day. This does not need to be complicated or take a long time. Five minutes in the morning and five in the evening will help teach you to be in the moment and soothe your nervous system. Just listen to the sound of your breath. Notice the effect that your breath has on your body, your mind and your senses. Begin to lengthen and deepen the breath. You can do this anywhere, anytime.

Mid-Year Evaluation: How Are You Doing With Your New Years Resolutions?

2010-06-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

Setting Intentions for Food Freedom, Sustainability and Joy

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked pensively. "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."

- Trina Paulus | Creating Positive Change Quotes

Creating a joyful and sustainable life begins with the most basic and intimate thing we do each day: nourishing our body. For what we put in our body each and every day is inextricably tied to and intimately impacts the individual, national, and global matters of environment, corporatism, financial security and health care. On an individual level, our food choices impact the quality of our energy, our ability to think clearly and be productive, our personal weight and how we feel about ourselves, the way we behave in our interpersonal relationships, and the liklihood that we will require aggressive and expensive interventions to support our health. These choices ripple out into our performance at work, the company we keep, our ability to support our family physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and our propensity to enjoy life.

Why do themes around food, weight, health, relationships, and finances show up on New Years Resolution lists year after year?

New Years resolutions are self-defeating. That’s been my experience. Why do we make resolutions, just because it’s the first day of the new year, when really not much has changed since the previous week or previous month, except the increase in seasonal debt, weight, and feelings of exhaustion? What would make your life different on January 1^st than it was on December 31^st? If you hadn’t lost the weight, paid off all of your debt, or spent more quality time with your family by December 31^st, what shifted on January 1^stthat eliminated your cravings, changed your financial situation, and found you more energy and time in the day for family leisure and fun?

My husband Bryan and kids, Taylor and Curtis. It's a huge challenge for us as a family to regularly carve out time to relax and enjoy each other's company.

It’s great to say, mean and even write down these important intentions. But where do the courage and the momentum to actually accomplish them come from? If it were that easy, to state the resolution and then do it, then we all would have resolved our financial difficulties, our weight problems and our time management issues years ago! Why do these same goals show up on our list of resolutions year after year?

The types of intentions that generally show up on New Years Resolution lists are virtues that require a major shift in the way we live, the things we prioritize, and how we feel about ourselves. If we look at the root of these things that we are not satisfied with in our life—those things that we wish we could change--they all come down to one thing, which happens to be a common theme in America these days: sustainability.

When we think of sustainability, we generally think of our environment; this has become a buzzword. But if you consider the lack of sustainability we have experienced on a global level (think corporate, financial, environmental), these things all reduce down to an unsustainable lifestyle for individuals and families. People working too many hours, spending too much money, buying too much stuff, not having enough sleep, leisure time, or fulfilling relationships in their lives, eating too much (esp. of the wrong stuff) and having to exercise even more (which takes more time, energy and effort, and wears the body out when done in excess) to burn off the calories of overeating in the first place!

Freedom is defined as a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action, b: liberation from slavery or restraint, or from the power of another (Merriam-Webster).

Imagine not needing to stop at Starbucks every morning to hand over your money so that you could start your day feeling energetic. Imagine you were truly free to make your own food choices, unencumbered by rules, recommendations, national policy and coercive marketing campaigns that were written to insure healthy corporate profits. Imagine that your ability to support your health were not constrained by the high cost of “health care” or healthy food. Imagine waking up every day feeling light, confident, energetic, and free to share your amazing qualities and talents with the world in exactly the way you would choose......

Never mind if your New Years resolutions have fallen through the cracks. Prepare instead to bust out of your cocoon to discover Food Freedom, Sustainability and Joy! It’s already in your nature - you just need to peel away the layers of imbalance and misperception that have been keeping you stuck.

Action Item:

Visualize what you want your life to look like 5 years from now. Who will you be with? Where? How will you be spending the majority of your time? What will the quality of your energy be? Will there be love in your life? What will that look like and with whom will that be? What do you wish to create? What are you passionate about and how would you like to change the world?

Don’t hold back. Write all of your dreams, even (especially) the ones that seem impossible. Then nourish your cells with an extra serving of organic green vegetables today.