Juicefeast

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

I'm in the process of doing a fabulous juicefeast. Juicefeasting is not about deprivation but it is about abundance. Juicing allows me to not only cleanse and detoxify my body but also to assimilate all the nutrients from the veggies and fruits almost immediately after drinking them. In addition to drinking my veggies and fruits I'm also taking whole food supplements and superfoods to cleanse and rejuvenate my body and mind even more.

Here is what i did today:

wake before my 14 month old gets up
drink warm water with lemon and msm powder
take my vitalzym, B-complex and vit D3
30 minutes on my elyptical machine
30 mintues of yoga/stretching
make my juices for the day. I make approximately 4 liters of juice per day.
this is what i did today:

carrot, cucumber, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, wheatgrass (great for hair growth)

kale, chard, cilantro, parsley, spinach, celery, cucumber, carrot, apple, lemon, ginger, E-3 live, wheatgrass

parsnip, cabbage, yam, pear

I add superfoods to the above juices: spirulina, chlorella, green powder (pure synergy), hemp oil and bee pollen.

I also ate one teaspoon of coconut oil today.

Other supplements I took today- DHA, Mega Foods pre/post natal and zeolite.


Wow do I feel fabulous!!! Mason (my 14 month old) loves all the juices too. He starts everyday with a green juice filled with veggies and a little fruit for flavor.

If you want to learn more about adding juices into your diet please email or call me. I believe that everyone should be drinking fresh, organic green juices daily.

Enjoy!!

Raw World Summit 2

For the past two weeks the Raw World Summit has been going on. What is the Raw World Summit? Each night an expert in the Raw Live Food Movement participates in a teleconference that you can listen to on your computer or via phone. It has been fabulous. I've listened to every speaker and they are all inspirational. Check out www.rawworldsummit2.com to see all the fabulous speakers. If you are interested in listening to any of the speakers or receiving cds of the summit you can order them online.

I've been 100% raw for a few months now and I'm feeling fabulous. You don't have to go 100% raw to benenfit from the raw live food lifestyle. The key is to just increase the amount of raw live foods you are eating and or drinking. Start by eating fresh fruit first thing in the morning. Next, add a large green colorful salad for lunch.

If you have a juicer I challenge you to add a green juice to your morning routine. I love starting the day with my green juice. Here is my favorite green juice that gets me energized first thing in the morning. My 13 month old son loves it too!!! I usually have 1-2 Liters each morning.

Kelly's favorite Green Juice Energizer

2 cucumber
8 stalks of celery
1 large bunch kale
1 bunch chard
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch cilantro
2 cups spinach
5 carrots
2 apples
3 lemons
1 inch piece ginger
superfoods: 1 tsp E3-live, 2 shots of wheatgrass and 1 tsp spirulina
(I vary the superfoods)

The above makes 2 liters.

This is a light and refreshing drink that energizes you for the morning!!!

If you don't want to include as many things as i do you can simplify the recipe. Choose your favorite greens. I love kale because it is sooo nutritious. Include a very hydrated veggie to gert more fluids such as cucumber or celery. Add something with a little sweetness such as carrot, apple or pear. Add lemon or lime to give the drink freshness and a tangy taste. Ginger provides anti-inflammatory properties. Cayenne will give it some fire and energy. Add a variety of superfoods to increase its nutrient content.

Have fun, eat more whole raw organic fruits and veggies and start juicing today!!!

Live everyday with gratitude, kelly

Breath Awareness and Relaxation

We spend most of our days moving around from one activity to the next. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to take time out of every day to just stop moving and listen to the breath. Listening to the breath can reveal tension areas in the body and mind. By doing a few simple breathing exercises you can gradually release these areas of tension and free the body and mind. I challenge you to take time everyday to focus on your breath. To make this a habit I want you to determine a specific time each day that you dedicate to breath awareness. It is great to practice breath awareness in the morning to start the day in a relaxed state. This will also help you become more mindful of your breath throughout the day. You can also practice breath awareness before bed helping you to relax and unwind from the day. After this becomes a daily ritual then try to incorporate it into all areas of your life at various times during the day.

Observing your breath will help you become more present in the moment. It helps you get away from thinking about the past and the future but instead focus in on exactly what is happening now. While observing your breath you want to get into a state of deep relaxation where you are still conscious and aware but deeply relaxed. It will take time and practice to reach this deep state of relaxation.

Do not try to alter your breath. You just want to become aware of your breath. The awareness will help you understand what is going on with your body and mind. You will learn about your habitual patterns. Notice what muscles are engaged while you breathe. Notice if the breath moves easier through one area of the body compared to another. Some days you may not be able to relax as much as others. Ask yourself why.

As you let go of tension in various areas of the body and mind, new feelings and sensations will arise. You will become more mindful and conscious of how to relax your body and mind on a regular basis. Try to carry over the release of the body and mind into everyday life.

Here are a few ways to start observing your breath:

1.Lay in relaxation pose. Use a folded blanket to lay on various areas of your body. The goal of this exercise is to help you increase your attention to those areas and just notice what the body and mind are doing. First place the blanket over your thighs and notice the tension. Next place the blanket over your lower ribs. Next place the blanket over your upper ribs. Notice of the ribs are expanding and moving. Finally, place the blanket over your eyes and forehead.

2. Lay on a bolster or foam roller with a folded blanket under your head. Start paying attention to where the stress is in your body. Notice the flow of your breath. Notice areas that are not getting breath. Notice what is going on when you inhale. What is rising and falling? What is expanding and contracting? Notice what happens to the body and mind when you exhale. Is the body relaxing as you exhale? Do you continue to hold tension even on the exhale?

3.Lay in relaxation pose with your calves up on a chair or your legs up a wall. Start to direct the breath with a light intention. Inhale and direct the breath to the lower lobes of the lungs. You should feel the back of the lower ribs touch the surface and feel the lateral expansion of the ribcage.

4.Lay in classic relaxation pose and observe your exhalation. As you exhale direct the air out and allow the front of the ribcage to move down and in while the sternum floats down. The exhalation should allow you to release unwanted tension in the body and mind, especially in the neck and chest region.

5.Lay on a bolster in relaxation pose with a folded blanket under your head (just as in step 2). Notice the length of your inhales and exhales. With a light intention equalize the length of your inhales and exhales.

6.Now we are going to open the front of the body to allow more breath in. Lay in relaxation pose with a rolled up blanket or foam roller available. Place the blanket at various areas under the body and then breathe into these areas for numerous breaths to open them up. You want to feel an expansion in the front of the body after this exercise. Place the rolled up blanket under the following areas (one at a time), breathe into them and allow the body and mind to expand: upper back (middle of shoulder blades), lower ribs, lower back, sacrum and under your legs. As you expand each area resist the temptation to allow the other areas to return to their habitual patterns.

7.Lay in relaxation pose over a bolster with a folded blanket under your head. After opening the front of the body and laying on the bolster your body should naturally want to open and release with a deeper breath. Attempt to deepen your inhale by allowing the body to absorb more of the inhale. Focus on deep, slow, smooth inhales. Allow the inhale to fill up the lungs allowing the ribcage to expand from the lower ribcage to the middle ribcage and finally the upper ribcage. Be mindful of what your facial expression or tension is during all the breathing exercises. If the face and/or jaw are tense, relax them. As you exhale allow the belly to release first and then feel your front ribcage float down and in and your sternum relax and drop towards the floor. Continue to absorb more breath on the inhale and expel all the tension on the exhale. Every day work towards a more relaxed body and mind.

Good Luck with the above breathing exercises. Remember, we are not rushing to get to an end goal or finish line. The goal here is just to bring a daily awareness to the breath that will allow you to bring more relaxation to the mind and body in daily life.

I have practiced this breathing exercise with many patients and clients. There are many modifications but the above exercises will get you started. I suggest you practice one exercise each day in the beginning. After you become more experienced you can combine some of the above exercises and modify them to your own needs.

Check out the book “Yoga: The Poetry of the Body” by Rodney Yee for more details the above breath awareness exercises and pictures of the various positions.

Balance Your Acid/Alkaline Levels

Eating the right foods for you can lead to a more balanced life where your intuition and instincts become clear. To achieve balance when eating you need to understand and apply the acid/alkaline balance in your diet. Maintaining a balance of acidity and alkalinity, which is referred to as pH, in our body is a primary role of nutrition. pH ranges from totally acid at 0.0 to totally alkaline at 14.0. 7.0 is neutral. Our ideal pH range is from 7.35 to 7.4. People who eat a standard American diet (SAD) become unbalanced and have an acidic pH of 6.3 or lower.

Acidity creates inflammation in the body and leads to an unhealthy appearance outside. It creates puffiness, asymmetry, contraction of tissues, stiffness, tissue degeneration, water retention, itchy skin and more. To correct this imbalance you need to eat a ratio of foods that are more alkaline than acidic and drink alkaline water.

What determines if a food is alkaline or acidic? The primary determinant is the mineral content of the food. Foods rich in alkaline minerals create alkalinity. Alkaline minerals include calcium, magnesium, silicon, iron, sodium and manganese. Foods rich in acidic minerals create acidity in the body. Acidic minerals include phosphorus, chlorine, iodine, nitrogen and sulfer.

We need both alkaline and acidic foods to create vibrant health and balance. Acidic foods are not bad, we just need to be sure we are eating a balance of both acid and alkaline foods. If you eat something acidic then you should eat something alkaline. For example if you eat brown rice, which is acidic, then you should eat something alkaline such as greens. Most people are too acidic due to eating an abundance of acid-forming foods including meat, eggs, nuts, seeds and grains. People who are too acidic need to reverse this condition. To reverse an acidic condition the best foods to eat are greens- chlorophyll-rich green-leafy vegetables. Eat 2 salads a day, drink a green vegetable juice and/or use a green superfood powder. After you are balanced then you have to maintain the balance by eating a balance of acid and alkaline foods.

There is controversy in regards to what percentage alkaline foods to acid foods we should eat to maintain optimal health. Most say that when healing you should eat 80-90% alkaline and to maintain a proper balance you should eat 60-70% alkaline. I believe that due to our bio-individuality we all need to experiment with what works best for each of us.

If you have any of the following symptoms of being too acidic increase your alkaline foods and notice the change: tense muscles, stress headaches, anger, short temper, chronic negative thoughts, addictions to coffee, cigarettes, smoking marijuana, cocaine or other legal or illegal drugs.

If you have any of the following symptoms of being too alkaline increase your acid foods and notice the change: laziness, spaciness, lack of drive, excessively passive, feelings of being too cold.

The following are some foods to help guide you in making the right food choices to adjust your acid/alkaline or pH levels:

Chlorophyll-rich green-leafy veggies are the best source of alkaline minerals.

Fruits vary in alkalinity and acidity.

Alkaline fruits: olives, figs, papaya, pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, lime, oranges, citrus fruits, grapes with seeds, pomegranate, blackberry, raspberries, kiwi.

Neutral fruits; melons, apples, bell pepper, cucumber, tomato, mango, mangosteen, strawberries, blueberries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, pumpkin, noni.

Acidic fruits: banana, avocado, plums, dates, mulberry, grapes without seeds, prunes, dried fruit.

Root vegetables- vary from neutral to acidic.

Radishes, onion, and burdock root are neutral.

Potatoes and carrots are acidic.

Nuts and seeds (grain and rice products are in the category of nuts and seeds)

All nuts and seeds are acidic. Almonds are the least acidic.

Soaked nuts and seeds are more alkaline. Soak nuts and seeds in water to deactivate acids and enzyme inhibitors. They are alkaline when they sprout and grow green leaves.

Meat is acidic.

Dairy products are alkaline if you can digest them well. Most people do not have the enzymes needed to digest dairy products well.

Unpasteurized goat’s milk, cheese and kefir are easier to digest and contain high quality alkaline minerals.

Eggs are acidic.

Other factors that potentially make us more acid include:

Hearing or saying harsh words

Loud music and noise

Being in a traffic jam

Feeling jealousy or wanting revenge

Hearing a baby crying

Overworking and Over-exercising

Watching a stressful movie

General stress and worry

Other factors that potentially make us more alkaline:

Giving and receiving a smile or hug

Laughter and jokes

Classical or quiet music

Hearing a compliment or blessing

Receiving a relaxing massage

Staying in a cozy and clean environment

Being in nature

Watching children laugh and play

Sincere friendly conversation

To measure your pH level at various times during the day use litmus paper. You can measure your saliva and/or urine. Read more to learn when to test your urine and saliva and what the results mean.

Eat Your Greens

As most of you know I eat a primarily raw food diet. My diet includes a variety of raw fruits, veggies, superfoods, nuts, seeds and sprouts in the form of juices, drinks, smoothies, salads, raw soups and more. It is loaded with enzymes, provides me with an abundance of energy and is simple and delicious!!! It is not for everyone but everyone can benefit by adding more raw foods into their daily diet. Most importantly it is essential to add more greens to your diet. The book “Green For Life,” by Victoria Boutenko will explain why you should eat more greens and it also provides you with delicious simple green smoothie recipes that you and your family can enjoy.

In search of the perfect human diet, Victoria Boutenko compares the standard American diet with the diet of wild chimpanzees. These animals possess an extremely strong natural immunity to AIDS, Hepatitis C, cancer, and other fatal human illnesses. Chimpanzees share an estimated 99.4% of genes with humans, but their diet is dramatically different from ours. The most glaring difference is that chimpanzees consume significantly more green leaves than humans. Victoria developed a series of green smoothies that enable anyone to consume the necessary amount of greens in a very palatable way.

The benefits of eating greens:

Green vegetables are the food most missing in modern diets. Learning to eat greens is essential to creating health. When you nourish yourself with greens they naturally crowd out the foods that make you sick. Greens help build your internal rain forest and strengthen blood and respiratory systems. They are especially good for city people who rarely see fields of green in the open countryside. Green is associated with spring, the time of renewal, refreshment and vital energy. In Asian medicine, green is related to liver, emotional stability and creativity.

Nutritionally, greens are very high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, and Vitamins A, C, E and K. They are crammed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll and many other micronutrients and phyto-chemicals.

Some of the benefits from eating dark leafy greens are:

blood purification

cancer prevention

improved circulation
strengthened immune system
promotion of healthy intestinal flora

subtle, light and flexible energy

lifted spirit and elimination of depression
improved liver, gall bladder and kidney function
clearing of congestion, especially in lungs by reducing mucus

There are so many greens to choose from. Find greens that you love and eat them a lot. When you get bored of your favorites, be adventurous and try greens that you’ve never heard of before. Broccoli is very popular among adults and children. Each stem is like a tree trunk, giving you strong, grounded energy. Rotate between bok choy, nappa cabbage, kale, collards, watercress, mustard greens, broccoli rabe, dandelion and other leafy greens. Green cabbage can be included as a green, either as sauerkraut, which provides the body with live enzymes. Then there are arugula, endive, chicory, lettuce, mesclun and wild greens. These are generally eaten raw or in any creative way you enjoy. Spinach, Swiss chard and beet greens are best eaten in moderation because they are high in oxalic acid, which depletes calcium from your bones and teeth, leading to osteoporosis. Cook (if you choose to cook food) these vegetables with something rich like tofu, seeds, nuts, beans, butter, animal products or oil. This will balance the effect of the oxalic acid.

IF you choose to cook food here are a few cooking suggestions:

Try a variety of methods like steaming, boiling, sautéing in oil, water sautéing, pressed salad and waterless cooking. IF you are going to use heat to prepare food the best way is a simple, light steam. Lightly steam greens to save as many enzymes and nutrients as you can. Kale is a great green to steam and then you can blend it with other veggies and an avocado to make a smooth veggie soup. Boiling makes greens plump and relaxed. I recommend boiling for under a minute so that the nutrients in the greens do not get lost in the water. You can also drink the cooking water as a health-giving broth or tea, if you’re using organic greens. Steaming makes greens more fibrous and tight, which is great for people who are trying to lose weight. Raw salad is also a wonderful food. It’s refreshing, cooling, soft and supplies live enzymes.

When most people hear “leafy green vegetables”, they probably think of iceberg lettuce, but the ordinary, pale lettuce in restaurant salads doesn’t have the power-packed goodness of other greens. Get into the habit of adding these leafy green vegetables to your diet as much as possible. Try it out for a month and see how you feel.

Green Your Life

Here are more tips to Green Your Life:

Become a Green Consumer

Shop wisely: Buy green products whenever possible, avoid excess packaging, and look for biodegradable products.

Take your own cotton or canvas bags to the grocery store and market.

Replace your usual paper products with recycle ones, or use reusable products like cotton cloths instead of paper towels.

Buy locally. It’s good for your economy and saves energy in transportation.

Replace your personal care products with green alternatives.

Maintain a Healthy Home

Choose furniture made of natural fibers, whole wood, metal and glass.

Avoid using aerosols, such as hair spray and spray paint.

Use low-VOC paints and low-VOC adhesives.

Don’t use chemical pesticides on your lawn or garden. Plan your landscape so it needs less chemical help- ask the staff at your local nursery for advice. If you have garden pests, call in an army of parasites and predators.

Open up the windows and circulate fresh air through your house as often as possible.

Have your air-conditioning and heating systems professionally inspected annually. Make sure your furnace, stove, and other combustion devices are vented directly to the outdoors.

Select nontoxic bedding- most mattresses and bedding are made with a stew of chemicals, including chemical flame retardants and formaldehyde.

Conserve water. Fix leaky faucets and install low-flow toilets.

Become Energy Efficient

Turn down the heat at night to conserve fuel, or install a programmable thermostat.

Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Select a fuel-efficient, low-emissions car.

Walk or rid a bicycle instead of driving.

Community Action

Many household chemicals fall into the category of “suspected carcinogen.” If you know a product contains toxic chemicals, vote with your pocketbook and don’t buy it. Action is needed to keep these toxic chemicals out of consumer goods. Contact your representatives in Congress and tell them your concerns.

Help organize a neighborhood Dumpster Day or large-item disposal day.

Promote recycling. Start a paint exchange with your neighbors, or organize a Zero Waste even. Check out the Zero Waste Campaign at www.grrn.org./zerowaste.

Contact a local environmental group and offer to work on local air and water pollution issues.

Start a community curbside composting program that sells compost to gardeners and nurseries.

Help make your community bicycle-friendly.

In the Workplace.

Bring your green habits to the office. First steps include using less paper, recycling, and conserving energy and water. Talk to your facilities manager about nontoxic, environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. Two website offering good ideas are www.eya.ca/gwp and www.gov.ns.ca/enla/envin/p2/pdf/g_office.pdf.

Tips are from the book Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter and Mikki Halpin which I highly recommend.

Healthy Home

Did everyone go to the Green Festival? It was fabulous. I always feel so energized during and after events like that. I love being surrounded by like-minded people who are passionate about what they do and their beliefs. I honestly spent most of my time at the Green Kid Zone since I had my almost one year-old with me (he will be one on October 19^th). I taste-tested many delicious foods and was introduced to the latest green products and companies. If you missed it this year be sure to mark your calendars next year. Here are a few tips on Greening Your Home!!!

Could the products you use to clean your house be exposing you and your family to health risks?

Many conventional cleaning products leave the indoor air polluted with toxic petrochemical VOCs. On top of this manufacturers attempt to mask the smell with toxic synthetic fragrances. When these cleaning products are used on a regular basis in an enclosed space such as the home, the VOCs build up. When the chemicals evaporate they are transported to the brain. Cleaning product VOCs have been implicated in headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, watery eyes, and respiratory problems. Asthma can even be caused or worsened by domestic cleaning products.

Repeated exposure with certain chemicals can cause harm to a fetus including developmental defects such as autism, brain and nervous system damage and cancer. The chemicals cross the plancenta, travel through the umbilical cord and affect the developing fetus.

The following are easy, safe alternatives to protect you and your family.

Use household plants as natural filters:

They can eliminate between 40%- 90% of toxins in the air. Photosynthesis is the process through which plants use water and light to produce their own food. They take in carbon dioxide and other substances from the atmosphere and release oxygen. This results in cleaner air. The following plants are most effective:

-Areca Palm

-Lady Palm

-Bamboo Palm

-Rubber Plant

-Dracaena

Use alternative all-purpose, glass and cabinet cleaners:

Ammonia is the main ingredient in these conventional products. This is poisonous if ingested and if combined with chlorine it produces a toxic chlorine gas.

-Use chlorine free scouring powders or baking soda

-For windows and mirrors mix white vinegar with water

-Buy products produced by:

-Seventh Generation

-Earth-Friendly Products

Use alternative drain and oven cleaners:

The ingredients in these conventional products emit dangerous fumes and can be harmful when they enter the body through the skin or via inhalation.

-to unclog the sink pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let mixture bubble for 15 minutes, then let hot water run fro 1-2 minutes.

-to clean the oven use Seventh Generation Natural Citrus Cleaner and Degreaser

Alternative cleaning products for all household cleaning purposes can be purchased at Whole Foods, My Organic Market and at most supermarkets. Look for the following brands:

-Seventh Generation (seventhgeneration.com)

-Howard Naturals (howardnaturals.com)

-Vermont Soap (vermontsoap.com)

-Sun and Earth (sunandearth.com)

Go Green

Green Festival: A joint project of Global Exchange and Co-op America

Mark your calendars for the Green Festival taking place at the Washington Convention Center on October 6^th and 7^th. I attend this event every year and it is fabulous. This event has a purpose and that is to help create a better world for all. It celebrates what is working in our local communities for people, for business and for the environment.

You have the opportunity to listen to over 100 speakers on topics such as:

Media’s Impact on the Green Lifestyle Movement

Living Democracy: Feeding Hope

Eco-Chic: Outdoor Living at Its Best

Easy, Inexpensive Ways to Go Green

Landing Your Dream Green Job

Creating Change on Campus

Living with Solar 101

Solar Cooking: Saving Planet Earth One Meal at a Time

Perspectives on Sustainable Business

Greening Our Democracy

Your Right to Know: Changes to Your Food

Natural Make-up and Skincare

The Top 10 Steps to Green Remodeling

Take part in the Green Film Festival and view some of the following films:

National Teach-In on Iraq

The Man Who Planted Trees

One More Dead Fish

Seeds, Hope and Concrete

American Revolution II

Composting for Busy People

The Power of community

Wind Over Water

Check out the yoga studio and take part in some of the following classes:

Vinyasa Yoga

Yoga and Chi Kung

Core Yoga

Yoga Transdance

Chakra Yoga

Yoga Basics

Yogilates

Meditation and Yoga

Enjoy great how-to workshops, a fair trade pavilion, organic beer, delicious organic cuisine and live music. I love experimenting with all the different foods and taste-testing new vegan and vegetarian recipes. There are over 350 exhibits that include everything from organic jeans and clothing to sustainably harvested wood. You have the opportunity to buy many of the products that you see. There is an amazing book store that offers an abundance of books to help you live the green life. You can learn about renewable energy and green technology, how to invest in your community and green businesses and how to green your home.

There are family oriented activities and a Green Kid’s Zone.

Check out www.greenfestivals.org for more information!!!

Green Festival is sponsored by Co-op American and Global Exchange. Learn more about these organizations at:

www.coopamerica.org

www.globalexchange.org

I’ve been a member of Co-op America for many years and it provides you with the resources you need to learn practical tips for living green. Don’t miss this amazing event. It will change how you live your life. Remember, you make a statement with every dollar you spend and every action you take. Start making a green statement today and continue to everyday!!!

Read, "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert

A fabulous book I just finished reading is, "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is a wonderful story of a woman searching for herself as she travels and explores new lands and people. It will inspire you to follow your dreams and find your unique passions.

“In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern woman was supposed to want- husband, country home, successful career- but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and of what she found in their place. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert set out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasures of Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.”

One important lesson from this book is to not follow the “typical” path or do the “conventional” things just because it is the way things are “supposed” to be. Instead, explore the world and discover who you truly are and what you truly love to do. Take the time to seek out different paths that you may not have been exposed to otherwise. Ask yourself, “if I could do anything at this very moment what would I do?”. The answer to this question may change over time. That is ok. I think it should. We should continue to grow and explore throughout our lives and therefore, find new ways to add passion to our lives.

Another lesson from this book is when you discover your passions be sure to fill everyday with them. Life is too short to live any other way. Your career, your spouse and your home should all be influenced by your passions. Choose a career that allows you to express your passions everyday. Choose a spouse that wants to share your passions with you. Create a home environment that allows you to surround yourself with your passions. Everyday you can do little things to express your passions. I like to call these things my, “Daily Delights.” These are the little things everyday that add up to a fulfilled happy life. For instance one of my passions is shopping for, preparing and eating delicious whole real food. I love going to the market, picking out the freshest ingredients and taking my time while preparing a wonderful meal. The best part is sitting down in a relaxed, beautiful atmosphere to slowly chew and taste each bite. With an eleven month old this last part does not happen as much but I still enjoy every moment- even if I’m chewing my food while chasing after Mason.

Take the time to read this book, explore who you truly are and live your passions.

Eat Sea Vegetables

Sea vegetables, especially kelp, are one of nature’s best sources of iodine. Iodine is essential for proper thyroid function. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in every cell of the body and play a role in virtually all physiological functions. Sea vegetables also promote women’s health because they contain lignan phytonutrients that have phytoestrogenic activity. Dried Sea Vegetables are ranked second to flaxseeds as the food that contains the highest amounts of lignans. Lignans can act like estrogen when the body’s stores of this hormone are low, such as in menopause, potentially relieving associated symptoms. When estrogen levels are too high they bind to estrogen receptors, which may have benefits in preventing PMS and breast cancer. Sea vegetables promote optimal health because they are a source of fucans. Fucans reduce the body’s inflammatory response, have antithrombotic activity (ability to inhibit blood clots), antiviral activity and may inhibit the development of tumors. Sea vegetables are filled with nutrients including energy-producing iron, bone-building calcium and magnesium, heart-healthy folate and sleep-promoting tryptophan. Sea vegetables are also filled with other vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, B and K, potassium, iron, phosphorous, manganese and zinc. Many varieties contain up to 50% soluble fiber, which helps regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Sea Vegetables contain approximately 9 calories per ¼ cup serving so they are an ideal food for weight loss and maintenance.

Sea vegetables are usually purchased dry and can be prepared in minutes. Purchase sea vegetables in the Japanese section of most markets. Some are ready to eat, while others need to be reconstituted. Place the sea vegetable in a bowl, cover with cool water until fully rehydrated which is approximately 5-10 minutes. Maine Coast is a good brand of sea vegetables.

The following are some of types of sea vegetables:

Hiziki:

Hiziki is one of my favorites. It is filled with calcium. One cup of hiziki has ten times the calcium of a glass of milk.

Arame:

Arame is rich in calcium, iodine, potassium and vitamins A and B. I love to make cold arame salads.

Nori:

Nori is famous for its role as the wrapper in sushi rolls. Use nori to make sushi rolls or burrito wraps.

Dulse:

Dulse is high in Vitamin C, potassium and Vitamin B6. Dulse has four times more iron than spinach. Dulse requires no preparation so all you have to do is chop and sprinkle it on vegetables, grains or legumes for extra flavor. Dulse is sold in shakers so you can just shake it on everything.

Kelp:

Kelp is loaded with calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, chromium, and iodine. You can add strips of kelp to soups and beans. Kelp also comes in a shaker.

Kombu:

Kombu is filled with calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and iron. Use with seaweed to make soup stocks. It triples in volume when soaked for 10 minutes.

Agar:

Agar is a jellylike seaweed used to make gelatin-type desserts. It is rich in iodine.

Wakame:

Wakame is high in calcium, iron, iodine, phosphorous, potassium and vitamins A and B. Wakame absorbs marinades well and is found in traditional miso soup.

The following are ways to add sea vegetables to your daily eating:

Some sea vegetables come in shaker containers. Use ground dulse, kelp and nori instead of salt and shake them on everything including salads, sandwiches, entrees and soups. I even sprinkle kelp into my baby’s food. Some shaker containers come with seasonings too such as dulse and garlic or dulse and ginger.

Flavor soups with arame, kombu and wakame. Place the sea vegetables in with the heated fluid and the broth will fill with nutrients.

When boiling water for grains add a few pieces of sea vegetables to add nutrients to the water and therefore, the grain.

Add strips of nori to grains or cooked vegetables.

Learn to make your own sushi. The sea vegetable nori is used to make sushi. I love making sushi with quinoa instead of rice.

Use nori as a wrap instead of tortilla or grain wraps or lettuce wraps. A sea veggie wrap is a great on-the-go lunch.

Use arame as a substitute for pasta. I love making arame salads because they make me feel like I’m eating a big bowl of pasta.

The water the sea vegetables are soaked in is very nutritious. Use as much of this water in the recipe to maximize its flavor and nutritional value.

Here are a few of my favorite sea vegetable recipes:

Arame and Hiziki salad

This is my favorite. I prepare this often. I don’t use the same amounts of ingredients each time so choose the amounts of each of the following dependent upon your desire.

Arame

Hiziki

Tofu

Avocado

Mung Bean Sprouts

Seseame seed/sea vegetable shaker (found in Japanese section of market)

Braggs Amino Acids, Soy Sauce or Tamari

Sesame Oil or flax seed oil (I use flax seed oil but the sesame oil adds more flavor)

Soak the Arame and Hiziki as per the directions on the packages. Chop up some tofu and avocado. Add in mung bean sprouts. Mix in dressing of sesame oil and Braggs Amino Acids. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sea vegetable flakes. This is a fast and easy meal to prepare with no cooking.

Carrot Dulse Salad

2 C carrot, shredded

1 C dulse, chopped and rinsed

½ C snow peas, small julienne

¼ C black sesame seeds

3 T orange juice

2 T green onions, finely chopped

1 T garlic, minced

1 T Celtic Salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Let marinate for one hour.

Sea Vegetable Salad

1 C dulse, soaked, rinsed and chopped

1 C kelp, soaked, rinsed and chopped

3 T flax oil

1 T lemon juice

1 t ginger juice

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Nori Burrito

½ dup guacamole

¼ C peas, sprouted or other sprouts

½ tomato, diced

1 handful alfalfa sprouts

1 sheet raw nori

Apply guacamole to nori sheet (this moistens it). Add the rest of contents and roll up.

I love to use hummus as a substitute for the guacamole too.

Avocado Sea Wrap

1 avocado, sliced

Nori sheets or soaked dulse strips

Lay the avocado inside the sea vegetable and roll up.

This is a quick on the go snack or meal.

Kelly's Chocolate Energy Bar

2 cups almond butter or any nut butter
-I like to vary the nut/seed butters. I use a mixture of almond, cashew, walnut, pistaccio, pumpkin seed, etc. Play with it and see what you like best.
-I sometimes lightly ground up nuts and seeds and throw them in too for more texture.
1/4 cup raw cacao powder
1/2 cup and 2 tbsp agave nectar
-You can also add dates and figs for additional sweetness and variety.
-You can add other fruit for more nutrients such as gogi berries.
1 heaping tbsp coconut butter
-I also like to throw in a few tbsps of coconut flakes for texture and coconut meat for richness.
2 tbsps vanilla extract
-Or you can use fresh vanilla bean.
1 tbsp himalayan sea salt

Mix all the above ingredients together and roll into small balls or place in pan to cut into squares later. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours and enjoy!!! You can also freeze them turning them into a delicious fudge-like treat. Before I refrigerate mine I like to roll them in coconut flakes and ground nuts and seeds. You can also drizzle them with additional chocolate.


Have Fun!!!

Living Your Yoga II

Yoga is a discipline of the mind and body. Yoga can be practiced both on the mat and in everyday life. You can learn to Live Your Yoga. What is “Living Your Yoga”. When you live your yoga you learn to bring the mindfulness of your yoga practice to everyday life. You learn to practice yoga in every event and activity of every day. For example, as we go through daily life we have thoughts about the way things should be. When you go to the market you “should” be able to buy your favorite meal. Well what if one day your favorite meal is not there. This will cause you to react. It is your choice how you react. You may get very frustrated and therefore, not enjoy whatever you had to purchase and eat. Getting caught up in the attachment of your favorite meal, in this case, interfered with the ability to experience things as they are. Even when things do not go the way that you want them to go it is important to experience them as they occur. Recognize the attachment or the “should be” thought and then experience things for what they are. You never know, you may find another fabulous food to enjoy.

Another example of living your yoga is the concept of “control”. We tend to want to control everything in our lives. To control things people often act in manipulative or demanding manners. This actually makes life even more complex and difficult and still does not give us the balance that we are looking for. We need to realize that the only thing we have control over is our own words and actions. The best thing you can do is use the power of your words and actions. Be as clear and truthful in your words and actions and allow everything else to unfold. We cannot control the behavior of others. We can only control our own behavior and actions. Attempts to control other people’s behavior often backfires, creating more stress and disharmony. A mantra to say to yourself on a daily basis is, “The only real control I have is the choice of my own thoughts, my own words, and my own actions.”

A powerful book on this topic that everyone should read is, “Living Your Yoga,” by Judith Lasater, PhD, PT. She provides life experiences, daily exercises and mantras for daily living. Topics that she covers includes: spiritual seeking, discipline, letting go, self-judgement, faith, perspective, courage, compassion, control, fear, patience, attachment and aversion, suffering, impermanence, greed, service, connection, truth, success, nonviolence and love. This is one of my favorite books. I have read it numerous times and will read it many more times. Each time I read it I incorporate more things into my daily life. It makes me reflect on choices I have made in my life and helps me make better choices in the future.

Another wonderful book is, “Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga,” by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. They provide 365 meditations that offer a way to integrate the mindfulness that yoga teaches into everyday life.

Check out the website, www.dailyom.com. It provides you with daily inspirations for life. I love reading these every morning. They give me positive words and thoughts to reflect on each day.

There are many ways that you can live your yoga. The important thing for you to do is start being mindful about how you live your life and how your actions and thoughts create your life. Start creating the life you want to live by Living Your Yoga.

Get out in Nature

Spend as much time as you can in nature. Yesterday, I took my son for a two and a half hour hike on a nature trail and then spent the afternoon at the park. I was reminded of the many benefits of being surrounded by nature's beauty. Walking on the trail allowed me to slow down and just think. During this time I was able to make a decision that I had been struggling over. Nature provides you with an abundance of oxygen which we are all in more need of. Most people do not take full deep breaths when they breathe leaving them deficient in oxygen. We need oxygen to fuel the body's cells. We need at least 30 minutes of sun exposure per day to get our required amount of vitamin D. Notice the changes from season to season. Slowing down to appreciate nature can motivate you to live a more simple lifestyle. You don't have to go to a trail or park to simplify life and appreciate nature. Step outside and just look up at the sky. Take a few deep inhales and exhales and allow the sun to cover your body.

Live Your Yoga

Yoga is more than just what you do on the mat. There are many life lessons that go along with the practice of yoga. Every class I take reminds me of ways to live my yoga. My Sunday yoga class reminded me to not anticipate what was going to happen. To experience what was happening and respond in whatever way is necessary. We often get caught up in the same old same old and forget that everyday and every experience is new. If you continue to react in the same way you will get the same results. On the mat an example of this is when you are going through a flow series you may rush through it knowing what move comes next but you really don't experience each pose seperately. You do not allow the body and mind to repond to that pose that day. Off the mat challenge yourself to not anticipate what is going to happen next. Go to lunch with a friend today and just experience each moment and allow the events of the day to unfold naturally. You never know what the day will bring.

Don't Take Life So Seriously

Yesterday in yoga class my instructor had me smiling and laughing through my whole practice. This experience reminded me to not take my yoga practice too seriously. That it is "just yoga". To have fun with it. To allow the body and mind to go where they want to go. This lesson transferred to the rest of my day as I played with my ten month old son Mason. We laughed, played and experienced the moment. Life is not the destination but the moments leading up to the destination. The lesson here for you is to have fun and laugh in whatever you are doing. Live in the moment. Don't take life so seriously.

Welcome to Daily Wellness

The world is getting more complex everyday. People are eating more processed foods, moving less and are stressed. I will teach you simple ways to live well in the modern world. I will guide you in making small gradual changes that in the long-term result in big changes. I provide a variety of services that will optimize your health and change your life forever. I will get you one step closer to a happier and healthier life.

My philosophy is one of holistic health. I believe that the body has an innate ability to heal itself and therefore, be healthy when it is given the correct ingredients. The correct ingredients include proper exercise and movement, proper nutrition, elimination of toxins, adequate rest and rejuvenation and mental and emotional balance. The exposure to and accumulation of toxins, such as unnatural substances and stress, in the body compromises health and the natural healing process. I address the underlying causes of the imbalances of the body and use natural means, including exercise, movement, physical therapy, bodywork, nutrition, daily rituals and more to restore and maintain health. I promote health and encourage you to renew, re-energize and take control of your health.

*Kelly Bradley, Founder and Executive Director of Bradley Wellness, LLC