"we all got a lot to say about everybody else…"

This is a line from my newest favorite artist, Rising Appalachia. I have just recently discovered this sister duo and am totally enamored by their expressive, soul-stirring sound and powerful lyrics.  Leah and Chloe maximize the musical experience as a tool to get in touch with our roots again, to manifest greatness in all. Their intention is to spread love through music: love towards ourselves, our communities.

"Swoon" by Rising Appalachia 

Feeling totally empowered by these gorgeous storytellers I find myself tapping deeply into my own creativity.

I've never considered myself a good writer, I've always had a hard time with reading and comprehension in school.  I have a difficult time putting my thoughts and feelings into words. Maybe it's because I don't have a crossword-worthy vocabulary or quick-retrevial brain. I think that's why I keep a rolodex of facial expressions.  However since I started journaling and blogging over a year ago, I've become so much more expressive and confident in my writing.  It leads me to believe, anyone can do anything they want, with some practice, persistence, passion and most importantly, a solid belief in yourself. Get rid of those limiting beliefs that you play over and over in the back of your head, they are holding you back.

"I consider myself a skeptic, but I'm an optimist in soul." -Rising Appalachia.

One of the ways I've naturally begun to express myself is through poetry. I don't really know how poetry works, but that's ok. All I know is I enjoy it.  Don't ask me how to write a haiku, I don't remember.  I love languages, the beauty in simplicity and the abundance of ways to express oneself to another.  I've been reading The Purpose Principle by Jake Ducey and he shares the Hawaiian mantra, Ho'oponopono which means, "I love you, I'm sorry, please forgive me."  So simple yet all encompassing.

It's day 19 of my challenge, Living Your Naked Truth.  Here is my #NakedTruth this week, sharing with you one of my poetic creations.

Dirty Hair

Why do I let others dictate what I want? How my life should be lived?
I let them decide what is beautiful.
The way my hair falls in my face. Or doesn't.
Or how it sticks up in the back because it's shiny and dry and messy.
It's too short or too long or it hangs in my face.
It is always in my face.

Now I purposefully leave it in my face.
Sometimes it covers my eyes and I can't see.
I like not having to see for a minute.
I want to wear my thick natural waves however they may be.
Because who cares?
It should be in my face.
Dirty. Wild. Free.

4 Girls. 4 Skateboards. 300 Miles. 2 Weeks.

Day 10 #NakedTruth. Claire, Carissa, Carly and Jaime have spent the last week skateboarding 150 miles down the coast of California to raise money and awareness of their new non-profit Duchess Ride, a youth-development program designed to cultivate tenacity in young women through participation and progression in board sports.

I met Duchess Ride co-creator Claire Altenau three years ago when I moved to Vail Valley, Colorado to give resort life a try (aka ski bum life).  I was always in awe of her laid back attitude and drive.  No matter how poor the riding conditions were, she was always stoked to be on the mountain teaching girls how to freestyle (including myself, thank you for the buttering lesson!)  

In order to raise money and awareness for their new non-profit, Claire and her crew are skateboarding 300 miles down the coast of California from Santa Barbara to Mexico.  Want to know if they're making it happen? Find out in my interview with Claire below...

Q: Tell me about your non-profit Duchess Ride? How did it come to fruition?

Claire and fellow co-founder Jaime started out as snowboard instructors in Beaver Creek, Colorado, empowering young girls through self-expression on and off the mountain.  Carly joined, then Carissa too.  These four ladies had a big idea, and their collaborative ambition made Duchess Ride a reality.

Board sports are high risk and scary. Just like anyone else, Claire, Jaime, Carly, and Carissa all started somewhere. It wasn't long ago that Claire learned how to skateboard, and now she's alternating legs at 26 miles a day! These women wanted to make it easier for their younger counterparts to get into board sports.  This makes the snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing all about encouragement, about pushing one another to their limits, but in a supportive, less intimidating environment that is typically dominated by men.  These chicks are changing the way women do sports.  

Q: How did you ladies come up with the idea to skateboard 300 miles across California?

It's hard to get the word out when you're just starting out.  They decided that in order to get some serious attention, they needed to do something BIG. Carissa heard about Mike Smith, a fellow skater who rode 300 miles across Nebraska to raise funding for his nonprofit empowering youth through skateboarding and assisting the lesser fortunate in his community. However no women had ever completed a ride to this extreme.

This ride was the way to get the attention they needed.  They decided to do the ride through SoCal because that's where all the board industries are, but it's not a bad place to be, either.  They will (and have!) run into a lot of people, especially when their route runs the boardwalk.

Q: What keeps you motivated?

Riding at least 20 miles each day in sunny, 90 degree weather, climbing hills no less, with swollen hands and feet, and achy bodies.  Not only are they building endurance, skill (imagine having to ride switch for 10 miles!), awareness and funding, but they're showing other girls and women that anything is possible.  They all have other jobs to pay the rent, but still, they're giving every ounce of their passionate energy into this cause.  

Q: Who inspires you?

Claire told me it's ironic that I asked her this question, because throughout their ride, they've been approaching other women, asking which women they've been inspired by.  Claire, Jaime, Carly and Carissa all agree that they didn't have a female role model, a mentor, when they were younger, aside from their parents. 

They asked themselves, "How can we change this?" Together, they want to be more inspirational, to get more women out there who inspire them, and each other.  Their desire to inspire others manifested from feeling inspired by the incredible young girls and women in their growing crew.

Duchess Ride recognizes that women are doing more noteworthy things, such as having the freedom to express themselves creatively and with the support of other women.  Claire says the girls she's talking to are inspired by woman for being really nice or really pretty.  These ladies behind Duchess Ride want women to be inspired by a woman for where she's been and her aspirations.  This speaks beyond superficiality. Who is this woman? How is she doing it? Guys have a different standard, and these ladies are breaking that down.

·       

Q:What significant roadblocks have you faced? What do you do to move past them?

#1 is money. As for any new start-up, it's really difficult to find finding.  While they do have unofficial sponsors, it's tough to get money when you're new.  People want to know these ladies are serious about this, that they're reliable and trustworthy.  It takes time to get their mission out there. They've encountered a few doubters, the random dude in the In-N-Out parking lot who didn't believe they were actually skateboarding down the coast, or the occasional hater on Facebook who's killing their vibe.

All that non-sense is forgotten as they've starting getting some serious attention. They've run into girls who have decided to join them for part of their ride.  Famous photographer Bo Bridges snapped their picture mid-ride.  An artist came up to the crew while they were skating and recognized them from social media.  This small Colorado-based non-profit is picking up momentum right before their eyes.  And most importantly, their family and friends are sending them supportive texts along the way. 

Even though the first 150 miles have been totally exhausting, they have to keep going.  They want to teach girls that whether you make it or fail, it is OK.  And since all four of them are in it together, they are supporting each other along the way.  They are embodying their mission, through the fun times and the challenges.

·    

Q: How do you see Duchess Ride changing in the next 5-10 years? 

I asked Claire this question, because it's fun to create a future with crazy, exciting goals.  Claire envisions Duchess Ride being offered to women, young and old, in mountain resorts across the states from Mammoth to Washington and even the East Coast (yay!).  She wants to start international surf camps in New Zealand and Australia.  She also plans to get older women involved too, breaking their thoughts and building them back up.  Duchess Ride wants to change the way we've been taught to approach things, explaining that failure is all part of it, but stay tenacious, and it will all work out. 

They have 3 progress points in place: Tenacity, Creativity, and Crewistance.  The word teamwork doesn't work for these badass ladies, so they made up their own version.  Crew + persistence.  They believe these are the key ingredients to progress through life, rather than just waiting for things to happen. They live this daily.  

Q: What can we expect after the ride is over?

So far, Duchess Ride has two pilot sessions in place for 10-12 year olds in an after school program in Beaver Creek, Colorado.  For six weeks, six girls will progress and that other word will spend one day on snow, one day off snow. Together, they'll focus on their strengths, weaknesses, image, self-esteem, accepting failure and building confidence.  The girls in the program will form their own teams organically to keep up that crewistence, where friends continue to creatively progress, as a group.  Supporting each other rather than battling each other for a win, to reduce competition that so many youth face.  Targeting girls before their teenage years is their mission.  Just as I show people how to use food as preventative medicine, Duchess Ride wants to build crewistance and confidence in young girls so they can better equipt themselves when they feel the hit of societal and cultural standards that are experienced in high school and beyond.  

These adventure-loving ladies are giving young women a chance to rise into their power, discover their gifts, and share their passion for board sports in a supportive tribe.  I can honestly say the inspirational women and girls I've rode with over the last 15 years with have pushed me past my snowboarding comfort zone, which has cascaded into other aspects of my life.  

We would love your support, especially as the crew is 150 miles into their ride down California's Coast.  Right now, if you donate $100, you can choose one of the four Duchess Ride ladies and they'll come up with a ridiculous way to throw a pie in the face of whichever chick you choose.  All of this will be documented and filmed-- so head over to their site www.duchessride.org for more videos and to follow their journey.

If you want to support these ladies and their awesome cause, donate here:

https://www.classy.org/checkout/donation?eid=60712

References:

Pictures from Claire Altenau and Duchessride Facebook Page

www.Duchessride.org

http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/founder-of-local-non-profits-to-skateboard-across-nebraska-for/article_1a32cce0-dcd1-11e2-8e35-001a4bcf887a.html

Warning: my most personal blog post yet

Day 1 of 100.

I am a little nervous to share that I have never lived a life that is completely, 100% truly my own. When I was a child, I played silly games, made funny voices, acted, had tea parties with stuffed animals, dressed up, danced, sang from the top of my lungs, ran around naked, and did it all with the loving support of my family and friends.

Prime example of my childhood: Goofin' around in my aunt's leggings 

Then, something happened.  I think I was in middle school.  I remember someone I cared for called me out on being too immature, or saying something along the lines of, "We're too old to do that."  As an impressionable kid, that stuck with me. From then on, I stopped acting so silly and I started to get serious.

Now, I'm trying to reverse this so I can fully be myself again.

I was 2 when I witnessed my father's sudden death. I had to cope with my mother's experience of mourning quickly, gracefully, and then raising me, alone, while working well over full time to provide for us.  My father's side of the family, whom I am extremely close with, always told me I was too young to realize what had happened, but who are they to tell me what they don't know? I wasn't too young to feel the full impact of my father's death.  Up until my teenage years, I didn't stir the drama pot in our home because I wanted to keep the peace. And I am just now, within the last couple years, starting to sort through all the emotional shit I've held onto, starting with this.

We all have a story that needs to be shared. I need to share my story with you, not only for me, but for you too.  I mean, the only reason I'm writing this right now, is because I was inspired by others who have shared their experiences too.  Our unique story is the hardest one to tell, but no soul journey is easy.  My mother raised me to be a strong, independent woman, however I'm learning there is incredible power and freedom in vulnerability.

My truth is unique to me, and therefore that is what makes me different.  I am asking you to show up as who you want to be.

Or maybe you're like me, and you don't know who you are or what your purpose is.  

How would you like to stop living the life you think everyone wants you to lead, and start living your own dreams? 

So today marks the start of my challenge, are you interested?

100 Days of Living your NAKED Truth.  Naked because being naked is freeing, vulnerable, and honest.   Truth because you can't hide anything when you're stripped down to your metaphorical skivvies.

Each week for 100 days, I'll be sharing my deepest, most honest feelings and experiences, sometimes the ones that only my journal sees. So join me! I'll be giving away my super authentic, no-BS secrets about holistic health, empowerment, spirituality and sexuality (this will be juicy, stay tuned).  I'll reveal to you tips and thought-provoking exercises so you can get closer to uncovering who you really are.
I'll be interviewing friends living their soul path, sharing ways you can bring more naked truth into your life, introducing you to my favorite teachers, leaders and coaches, and inspiring you to be the best god-damn creature of love I know you are.

I would love nothing more than to have you join me during these 100 days! You can subscribe to the blog, or simply skim when you're feeling bored.  Post a picture of yourself doing something that you love or share an experience you had that impacted you in some way. Use the hashtag #NakedTruth if you're on social media.  Tag when you are baring a little or a lot of your soul.  By the final day, you might find yourself living your wildest dreams and that anything you want can be yours.  KNOW that we need you to share your Naked Truth with us! I am dying to hear your stories! Please leave comments or send me an email or Facebook message with your story.  Or if you would like to get featured on my blog, I'd love to have you!

The countdown begins...

What I'm doing to have (more frequent) blissfully happy days

Sabrina Moore Photography 

When you're having a crappy day, does everyone ask you what's wrong?  And that bothers you even more, right? What about when you're having a great day, does it ever feel like others pick up on your higher energetic vibe?  And you may notice the unhappy customers at work don't bother you like they normally would.

A couple weeks ago, I was having a perfect morning. For the record there was no coffee involved.  I did pick flowers and bring them into work.  That same morning, right after we opened, a customer approached me at the register and said to me, "You are definitely a morning person. Like one of those morning people who, when you wake up next to them, is showered by sparkly fairy dust and Disney music. There's probably f***ing rainbows too."

No joke.  He said all of this, verbatim.  And while that's definitely not usually the case, that particular morning I did feel like 'f***ing rainbows.'

And again, this week, I woke up one morning and felt even BETTER than the last time with the fairytale music and butterflies.  I don't know exactly when or why this phenomenon occurs, but I'm gonna let you in on my secrets to attaining this bliss buzz. I am PROOF that these experiences do happen when you're least expecting them: when you're single (shocking, right?!), when you're at work, and you haven't started your morning with a killer green smoothie.

Now, the following isn't a list of things I do everyday, but they're some noteworthy events that deliver extended release happiness throughout the day. Inspired by the observant man at the register, let's call this my Bliss Buzz Cocktail. 

• Put down the phone
• As soon as I wake up, before I reach for my phone (I am soooo guilty of this most mornings), I'll lay in bed, noticing my warm blankets and soft pillows.  With my eyes still closed, I give gratitude to whatever I want; my family, friends, my job, my car, my health, my great ass :)
• Affirmations
• At some point in the morning, I'll glance at my Spirit Junkie app or turn to Louise Hay for a specific remedy for a positive affirmation.  I don't usually repeat it to myself throughout the day, but reading it even once I know it sticks subconsciously. I believe changing your thoughts can radically change your physical and emotional state.
• Treat yo' self
• I do something special for myself in the morning.  When I can, I'll take time in the morning to chill. It sets a good pace for how the rest of my day will be.  I make a cup of tea before I eat anything because I'm pretty much always dehydrated. I'll sit on my bed or the floor and stretch. I'll read about some recent health news.  There's an abundance of health information out there, so I love staying updated.  It keeps me focused on my goals.

• 

  Sabrina Moore Photography 

• Mediation
• I hate the word "should," (I wrote a post about this a few months back) so instead I'll say, I would like to make more time for meditation. On these blissful days, I'll make time for a 10-15 minute meditation before I leave the house.  If you think meditation is intimidating, you can find some really great guided ones here, to help you get started.
• Release expectations
• This is so hard for me!! But really just being open to whatever is in store can unveil really beautiful outcomes.  I find that I'm more open to new ways of thinking or doing something that I never would have thought of. A rainy day doesn't have to suck, you can do something productive indoors, or simply relax. A friend bailed on me? That frees up my schedule to go run an errand I've been meaning get to. 
• Laughing and playing  
• This is what life is all about! Even if we hate our jobs, we hate being single, or we hate our limitations…lets find the good in it.  Yes, there can be TONS of drama at work and some days I find myself picking on my mangers or getting pissed at customers. But mostly I love the atmosphere because I make it a time where I can hang out with some really cool people I otherwise wouldn't know, I can be myself, and I am financially rewarded.  We laugh, sing, gossip, dance, take juice shots. 
• Eating a mindful meal
• At least one meal this day I'll enjoy alone, without my phone or a TV to entertain me.  I give thanks for the meal. I get the full sensory experience: I'll really check out the plate before I bite into anything, I fully smell and taste each bite, putting my fork down in between. Ultimately I'm trying to get the full food porn experience here.
• Being Present
• I mentioned this in my last post Why I'm making personal sacrifices for a very scary end goal, but it's really an anchor for my happiness.  When I'm present, I don't worry about the future or replay past events over and over in my head.  I know we all do this, especially in relationships. I'm finding little joys in what I can create out of right now.
• And finally….Sharing the love
• Days like these, I find myself being friendlier.  I'll smile at strangers (it doesn't have to be creepy people), I'll compliment others, or find little things to be thankful for like not having a parking ticket on my car or when that really nice guy let me cut him in line. Little things.  I text or call someone I haven't heard from in a while, telling them how much I love them, how much they inspire me. Who doesn't love warm fuzzies?!

From my experiences, I've noticed that when I invite these small details into my daily life, I definitely feel heightened joy.  On these days, which are becoming more frequent now that I see how good this bliss buzz is, I feel like life is perfect, that everything happens as it should.  So lets make more effort to be our best selves and share that love with others.

Sabrina Moore Photography 

Why I'm making personal sacrifices for a very scary end goal

WHEW!! I don't know about you, but I feel like summer has been flying by! I cannot believe it is already August.  Since my last post nearly a month ago, I've been getting sucked into my work routine.  I've been working my tush off and not making enough time for myself.  A beautiful assortment of part time jobs, dog sitting, housesitting, gardening, family time, friends….So while I am contributing to my community, helping neighbors, and saving money, I'm slacking in the Katie department.  I'm placing other people's lives in front of my own.

I haven't had the time to cook for myself or even grocery shop for myself.  I crave this.  It's part of my mediation and self-care regime. Instead I'm buying 8 bags of kettle pop chips and Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Cake Muffins for my adorable 90-year old mommom because I want her to feel happy and comfortable during the time I don't spend with her.  My regular yoga practice has evaporated along with my desire to work out, as I'm totally pooped after hustling through shifts at work. I'm behind on my health coaching program….which I'm totally obsessed with, but I find myself unable to focus on the modules.  I definitely haven't prioritized this blog. She's my accidental 10 month old baby, giving me an outlet where I can write without inhibitions and hopefully feed your soul through my honest words. And I'm definitely not showering every day, or every other day.  And it's really fucking humid and buggy out East and working outside makes me hot and sticky and thank god for deodorant (see?! There's always something good to be found in something unpleasant). Check out how to make my homemade spray deodorant here.

Lately I'm feeling like I need to slow down more, be more present. One of my mentors and well-known entrepreneur and coach, Cynthia Pasquella, said that when she notices her mind start to wander, she'll think, "…and I'm back."  I've been trying this method out for the past week or so, and it's working beautifully.  I'll be having a conversation with someone and I start to focus my attention on another task (because I feel like I always need to multitask, which is one of my downfalls) I'll think, "...and I'm back" so I can be present in our conversation again.

If I want to be heard, I need to listen to others first. 

Yesterday I picked flowers and brought them into work.  I knew I would be standing in front of a POS system all day talking to people so I thought, if I had flowers, not only would they remind me to be more present, more grateful, but I could also share them with customers who might also find pleasure from them. It worked :)

I keep myself distracted through work, visiting with family, staying focused on making money so I can feel secure enough at the end of summer to move out of my aunt and uncle's house and sign my VERY FIRST LEASE since college. Holy fucking commitment, bring it on!! I'm ready for you, and I'm going to embrace every uncomfortable part of it with warm fuzzy hugs.  I've been so scared to sign a lease because it's the opposite of my gypsy lifestyle.

It's not what I know.  It's not familiar to me.

But I'm learning to stop running away from things that scare me and to face them head on.  Instead, I'm going to move into a new place, in a new city, and stay for awhile.  I'll manifest a rad community. I want to make roots and settle for at least a year.  I want to put more energy into my dreams and share them with others, and be successful at it.  And it is OK to rely on family and friends.  It's OK to take care of myself, to shower every other day, to take long walks without my cell phone, to browse Instagram for 15 minutes and not feel guilty about it.  It is OK to stop controlling my future and let life run it's course. I want to face my fears head on AND embrace them.

I'd like a big scoop of free-time please….hold the hard work

Are you an early riser or a night owl?  I love mornings…most of the time. Morning is a time for me to get my brain and body moving, slowly and peacefully, aka please don't give me a to-do list or force me to listen to your loud, upbeat music, I'm just waking up and I'll continue to do it for the next hour or so... ok? Great. 

Theres something so satisfying about spending a quiet stormy morning in bed, frothy coconut milk herbal coffee in hand, definitely no pants on, fluffy pillows for optimal comfort, and a blank page inviting me to share my thoughts.  And this A.M. I've got some deep ones so brace yo self.

I think about why I drove from California out to Massachusetts in the first place:

To feed my adventurer's soul.

To escape an environment that didn't nurture my growth.

To refocus on my passions.

To remind me of what's truly important.

Oh and hot beaches.

I've been in a bit of a funk recently…Things just aren't flowing like they were a month ago.  As I sit and reflect on these feelings, everything starts rushing to the surface, but one thing in particular is resonating with me today.  I am reeeeally good at grasping onto the day-to-day happenings that provide me with solace.  Good friends, family time, nature, media, music, cooking, work.  I tend to give myself excuses because, "How can something fun be bad?" I'll go to the beach, do yoga, spend all night cooking (I actually like doing this, I am not crazy) or catch up with a friend for 3 hours.  These habits can be great, but I have a tendency to do this in excess.  

I am terrible at making sacrifices. I am going to blame that on the fact that I'm an only child… is that allowed? I'm learning that when I have a lot of work that needs to be done, and on those days it's especially important to make "me" time, I have to be realistic too.  So today I'll just have time for a short beach walk.  And lucky me, I live near the beach, so I can do that! Instead of thinking, I only get to spend 20 minutes outside today. Wahh Wahhhhhh, closed-minded thinking wins again.

Lately though I've been using this personal time as a distraction so I don't have to deal with my shit right now.  Shit being my deeply-rooted problems that I'm too scared to face.  Like, why can't I open up and be totally honest with myself?  Why can't I look at myself in complete perfection, as Intended? Why can't I let my heart shine and be free from judgement and self doubt and fear? Why am I too scared to push forward with my business, when there is absolutely NO PERSON telling me that what I'm doing sucks.  Yet my daily distractions keep enticing me to play and explore.  While fun is crucial in life, I need to find balance. I can't be healthy when I'm serving myself a big slice of entertainment with a condiment-sized portion of hard work.  

If I want to see results in my personal life and professional career, I need to put more work in.  I am trying to figure out how to make "fun" sacrifices and manage my time to bring these terrifyingly beautiful goals to fruition.  It's all a balancing act!

When in Bruges, beer and best friends always win :)

How I connect with my intuition after a draining day at work

Happy July friends! Summer is in full swing, I've just returned home from an AWESOME girls trip in Paris (I'll give you all the deets on that soon), I gotta fresh new short do aaaaand to top it all off tonight we'll see the first of the two full moons to rise this month.  I've just finished reading Anita Diamant's gorgeously written novel The Red Tent-- so feeling super inspired by tonight's full buck moon.

Last night after work I headed out to the beach, initially to avoid surfing the internet but also to get a better look at the moon.  Although I adore my job, it can be exhausting.  After a long day of talking to my coworkers, customers and running around creating smoothies, juices and cleaning, all I want to do is unwind and ground myself again.  Sometimes I want to binge on bad TV shows with a pint of Phish Food because that requires negative brain function and happy sugar rushes. But I'm in the business of holistic health so I try to switch this thinking.  When I don't know what I want to do after I get off work, recently I'll escape to the sand and ocean.  It's my "stop everything and just be" break.  My chance to reconnect with what I want and what is happening in my life.  To appreciate everything, good or bad that is going on around me.  

So here I'm sitting staring out at the nearly full moon, breathing in the wet, salty air and feeling the damp breeze in my hair.  I listen to the chatter of people walking around and the seagulls hovering above the glistening water.  I close my eyes to take it all in.  I relax my mind and my body so I can receive all the feels.  I open my eyes and the moon looks even bigger and brighter.  I see it's golden specks flickering on the water's surface, mixing with the dark blue of dusk and warm shades of sun-setting pink and red. 

This is my preferred meditation.

While I'm noticing all of this, I observe how I'm feeling.  What is surfacing in this moment?  What's truly important or relevant to my life right now?  What can I learn in this moment? How can I enhance this feeling even more?

These are a few of the thoughts that came to me.

Gazing out into the vastness, this is what I feel: Connection.  Maybe it is the full moon, the people sitting around me, or my own vibration.  It doesn't matter.  In this moment we are all connected.  We are one with our gorgeous, heavenly surroundings, the people and things we interact with, and most importantly, our hearts and mind.  We are all of it.  You and I are the same.  We are the ocean, sky and everything in between. 

When I feel this power, I honestly believe I can do anything.  That's because I can.  And so can you.

So try this.  You don't need to live near the beach.  When you get off work today, go to place in nature that gives you peace.  Maybe it's a bench in a park, some rocks along a river, or even your backyard.  Just get out and observe the space surrounding you.  Embrace it's power and maybe ask yourself these questions I reflected on above.  Take in all the feels.  Share your thoughts with a friend or your journal.  I would love to hear how it goes if you would like to share with me.  

Raw Cacao Covered Cherries

Growing up, one of my favorite treats were the chocolate covered cherries from See’s Candies. I still love them, but since I don’t find myself indulging in sugary chocolates anymore, I decided to put my own healthier spin on the classic treat.  

I've chosen to use raw cacao versus chocolate.  Raw cacao is naturally high in magnesium, a necessary mineral that promotes relaxation.  Much of the chocolate we consume today has been highly processed with sugar, trans fats, and preservatives and therefore lacks these nutrients of raw cacao.  Additives in processed chocolate do not promote healing. Sticking as close to raw as possible allows the vitamins and enzymes to be more bioavailable. 

This antioxidant rich dessert is high in iron and fiber. Cherries help cleanse the bowels, and support healing of arthritis, rheumatism and anemia.  They also help combat migraines.  

Yields 8-10 servings

Ingredients

1 lb bag fresh cherries, rinsed and dried

5 oz unsweetened chocolate 100% cacao, I used Dagoba brand

2 Tbs coconut oil

3 Tbs honey or maple syrup

pinch of sea salt

Procedure

1. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Boil water in a double boiler or in a large glass bowl that can sit securely over a saucepan.
3. Chop chocolate into small pieces and place in double boiler or large glass bowl. Set aside.
4. Combine coconut oil and sweetener in a small bowl and melt together.  I do this by letting it sit on the stovetop while I boil water to melt chocolate.
5. Once water comes to a boil, place bowl with chocolate over saucepan.  Stir until melted.  Then add liquefied coconut oil mixture.  Stir to combine.  Finish with pinch of salt. Remove from heat.
6. Holding the stem, dip the cherries into the chocolate sauce until fully coated.  For the cherries without stems, I use a spoon.  Place on parchment to solidify. Continue with remaining cherries.  You can put the cherries in the freezer briefly to help harden chocolate coating.  Store in fridge for 5 days.  

Sources

Institute of Transformational Nutrition Slides 2015

Creamy Vegan Queso

I paired mine with local radishes and turnips

When I was in school in Denver my friends and I would frequently hit up our favorite Mexican restaurant, Illegal Peets, for margaritas, chips and queso.  Since my body doesn't tolerate dairy as well anymore, I've come up with this cheesy vegan alternative that, let me tell you, is even more satisfying than cheese dip…and it doesn't leave you feeling sick. 

This recipe is great paleo followers and vegans alike! Its satisfying, creamy texture and cheesy flavor makes it a perfect dip when paired with sweet potato chips or smothered over a taco bowl.  Nutritional yeast is high in B12, a vitamin that many are deficient in, yet is crucial for supporting our nervous system and helps the body utilize proteins, fats and carbs.  Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable high in sulfur, a detoxing nutrient necessary to help the body excrete toxins.  It also helps promote a healthy digestive system.

Yields 6 servings

Ingredients

½ head orange cauliflower or roughly three cups cooked

½ cup water

1/3 cup raw cashews, soaked in water at least 30 minutes

3 Tbs nutritional yeast

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp ground coriander

½ tsp sea salt

several liberal crushes of fresh ground pepper

optional: diced jalapeño, red peppers, or onion

Procedure

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1-2 inches of water to boil.  Fill steamer basket with cauliflower and steam until tender, about 5 minutes.  It is ok if they are still a bit al-dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Rinse cashews and add to high-speed blender.  Add cauliflower and remaining ingredients.  Process on high until smooth and creamy.  If consistency is too thick, add more water one tablespoon in at a time.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Store in fridge for 5 days. 

Salmon with Rosemary Pesto and Butternut Squash

These no fuss plates are my favorite kinds of meals to put together.  Ya know why? Because this nutrient dense dish is actually SUPER easy, inexpensive, quick to put together and will definitely impress your significant other.  I love this meal because you’re getting three delicious servings of healing vegetables as well as brain-boosting essential fatty acids from the salmon.  

The creamy pesto does require a high-speed blender.  If you don’t have access to one, try a food processor, which will yield a chunkier pesto. Be sure to mince the garlic and rosemary before processing if you don't use a blender.  Several springs of chives would be a nice alternative to the rosemary if you have some growing wildly in your backyard (or your neighbors).

Yield 2 servings

Ingredients

1 can sockeye salmon (I bought mine from Trader Joes)

2 cups frozen butternut squash cubes

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 Tbs ghee or coconut oil

salt and pepper to taste

Pesto

½ an avocado

2 large cloves roasted garlic (you can also use raw, I personally don’t enjoy the flavor as much)

Juice of half a lemon

1/3 cup olive oil

2 Tbs or more of water

3 generous handfuls of kale, spring greens, or whatever fresh greens you have.

1 spring fresh rosemary, or any other fresh herbs available. 

½ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

Procedure

1. Fill a medium saucepan with 1-2 inches water.  Once boiling, fill a steamer basket with squash and frozen peas and place in saucepan.  Cover. Steam for 3-5 minutes or until tender.  Drain.  Set aside.
2. In a high-speed blender, add all ingredients for pesto.  If mixture is too thick, thin it out with more water, one tablespoon at a time.  Process until pesto is creamy and smooth.
3. Add vegetables back into empty saucepan.  Toss with ghee or coconut oil and salt and pepper.
4. Divide the vegetables between two bowls.  Divide the salmon between the two bowls.  Lastly, top each portion of salmon with a couple generous dollops of pesto.
5. Enjoy!

Crunchy Beet Green Wraps

This is my new favorite way to enjoy beet greens.  I just got 'em at the farmer's market last week and so far I've used them in a smoothie, a broccoli pea soup, in a salad and now these crunchy wraps! Similar in taste and texture to swiss chard, beet greens are high in iron, magnesium and calcium. Eating these beauties raw give you a whole lot of antioxidants to protect the body from disease, boost immunity, promote eye health, increase blood circulation, improve brain health, and strengthen bones.  Sprouts and cucumber are alkalizing to the body and packed with enzymes for optimal body function.  Turkey is high in tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is the precursor to serotonin: great to consume if you are feeling down or stressed out.

These wraps take less than 10 minutes to make and they are super satisfying! My body has been craving iron and these just hit the spot.  And this is coming from the girl that usually chooses to eat the burger on a menu.

I am big on texture, so these wraps pack a lot of crunch with the cucumber and sprouts.  The greens are softer than collards so all you have to do is rinse them before wrapping. 

Yield: 2 servings       

Ingredients:
5-10 large beet greens
3 Tbs hummus
4 slices organic turkey breast, I use Applegate
1/3 cucumber, cut into matchstick pieces
1 handful pea sprouts
1/2 avocado, thinly sliced
salt and pepper
Optional- peeled or shredded carrots

Directions:

1. Cut greens from stems and rinse off.  I use 1 big leaf or 2 small ones for each wrap.
2. Spread some hummus on the greens.  Next halve the slices of turkey and place one half in each wrap, layered over hummus.
3. Add a few cucumber sticks, a slice of avocado, and top with sprouts.  Finish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  Roll them up in the least messy way possible.  Or not :)

References:

http://foodfacts.mercola.com/beet-greens.html

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-reasons-to-eat-sprouts.html/2

Journaling to find clarity and learning that I am enough

Mindset is a really powerful force.  If we feel anger, then we subconsciously surround ourselves with anger.  When we feel joy, love floods into our lives.  My life has changed tremendously in the last six months or so, ever since I seriously put my goals out into the universe and she listened. I do this in various ways, whether it be connecting with nature or surrounding myself with awesome people.  Lately, however I've relinquished control of my future and it feels like a breath of fresh spring air.

I started journaling last summer.  I picked up an old notebook and started jotting down all my thoughts and feelings, trying to get them out of my mind and onto paper.  Then I teared up a little, realizing how powerful this expression felt.  I vibe with Flannery O'Connor's idea of writing, “I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.”

I'm terrible at communicating.  I can talk to a few close friends, but it’s still difficult to talk about myself.  I used to try to keep things light-hearted so I didn't have to burden anyone.  Writing down whatever came to mind was the first time I could connect with myself clearly.  If I can’t decipher my own deepest emotions and feelings, how can I share them others? This was kind of a revelation, to learn to follow my intuition.  My voice of reason that never steers me in the wrong direction.  The feelings that may bring up fear and pain, but in my gut I know these feelings need to be expressed so I can move onto the next one. 

When I first started journaling last summer, I also discovered Louise Hay and affirmations.  Feeling confident about the power of thoughts, I wrote a few affirmations on a notecard and left them on my desk.  I recently opened my Yoga Sutras of Patanjali to discover this notecard as my bookmark.  It read:

I am perfect

I am totally loved.  

I will let love find me.

I am able to do anything!

I am successful in whatever I do.

I trust myself.

I’m re-reading these now, after having them hidden away for months, realizing the impact these words have had on my life.  Since I scribbled these down, I’ve experienced a paradigm shift in my life. Though I haven’t read them every day, these affirmations have subtly empowered my thoughts, feelings and actions to reveal my true self. 

Journaling is one of my many assistants in creating the life I want.  In January, I listed all the memorable events in my life from 2014.  Everything I experienced, suffered through, delighted in…all of it. What a big fucking eye-opener. I've done so much. I started new relationships, snowboarded in Vail, became a holistic chef, moved to a city I’d always wanted to live in, worked in a yoga studio and cooked for retreat-goers, spent more time with my parents and learned to be friends with my mom rather than fight with her. Sometimes I'll catch myself thinking I'm not good enough, that I need to do more.  My down time should be spent doing something more “productive” or I should be more creative or successful or independent or responsible.  This is all my ego's bullshit.  I re-read this accomplishment list and was really satisfied.

Lately I’ve been receiving signs that I am enough, just as I am.  Even though I want nothing more than to love and help the people around me, it’s not really possible. I can only do me and that is good enough. I started this blog for me.  To express myself and not shy away from my inner truth.  Whoever is reading, I hope you can take something positive away from this.

The road warrior's cheat sheet to healthy, budget traveling

How do you live on the road to maximize your budget AND eat well without having to compromise your health? This is my "Road Warrior's Cheat Sheet to Healthy, Budget Traveling." Get ready for this lengthy read: I'm about to drop some knowledge I gathered during my recent 7-week journey.

Keep track of your budget

I tried to estimate how much money I would spend on gas, food, hostels, park fees, and emergencies. Even though I spent more than I estimated, I found it helpful to keep track of my spending along the way so I could see where my hard earned cash was going.  I have been using this app by Mint for years to keep track of my budget and spending.

Which foods do I buy?

Before leaving I rummaged through my family's kitchen.  I did a bit of grocery shopping too since I knew I would be spending the next few days camping in the desert.  I grabbed my favorite low-sugar Epic Bars, herbal teas, and coconut water for electrolytes.  

Stick to seasonal, fresh, organic produce when possible. Also good quality fats and proteins are important for sustaining your energy if you’re hiking and camping.  I try to buy in-season fruit and vegetables, specifically ones that are cheaper and easy to transport if left unrefrigerated: Apples, bananas, avocados, oranges, radishes, tomatoes, or carrots.  You can pick up day old produce at any grocery store for really cheap.  These are great options for smoothies, sautés, or soups. Organic jerky and salami are the most stable meat choices when you don’t have access to a fridge. At the grocery store, I snag staples from the bulk section like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and banana chips. Artisana and Justin's sell single serving nut butters like coconut or honey peanut to throw in your backpack.  I have the WORST sweet tooth, so I gotta get my chocolate fix.  Below I've listed some of my personal essentials:

•  Coconut oil- I use it for EVERYTHING. One spoonful of this goodness will keep you from going hungry, help to regulate your blood sugar and provide you with long-lasting energy.  Use instead of butter or in a smoothie.  Its antimicrobial and antiviral properties make it my go-to face cleanser, moisturizer, and it can even be used as deodorant.  
• Peanut butter- Organic peanut butter is super high in protein, antioxidants, and can improve blood flow to the brain.
• Oatmeal- Inexpensive and filling, gluten free oats are high in fiber, help remove cholesterol from the body, help regulate blood sugar, and can boost the immune system.
• Chia seeds- High calcium content, contain protein, omega-3 fatty acids to support brain function, and plenty of vitamins and minerals.  They also help curb hunger. I pour a spoonful in my water bottle or stir them into my oatmeal or a smoothie.  You can get these in bulk at a health store.
• HealthForce Nutritionals- My girl Roxy works for this raw superfood company.  Their blends are totally pure, nutrient dense, and affordable. I’ll mix their popular Vitamineral Green blend with water for an energizing shot of greens, or add their immune-boosting Spirulina Azteca to my smoothies.  You can purchase these products and tons more here. 

3 simple ingredients in this gas station score! 

Be prepared for the worst

It would be pretty shitty to get stuck in tumbleweed Kansas on an empty stomach during a snowstorm.  I'm not suggesting you need to know exactly where you’ll be stopping on your travels, but it’s good to know where you can fill up your tank (Gasbuddy app navigates you to the cheapest gas) and which routes are most direct when you’re cruising through the deep south in your Colorado-plated Subie.  

Check weather reports!  I had to change my timeline several times because of snowstorms and ice storms. A huge storm hit Colorado as soon as I landed there. Initially, I was frustrated because my plans changed. I took advantage of the white-out conditions by parking my car for a couple weeks and riding fresh powder during the day and spending nights out dancing or gossiping with my girlfriends.  This reminded me that a roadtrip is about loving the journey, not making it to the destination.  And remember, good friends have each other’s back! So you will probably get fed before you hit the road again.

Spring riding anyone?

Reach out to friends and family

People are excited for your solo trek and they want to support you any way they can.  Initially I called my friends and family because I wanted to meet up with them en route. Eventually, I molded my trip around these people, stopping at destinations because I knew someone who lived there.  

The more people I shared my trip details with, the more options the universe presented to me.  A stranger on the chairlift suggested some cool bars near his college outside Asheville.  Friends of friends offered up their couches for me sleep on. If it weren’t for these generous souls, I wouldn’t have gone crystal mining in Hot Springs or explored the painted canyons in Arizona with like-minded vagabonds. I was reminded that I have a lot of extended family out east. Not only did I reconnect with my awesome second cousins, but I also had places to stay and new cities to discover.  

Stay in and cook with friends

It's easy to spend money on going out, especially when you want to celebrate with friends you haven't seen in months.  I will usually offer to go grocery shopping with friends so we can all make dinner together and share a couple bottles of wine.  When I do go out, I’ll order an appetizer or if I get a large entree, I’ll take half home and have the leftovers for my next meal.  Sometimes splitting a pint with a friend is just enough for me (not always for the friend though).

homemade gf waffles with pecan-caramel glaze

Free stuff is everywhere!

Before arriving in Massachusetts, I stayed with my cousin in Brooklyn for a week.  New York is really expensive, so I thought I would blow the rest of my checking account when I was there.  I splurged on food and drinks one night, but was able to save when exploring.  In Asheville I stopped in several bars for free tunes.  When the weather was nice, I found local trails and went hiking for killer views and a workout.  Some museums like the Met in NYC offer unlisted “pay what you wish” pricing.  Many yoga studios give you a free class if it’s your first visit.  Community yoga classes are great too because they are usually donation based.

It doesn’t hurt to have a host who also wants to show you around to the best local spots. In NY’s China Town my cousin and I mowed down down on pork buns and soup dumplings for a dollar. Also, Road tripper app is great for finding random gems all over the nation.

Free enlightenment at BAPS Hindu stone temple outside Atlanta

Return the favor

I’m an independent girl, so asking for things is not easy for me.  I am constantly blown away by people’s generosity.  If you treat others with love and respect, they will reciprocate.  My friend Ev gets free wine and booze through his job, so he hooked me up with several bottles of wine to give away as host gifts. My friend Kyle stays with friends, old and new, while on tour with his band.  In exchange for couch surfing, he serenades his hosts with his guitar.  I adopted this expression by making smoothies or creating healthy meals for my gracious host families. If you don’t play music or cook, sometimes being a good listener is all somebody needs.

Quartz mining with hippies in Hot Springs, AK.  I gave these crystals to my hosts.

Go with the flow 

Initially I planned my timeline out, deciding where I would stop and for how long.  When I couldn’t find an open campground in Joshua Tree, I made my own little campsite under the stars.  When the snowstorm hit Colorado, I had to tell my love C-Pat that I couldn’t meet her in Nashville.  It worked out for the best because I ended up spending several days with her in Atlanta a couple weeks later.  So I say “thank you” to my failed plans, for those are what gave me the unexpected experiences I craved on this voyage.  Letting go of plans guided me to exactly where I wanted to be.