We are the Cosmos

I thought this was wild cosmo, it is actually a chicory !

“If you see anything horrible, don’t cling to it. If you see anything beautiful, don’t cling to it.” Excerpt from How the Swans Came to the Lake, a Narrative History of Buddhism in America, by Rick Fields.

We are the Cosmos

Yesterday, I ran.

I ran, not too far, not too fast, but I ran

I ran because my legs would let me

And my body asked me to move her fluidly

Like I did as a child, or an adolescent.

I ran to the big, hilly cemetery, right in my town.

I didn’t know where my run would take me, but I was led here.

At first I worried, as I was in a sports bra for a top,

A concern came to mind: someone thinking my lack of clothing disrespectful.

SO, I came up with a comeback in my head, because I felt like arguing...

And the reply came through as a mirror of sleeping thoughts.

This is how I support my truth, when I feel doubt creeping up. As she always does...

I return again. Presence.

I’m running around the graves~ noticing, appreciating, loving, blessing…

I think of these people, how they lay with their family members

Beautiful names they share.

Tombstones adorned with art, sentiment, and love…

I notice a bluff of cheery purpley-blue flowers at the edge of the cemetery

The rising sun giving them full permission to be noticed.

I don’t know what flower she is, but I see her a lot in fields.

Five elegant petals with pearly blue stamens at the center.

Nothing less than angelic.

On each petal I see the shape of 5 fingers, reaching out to the sun

I dance my fingers along, holding hands with the petal-hands.

So delicate, so worthy of my affection and attention.

I see you. I know you. I honor you.

I will tell them you are safe.

I will tell them you haven’t actually left at all,

But rather we have left you…

I’m here now, I am ready to connect with you

And share your ancient wisdom with humanity.

And with that mission, I will do my best to speak with humility and integrity

I will share your undying love with the rest of mankind.

I will nourish your traditions through the elements through which you sing

And with that, I devote my life to all that exists.

We are the cosmos.

Hungry for Wisdom

When did food and pleasure become so twisted?

When I eat alone, where is my mind?

My thoughts are...
on my phone
on someone else
on my to-do list
or my next bite.

Or is it on how I feel…

Do I check in with myself over the course of my meal?
Or did I even forget I was eating in the first place?

When I'm in good company, and we're breaking bread
I eat much slower
so long the conversation is balanced.
Though if I want to escape,
I begin to shovel
stuffing the emotion down my throat.
after it goes past my tongue, I can't be bothered.
My body will tell me otherwise.
She says, "Hey! Pay attention to me, I'm here for you!"
but I ignore her saving cries
that manifest in pain and frustration
in small ugly, in dissatisfaction.

She has always known,
look at her when she was a child.
She eats small bites when she's hungry
She stops when she's full.
She even plays in-between.
and remember…she'll eat even more if she's bribed with a sweet.
and too much sweet followed by an achy belly.
"I'll never do that again"
just like I said in college…

Our fear of the body's wisdom is worse than simply listening

Easy Zoodles with Marinara

Zucchini noodles gets even the pickiest eaters excited about plants. Zoodles, or zucchini noodles, are made using a Spiralizer or Spirooli, which turns any hard fruit or vegetable into a thin, thick, or wide-ribbon noodle. Gluten-free, sugar-free, plant-based...In Italian we say, “Spaghetti di naturale!” You could also sub out the marinara for butter if you prefer.

By Katie Ring

Serves 4      Tools: Peeler, knife, cutting board, spiralizer, scissors, saucepan 

Ingredients:

6 small zucchinis

A few generous pinches of sea salt

1 jar no-added-sugar marinara sauce (I like 365 brand from Whole Foods)

Optional: fresh basil, parmesan cheese

Method:

-Peel off skin from zucchini, don’t worry if you don’t remove all of it. Once skins are removed, cut off the sides, leaving you with cylindrical naked zucchini :)

- Place zucchini in spiralizer and spin into noodles. Once they’ve all been zoodled, cut the noodles into smaller pieces. Set aside.

-In a saucepan over medium heat, add zucchini.  Sprinkle with salt.  Stir. After a couple minutes, add marinara to your liking.  Saute for a few more minutes to heat sauce.  

-Scoop zoodles into bowls and sprinkle with fresh basil or parmesan cheese.

Vegan Caesar Salad

This vegan take on a classic salad is super health-supportive with booster foods like detoxing nori and gut-supportive fermented miso.  Pair with roasted chickpeas, gluten-free croutons, or cubed and roasted tofu.  I buy organic tofu as most non-organic soy tends to be genetically modified. This recipe can be made soy-free by removing the tofu and adding extra olive oil for creaminess, and substituting chickpea miso for white miso.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 oz soft tofu

3 cloves garlic

1 sheet nori, toasted and crumbled

¼ cup EVOO

2 Tbs fresh lemon juice

1 ½ Tbs balsamic vinegar

1 Tbs white miso

1 Tbs Dijon mustard

1 Tbs capers

1 tsp coconut aminos (or tamari)

¼ tsp white pepper

1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

optional garnish: nutritional yeast, scallions, gomasio or sesame seeds, toasted chickpeas or cubed tofu

Method:

-Combine all ingredients in a blender, except lettuce, and blend until smooth and creamy.

-At serving time, toss lettuce with dressing in large bowl.  Top with nutritional yeast, scallions, sesame seeds, or toasted chickpeas.

Sunset Jicama and Apple Slaw

This crunchy, refreshing, raw salad is perfect for anyone on a balancing or cleansing diet.  Jicama is a Mexican tuber high in vitamin C and healing to the immune system. This fiber-rich dish is packed with prebiotics, which are are metabolized in the intestines, where our bacteria can then use it for energy. I'd take this to the beach with me or on a picnic.

By Katie Ring

Serves 4

Tools: knife, cutting board, peeler, food processor or grater

Ingredients:

1 small Jicama

2 green apples

1 medium carrot

Juice of 1-2 limes

Optional: spearmint

Method:

-First we’ll prep ingredients. Take your peeler and peel tough skin off jicama.  Using a large chef’s knife, cut off bottom of jicama, so it rests flat on your cutting board.  Cut jicama into rectangles.  Set aside.

-Cut apples into quarters, discarding seeds and stem.  Set aside.

-If using food processor, use the shredding blade and one-at-a-time, feed the jicama, apple, and carrot through.  If using a cheese grater, this process will take a bit longer, but it can be done the same way.  

-Transfer shredded mixture to a large bowl and add lime juice.  Let marinade in fridge for 20 minutes.  Top with spearmint if you desire!

Purple Beet & White Bean Dip with Dill

"Beans Beans the Magical Fruit…" If using a can of beans, I highly recommend Eden Brand since they do not use BPA in their cans.  If time allows it, soak beans overnight for maximum health benefits. This colorful dip is delightfully inviting, especially when served to someone who thinks the worst of beets...I bet you can change their mind with this one

Source: Adapted from Chef Angie Federico, Bauman College Staff

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:

1 cup white beans, uncooked

¼ cup Tahini

1 medium purple beet, roasted, peeled & medium diced

2 medium cloves garlic, smashed & minced

Juice of 1 lemon

½ tsp salt, more to taste

¼ tsp black pepper, more to taste

1/3 cup chopped fresh dill, more to taste

Method:

-Cook, drain, & cool beans.

-Add all ingredients except dill to a food processor & blend until smooth.

-Transfer dip to medium mixing bowl and mix in dill. Salt & pepper to taste.

Dreamy Chocolate Chia Pudding

This can be made several days in advance, as it will keep refrigerated for 3 days. The longer the seeds sit, the more liquid they can absorb. Chia seeds are fiber beasts! They aid in digestion, and are loaded with Omega-3 fats, which improve brain function. Raw cacao is high in minerals like magnesium as well as antioxidants to protect our cells from damage. This dessert is so supportive that it gives me an excuse to eat chocolate pudding for breakfast!

By Katie Ring

Serves 4

Ingredients:

⅓ cup chia seeds

1 ¾ cup Cinnamon-Vanilla Coconut Milk

2 Tbs raw cacao powder

1 small pinch sea salt

optional: maple syrup to sweeten, banana chips and granola, coconut whipped cream, toasted hazelnuts and cherries

Method:

-Soak chia seeds in coconut milk. Let sit for 10 minutes and stir.  Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes longer or overnight.

-In a medium mixing bowl, whisk hydrated chia seeds with remaining ingredients.  Add sweetener like maple syrup or stevia to your liking. Scoop into small bowls and serve with any of the optional toppings.  Indulge freely!

Four years ago I would not have thought yoga would lead me towards spiritual awakening

These are dancing grebes







What an open, honest expression of love that is, coming from an animal.  When these birds unite with their mate, they mimic one another, as they move, expressing themselves fully.  After a series of doing that, the birds then dance across the water, opening their chests, their hearts. Their necks elongate, beaks and heads pointing to the heavens. As though reaching all their energy outward.

I think of it like nature's yoga.

These birdies remind me of my current yoga practice.  I first started practicing hot yoga after my doctor recommended it to me to relieve my chronic back pain and learn to touch my toes (Not long ago I was soooo inflexible!)  There were two Corepower studios pretty close to my school, so I decided to give hot yoga a try with a couple willing friends.

At first, it was painful and miserable. I was sweating profusely in barely-breathable studios, forcing my body into various postures so that I could fit in with the rest of the class, rather than listening to my body's natural messages.  Sometimes I would get to the studio before a class and still decide not to go in.  My ego mind was totally in control, calling all the shots.  Over time, I realized that the work I was doing on my mat directly correlated with how I was approaching life off the mat.

At the end of my classes, I felt so damn blissed-out, like nothing could take my buzz away.  It was that juicy yoga enlightenment that was dripping into my subconscious and permeating into my day to day life, loooong after the yoga class ended.

About a month ago I was talking to my friend who said she'd been getting into a consistent yoga practice and she just loved how good she felt, like she could tackle anything life threw her way.  I was inspired by her drive and passion. I wanted that too, so why was I not continuing with my own practice? Money.  The reason why I wasn't practicing regularly was because I thought I couldn't afford a membership at my local studio that I love.  And then I realized, this is my life, my health and my happiness (and likewise other people benefit from my happiness). What I can't afford is to not live my life fully. That's way more expensive.

Only recently, after 4 years of on-again off-again practice, have I realized the purpose of yoga is to expand energy.  This has manifested itself differently throughout each phase of my practice. Originally, I used yoga to manage my physical pain and touch my toes. But more than that, yoga is teaching me to create space, no matter how many times I fall out of a pose or get a reality check in a beginner's class (Beginner classes are not just for newbies, they are so so key for my growth!)  I'm becoming stronger and more stable each day, regardless of whether I practice yoga or not.  And it's manifesting within me in physical, mental, and spiritual ways.

"I'm so tired. I have no energy. I just don't have the time to do it. When am I going to fit that into my day? I'll start tomorrow. I'll do it next week."

We say these things ALL.THE.TIME.

Even though I'm still making these same complaints, yoga practice has taught me how to create more time, space, and energy for myself. Through yoga, we fire energy out through our fingers, toes, chest, head and tailbone. My practice is always evolving, but currently it's all about learning to tap into these energy bodies and expanding in love, just like these beautiful dancing grebes.

Maybe yoga isn't your spiritual catalyst, and that's totally ok!  I want you to ask yourself:

What is it in your life that helps you create more time, more space, and more energy for you? Is it a walk in nature with your dog? Spending time with your family and friends? Meditatively preparing a meal for yourself in your kitchen? Getting crafty and artsy by yourself?

I still have days when I'm driving to the studio, creating excuses as to why I shouldn't go to class.  I will continue to fight the asanas, choosing whether or not I can breathe into the ridiculously challenging pose to see what comes up, or chill out in child's pose and learn gentleness with myself.  I'm constantly learning about myself, about life, about spirituality.

my favorite yoga pose, in my favorite place :)

References:
Photo by National Geographic

I can't stop eating and I'm not even hungry

I can't stop eating and I'm not even hungry.

My belly is full yet my emotions are starving.

A sort of addiction to excessive pleasure. 

All I want to do is shovel something crunchy, sweet, salty, creamy into my mouth. I want to chew, grinding my teeth into something satisfying.  Using my teeth to get out the frustration I feel. Chomping and biting to release my tension.  The flavor doesn't matter. Standing or sitting- it doesn't matter. Oh, and the faster the better.

And how ironic that I'm hosting a mindfulness eating workshop this weekend. 

It all came full circle at one of my catering jobs yesterday.  A woman I work with was really getting on my nerves.  It's not the first time either.  So I try to have compassion for her, even though it's the hardest thing to feel, especially when I'm running on cortisol.  

I see that she's unhappy.  She doesn't smile much, I doubt she loves her job. I'm sure she'd like to look and feel healthier… She set me off when she impulsively barked at my coworkers and me to eat our staff meal quickly, while we had some downtime. 

This set off my inner critic, who mentally challenged her: 

"Why should I have to eat according to your rules, bitch? I see you eating your meal, without thought or feeling, and you still look unsatisfied after your plate is cleared.  And I see you eyeing the desserts, I see you slathering butter on your gluten-y bread and devouring it without thinking.  Who do you think you are? You are so greedy. Why do you need to be do demanding? Is it because your life is out of control and you think you can control this?"

And that's when I realized: She is me.  Because she too, is an emotional eater. That is when my compassion swooped in.  

When it hit me, holy shit, you are me. My shadow self, my shameful self.  

And I'm trying to find peace with all parts of me. 

To love every cell of my being.

Two days ago I was eating what I call "clean".  I was savoring flavors in smaller portions. Avoiding sugar.

You know, to prepare for my workshop this weekend on mindful eating.

Yesterday, my cravings took over.  In many moments of weakness, I gave them power.

I ate two chocolate covered strawberries, two chocolates, four pieces of cake, some chocolate covered almonds, and a home-made brownie (Birthdays at work+literal eye candy=deadly guilt duo).  They were all supposed to taste delicious. And yet, I felt guilty about every. single. bite.  I ate them anyway.

So I can't say I truly savored these decadent treats. 

I abused the pleasure of food. I abused my mind. I abused my body. 

Why did I do this?

Was it my lack of willpower? 

Or my unwillingness to be present in the moment? To experience a fleeting moment of passion? To distract myself from the stress and emotion that keeps coming up?  Do I do it because I want to disrespect my body? Do I get high off the guilt, succumbing to my shameful truth? No matter how long I meditate, or how positive I feel. I want to hide from it all. Because the truth is really fucking scary. 

So... 

Dear food, I thank you for providing me with nourishment and pleasure.  

But we gotta change this relationship. Right now I see you as good or bad with a side of guilt.

Is this healthy? No

Am I ok with it? Kind of…

Do I want to do something about it? Yes…but at this moment all I want to do is eat. 

In the moments where my thoughts are useless 

and my willpower doesn't stand a chance

and my stomach is my slave,

I expect food to satisfy my every need.  

That isn't fair to you, food.

You're purpose is innately good.

But I've strangled you to the point of gluttony and greed.

At my fingertips. Always within reach. Whatever I desire.

But you know better.

You are wise, as nature intended.

You keep feeding me like I ask, 

but I'm still starving.

~Katie Ring

The moose, the moth, and making love to myself to understand what I need.

It's been weeks since my last post, the longest I've gone without writing here.  I've been creating, but on my own and with my close friends.  Expressing myself through communication- poetry, dance, singing, arts, music. I've been focusing on all the feels.  Experiencing.  Being present with whatever feelings show up.  The pleasurable, uncomfortable, frustrating, painful.  I've given myself time to connect with myself, understand what it is that I want, what the universe is telling me I need, and what brings me home.  

During this time a lot has come up, and I've been holding back from sharing in this blog space.  I've been avoiding it. On a deeper level, I'm afraid of embracing my authentic self completely, in her pure, raw form.  I started the Naked Truth Challenge for this reason; I wanted to be real, to share with others my feelings, thoughts and experiences in hopes that it would inspire truth and compassion in others.  To know that we can share in this human experience with one another.

Giant leap of faith!

In the last month, I've been having super intense-feely dreams.  In these dreams, everything is based on love. Time doesn't exist.  These dreams are an exploration of the beautiful mind, the world of the heart, and the connection between the two.  I am only brushing the surface of this magical dream world, but to me it's an experience, a feeling, and a familiar place all in one; where everything exists in full awareness.

I've come to understand this as mindfulness.  A nonjudgmental awareness that brings me peace and understanding.  I'll even experience these dream-like states in my waking life, having fleeting moments of comfort and familiarity.  I don't have to understand it, I can just be with the feeling. With it a deep knowing that we're serving a greater purpose, outside this human experience.  It's kinda like a super-heightened deja-vu.

Last month, a few friends and I held our first Yin Circle.  We gathered together on the eve of the full moon in a peaceful, nurturing space where we shared ourselves with one another.  It was beautiful. We practiced gratitude. We reflected on the last year and set intention for the new. We also shared what our spirit animal might be, something I had never thought of before.  There has always been a theme with moose in my life. The moose stands strong, rooted by love in earth.  Her antlers reach towards the heavenly sky, connecting us to spirit.  She has always been my reminder, from writing her name almost daily for sign-ins to seeing her sticker on my car.

The night before the circle, I was watching a documentary on the mysteries of life. The film talked about how the blue morpho butterfly reflects light in the most brilliant depths of blue because it is covered in microscopic scales that reflect and absorb light unlike any other organism we know.  As I'm watching this, I realize that hanging in a frame above the couch I'm laying on is a stunning Urania Ripheus sunset moth. I bought this little guy at a butterfly science museum years ago, without hesitation.  Now I have this gorgeous iridescent moth literally watching over me, reflecting the magnificent colors of the rainbow.

Moth guides us from darkness into light, connecting us to our higher selves, higher conscious. Moth signifies transformation. She moves through life's crazy changes with light and love.  They are covered in tiny hairs, making them highly sensitive (anyone else a HSP?!) I try to see the light in situations, which can sometimes lead me astray when there are false flames (this could explain my innate trust in people and difficulty understanding sarcasm).

"Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear." George Addair 

Moth flew into my path recently as a reminder.  She is the master of disguise, which plays so well into my life, in that I have a hard time expressing my own emotions. That I could be hiding something from myself.  Moth is a reminder to have faith that transformation will bring me exactly what I need.  

With all this in mind, I'm doing some serious emotional uprooting.  To dig up all the shit I've repressed and forced away, bringing it to my awareness, acknowledging it with loving forgiveness, and movin' along.  A major emotional block coming up for me is intimacy.  It doesn't scare me to make publicly bold moves, but when it comes to what happens in private, well, this makes me want to run far, far away. I'm wondering, can I have my alone-time if I invite in an intimate relationship?

Will this lead me to seclusion?

Separation and embarrassment?

Shame and fear?

Release this so I can be free

To love and accept myself.

For the last month or so I've been asking the universe for super guidance, really trusting that I can take on all these sudden career transitions and relationship challenges with strength and pleasure. I'm biting my nails, but it's all working out just fine.

Before I can move forward into a happy and healthy relationship with someone, I need to be totally in love with myself. Obviously, right? Well, easier said than done.  So so often I find myself criticizing my thoughts, my actions, or my body without even realizing it. I even take digs at my writing before anybody's had a chance to read it yet!

To counteract this deadly behavior I've been practicing the art of making love to myself.  I used to think making love = having sex.  I'm learning that making love is taking care of myself- my heart, my mind, my body, and my soul.  It's saying no when someone asks me to cover their shift at work.  It's pushing through that last round of chaturangas in my yoga class because I know it will make me stronger.  It's taking 10 minutes to massage my feet and legs with lavender oil before bed. It's removing the guilt for enjoying a sweet gluten-y treat.  It's making love to myself, embracing every physical and energetic cell of my being.

If I don't do this for myself, how can I expect someone else to do it for me?

Share the love <3

References:
http://www.spirit-animals.com/moth/

Reducing your toxin exposure could help you lose weight and stay healthy

view from top of Mt. Willey, NH

Day 67 of the #NakedTruth challenge. I went on my first winter camping/hiking trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire this weekend.  The conditions could not have been better for a mid-December weekend in the mountains.  It reminded me of how little I need, and how good being outdoors makes me feel.

Being in nature exposes an innate sense of wonder, pride, joy, strength, appreciation, and peace.  We reconnect with the earth, its life force, to become one with our environment. The place from which we came.

This week I watched a relevant discussion between Dr. Pedram Shojam and Tom Malterre on Well.org, called, "How to Avoid the Deadly Chemicals All Around Us." (Watch it free here) This super informative video discusses how the air we breath, what we put on our skin, and what we involuntarily ingest is significantly contributing to obesity and the onslaught of modern day diseases; diseases that only started appearing at the turn of the century, a time when chemicals and pollution started being produced on a mass scale. As Dr. Shojam says, "Just because something doesn't kill you, doesn't mean it's not harming you."

Here are some mind-blowing facts discussed in the video:

• There are 74 billion lbs of chemicals that exist, 745 million were introduced in 2012 alone.
• Over 12 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans each year.
• Bisphenol A, or BPA was created in a lab in 1891. By 1930 BPA was primarily used as a synthetic estrogen to fatten up livestock.
• These synthetic estrogens, or xenoestrogens are so potent, that they are actually stronger than the natural estrogen our bodies produce.  
• Studies show that hundreds of chemicals are being found in cord blood of unborn babies. 
• The average westerner generates 4.4 lbs of garbage daily.
• Plastic NEVER biodegrades.

That's terrible, but how is all this affecting me?

Do you experience fatigue? Have a hard time remembering things? Watery eyes? Difficulty breathing? Migraines? Eczema? Can't get an erection? These are all signs of toxin exposure. I've experienced most of these, and yeah, it sucks.  Especially since ingesting, breathing, and smothering our bodies with these toxins seems nearly impossible to avoid. 

Founder of Whole Life Nutrition and Tedx Speaker Tom Malterre, explains how eczema and asthma are associated with a loss of tolerance of our immune system. When the immune system is constantly attacking these toxins, our bodies can't function properly.  Do you find that you can't tolerate certain fragrances anymore? Do you break out in a rash easily and don't know the cause? Or have you developed an allergy that is progressively getting worse?

These prolific chemicals are contributing to diseases like obesity, diabetes and cancer.  Young women can't get pregnant and babies are being born with allergies. Our bodies, which are under a constant state of attack, over-react to foreign substances in our environment leading to damaging effects on our physiology and neurology.

But wait, there is hope! We can mitigate toxin exposure and overtime, restore our bodies to homeostasis.  

photography by the talented Mike Plassmann

So what can I do to reduce my toxin exposure?

Here are some ways I try to reduce my exposure:

• Go for a hike in nature or walk in a park.
• Eat foods your great grandparents would recognize. Think fresh foods, seasonal and local when possible, and definitely organic.  This alone reduces your BPA exposure by 66% (Malterre, 2015).
• Eat and drink from glass, ceramic or stainless steel glassware and dishes.  Same goes for storing leftovers.  I love using ball jars for fruit or herb infused water and tea. You can also reuse glass jars for storing leftovers.
• Bring your own to-go cup for coffee or tea.
• Ask for no straw when you order a drink
• Take epsom salt/magnesium flake baths.  Magnesium helps detox the body.
• Sweat! Working out is a great way to detox.
• Blue-green algae and wheatgrass are super detoxifying. You can easily add them to a juice or smoothie.
• Sulfer-rich vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and brussels sprouts bind to toxins in the body to rev-up detoxing.  Incorporating more of these foods into your diet will help you shed excess weight and improve your memory.
• Be a conscious consumer.  Look at the label next time you go shopping, think about all the factors that brought that product into your hands.  Was it made locally or internationally? Is it a socially responsible company? Are you buying new or second hand? It's not about right or wrong, but rather just to become more aware.
• If it smells like cancer (chemicals) it's probably harmful.  Think paints, ink, exhaust, fragrances, soaps, candles, car fresheners, detergents, fabrics, lotions, cleaning supplies, nail polish, makeup. 
• It's hard to hear, but your beauty routine could be making you sick.  Try making your own lotions infused with essential oils or buy them from your favorite local herbalist.  At the bottom, I've included a list of some of my favorite natural products and where you can buy them.
• You can bring your own canvas tote bags to the grocery store, or any store for that matter.  I always keep extras in my car. 
• Avoid canned goods, most of them are lined with BPA or other phthalates.
• Bring your own produce bags, canvas bags, or jars to the bulk section of the grocery store to save money and reduce waste.  Some stores even offer bulk teas and spices!
• Replace paper towels and napkins with old cloths or rags. (check second-hand stores too!)

Katie's Favorite Health and Beauty Products

http://www.justherbals.com/products.html  I worked with Emma this summer and her products are just incredible

http://fatandthemoon.com Based out of Northern California

http://www.rebeccasherbs.com my favorite apothecary based out of Boulder, CO

http://wellnessmama.com for tons of non-toxic beauty and home care recipes

http://www.ewg.org tests thousands of products for chemicals and then rates them

lifewithoutplastics.com for more ways to reduce consumption

washable produce bags that double as nut-milk strainers

References:

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20151207-the-air-that-makes-you-fat

http://well.org/green-living/how-to-avoid-the-deadly-chemicals-all-around-us/
photography by Mike Plassmann

Why I believe the FDA is more frightening than terrorist attacks

Day 44 of the #NakedTruth Challenge

Are you nervous to travel right now?  Do you live in a big city and feel wary about walking down the street?  Do you feel anger, sadness, hate, disgust, or defeat? We have been so focused on the recent violent attacks happening through Europe and the Middle East that we have forgotten that we hold power too.  You and I have just as much power as anybody else.  Yes, maybe they have weapons and financial backing, but they don't know how to trust their heart. And I think you do. I know it, actually.

Sir Richard Branson makes a good point in regards to Republican Governors who refuse to let Syrian refugees into the U.S., "These positions fuel a paranoia that tends to be more interested in confirming existing biases than the truth."

These recent mass murders and bombings are incredibly saddening, however it's not going to keep me from living my life.  I don't wish death on anyone, not even a terrorist.  In fact, I pray for them.  Mercenaries don't know how to listen to their own hearts.  They haven't heard what their hearts are saying.  The same goes for the powerful leaders in government, including the FDA.  Money-hungry corporations are much more frightening to me than a terrorist attack, because these corporations impact me directly.  They are really fucking scary.

I believe many people in government are fighting against the general population.  Big businesses like conventional farming and dairy and Monsanto are gaining power over our food industry.  These are the real terrorists, killing us slowly through our food system, contributing to devastating diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer rather than violent mass murders.

For those of you who aren't familiar with GMOs, let me give you a quick intro:

"GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.

Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights."  -the non-GMO project

The New York Times just released this article explaining how genetically modified salmon (GMOs) is recently "approved for consumption."  What the fuck does that even mean? Yes, maybe it is edible.  But so are Crocs™, and you don't see people eating those every day? Do you want to eat something created in a lab, when nature designed it to be perfectly nutritious and healing on it's own? When people and animals have been consuming whole foods like salmon for thousands of years, fully sustaining populations?

Sabrina Moore Photography 

We deserve to have a choice.  We deserve to know what we are putting in our bodies. And I believe with my whole heart that we can make a difference, right here and now. We can start buying REAL whole foods, locally sourced when possible, organically raised meat, and eggs from pasture-raised chickens.  We can plant our own gardens or eat what we find in our backyard.  We can share our abundance with our friends and neighbors.  Support local business, even if it's a little more expensive. We can talk about this, getting the message out and informing people who would otherwise have no idea.  We can stop focusing on the death and destruction and sadness, whether it be a murder or a cancer diagnosis.  Let's show love to our local communities, nourish our bodies and minds, and enjoy life fully, rather than living in fear.  Get to know our community. Learn where our food comes from.  Talk to farmers and distributors and retailers and all the hands that touch our food before it reaches our plate.  Stop eating in front of the TV where we are being forced to consume disappointing news along with our meal.  Eat with someone you care about, including yourself.  This mindfulness allows us to turn off the noise in our minds and begin focusing on opening our hearts.  The result: a more peaceful world.

Does it make any difference? We won't know if we don't try.

References

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/sir-richard-branson-blaming-all-muslims-for-paris-attacks-like-blaming-all-americans-for-past-a6742571.html
http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/20/business/genetically-engineered-salmon-approved-for-consumption.html?_r=0

How my shameful relationship with Marijuana transformed into a healthy, self-care habit

Shame, guilt, judgement, using drugs, getting stoned, lazy…these were the thoughts I used to associate with cannabis. Now I see a different side.

This is day 30 of my #NakedTruth Challenge.

My parents have predominately lived by the "Work hard, play hard" mantra.  They've worked in the wine and spirits industry most their lives, so you can guarantee they were a fun clan to be around.  I even have pictures of my dad in college smoking joints while hiking trails out in Colorado. And for as long as I can remember, my step-dad would come out of the garage after "taking out the trash," reeking of skunk and Listerine.

Nice doobie, dad

I remember one of my very first shows I smelled that same skunk perfuming the air of the concert venue in SF and I proceeded to feel light-headed and intoxicated.

From then on, I would occasionally smoke with friends, because I thought it was cool.  There was something exciting about sneaking around and experiencing an unfamiliar state of consciousness.  Most of the time though I didn't enjoy it fully.  It was hard on my lungs. I usually felt paranoid or anxious.  In the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't right for me at the time, yet I continued to smoke.

I created secrecy and shame around using marijuana because of judgement. It was an avoided topic in our home.

I thought my step dad was abusing the substance.  I could usually tell when he was high, which felt like a frequent occurrence.  When I put myself in his shoes, I understood why he would use substances, whether it was pain killers, alcohol or marijuana. He didn't want to live with his thoughts so he would numb the pain.  But I do this in my own way too.  I want to eat sugary fat-filled treats when I'm feeling stressed and out of control.  Or I'll put up a wall to keep from connecting with people, to protect myself from possibly getting hurt.  I'll even make myself smaller so I don't bother anyone.

I held onto these beliefs around marijuana through college, seeing a fiercely "negative" side of the plant. I saw potheads without motivation and kids spending their money and days off on drugs.  I saw how some people relied on it to get through their day. I listened to the negative mainstream views on plant medicine and cannabis, without coming up with my own ideas about it's therapeutic benefits. I believed my step-dad and my peers were letting the incredible potential between their ears waste away.  And here I was, smoking to fit in, and to avoid facing my own problems.  I judged myself just like I judged others, believing that I was a bad person for smoking marijuana.

Slowly, I started hanging around more people that made me feel good. In college, I found myself hanging out at The Shed, a garage near my dorm that a bunch of students designed into a peaceful gathering space with music, art, and of course, pot.  I loved escaping to this spot and for the laid back people it attracted.

I found myself experimenting with cannabis more, to see what I could handle, how it would affect my head or my body, make me sleepy or giggly or energized.  I played with it, learning about the strains, doses, applications, what worked for me and what didn't. In my heart I knew marijuana could be used therapeutically, but I wasn't sure how when I saw it being abused.

Holistic Entrepreneur and business leader Garyn Angel in an interview with Dave Asprey of Bulletproof, explains how cannabis can be used as a high performance drug,

 "It's not about cannabis, it's about herbs and just eating green and eating healthy, living well, drinking water, doing the things that you have to do and taking control of your health and happiness and it all comes as one."

As a natural chef and health coach, I believe whole-heartedly that food has the incredible power to heal if we allow it.  I'm sure you've experienced this before, where you ate a juicy peach in the middle of summer and your taste buds danced with pleasure.  Or on the other end of the spectrum, you drank too many margaritas at Taco Tuesday and Wednesday morning at work feels like death. What if we start thinking of food as medicine that can be grown in our backyards? Imagine how our view of health can change.  If we eat a meal prepared with love, sprouted from earth rather than a box or factory, if we enjoy the meal mindfully by giving thanks, surrounded by good company, could you see how this becomes powerful nourishing medicine?

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." -Hippocrates

Listen to your body, become more aware of what it's saying, pay attention to how to you really feel.  I often find myself having my deepest conversations and reflections when I'm tuned in and aware. Just like with people, the better you get to know them, the more you begin to see who they really are, and you love them for it. The more open you are to trying something new, the more you practice or spend time creating a positive habit, the stronger your connection with that food or activity or person becomes.  (This is your amazing authentic self that we all want to see!)

My purpose isn't to tell you to go take ayahuasca in the jungles of Peru or take psychedelics at a Phish show and then you'll have your life all figured out. That's for you to decide. I'm sharing with you my story of how marijuana helped me gain self-awareness so I can be more loving towards myself and others.  It helps me see situations differently. To have greater empathy towards others. I'm more aware of my physical body and the sensations I feel.  It gives me freedom to express myself without limits.  It lets me recharge my soul.  I don't want to use it to avoid my fears and obligations, but I do that sometimes. What I really want is to feel the emotional pain and discomfort and face it head on.  To face my truth. Who am I, really? What can I do to be better?

It does not matter which plant medicine you choose, whether it's a warm cup of tea, a bowl of homemade soup, or a different kind of bowl packed with greens.  All that matters is that you are serving a purpose, one far greater than what you think you are capable of.

~~~

References
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/marijuana-compound-found-superior-drugs-alzheimers
https://www.bulletproofexec.com/garyn-angel-cannabis-entrepreneur-cbd-vs-thc-pharmaceuticals-241/