be mindful.

i watched this video today and found it incredibly helpful especially for a girl who has struggled with mindful eating herself, particularly on holidays.



what i found most profoundly true:

we must honor our digestive system. we can be so abusive to our digestive system. a lot of great holistic doctors say how the digestive system is the soul of our being. it's like our spirit. and if we're blocking our digestive system we're blocking our creative source.

let's remember these wise words this upcoming season and vow to treat ourselves well so that our creativity is always thriving. i know i'm going to work on it because i can relate to feeling blocked when i'm too full. also, if you haven't checked out the spirit junkie, i highly recommend it. she's the modern day guru.

happy early thanksgiving, my grateful beings! 

detox soup.

something is in the air. is it just me? 'tis the week of detoxing. ever since last saturday i've been doing a little makeshift cleanse. lots of juices and smoothies and soups. my body needed it. do you ever feel that way too? 

while it's taken a bit of a toll on my bank account, it has also reset me in a way that i oh so desperately needed. out with the old, in with the new as they say.

tonight i made a recipe from the goddess of gluten-free, ms. gluten free goddess herself.

i'm calling it detox soup. i put my own spin on it by adding kale and subbing the water for low-sodium, gluten-free vegetable broth.

it's absolutely de-lish! make sure you have an immersion blender, that is key, and not always the most common kitchen gadget {i remember hunting the aisles of target for the best bargain when i was in the market for one, and i think it netted out to about thirty dollars. side note, these are the days i covet a vita-mix!}.

tonight reminded me of the nights standing up in my bite-sized kitchen in san francisco cooking soup, post yoga, starting the endeavor way too late, and boiling into all hours of the night.

coast to coast, i guess some things never change. miss you, california.

p.s. for more soup inspiration see here and here.

i thought i'd never run again.

on the morning of october fifteenth i sobbed in a pair of open arms, convinced i'd never be able to take another step again without life-altering pain. all i knew is that i wanted it so badly to go away, but was completely hopeless that it ever would. in that moment and in the months to follow, running again seemed completely impossible and out of the question.

then on december twenty fourth i was able to put one in front of the other and i don't mean at a slow walking pace, ladies and gents, it was a full on {minimally painful} JOG {a slow, mindful one}!

we have a christmas miracle on our hands! 

these past several months have been an incredible learning experience. mostly i learned to slow down and to take care of myself. after an mri revealed on november thirtieth that i have a stress fracture in my sacrum i was seven weeks into the three month healing process. and, i couldn't help but look at the symbolism that i cracked the root of my body while basically on the brink of uprooting myself to a new city. life is funny that way {louise haye gets it}.

anyhow, this christmas i am so grateful for two healthy legs who still got me around while i healed. and although i'm not done with the healing process or tests that may get to the bottom of what caused this injury, i know that my body will continue to put itself back together. and for this, i am truly grateful.

thrive.

i've always wanted to do a fresh juice cleanse. the summer after i graduated college i did a cleanse called isagenix and, honestly, it was awful. out of the nine-day total program, there are four juice only days that are nothing short of disgusting. apparently this said juice is vitamin-packed, but honestly it tastes like artificial sugar water to me.

anyhow, it's time for the real deal. meet the thrive cleanse. i'd heard a bit of buzz about this particular one so i thought i'd give it a whirl...

it's only day one, but so far so good. the juices are unpasteurized, organic, cold-pressed and delicious! and they are delivered right to your door. i mean, who's not a stickler for such convenience!?

my favorite part is the positive mantras on each juice. i have to share...

green dream

your balanced energy provides a sense of calmnes to those around you. you are energized when giving back to others as it enriches your soul.

the role of peacemaker not only comes easy but is fulfilling.

pamp

your highly imaginative energy is magnetic! your sense of humor is fueled by your bright ming and spontaneous nature.

beetastic

you are inspirational and in touch with your surroundings. people love to be around you because you make them feel important.

thrive

{no affirmation - this seems to the fresh lemon and cayenne pepper concoction} 

tropical greens

you are highly imaginative, fueled by your bright mine, sense of humor and spontaneous nature. but beware, you tend to shun responsibility for fun, which isn't always a bad thing. so drink up and be you.

cozy cashew

your strong sense of values will allow you to change the world. both admired and loved as a friend, you must learn to embrace both yourself and your accomplishments.

i can just imagine the two gals who created this cleanse writing these positive affirmations in their journals and then putting them on their bottles... something i would do! 

happy cleansing! 

ps. remember when i did this? 

spaghetti squash with sautéed kale.

i try my very best to cultivate innovative, quick and easy recipes, but i always end up with the very basics, or what i'm comfortable with: roasted veggies. so, when a friend introduced me to the spaghetti squash, you can imagine how excited i was. it's like real pasta! but better! it was truly love at first site, spaghetti squash and i. and, is it just me or does it taste the way cake batter smells? {love when that rare aha moment of synchrony happens between your taste buds and your nose - they get each other!}.

on top of it being simple and delicious, making spaghetti squash is so much fun. you feel like you are doing a bit of an arts and crafts project making your very own spaghetti from scratch {in seconds!}.

tonight i was craving something easy, warm, and nutritious due to an impending cold my body continues to fight. so, i put my very own spin on the spaghetti {squash!} by dolling it up with extra veggies and spices.

...voilà!

spaghetti squash with sautéed kale:

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 1 lemon
• olive oil
• kale
• chili flakes
• cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste

cut both ends off of the spaghetti squash. slice in half {long ways down the center - i never know how to properly cut a vegetable!}, remove seeds. fill medium-size bowl with about a half cup of water. place half of spaghetti squash in the bowl and cover with saran wrap. microwave on high for 8 min. repeat the same process with the other half. let cool. once able to handle, scrape the insides of the squash with a fork into a long string-like formation. 

in frying pan, sautée a few handfuls of kale with olive oil and lemon juice.

add to spaghetti squash {... i mean, noodles!}.

season to taste: lemon, olive oil, chili flakes, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

enjoy! the best part is you can add whatever your heart desires to your base of spaghetti squash, the options are endless.

if you are interested in the nutritional benefits of spaghetti squash like i was, you can check them out here. until our next adventure in cooking, goodnight my little chefs!

this too shall pass.

apologies, loves, for the verbose post that is to follow. oh, wordy.

to be honest, an injury is the last thing i expected. it's been a total of three weeks and what a wild and emotional roller coaster it's been. i learned a few things along the way {and still am since i'm just one big work in progress} and i thought i'd share them with you.

i learned that it's okay to give in to every emotion you might be feeling and acknowledge it with the energy you have left. for me, it was the fear that this injury was never going to get better. the fear that i couldn't walk or run again. the overwhelming anxiety that i wouldn't get to go on a trip of a lifetime. could i live like this? i thought to myself. when my answer was no i hit panic mode. see, dearests, when the pain is much bigger than us we just have to surrender to it and take care of ourselves in that moment as best we can.

i learned it's okay to be sad, frustrated, upset, and even uncontrollably sob into someones arms because you are so hurt and don't believe it's ever going to go away. you feel defeated. let that person reassure you that it will get better. i promise,  sweet darling, it will.

this too shall pass.  a mantra i learned never to forget.

i learned to attack from all angles. all hands on deck. sometimes you don't know where to start to get help so you go with your gut or a recommendation and you know what? that might not be the right thing for you. it's okay to try as many treatments and visit as many specialists as you need to. they are creating the recipe that will get you better. if one isn't working for you, stop. move onto the next.

personally, i've learned that acupuncture is helpful beyond ways than i thought possible. i am only two sessions in but i can see how it evokes paths to clear health and calming powers in our bodies.

find a good chiropractor. and find a good PT who calls you kid and who warns you that you might cry and wince in pain {i only shed a tear as i gripped to the table and succumbed to the releasing of the muscles}.

i learned that epsom salt baths are a must. sit in that tub. soak it in. clear out the impurities and the inflammation.

sit on lacrosse balls. do the stretches and exercises you're told to do. unfortunately i learned that sometimes turning to a prescription is the only thing that is going to cause immediate relief. if that's the case, i say do it. i also learned the ways of homeopathic medicine like arnica and trammel which should be taken in addition to something stronger.

i learned that i miss yoga and i miss running, but not as bad as i thought i would. funnily enough, there are more hours in the day now so maybe this break has been a blessing in disguise. it turned my rigid routine world right upside down, if you will. and i guess we all need that at some point in our lives. i know when i get back into exercise {which is a work in progress as even a small jog motion leads to discomfort} i'm going to be approaching it differently. listening to my body. what does it need? and not pushing myself beyond what i can handle out of guilt or for any unhealthy reasons. know your limits. you should be your own motivator of exercise, no one else. the body is a temple, treat it that way. everything in moderation, oh so true.

while i'm still recovering, i am so grateful to be better than i was three weeks ago.

and loves, if you ever need any help on injuries, please reach out to me i'd be more than happy to be the person you cry to. i'll tell you it's going to get better, i promise, sweet darling.

*photo credits found on my pinterest here, here, and here.

wakeup call.

i've been a bit absent here this month, my sweets. truth be told, i'm experiencing a bit of an injury that's occupied a large amount of my energy, leaving hardly a drop for creativity and good words and epiphanies that life is beautiful and all that jazz. i won't lie to you, it's been tough, but i think it's the universe teaching me an important lesson about my lifestyle choices as of late.

i pushed myself too hard, living in a world of too much and not enough {and not a good world at that}. i've been out having too much fun and if we're going to be real here, too much food, too much drink, and all the while counter-balancing it with too much exercise and not enough rest or relaxation. it's a lifestyle i cannot maintain, a pattern i desperately need to break, and my body finally gave out.

see, us libras, we strive for balance and i got lost on one side of that scale. as a result the muscles in my left hip, glute, and lower-back just decided to stop working properly. they clenched up real tight -especially when i decided to keep running through their red flags and hazard lights - making it nearly impossible for me to walk {my therapy!}. quite honestly, they're pissed at me, and i don't blame them.

but i truly hope we can make amends because, dear muscles, i need you. and you need me. we're a team. we keep this body moving and grooving. i'm sorry i tired you out and mistreated you. i promise if you are good to me again i won't abuse you. i'll treat you with every last ounce of love and care god gave us.

sincerely,
me.

and p.s. according to you can heal your life, hip injuries are tied to the fear of going forward in major decisions. hmm... i wonder what that could be? i do have a few things up my sleeve to be discussed at a later date. here's our affirmation: i am in perfect balance. i move forward in life with ease and with joy at every age. 

xoxo.

honey, hunny.

lately i am grateful for breakfast. simple, right? it is without a doubt my favorite meal of the day. followed by snack time, of course. i prefer breakfast as my one big meal, and snacks throughout the rest of the day, though it doesn't always pan out that way. anyhow, here's what i've been loving...

gluten-free toast or rice cakes with peanut butter or sunflower butter and sliced banana, drizzled with honey. and oh boy! have i told you my recent obsession with honey, hunny? i can't get enough {i think it started with the whole tea thing}. also, a side of blueberries, an apricot, and english breakfast tea with lemon.

perfection in a meal. can't wait until the morning! sweet dreams you little hunnybees.

blend it.

ever since i did clean, i've been having smoothies for breakfast. there's something about a liquid meal i always crave on a weekday morning, especially after exercise. i purchased a blender back in april, but now i just use this magical contraption that i may or may not have stolen from mom and dad {oops! hope they don't miss it too much}.

my go-to recipe combination:

banana

apple

blueberries

spinach

almond butter

almond milk

chia seeds

flax: seeds + ground

cinnamon

raw cacao powder

agave nectar

now, the color doesn't turn out to be the prettiest in the world, but i promise the taste is delightful. drink with a straw {pink, of course}.

... enjoy!

health.

i've been a bit under the weather lately, friends. and, while this is no space to discuss negative happenings, i'm admittedly a bit frustrated because, well, i'd really like to kick this cold to the curb, to say the least.

i feel that this is a good time to reflect on what we can be grateful for even in a weakened state of health. i am grateful for mothers who take care of us. and, for homemade chicken noodle soup.

chicken soup for the sick soul. being down and out also makes me thankful for the times i am in optimum, perfect health. never do i ever want to take that thriving state for granted. for two healthy legs and two strong arms and a good set of lungs.

i haven't been able to take my usual deep, deep breaths these days without coughing. and, i miss them. how lucky are we to be able to do something as simple as breathe? do you ever reflect on that? well, i hope that my sick state can serve as a pleasant little reminder for you to tune into your gratitude for being alive and kickin'.

here's to healthy and healing energy. putting it out there in this darn, amazing universe!

clean.

so i'm embarking on a little adventure.

and, like always, i know you'll be supportive along this particular journey.

it's a little experiment that i've been wanting to try and can finally set aside the time.

the clean program. i received the book last winter after reading an article about it and then i had a friend try it for himself finishing with nothing but positive things to say.



what i want most out of this detox is to be able to really listen to my body. what does it need? sleep. rest. energy. water. love. i wish to get back to basics and simplify my life. to rid any weight, negative energy, and stress that does not serve me. clear skin. bright eyes.

mental clarity is my goal.

i thrive when i am treating my body well.

so, here goes nothin'...

xoxo.

exhaust this little moment.

no matter what, my living space is my haven.

when i am stressed i get to sit in my nook with candles, incense, and sage. it doesn't make the stress disappear completely, but it helps. best friends help too.

do you ever feel spread too thin? i do.

recently i was told that my adrenal system is out of whack, which is code for you're stressed.

i am, i admit it.

three things that will help: be in bed by 11pm, eat simple foods, and take time for yourself.

okay, i can do this.



here.

wake up.

daily, i get to wake up to the most amazing view.

however, today was one for the breathtaking record books.



i'm not sure if this will ever get old. finding my gem of an apartment truly made me fall in love with san francisco.

my wake up call was followed by a power walk on the treadmill where i happened to run into a sweet friend. we got to chatting {and huffing and puffing} about nutrition after i filled her in on my new endeavor...

morning smoothies.

she's been on the bandwagon for quite some time. and so have a handful of my dear friends for that matter. i'm a little late to the game. everyone has been so gracious and eager to share some of their most delicious recipes.

meet my new friend. we're just starting to get acquainted:



anyhow, i'm feeling so inspired to create nutritious, vitamin-packed breakfasts. the best part is that you are so free to be as creative as you want.

i like this analogy...

mornings filled with a blank canvas of fruits and veggies. go ahead and paint...well, blend...whatever your heart desires. it's a nice motto to take on the day.

elixir.

i am convinced that this drink will prolong my life.



kombucha.

the words on the front of this enlightened bottle read...

reawaken.

rebirth.

repurpose.

redefine.


...don't mind if i do.

elka soup.

elka's healthy vegetarian fiesta soup

1 package tj's taco mix or any fajita/taco seasoning mix
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 medium yellow or red diced onion
1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 can green chillies
1 can yellow corn
1 can kidney beans
2 cans black beans
1 large diced yellow squash
1 large diced zucchini
2 medium diced carrots
1 cup cubed firm tofu
2 32oz. containers low sodium chicken broth

garnishes:
-fresh squeezed lime
-low fat shredded mozzarella cheese
-avocado slices
-cilantro
-whole wheat tortilla chips and/or corn chips

in the bottom of a large soup pot saute spray olive oil, onions, garlic, and seasoning mix. add small amount of chicken broth. begin adding ingredients in order listed above. add rest of chicken broth or just enough until desired consistency is achieved. bring to a boil.

enjoy.