SPIN CLASS Jammie Jams- Kick @$$ workout playlist
5 tips to help PMS & how men can understand it.
WHY to prioritize relaxation tools (including orgasm)- A REAL LOOK AT STRESS.
Orgasm as a tool for deep relaxation & self love
We've had all types of Orgasms. The hungry to get to the climax, rushing to "get somewhere" orgasm I've been experiencing lately brought to my awareness that that is how I''ve been approaching all of life.
Missing the process and forgetting to indulge in the joy of the journey paying close attention to the nuances has become my MO.
Sometimes, it can almost seem like another thing "to-do" when I am particularly disconnected from my body forgetting the full range of relaxation tools and life delights we have at our disposal. It is in these times I seem to only recall sugar and caffeine as tools. It rarely occurs to me to do 5 min of yoga, self massage, stretching, journaling, tapping, meditation or napping. There's always "NO TIME."
Ironically, I also often speed up to do more in search of satiation when it's more effective to stop, breathe, and be present. Tune in rather than speed past.
3 reasons to choose forgiveness and it's empowering benefits:
The very thing that thrusts us forward & keeps us ambitious, may be the thing that also makes us angry, impatient, unkind, and unhappy. How to reclaim your sanity when you're at your wits end, overwhelmed, needing a break, and defaulting to your darker side.
Here's a quick meditative video on the personal benefits of forgiveness and why we should use it to our advantage improving everyone's experience. I made it as a reminder to myself and hope it serves you too. Happy Monday!!
The REAL reason we should forgive. Arming ourselves with the best tools and understanding why. WE DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD. GetHealthySexyHappy is a wellness site and series that addresses how to look, feel, eat, move, think, sleep, and love better.
I think mayonaisse & I might be having an affair
I may have a problem. I just left the warmth of my naked lovers cuddling body to go read on the couch with a bowl of crackers and chicken salad. And it's not my first offense. I've been devouring chicken salad like it's my last meal.
... And I'm blaming the mayonnaise. ...
So why the craving for oil & eggs? Why is full fat mayonnaise like the friend I never had? (No I'm not pregos) After researching just how bad my new obsession was, I have good news to report: opting for full fat options with natural ingredients that are low in sugar are actually a good idea.
Benefits:
1. Healthy Heart: Mayo is a good source of vitamin E which = stroke prevention. It also contains Omega-3 acid which are not only awesome for your heart but your mind, and overall health. Go Omegas Go!
2. Beauty: Oils are great for our skin & hair. Their presence also helps us absorb the fat-soluble vitamins like super hormone Vitamin D!
3. May help keep me skinny. How!!?! Fats don't make us fat: sugar does. As long as we don't spike our blood sugar triggering our fat storing insulin, full fat is great. It makes us feel full faster helping us to eat less and stay satisfied longer. High fat & sugar is a dangerous combo though. Read: if I'm going for mayo, I'll have to skip the crackers or dessert. (protein is fine)
4. Eggs are a super food!!! Mayo's egg content makes it even more justifiable. Although not the ideal way to get fantastically nourishing egg yolk (because it's best to not overcook the yolks or let them oxidize in the air for cholesterol reasons), eggs are so good for you, I'm grateful they make it on mayos ingredient list.
So for now, I'm ok with my obsession with mayonnaise. Even if I don't understand the recent cravings.
I am really starting to love myself!
Amid all of the manic to-dos and busy bee buzzing I had this beautiful thought just now- "I am really starting to celebrate and appreciate who I am!"
Take that mean voice.
That's right, after years of kicking my own ass up and down the street regardless of how fast I ran, how much I got done, how many people
I kept happy, I am starting to realize that even 1/3 of that effort would be enough! I'm allowed to feel good & enjoy this ride!
Geez... about time.
With this self love, appreciation of effort, and celebration of small victories comes another revelation: I may actually give myself permission to be happy. Permission to enjoy this ride without all of the exhaustion, sprinting, punishment, binging for relief, and fear of imperfection. I get to be happy without getting anywhere near perfect- AND THAT'S EVEN BETTER!
I get to pick a few things that are important to me right now, commit to them, and revise the list whenever it suits. I get to laugh when I fall and hope that someone else saw so they get a good chuckle too.
I get to enjoy the parts each phase of life has. I get to use my body and brain. I get to feel pretty in lots of different ways. I get to brighten others days and appreciate the little yummy treats like the bike guys smile. I get to be happy.
Anytime I want to be happy, I get to count my blessings, celebrate my recent efforts, and notice how I've shown up or been kind recently. I can slow my breath, dance in my living room, organize a closet, watch a funny show, do 15 pushups, sing in the shower, get a massage, give a smile and bring myself right back to the open, happy, loving space where we are all one and I get to feel good just as I am in this moment with bright future choices yet to be revealed..
4 ways I know it's time to get back to GREEN FOOD
I know what I am supposed to do.
I know what I am supposed to eat.
I even eat correctly a % of the time.
AND THEN I DON'T.
This manic, "I am queen of the world, Cadbury cream eggs are no match for my boundless energy and svelte physique" kicks in like the delusional sabotaging propaganda it is. I stay up late working on projects OR DANCING ON TABLES at reputable fundraisers. I skip protein and veggies in leu of sugary delights. I start ordering decadent caramel lattes instead of my staple green tea. I am off the wagon. And I tell myself it's ok. There will be no repercussions this time.
1. And then I get sick. That soar throat kicks in, fatigue, and aches pop up. I'm tired and feel yucky. I want to skip the very things that usually make me feel good like exercise and early wakeups. I'm easily overwhelmed.
2. My mood & drive plummets. An overall low energy, and disinterest in most things prevails and I wonder how my brain can make such a convincing case that life is not worth living. I feel like screaming, "You're amino acid and vital micronutrient deficient brain, not dying- let's be a little less dramatic!!"
3. The fatigue takes hold and I'm forced to rest despite the oppressive boredom. I experience depression symptoms and lose my zest. I'm drawn to quick highs like sugar and caffeine to even feel normal. I know I need sleep but stay in a warped denial. I beat myself up for taking my health for granted and ending up on my ars once again...
4. I get angry. I mean cranky, irritable, yucky to be around spicy. I envision doing terrible things to people that cut me off on the freeway. I am no where near connected to my best, open, loving self and wouldn't know the first place to look to find her. I am upset with the world because I am really upset with myself. There is no love to give out if I am not cultivating any love within.
AND THEN I GET REAL with myself and I make friends again with my Vitamix.
I start making spinach, protein powder, broccoli, smoothies. I bathe my cells in Spirulina, chlorella, and the good parts of green veggies. I start taking my supplements again and focusing on my hydration. I say no things to get enough sleep. I remind myself that I am good enough even if I don't get it all done and that my beauty, energy, cancer prevention, cognitive sharpness, and mood all depend on the occasional nap and good food choices.
And then I start feeling REALLY GOOD AGAIN. I wonder how I ever neglected my nutrition, scheduled exercise, and commitment to sleep. I have to remind myself to not overcommit and start the whole process all over again. ... Which is likely to happen :)
YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD
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GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula to feeling good. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.
So, last week when I was being mean to myself... I learned this:
Yes, yes, I know I know.
That whole "make peace with myself" thing and "stop trying to control everything trying to be better, faster, stronger". That one more thing is not the answer and that THE WAY OUT MAY IN FACT BE THROUGH GOING IN.
Last wednesday, my fatigue left me in a depressed state of anxious, useless restlessness. My body was beginning to show signs of injury from go go go and no repair. I was tired to the bone and I need to forgo my social & non-pressing work schedule and rest. BUT I SUCK AT REST. I can be tired to my core and that mean little voice inside will advocate for one more thing before bed so "the day wasn't a waste" and I am allowed to feel "good enough."
My right knee was literally sidelining me to the couch and I was resentful. I HATE MISSING OUT. The truth is, I also hate when the motion stops and the inner sadness has a chance to creep up to be dealt with. I know I'm not doing the work fully to process and release early pains but WHO HAS TIME FOR THAT?
My body had decided i was going to make time for it. And so I felt shitty allllllll day yesterday. The hopelessness, despair, worst case scenarios, mean thoughts all took their turns smacking me around. And I let them. I acknowledged what was happening without fully buying into it. When it got tough, I called my lil sis and told her I was tantruming like a tired infant and would be pleased if she knew where i could find the off switch. She laughed and said, "I'll get right on that... and if you find it before me, call me first."
So yesterday I decided to FEEL the annoying, the uncomfortable, the painful - and face whatever my manic-ness is always running from- In full disclosure, I was only doing it because my body refused to keep running. Baby steps right?
It wasn't near as scary as I originally thought. I made peace with the truth that i need rest, scheduled dliberate rest. And that there is great strength in healing and resting to come back stronger and clearer.
Working on making peace with myself... in between lattes and overs-cheduled Mondays. Well, at least I did it yesterday. Baby steps right?
Here is an unbelievable TED Talk about shame & being trapped in our own mean minds: http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame
YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD
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GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula to feeling good. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.
Detox with the best - Next Tues, March 25th!
Most of us aren't overly nice to our LIVERS. Our social lives, toxic cities, mass produced food, and chemical additives get stored in our precious filtration organs. This isn't a problem until you're trying to get pregnant, want clear skin, want your systems to work together, or want decent energy.
Then this whole full liver thing is a problem. On top of all that, most of the detoxes on the market only handle half of the problem. They help the liver release the toxins back into the blood stream but don't make it water soluable so that you can get it out of the body.
Cue the wonder team of famous nutritionists and best selling author Adina Niemerow and Hormone balancing, integrative medicine, holisitic nutrition and fertility specialist, Dr. Stephanie Daniel who are hosting a DETOX that does both.
If you'd like to see them in action, here's a video we did after Adina's book launched and she moved into the old cafe gratitude space in the mission. (I'm in the middle playing talk show host between these two powerful healers.)
Join us for the DETOX to get clean together!!
Supporting each other heals us.
A couple times in life you get that phone call that leaves your tummy in knots and a vial reaction to physically hurt someone thrusts forward -despite your usual better judgment. That's right, someone has just hurt your baby sis ... and on top of it, they've done it in a way that hits a little too close to home.
You can't take their pain away... BUT YOU CAN TAKE THEM TO OAHU!
And that's exactly what we did when the actions of the typical douche bag you date in your 20s left baby sis momentarily heart broken. (Clearly, I'm still a bit saucy over the whole thing and am working on getting my more enlightened, compassionate self to rise.)
The point is, we have moments in life when we can truly be there for those we love and heal even older baggage.
Not only did she bravely hop on the flight on a whim, she was greeted by a Motley Crew tribute band that serenaded her the entire 2 hr delay on the tarmac as well having Jack Johnson ask her a question in the Honolulu airport upon her arrival.
THANKS UNIVERSE FOR DELIVERING!!
We had a blast snorkeling as well as hiking to these sort of spectacular vistas: OMG!
I'm so friggin grateful she turned out so cool (and hilarious). It makes the yucky parts of living another memory in the making.
These relationships we keep choosing to show up for really do bring out our best selves. Besides having a very fun vacation with my wonderful sis, I healed a little part of my broken hearted 20 something self.
Hopefully, it helped remind her that she is loved and supported and this too shall pass.
If you have a story about how it felt to show up for someone in their time of need, reminding you that we're all connected, please share & make the rest of our day's brighter! Or if you'd like to write some encouraging words to my baby sis / your heartbroken 20 something self, share them here:
Wild v Farm Raised fish. Go WILD!!!
Shot out to sexy new fitness brand CLUTCH - http://clutchbodyshop.com/
My guy finally nailed Valentines Day... well, almost.
I always thought of myself as a "low maintenance," NON VDAY sort of girl. Was I delusional? Sure. But I believed it and vehemently didn't subscribe to the Hallmark Holiday.
...until the year my boyfriend did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I mean not a card, not a "Happy Valentine's Day", NOTHING. I was upset and didn't even understand why. How can I tell him I didn't want to do anything and then be upset when he does nothing??!? Insane!
And then it hit me. Even if I logically thought the whole thing was a marketing scam, I didn't like wondering if my guy loved me less as indicated by his complete lack of effort.
Yes Gentlemen, this is how wild the female brain can be for us ladies. It's not fun.
...
So this year, he surprised me with a trip to New York during fashion week to celebrate our hilariously fun friend Stuart's recent move.
Despite how hard I laughed at SNL's skit about crappy last minute CVS Vday gifts, I really enjoyed coming home to that little red heart balloon on a stick and red/pink/white M&Ms recycled from his office party on the day of.
Apparently I do care about this Hallmark holiday... embarrassing
Here's a hilarious article from one guy to another on why to never skip Valentines Day no matter what she says:
http://www.productiveflourishing.com/psa-valentines-day-friday-make-plan-follow/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=psa-valentines-day-friday-make-plan-follow&utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=productiveflourishing
Good Mood Green Smoothie
2:26 min video on my favorite Get Well Green Smoothie. Love my Vitamix!
YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD
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GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula to feeling good. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.
I don't just want an anti-depressant! Can't they test for root causes?
When I began considering getting on an antidepressant 5 years ago, I was quickly overwhelmed at the different types and the difficulty figuring out which antidepressant or anti anxiety would be best.
Should I address my Serotonin or Dopamine levels? Which would make me fat? Kill my sex drive? Make me one-dimensional & flat? Take my current Serotonin & leave it on the synapse longer but not actually get me more of it?
I didn't want to trial and error serious brain balance shifters before testing & I couldn't be more grateful to find someone that knew what to test for and how to go about it.
A doctor that knew what to look for and knew which tests to order! She checked to see if I had problems with my nutrition intake, absorption, or conversion as well as how well my brain manufactured my happiness chemicals Serotonin and Dopamine. She checked my hormone balance and explained which times of the month my estrogen & progesterone would be out of whack with normal annoying female cycle drops. She explained stress hormone Cortisol and it's affect on mood and relationship with sugar.
She gave me a better understanding of the pieces of the puzzle and changed the way I looked at chocolate pie. Dessert is now called Moody Blues in my house.
“1. my Vitamin D levels were as dangerously low as many of her depressed patients (taking 5000 IU/day if you live north of LA/Atlanta is a good idea & getting at least 15 minutes of sunscreen free sunshine mid day is also good)
2.my B vitamins weren’t converting properly to help make Serotonin (60% of people have conversion problems genetically)
3. my brain didn’t naturally make enough motivation and reward driving Dopamine ( Which explained the draw to chaos and constant activity )
4. My Serotonin stayed on my brain long enough Yay! (SSRI’s like Prozac would NOT have helped my mood at all & would have likely lowered my libido and sparked weight gain! )
5. I am low in estrogen which makes me muscular and lean w little boobs, makes me break out, and affects mood but reduces my chance for most reproductive cancers.- getting on an Estrogen patch certain times of the month is an option I wasn’t previously aware of.
”
Knowing what I'm working with lets me make better choices, forgive the parts I don't have control of, and change the things I do. Sugar is a terrible idea especially if I'm already burning through my B vitamins with other stress. Sleep and Leafy greens are practically medicine. I need to supplement the appropriate amino acids building blocks that make Serotonin and Dopamine naturally in my brain. Exercise is my "in the moment" Happy Juice releaser when I'm getting blah. I now practice reframing situations. thinking positively, and yoga breathwork. I also now know that choosing anti depressants that affect the Dopamine receptor/levels will be more effective than those dealing with Serotonin in my brain's case. I feel empowered rather than helpless and overwhelmed.
Dr. Stephanie is available at www.intuitivewomenswellness.com. Please tell her thank you for me- she is a blessing. She is also the founder of FunctionalMedicine.com as well as the MaleVitalityProgram. I can't rave about her enough.
YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD
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GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula to feeling good. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.
February 24, 2014 It took MindBodyGreen 10 months to "borrow" my idea for Gluten Free Skinny Protein Pancakes!
I love MindBodyGreen and think it's both a wonderful resource and a powerful force for positive change in this world. ... Which is why it delights me to beat them to a scoop by almost a year!
My friends at Kitchen Karate taught me last April how to make shockingly good protein pancakes that feel like fluffy little silver dollar full flour/fat pancakes while actually being a nutritional power house. A little molasses or raw honey for an anti-microbial guilt free sweetener and Voila!
Here's their recipe: (they exchange my chopped almonds for a little flaxseed & protein powder combo which sounds fantastic and sneaks in Omegas!)
FREE 30 minute Long & Lean Restorative Yoga Flow for beginners
In honor of the up an coming WanderLust festival, here's a 30 min restorative yoga flow for beginners you can do at home or on the road. All you'll need is a soft surface/mat and a towel/strap. I'll be shooting a few more of these on the go flows while in Hawaii for you. :)
Wanderlust, Oahu time again!!! Eeeeeeee!
I am giddily awaiting my return to WanderLust, Oahu in a week to stretch in soothing sun, breathe with my favorite athletic tribe of yogi's, meditate in paradise, and sleep as if in the womb. I'm so ready I can't believe I ever left. I can't wait to breath that deeply, feel that inspired, smile that big, and sleep that well. It is my literal paradise.
And this trip, I'll be wedding venue scouting to share this paradise with my favorite people on a very special day along with shooting new yoga videos to share with the GetHSH community that wishes for bliss on the go. Beyond Excited!
Here is the article featured in Elephant Journal I wrote about last year's festival: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/03/wanderlust-oahu-the-happiest-place-on-earth/
See you soon Northshore, Oahu.