Roundup: Coming into bloom...

Even though we're dealing with some classic early spring weather in the Northeast, I'm pushing forward towards the May flowers ahead. I've got big dreams of seedlings pushing through the warming earth, fresh buds on trees, and the return of greenmarkets, sharing their early harvests around the city.  Here are a few things that I've got my eye on for an April in bloom.

Left to right, beginning in the top row:

A couple of Hudson Valley seed packs, for generating a little homegrown haven on my little city balcony.

An energizing flower remedy, to motivate and renew.

An herbal bath tea, for relaxing amidst the blooms.

A gorgeous new fragrance oil, for dabbing sexy jasmine and rose scents on the key pressure points.

A new diffuser, so that every room can smell just as delicious as outside, thanks to floral essential oils.

A nourishing rose petal hydrosol, for nurturing turn-of-the-season skin during those raw early spring days.

A fermentation crock, for pickling and curing 'krauts that honor our internal flora and fauna.

A bright nail polish, in "Pansy", for bringing the tips and toes to the flower party too.

A market basket, for toting home locally-grown blooms from our favorite farmer's market and shops.

Tapping into Magical Thinking

Yesterday, I found myself full of Sunday night nerves and the kind of feelings that can arise when you're preparing for a big week. I felt some self-doubt, and found myself focusing too hard on what I couldn't control. I struggled to find myself in the present and needed a reminder to stop and be here, right now.

And, as if on cue, there it was - a line from Rumi that found it's way to me, and resonated so deeply it was though the universe itself had spoken. It seemed a little bit magical that something had landed in my lap, just when I needed it most.

“Live life as though everything was rigged in your favor. ”

— Rumi

Many of us work hard to cope with life. We struggle with feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, or fear. We feel victimized by circumstance and, quite frequently, get too caught up in the reality of life. When this happens, we open up the floor for negative, catastrophic, and irrational thinking, and get stuck in the stories we tell ourselves and the frameworks that we build to govern our lives. As a result, we forget about the simple fact that we are miraculous bundles of cells and energy - and we lose a little touch with the magic and mystery of life.

Carl Sagan famously said that "we are made of star stuff." Oliver Sacks poignantly shared that the thrill of humanity is in being "a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet." And, as Mary Oliver noted, "truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood." Within all of these words lies the reminder that in this vast and amazing world, we are more full of possibility and answers than we think. We are free to create our own realities - and a change of perspective is all that we need to re-frame our challenges into opportunities.

“Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say
”Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.”

— Mary Oliver

So what if we could shift our negative thinking to something more magical? What if, instead of asking ourselves "how could that work?" we inquire "what if that worked?" or "if time and money were no issue, what would this look like for me?" Harvard psychology professor Daniel M. Wegner suggests that "for people who are generally uncertain of their own abilities, or slow to act because of feelings of inadequacy, this kind of thinking can be an antidote, a needed activator." He notes that "this feeling that your thoughts can somehow control things can be a needed feeling." 

After reading Rumi's words, I took a step back, and almost instantaneously felt a shift in my consciousness. I had spent the morning lazing in bed for a few extra hours. I had experienced an empowering workout that reminded me how capable the human body is. I had enjoyed a beautiful afternoon filled with sunshine. The world wasn't conspiring against me; It was supporting me in invisible and mysterious ways. Instead of feeling fear of consequence, I felt peace.  And suddenly, I was back in the present.

You see, the thing about believing in magic is that it opens up the doors for possibility. And when you are aware of possibilities, you generate the positive energy needed to move forward, past any of the roadblocks you face. Now tell me, what's more empowering than that?

Happy weekend...

Happy Friday! It's been a long first week of spring, and I'm looking forward to enjoying some time at home before hitting the road again on Monday morning. I hope you have a restful and fun weekend as well! Here are some things I've been fancying for the past few days:

• Revisiting Joni Mitchell's "Ladies of the Canyon" and getting overly excited about spending a July weekend up in Woodstock, NY with my own ladies in a gorgeous modern barn.
• Thanking my lucky stars, and this Black Elderberry Syrup, for keeping me healthy this past week after the flu hit our house and I spent a few hours on a plane.
• Slowly increasing my daily meditation to 10-15 minutes, twice a day, thanks to apps like "OMG. I Can Meditate!" and "Simply Being." It really does help induce restful sleep and peaceful living.
• And finally, a gorgeous quote on sowing positivity and growth to take you into the weekend:

“When you open yourself to the continually changing, impermanent, dynamic nature of your own being and of reality, you increase your capacity to love and care about other people and your capacity to not be afraid. You’re able to keep your eyes open, your heart open, and your mind open. And you notice when you get caught up in prejudice, bias, and aggression. You develop an enthusiasm for no longer watering those negative seeds, from now until the day you die. And, you begin to think of your life as offering endless opportunities to start to do things differently.”

— Pema Chödrön

Dark Chocolate Lightning Bars

Yesterday, after a few days of fighting the flu, it was time for a jailbreak. We escaped the confines of our apartment for the afternoon, craving some sunshine and early spring air. We strolled around the neighborhood, spent a few hours at the Museum of Fine Art, and as we turned towards home, my stomach rumbled loudly. I suddenly looked at him and nearly shouted, "ARE YOU HUNGRY, OR IS IT JUST ME?"

And his reply was, "Oh, no. This is how you sound when you're hangry."

I'm a pretty lucky girl. I live in a great city, I feel engaged with life on a daily basis, and I'm marrying a man who is just as passionate about food and health as I am. But hanger is a real life problem, my friends, and I firmly believe that one in the throes of hangriness should not be taken lightly. So when we got home, he suggested that we whip up something that's both extremely tasty and can stop hunger in a flash. The result? What he's calling Dark Chocolate Lightning Bars.

These bars are really, really delicious. In fact, they're so good that you may never buy another sugar-laden, soy or whey protein isolate-filled bar again (and I have a feeling that your body will thank you for that too.) They're protein-packed with roasted almonds, walnuts, and peanuts, and held together with local honey, vanilla, and brown rice syrup. And the sweet touch on top? An antioxidant-rich dark chocolate drizzle and a sprinkle of sea salt.

They are also extremely simple to make. All you need to do is heat the liquid ingredients over the stove until they reach candy temperatures, roast and mix all of your nuts together with a puffed grain cereal of your choice, and combine, spreading the whole mixture together over a greased pan to cool. To me, that sounds easy enough - and perfectly satiating so that we never have to fight the hanger again.

Dark Chocolate Lightning Bars

(Adapted from "The Yummy Life")

1.5 cups of almonds

2 cups peanuts

3/4 cup walnuts

3/4 cup puffed cereal (we chose kamut)

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

1/2 cup local honey

1/3 cup brown rice syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Several pinches of sea salt

2 tablespoons butter

1. Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan with 1 tablespoon of butter.

2. Roast all nuts in the oven until just toasted. Remove and let cool, before combining with puffed rice cereal.

3. Mix honey, brown rice syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt in a saucepan. Place over medium heat, and mix to combine. Using a candy thermometer, heat until about 260 degrees, whisking constantly. The mixture should be golden brown.

4. Working quickly, and carefully, pour the liquid over the mixed nuts and cereal, mixing until combined. Pour combined mixture over greased pan and flatten. Grease a rolling pin or mug and press the mixture down to remove any air and create a firm bar. Let cool completely.

5. Mix chocolate and remaining butter together, and put in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, checking and stirring so that the chocolate melts evenly. Drizzle over the bars, sprinkle with sea salt, and place in the refrigerator for another 20 minutes.

6. Remove pan, and using a good knife, slice the bars. To store, wrap in parchment paper and keep in an airtight container.

Weekly Words: "A Coherent Electromagnetic Field"

"When cells are caught in the same field of resonance, they are all dancing to the same music. Studies show that when we’re thinking creatively, or when we are feeling peaceful, or when we’re feeling love, those emotions generate a very coherent electromagnetic field. And that electromagnetic field is broadcast to the rest of your body. It also creates a field of resonance where the cells of the body lock in with each other.

Every cell knows what every other cell is doing because they’re all doing the same thing, while still expressing their unique functions efficiently: stomach cells are making hydrochloric acid, immune cells are generating antibodies, the pancreatic cells are manufacturing insulin, and so on. In a healthy body, this synchronicity is perfectly regulated. Healthy people are firmly locked into these rhythms...

...There are many emotions that can cause a disruption of the electromagnetic field in the heart, but the ones that have been most precisely documented are anger and hostility. Once this synchronization is disrupted, your body starts to behave in a fragmented manner.The effect is so strong that animals can pick it up. If a dog sees a person who is harboring hostility, it will bark and act ferocious.

Wherever you go, you are broadcasting who you are at this very intimate level."

- Deepak Chopra

Intuition: Listening to Our Inner Child

Two nights ago, after finishing a particularly insightful weekend, I was exhausted. I tucked into bed earlier than usual, and immediately fell into a series of dreams.

In my final dream, I was visiting a family vacation home in which my grandparents resided. My grandmother invited me to come into the attic, where she wanted to show me something. We climbed up a ladder into a room filled with light, and in the corner was a stroller.  I walked over, and found myself within it - not as I am today, but in my infant likeness, as I've seen in pictures for my entire life.

I stood still in amazement and wonder. I then unhooked the straps, picked up the baby and cradled her. She was warm and new, with a full head of hair. I held her to my shoulder, hugged her, and felt an enormous amount of love for her. And then I placed her back into the stroller, secured the straps, and gently put her hat back on.

And then, I woke up.

Over the course of my first coaching module, we spoke often about intuition - our inner voice that tells us what feels right, and that clues us in to the invisible energies around us. We are all born with this quick, instinctive operating model, what Nobel Prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman called "System One." It helps protect us in our physical environment and share insights around what we should do next, and as infants, we express it freely and without barrier.

As we age, our logical selves grow in amazing ways, and a second system is flexed.  "System Two" helps us self-regulate, rationalize, and respond to the social cues and rules around us. The evolved left brain solves problems and make decisions to adhere to social expectations. Think of the preschooler, who can alter her emotional response to align with those around her, even if it doesn't match up with what she feels inside. But what gets muddled is the gut reaction - and the one that might have been right all along.

In coaching, using intuition is an excellent way to read between the spaces and words used and elevate the connectivity and action around a client's issue. In our everyday lives, it's an art that can often be lost amidst the noise of the digital world, our busy traps, and the rationalizing that we do to make sense of it all. Studies have even shown, however, that when it comes to making major decisions, trusting your instincts can help you find an outcome that leaves you more fulfilled and satisfied in the end.

I spent yesterday trying to rationalize my dream. I assumed it might have been related to the fact that we're selling my grandparents' vacation house.  I pushed it aside. And then, as I recounted it to my father later in the day, it hit me - rather intuitively - and I began to cry.

After a weekend of feeling true validation that confirmed myself, my experiences, and my path, I realized that for me, the dream was about nourishing my inner child. It was exploring how I am getting back in touch with her, and remembering how to love and care for her.

There are a few ways that you can practice rediscovering your intuitive side. Meditation is an excellent one, as it helps center yourself to the "now," dimming the noise and distractions. Spending time in nature - embracing Friluftsliv - can also help. And lastly, guided imagery is wonderful exercise for opening the heart and mind. But really, any simple act of fun and relaxation can help you be more present to yourself. By allowing a greater level of noticing and listening, we can better remember to hug our inner children and let them speak more freely and often.

For more on Daniel Kahneman, check out "Thinking, Fast and Slow." For more guided imagery, check out Belleruth Naparstek's "Guided Imagery for Connecting with your Spiritual Guide."

Coconut Citrus Smoothie

This smoothie is pure wow.

Which is a bit like the weekend that I just closed out. For three days, I kicked off my journey towards becoming a professional coach. I'll share more about that over time, but for now, three words come to mind: spiritual, possibility, and transformation.

I talk often about the importance of balance. In light of the nourishment that my mind and soul received this weekend, I'm sharing a smoothie recipe that does the same for the physical self. It's creamy, invigorating, and brings all the right kind of nutrients to elevate your morning and sustain your energy throughout the day.

The meat of mature coconuts is amazingly nutritious. It's metabolism boosting and provides your body with a great source of energy due to the fact that it's made up of medium length of the fatty-acid chains. While it can be a bit tricky to pry it from the shell (I used this video as my guide), once free, the meat is chewy, dense, and perfect for smoothies.

The other ingredients balance it out with a nice level of zing and tang. The almond butter plays well with the creaminess of the coconut, and the citrus brings an added punch of Vitamin C. Mint is a calming and soothing herb that is also high in antioxidants and helps aid in digestion.  After blending together, I've topped this powerful drink off with my favorite seed mix and some immunity-supporting local bee pollen.

Coconut Citrus Smoothie

1 small banana, sliced

1/2 naval orange, peeled

1/2 lime, peeled

2 tbsp chopped mature coconut meat

1 packet of raw protein powder (I prefer this kind)

1 tbsp organic almond butter

1 tsp hemp seed

1 tsp chia seed

1 tsp flaxseed

1 tsp bee pollen

Combine first five ingredients in blender, and top with water or preferred nut milk and 3-4 ice cubes. Blend until combined. Add in almond butter, hemp, chia, flaxseed and bee pollen and pulse until combined. Drink immediately, or if storing, reserve seed and bee pollen mixture until serving, as they will absorb much of the liquid and thicken the smoothie.

Healing Oils

Several years ago, I stopped buying face wash and lotion. 

And while this might seem drastic, it was the best thing that could have happened to my skin. Yes, there might have been some element of my decision that had to do with not being able to pronounce the names on the back of the bottles, or perhaps I was a bit fed up with so much spending, and convinced there had to be a more cost effective way. But the reason I found myself at that crossroad in the first place was that my skin had stopped feeling like my skin. 

After doing some reading, oils were an interesting proposition. On one hand, the idea of washing and moisturizing with something like oil seemed strange, and differed from the foaming effect I've typically recognized as "cleaning." On the other, I was coming off of a harsh winter, and tired of always doing what seemed like more to try and combat my skin issues.  Doing less just seemed like a better choice.

And then, I found Daphne Miller.

Miller, a family physician, sought to understand how the environment and what we put in and on our bodies affects health in her two brilliant books: "The Jungle Effect: Healthiest Diets from Around the World--Why They Work and How to Make Them Work for You" and "Farmacology: What Innovative Family Farming Can Teach Us About Health and Healing."

"Farmacology" is part investigative reporting, part anthropology. In the book, Miller visits several family farms around the country to understand what might be lacking in typical allopathic medicine's approach as a means to better enhance her approach towards ailing patients within her own practice. In the final chapter, she turns the search towards herself and an embarrassing skin problem and heads to Evan Healy and an aromatic herb farm. Reading about what she finds (sustainable beauty! the benefits of natural plants! vibrational energy in products!) reinforced the need to simplify my routine, and try a new and more natural approach: oils.

I haven't looked back since. I now stock an arsenal of therapeutic skincare oils that I use to cleanse and moisturize my skin - which feels healthier these days than ever.  It's also the first tip that I passionately share with friends who are looking to shake up their beauty routine or find themselves frustrated by the look and feel of their skin, despite ongoing attention and spend.

Below are a few key oils and links to brands that I love and use. Many are widely available at a natural grocery store or online. I've also included a few tips on how I've found most effective use of them.

As a note, all skin is different. It's important to test out what works best and discontinue use if issues occur.

Favorite Skincare Oils

Kukui Nut Oil: The oil that started my journey, this one is extracted from the official tree of Hawaii and is filled with essential fatty acids. It's emollient and completely luscious for cleansing and when applied on body or face after a warm shower.

Rosehip Oil: Rosehips oil is amazing for giving dehydrated and dry skin a drink. Also full of fatty acids, this one is great for balancing combination skin. I use this one for moisturizing, rather than cleansing.

Jojoba Oil: Extracted from jojoba tree seeds (Simmondsia chinenis), jojoba is an excellent moisturizing oil, and one good for oily skin as wax ester (what it actually is) is extremely similar to human sebum (also known as the oil on your face). This one also absorbs nicely so I keep it in my gym bag to cleanse after exercising and showering.

Grapeseed Oil: Full of linoleic acid, grapeseed oil is a restorative one, and I've noticed it helps prevent clogging in pores. It's extremely light and skin-tightening, so I balance it with a more hydrating oil for cold dry days.

Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet almond is high in vitamins E, A, B1, B2, and B6. It's also an excellent massage and carrier oil, and gorgeous when used on the body or to enhance other oils on the face.

For cleansing, I prefer to splash my face with warm water and drop a small amount of my chosen oil into my hand. I then rub my hands together and apply to my face, always performing a facial massage for several minutes. I then get a small washcloth damp with warm water and use that to gentle massage my skin. After one final splash of water, I then massage my face until dry. That's right - I don't dry my skin with a towel.

For moisturizing, simply perform the same facial massage without water. If you plan on using makeup, let oil absorb for several minutes. Avoid use on eyes.