cold/flu season

It seems like the cold/flu season is at an all time high this year. The WORST huh.

I wanted to share some good stuff I've been using. (All can be purchased at Whole Foods)

1. anti bacterial spray from the 365 Whole Foods brand
+I love how the spray feels on my hands and it smells like Binaca. I want to eat it every time.

2. sanitizing wipes by Clean Well
+for every where you want to wipe!

3. oscillococcinum (dare you to try and say that word, did I even spell it right?)
+my mom and sister swear by this stuff

4. bonus: have you ever made licorice root tea for a sore throat? I do it every time now and I really like it. I think it works. Try the recipe at Elana's Pantry.

And get well soon!

new neighbors

 

Over the weekend I moved into a new place. It's just a few blocks away, but was still as hard as moving seems to be. So many loads. So many things. Why do I own all this stuff? The garbage pile and donations pile grew and grew and our car loads were packed and plenty. 

As we settled into our new digs we had multiple neighbors come over or drop off treats saying how excited they were to have us in the neighborhood. It was really great and I had totally forgot what it was like to have real neighbors since I've lived on busy streets and college apartments for that last many years.

Friday morning at 8am was a knock knock knock and 2 ladies across the street were at our door with a welcoming gift. A fresh garden bouquet and a pack of mushrooms. How COOL is that?!

An hour later I went over to one of the ladies house to borrow a wrench and before I could finish saying "adjustable wrench" I was in her kitchen with freshly washed chard in my hand straight from her garden! She took me out back as she placed some corn and barley in her solar oven!!!! and then she showed me her bees!!! and then she showed me her neighbor's chickens!!!! The thing is my sister and I were just talking about how sad we are that we don't get the fresh garden goods from my parent's garden and how lucky their neighbors are who get to come pick raspberries and blueberries. I feel very good about these new neighbors. I want to learn everything I can from her.

DO MORE

I watch this and then I watch it a bunch more times and I think

+i love Nike

+i need to travel

+there's so much to do and see

+this guy's cool

+i want to make videos

+go on more adventures

+take risks

+go outside

+life is happy

Wake Up and Fight

eat better, feel better
pineapple chop
greens
green smoothie

Listen: New Direction-Black Lips

Watch: Forks over Knives + Lucy Chadwick

Forks Over Knives.
I watched it while I was on a break from school and immediately emailed my family telling them to watch it. It focuses on a plant-based diet and talks with a variety of people about how their health was changed for the better once following this lifestyle; off prescription medicine, weight-loss, and more energy! Really interesting film.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Also watch Lucy Chadwick of Zara by Todd Selby.

She lives a seemingly simple and beautiful life. I love that she escapes to the countryside to a simple cabin with an apple orchard and a table and a few chairs and has peace, fresh air, and the sun. That's joy. I'd like to live more beautifully.

Watch: Eat

Via my friend Kylie (her and her husband's blog is amazing, check out their photos and travels)

Yesterday I watched all three of his videos; Eat, Learn, and Move. I felt really excited about life and traveling. I'm posting the Eat one and I love so much how he is experiencing food. I feel strongly that food and eating needs to be enjoyed and thoughtful. When you look at your food, take a bite, and taste it, what a better experience you have then putting things in your mouth and not even realizing it. Today, look at your food, take note of the taste and texture they have, then swallow, and feel satisfied. Now you can walk away from your meal and you will have a better day.

Summer means Salads

A few weeks ago Word of Wisdom Living posted about eating a green salad every day.

Reading that got me excited about salads again and how easy they are to throw together.

Every weekend I stock my refrigerator with greens (romaine, spinach, cilantro, arugula)
and a variety of things to chop on top (tomatoes, avocado, celery, cucumber, carrots, peppers).

I'll also prepare a protein like some canned beans (kidney, black, garbanzo), a hard boiled egg, or quinoa.

It's been lunches mostly, and I've yet to tire of the fresh salad especially as the days get hotter.

The above salad was one my mom and I made from Power Foods: endive, avocado, and red grapefruit salad. And it was as delicious as you'd think.

What salads do you love to make? How often do you make your own salad?

bless you Byron

inspiring.

earthy

Happy Earth Day my little earthlings.
I decided to take a few pictures of pretty living things at my parent's house.
Did you hug something green today?
I loved Jen's ideas for how to celebrate the earth. It's food related!

recently

A few things have been on my mind (besides granola of course)....

1. bread.

My friend Brooke made this irish soda bread for sandwiches that we made last Saturday and it was so full of goodness that I've been dreaming about it's dense tastiness since.

Great Harvest is opening a brand new location walking distance from my house. Everyday I drive past and almost kill myself by window stalking it's progress. I dream of walking down for a slice after the gym, of a Saturday sandwich, of smelling it's fresh baked glory. Hooray!

And I love this latest post from Word of Wisdom about bread. Thought provoking and important.

2. Balance. Consistency. Health

This diagram from Cookus Interruptus says it all.




thanks for reading

Winter Winds

Went to Kelly's natural health support group meeting on Thursday. Top notch information. Really excited me. I love green smoothies but don't make them a ton, especially now that it's winter and I'd rather have warm things.
Inspired, I put some spinach, almond milk, bananas, and blueberries that I already had in my fridge and freezer to use. It was a tasty Saturday lunch. I'm looking forward to getting more creative and packing in as much nutrients and whole, natural food goodness as I can in a blender.
Supernova granola would make a great green smoothie topper. With a little crunch and texture it'd be the perfect addition.
side note: Kelly split her night with Theresa who is an essential oils expert. I am spinning with excitement about essential oils. It's incredible stuff that I knew nothing about.

+++
All week long

i'm just saying...

i'm doing horrible at goal #5


but i'm not giving up. I'm just saying.

2011

Photo: Disneyland 2010, It's A Small World ride

2011's good health goals
1. drink a tall glass of water first thing in the morning
2. try a new recipe once a week
3. take my daily vitamin...daily
4. continue to purify my diet with unprocessed foods and natural ingredients
5. go to bed earlier

what are your resolutions for a better, healthier you?