​Hello, everyone.  Lately I have been listening to more podcasts, and there is one in particular I’d like to suggest you check out.  It is an excellent resource for tips on how to get your life more in balance, before the imbalances take over.  The podcast is called Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris, and its free and is offered in most places where you get your podcasts.
 
            Dan Harris was an accomplished journalist who’s life had become the epitome of imbalance.  He was working endless hours, and the total focus on his career led to a developing crisis of burn out and drug abuse. This was not just something that was effecting him, but it was damaging his relationships as well.  The culmination of this problem manifested itself when, during a live broadcast on national television, he experienced a full on panic attack.  This complete meltdown then led Dan to reevaluate his life, and to consider how mindfulness could help him rebuild himself and his relationships.  It was at this point that he decided to develop a podcast to help others avoid the massive meltdown that he experienced.  He enlisted the help of experts in the field of health and mindfulness to create a resource for others so that they might incorporate some of these practices into their own lives.
Some of the areas that are explored are mindfulness, relationships, health and fitness, food issues, Buddhism, social connections and meditation just to name a few. 
 
            In addition to the podcast, Dan developed and app called Ten Percent.  It offers enlightening interviews with experts in an array of topics.  These are relatively short blocks of content followed by a guided daily meditation to help break some of the unhealthy patterns that may have built up in your life.  The first thirty days of the app are free, and then you have the option to purchase a membership for $100. This is an investment that is well worth the expense.
 
            So, you may not have experienced the epic meltdown that Dan had, but most people feel there are tweaks that need to be made in our lives to help us to live in a more loving and intentional way.  Check it out...you will be amazed at all the ways it could help you elevate your life and experiences in our challenging world.

​            The last few weeks of winter are upon us.  But before we give up on healthy winter foods, I’d like to suggest a great acorn squash recipe.  This recipe will be best with an organic acorn squash.  Why organic, you might ask? For starters, when veggies are treated with chemicals and fertilizers, they may indeed grow faster and appear larger, but this comes at a price.  For a slow growing veggie like squash, the chemicals will speed up growth resulting in a larger product.  But squash needs time to develop its natural sweetness.  The organic growing tends to be slower allowing the sweetness to be more enhanced and the flesh of the squash will also be more tender.  Additionally, many conventional crops enlist the help of mechanical tillers, which compromise the delicate eco system that lies beneath the surface.  I know organic produce does come at at price compared to its conventional counterpart, but if you are going to splurge at the grocery store, the produce aisle is the best place to do it.  Remember that when selecting organic produce, look for the PLU number that starts with a 9.  The conventional counterpart will have a PLU that starts with a 4.

Though the warmth of sunshine can certainly feel good on our skin, this lawless ball of fire can do some serious damage to our dermis (yes, even in the winter). Even when we're diligent about applying sunscreen or sticking to shady spots, incremental sun exposure can add up over time and expedite signs of aging. 
"The sun's UV rays can cause uneven pigmentation, brown spots, broken blood vessels, and white spots," explains Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. "It can also break down the collagen and elastic tissue leading to wrinkles and sagging of the skin."
While a full reversal of sun damage isn't always feasible, there are a handful of treatments and products that can partially turn back the clock and curb future damage.
 

​            Hello everyone!  I have had mindfulness at the forefront my mind lately, specifically in relation to food.  I noticed after the holidays, I was being less mindful about what I was eating.  I was making pretty good food choices, but not listening to the internal cues as to when enough is enough, regardless of how much might be left on my plate. It brought me back to when I was in yoga teacher training, when we were asked to take part in what were called yogi meals.
 
            Yogi meals are a way to practice mindfulness while you are enjoying a meal.  It’s an opportunity to really pay attention to how the food looks, tastes, smells and how it makes you feel.  It’s also a way to practice portion control while being able to fully enjoy each bite.  Lastly, it is a way to remind you that you need to slow down and enjoy the moment, and feel gratitude for what you have before you.