Does the word “chakras” sound at all familiar to you? What if I said this post was about love, money, and confidence – and how you can experience more of all of the above? Yep, that’s right. Get to know your chakra system and you will. Our chakra energy system is where energy flows through our body, and when any one of our seven chakras are blocked – well, it’s not good. But learn more about your chakras and how to keep that energy flowing freely, and you’ll bring love, money, confidence, and much, much more into your life.

Love. “Get rid of the old to make room for the new” or “You must love yourself before you can love another” are just a few of the very true clichés we have all heard. Though these sayings are both very true, sometimes we need a bit of help in the way of making those statements truly come to fruition in our lives. This is where your heart chakra comes in (located at the heart). Your heart chakra represents your past, present and future loves – and if it’s not open, then you’re probably not going to be experiencing the abundance of love that is available to you. So, what to do? Well, an easy food fix for this chakra is eating green-colored foods. (Yay for green juice! Maybe this is why we all love Kris!) The other fix for this chakra is opening your heart—whether that means using yoga to open that chest of yours, or literally forcing yourself to say “I love you” to those you love; either will do just fine. My grandfather’s 1950s version of opening his heart chakra (whether he knew it or not) was silently blessing the first 100 people he saw every morning. You know what, it worked. That man was probably the most popular man in our town.

Money. Have you ever had a lower back issue? Perhaps it’s just reoccurring pain, or maybe it’s even a case of sciatica. If you were more familiar with your chakras you’d know that lower back pain (root chakra) can be traced to concerns over money. Yep, money worries = lower back pain. Famous financier George Soros used to say he’d always get out of an investment when his lower back would bother him. The good news for George and for us is that by doing some light yoga (like bridge pose) and eating red-colored foods, we can help open up our root chakra. I remember a time a few years ago, when I was on the road raising capital for a startup during one of the toughest financial environments ever, and guess what body part began to hurt? Yep, that’s right, my lower back. But the good news was that a friend in San Francisco had introduced me to the chakra system, and after some hard core lower back work, including a lot of restorative yoga, my lower back was back on track. And we ended up raising the capital we needed, too.

Confidence. Self-worth, self-confidence, self-esteem–call them what you want–we’ve all dealt with these at one time or another. When we’re not feeling as confident as we should be feeling, we can perpetually sink ourselves into feeling worse. There are loads of great books and self-esteem boosters like affirmations to help get us back on our confidence track. There’s also our solar plexus chakra (located above the navel) as well. By indulging in corn, some yoga that is ab-centric, and by even shaking that booty of ours (yes, dancing helps), we can open up our solar plexus chakra and get our confidence back where it should be. I particularly love this chakra because of its location within our abdominal muscles. The healing of our solar plexus chakra, more so than any other chakra, is directly related to working out and moving our bodies, particularly our abs. This really illustrates the important connection between our physical and spiritual health as an ever-expanding waistline can affect our health and our spiritual energy.

Jason Wachob is a curator and one of the founders of MindBodyGreen.com, Jason’s goal is to promote the idea that wellness is for everyone – and that it can be fun and fulfilling. After years of successfully trading equities on Wall Street, Jason decided to make a lifestyle change – focusing on wellness and building companies that promote it.

Photo Credit: hint of plum

Travel bunny,

This crazy sexy healthy lifestyle is all well and good at home, but how the heck do you take it on the road? Answer: forward thinking and planning ahead. I don’t know about you, but my job requires lots of travel. I have a choice, I can let my health fall apart or I can do my best to stay balanced in unfamiliar territory. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of bum f@ck nowhere it can be a mind bending challenge to keep clean and green. Check out the top tips that help me love my love-a-liscious self while on the go.

1. Amazing Grasses: If you can’t get a green juice, this tasty powder is your next best option.

2. Magic Bullet blender: This little blender is perfect to take on the road. Roll up to the local grocery store and grab a few smoothie items and whirl.

3. Vegetarian iPhone apps: There are so many cool ones to choose from. My favorites are VegWeb (for simple & delicious recipes) and Vegan Steven (helps me locate veg-friendly restaurants and grocery stores anywhere!).

4. My supplement case: I adore the Roam Wellness Travel Pak. It’s so perfect for travel.

5. Jump ropes and yoga mats: Call ahead to see if your hotel has a gym. If not, come prepared. Even 15 minutes will do and you will feel much better and brighter.

6. Substitutions: Politely asking the waiter to pull this side from that entrée and use this dressing from that salad… Charm will get you everywhere. Asking for the restaurant to meet your dietary needs does not make you annoying – it’s HOW you ask that counts. Rude folks get spit and lard in their soup. FYI, ethnic restaurants always have the best options. Also, don’t forget to ask for a vegetarian meal on the plane and if the food is crappy – just skip it all together. A little fasting never hurt anyone. Plus, did you know that eating while flying can make ya stuffy, aka constipated? Make sure to stay wicked hydrated and just say no to soda and pasteurized juice. H2O is the way to go.

7. Sleep: No matter how crazy my schedule gets I never compromise on sleep. Bring a leopard eye mask and hit the pillow for your nightly 8 hours.

8. Super Witch Bath: My friend Ellen, (the most amazing cranial sacral massage therapist and so much more) gave me this dynamite recipe. I use after coaching sessions and travel. Mix 2 cups of Epsom salt, ½ cup of raw apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup of baking soda and lavender in a warm tub and soak your cares away. Great for removing acid and anything you’re holding onto emotionally. Just ask for it to melt away…ahhh…

9. Chiropractic adjustments and a deep tissue massage: There’s nothing better to set me right after trains, planes and automobiles. In fact, I worship my gals at Woodstock Integrative.

10. Chlorella: This super duper little supplement is great for detoxing radiation après flying. I up my dose when hurdling through the air in a metal tube.

11. Sauna: I gave myself an infrared sauna for a birthday present a few years ago. It’s definitely the gift that keeps on giving (and reducing cellulite!).

Peace & the open road,
Kris

Photo Credits: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Adrenal fatigue is one of those illnesses most people haven’t heard about. It is usually caused by stress; if you overload your body with too much physical, emotional, and/or psychological stress, your adrenals have to deal with it. Even infections, injuries, and environmental stress take a toll on the adrenals. If the glands aren’t in an environment to recover and replenish, adrenal fatigue often occurs.

When you hear someone say that they’re burnt out, it’s probably adrenal fatigue on some level. In the medical world the only adrenal disorder most doctors will diagnose is Addison’s disease. Unless you have the severe symptoms of Addison’s disease, doctors are unlikely to address the adrenal issue, leaving you to walk out feeling helpless.

The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys near the spine. The right gland has a pyramid-like shape and the left gland has a half moon shape. They’re about one inch high and two inches wide and weigh only a few grams, yet they have so much impact on our physical, emotional, and psychological health.

The following signs and symptoms could be an indication of adrenal fatigue:

· Trouble sleeping at night but wanting to sleep during the day
· Craving excess salt and sugar
· Lack of sex drive and general lack of love for life
· Feeling overwhelmed and confused
· Depression and anxiety
· Irritability
· Blood sugar irregularity
· Lack of concentration
· Respiratory issues
· Low blood pressure
· Aches in sinuses, lower back, and temples
· Recurrent cold or flu
· Unexplained change in body shape

Many people suffer adrenal fatigue for years and see multiple physicians, only to be told they just have low blood sugar, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome, or that they should see a psychiatrist, or that they’re completely healthy! This is the problem! A medical doctor probably won’t diagnose adrenal fatigue because there is no drug prescription to treat it; yet some people will only trust their doctor to diagnose anything.

The most ironic part is that medical doctors are common sufferers of adrenal fatigue due to the high stress level of their job. Most people simply push through the symptoms with caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and other drugs. This worsens the condition and can lead to other serious illnesses. The adrenal glands are furthered drained, making you feel dependent on these external “pick me ups” just to get through each day.

A joyful and productive life is what we’re all after, isn’t it? One problem with adrenal fatigue is that if these glands are drained, the feeling of joy seems unattainable. The adrenals help our body cope with stress, but if they’re not working properly, life can seem quite overwhelming. Your vitality, wellbeing, resiliency, and lust for life depend on the health of your adrenals. And it’s not just people with high-stress careers that suffer from adrenal fatigue; it can affect anyone. Often, a person’s cortisol levels have shot through the roof before they even realize that they’re stressed!

In modern society it has become fairly normal to feel stressed and run down. There are endless quick-fix options to get us through each day, but most simply put our bodies through more turmoil.

If you feel like you could be suffering from adrenal fatigue, I recommend finding a naturopathic doctor whom you trust and discussing your signs and symptoms. What stops most people from fully recovering is the time needed to heal. There isn’t a quick fix or a drug. It takes a shift in awareness and a change in lifestyle, but this change will bring on a new level of living. You will feel fresh and energetic without the use of stimulants, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, or sugar.

Here are some tips to help keep your adrenals healthy:

· Nourish your mind, body, and soul every day with quality organic foods, thoughts, and breathing.
· Stop reaching for coffee and/or alcohol. They will put more pressure on your   adrenals and drain your body of its natural healing energies. If you’re serious about healing your adrenal glands you should cut out caffeine and alcohol completely until you are healed.
· Ditch the “no pain, no gain” approach to exercise. Do activities that will free up blockages rather than add stress to the body like yoga, surfing, swimming, and walking barefoot on sand and grass. Make exercise nourishing for the body, mind, and spirit.
· Limit or cut out refined sugar. If you need to sweeten food, try agave nectar, raw local honey, and stevia.
· Be mindful of what you eat. Chew slowly and visualize being healed by nature.
· Get protein in each meal from foods like broccoli, spirulina, sprouts, nuts, seeds, hemp protein, and yellow pea protein.
· Take a high quality vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E, and magnesium spread throughout the day.
· Drink Siberian ginseng tea in the morning and passionflower tea before bed. Meditate while drinking and feel the adrenal glands getting soothed.
· Prioritize getting at least eight hours of sleep a night.
· Put ayurvedic rock or sea salt on each of your meals.
· Don’t drink water with your meals, but lots in between meals. Have pure or filtered water with a little bit of rock or sea salt and lime or lemon.
· Create a harmonious living environment. Unhappy relationships, poor diet, stressful work, and overexertion are some of the main causes of adrenal fatigue.

Live with a balance between strength and surrender. Whenever you feel drained and tempted to reach for those “pick me ups,” close your eyes, take deep breaths, and say a little mantra. Something that resonates with me is a verse from the Tao Te Ching:

“I allow my life to unfold naturally. There’s a time for being ahead, there’s a time for being behind. There’s a time for being in motion, there’s a time for being at rest. There’s a time for being vigorous, there’s a time for being exhausted.”

Stuart Watkins is a holistic fitness and lifestyle coach based out of Australia. Stuart’s love for travel and new knowledge has taken him all around the world, while achieving certifications as a Holistic Fitness Practitioner, Holistic Life Coach, Yoga Teacher, Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist and Stress Management Specialist. He draws on his knowledge in these areas to ensure each of his clients journey to true health and happiness is in good hands.

Photo Credit: Anthony!!

“I’d rather be naked.” These were the words on the t-shirt I saw in Walgreens. It was a size that could only be worn by a young child. I smiled, thinking how self-love comes so naturally for young children. We are born loving ourselves soul, mind, and body, but as the years go on, we tend to forget that unconditional love and acceptance.

For many, many years I did not love myself, especially my body. It was difficult for me to even look in the mirror. I did not re-learn how to love myself from church, my family, or traditional school. In fact, I learned the true meaning of self-love through conquering a raging addiction. I was not addicted to drugs, or alcohol, or men; I was addicted to dieting. I spent six years of my life in the throes of a nasty addiction to trend diets and compulsive exercise.

How did this addiction begin? In October of my freshman year in college, after a series of negative dating experiences, questionable “friend” choices, and a coke-addicted roommate with a habit of punching holes in the wall, I fell into a depression unlike any other I had previously experienced. This lasted about two excruciating months, where I did not leave my dorm except to eat and go to class. I lost touch with my center, gained a bit of weight, and was completely unmotivated.

Then, I took up jogging. This helped alleviate my depression. It didn’t happen overnight, but running each morning gave me a reason to wake up, allowed me to set attainable goals, and connected me to a community of others who shared my passion.

However, the passion soon took on obsession-like qualities. My fixation with exercise began to include restriction and fascination with food. The diet addiction was in full swing: I began to stand on the scale once a day, sometimes more. If the number went up, my day was ruined.

Whatever the trendiest diet craze, I became their most valuable customer. I jumped from Atkins, eating all protein and meat, to an unhealthy vegan diet, eating no protein and meat. I tried South Beach and the Zone. I never ate dessert. I completely lost touch with my inner wisdom, guidance, and sense of balance.

I was buying into everyone else’s money-making “Health Plan” and completely separating from my soul, which was the intuitive part of me that knew what I needed to be healthy, at peace, and truly in love with my body and self. Furthermore, I spent a lot of time and effort “feeding” this diet/body/weight obsession. I had no energy or time left for cultivating my creativity, my spirituality, my zest for life, and my love for myself.

Just when it felt like there was no hope, I began to read and learn about Intuitive Eating, Exercising, and Living. This was a revolutionary concept for me. With the help of authors like Dr. Dorie McCubbrey and Geneen Roth, I tapped into my own inner guide and began to follow these “anti-diet” guidelines:

-My body knows exactly what it wants to eat, how much, and when.
-I can trust my body’s wisdom, hunger, and full point.
-My body knows what type of activity it wants to do and for how long.
-Following someone else’s plan only leads me further from the wisdom of my authentic self.

The most important aspect of this newfound strategy was to LOVE MYSELF FIRST and love my body NOW; not after I lost ten pounds or fit into a smaller size. I practiced daily affirmations: “I am loving and accepting myself fully right now.” I made gratitude lists of everything about my body that I appreciated. “My legs carry me through amazing jogs through the park.” I threw away my scale, refusing to sacrifice my power to a random number. I spent time naked in front of a full length mirror and noticing the beautiful curves of my body. At first, I had to “fake it till I make it,” as the saying goes, but soon I was truly loving myself and practicing self-care to show my body and soul how much I appreciated them.

I can now say that I am done with diet addiction. My body has taught me what foods help me feel energetically alive. I eat dessert, and I usually eat just enough to feel satisfied. I recognize my full point, and I try not to eat too far past it.

Furthermore, as my mind/body/soul connection grew through intuitive living, other areas of my life were positively impacted. I finally allowed myself to accept the love of my best friend, the man of my dreams. My confidence grew and I was able to move on from an exhausting job and into owning my own business, one that feeds my soul and gives back to the world.

Sometimes I have the urge to go back to that time in my life and hug that 22 year old, tell her that she is fine the way she is and that no amount of diet/weight obsession will create self-acceptance and love. Sometimes, I wonder what my life would have been like without that war I waged against myself… but I trust there was a deeper, Divine purpose.

Also, I do embrace that young woman from the past in my own way, each time I work with a client or witness a friend as she searches for self-acceptance, for her inner wisdom, and begins to love her body and self more completely. Together, we are part of a revolution of women who are choosing to love ourselves fully mind, soul, and BODY! I’m going to check if they have the “I’d rather be naked” shirts in larger sizes…

Cora Poage lives in New York City with her incredible husband Ben (her “other” soulmate) and her two crazy kitties. She is the owner of Super Woman Health, a company offering wellness coaching for learning to eat, exercise, and live intuitively.

Photo Credit: insearchofbalance

Many of us have done a detox to eliminate internal toxins from our body, but how many of us do anything about the toxins in our own homes? Common household and body care products are increasingly being found to have negative health effects on the nervous and immune systems, on our reproductive systems, and on our endocrine, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

The average home contains 500-1,000 chemicals, many of which we are unable to see, smell or taste. While these chemicals may be tolerated individually and in small doses, problems can arise when one is exposed to them in combination or in larger doses. Everyone’s tolerance level is different depending on genetics, nutritional status and previous contacts with many chemicals, but the negative effects of household toxins are often compounded by the use of other drugs especially the habitual use of alcohol or prescription or recreational drugs.

Indoor air is typically 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Home insulation, which is indeed wonderful for keeping our homes warm in winter and cool in summer, doesn’t allow fresh air in, so we’re constantly breathing in the same stale air. Wall-to-wall carpeting keeps us cozy, but can introduce a myriad of toxins to our well-insulated homes. It can also trap dirt, fleas, dust, dust mites and lead.

Many of the cleaning products we use to clean our furniture, bathrooms, windows, etc., are full of toxic chemicals, some of which do not even appear on the labels.  The same may be said for the many personal care products we put on our skin and the pet care products we use on our pets.

Most tick and flea products contain active ingredients and solvents that might cause cancer in animals. Also, substantial human exposure is possible by absorption through the skin while playing with and handling the pet.
The pesticides we use on our gardens eliminate not only plant pests but also most of the insects that are beneficial to help control these pests. Of the 30 most commonly used lawn chemicals, 19 have studies pointing toward cancer and 15 are known to cause nervous system poisoning.

This is not to say that we should not keep our houses comfortable and clean and our yards looking good. What’s important is to understand that how we do this can have an important impact on our health. Abundant toxins can and do lead to health problems.

Taking more care to reduce our exposure to both internal and external toxins by detoxing our bodies and our living space allows the body’s own detoxification to function more efficiently. This strengthens our resilience to the daily onslaught of factors impacting our health.

There are many things you can do to detox your home; some are more practical than others. Here are my 20 suggestions:

1. No shoes in the house (as most household dirt, pesticides and lead come in on your shoes). Go barefoot or wear slippers.

2. Place floor mats vertically by your entryways to wipe your shoes. This way more dirt and residue from your shoes stays outside on the mat.

3. Keep the air clean. Keep your windows and doors open as much as possible to ventilate. Use green plants as natural air detoxifiers. Remove odors with baking soda. Use fresh flowers or bowls of herbs like rosemary and sage to add a pleasant fragrance to rooms. Have your air ducts and vents cleaned with nontoxic cleaners. Get a portable air cleaner/purifier, especially for the bedrooms.

4. Switch from the standard household cleaning products to cleaner and greener ones. These don’t damage your health or the environment as much and work as well as the mass-marketed ones. You can also use basic ingredients you have around the house, for instance, vinegar in place of bleach, baking soda to scrub your tiles and hydrogen peroxide to remove stains. According to Annie Bond, the author of “Better Basics for the Home,” she can clean anything with water and these five basic ingredients: baking soda, washing soda, distilled white vinegar, vegetable based liquid Soap (e.g., Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap) and tea tree oil.

5. Replace your skin care and personal products with less toxic and chemical free options. Deodorant, toothpaste, cosmetics, hair products, nail polish and perfumes are often loaded with toxins. Learn how to identify them and avoid them.

6. Use plastics wisely; some contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which is linked to cancer and Phtalates, which are linked to endocrine and developmental problems. Avoid plastic food packaging when you can. Don’t wrap food in plastic. Don’t microwave food in plastic containers. Choose baby bottles made from glass or BPA-free plastic. Avoid vinyl teethers for your baby. Stay away from children’s toys marked with a “3″ or “PVC.” Avoid plastic shower curtains.

7. Avoid nonstick pans, pots, bakeware and utensils: Teflon contains perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which have been linked to cancer and developmental problems.

8. Keep house dust to a minimum (as more dust means more toxins). Mop all surfaces at least once a week. Use a vacuum cleaner (with a HEPA filter, preferably) for your carpets. HEPA-filter vacuums capture the widest range of particles and get rid of allergens.

9. Avoid excess moisture. It encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Check areas for moisture accumulation or leaks (particularly basements). Regularly clean surfaces where mold usually grows—around showers and tubs and beneath sinks.

10. Get a shower filter. Many of the contaminants in tap water become gases at room temperature. A shower filter can help keep these toxins from becoming airborne.

11. Get a water filter. More than 700 chemicals have been identified in drinking water. Filtering your tap water is better than drinking bottled water.

12. Avoid stain-guarded clothing, furniture and carpets (due to the presence of PFCs). Wrinkle free and permanent press fabrics used for clothing and bedding commonly contain formaldehyde. Use untreated fabrics where possible.

13. Be conscious of toxins in carpeting, especially in products made from synthetic materials. Use natural fiber wool and cotton rugs. If possible, replace your wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors, all natural linoleum or ceramic tiles. Use nontoxic glues, adhesives, stains and sealers for installation.

14. Seal (with a non-toxic sealer) or replace particleboard walls, floors or cabinets, which often contain formaldehyde that can emit irritating and unhealthy fumes for decades. Avoid plywood, fiberglass, fiberboard and paneling.

15. Avoid harmful pet care products and avoid toxic pest control, including traditional termite exterminators.

16. Replace toxic lawn and garden pesticides and herbicides with natural, less harmful ones.

17. Tell the dry cleaner not to use the plastic wrap or remove it as soon as possible. The plastic traps the dry cleaning chemicals on clothes and in your closet. Let your dry cleaning air out (preferably outside) before storing it. Use “wet cleaning” if you are lucky enough to have it in your area.

18. Use low VOC, low odor latex (water-based) paint. Open all windows to ventilate properly when painting indoors.

19.  Have your house checked for carbon monoxide leaks, most commonly found in leaking gas stoves, gas fireplaces, furnaces and chimneys and gas water heaters.

20. Check Radon levels in poorly ventilated basements that have cracked walls or floors. Radon is an odorless gas that forms as uranium in rocks and soil breaks down. Radon is linked to lung cancer.

We can reduce our risk of chronic illness by limiting our exposure to these toxins, but don’t let this become an obsession causing so much stress that it creates more of a negative impact on your health than the toxins themselves.

And finally, no amount of environmental toxins is as destructive as emotional toxicity. You can do all the above, but if your house is full of anger, resentment, jealousy, unhappiness and a lack of love, compassion and forgiveness, the house will remain toxic.

Photo Credit: ClatieK

I love farmers markets more than any other market or store. I love carrots more than karats! Knowing the people who grow my food is important to me. I love weekly visits with the farmers from our area. Seeing the farmers’ pride and joy for a job well done caring for the land and their crops enhances the flavor and nourishment of what I buy from them. I love tasting the delicious fruits of their labor that were just picked and grown under their care to support their families. I buy as much of the best produce as I can! I come home with the best and freshest fruits, vegetables, herbs and even organic local mushrooms. I am so excited about how I am going to prepare these gems.

My current use for all this produce is the work I’m doing for “The Candle 79 Cookbook.” This cookbook is going to be extraordinary thanks to talented chefs Angel Ramos and Jorge Pineda, and the entire Candle 79 Team led by Benay Vynerib and Francesca MacAaron with the support of Mark Doskow. It really does take a village to do what we do, especially to meet our lofty goal of changing the world. We need to support each other, so we can support good people doing good things, and the efforts of those good people can grow that much greater. By the people in my local community supporting growers and their sustainable practices, I’ve recently seen my local health food store decide to carry only organic produce. It’s so exciting to see the commitment of a community come to fruition. As Bart and I always say, and firmly believe, “When you commit, providence will provide.”

Do you know the story of how Bart and I have experienced this in our own lives? I tell this story all the time, so skip over it if you’ve heard it already. On Friday, Aug. 13, 1993, Bart and I won the New York State Lottery. We didn’t win millions, but we won what we needed: $53,000. That was the seed money that allowed us to open what is now Candle Café. It must have been meant to be that Candle Café was to be born and become a vehicle to feed millions wholesome, plant-based foods.

Home from the market and from the health food store with an incredible array of fresh and delicious food, I’m getting hungry. It’s time to whip up something good to eat. I love to create magic from the farmers market. First I prep the greens – gorgeous greens. I am so excited by dark leafy greens. I want to make them lemony and garlicky. Then I cut some onions and leeks to do a stir-fry with them as my base. What next? I think I’ll add the mushrooms and this beautiful red and green cabbage I have. I also will add toasted sesame seeds and raw hemp seeds before finishing it off with fresh herbs and a cayenne kick at the end. It’s so exciting to create a meal you love for yourself and loved ones. I can feel sad or be in a funk, and when I start to cook it makes me feel better. I think it is because I am actively creating a healing meal that nourishes my body, mind and spirit.

Over 26 years ago Candle Café was one of the first restaurants to use the expression “food fresh from farm to table.” That has been our day-to-day mantra ever since. No “virtual” farms, just incredibly hard-working men and women growing and picking the crops that have appeared on our daily menus ever since. I find it so inspiring that we can share this commitment with our now fourth-generation client base that have shown by their loyalty that they too love and respect our mission of serving fresh organic vegan food every day. Live, love, laugh and cook.

Photo Credit: M. Gibion

1. Betabrand Cornucopia Bag: Check out this redonkulously cool Farmers Market Backpack! The geniuses at Betabrand sent me one of these bio-fabulous bags and I must say – it’s damn useful. Back in my NYC food shopping days I would have killed a carrot for one of nifty veggie toters. This bag is better than Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. And speaking of chambers, inner pockets galore keep your treasured foodie delights separate and secure. There’s even a wee pocket for cash-o-la. Two thumbs up Betabrand.

PS. That gorgeous woman in the picture is my little sis!

2. Viva Las Vegans: Many moons ago, I visited Las Vegas while burning a trail through the South on a gambling and fast-food fueled roadtrip. It was messy. My luck ran out and so did my green (and I don’t mean juice). I swore off the place, until now! Turns out at least one casino is wising up and offering vegan options. Next time you’re in Sin City check it out. Maybe that slutty lady luck will be on your veggie fueled side.

3. The Tea House: If Vegas isn’t your scene, then trot on over to my happy place, New Mexico. I nearly moved to Santa Fe in 2004 and I visit there every year. In fact, I think I got married on a mountain in Taos once. But that’s another story for another time. Oh, and let’s keep that between us, shall we? Back to SF. If you love tea as much as I do, check out The Tea House of Canyon road. The food, wine, beer, colorful locals and south west flare are soul soothingly sexy.

4. Peaceful Posters: It’s never too early to plan a trip to Woodstock, NY for the Woodstock Film Festival! This is hands down one of my most favorite times of year. The town is a non-stop super disco of cinema, stars and soirees. Did I mention that the fall foliage will blow your mind? The 2010 Film Fest poster’s peace-powered design makes me swoon. Join me and pick one up, ’cause nonprofit arts organizations need our support. It’s good karma!

5. The Daily Love: What could be more perfect for my love list than a website that sends you daily love notes? Kipp Mastin created The Daily Love website after embarking on a personal journey to discover how to manifest his best potential. As he researched others who have shared a similar goal throughout history, he discovered a plethora of inspiring quotes. If you want a daily love boost each morning, be sure to sign up!

6. Grace Potter and The Nocturnals: Ok, I’ve always wanted to say what I’m about to say… Ladies, grab your crotch! Grace’s music makes me feel like a total ass kicking rockstar super wench with fiery hair and an intoxicating growl. Lately I’ve been adding a dose of lip sinking and air guitar (air drumming tambien) to my daily regime. Hello liberation, it’s me Kris, Rrrrr! Their latest album rocks but I must say, I am partial to “This is Somewhere”. Jam on sister sledge!

7. Vertigo: When you’re done spinning with saucy sexuality thanks to Grace and the gang, check out the Vertigo thread on my Facebook fan page. I get vertigo from time to time and when I put it out to my peeps damn did the comments and advice pour in. You people are wicked smart! So many of the recommendations helped me. Sooo if you’re an occasional dizzy blond like moi click here and read baby read.

Love you!

Peace and hearts,
Kris

Photo Credit (Vegas Sign): WriterGal39
Photo Credit (Tea Cup): modomatic
Photo Credit (Heart): dev null

To enter the Ulimana Coconut & Harvest Nectar Truffle contest: Visit Kris Carr’s Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment under the Ulimana contest post for the chance to win some delicious raw cacao truffles. We’ll announce the winner on Monday, August 30th.  Read on to learn all about raw cacao from Ty Stevens…

My first experience with raw cacao arrived in the form of a truffle. Wow, who knew?

Growing up, chocolate to me was a candy bar, a fudgsicle or even an almost drinkable syrup drizzled over a mound of ice cream. Little did I realize I was actually filling my body (my temple) with preservatives, processed sugar and artery-clogging saturated fats–with maybe a trace of cacao (or cocoa as it is often referred to). As a kid, I thought that was normal. As an adult, I realized that was a death trap …literally!

Chocolate always seemed to carry a certain “I shouldn’t” quality about it: so bad yet so good, an indulgence, even sinister. Hence the intrigue chocolate still seems to carry with it today. Eventually I got older, and I started to actually think for myself. I then became more educated as to what role food plays in my overall wellness and where my food actually comes from. I recognized the importance of eating closer to the source and digesting food in its purest form without all the fillers often masking its true identity.

Enter raw cacao. Cacao is actually a fruit, specifically the bean of a fruit. With a history dating as far back as the earliest Mayan civilizations, cacao was used as a form of commerce and even a status symbol. Cacao was enjoyed and honored for its mind and mood elevating properties in ceremonies and celebrations of that time. Still today, cacao is harvested in many regions throughout Central and South America.

This highly coveted superfood harbors hidden qualities that have only recently become evident. This sexy, yet sophisticated superfood (very much in opposition to the conventional and overly marketed chocolates I grew up on) offers an abundance of health benefits naturally. While so many are faced with dis-ease from lifestyle, genetics, food and environment, raw cacao offers live food desserts you can really feel good about.

The raw diet has become a popular method of eating food close to its most original state by not cooking the food past a certain temperature, which maintains its integrity and abundance of natural health benefits. The raw diet requires much discipline as to where we get food, how we prepare it and of course how it tastes.

In the case of raw cacao (chocolate), it maintains its potency and its many health benefits preventing dis-ease and even further supporting the fight against it. Many studies exist to solidify the many positive effects raw cacao has on our overall health. These studies provide evidence that places cacao high on the list of premier superfoods. The following are a handful of the findings, nutrients and compounds present in raw cacao:

Flavanols – Prevent fatty acids and blood platelets from sticking in the bloodstream. Improve circulation, reduce blood pressure and prevent blood clotting and ultimately strokes.

Tryptophan and Dopamine – Promote positive mood and serotonin levels.

Phenethylamine (PEA) – Increases mental alertness and concentration. Postpone dementia.

Antioxidant levels – More than red wine, green tea or acai.

Increased insulin sensitivity – Results in diabetes prevention.

Magnesium – Better mood and healthy heart.

Blood and circulation – Antiaging and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Mono-unsaturated fats – Helps increase HDL levels (healthy cholesterol).

While making the adjustment to eating raw, organic or more holistic foods can be transformative, it does not have to mean sacrificing taste or convenience. Raw cacao is an excellent example of how it is possible to combat dis-ease and still enjoy the decadent tastes and textures of even the most supposedly sinister foods.

Many companies have made a name for themselves blending health-enhancing superfood treats that satisfy a desire for something indulgent. Case in point, Ulimana’s mouth-watering raw cacao truffles use natural sweeteners such as raw honey, agave, and/or date sugars combined with complimentary super ingredients such as sea salt, goji berries, chia seed, hemp, coconut and more. These raw chocolate desserts provide a most ideal introduction into the world of raw food and serve as a catalyst to indulge just a little while preserving quality and longevity of life.

Now we can fulfill our sweet cravings while protecting the sacredness of our body (our temple) and truly enjoy life without sacrificing our health and our body’s ability to embrace it!

Ty Stevens enjoys traveling and spending time with his greatest life teacher–his 8 year old son, Caleb. He has represented many companies and publications as a freelance journalist, and public relations guru in the outdoor and natural products industries.

My dog is the love of my life. She is smart, affectionate, cuddly and her adoration is completely unconditional (unless you count two full human meals a day a condition). Edie came into my life just after I was diagnosed with cancer back in 2008. My diagnosis called for me to give up work and move back in with my parents. After moving away from my friends and breaking up with my long-term boyfriend, Edie became my constant companion. I shared all my fears and worries with her, cried to her and she was always there when I needed a cuddle (unless a pig’s ear was in the picture). She would even snuggle up next to me in bed until her snoring became too much to handle. The idea of not having Edie around is simply unthinkable.

The effect pets have on our health is a controversial subject. On one side of the argument we have evidence that owning a pet can lower blood pressure, encourage exercise and improve psychological health. Pets can be very healing, providing benefits like stress reduction, affection, comfort, security, unconditional love, playfulness and loyal companionship. Dr. Froma Walsh, a clinical psychologist and leading authority on family resilience, said that a bond with a pet can strengthen human resilience through times of crisis, persistent adversity and disruptive transitions, such as relocation, divorce, widowhood and adoption. “The powerful meaning and significance of companion animals is underestimated,” she has said.

Then there’s the other side of the argument. For animal lovers, this side is much harder to hear, but it’s also something to consider. Several leading health experts like Dr. Hulda Clark and Charlotte Gerson are concerned that being in close contact with an animal could have detrimental affects on our health. The reasoning is that pets carry parasites. These parasites can be passed to us and make us ill. These experts advise anyone who is ill to either keep their pets outside, or let them board with a friend until they’re better.

After learning this, neither of the suggested solutions were good enough for me. Edie is a pug, therefore she needs to be inside. There is also no way I could give her away until I’m finished curing myself. Besides the fact that no one else would put up with her constant hair shedding and unbelievable appetite, I would be totally lost without her squished up, grunting face around. So what is a pet-owner to do in this kind of pickle? Do the pros outweigh the cons? The jury is still out on that one. While anecdotal evidence points to the positive, statistical confirmation is lacking.

While only a small amount of studies have been conducted to back up the notion that pets are great for our health, this isn’t stopping several health organizations from employing animal companions to enhance the overall improvement of their patients. For example, the Autism Service Dogs of America organization is bringing together pet pooches with children diagnosed with autism. “Many children with autism can’t relate to a human,” says its director, Pris Taylor, “but they can relate to a dog.”

The Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Southern California is also getting in on the act. An article on the New York Times website explains how dozens of volunteers regularly take their dogs to visit patients. Children being treated for serious illnesses often have the blues, anxiety or depression. “The dogs brighten them up,” said Emily Grankowski, who oversees the pet therapy program at the hospital. “Some patients who have refused to speak will talk to the dogs,” she said, “and others who have refused to move often reach for the dogs so they can pet them. So the animals become part of the therapeutic program, especially in the areas involving speech and movement.”

Karin Winegar, whose book “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform,” chronicles human-animal interactions, explains why it is so difficult to generate statistical data on the health benefits of pets.

“The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can,” she said. “We’ve seen this from coast to coast, whether it’s disabled children at a riding center in California or a nursing home in Minnesota, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize their beloved dog.”

If you’re still not sure, why not give your beloved pet a parasite cleanse? Dr. Hulda Clark devised a pet parasite program to help rid your furry friend of all the nasty parasites that could be compromising the health of both of you.

Jess Ainscough is an Australian-based freelance writer and the creator of the natural healing blog, the Wellness Warrior. Before being diagnosed with cancer in 2008, Jess was a social reporter and online editor for a teen magazine. After leaving her job to focus on her health, she now spends her time drinking carrot juice, meditating, practicing yoga and learning everything she can about healing.

“Self-care is never a selfish act. Any time we can listen to our true self and give it the care it requires, we do so not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch.” – Parker Palmer

We all “know” how important “ME time” is. And we recall the wonderful feelings that having some ME time creates – peacefulness, gratefulness, calmness, etc. We all know that flight crews going through the emergency procedures before takeoff always tell us that if the oxygen masks are released, to put on your own mask first before helping small children with whom you may be traveling. Why? If you don’t, you won’t be much help to anyone else. You have to take care of your immediate needs so you can be the one helping people and not the one needing help! As a woman with one husband, two kids, one dog, and three businesses, I often fall prey to not taking time for me until I’ve reached what my husband refers to as the “BDP – Break Down Point.” But when I am careful and thoughtful about scheduling in time for myself on a daily basis, I know I am a better wife, mom, and friend, and a more creative worker.

So, why oh why is it so darn hard to take that time for ourselves? We all need to find ME time or “Self-Care” time every day. The first step is to schedule it. I know you’ve heard this before. But seriously, write it down. Yoga class Monday 12:00-1:00 pm. Run Tuesday 5:30 am. Massage Wednesday 5:00 pm. Drinks with friends Thursday 7:00 pm. Date night with hubby Friday 8:00 pm. Trip to the farmers market Saturday am. Write it down and treat yourself like an appointment.

So what kinds of things could you do daily for ME time? The most important thing is to do something that you enjoy, but also that will allow you to clear your mind and relax. Take a long bubble bath with candles. Go on a hike, read a book with a cup of tea, take a yoga class, or meditate. Do whatever helps you recharge. It is also important to do “bigger things” for yourself on a weekly or monthly basis, such as getting a massage or pedicure or going out to lunch with a friend who is positive and will help you recharge. And don’t forget those big yearly events such as a spa weekend with girlfriends, or weekend away with your partner. It is important to have these special things to look forward to that you do just for yourself.

If you have 5 minutes – put your feet up, close your eyes, and breathe.
If you have 30 minutes – write in your journal, go for a power walk, or take a bath.
If you have an hour – put in a workout DVD or take a yoga class.
If you have an afternoon – go on a two-hour hike or catch a matinee.
If you have a weekend – got on a solo road trip or take a trip to a nearby spa.

Anything that is really important to you should be on your daily schedule and not just on your someday to-do list. Put ME time and self-care on your schedule daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.

What are some of the ways you schedule in ME time? Join us in the myCSL forum to share ideas.

Jenny Newcomer is a ten-year stage 3C ovarian cancer survivor and is the founder of LobotoME.com, a line of eco-friendly organizational products that helps busy people be healthy and fit, get organized, and stay sane. LobotoME’s weekly planners feature a special section daily for “ME time.” For more information visit her blog.