Balanced

Inflammation. Many medical experts regard it as the underlying cause of all disease. Now I’m not a doctor, so I won’t agree or disagree. I do know, however, that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet may help a variety of disorder including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, many cancers and Alzheimers. And generally speaking, it’s a healthy diet, so unless you have some special dietary restrictions, it can’t hurt. Most of the foods are anti-oxidant as well. If you’re interested in adopting a anti-inflammatory diet, it’s really quite simple: eat what is widely regarded as healthy, including lots of produce, whole grains and plant-based proteins. Here’s the skinny: Fruits and vegetables : This is where half your plate should come from. Go for that nutritional rainbow – red (tomatoes, red peppers, strawberries, etc.), orange (pumpkin, mango), green (avocado, leafy greens), blue (blueberries, cabbage) and white (cauliflower, mushrooms).  Be sure to inc

I was first gifted with the film, I Am, from my friend Molly, who knew I would love it. And love it, I do. In fact it's the kind of film I watch over and over. After Tom Shadyac’s successful career as a Hollywood producer abruptly came to an end following a serious bicycle accident, he set out to find what really makes us happy. In the process, he interviews the great thinkers of our time including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Canadian scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki, and American philosopher and activist Noam Chomsky. The result of these interviews is I Am. In this documentary, Shadyac left  his Hollywood lifestyle behind and let his innate curiosity take over in pursuit of happiness. And what he found surprised him, including that money really doesn’t buy happiness. For me, this film is a story of connectedness and community. Read more about the film and Tom Shadyac’s work here , and then watch the film on Amazon or Netflix.

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” These words from John Muir still ring true today and with our hectic schedules and desk jobs, it has become more difficult to “walk with nature.”  But as the above infographic shows, there are many reasons to make spending time outside part of your everyday routine. And if you need some help getting started, here are my TEN WAYS TO SPEND MORE TIME OUTSIDE MEDITATE! If you feel safe, set up your meditation space outside during warmer weather.  BOOM!  Double the impact! Schedule daily outdoor time Schedule time to be outdoors everyday, no matter the weather.  That’s what umbrellas are for. Be enthusiastic about nature Even in the middle of a busy city you can celebrate nature through the sun and moon, the flowers and trees, the birds singing and the changing of the seasons.  Develop your sense of awe. Make an outdoor happy place If you have access to any private outdoor space, make it inviting and spe

It’s soup season! And this is one of my favorite go-to soups. So, imagine my delight in opening my Ooooby veggie box this week and seeing that it included broccoli, carrots AND potatoes! You won’t believe or even care that it’s vegan, it’s just that good and cheezy! Ingredients 1 tblsp olive or coconut oil 1 small onion, chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped ½ red or orange bell pepper, chopped (or you can used roasted red bell pepper) 1 medium Yukon gold potato, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 5 cups (about 1 pound) broccoli – chop crowns separate from stems 4 cups vegetable broth ½ cup raw cashews ¼ cup nutritional yeast 2 tsp apple cider vinegar Salt & pepper to taste Directions Preheat oven to 400. Toss 1 cup of the broccoli crowns with olive oil and place on parchment lined baking sheet. When oven is preheated, roast this reserved broccoli for 15 to 20 minutes until tender and slightly browned. Heat oil in large pot and add onion. Saute until softened. Add