Welcome to my blog
Choices for Gorgeous Hair
When one transitions to a plant-based diet, many notice their hair becoming healthier: shinier, stronger, possibly thicker, and sometimes, changing slightly in color. My hair has changed completely since I was a teenager, partly due to dietary practices, partially due to lifestyle habits, and partially due to my cessation of daily chlorine dips… (I was a swimmer and water polo player). In middle school, my hair was one of my biggest bodily insecurities. It was poofy, dry, had zero luster, never lay flat, and the color was an odd, flat light brown. Although thick, it seemed very lifeless. My best friend had long, lustrous, juicy blond hair and it was the bain of my middle school existence.
Graduations, Chocolate Salads and Slot Canyons
The heat has hit Patagoofy, Patagooch, aka Patagonia. It doesn’t get any hotter than it is now, but it’s hovering at about 101 and 102. Luckily, we’re so dry here that I barely notice. But then, I have become a (dry, moderate) heat lover and a sun worshiper, despite my east coast upbringing.
Weddings, Siblings, and Raw Food
Hello lovelies! My apologies for the delay in postings; I have been on a wonderful trip on the east coast for the last week. My dad got married in Pennsylvania, and then I ventured to New York City with my brothers.
I have very few pictures to share with you (sorry), but should have more coming to me that others took while I was there. Here was one of my favorites, though. My little brother decided to wear this shirt on the day of wedding rehearsals:
Eating: A Profound Spiritual Demonstration
My personal practice of meditation has been deepening quite substantially in the last six months or so and my experiences of non-causal joy, peace and love that I connect with during meditation are more profound. Subsequently, I have come to really enjoy meditation and really look forward to it.
Bodies: The Exhibition
Last night I went with my brother, Chris Whitcoe and Andrea McNinch to Bodies: The Exhibition in Tucson. You might recall my writing about my developed interest in anatomy in my Guardian of Organs post.
For Chris, Andrea and I, going to see the exhibition was both a learning experience and was valuable in grounding deeper our passion for helping people heal their bodies, feel and look fantastic, and extend their lifespans.
Sizzling Summer Days & Supplements
Hello friends!
I am still going with the liver flush preparation, but will do the actual flush a couple days later than I planned.
It is getting toasty here in Patagonia, getting into the upper 80’s and even to 90 degrees during the middle of the day. In ayurvedic medicine, my primary doshic makeup is pitta (for those who are new to doshas and ayurveda, I recommend reading Conscious Eating by Gabriel Cousens, M.D.)
Community Days in Patagonia
This last week has held some fun community happenings at the Tree of Life. This last Friday was Gabriel Cousens’ 67th birthday. Or, as Gabriel likes to say in his very eternal kind of perspective, no one has birthdays, but our bodies have birthdays. Nonetheless, we held a meditation on Friday in honor of Gabriel’s birthday, and enjoyed a peach cobbler at the Tree of Life Cafe. Gabriel was in Japan, but here in spirit 😉
Office Booty Intolerance
Something in my body has been shifting a great deal in the past 7 months or so. Primarily, my work with the Tree of Life involves my sitting down, and spending lots of time on a computer. Additionally, I have this blog to update, and my personal computer work with emails and such, which are all sitting activities. Prior to the Tree of Life, I have never had an office job. In high school, I coached a youth swim team, during which I was always standing up, walking around the deck, or I was in the water giving stroke and technique demonstrations. In college, I worked at a raw food restaurant and was also always standing and walking around.
Guardian of Organs
Today has held a synchronous unfolding of events in relation to my increasing awareness that I’m a caretaker, protector, and guardian of my body. In this case, I am referring far more to my internal body than I am to it externally and visually – it’s organs, bones, veins, arteries, muscles, etc.
Incredible Transformations
I want to share an amazing experience I just had about 15 minutes ago. We had a closing circle for our 21 day programs at the Tree of Life: Reversing Diabetes Naturally and Transformation programs. Normally I don’t talk too much about the Tree of Life’s stuff on my own personal blog and I keep it to the official Tree of Life blog, but I was so touched by what the participants shared that I wanted to write to you about it.
A Supportive Spring
Spring, which always seems short in Patagonia, is in full swing! Pink cherry blossoms are eye-catching against the backdrop of leafless trees, grass is shooting up, and the rolling hills and mountains, which always remind me of sand ripples in the ocean, are taking on a green tint.
The New Life Expo with VivaPura
This past week I attended the New Life Expo in New York City, where I gave a talk on raw foods, healing disease, and cleansing. I also helped my favorite superfood company, VivaPura, at their booth.
The most exciting thing for me to see was the large number of people who were open to trying samples of VivaPura’s famous Jarrah Bee Pollen and Spirulina Crunchies (FYI, if you have trouble with the taste of spirulina, the Crunchies are more palatable than powder). Most of the attendees were clearly new to healthy eating and superfoods, so it was great to see people take a leap not just to goji berries and hemp seeds, but all the way to bee pollen and Spirulina Crunchies!
My Journey of Emotional Eating – The Long Version
As I said I would, here is a summary of my journey with emotional eating. That way, when I begin to write about practices and insights which have helped me to heal, you’ll know where I’m coming from 🙂 I know it’s long…
Somehow, I never learned to eat when I was hungry or stop when I was full, even as a child. Also, as young as 1st grade, I noticed thinness in other girls and desired to be thinner myself. I’m not sure where either of these issues (eating + body image) originated, since I had a very positive childhood and was very loved by my family, and my brothers, both close to my age, have neither of these issues. However, I did adore Disney princesses and Barbies, so pop culture could definitely be an origin. Whatever the reason, I had been a compulsive eater since I was a child.
Juice Feast – Days 5 and 6
Spirulina. I sometimes put it in my juices, and so often have cravings for it so I just eat little spoonfuls of it straight! It’s alright, for now at least, since I’m choosing to be active and likely need it to really give it my all in P90x. I’ll have to feel how things progress, though, because spirulina does slow down the detoxification process. I just desire it so much! All the time! What is this all about??
Juice Feast – Days 3&4
Day 3 and 4 have gone very smoothly! Juice Feasting is so easy, I love it. So far the most difficult part for me is going without spirulina salads. I know, I’m just full of surprises, aren’t I!? I have been waking up about an hour earlier than I normally do, which always happens when I fast/feast. The body has less repair and near to no digestion to do overnight, so it doesn’t require as long to rest. It’s been a little chilly here, which also makes Juice Feasting a bit challenging, but lots and lots of layers as well as cayenne pepper is enough to remedy that situation.
Juice Feast – Days 1&2
The first 2 days have gone smoothly as far as juicing, I have not felt too much hunger or cravings. I am recovering due to being a bit sick after returning from NYC, my guess is due to staying up later than I normally do (~2am versus ~10pm) the difference in air quality (Patagonia has the 5th cleanest air of any town in the US, according to Forbes), and eating more sugar than I normally do (all raw food, but still – more sugar). So, I have been really not that hungry and haven’t gotten the full gallon in that is normal for Juice Feasting, and have been going to bed really early. Also due to recovery, I haven’t begun again with P90X or any other kind of activity. On Day 3? I hope!
NYC Lovin’
Last week I catapulted myself out of my mountain nook and into the big city. I hung with some of my favourite peeps ever, ate incredible food, and most importantly, laughed till I cried. Here is a photo montage of our adventures.
A Spring Juice Feast
I have been feeling called to do a spring cleanse.
If you are not familiar with Juice Feasting, please click this link to learn more. You may consider purchasing their membership, which has incredible amounts of information on Juice Feasting, cleansing, nutrition, lifestyle practices, and personal and spiritual development. If you’d like to read my 60-day Juice Feast I did in 2007.
ChocoDance Party!
I am recovering from a crazy fun night that the incredible Parashakti hosted. Parashakti is an incredible woman, one of the women whom I look up most to in the realm of spiritual perseverance and strength and is truly a clear expression of Divine Feminine energy. Women who are open-hearted, full of life, and graceful and yet also increidibly disciplined in their spiritual practices, fiercely committed to their heart’s truth, and warrioress-like in their courage in life, are women I truly respect.
Superfoods – Courtney’s Current Consumption!
A topic I adore and love to talk about and things I love to surround myself with: superfoods and supplements!! These make a substantial difference in my health and vibrancy, and although I don’t take a huge amount of them, they are a key part of my diet. Here’s a summary, along with one cool fact about each item: