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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!
Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth
I recently finished an amazing book called Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. Geneen is the author of 8 books on emotional eating, including the bestseller When Food is Love. Geneen’s work has been profound for my own healing throughout the years, starting from when I first picked up a book of hers at age 14 or 15 after I was becoming more aware that I myself had an issue with eating and had for my whole life thus far.
Recipe: Herbed Walnut Pate
Our cafe chef Elliot prepared a wonderful simple but delicious nut pate this week. You can eat your pate with raw crackers or cut vegetables! Our cilantro is garden-grown here at the Tree of Life, and if you can grow your own or get it locally, it will taste so much more fresh!
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.
Snow and Sweat
We received a nice showering of snow, the third we have received this year. We continue to get rained on over and over again and all the ‘old timers’, the cowboy boots and hat wearing people who have been in Patagonia for 50+ years are saying this amount of precipitation is stunningly abnormal. Ahhh, environmental changes. I am looking forward to the return of weather to frequently sunbathe 🙂
Reversing Diabetes Naturally
Hello dear readers! I hope your February is going as wonderfully as mine is.
This month has been busy preparing for our Reversing Diabetes and Transformation programs, which are going on now. I always adore getting to know the people I’ve talked with over the phone for as long as a year before they come, and supporting and observing them go through their transformation is an experience I really cherish. Saturday we had a big meeting with everyone, and Sunday night was an inipi sweat lodge led by Gabriel Cousens, M.D.
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:
A Liver Flush
I am on the 4th day of a liver flush I am doing with my two office gals. This is my 2nd liver flush ever, the first I did in the summer of 2008. I got many small liver stones out, as well as one large stone about an inch long.
A Delivery from a Chocolate Angel
My good friend Heather from www.RawGoddessHeathy.blogspot.com just sent me these. Am I one blessed woman or am I one blessed woman? Please check out Heather’s blog… prepare to salivate.
Tree of Life Garden Pictures 4
“There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.”