Category Archives: Health

Make Your Own Miso Soup & be so Happy!

Are you a soup fan? If so, this is especially for you. I’m sharing one of my favorites, and how you can make your own Japanese-style miso soup and be so happy and healthy.

Nerd alert! I lived in Japan for six months and miso soup became a comfort food. I learned is for many of my Japanese friends it served as the “breakfast of champions,” full of dense nutrients and heart warming love. While I thought I was in Japan for mining data around entrepreneurship, the true win came as I began collecting data on healing foods. Artfully blended foods that helped heal my gut, support my hormones and elevate my energy levels while decreasing body fat. I’m sharing this deliciously good gift– a recipe that can rock your world. I’ll explain a few of the reasons why after I share the recipe.

Japanese Miso Soup

Nameko mushrooms miso soup, japanese food, on a white background

Step 1: Combine the following in a blender.

Ingredients:

64 ounces of water/ 1/2 gallon of water (8 cups)

5-6 Tablespoons of brown or yellow miso (you can buy the paste in the refrigerated area of Whole Foods or Asian markets)

3-4 garlic cloves

1 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil

1 1/2 teaspoon of Five Spice Powder

2-3 dashes of Sea Salt

Step 2: Blend until smooth. Pour in pan. Warm on low heat and add the following ingredients.

1 1/4 cup diced bok choy

1 1/4 cup celery

7-8 chopped scallion onion stalks

2 thumb sized nubs of finely chopped or sliced ginger

1 cup sliced mushrooms (any variety; may I suggest shitiake?)

1/2 cup of sea veggies (any variety)

Step 3: Optional garnish of fresh chopped cilantro or parsley. Both if you’re feeling it.

Why Miso makes me so happy

For centuries Japan and China relied on miso, a fermented Superfood containing live friendly microflora promoting numerous health benefits to the body’s immune system and growth of healthy gut bacteria. When choosing, keep in mind the unpasteruized, non-GMO miso.

Garlic, it isn’t just for warding off vampires

I love using garlic in soups because brings flavor and medicinal support. And by medicinal, I mean the ancient kind of medicine.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. ~Hippocrates

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Garlic gets a good wrap for helping lower inflammation and reduce toxic loads while boosting the immune system. It’s known to help in the treatment of cancer, heart health, and the common cold. It’s worth enjoying– and like miso, garlic boasts synergistic superpowers in preventative medicine.

Magical Mushrooms

So why eat fungus, really? For their many benefits. Mushrooms are a hit because they’re low in cholesterol, and calories and yet they deliver. Why you ask? Because they provide beneficial fibers that helps us to feel satiated. Mushrooms are also magical little darlings, (lest they be giant portabellos) by helping support the immune system and preventing chronic disease by delivering nice amounts of antioxidants.

For this recipe, consider shiitake or maitake. I actually buy my organic dried shiitake online through Fungus Among Us. I like their sense of humor and quality. The one pound bag last a good while, and you’ll receive great benefits without the pesticide and herbicide extras.

The Little Mermaid’s Secret

Sea Vegetables, not a singing lobster has been the Little Mermaid’s secret to health and happiness.

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Sea Veggies are mineral-rich, nutrient dense, versatile and delicious. Sea vegetables are known for helping detoxify the body from heavy metals, environmental pollutants and cancer causing products. It helps balance out thyroid function, and overcome mineral deficiencies, and this is just naming a few.

You can find sea vegetables in health food stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts, and also in Asian produce markets. If you’re a sushi fan, you’ve probably heard of nori- the seaweed wrap. But why not explore even more? If you are wanting to use a sea veggie that’s been found to have fat burning properties, try wakame.  Want to go with tried and true? Use kombu. It’s a popular miso soup ingredient.

Chime In!

I want to know, have you tried miso soup before? Or, are you a miso soup fan? If so what’s your favorite combination?

Hi ho! Hi ho! We’re off to hit our goals!

Dreams are birthed when goals are set.

When it comes to goals, I propose we make conscious decisions that guide us so we feel fully alive. Let’s set them around our priorities, using clear communication and tenacity. All the while pursuing happiness.

We desire more than mere profits in our pocketbook. We truly desire to profit in our soul, not that we’re closed to outrageous financial blessings. We’d rather cast away what bankrupts our bodies and dashes our dreams by courageously stepping beyond the ordinary and embracing the extraordinary– it’s who we are.

Addressing Overwhelm

Most of the minutes in our day are taken. My question is, are those minutes planned out according to our priorities or are existing programs running the plans?

Is it time to draw a line in the sand? To march to our own drum? Reset the music to what causes our heart to dance?

Every December many resolutions or goals are set with high hopes for the new year. At times, we even avoid setting goals altogether.

What will be different this time? If you’ve set year-end goals, resolutions or intentions, will you and I really complete it? If you haven’t planned something for yourself, why not?

While I’ve been able to accomplish several big, audacious goals in my life, please allow me to speak into yours. I’ve failed learned boatloads while attempting great feats. Some years I’ve dazzled myself. Other years I was dumbfounded as to what I may dare next. As such, I avoided setting any goal. By the way, I don’t recommend that.

Here’s how you can address possible overwhelm. Don’t try to accomplish 50 amazing things in a small amount of time. Instead, pick one or two audacious goals. Do this to build character. Avoid running yourself ragged or trying to prove anything to anyone. Do this for you because it lights you up. Because you believe things can and should be better. Pursue goals because it develops you as an even more incredible person.

We live in a performance based culture. I suggest we avoid the churn and burn performances and go for a planned out passionate pursuit to reach a goal. In the end, it’s about becoming and being who you really are and being glad you did it. It’s about buffing out the dull lackluster of life and shimmying out the shine. It’s you– leading your own revolution. No regrets.

Opening opportunities for clarity of communication and the old turtle trick

Absolutely no

In a daunting world of jump faster. Jump higher! Do more! Be more! I’m shouting from the mountaintops, “Say no to everything that’s not leading you toward more peace, purpose, or truly profiting your soul.

We make meaningful progress when we give our self permission to say no.

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No isn’t always easy. Learning to say no and how to say no has been a real challenge for me primarily because I absolutely love people and enjoy making them happy.

Quickly reach an absolute no by being clear and acting on your priorities. If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t stuff your foot in; simply say no. If the request resonates with the life you choose to create, then it’s a blow the trumpet, sound the alarms, YES!

So how do you say no politely? Especially when saying no to a good cause when it doesn’t align with your overall principle/desires?

Here’s some tips in how to say and mean no graciously.

No thank you.

I’m unable to commit to that. I appreciate your vote of confidence.

I’m so flattered you’ve asked. However, my answer needs to be no.

I believe I can give you what you’re asking for in about in a 15 minute call. Want to set a time and date? If not, I’ll need to decline.

I’ve chosen to no longer continue placing my energy on “this” as I’m now focusing more time on “that”.

No, I can’t. I made plans to stay home and file my toenails and floss the cat. (Seriously, try this one for laughs.)

Hi-ho!-Hi-ho!-We're-off-to-hit-a-goal!

Sound the alarms YES!

I dare you to make every yes you speak align with who you are and what you feel you have been put on this earth to do.

I dare you to take quick inventory, gut check or visual tour of your written priorities. And when you say yes, it ushers you to more opportunity and deep contentment.

Say yes to what fills you up– develops you into being a better human, thrills you, challenges you and makes you increase your faith!

Graciously poo poo life’s mediocre callings with a confident no. Do yourself a favor and proudly stand up for the extraordinary with a resounding, yes.

Stay on Target with your Goal Setting

The simplicity of saying yes or no may seem insulting and yet it holds tremendous power to define the future. Our ability to make a decision and act on it out is paramount for staying on target with our goal setting. Friend, it’s less about an arduous journey and more about enjoying the smaller steps that empower us to complete the goal. When distractions happen or mistakes are made, let’s allow our priorities to guide us back to the target.

When set backs happen simply waltz back into the pursuit of happiness.

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Don’t waste anytime lamenting. Return to why you chose to do what you’re doing in the first place and regain your momentum.

Tenacity wins

It’s not always talent that creates winners. It’s tenacity. Think Aesop’s fable about the tortoise and the hare. Steadfast with heart and slow from the start or cocky, quick and easily distracted– which would we rather be?

I believe our deepest desire is to create results that we can look back on in the years to come and say, “I’m so glad I did it! I persevered. I stayed the course! I learned so much about life. My character was developed. I’m satisfied and this win feels so great.”

Chime in!

What will you say no to this year? What are you saying yes to? Did you fulfill a big goal last year? Go ahead, toot your horn! Or how about sharing what you great feat you plan to accomplish this year? Share your inside scoop with us in the comments below.

5 Reasons Why Diets Will Fail You

If you truly want to live your life, I suggest you run from dieting. There are may reasons diets fail us. In general, diets can be frustrating because more often then not they aren’t successful and lead us to feeling delusional. I want to share 5 reasons why diets will fail you– just in case you’re thinking about a pursuing a New Year’s resolution or goal that involves dieting.

I want you to be fully aware of of empty promises that guarantee quick weight-loss. The kind that tell you no exercise or long-term habit changes are necessary. Beware. You may want to believe that it’s that easy, but our bodies need more than just a magic pill or power potion. It requires a combination of food, adequate rest, exercise and water. You know this already.

Sure everyone wants to be abundantly wealthy. And yet we know our odds of being struck by lighting are greater than winning the lottery. The point is this, when we desire a higher quality of life, there are certain mindsets and practices we choose in order to reach it.

I’m not gonna lie, I’d love a short cut for everything! Even if you aren’t looking to lose weight, you want to have energy right? Well, You’re not alone. Just because a diet works for one person, doesn’t mean it will work the same for you. Diets are destined to fail. After all, the word “die” is within the word “diet” and I want us to feel fully alive, ready for adventures and comfortable in our clothes and our skin.

5 reasons that diets are doomed to fail:

Short-term Goal

Ever notice how people choose to use a diet to achieve a short-term goal? Usually to lose weight before an upcoming event or right after the New Year? The perception of dieting is to take on a temporary action to obtain a rapid result. Once that result is achieved, the diet is stopped and old eating habits return. I know. I share from experience.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Ever had someone tell you how they accomplished a certain goal where you know you did the exact same thing but that “secret formula” didn’t quite work the same for you. Well, most diets are based on the premise of calorie counting and using a formula that gets applied to the general population as opposed to the individual’s needs. We all process calories and food differently. Not all calories are created equal. Calories consumed from sweet potatoes or brocolli are more nutrient-dense than calories consumed from a processed, low-fat bagel. Furthermore, if we consume too few calories, our body shifts into survival mode and slows down the metabolism. Here, we run the risk of our metabolism remaining sluggish once we begin consuming more calories.

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

If you’re a foodie like me, the answer is love has everything to do with it! The love of textures, tastes, nuances, crunchy, mushy, savory, salty: it’s what makes our favorites so flavorful.

You know love can really cause diet failure. Let me explain. Even before initiating a diet, we tend to believe that we’ll be deprived of the foods we love. Starting off a diet with this belief set us up for failure. Constant deprivation conjures up food cravings that are difficult to ignore. So instead of enjoying one chocolate chip cookie, we may possibly indulge in five.

The Ups & Downs

Yo-yo dieting has been coined as a popular phrase. Many of us go on a diet to lose weight then we gain it back and sometime even more than lost. It’s a cycle that brings frustration not just emotionally but it’s physically taxing on our bodies. In extreme cases it brings about eating disorders because the results are continually sought out with an approach that simply doesn’t support long-term results. It’s unhealthy and a form of insanity.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. ~Albert Einstein

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What We Really Crave Isn’t Always on Our Plate

Cravings are always addressed in a particular diet. For this reason, I believe they fail. This goes beyond how to address food cravings and how to handle them. It’s normal for us all to have cravings. Often what we need are the tools and knowledge to help navigate through cravings.

When we are armed with how to reach for healthy food alternatives we can help eliminate them. Diets don’t address the notion of “primary food.” Primary food cannot be found on a plate. It’s the “food” that bring us and provides deep contentment. It’s the food that is fills up our hearts and even if our tummy is a bit empty, there’s satiation of the soul. For me, it’s being outdoors, it’s what fills me up!

Playa

It’s time to let go of frustration and look under the hood of dieting. I encourage you to look at them with eyes wide open especially since you or someone you love is considering one in the new year.

Chime In!

In the comment below, tell us, what fills you up? I believe knowing this will help us look at food and life differently. What simple things bring you satisfaction? Is it hearing your children giggle? Is it reading a good book? Drawing? Listening to music you love?

How to Be More Prosperous

The how to of being more prosperous is not hidden in hieroglyphic messaging nor is rocket science. What it boils down to is the matter of our heart and mindset. What you’re reading now you can begin applying today.

Entrepreneurs and business people may equate prosperity with profit and happy customers. Nothing wrong with that.

The health conscious may equate feeling more energy and feeling fit to being prosperous. You can create both.

Consider the Law of Reciprocity

You’ve heard it said, “Givers get.” And they do. It may not be instantly, but they will. It’s just a matter of time.

In a nutshell, the law of reciprocity explains that whatever you put out into the world (if done so properly) will return, multiplied. Did you notice what was inside of the parenthesis? It seems ridiculous and impractical to give if you’re financially strained. Right? Or perhaps you decide to sow time because you feel you have more time to give than money. Maybe you decide to donate some old shoes. Now you’ve sown old shoes, not money. While sowing your time or giving away shoes isn’t a bad idea, it’s not sowing where you hope to receive.

Want a banana tree? Plant a banana tree.

The point is if you want to be more prosperous in the money department– not in the shoe department; give money. Please, give it to a worthy cause, a cause that’s fertile with minimizing suffering and maximizing hope.

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over…

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A Prosperous Mindset

A prosperous life is one in which we realize our blessings. By simply reading this blog, know you are abundant. You have a device that ensures that you are on the Internet. Having a mindset or realization of your current prosperity cultivates the opportunity for increase.

When I was in $55,000 of debt, I stressed and obsessed; tossed and turned. I owned very little and yet I had so much. One day I chose to give up what little “saving for a disaster” money I did have. In a leap of faith I invested in stock (I’m not suggesting you actually do this). Meanwhile I kept giving consistently to operate from abundance rather than a scarcity mindset. I cannot say I was always a “cheerful giver.” In fact there were times I was a “tearful giver.” I continued to give because I understood the universal law of sowing and reaping. Clearly, it would have better served me psychologically and financially had I chosen to be more cheerful during those times– but alas, my humanity.

If need be, use this Jedi mind trick!

I began to envision the people who would be on the receiving end of my giving. I imagined full bellies, happy hearts and smiling faces. I imagined water gushing from wells and entire villages dancing as they had clean water to drink. I could see spirits being lifted as hope shed light in dark places.

I even researched where I was giving and how far my dollar could stretch.  My lack mentality and actual lack/debt grew less as I yielded less to fear and more to a generous heart. By the way, I’m still not there. I can’t lead you to believe I’m walking around like some super Saint or humanitarian. Those trying times is where I learned that I could flip a switch on my thinking.

Knowing that giving small amounts created a big difference fueled my work and excitement. Giving helped me to feel more abundant, even when the bills continued to roll in– causing a glorious shift to happen. Or as Yoda might say, the Force was with me.

Be shifty!

ShiftHappens

Just as much as money or health is prosperity, it is also a deeply integrated part of HOW we see ourselves. Want to be more prosperous? See yourself prosperous– whatever that looks like for you.

Prosperity takes on many forms. Prosperity can be a full garden of veggies. It can be a fulfilling relationship with the love of your life, your children, your friends. It can be time to dive into a good read. It can be the health to enjoy exploring.

The how to of being more prosperous includes sowing the seeds that reap a harvest. It’s allowing yourself to visualize that prosperity. So go ahead, be shifty! Build a blueprint of what that looks like. Decide where and how you want to give in order to reach the level of prosperity you know is possible.

Giving already?

I have a sneaking suspicion that you already give. Thank you! When we give, we spread kindness.

If you’ve been giving for a while and wonder about your returns, here’s a few reasons you may not be advancing as you’ve hoped. Do you hold a positive energy around giving? Remember, I was the tearful giver. Choosing to be a cheerful giver created a wonderful shift. Maybe you are giving to a charitable organization that’s no longer doing good work. Consider the soil. Consider the fact that you may be stingy in your giving and could be more generous. Or, is it possible you’re giving so much while expecting an avalanche– yesterday? Just food for thought and knowing that making small adjustments can help you become more prosperous.

This article highlights what most people consider prosperity via financial gain. Just know the same principles hold true for creating prosperity in other areas of your life. Want a happier, healthier relationship? Create the mindset and take actions to cultivate it. Want better health? See yourself healthy, perhaps doing certain activities you enjoy doing and eating foods that support this. Sow the seeds, pull the weeds, reap a prosperous harvest.

Chime In, please!

Share with us! What does prosperity look like to you? Do you have a favorite charity you give to? If so, which one/s?

 

Holiday Recipes: Gluten free Gingerbread & Cranberry Sauce

Are you a holiday foodie? When was the last time you enjoyed some yummy gingerbread? Or perhaps cranberry sauce with a twist? Each of these recipes is a stand out in its own right as well as the perfect duo for dazzling your family and friends this holiday season. I’ve worked and reworked these recipes so they will be healthier and tastier versions of some holiday favorites. I hope you like them too!

As a kid growing up cranberry sauce was the holiday delicacy that came straight out of a can. Yes, I said that. That was until I came across the real deal. Fresh cranberries! I was completely smitten with the color and texture but the tartness was a bit over the the top even for my tongue. Then I started playing around with citrus and ginger and now it’s resulted into a jewel-like sauce to fancy up any turkey dinner.

Orange Ginger Cranberry Sauce

List of Ingredients

1 large orange

1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh grated ginger

1 bag of fresh cranberries (12 ounces)

3/4 cup of coconut sugar & later 2 teaspoons of coconut sugar

Directions

  1. Zezt approximately 2 teaspoons of orange peel into a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup water, cranberries, ginger and coconut sugar.
  2. Bring cranberry mix to a boil and stir until coconut sugar is dissolved and cranberries pop. Lower to medium heat and stir occasionally over five to eight minutes. Cool, then refrigerate until you are ready to serve.Saucey

You can make this cranberry crowd-pleaser 2-3 days ahead of time. Eat it alone as a side dish or use it the next day as a jelly on top of the warm gingerbread.

And speaking of gingerbread, here’s a healthier choice for you to enjoy with tea or coffee, plain or dolled up! I’m a gingerbread fan, but often it’s so riddled with sugar, shortening and well, gluten (not that gluten is a bad thing for you).

Gluten Free Gingerbread

Preheat oven to 350F/ 177C and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes.

List of Ingredients

2 cups gluten free flour (I like Pamela’s brand)

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)

1/2 cup coconut sugar

3 Tablespoons freshly grated ginger (finely grated)

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 cup molasses

2 Ginger tea bags steeped in 1/2 cup of water

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the goodies together. Bake in a greased and floured 9×5 pan. Cool the pan for 15 minutes, then remove and enjoy. Happy dance optional and greatly encouraged.

Insider Notes to the Reader:

1) No one will know will ever guess that you’re serving gluten-free goodness.

2) This gingerbread is made with fresh grated ginger placing you right up there with the Iron Chef.

3) Your entire home will fill with this wildly intoxicating smell that may have you calling up the Yankee Candle company begging for a new candle scent that smells exactly like it.

4) Don’t let it’s outer looks deceive you. Within the first bite you’ll find yourself in ecstasy. This recipe has endured multiple trials and tweaks with the desire to produce  a healthier choice without sacrificing taste. While it’s not intended to be your only source of nutrition, I think we get the importance of relishing the holidays with some decadence.Tea Time

I love the gingerbread with cinnamon apple tea. It’s simple yet extraordinarily yummy. And should you be ever so decadent and adventurous, here’s another possibility pictured below. It’s quite the combination.Jelly

Chime In!

In the comments below, let’s us know– have you tried either of these recipes? So, what’d ya think? Or are you planning on giving it a whirl?

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