Balance Beauty:

The Raw Food Revelation

2011-04-21T18:05:00.001-04:00

There's something special about the above bowl of pasta (besides the fact that it was made my yours truly). Believe it or not this heaping bowl of deliciousness is 100% RAW! That's right. Moi, who was skeptical that I could even be vegan have slid down that slippery healthy nutrition slope to the world of raw food.

After my juice fast - which I now prefer to call a juice FEAST - I tip toed back into eating solid foods, as advised. This included staying on a completely raw diet plain fruits and simple veggie salads for 3 days after the feast. What I didn't anticipate (especially a few days in when I was dreaming of chicken nachos) was that I'd continue the raw food thing past the 3 days without even missing cooked food. In fact, when I finally did have a cooked meal I ended up feeling completely worn out within a couple hours. Wow! Raw food really does make a difference in your energy levels.

So I still have no plans to be 100% raw (not yet, anyway), but I'm definitely enjoying incorporating much more raw and living foods into my diet. I've learned a lot about the lifestyle (thanks, YouTube) and have tried a few recipes that have turned out pretty nice. Check them out below.

Raw Vegan Stuffed Peppers with Kale Chips.

Chia "pudding" (more on Chia seeds later!)

And of course, green juice!

Balance Beauty Birthday!

2011-04-04T15:30:00.001-04:00

31. Wow. I could of sworn I just turned 21 a couple years ago. Yet here I am: officially thirty-something.

I can't remember what I did for my 21st birthday, but I can remember what I wanted, roughly. If I'd treated myself, it probably would have been to some new shoes, a handbag, or some clothes. The celebration portion would, I'm guessing, have involved a club and too much alcohol. A decade later, things are a little different...

I did go on a shopping spree for my birthday this year, but instead of bags & baubles I came home with heaps of beautifully plump & delicious produce. And what you see below is only the fruit! In the refrigerator kale, spinach, chard, fennel, celery, carrots, cucumbers, basil & more are piled up in all their chlorophyll-filled glory.

This year (and each one from now on, I hope) I'm giving myself the gift of a balanced body, and in pursuit of that I'm on a juice fast (feast) for 10 days. During this period my only meals with be the fresh juice of aforementioned fruits & vegetables. While weight loss is inevitable on a liquid eating plan like this, the end game is really about detoxification. When you stop eating solid foods your body get a rest from toilsome digesting we put it through. And while it's on a break nutrients from the green veggies, especially, can come through and give your cells a good cleaning out. I've done fasts before (master cleanse), but this one feels so much better. My skin is glowing and I feel very energized. I'm currently on Day 4 the Raw Radiant Health juice fast program, which includes a very helpful forum, daily videos, and questions answered by raw food guru Natasha St. Michael.

And there's more! I've also treated myself this year to some supplies for making my own bath & body products. Since, as I've mentioned before, what you put on your body is every bit as important as what you put in it, I felt it was important to make sure I'm not re-toxifying myself by slathering dangerous chemicals all over me. It's been a blast experimenting with making body butters and hair tonics. Stay tuned for my reviews & results!

Spring Cleaning

2011-03-26T15:43:00.001-04:00

The above picture is sort of embarrassing. It's a snap of the pile of dirt I swept up from around my house. From the looks of it you'd think I never clean! It's true I'm no June Cleaver when it comes to housekeeping, but I keep my place decent. So I was a little be disgusted when I decided to do some spring cleaning and found pockets and piles of dust lurking in places that tend to get neglected by the regular visits of my broom. On the other hand, it felt great to clear my space of the unwanted bits that clutter, irritate and make life just overall less pleasant.

This time of year - which is really the new year, if you ask me - is wonderful or doing this sort of cleaning. Move furniture, pull up area rugs, and attacked that overfull closet. The physical benefits are obvious, but the symbolic act of cleaning out your life is even more powerful. It's time to get rid of them that aren't serving you well and give yourself a new start. Check out the world horoscope for aries 2011 and you'll see that planetary energies really support change at the moment. And even if you thing astrology is just a bunch nonsense, a nice window wash or wardrobe edit never hurt anyone!

Balancing Act: High Fashion, Low Cost

2011-03-15T02:28:00.001-04:00

Though I've become a little disillusioned with the pop fashion industry, I am still and true fashion lover at heart. I believe in the value of dressing well, but not if it's going to cause financial havoc. Binge buying fashion isn't any better than binge eating or abusing drugs. Even if I were a millionaire, I wouldn't spend ridiculous amounts of cash on trendy items... at least that's my belief in theory. I welcome the opportunity for my resolve to be tested though :) For now, in order to stock my wardrobe with high quality items and still maintain a balanced bank account I've got to be a bargain hunting, smart shopper.

One of my (not so) secret weapons to this end has been eBay, but the mega-commerce site is no longer alone in the online auction racket. One of the newbie sites, I-Ella.com caught my attention weeks ago with an intriguing format that makes charitable giving an inherent part of the shopping experience. The site is clearly still gaining momentum, because I regularly spot amazing deals that just sit for days. I won the above dress by Rachel Roy in an auction where no one else even bid! Amazing, considering that I paid less than 20% of the retail price for the item. The dress will fulfill a too-long empty staple slot in my wardrobe: the LBD (little black dress). The style is such that it's not going to look dated a year from now and I can wear in looks that are anywhere from casual to semi-formal, so it can get a lot of use. Win!

The New Disease in Town: Orthorexia

2011-03-08T01:23:00.005-05:00

Apparently there's a brand new nervosa to join anorexia in the eat disorders family of illnesses. Orthorexics are, according to researchers at UNC, those that obsess over healthy foods. The disease is described as a phobia of "impure" food.

This obsession with organic or biologically pure foods prompts rigid and restrictive eating patterns. Foods that get categorized as unsafe, bad, or wrong, are both avoided and removed from meal plans. If these foods are ever consumed, the person experiences guilt, shame and anger towards self. He/she is likely to self-punish for breaking their food rule and become stricter with their dietary plans. Because these obsessions are real and hold meaning, individuals struggling with orthorexia have a difficult time enjoying social activities or family gatherings where a variety of food (unsafe food) is present.

Source

Hmm... sounds to me like this is just OCD that happens to manifest itself in a person's dietary habits. Of course it has to have it's own name - so it can also have it's own pill, perhaps?
And my cynicism isn't unfounded. Just have a look at the below piece by the lauded Mr. John Stossel of TV news magazine 20/20.

At around 5:15 Stossel is dismissive to the point of insult at the suggestion that fear is consumed along with the meat of animal raised in a big business farm. His attitude makes him sound like a man who's still insisting the world is flat.

Orthorexics commonly have rigid rules around eating. Refusing to touch sugar, salt, caffeine, alcohol, wheat, gluten, yeast, soya, corn and dairy foods is just the start of their diet restrictions. Any foods that have come into contact with pesticides, herbicides or contain artificial additives are also out.

Source

This is the description of a "disorder?" Frankly, it's all sounding like a load of propaganda. As more of us awaken to sad reality of what's considered a normal American diet, the push back is to paint health-conscious folks as crazy zealots.

It's true that being obsessed with anything - even with making sure you get healthy food is bad news. When your body is general in balance, it can handle the occasional toxin and pass them out of your body safely. However, the fact is that we should be concerned about what's in our food. These gluttonous multi-national corporations would like us all to bury our heads in the sand and trust them have our best interests at heart. I think not, Monsanto!

photo: metroactive.com

Pilates for Posture

2011-02-28T23:16:00.007-05:00

Good posture can make you look slimmer (or perhaps I should say that poor posture makes you look lumpier than you are). It also effects the way you are perceived by others. Good posture conveys confidence and subtly demands respect from those you interact with.

I've been guilty of poor posture for a long time. When I was young I was embarrassed about my quick-to-grow breasts and often slouched. Seems silly in hindsight, but adolescence is so irrational. A bit later I was diagnosed with a slight scoliosis (curvature of the spine). I was never advised to wear a brace or anything, however, so it's not really a good excuse either. Now that I'm taking a complete look at my fitness level, my bad posture is a real concern. Not only do I have to build up muscle strength to support the goal of sitting/standing/moving around with an upright spine, I also have to reverse two decades of bad habit. I'm still trying to devise strategies for the psychological work, but the physical work is well within reach. One of my tactics is pilates.

Pilates is well known for it's ability to strengthen your "core." This area of the body includes, but is not limited to the abdominal area. Pilates also builds up the muscles in your back that help you maintain good posture. The routine I've been using for a few weeks is below. It's a good workout that will definitely have you feeling the burn in your abs and some parts of your legs & butt.

Less is More Pilates with Lizbeth Garcia, Length: 21:28

The above is great, but I've definitely plateaued with it. I no longer feel sufficiently challenged by the workout and, as any informed fitness seeker knows, if you aren't being challenged your body isn't changing. In addition, I didn't feel the above gave my back a good enough workout. My solution was to switch to the more advanced routine below. This one is really tough and works the back better than any pilates workout I've done before. I find myself having to rest a bit during a set or modify moves, which is humbling, but it's a signal that it's hitting my weak spots and allowing me to make progress. What I'm really hoping for is the strength that I might otherwise get from weight training (which I do as well), but without the added bulk.

Pilates Power Workout with Jessica Smith, Length: 21:38

Cutting Out the Chlorine

2011-02-25T23:33:00.003-05:00

For all the hemming and hawing that goes on about food - whether it's whole or processed, organically or conventionally grown, bio-diverse or genetically engineered - there's something even more important for achieving health and fitness. That thing is water.

Water is one of life's utmost essentials. Where there is poor access to good water, there is also poor health. Those of us in the West tend to conjure up images of the so-called 3rd world when we consider this issue, but the problem is, in fact, global. We might be able to walk a couple paces in our homes, turn a knob, and get an instant flow of H20, but that doesn't guarantee that the water is actually good.

Most municipalities in the U.S. treat public water with two things; fluoride & chlorine. The former supposedly makes our teeth stronger... that's a major CROCK, but I'll leave it at that (for now). The latter is used to clean the water of harmful pathogens. Seems like a fair enough reason, but the tissue of the human body doesn't really like chlorine. Think about when you go swimming in a pool: dry skin, stung eyes, crunchy hair < all related to the chlorine in the pool! There is, of course, significantly less chlorine in your tap water than there is in pool water, but when you shower daily - and many of us wash our faces twice a day or more - think about the cumulative effects of all that chlorine. It damages proteins and dries out skin and hair, thereby potentially causing pre-mature aging of the skin and hair loss.

So in my quest to maximize my health, and therefore my beauty, I'm taking steps to cut the chlorine & the fluoride out of my water. My first step was to switch to bottled water. Most filters (Brita, etc) will remove the large part of the chlorine from your water, but they don't remove the fluoride. I buy spring water by the gallon for now, though I don't really consider it a sustainable solution. My next step is to install a chlorine filter in my shower. I just got the New Wave Enviro Premium Shower Filter System this week. I've yet to install it, but I'm hype to find out if I notice a difference. The filter is suppose to last one year before the cartridge needs to be replaced. If it works, it's well worth the $28 I spent on it.

A Beautiful Balance: Goals & Gratitude

2011-02-23T22:51:00.004-05:00

When you're on the hunt for fitness, weight loss, hair length, nice skin, etc, etc, it's easy to constantly focus on the things that you want to change. In fact, goal setting requires you to take an honest look at what needs to change. However, it does more harm than good to dwell on the things that you think are "wrong" with you and your life. That's why it's important to balance goal setting, with Gratitude.

Take time every single day to contemplate all the things that are great about you and about your life. Really allow yourself to feel the joy of all the goods things - even if they are just itty bitty.

"I'm grateful for the beautiful weather today"
"I'm grateful for my awesome sister"
"I'm grateful for internet access"
"I'm grateful for bananas"
"I'm grateful for the 4 pushup improvement I had this week

and so much more...

Not only does this improve your mood and stoke your motivation furnace, there is real, hard science shows that having an attitude of gratitude actually brings the molecules around you (including those in your body) into more appealing alignment. The above photo is the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto. It's a water crystal that has been treated with concentrated thoughts of Love & Gratitude. On the other hand, look what the phrase "you make me sick" does to water. Amazing!

Remember, the human body is 55% to 78% water. So the next time you catch your self hurling insults at your reflection in the mirror (been there, it sucks) just STOP! Instead, give yourself a kind word and think about something that makes you happy.

Photos via whatthebleep.com

Edun Fall 2011: Is This My Fashion Future?

2011-02-22T00:26:00.002-05:00

The thing about holistic/sustainable/green/eco/(etc) living is that it's a slippery slope. Once you start doing your research you find such an enormous wealth of knowledge that you simply can't ignore. When I go to the grocery store or restaurant now all of my choices are informed by the things I've learned about food and nutrition. Even if I make a "bad" choice - I'm doing it will full knowledge of what the repercussions might be.

Well this state of being conscious about choices extends (eventually) to everything you do. This, of course, includes your fashion choices. It's sort of a sensitive subject for me, really. Fashion has historically been a weakness of mine. I love it and have been known to indulge. It's also how I make a living. But I can't ignore my increasing discomfort with the wastefulness and decadence of the mainstream industry.
There are a few things I'm doing to try to reconcile this apparent conflict of interest & one of them is to seek out fashion labels that create clothing with materials and methods that leave my conscious feeling light. Edun - started by U2 rockstar Bono and his wife - might be one of those. See a few highlights from the brand's Fall 2011 runway show. Photos: style.com

Edun's Mission:

At Edun we believe style should have substance. We were founded on a commitment to develop trade with Africa and to encourage others to do the same. As a global fashion business we source internationally but as we grow, so does our work in Africa. Edun requires every factory to be audited by a third party on a biannual basis to ensure they follow our code of conduct. Edun stands by the quality of our products made in Africa and are actively working towards increasing our capacity there. Our Edun Live blank tee shirt business is solely in Africa and we are committed to expanding production of our Edun fashion line there every year.

More at Edun.com

I Love My Hair

2011-02-17T22:33:00.004-05:00

Yep, I'm still nurturing that little black girl inside of me that always wanted feathered bangs. I do love my hair, but now that "love" isn't just a passive verb, it's active. As I mentioned in a previous post, I've noticed that my hair has lost some of it's oomph in the past couple years. In order to restore the luster I'm accustomed to and grow my hair long again I'm taking steps to educate myself about hair care. Photo via theurbandaily.com

One of the invaluable sources of info that I've found is YouTube superstar kimmaytube. Her channel has an amazing library of videos that demonstrate and educate on topics of hair maintenance. One of the important lessons that Kim has taught is that growing hair is dependant on preserving it. So instead of falling for gimmicks that claim to make hair grow faster, I'm looking at ways to make sure the hair I grow doesn't break off or shed excessively. Check out kimmaytube's visual lesson about hair growth and maintenance here.

My hair will benefit from good nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management, and staying physically active. All of these are part of my overall fitness agenda, so I've got a good headstart! But my goal to have my hair past my bra strap by this time next year will require me to go the extra mile. To combat the dryness that causes breakage and is characteristic of curly and otherwise textured hair, I've got to keep my tresses moisturized. My routine is still evolving, but here's what I'm trying out right now.

Wash hair only once per week.
For the past two weeks I've used Auromere Ayurvedic Shampoo w/ Neem. It's okay, but it feels a bit like it's stripping my hair. Since my issue is dryness, this is a no-no. I've read good things about neem for hair, however, so in the future I may try the same shampoo in a sulphate-free version.
I didn't use the Auromere conditioner. Instead I've used the Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing conditioner by Aubrey organics. So many people love it, saying how great it is for detangling and giving "slip." But I've found it be just okay. It might be fine for summertime, when my hair is less thirsty. Or perhaps it's just not good in combo with the Auromere... yep, this is a trial and error process.
This week I'm switching to Giovanni's Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture shampoo and conditioner. They are sulphate AND paraben-free (a must!) and I've heard great things about how well they moisturize. Let's hope that's the case.
I'm also implementing the use of protective styles. These are basically just ways to style your hair to minimize its exposure to the elements. One of the key aims is to make sure the ends (those elderly and sensitive parts of your hair strands) are tucked away from the harsh, cruel world. For me a simple bun is the go-to, as I've never been especially jazzy about hair styles.
Another protection tactic is to keep my hair is twists for most of the week. I'm lucky enough to work from my home and don't worry about being terribly fly on a daily, so this is really easy. On weekends, or whenever I'm socializing I'll usually take the twists out because they are, frankly, not that cute. The biggest gain from wearing twists is that they prevent or minimize tangles - a curly girl's worst enemy. I've lost many (many, many) a strand of hair that couldn't be untangled and had to be pulled or cut out.
At night I sleep either on a silk pillow case or with a silk scarf covering my hair.
At the mid-point between washes I give my hair a much needed drink of water, by simply getting it a little damp. I then seal that moisture in with a leave-in conditioner that I also use after a wash. Right now, I'm using a mixture that includes Curl Enhancing Smoothie from Shea Moisture and Lavish Curls Moisturizer by the Curls brand. In the future I'll probably make a leave in from my own recipe using some kimmaytube tips, found here. I will, of course, adapt my recipe to the needs of my hair, because what works for some doesn't work for all. These pre-bottled items were already in my possession, however, and I'm not going to waste them. They are paraben-free and contain some highly recommended ingredients. Namely, neem oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera juice.

So that's the plan! I'll be taking some progress shots soon so that I can document the effect of my new regimen. I'm excited to see how much I might gain from putting in a little effort! See the products mentioned above in the widget below. They all score well on the toxicity levels as published by cosmeticsdatabase.com

Everything's Toxic, So What Do We Do About It?

2011-02-15T16:17:00.005-05:00

Spotted this video at eatingbeautiful.com - a terrific blog I recently discovered. This vid is the perfect little bite sized wrap on why we all need to start paying more attention not just to way we put in our bodies, but what we put ON them as well. My favorite part is around 4:20 when it's pointed out that companies slap a pink ribbon on products to so-called support breast cancer awareness, meanwhile they refused to remove cancer-causing chemicals from their products. It's ridiculous!

The one thing I disagree with is the portion that suggests the solution to removing all the toxic chemicals from our personal care products is via legislation. I think the government is a rusted old machine that isn't nearly nimble enough to catch up to the toxicity crisis - even if it wanted to! Rather, I believe we should all "vote" with our dollars/euros/yuans and choose products and companies committed to using harm-free ingredients. Check out CosmeticsDatabase.com for an excellent, searchable database of products and their toxicity levels. You can also search ingredients and find out why they might be dangerous.

See the full "Story of Stuff" below.

Working Out for Weight Loss: Strength + Cardio + Abs

2011-02-14T15:29:00.003-05:00

The journey toward fitness is about much more than weight loss. However, extra weight is a very common symptom of a body out of balance. When shedding pounds is a part of your fitness goal, exercise will be key to doing it the healthy way. An approach that I've seen in several programs is to start with strength training, add cardio, and end with abs. I learned this first from Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred (which is very effective, BTW) and have seen it in other circuit-style workouts. Recently, I've applied it to my workout regimen by doing three successive workouts that focus on each section. The following three videos represent the workout that I did today. The first two portions especially allow you to somewhat tailor your efforts to your fitness level. For example, the cardio section here is kind of mild, so I ramped it up by doing things like jogging in stead of marching. Make sure you are well hydrated before and after. If you pushed yourself you should be sweating buckets and feeling great!

STRENGTH

CARDIO

ABS

I'd had a breakfast of whole grain cereal with almond milk, which supplied me some good carbs for energy during this hour-long work. Post workout I had a piece of sprouted grain toast with "Tofu Enlightenment" salad on it (basically, chicken or tuna salad for vegans), which supplied good proteins for my recovering muscles. I also had a banana to replenish my potassium stores, and topped it off with some kale/celery/apple/lemon juice. The juice helps me get in my daily greens + the live enzymes make sure everything I eat gets properly digested (more on juicing later). Yum. Might not look like a lot, but it's actually pretty satisfying. Plus, my pattern lately is to eat small, but frequent meals. Research abounds that says that this approach supports an active metabolism.

The Thin Line Between Inspiration & Obsession

2011-02-11T23:14:00.004-05:00

Tumblr is a great tool and can be a lot of fun and very informative. There is, however, a really scary element to the tumblsphere. Just search the hashtag #thinspo and you'll see what I mean. There is a vast number of blogs that are practically, if not blatantly pro-ana. For those not familiar with the lingo, that's short for pro-anorexia. Basically there's a tribe of (mostly) young girls that want to be as skinny as possible at any cost. They've been on the net for years but Tumblr has made it super easy to exchange photos protruding hip, collar, rib, and all other bones.

As someone who's concerned with fitness and works in fashion I come across a lot of this material. On one hand it's discouraging to see how many people associate fitness with thinness - though one does not necessarily the other make. On the other hand it increases my distaste for the fashion industry. Though I love what I do, I truly wonder, sometimes, how long I'll be able to work in a realm that promotes such a skewed perspective on beauty.

The #thinspo phenomenon is especially disturbing to me because I recognize that I'm not above obsessing over a body ideal - it takes daily effort to try to seek balance. And while inspiration is a valuable thing, obsession is just unhealthy - even if you're obsessing over health! The line between the two is pretty thin and I have an confession to make: I think I may have crossed it...

In case you can't tell, the above is me having a little fun with photoshop. And by fun, I mean the kind that you have chasing a buzz at the bar. It's indulgent and not in a good way. Sigh...

Good Hair, Bad Hair

2011-02-09T19:07:00.004-05:00

Contrary to selective cultural opinion the only "bad" hair is unhealthy hair. Above are the ends of two twists from the same head of hair (mine). The "good" hair on top is lustrous, bouncy, and curls all the way to the tip. It's sad little neighbor, however, is dry and dull-looking and doesn't even attempt to curl up. Somehow, both of these ended up on my head at the same time. I would say they've received the same treatment, but since I don't have a history of paying much attention to my hair I can't vouch for that. The top one comes from closer to the back of my head, while the one on bottom is from right near my face. My only guess is that that hair takes more stress at the tips from ponytail holders.

I got a much needed hair cut recently that took all the bad and, unfortunately, some of the good with it. I was disappointed to have to lose the length, but I'll always go with quality over quantity. Plus, I'm happy to have a nice even foundation to begin my hair care journey. I've been natural since 2000, but have gone through many cuts and dyes and just general hair neglect. This is truly the first time in my life that I'm paying attention to taking care of my hair for maximum goodness (health). When I was younger it seemed I could grow long shiny hair easily, but in the last few years my hair has taken longer to grow (or just breaks off more) and isn't as shiny. It's time to take a look at how I can get things back on track and make sure ALL the hairs on my head are good.

For those of you that want a little musical theatre insight on the good hair / bad hair phenomenon in black culture, see the video below. Classic!

Taco Tuesday!

2011-02-08T23:50:00.001-05:00

Feast your eyes on my awesome dinner from today - and I assure you the pictures don't do it justice! I'm a big fan of simple and an even bigger fan of delicious and these tacos were both :) Here a quick ingredients list, with some notes about my choices.

Food for Life sprouted corn tortillas: Sprouting grains allows the human body to better assimilate the protein and fiber in a whole grain. They are easier to digest then their unsprouted, processed (flour - even the whole grain variety) counterparts and have higher vitamin and mineral content. The sprouting process also decreases the carbohydrate and calorie content of a grain.The ingredients list of this product is so wonderfully elegant: organic sprouted corn, filtered water, sea salt, lime.
Green lettuce
Red onions
Boca Meatless Crumbles: I probably won't be purchasing this product again for a few reasons. First, I'm cutting back (or cutting out) my consumption of soy-based meat substitutes. Boca, at least refrains from using GMO soy, but over-consumption of even organic soy can throw your hormones out of whack. More importantly, though, is the fact that the ingredients include "yeast extract" - a commonly used disguise for MSG.
Avocado
Frog Ranch hot salsa: Yummy and almost as fresh tasting as if I'd made my own salsa. Which is especially remarkable considering it's simple, preservative-free ingredients list (tomates, peppers, onions, parsley).
Organic Valley raw goat milk cheddar cheese: I'm actually working on eliminating dairly altogether from my diet. I haven't drank cow's milk in years, but I do still love "real" ice cream and cheese is a huge weakness of mine. I don't care much for soy versions of these items + see my above stance on eating soy... One of my interim solutions is to look for goat's milk products. For a number of reasons goat's is easier for the human body to digest, is less allergenic, and has less lactose. It also has more calcium, more B vitamins and a ton more potassium and niacin. So why the raw? Raw just means that a product has not been through the pasteurization process. But don't be alarmed! On a whole this process has been touted as being far more important than it really is and what's worse it kills most of the nutrients and the flavor of foods.

Don't Fake the Sweet.

2011-02-07T23:51:00.004-05:00

I love ExerciseTV. It's such a convenient and comprehensive tool for staying active in your very own home. The site has a large library of workout videos for purchase, but also plenty that you can stream for free. As always, free content comes with the requisite advertisements. I don't begrudge that, but I wish that the trainers in the videos weren't constantly pushing Powerade Zero. Sure, it's got almost no calories and it does have some beneficial minerals, like potassium. However, it also has artificial sweeteners sucrulose and acesulfame K. For those of us seeking over fitness these substance are a huge no-no. Here's why:

Aspartame blocks the brain's production of serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood, helps you sleep, and gives you a general feeling of contented wellness. Further, when your serotonin levels are low your body starts to crave foods that will increase the levels (carbs). So instead of helping you drop weight, this fake sweetness can actually make you gain it! Not to mention turn you into a restless, cranky person.

Another theory is that fake sweetness triggers the release of insulin - the chemical in the body that regulates blood sugar. When this substance is released, but there is no real sugar around the body starts asking (craving) for some - especially the sugary and carb-rich foods that quickly turn into fat.

One study concluded that drinking diet sodas created an even higher risk for obesity than regular soda! This is astounding, considering the huge role that regular soft drinks play in obesity. Read about the study at WebMD.
When the body attempts to digest aspartame it breaks it down into methanol and formaldehyde. Methanol is an alcohol compound that makes antifreeze extremely poisonous. Formaldehyde is, of course, just creepy because it's used to preserve dead bodies - and not in a way that supports vitality, but in a way that pretty much pickles your tissue. It's also not a very friendly substance to have in the body because it is a carcinogen. Because the body has no way to get rid of these compounds, they simply pile up and start cause havoc slowly over the years with the appearance of chronic conditions that traditional doctors have trouble diagnosing. For heavy users or those diet drinks in combination with other substances (like creatin, for example) the results can be fatal.

Studies on this subject are in abundance. When reading up on it, though, be sure to look up a variety of sources. Many studies exist that were paid for by the industries the produce & use artificial sweeteners. I bet you can guess what their conclusions were... Do you research and decide for yourself. Your health is your own responsibility. Mouse drawing via iranian.com

The FDA approval of aspartame involved a good deal of nasty politics. See a quick and dirty summary in the video below.

See the 60 minutes segment on the topic.

The following is a feature film-length documentary about artificial sweetners and their health effects.

Gisele Bundchen Speaks Out Against Sunscreen

2011-02-05T05:48:00.004-05:00

The avant garde can be a dangerous place to be. Especially so when one is a public figure. People tend to collectively hold on to conventions with rabid conviction and if you dare to question those conventions you are likely to be attacked.

Such is the case with Gisele Bundchen. The Brazilian model, who recently launched an organic skincare line, made statements in the press calling sunblock "poison" and added that she steers clear of all synthetic ingredients. Various media outlets were quick to ridicule and rebut her claims with statements from an assortment of cancer "experts" and pro-sunscreen pundits. Even scarier than the dismissive coverage is the public reaction, as seen in comments sections across the web. Predictably, people bash her with just-a-pretty-face style comments. One commenter wrote, "just because people call her a "supermodel", there is nothing super about her brain." Because, of course, a woman couldn't possibly be beautiful AND intelligent...

Sadly, many mainstream media outlets neglect to delve into Bundchen's statement, and instead just capitalize on the sensational angle. It's too bad because she really has some good things to say about skincare and overall wellness. Take a peek at the promo video for her new line Sejaa below.

One of the highlights of this pieces starts around 1:15, when Bundchen points out the importance of the skin as the body's largest organ. Accordingly, what you put on your body is every bit as important as what you put in your body. So maybe this woman has a point and we should a take a closer look at sunscreens. Here's the ingredients list of a well-known brand sunblock

Active Ingredients: Homosalate, Octyl Salicylate, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone

Inactive Ingredients: Water, PEG 8, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates/C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E) (Vitamin E), Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Fragrance (Parfum)

Note the inclusion of oxybenzone, which has been shown cause hormone disruption and cell damage. Also see the assortment of parabens, including the propyl- variety which has been shown to reduce sperm count. Further, studies show that by inhibiting the absorption of the UV rays that produce vitamin D in the skin, sunblock actually promotes the development of cancer.

Ultimately, it's up to each of us to do our research and make choices accordingly. It may seem heinous for corporate conglomerate to peddle "poison" and call it good, but if you are well informed you won't fall for the half-truths and misleading promises. Personal responsibility is key!

An Apple Cider Vinegar a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

2011-02-04T22:48:00.004-05:00

Like ginger and ginseng before it apple cider vinegar seems to be the latest super cure-all food. I've read it proclaimed to cure an assortment of common ailments, including acne, body odor, high cholesterol, and constipation. It's also reported to boost metabolism and strengthen the metabolism. Like other natural remedies the reasons for ACV's curative properties is something of a mystery. But one easy to understand attribute is that the fermentation process creates a liquid full of glorious enzymes (you'll be hearing more about those on this blog... stay tuned). Enzymes help us with proper digestion, which is key when the average modern diet is so devoid of enzyme-rich foods, and full of foods that actually inhibit the ones found naturally in your belly. Another easily IDable factor is that ACV supports a healthy body pH (more on this later, too), and guards against acidosis - a condition which is frighteningly common.

I keep a bottle of Bragg brand ACV in the house because it's actually great for dressings and marinades. This week I started my mornings with a simple mix of about a teaspoon of vinegar, 8 to 10 oz of water and a little less than a tablespoon of raw honey. It's actually kind of delicious (like a light lemonade) and gives me just the right amount of hydration and simple sugar to power my morning workout.You don't have to buy Bragg, but note that to get the aforementioned benefits you need to buy it RAW and UNFILTERED. Also look for one that has "The Mother" and, of course, it's always better if it's organic. Click the below picture for a closer look at the label, which includes some helpful notes and recipes.

Get up, Get Moving

2011-02-03T23:48:00.003-05:00

5 Reasons to Work Out First Thing in the Morning

To get it out of the way. Don't you hate when you have an especially trying day and by 5pm you feel completely drained? Those are the days when dragging yourself to the gym, studio, or treadmill are seems like torture and you are prone to skipping it altogether. But if you get your workout in first thing, you can check it off the list and get on with your day. You'll be so glad you did at around 4:45.
For more energy during your workout. There's a reason so many people get that 2:30 slump and it's not because they hate their jobs (that doesn't help either). For those of us that are still working on sorting out our nutrition habits the things we eat as the day goes on actually slow us down, rather than fueling us up. Start you day with some fresh fruit or unpasteurized juice then get moving! Your body will a lot more energy from not having any heavy and/or poorly balanced meals to digest.
For more energy after your workout. It might seem like any oxymoron, but an early morning workout will let you skip your morning coffee. Really! Getting your heart pumping and blood moving is better than any coffee buzz and the energizing factor it lasts much longer. Plus you'll get the benefit of a higher metabolism for several hours after.
To conserve water. If you exercise before dressing for the day you only need to take one shower! :-)
To set precedence. Starting the day with your commitment to fitness will set the tone for everything else you do that day. It orients your mind and body to remember that discipline and perseverance go a long way to get you toward your goals and being in the groove with them feels good! You will shine there the day with confidence knowing that you are capable of affecting change in your life.

Now... if only we all had a beautiful, warm, private beach to run on every morning!
photo source

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

2011-02-02T03:17:00.002-05:00

a.k.a. Happy Chinese New Year!

The Rabbit ( 兔 ) (also translated as Hare) is the fourth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Rabbit is associated with the earthly branch symbol 卯.
In the related Vietnamese zodiac, the cat takes the place of the rabbit. The Chinese symbol 卯 for the Rabbit sounds like (mão, mẫu, méo, mẹo, mẻo); the word "mèo" is cat in Vietnamese. Therefore, cat was translated from Chinese to Vietnamese as fourth zodiac sign instead of Rabbit.

via Wikipedia

I've never celebrated the Chinese new year, but it's especially attractive to me now because of its basis on a lunar calendar. While the Gregorian calendar that the world has agreed to use is rather arbitrary, a lunar calender is in step with natural rhythms. And from what I've observed so far on my journey toward balance, we are all much better off when we work with the flow of the earth, instead of trying to boot-strap against it.

2011 is a Metal Rabbit year, which presents something of a contradiction. While Rabbit is said to be about Spring and east direction. Metal is associated with Autumn and west direction. The hare is the symbol of longevity, while the metal element is associated with decline - or old age. Perhaps these can be reconciled by viewing a Metal Rabbit year as a time of vigor that comes with healthy maturity. It's not shiny new, but it's refined, experienced, wise. Accordingly, productivity occurs in accordance with the ol' "work smart, not hard" adage... I like the sound of that.

It's Time for Balance

2011-02-01T15:03:00.003-05:00

I'm no stranger to blogging. In fact, blogs and other web 2.0 tools pretty much butter my sprouted grain bread these days. Publishing blogs started as a hobby, turned into a profession, and is now becoming a major pillar in my overall lifestyle. I am starting this blog on the first day of February in the year 2011 as a tool to help me integrate the fragments of my life, to keep records for personal reflection and goal management, and as a diary for my pursuit of beautiful Balance. I've contributed to and published a number of niche blogs that hone in on a particular subject. These are great for cutting through the noise when you are looking for specific info. However, I've found that concentrating on one narrow part of anything inevitably creates an imbalance in perception. And as we know, perception tends to shape experience.

For example, one of my former blogs was called "Size 6 or Bust." As I'm sure you've guess, it was a weight loss blog spawned by my obsession with becoming what I felt was the size ideal for looking good in clothes. You see, I work in the fashion industry, which means I spend my days looking at beautiful clothes worn my beautiful, but usually very very slim people. Accordingly, I was constantly wanting to be thinner and even though a size 6 is still larger than what most people with what I call "fashion sickness" would like to be, I thought it was a nice compromise between where I was (overweight, lethargic) and where the Anna Wintour empire kept suggesting I should be. That combined with a background as a dancer and I'm definitely prone to body image... let's call them "issues." So the blog began in an all out to lose weight - no matter why or how. I fell into the common traps of "detox" methods, obsessive calorie counting, and bulimic exercising. I even toyed with the idea of taking pills, but never did because there was always this nagging voice somewhere inside me that told me I was heading in the wrong direction.

All of these methods of course worked for weight loss, but soon I realized that my goal was more appropriately finding fitness at whatever size was right for my body. So that blog began to change and I began doing more research about food and how it really works in the body. Soon, a blog with a title proclaiming that a certain size was do or die just felt all wrong. I wake up thankful everyday that I get to work on a subject that I'm passionate about, but it's clear to me that I will have to maintain a strong sense of self not to get sucked into that ugly cycle that makes so many fashionistas (hate that word) forgo healthy diets in favor of the cigarettes and coffee that keep them slim.

Reflecting on who I was a decade ago (wow, time flies) makes me realize that my goals are fundamentally the same. What's changed is my ability to ~~perceive~~ conceive the bigger picture and ~~understand~~ determine how all the little goals fit together to create one holistic and satisfying life experience. It's out of this new wisdom that this blog is born. I submit my entries, not as an expert, but as a sincere and dedicated traveler on a journey. My last 6 or Bust post was titled "It's Time for Insanity" and that's exactly what past portions of my life have been: INSANE. I'm ready to put that vicious cycle to rest. Now, It's Time for Balance.