Hydrating Wild Blueberry Smoothie and Chronic Dehydration

In his amazing book Liver Rescue, Anthony Williams suggests that most people are chronically dehydrated which affects the liver.  When I read these words, I was sure he was talking to ME!!!  As a runner and avid exerciser, you’d assume I drink a ton of water, but I don’t!!!  I forget to hydrate because I don’t get very thirsty. I also embarked upon a low carbohydrate diet last year and dehydration is a known side effect. Therefore, I’m probably adding additional stress to my thirsty liver. This book has motivated me to hydrate better with water and this tasty light, coconut water based hydrating smoothie.

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DALishious: Vegan Dal Makhani

Indian food has always been a comforting staple in my life. I was raised on 6th St and 2nd Ave across from “Indian Row” in NYC. On special nights, my mom would take us to our favorite dark restaurant 3 steps below street level. I remember walking through the jingling bell door, hearing the exotic music and smelling the foreign spices. There’s more:

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Rooftop Bars, Cool Restaurants, Yoga and More in San Miguel de Allende

If Disney created a “Mexican city”, it would be San Miguel de Allende! The colorful colonial buildings, blooming Jacaranda trees, immaculate churches, narrow cobblestone streets, and spotless parks — it’s so pristine that it almost feels fake!!! The weather was perfect in early April when we arrived. We couldn’t help but slow down from our normal pace. We poked around, lingered in cafes, sat on park benches, napped in the afternoons, sipped cocktails at beautiful rooftop bars, and listened to mariachis swoon beneath the moonlit sky. Aside from taking in the city itself, San Miguel is known for it’s talented artists and musicians. This means you can find vibrant cultural performances, live music and inspiring art. It’s no wonder San Miguel de Allende attracts so many expats!

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The Encinitas Half Marathon: My Toughest Race Yet

Encinitas Half Marathon warm up 2019

On March 31st, I ran the Encinitas half marathon for the third year in a row. I have a strong connection to Encinitas, so when they started half marathons three years ago, I couldn’t resist. My first two races were euphoric but this year was a bear!!! I struggled not only with the training, but failed to get that race day “adrenaline”. I broke the cardinal rule and started out too fast only to lose steam around mile 8. By mile 10, my mental energy plummeted and I feared my body would collapse. I was really struggling!!! What happened??? These races were always a high point of my year.

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From Meh to Yeah: Show Stopper Salad Toppers

There was a time when I’d get deja vu browsing a restaurant menu and seeing the SAME grilled Romaine wedge with blue cheese dressing every place we went!! Ugghh..it was like salad groundhog day!! I was frustrated by the complete lack of inspiration.…and missed the times when I’d order a salad that was so inventive I couldn’t wait to replicate it at home!

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How to Start a Plant Based Diet

People ask me many questions about eating a plant based diet because they are intrigued! Some smile and say they could never do it while others seem genuinely interested. Then there are those who actually want to start a plant based diet, but don’t know how. In this post, I’m sharing ways to get mentally prepared to start a plant based diet along with my favorite resources that take the mystery out of plant based cooking  to make this a fun, empowering and easy experience. If you, or someone you know, is considering a plant based diet, then please continue reading…

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Decadent Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

I’m always excited to try a new cookie recipe. Especially ones that are vegan and gluten free…so, when I came across this Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe by Blissful Basil I HAD to try it!!!! Just looking at her photos made me want to dive into the computer screen!! However, the recipe calls for a full cup of tahini which is a lot for someone like me who covets tahini. What if this failed miserably? Would I waste an entire cup??? Not only has tahini gotten so expensive, but running out of it would constitute a domestic crisis.

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Costa Careyes Mexico

Costa Careyes captivated my interest years ago when browsing through drool worthy photos of a book called The Castles of Careyes. Impressive villas perched on cliffs above of the Pacific Ocean designed to blur the lines between land and sea. These beauties whose rounded walls mimic Caracol shells are surrounded by 180⁰ infinity pools so they appear to be floating on water. I was struck by the sheer splendor of these architectural masterpieces.

So, when our friends suggested a trip there, I instantly agreed!

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Warming Red Lentil and Spinach Stoup (Soup/Stew)

Do you ever go through food infatuations where you want to eat the same thing every day? Well, for the past 4 months, I’ve been obsessed with this nourishing red lentil and spinach soup!! It’s cozy, warm and comforting but also delivers a hearty serving of iron rich spinach (or other dark leafy greens). On Sundays, I prepare a batch that I can re-heat throughout the week. I serve it alone or accompanied by a salad for a highly satisfying and healthy meal.

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My Top Five (captivating) Podcasts of 2018

top podcasts of 2018

Podcasts are a great source of information and entertainment. Some are life changing!! I play them in the car, on a hike, at the beach, while traveling, and when I cook. I also find listening to a good podcast before bed is great alternative to watching television since the flickering light of the TV can interfere with a sound sleep. Lucky for me, my husband is a podcast aficionado and passes along his favorites to me. Great podcasts stretch the mind and impart powerful ideas. So, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite podcasts of 2018.

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