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March 13, 2018

Encinitas Half Marathon 2018: Notes

This is my second year running the Encinitas Half Marathon (my 5^th half marathon) and I’ve compiled some tips for preparing to run a marathon.

The Encinitas Half Marathon

The Encinitas Half Marathon is a fun race with great energy and a lovely ocean view course. Encinitas is known as “the Golden City” because it’s thought to be located on a spiritual vortex. It attracts many naturopaths, healers, and spiritual advisors. It is also home to Yogananda’s Self Realization Fellowship and for years, Ashtanga guru, Tim Miller, had a studio there. Encinitas is undergoing a gentrification, but the golden city has retained its special vibe.

This beachy, fun half marathon appeals to runners of all kinds of runners. Some are highly experienced and competitive, while others are first timers just there to have fun. They are drawn to the pleasant beach weather, beautiful ocean views and enthusiastic onlookers. Simply put, it’s a joyful experience.

March 5, 2018

Easy Gluten-Free Vegan Crackers

I admit that I’m a cracker head! Sometimes, I find great comfort in the art of snacking. Since I removed wheat and carbs from my diet last October, I’ve been challenged to find tasty gluten-free, vegan crackers that aren’t $6.99 a box (I love ya Jilz but you’re a bit $$$).

February 15, 2018

A Big Chocolate Mess and Feng Shui for Love

Today is Valentine’s Day so in addition to making vegan, gluten-free brownies (that turned into a big chocolate mess), I wanted to share how you can use Feng Shui for love (self-love and relational love). I am fascinated by the principals of Feng Shui and love learning how energy flow, called “chi”, can be harnessed to improve various areas of your life. There are simple things you can do in your home or office to highlight health, prosperity and creativity while attracting helpful people, travel, and greater love to you.

February 10, 2018

Is it Time to Set Boundaries with your Phone??

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life” ~ Socrates

As a therapist, I’m big on boundaries! Mostly we talk about boundaries in relationships because we can lose ourselves in enmeshment, dependency and other dysfunctional patterns. But it is becoming clear that many people are psychologically dependent on their phone and coexisting in two worlds. Phone overuse is problematic and even dangerous. Is it time to set boundaries with your phone?

February 1, 2018

Costa Rica: Yoga, Surf, Relax, Rejuvinate

Costa Rica is a beautiful country in Central America that’s protected over 25% of its land for forests and reserves. It looks and feels like one giant rain forest with warm people, earthy beaches, crazy rain and cloud filled sunsets. If thrill seeking is what you’re after, Costa Rica has a ton of wild adventures but it’s also a great place to go if you want to slow down, relax and rejuvenate. Either way, it’s hard to resist the warm water, lush greenery and “Pura vida” vibe. Read More

January 18, 2018

15 Minute Vegetable Soup (Great if you are Sick)

Hot soup is the BEST when you are fighting a cold or flu and this 15 minute vegetable soup soothes the throat, clears the nose, and warms the body. It’s light and healthy and only takes a few minutes to prepare. Make it for yourself or a loved one who’s feeling under the weather.

Cooking is the LAST thing you want to do when you’re ill, but eating fresh healthy food is medicine for your body. This fast, vegan soup is loaded with fresh veges and dark leafy greens and only requires a minimal amount of chopping, sauteing and simmering. It’s simple.

January 8, 2018

The Benefits of 3 Months Wheat-Free

In October, my husband and I began a wheat-free, low carb diet after noticing our weight was creeping up despite our healthy eating habits and daily exercise. Going on a “diet” inspired my husband to research various trends like cutting carbs, the Paleo diet, keto diet and wheat-free eating. He learned a lot from watching videos and reading articles and uncovered surprising and unexpected information that’s changing the way we eat. The Wheat Belly video by Cardiologist Dr. William Davis, had the biggest impact on us.

December 28, 2017

Winter Solstice Cookies aka: Choc Choc Chip Cookies (vegan and gluten-free)

The Winter Solstice is my favorite day during the crazy holiday blur (I mean) season. It’s the shortest (and darkest) day of the year which makes it the best day for introspection. I like to share this day with others so I threw a small party and served these wonderful “Winter Solstice Cookies” aka chocolate chocolate chip cookies to celebrate the richness of the dark.

I chose cookies that are wheat-free, gluten free, vegan, easy to make and seductively delicious and this fantastic recipe by Demeter of The Beaming Baker, fit the bill.

December 18, 2017

Egg-less Cauliflower Fried Rice

People have been raving about cauliflower fried rice for some time now, but I held out because I’m naturally skeptical. Could cauliflower ever taste like rice??? Hmmmmm….(doubting face). When I was growing up, Wednesday nights was when my father took my brother and I out to Sing Wu, our local Chinese restaurant. This was a special night since our parents were divorced and I got to see DAD but also because I could eat my FAVORITE dish…….Fried Rice. Oh how I savored that rice. Could cauliflower ever compare to that special memory?

November 30, 2017

Vegan Paleo Cauliflower Stuffing from Food Faith Fitness

This year, Thanksgiving hit me right in the butt. It slammed into me just as I was removing my Halloween costume….WHAM…there it was! It came swiftly and I wasn’t ready. So, when I was trying to decide what to cook for it, I was unprepared. I didn’t have the usual time to mull over recipes and savor the anticipation.