to me.

This week had been a beat down. A let down not only of friends but of their ability to just let me be. I was surrounded by people who told me that there are worse problems in the world, in fact I told myself that. The fact was, everything that could go wrong was going wrong and as my defense I just could not speak. I had nothing to say and when I did it was filled with rage and anger. I had no time to get on my mat, to move my body and clear out the negative outlook I was experiencing. I relied on my yoga practice to heal me, to help me but I had no time to get on my mat.

I was granted this day to tackle these problems. They are mine. I own them. But that gives me the ability to change my circumstances. To let my problems rule me or to rule my problems.

I need time to feel furious in order to feel thankful. 

This is my way of telling the world that I am human. I can feel every emotion. I need to feel betrayed in order to feel loved. I need to be down in order to experience the richness that life has to offer. We have to FEEL, we have to experience all these range of emotions and life experiences. I am still becoming me, I am still a student and I am still trying to find my way. When we surrender the outcome and enjoy the journey, this week of a beat down will be forgotten. Staying true to myself, speaking from my heart I write this week.

soak up the green!

One of the most interesting aspects of chlorophyll is how closely it resembles our red blood cells. The hemoglobin of the red blood cell and the chlorophyll of the plant are virtually identical in molecular structure, with the only difference being the center atom. Chlorophyll is even often referred to as ‘the green blood of plants.’ Which is why I find it so important to write about increasing the intake of chlorophyll in our diet.

The extreme similarity in the molecular structure is what makes chlorophyll so beneficial to our health because it’s such a powerful blood cleanser and blood builder. Chlorophyll delivers a continuous energy transfusion into our bloodstream, replenishing and increasing red blood cell count. And since hemoglobin carries oxygen to our cells, increasing hemoglobin thereby increases the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen and delivers us increased levels of oxygen – and this is a very good thing.

Disease-promoting anaerobic bacteria cannot live and thrive in the presence of oxygen. It’s also known that disease can’t thrive in an alkaline environment either. Chlorophyll is both a potent oxygenator and helps alkalize our blood, it thus helps our bodies fight off disease. All these benefits direct effects on strengthening our immune system and enhancing overall energy levels and wellbeing.

Healthy blood flow and an abundance of oxygen also help the body to cleanse itself of toxic impurities, lending to chlorophylls detoxification properties. Chlorophyll has also been shown to improve the detrimental effects of radiation, and has also been linked to cancer prevention. Chlorophyll binds with toxins like heavy metals and helps remove them from the body. Chlorophyll can also stimulate bowel movements and is a great aid in colon cleansing.

The numerous health benefits of chlorophyll:

• Cleanses and oxygenates and builds the blood
• A powerful detoxification effect on the body
• Rich in enzymes that promote quick rejuvenation of our cells
• High in Amino acids
• Extracts toxins form the liver and improves liver function
• Regulator of calcium
• Helps break addiction
• Alkalizes the body
• Anti-inflammatory
• Wound-healing properties
• Fight infection
• Anti-oxidant – neutralize free radicals
• Promotes healthy intestinal flora
• Helps reverse protein-deficient anemia
• Protection from cancer
• Helps skin disorders

Essentially, any green plant that you consume contains some level of chlorophyll as this is what gives it its green color. But some foods are higher in chlorophyll than others. Generally speaking, the darker the green color, the more chlorophyll, so dark leafy greens are a great source, especially dino kale and other kale varieties, swiss chard and darker greens like arugula. Adding herbs like parsley and cilantro are also great ways to spruce up your salads and increase chlorophyll content in your diet. Blue-green algae such as spirulina and chlorella are also especially high in chlorophyll, as are all sprouts. Wheatgrass has one of the highest sources of chlorophyll available. Juicing it on a regular basis can have powerful detoxification effects.

So eat, drink and soak up all the green you can get! 

Blood Battle

I am a firm believer in listening to your body. I was sitting outside people watching, listening to children as they walked by, some complained, some cried. One refused to eat. I had just picked up this article about eating for your blood type and so I went home and re-read the article. I thought about when I was a child, all the times my parents would make me eat certain foods because they are good for you. I, of course, thought that candy was a food group and sour patch kids was a great appetizer for all meals. I would eat those, then eat oh about two bites of food and then leave to go outside and play. 

So I looked at the article at my blood type. I am O positive, fairly common blood type. Here is what it said:

Character Traits: Focused, leader, energetic 

Diet: Animal Protein 

What to eat: Lean beef, lamb, turkey, chicken or fish (bass, cod, halibut, sole or rainbow trout are good examples), kelp, seafood, and salt (in small doses).

What to avoid: dairy, eggs, gluten, wheat germ, beans, legumes, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and mustard greens.

Workout: Running, swimming, cycling and weight training. You thrive on intense workouts and sweating, it also helps to regulate any stomach problems or ulcers.

Personality: Known for leadership skills, extroversion, energy and focus. If you skip on your diet, stop exercising or slip into a negative mindset, watch out! You become angry, hyperactive and even manic.

After reading this, I went back to my childhood. Growing up in Michigan with uncles that hunted regularly, I was priviledged to a generous amount of meat. I never saw anything wrong with eating meat until I moved out to Los Angeles in the land of Raw, Vegan, Paleo and Vegetarian. I was looked at strange because I ate meat and taught at a yoga studio. And even today when I tell people I am eating meat again I get looks and glares of all sorts. 

I will tell you that eating meat (all organic is a must!) has made me feel content. I feel satisfied and I feel ready to tackle my workouts. I am careful as to how much meat I eat but I will tell you that I am back to eating meat (sorry to disappoint) and that there is truth to eating true to what your body craves, and how your body was designed to function at its highest capacity.

**More to come about other blood types. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, pick up the book "Eat Right 4 Your Type: 4 Blood Types, 4 Diets" By Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo