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Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing {dairy-free, whole30, keto}
Like my classic dairy-free ranch dressing, this Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing has turned into a bit of a staple around here. It’s creamy, rich and loaded with the flavors of classic Buffalo Chicken Wings, without the dairy or sketchy ingredients of most store-bought salad dressings.
At this point, we all know how I feel about Buffalo-style foods. After 30+ years in that city, it certainly left a mark on my heart, well, I suppose in this case, my palate. I’ve been in Southern California over 5 years now and I will ALWAYS have a large bottle of Frank’s Red Hot sauce in the fridge. Because when in doubt, make it Buffalo-style. I love a few dashes of that stuff on my scrambled eggs, on simple grilled meats and of course, on my Big F-in Salads.
This Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing adds the spicy flavor of classic Buffalo wings to classic ranch and it will add a kick to any boring salad, it’s a great dip for raw veggies, it’s perfect for roast potatoes or homemade french fries (your standard potato AND sweet potato) and I even love drizzling it over a big huge bowl of roasted veggies, like Brussel sprouts or broccoli.
Of course, if you are making some crispy Buffalo wings, (might I suggest Mark’s crispy grilled chicken wings) this Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing is the perfect compliment for even more flavor. I am not trying to tell you what to do, but definitely if you are making my Crispy Paleo Chicken Tenders, this Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing is an absolute must there, too.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for June 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for June 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for June from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides, plant medicine to oracle readings, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss:
New Moon in Gemini Wednesday June 13th 12:43 PM PDT
The Sign Gemini’s “Ruling“ planet is Mercury- so named after the Roman God of Messages, Communication, Commerce, and Travelers. The energetic style of Gemini seeks to make connections and values information and movement, variety and experience. Our New Moon this month is an interesting lunation in that it makes no “important” aspects to planets this time. Instead, we have the New Moon / Sun’s ruler Mercury doing all the “ interacting”. The fast moving planet is out of bounds in its orbit, too. This is telling and puts EXTRA emphasis on new and innovate ways of “connecting the dots” between our thoughts and ideas, data and hypothesis, our opinions and others.
Mercury is currently in the watery and emotional sign of Cancer, bringing an overall cast of nostalgia, sensitivity and compassion to the week. We also have a tight and friction filled connection to the “ wounded healer” Chiron in Aries and stern taskmaster Saturn in Capricorn. Fortunately, there’s also a positive beam from Mercury to Uranus in Taurus. It’s possible we may not want to speak our truth for fear of being hurt; but communicating carefully and sensitively is key to expressing ourselves as well as receiving another’s expression.
Try not to take things personally and attempt to see from a new perspective now – this will help mitigate misunderstandings. Don’t retreat either, another common defense when things get sensitive, you can have a breakthrough this week if you allow space for your pain to be healed with understanding. On June 15th, Mercury opposes Saturn. Again, it’s essential to take responsibility for our decisions and get realistic about the plans we make. Try to avoid being overly critical- all the facts aren’t really in yet.
Typically on a New Moon we sow the seeds for new ventures and external manifestation of our dreams and ideas. This New Moon however is surrounded by outer planets in retrograde motion including Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto with Neptune retrograde June 18th and Mars June 26th (both are now in their shadow retrograde period) Retrograde periods give an internal focus to our manifestations. Our minds, thoughts, emotions and communications are open for new understanding and insights, on this New Moon it’s time to bring these tools inward and perform a personal housecleaning of any thoughts, emotions or communications that you wish to purge.
Now is the time to integrate what you “know and think” with what you “feel and see”. Breakthroughs in awareness and insight occur and new ways of being can be born when we make these connections within and dream a new dream for ourselves. Make New Moon Wishes on Wednesday around releasing hurt or miscommunications and gaining insight in the area where you have Gemini in your chart.
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10-Minute Grounding Meditation
This 10-Minute Grounding meditation is a guided practice incorporating a combination of breath, awareness, and visualization to connect you to the battery pack of the earth. Grounding allows you to draw up prana, energy, or life-force from Earth in order to become rejuvenated, revitalized, and restored. This is a great practice to use anytime you are experiencing times of stress, overwhelm or if you feel out of focus. Get comfortable and get grounded.
10-Minute Grounding Meditation
Meditation is an excellent way to reduce stress, reconnect with your body, mind and spirit and improve your health and well-being in a variety of ways.
When we meditate we rest the mind and attain a state of consciousness unlike our typical wakeful state. Rather than being focused on the external world or events taking place around us, we instead allow the mind space to become relaxed, clear and focused inward. Meditation gives us an opportunity to slow down and focus on self-awareness.
LISTEN NOW ON ITUNES
You can also listen on Soundcloud
Grounding
Grounding is the physical connection between the electrical frequencies of the human body with Earth’s. Practicing a guided grounded meditation will allow you to focus your mind on the present and learn to feel more balanced and aware. Grounding reconnects us with that felt sense of stability that resides within us all, it connects us to a foundation and roots us in stability and firmness.
When your mind is unfocused, you can feel uneasy, restless, and uncomfortable. Often just from the daily stresses of life we can feel scattered, overwhelmed, disconnected and spacey.
Grounding yourself can help you feel calm, peaceful and centered. This guided grounding meditation brings the opportunity for you to connect with the earth and experience a transfer of energy. By plugging into the Earth’s energy this helps to bring us back to our natural electrical state which is vital to our health as we are electrical beings.
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What is Glyphosate? And What Does Glyphosate Residue Free Labeling Mean?
If you have paid any attention to health and wellness, nutrition and environmental impacts, you have likely heard the word “glyphosate” at this point. If you haven’t yet, let’s do a quick debriefing. Read on to get answers to your question: What is Glyphosate? Why you should care, plus learn what Glyphosate Residue Free Labeling really means.
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is the number one herbicide and antibiotic used in the US; its use has skyrocketed over the last decade with the introduction of GMO crops. Glyphosate works as a broad spectrum systemic herbicide that kills weeds and is used as a desiccant. Glyphosate is used heavily in GMO Agriculture and in conventional growing (it’s sprayed on grains at harvest to desiccate them and make them easier to harvest and process i.e. oatmeal, grass grains, wheat), It is also used in home gardens and commercial parks, schools, etc. but is banned in organic agriculture.
A typical GMO crop gets many treatments of glyphosate over time (every few weeks through the summer). It needs to be continually applied to be effective. A growing number of countries are banning its use, as well as the promulgation of GMO crops. In 2015, 89% of corn, 94% of soybeans and 89% of cotton produced in the US were genetically modified to be herbicide-tolerant. 1https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us/recent-trends-in-ge-adoption.aspx
Despite multiple claims that glyphosate is safe, the World Health Organization has classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic in humans” and it is linked to lymphoma. Additionally, the California Environmental Protection Agency has added glyphosate to the Prop 65 list of carcinogenic chemicals and it is now identified as “known to the State of California to cause cancer.” Glyphosate may also be contributing to the Monarch Butterfly decline.
While the industry research miraculously touts glyphosate as “safe” and we can anticipate an ongoing scientific debate – for my taste, there is far too much research that says the contrary. As far as I am concerned, too much independent research points to it being unsafe and I am not willing to take the risk.
Why Should You Care About Glyphosate?
- Glyphosate is regularly found in our food and water 2https://detoxproject.org/glyphosate-in-food-water/. Even on non-GMO food, if it is grown in proximity of farms that use glyphosate, there is a chance that residue will still be present. Traces of glyphosate can be found in conventionally grown crops as well, because some farmers use glyphosate as a desiccant to dry out crops just 7 to 10 days before harvest, so the residue is present in the final food product as it goes to market.
- Numerous scientific studies conducted independently of the agricultural biotechnology industry have found that the toxic effects of glyphosate, even in small amounts, include disruption of hormonal systems and beneficial gut bacteria, damage to DNA, developmental and reproductive toxicity, birth defects, cancer, and neurotoxicity. 3https://detoxproject.org/glyphosate/how-safe-are-safe-levels-of-roundup/ 4Antoniou M, Habib MEM, Howard CV, et al. Teratogenic effects of glyphosate-based herbicides: Divergence of regulatory decisions from scientific evidence. J Env Anal Toxicol. 2012;S4:006. doi:10.4172/2161-0525.S4-006. 5Antoniou M, Habib M, Howard CV, et al. Roundup and Birth Defects: Is the Public Being Kept in the Dark? Earth Open Source; 2011. 6Vandenberg LN, Colborn T, Hayes TB, et al. Hormones and endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Low-dose effects and nonmonotonic dose responses. Endocr Rev. 2012;33(3):378-455. doi:10.1210/er.2011-1050. 7Séralini G-E, Clair E, Mesnage R, et al. Republished study: long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize. Environ Sci Eur. 2014;26(1):14. doi:10.1186/s12302-014-0014-5. 8Romano RM, Romano MA, Bernardi MM, Furtado PV, Oliveira CA. Prepubertal exposure to commercial formulation of the herbicide Glyphosate alters testosterone levels and testicular morphology. Arch Toxicol. 2010;84:309-317. 9Gasnier C, Dumont C, Benachour N, Clair E, Chagnon MC, Séralini GE. Glyphosate-based herbicides are toxic and endocrine disruptors in human cell lines. Toxicology. 2009;262:184-91. doi:10.1016/j.tox.2009.06.006.
- The way that we are growing and producing our food is destroying the top soil. Glyphosate is a patented antibiotic sprayed on the living structure, the plants and soil. The soil our food is grown in, much like us, has a delicate microbiome. The health of the soil directly affects the health of the food grown in it, which in turn affects our health. Being a broad spectrum antibiotic, glyphosate is used to kill weeds, but it is also destroying the microbiome of the soil. 10https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2017.00034/full11http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2017/06/aristildeglyphosate
References
1. ↑ https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us/recent-trends-in-ge-adoption.aspx 2. ↑ https://detoxproject.org/glyphosate-in-food-water/ 3. ↑ https://detoxproject.org/glyphosate/how-safe-are-safe-levels-of-roundup/ 4. ↑ Antoniou M, Habib MEM, Howard CV, et al. Teratogenic effects of glyphosate-based herbicides: Divergence of regulatory decisions from scientific evidence. J Env Anal Toxicol. 2012;S4:006. doi:10.4172/2161-0525.S4-006. 5. ↑ Antoniou M, Habib M, Howard CV, et al. Roundup and Birth Defects: Is the Public Being Kept in the Dark? Earth Open Source; 2011. 6. ↑ Vandenberg LN, Colborn T, Hayes TB, et al. Hormones and endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Low-dose effects and nonmonotonic dose responses. Endocr Rev. 2012;33(3):378-455. doi:10.1210/er.2011-1050. 7. ↑ Séralini G-E, Clair E, Mesnage R, et al. Republished study: long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize. Environ Sci Eur. 2014;26(1):14. doi:10.1186/s12302-014-0014-5. 8. ↑ Romano RM, Romano MA, Bernardi MM, Furtado PV, Oliveira CA. Prepubertal exposure to commercial formulation of the herbicide Glyphosate alters testosterone levels and testicular morphology. Arch Toxicol. 2010;84:309-317. 9. ↑ Gasnier C, Dumont C, Benachour N, Clair E, Chagnon MC, Séralini GE. Glyphosate-based herbicides are toxic and endocrine disruptors in human cell lines. Toxicology. 2009;262:184-91. doi:10.1016/j.tox.2009.06.006. 10. ↑ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2017.00034/full 11. ↑ http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2017/06/aristildeglyphosate - Glyphosate is regularly found in our food and water 2https://detoxproject.org/glyphosate-in-food-water/. Even on non-GMO food, if it is grown in proximity of farms that use glyphosate, there is a chance that residue will still be present. Traces of glyphosate can be found in conventionally grown crops as well, because some farmers use glyphosate as a desiccant to dry out crops just 7 to 10 days before harvest, so the residue is present in the final food product as it goes to market.
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Super Quick Coconut Red Curry Soup {paleo, keto, Whole30 Veg Options}
This Super Quick Coconut Red Curry Soup is ready in just about 15 minutes and it’s highly adaptable. Add chicken or shrimp, drop in whatever veggies are in season and you have on hand, add noodles, or don’t. It’s creamy, rich and a breeze to make.
In continuing with the simple weeknight meal ideas, I bring you one of my go-to, super quick meals. I make and share this often on my Instagram stories and I am constantly receiving messages for the recipe. It hardly seems like a recipe to me, given what a breeze it is and how I rarely even measure, but here we go.
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Beef on Weck Salad with Horseradish Caraway Dressing {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}
Beef on Weck Salad with Horseradish Caraway Dressing {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}. Classic fare from Buffalo, New York the Beef on Weck sandwich might be a regional food, but I think we need to change that. Taking the flavors of this Western New York favorite, I grew up with, I created a version I could eat, with greens and a delicious dressing – it brings all the flavors without the bread!
If you’re from Buffalo, New York, than you will get this, right away!! Fully. The Beef on Weck Sandwich. If you aren’t from the City of Buffalo or have never visited Western New York, then let me tell you a little bit about this iconic almost totally unknown (outside of Buffalo) sandwich.
It’s not like your usual French dip or really any other roast beef sandwich for that matter. Beef on Weck is slow roasted beef, hand-sliced thin, piled high on a Kimmelweck or a Kaiser roll – a hard roll that comes crowned with flakey sea salt and caraway seeds. To that the sandwich gets just a bit of jus (or it’s served on the side for dipping) and a little spicy horseradish, too. It’s the roll that sets this sandwich apart from the crowd.
I realized on the most recent trip back home to see my family in Buffalo, so much of the local fare are foods I haven’t been able to eat for over 13 years now, being gluten-free. Buffalo isn’t exactly known for it’s health food fare. I actually come back home and I crave the home cooked Greek food I grew up on, while all the other former Buffalonians are loading up all the local eats like chicken wing and pizza, chicken finger subs, Mighty Taco and the like. But I always feel like I’m missing out a little, too, if I am being totally honest.
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The 14-Day Caffeine-Free Challenge // Reset Your Caffeine Tolerance
This 14-Day Caffeine-Free Challenge serves as an opportunity to break the caffeine addiction for good or as a temporary break to give your neurotransmitters a hard reboot. Consider it a reset to your caffeine tolerance.
The 14-Day Caffeine-Free Challenge // Reset Your Caffeine Tolerance
To simplify it, as your body becomes accustomed to consuming caffeine, you need to consume more and more of it to experience the same energy boost. Acting in a similar manner to anti-depressants, high doses of caffeine on a regular basis acts as central nervous system stimulant and can flood the brain with neurotransmitters, creating neurotransmitter resistance or long term receptor damage 18. Olekalns, N. (1996). Rational addiction to caffeine. Journal of Political Economy, 104(5), 1100.
Reasons to Take a Break From Caffeine and Reset Your Caffeine Tolerance:
- Caffeine no longer affects you the way that it once did
- You crave caffeine and NEED it to start your day or to get through the day
- Your daily caffeine consumption amounts are insane
- You are experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, anxiousness or adrenal fatigue
- Your sleep health has been suffering
- It’s leading to health problems
- Doctors orders
How-to Beat the Coffee Addiction
The good news: to kick the caffeine habit, you really only need to get through about 7-12 days without drinking any caffeine. During that time, your brain will naturally decrease the number of adenosine receptors on each cell, responding to the sudden lack of caffeine ingestion. If you can make it that long without a cup of joe or a spot of tea, the levels of adenosine receptors in your brain reset to their baseline levels, and your dependence will be broken. 2https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-is-how-your-brain-becomes-addicted-to-caffeine-26861037/
You can certainly go cold turkey on cutting out caffeine for this 14-day challenge, but if you are a hardcore caffeine consumer, you may want to consider preparing by cutting back gradually and replacing your traditional caffeinated coffee with either half decaf or more gentler forms of caffeine, found in quality teas like green or black tea. I personally really LOVE a Matcha White Hot Chocolate as a gentler alternative to caffeinated coffee, such a treat.
How-to Take a Break from Caffeine and Reset Your Caffeine Tolerance:
References
1. ↑ 8. Olekalns, N. (1996). Rational addiction to caffeine. Journal of Political Economy, 104(5), 1100. 2. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-is-how-your-brain-becomes-addicted-to-caffeine-26861037/ -
How-to Take a Break from Coffee (and Why You May Want to Consider It)
Are you feeling that afternoon slump and reaching for coffee or other caffeine to power through? Is your sleep inconsistent and often interrupted? Are you finding yourself needing more and more coffee to get through? Follow along to learn How-to Take a Break from Coffee and Why You May Want to Consider It.
How-to Take a Break from Coffee (and Why You May Want to Consider It)
I am not one of those die-hard, ride or die coffee drinkers who’s been at it every morning for many, many years. There was a very long time, during the middle of my healing journey that I wasn’t able to handle any coffee at all. Even a single cup would cause extreme jitters and serious feelings of anxiousness.
After I healed my gut, went through an extensive liver detox and rectified my adrenal fatigue, among many other things, I did a little experimenting and low and behold, me and coffee were friends once again. We would connect occasionally when I was craving it. Generally it was Boosted, as I found this lessened any jitters straight up black coffee might cause. Overtime I created my own Healthier French Vanilla Coffee Creamer for those folks in my life that wouldn’t give up the sketchy store-bought stuff. I learned to make my own cold brew at home and I even fell in love with a Mint Mojito Iced Coffee number and found myself adding it to keto granola. But, some time last year my occasional cup of coffee, only when it sounded good, turned into an every single morning thing. It became part of my morning routine and the ritual of it became as much a part of the craving (or more) as the caffeine itself.
Then my one 8 ounce cup of coffee in the morning turned into 12 ounces. Suddenly my life included the occasional afternoon coffee. Sometimes even an evening cup. This evolved into me craving coffee when I felt that afternoon slump hit and I would actually at times find myself smelling it, even when it wasn’t around because my brain was lusting after it so deeply to give me that boost. I was finding myself traveling and making plans for how I would get that perfect cup of coffee on the road.
It was fine. Because in my mind, coffee has so many wonderful health benefits and if a light caffeine reliance was the worst thing I had going for me, I would say I am doing pretty good in life. After all, at this point I have chosen to basically all processed foods and for the most part all grains, dairy, legumes, sugar, etc etc all to manage my health and autoimmune symptoms. Just let me have my dang coffee.
The Benefits of Coffee
Coffee has many brain-protective compounds and an abundance of antioxidants, polyphenols and bioactive compounds. Coffee contains vitamin C, magnesium, polyphenols, catechins, flavonoids, and chlorogenic acids. and it’s generally regarded quite favorably by recent research. 1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26784461
References
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Lemon Tahini Dressing {Paleo, Vegan, Whole30, Keto}
This Lemon Tahini Dressing is a kitchen staple food for us. It’s naturally paleo, vegan, keto, nut-free and Whole30-compliant, so it’s a really great option for entertaining. Creamy, flavorful and so quick to whip up it makes an amazing dressing, dip or sauce with just a few ingredients.
If you haven’t sensed the theme, this year on Tasty Yummies, it’s been all about getting back to basics. Both with the foundations of cooking and in our health. I think both have gotten somewhat unnecessarily complicated. I find that having a solid base of pantry staples, meal prep and batch cooked recipes, sauces and dressings that you always have on hand – this is key to being prepared and ready to take on the busy weeks with your health and well-being at the forefront. No excuses.
I have been taking notice of the kinds of foods we make week in and week out, in our house. The uncomplicated, not-so-fancy, easy-to-make foods that keep us organized and feeling in control. We have several non-negotiables around here, top of that list, is always having a solid, super tasty, homemade, dressing on hand. Since we have Big F-ing Salads just about daily around here, having a tasty dressing already made and waiting, makes it even easier to make good choices.
For us, it goes between Dad’s Greek Dressing, Homemade Dairy-free Ranch Dressing, 5-Minute Green Goddess Dressing and this tasty Lemon Tahini Dressing. This thick and rich dressing is one of my personal faves, because I will forever love a good creamy dressing, but definitely prefer to avoid dairy. Not only does this Lemon Tahini Dressing not have any dairy, but there’s no mayo or eggs, no nuts, just simple ingredients. Tahini is a paste made from toasted and ground sesame seeds. This dressing is paleo, vegan, keto, Whole30 compliant, nut-free, etc etc so it’s great for entertaining a crowd.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for May 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for April 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for May from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss:
Taurus New Moon 5/15/18 6:47 AM PDT
“Tending our Garden”
A NEW MOON is when the Sun and Moon are co-joined. This month our lunation is in the sign of Taurus and will be joined later in the day by rebel planet Uranus, who will stay in the sign for almost 8 years! This brings extra emphasis to the new moon’s power in the manifestation process. Expect possible signs of what will be revolutionized collectively and personally over the next years.
Taurus is the sign most closely connected to Earth and it’s resources. It is “the container that allows energy to manifest on the physical plane; it draws the creative spark of Aries into form. It submits instead of subdues, it favors nurturing over destruction and harmonizes with the greater whole.”*
Taurus is our sensual world, it’s smells, tastes, and it’s products.
It is the “green world”, our planet’s gifts and resources. Taurus is the ecological steward!
Earth Moons always put us in touch with our physical and sensual body. Going slow, we can experience how our body feels, which may not have been the same as yesterday or how it will be tomorrow. This gives us receptivity to our changing experience and prompts grounded growth through awareness.
Though we are slow and sensual in this Moon time – we have friction between Mars and Uranus at 29 degrees Capricorn/ Aries.
The 29th or last degree of any sign is considered to be the critical one – it’s unstable as it changes into a new form. Themes of volatility are present in the flux.
Mercury is conjunct Uranus too – Money and communications may be affected. This could be in shocking and revealing ways. Venus is strong though-and we can look to her for a key to getting the most out of the intensity.
To begin, we plant the seed of intention for everything we want to manifest by getting grounded. Stop and Breathe! Venus essentially represents the law of attraction and one’s personal pleasure in BEING. Taurus and Venus are very much about feeling, balance and centering as well as contact with our earthy reality.
In a Manifestation practice (a VERY Taurean activity) we first pay attention to what we desire, from there we put our will into motion in a step-by-step way, with ritual and activity.
Delve into what you personally need for peace and stability this week – for some it is action and variety and for others quiet harmony. Go within and listen to your body’s wisdom to the find your center. No matter the changing in our collective (and it will be changing quite a bit more!) this will provide the most sustainable resource of all – a deep well of inner guidance and a foundation of healthy connection to your personal source of equanimity and security.
Know that you are a magical manifestor! Cultivate the concept, work with law of attraction and watch your garden grow!
Here is a little ritual for connecting to your body on the moon from The Chopra Center:
Exercise: Get Grounded
One powerful way to expand your awareness is to ground yourself in your body. Whenever you feel distracted or triggered by a situation or event, tune into the feelings in your body. For instance, if you receive an unexpected bill and your normal reaction would be to feel angry or anxious, try this simple yoga pose known as Tadasana or Standing Mountain.
1. Begin by standing* with your feet hips width apart, the big toes slightly turned in. Engage your thigh muscles and lift the knee caps.
2. Align your body by having the knees above the ankles, the hips above the knees, the shoulders above the hips, the ears above the shoulders. The crown of your head is reaching up toward the sky.
3. Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor. Lift your ribs up from the waist. Your feet are firmly rooted on the ground. As you feel your connection to the earth beneath you, you become as steady as a mountain. Slowly lower your hands to your sides.
4. Now take a deep breath, close your eyes, and let yourself feel the sensations in your body. Focus your attention on the waves of sensation until they disappear.
By pausing and becoming aware of your body and the present moment, you’re breaking a conditioned pattern of stimulus-response. As you breathe, your body is reminded of its natural state of harmony and self-regulation, and this grounds you.
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Safe Whole Home Eco-friendly Insect Protection
Moving to California I knew that we would initially have to make some sacrifices and deal with some major life changes. After all, living here couldn’t be any more different than living in upstate New York, in so many ways!
Little did I know that one of the biggest things I would have to prepare myself for would be the pests and the bugs. I guess with the Mediterranean-esque / ocean-side climate and without the major change in seasons or an epic yearly chill, like I grew up in, this place is heaven for insects. I mean, we have no plans of leaving here, why would they?
I am all on board for those little buggers livin’ life as it is intended – outside of my home. Mother Nature has that on lock, they all serve very important purposes in the circle of life. But, spiders, moths, ants – OH MY! Over the 5 years living here, we’ve seen them ALL (and more) in our house and I have tried so many different approaches to ridding our home of them. Besides the health of myself and my hubby, with having two cats and a dog, my main concern is always the toxicity of any pest control. With so many being loaded with harmful chemicals that are toxic to pets (and children), I have tried nearly every homemade, all natural, DIY approach there is and I can say that most fall pretty flat when it comes to efficacy.
Beyond not always being super effective, some alternative approaches to insect protection can sometimes use oils that aren’t safe around pets. It always makes me a tad weary and definitely requires some homework on my part.
Zevo: An Alternative for Harmful Pesticides – The Whole Home System
Zevo’s new Whole Home Protection System offers a safe and powerful solution to protecting your home, family and pets from indoor pests. Instant Action Sprays kill the insects you see while the Flying Insect Trap eliminates the ones you don’t see. You know, those extra sneaky ones that like to come out and crawl across you on the couch, while you’re home binge-watching the Real Housewives and your hubby is out for the night.
Zevo Instant Action Sprays
Zevo Instant Action Sprays provide safe and powerful insect protection that can be used around people and pets* without harmful chemicals. There are four formulas: crawling, flying, stinging, and multi-insect. Our Instant Action Sprays are made with common essential oils. The active ingredients are cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, and geraniol.
This Clean Insect Protection uses a safe bio-science formula to quickly paralyze and kill insects by targeting a nervous system receptor only active in bugs. Without harm to people and pets.
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Lemon Garlic Black Pepper Shrimp {+ Video}
Ready in a flash, at 15 minutes or less, this one-pan Lemon Garlic Black Pepper Shrimp is garlicky, buttery, with a fresh, bright flavor from the lemon and just a little heat from the black peppercorns. Pair with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice or cauliflower mash for an easy-to-make meal, perfect for a busy weeknight, but elegant enough to serve up to guests.
Since I have launched the Meal Plans Service and especially as I have continued to work one-on-one with nutrition clients, I have found myself very drawn toward creating simple, yet still fairly epic weeknight meals. Meals that ‘WOW’ without a ton of fuss. This is what I am loving creating more than nearly anything else right now. Recipes that people will actually make! Most specifically I have been loving those of the one-pan, ready-in-under-30-minutes variety. It’s been so rewarding getting the instagram notifications, on the very same day a recipe posts here on the website, that you guys are already making them. That says something and it’s the ultimate compliment.
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Between Meals Podcast. Episode 03: Stress: It’s Effects on the Body & How To Cope
Between Meals Podcast Episode 03 Show Notes:
Episode 03 of Between Meals is ALL about STRESS, it’s effects on the body and how to cope. I am joined by my good friend and clinical psychologist at UCLA Dr. Deborah Schleicher, Psy.D and we talk about one of life’s most inevitable challenges.
Whether it comes from your job or family life, financial stressors, stress surrounding your diet and your health or even pressure from social media – while stress may be an unavoidable part of the human experience, it’s how we handle those stressors that is most important.
Listen to learn how living in a state of chronic stress can affect our health in catastrophic ways, along with simple tools to manage both external and self-inflicted stressors, tips for practicing self-compassion, plus expert advice on how to know when to seek additional support.
Listen Now on iTunes
Referenced Links:
Digestion 101 Series on Tasty Yummies
Self Compassion with Kristin Neff, Ph.D
The Healing Practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam
You can now subscribe to Between Meals on iTunes or Soundcloud.
Since we are new on iTunes, please SUBSCRIBE and we would be honored if you took the time to rate and review the show, this will help more people find us and help the show to grow! If you liked this episode or others, please share with friends and family!
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Find Grace in the Space. Disconnect to (Re) Connect.
Find Grace in the Space. When we Disconnect to (Re) Connect we reap profound benefits to our health, vitality and longevity. Disconnection from the digital world and prioritizing both connection to the self, along with interpersonal connection offers stress reduction, a healthier immune system, reduced anxiety, a deeper sense of empathy and compassion – just to name a few.
“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.” ― Jack Kornfield
It’s pretty likely that by now you know that my approach to health and healing isn’t exclusive or limited to just food and nutrition, supplements and fitness. There is so much more to the story when it comes to our wellness and vitality. Mindfulness and spirit, stress-reduction, quality sleep, play – just to name a few. But, there a few other important elements that I personally feel are often overlooked: community, connection, space.
While they may sound like polar opposites, I believe both connection AND disconnection are vital to our health and well-being. Did you know that research has shown that real life social connection has profound positive effects on your health?
No – I’m Not Tired
I find in our culture there is an immense amount of pressure and a glorification of the constant “grind”, the “hustle” and a sense that we should always being present and available in the virtual world. This idea that “busyness is a status symbol”, you’ll sleep when you’re dead or that you are more important because you work more hours. I don’t think there is anything inherently bad about working extremely hard, prioritizing your work and feeling so fulfilled that you spend most of your waking hours pouring yourself into it. I’m guilty (and proud) of each and every one of these. Moreover, I think there is a problem that lies with the implication that taking breaks is a sign of laziness or a lack of motivation. That stepping away and prioritizing space and connection outside of the online world is a sign of weakness or that you aren’t fueled by your work. That’s bullshit. I say this about health and diet and I will say it here too: “honor your individuality” – ya gotta DO YOU.
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Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken and Cauliflower {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}
This Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken and Cauliflower comes together in no time, it all gets cooked together at once on the sheet pan and you end up with a meal loaded up with traditional tandoori flavors, without a sink loaded up with dishes!
I have become quite the fan of simple sheet pan meals for easy weeknight eats. Inclusive meals where everything you need for your meal on one pan. Cooked once, altogether. Minimal effort, inexpensive, hands-off, nutrient-rich meals are a must if I expect my nutrition clients to prioritize cooking and eating at home. I always want to make this as simple and approachable as possible, not just for my clients and all of you but honestly, for me as well. Easy is clutch.
Here are a couple of my other favorite Sheet Pan Meals:
Sheet Pan Roast Chicken and Veggies
Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
Sheet Pan Baked Eggs
Sheet Pan Crustless Quiche with Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese -
What to Eat, See and Do on Maui
Heading to Maui? Wanna know what to eat? What you should do? Where to stay? I’ve got you covered on my Guide to Maui, including my most favorite gluten-free eats and the sights that you don’t want to miss!
What to See, Do and Eat on Maui + Where to Stay:
I felt that the perfect and fitting end to Maui Week here on TY would be just a quick roundup of some of my favorites from our time on the island. From favorite (gluten-free/paleo) eats, where to stay and what to do and see – this list is my Guide to Maui. Admittedly, we planned for our trip to Maui to be as relaxing as possible so we didn’t do ALL the things, which means that just leaves a list to do next time. We really wanted to stay at a resort that would have all the amenities and bring the classic island vibes, while giving us the opportunity to truly let go and relax, which is why we stayed at the Fairmont Kea Lani, rather than grabbing an Air BnB or the like. We did of course get out to explore the island a ton and planned many activities during our week, so I wanted to share all of the highlights of our trip to Maui.
Hawaii’s state motto is: Ua mau ke ‘ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono, which translates to “the life of the land be perpetuated in righteousness” – this is beyond captured on magical Maui, every where you go, with every sight you see and every breath you take. I am certain the sacred, righteous vibes of this place will strike you, too, as it did us and I know you will fall in love with the aloha spirit of Maui. We are already counting the days until we visit again.
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Kimchi Stew // Kimchee-jjigae {gluten-free, paleo}
This Kimchi Stew (called Kimchee-jjigae) may have been inspired by our recent travels to Maui but this is a classic Korean dish that can easily be adapted to what’s in season near you and to your personal preferences. It’s hearty and warm, comforting and one of the most-loved dishes of Korean cuisine.
As we continue on Maui week, this next recipe may make it seem more like it’s Korean week around here, but this particular dish Kimchi stew aka Kimchee-jjigae was a standout for me from our time on Maui – I have made it countless times since our stay at the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui. Being at the resort was truly one of the most magical parts of our stay on Maui, for so many reasons.
Because this trip to Maui was our anniversary trip after a very busy year, we both obviously really wanted to explore Maui and see all the sights, and truly experience what we could, but we also really wanted to relax and kick back without feeling holed up in a vibeless hotel. We also didn’t want have to go out and stock a kitchen at an Air BnB to cook our own meals. We wanted to stay somewhere that had all the amenities for us to fully settle in, while still getting the full vibes of Maui.
Staying at the Fairmont Kea Lani we were able to fully submerge ourselves in all things Maui, eat inspired cuisines, experience so many special moments and just truly enjoy our time on Maui. Eating at the Fairmont Kea Lani, probably my most favorite culinary experience was at Kō. This is their award winning signature restaurant, which offers plantation-inspired cuisine featuring Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese menu items.
By utilizing the island’s fresh produce, meat and seafood, Executive Chef Tyler Pang gives these authentic recipes a farm-fresh, contemporary twist. Beyond an incredible meal to celebrate our anniversary, I also had the opportunity to spend time in the kitchen with Chef Pang and it was such an honor. I loved hearing about all the stories of plantation workers who came from around the world to work the sugarcane fields, back in the plantain days, bringing their families’ recipes over to the Islands, their cooking techniques and recipes . I enjoyed learning how many of these traditional foods and recipes shifted over time given the limited resources and having access most often only to the foods native to Hawaii, dependent also on the seasons. Recipes begin to morph and meld together from different cultures and become their own thing – a culinary evolution. These are the food stories that truly fill me up.
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BBQ Kalua Pork Hawaiian Pizza {grain-free, gluten-free with paleo and keto options}
This delicious BBQ Kalua Pork Hawaiian Pizza was inspired by our anniversary trip to Maui and it was love at first bite. depending on which crust you select and how you dress it, this grain-free pizza can be paleo or keto/low carb, too. Topped with tender, smoky shredded kalua pork, flavorful BBQ sauce and the red onions, it’s a perfect combo.
I know that Hawaii is known for so much more than kalua pork and Hawaiian pizzas – there’s so much beautiful tropical fruit, mangoes, pineapples, lychee and don’t forget about shaved ice, acai bowls, coconuts, poi – but you guys know, I am forever a savory girl. Savory food is my true north, this is what I want when I visit a new place. I live for the savory.
Our time on Maui was one I will never forget. From beautiful beaches with epic views and gorgeous black sand, to swirling black lava rocks with the contrast of the most vibrant colors I have ever seen, tropical plants and flowers and aromatic fruit – pure beauty as far as my eyes could peer. It was unlike any place I have ever been, too. Every bit of Maui was magical and the vibe was truly energetic.
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Easy Hawaiian Kalua Pork {Instant Pot or Slow Cooker}
Easy Hawaiian Kalua Pork is inspired by the traditional, kalua pig served on the islands at luaus feasts and other special occasions. In all it’s simplicity this kalua pork is exploding with flavor – deliciously tender meat infused with smoke and salt. This hawaiian meat is versatile and so easy with only three simple ingredients and five minutes of prep.
Welcome to Maui week on Tasty Yummies. After our visit to Maui this past November for vacation, I have lots to share with you, from recipes inspired by our travels, that I recreated immediately upon return, some of which have become staples, videos and photos from our trip, along with a robust list of some of my favorite places and things on Maui (that’s coming later in the week).
Traveling will forever be one of my favorite things, because for me, beyond seeing and experiencing new places and new traditions, I really love to learn about a culture through their food, so many stories to be told. I love eating things I have never tasted and sometimes never even heard of.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for April 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for April 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for April from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss:
Aries New Moon 4/15/18 6:57pm PDT
Sabian Symbol for Aries Moon: “Through Imagination a Lost Opportunity is Regained”
A NEW MOON is when the Sun and Moon are co-joined (conjunct). April’s New Moon is currently hanging out with communication planet Mercury in Aries, the sign representing the start of Nature and Astrology’s growth cycle. Aries keyword is “I AM” and within Aries season is the energy of commencement – we feel the need to get things done NOW!
Added to the Sun and Moon is the planet of Revolution Uranus – hand in hand with Dwarf Planet Eris (named after the Goddess of Discord). Eris was only discovered in 2005 and is actually bigger than Pluto! Eris represents how going against the “powers that be” can produce something magnificent in our life. Friction can create the “ pearl beyond measure”, deeper self-knowledge, accomplishment of goals, creativity, cohesion.
Here we have quite a line up of electric energy in the sky and the best way to take advantage of this power is to assert ourselves – by following our passions, moving our bodies in healthy ways, being flexible with change and knowing that sometimes in strife and definitely through striving we grow, we evolve and we triumph.
Mercury in Retrograde goes direct prior to the full moon. As it does it conjuncts Chiron in Pisces which is getting ready to move to Aries on the 17th.
The Wounded Healer/Teacher archetype is coming to the Warrior, integrating the two, putting awareness into how we can transform our hurt into help, it’s really showing us how our compassion which is borne of pain – can catalyze us into progressive action.
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Spring Salad with Lemony Turmeric Yogurt Dressing {Paleo, Dairy-free, Whole30, Vegan}
This Spring Salad features a vibrant Lemony Turmeric Yogurt Dressing that is creamy, tangy, fragrant and bright! It’s aromatic and complimentary to so many dishes, from grilled or roasted veggies, potatoes, crudite, or even chicken or fish – but it’s especially perfect with a seasonal salad with bright, spring veggies.
This gorgeous Spring Salad with Lemony Turmeric Yogurt Dressing features Silk Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative. A great option for those that have to eat dairy-free. In addition to being dairy-free and plant-based, Silk’s Almondmilk Yogurts are free from high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives are verified by the Non-GMO Project, they are responsibly produced and are free of gluten, casein, peanuts, egg and MSG. Now available in NEW Almondmilk 24oz tubs (Plain & Vanilla), if you wanna give it a try, grab a coupon for Silk’s Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative here.
This beautiful, golden Lemony Turmeric Yogurt Dressing comes together in minutes using the blender. It’s rich, creamy, thick, tangy and vibrant and it can be used in so many other recipes, beyond your standard green salad. Try drizzling over roasted veggies like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or bok choy or grilled eggplant or asparagus. It would also be lovely over chicken or fish or overtop your cauliflower rice.
