doing

This week has been a busy one... and I know it will only get busier from here. Therefore, I decided to lay low this morning. To just be. 

Rather than starting my day per usual: hopping out of bed, throwing on my running clothes and flying out the door; I decided to take it slow and savor the peace this rainy morning had to offer.

Fiona Apple lulling in the background and the scent of coffee enveloping my kitchen..
I made a deliciously healthy (and hearty) Apple Pie Oatmeal. Like the flavored oatmeal packets that are available in grocery stores, my recipe is equally as quick without all the added sugar. And, its inviting scent of apple and cloves is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

Without further a due...

Apple Pie Oatmeal

• 1/2 cup steel-cut oatmeal
• 2 cups of water
• One apple cut into tiny slices (I prefer Fuji)
• 2 tbs Cinnamon
• 1 tbs Ground Cloves
• 2 tbs Local Honey
• 2 tbs Sorghum (optional)

Directions

Combine all the ingredients into a pan and set to medium, cook until boiling. It shouldn't take over ten minutes. Then voila! You have the perfect start to your morning.

tunesday

Allah-las. 

They were my soundtrack of the Summer, and their new release of Worship the Sun has already proven that they will also be in constant rotation this winter. I had the privilege of seeing them live at Bonnaroo this past summer and it was straight-up groovy. Their psychodelic-surfer-garage band tunes will take over your ear waves then shortly after.. your dancing shoes.

After such a successful release of their first self-titled album, Allah-las, I was curious as to how the second album would compare. But I am thrilled that it is equally enticing. My personal favorites include "Had it All" and "Follow you Down". If you are into vinyls I highly encourage you to purchase their work for its beauty sound-wise and visually.

It's 1967, you're cruising down Hollywood Blvd with the top down, just soul searchin'

winter blues

Alabama has a high of 30 on November 16th? 
I'm in shock too.

This skip from Summer and straight to winter has me feeling sluggish and way to eager to crawl into my bed.. just to escape her cold touch. 

Unlike summer's excitement, winter is a time to slow down, self reflect, and even hibernate. As all things, sometimes you can have too much a good thing. And, in this case, too much hibernation could cause seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Seasonal affective disorder begins during late fall or early winter and lingers until spring (sometimes as late as summer depending on the depth of your disorder). SAD symptoms include depression, feeling hopeless and sluggish, having low energy and losing interest in activities you usually enjoy. Wanting to snuggle up inside with a warm cup of hot chocolate and a movie is inevitable, but it's all about moderation.

In honor of the long, grueling winter that's upon us.. I've compiled a list of tips on how to beat the winter blues 

1. Bear the cold
Believe me, I frequent my spin class much more often during the winter time. But I always make a point to run outside at least two or three days a week. And, I know for a fact that this has the biggest impact on my winter attitude.

If running isn't your thing then bundle up and take your walk off the treadmill and into the beautiful outdoors. Even though you're wearing three layers of clothes, your body is still getting its feel of Vitamin D & C.

2. Moderation
With winter comes the holidays - booze, carbs, and processed sugars will surround you for two months straight. And you know what? You should definitely drink an extra glass of champagne while eating your second cookie.

But to balance out that splurge every other weekend, each day that isn't spent partying should be filled with green juice, salads, soups, and lots of water. 



3. Take care of your skin
Frigid temperatures and layers on layers are the perfect recipe for dead, dry skin. I've recently substituted castor oil for lotion and the difference in my skin is astounding. Applying oil has become a therapeutic part of my morning ritual.

Be jolly, be smart, but overall don't let winter beat you.






*I did not take the second and third photo, they are for inspiration only.*

illusions

“Nothing has happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the Now.” 

 -Eckhart Tolle; The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

Once upon a time, time did not exist. 

Man and creature roamed the Earth as one, living freely throughout the vast land. Each day they rose with our giver of life, the Sun, and ended the workday as its rays slowly faded away. There were no clocks, deadlines or calendars - they just simply lived. 

Time was created by man to form a more civilized environment. It has served a great purpose, but I've grown to realize that it's also hindering our faith in the present. Too often do I hear the words "Oh, I just don't have time", "The timing isn't right for it" or (my personal favorite) "Everything will happen in time". Instead of recognizing the power of the present, we fixate our happiness in the future - a time that we are not promised. We sit and wait for the "perfect time", but there will never be a perfect time. 

Because life is far, far from perfect. 

Instead of placing your fate in the hands of time... 
grab its hand and run wild.. 
run any direction your heart desires. You're the leader here.
Love someone? Call and tell them. Itching to explore? Buy your plane ticket.

You're the only person stopping you.

The following photos were taken during my ten day trip to Ireland in 2013. Every experience, landscape, person and food item was new to me. I was curious about everything and open to anything, I was free. Although I'm very accustomed to the sights and people I see each day in small town Florence, AL; incorporating this sense of presence and curiosity shines a new light on each day.

tgif

Ooooh Hallows.. your mischief will forever have my heart. But I must say, this was by far the best celebration to date. Just me, my people, very little sleep and an array of characters I chose to portray.

Three days of no work and all play.

Music. Music. Music. Music. was reoccurring throughout the weekend from local bands to The Devil Makes Three / The Cave Singers. I danced until my feet blistered, laughed as the sun came creeping through the skies and as tired as I was after the fun subsided.. my soul was refreshed. For the first time in a long time I let go of all my daily responsibilities and just l i v e d.

Take time for yourself this weekend and do whatever your soul has been longing for. 

It needs nourishment, too.

skivvy

Turtleneck. Skivvy. Polo Neck.

You either love it or you hate it, there's no in-between. But for me? I dig it.

It's actually funny how many turtle necks I own and how many ways I wear them. Some days I throw on an oversized sweater, boyfriend jeans and kicks. While other days I opt for a more form fitting skivvy, tight jeans, over the knee boots and top it off with a leather jacket.

What was once only worn by men athletes and military personnel during the 1800s is now considered unisex. Its use expanded in the 1950s after beatniks adopted this piece as a symbol of bohemian intellect. In addition, Gloria Steinem wore a turtleneck leotard on David Frost's television program; which turned the garment into a feminist statement. Fast-forward to 2014 where men and women can freely daunt their skivvies.

The turtle neck is modern, elegant, smart, and even sexy - all while protecting you from Winter's chill. Today's version of this timeless closet staple spans far from the 100% cotton, general color palette options that once ruled the scene. Instead, you can find them in various shapes, neck sizes and fabrics.

Next time you head to the thrift or department store don't dis the turtle - give it a chance.

roots

I'm always asked what led me to becoming so conscious with my eating habits and overall lifestyle. And, I would say it came in two defining moments - the first being at the age of seventeen after I stumbled and giggled through my first yoga class.

As I was driving home a thought hit me like a brick wall.. my body didn't need meat anymore. With my newfound vegetarianism came a completely new lifestyle that involved regular exercise, loads of greens and less refined sugar. I began eating to fuel my body. 

The second moment of enlightenment came while watching Food, Inc. this past summer.

Michael Pollan - author of "The Omnivore's Diet: A Natural History of Four Meals" - was being interviewed and his take on the food industry made so much sense:

"There are no seasons in the American supermarket. Now there are tomatoes all year round, grown halfway around the world, picked when it was green, and ripened with ethylene gas. Although it looks like a tomato, it's kind of a notional tomato. I mean, it's the idea of a tomato."

Yes, repeat that a few times to yourself. It's the idea of food.
It looks like an apple, tastes like an apple but does not contain the nutrients a t r u e home-grown  Apple possesses.

So why the hell are you eating it? Our body doesn't growl for food just to be given an apple-like food item. Our body needs nutritious food that can be turned into muscle power. 

Our body wants to do its job efficiently so we can finish a 5K, brush our teeth and shop all day without feeling fatigued. Our body is a beautiful temple that allows us to do everyday tasks, but these tasks can't be completed unless we aid our body in doing so.

Mother Earth doesn't grow delicious Sweet Potatoes and Beets for us to simply make our own with technology. Instead, we should take advantage of these delicious gifts by eating what comes directly from her roots.

I'm extremely proud to say that 90% of the food that goes into my body is USDA organic, Non GMO Verified or was grown by someone I know by name. This sense of intimacy with each ingredient in my meals allows me to stay connected with my inner and exterior self.

Hopefully I've shocked you enough to rethink your current eating habits. So to aid in your (hopefully) new lifestyle, I've compiled a list of tips on how to eat more consciously:

1. Shop Local. Take time out of your day to shop at the Farmer's Market (or Jack O Lantern Farms) and seek out locally made bakery items such as bread, pasta and chips. Much to my surprise, it's significantly cheaper to source locally (taxes are wavered when buying from a farmer AND their prices overall are lower). Court Street Market is opened daily from 10-6 and sells locally sourced goods only.

2. Buy USDA Organic. When it comes to the items you have to purchase from grocery stores such as cheese, yogurt, nuts, etc. opt for the product that is USDA and Non GMO certified.

3. Read the damn label. If you can't pronounce more than two ingredients then put it back..

4. Do your research. The most valuable information I have learned concerning health and what to eat/not eat have been through health magazines, books and online articles. When it comes to recipes, do your research on substitutions for ingredients like vegetable oil and margarine.

5. Get to know your kitchen. Take time to make your own treats such as Peanut Butter, Granola Bars, and Hummus that are filled with sugar and preservatives when bought in-store. Trust me, once you try the home-made versions of these goodies you will never purchase them in-store again. And, it's cheaper to make your own.

(Think: $1 container of home-made Hummus v. $4 Store-bought)

6. Ditch the soda. Spend five minutes googling what's in that shit and I promise you'll never touch it again. If you need another incentive, studies have shown that for every year you ditch soda you lose a pound. I encourage you to try out Kombucha for a healthier alternative - fermented goodness with a soda-like flavor.

7. Get creative. Eating healthy does not mean you have to eat a salad for every meal.
Have fun with it!



It's time to get back to our roots.