If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I became vegetarian 50 years ago. What my mom said was a “phase” turned into a lifestyle gradually eliminating other foods as I learned more about health and nutrition. Now, I follow a vegan, gluten-free (mostly grain-free), low-glycemic diet. At age 65, I take zero meds […]
Childhood Memories As a kid in Chicago during the '60s, when my parents went out with friends, we ate TV dinners. Those were pre-fab meals we popped in the oven (eons before microwaves) under brand names like Banquet. Nothing was worse than those frozen insipid vegetables like slimy string beans or waxy lima beans. […]
Who has frequent belly aches, bloating or gas, or irregular bowel movements? It’s ok to admit it because digestive disorders are widespread. I was diagnosed when I was a young kid. For more than 50 years I’ve calmed my belly aches through diet, meditation, breathwork, and bodywork. More than ten years ago, during my yoga […]
I’m a wanderlust. Solo journeying is part of my DNA. I first ventured outside of the U.S., alone, at age 16. Wherever I am, I incorporate several hours a day of yogasana, breathwork, and meditation. Plus, I try to lead classes or workshops in every destination. The pandemic encouraged grounding and cocooning. Nonetheless, I bolted to […]
Some things seem to go together like mittens on cold hands: apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and jelly, Mac and cheese, rice and beans, and South Indian dosas (vegan crepes) with coconut chutney. The five senses impact our menu choices. The smell of coffee when we awake stimulates our desire to add […]
As a kid, once my mom got past the TV dinners days, she baked sugar-free, bran-loaded homemade “cookies.” We had salad for dinner every night, and the only peanut butter she bought was freshly ground at the local health food store. My father’s degree was in physical education, though admittedly, he didn’t pass on much […]
Walking for Health Around 400 BC, the Greek physician Hippocrates said, “walking is man’s best medicine.” Recently, I taught a 90-minute exercise class to high schoolers. Between the yoga stretches and core workouts, I led them in a 20-minute walk outside. One of the school staffers saw us and commented that my pace was much […]
Most women are aware that weight-bearing exercise is essential to build strong bones and ward off osteoporosis. While that’s true, the Standard American Diet (SAD) and other modern unhealthy habits are like Russian roulette for the bones. You can be a gym rat and lift weights like a bodybuilder. But improper diet and lifestyle habits […]
The American Heart Association dedicates February as a month to love and care for your heart health. I high five that. But, we need to love and care for our hearts from an emotional and spiritual aspect too. Nourish Your Heart: First Love Yourself That's why I designed my signature First Love Yourself workshops. These […]
Suggestions for World Vegan Day Week Soul food. Cake and cookies. Ice cream. Those are foods that seem to soothe kids and adults. Unless you need a vegan-friendly version. Then, you can be in a quandary, asking, “Is there butter in here? Eggs? Milk? Or, God-forbid, lard?” I grew up with zero options for plant-based […]
Austin Paradise for Vegan and Vegetarian Community Austin, Texas, less than an hour away from The Namaste Getaway, is a smorgasbord of vegan and vegetarian treats. Every time I head into the city, I satisfy my taste buds with a variety of eats, and buy plenty of plant-based gluten-free items to take back home. I […]
Cacao: A Treat for the Heart I enjoy cacao as medicine. It’s heart-healthy, and a heart opener. Sunday afternoon. Feb. 23., I’ll be offering cacao as medicine workshops at The Namaste Getaway. Pick from Partner Play, or, First Love Yourself. All will include gluten-free, vegan low-glycemic cacao treats. Made with love. From my heart to […]