• blessings - brain training - healthy - inspiration - life challenge - Meditation, Mantras, & Mindfulness - recipes - self help - The Cocoon

    All Are Welcome in The Cocoon

    Sometimes living life in a bigger body has it’s challenges! Too often we are made to feel as though enjoying good health, practicing self-care, and a modeling a lifestyle of wellness is only for the thin, the athletic, and the fit-and-trim… but I want to let you in on a (big) little secret: It’s just not true. Over in The Cocoon, ALL are welcome. Together, we get to disrupt the stereotypes of what it means to be healthy, what it means to be beautiful, what it means to be sexy and strong. We have fun moving our beautifully abundant bods.…

  • healthy - recipes - The Cocoon

    Rad Recipes: Coffee Hacks

    Confession: At one point in my life, I was drinking quite a lot of coffee every day. Like, A LOT. We’re talking all day long, so maybe 8 cups… or more! What’s worse is that I wasn’t even enjoying it (except for the first cup); no, I NEEDED it.  Coffee had become my drug of choice. It didn’t even have to be good coffee, hell, I would reheat a half-finished cup of crappy gas station super sweetened garbage coffee in the microwave and clutch it in my trembling hands like it was The One Ring… my preeeeciousssssssssssss! That, my friends,…

  • healing - healthy - recipes - self help

    Can Certain Foods Help Reduce Pain?

    It’s no big secret that the foods we consume regularly will have an effect on our overall health. And while it’s true that some foods are obviously not helpful in supporting our bodies, there is just a LOT of information out there on the interwebs, bookshelves, and tv talk show circuit that is conflicting and confusing.  Vegan. Paleo. Zone. Gluten-Free. Anti-Inflammatory. Mediterranean. Juicing.  The Latest Magical Cleanse… Cue my emotional response:  *$@#!  It’s overwhelming, just give me a blanket and a damn cookie! So what if I just want to make some healthier food choices, and I’m not in a…

  • blessings - healing - healthy - inspiration - life challenge - self help - The Cocoon

    It’s NOT Too Late! Start Your 10 Day Free Trial Membership to The Cocoon

    I opened The Cocoon – Empowered Transformation last week on Wednesday, and the people in the group are already enjoying the first steps on their journey to improved health – mentally, physically, and spiritually. It’s a small, active, engaged group who are looking for gentle, simple workouts, easy, healthy recipes, and lots of love and encouragement along the way. I would LOVE for you to join us!  If you decide to join today, you can have a FREE 10-day trial membership. If you like it, you will automatically be registered as an Annual Member (just $120 per year!). And, if…

  • healthy - recipes - The Cocoon

    Rad Recipes: Sweet Sunrise Smoothie

    My Sweet Sunrise Smoothie is so good! It’s loaded with natural, whole-food energy to power me through a busy morning, and it’s so easy to prepare (less than 5 minutes!)- this is one of my go-to breakfast choices during the week. 1 ripe banana (lots of spots on the peel) 1-2 small clementines, peeled 3-4 baby carrots (I’m obsessed with the tri-colored ones, but just use whatever you have) 1 oz cold coconut water Blend until smooth-ish and enjoy!   Approx. 138 calories

  • healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipes: Kelly’s Autumn Harvest Salad with Roasted Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Caramelized Onions (GF, V*, VG*)

    My friend Kelly (cupcakekelbel on Instagram) shared this AH-MAH-ZING salad with me to pass along to you. And let me tell you, it’s a beauty! Super hearty and filling without making you feel heavy. You could totally make a meal out of this on it’s own, or serve alongside a lean meat, fish, or pasta dish. It takes a bit of time to prep because you are roasting the veggies, but hey, that glass of Chardonnay isn’t going to drink itself. *For vegetarians and vegans, just leave out the bacon altogether. Adapted from: Kim’s Cravings (2 servings; approximately 780 calories…

  • healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipe: Mikey’s Coco-Nutty Grain-Free Porridge

    My friend Mikey swears by this recipe for a go-to, super easy breakfast fix. It’s the Coco-Nutty Grain Free Porridge from the book Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo. It looks super simple and I have pretty much all of the ingredients on hand in my pantry at any given time, so I’m stoked to give this a try for a weekday breakfast that’s hearty enough to get me through a busy morning without making me late. I think I can push myself past the word “porridge” to give it a try!  😉

  • healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipes: Killer Kale & Quinoa Salad

    I’m always on the lookout for easy, tasty meals that are low-cal but still flavorful & filling. This one is awesome to make ahead and take to work or school for your lunch the next day. There are loads of versions of this Kale & Quinoa salad, so feel free to personalize it and make it your own.  🙂 This one is loaded with protein, iron, & calcium from the quinoa plus Vitamins C, A, and K from the kale, plus the benefits of antioxidants & vitamins from the blueberries and super healthy omega-3 fatty acids from the hemp seed…

  • healthy - Miscellaneous - recipes

    Post-Holiday Healthy Meal Choice: Crisp, Refreshing Salad with Protein (GF, P)

    Here’s a tasty and simple salad that’s light and quick. Just the ticket to keep you on track after a holiday feast. The dark leaf lettuce and lean turkey are pleasantly filling without the painful bloat and food coma. Dressed simply with hemp seed oil and freshly ground Kampot pepper for nutty, earthy flavor balance. So good! Romaine lettuce Shredded chunks of turkey breast About a tbsp of cold pressed organic hemp seed oil (I like the one from Nutiva) Freshly ground Kampot pepper I like to get my pepper from my pals Cris and Tom at Pepper Project, because…