I recently heard the author of the book (Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Diet – in case you don’t regularly read my posts where I seem to refer to her often) say in an interview “The first, most important thing you should change is your mind.” So true. I was convinced it was going to be really difficult, and that I just wasn’t cut out for it. That the juicing lifestyle was for people better looking, younger, hipper, smarter, more committed than me. These were the ‘green Olympians’ in my head, on a pedestal, and I am no athlete.

Finally this summer I identified a stretch of time to begin my marathon training in earnest (I’m not being literal, you know).  I blocked my calendar, nervously worked my way through the produce aisle, watched the juicer instruction video, and began. Honestly, the first several days were hellish. I was very grouchy. But dammit, I was going to do it – 21 days of vegan foods and green juicing and change my life once and for all! On the 13^th day I bought a rainbow trout with the head and tail still attached. It was the most incredible thing I’d eaten in a long time. There was something primal about the way I sucked on those fish bones. Yum.

Was this a failure? No. Once again I realized my tendency to overdo it – to go full throttle for the opposite of whatever I’m doing now in order to affect what I think will be a healthy and lasting change. It seems that my inner drill sergeant has to kick the ass of the cute resistant one to get me to change my pattern. But here is where I get to change my mind about how things went down. Today I am not a 100% convert. I still enjoy a local organic grass-fed beef burger and chocolate milkshake every now and then. And… I have in fact created lasting change as a result of my 13-day foray into the juicing/vegan lifestyle. Three months later I continue to begin 95% of my days with hot water and lemon, then green juice before noon. I absolutely LOVE green juice. I even love how long it takes to make it. A friend mentioned it’s a Zen practice and I’m glad she said that so I could be less pissed off that it takes forever! Now I sink into the repetitive motion of feeding the greens through the tube, pouring the rich green fluid into my sparkling mason jar, enjoying every moment. I’ve ventured into recipes that always seemed unreachable before. I’m less daunted by the bulk bins in the food co-op. I found joy in cooking for my family again. I had a chance to notice my pattern of numbing out with food and found new ways to infuse my life with pleasure.

Juicing, and healthy eating – it turns out – is not an extreme sport. It’s available to anyone willing to change their mind, overcome their resistance (gently), and enjoy the simple pleasures in  everyday actions of nourishing their body.

If you don’t already practice loving yourself, getting started can be challenging. As my Valentine to you, here are some tips & resources for getting started:

• Read Mama Gena‘s blog post today highlighting Emily’s experience of becoming her own Valentine. This is a beautiful love story and full of lovely ideas that are easy to incorporate. Check out Mama’s other resources while you’re out there, and if you haven’t yet read it, her book is a must for all women.
• Are you a busy mom? Self care is often the very last thing a mother allows herself. Get yourself a copy of The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal and find (or gather) a Personal Renewal Group in your neighborhood. Renee Trudeau‘s compassionate resource has been a lifesaver for mothers.
• Do you love your work? Join Dr. Christiane Northrup, featured last week on Dr. Oz as an ‘Alternative Health Allstar‘ – on a special, free tele-gathering tomorrow night, talking about ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It?’ She’ll share how to use the most powerful force in the universe, LOVE, to build a business that is thriving, sustainable, and feels good to run. You’ll find out specific ways you can open your heart to increase your business success, and your bottom line.
• Speaking of bottom line, you know I just can’t stop talking about Barbara Stanny lately. And since working with her closely I now know more than ever the money IS love energy in the physical. I promise you, creating a loving relationship with your money will draw abundance in every single area of your life. Read her book, Overcoming Underearning, join her free Monthly Money Mondays, and if you’re in Austin, join my Vibrant Books circle next week to talk about how this work creates a full-spectrum life!
• One of the ways I most desire to love myself is to add more GREEN to my life. I’ve experimented with green smoothies and have found some of them to be quite refreshing, to the point where my body craves them. It feels really good when your body craves something good for it! With the help of Kris Carr‘s sexy new book Crazy Sexy Diet I’m exploring adding more (green) juice to my life this year.
• Last, and most importantly – gather your tribe you love you and support you 100% in loving yourself first. I highlighted my posse and the names of women whom I admire, wish to emulate, and have got my back, no matter what.

This is what’s top of mind for me at the moment. We all have unique ways of giving & receiving love. What are the expressions of love you most desire to receive? Tell me how you’ll be your own best Valentine this year!

“i heart me” photo by Allison Evans

Sugar cravings stink any time of year. They sure can throw your holidays off kilter when you’ve got a double whammy of stress and the overwhelming presence of sweet snacks you loved in childhood showing up on desks at work, at parties, and family gatherings.

Is it even possible to enjoy the holidays without stuffing your face at the buffet table and waking up guilty and bloated the next day? Watcha gonna do? (Call Ghostbusters?) Suffer through the holidays fighting the cravings? Give up, give in and end up in a sugar-induced coma from Halloween thru December?

I have a secret weapon that helps me manage the enticement of plates and buckets full of sugary sweets – it literally resets my sugar metabolism/carb cravings when I’ve gone overboard (which, um, does still happen now and then.) That secret weapon is RESET, a super simple, 5-day carb cleanse. I also have two renowned experts in my back pocket, Dr. Deb Kern and Dr. Karen Wolfe, authors of the book Create The Body Your Soul Desires, how lucky am I?

Of course, I’m gonna share this with you (in the spirit of holiday giving). Beginning November 1st Drs. Deb & Karen are leading a Pre-Holiday RESET with live phone coaching. I’ll be providing additional email support and will consult with you one-on-one during the 5-day cleanse. Do you want to rev up your metabolism and get rid of carb cravings before the holidays? Take a Stand for yourself this holiday and practice ultimate self care. Click here (by October 22) if you’re ready to get started. Want to hear more from Drs. Deb & Karen? Listen to their recording‘ Why Diets Don’t Work, and What Does‘ to learn more.

Here’s to a Vibrant, Healthy Holiday!

visions of sugar plums ~ spritz

I am lolling about in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The scene: kids and Joe are in the house. It is rather messy. None of us have bathed for a couple days (since visitors left) and we’re wearing odd assortments of dirty PJ’s and walking clothes. Yes, that’s right – I DID actually leave the house this morning for a brisk walk with Joe. My body couldn’t take it any longer… ‘Get… UP…. Get… OUT… M.O.V.E. your BODY…. NOW!’  You see… during the holidays I typically gorge myself on an assortment of traditional German breads & cookies I learned to bake from my mother and have been enjoying for, well, 41 Christmasses now. To me the taste of almonds, butter, sugar and candied fruit is part of the holiday I savor most.

Now I’m sure NOBODY else can relate, right??? Before we commiserate, however, I invite you to cut yourself some slack. Whether you enjoy food during the Holidays because of family tradition, emotional eating, stuffing feelings, or even general merriment, it’s OK! I am no expert on eating disorders or any disorder for that matter. But I AM an expert in my own self-criticism and general loathing related to food, eating, and body image. I’ve loathed myself so well for so many different reasons… and I’m over it finally. I’m practicing self-approval now, and I would enjoy your company along this new trajectory.

The last of the fruit stollen was consumed this morning (after the walk)… and it was scrumptious! There are still tupperware bins full of chocolate, spritz, lebkuchen, and spekalatius ~ a huge plate of these are accompanying us to our friend’s ‘Not-Yet-New-Year’s-Eve’ party tonight. That leaves chocolate coins which I don’t really love anyway, and the tiny Toblerone which Santa forgot I prefer milk chocolate to the dark chocolate variety… so I think things are looking up for my slow-moving, somewhat rounder, and did I say ADORABLE body.

I’m returning to my healthy pink shake for breakfast, walking/nia/or workout every morning, and will be re-setting my sugar cravings along with many others across the U.S. the week of January 11. Each year after the Holidays I enjoy the RESET program which brings balance back into my diet, allows the cravings to subside and healthier urges to resume. Because I am committed to being healthier, more trim, and fit in the New Year; and I also know that the 2010 Holidays  will include joyful baking and sharing sweet traditions with loved ones yet again; I am grateful to include in my tradition full enjoyment, gradual decrease, and this effective and pleasurable program for easing myself off sugars & carbs and back into my routine.

If you’re thinking about joining us January 11 thru 15, connect with me and I’ll send more details.  In the meantime, my wish for you in this time of retreat and celebration is ~ Love your body. Savor every morsel. Live in gratitude for the abundance on your plate and in your life. Listen to your innate wisdom. Move in ways that surprise and delight you. And celebrate every moment of your transition from 2009 into 2010. May your every intention bear fruit.

Be Well, Maddy