As a young woman traveling through her pubescent years, I remember, along with a friend, trying out new routines for washing our faces. We tried to use the most natural and effective products and routines to get the smoothest, softest skin despite all those breakouts. The process was just that… a process…but to me, it was no different than flossing and brushing my teeth (a process that to this day still takes me about 7 minutes!) I remember my friend’s mom being impressed with how long we were spending on caring for our skin but then it followed with the statement, “I don’t have time for that stuff anymore.” I remember in that same instant deciding for myself, “I will always have time to take care of myself.”
To this day, I still am very careful…or should I say deliberate…about what I put on my face, on my body, and in my body. I love living in the USA for so many reasons….but I’m also grateful to have traveled and seen what other cultures focus on and find important. I remember the first time I tried that beautiful, hazelnut-chocolatey spread when I was in Italy….so smooth and creamy. I’m a little obsessed with anything chocolate and the hazelnut addition was, to me, nothing short of amazing. As SOON as I got back home (yes, I still ask myself why I ever left…) and I tried the American version, I could immediately taste the difference. It was chalkier in texture, left a weird taste in my mouth, and hardened in the jar quicker. I noticed the difference in labels on the jar that I took home verses the American version: the sugar content? Practically doubled in the American jar. The sugar consumption in this country is out of control, creates addicts among us, a host of health problems and diseases – but that’s a whole other blog post….
As consumers, unfortunately, it’s up to us to care for ourselves and be stewards of our own health and well-being, even if it is easier to just listen to what the news tells us, buy exactly what’s packaged at the grocery store and use exactly what’s on the shelves in the beauty department. Like I have done for most of my life, I’ve learned to not take things that are offered to me just because they “are there” nor listen to so-called “experts” on health and wellness and healthy eating if it doesn’t resonate with my own intuition and well-being.
Every Thanksgiving, it’s pretty much a given that everyone in my household eats too much turkey, suffers from an overload of tryptophan, and falls asleep by 2pm. For the past few years, I have limited the amount of turkey I eat (if any at all!) because I want to make sure I have a balanced meal, just like any other meal I would eat. Last year I remember having all the energy in the world, and thankfully, had DigestZen to pass out to those suffering with too much in their tummies! (For those attending my yoga classes in Central, MA the week before Thanksgiving – you might even just get a little sample to share with your families!).
I have dedicated my life and my career to helping people take control of their own healthcare through wellness, different practices of yoga, and other mindfulness-related activities. I hope to see you at one of this season’s events or to hear from you to see how I can help be a part of your wellness regime this holiday season…or throughout your life! (See my calendar page for all of the public wellness events I’ll be running throughout the season! Check back often….)
Om namah.
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