Day 20
Today’s been a challenging day, for a few reasons that don’t really matter much to get into. What I wanted to share what that I found myself for the first time, in nearly 3 weeks, wishing I could have a glass of wine after a long day of seeing clients. That’s when it hit me how engrained the association with alcohol, wine - in particular for me, is to relaxation and unwinding in the world we’ve created. And this is definitely taking some undoing on my part.
I want to make clear that I don’t define myself as an alcohol, nor do I frown upon the term. For me it just doesn’t resonate. It was a habit, even though not daily, and occasionally it was a problem. But it’s days like to today that are good for me to see and act as a reminder of what I was using it for and how it was such a crutch in my life.
So today, I am pulling out the reserves, having some tea, a little kombucha with burrito bowl dinner and a bit of hood chocolate to nourish and love my body and mind. And reminding myself it’s ok to feel uncomfortable, that’s where change happens.
#soberliving #soberlife #livingingratitude #nutritiondesigned #healthiereveryday #vibrantwellness #notanalcoholic #30daysobrietysolution #sobercurious #livinghealhty #visionstatement #soberlife #noregrets #getuncomfortable #feelit #changeisgood #challengeyourself
Day 19
It’s been a minute since I checked-in with ya’ll on how I am feeling with this sober life.
Mostly, I am doing great! I really noticed the first week was an emotional rollercoaster, between feeling really depressed and down on myself, to so proud of myself and extremely happy. Which I was really surprised by, since I did that year without alcohol a while back. But there’s definitely a different energy around this time being a longer decision/commitment.
But this last week and a half have been good, feeling more stable and strong. Also, noticing how much more amazing my skin and face look, and in general how much better I feel about myself - body, mind and spirit! I have been enjoying all my homemade kombucha and other non-alcoholic drinks. I also have been in general eating cleaner, more raw veggies and greens. I think that’s also summer for me. And feeling lighter.
Last thing I did want to touch on is that i have been leaning on a couple supplements to help heal my gut and calm my mind. They have been some extra B-complex vitamins and neurotransmitters, I love @thorneresearch Deproloft for that. Plus, L-glutamine in-between meals, a lovely Flower Essence blend called “I Quit” from @alexissmartflowerremedies are my favorites right now.
Are you guys interested in more info on going alcohol-free? supplements? herbs? food?
Image via @rumi.quotes
#soberliving #soberlife #livingingratitude #nutritiondesigned #healthiereveryday #vibrantwellness #notanalcoholic #30daysobrietysolution #sobercurious #livinghealhty #visionstatement #soberlife #noregrets #rumiquotes
Ugh, what a week...This one really hurts my heart. I never knew @anthonybourdain but he was great inspiration of mine, not just for his food and travel but his courage and openness about his life an addiction.
Last night I taught my Addressing Addictions Holistically workshop and I was honest with everyone that came what I was going though and the fact that I really wasn’t even sure if I was going to teach it or cancel the class. It took me 3 solid days to prep for and I was more anxious and irritable than I have been in a long time. I just wanted the class to be over. But something that made it easier was having friends and clients come support me.
We talked about so many things, from Kate Spades recent death to finding community and connect as a way to thrive in life no matter what you’re going though. We talked about kindness for ourselves and others. We talked about addictions and habits as a symptom of something greater. My grandfather always told me addiction was just another form of depression. And I just to think he was so wise. And he was, he just needed to go a step further to the why we are depressed or feels not whatever it is we are feeling.
I had my biggest struggles in my early 20s. I was on various psych meds, drinking way too much, and definitely contemplated suicide as an alternative. Thankful I had a great community to lean on and worked my way out of it. I still have ups and downs, that’s being human. We wouldn’t know joy without sadness. Let today and this week be a reminder to yourself to tell yourself “I love you”. Even though it will probably feel weird or you might not even mean it. We often tell those we love this and never extend the same courtesy to our own self. Tell yourself this multiple times a day until it doesn’t feel strange anymore.
And please reach out to anyone if you’re in need. People love you and want to help. #rip #anthonybourdain #healing #love #peace
Green Juice Smoothie
2 stalks of celery
1/2 apple
1/2 lemon, peeled + a tiny bit of peel left on
handful of dandelion leaves
1/2 cucumber
2-3 brazil nuts
1/2 cup water
2 scoops unflavored protein powder or collagen
Toss it all in the blender. This makes a single serving. Enjoy!
You can always make a double serving and freeze it for later.
This is packed full of all the good stuff you would get in a green juice, like magnesium, potassium, calcium, selenium, Vitamin A, B and C and more!
It’s got 280 calories, good fats to balance hormone and help you absorb all those good fat soluble vitamins, 25 grams of protein to help you build strong muscles, bones and skin, 7 grams of fiber to keep your gut healthy, have good detoxification, keep you full longer and balance your blood sugar, and over 2.5 cups of good greens, fruits and veggies!
I always like to tell my clients that meals should be balanced well to keep you full and satisfied for 3-6 hours. If you are hungry before 3 hours try one of two things, 1, drink a glass of water - thirst often masquerades as hunger. 2, have a snack if you are truly hungry, but next time you make this smoothie add more fat too it, try 1-2 tbsp MCT, coconut or olive oil, or a 1/2 avocado. This should keep you full longer.
What’s your favorite breakfast or smoothie?
“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” - @tonyrobbins @tonyrobbinsquotes
As many following me know, this is a super personal topic for me. I planned this workshop back in January of this year, nearly 6 months ago, and the irony is not lost on me that just last week I decided to become sober for life. I have been sharing this experience with you over the past few weeks and years. I will share even more details in this workshop, as well as what’s worked for me and what hasn’t. I was excited to teach it back in January when I was planning my workshops for Spring and I am even more excited to teach it now!
I want everyone to know that they don’t have to be any diagnosed “addict”, in recovery, or even thinking about recovery. Addictions and/or habits can include anything from alcohol to drugs to sugar to work or shopping, just to name a few. Or maybe you live with someone that you think could benefit from this information. Everyone and anyone is welcomed.
Habits or addictions can run and ruin not just your life but also those we love that surround us. Breaking these patterns can provide so much relief and room in our lives to grow into the person we want and were meant to be and allow us to live a happier and healthier life.
Join me as we discuss the the science behind habits and addictions, and why I think they are just a symptom of something deeper. We will also talk about why imbalanced blood sugar and nutrient deficiency can be a big culprit and how nutrition, herbs and supplements can help you heal so you can address your habits/addictions for good and live your best life!
Join me this Thursday, June 7th, 2018 from 6:30-9pm! For more info or to register see link in profile or call the Apothecary at (303) 399-1175. I hope to see you there! 🌸🌿💕
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#denvernutritionists #denvernutritionclass #nutritionworkshop#apothecarytincturaclass #holisticnutrition#eatingforhealth #healthyeating #nutritionworkshop #denvernutritionists #healingaddictionnaturally #addictions #healingaddiction #nutritionforaddictions #herbsforaddictions #supplementsforaddictions #sobercurious #healyourbody #healyourmind
#denvernutritionclass #nutritiondesigned
Day 5
I have been working though a book call The 30-day Sobriety Solution by Jack Canfield and Dave Andrews, I found a while back and finally am really using to help with this process. It’s mostly about journaling though daily exercises. Since they talk about, and I’ve always been a stinger believer in, drinking it any addiction is just a symptom of something else.
I also added in some movement or exercise daily, mediation when I can. Even though I did take that year off, a LOT of emotions are coming up daily. And sometimes I feel a little bipolar. I just remember what I tell my clients when cravings come on: just sit with it, feel it, face it head on, it will pass. For me movement, meditation and journaling and super helpful!
An exercise I find SO much value in, in any process of change, big or small, is writing a vision or manifesto statement. It’s all about what you want, but writing it in positive terms and present tense, as if it already was. (Fun fact: studies have shown that our minds can’t see negative words, so if we say I am NOT fat, our mind actually ignores the word “not” or any negative words and just sees:” “I am fat”. So rather you would write: I am strong or I am lean.) Read it daily, change it as needed.
Today I wanted to share my vision for my sobriety:
I love my life. I am grateful for all my experiences in my life, for they have lead me to my sobriety and a vibrant, full life. I am stronger, healthier and happier than ever. Everyday I wake up with gratitude, joy and excitement for what I have and all that is possible, especially through sobriety and my loving support. All things are possible.
#soberliving #soberlife #livingingratitude #nutritiondesigned #healthiereveryday #vibrantwellness #notanalcoholic #30daysobrietysolution #sobercurious #livinghealhty #visionstatement #manifesto #journalit #movmentismedicine #meditation
Day 4
I think because I gave up alcohol for a whole year and also the other countless times I’ve given up alcohol for a month or for an elimination diet, I know how to deal with not having it. In fact, it’s very easy for me to flip that switch and not even think about it most evenings. Rather I think what’s been difficult this time is the finality of giving it up. When I catch myself thinking about all things things I’ll miss out on, wine tasting in France, birthdays and Christmas and all the celebrations... funny how our minds work that way.
Someone once mentioned it might help to think about all the bad times you had when alcohol was involved. And I used to think this was a helpful reminder to not go there again. But rather it caused more shame and bad feelings that I felt the need to have a drink to quickly forget those feelings and moments.
Rather than feeding the negative feelings and that loop, I keep reminding myself, just as I do with my clients, to think about all the things you can have and do, rather than focusing on the 1 or 2 items/foods you can’t have. Gocus on all the positive and wonderful things you’re doing for you’re body, mind and soul, and all the nourishment and love you’re providing. I think this is the key. Shame has no place here. Only forgiveness, love and moving forward.
P.S. I really didn’t want to share this selfie, 1, cause I hate them, 2, because I don’t love how I look. I think I look puffy, bloated and tired. But this was taken on the last day I had a drink and I thought it would be cool to share and have to compare how I look and feel later on!
#alcoholfree #loveyourselfmore #notanalcoholic #livingfree #sobercurious #sober #gettingmyshittogether #day4
Time for some honesty… I want to be super transparent about my life and where I am at in my health and wellness journey. One of the main reasons I call myself a wellness advisor is because I am not an expert. I may know more than many, but I am always learning and growing too, so I share not only from what I have learned in school and books, but also from personal experience, and neither are finite.
In 2015, I decided to experiment with taking an entire year off from alcohol. I even wrote all about it in a blog post. It was a challenging year and a great learning experience. After that year, I very thoughtfully reintroduced alcohol back into my life and followed a lot of mindfulness tools when I consumed it. I was doing pretty good for a year or so. However, it slowly creeped back into my life, more as a habit and something I ultimately wasn’t comfortable with.
Over the weekend, I attended a wedding. It was so a blast. Although nothing horrible happened, no blackouts, or any scary stories of life-threatening rock bottom to share, I have decided to end my relationship with alcohol once and for all. I woke up the day after the wedding, with a hangover and at the age of 35 decided, I had had enough.
So, today is day 3 of this new adventure I have decided to start. I think we often skip sharing the beginning of any part of transformation out of fear. Fear of failure and losing respect of others and ourselves. The beginning is often the hardest and juiciest part of any change, big or small. And I want to share my experience. Though it may be a bit different than others, I feel excited about being sober and have 100% confidence this is the path for me, especially since I already have 1 year under my belt, though it was a few years ago.
Progress not perfection.
#progressnotperfection #nourishment #loveyourbody #loveyourlife #nutritiondesigned #livingsober #notanalcoholic
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” - Gandhi
Have you tried every diet out there and still have trouble losing or keeping the weight off? Did you know that calories in versus calories out no longer holds water? Our weight and metabolism are both simple and complex. Join me as we discuss all the ins and outs of dieting and what’s really behind our weight. We will define what a Real diet is and how it’s more about lifestyle and nourishment rather than deprivation and restriciton. We will discuss diet myths, why diets fail, how weight gain is usually a symptom of something deeper. We will also discuss why eating is
emotional and how to break the negative cycle and how being mindful can lead to easy weight loss and real sustainable change.
Join me this Thursday May 17th, 2018 from 6:30-9pm! For more info or to register see link in profile or call the Apothecary at (303) 399-1175. We hope to see you there! 🌸🌿💕
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#denvernutritionists #denvernutritionclass #nutritionworkshop#apothecarytincturaclass #holisticnutrition#eatingforhealth #healthyeating #nutritionworkshop #denvernutritionists
#denvernutritionclass #nutritionclass #nutritiondesigned #apothecarytincturaclass #holisticnutrition #eatingforhealth #Denver #gandhi #foodismedicine #medicineasfood #healthyweightloss #healthymetabolism #emotionaleating #healingeatinghabits #nourishyourbody #nouishyourmind #nourishment
