I have not been feeling well at all. I have been sticking close to home, so the rest of my symptoms have been easier to deal with. I just had a GI appointment, and while waiting for my next colonoscopy I just kept thinking there is no way I have tried every thing, so I looked for some new books to read on the subject.

This weekend I read not one, but two books on gut issues. I read A New IBS Solution Bacteria the missing Link in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Mark Pimentel M.D.

And Controlling Crohn’s Disease by Virginia Harper

I don’t have Crohn’s, I have never been diagnosed with it. But since some of the symptoms are same ones I deal with, I thought it might have some things I could try in the book.

In Controlling Crohn’s Disease, Virgina Harper, suffering greatly one night calls up Michio Kushi, talks to his wife and gets a recipe for a healing tea, which he says will sooth her inflammation and help start healing her digestive system.

After reading about Virgina’s story I felt It was definitely worth a try.

First off – the ingredients may not be that easy to come by.  I eat mostly vegan,  so they didn’t seem too weird to me, and I knew exactly where to find them. If you have a natural foods store or a Whole Foods near, you will be able to find what you need. Other wise you can order from Amazon, I put the links in the recipe.

I started drinking the tea today, I will update you on my progress, but I wanted to get the recipe out in case any one wanted to try it along with me.

Macrobiotic Healing Tea

1 Umeboshi Plum chopped into small pieces

1 heaping teaspoon Kudzu Root

3 to 5 drops Shoyu

1 cup Water

Directions Dissolve Kuzu in 3 tablespoons water. Pour mixture into saucepan with 1 cup water and Umbosi Plum. Bring mixture to a boil over high flames stirring constantly. Reduce flame to medium low and simmer until mixture becomes thickened and translucent. Remover from heat and add Shoyu, gently stir, drink while hot.

I will update soon with how its going, I would love to hear from you as well.

Slowing down in this busy world isn’t the easiest thing to do.

But if you want to be healthy, taking care of your self should be top of your list.

A few months ago I went on an amazing family vacation. Each morning, even though I tried to sleep in, I couldn’t do it.  The first few days I sat out near the pool with my ipad. I checked for any new cool things on Pinterest, I looked at Instagram for pictures of my dogs at doggy day care, and I looked at what my friends were up to on Facebook. Then a few days in I stopped. I stopped, and looked around at the beautiful scenery, I just sat there. It was wonderful. Some thing about vacation makes it easier to slow down and just be.

At first It was easy at first to bring that home, to love up on my puppy and just watch her run around the yard, to listen to my son talk with out doing at least two other things, and then it was gone. It slowly crept back in, always multi tasking, always doing 2 or three things at a time, when I am making phone calls, I am also on the computer, waiting in line? I better look if any one has text me.

Now I am making a more conscious effort to just be in the moment, and a funny thing happened, I am actually getting more done! When I am returning calls, I am doing just that, returning calls. When I take a break to walk the best puppy in the world Olive, we try to break our goal and walk farther, throw  few more balls. Just be there with her in the moment.  Its a funny thing, some times you think you are way more productive when you are multi tasking, but I truly wasn’t.

Here is how I got started.

• When I am answering emails, working on a project, I turn off the ringer on my phone. No interruptions helps me stay in the moment, and accomplish more when working
• When I am walking my dog, or talking to my husband or my son, I don’t even have my phone with me or out.
• I listened to music in my car instead of returning calls. I focused more on my driving and listening to some old and new favorites made me a happier person.
• I set aside times to return call or answer emails. I work from home, so I did this 3 times per day, depending on how much follow up you have you might need to adjust this. I made a fresh cup of tea, got my note book and focused on the task at hand.
• Making dinner, I used to have the TV on, and my phone on the counter. Now I turn on some music, pour a cup of tea and enjoy the process.

How will you try to slow down and me in the moment?

♥-

P

It’s no secret I love avocados. I start most mornings with toast, avocado and a little bit of lemon or lime. Yum! As a matter of fact if I am out to breakfast or traveling I have been known to go off menu and ask for that there too. Sometimes I will ask for a side of grilled tomato sometimes not, on this stage its avocado that is the star!

Yes they have fat – the good kind that does not end up around your waist. Avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, AKA the good kind. This type of fat is the same heart healthy kind found in Olive oil.

Here are some ways to add avocados to your diet today!

• Avocado toast for breakfast – I like mine with a little lemon, or lime
• Add some to your morning smoothie
• Top off your salad
• For that matter top off your veggie burger or sandwich
• Guacamole – hello!
• make an avocado based salad dressing by blending with water, olive oil, and any spices you like
• Making some veggie chili this weekend? Some crackers and a few avocado slices go great with your spicy bowl

Whether you go to the gym or the yoga studio keeping a well stocked gym bag can be the key o keeping up your work out schedule.

Here are some items I cant live with out.

A reusable water bottle.

I LOVE S’well. I am too embarrassed to say how many I own, but I am obessed with this one  right now, isn’t it the cutest! The best thing about this little baby is it keeps your water cold for 24 hours, and hot beverages warm for 12. I always have one in my bag, next to my bed, and in my car.

Josie Maran Bare Naked Wipes

If you read my post on travel necessities you know I love these great little wipes! Keeping them in my gym bag makes it easy to keep my face break out free and feel fresh after hitting the gym.

Earbuds and a well stocked ipod

I NEVER go to the gym with out this. Yoga class you can skip it, but if you are getting some cardio going this can really help keep you going. I keep my iPod full with different playlists for what ever work out I am doing. I have lists for running that starts slower, gets going to a full on party and slows down again for my cool down. I have a list full of just my newest most favorite songs I might be in the mood for, and songs that motivate me.

Hair Ties

I actually have quiet a few of these rolling around my bag. I have learned from experience how unhappy I can be at the gym if I don’t have one and now, I will never forget. I like the little ribbon ones. They come in a ton of fun bright colors and they are easy on your hair.

What do you keep in your gym bag?

♥p