State of Mind

The best time to set the tone for my day is in the morning when I walk to work. Walking makes me feel energized and provides me with some alone time to focus on starting my day on the right track. I believe in order to have a great day you have to attract it and that starts from the moment you wake up. When I wake up focusing on the good and feeling positive my entire day continues to unfold that way. 

During my walk I listen to my favorite meditation, take deep breaths and set my intentions for the day. My go-to morning meditation iPhone app is Getting into the Vortex Guided Meditations by Esther and Jerry Hicks. This iPhone app offers a variety of meditations with different focuses all created to help you get into the right state of mind so you can achieve and attract what you desire. The different meditations include: general well-being, financial abundance, physical well-being, relationships and a music track. All of the meditations are 15 minutes. 

In the morning I typically listen to general well-being and in the evening when falling asleep my husband and I listen to any of the above, relationships is a great one. They make you mindful of your breathing and help center through words of gratitude and positive affirmations. The final 5 minutes is purely music. After listening to the meditation I feel amazing (depending on the time of day) either relaxed or rejuvenated. It gives me a clear perspective so I can focus on my intentions for the day whether it is setting personal/professional goals, feeling a certain way or how I aim to treat myself and others. 

Photo Credit: Sacredvibrations.net

Chia Craze

Photo Credit: Fit Sugar

Where I work Chia seeds have taken over! It's the norm to see Smart Water bottles filled to the rim with Chia Seeds (which look more like dirt when in water). In water their appearance may not be appetizing but the nutritional benefits make them very desirable. They are a tiny seed packed with big nutritional benefits. If you aren't on the Chia Seed bandwagon NOW is the time to start.

They are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, help balance blood sugar, increase energy, are high in fiber and protein, have age defying antioxidants and diminish food cravings. When I consume Chia seeds I find myself making healthier food choices and they keep me from over eating. They deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with minimum calories. 

I purchased my first seeds through Mila http://home.lifemax.net/mila-index.php but you can also purchase at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I prefer to mix the seeds in Vitamin Water and drink throughout the day but you can also mix the seeds into yogurt, salads, smoothies, cereal, etc. I hope you join the craze!!!

Lovely Lemon Water

During my last session with Aspen-based healer Rob I asked him if he could share any advice on how to start your day feeling great. In addition to starting and ending your day thinking about what you are grateful for, he also recommends drinking water with lemon juice first thing in the morning. I know most of you start your day with coffee so please keep an open mind with this post.

He says that lemon water sends soothing energetic signals through your body that you are awake and ready for the day. It also stimulates liver function which is vital to your overall health. 
Drinking coffee first thing shocks your body into waking up. Send a love letter to your liver by starting the day with hot or cold water and fresh squeezed lemon (then add coffee once you are awake). This sets your body up to be in a good place for the day. The liver tells your other organs what to do so why not wake up by sending them some love. For the next week I am going to switch my morning Chai with a big glass of lemon water and see how I feel.

Photo Credit: classicglamblog.blogspot.com

Mountain Air

While visiting my family in Colorado I took the opportunity to spend as much time as possible soaking in the fresh mountain air. Being outside surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, sunshine and crisp air was such a glorious break from city living. I love that on any given day in Aspen literally everyone is doing something active whether hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding on the river, mountain biking, paragliding and the list goes on and on. During the summer the Aspen hikes are busy with tourists so my mom and her hubby Bob took us up a more low key hike without all the people. Located up Independence Pass the hike called Difficult was through the Aspen trees.

Do you see the heart?

Help from a Healer

Whenever we are in Aspen, Eric and I visit spiritual healer Rob Wergin http://www.robwergin.com/. A healer is someone who is born with the ability to connect with your individual "light source" or "higher sense of self" to remove any negativity helping you feel your best. Every time I visit him I leave feeling rejuvenated, energized, calm and just happy - all for the price of a massage. During the session a sense of lightheadedness comes over me and a "tickle" like sensation in my fingers. It is a pretty magical and wild experience. Rob was born with this special gift and has clients who travel from all over the world to see him. He has so many success stories of healing clients suffering from cancer, sickness, depression, etc. His mentor is the famed healer, John of God, who is based in Brazil. 

The idea of visiting a healer may feel very foreign or out there to many of you. To help you understand a bit more of what Rob practices, here is his explanation: "The human body is like a tall building filled with energetic plumbing. At the top of the building is a water tower which provides fluid to all of the pipes. If there is a blockage the water becomes stagnant building up toxicity over time. Like the water tower, over the top of everyone’s head is a ball of light – this is your higher self, soul, divine light. Each person’s light is unique to them and is like their fingerprint. This is what connects each person to the energy of the universe. In an ideal world each person's light source would have a direct path to freely come through the body passageway. If this was happening a person would experience perfect health and achieve everything they desire. Like the building when a part of you is clogged (from sickness, stress, internalized emotion, etc.) everything gets toxic and energetic blocking occurs." 

Rob has the gift of being able to connect and read people's light source. This guides him to where our body needs help or removal of blockages. He works to remove/reduce the biggest energetic blockages allowing our body to accept light from above and flow freely through the body. While a healer works on you, it is normal to feel lightheaded, peaceful, calm and relaxed because the light is flowing through you. The purest form of healing is done by your own light because your higher intelligence knows your destiny.

One healing tool that he recommends everyone should do is to visualize yourself breathing in light, light flowing freely throughout your whole body and then exhaling any sufferings such as discomfort, pain, stress, etc. When you breathe in imagine a pure light stream going through your nose, down your spine, filling your kidneys, liver and then breathing out all the negativity. Breathe in beautiful light and breathe out toxic energy. 

Seeing him just feels right. My husband (who by nature isn't as into all of this) now looks forward to seeing Rob. Rob helped relieve back pain he was suffering from and just makes him feel good. Healers are based everywhere but Rob is really special. If you are ever in Aspen I highly recommend seeing him.

Morning on the Water

When I attended the hippie high school outside of Aspen, Colorado we didn't have traditional sports like football, track, etc. Our sports consisted of white water kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and snowboarding (during the winter we got out of school early to hit the mountains). Living in NYC you don't really think kayaking is an activity easily accessible but boy was I wrong. The nonprofit organization, Downtown Boathouse, makes it so easy to get on the water. Today I met my friend Elle at Pier 40 and we kayaked for over an hour. Being on the water was so refreshing and just pure fun. If you've never kayaked I highly recommend it and this is a great location for learning. From Pier 96 they offer three hour guided trips for more experienced kayakers. The organization is run by volunteers and it doesn't cost anything to kayak. Visit Downtown Boathouse for more details http://www.downtownboathouse.org/volunteer.html

THINGS TO KNOW 
- Locations that offer kayaking: Pier 40, Pier 96, Pier 72
- First come, first serve
- There is no cost (donations are accepted)
- No kayaking experience needed
- They provide a life jacket, kayak, paddle and tips on paddling 
- At Pier 40 you must stay inside a protected area. At Pier 96 they offer a longer, guided tour every Sunday (check the calender first)
- Bring a bathing suit, or shorts and a T-Shirt
- They have changing rooms

Clarity with Crystals

Crystals have healing power and the ability to clear negativity from an environment. They are comprised of complex arrangements of minerals which have electrical properties that allow them to help balance energy fields. Household appliances and electronics in our home produce low level radiation. This radiation can throw off the energy field impacting our health and relationships. Crystals help absorb this negative energy so your home is full of good vibes.  

I was talking about crystals one day at work when my colleague Jasmin recommended that I must visit Sticks, Stones and Bones in the West Village (111 Christopher St. between Bedford St. & Bleecker St.). When you enter you immediately feel relaxed and surrounded by spiritual goodness. Selecting crystals is a very personal decision. Make sure you are in a good frame of mind and select stones that you attract to. The team at the store are very helpful and are happy to assist you with finding the best stones based on your unique needs. It is amazing how many forms of crystals there are to help with everything from attracting love and peace to attaining your true self and bringing financial security. On my first trip I wanted to start with the basics. She recommended the following:
- A clear or smoky quartz crystal cluster for the living room and kitchen to reduce radiation from kitchen appliances and infuse positive energy. Don't put clusters in the bedroom as the energy may keep you awake at night
- Rose quartz or amethyst for the bedroom. This is recommended for balance, harmony and when placed next to your bed attracts romance. Amethyst also helps with relieving stress
- A protective stone such as black tourmaline, black onyx or hematite in the entry way to keep out negativity

 

Once you select your crystals first cleanse them before placing around your home. You need to do this to remove the energy from people who have previously held them. There are many cleansing techniques (see below) but I chose the sun and moon method which consists of rinsing the stones in water and leaving them on a window-ledge for 24 hours before placing them around your home.

- Salt: Take a bowl of sea salt and bury your stone in it for about 24 hours and then wipe it carefully to remove the salt

- Smudging: Use smudging sticks such as sage, hold your crystal in the smoke of the herb for purification

- Sound: Use a Tibetan singing bowl to rebalance your crystals

Eric and I have a positive home but I have to say since adding the crystals two weeks ago our home has become our sanctuary. Try adding some crystals, even though you may not feel a difference, they will be working behind-the-scenes to make your home healthy and full of harmony.

Crystal Selection

This amethyst crystal makes a great centerpiece. Photo credit: Thisisglamourous.com

Urban Rebounding aka Trampoline Class

I can easily think back to the pure, carefree fun I felt while jumping on a trampoline as a kid. Little did I know that a trampoline could still create that same feeling in my adult life. Last night I joined my friend Lauren at the New York Health & Racquet Club for the Urban Rebounding class. The name sounded a little intimidating and as I entered the room I had no idea what to expect. The room was filled with about 50 people of all different ages. The class was 45 minutes long and the entire time was spent on your personal trampoline. At first I thought it was going to be silly and I doubted I would even break a sweat. Boy was I wrong! Besides the class being super challenging and an amazing workout it was PURE FUN. The energy was high and everyone was so into it with lots of yelling and cheering taking place.  

I left the class feeling great. On my walk home I was chatting with my mom telling her how I just did my one FUN thing for the day and I couldn't stop laughing. I was freakishly giddy and didn't know what came over me. She said all the bouncing must have boosted my serotonin. She was definitely right. Today I looked up the benefits of trampoline exercise and was blown away. The rebounding motion strengthens your whole body from inside and out, puts zero stress on your joints and is linked with helping depression. I totally believe this. During the class I would just find myself smiling and laughing. The jumping also stimulates the lymphatic system which is crucial in maintaining a strong immune system. The gravitational force helps your cell become stronger. The trampoline has been around forever but doesn't have the trend appeal like some other classes/exercises. Add some bounce to your day, you won't be disappointed.
nyhrc.com/

Say hi to Lauren!!! 

Love Nest

Whether you are dating, single or married it is important that your bedroom invites and attracts LOVE. Here are some simple Feng Shui techniques that welcome LOVE (or spice it up) rather than keeping it away.

Remove Clutter: clutter creates negativity. Clear out spaces so there is room to welcome in the new. While you are tossing, throw away any items from your exes. Say goodbye to old t-shirts, photos, love notes.

 
Headboard Placement: the headboard should be positioned against a wall. Try and avoid having your headboard on a window as this can create restless sleeping.

Photo credit: West Elm

Perfect Pair: place your accessories in pairs (2 vases, 2 side tables, etc.) so everything is balanced. This also tells your brain that the bedroom is made for two people. 
Photo Credit: Turquoise Blog

Visuals: artwork that depicts a pair or two of something symbolizes and attracts love. Remove anything depressing, no more sad colors or pictures of single images.
Photo credit: Elle Decor

Bed Position: from the position you sleep in you should be able to see the door but make sure your bed does not directly face the door or a toilet.

Color Story: choose warm colors that create a soothing atmosphere like neutrals, yellow and coral. This picture also shows how you should place your bed where you can see the door but not directly in front of it.
Photo credit: House Beautiful

Hello Happiness: place positive, vibrant, romantic images in these two key places 1)wall opposite the foot of the bed 2)whatever area you see when you first enter the room.
Photo Credit: Z Gallerie

Token of Love: add items that represent love such as rose quartz crystals and flowers. Also remember to spritz your Lavender Love Spray.












Don't Overdo It: Try not to scare away new love prospects by making your apartment overly feminine or masculine.
Photo credit: Country Living

Technology No No: I admit I have a TV in our room (my husband insists). Your TV, iPhone and computer all distract you from shutting off and getting a good night sleep or focusing on your significant other. Try to put your phone in the other room when sleeping and cover the TV with a cloth at night.
Photo credit: CB2

Hot On Hiking Yoga

I can't rave enough about my first Hiking Yoga experience in Central Park. It was amazing and I loved every second of it. The group was small, about 8 of us, and it was the perfect mix of cardio and yoga. We got our heart rate up by power walking through the park and then stopped at about 4 spots (some I have never been to) to do yoga. Being outdoors made my soul go pitter-patter. It was a great break from practicing in a yoga studio and the perfect way to enjoy the spring weather. They also offer classes throughout California and in Portland, Phoenix and Dallas. www.hikingyoga.com

One yoga apparel company I am a huge fan of is Heidi Hat & Bottoms based out of Aspen, Colorado. What makes their yoga pants standout is that you can customize the print. I love the cropped leggings in animal print - so adorable. The below pics are from the Heidi Hat website. http://www.heidihat.com/fabrics.php

Hiking Yoga

Growing up in Colorado hiking was one of my favorite activities. It was a way for me to clear my head, connect with nature and of course burn a few calories. Even when I moved to LA hiking continued to have a presence in my life. Although Runyon Canyon was more of a spot for celebrity sightings than connecting with nature it still was a gateway to disconnecting. 

Since moving to NYC the one thing I miss most is hiking and being outdoors. When my friend Jamie discovered a group called Hiking Yoga which meets in Central Park I was more than interested. This Saturday we will be in Central Park getting our hike and yoga on. I can't wait to share our experience. http://hikingyoga.com/

Here are some pics my youngest sister Alex, a freshman at the University of Colorado, took while hiking in the Flatirons in Boulder.

This one is from my first backpacking trip at CRMS

Unleash Your Universe List

Growing up my parents made me believe that my goals were always achievable and nothing was out of reach. I never felt like I wasn't good enough for anyone or anything. If I had feelings of doubt my mom would work with me to CANCEL CANCEL and visualize on what I desired coming to fruition. Early on this helped me believe in the amazing power of the universe. When there was a goal I wanted to achieve, I would focus my time visualizing and seeing it come to life. Whether it was becoming class president in high school, getting accepted into the CU Journalism School or receiving an offer for my dream job - I actively concentrated on these goals becoming a reality. I do believe hardwork and luck have something to do with it, but the power of your mind, energy, positive thinking and working with the universe can help you attain your goals. Before interviewing for the job which brought me to NYC, I would think about all the important scenarios. What will I wear (of course at the top of my list), what questions will I be asked, how I will answer and most importantly getting an offer and accepting. I visualized these scenarios so intently that they felt real and eventually became a reality.


When I was in college my mom told me about keeping a universe list. You may ask yourself, "What the heck is a universe list?" Well, a universe list is where you write down your hopes, desires, wishes and dreams. I keep a journal next to my bed where I weekly write down everything from big life goals to work goals to items on behalf of my friends and family. The catch is when you write something down you have to do so as it is happening. For example, "My husband and I WILL own a house in two years" rather than "My husband and I HOPE to own a house in two years." You have to write it with conviction and confidence believing it will come true. You write it down once and then let it go knowing the universe will bring it to life. Looking back at the items on my universe list it is astonishing how many have come true from career promotions, salary increases, moving to NYC to opportunities for my husband.


Visualizing paired with keeping a universe list helped me attain what I most desire and will help you too! It is our last night in Thailand but I wanted to share with you what my universe list looks like (typically minus the doodles). Start asking and the universe list will start granting!

Gratitude

My healer in Aspen, Rob Wergin, told me last night that you should start and end each day thinking of what you are grateful for (much more on him and his awesomeness to come later). Rather than rushing out of bed try and wake up slowly and spend some time thinking thoughts of appreciation. This sets a positive tone for the day and creates good energy. When you do this at night it puts you in a state that allows your body to welcome healing and rejuvenation. He has seen that this one change can greatly enhance overall quality of life.


Today my husband and I leave on a trip to Thailand and Cambodia to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. On our trip I am going to start and end each day focusing on the good in my life and what I am grateful for. Last night when falling asleep I focused on how grateful I am for my husband and his unconditional love. He is my partner, best friend, confidant, soulmate, workout partner, travel companion, adventurist - and the list goes on and on. Here are a few pics from our engagement, wedding and honeymoon. While away I am going to try and blog as much as possible. We are back on April 18th and daily postings will start again upon return. 

Take a Deep Breath Already

Day in and day out I never feel like I am taking meaningful, deep breaths. In yoga class I'm the only one breathing silently. Whenever I call my mom feeling stressed the first question she asks is, "Are you breathing?". Or if I call her late at night worked up about something she immediately has me lie down and take deep breaths in and out. Breathing is a quick and simple way to calm down and reduce stress. This is something I need to work on and starting today I'm making a pact to begin and end each day by taking deep breaths. 

My mom recommends a breathing technique from Tony Robbins. 

Breathe using this ratio:

• - Breathe in for 1 count
• - Hold for 4 counts
• - Breathe out for 2 counts
• 
  
• Using this ratio if you were to breathe in for four seconds, you would hold your breath for sixteen seconds and then breathe out for eight. 
• http://www.energiseforlife.com/tony_robbins_breathing_exercise.php
• 
  

In order to notice a difference he recommends doing this ten times, three times a day. To remind myself to breathe deeply I am going to post sticky-notes and set up calendar reminders with the word “breathe” in my apartment and at the office.