In less than two weeks, my handsome fella and I will be scoping out apartments in San Diego to prepare for our October 1st move.

You know what else is awesome?

My pal Valerie, the mastermind behind City | Life | Eats (which, if you aren’t already reading for amazing ideas of what a gluten-free high-vegan diet can pack for lunch, you’re missing out!) is hosting an amazing giveaway right now. She’s offering one reader a ticket to the Take Back Your Health Conference in Washington, D.C.

Know what’s less awesome?

I’ll be in San Diego, so I can’t go! The conference is October 22-23*, and we’ll already be in San Diego. So I figured I’d go ahead and tell you about it so you could win the ticket in my place. (I admit it: if I had a chance at winning this giveaway and attending this conference, I’d probably keep it to myself.)

But you can go! If you aren’t one of the lucky folks attending Marie Forleo’s Rich Happy & Hot Live (seriously–how much awesomeness is happening the weekend of October 22-23?), you can be one of the lucky folks attending the Take Back Your Health Conference. Just pop over to City | Life | Eats and enter the giveaway.

Wedding photo--just because I feel like it. (Who knew an aquarium cafeteria could look so good?!)

*October 23rd just happens to be my one-year anniversary, so I’ll be sipping wine and camping in beautiful Southern California with the aforementioned handsome fella. I may not be attending an amazing east coast conference, but I think I’ll make out just fine, eh?

Sunset yoga in Wadi Rum, Jordan

As you probably guessed from the lack of posts, things have been pretty busy around here. I’m back in Seoul to work for the summer, and I’ve been working my tail off getting ready to officially launch my business. In the past, summer in Seoul has spelled disaster for my health (crazy hours at work coupled with intense stress will do that to a girl). Fortunately, this year seems to be going a bit better and I haven’t been nearly as sick. I think a big part of this is my commitment to regularly engage in a sampling of quick-action health tips. Every day, I try to make sure I do at least a few of the following, and I wind up doing most of them at least 4-5 days a week. Not bad, if you ask me.

• Make a green smoothie packed with enzyme powder and vegetables
• Crank out a set  of push-ups 
• Go to sleep in time to get at least seven hours of sleep (though more is better)
• Take deep breaths when I start to feel overwhelmed–even if this means doing it conspicuously while standing in front of the classroom (I consider it a teaching moment)
• Keep the apartment picked up so I don’t have to dread cleaning. Dishes get washed right away. All clothes are in the closet or the hamper; nothing draped over chairs.
• Skip the sugar. This was forced on me after a major (MAJOR) candida outbreak, and I’ve just started to reintroduce limited alcohol and very small amounts of sugar in my tea, but that’s it.
• Pass on optional activities that don’t feel fulfilling. No social outings just because I feel like I “should” and no harboring guilt about my long-neglected blog. Sometimes, the extras just have to fall by the wayside.
• Stay hydrated. Guzzle a big glass of water in the morning, and keep sipping throughout the day.
• Practice a few sun salutations in the morning or after work. (OK, I haven’t been doing this…but I’m adding it to my list in the hopes of starting.)

Kris Carr, brilliant author of Crazy Sexy Diet

Last night was your last chance to enter my Crazy Sexy Diet giveaway, and I was delighted by the flurry of late entries. Early in the week I tweeted that more people had to enter or else Valerie (of the amazing City Life Eats) would be a shoo-in. You guys definitely gave her some competition, but the random number generator knew what it wanted and selected entry #1, Valerie’s statement on why she wanted to win:

I would love to win this book as while I eat pretty healthfully, I think there is always room for improvement and I would love to cook from Kris’ recipes!

Congratulations, Valerie! I can’t wait to hear about your experience with this book.

If my budget were bigger, I would buy copies for everyone who entered, but, alas, starting a business while traveling extensively doesn’t quite allow for that.

Which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get this book onto your shelves a.s.a.p. By buying in the next two days (which means before end of day on Saturday, January 22), you’ll help Kris make it to the bestseller lists.

My mom (who has been loving the copy I surprised her with) and I have been talking about the importance of making sure Crazy Sexy Diet is a bestseller. This county needs a health revolution; with this book, Kris can help really make that happen. But it needs major media attention; it needs to be featured in newspapers and magazines and on TV; it needs to reach people beyond those of us who know that kale is the coolest and yoga does wonders. So if this blog (and my facebook, and my twitter feed…) has turned into a near-constant promo for Crazy Sexy Diet, it’s because I think it’s just too stinkin’ important for me to not hustle a little.

If you’re somehow still on the fence about whether to buy this book–and copies for your loved ones–watch Kris glow as she talks about the book in these interviews. Don’t you want more of that sparkle in your life?

• Behind the Scenes of the Crazy Sexy Diet Book Tour
• Chatting it up with the magnetic Danielle LaPorte: Self-Empowered Glowing & the Science of Kris Carr
• Sharing the good stuff with Gabrielle Bernstein of ~ing fame
• Celebrating greens on Good Morning America
• Talking down and dirty about sh*t pickles (that’s right) with the brilliant Marie Forleo

Whew! Can you tell I care just a little bit about this movement? (And that’s what it needs to be–a movement.) I hope this inspires you to chug more greens and spread the word.

On that note, I’m off to explore beautiful San Francisco, where we arrived last night after a quick-but-awesome trip to Portland. First order of business: get car fixed. Second order of business: find somewhere to get a green juice! Happy weekend!

As you probably guessed from the inactivity on here, life has been crazy busy these last few months. The vast majority of it has been wonderful–hello celebrating the marriages of two other couples I love, attending a family reunion, marrying my best friend, and taking an amazing honeymoon!–but there has been very little room for a routine. And I have a tough time staying on top of my health if I don’t have a routine. Especially if I’m constantly in transit, living out of suitcases. (I still haven’t unpacked from Korea, and I flew back August 30th.) Even though I’ve written about how to stay healthy while traveling, I’ve slacked on the yoga, the sleep, the green smoothies packed with enzymes that are my saving grace.

But this week, life is slowing waaay down. I’m spending tonight (Saturday) through Wednesday morning at my parents’ house, just Mama and me, and health is coming front and center. I hope to catch up on sleep, maybe catch up on my email (maybe not), get back on my yoga mat, and subsist mostly on green smoothies. I fantasize about doing a green smoothie feast, sucking down nothing but that healthy goodness for the next 72 hours, but I also know I need to listen to my body and be open to eating other (organic, whole foods) if I’m really craving them.

I’m particularly excited about sharing green smoothies and yoga with my Mom. She’s been a champion of the holistic way of life since we were little, taking us to homeopathic doctors and keeping fruit snacks out of our cupboards. A few years ago, she gave everyone from my siblings and me to my best friend and my cousins a copy of 500 Healthiest Foods, and she’s just started reading The China Study. We’re both constantly trying to figure out how to feel vibrant, and I think these next three days together will be a great step forward.

That picture up top is of me with my wonderful parents at my rehearsal dinner. As delicious as that glass (and maybe a few others) of Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc tasted, it’s time to trade it in for something featuring a lot more greens.

What about you? Do you want to join a 3-day green smoothie challenge to cleanse your system before the holiday parties really get out of control? Maybe you’ll just want to commit to a smoothie a morning, or maybe you’ll want to go all out and have nothing but green gold for the next three days. No matter what, I’m sure you–and I–will feel better for it.

The holy VitaMix

• regular green smoothies, chock full of vitamins, enzymes, and EFAs
• making sleep my top priority (aside from getting my work done)
• knowing the ropes, which greatly reduced stress (speaking of which: make sure you don’t miss tomorrow’s post)
• spending the months leading up to the summer making sure my body was in a peak healthy state
• approaching my work with love, even when that was really, really hard
• dry brushing!

Typically, when I come out of some similarly intense period, my body crashes, and crashes hard, unleashing all the illness and stress that I was harboring in every fiber. Thankfully, all my planning and strategy this past month has really paid off, and I don’t feel there is anything lurking (knock on wood!), waiting to rear its ugly head.

That said, I’m still taking care to ease out of this intensity. My former self would have pushed, and pushed, and pushed. But where would that get me? Sick and burned out and no fun at all. So this time, I’m making a conscious effort to–wait for it–honor my body and give it the rest it needs.  This may not be earth-shattering to you, but believe me, this is a whole new ball game for Miss Type A Squared.

Now that this insanity is over, I hope to post all the things I’ve been thinking about these past few weeks. But I’m going to take my time with it, rather than push to meet some arbitrary, self-imposed deadline no one cares about.

How do you plan to rest today? My friend Tina just shared this quote with me, and I urge you all to take it to heart–and take care!

Before you spend all day doing everything, spend five minutes doing nothing.

Determined to beat this creeping depression, I utilized out every tool I had. I eschewed sugar and booze in an effort to keep my blood sugar level (and therefore moods) stable; I got a daily dose of Vitamin D; I meditated; I watched bad TV; I ate healthy, wholesome foods; I exercised to release those endorphins; I skyped my sister so I could see my loved ones; I ignored the news so the BP oil spill wouldn’t bring me down even more. In the past when the blues crept into my life and decided to unpack their bags to stay a while, these tricks would usually work. But this time–nada.

[Image source]

Not only were my tricks not working, but I still couldn’t figure out why the heck I felt so miserable. By all accounts, life was good. I’m out of debt, I’m planning a wedding and marriage with the man of my dreams, the weather was lovely, and I was actually pretty darn healthy for once. When Michael would ask me what was wrong, I would usually dissolve into a tears because I couldn’t figure it out. Then I would list all of things that should be making me happy, but weren’t, which, of course, only led to greater feelings of despair. Oh boy.

Last weekend, Michael pointed out that maybe I should just stop trying so darn hard. Maybe I should throw the Dream Health Challenge out the window and just flippin’ lighten up. I needed to stop being such a major bully to myself and give in for a while. Wallow. Sit on the couch. Cry. Drink too much wine. Skip a run. Skip yoga. Skip meditation. Eat cheese. Eat ice cream. Eat brownies.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaa?! How could I? That was crazy! All of those things would undoubtedly make me more and more miserable–right?

[Image source]

Here’s the thing: I happen to know that my fiance is a pretty wise fella who knows a thing or two about creating happiness. I also happen to trust him implicitly, so I figured, fine. I’ll do it. I will give in, admit defeat, and just let this overwhelming sadness/anger/whatever hang out for a bit.

On a side note, I also had an acupuncturist tell me a few years ago that I needed to start “feeling my feelings.” I scoffed and replied that that “wasn’t very efficient.” Geez Louise. Needless to say, when I told my mom what Eva had said, she stared at me and said Eva was right. I’m still working on this one.

Also, in my monthly yoga sutras discussion group (which might be one of the biggest blessings about living in Seoul), the facilitator once told a story about Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. When he was asked how he handled negative thoughts, he replied that he invited them to sit down next to him and tell him what they had to say. How brave is that?

All of this leads us to the perhaps-not-surprising conclusion that once I gave in–and I mean truly gave in–it all lifted. When I came home on Thursday night, I couldn’t wait to tell Michael that I made it through the day without even wanting to cry or punch someone. Yesterday was upbeat, too. And today, still no tears. And not because I was trying to stuff them down and cork them up like a good little stoic Swede. Life is like this again:

Good times on my brother's birthday. Funk, wine, goofy hats, and loved ones.

I feel like I’m finally enjoying a nice little visit to equilibrium. I’m learning to balance goals with gentle forgiveness. And I’m smiling again. This is a very good thing as summer session at work starts on Monday, and I want to be able to share my best self with my wonderful students. Summer session also means I won’t be able to post as much, though I do have a few tricks up my sleeve for this site over the next few months.

Finally, thanks to everyone who’s been patient with me these last few weeks–the friends who know I tend to go inward when I’m down, and honor that by giving me space, and the friends who try to coax me out a bit. Whew–you made it to the end of this marathon post!

What the heck?!

I recognized that I was stressed, but it took me a while to figure out what was troubling me. Part of it is that I’m feeling a bit unmoored and longing for a “proper” home. I wouldn’t trade these experiences for a mortgage, especially knowing that Michael and I will most likely settle down Stateside when I finish grad school in two years (if all goes according to plan). So not much I could do at this point to resolve that.

My second concern is tied to the long hours of work that start soon. June-August is peak season for us, which means logging 70+ hour weeks in front of the classroom, not to mention prep work. Last summer was a bit of a disaster: I got quite sick and my work suffered. That’s why I’ve spent the lion’s share of the off season figuring out how to improve my health so I could thrive this summer. I love my students, and these long summer hours are what allow us to live the life we live, but I can’t sacrifice my well-being.

All of which brings me to my two week dream health challenge, starting Monday. I have never been so excited for a health endeavor, and I invite all of you to join in a way that seems fitting for you. Work insanity starts in two weeks, so I’m spending this time preparing myself as best I know how. Even better, Michael’s doing it with me in an effort to resolve some lingering health problems of his own. (I bribed him by offering to do all the cooking and all the dishes, but I’m sure he’ll pitch in.) Wondering what these two weeks will look like? Here’s the rundown.

• No refined sugar (fruit and very limited honey are allowed)
• No booze
• No gluten (for me, as always)
• No animal products. I’ve been dancing around veganism for a while now, so I’m giving it a two week trial. And yes–I know honey isn’t strictly vegan, but I’m not sweating that at this point.
• Get back in the green smoothie groove, having at least four per week
• Running three times a week
• Yoga at least twice a week for thirty minutes
• Meditate daily, if only for five minutes
• Up every morning by 9:30 the first week, 8:45 the second in an effort to readjust to morning classes

This might sound like torture to some of you. Two years ago, I would have laughed at this, but now I can’t wait. All my research and practice and testing up to this point makes me feel confident that I now have the tools to make this successful. Yesterday I made fresh peanut butter (no added sugars), tonight I’m soaking almonds for nut milk, and tomorrow I’ll be making some fresh deliciousness to keep on hand: marinated tofu using a friend’s recipe, a giant colorful salad, sliced veggies to snack on, and Bryant Terry‘s to-die-for rosemary paprika tofu. I’m looking forward to swiss chard sauteed with garlic and hot pepper flakes, veggie curries cooked in coconut milk, and finally making use of the nutritional yeast (affectionately dubbed “nooch” by many a vegan blogger) I brought back from the States. (Speaking of which–I’d love your favorite nooch uses and recipes!)

So, will you be joining? I’d love to read about your experiences–and any favorite sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan recipes–in the comments!

After some thought and reading responses to my name change post, the current leader for a new URL is GreenJunkieLiving.com. Any last suggestions/affirmations? I’ll likely begin the transition next week.

I also wanted to make sure everyone’s seen the most recent healing bookshelf update. My dear Melinda kindly pointed out that I’d misspelled Bryant Terry’s name when I listed Vegan Soul Kitchen, which is a truly awesome cookbook.

I am also happy to report that Becoming Vegan and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World have just been upgraded from my wish list to my ownership. The former because I needed a bit of a recharge, and the latter because I bought it in error for the Holistic Health Junkie as inspiration for a very special project, only to realize…she already has it. Which means: I get it! Yay!

What I really want to talk about here, though, is that little recharge I need. Around New Year’s, after my information binge regarding all things animal product, I made the switch to pescatarian. (By the way–is that the right spelling? Every source I check doesn’t recognize the word.) Vegan is the ultimate goal, but I have to say, I’m having a really tough time with the idea of no cheese. (That said, my body has a tough time when I eat cheese, so some day my tastebuds and the entire rest of my body are going to have it out; I have an inkling who might win.)

I decided I would begin my transition by giving up land meat. Given my three major reasons for thinking about a vegan diet–my health, the planet’s health, and the desire to reduce animal suffering–this seemed like a solid first step. I admit: lobster and sushi were also considered when making this choice. And I’m happy to say, I really don’t miss bacon. I don’t miss burgers. I wasn’t bummed to miss out on rack of lamb when I visited my parents.

I. miss. ham. This is extra sick considering that pigs are my favorite animal. How could I want to eat Wilbur?! Well, after a few too many drinks the other night, I was making some quesadillas for the fella and me. Mine was just cheese (which has its own problems, believe me, I know), and his had some ham in the middle. When it was time to dig in, though, I wanted just one of those ham-filled quesadilla triangles. I accidentally ate two.

(Seriously. I didn’t realize it until after. Please see previous reference to alcohol.)

In the morning, I woke up more than a little surprised at myself. Five months with scarcely a hiccup or craving, and then I went and shoved some pig in my mouth. What was I thinking? And why have I been craving the sweet, salty taste since then? I want to be moving away from animal products, not adding more to my diet.

Fortunately, I know my information junkie self. What I need now is a little booster shot of reality. Using my dwindling Amazon.com gift card money, I downloaded a copy of Becoming Vegan to my Kindle to read while Michael and I go out of town for a few days. I honestly can’t wait to remind myself of why this journey is so important to me. It’s one thing for me to be able to rattle off a quick list of motivations, but it’s another to (re)read the details of why this is so important.

Are you omnivore/pescatarian/vegetarian/vegan/raw? Why have you decided to eat that way? Is it ever a struggle for you? How do you stay on track when you’re tempted?

In the States, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit with the Holistic Health Junkie herself. I perused her bookshelf and was so happy to finally see what she actually owned. To that end, we agree to post our bookshelf highlights, admittedly, in part so it would make it easier for us to buy gifts for each other. As per our agreement, here’s what happily sits on my shelf (or in storage, for the time being):

Raw Vegan

• Raw Food/Real World: 100 Recipes to Get the Glow, by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis (a gift from my darling Snacks)
• Easy Raw Vegan Smoothies & Elixers, by Kristen Suzanne (a gift from Jen, the Holistic Health Junkie)
• RAW: The Uncook Book, by Juliano; my very first raw prep book
• Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, by Ani Phyo (A wonderful and unexpected gift from The Guru…whom I still owe a proper thank you note!)

Vegan (Cooked)

• Vegan Soul Food, by Bryant Terry
• 1,000 Vegan Recipes, by Robin Robertson (The product of the very first giveaway I entered, and the only time I’ve won)

Food and Health (General)

• Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips, by Kris Carr, of course!
• Total Renewal, by Dr. Frank Lipman
• Revive, by Dr. Frank Lipman, also of course!
• The Web That Has No Weaver, by Ted Kaptchuck
• The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell
• The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, by Michael Pollan
• In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, by Michael Pollan
• Food Rules, by Michael Pollan
• Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer

Yoga

• The Breathing Book, by Donna Farhi
• Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living, by Donna Farhi
• Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners, by H. David Coulter
• The Woman’s Book of Yoga and Health: A Lifelong Guide to Wellness, by Linda Sparrowe and Patricia Walden

My Wish List, or Books I’d Love to Own but Don’t (Yet)

• Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Ramero
• Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet, by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina
• The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet, by Alicia Silverstone
• Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule , by
• Babycakes: Vegan, (Mostly) Gluten-Free, and (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York’s Most Talked About Bakery, by Erin McKenna

So there you have it–my favorite health and wellness books. This list, as well as a list of books in other categories, also has a permanent home on this site under the Bookshelf link to the right. And if you’re wondering why there aren’t any gluten-free listings, it’s because I tend to stay away from most gluten-free cookbooks. In my experience, they’re often loaded with either recipes full of meats and cheeses, or recipes that require six different flours, neither of which really works for me right now. But if you have any great ones to recommend, I’d love to hear about them–or any of your favorite health-minded reads!

So what do you do? For starters, explain to the people you care about what changes you’re making; they can’t support you if they don’t know what you’re up to. Try to surround yourself with people who share similar values. Starting a yoga practice? Talk to people in class. Going veg? Join an online community or a local cooking class. I’m pretty darn lucky in that I come from a fairly health-conscious family, live with a man who loves his veggies and has thought about becoming a yoga teacher himself, and have friends at home and abroad who value healthy choices. Really lucky.

Looking cheesy with one of my granola co-chefs

Even with that to die for support network, I still find myself questioning my decisions or abilities. In addition to trying to tap into my purest self, I’ve learned to share my insecurities with loved ones. They haven’t let me down yet. (Which isn’t to say I’ve never had people in my life who told me I couldn’t do it, whatever it is. Over time, they’ve all gotten the boot. It wasn’t always easy to end a friendship or relationship, but why invest time and energy in people who try to break you down? Don’t!)

It’s also important to learn your audience. Don’t prepare your first vegan meal for your burger-obsessed best friend. No matter how tasty the dish is, it just might not be for her. Don’t look to your couch-potato coworker for encouragement when your new fitness program is lacking. It’s not that these people definitely won’t support you, but when you feel your own enthusiasm or confidence lagging, play it safe and call on people who already live the values you’re trying to adopt. Record them saying positive things if you have to. (I often joke about recording my friends Paloma and Amanda, who might be the queens of positive sound bites.) Here’s one of my favorite quotes to get you started:

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” — Chinese Proverb

Lastly, be patient with the people in your life who might not be so enthusiastic at the beginning. (Just don’t let them actively sabotage you.) These positive changes, as important as they are, can be scary for people who aren’t there yet. Once they see how healthy and vibrant you are, though, they’ll likely come around. Then you get the privilege and honor of paying it forward and being in their cheering section as they make their way down their own journey.

Have people in your life been supportive? Has fear of others’ reactions held you back from changes you knew in your gut you wanted to make? How did you move forward?