by Caroline | Jun 12, 2016 | Lifestyle |
So I wanted to talk about an amazing experience I had this past weekend in New York City with spiritual teacher and thought leader for the modern world, Gabrielle Bernstein: Spirit Junkie Masterclass.
I began following Gabby’s work in January of 2014 when I began my own journey toward healing from fears, and anxiety. For the past two years I read her books, went to her lectures and watched her videos. But this masterclass initially seemed to big for me. I questioned if it was right for me, or if I would get anything out of it. I was also stuck in a place where I didn’t spend money on myself. It seemed selfish and wasteful. After working through those blocks I’ve begun to see my evolution as an investment. The most important kind of investment. Because no matter what changes in my life, I’m pretty sure I’ll always have myself. I’m stuck with me, so investing in my journey toward more happiness and purpose is never wasted.
This year I decided nothing was stopping me. I eagerly waited for the day when she would announce enrollment. I signed up without hesitation or doubt; just certainty that this experience is part of my path.
With nervous excitement for what lay ahead I got on the train on a cloudy Friday in June. All day the facebook group was blowing up with people posting of their arrivals. People from all over the world came for this weekend. I could feel the energy of everyone as we made our migration toward midtown Manhattan.I wasn’t worried that I was going to spend the weekend with total strangers. That’s the type of family and community Gabby has created.
From the pre-masterclass meet-up at a local cafe, to waiting in line outside of the theatre, I was introduced to such beautiful souls. Though we were a diverse crowd of business owners, bloggers, yogis, energy healers, mom’s, teachers, and lawyers, we were all there for the same reason: release limiting beliefs, to go bigger, serve the world, and share our light.
I got into the theatre on the first night, and somehow I was front row center! There have been few places in my life where such a high vibration of energy was felt throughout a space.
The first day consisted of lectures from Gabby to help us identify our fears and the source of our limited ideas, bust through our blocks, and realize our unique power. Many shared stories of their struggles and what lead them to this moment. We did powerful group meditations and learned ways to connect to our highest self. We also were treated with a lecture from guest speaker Rha Goddess (a performance artist, activist, social entrepreneur and motivational speaker) about aligning with our purpose, owning our unique contribution to this world, and having the courage to offer it up in a big way to help others transform their lives.
Later on that day we learned how to lead a guided meditation and were taught meditations for all sorts of things (energy clearing, disconnecting energetically from negative people, energy recharging, forgiveness, releasing anger, prevent freaking out, irrationality, healing addiction, manifesting, YOU NAME IT!). I found these meditations amazing for people who may not enjoy meditating, because it’s not the typical “clear your mind” type of meditation. These meditations are perscriptive for needs we all have, and help us focus our energy in a certain direction, with guided cues (so ya can’t screw it up!).
I especially loved the Q&A time we had with Gabby, it felt intimate and people really barred their souls. She gave great advice and was able to connect so deeply with the audience as a whole as well as with individual people. The deeply authentic love Gabby conveys for the group is unbelievable. By the end we felt like family.
The second day focused more on practical lessons for growing a business using these heart centered principles. We had lectures from publicist and book publisher Richelle Fredson, online money-making goddess Kimra Luna and spiritual teacher and coach Jordan Bach, all major players in the social medial and online business world. Finally Gabby closed with a lecture on public speaking, book writing and how to bring our light in to the world to help others.
Throughout the weekend I tried to eat lunch with and sit next to different people every day. Doing that helped me meet so many more people. It’s a really safe place to turn to a stranger and just say “Hi, what’s your name?” At one point I sat down next to someone I had already known from facebook and instagram, so we finally got to meet in real life!
My major takeaways from this weekend, though difficult to put into words, are:
- Being healed doesn’t mean that wounds go away. Being healed means that you thank those wounds and see them as your greatest teacher.
- Only I hold the perception of my current reality, and I can choose to see things differently at any time.
- I let my fears and limiting beliefs hold me back, and how I’m beginning to move through them to create the life of my dreams.
- When it comes to operating in the world, it’s not what you say, it’s how you BE. You can say all the right things, but not actually live your truth.
- Be passionate about what you do in the world, because when you’re moved by your message, your message will move the masses.
If you haven’t been introduced to Gabby’s work yet, I recommend going to her website where she has short vlogs on a range of topics to help you live your happiest life. She also has some amazing books and online courses. And if you really feel like taking your life to the next level, there’s always Spirit Junkie Masterclass Next year!
xo,
by Caroline | May 15, 2016 | Lifestyle
I’m so excited to feature my lovely friend and registered dietitian Melanie Boehmer, who answered all of my questions pertaining to everything nutrition! This interview is full of practical information straight from the expert on eating and living well. Enjoy!
What are some of your daily food/nutrition habits that help you stay healthy and feel awesome? I’m a multiple meal a day person. I always start my mornings with a good breakfast. It’s the one meal that remains relatively consistent as compared to the change up in protein, veggies, starches and fats week to week. I always have 2 eggs, green leafy veggies (usually organic mixed greens or kale), with nutritional yeast and either 1/2 a grapefruit or orange. The only time this is different is if I’m off and I’m able to spend my morning at Crossfit in which I will make a smoothie and drink that intra and after my workout instead. Otherwise the rest of my day consists of smaller meals which I personally tolerate better then having larger meals and snacks.
I tend to not eat any food that has been altered from its natural state in some way. The bulk of my diet is non-starchy vegetables (greens of all kinds, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, peppers, etc.). I vary my protein sources between both organic and sustainable animal based and plant based protein (tempeh, sprouted tofu). My starches of choice include organic sweet and white potatoes, plantains, yucca, and sprouted or germinated rices, beans, and oats. Fats are relatively consistent and include Kerrygold butter, avocado, nuts seeds (their butters), extra virgin coconut oil and olive oil. And honestly if a person could live off of peanut butter alone, I would do it!
What are some of your favorite quick and easy on-the-go snacks when you don’t have a lot of time to cook? I always have a protein and veggie in my refrigerator that I can take with me anywhere. Organic tempeh, baby bell peppers (love those colors), avocados, carrots, and fennel. When it comes to prepackaged items my personal go-to and bar I recommend with all my clients is the Perfect Bar. Non GMO, high protein, refined sugar free and made with dried organic whole foods, it’s the healthiest and also most tasteful I have found! You can always find a Peanut Butter Perfect Bar in my freezer.
How do you maintain a healthy diet when you are not in control of your food (like on vacation, or at a friend’s house/restaurant)? Every situation is different. To be honest it took me a long time to make peace with food. There was a time where we would go out and I would just not eat because I felt there was nothing on the menu that I could eat! How silly when you put it all into perspective, but I’ve been there and I know others have as well. My suggestions for vacation would vary based on where you are going and what you have access to. You can pack a cooler and bring food with you. Depending on where you’re going and for how long you may have access to a kitchen and if you don’t then you can bring items that do not need refrigeration such as apples, oranges and bananas to have with nuts, seeds, nut butters, or seed butters. If you’re invited over a friends or family’s for dinner I recommend always offering to bring a dish, this way you can prepare something you know you’ll be comfortable eating. Even if it’s a veggie platter, one “healthy” option is better then none at all. When eating out there is almost always a healthy option available. When you feel you are stuck with no option, think protein and vegetable. The key here is comfort and flexibility. Enjoy the company you’re with, the place you’re visiting, and the opportunity you have to see something new. And keep in mind that one “unhealthy” meal is not going to hurt you.
How does exercise come into play with nutrition? One of my favorite topics 🙂 They go hand in hand. If you’re someone who exercises for weight maintenance and general health your diet is important but I would likely* be less concerned with pre, intra and post workout recovery. On the other hand, if you’re a competitive athlete looking to cut weight, lean out, build muscle and so on, your nutrition can make or break your performance.
I say likely because again, our individual needs vary. For those managing chronic diseases, attention to nutrition can be vital. In general, exercise will benefit you in the way of stress reduction, decreased blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and weight control. As a dietician I would recommend increasing your training slowly, monitoring your blood sugar and working with an RD to adjust your meal plan to properly fuel your body’s needs.
It can get so overwhelming with all of the different information out there. What are the most important things you tell your clients to remember when it comes to nutrition and eating right? First, PLEASE refer to a registered Dietitian (RD) or registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) if you’re looking for nutrition related advice. Second, the simplest nutrition advice I can give is to be aware of what you’re putting into your body. Start a journal. Track what you are putting into your body (food, drinks, supplements or otherwise). Note where you eat or drink your meals, the tie and how you feel (hungry, tired, upset, happy). Develop an awareness, find the pattern and you will see where you need to make changes.
My final piece of advice would be to keep yourself motivated with goals that will continue to keep you going. Rather than the scale, take pictures, pay attention to how your clothes fit, reference your journal, note your fitness, energy levels and trust the process. Your journey is about you. Eating Broccoli does not make you thin, and not all thin people are healthy. If you are looking for some additional positive reinforcement or have question about how to get started please do not hesitate to contact me at mboehmernutrition@gmail.com.
by Caroline | Apr 19, 2016 | Lifestyle
We are largely what we have thought ourselves into being. TRUTH!
Do you sometimes feel like your thoughts get the best of you and can take you on a downward spiral that’s hard to get out of? I certainly do. It’s amazing the power our thoughts have over how we live our lives, the attitudes we have and the results we get. I’m working on this myself, and wanted to share some of the things I do to get myself back in a high vibe mentality.
Starting with the basics, everything is energy and everything vibrates at some frequency.
When you vibrate at a higher frequency you will attract more positivity and happiness into your life, and when you are lower you’re going to attract more conflict and negative situations. This is a universal law.
Here’s how it works. When we have a thought, we’re sending out vibrations that are as real as the vibrations that are sent out by light, heat, and sound.These vibrations can actually reproduce waves, just as the sound vibrations from an opera singer’s voice can cause vibrations in the objects nearby (*cue sharttering wine glass*).
A strong thought will awaken similar vibrations in other minds attuned to receive it. If we are thingking high vibe thoughts, our minds will respond to other vibrations of the same level that are out there in our environment.
We all know somebody that makes us feel awesome when we’re around them. That’s because they’re puting off a higher energy and you’re picking up on it. And then there are those energy vampires, (we all know a few) where no matter what’s going on they’re going to find a way to bring down the energy in the room.
Thoughts that come to us are just reflections or answering vibrations to some strong thought set out by another, but the thought will only affect us if we are atuned to receive it. So tune in to receiving the good ones!
We receive thoughts that are in harmony with the general attitude we hold.
So how can we shift and continually raise our vibration so we can create a smoother life for ourselves so that things are more peaceful and our lessons are more easily learned?
1.Prioritize your energy hygiene: Notice the people and situations that lower your vibration. Maybe you have a coworker that is always gossiping or complaining and expects the worst in others. Though it may not be realistic to totally avoid those people and situations (unless you can, then definitely avoid them!), you can protect your energy by not engaging with that person on their level. Politely hear them out, but don’t go there yourself. Or if you feel totally drained after an encounter with them take a moment to realign yourself with your high vibing thoughts and repeat a mantra that brings you back.
2. Mantra Mantra Mantra: The most powerful way to train your mind is to repeat a positive mantra all day, especially when you encounter a difficult situation that might drain you of your high vibing thoughts. Some great ones to use are:
- I choose to see love.
- Everything is happening for my greater good.
- Think positive, be positive.
- When someone attacks me, I choose to love back.
- There are always possibilities of the highest good coming my way.
- I am being guided to learn and grow.
- I am a vessel for awsomeness.
- I can change my habits the moment I become willing.
- I am ready to rise up, go big and step into my power.
- My high vibe thoughts create health in my body, peace in my mind, and love in my heart.
3. Constantly be working towards a clear goal: I find that working toward a goal keeps the energy in my life moving forward with intention. I will never be able to just go to work, come home, eat, and go to bed. The repetitive hamster wheel can really stop the flow of positive energy and get us in a rut. Stagnant living will yield stagnant energy, plain and simple.
4. Clear out mind clutter: We can be very negative and judgemental about ourselves and how we handled something, or how we think we look. There are so many opportunities to acknowledge ourselves and love ourselves more. Having negative thoughts about yourself will breed more negative feelings about yourself. Start small and start with yourself.
5. Surround yourself with people who inspire you: They say you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so make them good! Even if you can’t control your coworkers or family members, you can choose your friends and community by doing things you love and meeting people who share the same interests and values. Even online networks can be a great place to connect with inspiring people. I’m in some amazing facebook groups where the community is so supportive and positive.
Now I’d love to hear from you!
Share in the comments below some ways you could raise your vibration to get more of what you want out of life. Thank you for being honest and brave!
XO,
by Caroline | Apr 3, 2016 | Lifestyle |
Guest blogger Kiley from One Healthy Hamptons is sharing her tips for spring cleansing!
Spring! Birds chirping, sun shining, snow melting, spring cleaning. Before you roll your eyes, this isn’t about weeding through your closet, although that may be a good idea. Spring cleaning is about so much more than old clothing, clean countertops, and fresh gardening. Life is reborn for trees, flowers, wildlife, and whoever wants to take advantage. Spring is the season of growth and renewal; the perfect time to cleanse the old and welcome the new, both inside and out.
Clean out the junk in all aspects of life and replace it with fresh, positive, healthy goodness. As the saying goes, if you keep good food in your fridge, you will eat good food!
1. Cleanse your eating. That does not mean you’ll have to live on juice – been there, done that. Good news: your body is designed to cleanse itself. That’s right, you can skip the starvation, straw sipping, and pill popping. Just get back to the basics and treat your body right by eating right. Go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer, and throw away anything (and everything) past its expiration date, labeled with ingredients you don’t even recognize, and those winter comfort foods you know aren’t doing you any favors. Then make a grocery list full of (almost) nothing but whole foods and fresh, in-season produce. Get shopping, aiming for organic, unprocessed, high-quality, and local as much as possible. Most importantly, practice mindful eating to break up your current patterns. Call on a friend or nutritionist for some moral support. Take a step back, listen to your body, turn to whole foods, and sit and slowly chew, taste, and savor each bite. Soon enough, you’ll find you’re eating what your body truly wants and needs, not what your sweet tooth or emotions crave. You’ll be more in-tune with yourself and ready to spring into spring!
2. Hydration. Drinking enough water is crucial to our health in so many ways. Since we’re made of mostly water, our body needs to stay hydrated in order to function properly, cleanse naturally, stay active, and maintain balance. Plus, drinking lots of water can boost metabolism, avert cravings, and energize your muscles. Since you’re cleaning out your fridge, you’re ditching the soda, fruit juice, sports drink, cocktail mixers, and whatever else you’re sippin’ on. Good ol’ H20 is where it’s at. Always carry a water bottle with you and spice up your water with fun additions and natural concoctions!
3. Get Happy: What’s progress without positivity?! As we clean out our closets, pantries, and bodies, this spring renewal won’t last without an attitude adjustment. It’s as simple as the three words above: think good thoughts. Clean out the old – the judgement, negativity, fear, guilt, etc. that we place upon ourselves and others. Replace all this wasted space with pure, uplifting thoughts. We put so much effort into taking care of others and showing our loved ones that we care, but we often overlook the same treatment for ourselves. Treat yourself with respect, kindness, and self-confidence. Catch yourself next time you have a negative thought and turn it around. Soon, these mindful changes will result in greater happiness and health like never before! Feel free to evaluate the people in your life as well. If someone does nothin’ but bring ya down and you can easily avoid them, cleanse them right out and don’t look back. Fill your mind with good thoughts, fill your life with good people, and fill your days with good things!
One Healthy Breakdown: This spring season, don’t just replace the snow boots with rain boots. Instead, think about the changes you’ll make to rid the same old and embrace the new you, from the inside out and the outside in!
Now I want to hear from you!
Leave a comment below. What are your favorite ways to ring in spring?
XO,
by Caroline | Jan 17, 2016 | Lifestyle |
I have to share a MAJOR inspiration in my life, and that is Amanda Frances. If you haven’t heard of her yet (and are remotely interested in personal development, success, living abundantly, manifesting, making your dreams come true, or being awesome) you’ll definitely want to check her out.
I first came across her message from, where else but Facebook. The energy she exudes says “I made all my dreams and desires a reality, and you can too.” Since starting her own success and business coaching business, Amanda has the freedom to work when she wants and travels when she wants, because she works from her laptop and now makes six figures a year. Sign me up!
She began her own life-coaching business, helping young women achieve their dreams in business and life. She has also created successful online courses which generate huge revenues each month, without her doing anything. Her authenticity, and pure branding genius drew in an audience. A big one.
Working with Amanda has illuminated some habitual beliefs that hold me back. It’s drilled into so many of us to have a negative opinion of success, money and achieving our desires. When our thoughts come from a place of not enough, we stay in this cycle that keeps us feeling unworthy of success and happiness, and she’s tought me the mindset tools to get me out of negative thought patterns that limit me from achieving amazing things.
But wait the story gets better. This summer Amanda and I met up in Montauk after Gabby Bernstein’s Miracles in Montauk lecture. We grabbed lunch, hung out at the beach and had the best time! This girl is the absolute real deal. Not only do I consider her a mentor, but also friend.
Know your desires, discover your gifts, act on your ideas, believe in your value to the world, and don’t diminish your self-worth.
And for a limited time I’m so excited to share with you how you can work with her and learn how she has built her amazing life and career.
In her
Money Mentality Makeover course she is giving us some rad information on how to change our current relationship with money so that we can drop the feelings of stress, fear, and not enough around money. When you change your thoughts/feelings/vibrations around money — you can change the experience of bringing money into and having money in your life.
Learn More HERE!
by Caroline | Dec 20, 2015 | Lifestyle |
During this time of the year, where the days are short, and the darkness reigns, we take time to turn inward and become more introspective. Honoring the natural cycles and rhythm of the earth is innate. Compared to other times of the year, most of us prefer to stay home and be a little more still (hello Netflix and comfy couch). Going along with the earth’s natural rhythms is what many creatures this time of year do, as animals fatten up and hibernate during the long winter months, with the deep inner knowing of the return of life and light on the other side of the darkness.
Ancient Significance
For centuries, many ancient cultures celebrated the Winter Solstice as the rebirth of the light and often the birth of a god that would bring enlightenment (see the themes of light here?).
All over the world, cultures separated by time and great distances built structures that aligned with the sun on the solstice such as the Great Pyramids, Stonehenge, Newgrange in Ireland, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, just to name a few.
It’s also no coincidence that many religious traditions celebrate the birth of a god or goddess near the time of the solstice. Saint Lucia, the Goddess of Light, adorned with a crown of candles is honored this time of year in Scandinavia to carry people through the darkness. The Egyptian Sun God Horus, the Persian God Mithras, The Japanese Goddess of the Sun, Amaterasu, and the Indian Queen of Heaven Sarasvati are all celebrated during the solstice. And of course, today in modern Christianity we honor the birth of Jesus just a few days after the solstice.
Although vast differences separate these traditions, the winter solstice remains central in many spiritual beliefs, and shows us that there’a a universal significance to the timing of these celebrations.
Aside from the religious traditions, the winter and summer solstices are significant natural holidays celebrated by humans for millenia. So for those athiests, there’s still something here for you!
What is the significance in our modern lives?
Balance of Dark and Light
Depending on your beliefs, this can be a spiritual time, or the relaxing recharge you need before the new year begins. While taking more time for stillness, we contemplate the balance of darkness and light within ourselves. This time of year is about embracing the darkness, while celebrating the turning point where we will now begin to get a little more light each day. We are coming out of the darkness so to speak. The winter solstice is the time to honor the gifts of the darkness, while celebrating the return to the light.
Before we call back the light into our celestial rodeo we honor those important aspects of the darkness. For so many people the holidays and this dark time of the year can bring on sadness and depression. Create a space for the sadness and bring forth those emotions in a place of stillness to surrender them to be transformed by the oncoming light. To do this you may want to write about them in your journal or write them on slips of paper which you can burn in your Yule fire. Release your anger, regrets and resentments to the darkness.
At the same time we’re experiencing the dark and heavy aspects of the season, we also find balance in the light. It’s this time of year that we light candles, build fires, and decorate our houses with twinkling lights. With our instinct to turn towards the light in this time of darkness, it’s also a time to turn toward the light within. The stillness in nature evokes a stillness within ourselves to stop and listen, and examine our connection to spirit and purpose. What is the spark inside of you that gives you your light? How can you grow that light? When we shine our light on the world it brings out the light in others, and in a way we all add to the increasing light in the world.
Even with the best of intentions, we sometimes end up getting caught up in the movements of spending, shopping, going, eating, and rushing. Maybe, with the right inspiration and preparation, we can begin to move toward the core of what this season is about, in a more simple, natural, and intuitive way, and we can create deeper connection to the more important things in our lives.
xo,
