Reflections...

This is my first crack at blogging from by blackberry, so if it's filled with typos and not as aesthetically pleasing, cut me a little slack- I'm trying to be tech savvy here!

Anyway, I am sitting here on an amazing saturday afternoon in Columbus Circle in NYC. You'd think that this is a pretty odd place for me to be considering I'm not one of those person's who thinks the city is the bomb. It's not that easy to get me on the east side of the Lincoln Tunnel.

Yet here I sit in the midsts of the city's chaotic energy, listening to the bubble of the fountain, reflecting on the bliss, sheer gratitude and peace that has come into my life over the past year and a half.

I am in the city today because it is the last weekend of the 2010 IIN PTP program, and my Immersion graduation. And I almost can't believe it. When I think about where I was in December 2007 when I first enrolled in IIN and where I am now, tears of bliss and gratitude actually spring into my eyes.....I am teaching yoga, I'm a doula, I have a prospering women's wellness practice, and I am in business with two of the most amazng, inspirational women I have the priviledge to call friend, let alone business partners. And we're laying the groundwork for what my better half likes to call "healthy-world-domination".

I am not sure life could get much better.

But in my wise old age of 35, I know a little bit about life, and I know that it indeed can get better, and the next chapter is going to be the best yet. I know that once again I have reinvented myself and I am not the person I was 3 years ago, I am just a fine wine. And I am blessed to have the ability to realize that.

I am so filled with gratitude for the people in my life that have supported me throughout this transformation that I am actually enjoying myself in Columbus Circle, NYC. The humidity, the people, the blaring sirens and all. Never in a million years would I have believed this Adirondack girl could find a moment of peace and pleasure in a city of millions.

I've grown a lot. I have so much to be thankful for. And I am damn proud of my accomplishments. Sitting alone in NYC, in celebration of myself feels so much more important than the day I graduated from college....or law school....or super duper law school.

Go me!!

Keep it Fresh!
~Terra
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Delicous Summer Fruits!

A healthy lifestyle is the key to longevity, optimum weight, abundant energy and balance. By using fruit to satisfy our taste for sweetness, we can leave behind the use of chemical, processed and refined sweeteners. Fruits are easy to digest, are cleansing and cooling and are great for those who are overstressed and overheated from excessive mental strain or hot climates. Fruits are filled with fiber and liver stimulants, which act as natural, gentle laxatives. Whenever possible, buy fresh, locally grown fruit as opposed to imported fruits shipped from far-off places. This keeps you eating in season, and more in harmony with your environment and climate.Eating raw fruit in summer months is highly cooling, while baking it in the winter months neutralizes the cooling effect. Fruit in the form of juice is a great choice for cleansing the body, but be aware that juice rapidly raises blood sugar levels, leading to an energy crash soon after. Frozen, whole, puréed or juiced fruit can make great summertime cool-down treats. Try frozen grapes, banana-coconut smoothie popsicles or lime juice ice-cubes in iced tea!

Whether you are having fresh fruit for a light early morning breakfast, a midday snack or evening treat, enjoy nature's sweetness and whenever possible buy organic. Here are a few summer fruits and their health benefits:

Apricots: Great for lung conditions and asthma; used to help treat anemia due to their high copper and cobalt content.

Bananas: Help to lubricate the intestines, treat ulcers, detoxify the body and manage sugar cravings; are rich in potassium (which helps hypertension).

Cherries: Slightly warming in nature; increase overall body energy, remedy arthritis and rheumatism and are rich in iron, which improves the blood.

Grapefruits: Treat poor digestion, increase appetite during pregnancy, alleviate intestinal gas and reduce mucus conditions of the lungs.

Papayas: Tone the stomach, act as digestive aid, moisten the lungs and alleviate coughing; contain carpaine, an anti-tumor compound.

Raspberries: Benefit the liver and kidneys, cleanse blood of toxins, regulate menstrual cycles, treat anemia and can promote labor at childbirth.

Healthy Chick Melodies: Summer Tunage

It's summer! Blue skies, riding bikes, relaxing days on the shore, sipping on cold, tasty drinks at beach bars filled with good times. Such beautiful weather gracefully demands equally beautiful soundtracks. What better time for Healthy Chick summertime melodies?!

As always there have been quite a few albums on repeat in my playlist. The National's, High Violet, definitely has its moments, and they are great moments. Band of Horses new one, Infinate Arms, isn't exactly as artsy as the first two albums, but still delicious. LCD SoundSystem, This is Happening, has been one of my pump up albums I play as I'm getting ready to go out for a night of fun in Red Bank or Asbury. So fun! Groundation's, Dub Wars, although not quite new, has been my afternoon snack as I tend to my garden and clean my apartment with the sun streaming in. The Black Keys, Brothers, is so ridiculously good. I actually should be highlighting it down there with the others. I love their sexy rock and roll more than anything and in my opinion, it's their best album yet! Of course energetic Phish shows, lots of reggae, and mellow Grateful Dead concerts are always staples in my summer album rotations!

What this Healthy Chick is listening to...NOW!:

The Drums - The Drums
Super cool, retro tunes that are so insanely upbeat! Perfect for summer beach days. Not very much to them but a simple drum beat, a melody played on a single guitar string, yet loaded with catchy pop gems. When the sun is shining I haven't been able to turn it off! LOVE it!!!!
Definitely the most fun (and poppiest) song on the album: Let's Go Surfing

She & Him - Volume Two
I know this came out back in March but duo Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward's new one is way too playful and cute for cold winter days. This sweet little album was definitely my #1 favorite Spring album and still plays in my car on these sunny summer days. And seriously, anything that Zooey Deschanel does brings a smile to my face. Sigh...

Wild Nothing - Gemini
This album is a bunch of hushed vocals beneath a sonic, murky recording style. I just can't get enough of the overwhelming feeling of semi-ambient summer nostalgia. Sparkly, dreamy, beautifully heart-stealing song writing. I'm enjoying it so much and the cover reminds me of Man Ray's photography (above). <3


I'm currently putting together my annual summer playlist that I like to share with everyone who receives my Center Your Health newsletter. My summer 2010's playlist will be in July's newsletter, so please be sure to sign up if you haven't already!


What are you listening to right now? I'd love to hear, please share below!

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren