Living In the Moment...

I love the concept: We are a civilization of "human doings" not "human beings." Don't get me wrong; I'm probably busier than the average person, but as I move towards a life of truly following my bliss, I am more and more interested in slowing down, in enjoying each precious moment, in appreciating all that is profound in its simplicity. I do this by setting goals and visualizing exactly what I want. The big shift is that I enjoy each moment while I am moving towards my goal. I savory each juicy minute with my future in mind, not in control.

This year I had the opportunity to meet Bijan Anjomi, the author of an amazing book, Absolutely Effortless Prosperity. This book has changed my way of living and my life forever. Bijan helped me realize it's more enjoyable to enjoy the journey (toward the goal). Here are a few tips that may help you be present. Ways to pull yourself out of the past and future, places of residences preferred by the ego and to truly be present in the moment.

1. Each day, spend some time alone. Spend time in silence, meditation or even yoga. Time just sitting. Not reading, knitting, watching TV, talking, scratching, or sleeping. Just sitting. Not even thinking. As thoughts pop up, let them drift away, like clouds floating across the sky.

2. Each day, find something simple in your life that is beautiful, interesting, wondrous, or amazing. Like a spider web. Or a flower. Or the sun reflecting off a colorful bird. Or a sunset. Maybe the moon. A smile. Or the memory of your dog. Something that simply warms your heart. Living in gratitude makes every day better, and there is always something to be grateful for.

3. Each day, decide to listen completely in every conversation. Without second guessing the content you are expecting from the other person. Without finishing the sentences for him or her. Without already preparing your rebuttal to the anticipated conversation. Just listen. Listening is a rare skill these days. It takes practice, and is enhanced considerably by having a quiet, still mind.

4. Quit fighting "what is." Whatever is happening in the present moment is happening, whether or not you like it. It is as it is for now, so increase your level of contentment by accepting each moment as if you have chosen it. Of course, you can take actions to improve your life, but you can't change the present moment because it already is.

This way of being (not doing) takes a little getting used to, but once mastered, it will change your life dramatically. If you want to dive deeper into living in the moment, and attaining effortless prosperity, highly recommend Bijan's book.

Savor every juicy moment!

Keep it Fresh!

~ Terra

Spring and Change is Sprouting!!

Doesn't that picture just make you want to zoom through early spring and April showers to get to the warm summer days? Well before you try and zoom ahead, let's remember to enjoy each moment, in the present for the blessing it is. :)

In case you're wondering, that's not a picture of the Jersey Shore, it's a picture of South Beach, Miami - where I was this past weekend. Don't be too jealous, the weekend wasn't all sun and fun. In fact, out of 4 days, I think I spent a total of 30 minutes on the beach. I was in Miami for an Integrative Nutrition conference and spent each day in the chilly, air conditioned Miami Beach Conference Center. While I am not returning to to a cooler Jersey Shore completely sun kissed, I am completely rejuvenated and inspired! The conference was about taking your health coaching practice to the next level.

The majority of the weekend consisted of copious amounts of important tips and information on marketing, social networking and the like from healthy marketing rock stars Robert Notter and Karin Witzig Rozell. Totally helpful and definitely important. But I really have to say that the highlight of the conference for me was the talk given by one of our Friday Friends, Taraleigh Silberberg, the Health Hippie. While Tara is a friend and a mentor, hearing her speak in front of over 100 other health coaches was completely different....and not to be melodramatic, but life altering. Yep. I said it. Life altering.

Tara spoke about writing your own person/business mission statement so you can life a life of purpose and passion. Even though it sounds simple, I can't begin to articulate how empowering it was. In my final hours in Miami, I gained so much clarity and felt so much passion for what I do and where I want to take my business. I came back to the Jersey shore on a wellness high. That clarity is the catalyst for this post about change.

Change is a little scary, but this change resonates so deeply with me I am positive it it the right choice. My newsletter (Vibrant Health, Green Living) won't be going out won't be going out to my subscribers for another week or so, but as one of the 3 Healthy Chicks I thought I should give my readers a glimpse of what's in store as it affects my blogging here!

First, a name change. Terra Wellness is now Sprouting Wellness.

Second, it is my intention to keep my blog entries for 3HC Living Fresh in line with my business mission:

Sprouting Wellness empowers women to nurture their inner strength, balance and peace to allow them to grow into their unique wellness and natural birthright of optimum health.

So this means that blog entries here by me, will be listed as Sprouting Wellness and I will attempt to keep content "female based." Given my newly developed business mission statement, preconception/prenatal yoga experience and being in the midst of my Doula training, it's not shocking that my entries will be focused on women's health.

Don't worry, I wont ostracize the men folk and if I feel the need to blog about something not even remotely related to girly bits, like my dog or cute yoga clothes, you bet I will. :)

Change is GREAT!!!
Keep it Fresh!
~Terra

3 Healthy Balls

3 Healthy Chicks got together in the kitchen once again and worked up another fun, delicious creation...3 Healthy Balls! Teehee!

These filling balls are packed with energy, green goodness, protein, antioxidants and omega-3's. They are great for breakfast to give you long lasting energy. If you are interested in some healthy balls, let us know and we can tell you how simple it is to place an order. They are a must try!!

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren

All I Want is Food and Creative Love: Eating for Fertility. Part I

Pardon the Rusted Root reference (all I want is food and creative love) but considering food and love have been bedfellows for centuries, I thought it was appropriate. Food and love, sounds like a fresh new relationship, doesn't it? You know, the blissful ones, sharing chocolate cake, gazing at each other with honeymoon eyes.

So, say you're past the honeymoon eyes phase and onto the seed germination phase....conception...baby making. Does one have to do with the other? Does it even matter what passes your lips? You betcha it does!!

Hundreds of years ago, before people really knew what vitamins, minerals and nutrients were all about, people attributed qualities such as shape (ie: foods in the shape of sexual organs such as oysters and figs) or the food's ability to make your temperature rise (e.g. chili peppers or curry) to increased potency or fertility.(P.S. That's a picture of a fresh fig, one of my favorite fruits!) Aphrodisiacs aside, diet really can affect your ability to conceive. Positively and negatively. And believe it or not, there's actually a bit more to aphrodisiacs than the shape and temperature of the food!!

Overly strict dieting and excessive exercise that results in extreme weight loss may result in loss of ovulation. On the other spectrum, too much eating resulting in obesity may also inhibit fertility. The diet of both men and women trying to conceive should be well balanced, consisting of whole foods rich in folic acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Zinc. There are simple changes you can make to your diet to boost your fertility and bring your body into optimum baby making shape.

The fun part is the food and creative love....aphrodisiacs! After conducting a little research on traditional aphrodisiacs and their nutritional content I found the correlation between tradition aphrodisiacs and preconception health to be uncanny! The ancient ones who ate whole foods rather than processed, chemicalized foods always got it right. Just check out a of the aphrodisiacs on the list below:

Avacado: The Aztecs called the avocado tree "ahuacuatl," which means "testicle tree" (avacados hang in pairs on the tree). Avacados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid, all of which are essential for preconception health!

Bananas: Do I really have to articulate why a banana is an aphrodisiac? Besides the banana flower's amazing phallic shape, bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production. Bananas also provide 452 milligrams of potassium, 33 milligrams of magnesium, and just over 2 grams of fiber. They are high in potassium and a respectable amount of magnesium as well.

Chocolate: See, there really IS a God and the Aztec's called chocolate the "nourishment of the Gods." Not only is chocolate a superfood, it contains more antioxidants than red wine! So if you really want more bang for your buck, try sharing a glass of Cabernet with a small piece of dark chocolate.

Oysters: have been linked with love and sexuality for hundreds of years. The ancient law of similarities reasons that their similarity to female genitalia dictates they may in fact possess sexual powers!! Similarities aside, oysters are full of vitamins and minerals like A, B1, B2 ,C and D, calcium, iodine, iron, potassium, copper, sodium, zinc, phosphorous, manganese and sulphur and the all-important omega-3 fatty acids.

Pineapple: has been traditionally used as a homeopathic treatment for impotence. It's an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese, vitamin C and a good source of vitamin B1, copper, dietary fiber and vitamin B6.

Other aphrodisiacs include almond, arugula, asparagus, basil, broccoli rabe, carrots, fennel, figs, garlic, ginger, honey, licorice, mustard, nutmeg, pine nuts, raspberries, strawberries, truffles, vanilla, and wine.

In Part II of Food and Creative Love: Eating for Fertility and I will provide a few recipes to boost your fertility while tickling your taste buds! This blog entry has been so fun to research I may just develop a workshop from it!

Keep it Fresh!
~Terra

Healthy Chick Melodies - Lykke Li

Ever notice how your music taste changes with the season? I tend to take out my happy, lighthearted albums as the Springtime approaches because that's how I feel inside! It's exciting seeing the daffodils poke their leaves out from the Winter dirt and the music I listen to needs to fit that feeling!

What this Healthy Chick is listening to...NOW!:
Lykke Li's album, Youth Novels, is by no means new (2008), but it has resurfaced in my iTunes and has been all I've been listening to! I have been enjoying it as I drive in my car, cook in the kitchen, as I work and especially as I'm getting ready to go out! This dance pop/quirky indie album is bold, classy, charming, adorable, sensual and totally sexy!! Have no fears boys, my best friend (one of the most masculine boys I know) passed this album along to me when it came out!

Her name sounding like a play on the Norwegian word lykkelig, meaning “happy”, the similarity seems rather fitting considering the effervescence Lykke Li displays both onstage and on record. I saw her live last summer at All Points West, where she gracefully gallivanted around stage in an outrageously gorgeous outfit. As I walked away from her stage to see another artist perform she was covering Kings of Leon's "Knocked Up"...I was blown away!

A few of the gems on this album are "I'm Good, I'm Gone," "Let It Fall," "Breaking It Up," "Everybody But Me," "Little Bit (CSS Remix)."

If you want my favorite Lykke Li song (its from the EP of one of the songs on this album), shoot me an email @ lauren@centeryourhealth.net with the subject: Send me Lykke Li! and I will send it your way! I promise, it's sooo good!

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

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren

3 Healthy Chicks Interview with Christine Pirello

Ok, I tipped all of our lovely readers off about our interview with Christina Pirello a couple of weeks ago.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Christina, she's the host of the Emmy award winning Christina Cooks! author of 5 cookbooks and founder of the Christina Pirello Health Education Initiative a non-profit organization dedicated to changing America's relationship with food. Christina holds a faculty position at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, serves on the board of THe Farm Market Trust, The Green Council of Philadelphia, The Green City Youth Council of Philadelphia, The Chefs for Humanity Chef's Council and is a member of ICAP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) and Women Chefs and Restauranteurs.

We could go on forever about how fabulous Christina is an how but lets hear directly from her....

3HC: Christina, we know you have such a busy schedule, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions.

3HC: You overcame leukemia when you began to eat whole, unprocessed natural foods. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in changing your diet and lifestyle?

CP: Well, I became a vegetarian when I was 14, but I ate a ton of junk food, sugar, candy, pizza, soda...it was all vegetarian, just not healthy. When I switched to a vegan macrobiotic approach to save my health, I was forced to give up sugar cold turkey...it was one of the hardest things I have ever done...I would never want to go through that again. But I also learned about balance and nutrition, something that vegetarianism had never taught me. I learned you needed to eat well, not just give up animal products.

3HC: Do you ever crave animal products? If so, what do you do?

CP: I have to say that I never crave animal foods...it's interesting, I think that those cravings are real for people, but once you change your thinking, so do your cravings. I also think that it's important that people get the fat/protein ratio right for them...once those macronutrients are 'balanced' for each person, then cravings seem to hit the road...I know it worked for me...once I got the right balance of fat and protein in my diet, I craved nothing, not sweets, nothing...plus I cook pretty richly, beans, tofu, tempeh, seitan, so there is not much room to crave animal food because I am getting what I need. I have been vegan for more than 25 years, so i think those cravings left a long time ago.

But for people craving animal foods or those who feel they need them...and I think those people exist...they need to look at that find their balance...and if they decide to use animal foods, then only organic, grass-fed and as cruelty free as possible (which for me, doesn't really exist because the animal is killed...).

3HC: How do you approach sugar today? Are you still completely sugar free? What sugar alternatives do you like to use and/or cook with?

CP: I occasionally indulge in a sugar-flavored dessert, like when a bunch of friends are out for dinner...we'll order one decadent dessert and a lot of forks! And we enjoy each bite. But the cool thing is since we don't eat sugar every day, we don't crave it...we enjoy in that moment and are done with it. At home I cook with brown rice syrup and a little agave, but mostly rice syrup is my go-to sweetener. I use Suzanne's Specialties because I like the quality and the taste of her product line.

3HC: Tell us about your other business specializing in healthy trips to exotic locations.

CP: My husband and I host vacations to places like Belize, Barbados, Italy, Sicily and next year, we will add Israel to our mix. Our trips offer the same profoundly beautiful sightseeing you would expect from trips like this, but our niche is that we offer delicious, gourmet vegan food for all the meals. You get to be on vacation and go home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, rather than bloated and sick from eating food that may not be so great for health. But we embrace each culture we visit, so the foods we prepare reflect that society, so you don't miss anything. And we stay in one place, taking leisurely day trips rather than dragging from hotel to hotel and being exhausted.

3HC: Sign us up right now!

3HC: What would you say are the best tips you can give our readers for maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle when on vacation?

CP: I would say that people need to maintain some form of exercise when they travel...hotel gym, walking, running...you see the city in an amazing way and you stay active. Also, it's easy to eat well wherever you go...holidays are not licenses to go on food binges...eat the food of the culture...and live by the simple rule of eat real food, mostly plants and not too much.

3HC: So many of our clients/students are pressed for time. What do you suggest for people who are swamped with work/commute/family/extra curricular activities/etc., but who still want to maintain a healthy and balanced diet?

CP: People need to make time to cook and take care of themselves. I worry that we have made our lives too busy to do that, to cook and care for ourselves and our families in meaningful ways. I say that we need to do some re-prioritizing to make time for cooking...even 30 minutes a day. It helps you step off that treadmill of life and settle down for a minute. But people can make simple changes like making a large pot of soup and freezing it so it's around when you need it. Pasta will always be my go to meal in a jam. Canned organic beans can make life really easy. Keeping the fridge and pantry stocked are key to preparing healthy meals in the midst of a busy life. You need to be able to walk into the kitchen at any time and know you have enough ingredients on hand to make a meal.

Exercise needs to be like brushing your teeth...not negotiable. And it's easy. Take a walk after dinner (trust me; CNN will still be there with all the bad news when you get back)...and tired is not an excuse...the fitter you are, the more energy you will have...plus it's a great way to connect with the family...talking while you walk together. Everyone has time and the money to take a walk. We have to stop making excuses.

3HC: We love that.

3HC: What would be one piece of advice you would tell all the parents out there who struggle to feed and teach their about whole foods and making healthy choices?

CP: Take a gentle approach. Being a food nazi will not get you anywhere...and involve them in the process of what the family eats...when they are invested, they will be a part of it and eat...give them a voice...and remember it takes kids about 10 times seeing it to try a new food...turn a new way of eating into an adventure and they will be game...parents have a lot of challenges today because of how our kids are marketed to...we have to fight for their health.

3HC: We know you've been cooking for years now, but how did you first approach cooking on your own? Were you a natural right off the bat, or did it take a few years to really get your cooking skills together?

CP: I was a natural, sorry...I loved the kitchen from the first...I always knew it was where I wanted to be and the place where I feel the most like myself. I grew up in an Italian family and we all cooked so someone was always mentoring me...I am wired to cook and I could not be happier about it.

3HC: What's your favorite healthy snack?

CP: I have 2...peanut butter on granny smith apples or dark chocolate. yum!

3HC: It's such a blessing that real, chocolate is healthy!!

3HC: In your opinion, what are 3 important things that one can do for their health in addition to eating well and exercising? Feel free to be specific.

CP: Drink water...not so much that you wash nutrients away, but enough to stay hydrated...it's the most important thing...and most of us are dehydrated on some level. It makes us tired, cranky; we lose focus; we think we are hungry. Drink water.

Next, scrub your skin. Using a washcloth and hot water in the shower (no soap), scrub your skin all over until it's uniformly rosy...at first, your skin will be blotchy, but as you scrub each day, your skin will release toxins trapped under it and it will be uniformly rosy colored...after a month, your skin will be soft and smooth...after 2 months, you will never need moisturizer to battle dry skin again...and you will sleep better, digest better and handle stress with more grace. i kid you not.

Last, stop all eating 2 hours before you go to sleep so your body can rest and rejuvenate itself rather than spend the night digesting...you will never wake up cranky again.

3HC: This may seem silly, but you have amazing hair...what do you do to keep it so gorgeous?

CP: My hair? Wow, I hated my red hair until college...in high school, I died it black! But then I grew to appreciate it and embrace my 'redheadedness.' Now, I wash it only twice a week with a gentle shampoo and conditioner from Aveda...let it air dry and go! I am very, very low maintenance!

3HC: Ok, last question.... we understand your latest great endeavor is the Christina Pirello Health Initiative. Can you tell us a little about that? Where do you see it going in the future and how do you hope to influence both adults and children?

CP: CEPHI, as we call it in the office is dedicated to helping people have a better relationship with food. We do this through educational programs in schools and in our communities. We hope to change the future of our children by creating a generation of people who connect the dots between food and health and make choices that better serve their lives, their health, their community and the planet. And we think that can only happen through education, so we have several programs in place to do just that.


Thank you so much to taking the time to answer our questions. We truly appreciate your time and would like to say that you're an inspiration for those of us trying to make healthy waves in our communities. Click HERE to learn more about CEPHI

The Femivore’s Dilemma

Ok, I have to post a link to this fabulous New York Times Article. I don't know how I missed it last week, but The Grist reminded me this morning. Considering I referred to myself as Blasphemous Third Wave Feminist, I thought the concept of a "femivore" should be brought up!

"Femivorism is grounded in the very principles of self-sufficiency, autonomy and personal fulfillment that drove women into the work force in the first place. Given how conscious (not to say obsessive) everyone has become about the source of their food — who these days can’t wax poetic about compost? — it also confers instant legitimacy. Rather than embodying the limits of one movement, femivores expand those of another: feeding their families clean, flavorful food; reducing their carbon footprints; producing sustainably instead of consuming rampantly.

The Femivore's Dilemma article has a brought on an onslaught of retaliatory (??) articles and blog posts claiming that the whole "eat whole, eat local" movement isn't friendly to the working woman."

My answer to that is simple.... take one of our Chick Bits....À la carte classes: learn how to shop for your food, how to plan meals for your family and how to incorporate things like greens, grains and beans into your diet without spending all Sunday afternoon soaking your beans and stressing out.

What do you guys think about the latest healthy eating label, Femivore?

Keep it Fresh!

~Terra

Birth Control, The Natural Way

I should preface this blog by inserting some sort of legal disclaimer about this being the opinion of Sprouting Wellness and not necessarily of 3 Healthy Chicks. Or perhaps I should simply post it to my own blog....but it's a hot topic and considering the down time I took in February, I'd like to stir the pot. :)

I will probably get kicked out of the feminist club for saying this, but I think that the pill has been (close to) the single worst thing for women in modern history. Yes, you read that right, Ladies. I think the pill and everything about the pill sucks. Now before you call me some abomination of a third-wave feminist (I probably am) and fast forward to the next blog entry, let me explain...

There's one topic that always comes up with my female clients; birth control. They want to know my opinion on synthetic birth control, hormone replacements and how they can possibly have a fulfilling and active sex life without using synthetic hormone and/or estrogen. Here's the shocking truth: if you know your body well enough and take the time to read it, track your cycle and understand the changes you can in fact, naturally prevent birth! The only drawback is that you may have to abstain or use condoms for 3-5 days per month. oh the horror!!
Snark aside, let me get back to why I am not a big fan of the pill. I understand that it gave women freedom's in the 70s that were unheard of in the generations prior. I also understand that the pill may help to regulate menstrual cycles, clear problematic skin and reduce PMS and cramps. My answers to these are simple:

1. We no longer live in a time of sexual revolution. Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, pelvic inflammatory disease, trichomoniasis and chlamydia are real threats that may lead to infertility and even death.

2. There are natural ways to regulate menstrual cycles, clear problematic skin and reduce PMS and cramps!!

• Exercise. This will improve blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body, including the pelvis.
• Avoid red meat, refined sugars, milk, and fatty foods.
• Eat lots of fresh vegetables, whole grains (especially if you experience constipation or indigestion), nuts, seeds and fruit.
• Avoid caffeine. It constricts blood vessels and increases tension.
• Meditate, get a massage.
• Have an orgasm (alone or with a partner).
• Drink ginger root tea (especially if you experience fatigue).
• Put cayenne pepper on food. It is a vasodilator and improves circulation.
• Breathe deeply, relax, notice where you hold tension in your body and let it go. Try a restorative yoga class!
  
• Take time for yourself!

Generations of young women who grew up with the pill have simply lost touch with their bodies. They only know that their period is coming because it's time for the white sugar pill. While the pill seemingly provided independence, it robbed us of our inherent female knowledge. I think that's heartbreaking. I for one want to revel in being a female goddess!

Countless numbers of women have made appointments with their ob-gyn for what they thought was a yeast infection when in all actuality it was simply their natural discharge that occurs monthly due to ovulation. Sadly, most of our mothers or sex ed classes never taught us that. By only being introduced to chemical contraception options, we never learned about the awesomeness that is the female body. And women never learned that there is another way to track fertility and natural prevent pregnancy that does not include nutrient depletion, hormonal imbalance, and long term side effects.

Natural fertility awareness is empowering for women. In learning how to tell when you are ovulating and if you are ovulating regularly, you will know when you can become pregnant so that you can plan for a pregnancy or avoid it all together! When the ovulation method is used properly as a contraception method, it is 97-99% effective in helping you to avoid pregnancy. This rate is similar to the effectiveness of "the pill" but without the side effects.

The best thing any woman can do is buy the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. The book is easy to read, informative and lighthearted. After taking the time to read it, you will have a clear understanding of your cycle and what it actually means to be female and ovulate! If you still have questions and would like the personal assistance of a holistic health coach, please feel free to contact me! Empowering women to listen to and learn about their bodies is my favorite part of my "job."

And a side note: have you ever wondered about the connection between your body's 28 day cycle and the cycle of the moon? Here's the theory. In the days before electricity, women's bodies were influenced by the amount of moonlight we saw. Just as sunlight and moonlight affect plants and animals, our hormones were triggered by levels of moonlight. And, all women cycled together. Today, with artificial light everywhere, day and night, our cycles no longer correspond to the moon.
Do you want to cycle with the moon? Get outside, bond with your sisters and enjoy some vitamin D!!

Keep it Fresh, Goddesses!!!
~Terra

Calling All Bottle Caps, Buttons and Glass Jar Tops!

I am working on some really fun, creative craft projects for 3 Healthy Chick's Etsy page, (coming this Spring) and am collecting materials. I'd like to recycle as much as I can for these crafts, therefore I'm reusing bottle caps, buttons and the tops of all glass jars. The next time you toss any of those materials into the trash, please put them aside for me so that I can reuse them. Pretty please with an organic cherry on top!

Anyone who helps me out will receive a gift from 3 Healthy Chicks!

Thanks so much in advance!

(Photo is a sneak preview of what I'm working on with the bottle caps. I'm creating a unique collage inside each cap and turning them into colorful, inspirting magnets!)

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren

3 Healthy Chicks Want to Know!

What are your favorite healthy restaurants (vegan, vegetarian, local/sustainable) on the Jersey Shore??

We need your help!

We are working on an special project and need as much information as possible. We promise you will thank us when we're all finished!
Please post your comments below.
Thank you so much!

21 Day Kick-Start

So, as many of you know, I will be walking away from corporate life on Friday, April 23rd for good. I am a little anxious, but overall I feel super fabulous. I feel like it's a new start to a new life. A whole new me where my Primary Foods don't get in the way of my total health. I am so very excited and blessed to have the opportunity to actually follow my bliss and surround myself in my passions of health, yoga and food!

To keep this super fabulous momentum going, I have decided to take part in my own Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine's 21-Day Vegan Kick Start. I am going to start on Monday, April 26, 2010. I have dabbled in vegetarianism off and on for many years and while I was attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition I spent a month investigating a vegan diet after hearing Neal Bernard, MD speak.

I had a few challenges during my vegan month last year. While I thought a life without cheese would be terrible, it's not what I missed the most. I really missed my breakfast foods, yes, the incredible edible egg. I also had trouble with was feeling grounded. I started feeling super flaky, scatter brained and the proverbial "blonde." I am pretty sure that these feelings were coming from a lack of Vitamin B and Omega 3s.

I think my biggest challenge wasn't s0 much of a challenge as it was a surprise....I went vegan for 4 weeks and I actually gained 7 pounds. How is that even possible? Well, I will tell you how it's possible....all you can eat buffet at Kaya's Kitchen in Belmar, NJ every Sunday night, that's how it's possible. Kaya's is delicious and amazing and the best vegan cuisine in New Jersey. However, if you over eat, regardless of food style, you're going to gain weight. Additionally, while on this vegan experiment, I ate many more processed foods (from a box, wrapped in plastic) than I normally do. Vegan ice cream, cookies, cakes, burgers, tv-dinners etc. I don't eat that crap to begin with, so what was the point of removing animal protein and dairy from your diet if you're just going to start eating crap!? Exactly. no point.



So this time around is going to be a bit different. Kayas will be a treat, rather than a weekly scheduled binge. I will cook more whole, vegan foods and try out different recipes that I can share on this blog. And I will pay attention to my vitamin B and omega 3 intake so I don't turn into a dumb blonde.


Between now and then, I am going to re-read a couple of vegan books to get me in the mind-set:
Skinny Bitch
Living a Charmed Life
The Kind Diet
This Crazy Vegan Life

One thing that I am super amped up about, which I am probably not supposed to talk about, but whatever, the cat is about to hop out of the bag...is our upcoming interview with Christina Pirello, author of Glow, This Crazy Vegan Life, Cooking the Whole Foods Way and Christina Cooks. SO excited about that and looking forward to it! It's perfect timing for this whole challenge of mine!

So, back to the 21 day challenge....the reason I am posting this blog well over a month in advance of my start date is that I wanted to see if any readers wanted to join me. If any readers out in blogland want to take on this challenge with me, I will set up a tele-class on the 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st days of the challenge so we can check in with one another for support! We'll use the 21 Day Kick-Start a guideline and then go from there. So, if you're interested drop a comment with you're email address and I will be in touch!

Keep it Fresh!
~ Terra
Keep it Fresh!
~ Terra

The Wonders of Maca: The Peruvian Ginseng

Maca, the superfood of the Incas has been around for at least 10,000 years. It's a radish like root vegetable grown in the mineral rich volcanic soil in the Peruvian mountains. While people in the US recently discovered the power of the maca root, it has been used by the Inca people and their herds for thousands of years to combat stress and thrive in higher altitudes.

Maca is a well known endocrine modulator, or an endocrine adaptogen, which works on the pituitary through the hypothalamus, communicating with all the glands of the whole endocrine system.

Maca is super-charged with over 60 micronutrients. It's 40% potassium and 10% calcium. It's high in phosphorus, magnesium, silica and zinc. It also contains vitamins A, B, C, D, E, B12, B1, 2 and 3. It hast 18 amino acids and 20 fatty acids, so it just may be the strongest root on earth without natural stimulants. Maca also contains important hormonal precursors and sterols proven to assist the human body in a number of ways including boosting your energy and mood!

Maca's hormone balancing properties can boost your libido, sooth menopausal symptoms, increase sperm cell production, improve testosterone levels and eradicate symptoms of impotency.

Some may not enjoy the taste of maca on its own, but it's pretty easy to incorporate it into your diet. Simply mix maca powdered root into any of your favorite drinks or food. You can buy maca from any of your favorite natural foods stores including Whole Foods, Deans Natural Foods and Nature's Corner.

Because maca increases libido and fertility, it's fabulous for preconception health. Maca stimulates graffian folicals- (stimulates fertility) by controlling estrogen. Levels that are high or low at the wrong time either keep a woman from becoming pregnant or keep her from carrying to term. If you are interested in using maca for preconception health I suggest talking to you doctor and finding out your progesterone levels.

Super Maca Smoothie
2 Tablespoons of Maca Power
1/2 Cup - Milk [rice, almond, oat, hemp, soy or dairy]
1 Tbsp. - Almond or Peanut Butter
4 Dates
4 Ounces - Plain or Vanilla Yogurt
1 Tsp. - Bee Pollen
1/2 Tsp. - Cinnamon

Keep it Fresh!
~ Terra
Keep it Fresh!
3HC

Vegan Nachos!

Who says that nachos always have to have cheese or meat? This recipe is so flavorful, I promise you won’t miss the animal products! The creamy guacamole, hearty beans, salsa and fresh cilantro create a satisfying array of flavors for this simple, healthy snacking dish.

Ingredients:
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
dash of cumin
dash of chili powder
salsa to taste
1 avocado
½ lime
fresh cilantro to taste
sea salt



Directions:
Beans: Heat beans in small pot on low/med heat. Add dash of cumin, chili powder and sea salt.

Guacamole: Mash avocado in bowl with fork. Squirt half lime into bowl adding fresh cilantro and continue to mash together.

Spread chips out onto dish and pour desired amount of salsa onto them. Spoon guacamole over chips and salsa. Once beans are heated, pour them over dish, then top with more fresh cilantro. The beans will heat the rest of the ingredients and flavors will marry together. ENJOY!

*Feel free to use this same recipe, but instead of pouring ingredients over chips, stuff into a whole wheat wrap with some brown rice for a healthy, filling burrito!


Benefits of Pinto Beans:
Pinto beans are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other beans. Pinto beans' high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. When combined with whole grains such as brown rice, pinto beans provide virtually fat-free, high quality protein. But this is far from all pinto beans have to offer. Pinto beans are also an excellent source of molybdenum, a very good source of folate and manganese, and a good source of protein and vitamin B1 as well as the minerals phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, and copper. Pintos are a great replacement for red meats. A half cup of cooked pinto beans will provide about 120 calories and 10 grams of protein, without the saturated fat.

Green Mountain Gringo Strips: I recommend serving with Green Mountain Gringo Tortilla Strips. They are great tasting, all natural using non-GMO corn and gluten free. You can find them at any health food store, and at most supermarkets.

What does GMO mean? Genetically Modified Organism is the most common usage (though 'manipulated' or even 'mutated' might also be appropriate!) The acronyms GEO (Genetically Engineered Organism) or simply GM or GE are also used. Genetic engineering is a radical new technology that forces genetic information across the protective species barrier in an unnatural way. Why be concerned? One of many good reasons is that these laboratory-created mutations are unlabeled, virtually untested and on grocery shelves everywhere.

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren

6 Things You Can Give Up for Lent That Will Help the Environment

Not sure what you can give up for Lent this year? Try one of these green resolutions and see how simple steps can make a BIG difference for the environment!

Give Up Plastic (and Paper) Bags

Neither paper or plastic is a good choice when checking out at the grocery store. Twelve million barrels of oil were used to make the 88.5 billion plastic bags consumed in the US last year. And it takes four times more energy to make paper bags! The best choice is reusable shopping bags made of cotton, nylon or durable, mesh-like plastic. Put a few reusable shopping bags in your car so you have them handy on your next shopping trip. And if you happen to forget your reusable bag (as we all do!), choose paper if you will recycle it or plastic if you will reuse or recycle it.

Give Up Meat

Going meatless, even just once a week, may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel. In place of chicken, beef, or pork, just look for protein from beans, legumes, eggs, nuts and seeds instead. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef, while tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein. Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand. Visit Meatless Monday for more information on decreasing your meat consumption, and for great recipe ideas!

Give Up Paper Towels

No matter how you look at it, paper towels create waste. During your next trip to the grocery store, buy some reusable microfiber towels, which grip dirt and dust like a magnet, even when they get wet. When you are finished with them, toss the towels in the wash and reuse them again and again. They are even great for countertops and mirrors. When you absolutely have to use disposable towels, look for recycled products. If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber paper towels (70 sheets) with 100 percent recycled ones, we could save 544,000 trees.

Stop Buying Bottled Water

Did you know that it takes 26 bottles of water to produce the plastic container for a one-liter bottle of water, and that doing so pollutes 25 liters of groundwater? Don’t leave a trail of plastic water bottles in your wake! Stop buying bottled water. Use reusable water bottles instead made from materials like stainless steel or aluminum that are not likely to degrade over time. You can find aluminum bottles in most stores now, for as low as $15. If you choose a plastic water bottle, check the number on the bottom first: Plastics numbered 3, 6 & 7 could pose a health threat to you, so look for plastics numbered 1, 2, 4 or 5.

Give Up 2 Degrees

Electric power plants are the country's largest industrial source of the pollutants that cause global warming. By snuggling under a blanket on the couch on a snowy winter night instead of turning up the heat, or enjoying the breeze from a fan in the height of summer instead of turning up the air conditioning, you can save pounds of pollution, as well as some money off your utility bills. Set your thermostat in winter to 68 degrees F (20° C) or less during the daytime and 55 degrees F (13° C) before going to sleep or when you are away for the day. And during the summer, set thermostats to 78 degrees F (26° C) or more.

Stop Receiving Unwanted Catalogs

Each year, 19 billion catalogs are mailed to American consumers. All those catalogs require more than 53 million trees and 56 billion gallons of wastewater to produce -- and many of us don't even know how we got on so many mailing lists! So grab that stack of catalogs piling up on your coffee table and clear out the clutter. Visit CatalogChoice.org to put a stop to unwanted catalogs. Within 10 weeks, your mailbox will be empty of unwanted catalogs. A less cluttered mailbox means less pollution, less waste and less of the pollution that causes global warming.

Adapted from NRDC Simple Steps February 2010

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren

Welcome Home Jill!!!

Just dropping a quick note to say WELCOME HOME JILL!!!

Our 3rd Healthy Chick is finally back in the Garden State from Kigali, Rwanda. She accomplished some amazing things with Project Rwanda and I am sure they were sad to see her go, but we couldn't be happier to have her back!

yay! we love you, Jill!!!

Woman's Best Friend....

This is a really hard blog to write and I suppose it's not entirely appropriate for the 3 Healthy Chicks Blog about living fresh and local but I think for any blog to actually reach people, it needs to be authentic. Personal experience lends itself to authenticity and it is also therapeutic for me..so with that in mind I am going to try to actually finish this entry... I've been working on it for almost 10 days now.

First of all, let me apologize for my lack of updates over the past 2 weeks. It has been a rough one.....on Monday, February 8th I had to put down my 11 1/2 year old Great Dane, Cheyenne. It was the most challenging, heartbreaking and inevitably selfless decision I have ever made. I am still in the midst of the grieving process and as much as I know it was the right decision I continue to fight the guilt over choosing to euthanize my best friend.

On February 6th, Stephen and I came home after dinner and Cheybees howled, jumped in circles and brought us her huge doggie bone with a silly smile on her face. We walked her and then settled in for bed. When I woke up the next morning, Chey wasn't in her dog bed, but was laying lethargically at the foot of our bed. I tried to get her up, but she wanted no part of it. I figured she was just being lazy, as she is definitely not a morning dog. I let her sleep for another hour and then got her up.

I struggled to get all 112 pounds of her moving and outside. She's a geriatric dog and sometimes has rough mornings with her arthritic hips, but could barely walk. I wanted to ignore what was happening. In my heart I knew something was very wrong. We brought her to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. Ex-rays revealed she had bone cancer in her right hind leg. The vet explained, this form of cancer is one of the most aggressive and painful. I could choose to amputate the leg and follow up with chemotherapy or simply administer pain medication for her comfort and let nature take it's course.

Given Cheyenne was well past her life expectancy, I chose to take her home and make her as comfortable as possible. Stephen and I took her home and carried her into the bedroom. I gave her additional pain medication and she drifted to sleep. I spent the day in bed with her stroking her velvety soft ears thinking about the past 11 years of our lives together. I remembered bringing her home to New Orleans from Belle Chase, LA during hurricane Georges and how tiny she was at 10 weeks old.


She used to sleep on my head when she was that young. And might I offer a bit of advice to new puppy owners...allowing your new bundle of joy to sleep on your pillow on your head is not the best idea. On the third night of this sleeping arrangement, Chey woke up to make her way off the bed and onto the puppy pads but didn't quite make it and promptly peed on my face.

I loved her anyway.

This beautiful, gentle, loyal, loving and kind being brought so many riches to my life, one blog post can't even begin to do our friendship and connection justice. She taught me how to be a parent. She taught me patience. And I can honestly say, she taught me how to love with no holds barred. I will cherish every single memory of the time we spent together. Hiking Adirondack peaks, chasing seaweed monsters in Ocean Beach, San Francisco, body surfing in Cape Cod and eating roasted cauliflower with vegan cheese. Who knew a Great Dane could do such things!??

After spending 9 hours in bed on Sunday without moving more than her head to reach up to give me one of her nose kisses, I knew as much as I loved her, I had to let her go. I called my father and asked him to drive down to Jersey from the Adirondacks. By Monday morning she still hadn't moved from the cozy spot on my bed and I could tell that her pain was increasing and the medication was no longer helping. She looked beautiful, loving...and so very tired cuddling her favorite moo cow toy.

At noon, I called the hospital and told them it needed to be done soon. At 2pm my father arrived. At 3pm Stephen and my dear friend Tatum came home early from work. The four of us spent the remaining 3 hours on the bed with her loving her up and treating her to a Reeses Peanutbutter Cup. Chey kept picking her head up to look at Stephen. I think she was making sure he was there, to take care of me when she was gone. At 6:30pm my housemate and veterinarian Danee came home. I laid behind Cheyenne in our favorite spooning position stroking her head telling her how much I loved her. She was surrounded by the most important people in her life. At 6:45pm she looked up once more to Stephen, sighed and was gone. I have never felt such emptiness and pain.

I suppose that with each day that passes it gets easier, but the hurt is still so fresh. When I work from home, the spot on the couch next to me is empty. There are no paw prints in the snow in the back yard. There's no booty swirls or nose kisses. And I don't know how long it will be before I am able to make roasted cauliflower with vegan parmesan, regardless of nutritional content.

I just miss my best friend.

~ Terra

Friday Friend Shout Out - NEW Yoga Basin in Asbury Park!

This week's Friday Friend Shout Out is to the NEW beautiful yoga studio and juice bar in Asbury Park, NJ, Yoga Basin!

Yoga Basin is both a yoga studio and all-natural juice/smoothie bar. The yoga studio will offer everything from gentle flow classes to hot yoga classes with many different in between. They will feature workshops and celebrations regularly including nutrition seminars, drum circles, kirtans and full moon celebrations. Their all natural juice/smoothie bar will provide delicious vegan goodies and healthy drinks. They've got a lovely indoor/outdoor cafe style set up too!

I've been fortunate enough to have been asked to join their staff as a holistic health counselor and couldn't be more excited. Please stay tuned for my monthly nutrition seminars that I will be holding with another holistic health counselor and yoga teacher at the studio, Erin Denardo. Our first one will be on March 6th (time TBA) on Healthy Shopping. I'll keep you posted!

The founders of Yoga Basin, Reggie and Rick Wegel, have had a clear vision on what they wanted their yoga studio to be and will finally be sharing this vision at their GRAND OPENING tomorrow February 20th at 6:30pm! They've formed an eclectic staff who share their same vision and hopes for all who visit the studio. I wish them the best of luck with their new studio in Asbury and encourage you to stop in for a class, juice or workshop very soon! Yoga Basin is located at 603 Mattison Avenue in Asbury Park, NJ 07712. Make sure to check out their website, it's gorgeous, just like the studio!!! Please become a friend on Facebook too!

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren

The Yoga of Avatar

I was finally able to see Avatar in 3D last week. After all the hype, I was interested to see if it would live up to what everyone’s been saying, and boy did it ever! I LOVED it, especially its implication. There was such a yogic presence to the storyline. It’s comforting to see a movie do this well with such a beautiful message!

Here’s a breakdown of the yogic elements of Avatar:

Interconnectedness of all beings – the Na’vi link to other beings on the planet through neural-chemical connections. One of the characters, Grace, the biologist played by Sigourney Weaver, calls it a network. And indeed, the whole planet is an organic neural network. The Na’vi practice and believe in an interconnection of all life in balance with nature. Because of this, everything is viewed as sacred.

Unity – when they get attacked, Jake and the Na’vi realize pretty quickly that they’re going to need allies. They rally up the other clans, and together they fight the humans. Even their former predators, the wild animals of the jungle, unite in the battle against the humans and their corporate agenda.

Goddess worshipping – the Na’vi worship Eywa, and believe that all consciousness is infused with her energy. In yoga, this goddess consciousness is known as Shakti, while yoga isn’t exactly a goddess worshiping tradition, there are strong threads of the divine feminine throughout and sects which are devoted to her worship.

Hindu origins - the word “avatar” itself is Sanskrit and is rooted in Hindu mythology (as is yoga). Presently, the word avatar evokes the graphical representation of a computer user, but it’s original meaning is “descent” and it can be “an incarnation or human appearance of a deity, particularly Vishnu.” These incarnations, including one of the most famous, Krishna, have blue skin, and the blue Na’vi beings are themselves meant to evoke Hindu deities.

Rajan Zed, the Hindu statesman who has appointed himself watchdog of American pop culture, has not overlooked these elements. He expressed his initial concerns about the film last spring, and urged James Cameron to “be careful when handling Hindu concepts and terminology.” But he’s been awfully quiet since the film has been on the screens, so perhaps Cameron did a better job than expected.

Despite the strong yogic components of the film, it has managed to become the most popular movie in years and it has captured the collective imagination. It’s fascinating, really, things like the divine feminine and interconnectedness (while not particularly new or radical) aren’t exactly mainstream thinking, but rather yogic! All I can wonder is if the spiritual ideas in the film might just sink in to the viewers, and affect some kind of change in consciousness, somewhere down the line. Let's all hope.

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren

Cinnamon Snail Hits the Road!

We have some great news to share for folks in North Jersey! Our friend, Adam Sobel of Certified Orgasmic is hitting the streets of Hoboken, NJ with his vegan food truck, The Cinnamon Snail! Move over Portland, LA, San Francisco and Boulder, Jersey is stepping up to the plate!

This is the nation's very first vegan food truck. Service will kick off on Valentines Day, February 14th, 2010 with the first 100 customers receiving free vegan donuts! (Let me just say, my favorite thing about the Farmers Market in Red Bank is Adam's vegan cinnamon donuts!!)

The Cinnamon Snail websites will be up and running shortly, be sure to bookmark it for future reference. Give Adam a shout out, let him know that 3 Healthy Chicks sent you and remind him that Monmouth County loves him!

Way to go Adam!

Keep it Fresh!
~ Terra

Oh When the Saints Go Marching In!!

Overindulgence and Super Bowl Sunday seem to go hand in hand. This year instead of gorging on unhealthy fatty, salty foods choose foods that will nourish your body and sustain you throughout the long haul of the game. Who wants to miss the impressive half-time show due to indigestion?

Stephen and I are going to try out yet another awesome recipe from my great friend Tracey, black bean and brown rice burgers. We're going to pair them with some home made veggie chili, but they would also go great with Lauren's Sweet Potato Wedges.

I know that most people have money on the Colts, as a former resident of the City of New Orleans, I will be clad in gold, green and purple sequins cheering the saints on. But let's be honest I just might flip back and forth between the Super Bowl and the PUPPY Bowl on Animal Planet.

Black Bean and Brown Rice “Burger”

2 cans black beans rinsed and drained (or ½ pound dried beans soaked overnight and rinsed)
1 red bell pepper (small dice)
1 poblano pepper (small dice)
1 red onion (small dice)
1 can corn rinsed and drained (15 ounce)
2 cloves garlic (almost paste)
2 cups brown rice cooked (about 1 cup uncooked)
6 ounces V8 juice or other tomato juice product
1 egg
1 cup bread crumbs
¼ cup olive oil (more if needed to form sticky)

Spices:
Coriander
Cumin
Cayenne Pepper
Chili Powder
Kosher Salt
Pepper
****all to taste: the c’s about 1 tablespoon for spicy burger.
Manchego cheese for top at last minute of cooking


Tomato (large dice)
Arugula
Fresh Cilantro (small dice or chiffonade)
Lime Juice
Kosher Salt
Pepper
*****mix all together for “salsa” salad on top of burger…..really tower

1. Sauté peppers and onion with garlic until soft. Let cool.
2. Mash black beans allowing some to remain whole.
3. Add all ingredients together with the beans and mix until combined. Do not over mix since the rice will break down.
4. Form into 8 ounce balls (this recipe will give about 10)
5. Sauté for 8 minutes on each side in olive oil.
6. Last minute of cooking put shredded Manchego cheese on the top.
7. Remove from pan top with salsa salad and serve.

Keep it Fresh!
~ Terra

Keep Your Yoga Mat Clean

Did you know that the Sanskrit word “sauca” translates to cleanliness? In fact, keeping yoga mats clean is an important part of traditional yoga, known as “kriyas,” the cleansing practices of Hatha yoga. Yogis believe that cleanliness helps to open up charkas and deepen the yoga practice and experience.

Regularly washing your yoga mat will kept it soft and sticky, prevent bacterial growth and maximize the life of your mat. The best way to keep most yoga mats clean is to wash them by hand, so here are some tips to show you how to wash a yoga mat easily.

Deep Clean Your Mat

For its first wash, or whenever your yoga mat seems particularly dirty, you will probably want to give it a really thorough cleaning.

- Run a few inches of cool or slightly warm water into a bathtub or large laundry sink and add a few drops of mild, non-oily detergent. Make sure you don’t add too much soap or it will be difficult to rinse away completely, leaving your yoga mat unnecessarily slippery.

- Submerge the yoga mat in the water. Let it soak for a few minutes (the longer you let it soak, the more thoroughly it will be cleaned).

- Gently rub down both sides of the mat, top to bottom, using the soft side of a sponge, a piece of terrycloth, or even just your hands. This will help the mat to develop that soft, ‘grippable’ surface for which sticky yoga mats are so prized.

- Rinse the yoga mat out very thoroughly in clean water, making sure you get rid of any soap residue.

- To dry your yoga mat, lay it on top of a dry towel and tightly roll mat and towel together like a cinnamon roll. Squeeze out excess water by pressing with your hands or feet. Unroll and hang to air dry. Make sure you let it dry out completely before storing to prevent mold.

Homemade Yoga Mat Cleaner

For lighter, more frequent maintenance cleaning and a quicker drying time, you can just clean your mat with a spray bottle and soft cloth. Here are two easy recipes for your own all-natural mat cleaning spray:

Lovely Lavender Spray

Take an empty spray bottle and add 3 drops of tea tree oil, two drops of peppermint oil, and two drops of lavender oil. Fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water. Shake well. Spray your mat lightly with this solution and wipe it down gently with a damp sponge.

It is very easy to make a spray-on mat cleaner that will break up sweat and dirt and kill odor-causing molds and bacteria while at the same time extending the lifespan of your mat. Try either of these recipes.

Water/Vinegar Spray

For an even simpler, natural antibacterial/antifungal mat spray, simply mix 1 part warm water with 3 parts white vinegar. You can also try adding a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, mint, or tea tree oil to add a nice aroma and increase the germ and odor-killing potential.

Now that you have a clean yoga mat, put it to good use! Check out a yoga class in your area or stop in to a yoga class taught by one of the 3 Healthy Chicks! See below:

Fair Haven Yoga

Wednesday's with Terra – 7:00pm Gentle Hatha – a combination of traditional Hatha yoga asanas, breath work and meditation. Yoga alignment and modifications of poses accessible to all. $10 drop in fee.

The Yoga and Healing Center

Hot Mamas Prenatal Yoga with Terra - 8 week Session starting May 4, 2010 - Wise Mamas Prenatal will help you reconnect with your innate female wisdom and the natural process of birth, guiding you through a class specifically designed for the journey of pregnancy.

Mommy and Me Yoga with Terra - 8 week Session starting May 4, 2010 - Post-natal yoga class (babies and mom's 6-8 weeks postpartum) focuses on strengthening the spiritual, emotional and physical bond between parent and child. This practice will enhance your sense of well-being, connect with your body, gain strength and flexibility and connect with your baby.

Asbury Park Dance & Yoga

Hot Mamas Prenatal Yoga with Terra - 8 week Session starting June 23, 2010 - Wise Mamas Prenatal will help you reconnect with your innate female wisdom and the natural process of birth, guiding you through a class specifically designed for the journey of pregnancy.

Brahma Yoga Spa

Friday's with Lauren - 5:30pm Gentle Hatha - traditional Hatha asana, breath work and meditation. $15 drop in fee.

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren