The Secret to Clear Skin

As I'm wrapping up Week Two of the Alcohol-Free experiment, I'm realizing that the best way to avoid alcohol is to keep myself super busy with other projects.  Since I'm starting my business, teaching, being a landlord, being a daughter, being a girlfriend, working out and cooking healthy foods, alcohol hasn't been part of my schedule.  I have missed a few parties because of all this schedule craziness, but I'm realizing that the moments that mean the most to me are usually time spent one-on-one with good friends.  The conversation is meaningful, and I leave feeling really happy.  I had an amazing lunch with my friend, Trina, at Cafe Flora.  Its vegetarian yumminess didn't necessitate a cocktail.  I also had Kiara over for appetizers and mimosas (left over from Mother's Day brunch).  My champagne flute was full of orange juice.  My drinking or not-drinking doesn't really matter when the friendships are solid. 

Last week I even celebrated Stacy at Oliver's Twist with a rhubarb tarragon lemonade.  Ummm...yes please!  The conversation and business brainstorm kept me plenty satisfied and entertained. 

Do I miss drinking?  Sometimes, yes.  A glass of chilled white wine on a hot day.  A margarita on Cinco de Mayo.  But what I don't miss are the hangovers, pimples, messed up sleep schedule and exhaustion.  In fact, my skin has never looked better.  All this clean blood flowing from my happy liver is really starting to show.  Or maybe it's all in my head.  Either way, I'm busy, challenged and feeling good.  I'll drink to that!

Feeling inspired?

I had a meeting with my principal (boss) this morning after a surprise drop-in observation this week. Of course when I saw her walk in with the iPad, I knew it was game time. I didn't change my lesson (much), but everything feels so different when you know you're being observed. We had a great conversation this morning, and she gave me some good feedback about setting diverse learning objectives for different kids based on needs. As she left, I realized that I was just "coached" in a caring and supportive way. And it felt good. I implemented a few of her ideas this morning and the students loved it! They love choice, specialized small group instruction and feeling like they're getting something special. We all want to feel special, heard and appreciated. My principal did that for me, and I passed the love along to my students. Maybe this new teacher evaluation pilot isn't so bad after all.

This all got me thinking... What does it take to feel inspired? I know it takes energy and willingness. A Course in Miracles states that willingness is everything. Am I willing to be inspired and take action towards positive changes? Do I have persistence and dedication to seeking out new challenges and experiences or do I only operate in my comfort zone? Am I willing to look like a dope and fail a few times before succeeding? Absolutely! Come check out the weirdo over here. That's me!

My principal doesn't take credit for my feelings of inspiration, but just keeps cheering me on. That's what I want to offer my students, friends, family and clients. Feeling inspired is like floating around on a happy cloud of energy and motivation. What makes you feel inspired? How do you get yourself unstuck when nothing feels inspiring? I want to hear from you!

Replace instead of eliminate

Week one of my alcohol-free experiment has been a big success.  I didn't drink at all this week, but there were definitely some moments when I wanted to.  I witnessed myself wanting a drink at times when I felt stressed or overwhelmed.  It was as though I wanted to self-medicate with a glass of wine or a cocktail to "take the edge off."  Instead, I choose to breathe through it, feel uncomfortable and make a different choice.  After my very first day at my new office, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted.  Instead of the wine, I reached for a cup of comforting, warm soup.  The healthy nourishment did help me feel cozy and more relaxed.  That replacement offered the comfort I was searching for.

On Cinco de Mayo, I was waiting for friends to arrive and wanted to join the festivities with a margarita.  Instead, I had a refreshing virgin mojito that still provided the festive, sweet treat I was craving.  When my friends started to arrive, I was able to relax, chat and enjoy the music.  Dancing and socializing with good friends makes alcohol irrelevant.  I see that I sometimes want to fill the "gaps" or the uncomfortable moments with a straw and a sip.

At a dinner out, I had a grapefruit San Pellegrino.  It was bubbly and delicious, but at 150 calories and 35 grams of sugar, it may not be the healthiest alternative out there.  It seems that soda water with lime is a good way to sip on something with a little flavor, but not bombard my body with sugar.

As I head into Week Two of this challenge, I'm feeling confident and proud.  I feel like I'm really "walking my talk" as an Ayurveda Health Coach and yogini.  It's all a practice of self-study and learning.  I am happy to be taking my health seriously and noticing the benefits.

Month Twelve: Alcohol Free

I've had this blog for over 4 years now, and it's taken me that long to tackle this month's experiment.  Some of my readers may not even know that my blog started as a series of one-month lifestyle challenges.  Each month I dabbled in a new goal.  These experiments give me a reason to research and experience first-hand different ways of living.  Here's the summary:

Month One: Vegetarianism
Month Two: Shopping-Free
Month Three: Caffeine-Free
Month Four: No High Heels
Month Five: Gluten-free
Month Six: Pants-Free
Month Seven: Cell phone-Free
Month Eight: Blog-Free
Month Nine: All Things Ayurveda
Month Ten: Chi Running
Month Eleven: Finding Free

And now finally, Month Twelve: Alcohol Free.  I'm not sure why it took me this long to be willing to give up alcohol for 30 days.  It just always seemed like the wrong time.  I always have a wedding coming up, a holiday coming up, a birthday coming up, whatever.  These excuses have now taken the back seat because I recently started taking an anti-inflammatory for my knee that is really tough on the liver and kidneys.  Now I finally have a good reason to not drink.  Combining alcohol with this medication would be dangerous for my body and overall health.  I have a feeling that some interesting insights will come up this month.  Bring it on!

Service vs. Ambition

Ok, let me just say it straight.  This interview blew my mind.  I love Marie Forleo and Marianne Williamson.  To put them together is a match made in heaven.  I want to be friends with them, sip tea and learn, learn, learn.  Since that girl-crush fantasy probably won't happen today, I was equally excited to listen to this interview about Marianne's new book, The Law of Divine Compensation.

The part that struck me most was the discussion about service vs. ambition.  As I am laying the foundation for my Ayurveda Health Coach practice, it's easy for me to focus on the business side of things.  I really want to keep bringing my bottom line back to service and contribution.  If I make money, great.  My number one objective is to help people live healthy and happy lives.  That's what I want.  That's what I choose to focus on.  As Marianne says, "The Universe is an unlimited opportunity machine."  I choose to let that energy run my business and surprise me with all kinds of new experiences, people and chances to grow.  Universe, show me what you've got!

HUGE NEWS!

Sometimes faith is all the we really have.  Faith that this crazy idea will work out.  Faith that my efforts and actions are leading me somewhere good.  Faith that this excitement, passion, energy...this feeling IS the point.  This feeling IS my ultimate goal.  Achieving my goal is not really the goal.  Feeling stoked and motivated and inspired on the way to a goal is the best part. 

Opportunities keep plopping into my lap and pointing me in the right direction.  Starting May 1st, I will be a member of the Glow Team at Glow Natural Health Center in Madison Valley.  We offer acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, Naturopathic medicine, psychotherapy and now AYURVEDA!  I will be seeing clients from 8am-12pm on Saturdays and 6:30-8:30pm on Wednesdays.

The lease is being looked over, website profile being revised, insurance paperwork being shuffled, promotion events in the works...I just can't keep the secret any longer.  This is truly a dream come true.  I am so inspired to guide my clients to happier, more joyous lives through nutrition, herbs, yoga, meditation, pranayama and lifestyle routines.  I am the Ayurveda Health Coach, and I'm ready to serve.

Reducing inflammation through Ayurveda

I started this AWC program for selfish reasons... to help myself be healthy.  My final research paper came out of the same inclination.  For the last two months, I've been struggling with inflammation in my right knee.  Ironically, it started after sitting on the floor for 2 days during my last intense Ayurveda class.  The same weekend I had a strong reaction to some nasal drops administered during our Panchakarma class.  This whole experience has been really humbling as I see the limits and of my body and acknowledge my predisposition for joint issues.  After x-rays, blood tests, an MRI and countless doctors appointments, I'm now starting physical therapy once a week to help build strenth to support my knees.  When I look for the gift or the assignment in all of this, I can see that my health issues will help me be a more compassionate and understanding counselor.  Perhaps a little personal struggle helps me better relate to others.  It definitely has me researching and seeking out new resources to guide my healing.

Here are a few things I've learned about inflammation and auto-immune diseases:

1. My body sometimes overreacts to perceived threats and attacks healthy tissue.  Anything that can calm the body down (REST, massage, aromatherapy, chanting, pranayama) can reduce inflammation.

2. An anti-inflammatory diet is full of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

3. Sugar, gluten and alcohol can cause more inflammation.

4. Spices and herbs like garlic, tumeric and ginger have huge healing benefits. 

5. My mind is my strongest healing tool and ally.  I can ignite my own "placebo effect" by trusting my body's healing power and wisdom.  Tapping into my natural balancing capacities will save my knee.

6. Stress causes inflammation.  This research paper showed me that there is a HUGE body of knowledge and research about the benefits of yoga, meditation, pranayama and herbs.

As I move forward with Ayurveda, I learn more tricks and tips that help me stay on track and keep my body thriving.  Living happy and shaking off stress seem to be the best remedy.

For more information about inflammation, check out: http://kriscarr.com/blog/5-tips-to-reduce-inflammation/