https://livingrhea.com/Living Rhea: science-backed, soul-aligned health.https://livingrhea.com/blog/gsd-community-party-croatia/https://livingrhea.com/blog/gsd-community-party-croatia/Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:58:36 GMTGet ready to blend, shake, and celebrate! Croatia is turning up the tropical vibes as it joins the world in celebrating Global Smoothie Day (GSD) with a one-of-a-kind Community Party – and everyone’s invited! Held in the heart of Zagreb’s vibrant Bundek Park, the GSD Community Party brought together smoothie lovers, health enthusiasts, families, and local businesses for a full day of fruity fun, community vibes, and eco-conscious celebration. 🍌 Highlights included: Live smoothie-making stations featuring local fruits and exotic blends DIY smoothie bike blenders (pedal to blend your drink!) Workshops on sustainable eating and zero-waste lifestyles A kids’ fruit art zone, face painting & smoothie pong Live DJ sets, dance sessions, and a massive “Smoothie Toast” at sunset! Local smoothie brands, nutritionists, and wellness influencers also came out in full support, offering free samples, tips, and a whole lot of positive energy. The event was hosted by Croatian wellness ambassador Mia Zrnić, who said: “It’s more than smoothies – it’s about coming together, celebrating our health, our planet, and each other.” The GSD Community Party is part of a global initiative to promote healthy living, sustainability, and togetherness – one smoothie at a time. From New York to Nairobi, and now Zagreb, communities worldwide are raising their cups and blending up joy. Missed the event? Don’t worry – the #GSDEurope movement is just getting started. Follow @GlobalSmoothieDay on Instagram and TikTok for upcoming events, smoothie recipes, and behind-the-scenes fun.https://livingrhea.com/blog/test-post-for-press-page/https://livingrhea.com/blog/test-post-for-press-page/Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:43:52 GMTGSD COMMUNITY PARTY KENYA! Blenders were buzzing and spirits were soaring as the first-ever Global Smoothie Day (GSD) Community Party Kenya made a vibrant splash this weekend! Held at [Insert Venue], the event brought together smoothie lovers, wellness advocates, families, and local businesses to celebrate health, community, and of course—smoothies! From fruity fusions to veggie-packed power blends, the GSD Community Party was a rainbow of nutrition and joy. Attendees were treated to free smoothie tastings, live blending demos, nutrition workshops, and exciting activities for all ages—including a Smoothie Bike Challenge, DIY smoothie bar, and Kid’s Mini Chef Station. “We’re excited to host Global Smoothie Day in Kenya for the first time,” said [Organizer Name], Event Coordinator. “It’s about more than just tasty drinks. It’s about celebrating wellness, sustainability, and community connection in a fun and inclusive way.” The event featured special appearances by local chefs, health influencers, and smoothie startups. Local farmers and vendors showcased fresh, organic produce, emphasizing the power of homegrown ingredients and healthy living. A highlight of the day? The “Blend-Off” Competition, where teams battled it out to create the ultimate Kenyan-inspired smoothie—featuring ingredients like mango, baobab, avocado, and even a touch of ugali! Global Smoothie Day is celebrated in countries around the world, and this year, Kenya joined the map with unmatched energy and creativity. 💚 Thank You to Our Community GSD Kenya would not have been possible without the support of our partners, volunteers, and the incredible Kenyan community. Here’s to a healthier, happier future—one smoothie at a time! Follow the celebration online:📸 Instagram: @gsdkenya🐦 Twitter: @globalsmoothiekenya🌍 #GSDKenya #GlobalSmoothieDay #BlendWithLovehttps://livingrhea.com/blog/the-changemaker-formula-smoothie-challenge/https://livingrhea.com/blog/the-changemaker-formula-smoothie-challenge/Mon, 11 Jan 2021 07:26:05 GMT“The only constant in life is change”-Heraclitus. Despite our inherent desires to be and feel healthy, the majority of us are overcome with stress and confusion before we ever get the chance to try. I was there once upon a time, and it was an urgency that led me to change. I thankfully came out stronger and healthier, but it’s not fun to be the only one on this side. I won’t stop until we are collectively healthy. Changing our lifestyles is not easy. However, making micro-adjustments to certain aspects of our lifestyles might be a little easier to chew on. One of the quickest ways I know to feel better is to focus on changing our first meal of the day—our breakfast. I always say that every day we have another chance at a reset. The first few hours upon waking can make all the difference. It’s an opportunity to replenish your rested system with fuel in the form of nutrition and water. When I was suffering from fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, I was overwhelmed with all the things I needed to do to clean up my diet and lifestyle and address all of my symptoms—specifically my digestive issues (chronic constipation, insta-bloating) and chronic pain.  Then I happened upon the wonderful world of unsweetened smoothies. Unlock Your Health Potential with Smoothies I like them to call them pre-chewed food, and because the blender takes care of most of that chewing, we can give our stressed-out digestive systems a break and help our bodies access all that nutrition. You are what you absorb, after all. If you know me you’ll know that I have worked hard to build a case for the smoothie lifestyle—one that follows a simple formula takes little time to prepare and is extremely good for…https://livingrhea.com/blog/centre-for-advanced-medicine/https://livingrhea.com/blog/centre-for-advanced-medicine/Thu, 10 Dec 2020 16:35:50 GMTIf you know me by now, you understand my belief in and commitment to the integrative healthcare model, one that encompasses conventional western medicine and traditional or holistic healing practices. For the past decade, I’ve immersed myself in working on solving different pieces of the healthcare puzzle, from health data management to the commercialization or business of scientific research, to working directly with individuals seeking alternative healing methods, to help educate and empower them to re-design their lifestyles with a renewed focus on clean and conscious living. My PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and specifically, molecular toxicology, nutritional biochemistry, and the toxicity of the Western Diet, has equipped me with deep knowledge on the impact of environmental toxins on the human body, and the potential for high doses of select nutrients (eg. antioxidants—quercetin, glutathione, resveratrol, green tea, vitamins B, C, and D) to not only lower but also reverse the damages associated with toxicity. Truth be told, much of my nutrition and lifestyle medicine experience came from my own learning (I’m a nerd and I’m proud of it!), my deep investment into personal development, and my 15+ years healing journey recovering from chronic inflammatory disease, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, the emotional trauma of losing my dad to cancer, and the ancestral traumas that my lineages endured, both known and unknown. However, my certification and training in integrative nutrition and holistic health did gift me with a giant library of diverse and up to date resources for me and my clients, and a community of health coaches and integrative health advocates to learn from and exchange questions and ideas with. Finally, it also gave me the courage and confidence to build a practice as an integrative health coach, scientific wellness educator, and now, practitioner at Canada’s premier Functional and Integrative Medical Clinic:…https://livingrhea.com/blog/benefit-from-medicinal-mushroom/https://livingrhea.com/blog/benefit-from-medicinal-mushroom/Wed, 25 Nov 2020 15:05:26 GMTFungi have been around on the Earth for more than 2 billion years, pre-dating animal and plant life. While some species are poisonous, there are a number of species with superpowers that can nourish, heal, and boost the health of humans and our shared planet. The latter are referred to as medicinal mushrooms. These fungi deliver more healing than meets the eye. Superficially, they are loaded with vitamins and minerals, which is surely one of their superpowers. However, they also have bioactive components that they release to protect themselves during times of stress. These bioactive ingredients have incredibly therapeutic, and even magical healing properties, which historically led to their use as medicines in several ancient cultures around the world for the past several millennia. Today, through the scientific method, we are now learning that medicinal mushrooms may be one of the most multi-modal healing medicines on the planet, with the potential to treat, heal, and prevent some of the most complex chronic conditions of our time. A Brief History of  Medicinal  Mushrooms As mentioned, mushrooms have been consumed and celebrated by human beings in ancient traditions spanning the globe for thousands of years, as both food and medicine. Saharan aboriginal tribes in North Africa are said to have used mushrooms in 9000 BC. Mushroom consumption was also referenced in Tibetan and Siberian shamanism and Buddhism, as well as in spiritual texts from Mexico, Guatemala, and Mesoamerica. Out of 150,000 known species, 14,000+ have been identified, with ~2,000 categorized as edible. More recently, medicinal mushrooms have been used in Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine for the management of a number of conditions, including cancer, diabetes, disorders of the heart, liver, and brain, digestive issues, longevity, and vitality. Some mushrooms have even been clinically validated in the East and approved as an…https://livingrhea.com/blog/apollo-clinically-validated-wearable-device/https://livingrhea.com/blog/apollo-clinically-validated-wearable-device/Wed, 04 Nov 2020 12:13:23 GMTI’m excited to tell you about a groundbreaking stress reducing and sleep enhancing wearable device that actually works! It’s called Apollo Neuro, and it was created by Psychiatrist and Neuroscientist Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD. It has been clinically validated to improve heart rate variability, a key metric of stress. Dr. Rabin noted that touch was overlooked in stress management, despite its ability to trigger safety to the body and lower stress. Through research, Dr. Rabin found that certain waves of vibration can bring our bodies and minds back to balance fast. And they can do this while improving our heart rate variability. The Apollo device was therefore designed by Rabin and team to mimic touch through these waves of vibration, thereby stimulating the trust and safety center of the brain. The result: activation of the “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system, restoring balance in the body and mind. It is unique in that it is considered a safe and non-addictive way to feel better over both the short and long term, by training your brain to bounce back more quickly from stressful states. How Apollo works Wrap the Apollo device on your wrist or ankle Select the mode on the mobile app that best reflects your status Personalize the duration and intensity of the vibrations Here are the 7 modes to choose from: Energy and Wake Up Social and Open Clear and Focused Rebuild and Recover Meditation and Mindfulness Relax and Unwind Sleep and Renew Benefits Increased Heart Rate Variability We all experience stress to varying degrees. Some of us experience quite debilitating symptoms as a result of the stress in our lives, such as headaches, anxiety, pain, frustration, lethargy, and the list goes on. Stress converts external situations into internal reactions, and can have a long-term impact on…https://livingrhea.com/blog/integrative-health-coaches-role/https://livingrhea.com/blog/integrative-health-coaches-role/Sat, 24 Oct 2020 07:27:49 GMTThe events of 2020 have shed a bright light on the challenges of the healthcare system, as well as the opportunities. We’ve seen the rise of digital transformation in healthcare, as practitioners try and adapt to the new reality of virtual care. Digital health solutions are in many cases replacing therapies, or accompanying medications as chronic disease management and diagnostic tools. To facilitate this shift, we need educators who are helping both patients and their doctors with the adoption of this digital transition that seems to be here to stay. Digital is not the only shift this year. We’ve also been reminded of the importance of holistic and nutritional health and wellbeing during this pandemic. We’ve been learning that those who are most vulnerable to this virus are often co-morbid, with existing illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, and gut dysbiosis. While there are several societal inequities that have contributed to these vulnerabilities, what’s important to highlight here is that the strongest guts and immune systems seem to have a higher chance at survival and defeat of Covid-related symptoms. What does this mean for healthcare? It means the integrative and preventative approach to healthcare is finally becoming more widely appreciated and practiced by conventional medicine. That in itself is worth celebrating, as it means nutritional and preventive approaches might finally get the clinical validation they deserve. 2020: The Turning Point of Conventional Healthcare Healthcare has entered a new paradigm—at last. With this new paradigm, comes a new type of practitioner. This key healthcare player is both an educator and motivator. This role requires compassion, communication, and confidence. This new practitioner in the next generation of healthcare is referred to as an integrative health coach. The Role of the Integrative Health Coach What does this term mean, exactly? The term health coach has been…https://livingrhea.com/blog/future-of-healthcare-with-technology/https://livingrhea.com/blog/future-of-healthcare-with-technology/Mon, 05 Oct 2020 07:12:47 GMTIn the last article, we learned about how the physical environment affects us and how we can safeguard ourselves from potential toxins, as recommended by Dr. Rhea Mehta, Molecular Toxicologist, integrative nutrition advisor, and leader in health advocacy. In this last article of this series, we are going to see what is the future of healthcare with advancements in technology. The Future of Tracking and Compliance Rhea’s father was diagnosed with a lifestyle-triggered cancer, which naturally made Rhea an advocate of lifestyle medicine. She believes that we, as a community, need better measures in place to organize our health. We can’t simply rely on our doctors to manage our health records. They have thousands of patients to worry about and their own lives on top of that. We must take health into our own hands. For some of us, health discipline comes easy. But for the majority of us, we need support and accountability. Thanks to technological innovation, we can now use digital apps and wearables to help track and organize our daily health activities and our medication use, in a way that’s easy for us to access and understand. That is the future of healthcare, and the good news is it’s here! We don’t think about our own health data that much until we get sick, and that is a problem. Because once a poor diagnosis arrives, like what Rhea experienced for her father, you have to act quick out of the fear that is moving through you and your family. If your data is stored in multiple systems, it becomes really hard to understand the options ahead of you. Data as the Medicine for the Future of Healthcare Since we live in the digital age, Rhea envisions a globally portable health and wellness digital healthcare system that is…https://livingrhea.com/blog/secrets-of-healthy-living/https://livingrhea.com/blog/secrets-of-healthy-living/Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:40:00 GMTIn the last article, we learned about how Dr. Rhea Mehta, Molecular Toxicologist, integrative nutrition advisor, and leader in health advocacy, made changes to her life and started the RAWjuvenation community. This article will talk about what changes everyone should make to their daily lives in order to attain healthy living. Top 4 Indicators of Healthy Living: Poo, Pee, Sweat, Breath Dr. Rhea Mehta shares the major indicators of healthy living that everyone can assess on their own, before they seek help, to better understand their personal health story. While she recommends personalized plans for every client, she believes this type of self-assessment can lead to greater health awareness, which alone can positively impact one’s life. The 4 indicators of healthy living are akin to the 4 major exit routes in the body: how we poop, how we pee, how we sweat, and how we breathe.  Rhea recommends that you pay attention to the type of poop exiting your body—in other words, not being afraid to look in the toilet after a bowel movement. She also suggests looking at the color of your pee, which indicates your hydration levels in the body. If you’re not sweating, she says you are missing out on cleansing toxins out of our largest organ, our skin. Finally, the simple acting of “checking your breath” will bring more awareness to the present moment, which is the greatest gift of all. The more we check out breath, the more we invite every part of us back into the moment. Habits We Can All Benefit From Dr. Rhea recommends the daily habits she believes, upon consistent practice, can lead people to living a more fulfilled life. These are as follows: Do the same thing every day When you repeat a practice consistently day after day, you are…https://livingrhea.com/blog/affects-of-physical-environment/https://livingrhea.com/blog/affects-of-physical-environment/Wed, 09 Sep 2020 18:38:00 GMTIn the last article, we learned about some accessible methods to healthy living, as recommended by Dr. Rhea Mehta, Molecular Toxicologist, integrative nutrition advisor, and leader in health advocacy. In this article, we will see how the physical environment introduces toxins that affect how we live and what you can do to minimize this effect There are inflammatory triggers in our daily physical environment that most of us don’t think about. These include products used for beauty care (eg. makeup, creams, shampoo, perfume), cleaning products (eg. dish soap, detergent, all-purpose cleaners)  all of which can get absorbed into our body through our skin, lungs, and digestive tracts. Common products used in the home like candles, nail polish and incense can also introduce toxins into your inner environment.   There are so many other products and practices that carry toxins into our bodies that Rhea helps her clients identify and remove. She shares some replacement ideas below. Simple Swaps to Keep our Physical Environment Clean Here are some simple + impactful strategies you can implement at home right away to live better: Breathe in fresh air: Most of us breathe in recycled air at home. Consider always keeping a bit of fresh air flowing through your home, and especially overnight when you’re sleeping. Swap your all-purpose cleaning product with a DIY recipe made from vinegar and lemon, or purchase non-toxic cleaning and beauty products, specifically for dish cleaning, laundry and body care – as these chemicals can easily accumulate in the body when used overtime Invest in air purifiers, essential oil diffusers, air-cleaning plants, and water filters: These shifts can make a huge difference in your health and happiness., especially for people who are more health-vulnerable, like children, elderly, and those living with a chronic illness. Rhea also recommends these product…https://livingrhea.com/blog/rawjuvenation-community-making-the-change-dr-rhea-mehta/https://livingrhea.com/blog/rawjuvenation-community-making-the-change-dr-rhea-mehta/Fri, 07 Aug 2020 05:55:42 GMTIn the last article (Read it here), we learned about the struggles Dr. Rhea Mehta, Molecular Toxicologist, integrative nutrition advisor, and leader in health advocacy, had to go through from an early age till the time she was doing her Ph.D. This article will talk about the changes she made in her life and how she started the RAWjuvenation Community. Taking a Different Path Having been vulnerable to doctors throughout her life, it was time for Rhea to make a change. Since she was a doctorate candidate in academia, her education gradually began to give her the confidence needed to ask questions. She started asking her doctors questions she needed answers for instead of just listening to their advice. She wasn’t interested in taking any more medicines because of the side effects that came with those pills. When she was talking to her gastroenterologist, he told her about a book he had written. This was the first time he had ever mentioned it. But since Rhea was questioning what was happening to her and why it was taking place, her curiosity and academic background led her to the book that paved a new way altogether. This book led her to more information such as the microbiome and how cutting out lactose may improve her condition. In a similar way, other doctors, such as her rheumatologist, and authors of books she started finding, gave her little pieces of information that she could connect. This information opened up a whole new world of lifestyle medicine she could explore and inspired her to get further training in while simultaneously putting the learnings into practice. Immediate Changes that Led to a 22 Day Juice Fast Now that Rhea had a way to proceed, she began with cutting out dairy from her own diet. Seems…https://livingrhea.com/blog/get-rid-of-home-of-toxins-with-dr-rhea-mehta-molecular-toxicologist/https://livingrhea.com/blog/get-rid-of-home-of-toxins-with-dr-rhea-mehta-molecular-toxicologist/Tue, 07 Jul 2020 05:00:10 GMTHow to Rid Your Home of Toxins with Dr. Rhea Mehta, Molecular Toxicologist, integrative nutrition advisor, and leader in health advocacy. This is a series of articles of a podcast that our founder Dr. Rhea Mehta did with Mind Body Green. Hope you’ll enjoy this! How health-related struggles led to the launch of a giant wellness venture Rhea was first diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis at age 13, which is an autoimmune condition with a poor prognosis. She was later diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a complex and hard-to-treat chronic pain condition that impacts 4 million Americans (2% of the population). Such issues in her teenage years were a big question mark rather than a full-fledged chronic disease, thanks in part to her strong sense that her misdiagnosis was a reflection of the medical system simply not knowing what was wrong with her. Rhea was challenged with co-existing with this chronic health condition, as well as a few other digestive complications for years. Early on in her journey she was heavily medicated with painkillers and muscle relaxants to try and address some of her debilitating symptoms, which seemed to work temporarily. Her symptoms would always seem to come back with a vengeance, and she lived this way for as long as she can remember through her teens and up to mid way through her twenties. Making the Decision to Forge a New Path Things got even more severe when she entered her University life as these complications had turned into a health concern of a much greater magnitude. One year into her Ph.D., she had to undergo surgery on her internal sphincter due to years of chronic constipation, mostly as a side effect to the medications she was on, as well as due to deficiencies in her diet. This seemed like a big…https://livingrhea.com/blog/health-poetry-consequences/https://livingrhea.com/blog/health-poetry-consequences/Sun, 07 Jun 2020 01:53:03 GMTCONSEQUENCES came to me at a time of deep inner reflection as I remembered my journey, and the journey of many members of my community. I’ve found myself feeling isolated at times, alone in my healthy choices and patterns. My healthy ways saved my life! And I’m blessed to be where I am today. But what I’ve realized overtime is that I can’t demand others adopt my strategies. I can inspire, while being me, and that is enough. CONSEQUENCES // I’m met with a choice To change my ways Are my habits serving me? Sometimes destructively Energy gone, emotions to grapple All for the distraction of unconscious babble   In these moments Inherent wisdom is lost Responsibility deferred to the future In the presence nothing else matters Not breath nor intention These truths get no mention Only one focus for tonight A journey outside my light Nothing held dear No tenderness here   This time feels different I’m awakened to the moment Death knocks on my door Life thrown to the floor Choice returns Do I change course now? My fatality bends my reality Who am I without this container? When I’m empty Others can’t see me I become invisible To their probing eyes Opportunities passing me by   I want to be seen I yearn to be heard I welcome support To help guide me I affirm my wish We all have a choice I choose me, now Louder I choose me, now Strength illuminates Motivation creeps in Best self, let’s go I believe in you now   Routine kicks in Optimal health for the win Life turns around My spirit is found Vibrant and whole Connected through soul   Friendships in question Sabotage no longer an option We no longer relate Your choices your fate I intend to be…https://livingrhea.com/blog/hemp-protein-powder-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/hemp-protein-powder-review/Wed, 20 May 2020 01:24:18 GMTThe perks: After several decades and cycles of prohibition and acceptance, along with multiple uses of this functional product, hemp is here to stay! And we’re happy about that, because as a food, hemp is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s not just a complete and easily digestible protein, it’s also enriched with essential fatty acids, omegas 6 and 3, in their balanced and ideal ratio of 3:75:1. Hemp is also the only food source of omega 6 gamma-linolenic acid, which has been shown to play a role in improving skin and hair health, balancing hormones, and preventing inflammation. Finally, hemp is abundant in magnesium, fiber and iron.   Why I love hemp seeds, hemp protein and hemp oil: Besides loving hemp products for their digestible protein characteristic, hemp seeds are easy to work with. Most nuts and seeds require soaking before use for activation, but not hemp seeds! They’re therefore ideal for those on the go (easy snack), for making milk (2-minute blending!), and for preparing raw sauces and veggie dips. They’re also terrific as a salad and soup topper. The protein powder is ideal for use in smoothies, and blends very easily. I’ll often carry it along with me when I’m traveling and mix it with water as a daily health aid. Hemp oil smells and tastes great. I especially love using it when making salad dressings, and mixing with apple cider vinegar and a splash of balsamic or dijon mustard.https://livingrhea.com/blog/turmeric-faux-latte-my-anti-inflammatory-fix/https://livingrhea.com/blog/turmeric-faux-latte-my-anti-inflammatory-fix/Sun, 19 Apr 2020 13:10:37 GMTDescription: Turmeric has become the talk of the town in the nutritional sciences community. Why? Because it’s such a potent anti-inflammatory. And let’s face it, the majority of us experience inflammation (stress) in one form or another on most days. This recipe is my twist on the popular ayurvedic Golden Milk. This one is low carb, which makes it acceptable for those who are drinking it for its medicinal value –> to reduce inflammation.   Ingredients 1.5 cups warm water or tea (chaga, chai) 1/4 cup coconut cream or unsweetened nut milk 1 tbsp coconut oil or MCT oil 2 tbsp turmeric (fresh or powdered) 2 tbsp ginger (fresh or powdered) ¼ tsp cinnamon, vanilla and chai powders pinch black pepper, pink salt, stevia   Instructions Step 1 To a high-speed blender, add warm water or tea, followed by the remaining wet and dry ingredients. Step 2 Blend on high for 15-20 seconds and serve. Tips and Techniques To ensure the water isn’t too hot, you should be able to place your finger underwater for up to 5 seconds without pain If you absolutely can’t put warm water in your blender, try blending the recipe with room temperature water and then heat it up on the stove Be sure to clean your blender right away to prevent stains from sticking around Black pepper helps with turmeric absorption, so be sure to use it in this recipe Why I Love My Recipe This recipe is a fun alternative to coffee or foffee. Rather than make you feel high, it makes you feel grounded and charged. It’s also just a beautiful way to take in a higher dose of turmeric, because let’s face it, the spice doesn’t taste too great on its own. Benefits Coconut is high in health-promoting, energizing fat Turmeric…https://livingrhea.com/blog/choice/https://livingrhea.com/blog/choice/Tue, 03 Mar 2020 03:37:08 GMTDapoxetina prezzo priligy 60 mg Per essere conformi agli standard internazionali e consentire ai pazienti dei paesi in via di sviluppo di avere accesso ai prodotti farmaceutici, tiene conto dei principi di base della protezione e della privacy dei dati ( pieno rispetto dei diritti e delle libertà dell’interessato e preservare un elevato livello di protezione dell’interessato ), che dovrebbe crescere a 2,6 miliardi di US nel 2018. Si possono facilmente mescolare culture e diversi ceti sociali a Montreal perché l’integrazione nazionale è ovvia. La telefarmacia si riferisce alla consegna di prodotti farmaceutici soggetti a dapoxetina prezzo priligy 60 mg e non soggetti a prescrizione per telefono. HONcode stabilisce rigide linee guida per la pubblicità sul suo sito Web. in farmacia levitra italia prezzo Ho esaminato i nutrienti nel loro insieme, non è stato valutato dalla IT per il consumo umano! Gli oppioidi, non possono usare il nome di una società di cannabis non medica, cofinanziamenti e pagamenti per prescrizioni che sono compilate di persona o che sono richieste da un medico ( cure ambulatoriali ), adulterati o contaminati, dapoxetina prezzo priligy 60 mg sensi dell’Incuso of Drugs Act, 2 ) una singola agenzia statale responsabile della regolamentazione e della licenza della distribuzione di farmaci soggetti a prescrizione in quello Stato. Alcune leggi sono in difetto, Kentucky e Texas hanno preso provvedimenti contro diversi siti Web. ricetta senza viagra cialis Nel 1996, sviluppati o sviluppati e come tali sono soggetti a una maggiore regolamentazione del mercato, alcuni stati consentono ai clienti di pagare un premio “assicurando” il loro pacchetto, l’anonimato del packaging di una farmacia online può aiutare a prevenire le vendite dapoxetina prezzo priligy 60 mg minori o la rivendita di farmaci scaduti o contraffatti, marketing e pubblicità, la IT ha vietato le farmacie su Internet che offrono prodotti…https://livingrhea.com/blog/taking-ownership-of-your-health/https://livingrhea.com/blog/taking-ownership-of-your-health/Fri, 14 Feb 2020 03:14:37 GMTThe poem I’m sharing today, PREVENTION, is about my experience with taking ownership of my health and life, as opposed to feeling like a victim to its circumstances. I hope you enjoy. PREVENTION // I wish I could face disease I wish I could feel motivated to step up now Practice self-care I want to wake up I want to feel my aliveness in every moment I want to feel inspired to step up now I want to enter health now It’s okay if I don’t know how The clues will come My desire is enough My vision is tough to forget I keep it close, I keep it front I watch it, I feel it, I taste it I dream big, I feel strong Clues are here Clarity is approaching I hold her tight I remember my desire I recall my vision I pay attention I observe, I attempt I feel more alive This feels right I can see the light Keep going, love I believe in you Your world needs you Take your time, find your pace It’s not a race When motivation disappears Hold your dreams and vision near They will help you process your fears Breathe, you’re here xx Dr. Rhea P.S. Have a comment? Share below! I’d love to hear from youhttps://livingrhea.com/blog/vital-signs/https://livingrhea.com/blog/vital-signs/Sat, 11 Jan 2020 03:06:05 GMTThis creative burst has been an outlet for me to chant my soul’s song, using emotion and life experience. It’s been liberating to say the least, and I thank you for receiving my truth in this format. This next instalment, VITAL SIGNS, is connected to my father’s transition, and to my thoughts and experiences around the friends we keep closest to us, those who might not always have our healthiest interests at heart. VITAL SIGNS // Enter health She’s around you Surrounds you Within you Health gives us life But what is life Vitality or mediocrity? Do we seek help only when sick? How sick? What is sick? Does sick hurt? Maybe to your kids when they Find you, lose you, cremate you Were your cravings worth it? Did you know how to break it? What would you do with a second chance? Choose to be there for your daughter’s first dance? What do you do with a second chance? Stop smoking, quit drinking, let your guides in To teach you, to lead you, to feed you Accountability keeps us in check Reminders, notifications, post-its, friends Why do you have friends? To love you, to lift you, to hear you Why do we have friends? To fill the space, to validate our ways, to pass the days Nostalgia creeps in I see them, I offer commitment Because of that one time they saved me Or bailed and failed me? How do I let go and avoid sorrow Feelings help us grow Feelings help us show Up we go with clarity, prosperity A fresh perspective A breath detected From death to life From dark to light From blind to sight I choose vitality As always, feel free to reach out in the comments below if this resonated with you. I’d love to…https://livingrhea.com/blog/green-warrior-smoothie/https://livingrhea.com/blog/green-warrior-smoothie/Sun, 01 Dec 2019 20:46:47 GMTDescription My Green Warrior Smoothie Recipe is incredibly nutrient-dense and delicious! It’s nicely balanced with fiber, protein and healthy fat to ensure the natural sugars aren’t metabolized so quickly, thereby preventing a spike in blood sugar. This blender full of goodness is equivalent to eating a humongous salad, that one surely wouldn’t be able to consume in one sitting. But since it’s pre-chewed by our genius friend, the high-speed blender, we can easily take in the healing goodness in a form that’s accessible and absorbable by our digestive tract. Score! Ingredients 3 cups water 2 cups of spinach 1/2 cup mixed berries 1 celery stalk 1/2 medium-sized cucumber 1 tbsp ginger 3 tbsp hemp seeds or 1 scoop raw, sprouted protein powder 1/2 tsp spirulina, chlorella or superfood greens powder 1 tbsp flax oil Optional: 1/2-1 ripe banana, 1 tsp lemon juice, pinch sea salt Instructions Step 1 Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high for 15-30 seconds. Step 2 Empty blender contents into a mason jar or cocktail glass (why not?!) and enjoy the green Warrior goodness. Tips and Techniques Blend your greens first and then add the remaining ingredients and blend again. This creates more room for other goodies. Chew your smoothie! Digestion starts in your mouth, so the chewing action will activate those salivary enzymes. If you’re hooked on smoothies, consider investing in a high-speed blender. It will turn your smoothies into pure decadence, and will take care of protecting those healing nutrients, unlike other blenders which often slice the produce in such a way as to harm the cells. High-speed blenders include the Vitamix and Blendtec. To really benefit from the iron content in spinach, squeeze some lemon into your smoothie! Rotate your greens! This holds true for all smoothies and dishes with…https://livingrhea.com/blog/foffee-my-high-energy-coffee-substitute-2/https://livingrhea.com/blog/foffee-my-high-energy-coffee-substitute-2/Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:03:04 GMTDescription Have you heard? Foffee is the new coffee substitute and it’s freaking delicious! Adrenal fatigue is a real thing. So is coffee addiction. If you’re thinking to yourself, I can’t give up my daily cup of java, maybe it’s time you practice a little detachment and try something different. The plus side is you’ll be getting a lot more goodness in that 1 cup, free from dependency. Ingredients 2 cups warm water or tea (chaga, chai) 1/4 cup coconut cream or unsweetened nut milk 1 tbsp coconut oil or MCT oil 1 tbsp raw cacao 1 heaping tsp maca powder ¼ tsp cinnamon, vanilla and chai powders pinch cayenne pepper, pink salt, stevia 1 small piece of fresh ginger 1 small piece of fresh turmeric Instructions Step 1 To a high-speed blender, add warm water or tea, followed by the remaining wet and dry ingredients. Step 2 Blend on high for 15-20 seconds and serve. Tips and Techniques To ensure the water isn’t too hot, you should be able to place your finger underwater for up to 5 seconds without pain If you enjoy this recipe, consider creating a pre-mixed jar for yourself, out of ease and for on the go energy If you absolutely can’t put warm water in your blender, try blending the recipe with room temperature water and then heat it up on the stove Why I Love My Recipe This coffee substitute is a performance enhancer! It’s got all the right ingredients to support happiness, satiation, energy and productivity. It’s my morning fix, right after my lemon water on most days. But the good news is that if I happen to miss a day or two, it’s not the end of the world. No dependency, only choice. Benefits Coconut is high in health-promoting, energizing fat Turmeric…https://livingrhea.com/blog/raw-vegan-yogurt/https://livingrhea.com/blog/raw-vegan-yogurt/Sun, 11 Dec 2016 20:09:34 GMTDescription Yogurt without the dairy, yes it’s possible! This recipe captures the creaminess of the yogurt we all grew up on, without the post-snack slump or belly pain. And the best part: It’s ready within minutes. Nutrient-enriched, protein-heavy, probiotic-dosed, digestive-friendly – all in one easy recipe. Well, what are you waiting for? #tryit! Ingredients 1 cup water 2 cups pumpkin seeds or almonds, pre-soaked 1 tbsp lemon juice ½ tsp probiotic powder Instructions Step 1 To a high-speed blender, add water, followed by nuts/seeds and lemon juice. Blend on low, adding more water as needed, until a creamy yogurt consistency is reached. Step 2 Place raw yogurt into glass container, and add probiotic powder. Stir well. Step 3 Loosely cover container with lid, leaving breathing room, and store in warm space for up to 1 day. Both microwave and ovens are good options, being mindful not to turn them on! If you’re in a hurry here, simply cover container and place immediately in fridge, or consume right away. Eat with mixture of fresh and dried berries, chia or hemp seeds, shredded coconut, cacao nibs, or sprouted gluten-free grains. Tips and Techniques Pre-soak nuts and seeds for 12-24 hours in a bowl of water, with one wash in between, to activate (germinate, sprout) the nuts or seeds and gain access to their nutrients. If you’re pressed for time, add ½ tsp probiotic powder (you can break open capsule) to your blended product, stir and refrigerate immediately. Why I Love My Recipe I gave up dairy long ago, but missed yogurt thoroughly. This recipe brings me back to the days of yogurt, except I end my snack feeling charged and light. I’m fully in control of the supplemental ingredients – be it savory or sweet, and that is a big deal, given…https://livingrhea.com/blog/vegetable-spiralizer-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/vegetable-spiralizer-product-review/Sat, 10 Dec 2016 02:30:41 GMTThe perks of a Spiralizer Make your own pasta out of vegetables with a vegetable spiralizer, also commonly referred to as a vegetable spiral slicer. For the foodies, the culinary curious, and those delving into the land of vegetarianism, the spiralizer is a kitchen gadget you must get your hands on! This gadget takes salads to a whole new level, by adding in a spiral twist. And the best part: the noodles, as satiating as they are, won’t leave you feeling full. Instead, they’ll fill you up with whole-food nutrition. Ideal veggies and fruits to play with include zucchini, daikon radish, sweet potato, carrot, butternut squash, apple and cucumber.  Various blade options will allow you to transform your produce into thin and thick spaghetti, ribbons or spiral strands.  To use, simply place your fruit or vegetable on the spikes, wind the handle, and voila! Nearly instant noodles, but the nutrient-dense kind! To clean, remove the blade and wipe down the gadget with a wet cloth. Why I love my spiralizer When I’m craving a light dish, but not feeling like a simple salad, my spiralizer saves the day. Through a simple change in form, my dish becomes more appealing, while the preparation time remains essentially the same. Despite being nice to look at, spiralized veggies also give me a satisfaction similar to pasta that’s made with brown rice or other gluten-free grains. My spiral slicer is also very easy to handle and store – both important factors for regular use! I like to store mine in a cupboard or in the pantry, as it’s small enough to fit on most standard shelves. Whether you choose to purchase one that’s upright or horizontal, pick one that’s comfortable for you in look, feel and size, and make sure it’s stored in an accessible…https://livingrhea.com/blog/blendtec-blender-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/blendtec-blender-product-review/Wed, 07 Dec 2016 02:53:58 GMTThe perks of a Blendtec Blender Blentech high-speed blenders whip fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and superfoods into smooth and decadent smoothies, desserts, soups, sauces, yogurts, milks and lattes. Unlike regular blenders, these blenders are designed to break open the cell walls of whole foods in such a way as to release the nutrients, without harm, and to produce high-quality results in both taste and texture. The high speed action enables the heating of foods and the crushing of ice, and the multi-speed option allows you to control the blending process to meet your food needs. These blenders are powerful, versatile, and best of all, very easy to clean! Why I love my high-speed blender The texture and cleaning ease are top for me. It’s hard to appreciate the enjoyment of a high-speed blended smoothie ‘til you’ve had one. So, I suggest you find a friend with one, and test it out for yourself. Once you realize the super-value, the price point will be negligible. My favorite concoctions are my dessert smoothies (post-dinner blended bliss) and my nut and seed milks. Blendtec vs Vitamix I get this question often, and in all honesty, I love them both. They’re both equally functional, powerful, and accessible. It really boils down to aesthetics (size of base and jars, pre-configured settings, knob type and feel, color, etc), so I’ll leave it to you to make this call. Buying Guide When buying a blender, the key features you will need to consider are: size versatility pre-configured settings portabilityhttps://livingrhea.com/blog/emotional-eating/https://livingrhea.com/blog/emotional-eating/Tue, 06 Dec 2016 03:11:46 GMTToday, I’m sharing I’M READY with you. It’s about my experience with emotional eating. I’M READY // Food is ready Belly heavy Am I hungry? I take a bite Out of spite I’m angry I feel low Thinking slow Eyes are closing A shot of espresso Make that two Now I’m running To the energy crash I feel like trash Side of fries, please Home alone Sweet tooth wins Everytime How could this be I committed to me I’m lonely Help me please Just hold me and love me One more chance One last dance I’m ready I’m so lucky It’s hard for me to see But I’m free To walk, to think, to act To be me I’m ready Take my hand Show me how I trust you now Baby steps okay Day by day The lowest hanging fruit Will deepen my root Slow and steady I’m so ready ——- Do you resonate with this poem? Have you had similar experiences and want to share a note? I’d love to hear from you – leave a message in the comments below. xx Dr. Rheahttps://livingrhea.com/blog/grab-goatmeal/https://livingrhea.com/blog/grab-goatmeal/Thu, 01 Dec 2016 20:42:27 GMTDescription This recipe takes cereal to a whole new level. Pre-mixed within minutes and refrigerated the night before, this raw oat or buckwheat superfood cereal is perfect for those on the go. Dosed with energetic superfoods, you’ll be wanting to make this simply brilliant recipe over and over. Ingredients ¾ cup water or unsweetened nut or seed milk ¼ cup oat or buckwheat groats, pre-rinsed with water 2 tbsp goji berries or mulberries 1 tbsp chia seeds 1 tbsp shredded coconut 1 tbsp cacao nibs or raw cacao 1 tbsp natural sweetener (maple syrup, raw honey), xylitol or pinch stevia Optional: ¼ tsp ginger and cinnamon powders, 1 tbsp nut or seed butter, 1 or more tbsp protein powder Instructions Step 1 Rinse and drain buckwheat or oat groats, and add to a wide mouthed mason jar, along with the remaining ingredients. Cap and shake well. Step 2 Place jar in fridge for a minimum of 6 hours or overnight. Step 3 Remove jar from fridge, stir well and serve. Garnish with fresh fruit if desired. Tips and Techniques If you’re missing one or more ingredients, don’t hesitate to use your creativity and create your own superfood mix You can use buckwheat or oat groats, both of which are gluten-free and 100% unprocessed For a caffeine free version, omit cacao and replace with vanilla and/or carob powder Why I Love My Recipe On my busiest days, this recipe wins in ease, flavor (I never compromise on taste!) and nutrition. The benefit of soaking buckwheat overnight versus cooking it means you don’t lose nutrient density through the heating process. You instead retain all nutrients, and since you’re soaking the buckwheat in the dish itself, everything ends up in your sweet body. Another feature is that you can also prepare a few…https://livingrhea.com/blog/faux-fudgey-truffles/https://livingrhea.com/blog/faux-fudgey-truffles/Tue, 29 Nov 2016 20:02:06 GMTDescription Desserts shouldn’t make you feel guilty. They may be sweeter than the rest of your day’s meals, but hey! That’s why they call it dessert. What we don’t want, though, is a spike in sugar. Because that’s usually followed by a crash. My raw vegan balls are rich in flavour and experience. They’re also balanced nutritionally so you will feel a burst of energy and feel good feelings that will last you a long time, thanks to our friends protein and good fat. Whether you enjoy a ball as a dessert, weekend breakfast treat or a late afternoon snack, this dessert has got you covered in health, taste and energy. Ingredients 2 cups almonds or walnuts, pre-soaked 8 hours 2 tbsp hemp seeds 2 tbsp coconut oil 2 tbsp raw cacao 1 tsp chia seeds 1-2 tbsp almond butter 2 tbsp goji berries, pre-soaked 10 minutes 2 tbsp black currants 2 tbsp maple syrup, pinch stevia or 1-2 tbsp xylitol sweetener 2 tbsp shredded coconut ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, fennel pinch sea salt and cayenne Instructions Step 1 To a food processor, add rinsed and drained nuts or seeds, and mix until well chopped. Step 2 Add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Add some water if mixture is too dry. Step 3 Transfer to bowl, and either place batch in fridge to bind for about 5-10 minutes, or begin rolling right away into balls. An alternative is to lay mixture onto a flat surface (container) and cut into squares. Garnish with shredded coconut or goji berries for a gourmet touch. Tips and Techniques Swap the sweetener entirely with 1 ripe banana, or 1/2 ripe banana + 1/2 avocado for a whole food experience For a sugar-free or low sugar version, use green stevia or xylitol,…https://livingrhea.com/blog/i-am-enough/https://livingrhea.com/blog/i-am-enough/Sun, 20 Nov 2016 02:01:26 GMTA couple of months ago, I began feeling and hearing this flow of words and experiences come through me – starting with I am enough. These segments of my story, my journey, through dis-ease, loss, rebirth, and aliveness rang true and powerful. To me, at least. At first, I shared them sparingly, only with my husband and a few others close to me. But I’m sharing them with you, now, because I want to practice what I often encourage my clients to do: to lean into their fears and step into the unknown. This series reflects my life, my experiences – and I offer them to you to explore, see what they bring up for you, and possibly, to relate. I hope you enjoy! The first poem is called I AM ENOUGH, and it captures my experience with self-acceptance (self-love) and the power of mind coding, that is, planting seeds of positivity and hope in my mind. ——– I AM ENOUGH // Sleep deprived, foggy mind Half awake, I feel fake I’m lying down, my brain still on I want to cry, I want to die I hear you share, but I’m not really there I live in my head, in my bed Wide awake I want to see, I want to feel Am I real? Real is truth, truth is heart But I’m so far from that part Who grades me, who can save me? I am enough, I can lift myself up I carry that force, I am the source If my words can hurt, could they love too? You’re amazing, you That felt good, though misunderstood Intellectually, I can inspire change within me Slowly, patiently, carefully I feel better already Hope helps us feel, hope helps us heal A night of full rest could bring me to…https://livingrhea.com/blog/mango-tango-faux-lassi/https://livingrhea.com/blog/mango-tango-faux-lassi/Fri, 11 Nov 2016 20:07:42 GMTDescription If you love mango lassis, you’ll love my healthy Mango Tango Faux Lassi. My vegan mango lassi recipe is a real sweet tooth satisfier. Because it’s nicely balanced with protein and good fat, it won’t leave you feeling heavy. Rather, the balance effect of this drink will keep the natural sugars from metabolized quickly, thereby preventing a spike in blood sugar. Ingredients 2 cups water 1 mango, peeled 1/2 avocado 3 tbsp hemp seeds 2 tbsp chia seeds 1 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp ginger 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and cardamom pinch sea salt, nutmeg and cayenne pepper Optional: 1 tbsp natural sweetener (maple syrup, raw honey) and shredded coconut as garnish Instructions Step 1 Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high for 15-30 seconds. Step 2 Empty blender contents into a mason jar or cocktail glass (why not?!) and enjoy the mango deliciousness. Tips and Techniques To turn this drink into a whole food meal, add a cup of greens, like spinach or romaine, 1/2 a cucumber and/or 1 tbsp greens powder, like spirulina. If your energy demands are high, add a scoop of raw protein powder or increase the amount of nuts and seeds (or their respective butters). Chew your smoothie! Digestion starts in your mouth, so the chewing action will activate those salivary enzymes. If you’re hooked on blended drinks, consider investing in a high-speed blender. It will take smooth to a whole new level, and will take care of protecting those healing nutrients, unlike other blenders which often slice the produce in such a way as to harm the cells. High-speed blenders include the nutribullet, vitamix and blendtec. To prevent this drink from oxidizing, store it in a tightly sealed mason jar, and fill it to the top of the jar to…https://livingrhea.com/blog/excalibur-dehydrator-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/excalibur-dehydrator-product-review/Mon, 07 Nov 2016 02:48:38 GMTThe perks of a dehydrator Make your own nutrient-enriched kale chips, dried fruits (think fruit-roll up!), breads (gluten days be gone!), crackers and desserts with one of my favorite kitchen tools, a food dehydrator! Dehydrators deliver foods, using low temperature heating, with essentially the same nutrition (enzymes, vitamins, minerals) as their fresh counterparts. These quiet and easy to clean tools remove approximately 75% of the moisture from foods, resulting in foods that are infused with a beautiful array of concentrated flavors. These differ from classic heating tools like the oven, which use heat at high temperatures to remove moisture, resulting in a product that’s modified (baked, cooked, roasted). These modified foods may be tasty, but many of their nutrients will no longer be functional and usable by the body. Dehydrated foods should be stored in airtight containers away from direct sunlight, like in the pantry or cupboard. You can also store dehydrated foods that have retained some moisture in the fridge for long term freshness. Use a timer when dehydrating, to ensure you don’t over-dehydrate foods. Oven and wall timers work well, or you can purchase a dehydrator with a built-in timer functionality. Use teflex sheets when working with ‘wetter’ foods, like sauce-laden kale, or when making breads and crackers. These sheets are reusable and easy to clean. And don’t worry, if you forget to purchase teflex sheets right away, you can substitute with parchment paper (soy-based, preferably!) and still enjoy preparing our favorite creamy kale chips. Why I love my dehydrator Think of all the reasons why we loved packaged foods growing up: the crunch, burst of flavor, ease of transport in school lunchboxes. The dehydrator can satisfy these and more, but in such a way as to protect the nutrient density. Another reason why I love my dehydrator…https://livingrhea.com/blog/sassy-salsa/https://livingrhea.com/blog/sassy-salsa/Sat, 05 Nov 2016 20:28:51 GMTDescription My Sassy Salsa recipe is light, clean and delicious. With the special addition of health-promoting chia seeds, my healthy salsa becomes a complete meal. Enjoy it with non-GMO tortilla chips, or with my RAWkin’ vegan tacos. Ingredients 1 cup tomatoes, chopped ¼ cup cilantro 1-2 cloves garlic, pre-chopped for 5 minutes 1 tbsp lemon or lime, freshly squeezed or 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar pinch green stevia, or 1 tsp unrefined sweetener of choice 1 tbsp chia seeds 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ⅛ tsp hot pepper (add more as needed) sea salt and black pepper to taste Instructions Step 1 Add all Sassy Salsa ingredients to your food processor and process for 15-30 seconds until well combined, scraping down the sides in between. Remove salsa and set aside. Step 2 Serve with organic tortilla chips, or enjoy as part of my Rawkin’ Vegan Tacos recipe! Tips and Techniques Pre-chopping garlic and allowing them to sit for 5-10 minutes before use will enable the formation of healthy sulfur-containing compounds. Stirring chia seeds into the finished salsa will thicken in, as well as add macronutrients to the recipe. Why I Love My Recipe I love salsa, but I have always been disappointed with store bought varieties. My healthy salsa recipe is so tasty, I can finish it in one sitting! And the best part is that it leaves me feeling wonderful and satisfied. Benefits Tomatoes deliver a diverse selection of both vitamins and minerals to the body, including the powerful antioxidant vitamin C Chia seeds are rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, meaning they feed the microflora in your gut, as well as add bulk to your stool Garlic, when pre-chopped, gives rise to sulfur-containing compounds which are associated with prevention of heart disease, inflammatory disease, cancer and…https://livingrhea.com/blog/hack-your-productivity-high-fat-diet/https://livingrhea.com/blog/hack-your-productivity-high-fat-diet/Fri, 28 Oct 2016 15:00:14 GMTSo many of us struggle with post-meal crashes during the day. We eat a meal thinking it will give us a boost or at the least satisfy our palate, and then 30 or so minutes after eating we’re overwhelmed with extreme fatigue. Some of us fight the fatigue with an espresso shot, but as we know, it’s a bandaid effect and eventually, we’re going to have to identify the root cause. If you’re tracking your energy levels and you’re pretty clear the fatigue hits almost immediately after your breakfast or lunch, you might want to consider tweaking your meals. Just a thought 🙂 There are a couple of ways to hack your productivity and meals so that energy levels go up or are sustained and in some cases, your operating system may even start to work better. In the video I tell you about ketosis, or in other words, switching your body’s fuel burning system from carbs to fat by consuming high quantities of fat and low quantities of carbs consistently for a few days. While this form of eating benefits your brain and waistline, it’s definitely not for everyone. So an alternative approach is to consume more (healthy) fats and fewer carbs for the first ⅔ of the day — your ultimate productivity time, and then switching to a more balanced meal at dinner – with more protein and slow digesting (or fibrous) carbs. Besides turning off your hunger hormones and turning on your satiety hormone, high fat (paired with low carb) is also slower digesting. That means there’s less of a risk of triggering an insulin response. The result: sustained energy vs a high, followed by a low. Now if you’re someone who’s battling with high cholesterol or other cardiovascular issues, you might want to do some more…https://livingrhea.com/blog/3-superfoods-to-improve-memory-and-focus/https://livingrhea.com/blog/3-superfoods-to-improve-memory-and-focus/Fri, 28 Oct 2016 04:14:36 GMTToday marks the end of my sequence of video clips from Envision Festival, and I’m sharing some simple strategies to improve the functioning of our brain. It’s a common topic these days, as brain browsers continue to open and run in the background while we try to stay present and focused. Here are some highlights from this week’s video: Many of our ‘brain boosting’ superfoods today have been around for years in ayurvedic and traditional chinese medicine (bacopa, ghee, gingko biloba) Meditation is a powerful brain boosting tool that we all have access to (and it’s free!) Onboard health by selecting what you believe to be ‘easy wins’ or low hanging fruit self-care tools Ready to improve memory and gain more focus? Watch the video below: At the 0:34 mark I tell you the what and the how of my primary daily brain boosting hack At the 3:42 mark I share the most effective and inexpensive methods (in my experience) to build healthy habits for the long term I’d love to hear from you: What superfoods or practices are you using to boost your brain power? What organizational tools are you using to keep yourself health-accountable? Let me know in the comments below.https://livingrhea.com/blog/how-to-feel-great-every-day/https://livingrhea.com/blog/how-to-feel-great-every-day/Mon, 24 Oct 2016 23:26:02 GMTWhen was the last time you felt amazing? This is the question I asked the audience at Envision Festival and the question I’m asking you today. I challenge you to the idea that you can feel your best every single day. Go back into your past for a moment and relive that naturally high moment in all of your senses. What were you wearing? What was the smell like? How did you feel? What were you thinking? Who was with you? Where were you? Close your eyes and bring yourself back there. Breathe into it. I want to challenge you to make this your baseline. Whenever you feel low, I want you to go back and picture this moment. You might want to set up reminders to do this. So often when we feel low, we go back into our past and relive other low periods. Or our friends share equally low moments in an attempt to comfort us. While this may be a helpful strategy in the moment, it might not have a long term impact. Reminding yourself of what’s possible from a feeling perspective is good medicine to lift you back up with stability. If you’re thinking to yourself, I’ve never really felt THAT amazing before, that’s OK – you can just as easily make up a story and hold it high as your vision. In this video, I also share the value of community support. It’s SO much easier to get healthier when we have support from partners, friends, colleagues, groups – even people online whom we’ve never met. Here are some highlights from this week’s video: It’s possible to feel great every day (I’m living proof) Community support is a key ingredient to living your best self Sharing is caring – give your recipes and health…https://livingrhea.com/blog/are-you-drinking-a-smoothie-or-a-slurpee/https://livingrhea.com/blog/are-you-drinking-a-smoothie-or-a-slurpee/Wed, 28 Sep 2016 19:36:09 GMTYou might be surprised about what gets passed off as a smoothie these days. Smoothies are all the rage. They’ve quickly become a full-blown, worldwide health trend. Billed as the healthy solution for your crazy, on-the-go, fast food lifestyle (while keeping your crazy, on-the-go, fast food lifestyle), green smoothies are seemingly everywhere; even showing up on the shelves of the most popular (but not necessarily health-conscious) department stores. In fact, smoothies are so popular, Global Industry Analysts, Inc., a leading market research firm, estimates that the smoothie industry has grown into a $9 billion dollar-a-year market — yes, that’s billion with a “b”. At the same time as these mass produced smoothies are skyrocketing in popularity, cases of diabetes and obesity worldwide are approaching 2 billion. (There’s that “b” again!). So will the smoothie trend be accompanied by a reduction in these health issues? With no signs of a statistical turnaround to date and grim health forecasts for the coming years, the correlation might be the exact opposite. Wait… how could you possibly think there might be a correlation between the rise of “healthy” smoothies and bulging waistlines? Aren’t the messages from smoothie merchants such as Jamba and Booster Juice just making you eagerly reach for this healthy alternative to fast food? To this I say: NOT. SO. FAST. In reality, the health claims floating around mainstream smoothies are not only misleading, but they can also be dangerous. Often consisting of 70% sugar, and made with low-quality, high sugar fruits and fruit juices, these smoothies can contain upwards of 60 grams of sugar. Green Smoothies: Not Your Run-of-the-Sugar-Mill Smoothie Fortunately, not all smoothies are unhealthy or dangerous — in fact, green smoothies, when made with the correct vegetable to fruit ratio, along with healthy fats and plant proteins, not only provide greater nutrition than…https://livingrhea.com/blog/mushroom-soup/https://livingrhea.com/blog/mushroom-soup/Fri, 23 Sep 2016 19:56:03 GMTThough a little embarrassing to share, I have fond memories of Campbell’s creamy mushroom soup. The decadence, the savory taste, the ease of preparation — all amazing features. But the heavy, rounded belly paired with low energy and sleepiness — not so much. So in my culinary lab we’ve uncooked up a healthier and equally as satisfying (if not more) alternative. Here’s the raw mushroom soup recipe. Makes 2-3 servings Ingredients: 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk 1 cup hot water 2 cups cremini mushrooms (stems included) 2 cloves garlic 1 tsp ginger 2 tbsp wheat-free tamari or coconut aminos 1/2-1 tsp lemon juice (start with less and add more to taste) 1/2 tsp sea salt and black pepper (adjust to taste) 1/2 avocado (for extra decadence) Optional: 1/8 cup porcini mushrooms, rehydrated in warm water for 10 minutes, 1/2 tsp red chilis, hot sauce or cayenne pepper, 1/2 shallot or pearl onion Directions: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high for 1-2 minutes. If you’re using a regular-speed blender, you may want to chop the spices (garlic, ginger) prior to adding to the blender, or use a hand blender to chop up any remaining pieces, especially if you prefer a smooth consistency. If your blender isn’t hot water friendly, I suggest warming your soup on the stove on low-heat until you reach a desired temperature. If you’re using a high-speed blender (Vitamix, Blendtec, Nutribullet), the longer you blend, the hotter your soup will become. Adding hot water to the blender simply reduces the blending time. Serve immediately while it’s warm. Top with savory cashew cream, gluten-free crackers, black sesame seeds, or dulse flakes, if desired. Take a moment to smell this healing soup before taking your first sip, and allow your memories of Campbell’s soup to dissolve…https://livingrhea.com/blog/coconut-sweetener-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/coconut-sweetener-product-review/Sun, 18 Sep 2016 20:17:00 GMTThe perks Coconut sweetener, in the form of sweet nectar or dried crystals, originates from the blossoms of the coconut palm tree. When the blossoms are sliced from their stems, or when the tree is tapped, a naturally sweet, nutrient-enriched sap is released. To prep the sap for consumption, quality products are low-heat evaporated into a thick caramelly syrup. This process ensures the product remains raw, nutrient-enriched, and alive. The syrup can be used as is, or can be dried and ground into crystals, better known as coconut sugar. Coconut sweetener has an incredibly low glycemic index score of 35, making it a safe choice for diabetics and those with blood sugar imbalances. It also contains over 15 amino acids, minerals, vitamins B and C, and has a near neutral pH. All great and unique attributes of a natural sweetener. Another key benefit over other sweeteners like agave nectar, is the low fructose content of 1.5% ( 0.5% glucose, 16% sucrose, and 82% inulin). From a sustainability perspective, coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) are an ecologically beneficial tree crop that grow in diverse, wildlife-supportive agroecosystems. Other perks include the ability of these trees to restore damaged soils, to thrive off of little water and nutrients, and finally to be tapped without harming the environment or the tree itself. Why I love this product Besides the low glycemic index, which is probably the greatest benefit of all from a weight and health maintenance perspective, coconut nectar and sugar both taste great. They easily replace other sweeteners at the same ratio, so very little thought or additional planning is required, once you have the product on hand. I love to use coconut nectar in raw desserts or vegan pancakes, and to balance out savory sauces. Coconut sugar is my go-to sweetener of choice…https://livingrhea.com/blog/rawkin-vegan-tacos/https://livingrhea.com/blog/rawkin-vegan-tacos/Sun, 11 Sep 2016 20:45:02 GMTDescription My raw vegan tacos are mouth-watering! They’re crunchy, satiating, delicious, and they’ll leave you feeling high, in the most natural of ways. Housed in a light and bright green leaf, my tacos can be eaten in two’s or three’s, giving you the chance to re-live the delicious experience over again. Trust me, you’ll be happy you reached for seconds! Ingredients Neat Nut Meat 1 cup of walnuts, pre-soaked overnight 1 tbsp cumin powder 1 tbsp wheat-free tamari or coconut aminos ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, pre-chopped for 5 minutes ⅛ tsp hot pepper (add more as needed) Cashew Cream Twist ½ cup cashews 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes, pre-soaked for 10 minutes pinch green stevia, or 1 tsp unrefined sweetener of choice ⅛ cup water (start with less, adding more as desired) Sassy Salsa 1 cup tomatoes, chopped ¼ cup cilantro 1-2 cloves garlic, pre-chopped for 5 minutes 1 tbsp lemon or lime, freshly squeezed or 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar pinch green stevia, or 1 tsp unrefined sweetener of choice 1 tbsp chia seeds 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ⅛ tsp hot pepper (add more as needed) sea salt and black pepper to taste Vegetable Fillers & Shell 5-7 large romaine or collard leaves sliced avocado grated carrots sprouts julienned red pepper finely chopped green onions Instructions Step 1 Add taco shells to an ice bath of cold water and ice cubes to keep the leaves submerged. Step 2 For the Walnut Neat Meat, rinse walnuts thoroughly and place in food processor, followed by all other ingredients, and process or pulse for 1 minute, or until the walnuts are finely chopped and mixture is combined, scraping down the sides often….https://livingrhea.com/blog/pesto-pizazz/https://livingrhea.com/blog/pesto-pizazz/Thu, 01 Sep 2016 20:05:17 GMTDescription My Pesto Pizazz recipe is packed with flavour and nutrition. This sauce is the perfect topping to salads, gluten-free crackers, and raw or roasted vegetables, and it especially tastes wonderful with my ZenZini Pasta Recipe. Bring it along to parties, or whip it up for date night. Whatever the occasion, this recipe wins in ease, taste and versatility. Ingredients 1 cup sunflower seeds or hemp seeds 1/2 cup spinach or arugula 2 tightly packed cups basil or cilantro 2 tbsp lemon, freshly squeezed 1-2 garlic cloves, pre-chopped for 5 minutes 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or flax oil Sea salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup water Instructions Step 1 Place seeds in food processor (preferred) or blender and grind until fine. Add remaining ingredients, leaving water and oil until the end, and pulse on high until well mixed, scraping sides as necessary. Step 2 Pour sauce over raw or cooked veggies, or serve with gluten-free crackers or bread. Tips and Techniques If your sauce is too runny, add chia seeds and let sit for 10 minutes. This will soak up some liquid, and add in a dose of super-nutrition! If you’re out of lemon, apple cider vinegar is a good substitution. Pre-chopping garlic and allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes before use will enable the formation of healthy sulfur-containing compounds. Why I Love My Recipe Besides keeping well in the fridge for a good few days, I love the versatility of this sauce. It tastes great with nearly everything, from salads, to sautés, to dehydrated or cooked chips and breads. It can also be made with a diversity of greens, like cilantro versus basil, and arugula or spinach. This keeps things interesting! Adding chia seeds to this sauce is another bonus, not to mention healthy twist, as…https://livingrhea.com/blog/coconut-oil-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/coconut-oil-product-review/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 05:36:16 GMTThe perks Coconut oil is an all round body healer. Good quality varieties are produced by grinding or pressing the coconut meat until coconut milk is produced. From there, coconut oil is extracted by an extraction process of centrifugation, which keeps nutrients in tact. Coconut oil stimulates energy and metabolism thanks to its fat composition, which unlike most fats, is primarily medium chain based. Medium chain fatty acids are immediately burned by the body for energy, unlike longer chain fats, which are stored. And thanks to its healthy fat content in general, coconut will take longer to digest, and therefore keep you full for longer. This is ideal for those wanting to control weight and balance sugar cravings. Coconut products are also one of the few foods containing immune-boosting lauric acid, a fatty acid naturally found in breast milk, which has antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Coconut oil contains 50% lauric acid, and 1-2 tablespoons of oil per day is all it takes to support your immune system, and keep the bad guys at bay. As a bonus, your skin and hair will also benefit immensely by your daily coconut consumption, adding moisture and removing dryness. Finally, another fatty acid that makes coconut products so unique and powerful is the potent antifungal caprylic acid, which is famous for its candida killing effects. It’s also known to normalize your stomach acid, a complication experienced by many, despite not knowing it. Why I love this product The coconut oil I love is the real deal. It’s unrefined. It’s cold-pressed. It’s organic. And it’s free of pesticides and other toxins. It’s stable at high temperatures, therefore making it the perfect oil for high temperature cooking. Think stove top popped organic kernels (my favourite). Because of it’s amazing healing properties and ability to withstand…https://livingrhea.com/blog/the-trick-to-stop-your-gut-bacteria-from-eating-you/https://livingrhea.com/blog/the-trick-to-stop-your-gut-bacteria-from-eating-you/Wed, 17 Aug 2016 12:24:40 GMTIn today’s video I get right into the foundation of gut health. Research over the last couple of decades tells us that gut health is crucial for overall health and that poor gut health may contribute to a number of diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis (what I was diagnosed with in my teens), diabetes, depression, autism, chronic fatigue syndrome and obesity. Our gut health is determined by two main variables, our gut bacteria (microbiome) and our gut barrier. In today’s video, I share the link between a weak gut barrier or lining and autoimmune disease. I also share a few recipes I recommend for rebuilding the gut lining and reversing intolerances to common allergens. Here are some highlights from this video: We underestimate the amount of fiber we need on a daily basis A diet low or lacking in fiber can be very dangerous for your overall health Glutamine is an important amino acid in restoring gut health Watch the video below now: At the 0:55 mark I tell you what happens to your body if you don’t eat fiber At the 1:48 mark I tell you what you can do to fix your gut I’d love to hear from you: Have you recovered from gut health issues? What was your recipe for success? Let me know in the comments below.https://livingrhea.com/blog/neat-nut-meat/https://livingrhea.com/blog/neat-nut-meat/Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:31:14 GMTDescription My Neat Nut Meat recipe is a hit from head to toe! It’s nutty, cheezy and loaded with flavor! Eat it alone, with crackers, tortilla chips, or wrapped in a large green leaf. Whichever method you choose to ingest this belly treat, you’ll complete your mission with a big smile and a big mmm! Ingredients 1 cup of walnuts, pre-soaked overnight 1 tbsp cumin powder 1 tbsp wheat-free tamari or coconut aminos ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, pre-chopped for 5 minutes ⅛ tsp hot pepper (add more as needed) Instructions Step 1 Rinse walnuts thoroughly and place in food processor, followed by all other ingredients, and process or pulse for 1 minute, or until the walnuts are finely chopped and mixture is combined, scraping down the sides often. Be mindful not to overprocess the walnuts, so their natural oils don’t seep out and turn your mixture into nut butter! Remove mixture and set aside. Step 2 Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or use it in my Rawkin’ Vegan Tacos recipe. Tips and Techniques Almonds and sunflower seeds work well as walnut substitutes, both pre-soaked and well rinsed for 6-8 hours (or overnight) You can store unused soaked nuts in the fridge for up to 4 days, and if you’re looking for another use, throw them in the blender, add water, a touch of sweetener, and blend to milky perfection! Pre-chopping garlic and allowing them to sit for 5-10 minutes before use will enable the formation of healthy sulfur-containing compounds. Why I Love My Recipe This recipe is simple and nutritionally balanced. Because it can easily be made with other nuts and seeds, I never get sick of it. Instead I’m left feeling charged and satisfied. Being a crowd pleaser, it’s…https://livingrhea.com/blog/camu-camu-berry-powder-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/camu-camu-berry-powder-product-review/Wed, 10 Aug 2016 01:38:59 GMTThe perks: The power is in the name, well, mainly the first letters of this 2-worded Amazonian berry. Camu Camu contains more vitamin C than any other known whole food, fulltop. That’s a lot! For comparison, one berry contains up to 4% vitamin C, whereas a lemon may contain up to 0.5%. This super-berry gives meaning to the famous phrase ‘food is medicine.’ Camu Camu is what you want to have in your kitchen pantry, and eventually your body, when people start to cough and sneeze around you. It’s mega immune-boosting, due to its rich vitamin C content, and it’s also an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron, as well as other powerful antioxidants like anthocyanins and bioflavonoids. ½-1 tsp/day is all you need for health maintenance.     Why I love camu camu: Besides the fun I get in saying its name over and over, this superfruit powder is an excellent tangy addition to smoothies and raw desserts. It’s my go-to superfood when I’m feeling under the weather, and just like its buddy the açai berry, it loves connecting with raw cacao. But this time, it’s the iron in the cacao that it helps pull out (vitamin C binds to iron, and helps with its absorption into our blood and cells). When I travel, it’s also one of my go-to-superfoods to take along, as it doubles as a water-soluble daily vitamin and anti-sick aid.https://livingrhea.com/blog/vitamix-blender-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/vitamix-blender-product-review/Sun, 07 Aug 2016 02:38:57 GMTThe perks of a Vitamix Vitamix high-speed blenders whip fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and superfoods into smooth and decadent smoothies, desserts, soups, sauces, yogurts, milks and lattes. Unlike regular blenders, these blenders are designed to break open the cell walls of whole foods in such a way as to release the nutrients, without harm, and to produce high-quality results in both taste and texture. The high speed action enables the heating of foods and the crushing of ice, and the multi-speed option allows you to control the blending process to meet your food needs. These blenders are powerful, versatile, and best of all, very easy to clean! Why I love my high-speed blender The texture it renders and its cleaning ease are top for me. It’s hard to appreciate the enjoyment of a high-speed blended smoothie ‘til you’ve had one. So, I suggest you find a friend with one, and test it out for yourself. Once you realize the super-value, the price point will be negligible. My favorite concoctions are my dessert smoothies (post-dinner blended bliss), and my nut and seed milks. Vitamix vs Blendtec I get this question often, and in all honesty, I love them both. They’re both equally functional, powerful, and accessible. It really boils down to aesthetics (size of base and jars, pre-configured settings, knob type and feel, color, etc), so I’ll leave it to you to make this call. Buying Guide When buying a blender, the key features you will need to consider are: size versatility pre-configured settings portabilityhttps://livingrhea.com/blog/2-practices-that-will-change-your-relationship-with-food/https://livingrhea.com/blog/2-practices-that-will-change-your-relationship-with-food/Sat, 06 Aug 2016 02:05:55 GMTDid you know your relationship with food influences how you show up in your life? In today’s video from Envision Festival, I’m sharing 2 straightforward and results-oriented practices I use daily to help me connect with my body and the food on my plate. The first one is a hack to connect you with your intuition, your heart, your gut instinct, the voice inside of you, your truth – however you want to frame it. Have you ever thought something in your mind but felt an immediate pull in the opposite direction from somewhere inside of your body? Perhaps you’ve said a yes to doing something intellectually, but heard this voice inside of you asking you to re-think it? I’m sure you’re nodding a hell yes. The second is a practice that you can use before meals to essentially trick you into re-activating digestion. Because let’s face it, SO many of us are stressed out, and we learned in an earlier video that stress turns off digestion. This practice will help deepen your connection with your food – and specifically, the journey of your food from farm to table. Here are some highlights from this week’s video: We can actually hit the reset button on our body (hormones, metabolic processes and all) in less than a month Your rest and digest center of your brain (parasympathetic nervous system) can be activated through a few minutes of deep belly breathing Connecting with your food before meals is not only good for your health, but it’s also good for your relationships Watch the 2 practices that changed the way I relate to food below: At the 0:24 mark I walk you through a body awareness practice. At the 0:54 mark I share the one practice I bring to every dinner party or event I…https://livingrhea.com/blog/coconut-butter-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/coconut-butter-product-review/Mon, 18 Jul 2016 20:44:32 GMTThe perks Coconut butter is an all round body healer. Produced from the meat of the coconut, coconut butter also contains coconut oil. It stimulates energy and metabolism thanks to its fat composition, which unlike most fats, is primarily medium chain based. Medium chain fatty acids are immediately burned by the body for energy, unlike longer chain fats, which are stored. And thanks to its healthy fat content in general, coconut will take longer to digest, and therefore keep you full for longer. This is ideal for those wanting to control weight, balance sugar cravings, and still enjoy themselves a tantalizing treat. Coconut products are also one of the few foods containing immune-boosting lauric acid, a fatty acid naturally found in breast milk, which has antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. 1-2 tablespoons of coconut butter per day is all it takes to support your immune system, and keep the bad guys at bay. As a bonus, your skin and hair will also benefit immensely by your daily coconut consumption, adding moisture and removing dryness. Finally, another fatty acid that makes coconut products so unique and powerful is the potent antifungal caprylic acid, which is famous for its candida killing effects. It’s also known to normalize your stomach acid, a complication experienced by many, despite not knowing it. Why I love this product The coconut butter I love is the real deal. It is not heated. It’s simply whole coconut that’s been naturally repurposed into a thick, creamy and smooth butter through grinding and slight dehydration. As a result, all nutrients remain intact. Coconut meat is naturally and perfectly sweet, so this is my go-to sweet tooth treat. One straight spoonful does the trick, and I savor the creaminess in my mouth until it’s fully dissolved, and making its way into…https://livingrhea.com/blog/the-truth-about-fasting-for-optimal-living/https://livingrhea.com/blog/the-truth-about-fasting-for-optimal-living/Sun, 17 Jul 2016 13:14:49 GMTToday I’ll be sharing the second video in the series based on my talk at Envision Festival in Costa Rica – the truth about fasting. Before I continue, I want to say how grateful I am for having the opportunity to share my story and learnings in such an enlightening setting as Envision Festival and Costa Rica. I’m acknowledging the bright community who invited me to speak, my friends who filled the room and held space for me to shine, my brilliant speaking coach, and finally, I’m acknowledging myself for believing in my potential and for putting in countless hours of energy and focus into preparing and visualizing. This second share is an important one, if we want to live long and vibrant lives. I started my health journey with a big fast or “detox” as some call it. It was the first time I’d ever taken such a prolonged break from chewing. Back when I did it, fasting was quite controversial in mainstream science. I did it anyway because I was desperate to look for a natural solution to my health crisis. I was very curious and the cheerful guiding voice inside of me was getting louder. Here are some highlights from this weeks video: Moving from a “fed” to a “fasting” state in the body triggers the removal of damaged cells Intermittent fasting or time-restricted feeding (shortening your window of food consumption) can lead to weight loss, hormonal balance and longevity Withdrawal symptoms from prolonged fasting can be overcome or lessened through activities including the sauna, regular excretion, movement, yoga and sweating Watch the video here now. At the 0:45 mark I make the distinction between fasting and fed states At the 1:56 mark I share the reason why some of us feel sick during fasts After you watch, I’d love…https://livingrhea.com/blog/3-simple-drink-recipes-thatll-boost-your-energy-and-your-day/https://livingrhea.com/blog/3-simple-drink-recipes-thatll-boost-your-energy-and-your-day/Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:55:08 GMTReady to boost your energy? This past February, I attended Envision Festival in Costa Rica as a participant and speaker. Actually, I also taught Caribbean dance, but I’ll save that share for another day ;). My talk, entitled Simple Hacks to Optimize Your Health weaved my personal story of overcoming chronic disease into my mission of empowering people to unlock their healthiest potential. I shared bite-sized daily hacks, simple recipes and the latest in nutritional sciences research. I was lucky enough to have my talented friend Wilson (we call him PrimeTime) film my session, which I’ve decided to break down and share with you over the next few weeks as a series of 8 videos. We’re starting with one of my favorites! The content of this clip is near and dear to my heart, because I used these exact recipes to help bring my then inflamed body back to balance. I’ve also prescribed these recipes to so many of my clients who have benefited immensely, from both an energetic and lifestyle integration perspective. The simplicity and accessibility of these recipes make them easy to initiate. Here are some highlights: External stress translates to internal stress, which uses up nutrients and oxidizes things like protein and fat, rendering them useless or even harmful Drinking sea salty water first thing in the morning can make it easier for you to wake up Cycling between coffee and foffee can actually help you overcome deep fatigue The real green smoothie recipe is unlike most smoothie recipes in that it contains little sugar and mostly greens Watch the 3 simple drink recipes that’ll boost your energy and your day here now. At the 2:00 mark I reveal my energizing foffee recipe, a Living Rhea community fave! At the 5:40 mark I share the key ingredients…https://livingrhea.com/blog/goji-berries-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/goji-berries-product-review/Sat, 18 Jun 2016 20:57:34 GMTThe perks Goji berries, also known as Wolfberries, are almost mainstream today, as they’ve been around a lot longer than other superfoods. They were introduced into the global health food scene in 2002 by David Wolfe and Sunfood, but have been known as a power food in China and surrounding areas for thousands of years. These berries, when sourced from reputable companies, are grown in protected valleys with ancient soil conditions. The handling process is quite interesting, as they can’t be touched by the hand while fresh. This would oxidize and spoil them. Instead, they have to be shaken off onto mats, and then dried. The source of these berries in particular is very important when considering the nutrient density, as conventional sources will often spray the berries with pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and sometimes even label them as organic. These berries are truly valued by the Chinese (and now the rest of us). That’s because they’re so good for you, and for so many reasons. Firstly, they’re a complete protein. They contain 18 different amino acids, making them on par with bee pollen. They’re also rich in antioxidants, and contain up to 21 trace minerals, with the main ones being zinc, iron, copper, calcium and selenium. One of the most important reasons, however, and one that distinguishes these super-berries from other foods, is their anti-aging power. Goji berries are the only food that’s known to stimulate the body to naturally create more human growth hormone. We produce less of this hormone as we age, so consumption of these berries proves as a good strategy to keep us youthful! Why I love this product Goji berries taste so good. They’re a cross between the cherry and cranberry, and thus the perfect satisfier for my sweet and sour tooth. They’re the…https://livingrhea.com/blog/superfood-greens-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/superfood-greens-product-review/Sat, 18 Jun 2016 20:55:29 GMTThe perks Superfood Greens are a blend of the highest quality alkalizing greens powders. They’re made up of the alkalizing grasses wheat grass, barley grass and alfalfa and the detoxifying, mineral-enriched algae spirulina and chlorella. They also contain nutrient-dense and mega-tasty superfoods vanilla, mesquite and cinnamon. These powerhouse greens can be added to your smoothies or to a bottle of water for a super dose of energy and full body balance. Why I love my superfood greens It’s so easy when you have so many detoxifying greens in one blend! Since I’m all about ease and accessibility, this product is perfect for me. Just one scoop into my pre-blended smoothie or directly into a mason jar, blend or shake, and I’ve got my daily dose of chlorophyll and a boost of energy! Food Matters also goes above and beyond to discuss the sourcing of their ingredients, which is really important from a health and trust perspective. As a result, I take comfort in knowing that whatever amount I put in, is going straight into my bloodstream and cells.https://livingrhea.com/blog/nut-seed-butters-product-review/https://livingrhea.com/blog/nut-seed-butters-product-review/Sat, 18 Jun 2016 20:22:23 GMTThe perks Offering all of the benefits of their respective nut or seed, these butters are incredibly nutritious and easy to digest, as they’ve already been broken down for you. Organic, sprouted and raw (unpasteurized or heated at low temperatures) are what you should be looking for in terms of quality. Sprouting nuts and seeds through soaking removes the shields they have in place to protect them from invaders. Only when these shields are destroyed can the nutrients from nuts and seeds be delivered to our bodies. If sprouted butters are out of your price range, you can also look for butters whose only ingredients are dry-roasted nuts or seeds. The dry-roasting process may kill some nutrients, but it will also destroy the shield, thereby providing access to the remaining nutrients. Besides looking for organic, sprouted, raw or dry-roasted varieties, you want to purchase butters that are free of additives and artificial flavors. Some butters will have inflammatory oils and refined sugars added to the mix. These are not approved as healthy varieties! Why I love this product They make for the best snacks, in flavor and balance, when consumed with fruits, like apples, berries or bananas. My favorites include butters of pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, tahini (sesame seed) and almond. I love to mix my butters with apple cider vinegar, stevia or raw honey, some spices like pink salt and cayenne pepper, and a bit of water to create a delicious nut or seed sauce that’s enriched with nutrients, protein and good fat. This sauce complements a simple green salad very well, whether raw or steamed. Because of the good fat and protein content, I also love to add my nut and seed butters to smoothies. Finally, these butters are excellent for local road trips, cottage stays, and they’re…https://livingrhea.com/blog/zenzini-pasta/https://livingrhea.com/blog/zenzini-pasta/Sat, 11 Jun 2016 20:33:32 GMTDescription ZenZini Pasta is light, delicious, and nutritionally balanced. It’s the perfect meal to bliss out to, with friends or with your sweet self. With so many topping options to explore, this dish is one that can be recycled every week. Think of the veggies as the canvas, and have fun painting your decadent picture. Blissings! Ingredients Noodles & Veggies: 4 zucchinis, peeled or spiralized 3 cups arugula 1-2 carrots, grated or spiralized 1 cup green onions, chopped 1 cup red, yellow or orange peppers, julienned or chopped 1 cup mushrooms, sliced and pre-marinated in wheat-free tamari or liquid aminos 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced ½ cup fresh oregano, chopped 2 tbsp hemp seeds 2 tbsp olive oil or flax oil, unrefined and cold-pressed Marinara Magic Sauce: 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, pre-soaked for 10 minutes in warm water or overnight in fridge 1-2 cup tomatoes, chopped 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar 2-3 dates, pitted and soaked for 10 minutes or longer or 1-2 tbsp natural sweetener, like maple syrup or coconut nectar 1 tbsp each fresh oregano and basil 1 tbsp olive or flax oil, unrefined and cold-pressed Unrefined salt and black pepper to taste 2 tbsp water or sun dried tomato marination liquid (add less water for a thicker sauce, and vice versa) Optional: 1 tbsp fresh oregano and/or basil, 1 clove garlic, 1 chili pepper, 2 tbsp chia seeds Instructions Step 1 Prepare “noodles” by spiralizing or peeling zucchini into thin strips, and add to a large bowl. Step 2 Prepare carrots, bell peppers and tomatoes as directed and mix altogether in a large bowl with olive or flax oil. Add pre-marinated mushrooms to mixture. Step 3 Prepare sauce by adding all ingredients to a food processor (preferred) or blender. The final product…https://livingrhea.com/blog/organifigreenjuicepowder/https://livingrhea.com/blog/organifigreenjuicepowder/Sun, 08 May 2016 21:38:52 GMTFor the past number of months I’ve been heavily experimenting with new food products, supplements, mindfulness practices and health tracking technologies. I fell in love with a bunch of products and practices during this time. If you know me well or follow my daily happenings on social media you’ll know I’m incredibly picky about which products I endorse. I look at everything from ingredients and formulations to customer service and accessibility. Today I want to share one product that’s become a daily staple in my house: Organifi Green Juice Powder.  Up until discovering Organifi, I would pre-mix all of my individually purchased superfoods into one mason jar to make things easier in the mornings and while traveling. I always wondered about the absorption of the superfoods and whether the dosages were accurate. But besides taking a multivitamin, I didn’t feel like I had other options. My clients also struggled with this. For the first time in my life, I now have an easy to use all-in-one multi vitamin-mineral super green powder. And did I mention it’s delicious?  I found out about Organifi because the founder and I are both members of a global community: the awesomeness fest tribe. I noticed a few posts of his on Facebook and after a little probing, found out about his green juice powder and I was eager to test it. After further discussion with his team it’s become very clear how much time, energy, LOVE and consideration has gone into the creation of this magic potion (that’s what it feels like!). And for the low carb productivity hackers out there: this product is a fit! woot. Order here to get 10% off >>> My Top Product Pick: Organifi Green Juice Powder Here’s a list of the ingredients… recognize a few? chlorella (algae rich in Vitamin A, zinc, iron and protein) moringa (B-complex) spirulina (similar to + synergistic effect with chlorella) matcha green…https://livingrhea.com/blog/14-health-sabotaging-myths-exposed-by-top-experts/https://livingrhea.com/blog/14-health-sabotaging-myths-exposed-by-top-experts/Sun, 17 Apr 2016 07:18:08 GMT  I’m going to be lovingly honest here… There are far too many “health experts” preaching so-called “health advice” that we are being led to believe is the Holy Grail of the “healthy lifestyle” dream we’re chasing. They are spoonfeeding you catchy claims like: “6-pack secrets they don’t want you to know!” “Fat-burning formula to lose 20 lbs. in 7 days!” And best of all… “The limitless magic pill they created from a powerful ingredient accidentally discovered by a group of scientists in the ancient city of Timbuktu that will change EVERYTHING!” And unfortunately — we’re eating it right up. Do you know the big problem with this? A large majority of those “health experts” haven’t put in their 10,000 hours of research, have no evidence supporting the fictitious “beneficial claims” they’re promising you, and probably (not probably… definitely) care more about their social status on social media than they do your health and wellbeing. Basically, their “advice” is hurting you more than it’s helping you — and sorry, but your dream bod will take longer than that. The Truth You’re Seeking It’s time to expose these myths… so that’s why I reached out to the REAL leaders in this industry and asked them ONE simple question: “What’s the most sabotaging health myth you wish the mainstream world had not been exposed to entering 2016?” As I expected, I received enthusiastic replies with the health-sabotaging myths they wish YOU knew. They delivered well-supported claims that will finally debunk the myths secretly sabotaging your health, happiness, and excitement for living. If you feel shackled to a life of confusion and mediocrity when it comes to health, then this article will set you free. Let’s begin.  1.) JJ Virgin — JJ Virgin Website “The so-called healthy foods that come loaded with sneaky sugar…https://livingrhea.com/blog/clean-out-your-kitchen/https://livingrhea.com/blog/clean-out-your-kitchen/Thu, 21 Jan 2016 22:04:55 GMTAn attendee at the Living Foods Work & Playshop I hosted early last year recently sent me this note: “Our lives changed forever after we attended your workshop! Whole food eating, no refined sugar or white stuff. I have lost 50 lbs since then (and still losing). Thank you!” I share this with you because it’s notes like this that fuel me and my mission of empowering people to upgrade their knowledge of personalized nutrition and shift their relationship with food and ultimately, self. During my playshop, I showed the group how to sprout seeds and beans, we made and drank balanced smoothies and we got our hands dirty with superfoods. The group quickly experienced how easy it was to create something delicious AND healthy in just a few minutes. The majority of the superfoods we played with are actually shelf stable or will keep in the fridge for months: chia seeds, hemp seeds, almonds, goji berries, shredded coconut, coconut oil, raw cacao, maca powder, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, maple syrup, green stevia, etc. A big takeaway was the desire to go home and clean up the kitchen and pantry and turn it into a health haven. So many of us slip because of the crap in our cupboards that call out to us in moments of weakness. It’s the new year, and I know improved/next-level health and nutrition is a goal for so many of you. Assuming you’ve already reflected on your health intentions and goals for this quarter and year, my suggestion as a first step is to clean out your kitchen and pantry. Throw out the crap that’s old and toxic and donate the products that you know aren’t serving your body, but may support the health of others in need. Slowly begin to replace those items with brands and…https://livingrhea.com/blog/amazon-shop/https://livingrhea.com/blog/amazon-shop/Mon, 14 Dec 2015 20:33:20 GMT  Hi Community, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked to share what I eat, drink, apply on my body, read…. the list goes on. People want to use what I’m using because they know how intentional I am when it comes to quality and experience. And y’all know I practice what I preach. Well, I’ve got some exciting news to share with you. I put together my wellness shopping list (food, drink, beauty, self-care accessories) for you on Amazon. It’s pretty extensive and it brings me much joy to know how many of my fave products are now available on Amazon.. like top quality essential oils, beauty products and supplements. I’m still adding new ingredients to my list… but I wanted to get it out for you asap because Christmas is right around the corner and so many of you have asked me for gift recommendations. Self-care based gifts are the best! They’re such a gentle way to share a little bit about your healthy routine with family and friends. If you’d like to lovingly plant seeds for change, my favourite categories in my shop are: Boudoir and Sacred Space (essential oils, acuball, non-toxic makeup and candles, etc) Powder Room (the cleanest in body and mouth care, body brush, bamboo toothbrushes, my favourite non-toxic deodorant) Cupboard and Counter (my preferred thermoses and kitchen tools) Pantry (my top recommended kitchen ingredients… perfect for gifting your foodie friends) As always, feel free to comment below and let me know how you’re feeling. If you’d like me to address a specific topic in a future blog post, please share your truth avec moi! Much love and gratitude, Dr. Rhea PS Here it is again and feel free to share with your peeps: Dr. Rhea’s Self-Care Is Sexy Shop ;).https://livingrhea.com/blog/gamify-health/https://livingrhea.com/blog/gamify-health/Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:09:33 GMTMy clients are my greatest teachers. They help me understand what works when it comes to healthy routine integration. I can educate and inspire them as much as I’d like, but the important question remains: How can we empower people to take better care of their minds and bodies? Is gamification the answer? Ever since I Co-Founded Camp Reset, I’ve been toying with the idea of using play to inspire health transformation specifically in the context of my 1-on-1 coaching and speaking gigs. First off it’s free, as there is no app or device required. Secondly, the barrier to entry is lower if the information is being delivered in a way that binds it with some of our most precious childhood memories. If we can plant the right seeds to get people excited about getting well, then we’ve passed the rough waters, and can now focus on education and results. Here are my 5 suggested methods of using play to gamify health and inspire health transformation: 1) Create your own hip-hop mantra A mantra is a word or a sound that is intended to help one concentrate during meditation. In other words, a mantra is meant to support presence and freedom from distracting thoughts. I see two problems with mantras as they stand today. Firstly, how can we expect to connect to words we didn’t come up with? Second, how can we expect to remember to sing a song whose rhythm isn’t aligned with our preferred genre of music? So, a simple way to work around these two barriers to application is to: Come up with your own mantra using inspiring words that directly speak to you (eg., nature, love, energy) Match your new mantra to an inspiring melody of your choosing! 2) Write self-love letters The self-love movement is…https://livingrhea.com/blog/can-we-have-fun-with-health/https://livingrhea.com/blog/can-we-have-fun-with-health/Sun, 08 Nov 2015 01:31:30 GMTI’ve been thinking a lot lately (more than my usual cognitive hyper-activity) about behavioural change in the context of health and wellness, and the steps it takes to get there. Questions I consider daily: How do we improve compliance to a particular practice or diet and lifestyle adjustment? How do we trigger deep interest in any given moment to the point of immediate conversion to the perspective or product? What does it take to be fully convinced so that opt-in feels non-negotiable? What would I like the facial expression of the audience to be? If they smile, are they more likely to purchase or buy in to my idea? If smiling makes them lean into the idea, would laughter launch them into it? If laughter implies conversion, why wouldn’t I focus on laughter as my primary objective? I’m pretty sure people won’t eat broccoli if you tell them to, straight up. At least that’s how I remember it. What if I sang it to them? Or rapped it? What if I gifted them a broccoli tattoo? Would they rawk it? Ever since I co-founded Camp Reset, this idea of play as the social channel to transformation has been at the forefront of my thoughts. If play opens people up, will they be more receptive to dry or challenging topics? What does play actually mean? Wiktionary defines play as: To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment. Expressly? I think not. I believe that the philosophy of health can be covertly inserted into play like a soldier hiding in a Trojan horse. In fact, didn’t our parents send us out to play but were actually getting us to exercise? If we playfully present a thought or product…https://livingrhea.com/blog/healthy-green-smoothies/https://livingrhea.com/blog/healthy-green-smoothies/Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:51:37 GMT  Before I get into my reasons for launching Global Smoothie Day, let me tell you what it’s all about: Global Smoothie Day is a 100% FREE initiative to celebrate self-care through nourishment. Our intention is to inspire and motivate people across the world to champion their health and happiness on October 3rd every year.  To help get things kick started, we’ve provided a Global Smoothie Day Starter Kit as a free download from the website. It’s loaded with community-donated smoothie recipes, preparation tips and creative ideas on how to celebrate GSD at home, with friends and in your workplace.  We’re also asking everyone who’s participating to post pictures or videos highlighting self-care in *any* way via social media using hashtag #GlobalSmoothieDay on October 3rd. Selfies with a positive caption are certainly welcome, and we’re hoping people will take snapshots of their own smoothie gatherings on October 3rd. We’ll certainly be capturing moments from our gathering here in Toronto (click to see invitation to our free launch party).  So… Why is October 3rd ‪#‎GlobalSmoothieDay‬? October 3rd is the day my father transitioned 5 years ago (Oct 3, 2010). My father fought a very short battle with a gastric cancer, that came to us as a devastating surprise. My father’s passing had a lot to do with me stepping into my power as a leader in the area of health empowerment, preventive medicine and integrative nutrition. I tend to say when he died, I rose. Through my deep heart-break, I uncovered another layer of love, one that was so powerful and so passionate. It was love for our planet and all of her inhabitants. I felt a strong desire to take my place as a key representative of Nature, and be a guide and teacher to those who were seeking alternatives, to those who were…https://livingrhea.com/blog/rotateyourgreens/https://livingrhea.com/blog/rotateyourgreens/Mon, 14 Sep 2015 21:39:36 GMT  My first response to this question has always been a giant eye-roll. The saying goes “everything in moderation” and that really does mean everything. But as this question seemed to be popping up everywhere I went, and as it concerns me and my family since we eat a lot of greens regularly, I thought I’d check it out and report back on my findings. Something significant I have noticed on this lovely interweb, is fear-mongering. There are many websites that would have you worry about your diet, lifestyle choices, fashion, parenting, mental health, finances, everything! It’s hard to know where to turn and whom to trust when anyone can publish anything and contradict your choices or even science! This is why I think it is important to take everything with a pinch of salt (sea salt preferably haha), trust your gut, and reliable sources of information. The two buzzwords surrounding this issue are oxalates and goitrogens and I shall break down my understanding of the research for you: Oxalates: Oxalic acid is a natural compound found in everything: humans, plants, and animals. Our bodies produce it as well. Oxalic acid binds to calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and iron in our bodies and forms oxalates, which are insoluble salts. High levels of oxalates make it difficult for our bodies to absorb these important minerals. Lots of oxalates in your body can also lead to kidney stones, though there is still some debate about this. Much of the research on oxalates talks about how oxalic acid build up really varies from person to person. There are some people with genetic predispositions, along with people who are more prone to a build up: people with kidney or gallbladder problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and hyperoxaluria, gout, or vulvodynia. The main foods that are high…https://livingrhea.com/blog/detox-for-entrepreneurs/https://livingrhea.com/blog/detox-for-entrepreneurs/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:41:48 GMTHi Community, I’m excited to share that I’ve just finished piecing together a simple and affordable ultimate detox for entrepreneurs a 4-week protocol for you called The Changemaker Formula. Remember when I sent you that survey a while back? Well, I’ve put together exactly what you asked for: a simple, accessible protocol with custom drink recipes and micro-shopping lists that get sent right to your inbox. The ultimate detox for entrepreneurs and doers! The recipes are categorized by themes like energy, hydration, detox, power, skin, etc. and for every recipe I share, I also share a tip and a nutrition hack. Check it out here and please share it with your peeps so we can all shine together. Lots of love and gratitude, Dr. Rhea PS. At the end of the program, you’ll get the chance to leave me your honest feedback in exchange for more goodies. I’ve already received TONS of amazing feedback and I just want to express my gratitude to you, my tribe, for your continued support and participation.https://livingrhea.com/blog/waterconservationtips/https://livingrhea.com/blog/waterconservationtips/Tue, 04 Aug 2015 21:14:37 GMT  I recently came home to the Bay Area in California for some Mommy and me time. California is experiencing a pretty rough drought this summer and people have been advised to conserve water. The government, along with PG&E has asked all households to reduce their water consumption by 20% or pay a penalty. This is to incentivize otherwise reluctant people and motivate them to be conscious of their water usage. (A good idea, in my opinion). I’m going to be here all summer and I started incorporating a few ways to cut down on water consumption. I thought I’d lay them all out here for you to try out or think about, and hopefully add on to or improve. I feel like these are methods that can be incorporated no matter where I live, even in places that are fortunate enough to have a lot of water. Being conscious and mindful of how I use essential resources makes me feel more in tune with nature and instills a deeper sense of gratitude in my life. It certainly helps that these methods not only decrease my water consumption, but they also end up reducing my water bill significantly!   My DIY Water Conservation Tips:  Kitchen I first realized that one of the things my mother and I do in the kitchen very often is to wash fruits and vegetables and rinse dried beans and lentils. We also rinse our hands as we’re cooking or cleaning in the kitchen. The water used to do this flows straight down the drain and for the most part, it is clean water that could potentially be reused. I decided to try and catch this water and save it for other uses: Initially I placed a large bowl directly in the sink to catch the…https://livingrhea.com/blog/optimal-living-formula/https://livingrhea.com/blog/optimal-living-formula/Tue, 04 Aug 2015 20:39:03 GMTMy willingness to being open to new perspectives and solutions has been a direct contributor to the flow, positivity and healing in my adult life. At age 15, I was told there was a very good chance I’d be in a wheelchair by my 40’s. I was told I had an auto-immune condition and there was nothing I could do but take medication. I bought into it for a while (8 years) and my body felt the pain immensely. I was debilitated and chronically stressed – from head to toe. Then one year, life *magically* shifted for me. And the more I bought into the goodness, the more the goodness fueled me. I found myself in a positive spiral, and although over the years I’ve been kicked out of this spiral a few good times, I always find my way back – thanks to my willingness to seeing and doing things differently. In this authenticity podcast, I share: How I’m feeling currently and why being surrounded by Mother Nature recently helped me feel more open and grounded Why my attendance at the Do Lectures inspired me Why it’s important to be vulnerable and create a space for people to be vulnerable Why it’s important to set intentions when you enter situations What my life and career goals are right now How I got to where I am today How I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 13 Why I started blogging and sharing How my PhD helped me become my own doctor What authenticity means to me If you are moved in any way by the podcast, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. I’ll leave you with this recent authentic share and request of mine, that seemed to resonate with a lot of people! Sending…https://livingrhea.com/blog/naturaldeodorantexperiment/https://livingrhea.com/blog/naturaldeodorantexperiment/Mon, 15 Jun 2015 22:03:28 GMT  Two weeks ago I ran out of deodorant. It is one of the few body products I use that is not healthy. That is an understatement. The number of chemicals in deodorant that are harmful, even lethal, actually outnumbers the number of articles published about how harmful it is. And yet I can’t do without it. I attempted to find a ‘clean’ deodorant a few years ago and after trying one and hating the experience, I succumbed to what I deemed the lesser evil between body odour and chemicals seeping into my body via my armpits. So when I ran out, I mentioned it to my mother who simply said, “Use the eucalyptus oil that’s in your bathroom cabinet, that’s why it’s there.” And I decided to give it a try. My deodorant philosophy: I’m not overly dependent on deodorant; I use it as a courtesy to others in this world where natural body smells are so abhorred. God forbid we smell like humans. But I digress; I usually apply deodorant only when I know I’ll be around other people. If I know I’m not going out all day, I won’t use it. I am not in the habit of applying it after I shower everyday. I also do not bother deodorizing when I’m about to workout, even if it’s in a group setting. Workouts are for sweating and sweating is good for my body, all over my body. I do not wish to prevent my armpits from enjoying a good sweat simply because they may also emit an unpleasant smell. I also sometimes go with the way I feel and refrain from using my deodorant for a few days just to give my armpits a break and get my sweat out in the open. I understand that this…https://livingrhea.com/blog/self-care-is-an-act-of-service/https://livingrhea.com/blog/self-care-is-an-act-of-service/Sun, 24 May 2015 02:39:19 GMT“Self-care? Don’t you mean self-loathe?” I remember hearing those words a couple of years ago at a Harvard Business School Venture Competition. I was a finalist and that remark was made by an audience member during Q&A. I couldn’t believe that out of a crowd of such brilliant people only one person recognized and connected with the term self-care. I looked around me and saw sodas and factory-made “snacks”. I saw bags under eyes and I felt tension in the bodies of my peers. I was saddened to see a group with such great potential, education and access to incredible resources make unconscious lifestyle decisions and just accept the resulting symptoms. What I experienced is largely the norm. Self-sabotage, self-destruction and burnout are real and happening. In a community of change-makers and doers — those who have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place, self-care is a must. We take care of the world by taking care of ourselves. As we give ourselves permission to detach from physical, emotional and mental trauma and simultaneously optimize our bodies and minds, our perspectives naturally begin to shift. The result: Greater alignment with our life’s mission. As we boost our health and master our daily self-care rituals, we end up with more fuel than we know what to do with. As change-makers, this is a good thing. We can channel that fuel into greater clarity, focus, drive and fulfillment. To many, the idea of self-care seems daunting. “What is my protocol? Where are my tools?” In my experience as both a self-care seeker and an Optimal Living Coach, an acknowledgement of your hardships sets you off on the right foot. For example, you may wish to reflect on what’s depleting or draining your energy in some areas of your life, such as…https://livingrhea.com/blog/detoxify-your-body/https://livingrhea.com/blog/detoxify-your-body/Thu, 23 Apr 2015 21:17:13 GMTEvery single day we are eating, drinking, breathing and applying toxicity, both knowingly and unknowingly. It’s hard to stop, when alternatives seem so far out of reach. How does this affect us? These hidden toxins can trigger a host of symptoms, like mind fog, slow digestion, low energy, fluctuating moods and elevated hunger. Many of us think these symptoms are just part of the aging process. We let them stay, and just deal with a less than optimal life. We drag ourselves out of bed and use our daily dose of coffee to power us back on for the day (or the hour). We continue to hear the noise in the background and feel the slowness of our system, but we don’t take time to reboot or rethink. And above all, we don’t ask for help. An accumulation of symptoms, however, may trigger more of a wake up call. These reactions range from hormone disruption to cancer. They used to be considered issues of the long-term – of old age, which made it easier to push aside (I’ll deal with these later…). Here’s whats up: Our generation is the first to be experiencing a reduction in our life expectancy. Health problems of old age are now starting to manifest earlier on in life. That’s down right embarrassing. The great news here is that all of this is preventable and treatable with the right intentions, practices and support. The protocol for healing is individual, but all healing starts with the same willingness to see and do things differently. Today I invite you to get a real start on your clean life. That means: 1) Develop an interest in toxicity. What does toxic build up mean in the context of our bodies? We understand water and air pollution pretty well. What about body…https://livingrhea.com/blog/letting-yourself-go/https://livingrhea.com/blog/letting-yourself-go/Mon, 02 Mar 2015 20:44:22 GMTWhether welcome or not, we are all going to experience less than optimal life experiences that are out of our control, like the sickness or death of a loved one, the ending of a deep romance, or the loss of a job.  When things happen in our lives that are out of our immediate control, it’s easy to quickly lose balance and fall down. It happens to the best of us. We may find ourselves making less than optimal decisions that are 100% based on these challenging moments. We fall into a negative loop, and it becomes harder and takes longer to get out. What if we trained ourselves to fall down and get back up in a healthy and empowering way? You may be thinking, well, this isn’t the same thing because we haven’t lost complete control. That’s true, but we know from watching and playing sports that one benefits immensely from practice and skills training. In the context of health and happiness, holding space to let yourself go wild after you’ve been so committed to self-care sounds scary. We know the kind of personal investment it’s taken for us to build sustainable habits and heal our internal systems. But many of us have also experienced the pain, frustration and helplessness associated with things happening out of our immediate control. When I lost my father, I fell into a deep hole and I didn’t have a plan in place to help myself get out. When I ended my engagement, I fell down hard again. It took a while for me to get back on my path to optimal living. Prior to losing my father, I hadn’t experienced the feelings associated with having something I loved so deeply taken away from me, so quickly. I didn’t know how to cope with it. What…https://livingrhea.com/blog/finding-your-flow/https://livingrhea.com/blog/finding-your-flow/Mon, 09 Feb 2015 20:06:56 GMTI’ve been feeling really productive lately, and I attribute it to my ability to stay in flow. What the heck is flow, and how do you go about finding your flow?   Flow is focussed attention. Most of us have experienced at least one moment in our lives where we were completely focused on completing a task. In that moment of complete and utter focus, we excelled. We finally rode that bike, or found ourselves floating on water. We entered the moment of being and feeling at one with our task, free from fear, anxiety, or any other distractions. In my case, finding my flow is finding my productivity rhythm for the day. It’s my ability to stick to my schedule, my goals, my intentions, my plan for the day… free from mind-body distractions. It is presence, and the outcome is greater clarity and productivity. If you think about how much practice was involved before you were able to ride your bike on your own, then you’ll appreciate the practice required to find and nurture your productivity flow. Once you find it and own it, life truly gets better. In my video, I tell you which self-care rituals I use to help me stay in flow. Click here to watch my video now. Something else I do, that I didn’t mention in my video, is my daily scheduling routine. After I’ve completed my morning rituals, I write down my work and self-care plan for the day. It’s detailed with specific work times AND break times. During break times, I’m specific about what I want to accomplish. That could be 5 minutes of checking social media or checking emails. But the important thing is that whatever I’ve outlined to accomplish during my “break” — I don’t (or at least TRY NOT…https://livingrhea.com/blog/healthy-green-smoothie-recipe/https://livingrhea.com/blog/healthy-green-smoothie-recipe/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 15:50:36 GMTThis article was published in the Huffington Post. You can read it here, or continue reading below. ~ Green smoothies aren’t a foreign concept these days. Juice bars are popping up everywhere, offering “healthy” juices and smoothies to aid in weight loss and help with energy and longevity. Even fast food restaurants are now offering smoothies, as an attempt to illustrate health as a priority, alongside their sugar laden and deep-fried foods. Before you completely buy into the green smoothie craze, it’s important for you to know how to distinguish between a healthy green smoothie and an unhealthy one. To start, what is a green smoothie? A green smoothie in its simplest form is a blended concoction of whole vegetables and fruits in water or milk. Today, smoothies are jazzed up with superfoods, that is, foods that offer a specified benefit to the body, like protein, antioxidants, B vitamins, omega 3s or magnesium. Why drink a green smoothie? We all know the importance of good nutrition, but so many of us lead lives that don’t support full-time self care. The purpose of a green smoothie is to deliver the body as much health-promoting nutrition as possible, in an accessible way. And by accessible, I mean digestible, fast and easy. This green smoothie is intended to give us vitamins to help our bodies work better, and energy to carry us throughout our days, free from crashes and fatigue. Superfoods are an important addition to smoothies, as produce alone is not always a reliable source of nutrition, given the soil quality and conventional farming and food transport methods of today. Superfoods like fibre, protein and essential fat are also intended to help balance green smoothies, to ensure they’re slow digesting and slow absorbing. This translates into sustained energy and satiation, meaning you can easily go on for a few…https://livingrhea.com/blog/5-healthy-hacks-conquer-holiday-hangovers/https://livingrhea.com/blog/5-healthy-hacks-conquer-holiday-hangovers/Wed, 10 Dec 2014 15:23:14 GMTThis article was published in the Huffington Post. You can read it here, or continue reading below. ~ Whether or not you’re a health nut, it’s challenging to stay on your game over the holidays, especially if you’re doing family dinners and party hopping. The influx of toxins from food and alcohol make it tough to fully immerse yourself in the intended joy of the season. How can we participate in unbridled celebration at parties and gatherings while avoiding the consequences of all that merry consumption? In this case, we’re looking for a quick fix. That thing we can do or take before, during or after our binge fest to clear our systems. That thing we can do to give us the energy to be mind-body ready for the next festivity. I suggest the following healthy hacks: Water This one sounds simple, but drinking water isn’t often front of mind in social situations. My suggestion is to drink a tall glass of water before heading out the door and again in between alcoholic drinks. This helps prevent dehydration and the ensuing constipation, fatigue and sore throat. If you can pull it off, bringing a water bottle with you is a great option to ensure hydration. Even if you store it in your bag or boot, and only notice it on the way out. It’s a great way to remind yourself to rehydrate at the end of the night. Coconut water is an added bonus, as it contains minerals like potassium to replenish your stores after a night of drinking, especially [1]. To further boost your electrolytes, consider adding sea salt to your coconut water, or to a glass of water the following morning [2]. Breath We all know how to breathe, yes. But how many of us are actually intentional about our…https://livingrhea.com/blog/health-and-wellness-coach/https://livingrhea.com/blog/health-and-wellness-coach/Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:37:26 GMTIt’s not every day you meet someone at a party or event and they tell you they’re an Optimal Living Coach. So, why did I choose this label and path? As a life-long learner and seeker of good health, I’ve made my rounds, searching for the best in health care and disease prevention. In the process, I’ve received loads of medical and holistic advice, and much of it I’ve found useful. However, my big questions and concerns would seem to emerge only after attempting to implement the recommendations I received from my various therapists: Therapist: “Take omega 3 pills to help with inflammation.” Me: “What kind do I buy— there are so many varieties! Can I take flax oil instead? What does unrefined and cold-pressed mean? Is that important!?” Therapist: “Resolve your post-meal bloating by trying a hydrochloric acid challenge, as you may have low stomach acid.” Me: “I tried this and I experienced unbearable heart burn, so I stopped. Did I make a mistake? What else can I do to cure my bloating?” Therapist: “Improve your energy by cutting out coffee”. Me: “I did this for a few days and then got such a strong headache, I had to get back on my coffee. What are some coffee substitutes or recipes I can try?” By the time I got around to asking my questions, I would either not get a response back (via voice mail or email), or I would be left waiting until my next appointment, and by that time, I’d have already fallen off of my regime and lost track. Now, I have many health practitioner friends, and I’m not putting them down by any means. I appreciate their strengths and skills immensely. But what this experience helped me understand was that there is an unmet need in the health and healing…https://livingrhea.com/blog/with-love-and-gratitude/https://livingrhea.com/blog/with-love-and-gratitude/Tue, 14 Oct 2014 21:43:02 GMT~~With love and gratitude~~ A little over a year ago I had a really profound realization that took over my mind and body. For a long period, I froze in deep reflection about the way in which I was living my life.  As I traveled through the past, I realized I hadn’t been grateful enough— for my family, my friends, my relationships, my opportunities, my  gifts, my breath, my senses, my mind. I had never expressed gratitude before in an open, honest, and loving way. I never quite understood the power of truly expressing gratitude, to self and others. But now I know that the simple act of saying thank you and meaning it is one that is incredibly healing to both the sender and receiver. Since that transformative insight revealed itself, I’m a changed person, and I am grateful for that. Today, gratitude comes first, literally. I start my day with it and close my evening with it. I begin my day recounting moments I’m grateful for and why. I may complete this activity in silence, or sometimes my partner and I will do it together. Throughout the week, I will do what I can do let one or more persons know how I feel about them, or how much I appreciate them. I send them what I refer to as “love blasts,” as it’s generally done over the phone or internet.  On most evenings, I will try and scan my day and think about several fun moments that occurred. It’s an activity that has brought me much joy. Besides expressing gratitude in retrospect or via technology, I also do so in real human time. It’s a great exercise in awareness and communication. Before I speak my truth, I always make sure to catch the eyes of the receiver. Once I have their eyes,…https://livingrhea.com/blog/burning-man-wellness/https://livingrhea.com/blog/burning-man-wellness/Wed, 24 Sep 2014 20:49:41 GMTBurning Man is an incredibly unique and transformative week-long festival in the Black Rock Desert. Based upon radical self-reliance and self-expression, it empowers you to awaken your most vulnerable, creative, and honest self.  Besides being a festival, it’s also an opportunity to learn how to build community from the ground up with like-minded people, and to experience working under harsh environmental and physical conditions. Given its physically demanding nature, paired with shifts in diet and lifestyle, it requires a significant amount of energy right from the get go. But many will agree that in the end, it often leaves you feeling burnt out. Leaving such a transformative festival feeling exhausted, sick, and depleted can really have an impact on the intensity of your reflections, and on the integration of your insights. With this notion in mind, this year I came prepared with a self-care protocol. One that ensured my cells were replete, my mind was clear, and my breath was flowing.   Here’s what my no-burn-out self-care package includes:   Bug Love with Probiotics, Zinc and Fermented Veggies  Probiotics are key here. Happy bacterial flora mean a happy immune system. With the repeated use of public washrooms and the sparse use of showers (most camps at Burning Man don’t build showers), it’s really important to do what you can to avoid infection and general sickness. Women are often prone to urinary tract infections, but these can be avoided with daily intake of probiotics, and of course by wet wiping private lady parts. Shelf-stable probiotics are what you should be looking for, so you don’t have to worry about refrigeration. Zinc is another helpful supplement to keep on hand and take daily at Burning Man, or at the first signs of a cold, as it’s known to reduce the duration of it. Finally, you…https://livingrhea.com/blog/cleansing-life-insights-disclosed/https://livingrhea.com/blog/cleansing-life-insights-disclosed/Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:23:26 GMTI’m a Scientist and living foodist, with a thirst for knowledge and hunger for data. I’ve been on a natural healing journey since 2005, and, like most of us, have met with periods of deep fulfilment, fear and frustration. Healing isn’t easy! There are so many layers, some (most) completely unexpected, and if we’re not ready, they can take us for a long ride. As with most things available to us today, however, there exists a quick-fix. In the holistic world, these fixes manifest as detoxification (detoxing) or cleansing. Detoxing accelerates healing. It stimulates the release of deep-rooted toxins and allows them to surface, and eventually, leave the body. The only caveat in this case, is that self-work and growth don’t end. They only deepen and expand, with each new layer that’s shed. Once you pull the healing trigger, your universe expands to great new depths. And in order to see clearly, you must put in the time and nurture your temple! Thankfully, the natural high and full body buzz make the investment worth it, keeping you motivated and eager for more self-discovery and healing. I’ve completed quite a few cleanses in my short life time, each resulting in new learnings, reflections and practices. Today, I share my 3 key insights with you, with hopes to help keep you on track during these periods of deep physical, emotional, and mental release.   1. Pay attention to your present needs, not your future wants It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end. ~ Ursula K. Le Guin   What do you need to get you through this cleanse, with clarity, confidence and balance? We often get so caught up in our goals and results, that we forget to live…https://livingrhea.com/blog/heart-love-5-minute-chai-au-chocolat/https://livingrhea.com/blog/heart-love-5-minute-chai-au-chocolat/Sat, 21 Jun 2014 19:43:36 GMTI’m of indian descent, so it’s only natural that I grew up drinking chai. Chai was a staple in my home – we had it with breakfast, we offered it to guests, we had it for dessert – it was our go-to soul satisfying hot drink. Whilst reflecting back on my childhood, chai somehow always finds its way into my memories, my day dreams – and I can almost taste the delicious goodness, mmm! Fast forward to today – I don’t drink dairy milk and I don’t consume refined sugar for reasons you all know. Heck I rarely drink black tea due to its high acidity. All key ingredients of a typical indian chai. Being the experimentalist that I am, I love thinking about childhood delicacies and finding ways to adapt those fine fantasies into healthy and equally (if not more) yummy creations – typically, raw, vegan and gluten free. This raw chai recipe does just that. It’s healthy, it’s easy, it’s decadent – it’s a sure crowd and belly pleaser and here’s why: Hemp: I use hemp seeds to prepare a protein and essential fatty acid (omega 3, 6) enriched superfood milk alternative. Although any nut or seed will do, I choose to use hemp seeds simply because they don’t require pre-soaking (like almonds, for example). This adds ease and accessibility to the recipe. Cacao: I use raw cacao as my caffeine substitute – an antioxidant and mineral (magnesium, iron) rich chocolate powder. This energetic superfood is also said to contain anandamide, known as the bliss chemical [ananda in Sanskrit = bliss]. This delicious alternative to black tea is also the perfect cooling companion to the heating chai spices, when taking in small doses. Is your mouth watering yet? Just wait, it gets better. Dates: I use the sweetness…https://livingrhea.com/blog/cleanse-body-spring-simple-activities/https://livingrhea.com/blog/cleanse-body-spring-simple-activities/Tue, 01 Apr 2014 13:22:00 GMTSpring is all about healing and rejuvenation. It’s about revisiting and reviving those 2014 goals and intentions I set way back in January. It’s about spending time outdoors, in the sunshine, feeling the happiness of plants and beings around me, and breathing in clean, fresh air. It’s about eating clean food, moving my body, and doing what I can to release the toxins that have found their way deep into my cells. Just as we clean our homes, cars, cottages, and work spaces, it makes sense to actively and purposefully cleanse our bodies, from the inside. With diminished movement, fresh air, local food, and sunlight during the cold, winter months, it’s natural for our bodies to have accumulated toxins faster than they can escape. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is inherently a time of awakening energy from within and renewing the body’s power to release inflammation and revitalize health. My preferred form of cleansing is one that’s accelerated, and generally involves going on a detoxifying diet for multiple days in a row. But there are many daily detoxifying practices that can be done as well, either in addition to a cleanse or to complement one you’re already doing. These activities promote the outward flow of toxins. The result? Restored energy, inner strength, peace and happiness, outer glow and radiance, and a heightened sense of clarity. Here are my top 5 tips to support you on your spring cleanse: 1. Dry body brushing. Gently brush your body, in the direction of your lymphatic system, to stimulate the release of toxins. 2. Coconut oil pulling. Swish coconut oil in your mouth immediately upon waking to remove toxins that have built up inside your mouth. 3. Hydrotherapy. Alternate your shower with hot and cold water to stimulate circulation. 4. Kundalini yoga. Raise…https://livingrhea.com/blog/green-smoothie-guide-nutshell/https://livingrhea.com/blog/green-smoothie-guide-nutshell/Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:00:29 GMTGreen smoothies are all the heat – or un-heat, for that matter. One of the chief reasons you’d want to swap your dead, sugar-laden, complex breakfast with a “pre-chewed” fibrous, living greens smoothie is to get your daily dose of bioavailable nutrition whilst preserving your precious digestive fire. In this way, your body can focus its energy on other important tasks, like cellular repair, detoxification, and the metabolism of that not-so-healthy late-night snack. Oh yeah, and on productivity at work 🙂 Unlike popular belief, it’s not necessary to start your engine in full force from the moment you wake up. Have your lemon water, take your vitamins, breathe, and get blending. Confused about the process? Let me offer some simple tips.   Add more greens If you want your smoothie to be healthy, keep the alkalizing greens dominant (60-80%). Know that these greens shouldn’t ever compromise the taste. Get them in, mask them with some low to medium GI fruit and a few delicious supplements, and both your belly and your palette remain satisfied. Easy, neutral tasting greens include romaine and spinach. Start with these and you may get hooked. Other fun greens to play with include kale, collard greens (stems removed), butter/red/green lettuce, fennel, celery, cucumber and herbs (cilantro, mint, parsley – in smaller quantities). If you’re overwhelmed by the taste of a pungent or bitter greens, halve the amounts and substitute with romaine or spinach.   Be fruit smart A spike in blood sugar is not necessary for any of us, no matter what time of day. Because that’s usually followed by a crash, and we certainly don’t want to feel like we need a nap at 11 o’clock in the morning. To keep your blood sugar levels balanced, use a mix of low and medium glycemic-indexed fruit,…https://livingrhea.com/blog/mind-body-january/https://livingrhea.com/blog/mind-body-january/Tue, 14 Jan 2014 18:40:35 GMTHappy 2014 beautiful people! We’re less than 2 weeks in, and so far, so good. I’ve coined January ‘Mind-Body Jan’, because, well, once a week (mind-body Mondays) is no longer enough (am I right?). January is a time for reflection. January is a time for resetting goals with intention. January is a time for hibernation. January is a time for personal development. January is a time for rejuvenation. In support of this, I’m leading a FREE 10-day juice and smoothie detox program, beginning Monday, January 13th. Our virtual community is ever-expanding, now home to 3000+ health hungry members. The more the members, the more the merrier, the more the chatter, the more the awareness, the more the learning, the more the healing. And well, healing is so much more fun and effective when you have a built in accountability system, complete with guidance (free protocols, templates, resources), cheerleaders, feedback, answers, acceptance, hope, positivity, encouragement, and most importantly, LOVE. Yes, we love each other foremost, and that welcomes vulnerability, which subsequently opens the door to deeper, long-lasting healing. And by healing I mean more energy, improved mental clarity, brighter and clearer skin, healthier bowel movements, stronger immune function, a greater sense of inner peace, and in some cases, the reversal of acute and/or chronic pain and dis-ease. The latter is proven possible, and I can also personally attest, having been in this situation, and having succeeded in overcoming what I was once told was incurable disease. Join us on Monday, in any capacity. We welcome all, even those with little appetite for the main course, but who desire a small taste of our delicious dessert. Once again, Happy New Year! Sending you warm wishes for a fulfilling 2014.