So You Want to be a Farmer? What I Learned My First Year of Running My Own Farm!

Tara harvesting haricots verts in September.

 BY: TARA TRANGUCH, CONTRIBUTOR

In March 2013, I wrote a post for Strictly Nutritious explaining why I had left my corporate job to pursue a career working in the dirt... with plants. The post was published on the eve of my first season of running my own farm, Serafina Says Farm - a vegetable, superfood and wellness farm in Canton, Connecticut. Today I'm back to share all the unexpected revelations I had during my first season!

I was prepared for the hard physical labor, the dirt and bugs, and even for the long days of monotonous labor that ended in happy exhaustion. I had adjusted to these aspects of farming during my apprenticeship. The demands on a worker bee, however, differ from those on the solo-preneur starting and running her own company. During my first season as a farmer, the physical labor became secondary to the transformation my thinking underwent. Physically, yes, I changed - I put on 7 lbs. of muscle this summer. But my greatest transformation has been in how I view myself and the work I do.

Napoli and Dragon carrots ready for CSA pick-up

Revelation #1: How do I define success?

The big question everyone asks me is this - "Was your first year of farming a success?". Answering this question, however, is not so simple. What does it mean for me to be "successful"?

In the past, I measured success based on the metrics provided to me by the institution I was a part of. In school, it was grades given to me by teachers. In the office, it was projects I was assigned to, the reviews and promotions I was given, and the way my financial compensation grew over time (with a big emphasis on financial compensation). In life, success and progress are usually measured via a comparison to others. Suddenly, as a start-up farmer, I had no metrics by which to measure success. I had to really ask the question - "What does success mean to me?".

Tara washing parsnips, October 2013.

Answering this question led me to yet another question - "What do I value?". Do I value money? Time spent with family and friends? Time spent with plants? Do I value helping others achieve greater health? Do I value growing and offering beautiful, nutritious, delicious produce? I had never asked myself these questions. Someone else had always told me how to define success. The realization that I have the ability to shape my own metrics for what a fulfilling life looks like was a completely new concept.

Yes, my first year was a success based on the metrics that I lived each day full of joy, that I continually learned about plants, food, business and health, that my farm customers ate very well, and that both my health coaching clients and farm clients experienced improved health and lived more authentic lives with greater vitality. But... this is still a work in progress. For my second growing year, I am learning to set concrete metrics to lead to a clear vision of what personal and business success means to me.


Revelation #2: Forget the To-Do List!

What does it mean to be productive? Is productivity working 60 hours a week? Is it being connected 24/7? As an entrepreneur, it is too easy to think that one is never working enough, as there is always more work to do. Halfway through the summer, I had an epiphany - I am a farmer... I don't have a To-Do List. I have a This-Is-All-Happening-In-Warp-Speed-Right-Now-So-Just-Try-To-Hold-On-The-Best-You-Can List. Life happens without me. Plants grow without me (and can I just add an aside here?: Hallelujah! Thank you for this miracle!). So even though I have a long list of tasks as a result of my business plan, life is still happening, pointing me towards the most important task - making sure the vegetables on my farm grow into a delicious harvest.

Which task do you think takes priority?

The potato field on July 4, 2013.

After one season, my business is no longer run on a static business plan-generated to-do list, because following a to-do list does not ensure that the required end result will occur (I suspect this was always the case, but I never realized it before being 100% responsible for the end result). Now my weekly activities are directed by the following dynamic considerations - the weather, bugs, weeds, plants, the external aspect of the business, the internal maintenance work and then the annual business plan.

The result of following a more dynamic list dictated by external circumstances versus my own internal plans has changed the way I work. First, I am more aware of what is happening around me, and I react more quickly to situations and make decisions immediately. Second, I procrastinate less. I have witnessed firsthand the destruction that not making quick decisions has on a farm. For example, in June I noticed squash bug eggs on my summer squash. I started to pick them off, but they kept appearing and I realized I needed to take more drastic actions. I researched the various options available to me, but I was unsure as to which approach to choose and therefore, did nothing. By the end of July, my summer squash were gone, and I had lost the winter squash crop too. I learned then that it is better to make the wrong decision than to make no decision at all.

Cherry Tomato harvest, September 2013

Revelation #3: Perfection does not exist.

I recognized one reason that was holding me back from making quick decisions - I was worried about not making the right decision. I didn't want to do things the wrong way. Well, perfection does not exist in nature, and certainly not in human beings. The realization that I will never be a perfect farmer translated to me realizing I will never be perfect in anything I do. What a liberating realization! Releasing myself from the expectation of perfection has freed me to take more risks, to create more, and most importantly, to have more fun with work! After all, if I am not having fun, then what is the point?

By mid-August, I was exhausted from the long weeks. And I realized that my mindset was similar to what it had been while I was in my corporate job - I was thinking and reacting the same way I had while going to work in an office every day. I asked myself: what was the point of changing careers, countries and leaving my comfy, cushy life if my own mindset didn't change?. From that point forward, I started working out of joy rather than out of obligation.

I realized that changing circumstances does not necessarily change a person. We have to be ready to change ourselves.

Tara selling microgreens, sprouts, wheatgrass and artisanal raw food at the winter Coventry Regional Farmers' Market, November 2013

Revelation #4: Transformation is liberating.

As 2013 wraps up and I start my planning for 2014, I see the steps I took this past year as an integral step along the path towards living my own authentic life as a steward of the land. To live authentically means to live liberated from conceptions, judgments and the expectations of who you should be. It means to be present in each moment, embodying courage and joy, and living in peaceful harmony with one's environment. Leaving my corporate job to follow my dreams was one step towards living authentically, but the plants and the world still have much to teach me, and I still have much to experience and realize about myself.

A few months ago in an interview, I was asked at what point during my first season did I feel like I had arrived? As a farmer, I do not feel that I have arrived, yet that is OK with me because the realizations and tranformation I have undergone this year have made the journey much more fun!

Tara Tranguch is the owner, farmer and health coach behind Serafina Says Farm - a vegetable, superfood and wellness farm in Canton, Connecticut. If you would like to join the farm's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm Share for the 2014 season, or you would like to learn about her Wellness Workshops, sign up for the farm's newsletter at www.taratranguch.com or contact Tara at serafinasays@yahoo.com.

RECIPE TIME: Vegan Mac 'n Cheese Casserole (with Greens!)

A cold front hit the city on Saturday and like clockwork, my body sent me a request - mac 'n cheese, please! (when it gets cold, I crave soul food - the kind that's warm, hearty and chock full of full of fat and calories!). But of course, I just happened to have my gluten and dairy-intolerant friend coming over for dinner, and I figured she wouldn't appreciate my complete lack of regard for her dietary needs.

So I took to the web and a little hunting turned up the perfect substitute - The Detoxinista's Vegan Mac 'n Cheese. When you Google 'dairy-free, gluten-free mac 'n cheese', you find lots and lots of recipes with fake cheese, of which I am NOT a fan. The great thing about this recipe is that it uses cashews to create that creamy consistency that every good mac 'n cheese needs! It's a nod to the whole foods movement (for the record, you don't need 'fake' anything to make a good vegan look-alike!).

Ready to make some mac 'n cheese? Maybe for Thanksgiving?  Let's do this thing!

This step is optional but makes it so much better! Preheat the oven to 350F. Chop a few handfuls of broccoli into small pieces (I used about 3 handfuls of Trader Joe's pre-washed florets).

Grab your seasoning: crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt and pepper.

On a large baking tray lined with parchment paper, combine a light sprinkle of your seasoning with 3-4 Tbs. coconut oil (or other high-heat oil) and mix to coat the broccoli well.

Roast for approximately 20-25 minutes - until the broccoli starts to brown slightly. Set aside.

Meanwhile, cook 8 oz. of pasta according to the package directions (To make this dish gluten-free, I used Trader Joe's Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli. You can also use quinoa pasta).

Now you'll need 1 1/2 cups of the secret ingredient - raw whole cashews.

Pulse them in a food processor or other high powered blender until they are finely chopped.

Now grab your other 'cheese ingredients': 3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice (approx. 1 small lemon), 3/4 cup water, 1/2 clove garlic smashed, 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (I use Bragg's brand), 1/2 tsp. chili powder, 1/2 tsp. dijon mustard, a pinch of turmeric and a pinch of cayenne pepper...

...and combine with the chopped cashews in the food processor. Process until smooth and creamy.

Look at that delicious sauce! Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, drain it and return it to the pot you cooked it in. Add the roasted broccoli and pour the 'cheese' on top to mix. At this point, you can serve it as mac 'n cheese (the more creamy route) OR pour it into an 8x8 square baking dish, sprinkle with paprika and black pepper and bake at 350F for 30 minutes (for the casserole route).

Now take a bite and tell me you don't miss the dairy and gluten! (NOTE: this recipe serves 4 - as a side).

My dinner companions seemed to like it, and for the record, I had seconds! So there's no reason to fear this vegan substitute! It's finger-lickin' delicious AND so simple to make!

Tomorrow, guest blogger Sara Warner of Pidge's Pantry shares her favorite pumpkin-inspired recipes! Stay tuned (and stay warm!).

The Experts Weigh In: Three Reasons to Detox with a Group

Image via trialsinfood.wordpress.com

BY: JULIE WEBER, CONTRIBUTOR

Detoxing is the new black. Well, in the wellness world, anyway. It’s not uncommon these days to meet your girlfriend for a green juice instead of a glass of wine, travel to the bakery on the other side of town because they have the best gluten-free/sugar-free/dairy-free muffins, or find entire offices banding together for a three-day juice cleanse.

Cleansing and detoxing may be having its moment in the spotlight, but it’s well deserved and for good reason.  Our liver is great at what it does—neutralizing, transforming and eliminating toxins—but giving it a little reprieve every once in awhile is necessary. Intentionally removing some of the toxins that build up in our bodies over time can go a long way in improving the liver’s efficiency moving forward.

Done safely, detoxing is one of the best ways to clear out the clutter and press the reset button so that you and your body can be at your best. As a health coach and lover of all things delicious, I’m an advocate for cleansing with whole foods over fasting or juicing. For more on that, click here. Going hungry (or feeling deprived of nourishment) doesn’t need to come part and parcel. Benefits of detoxing include increased energy, balanced hormones, diminished cravings and weight loss. Best of all, in my opinion, is that engaging in a detox can set you up with healthier habits that continue long after the program is over, affording it the potential to be a turning point on your path to overall health.

All this said, detoxing is not a walk in the park. It takes commitment. Willpower. Careful planning. It will probably affect your social calendar. It can be uncomfortable, and even downright unpleasant at times. As you eliminate foods from your diet, you might feel worse before you start to feel better.  

So, once you’ve decided to make the commitment, it’s super important to do everything you can to set yourself up for success. Get organized. Eliminate treats and temptations from your fridge and pantry. Plan your meals. Write and stick to detailed shopping lists. Stock your cupboards full of detox-friendly goodies so you won’t slip in a pinch. Schedule your social time and outings strategically. Tell your friends, your colleagues, your partner what you’re doing and ask for their support. Even better, ask them to do it right along with you.

In order to make the detox experience a bit easier and more enjoyable, I often recommend to my clients that they join a group detox program and recruit a friend or partner to join them. Detoxing with a partner or as part of a team can help mitigate some of the challenges and temptations that might threaten to throw you off course. Here are three important reasons why...

Accountability

If you’ve made a commitment to do a detox, you’re already showing up for yourself in a big way. You’ve made your health a priority. That’s the first step, and it’s a very important one. But, let’s face it, when it comes to following through, we often flake on ourselves. How many times have you told yourself that you’re going to go to the gym first thing in the morning/make it to yoga after work/give up dessert/cook at home more/choose water over wine, and totally bailed? And yet, how often do you flake on your friends, colleagues or teammates? When someone else is counting on you to show up, chances are much higher that you will.  

The same holds true here - if you’re part of a group detox program, especially if it’s an intimate one where you’ll have the opportunity to personally check in with a coach and/or a group of fellow detoxers, you’re less likely to falter. Your coach will help you work through challenges and you’ll be expected to report back the next time you meet. You’ll be more likely to stay on the straight and narrow if you know that someone else is invested in your success. And similarly, you can help keep others in your group accountable and inspired during their detox. It’s amazing how when we dish out advice and motivate others, we end up following suit ourselves.

Image via rebootwithjoe.com

Sustainability

As I mentioned, one of the best parts about a detox is that it really can be a turning point in the way that a person approaches his or her diet and overall health moving forward. This is especially true if you’ve experienced the detox with a friend, partner or a group. Throughout the detox you’ll go through highs and lows together. You’ll commiserate about the challenges, and celebrate each other’s successes. You’ll create bonds and strengthen friendships with like-minded people. All of these things will set you up to be able to sustain a healthier lifestyle once you’ve phased out of detox-mode. You’ll have a network to turn to when you need support, advice, or a new healthy recipe. And if you joined the detox with a friend or partner, sustaining the healthy habits that you put in place will be even easier because you’ll have a partner in crime in your inner circle.

More knowledge + more fun = better results

Knowledge is power, and two (or more) heads are better than one. Agreed? Well, the same principles apply here. When you’re detoxing, you’re taking in a lot of new information, learning about new foods, how they affect you, and paying closer attention to how your body functions. You’ll have questions. You’ll run out of dairy-free recipe ideas. You’ll wonder why buckwheat, contrary to its name, is actually a gluten-free grain. You’ll notice some amazing things happening to your energy/mood/digestion and be curious if others are experiencing the same thing. You’ll discover a new sugar-free dessert and just HAVE to share it with someone. As part of a group detox program, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and experiences of others, and be able to share your own insights too. As a result, you’ll have more fun along the way. And more knowledge (plus more fun) will inevitably lead to better results. It’s a win-win.

Retreat location in Costa Rica - Isn't it a beauty?

Detoxing can provide an amazing exploration, evaluation and transformation of the self, and all of this is enhanced by sharing that experience with others. As a Health Coach and yoga instructor, I love guiding my clients through safe and healthy detox programs, designed to bring mind, body and soul into alignment. My next exclusive group detox program, Purify and Restore: 28 days of clean living, is a full detox experience, carefully designed to cleanse your body, optimize digestion, and allow you press the reset button on many different levels. And because I believe in pampering mind, body and soul, the program includes a luxury health and yoga retreat in the lush tropics of Costa Rica. I’d absolutely love to have you on this journey with me, Strictly Nutritious readers. For more information on the detox and retreat, click here or email info@samanahealthretreats.com. We’re offering a deeply discounted early bird special until the end of October.

Julie Weber is a certified yoga instructor and holistic health coach. As founder of The Samana Project, she inspires busy professionals to make healthy diet and lifestyle choices so they can find and sustain balance and live their lives freely, fully, and joyfully without sacrificing the things they love. Julie is also the co-founder of Samana Health Retreats, offering luxury and custom programs and retreats that focus on holistic health, yoga and detoxification. Find out about her upcoming luxury detox retreat in Costa Rica here. Connect with Julie on email [mailto:Julie@thesamanaproject.com], Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

The Experts Weigh In: From Whole Foods to Hot, Healthy Hair!

Image via dollupday.blogspot.com

BY: KIRSTI PESSO, CONTRIBUTOR

When you think about your diet, you probably never stop to consider its impact on your hair. Most likely, you associate the effects of what you eat on your weight, energy levels, or maybe even your skin, but hair often gets overlooked. So it may surprise you to learn that one of the best kept secrets for strong, healthy, shiny hair is not the latest hair care product, but rather something as simple as good nutrition. Healthy hair is a great marker of overall health and your diet is a central part of your hair's quality and vitality!

Hi! I'm Kirsti, and I'm a one-stop shop when it comes to food, nutrition, fitness and hair! Growing up with a chef for a father meant that good food was always at the center of our lives. Nutrition however, took a back seat. It was just never part of the equation growing up. It was only when I moved to New York 13 years ago that I began to take an interest in the power of food as medicine. Even when I was a hairstylist for many years, I never made the connection between diet and the quality of one's hair. But after many years of reading and studying, I now have a completely different appreciation for food and it's value beyond pleasure. It can truly serve our health and beauty - inside and out.

It is scientifically proven that a healthy diet (with the right combination of protein, healthy fats, phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals) is the foundation necessary for strong, healthy hair in terms of its quality, elasticity and shine. Healthy hair is bouncy, strong, shiny and manageable. A balanced diet gives your hair all the nutrients it needs to grow appropriately out of the follicle and stay connected to the scalp. It's not surprising that the same healthy diet needed for optimal function of the rest of your body is the same one needed for top quality hair. Of course there are other factors that will affect your hair's condition - such as lifestyle, medication, hormones, and sleep (as well as chemicals and heating tools used directly on the hair). However, your diet is the foremost factor when it comes to your tresses!

So let's take a look at what the 'Healthy Hair Diet' looks like. I've highlighted my top 10 favorite foods for transforming your locks! Say goodbye to those dull, drab strands!

Image via bbcgoodfood.com

EGGS - Whether you like them scrambled, poached or sunny side up, eggs are a fantastic way to get the protein you need to start your day. Protein, along with the biotin found in eggs, is essential for hair growth and overall scalp health. Biotin (a B vitamin) ensures that all the body's cells, including the scalp and follicles, get the oxygen and nutrients they need.

SPINACH - The folate in spinach aids in the production of red blood cells, while its iron content helps these red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body. Hair loss can be a result of iron deficiency, or anemia, where the cells can't get enough oxygen and start to lose functionality. Spinach is excellent for your body for many reasons, not the least of which is your hair.

LENTILS - Protein is necessary for all cell growth, including the growth of your hair. Lentils are a great vegetarian source of iron-rich protein, as well as zinc and biotin, making them a great staple for vegetarians  and vegans who want a fabulous mane!

Image via culinarycory.com

RED PEPPERS - Red peppers deliver 100% of your daily value of vitamin C, which helps your body absorb and use iron (a critical part of your hair's health). Vitamin C is also used in the production of collagen. Hair follicles require collagen, a structural fiber, to hold everything together for optimal growth. Even minor vitamin C deficiencies can lead to dry, splitting hair that breaks easily. Foods rich in vitamin C promote more resilient strands.

SWEET POTATOES - The beta carotene in sweet potatoes is converted to vitamin A within the body, which aids in cell growth. A deficiency can lead to dry, dull, lifeless hair, as well as dandruff. However, too much vitamin A can lead to hair loss. Other vitamin A rich foods include carrots, pumpkins, squash and dark leafy greens.

WILD SALMON AND SARDINES - When it comes to omega-3 fatty acids, this seafood combo is considered the Rolls Royce of fish oils. Sardines are one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids combat dry and brittle hair, hair loss and a flaky scalp, while also adding luster, sheen and elasticity to your hair. They are vital for the nourishment of hair follicles and the support of hair growth. Plant sources of omega-3's include walnuts, flax seeds and chia seeds.

NUTS - Go nuts for nuts because these little nuggets will provide your hair (and the rest of you) with tons of nutritional value! Peanuts are a fantastic source of zinc and folate, as well as biotin, which is essential for tissue growth and repair. Brazil nuts are also a great source of selenium, which plays an important part in the health of your scalp. Selenium helps preserve your skin's elasticity and reduces inflammation. Walnuts are another winner. They contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 that boosts the condition and shine of your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss, so make them a staple in your diet.

Image via theirishmother.blogspot.com

AVOCADO - This is one of my most beloved foods because it boasts over 25 vital nutrients! The high levels of zinc, vitamin E, vitamin B and healthy fats mean you can literally replace your pricey hair conditioner with a ripe avocado and leave it in for a few minutes. You will have soft, shiny, well-conditioned locks! Try it!

CHICKPEAS - While chickpeas are a great vegetarian source of iron-rich protein, they're also an important combination for hair growth and repair. Because hair gets its structure from hardened proteins called keratin, people who don't have enough protein in their diet experience slower growth and weaker strands. To increase the absorption of iron from chickpeas, couple them with vitamin C-rich foods such as tomatoes, bell peppers or citrus fruit.

COCONUT - Any form of coconut will leave your hair happy. Coconut oil, butter, water, shredded, whole, you name it, coconut will give you hydrated, manageable tresses. Drinking coconut water and massaging coconut oil from roots to ends just a few times per week will keep your hair free of dandruff and split ends, while also preventing hair loss.

Image via rollingout.com

When it comes to hair, hydration is key! Your hair is one quarter water, so it's critical that you feed it with nutrients and keep it hydrated. Water carries vitamins to the root of your hair and hydrates the entire strand of hair from the inside. Water is the main source of energy for hair cells including the cells that generate new hair growth. It also removes toxins from the body, which may lead to hair loss.

Hair loss is just one of the things that results from dehydration. Drinking the recommended amount of water each day can help other hair and scalp issues, including hair thinning and dandruff. When a person is suffering from dehydration, your hair is the last place the water goes. Vital organs such as the brain and heart take priority over your scalp. This leads to excessive shedding, as the hair is literally dying from thirst. This slows down hair growth because the roots are not moisturized enough to stimulate new hair growth.

So as you can see, eating well goes beyond having a body and skin to be proud of. Your hair is as much a reflection of your inner health as anything else, and it craves to be fed, nurtured and given the wide range of nutrients, vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive. So stop wasting money on the latest hair care products, and take some time to focus on what's in your kitchen and on your plate. The next time you fill your plate, think 'Healthy In, Beauty Out' knowing that you are nurturing and feeding all of you, especially the mane on your head!

Kirsti Pesso has been doing hair for over 20 years in both Australia and New York and has a loyal following due in part to her holistic perspective on hair. In addition to her work as a stylist/colorist, Kirsti is also a certified personal trainer and holistic health coach living in Westchester with her husband and two little daughters. Growing up in Australia in her father's kitchen, Kirsti has always had a passion for food. For the last 11 years, nutrition, fitness and healthy living have been a priority for her and her family. She is passionate about cooking healthy, clean meals and about educating her children on how to live healthy and feed themselves well. For more of Kirsti's advice on healthy living, eating, fitness and beauty, visit Healthy In, Beauty Out.

Probiotics: Getting a Glorious Gut!

Image via healthtap.com

My friend Bren recently took a road trip to Washington, D.C. She took a whole week off work and was ready for some good vacation time, exploring the city! And if I know her at all, I can guarantee she had a serious itinerary locked and loaded.

So you'll imagine my surprise when I emailed her last week to get the scoop and found out that she spent her entire vacation relegated to her hotel room, puking her brains out. Wait, I lied. She did get a grand tour of DC's finest ER, but that's about as far as she got.

This was clearly not what she had in mind for her vacation.

When I asked what in the world had happened (since Bren normally has the immune system of an neonatal nurse), she explained that she caught the flu. But this wasn't just any bout of the flu. The doctor informed her that she succumbed to the virus in the first place because her immune system had been drastically weakened due to a round of antibiotics she had taken for a dental procedure. Basically, the antibiotics had killed off most the good bacteria in her gut, giving the flu virus the green light to destroy her... and destroy her it did. 

In hopes of saving you from a situation such as this, I'm here today to talk about probiotics. Probiotics are  the good, living bacteria that actually benefit you when consumed. You can find many probiotics naturally occuring in foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, honey, apple cider vinegar, kim chi, natto, tempeh and miso, just to name a few. But if your diet is lacking in probiotic foods or you want to give yourself a super dose of immunity, you can take probiotics in supplement form, whether it be in capsule form or liquid form (like Bio-K+).

Image via products.mercola.com

Almost 70% of your immune system lies in your gut, so obviously gut health is critical. There are an estimated 100 trillion microorganisms living in your gut. These little guys do so much to keep you healthy - they keep harmful pathogens in check, aid in digestion and nutrient absorption and enhance your immune function. Though antibiotics are many times medically necessary, they wipe out the good bacteria in your gut in addition to the bad. So when you're on antibiotics, it's imperative to supplement with a probiotic to replace the good bacteria that's being lost. Otherwise, you are leaving yourself wide open to an immune system attack.

But even if you're not on antibiotics, it's my personal opinion that almost everyone should be taking  some sort of probiotic. We only have to go so far as the ingredient list on most foods to realize that what we eat is actually working against our immune systems. Probiotics can help compensate for this daily damage to our gut by protecting against the pathogens in the food we eat, the air we breath and other chemicals that we come in contact with day-to-day. The use of probiotics doesn't make it OK to continue eating these foods, but it can help replenish what is lost as a result.

Image via naturalmommie.com

You can find probiotics at your local vitamin shop, health food store or even Whole Foods. I recommend speaking with a knowledgeable salesperson to help you pick out the right one for you, keeping in mind that you'll want to avoid probiotics with sugar or glucose in the ingredient list (these actually inhibit the growth of healthy bacteria). I just started taking Bio-K+ (Organic Rice Flavor) which is sold in the refrigerated supplement section of Whole Foods. A 12-day supply will cost you a whoppin' $2.24/day... a small price to pay for good health. I can guarantee a trip to the doctor (and the ensuing prescription) will cost you more.

So... do me a favor. Go grab yourself a probiotic and make Bren feel a little bit better about getting the flu on vacation. Her misery taught us all a valuable lesson, right?

We're sorry about your vacay, Bren!

The Experts Weigh In: The Best Money I Ever Spent!

Image via joyofblending.com

BY: CHRISTY RICHMOND, CONTRIBUTOR

In my long time career as a freelance film editor, I have grown accustomed to going from project to project, completely avoiding what my co-workers and I sometimes laughingly refer to as a "real job". When a project begins, we have to be ready to give up many aspects of our day-to-day lives, the kind of things other people take for granted, like knowing what time we'll get off work (minimum daily call = 9 hours; maximum daily call = whatever the producer is willing to pay in overtime!), when we get to take our lunch or dinner breaks (these can be at different times of the day and who knows what we will be eating!) or whether we can make plans for the coming weekend (if the producers make changes to the schedule, we could be working for 16+ hours on both Saturday and Sunday!). 

It all gives new meaning to the term 'self-care'.

Self-care is something that you learn to get very good at as time goes by because otherwise, you get burned out or sick. 

Image via vitamix.com

During a work project that finished early last summer, many of my co-workers were saying that juicing every day gave them so much more energy and stamina. I had to admit that they certainly looked healthier than on previous projects, so I decided to look into purchasing a juicer. I gathered opinions, did a little online shopping and decided that once the project finished, I would purchase a Breville juicer for myself. But before pulling the trigger, I had the realization that I've never really been much of a juice drinker, always preferring to consume the whole fruit, rather than just the juice. And although I have always enjoyed eating vegetables, the thought of drinking a large glass of celery or beet juice sounded a bit disgusting to me! 

And so I changed my mind about becoming a "juicer" and became a "blender" instead.

This critical decision led me straight to the Vitamix. Once again, I did my online research and surveyed a handful of friends to see if anyone had one. To my surprise, many of them already owned one! The only thing holding me back now was the price, especially since my freelance project had just finished and I no longer had a regular paycheck coming in. While trying to justify the purchase, I found myself at a Whole Foods store Vitamix demonstration. I told myself that I was only looking, not buying.

Of course, both the demonstrator and the demonstration were amazing! I realized that I had only thought of the Vitamix as a way to blend juices, but it does SO MUCH MORE than that! In the space of a half hour, this woman made several juices, a hot soup, her version of spaghetti sauce and several frozen desserts (all of which we were allowed to sample!). In between each of these, she showed us how easy and simple it was to clean the Vitamix. Even the most devoted juicers among my friends complain about the time consuming task of cleaning their juicers, but the Vitamix made the cleaning process look like a piece of cake!

Image via vitamix.com

To make a long story short, I bought one then and there, along with some organic fruits and vegetables. After watching the DVD that came with it, perusing the recipes and watching a few YouTube videos online (I do like my research!), I jumped right in! Now, about 9 months later, I am still fascinated by what the Vitamix can do, as well as what it's done for me!

Although I admit to having some fear that I would eventually tire of my new "toy" and possibly regret its hefty price tag, I can honestly say that it's rare that a day goes by when I don't use the Vitamix at least once, if not twice. And I don't just blend fruit and vegetable juices. I use it as a food processor, I cook hot soups and sauces in it (yes, you read that right, HOT), and I make delicious frozen desserts!

The benefits have been so great that I would have to do another blog post just to list them, but here are a few highlights: I have retrained my palate, reducing my intake of both sugar and sodium; I have lost 20+ lbs. without dieting; and I have increased my energy and boosted my immunity.

The journey of "blending" has been a step-by-step process and an incredible learning experience, but I will save all that for another time!

Start blending, my friends!

P.S. I am so overwhelmingly enthusiastic about my Vitamix that I have become an affiliate for them! If you go to my health coaching website and click on the 'Recipes' tab, you will see a link to the Vitamix website. If you order by using this link, you will get free standard shipping for your purchase!

Christy Richmond is a freelance film editor for TV and movies in Los Angeles, California, as well as an aspiring health and wellness coach. She was born and bred in Texas, and like a true Texan, loves her 'south of the border' cuisine - cheese enchiladas, rice and beans and of course, chips and salsa! But don't worry, she works it all off by hiking the beautiful trails of Griffith or Elysian Parks in LA with her enormous rescue dog, Mikey. In her free time, you can find her watching (and re-watching) her favorite old British comedy 'As Time Goes By' (she claims she will never tire of it!) or going on tours of old neighborhoods and buildings in her area, embracing her love for architecture.

Crushin' on Some Lychee: The Fruit of Love

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

You don't hear much about lychee (or litchi) fruit. I, for one, never knew about lychee until I moved to New York and was bombarded with it in Chinatown and in my cocktails at fancy restaurants. I'd like to think it's Chinatown's best kept secret.

Lychee, which means 'gift for a joyful life' in Chinese, is originally from southern China, Malaysia and northern Vietnam. It was mentioned in records as far back as 2000 BC. It grows on evergreen trees and is harvested in the summer between June and October.

Image courtesy of oligonol-net.com

 In the first century, the Imperial Court of China actually had a designated courier service (the one with the fastest horses) to fetch the fruit from Guangdong and deliver it to the royalty. It was the choice fruit of Emperor Li Longji's favored concubine. It has been suggested that he spent loads of capitol money to have it delivered for her (hey, you've gotta keep the ladies happy, gentlemen!).

You can identify lychee by it's pinkish red outer skin. It's rough outer shell almost resembles that of a strawberry. When you peel off the outer layer, you'll find the edible white fleshy fruit inside, surrounding the seed (which can be fatal if eaten... you heard it here first).


But other than it's link to love and long life, lychee is a stellar fruit when it comes to nutrition content. Here's why you should give lychee a try...

DISEASE FIGHTER - Lychee is packed with vitamin C. On average, just nine lychee berries would amount to a normal adult's daily vitamin C requirement.

WEIGHT LOSS WONDER - Lychee are low in calories and contain no saturated fats or cholesterol. They're a great after-dinner treat to curb your sweet tooth and keep you away from the cookie jar. They're also rich in dietary fiber, helping you feel full longer.

HEART HEALTHY -Lychee are a good source of potassium, which helps control your heart rate and blood pressure, AND copper, which is needed for the production of red blood cells.

CANCER FIGHTER - The flavenoids in lychee have been shown to prevent the growth of cancer cells, particularly the ones that cause breast cancer.

METABOLISM HELPER - The B-complex vitamins found in lychee help your body to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

You probably won't find lychee at your local grocery store, but Whole Foods and other specialty markets should carry it. Lychee has a great shelf life. They will last for up to 5 days at room temperature or up to 5 weeks in the fridge.

Once you peel the lychee and remove the seed, they're great thrown in yogurt, onto salads or as a garnish in your cocktails. I prefer the lychee plain, as a snack or a dessert.


Incorporating lychee into your diet is fairly straightforward, but here's a quick and easy idea for a lychee treat...

ICED LYCHEES:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/iced_lychees.html

Image courtesy of eatingwell.com