Weekend Wrap-Up: Are We There Yet?

Driving to Indiana from New York is always an adventure. Over the course of 12 hours, you cruise through New Jersey (where you can't pump your own gas), Pennsylvania (where the scenery doesn't change a lick for the 5 hours it takes to get across it AND there's absolutely no food in sight), Ohio (a much needed sign of civilization after PA) and finally Indiana (where cornfields suddenly spot the horizon, along with front porches and tractors). Usually, the drive is a breeze. Well, mainly a breeze for me since I have no trouble falling asleep in the car, snoozing the hours away while Adam drives.

But this trip... this trip was cursed from the start. Our rental car stunk of dead squirrel, though there were no dead squirrels (or dead bodies in the trunk, we checked!), and unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we weren't able to swap it out. Thank God for Febreeze! Next up was the "purse incident". We stopped at a gas station in Pennsylvania and somehow my purse managed to end up in the toilet... face down and open. Oh...and the bathroom sink wasn't working so I was unable to lather up after diving in for my valuables. Thank God for hand sanitizer! Then there was the torrential downpour in the middle of the night while driving through miles of construction and concrete barriers that IF they had been any closer, would have been inside the car. Oh, and let's not forget the 16-hour drive on the way back due to construction, with 2 hours spent basically parked on the interstate and running out of gas.

But though the black cloud traveled with us this time, it was worth every minute! I got to spend lots of time with Adam's family and his beautiful nieces outside under the big, blue skies. I went on a booze cruise with a band who shared my appreciation for Stevie Wonder, ZZ Top and Southern Rock. I found my wedding dress! And I ate like a queen! These people know how to cook!

And now, the long weekend in pictures...

The lovely Zuri (who now calls me Aunt Lauren, I melt)...

...and her equally beautiful older sister Arianna...

...and one of the two twins (is it bad I had no idea which one I was holding?).

The "big kids" rigging our fireworks display in a beer bottle.

Zuri took it upon herself to kiss the pain away after Uncle Adam got hurt (by the way, I called that one).

But he lived to see another day...

 

...and another sunset.

And then mustered up the determination to grill some corn on the cob (along with a snapping turtle... after all, we were in Indiana, y'all).

Dinner was delish - grilled shrimp, sauteed kale, corn on the cob and grilled turtle (guess which one I didn't try?).

And then there were sparklers!

The next day, the "fun girls" hit the streets.

And I was having so much fun that Nurse Zuri felt it necessary to take my blood pressure, just to be sure I wasn't overexerting myself.

Then we practiced a little soccer with the soon-to-be all-world pro, Ari...

...and tried to wear out Adam's dog, Tucker (to which we failed miserably). He never tires.

Saturday night, we booze-cruised down Lake Freeman on the Madam Carroll with the band Swim Skinny. Those hot pants say it all.

And can I just say that this is the most awesome 92-year old woman ever? She was the singer's grandmother and quite possibly his biggest groupie.

You know you've had too much fun when somebody's face ends up Sharpie'd.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! This week, we continue our series on GMOs, so get ready for another mind-blowing post from Shanna!

The Experts Weigh In: Hittin' the Road Yogi-Style!

Image via thatcarlady.com

BY: FERN LANGHAM, CONTRIBUTOR

My clients often ask me for guidance around maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling. It is one of my favorite topics to talk about because there is an abundance of not-so-well-known ways we can prepare ourselves to flourish in a changing environment. These tips can help us all enjoy a smoother, healthier, more carefree vacation - which is exactly the reason we like to get away in the first place.

Are you feeling me?

While traveling allows us to get away and explore fascinating new destinations, our bodies often lose their natural rhythm in a changing environment. Ever wonder why airplane travel is associated with dry skin and sinuses, ear pressure and anxiety? Clearly, our bodies are reacting to changes in air, height and space. Even travel by car, bus, train and boat shake up our natural balance and we may notice changes in our energy, immunity and digestion. Time zone and temperature changes may confuse our bodies, especially our digestive systems, which may take a beating. Ayurveda, yoga's sister science (the science of life), explains that the key to keeping in balance is to sync up with the world around us. Here is a great article on just that!

In Ayurveda, there are three main doshas, or constitutions - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. They are determined at conception and relate to your inherited physical and emotional traits. To find out your constitution, take this simple quiz.

Image via soulcurrymagazine.com

The Vata dosha, comprised of air and space elements, is particularly sensitive to changes in routine and space, and is prone to experience irregularities in the body and mind. While traveling, out of balance Vata can experience dry sinuses, coughs and sore throats, as well as constipation. Sesame oil rubbed on the inner nostrils during air travel is an excellent way to keep moisturized to prevent upper respiratory infections. To bring Vata back into balance, it is important to pack warming herbal teas with grounding spices such as cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon, along with Triphala, a natural digestive herbal supplement that serves as a mild laxative. A cozy scarf helps Vata to stay warm and comfortable in a cooler settings, which can be unsettling for this "prone to feeling cold" dosha.

Image via soulcurrymagazine.com

The Pitta dosha, comprised of fire and water elements, is in balance at home and in stable environments, and therefore can easily be disrupted when unplanned detours arise. Out of balance Pitta is prone to indigestion, impatience, excessive sweating and stubbornness. The company Traditional Medicinals makes a beautiful Easy Now herbal tea with cooling herbs to help alleviate feelings of irritability, anxiety, impatience and frustration. Lavender oil, which helps calm anxiety, can be rubbed on the temples, inner wrists and sternum. Oh, sweet relief, Pitta!

Image via soulcurrymagazine.com

The Kapha dosha, characterized by water and earth elements, provides lubrication to the joints as well as mucous to protect the sensitive tissues of the sinuses, lungs and stomach. While traveling, out of balance Kapha is prone to experience upper respiratory infections, allergies and constipation. To keep excess mucous at bay, daily Ayurvedic rituals such as tongue scraping, gargling warm saltwater and oil pulling with coconut oil are essential. Sipping on warm water with lemon and Smooth Move senna-leaf tea while traveling promote circulation and serve as a gentle laxative (safe to sip daily to promote smooth elimination).

All the doshas will benefit from the following Travel Kit, designed to restore inner harmony and move out toxins that may disrupt the body's natural balance in a changing environment.

Image via birchbox.com

FERN'S AYURVEDA ESSENTIALS TRAVEL KIT:

1. HERBAL TEA - Traditional Medicinal's Smooth Move and Easy Now are my go-to choices for digestive stimulation and stress relief. I am also a big fan of Joyful Belly's Travel Tonic Tea to ease travel-related anxiety and indigestion. It contains Dashamoola Powder, Triphala, Trikatu, Ashwagandha, Cardamom and Licorice Root.

2. TRIPHALA - Triphala is a completely balanced energetic formula perfect for all three doshas. When taken regularly, it gently promotes the elimination of toxins that are residing deep in the tissues. Triphala has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, making it an excellent supplement to take daily, especially when on the road. Triphala comes in capsule or powder form. My personal favorite is Triphala for intestinal and colon health formulated by Organic India, which comes in capsule form. My clients have also had great success with Triphala in powdered form from Banyan Botanicals.

Image via vitacost.com

3. TONGUE SCRAPER - Good morning, bright eyes! It's time to scrape your tongue! Tongue scraping dislodges "ama", which is the Ayurvedic term used to describe the undigested food, mucous and toxins that have accumulated overnight. Tongue scraping has been part of the Ayurvedic routine for maintaining oral health for thousands of years. I suggest using a stainless steel tongue scraper like this one. Follow up this routine with a saltwater gargle and coconut oil pulling.

4. HIMALAYAN SEA SALT - Gargle each morning in warm water after tongue scraping to expel mucous and soothe a sore throat. Gargling with Himalayan sea salt, in particular, draws out pathogens and kills bacteria and germs. Gargling activates enzymes in the saliva, which pull mucous out of the mouth and sinuses. Using sea salt in a neti pot is also a fabulous way to clear out the sinuses, whether you are traveling in a dry environment, recovering from air flight or just using it daily at home to maintain upper respiratory health.

5. COCONUT OR SESAME OIL - I bring coconut oil in a mini-Mason Jar for oil pulling each morning. Never heard of oil pulling? It is an Ayurvedic detoxification ritual that when done daily, expels toxins from teh body through mucous. Swishing the oil in your mouth from 5-20 minutes each morning attracts and expels bacteria, toxins and parasites that reside in your mouth and lymphatic system, while also pulling mucous from your throat and loosening up your sinuses. Just remember to spit the oil out afterwards, preferably into the garbage to prevent clogging up your sink drain! Don't swallow the oil or you will be ingesting all the toxins you are trying to expel. Rinse your mouth with warm water after oil pulling.

Image via store.bodecare.com

6. BODY BRUSH - Dry brushing is immunity's best friend. A daily self-massage with a body brush before a shower stimulates the lymphatic system and boosts immune function. Already have a crammed suitcase? Not to worry! Buy a mini-brush like the Bodecare Mini Travel Body Brush and toss it in your weekend tote for a whole body, mini-acupressure workout. Remember to always stroke towards your heart in small, circular motions. Shower afterwards so you can wash off all the dead skin you just sloughed off!

7. LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL - The scent of lavender essential oil is extremely pacifying. During air travel, in long lines or before bed, a few drops on my inner wrists, temples and sternum provides tremendous relief. The lovely smell of lavender on my wrists as I sip a cup of tea is complete and utter bliss!

8. COZY SCARF - I've learned the hard way that many places are more than generous with their air conditioning (something the Vata in me is not a fan of, but my Pitta boyfriend loves!). Hey, opposites attract! Yet, when I forget to pack a scarf and am left shivering and uncomfortable, I have the potential to wreck havoc on a carefree dinner date. Vatas, always come prepared!

When you finally arrive at your destination, take time to relax, settle in, prepare a warm cup of soothing herbal tea and do a few grounding yoga poses (such as standing balances, forward folds or spinal twists). Finding a quiet place for meditation and pranayama (breathing exercises) can help you find your inner calm and allow you to set the stage for a blissful vacation. Bon voyage!

In love and green juice, 

Fern

Fern Langham is a yoga instructor, cleanse specialist and blogger for Purée Artisan Juice. As a crusader for Ayurvedic nutrition and holistic wellness, Fern's intention is to guide you to tap into your radiant potential. After years of struggline with chronic digestive issues, food allergies and an autoimmune thyroid condition, she is finally glowing. Her passion is to help you find your glow too! For more Ayurveda, yoga, nutrition and holistic health inspiration, check out Yoga with Fern or connect with Fern on Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr.

The Experts Weigh In: The Journey of 1,000 Miles

BY: COURTNEY BLAIR, CONTRIBUTOR

I tend to do my best thinking in the shower. Why am I sharing this with you? Well, when one of my dearest friends asked me to share my experience volunteering in a Kenyan orphanage a little over 7 years ago, it hit me how to best reveal my thoughts while I was squeezing the last bit of shampoo out of the bottle and simultaneously humming a 1980's pop song. My solo trip to Kenya at age 21 was a true turning point in my life. I left my cushy existence as a college student in Athens, Georgia, to volunteer in an orphanage in the heart of the slums outside of Nairobi. I really had no idea what to expect, but I thank God for my naivety or else I'm not sure I would have made the trip.

I fear my life would have been very different had I not stepped onto that plane and ventured into an unknown world. I went hoping I could have some sort of impact on the orphans I was yet to meet, but those 67 inquisitive, bright-eyed children (with the most captivating smiles you've ever seen) did more for me in my short time in Kenya than I feel I could ever do for them. They gave my life a purpose that I so desperately needed to find. They enveloped me with a resiliency and strength that I didn't even know i possessed. And they guided me on a path of self-discovery that ultimately helped me to discover and pursue my life's passions. After that trip, I became so much more aware of the signs God left for me and the paths He pointed me toward, and those precious angels in Kenya are to thank.

So back to the shower. As Cyndi Lauper was on repeat in my head, I began to think about the impending day and my promised blog post. How could I possibly share this once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing experience with all of you? How could you truly understand the legacy my trip left? I thought and thought and thought some more until something clicked; there was no need to rewrite the story - to re-reflect on the past. The words of my soul - the song of my heart - was already etched into the pages of my journal. What better way to share my experience than to let you relive it with me in its most intimate form? So here it is, my raw thoughts spilled out on paper circa July 5, 2005 - the day I returned from my trip.

Courtney and Brian

                Once again, I find myself sitting at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam awaiting my flight. This time though, I am headed home with worlds of new knowledge and unforgettable experiences. I learned so much during my short time in Kenya. I learned what the word appreciation really means. I never really knew what it meant before I met these kids. In terms of material possessions, I have so much more than they have. But they have true happiness; they have true heart, and they have true appreciation. With so little, they actually have so much.

                I learned that if I really want to experience the world, if I really want to have a realistic global perspective, I must step out of my comfort zone. Not everyone thinks and does like Americans. America is not the standard to what other countries must adhere to. I have to stop thinking that everyone wants to live as an American does…that their lives aren’t good enough. That’s judgmental and unfair. I learned that although not everyone wants to live the “American Dream,” I am glad I am American. I am more glad now than I’ve ever been. I’ve been blessed with freedom and opportunity—concepts that are so lacking in other countries.

Courtney and Ashley

                I learned that although language varies and people can’t always understand spoken words, they can always understand a smile. A smile is a constant…a constant reminder that no matter how different each person may seem, we are all brothers and sisters in the end. We are all members of this great earth just trying to get by. Everyone has something to offer someone, whether they know it or not. Each person is destined to touch another person’s life in some way at some time.

Dennis and Courtney

I learned that God came with me on my trip and that He comes with me wherever I go. I learned that after I get my undergrad degree, I might want to pursue a Master’s in elementary education. While I was reading to and teaching the kids, something clicked inside of me. I thought to myself, “I want to be a teacher.” I want to influence kids the way I feel like I influenced the orphans. I want to help shape them and encourage them.

There is so much more that I learned on my trip, it’s hard to know where to begin and end. In short, I learned about myself and the strength and courage I possess that I always knew I had but never thought I could show. I learned, firsthand, about another culture; and from that firsthand experience, I learned what it means to humble myself. I am no better than anyone else. In the end, I learned about life, love, and myself. I set out to have a life changing experience, and a life changing experience is what I had. I hope it will stick with me for the rest of my life; may the journey of 1,000 miles begin with a single step. My journey will never be over and those wonderful kids will always and forever be in my heart <3.

I must end this post by thanking my dear friend for giving me the opportunity to look back at these words. When life gets tough, these lessons put it all in perspective; they are a constant reminder of what is truly important in life. I feel so fortunate to have had an experience that affected me so deeply, and I am lucky that I had the chance to put the daily grind on pause, reflect on this joy, and share it with you.

Hailing from Roanoke (or 'Roa-joke'), Virginia, Courtney Blair found herself in cahoots with me when she chose the University of Georgia for her 'college experience' and gave me a friendly hello on move-in day. It was friendship at first sight. Now, Courtney lives in North Carolina and teaches elementary school. They are lucky to have her. Courtney is one of the only people I know who could manage to get into a major golf carting accident, an accident so bad that she was laid up for most of the summer. She's a bit quirky, but that's why I love her! Courtney sleeps with a stuffed peanut butter & jelly sandwich (at least last time I checked) and enjoys introducing people to the joys of Wheat Thins topped with jelly and cream cheese. Hey, it might not be nutritious, but it's damn good! The most important bond we have though is our shared love for chips and queso. What I'm trying to say is, it was pretty obvious from the start that we were going to be great friends.

Advice From The Experts: Queen of The Juice

Some people make everyone else look bad, without even trying. You can't blame them. They don't mean to.  ...They're just SO good at what they do. They're making waves in their careers. They get to travel the world. They steal the attention of everyone in the room.

THAT person is Lisa Adams. Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, she attended the University of Georgia (my alma mater) and earned her Bachelor's in Corporate Fitness. Lisa's now living the life in Miami, Florida, and gallivanting all over the planet for business and pleasure. She's spent substantial time in Central and South America, Asia, Europe and the lovely state of Hawaii.

Can you say 'jealous much'?!?

I lived with Lisa for a short time in Atlanta after college. It was so nice to live with someone who made wellness a central part of her life. I'd like to think it rubbed off on me! Lisa owns her own business called Vitel Resources, where she develops spas for luxury resorts. I was lucky enough to reap the benefits of her spa background. She used to give me free facials on the weekends on our front porch. Now that was the life!

These days you can find Lisa on the beach, running 8-10 miles (on her day off nonetheless), playing the drums or riding motorcross with the boys. She's an active cyclist and avid juicer. For the record, Lisa is totally rockin' her age.

I asked Lisa to write tomorrow's article about juicing because frankly, she's the 'Queen of the Juice'.

Get ready for Lisa's post... coming up tomorrow!