On a few occasions when my boys were young and gravitated naturally to playfulness and joy, I made the mistake of prioritizing rules over fun. Back in the '90s, on the night the Hale-Bopp comet shot through the sky, believing that sleep was all-important on a school night, I didn't wake my kids to witness the event, though they wanted to experience its magic. On another day, when it began to snow – an unusual event for northern California – my kids yearned to run outside and feel it falling. I made them put on their coats first. This took just enough time for the snow to stop. They've never let me forget these incidents. And I could just kick myself in hindsight. Forgive me my wonderful sons, and learn from my mistakes.
That was old me, so focused on structure and their health that I sometimes missed opportunities for playfulness and joy, both of which, incidentally, nurture us and keep us healthy through the powerful mind-body connection.
New me recognizes how short life is and how precious feel-good moments are. Just recently, I took up dance again, something I adored growing up. Dancing makes me feel creative, fully present and alive. It has reconnected me with my inner child and has provided opportunities to make new friends. What inspires joy in you?
1. Turns out we can actually predict our own vitality based on many behaviors and choices. Take the following test, from the folks behind the Blue Zones research, to look at your health from a very integrative perspective and get an awareness-building reminder of how to live life more fully: https://apps.bluezones.com/en/vitality
Note: There is so much more to health than just diet and exercise. When we look at research on the Blue Zones – the 7 areas in the world where people live the longest – it tells us something interesting. Not only do these centenarians eat healthful, whole foods, walk outside daily, and work on the land, but they also socialize often, play games together and appreciate life in community. All of these factors, from communing with nature and friends to experiencing play, are fundamental to our wellbeing and vitality.
2. Make a commitment to your own inner child and vitality! Watch a meteor shower, get out in nature, connect with friends, dance, sing, whatever magic calls to you and enlivens you.
3. Hike the trails and take this easy, delicious trail mix with you, below.
Protein Trail Mix
The egg white lends extra protein goodness and satisfying crunchiness to this grain free granola. You can experiment with the recipe by adding other spices such as curry or sprinkle with your favorite protein powder once it's cooked.
Print Recipe
1 c almonds
1 c hazelnuts
1 c pecans
1/3 c pumpkin seeds
1/3 c sunflower seeds
1/2 c flaxseed meal
1 large egg white
1/4 c coconut oil, melted
1 t vanilla
1 T maple syrup
1 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t Himalayan salt
1/8 t ground cardamom
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a food processor, quick-pulse almonds and hazelnuts 3-4 times to get large pieces. Add pecans, which are softer nuts, and pulse again to get large pecan pieces. Add remaining ingredients and pulse just to combine. Make sure not to over process; you want larger pieces in there.
Use rubber spatula to combine contents and make sure wet ingredients are evenly distributed. Pour nut mixture onto baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Cool completely to let it crisp up; then break into pieces. Dust with additional pinch of salt if desired.
That was old me, so focused on structure and their health that I sometimes missed opportunities for playfulness and joy, both of which, incidentally, nurture us and keep us healthy through the powerful mind-body connection.
New me recognizes how short life is and how precious feel-good moments are. Just recently, I took up dance again, something I adored growing up. Dancing makes me feel creative, fully present and alive. It has reconnected me with my inner child and has provided opportunities to make new friends. What inspires joy in you?
1. Turns out we can actually predict our own vitality based on many behaviors and choices. Take the following test, from the folks behind the Blue Zones research, to look at your health from a very integrative perspective and get an awareness-building reminder of how to live life more fully: https://apps.bluezones.com/en/vitality
Note: There is so much more to health than just diet and exercise. When we look at research on the Blue Zones – the 7 areas in the world where people live the longest – it tells us something interesting. Not only do these centenarians eat healthful, whole foods, walk outside daily, and work on the land, but they also socialize often, play games together and appreciate life in community. All of these factors, from communing with nature and friends to experiencing play, are fundamental to our wellbeing and vitality.
2. Make a commitment to your own inner child and vitality! Watch a meteor shower, get out in nature, connect with friends, dance, sing, whatever magic calls to you and enlivens you.
3. Hike the trails and take this easy, delicious trail mix with you, below.
Protein Trail Mix
The egg white lends extra protein goodness and satisfying crunchiness to this grain free granola. You can experiment with the recipe by adding other spices such as curry or sprinkle with your favorite protein powder once it's cooked.
Print Recipe
1 c almonds
1 c hazelnuts
1 c pecans
1/3 c pumpkin seeds
1/3 c sunflower seeds
1/2 c flaxseed meal
1 large egg white
1/4 c coconut oil, melted
1 t vanilla
1 T maple syrup
1 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t Himalayan salt
1/8 t ground cardamom
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a food processor, quick-pulse almonds and hazelnuts 3-4 times to get large pieces. Add pecans, which are softer nuts, and pulse again to get large pecan pieces. Add remaining ingredients and pulse just to combine. Make sure not to over process; you want larger pieces in there.
Use rubber spatula to combine contents and make sure wet ingredients are evenly distributed. Pour nut mixture onto baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Cool completely to let it crisp up; then break into pieces. Dust with additional pinch of salt if desired.