When out of balance, we can feel frazzled & overwhelmed. We can lose focus and feel out of control.

I decided to feature the 7 that feel most impactful for me on my 47th birthday.

I’d tell him that this next chapter seems more daunting at the moment than when he saw me with the babies.

If we want to live a healthy, fulfilling, peaceful life, it is imperative that we take time to pause to reset the Qi.

In 5 days, we will reconnect with our senses, our nourishment, our movement, our thoughts and intuition.

Before there was just silence, we managed to tell her one more time that we loved her. 

And just like that, I let go of whatever story I had in my head about these super active people who seemed tormented.

The question is, how much do we want to access and utilize this gift of intuition. 

When we ignore its signs and nudges, we usually suffer more negative consequences, and sometimes lasting ones.

The mind is there for us to work with, manipulate and mold, like a block of clay to a potter. 

From that moment on, I felt an ease in my step. I was no longer anxious to see my family.

I decided to scrap the whole thing because it was feeling unnecessarily hard.

It was June, 2014. I was in the middle of intensive week long in person hypnotherapy training that met all day, everyday.

Eventually our sobs and moans quieted. He reached his hand out to find mine, and whispered:

They are tight not because they shrunk; they are tight because I had gained some weight over the past year. 

So I can’t blame Margaret when she recently offered all the negative thoughts surrounding my tight shorts. 

I suddenly had different feelings about them when they didn’t slide up smoothly as before. 

Trying to do something or be someone that is not aligned with who I am never felt right, so why should I try? 

I used to identify myself as a perfectionist, believing that it was a good thing to be, something to strive for.

May 12, 2014 was when I officially started my own private practice in Ohio.

How else, besides getting acupuncture, can we ascertain that Qi flows as much as possible?

When using acupuncture, we choose acupuncture points that unblock Qi stagnation.

Coaches can certainly change lives. These particular ones did not just change our kids’ lives, they helped MOLD them. 

Have you written off someone or something completely only to have it resurface as a boon in your life?

I was unsure of what she meant until she literally moved my pencil from my left hand to my right.

So TB is only my current “case study” on how powerful the human mind can be.

It’s become a way to connect, a topic to discuss, a simple vehicle to bond. 

When I tapped into it, it felt like entering a new world of possibilities, knowledge, entertainment, education, and even friends.

Having a dog that I thought I had to walk 3 times a day made me a more disciplined person I had always wanted to be. 

On a cold and snowy January day, the four of us excitedly drove out to meet the possible new family member.

I came back down to earth and joyfully made these muffins for my family – a permanent job I will always be grateful for.

It was one of the first things that solidified our love for each other, for food, for sharing a dish we love with…yes,  anchovies!

It’s the juxtaposition experiencing the joy of seeing your children successfully moving forward on their journey and the sorrow of no longer being needed by them. 

While it’s been fun to learn, many years later, I no longer have an answer to why we are here.

I learned how to play mahjong for the first time a few months ago with some old friends in California.

I didn’t grow up with many hugs from my parents, friends or other loved ones. 

It was Spring time in New England, my first one as a foreign student in America.

You can call it a dare, a challenge, a silly goal, but we think of it as a way to grow our uncomfortable muscle stronger.

I took a whole year break from chocolate. I stopped eating all sweets for weeks or months. I created challenges to follow for myself and my community.

When you or anyone else is on your team, you have the same intention and goal of keeping the team “winning” which may look like anything that creates your definition of success.

My favorite dish at the Thanksgiving table has always been cranberry sauce. I would have every bite include a tiny bit (or a lot) of cranberry sauce if possible! Sometimes I wonder if I like it that much because of its taste, or is it more sentimental? I didn’t grow up with cranberries – they […]

This recipe is a good one! It’s versatile and can stand on its own, or be a star side dish at any table – fancy or not. It is one of those dishes that is almost too pretty to eat.

With a few ingredients that you may already have in your pantry, this recipe comes together in minutes. It serves a nice portion for 3-4 people. Add berries, a little cinnamon or just eat it alone. You won’t regret it!

The wonderful thing about all of it is that… this relationship is designed, decided, and controlled by me and only me! The baked goods have no say, nor should they. Sweet or sour, I get to be in charge. 

I pretty much grabbed whatever vegetables I had, thawed the salmon, mixed some curry paste (leftover) with coconut milk… and voila, a dish that’s actually worth sharing with your friends!

Fried rice, when done right, is beyond rice. This means, it’s even better than regular plain rice because it’s got all the extras that elevate the rice itself.

Either I wanted to live up to her comment of me, or it’s just how I was programmed, I am a good eater. I will try anything, especially, any vegetables. 

Even though we were all born intuitive eaters, we were not all raised intuitive eaters. The body may know and remember, but our mind has to practice being intuitive again.

Chia pudding is relatively new in my repertoire, and I was not always a fan. But I am all about easy, simple things I can make myself with what I have on hand. 

One of my favorite teachers I learn from is Byron Katie. Her words ring true, and need to be remembered on a regular basis: When we fight with reality, we always lose.

Even though my first cuisine is Thai, and it sure holds a special place in my heart, Japanese food brings comfort, and all the umami flavors one could ask for. 

Sometimes, life can be that simple. Bake a cake, just because. 

I think you should, too. Especially THIS cake. That’s all I will say. As simple as that! 

When I was accidentally dieting (because I seriously didn’t know it – most people don’t), I would think about what foods will help me lose weight, how much I should eat to lose weight, when to eat so I lose weight, etc. 

I felt liberated with this permission, and glad to be eating everything with my family again. I doubt they noticed the change, but they did stop asking if I would join them – because they knew I would.

I’ve made this salad many many times, and each time, I’m not only grateful for the gift that continues to give, I’m just grateful that there’s a recipe for a salad that our whole family loves.

If you aren’t, it’s possible that you didn’t eat what you actually wanted to eat. You may have eaten on a run, or eaten what you “should” have eaten… but not really want you WANTED to eat.

This is a really simple way to make a dish that explodes with Thai flavors without requiring exotic ingredients.

If you want to return to our natural way of being which will help you to return to your natural body weight as it was meant to be, then we have to do some unraveling, and re-learning. 

THIS recipe is special in that it uses two ingredients that aren’t common and yet they make two humble sad looking bananas into something quite magical. You will just have to try it for yourself!

We’re getting to know each other better, Sage and I. It’s like a long lost friend I’ve rediscovered. It’s as if no time has passed because we know each other really well. 

When your kids beg you to make a salad, you oblige, with glee. 

This is that salad!

My intuition knew I didn’t have a problem, so I would struggle even more because my mind wanted something different than my body. 

This is the cake that I make for them on their half birthday which just happened. It’s simple, but delicious, and comes together so quickly. It’s from Molly Wizenberg’s first book: A Homemade Life.

The best things in life are simple. 

Don’t you agree?

Take pesto. It’s a combination of a few really good ingredients that can be enjoyed in so many ways.

When the clouds parted and I decided to leave the traffic circle of dieting, I returned to what made me and my body feel good.

I was surprised at how 4 ingredients can make these most decadent cookies ever!

It’s embarrassing and vulnerable for me to share it because somehow I feel like I still should not have a weight story. 

Those times have past, thankfully, and I now enjoy pasta when I want. Life is so much easier and more pleasurable with it in my life. 

The reason we do anything is because we choose to do it. 

The reason we do anything is because how we think it will make us feel. 

Last week, my business coach asked me a question that I’m still pondering. 

It’s seriously the only question we all need. 

Too much information creates overwhelm. It prevents you from making a decision – especially when you might not HAVE to.

My daughter is proving to be a night owl.There are some days when she will have just turned off her lights to go to bed as I am about to turn on mine as I wake.

When we have a craving for certain foods, it feels as if we have no control over our actions. Cravings feel urgent, and important.

In honor of the No Sugar Challenge Summer Reset, I created this recipe with overripe bananas hanging around the kitchen. 

What if we just ask ourselves what enough means to us? What if it’s different from other people’s enough? What if we get the freedom to decide for ourselves?

Instead of denying oneself of certain foods, the practice mindful eating allows us to eat all foods.

Eating should not be complicated. And yet for some people, it is the most complicated part of their existence. Breaking down the different types of eating can be helpful.

If our body were a vehicle, overeating is over-fueling at the gas station. When was the last time you did that – putting TOO MUCH gas into your car?

It is a fact that our brain only feeds on glucose, the form of sugar that gives it energy to function. Without sugar, we would cease to exist.

Of course, the conversation flowed to food. I happen to enjoy Nepalese food, although I am no expert.

One of the ways that I show love and compassion with the people I love is through preparing and sharing food.

“If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” It occurred to me that staying ready is a conscious action.

Before we go into how we can change our eating habits, let’s look at why we have certain ones that we hold on to for dear life.

Our family has a tradition of setting intentions for the new year on New Year’s eve.

We just spent 10 lovely days in Japan, with many memorable family time, and countless delicious meals…

Here on my blog and in my practice, mindful eating is about how we approach food…

A recent New York Times article listed 5 healthy habits that prove to help people live longer…

I love food.
I love everything about food…