Be Oscar-Beautiful… With A Healthy Lymph System!

Photo courtesy of osteodiet.com

Hey Guys!

I’m back in NY at the moment and I’m writing to you from my favorite tea place here in the Village- it’s called the Tea Spot and has a million loose-leaf teas to choose from. I rotate around the Rooibos collection and tonight I’m having a pot of the pumpkin flavor. I need to use their internet because it’s not turned on anymore in my apt. of course, since I haven’t lived here in over 8 months! It is great to be back and feel all the energy in the streets of New York! I feel home! And want to know a secret? No, I’m not watching the Oscars tonight. 🙂 I’ll just see who won tomorrow.

So, let’s talk about something more exciting than the Oscars! 🙂 Our lymph system! Why is it more exciting? Because of just focusing on others’ beauty, your lymph system can help support YOUR natural beauty and help you look your best! What is lymph and what is its purpose? Lymph bathes all the cells of our body (except our nails and hair). It is a fluid substance composed of white blood cells, proteins and phagocytes. A specific and important part of our lymph system- the cerebrospinal fluid- cushions the brain and spinal cord and helps protect them.

Lymph circulates through our body and its tissues, picking up fats, bacteria, and toxins, filtering these substances out through the lymphatic system. At the same time, it bathes our cells in oxygen and nutrients- which is a very important function to help us reach our optimal beauty! Proper circulation of the lymph is important for immune health, though there is no pump to circulate the lymph (unlike blood). The quality of our lymph fluid is very important, as it helps maintain our mental and physical well-being. It is renewed and exchanged by fine capillaries of blood vessels.

Lymph also helps us maintain our physical balance. Our ears channels contain lymph and their changing levels and pressure is connected to sensitive nerves which send impulses so the brain and spinal column, helping us balance and maintain our physical equilibrium.

In order to maintain our youthfulness, perfect resilience and balance we need to keep our lymph system and the blood vessels that supply it clean and free of impactions. What causes impactions? Refined starches is a biggie- namely the highly problematic family of white flours and white sugars. They create unstable glucose levels and stress our lymph systems. Cooked fats and especially animal fats are also a doozie to our lymph system, since fats are collected from the intestines by lymph nodes and are converted into a fine emulsion. They are then passed through the lymph channels to the thoracic duct- which is the main lymph channel in the throat, and then transmitted into the bloodstream. Natural and raw fats such as avocados can be emulsified quickly and effectively and used for fuel and lubrication throughout the body. But cooked and fried fats are much harder and complicated to emulsify, and end up clogging up our systems so that the fat can stay in the circulation of the blood sometimes for hours after eating it.

Eating natural whole foods-mostly greens, other vegetables and fruits- are the foods that will help support our lymph system, keeping us stay healthy and beautiful. Exercise, especially bouncing on a trampoline, and deep breathing will also support efficient lymph circulation.

Have an inspiring and beautiful start to your week! Use all that unlimited power you already have with you to go after those goals!!!

Love, Kimberly

Hall Pass Movie Photoshoot!

Hi Guys!

This coming Friday the 25th HallPass is coming out, starring Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis, which is one of my favorite movies I’ve ever worked on (as the nutritionist- not an actor of course!). It is going to be hilarious and you must all go see it!!

I happened to be around the day of the photoshoot (Bringing Owen his Glowing Green Smoothie), and since both Owen and Jason know me and were comfortable with me, the photographer thought it would be a brilliant idea to use me as an “eyeline” for the photoshoot. So next thing I knew, I was marching around up and down on set so great, natural pictures could be taken of the guys!

It was just impossible for me to not crack up and stop laughing with Owen and Jason- their facial expressions and little comments were tooooo funny. 🙂 I love them, and you will love the movie! So go check out Hall Pass this Friday Feb. 25th or Saturday the 26th!!

Lots of love,

Kimberly

Health-Related Interpretation of Mantra

Look at these amazing hummingbirds! We took these shots at the trading post at Indian Canyons. They are such a beautiful symbol of freedom, being able to fly in all directions, without any restraint.

 

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

May All Beings Be Happy and Free

Hey Guys,

Though I have heard this popular Sanskrit yoga chant for years, as I was chanting it lately (it was in my head after the Donna de Lory concert, as she has whole extended song chants of it!), I had a different perspective on it for the first time. It’s really interesting how we can hear something thousands of times, but as we change it can suddenly resonate very differently to us. And thus is the beauty of Sanskrit mantras having the power to reveal so much to us about ourselves at any particular moment.

We all have our own idea of happiness. To me it is that inner joy that wells up from our heart and pours out. It is about being in a place that might not be perfect but where we are totally content and at peace. I have always thought of freedom in a literal sense- having the freedom to go where we want, when we want, and not be obstructed. I loved traveling the world, at my own pace and on my own path. Now I love the pace of movement in my life and with my work, and how every day and every week is very different. It really works for me!

But now I also have a new meaning of freedom: health. When we’re in our teens we can take health for granted and not really understand what a blessing good health is. I used to never really make the connection between freedom and health But now I see how many people have various challenges on optimal health, experience inferior energy, or constantly worry about deteriorating health. That can really limit our freedom and cause suffering , because suddenly there are physical restraints and worries and limitations. Since the mind and body are completely connected ill health not only impacts what we can physically perform, but also impacts our thoughts and mental wellness. So in other words if we aren’t healthy we can never truly be free.

The mantra includes “all beings”, meaning that we all have the responsibility to share with each other and help one another achieve this freedom, in any which way. And of course now I am talking specifically about the freedom found from superior health. Maybe there is someone you could help make a healthy meal for (or pass on some extra Glowing Green Smoothie! 🙂 ) or gently and positively share some health information you have that they might not.

We all have so much inner power to make the world and all beings in it much happier and achieve more freedom, which in turn will increase our happiness and freedom.

Have an inspirational day and see you soon!

With deep love,

Kimberly

Happy Valentine’s Day! A Couple Special Picks for You

Sending love out and hiking today in Topanga Valley!

Hey Guys,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Though every day is a day for love, today I especially wish you extra love and gratitude!

Need some last minute Valentine ideas or add-ons?! Here are some of my picks for you on this special day of love:

Music: Donna de Lory- I went to a private recording/concert Saturday night, and it was great! She toured and was Madonna’s backup singer for years, then went on her own to pursue a solo career. I think she describes her music as “devotional world beat”, and her songs are both in English and Sanskrit. She is a channel for love through her silky, smooth voice.

You can download some of her soft and dreamy tracks from iTunes. Perfect for some romantic or relaxing time at home!

Chocolate: Of course on V-day there will be inevitably be some chocolate around somewhere, somehow. Check out the organic delicious dark varieties from Dagoba or Big Tree Farms (also sustainable).

Fair Trade Flowers: Since 80% of cut flowers are grown outside the US, fair trade flowers ensures that these farms get a fair price for their flowers, the environment is treated well and the workers receive fair wages. Because of Fair Trade, communities can reap the benefits of global trade while building sustainable social, economic, and environmental business practices. Check out One World Flowers as a great source!

Organic wine: For a nice glass of wine, why not sip one that is organic and without any added sulfites? Check out Frey Vineyards, which is America’s first organic vineyard and also incorporates biodynamic practices. Sulfites are synthetic preservatives which can cause allergic reactions and headaches.

Charity Gift Cards: What’s more romantic than giving for good and to help others? Instead of buying a paper card, why not send a charity e-card, donating to a cause of your choice. Check out the Charity Gift card site.

Have a wonderful day! And lots of LOVE!

Kimberly

Quick Tip to Minimize Aging Oxidation

Photo courtesy of cooking.com

Hey Guys!

I wanted to write to you this morning because I was blessed with a little extra time today from my clients. Yay!

I was thinking of this topic yesterday as I was preparing some food. In general we want to limit adding in any and all oils in our diet because they are dense fats, and if we eat foods like avocados, sprouted seeds and nuts, acai, coconut, etc. we are getting natural oils in the whole foods.

Oils such as olive oil and grapeseed oil are fragile and we need to treat and store them with care to preserve their healthy properties and ensure they don’t start to oxidize and become rancid (aka rotten), thereby forming aging free radicals and destroying precious antioxidants.

Since oils are light sensitive, we should buy oils in dark containers (NOT like the picture above!) and store them fully out of the light, like in a cool, dark cabinet or the like. We should buy oils in tinted class or stainless steel containers- which are non-reactive. Do not buy cheaper oils that are stored in plastic, as toxic compounds like polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs) can leach into the oil.

But I want to point out that oil is also air-sensitive! Exposure to air will also cause oils to oxidize. That means, when we are cooking or using some oil, we should pour out and use what we need, then immediately recap the bottle. We don’t want to let the bottle sit out for any amount of time, for instance say 10 minutes to use in something else  from an already open bottle! A really good habit to help prevent oxidation is simply capping all oils immediately.

Have a great weekend and see you soon!

Love, Kimberly

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Beautiful cacti in Indian Canyons!

Sacred Land

Hey Guys!

So I wanted to share this stunningly beautiful part of California with you where I was a few days ago: Indian Canyons in Palm Springs. It is made up of Palm, Andreas and Murray Canyons, which are full of rocky gorges and formations, natural date palms, streams, and lots of amazing wildlife and natural plants and shrubs. I really fell in love with it- and in fact, I can’t wait to go back!

The land is sacred and was once inhabited by the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians. Because of the abundant water supply and fertile land, they lived off the land by growing crops of melons, squash, bans and corn, gathered plants, practiced natural medicine, and wove baskets. They lived in complete harmony with the land and had complete respect for the earth.

I could definitely feel the spirit of the Cahuilla while I was there- who thrived there for so many years. It is such a spiritual, beautiful place for hiking, meditating, and wildlife-watching. I’m so glad there are sacred places like this that are preserved.

In love and natural health,

Kimberly

Birthday from Up Above!

Hi Guys!

So yesterday was indeed my birthday. No I’m not fishing for tons of belated bday wishes. 🙂 Rather I wanted to share with you the new and exciting thing I did yesterday for the very first time: A hot air balloon ride! While I’ve been fortunate to have many wonderful adventures- sky-diving, shark diving, etc. etc. I’ve never actually been in a hot air balloon. And there is nothing I love more than a new adventure!

I also thought it would be fitting with so many exciting things coming this way for me this year. I wanted to have the feeling of floating up past boundaries and into the sky- just as all of our dreams have limitless potential! We went at sunrise rather than sunset, which also signified new beginnings for the new year ahead.

I also think hot air ballooning is very interesting. When I asked our captain Will, who is ranked #16 in the world in balloon racing BTW :), which way we would be going, he replied, “I have no idea. In a hot air balloon you only go up, down and where the wind takes you.” I love that response!!! We caught some winds, but Will did steer a little bit. We had the vans following us from below, to meet us in the field we landed in. Actually we landed right on a road! Thankfully it was pretty deserted, with very few cars!

And so it is with life. We have control over our feelings going “up” by being positive, making the most of things, spending time with our meditation and spiritual practices, etc. But he “wind,” aka life, takes us wherever… we don’t have complete control. But with our positive energy and being clear on what we want, I believe we do attract the right “winds” that take us towards where we want to go. To me, that is one of the most exciting aspects of life! We have the power to co-create our life, along with the universe.

We had 2 big propane tanks and when we started, and periodically, Will would just fan up the flame! It was pretty loud.

We also took off so quickly! One minute the dudes below were holding the ropes, then the next thing I knew we had floated up thousands of feet! The only thing that seemed a little scary to me was that the bottom of the balloon basket was just a thinnish layer of wood, with a few circular holes etched in it here and there, so you could see all the way down. It wasn’t the most solid “floor” I could have imagined!

Watching the sunrise over the Coachella Valley, east of LA, was just beautiful, and inspirational.

This is the other balloon that went up with us. I like the smiley face on the top!

But with Will we were on the more “serious” racing balloon, one that had only been up once before us! He was a very spirited character, shall we say. 🙂

And there’s nothing like having a mimosa (or a few sips of one!) at 6: 30 am on your birthday morning! 🙂

Have a great week!!!

Love, from my heart chakra to yours,

Kimberly

My Favorite Ingredient of the Moment…

Stretching for the light, just like we all do! I saw this adorable little guy last weekend here in LA...

Taken this evening, as I was preparing some collard green wraps.

Hey Loves!

I hope you are having a wonderful week so far and Happy February! I may be a bit impartial, but February is one of my favorite months. Actually it is my b-day month. 🙂 I love it all! That plus Valentine’s Day… it’s a month full of extra LOVE!

Some girls have a product obsession of the moment- and well, yes I have those too. But seeing as I’m a nutritionist and working with and preparing food for clients on a daily basis, I of course naturally have my favorite ingredient obsessions of the moment as well! Right now it is… da da da daaaaaaa….. Mint! Yes,  beautiful, fresh, bright mint!

Mint is widely recognized as an herb to sooth the digestive tract, and helps ease irritable bowel syndrome and stomach aches. Mint is great for digestion in general as its aroma activates our salivary glands to secrete digestive enzymes, thereby facilitating digestion. Its sent also helps with headaches and nausea.

Mint also has wonderful anti-fungal properties and help balance inner mycotoxins which can aggravate asthma and various allergies. It helps open up congestion through the respiratory tract, while cooling and soothing at the same time. Mint contains a potent phytonutrient called perillyl alcohol, which has been shown to have anti-cancer benefits in lab studies.

Lastly, I will point out that mint is yet another beauty herb, as its properties extend to cleansing the blood, thereby helping to cleanse the skin internally, which helps to fight acne. Annoying and unsightly zits be gone!!

What to do with mint? Here are a few of my favorite ways to bring it into our diets:

1.     Make fresh mint tea, sweet Egyptian-style! Check out my blog on it HERE.

2.     Incorporate fresh mint leaves into collard green wraps.

3.     Add a bit of fresh mint, well chopped, into salads.

Simple, but easy! It’s another wonderful plant food to add to our repertoire!

See you soon.

I send my love. 🙂

Kimberly

Hiking last weekend!