Summer: A Love Story

photos via Food: A Love Story

In my google travels this morning, I stumbled upon the delightful blog Food: A Love Story.  Based in the principles of Ayurveda, the blog has a whole section explaining how to maximize seasonal energy for optimal health.  About summer, Laura writes:

Because Pitta, or excess heat, burns, causing depletion and deterioration, Ayurveda intelligently suggests that we calm and cool ourselves in the summer.  The best way we can do this is to decelerate.  This is certainly the time, as age-old tradition has it, for holidays and shorter work weeks.  It is the season, too, to really stop and smell the roses.

I have been feeling this way big time.  For me the urge to slow down manifests itself as a desire to simplify everything: meals, workouts, commitments.  (Remember last summer we did the Simple Summer Strip Down???)  How do you slow down for summer??  Do you take longer vacations??  Weekend beach trips??  Do you relax in the evening with a glass of Pinot Grigio while watching the sunset??  Hop on over to the Happy Healthy Belly Facebook page and share your summer rituals!  

-♥ J :)

P.S.  Don't you wish we had the whole month of August off the way they do in Italy??

P.P.S.  Will definitely be trying Laura's Avocado Dressing.

P.P.P.S.  Speaking of simplification...

The Right Stuff

This article about a couple living in a 240 square foot apartment got me thinking about stuff.  When explaining how she and her husband maintain a clutter-free existence in such a small space, writer photographer Erin Boyle said, "..the rule of thumb is to only accumulate things that you really love."

I think that is why I am drawn to small living spaces.  (Remember this tiny home??)  Nothing like a lack of storage to force a person to choose what is important.  There is literally no room for the extraneous.  Also, paring down possessions leaves more room in life for life.  The time, money and energy spent cleaning, repairing, protecting, packing, storing, hauling, selling and maintaining stuff now is freed up for loftier pursuits like...you know…living.

-♥ J :)

P.S.  My favorite minimalist loft.
P.P.S.  My favorite minimalist cartoon.

Happy Fourth, Veggies!!!

photo via Engine 2 Diet

How cute is this fruit kabob flag from Engine 2 Diet??  When you make it, be sure to squeeze a little bit of lemon over the bananas to keep them from browning.  Have a great holiday!!

-♥ J :)

P.S.  This Tangy Raw Broccoli Salad looks good, too.  I would make it with unsweetened coconut yogurt.

Zero Waste Fashion

photos via Zero Waste Home

Determined to prove that chic and eco-chic are not mutually exclusive, Bea Johnson is doing a summer long Mini-wardrobe Fave Challenge. (Remember previous challenges: the striped shirt and the red dress??) Inspired by this YouTube video, the Zero Waste Home mastermind has challenged herself to find 50 different ways to wear the same men's dress shirt.  Gotta love a lady who loves fashion as much as she loves the Earth.

-♥ J

P.S. For more fashion pics and earth friendly tips follow Bea on Twitter.

P.P.S  For more Zero Waste Tips click HERE.

Play with your vegetables.

Check out these awesome temporary vegetable tattoos by Tattly.  Mom friends, don't you think these would be a great way to get kids interested in vegetables?  I think they are just the cutest.  It's not weird for a grown woman to wear fake vegetable tattoos, right??  Right???

-♥ J

(Via Swiss Miss)

P.S. Speaking of cute....look what Shelley brought me back from her latest comedy gig:

I'm pretty sure they are meant to be Christmas ornaments, but you better believe they will be hanging in my house all year long.  Thanks again, Shelley!!  So sweet of you!!!

Because some days need a little of this...

You rule, Louis C.K.!!

-♥ J :)

"How to" have a good weekend

 DIY wine charm and cupcake tower from Charli's wedding.

One of my favorite summers was the summer before Charli's wedding.  Since Char is a arsty, craft goddess, her wedding was super DIY and I got to help craft everything from wine charms, to cupcake towers and white decorative orbs.  (Orbs got nixed in the end due to time constraints…each one took an hour to make!)  Something about summer makes me want to get my craft on.  Maybe it was all those years at summer camp trolling the art room for lanyard and beads.  In honor of your summer craft god or goddess, here are some "How to's " to get you started.  Have a fun weekend!!

-♥ J :)

• How to make a necklace.
• How to pack 10 days in one carry on.
• How to get unstuck.
• How to drink an orange.
• How to apply your makeup.
• How to fight inflammation.
• How to wear a men's shirt.
• How to love one another.

Because some days need a little of this...

You rule, Jessica!!

-♥ J :)

Have a colorful weekend!!!

In college, I had a dance teacher who when asked if she followed any particular diet replied: "Colors.  I eat colors.  Colors are key."  This advice was lost on my 18 year old self.  "What a weirdo," I joked with my friends.  "Next she is going to tell us to eat unicorn fur!!  Ha Ha!!  She doesn't know what she is talking abou….hey is that fat-free pound cake??  Pass that over here!!"  Turns out, in a time before juice cleanses and raw-vegan-gluten-free everything, my teacher was doling out some pretty sage advice.  If I could go back in time, I would tell young, clueless me to put down the bagel (and the frozen yogurt and the NoDoz) and listen to Regina.  I would also tell myself to stop cutting bangs.

-♥ J :)

P.S. A little weekend reading…

• Wow.  Need to get me some coconut oil.
• 20 ways to create a fit environment.
• Finally a use for the leftover pulp from juicing.
• Subway going vegan??
• Oooh…this could be dangerous.
• The last diet you'll ever need.
• 10 habits to quit if you want to be happy.

Pobody's Nerfect

photo via Burn and Build Body blog

When I first saw the photo above, I thought it was a "before and after" for a new 90 day fitness program or some fad diet.  Imagine my surprise when I realized this "transformation" was actually the handiwork of makeup artist Gina Brooks.  In the article Beautiful Illusions, Gina explains how she was asked by a photographer to create the illusion of a "very fit and muscular body." Gina accomplished this task entirely with the use of makeup.  "We strive for beauty and to be beautiful often using the models in magazines as our ideal vision of beauty," Gina writes.  "It's good to take a 'behind the scenes' look at how that perfect beauty is often created."  In a world inundated with images of physical perfection, it is important to remember that more often than not these images are simply the work of smoke and mirrors.  Or in this case, makeup and a sharp razor.

-♥ J :)

P.S. Remember this ad???

It's funny 'cause it's true...

Have a great weekend, Veggies!!!

-♥ J :)

P.S. A little weekend reading...

• Which cities have the healthiest eaters??
• No excuses.
• This guy went from fit to fat to fit.  On purpose.
• Good tips on summer snacking.
• Post pregnancy bellies.
• Is sugar toxic??
• Lessons for your younger self.
• Have you seen this show??  It's wonderful!  Check out a full episode HERE.

Meditation: Before and After

photos via Mind Body Green

Remember when I was wondering if meditation "did anything"???  These photos by Peter Seidler sure make a case for "yes."  In this article on Mind Body Green, Seidler talks about his photo project Contemplatives, "a visual exploration of the physiological qualities of meditation practice."  For the project, the subjects had their pictures taken before and after a month long meditation retreat.  Before each photo they were asked to consider what they were looking for from their practice.  They sure do look glow-y and zen in the afters.  What do you think???  

-♥ J :)

P.S. You can check out the whole article HERE.

Summer Lovin'

Ooooh, Veggies.  I have such a case of summer fever!!  I am so happy Memorial Day weekend is finally here!!  The next couple of days are filled with fun, mellow holiday weekend activities like brunch, barbecues and meet ups with friends.  (I might even sneak a couple of these in this weekend.)  I'm also going to use the extra day off to catch up on some busy work.  I'll be filming another video for Happy Healthy Belly TV, donating some things to Goodwill and getting a jump on the last leg of the (never-ending) detox I started.  Next week I'll cover Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet.  Truth be told I am WAY over this detox, but I wanted to be sure I gave Kris's book its due since I think it's fantastic!!!  Whatever your plans, I hope your weekend is happy and healthy!!

-♥ J :)

P.S.  A little weekend reading...

• Mmmmm….gorp.
• Smog comes from cows.
• Good info on Celiac Disease.
• How to be content.
• Gretchen's (incomplete) path to happy and healthy.
• Changing life one habit at a time.
• Oooh…might be time to make this again.
• Be kind to each other.

Picture of Procrastination

I'm supposed to be doing this:

photos via Whole Living Pinterest 

But instead I've been hanging out on the Whole Living Pinterest page.  Not one to procrastinate alone, I thought I'd share my new obsession with you.  The Whole Living page has SO many fun, pretty, inspirational healthy living pictures!  SO many!  Why, I do believe a girl could waste quite a chunk of time pouring over all the yumminess.  Umm...I do believe this girl did waste quite a chunk of time.  

-♥ J :)

P.S.  FYI...be sure to check out the Crazy for Quinoa and Healthy Smoothies boards.  You won't be sorry.  Well...I mean...you might be if you had planned on accomplishing something this afternoon. ;)

My mom sent me this picture...

Thanks, Mom!!!  Have a great weekend, Veggies!!!

-♥ J :)

P.S.  A little weekend reading…

• Do you have too much stuff??
• Kick sugar to the curb.
• Good tips for keeping work simple.
• Appearance or accomplishments??
• An interesting take on that Time cover.
• How Alexandra stopped being sick and tired.
• I love Aaron Sorkin.
• How to live well.

Every day is Earth Day

“Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it -- every, every minute?” 

― Thornton Wilder, Our Town

-♥ J :)

P.S.  Earth Day tips HERE and HERE. 
P.P.S. Earth Day video courtesy of John Highsmith Photography.

Happy Healthy Belly TV: How to Make Broccoli

I made this video for my mom.  She insists on microwaving her broccoli even though I've told her (and told her) that there is an easy, delicious way to make frozen broccoli in just 5 minutes without using the microwave.  So, I decided to make this video to prove exactly how easy it is.  In fact, it is SO easy that you may find yourself thinking, "Really??  You made a video about that???"  Yes.  Yes, I did.  Warning:  In the video I talk with my mouth full and do The Robot.  I'm not sure which is more offensive…

-♥ J :)

P.S.  Love you, Mom!!!

Five Minute Broccoli
Ingredients:

• 1 bag of frozen organic broccoli
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 lemon
• olive oil 
• lemon pepper

Directions:

1. Pour frozen broccoli in a skillet with lid (like THIS ONE) and cover with1/4 cup water.
2. Cover with lid and set stovetop to med/high heat.
3. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. When time is up, turn off the stove.
5. Add olive oil, lemon and lemon pepper to taste.
6. Eat and enjoy!

Happy Healthy Birthday Belly!!!

Happy Birthday, little blog!!  I can't believe you are a year old already!!  Time sure does fly when you are making vegetables.  Thank you, sweet readers, for all of your warm, encouraging comments over the past year.  My birthday wish for all of you is good health, good luck and much happiness!!! Oh, and green juice...buckets of green juice.

-♥ J :)

Ballet Beautiful, indeed.

After I saw this video on Cup of Jo yesterday, I immediately ordered these DVDs from Ballet Beautiful.  I've wanted them for a while, but had resisted because of the workout video ban.  Finally, I could resist no more.  What can I say??  Ballet is my kryptonite.  

-♥ J :)

P.S. More ballet.
P.P.S.  I've been threatening one for a while now, but I think the time has finally come.  Have your fun this weekend, Veggies, because Spring Detox starts on Monday.  Woo-hoo!!!  Check back in this weekend for my detox shopping list.

Getting some zzzZZen

photo via Insadco Photography/Alamy

Until last night, meditation had only ever put me to sleep.  Not the "Oh, how quaint I dozed off for a few minutes" kind of sleep, but rather the "I passed out and missed half the afternoon" kind of sleep.  Having dutifully tried and repeatedly failed, I had pretty much decided that meditation was not for me.  That is until last night.  Last night I watched Oprah's one hour special about a community in Iowa and its leading role in the Transcendental Meditation movement.  It was while watching this program that I felt the most unexpected and profound shift in consciousness.  It was a shift that could only be described as…incomprehensible rage.

"This is so stupid!!" I heckled.  "How could that work!!   We're really supposed to believe that just SITTING THERE and doing nothing changes your life.  That doesn't make any sense.  Why would that work???"  John wasn't taking the bait.  By now, he has learned that when the Crazy Train leaves the station you don't jump in front of it.  You let the wack-a-doo in the living room rant and rave until she tires herself out.  But last night, I wasn't tired...