“If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.” – Win Borden

Upon leaving teaching dance full time to be a mom and explore my other passions, like teaching yoga and making malas – I spent a lot of time playing. A lot of time tinkering, experimenting, journaling, asking questions and figuring things out – as I continue to do.

Things have evolved. I didn’t start with it all figured out, and I certainly still don’t have it all figured out now. My first blog post looked like this. One of my first mini malas looked like this. My first days as a mom looked like this. My workspace once looked like this…

Beginning was the best thing I could have done. Figuring it out along the way with a sense of play + curiosity created motion and lightness informing where I am now.

There is tremendous freedom in doing what lights you up. In giving yourself permission to do what you love, because that is your unique gift you have to offer this world. So go ahead and begin. PLAY. Let it be MESSY + confusing and I’m sure you will come out with something beautiful on the other end. And of course, I’d LOVE to hear what you create. I’ll be making a mess right alongside you. :)

“It is gratitude that expands my ability to receive beauty in my life.” – Oriah

When I focus on all the wonder in my life I am significantly happier. Life seems easier and sparklier when I write mini gratitude lists or jot down the magic that exists in my days.

Example: I am grateful for morning runs, Luca naps, muesli with chocolate, and quiet mornings.  I’m grateful for rain showers, loud booms of thunder, and the picture of a rainbow my brother sent me via What’s App.  I’m thankful for unicorn stickers, handmade stamps, fresh lavender, and homemade cookies.

Result: Ahhhhhh……

Sometimes I forget this super simple practice and my life then reflects it.

When I have a clear space to write down highlights from the day life gets even sweeter.

Find a place where you can keep a growing list of all things that are awesome. Moleskines rock.  I love my gratitude journal.  And I’m starting a magic log in a mini-notebook.

Start with the basics.  Let it ramble.  Let the words tumble out.

Write in the morning.  Write at the end of the day.  Find a time and just write anyway.

There are many women who inspire me to be vibrantly healthy & radiantly happy.  I follow them on Facebook, read their blogs, watch their youtube videos, and eat up their newsletters.  These women keep me grounded & motivated while challenging me to take on the next right thing for my optimal health.  But there is one woman who doesn’t have a blog or a website, but has inspired me for 20 + years  – my grandma.

At 85 years old, she radiates.  After raising 7 kids and being married for 60 years, she still has long hair with only a few grays and a handful of wrinkles.   She is vibrant.  She is active.  She sprinkles her days with laughter.

My grandma grew up in Germany eating kasha, porridge, & cod liver oil.  When Oma had kids she served them porridge, pea soup, and brewers yeast.  She always read and continues to learn about health.  She read books by Adelle Davis, a health food guru, in the 1950s, she has Dr. Weil’s food pyramid posted on her wall, and has a subscription to Prevention Magazine.  She stays constantly informed. 

She eats fruits, veggies, beans & nuts, she doesn’t eat of meat, and never fries anything at home.  She does little things, like choosing brown rice over white, whole wheat bread over white, and has a collection of vitamins and supplements.  She believes that the food is too refined now, so she compliments her diet with turmeric, grape-seed oil, Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, F, & probiotics just to name a few.

What does she value?  Eating whole foods instead of refined ones.  

Her beauty and her energy inspires me.  Her wise yet simple insight guides me.  I am so grateful to have both her and my grandpa in my life in a very big way – as healthy & happy as they are.