The BEST!

So, finally, my hometown has confirmed what I've known all along!  I'm the BEST!  I've been telling my boyfriend this for years, but....I digress.  Today, I actually received a press release confirming it.  I mean, I know I'm pretty awesome, but a press release?  Wow! 

It seems the town of Largo, Maryland where my private practice is based has awarded me with the 2013 Best of Largo Award for Psychotherapists!!!  This is amazing news!  I feel so honored that I'm being recognized by the clients that I've served as well as professionals in my community for the quality of services that I provide.  I'm super honored that what I do is appreciated and I'm even more driven to continue this work and even greater things! 

Thank you all for the love, appreciation and support!  I hope to take my healing work to even greater heights!

I'm twinkling and beaming crazy bright today, and as always, I'm hoping the same for you, Starlights!

J*

AKA (Also known as)

The BEST!

14 Days to Freedom: Day 14

Day 14:
                                                                                                                                                                      

Thankfully, my headache is gone!  Even though, I feel awesome about being mentally strong enough to fast for such a long time, that headache was KILLER!  I guess you just have to take the bitter with the sweet.  I really feel very proud of myself!  Today’s menu offers soaked prunes for breakfast (YUCK!), a small salad for lunch, veggie soup for dinner and all the same delectable liquids I’ve been limited to over the last couple of weeks throughout the day.  Tomorrow’s menu offers more of the same, only with larger portions and I can add 1-2 slices of whole wheat bread and finely chopped nuts.  On the following day after (the 4^th day post-fast), I can resume a normal diet.  I’m looking forward to it!   

Now that I’m on my second day of eating food, it seems like my body has adjusted quite well.  Like I said, the headache is gone, and my energy level has increased even more.  I feel pretty darn great!  I was a little worried about what the adjustment would be like (I was especially worried about the number of trips I’d have to take to the potty), but everything was perfectly fine.  No need for worry.  I think my body enjoyed this process.  My tummy feels squeaky clean!  It’s like I’m floating when I walk!  Incredible!

So…yesterday, I wasn’t feeling as connected spiritually as I had been throughout the fast, but after meditating and centering myself, I feel that my spiritual link has been fortified!  I love it!  I love God!  I love ME!  It feels like my crown chakra is wide open and I can clearly hear all that God is telling me.  I feel Divine energy all around me and I feel fully supported and loved all on my own.  I realize that the only connection I need is my connection to God.  I feel more spiritually connected than ever before and I feel I’ve gained deeper wisdom, heightened creativity and increased patience and compassion.  Don’t get me wrong, my ego still rears its head from time to time, but my ability to redirect it with Love is a natural reflex.  It’s absolutely amazing!  I’m so happy that I’ve given myself this gift!  Other than life and my family, I don’t think I’ve ever received anything greater!  Although my Vitamix is a close second (Thanks, Mom!).

14 Days to Freedom: Day 13

Day 13:                                                                                                                                                                            

I ate and now my head hurts.  I wouldn’t wish this feeling on anyone.  This is the first day of my gradual transition back to my normal diet.  I thought I’d feel better than this.  I ate 14 blueberries about ¼ of an apple and a bowl of homemade kale and leek soup in addition to the liquid regime I’ve been following.  It’s a relief to finally have food, but who knew my poor head would have to pay for it.  I guess my body is in shock.  I’m not as ravenous as I thought I’d be, but I tell you, I’ve never tasted a blueberry or an apple so delicious in my life!  It was absolutely heavenly to taste something other than tea, diluted veggie broth, juice and water.  I have such a greater appreciation for food.  Really!  It’s like a gift every time I chew now!  This experience has put things into a brand new perspective for me.  I have so much more to appreciate! 

I still feel pretty connected spiritually, but I’m not feeling the same high as I did earlier in the process.  I’m wondering if blueberries, apples and soup can really have that much of an impact on my spiritual connection or if I’m just dealing with the transition.  I do feel as though I’m in mourning a bit.  Although I welcome the food, I miss the fast.  I miss the sacrifice.  It felt good to sacrifice for my growth.  No, it felt phenomenal to sacrifice for my growth.  I’m so thankful that this practice was introduced to me for it will forever be a part of my life and spiritual routine.  For all the benefits that I’ve experienced, it is definitely worth the headache.

Sip on This: Hello, Yellow!

Sip on This

 

For increased energy, decreased bloating and inflammation, a boost of Vitamins A & C and potassium and a GLOWING complexion, try sipping on one of these in the mornings.

Hello Yellow!
1/2 organic carrot
2 spears of fresh pineapple
1 cup of frozen pineapple
1/2 cup frozen mango and/or peaches
1-1/2 cups of cold distilled water or organic soy milk (if you prefer a creamier texture)
1/...8-1/4 inch piece of ginger root (You may use it without peeling if it's organic. Go for more if you like the spicy kick of ginger!)
1/2 fresh or frozen banana
1/2 fresh navel orange, peeled

Blend to desired consistency. Bon appetite!

Living the Dream

Believe it or not, there are some folks out there who absolutely ADORE their lives.  They wake up looking forward to facing the day and doing their work, and they choose to experience bliss in every moment.  Those folks find success, love and joy all around them and they experience passion in amazing ways no matter what they're facing.  I seek these people out because their stories need to be told.  They've placed their eyes on the prize and moved with intention and have gotten to see their dreams come true.  How freakin' amazing is that? 

I'm dedicating this page to the folks that chase their dreams until they catch them without being stalled by doubts, fears, worries or others' opinions.  I hope the people that I feature on this page inspire you to put in the work necessary to see your wildest dreams come to fruition! 

Don't start another day without asking yourself, "What do I need to be doing to make my dreams come true?"  Answer that question without consideration of any of  your doubts or fears, and GET CRACKIN'!!!  You deserve to bring your dreams to life! 



Twinkle and Beam, Starlights!

XOXO

J*

14 Days to Freedom: Day 12

Day 12:

So, this is my last day of fasting.  I’m beginning the next phase tomorrow wherein you guessed it, I get to eat food!!!!!!  Real food…the kind that you chew.  In all honesty, I’ll miss the process.  It has truly been cathartic.  I feel great.  I feel clean.  I feel energized.  I feel alive!  It’s so amazing that a couple of weeks of starvation could make me feel so incredibly clear and….HAPPY!  I really feel happy!  I understand what I want and I feel like it’s a necessity to make my dreams come true and to really live on purpose.  I can’t wait to see how life unfolds from here!  I’m excited about life and where I’m headed!  And I’m really excited about having some fruit and a bowl of vegetable soup tomorrow!  Day 13 can’t get here fast enough!

Leek y Kale Lentil Soup

Playing in the kitchen, I fell in love with this soup this winter!  It's hearty, full of nutrients and flavor and it has an incredible texture!  I imagine it would also be good adding other veggies and/or potatoes to the base.  It has a really versatile flavor.  Try it and tell me what you think!


What you'll need:

1 large frying pan
1 pot
A blender or, even better, an emulsifier
6 cups fresh organic kale, chopped or torn, stems removed (Sometimes I leave a few stems on; it still tastes great!)
1 large leek, cleaned and sliced (discard all upper leaves)
2 shallots, sliced
2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled
1-2 teaspoons olive oil
4 cups vegetable broth
1-2 cans of lentil beans, rinsed and drained
Sea salt
Cracked black pepper

What you've got to do:

Sauté leek, shallots and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add kale and cook until it begins to wilt.

Add broth and cook for 30 minutes on medium-low heat. 
Let the mixture cool for a few minutes and then pour into blender.
Blend until homogenous.

Pour the soup base into a pot and add lentil beans.  
Heat on medium-low for 5-10 minutes.
Season soup with salt and cracked black pepper.

Serve hot with a salad and whole wheat Ezekiel bread or Ezekiel English muffins.  Scrumptious!

J*