Everyone chews gum right...

Hi all!

Here's the lowdown on gum chewing: You just finished a medium to large meal and you feel stuffed. Your instant gut reaction thought is, "Time to pop in a piece of gum so I can be skinny!" But wait, does gum actually promote weight loss? I used to chew gum all the time; it was the Status Quo you might say. However, once I decided to stop chewing gum on a regular basis, I did not miss anything. I actually felt less stressed out. I used to chew gum before my ballet performances, thinking it would help get me hyped up. However, that was definitely not the case. I have a recollection of every time I chewed gum backstage; I would get dry mouth so quickly and would feel tired even before the show started! Not the best results for preparing a festive and adrenaline inducing Nutcracker. performance. That was when I realized, gum is not only useless, it can be harmful in that it made me tired! So, aside from taking exams and popping a piece of gum every few months or so to get my brain overly stimulated, gum to me is now just another nervous habit that can initially be seen as innocuous yet clearly contains some hidden menacing factors behind it's colorfully exhibited facade.

• Chewing gum on a regular basis can become a nervous habit, like smoking! Chewing consistently creates unnecessary wear and tear of your cartilage in your jaw. These joints become weak over time and can therefore be easily damaged and cause aches as well as discomfort.
• We think chewing gum helps to reduce our food cravings and thus in turn our food intake. This would logically make us skinnier, sounds perfect, right? Well, not exactly.  On the contrary, chewing gum begins stimulating certain salivary glands in the mouth. Every time we chew, we are stimulating unneeded saliva to be consistently present (this is bad for our digestion). This is a waste of energy and makes our bodies overwork for no good reason!
• Consistent chewing of gum creates nervous tendencies. Chewing gum creates a tightness on our muscles that are in our mouth, through our temples, and even our head. This is why we can get headaches after chewing for a long time. This pressure can even lead to chronic headaches which nobody needs from chewing gum!
• Gum is packed with aspartame or sugar, both of which rot your teeth. Enough said :)
  

So, once the cards are spread out on the table, you can see that chewing gum is one of those unhealthy habits that we Americans claim to be cool, common, and chic. The best form of weight loss or teeth cleaning would be to consider changing your lifestyle, a day at a time. Reduce your intake of sugar and processed foods and right away your dental and weight loss problems should be hindered a bit. Remember to always brush your teeth (a great toothpaste is coconut oil and baking soda*), floss daily, and you are on the right track! Your digestion, nerves, and teeth will thank you!

December Daydreams

Hi Lovely!

December has come upon us! This is the holiday season that brings joy, laughter, and excitement. Lets take this time to really love one another and not be angry. Breathe calmly and act peacefully. If you all want, check out my recently published articles in the "Spiritual Wisdom Magazine": 4 things to be grateful for this holiday season, Path to Spirituality, Do You Live With Faith?,Thoughts are the minds nutrition, To be or not to be...and in "Elite Daily": 5 Lessons in Discipline I learned as a Professional Ballerina. They can help you get into the holiday spirit as well as offer you some insight and inspiration on how to live with joy and creativity, enjoy! 

 

For today's dinner, here is a great list of homemade food: red tea, a shot of carrot juice, some sunflower seeds, lentils, and sauerkraut!  

Winter is here, and the first snow fall is as delicate as a feather in flight. Enjoy every moment! The glistening snow makes you want to make snow angels, sing holiday music classics, and meditate on the refreshingly beautiful air around you! Happy December :)

Homemade Cranberry Juice with Honey!

Hi lovely!

On a cold December day you want to drink something soothing and enjoyable. You want a sweet and sour mix. So, here is a delicious concoction that tastes delicately elegant: 

• Homemade cranberry juice*

• 1 teaspoon raw honey 

*homemade cranberry juice does not contain any hidden sugars or artificial flavors, so you are on control of the ingredients. Buy 1 or 2 large packs of Cranberries, either frozen or fresh.

• First wash all the cranberries and then drain them accordingly.
• Combine one pound of these cranberries with one quart of water in a big pan and boil on the stove.
• Cook for together until you begin to hear noises from the excited cranberries.
• Strain the almost ready cranberry juice through a fine strainer preferably with a cheese cloth to keep any particles away from the smoothness of it (you should see a lovely bright pinkish color!)
• Let it cool off and then heat it up when you want to drink it again.
• I add them to jars so the rest can be stored in the refrigerator.

Once you are ready to devour the cranberry juice, I would suggest adding a touch of honey to the meal. Grab a teaspoon and take a drop of honey to add a sense of sweetness to the every sour cranberry juice. 

Cranberry Juice Health Benefits: Let's come back to the health benefits of cranberry juice. It prevents urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. Cranberries are known to be rich in antioxidants as well as phytochemicals. These are both great for promoting a strong and robust immune system. Plus, if you being good and are not adding sugar, the unsweetened juice can actually help minimize dental plaque build up. Happy Drinking! :)

Happy Holidays to all!

Hi lovely!

As we are wrapping up 2013, let's do so with humility and honesty. Your emotions may be a bit sad or happy now, depending on where you currently are in your life. Whatever the reason, remember that you are here to become your true self, spiritually. A new year brings new opportunity, new potentials, and new heights. One of the best things to do before the year comes to a close, is to reflect on where you are right now. Write down all the things that you have accomplished this year. What are you proud of? Did you organize your room, help a friend, spend time with your loved ones, learn something new about yourself? Every step that you make in your life should be acknowledged. Accept it and be true to yourself!

Once you have fully reconnected with yourself, write down some potential ideas for goals for the new year. They shouldn't be something like "lose weight" or "buy a house", that's too much pressure! Something simple like "I will change something about myself to make me a better person", or whatever you feel has to change within you. Baby steps is key. Once you have it written down, put it somewhere where you can see it on a daily basis, possibly on a mirror or your refrigerator. Let this be a motivator for a renewed YOU. Happy Holidays to all! xo

Scrumptious Dinner Salad

Hello all!

Whenever we have to decide on a meal, we always want to have it taste good and be good for us. Therefore, here is one salad recipe that has amazing health qualities and once mixed together, just tastes simply magnificent!

It is a dinner salad, which means it really fills you up with cheese, turmeric root powder, ketchup, and feel free to add some of your favorite vegetables!

 

This scrumptious salad is made up of: 

- a few steamed string beans (cooked for 30min),
-  raw cheddar cheese cut up into small bite sized pieces
- a dash of extra virgin olive oil
- about 2 tablespoons of organic ketchup
- 1/4 of a green pepper
- 1 tomato
- a few dashes of turmeric root powder

*After all of these ingredients are conveniently in your plate, mix it all up "toss the salad" until they are evenly distributed to get that yummy taste on every bite! Enjoy :)

Go with the flow, rush less!

Everyone's in a rush! Have you noticed recently? People in my circle of friends and strangers on the street are always so busy. I didn't think much of it before but as I got older, realized rushing is pointless, a waste of energy, and essentially empty, producing loads of refuse that negatively build up in people's emotional subconscious and remains there unhealthily. 

What happened to people enjoying life and going with the flow, at least mildly? What happened to following your road peacefully with a smile on your face? Where did it all disappear to? Where is every one running to, if it's away from your family? 

We all, as a community and as a society at large, are slowly and unfortunately becoming more selfish, self obsessed, and self critical. There is so much to argue about that people do not know how to just love one another. When you look at it, life can and should be so simple, so calm, so enjoyable. Taking away the pressures of being a perfect robot should be the first step to finding out a peaceful way of life. Appreciate the beauty around you, the nature, the food, and the people. Most of all, give thanks for your own life, for you are here for a reason. That reason is a journey that you take from day to day. Respect yourself and love yourself, for that is what you are here to realize. Namaste 

Survey of the month!

Hey everyone, happy November!I have decided to create a survey of the month! Surveys are always fun, so why not add a few questions and have fun with it? Enjoy :)

To participate and answer the questions, just reply in the comment section or open the link at the bottom of the page an its as simple as that! 

1. What's your favorite go-to healthy snack? 

I would have to say any nuts or dried fruits, like walnuts with raisins or sunflower seeds with dried plums.

2. What is your favorite song as of now?

 "When Somebody Loves Somebody" by Celine Dion 

3. How do you feel about soul-mates?

It is an interesting concept, and I think some people meet them while others do not. It depends on how spiritually aware you are I imagine. It's all about connection, and you can have many soul mates so it just takes time to find the absolute right one for you.

4. How do you stay internally balanced?

Yoga, practicing gratitude daily by being thankful. It is important to find your peace by doing thing that you enjoy and find center in. Reading quotes and writing also work.

5. What are two things that are always in your refrigerator? 

Hmm...maybe ketchup and Brussels Sprouts.

6. Favorite color for your walls? 

Maybe light blue..blue calms people down generally.

7. Favorite tea?

 Red tea; its tasty and has no caffeine!

8. Do you ever take time out to reflect on things? If so, how? 

Helping others, watching nature, listening to fun music, journaling, cleaning. 

9. What makes you angry? 

When people do not understand me.

10. What is your motto to live by?

 Love freely, live truthfully, and show gratitude daily <3

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X86PLCVSurvey of the Month!

'Tis the Season for Love and Spirit

Noble November-->November brings new and exciting events: left over candy from Halloween, Daylight savings ends, new moon and solar eclipse in the same day, lovely skies, and Thanksgiving! 

A great snack or lunch meal--> almond butter and an apple

Yummy cake almost finished!

Gallivanting sunset this November evening.

In November the weather cools down, things seem to slow down. The middle of November brings about new experiences and thoughts. As the seasons change and people are growing, we sometimes go along with the hustle and bustle of the chaos and forget to slow down our minds. There holidays arrive for a reason. They encourage us to stop what we are doing fro day to day and begin to think of what matters, family, togetherness, and helping one another. 

For Lunch a quick and very nutritious fix would be some walnuts and an apple. Soak the walnuts overnight and put them in the oven for 5-10 minutes so they could dry up and then they are crunchy! (Soaking them cleans and removes any dirt that could be in them)

Happy Thanksgiving! This year we made some homemade foods, including turkey, potato salad, and beet salad :)

For Thanksgiving dessert there is always something yummy to think of, isn't there! Here is some warm coffee (decaf) and some additional treats (marshmallow covered chocolate and Tvorag with raisins covered in chocolate).

Chilly Weather

 

Borscht is a great wintery food as it warms up your body. A traditional Russian classic, these following ingredients are my favorites for a tasty and simple lunch or dinner: 

-celery, carrots, potatoes, salt, onions, beets, tomatoes, vegetable stock, dill, red cabbage.

- Serve hot or cold, with an added tablespoon of sour cream

 

Playing a fun game of scrabble with the girls. This game among others are great for your brain, as it makes you think and keeps you on your toes!

A yummy dinner with string beans, broccoli, ketchup, a bit of olive oil, a piece of muenster cheese, and a scallion!

A delicious recipe of raisins, carrots, cheese, and garlic.

Simple Fall Breakfast Recipe

Hi Lovely!

Breakfast is the foundation of your day, so that means that you want to start out the day with something that is great for the immune system. I generally use Organic products when I can get them, since they have are best quality food. Here's one of my fun breakfast ideas which takes no time to make yet contains lots of antioxidants and active cultures (probiotics). Plus, it tastes amazing!

First I pour some Kefir  into a glass and add a handful of blueberries and half a banana, sliced. Plain is the best flavor to get as there are no added artificial sugars. (Click here for great Kefir options)

If you want some added sweet flavor, you can add 1 or 2 dried prunes (plums). It is great for alleviating constipation and it just tastes like a candy bar! 

Then I make 1 or 2 eggs (cooked for 5 min) and eat them with a tiny bit of REAL butter (Click here for places to buy Real Irish Butter) and a 1/4 or less of a teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt. (Click here for places to buy Celtic Salt)

Enjoy :)

XOXO Lusciously Levi

Image credit: http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc0fx6b4BD1rfbibwo1_500.jpg, http://www.kerrygold.com/images/sized/images/uploads/KG_Pure_Irish_Butter-604x414.png, http://www.makeit-loveit.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_5076.jpg

October Oncoming

October means you need to be busy, so that includes studying for psychology, making healthy recipes, and appreciating the nature around us!

October's here! It's getting cooler, windier, and the leaves are changing colors. But it's something about watching everything change which brings peace. Through the transformations we get am insight of how we can change ourselves.

A very interesting course, psychology of aging teaches us the unique transitions during our lives; we are constantly changing regardless what age we are. Yet our wisdom may increase as we age.

At home everyone bakes and I watch and take pics! These look absolutely delicious though, and these apple pies are great for the fall.

Flowers always brighten up any room.

The fall season evokes dry skin. A touch of Coconut will do you well; it cleanses and protects the skin.

A yummy creation: potato filled with a slice of Swiss cheese and a scoop of sour cream.

Sometimes kids do not like to eat healthy, but if you include some of their favorite fruits like grapes and bananas, they would love this nutritious fruit salad which consists of: grapes, apples, mango, bananas, sour cream, and tvorog (farmers cheese).

comfy uggs in this chilly weather

Blueberries on a roll, take some daily in a bowl!

Blueberries are a delicious fruit. They can be sweet or sour, eaten for breakfast, or in your protein smoothie. There are multiple ways to get that exquisite taste onto our taste buds. In addition, while we may appreciate blueberries as just a flavor, there are many beneficial qualities to eating them daily.

 Firstly, Blueberries are berries which are high in antioxidants. Also, they have high levels of Vitamin C, great for the aid in our overall digestion. Blueberries are rich in fiber and contain a vast majority of potency for the common cold. The antioxidants within the blueberries make our overall immune systems stronger. They inhibit viral as well as bacterial infections. Whether you eat a handful of these luscious berries or a cup full, they are low in calories, so you can eat more of them with an appreciated sense of taste.

Surprisingly to some, blueberries promote the health of urinary tracts. They are cleansing in this form, providing inner wall lining of the urinary tract with protection and nutrients. In this case, the blueberries have the potential to minimize the bacteria from forming in these hollow canals. In addition, blueberries  contain anthocyanosides, the compound that was found to inhibit visual loss. This is great news, as you are giving your eyes healing nutrients as well as your overall body. The brain health is also included in this compound. Blueberries help with keeping that sharp memory, so grab a couple handfuls of blueberries a day. On another note, blueberries reduce the belly fat, which is always good for one to hear who is health conscious and weight conscious. Because of the low calories, blueberries do not encourage belly fat to arise, but on the contrary, keep our weight at bay.

Another great mention of blueberries enhances our overall temperaments. When we become sad or depressed, take a handful of blueberries and watch as your mood becomes more positive. So keep blueberries in your daily regimen and enjoy them as a basic snack category as well!

Tasty Remedy for a Cold

This unique old fashioned Russian-based concoction is great for the average cold/temperature. The remedy incorporates a nice combo of ingredients most suitable for the body to accept and heal itself.

The thing to remember is that when you start to get a cold and feel drowsy and have sinuses, this hot drink will warm all of your insides up and provide you with a layer of protection within your body. In addition, drinking egg with milk as a combination enhanced your ability to fight off any infections and gain immune strength and better function.

The ingredients are: one egg yolk, 1/2 cup of heated milk, 1/4 teaspoon of maple syrup, teaspoon of butter, mix all ingredients in a blender, lastly add a teaspoon of baking soda. If you want a more appealingly smooth drink, put the mixture through a mesh strainer. Enjoy!

Blackberries are sweet for summer!

Blackberries are sweet for summer!

Blackberries are a unique kind of fruit that unfortunately does not seem to be too popular within the majority of fruit eaters. Nonetheless, this fruit is juicy and elegant. It is delicious and has the possibility of tasting sweet or sour, depending on how ripe the blackberries are. In addition, the blackberries are high in gallic acid with an added source of anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. This is great for protecting your overall immune system. 

The Blackberries look so unique!

  Blackberries are a great kind of berry to enjoy, health wise. We already know that it tastes delicious when in season , but in addition, blackberries have one of the highest levels of antioxidant. This makes for a great option when choosing which fruit to consume on a daily basis. Blackberries also contain a large amount of Vitamin C and fiber, great for our digestion. Blackberries are also low in calories, so this type of fruit should become more popular!

The best place to get Blackberries are at your local farmers market! Here they are fresh and tasty!

 

  The summertime is the typical season for gathering these succulent blackberries. These berries have immense vitamins and minerals as well. They contain Vitamin A, E, and K. In addition, they also contain magnesium, copper, potassium, and manganese. They also contain some levels of the B-complex group of vitamins. which is essential for every one's overall health. The following vitamins ultimately act as a benefactor in aiding in the body's ability to metabolize proteins, carbs, and fats: niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and folic acid. So, if you are in the mood for a delicious and nutritious snack, the blackberries will do!