05.21.2013
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The Need to Be Acknowledged. [Plus, 1 Well-Placed Dumb & Dumber Reference.]

Compassionate. Sensitive. Sappy. You might even call me ‘highly empathetic’. Truth is, I just cry way too [understatement] easily.

I’m a big ass cry baby.

I cry every time I go to the Farmer’s Market [I have this weird affection for small businesses who make products that add a little more good to the world].
I cry at the thought of my dog potentially not living forever, although we’re working on her overcoming those odds.
I cry when Simba’s Dad gets the axe [Scar, you lion bastard] or any unnecessary Disney parental death.
I cry when I see elderly folks eating alone.
I cry whenever I see that commercial of surveillance cameras catching people doing nice stuff.
I cry when my Mom cries or my client cries or a total stranger cries.
And I’m still living down the time I sobbed saying bye to the hotel workers in Cambodia [Hey, they were some great damn workers].

Basically, I cry a shit ton.

So cut to Saturday night when I was in a cab [looking dapper I might add] and ready to tear up the town for a friend’s birthday. We were stopped at a light under a viaduct and I looked out the window to see a homeless woman — lying on her back on the cement and covered by a too tiny blanket. And while I usually obsess over how hungry or cold she must be, I thought: God, she must be so lonely [cue waterworks. praise waterproof mascara]. No one caring, or even asking, about her day. Acknowledging her humanness in the world.

That thought rattled through me for days; causing me to cry on two separate occasions, as I recounted the event to my husband and he stared blankly back.

And if you say “well, most homeless people are mentally ill…she might not even realize she’s lonely”, I might hunt you down and slap the ignorance out right out of you.

Mentally ill doesn’t make you invisible or the Tin Man. She’s a person like you or I, my dear — and if you take a gander at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, you’ll find belonging and community near the base of the pyramid for shit we can’t live without.

Because, really, people just want to be seen. Acknowledged. Not invisible.

And that goes for every last one of us.

Now I pride myself for being a super friendly, personable and welcoming, but I hadn’t even said a damn word to the cab driver, aside from “1500 block of Randolph. Take Lake Shore Drive. Thanks.” Because I walk around like a space cadet too. Assuming the 95,000 [awesome] thoughts in my head are more important than the people and things happening around me.  More important than asking how my cabbie’s night has been or if he’s ready for a big night of picking up over-served a-holes.

It’s the individualist epidemic. And it’s a pretty lonely disease.

compassion @AllieLeFevere 1024x1024 The Need to Be Acknowledged. [Plus, 1 Well Placed Dumb & Dumber Reference.]Back in ’08, I spent significant time in South Africa and they have a greeting there, “Sawu Bona”, which literally means, “I see you.” It’s deeper meaning is that “I exist, because you are there”. And here’s why I love that phrase — because it acknowledges the interconnectedness between all people. That you’re worthy because you exist.  That it’s an honor to see you as you are.

What do we got here?  ’Sup or silence.  Too busy to acknowledge other people in this world.  Too busy to realize that may the reason why we feel unacknowledged ourself.

Now, do you have to shake every hand and hug every stranger the world throws at ya? For God’s sake, don’t. Un-welcomed stranger fondling could — correction — WILL land you in prison. But a “Hi, how are you?” won’t kill you. Neither will a “How’s your day going?”. And I’m pretty sure you could survive a “Hey, killer boots man.” [Dumb and Dumber reference for you folks with an underdeveloped sense of humor.]

But…

“In order to be seen and acknowledged, you must first see and acknowledge others. Because you get back what you put out.” [tweet it, yo.]

So since you understand your need to feel seen, here are a few ideas to help you start putting that lovin’ vibe out in the world:

  • ACKNOWLEDGE someone’s best intentions. Unless you can crawl up in their mind and snoop the truth, don’t assume their intentions were to harm or do wrong in this world.
  • Acknowledge their feelings. Feelings are never right or wrong — even if you don’t agree with them.  You can’t argue with how I feel.  Same goes for me.
  • Do something kind without expecting something in return. [One time, the car ahead of me paid for my tolls. How cool is that?]
  • Smile. And not that awkward closed-mouth, eyebrow-raised thing you do, but a real smile showcasing your pearly whites.
  • Ask questions and really listen. “How are you feeling? Did you ace your test? How’s your family?” You get the drift.
  • Look ‘em in the eyes. Eye contact is a pretty powerful way to acknowledge without saying a thing.
  • Say “Hi”.  To your cab driver, mailman or that homeless gal you pass every day.

Do you feel unseen?  Unacknowledged?  Why?  How do you plan to get your head outta your backend and acknowledge people more?

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05.13.2013
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How I Finally Knew I Had Forgiven + 5 Things You Need to Give Up to Move Forward.

Six years ago, I had the worst breakup in history.

Think Jerry Springer meets an MMA fight.  A twenty car pile-up I saw coming, but drove headfirst into, anyway.  Just brutal.

I was painfully addicted to the relationship and lost my soul, glow and sanity in the process.

So much so that I cried incessantly and ear-banged my friends to listen to my agony for nearly a year after, because any and everything took me back to the tumultuous love, insomnia-inducing heartache and burning reality that he held the gas can, while I lit the match to our proposed life together.

Which brings me to last week when I opened my Facebook to find a message from his sister.

I literally had to read the name at least 7 times, because I hadn’t seen it in so long, prepared to never see it again and was quite certain his family had my face on some sort of a dart board.  Riddled with holes.

But what shocked me more was what I felt when I saw her message — absolutely nothing.  [Okay maybe a little perplexed because the answer to the obscure question she asked me could've been Googled or found on a company FAQ.]  But not a shred of sadness, anxiety or anger.  I read her name as if reading a stranger’s — indifferent.

You see, at that moment, I knew I had done it — forgiven the past, him and fully moved forward.

“Um yeah, it HAS been 6 years and you’re married to an awesome fella now.  I hope you’ve moved on.”  

Well there’s a huge difference between moving on and moving forward.  

Moving on has to happen, because life circumstances naturally change, so you really don’t have a choice in the matter.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean your mind has caught up to the present.  It’s easy to stay stuck in the ‘would’ve and should’ve’, hang onto anger and stay prisoner to the past.  Moving on is passively going where life’s big ass plane takes you while bitching that the seats are too small and the airline food sucks.  You got on the plane, but refuse to acknowledge you’re on the right flight.

Moving forward is different.  It’s a choice you make.  It’s booking your departure ticket from hell (heartbreak, anger, a royal personal fuck-up) and instead of security dragging you onto the plane kicking and screaming or hepped up on sedatives, you scoot your ass sideways down the mini-aisles, chin up, tears streaming and take your seat in first class.  You buckle your seatbelt, watch the safety demo for the 900th time and eat your greasy little peanuts because you’re starving.  Because even though you’re begrudgingly going through the motions and loathing every step in the process, you’ll land safely at your destination a smarter, healed and whole version of yourself — and without hunger pangs. [Anything to avoid eating airport McDonald's.]

I realize now that all the dirty self-work paid off, because that drama seems like a blip on the radar screen of some past toxic self.  So a few days later, I logged back into FB, pleasantly and pragmatically responded to her message, then signed off.

5 things 1024x1024 How I Finally Knew I Had Forgiven + 5 Things You Need to Give Up to Move Forward.

what I had to give up to get there:

  • Being right. “But I am ri…”  It doesn’t matter. Because even if you’re often right, sometimes you’re wrong. And the ability to acknowledge your screw-ups will help you make peace with the past and move forward.
  • Doing nothing.  You can’t always choose what happens to you life, but you can sure as hell choose how you want to live.  You can choose to see the best in a situation or the worst. You can choose to be your story’s victim or hero.  Everyday you can choose a fresh perspective, but for God’s sake, don’t choose nothin’.
  • Dismissing the positive.  “What you’re looking for will determine what you see.” [tweet it, yo.]  When you stay stuck in what you should’ve had, you end up missing what you do.  So start showing a little gratitude for all the good stuff you’ve got goin’ on.
  • The shame of failure. You fail sometimes.  Maybe even a lot of times — and that’s A-OK.  The quicker you accept this, the quicker you can get on with being your awesome self.  Previous mistakes aren’t indicative of future failures.  And what you screwed up 15 days or 15 years ago, doesn’t impact the current moment.  What you do right now does.
  • Running away.  Difficulties fade with you finally forgive, love, discuss and fix the issues in your life.

how I went and healed my heart [my fool-proof plan for moving forward] 

  • Taking time for self-care — counseling, massages, facials. They provided needed physical and emotional release [even though my muted sobs and sniffles probably made the practitioners uncomfortable].
  • Yoga. Tons of fucking yoga.
  • Self-help books. Yeah, those things you’re embarrassed of?  They help.  And reading them didn’t make me feel crazy, they made me feel honest, wise and strong.
  • Eating nourishing foods that energized my bod and fired up my endorphins.
  • Best friends that let me cry and vent.  And then dragged my ass out of the house and back into the real world.
  • Apologies and forgiveness. It takes two to tango my darlings and even though I swore it ‘wasn’t my fault‘, truth is, I shared the blame. And owning that set me free.  I was able to forgive the mistakes, acknowledge the learnings and accept that ‘Holy shit, I dodged a [firing squad of] bullet[s].”
  • A spiritual practice. In my case, I went to a non-denominational church [2x a week] to just listen to the positive messages and let tranquility pump through my veins.  I needed a safe space to heal — and for me, that was my haven.  Now I find just as much inner peace on my meditation pillow.
  • Doing something bigger than myself.  So I went to South Africa with a team of 25 medical professionals to spend 3 weeks in the Zulu-region of eSikhawini administering care to the impoverished.  Cliche?  Maybe.  But nothing puts your problems into perspective like stepping into the 3rd world.  Even with limited access to basic resources, they had love and peace in their hearts that I envied.  And although I was sent to physically heal their bodies, they mended my broken heart and sutured my spirit.

238 616555730233 7686 n How I Finally Knew I Had Forgiven + 5 Things You Need to Give Up to Move Forward.

So who or what has kept you stuck in the past?  Did you move forward or just on?  How do you plan to move forward for REAL real?

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05.10.2013
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Gratitude: What Your Mama Really Wants for Mother’s Day

When I was a kid, every Mother’s Day I’d make my Mom a variation of the same gift:

  • A stapled coupon book of chores I’d do for her pro-bono (vacuum, dust, give her a 10 minute back massage) that she’d never redeem
  • Breakfast in bed (often a disaster)
  • Handmade card or one bought for me by my Aunt Linda

And she loved them. Not because she couldn’t wait to watch me clean toilets as she kicked back on the recliner, but because they were packed with love, implied gratitude and were all my 8 year-old little self could afford.

But as I got older the gifts have become more commercial and less meaningful — a massage gift certificate, store bought card and a house plant. And while they’re nice and cost me cash, they don’t say Thank You.

16926 10102015427543863 1231757427 n 1 Gratitude: What Your Mama Really Wants for Mothers Day

So while you may buy Mom a kitsch bathrobe or scented candle, what she really deserves is a gratitude list. She’s not perfect or a super hero. She’s a human being who did the best job she possibly could to raise you and she’s the only Mama you’ll ever have.

Let her know why you think she’s so amazing.

Below is my Gratitude List for my beautiful Mama — go on and make yours.

  • Thank you for raising me [most of my life] as a single Mom even though you were scared and felt alone and didn’t have a partner to count on.
  • Thank you for continuing your profession as a Hair Dresser [even though you spent money on Medical Assistant school and knew you'd make more money at that job], so you’d never miss a dance recital, softball game or Parent-Teacher night.
  • Thank you for your mild [totally crazy] obsession with true crime stories. Because of your constant warnings and safety threats, I’m pretty sure I’ll never get abducted, ever.
  • Thank you for instilling in me a love and appreciation for antiques, animals and the elderly.
  • Thank you for waxing my eyebrows in 5th grade when I had one giant one. [Tweezerman also thanks you.]
  • Thank you for crying with me as I sobbed hysterically into a pillow after a breakup because you knew how bad my heart hurt. But then for making me get up and go to Target with you anyway.
  • Thank you for beating my ass when I was mouthy and wild and rebellious. I deserved it at least 99.9% of the time.
  • Thank you for being funny and smart — and especially for being the pretty girl who sat with the loner kid eating by his/herself at lunch. You taught me to stand up for what’s right even if you stand alone.
  • Thank you for being the cool Mom that my friends loved to hang with — without being the kind of “cool” Mom that let’s her kids get bombed in the basement.
  • Thank you for being my biggest fan, best friend and humor muse. Your wit and love of Family Guy is unmatched.
  • Thank you for knowing me so damn well to know I’m crying like a baby as I type this.
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05.07.2013
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Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.

I live in the heart of Chicago and there is ALWAYS stuff to do here. Always.

Every damn weekend there’s a festival celebrating some arbitrary milestone in some obscure neighborhood. And when there’s not an excuse for social cocktails, there’s a sports game to root for (translation, drink your face off). It’s hard to be bored in this city, but after a couple years of living here, I was exactly that — bored out of my damn mind.

Because there’s a big difference between keeping busy versus creating adventure by engaging in your life mindfully. A huge fricken’ difference.

I found myself out constantly — shaking hands at networking (hate that term) events and toasting over a Cubs victory with a serious case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). But those pretty parties didn’t light my fire, because my actions were rooted in time occupancy vs. adventure. Those activities kept me in motion, but not engaged. And then it dawned on me:

“Through adventure you will know yourself and create your life.” [tweet it, yo.]

An exciting life doesn’t unearth over schmooze-fests and cocktail parties, it has to be created mindfully every day.  Holy hell, what an A-Ha moment for me.

So my mantra became: JOY EVERYDAY.  Even when I’m PMSey or tired or in a stressed-out funk, I make space for fun and turn ‘awesome-living tour guide extraordinaire’. [not too shabby of a title.]

alliemokeybeach @allielefevere 1024x1024 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.

I’ve had more clients than you’d care to imagine, tell me “I can’t stick with this healthy lifestyle crap” and when I ask what they’re eating, it’s some hodge podge of skinless chicken breast, iceberg lettuce and a side of steamed broccoli.  Yeah. Boring. [I'd be neck deep in a bag of TB -- Taco Bell for you amateurs -- if that's what graced my plate.]

Or they tell me the spark is gone in their relationship. Every day is the same, “Hi honey, how was work?” Followed by dinner eaten hunched over the coffee table, with the occasional obligatory sex. Nothing is exciting. Everyone is bored.

See, when you’re bored you seek adventure in the wrong thing — affairs with people or shopping or Snickers bars. Because your life is meant to be lived, not watched or routinized.

But the good news is that you can make your life UNboring.

And it doesn’t take tons of time, planning, cash [or other lame ass excuse] to do.  But it does take commitment.  A commitment to collecting ordinary moments, experiencing joy and making the mundane, every day stuff, an adventure too.

unboring 1024x1024 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.

Some ideas to start…

heart1 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day. Find a blog that makes you laugh your ass off.  
heart1 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.  Explore a new tea flavor every morning [start with strawberry-rose green tea...you'll salivate]. 
heart1 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.  Take a new route to work, then download a new photo app on your phone to capture the unexplored beauty around you [my personal favs are Camera+ and Pixlr-o-matic].
heart1 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.  Call a friend instead of shooting quick texts. 
heart1 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.  Check out the free or super cheap events in your area [dance classes, workshops, lectures, plays]
heart1 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.  Take a hot bath, with a big glass of [organic] red wine and chillax until you prune. 
heart1 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.  Dust off Gram Gram’s recipe book and get to work in the kitchen.
heart1 Are You Boring? How to Create Joy and Adventure Every Single Day.  Pop into that bookstore in your neighborhood and snoop around.

And guess what happens when boring stops and adventure happens?  Your unhealthy habits — poof — fade.

Because you’ve replaced mindless eating with mindful living, created healthy habits that push out the shitty ones, and now have something UNboring to chat about on the home-front.

So how will you start to positively occupy your time?  Pack laughter in your life?  Become an artist of the ordinary?

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04.30.2013
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Facebook is Making You Miserable. How to Define Your Worth Without a Status Update.

Studies by Stanford and Utah Valley University report people feeling depressed, anxious and downright miserable after getting off Facebook.

I repeat, people feel like shit after checking FB (probably for the 325th time).

And here’s why. FB is like walking into the lion pit of comparison — it’s the highlight reel of people’s lives and you’re trying to measure up to all of it.

  • “Oh wow, look at Jenny’s trip to Costa Rica. I never get to go anywhere. Must be nice that she has the time and money to travel, while I work 60 hours a week. I bet her new boyfriend paid for it anyway.”
  • “Megan had 37 likes on that photo?! I think I looked cute in that black dress I posted Friday. Now I feel embarrassed that only my weird aunt and best friend like it.”
  • “Look how happy my-ex looks with his new girlfriend. Ugh, why wasn’t he that happy with me?! I’ll never find anyone.”
  • “Geez, Stephanie looks good after she lost all that weight, but can she stop posting damn pictures about it?! No one cares that much.”

I post a highlight reel too. Believe me — I argue with my husband, get parking tickets (constantly), have lost people I love and have to pick up dog shit every day. Huge pieces of dog shit. But I don’t post that crap. And if you’re someone that does, sweet Jesus, please stop.

The problem is you’re defining your worth by someone else’s opinion of you, instead of your own.

You know your friend that posts 9,000 pictures of her toddler twirling in a tutu? I bet you’ve never seen a photo album dedicated to her throwing a tantrum before bedtime or causing a scene in the grocery store. That’s because Facebook is characterized by it’s public curation of happy moments, creative accomplishments and pithy observations.

worthy1 1024x1024 Facebook is Making You Miserable. How to Define Your Worth Without a Status Update.

Maybe you feel worthless because you’ve battled weight for a decade, are in a drag-you-down relationship, don’t collect a paycheck (or at least one you’re proud of) — or worse yet, because someone you loved told you so.

All of those reasons can make you feel invisible, unloved and insignificant.  And all of those reasons are bullshit.

Starting today, starting right now, you’re going to rewrite your personal value proposition.  Get out the damn pen.  I’m waiting.

Instead of assigning your value to your paycheck, weight, relationship status and new Prada clutch, we’re going inside.

It’s your intrinsic qualities that matter.  They make you unique, irreplaceable and distinctly characteristic of you.  Your compassion for animals, quick wit, unwavering patience, brutal honesty.  

The 4 determined hours you spent following that quick and easy Pinterest recipe matters more than how good (or like cardboard) it tasted.  Because it speaks to your commitment, not your capabilities.

You don’t have to prove anything, once you believe you’re intrinsically worthy.  

When loving yourself, expressing your passion and enjoying the wild ride become your highest priorities, your big wins, skinny jeans and Facebook posts become an expression of who you are, rather than an attempt to prove your value in the world.

So I double-dog-dare you to try this little experiment out for size.  For one whole day make being loving, not getting love (acceptance, validation, 47 Facebook likes) your mantra.  Practice giving love to you, your family and total strangers.

Unloving action tied to external junk and outside opinions will make you feel empty and anxious, but loving action will make you feel full, light and so damn worthy.

So how are you redefining your value?  What are you doing to love yourself more?  What intrinsic qualities make you so worthy and wonderful?  Spill it.

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04.02.2013
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To Hell with Negative Self-Talk. Put on Some Red Lipstick and Strut These Positive Words.

You’re awesome.

I know it.  You know it.  Hell, your best friend, dog walker and dry-cleaning lady can’t shut up about you.  I got four emails about you from them today, alone. (restraining orders already filed).

But for some reason, you beat yourself up like you’re in a championship thought fight with Mike Tyson.  And I ain’t havin’ that.

So try these new words on for size.  They’re extra pos and replace all this crap lies you keep telling yourself.   So whip up a decadent green smoothie, smear on some fire red lipstick and start singing sweet nothings to little ‘ol you.

pos self talk 519x1024 To Hell with Negative Self Talk. Put on Some Red Lipstick and Strut These Positive Words.

 

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04.01.2013
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The REAL Food Pyramid. (unlike the bullshit one you were taught in elementary school)

I hated the Food Pyramid.  Why?  Because it was a crock of crap and built to feed corporate pockets instead of your beautiful bod.  And the government’s MyPlate is slightly upgraded advice in a new shape.  All the good stuff is missing.

Since elementary, you’ve been taught that grains are God, while plants mill around in purgatory.  So I busted out my Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper and NKOTB crayon box — dusting off the elite Jungle Green and Red-Violet crayon (be honest, nobody liked Violet-Red) to draw you up a new food pyramid.  One that will actually keep you healthy.

But before you dive face-first into Superfoods, remember that water and self-love are the real-base of this triangle.  So don’t skimp on either.

food pyramid real The REAL Food Pyramid. (unlike the bullshit one you were taught in elementary school)

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03.29.2013
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Protein Only Comes From Animals!? Psssh. No. A Sample of the Plant Protein I Eat Every Day.

If I had a nickel…no wait…a penny for every time someone asked me how I get protein if I don’t eat animal products, I would build my throne right next to Queen E.

It’s a (clearly not widely known) MYTH that protein only comes from meat, fish, poultry, milk and eggs.  I  haven’t eaten that stuff in four years and my hair is so thick it puts a lion to shame.

thaihair Protein Only Comes From Animals!? Psssh. No. A Sample of the Plant Protein I Eat Every Day.

And while I love me my animals, I certainly wouldn’t jeopardize my health if I couldn’t get an adequate source of protein from plants.

Sorry Bessy, but you’d be dinner.

Protein supports and maintains thick and strong hair and nails and is used to make enzymes and (bow-chicka-wow-wa) hormones. It’s one of the three macronutrient needed by the human body (carbs and fats being the other two) and there are a ton of delicious protein sources that don’t involve bloodshed or lactation.

So what are some plant proteins? Legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, algaes and soy (edamame, tofu, tempeh, miso), although I eat soy-based foods minimally. 

Plant Based Protein Sources @AllieLeFevere Protein Only Comes From Animals!? Psssh. No. A Sample of the Plant Protein I Eat Every Day.

To take the pain out of the process of having to actually google (gasp!) plant-based protein or legume or algae (yes, people actually eat that).  Let’s just walk through my plate, meal-by-meal.

A day in my veg life:

  • Breakfast: 1 cup of gluten-free oatmeal (6 grams), 1 cup of almond milk (7 grams), 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds (6 grams) OR the-best-fricken-oh-my-God-I-want-an-IV-of-this-shit-running-through-my-veins-all-day-smoothie (recipe below).
  • Lunch: 2 corn tortillas (5 grams), 1 cup seasoned beans (12 grams), salsa, avo, hot sauce or a gigantic salad packed with veggies, sauerkraut, avo and topped with lemon and olive oil.
  • Dinner: 5 oz tofu (11 grams), 1 cup of quinoa (9 grams) 1 cup broccoli (4 grams) 2 tbsp almonds (4 grams), some sort of fancy seasoning
  • Snack: 2 tbsp peanut butter (8 grams) with celery.

Total: 68 fabulous grams of protein. Blah. I win.

And if you want to blow your taste buds out of your damn mouth. Try the protein-PACKED smoothie, I devour pretty much daily. 

The-best-fricken-oh-my-God-I-want-an-IV-of-this-shit-running-through-my-veins-all-day-smoothie

  • 1 scoop of Raw Protein Powder
  • 1 cup of Almond Milk
  • 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 banana
  • Handful of fresh spinach and carrots
  • Whatever supplements or superfoods I’m in the mood for that day (spirulina, chlorella, magnesium powder, maca, all of the above…)
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03.27.2013
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5 Tips for a Successful and So Damn Delicious Food-Based Cleanse

Mid-day energy slumps, food cravings, and sleepless nights might be part of your norm — BUT bring out the streamers and confetti, because they don’t have to be.

Then why do you feel like junk?  Toxins, my dear. Toxins.

These common complaints can all be connected to a lifetime of toxic buildup in your bod. And believe it or not, it’s possible to reduce or completely trash any crappy ailments by completing a simple and safe food-based cleanse.

cleansingtips @allielefevere 5 Tips for a Successful and So Damn Delicious Food Based Cleanse

I have heard (and had…) every excuse about why I couldn’t or didn’t need to detox, but I promise that regardless of your current diet, you can follow a food-based cleanse and reap the amazing, toxin-dumping benefits.

So if you’re lookin’ to bring sexy back and reveal your vibrant little self, my 5 tricks to set you up for food-based cleanse success will make Donald Trump blush.

Schedule like Einstein:  Plan your detox like you would a vacation; check when you won’t be crabby and cravey from your period and when you can take “time off” from food and alcohol.  Chances are there will always be birthday dinners, hoe-downs and wine nights on the books, but be strategic and plan for when temptation will be at a minimum.

Pre-tox:  Sugar and caffeine are the two culprits that cause the most withdrawal symptoms. Hence, that crazy coffee beast you morph into at 11am without your dark roast IV.  If you’re dependent on the stuff, I recommend weaning off fully before starting to cleanse.  A sugar and caffeine-free diet helps keep energy levels on the up and make the removal of other food fav cravings easier to squash.

Break bad habits with the addition of a more positive one. Love your morning cup o’ Joe?  Swap it for a pot of herbal green tea.  My favorite is strawberry rose green tea and it’s pretty fricken’ fantastic.

Kitch Cleanout:  That means the trough of ice cream in your freezer and pound of cookies you’ve stashed in the back of your cupboard, that you think I don’t see, but I do. Give your refrigerator and pantry a swan makeover to ease your cleansing plan.

Do you auto-grab a slice of blueberry cheesecake post dinner?  Toss it.  End up neck deep in a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos?  Toss it.  Trust me, if it’s not in the house, you won’t be ransacking your cupboards at 8pm.

And now the fun part — take a trip to the market and stock that shit UP!  Leafy greens, citrus, berries and cleanse-friendly snacks, so you stay on the wagon.

Extra Boosts:  Get the most bang for your cleansing buck, yo.  Wake up and slam a warm glass of lemon water to alkalize your body, decrease your appetite and fight off cravings like a damn samurai.

And pack as many leafy greens into your diet as humanly possible — raw salads, blended into smoothies and soups or straight up juiced.  Greens are the most amazing natural cleansing agents and will sweep through your bod oxygenating your blood and boosting energy levels.

Exit Strategy:  How you end your cleanse is just as important as how you start. Give yourself a few days or a week to gradually re-introduce foods and remember, you just worked your ass off cleaning that puppy out, so don’t start throwin’ all sorts of toxins back into your bod.

You might notice a newfound sensitivity to wheat or dairy and feel better leaving them out or be shocked that your desperate cravings for coffee, sweets, cheese or bread (or, hell, all of them) have downright vanished.  Listen to your body — it knows what it needs to keep it clean.

And because I just love ya — here’s a oooh yum super soup recipe to kick off your cleanse!

Supergreen Soup:

Yield: 1-2 servings

I’ve made this soup with a variety of greens — spinach, kale, zucchini, broccoli — so go CRAZY and add your fav.  Below’s veggies take advantage of seasonal spring produce — perfect for a little spring cleaning.

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ½ yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ lb asparagus, chopped
  • 1 small-medium bunch of watercress
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • juice of ½ lemon
  • purified water
  • sea salt + pepper

How to do it:

Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Saute onion for 3-4 minutes, add garlic and red pepper flakes (if you like ‘em) and sauté until garlic has infiltrated your nostrils (about 2 mins). Add asparagus, and sauté for another 4-5 minutes, just to take the raw edge off.

Transfer onion and asparagus mix to a blender. Add enough water to cover the veggies (about 2 cups, more or less according to preference). Add watercress, lemon zest and juice. Blend. Add extra water to thin (if necessary), and season with salt and pepper to please your taste buds .

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03.01.2013
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It’s National Nutrition Month. How Are You Celebrating?

Hold your broccoli stalks high — March is National Nutrition Month!  And while I’m quite certain, you’re eating kale and spirulina like it’s going out of style, I want to know — how are you celebrating?

  • Using coconut oil to cook instead of vegetable oils? (your bod isn’t built to eat this junk anyway)
  • Eating whole foods instead of processed and packaged garbage?
  • Ditching artificial sweeteners?
  • Puttin’ the kabosh on chemicals and dyes in your diet?
  • Drinking eight, ten, FIFTEEN glasses of deliciously hydrating water a day?
  • Relaxing at night with a hot cup of herbal tea?

Nutrition should be at the top of your to-do list all year long, but March can become healthy living purgatory — floating somewhere in between New Year Resolutions and Bikini Season panic.

So use this month to rededicate yourself to healthy nutrition, green smoothies and vibrant living.  Drop me a big hello at allie@allielefevere.com to let me know how you plan to party your little acai off.

broccoli Its National Nutrition Month. How Are You Celebrating?

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