All Articles

Sharing Feelings & Needs with family

The first step of being able to share your feelings and needs with the people you care about is to actually know what your feelings and needs are. Many people, especially women and mothers have learned,...

Family, Health & Compassionate Communication

When it comes to family of origin (think people who share your genes) or family of choice (think people who borrow your jeans) there are often a few, or more, things you think are better...

Practical Spirituality

The daily grind often immerses us in our own microcosm and we forget that there is a bigger world out there. This siloed perspective leaves us feeling alienated, isolated, and often sad and scared. It...

Identifying our meaning & purpose

Identifying our meaning and purpose lies at the core of all that we do. It helps us make sense of our experiences and the world around us by answering the question, “why are we here?”...

Natural energy without caffeine

No caffeine?! I know that may sound insane. But I am here to tell you it is possible. If you’re unable to get your body going, “can’t think straight” without your java, or wake up...

Photo of a woman drawing with a Spirograph

Creativity is as important as eating and sleeping

What are your creative outlets? And when was the last time you spent time creating? Perhaps it’s painting, making jewelry, building, or modeling clay. Or maybe you enjoy making music, like singing or playing an...

This New Year Choose Solutions over Resolutions

It’s that time of year again. The indulgence of the holidays is behind us, yet the aftermath lingers. Many of us may notice the added weight, whether physically or as post-celebration blues. Often that translates...

2023: Your year of wonderful

Does this sound familiar – getting up feeling tired and itching for the coffee that will get you through the morning; barely having time for breakfast before heading off to work, taking the kids to...

Meaning, purpose & satisfaction at work

“C’mon, is this some sort of pipe dream? Meaning and purpose from my work, are you kidding me? I work at a job making minimum wage! I do that for 8 hours a day, 5...

How To avoid artificial harmony and cultivate authenticity

First, what is artificial harmony, compassionate authenticity, and warm boundaries? And most importantly, why should I care about any of this?

Anyone who leads a team or is thinking about leading a team should care because...

photo of a rock formation at Arches National Park, Utah.

Bigger than yourself

The power of many is greater than the power of one. This is probably most notable when we come together during hard times. But we also see the magic of community in celebrations like weddings,...

Work: Connect before you strategize

When you are at work, would you enjoy being able to tell your boss, or a coworker, that something doesn’t work for you and trust it will be received with appreciation, acceptance, and care?

If that...

Play is as important as food and sleep

As adults, we are taught to pursue a trade or career and work hard until we retire or die. We end up spending most of our waking hours doing just that.

Play? We think “that’s for...

photo of a man overlooking a city landscape

Connecting in nature

The hustle and bustle of daily living can bring with it a lot of sensory stimulation. Bright or flashing lights, honking horns, traffic, crowds, billboards, the aroma of food from restaurants or street vendors, and...

photo of a woman with a heart on her hand

Showing up authentically

I woke up this morning feeling exhausted, not just physically although my body was dragging. Nope, my brain was tired too. Decisions that were usually answered easily, like do I want oatmeal or sweet potatoes...

Let nature sooth your soul

After a long day, the last thing we desire is more on our schedule. Instead, wouldn’t it feel amazing to be able to relax and release the stress of the day? What could that even...

photo of woman walking through the woods

Movement is exercise

Many of us try to exercise often and don’t always succeed, succumb to defeat, and live with guilt and shame. Guilt and shame can motivate us to return to a program out of obligation rather...

photo of a still like with clock, notebook, and miscellaneous items

Eating without dieting

There is a way, and all it takes is a little understanding of the calorie density of various foods and how to construct your plate.

What is Calorie Density? Calorie Density is the number of calories...

How to sleep better

In our modern age, with life’s demands and constant stimulation, it’s unrealistic for most of us to get right into bed and fall into a restful sleep. We need to make an effort and a...

Grown-ups can play

Have you forgotten the pure joy you get from engaging in play?

When we were children, we rode our bikes outside, played catch and hide and seek, and ran around with our friends having fun. We...

Plant-based food that's delicious and nutritious

There is a myth that if you go plant-based, healthy vegan, or lean into a plant-slant diet, you will lose your enjoyment of eating, be hungry all the time and end up hangry. For many...

Rediscovering the natural world

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous – Aristotle

When I think back on fond memories of childhood, so many of them are rooted in nature and symbolized wonder, play, and freedom. ...

Comfortable In our own skin

For some of us, the idea of being truly comfortable in our own skin seems like a far off fantasy, especially for those who struggle with some degree of social anxiety. To be able to...

Activity isn't just exercise

If you are like millions of Americans, you probably believe exercise only counts if you go to the gym or have some structured exercise routine.

But did you know that exercise is a modern-day, man-made invention?...

photo of a woman rowing on Town Loake, Austin TX

Move because you love it

You’re likely convinced the only route to exercise is a gym membership and back breaking routine you dread. Or you have PTSD from your school gym classes as a child and being forced to wear...

Vegan vs plant-based

Confused? You’re not alone. In the last few years, we’ve seen the words “vegan” and “plant-based” pop up on menus and food labels worldwide. As more and more of us become aware of the impact...

Scenes from a young family in Minneapolis.

Making room for what truly matters to you

As I sit reflecting on the year, I find myself conflicted about it already being December. On the one hand, this year has presented an increased and protracted share of turmoil that I am not...

Building new habits

Choose one small, achievable thing you can do today. For example, if your goal is to start eating a Whole Food Plant Based Diet, can you start with just one meal, like breakfast? Swap oatmeal...

Eating mangoes with my ancestors

When I was a kid, my Filipino father would sometimes throw big parties at our home on Long Island. A cavalcade of cars would roll up our long asphalt driveway, with dark-skinned men in nehru...

Image of a young man sleeping on a hammock

Sleep and anxiety: a special relationship.

Scenario: you need a good night’s sleep because you have a big event or demanding day ahead. But you’re having trouble falling and/or staying asleep. The lack of sleep causes anxiety because you know you...