How to Make Diet Transformation An Adventure

While I'm away on my month-long adventure I have some friends here to help me share their experiences with adventure. Today Alison from alisonsmith.com is talking about how to make diet transformation an adventure because it totally is!  

I remember the day, vividly, when I had to make the decision to radically change my diet.

I was extremely sick, and I had no idea why. All I knew was that I had to make a move. I had to be the one to save myself because the myriad of specialists that I saw had no idea what was causing my illness.

The epiphany I experienced, at the point of realization when I intuitively knew that I was going to be the catalyst to my recovery, was very empowering. I had already waited a year and half for answers that did not come. I was living in a holding pattern waiting for a doctor to save me. But, in essence and reality, I had to save myself.

Hindsight is 20:20, right. But, at this point, I know that medical intervention is only one piece of any recovery puzzle. We as individuals have an incredible responsibility to take pointed action to reclaim our health, for ourselves. And, I look at that responsibility not as a burden, but as liberation.

All of us make important decisions each day; we decide whether we will roll with the punches, or wave the white flag of surrender. We make the decision on how we will react to adversity. And, our thoughts, in the end, determine our perception and experience of any trial and tribulation.

When radical changes need to be made in your life, you have the option to come out fighting with a smile on your face, or to retreat, ignore, and dive into anger and despair about your predicament. And, I don't know about you, but I would rather come out swinging than remaining unconscious to the amazing possibilities that lie ahead.

Do you know deep down inside that you need to change the way that you eat? Have you been resisting the process because you have no idea where to start? Do you feel overwhelmed? Everything that you are thinking and feeling is a valid reaction to the major shift that needs to take place. And, I believe that all of us need to honor how we feel. But once we acknowledge that we are fearful or overwhelmed that is the moment when we need to push forward.

I suggest that you look at diet transformation as the big adventure that it is. And, here are 10 ways to leap into that adventure:

1. Indulge in beautiful books: There is nothing better than a stack of books and a cup of tea -- at least that's my opinion. I love the look and feel of gorgeous books: I'm staring at a stack of them right now. Your diet transformation may include going gluten-free or sugar-free or introducing more RAW foods into your diet, and I think there is a great deal of inspiration and clarity to be had from getting your hands on some fabulous food books. I would suggest Superfoods by David Wolfe and Conscious Eating by Gabriel Cousens. Start your transformative adventure by getting educated. Gathering information is a wonderful way to squash fear and overwhelm because it provides you with direction and clarity.

2. Experiment, Baby!: I love to experiment in the kitchen. Since I live gluten-free, sugar-free, corn-free, and mostly vegetarian, I'm constantly experimenting with new recipes (and creating new recipes for my Food Love Friday blog post). There is a wealth of websites that focus in on recipes for those transitioning to a more clean and healthy diet. Create a bookmark folder in your browser, and start collecting the names of websites that specialize in the food you are interested in making. And, while you're at it, have fun in the kitchen! Food doesn't have to be complicated; it can be an amazing adventure.

3. Invite your friends on the journey: I think adventures are so much more fun when I have company with me. Now…beware! Some people in your life will not be open to trying new foods. In fact, they may criticize your decision to transform the way that you eat. Criticism is fine; in fact, it's natural. It's a reaction to change. Let your friends and family know that you are shifting to a more healthy diet, and you would love for them to join you on the ride. Some will come along, some will not. But it will be fun nonetheless -- just have a dinner party!

4. Find your tribe: Making lasting changes in your life is more plausible when you surround yourself with likeminded individuals. So, find your tribe! Go beyond asking your friends and family to join you on your diet transformation adventure. Get out there, online, in person, on Skype, on the phone…meet new people that have made the transition to a more healthy diet, and view them as the wealth of knowledge that they are. There are some wonderful Meet Up groups in every city (i.e. vegan potlucks, raw food potlucks, gluten-free clubs, etc.). Just go to Meetup.com.

5. See the health food store as a treasure chest: Health food stores are really off the hook now a days. They are so jam-packed with new and exciting products that it's easy to spend heaps of time perusing the goods. Visit your local health food store, and try out products that seem interesting. There are so many gluten-free products now that transitioning into a gluten-free diet is so much more easy than it was even 7 years ago.

6. Discover food alternatives: From the information that you gather at the beginning of your adventure, write down all of the alternatives that are available. For example, if you are going gluten-free, write down all of the flour alternatives and bread products that you enjoy. Make sure that your alternative list is extensive enough to provide you with variety, since it is the spice of life after all.

7. Create fun challenges: I love a challenge. Recently, I hosted a 21-Day Juicing Challenge on my website. It was amazing. 190 people signed-up, from all over the world, and we all drank one fresh juice each day for 21-Days. Simple. Challenges provide you with a fun way to maintain accountability. And, they are a fun way to connect with others doing the challenge with you. Here are some potential challenges for you: go gluten-free for 3 weeks; go sugar-free for 10 days; eat one new vegetable that you've never had each week for 6 weeks. Goodness…the possibilities for challenges are endless!

8. Soar with an open mind: Change is hard. And, when it comes to the food that we eat, we have some very strong beliefs and ideas that prevent us from making changes. Remember, to stay gentle with yourself. Keep an open mind. All you can do is complete the experiment. Discover how changing the way you eat transforms how YOU feel. And, do not be swayed by others because what works for them may not work for you and vise versa. You are a glorious individual that deserves a tailor made life and diet.

9. Grab inspiration: I gather a great deal of energy and motivation from hearing and watching the stories of others who have transformed their lives. In terms of diet transformation that ultimately revolutionizes life, I think the biggest bang for your buck is to watch documentaries like Food Matters, May I Be Frank, Forks Over Knives, Fat Sick & Nearly Dead, Raw Food Super Charge Me, or Crazy Sexy Cancer.

10. Share your knowledge: As you transform your diet, you will be accumulating a vast amount of new information and know-how. I say share that know-how with others who are interested in hearing it. Don't start preaching to people who are not ready to make a change in their lives. Just talk gently to those who are expressing interest, and show them that changing the way that you eat doesn't have to be the scary endeavor that most of us imagine it to be. It's an adventure that is filled with discovery, inspiration, transformation, and happiness in knowing that you have control over your destiny.

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Alison Smith is a neuroscientist, writer and a wellness junkie on a mission to promote self-care and self-love to those battling back to abundant health and happiness. Schooled by her own journey back to vibrant health and vitality, following a 7-year battle with Lyme Disease, Alison is the creator of alisonsmith.com and the FREE e-book, Recharge Your Body: 52 Smoothie & Juice Recipes. Alison is a sugar-free & gluten-free coach who lives and breathes by the motto: Live healthy. Live happy. Live now.

Look How Far You’ve Come: Reflections On My Solo Yoga Retreat in Ubud

While I'm away on my month-long adventure I have some friends here to help me share their experiences with adventure. Today Claire from This is Lifeblood is talking all about her  reflections from a solo trip in Ubud, Bali. 

The first time I visited Ubud on a yoga retreat it rocked my world. It was there in September of 2012, that I finally gave myself permission to just be me. To forget what everyone else thought, to let go of what was stopping me from being truly authentic in the world, and just be Claire Baker in all her inner-health-freak, self-love-preaching, yogini-wannabe glory. While still being totally cool and awesome.

I reflect upon that week as a real catalyst in the journey I’ve been on, as I figure out how I want to live my one precious life.There’s nothing like spending time in an environment that embraces and embodies yoga, organic food, meditation, art and spirituality in the way that Ubud does; the place is a haven for holistic health and it holds an incredibly special place in my heart.

Late last year I trekked back to Ubud for 5 days on a little solo DIY yoga retreat and to be honest, I kind of hoped it would rock my world in the same way this time around. I wanted it to shake my soul and crack me open.

But, it didn’t reeeaaaally do that.

I didn’t feel the same raw excitement I had felt last year when I’d discovered Ubud; the abundance of Ayurvedic healing centres, raw food and crystal stores plus yoga schools with every style of yoga imaginable had me in fits of elation! I was hungry for change and desperate for guidance and enlightenment. I found a freedom I had never felt before amongst a myriad of like-minded souls.

But, I discovered quickly that this trip wasn’t about aha! moments as it was much more about finding peace, release and space. Expansion. Limitless. Connecting with God. Coming home.

It was in the second of two conversations I had in the entire 5 days I was in Ubud (a mini silent retreat really!), with a chilled out, meditation-junkie dude named Mal, that I heard myself say ‘I guess I realize how far I have come this year’, when it didn’t seem a revelation to me that a relaxing time away could encompass vast amounts of silence, coconut kefir and 8pm bedtimes.

A year ago, that notion would have both excited and terrified me. A year later, I now recognize it as apart of me. So much of what rocked my world about Ubud a year before, has become my norm now. I have successfully integrated so much of what I had fallen in love with, into my daily life. Which is both totally cool and awesome. Mal thought so too.

Plus, last year I was dreading returning home to my "not exactly soul satisfying job", while this time around, I went back to work on Sunday because I love what I do!

So what else did I realise?

• Ubod embodies the three biggest loves of my life; nourishment, exploration and creativity. Yoga, food, meditation, art, music, adventure. Love.
• That this time to myself wasn’t so much about assessing the life-changing events of the past year, but about embracing what is to come and being comfortable with the uncertainty of it all. Acceptance of reality; full and total acceptance of the unknown.
• I need to take more time away from my phone, social media, my laptop and my emails. I had neither a phone, laptop or TV for 5 days and it was bliss. I slept better. Decisions were infinitely easier to make. I ate mindful. I read books. I was present.
• Honey and cucumber facials and yoghurt body scrubs are heaven-sent. Where did that forehead wrinkle run off to?
• I love taking myself out for dinner. I need to do this more often!
• I really, really want to write a book.
• I definitely don’t need alcohol to relax anymore. I didn’t have a single drink the whole time I was away and I didn’t even think about it.
• But I do need to allow myself to feel more. I know I’ve been distracting myself with other things. Need to stop escaping.
• I freakin’ love yoga. So much. And I can’t wait to teach it myself!
• I am supported, always. And so are you. We are given only what we can handle and precisely what we need.

Ubud holds an incredibly special place in my heart and returning there, was like coming home to myself. I can’t wait to see what my next trip there brings… Tell me, have you ever had a moment while travelling that made you realize just how far you have come?

Claire Baker is a health and life coach, writer and creative from sunny Perth, Australia. Claire holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design and received her coaching certification through The Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City.  Claire works with women who are ready to transform their health, tap into their creativity and make real lifestyle changes.

Her clients (from all over the world) experience greater confidence, improved relationships, more joy and clear complexions. Through her honest and informative blog and unique coaching packages, you can consider Claire your personal advocate for living a creative, energised and passionate life.

Come say hi at This is Lifeblood, her online space to share her passion for all things nourishing, soulful and creative and subscribe to her free weekly love letters. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @_clairebaker_.

When Being a Quitter is a Good Thing

While I'm away on my month-long adventure I have some friends here to help me share their experiences with adventure. Today Natalia from Achieve the Impossible is talking about how she found a sense of adventure in choosing to make a hard decision but one that was best for her and her life. 

Last year, out of the blue, I was offered a volunteer leadership opportunity with a coaching organization. Based on my conversations, the role seemed like a great fit and it sounded like an amazing adventure.

I was given a few days to think it over; but the way I saw it, it was a done deal. I was so excited to be a part of a dynamic professional community and create great work together. What’s not to love?

Six months into the job, I was spending about 40 hours a week struggling to stay atop of my volunteer duties, often neglecting my business, personal relationships and other important commitments. Hard work never bothered me; however, in this case, as much as I tried, I couldn’t make it work. Turns out, this tribe wasn’t my tribe and the work, well, it didn’t light my heart on fire.

What I thought was going to be an exciting adventure in reality felt like torture.

But what could I do?

I made a commitment and it was my responsibility to keep my end of the bargain. I couldn’t just walk away, after all, people were counting on me.

Many of you, I’m sure, have been in a similar predicament. It’s tough to navigate but not impossible to handle. This is what you do:

Be honest with yourself

This is hard but the truth will set you free.

At first, I was afraid to the truth about I was really feeling and refused to listen to all the different ways my body was telling me to stop. Denial takes a lot of physical energy and emotional space. I felt tired and couldn’t find the motivation to do anything at all. Once I found the courage to be honest with myself, I felt free and energetic. I finally had the emotional bandwidth to consider my options and next steps. Oh relief!

Resistance Vs. It’s not working out

This is the type of thing I asked myself in the first few months. Is it resistance? Or is it just not working out?

Sometimes it takes to know for sure. We need to give it a solid try and I think there’s nothing wrong with that. But, some people don’t like licorice, they don’t need to try anymore – they just don’t like the taste. While many people before me loved doing this work, it wasn’t quiet the right fit for me.

With anything life, we have to know where the line is between resistance and something not being a good match. Do you really want to do it? Or is it something you’re doing because you think you have to?

What are saying Yes to?

Integrity is important to me and I loathe breaking promises. So much that I’ve been known to keep my promises regardless of how I felt about them. My word was a rock and so was I.

A wise woman once told me that by saying YES to things I don’t want to do, I was saying NO to things that energized and filled me up. Keeping a promise for the sake of keeping a promise is not being in integrity, it’s self-torture.

Yes, keeping your word is an honorable thing to do and people will always appreciate this about you. But what are you giving up as a result? What are you saying NO to by continuing to say YES to things that no longer serve you?

You’re allowed to change your mind

You can commit to something and then change your mind. It doesn’t make you a flake. It means that situation has changed and what once seemed like a great idea doesn’t fit anymore.

You know as well as I do that it’s nearly impossible for us to fully show up and do our best work when your heart is not in it. I thought I was doing this coaching organization a favor by enduring when in reality they deserved someone who wanted to be there and could give them their 100 per cent.

Ask yourself why it is that you do what you do, and whether you truly want to keep going. It’s worth noticing if you’re doing it because you think you have to, while ignoring something that you embrace enthusiastically and with your whole heart.

When I realized that I didn’t to force myself do the work that didn’t fill me up, I felt better. Sure, I may have disappointed others and some may think of me as a quitter. But I was quitting in favor of something that I wanted more: to work on projects that were closely aligned with my soul’s desires and surround myself with people who’s company I enjoyed.

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Natalia is a certified life coach for women who are dreaming of aligning with their deepest truth and living a gorgeous life. Through her 1:1 sessions, eBooks and her signature eCourse - Unravel Yourself Circle - Natalia helps her clients explore different ways they hold themselves back, why they do it, and how to move past it. Shine with passion + take brave strides towards a life you love at Achieve the Impossible.

Finding Adventure in the Everyday

When you read this post I'll probably be flying somewhere over the Pacific ocean on my way to Hong Kong, India, Cambodia and Thailand. I love and live for adventure. It brings me great joy to pack a bag and just go, however, I've come to realize in the last few years that being adventurous doesn't necessarily mean you have to get on a plane and go somewhere.

You can find adventure in everything and everywhere. 

The last two months I've been struggling with what I so easily call 'the seasonal funk.' I've been really trying to dive in to what it is I'm actually feeling and  I've come to realize that I'm not really sad or feeling depressed so to speak, but rather I'm not truly living how I want to be living.

I'm lacking regular adventure.  

In the past I have placed so much emphasis on adventure being this big, hugely wild experience (kind of like traveling all over the world) and but I can also get that sense of adventure in my own back yard. My soul craves regular adventure and trying new things but obviously I can't jump on a plane and cruse all over the world all the time (not yet anyway) so I really need to find ways to experience that adventurous feeling here, in Oregon as well. 

Even though we are heading off to an epic adventure,  I still need to find adventure in the everyday to truly be happy and feel like myself. 

So how can I/we do this?  It's actually quite easy. 

I'm going to start living outside of my comfort zone where the real magic happens and I'm inviting YOU to join me!

I've lived in Oregon for almost three years and I still feel like a stranger in my own city. There are small towns and bigger cities to be explored as well as mountains to hike and ocean towns to be perused. I'm going to make it an adventure to go out and explore this beautiful place where I get to call home. 

I'm also going to do the following: 

- I'm going to put myself out there more. I mean, like hosting workshops and lectures and networking events where I have to talk in front of large amounts of people.(My secret dream but one of my biggest fears!)

- I'm going to experiment more in the kitchen and try to create more new recipes on my own instead of fearing I'll mess up

- I'm going to walk around the house in short shorts more often and feel confident and sexy in the body I have. 

- I'm going to do more of what I really want to do instead of what I think I have to or should do. 

What can YOU do to add more adventure into your life? It doesn't have to be a big, huge thing. It can be as simple as taking  a different route, one that you've never taken before. 

While I'm away I am having some of my friends sharing posts with you with the theme of adventure and to show you other's experiences with finding adventure in almost anything you do. 

I'm sure I will pop in to say hi while I'm away but part of this adventure is being very present in the moment and this trip with my husband.  I'm excited for this adventure. 

But tell me in the comments what is one thing you are going to do to embrace a sense of adventure in your everyday life?