Sunday, December 30, 2012

A Bright Year Ahead

A new year is upon us. As we reflect on 2012 it is good to remember the moments that brought us joy and happiness, the moments that challenged us but were worth the struggle, and the moments that brought us some sort of enlightenment.

For myself this past year has been filled with all the above; Struggling to sell my Brooklyn apartment, wondering if I'd ever get out of financial turmoil, celebrating the sale, celebrating my kids transition from diapers to underwear (hallelujah!), finding myself a little more at a beautiful yoga retreat, opening my heart more to a loving boyfriend...

So, now the time comes for me, and for you, to shed this skin of the old. Like a snake, there is a new you underneath that is ready to take on the world, to take on the day, to learn more and be more, for yourself and for the loved ones around you. A new year is a new chance to be the greatest you. So what's stopping you?

Fear? Mark Twain once said " courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear." We all have fear. Most often that fear is fear of failure. How will we ever know success if we do not try with the chance of failure? And if we fail, then we pick ourselves up and try again. Each time we will get stronger and learn from our past failures.

I am excited about 2013. I feel great things are possible in making this year magical. I am not one to make resolutions. Instead I take a different approach, and like one of my clients said today, make intentions. What intentions do you have for the new year? And how will you make those intentions become real?

So, as you reflect, perhaps you take out a pen and paper and start a list of your intentions.

I wish you all a Happy Healthy New Year!

* If you wish to start your new year off right and would like my guidance, please contact me for a FREE health history @ lovelightandwellbeing@gmail.com

Monday, November 5, 2012

Tragedy and Compassion

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. In the wake of this crazy Frankenstorm I haven't had much time to sit for more then 5 minutes at a time at the computer. I am so grateful that my hood of NYC did not get much damage from the storm. Unlike most of Manhattan and neighboring boroughs  we never lost power or saw flooding. So many people have been displaced or lost homes. Downtown looks like something from 'I am Legend'.

There are so many people who need our help now, especially with a Nor'easter fast approaching the already beaten down NJ and NY area. So, below I am making a list of links where you can find out how to help.

http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/

http://www.treehugger.com/culture/12-ways-help-hurricane-sandy-relief-efforts.html

http://www.bobbiandthestrays.org/
This is an amazing shelter in Freeport that was hit badly and needs donations or volunteers

http://www.foodnotbombs.net/


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I am Jack's raging liver...


Did you ever stop to think how many toxins your body puts up with every day? If you are like me, living in a busy city, you are taking in thousands just walking down the street and breathing the city air! Then there is the food we eat. The food world is filled with all kinds of toxins; chemicals, carcinogens  heavy metals, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, and additives.

Lucky for us our bodies are designed perfectly. They are naturally built to combat against and resist damage from toxins by naturally detoxing through our skin, through sweat, sneezing, and eliminating. The king-daddy of all detoxifying is our liver.

However, our body can only handle so much! Our chemically driven, antibiotic ridden world is throwing so many toxins at us from every direction it is nearly impossible to avoid over exposure unless you lived in a bubble...and that's no fun for anyone.

So what do we do? How do we protect ourselves?

Well, the best way to go about this is to follow two simple plans:
A) Eat lower on the food chain. This means to move towards a more plant-based diet. The biggest health reason for this is that you will be less likely to eat contaminated fat. Many chemicals are created for industrial use (meaning for the thriving meat and dairy industry). PCB's, flame retardants, dioxin, and DDT just to name a few, wind up in the animals that are then bought in every grocery store in the US and then end up on most American's dinner tables.

B)Help your liver by enhancing it's ability to detox efficiently

There are many foods that enhance your liver's detoxing capabilities. Make it a daily habit to add this delicious foods to your diet, and viola, you are ahead of the game!

Garlic & Onion
Cruciferous Veggies
-broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collards, brussel sprouts, bok choy, watercress
Whole Grains
Berries
Turmeric
Green tea
Legumes, Nuts, and Seeds
Non-GMO Soy
Organic Red Grapes

Bon Appetite and Cheers to a good Liver!

To learn more about a healthy and happier you, email lovelightandwellbeing@gmail.com for a FREE consult!!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Authentic Self, Where Art Thou?


In between clients and on one of my longer commutes I began reading an article in my Yoga Journal about mistaken identity and finding your "true self". I thought this was a wonderfully written article and it touched on so many important points that I feel inclined to share.

What's True Self?  If you were to take away the exterior elements, like looks, status, gender, job title, sexual preference, age….that would be your true self…your authentic self. But that is easier said then done. For most of us, our "training" in who we are and who we are supposed to be starts at a very early age. We learn the importance of wealth, looks, socially acceptable behavior and gender approval. These things are important to most of us, sure, but they don't define us. So what does? How do we find our true self under all the weight of what we have been brainwashed to believe is who we are?

If you peel away the exteriors, calm the buzz of voices that surround you, and look deeper within yourself for that something that is unchanging, that voice that is crystal clear to you and only you...then you have found your true self, your authentic self. If you can recognize this, if you can feed this part of you love and good energy, then no matter what you will be okay with YOU.

Reading that article and in writing this blog I recognize that I, myself have struggled with this. I believe we all do. I believe that many of us can state that they know who they are...I know I have made that statement in the past too, but I wonder how deep that really goes. If someone were to ask me who I am my initial reaction is; 33 year old, single mom to a beautiful 3 year old, vegan, personal trainer, yogi, holistic health counselor, living in NYC. Ha! That's the right answer, right? Yes, all this things make up the beautiful coat of who I am and what I have accomplished, but if you take them all away...I still exist. I am still searching for my true self, my authentic self. I have started to learn what that is for me, but I don't think I have all the answers yet, and that's okay. I am still working on calming those voices, finding the quiet where I can reach within. Yoga helps with this. 

I encourage you to take time each day to find some quiet, some calm, where you too can breathe and start to peel away the layers and look deeper into who you truly are. The True You, the Authentic You. I wish you all the best in your venture.

Namaste

*If you wish to read the Yoga Journal Article mentioned above, here it is: http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/2643







Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Black Bean Chili with Butternut Squash and Kale


Ingredients:
2 tbsps olive oil
12 cups onions (chopped)
garlic cloves (chopped)
12 cups butternut squash (peeled)
2 tbsps chili powder
2 tsps ground cumin
1 tsp turmeric

2 cans organic black beans (rinsed drained)
2 cups of vegetable broth
14 12 ozs diced tomatoes (juice)
3 cups kale (i like to chop into small pieces for this dish)
Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until tender and golden, about 9 minutes. Add squash; stir 2 minutes. Stir in chili powder, turmeric, and cumin. Stir in beans, broth, and tomatoes with juices; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in kale; simmer until kale is tender but still bright green, about 4 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle chili into bowls and serve.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Arm yourself against Cancer!

Cancer...it's a dirty word. It's a word I hate to say and even more hate to hear. Unfortunately, as I get older I feel like I hear it way to often. It seems that there is not one person on this earth that hasn't been touched by cancer, whether it be their own personal battle or that of a loved one.

This month we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness. Walks and charity drives are held in order to raise money for research in hopes of finding a cure and ending cancer all together. I am very supportive of these acts of compassion towards a great cause. One of the best part of these walks and charity drives is not so much the money raised so much as the camaraderie and the strength that is put on display and recognized among the family and friends and fighters of this horrible disease. The power that these events give to those feeling helpless and desperate and in need of support is paramount. However, I believe it is equally imperative that we begin to look down at our plate for answers, cures, and prevention.

Food is medicine and it is amazing how easy it is to make sure that you are eating cancer fighting and preventive foods. To make it even easier I have provided a grocery list for you below!

Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage- All three of these contain a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol, which can combat breast cancer by converting a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective type. The phytochemical sulforaphane, a product of glucoraphanin, found in broccoli (especially sprouts) is believed to help prevent some types of cancer, like colon and rectal cancer.

Kale (my favorite!)-has indoles, nitrogen compounds which may help prevent the conversion of certain lesions to cancerous cells in estrogen-sensitive tissues. Kale also has phytochemicals called isothiocyanates, which are thought to suppress tumor growth and block cancer-causing substances from reaching their targets. Sweet!

Seaweed along with other sea vegetables contain beta-carotene, chlorophyll, protein, B-12, fiber, and chlorophylones- important fatty acids that may help in the fight against breast cancer. Many sea veggies also contain high concentration of the minerals calcium, iron, iodine, and magnesium.

Avocados- Often people avoid this wonderful food for fear of it's fat content...and then they go order a side of fries (d'oh!). This magical fruit is one of the best kinds of fat. It is rich in gluthathione, a powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the the body by bocking intestinal absorption of certain fats. Did you catch that? Eating avocados can prevent you from getting fat! It is believed that avocados may be useful in treating hepatitis ( a cause of liver cancer), as well as other sources of liver damage. They also contain more potassium then bananas.

Flax is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to protect against colon cancer and heart disease. They also contains lignans, which may have an antioxidant effect and block or suppress cancerous change. Wondering how to use flax? I add ground flaxseed to my smoothies, my soups, etc. Easy peasy.

Tumeric- If this is not a staple in your diet you are missing one of the best spices on the planet with some seriously powerful medicinal properties. Tumeric inhibits the production of the inflammation-related enzyme cyclo-oxgenase 2 (COX-2). Why is this important? Because levels of COX-2 are found to be abnormally high in certain inflammatory disease and cancers, especially bowel and colon cancer. This is a serious no brainer. Go buy this spice!!

So, above I have listed some of my top favorite from this long list and why they are so great. Below you will see the entire grocery list. Heal thyself and take this list to the store.

Vegetables
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Carrots
Kale
Mushrooms: shiitake, maitake, reishi, Agaricus blazei Murill, and Coriolus Versicolor
Seaweed and other sea vegetables
Sweet potatoes
Fruit
Avocados
Chili peppers
Figs
Grapefruits
Grapes
Oranges and lemons
Papayas
Raspberries
Tomatoes
Seeds & Nuts
Flax
Nuts
Herbs & Spices
Garlic
Rosemary
Tapioca
Tumeric
Beverages
Red wine (hallelujah!)
Green tea and black tea

* For a free holistic health consultation please contact Ellie at lovelightandwellbeing@gmail.com

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Gratitude...

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

-- Melodie Beattie


Today I am truly uplifted. In a world full of stress and constant motion, it is good to sit for a moment and be grateful. Take more then a moment. Take 15.

Find a notebook and start a gratitude journal. Every day write down 5 things that you are grateful for. 5 things that happened in your day that were good, that made you smile, that made you laugh, or made you think, "hey, my life is pretty great." This little exercise will have an amazing affect. DOn't be surprised if you start waking up just a little happier.

So, what am I grateful for today?

Well, I just returned home from an amazing conference at the Jazz at Lincoln Center for the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, the school where I hold my Holistic Health Counseling credentials. Today I listened to some amazing speakers : Andrea Beaman, JJ Smith, Kathy Swift, and the amazing Dr. Daniel Amen. I am so grateful that I got to be there and be apart of this force who's one goal is to help people find health and happiness.

I am also grateful that I am healthy. I have taken my own body to new levels of health and I am so happy with that. I live firm with the belief that there is always room for improvement but to be happy with all the little accomplishments. This past week I took on a little detox. I found that it wasn't very far off from how I eat already, BUT I did kick one habit, caffeine! No more coffee for this girl unless it's decaf. Proud of this step forward and so I celebrate it. As we all should. It's those little accomplishments that help us reach the big goal.

I am grateful for the ability to acknowledge that I don't have all the answers. No one does. what I do have is knowledge to learn what I don't know and to share what I do. The day one feels they know it all is the day they might as well hang up their hat and move on. Trust your heart, have a thirst for knowledge, admit when you don't, and keep yourself open to new information, because there is always something out there worthy of learning.

That is 3 of mine today. I encourage you now to go find a quiet space, a notebook. Take a deep breath. Now write out your 5 gratitudes for the day.


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Fridge or Dare!

Hey, I have a fun game for you. It's called Fridge or Dare. I dare you to go in your fridge and find me 5 things that will go bad if not eaten in 3-5 days. How'd you do? Hopefully you found more then 5. If you found less then I am here to revamp your fridge.  If you found less because you have less then 5 things in your fridge, well then get your butt over to my house and let's feed you something yummy!

The Revamp

Just like a house or beauty make-over, I am here to make-over your fridge. Except that in doing so I am helping you make-over your body....which in my humble opinion is far more important then the color of your house or nails. You ARE what you eat!!! You are also a role model for your significant other and your kids if you have any.

What should NOT be in lurking in your fridge:

Mayonnaise
Soda and sugary fruit beverages
Alcohol
Processed meat
Processed cheese
Creamy dressings
Ice cream
Frozen junk food- fries, pizzas, hot pockets, etc.
Whole Milk
Creamers

What to fill your fridge with:
(Fresh preferably organic and seasonal)
Bag of apples
Bag of oranges
Lemons
Dates
Bananas- those can go on top of fridge :)
Cherries
Grapefruit
Mangos
Peaches
Pineapple
Papayas
Pears
Watermelon
Kale
Spinach
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Bell peppers

Mixed Green salad

Almond, hemp, rice milk

Frozen 
Strawberries
Blueberries
Mixed berries

Mixed Veggies

Better condiment choices:
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Apple cider Vinegar
Bragg Liquid Amino
Hummus 

Hope you guys have fun cleaning out your fridge. I promise your body will thank you. 

If you want to learn more about how to live a Happy, Healthier, and Balanced life, contact me for a free consultation at lovelightandwellbeing@gmail.com or visit my site @ http://www.ellieeagle.com





Thursday, September 13, 2012

The Power of Pumpkin, a look and taste...

You can just say the word pumpkin and I will drool. I love pumpkin!!! I will consider myself fully immersed in fall when I bake my first pumpkin treat and roast my first batch of pumpkin seeds.

So why else is pumpkin so awesome?? Because its SO good for you! Check out these benefits, then try a recipe or two and thank me later. Youuuuuur welcome. 

Benefits of pumpkin:

  • Very low calories and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol and a rich source of dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins. 

  • Pumpkin is a storehouse of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C and vitamin-E.

  • Excellent source of Vitamin A (246% of RDA) which is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and is required by body for maintaining the integrity of skin and mucus membranes. It is also an essential vitamin for vision. Research studies suggest that natural foods rich in vitamin A helps body protect against lung and oral cavity cancers.

  • It is also an excellent source of many natural poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds such as α and ß carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenes convert into vitamin A inside the body.

  • Helps protect from "age related macular disease" 

  • Rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid.

  • It is also rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

  • Pumpkin Seeds are good source of dietary fiber and mono-unsaturated fatty acids which are good for heart health. In addition, they are very good in protein, minerals and many health benefiting vitamins. For example 100 g of pumpkin seeds provide 559 cal, 30 g of protein, 110% RDA of iron, 4987 mg of niacin (31% RDA), selenium (17% of RDA), zinc (71%) etc... but no cholesterol. The seeds are an excellent source of health promoting amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted to GABA in the brain.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Vegan, Gluten free, Dairy free, Sugar free, Yeast free, Corn free
This smoothie is creamy and light. Not only will it add extra fiber to your day, but having pumpkin in the morning will keep you fuller, longer!
Yield: 1 serving, 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup non-dairy milk – I used unsweetened almond
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1 tbsp raisins or 1/2 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • pinch ground nutmeg
  • pinch ground cloves
  • pinch all spice
Blend until smooth

Every year i speak of this recipe and all my friends ask for the recipe. I don't take credit for it at all but I have become an expert at making it because it's so delicious!!! Enjoy!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Recipe- Cheap Eats Clean

Proof that one doesn't need much to eat yummy, good-for-you, food.

Kale & Black Beans over Quinoa


kale- rinsed, and torn
can of organic black beans- drained, rinsed
garlic- minced
1/2 cup salsa- your heat choice
olive oil
quinoa

make quinoa first like stated on box or bag

heat oil in pan
add garlic
add beans and salsa
(salsa is a quick way to add flavor without having to buy separately onion and chopped tomatoes- do I prefer fresh? yes. but sometimes you go with what's in the fridge. )
add kale
cover for a minute to steam the kale then remove cover. stir often, intermingling the bean mixture with the kale. 8-10 minutes

serve over quinoa

* i sometimes garnish with avocado or a dollop of my favorite hummus
* if you want an extra kick add cayenne to spice things up

Budget breakdown
kale-$2.79
beans- $1.59
quinoa- $1.25 (per 2 servings)
salsa- $0.50 (serving size)

total- $ 6.13 for 2 servings!!!




Thursday, August 30, 2012

Fall Cleanse

Ahhhh, my favorite time of year is upon us. Fall! I am trying to soak in every last moment of summer I can but the usual signs are showing me that fall is definitely approaching. School supplies are everywhere I turn, the evening breezes are getting a little cooler, and my craving for  vegan pumpkin chocolate chip muffins is growing stronger (hehe).

So, other then stocking up on pumpkin and school supplies what should you be doing? Well, perhaps you might consider a little fall cleansing...of your body! In Ayurveda your food is eaten seasonally and serves a purpose for the body. Food is not only meant to nourish the body but restore balance. When we become unbalanced we begin to hold toxins in our body which can then throw our bodies into distress. This is when you may run into health issues, everything from acne to irritable bowl to kidney stones. Yuck!

Learning about Ayurveda is pretty fascinating and takes some work. If you care to read more about it I will leave you some links at the bottom of the page. Instead I am going to tell you about some things you can do to cleanse for fall. The whole idea of cleansing for fall is to prepare your body for winter. In spring you cleans to remove the toxins left from winter and in fall you cleanse to prevent buildup of toxicity in coming months. Digestion and cellular metabolism are extremely important in keeping toxins  from building up in your system. this cleanse will strengthen those for you and give you the edge you need to maintain ultimate health.

So here's some tips:
Chew your food and be grateful!
Do you remember your mom ever telling you to slow down and chew your food? Well, turns out she was right (at least about that one)! Taking a moment to take a breathe, say grace, or give thanks to the gods, goddesses, or mother Earth before plowing through your food is actually good for digestion. Better still is to be present while you are eating. What does that mean? That means turn off the television, put down the magazine or paper, and be aware and in the moment of your eating. Not only will you vastly improve your digestion and look less like a slob shoveling in food, you might actually lose a pound. WHAT?!?! Yep, when you actually pay attention and take your time chewing and eating your food you will find that you are able to stop when you are about 3/4 full instead of ripping at the seams full. Bonus!

Spice it UP!!
There are plenty of spices that you might already have in your kitchen that will help fuel that digestive fire. Cardamom, fresh ginger, cinnamon, fennel, cumin, and turmeric are just a few spices that if added to your food will help you better absorb the nutrients that your food has to offer. You may also try fennel or ginger tea to enhance digestion.

Exercise and Massage!
To keep your cellular metabolism in good working condition you must get that body moving and then massage. It is suggested that the best way to exercise is to have to periods of exercise: morning- stimulating, night- restorative. Yoga is super great for this but not everyone is a yogi and some of us don't feel like we have exercised at all without running, lifting, or doing mountain climbers till we puke. So for those of you who are like that...just make sure you are staying consistent. And if you can throw in some restorative yoga in there somewhere, gold star!

Massage is truly medicinal. It is also vital in a cleanse. Your body is working overtime when you cleanse to purify all bodily systems. Your liver, your g.i. tract, your digestive system; all of them are working hard to get the toxins out. Massage helps move the lymphatic fluids to lymph nodes which helps the bod build healthy, toxin free tissue. If you can't afford a massage, self-massage. If you self- massage just make sure to stroke in the direction of the heart. A little light oil or soap, if in shower, help.

and lastly...Hydrate!
Adequate water will assist in every cleanse you ever do. Water helps flush those toxins out of your body. However, there is such a thing as too much water so 1oz of water for each lb of body weight is what's recommended.

Happy cleansing!!!

To learn more:

If you would like to learn even more about living a healthy and happy life please email Ellie to schedule a free Health History @ lovelightandwellbeing@gmail.com

Monday, August 27, 2012

Playing Up the Positive

What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind. ~Buddha

What are you thankful for today? What are 3 good things that happened today?
As you start to settle into the last moments of your day, think about these questions. Better yet, go buy yourself and small spiral notebook to keep beside your bed, and each night before you turn out the lights, write in that little book what those things are. It's not a diary, you don't have to tell about your whole day or spill your guts (unless you want to of course), just make a short simple list. I like the 3 good things list.

It's amazing what a little positive journaling will do to your life. This little trick has been shown in studies to help people feel more happy. Why? Because, at the end of the day, often times we are exhausted or feeling beaten down, spent, wanting to throw the towel in. Somehow that 5-10 minutes that you take to think about just 3 good things in your day allow you to feel some sort of release...see the silver lining, if you will. Power of positive thinking!

Begin to notice the ripple effect. You may begin to become more aware of those little moments in your day of positivity. Maybe a little boy, acting all gentlemen-like held a door for you, or maybe you got green lights all the way to work, or maybe the barisita at your local coffee shop gave you a free shot in your soy latte today, or maybe you woke up with great hair! It's the little things, and they add up. Beginning to note those things each day will turn one awful day into a not so horrible day.

Give it a shot!
Love Light and Wellbeing!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Eat Like A God/Goddess on a Budget!

It's no secret to most of my friends and family that I am an avid vegan and vegan supporter. I love how I feel morally and health wise. I eat a super healthy diet packed with nutrients and yes protein and never feel sick or deprived by my choices. I can also bench press a 160 lb  person if need be...just sayin'.

What I find interesting is that the most popular question that comes my way, other then the typical "how do you get your protein" question, is how do I afford it? To be honest, when I eat out I am lucky to live in such a metropolitan of choices. However, I cook a lot at home, by myself or with my boyfriend. For the most part we don't eat processed or what's often called "fake" meat. My fridge is stocked with fresh veggies and fruits and my cupboards full of whole grains like brown rice and quinoa. Yes, I food shop often, but my total grocery bill per week is fairly low compared to those stocking up on processed foods like boxed cereals, chips, cookies, pre-made lunchables (gross!) and the like. The key is to stay away from that crap. 

Sure, we are all busy and convenience is what we all thrive for, but at what cost? Your health? Your family's health? Take the time to prepare a meal with a little love and patience. Stay away from those middle isles in the grocery store piled high with sugar and preservatives. And if you think you can't hack it on a tight budget, think again.

Check out the Environmental Working Group. This organization has made it easy for you by  putting together a list of 100 inexpensive foods that are high in nutrients and contain little to no pesticides, contaminants, and artificial ingredients.

SO, Stop the excuses. Get Healthy!!

Friday, August 24, 2012

The Big Leap


I
t has taken me a long while to decide on what I wished this blog to be. Although, I know that it will take time to shape itself, I am ready to start. Most endevours into the unknown are quite scary and so one must take a deep breathe, wish for the best, and leap. So, that being said, here I go.

My name is Ellie. Some know me as Ellie, Elizabeth, Liz, and for a period in my life when I was really finding myself, Larc. Whichever name people have known me by I have always been just me. Just me, someone who cares for others and has always known that my life work would be helping others, making them happy in some form or another. I never wished to be a medical doctor, although my parents may wished I had. In truth I wanted to be a rock star! Or a broadway dancer! Hey, there is still time, no?

My first taste of the holistic healing realm came when an exit from college, where I was dancing myself into a depression, led me to massage school. well, my mom gets credit for that actually. (Thanks Mom!) Her insistence that I had magic hands led me to a 6-month intense training massage school. What an experience! My mind was blown. Long story shorter, I spent a couple of years as a Massage Therapist, then got into Personal Training, and am now in the deep midst of becoming a Holistic Health Counselor. My training has all led me to a place where I feel confident in helping others mind, body, and spirit...and I couldn't be happier!!

ABOUT
So, what is Love Light and Wellbeing? This is a combination of my trades. This is a blog where I can share what I know to those that care and to those that I care about. It's a place where I will share fun healthy ideas, whether that's a new recipe, a new exercise, or a new meditation. Take what you want from this blog and feel free to pass it a long to those you think may like it.

If you are interested in delving deeper into a healthier, happier you then I encourage you to contact me for a free health history at lovelightandwellbeing@gmail.com.