Live+Thrive CA Fall 2019

By F I T N F A B S

Celebrity Chef Shannon Kring INCORPORATES INDIGENOUS CULTURES AT THE TABLE

10-Day Detox Plan Thanksgiving Recipes

Visit us for more stories and trusted advice from holistic health professionals and experts

LIVETHRIVECA.COM Fall 2019

Get Your Steps in With Classic Fall Family Activities

CONTENTS Page

30

Model: shannonkring Photographer: Marc Gerke

marc.gerke

OUR PUBLISHER www.LiveThriveCA.com

Fall 2019

Dear Readers, I am so excited to announce the new name of our magazine. I believe that Live & Thrive captures the essence of California living. It certainly starts with the physical space where you live, work and play, but it also extends to your mind space where you find your life’s purpose and manifest your dreams and desires. You've heard of California Dreaming. We're also California Living and California Thriving. We have renewed our commitment to inspire and energize our community of women and also our newly developed community of men by allowing professionals to share their expertise and passions through words and media.

In our fall issue, we explore the facets of cancer survival and meet fascinating entrepreneurs and business executives who are making an impact in our community. We hope you enjoy reading this issue and will join us on our exciting new journey as Live & Thrive CA. With love and gratitude,

Rosalidia Dubon

Rosalidia Dubon

FitNFabs

Rosalidia Dubon is an entrepreneur and educator in the media publishing and content marketing industries. She is the founder of Dubon Consulting and a committed advocate of women and children’s issues worldwide.

Eva Barrows

EvalsWrite

Eva Barrows is a San Francisco Bay Area writer and editor. In 2007 she created Imitation Fruit Literary Journal (www.imitationfruit.com) to showcase fun and upbeat short stories, poetry, and artwork. She blogs about the craft of writing and local historical places www.evabarrows.com

CONTENTS www.LiveThriveCA.com

6

Prep Your Skin For Fall

7

Breast Self Examinations: A Routine to Save Your Life

8

Follow a Detox Plan For A Guilt Free Thanksgiving

11 Nutrition Q&A 12 RawDaddy James Hall's Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes 15 Organizing...You Got This! Let Go Of The Past And Stop Forecasting The Future 16 Looking Back While Planning Your Forward 18 When You Look At Yourself In The Mirror, What Do You See? 19 What’s on Their Face is Not About Me 20 The Process Of Grief 21 Psycho-Oncology Empowers the Fight for Life 22 5 Women Leading the Way in Silicon Valley

Fall 2019

26

Train Your Littles to Love a Good Workout

27

Ice or Heat? That Is The Question!

28

Pain Prevention Strategies You Can Do at Home

29

Classic Family Fall Activities To Get Your Steps In

30

Serving Up Global Nourishment, Celebrity Chef Shannon Kring Incorporates Indigenous Cultures at the Table

36

Brain Fit Crossword Fun

37

No More Yo-Yo Diets, Hello All Year Summer Body

38

Yin Yoga For Overall Health And Longevity

40

Functional Fitness with TRX: 7 Movements for Every Workout

42

Celebrating Cancer Warriors & Divas

Publisher Rosalidia Dubon

Layout & Graphic Editor Nicole Lacasse

Editor-in-Chief Eva Barrows

Production Associate Wing Yu

FitNFabs 1375 Burlingame Ave Suite L6 • Burlingame, CA 94010

CONTRIBUTORS www.LiveThriveCA.com

Rick Green

Fall 2019

RickAlexander11

Rick Green has over 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industries. He is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, licensed USA boxing coach level 3 and owner of Force Fitness in San Jose, CA.

Marisa Gonzalez

misolymar

Dr. Laurel Mines

LaurelMines

mysolymar

Marisa Gonzalez is an Arbonne Independent Consultant coaching, educating and sharing with others ways to live abundant and health-filled lives. “I believe we are placed in one another’s lives for a reason. It is our job to follow the path where it leads and contribute as we are called.”

A physical therapist working in the San Francisco Bay Area. She sees patients at Agile Physical Therapy in San Carlos and has a private practice. She received her degree from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute and specializes in orthopedics with a focus on the metaphysical aspect of healing.

Dr. Nirali Patel

dr.uniqueremedy

An entrepreneur, art lover, international entertainer and philanthropist, Dr. Nirali Patel is an acupuncturist and skincare specialist with a practice in Foster City, California, with over 12 years of experience. She is the founder of Unique Remedy Skincare, a line of handcrafted, organic products targeting problematic skin.

Carmen Milagro

BorbonSkin

An entrepreneur, art lover, international entertainer and philanthropist, Carmen Milagro is the founder of Borbón, a premium skin care brand with products made from the world’s finest exotic raw ingredients and inspired by homeopathic traditions.

Live Beautiful

Prep Your Skin For Fall

By Nirali Patel

As the leaves turn orange and the air cools, fall is amongst us. We welcome the new season after a hot summer, but our skin does not. Making the proper adjustments to your skincare routine is crucial for preventing skin damage and breakouts.

Follow these steps to keep your skin healthy, hydrated and glowing!

Switch from your lightweight summer face wash to a heavier one. A strong lightweight face wash is great for the summer months as it removes all traces of dirt and grime from your sweaty summer skin. But in the fall, it will strip your skin of its natural oils. A creamy wash will effectively remove makeup and grime to hydrate your skin at the same time.

Use a heavy creamy moisturizer in the fall. During the summer months, it is best to use a light or gel moisturizer to keep your pores from getting clogged. In the fall months, it is crucial to keep your pores thoroughly moisturized to keep your skin’s protective barrier strong. This barrier prevents dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells from getting trapped inside the pores. It gives your skin the oomph it needs to ward off external invaders!

Amp up the hydration by incorporating oils into your skincare routine. If you find yourself with extra dry skin and moisturizer is just not cutting it for you, add an oil-based serum into your skincare routine.

This step comes after using a creamy moisturizer.

Oil not only seals in moisture, but it also delivers vital nutrients to your skin such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Be sure to choose oils that won't clog your pores.

Exfoliate often. As the weather cools down, your skin will become dry. It is important to exfoliate often to remove these dead skin cells from your skin. You want to exfoliate often but very gently. It is important not to skip this step because allowing dead skin cells to sit on your skin, clogs your pores and prevents the moisturizer you are using from penetrating deeper layers of skin.

Live Healthy Breast Self-Examinations:

A Routine to Save Your Life

By Nirali Patel Get to know your breasts this October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is necessary to find out what is normal for your breasts to identify when something abnormal occurs.

What is a breast self-examination?

A breast self-examination is a way for you to check your breasts for any abnormal or new changes. It can be a crucial way to find cancer early-on when it’s more likely to be treated successfully. It is important to look at and feel both breasts for abnormalities such as lumps or areas of dense and thick tissue. In many cases, these changes aren’t related to cancer, but it is important to contact your doctor to find out. This method is a screening tool and should be done along with seeing your doctor regularly.

How do I conduct the visual examination?

Stand in front of a mirror with both arms relaxed and down at your sides. Look for any changes in size, shape, skin changes (redness, rashes), swelling, soreness, or positioning of the breasts. Look for things such as discolorations, dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin. Then, check the nipples for sores, peeling, or change in their direction. Next, follow the same process with both of your arms straight above your head. Pay attention for any fluid discharge.

How do I conduct the palpation part of the examination?

You want to feel your breasts while lying down. Use your left hand to feel the right breast and the right hand to feel the left breast. With a firm touch, use the pads of your fingers while laying them flat against the skin. Palpate in small circular motions until you’ve examined the entire breast area, which includes the collarbone to the armpit, to the cleavage. You can choose the pattern that works best for you. Be sure to be consistent with each examination.

What should I do if I find a lump or see any unusual changes?

If you feel a lump or see any changes, don’t panic.

Call your doctor to schedule an appointment to address your concerns. The best healthcare provider to call is the one who knows you and has previously conducted a breast examination on you. Make sure you get answers. It is crucial your doctor explain the cause of the changes you are seeing. A treatment plan may include monitoring and treating the issue. Never hesitate to get a second opinion.

Make self-examination a routine for yourself. Do an exam once per month so you will know the normal state of your breasts. Start a journal and record your findings.

Live Healthy Follow a Detox Plan For a

Guilt-Free Thanksgiving Meal

by Jennifer Slaboda

Are you getting excited about eating all you want on Thanksgiving, but wondering how you can do it without ruining all of your efforts to be healthy? You don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying a big Thanksgiving meal.

Your body will naturally cleanse, but it can only do so if it isn’t overwhelmed with toxins. Here are some tips to detox and enjoy the big day without regret.

Eat Less Each Meal: Opt for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Your stomach will get used to small meals, conditioning you to not eat as much on Thanksgiving.

Thirty Days Prior: Start Preparing Your Body Eat Clean Whole Foods: Limit your consumption of processed foods, most of which contain unhealthy ingredients and preservatives that make your liver work harder to detoxify your blood. Aim for fresh whole foods like vegetables and fruits and minimally-processed meats and fish that you season yourself.

Drink Water: Water helps your body flush out toxins and reduces strain on your liver and kidneys.

Aim for half your body weight in ounces per day.

Eat Alkaline-Forming Foods: Your body works to neutralize acids in your blood. Focus on eating alkaline-forming whole foods, like vegetables, root crops, fruits, nuts, seeds, spices, whole grains, beans and lentils. Drink alkalizing beverages such as spring water, water with squeezed lemon or lime, ginger root or green tea. Limit the amount of meat, sugars, low-mineral processed foods, refined carbohydrates, coffee, and other acid-forming foods on your plate.

10-Day Detox If you only have ten days to detox, you will need to eliminate the most toxic and inflammatory foods and beverages from your diet. Consume only whole and unprocessed foods for maximum nutrient intake.

What to Eliminate: Coffee, soda, sugar, alcohol, processed foods, refined carbs (bread, pasta, white rice), gluten, dairy (milk and cheese), vinegar, added salt, peanuts, pork, farmed fish What to Drink: Half your body weight in ounces of water each day, hot water with fresh lemon, herbal detox tea, or homemade vegetable broth.

What to Eat: Homemade soups and smoothies are very cleansing, but not all meals need to be liquid. Each meal should contain half green vegetables, one-quarter lean protein (grass-fed, organic) or legumes (lentils, beans, peas), oneeighth complex carbs (oats, wild rice, quinoa, vegetables, fruits), and one-eighth healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado).

When to Eat: If your meals are balanced in the proper proportions, you should only need to eat every 4 to 6 hours. Only eat when you’re hungry (no mindless snacking!), and not within three hours of going to bed.

The Day of the Big Meal Make it Simple and Take it Easy.

Make a Clean Dish: If your Thanksgiving event is a potluck, bring a healthy side dish such as steamed green beans with toasted almond slivers, or roasted brussels sprouts with herbs. (Leave the baked sweet potatoes with marshmallows for someone else.) If you’re cooking at home, make dishes from scratch, not from a box. Try replacing traditional ingredients with more healthy options, such as substituting white bread in your stuffing with whole grain seeded bread, and adding more carrots, celery and onions.

Limit Portion Sizes: Try a little bit of everything you like, but not too much. Wait 20 minutes before going back for seconds. Leave a little room for dessert so you’re not uncomfortably full after the meal.

Drink Water: If you choose to drink alcohol, alternate your toxic beverage with a glass of water. Or, put water in a wine glass and flavor it with fresh lemon or lime.

Eat Slowly and Thoughtfully: It will give your stomach more time to send the message to your brain when you’ve had enough. Chew each bite thoroughly, savoring flavors while you enjoy conversation with others. It’s not about stuffing yourself as fast as possible but giving thanks for what you have. There will always be leftovers!

Remember, There’s Always Tomorrow: Get back on the wagon and start fresh the next day with your clean alkaline eating, and your body will recover quickly from your indulgence.

Check out healthy recipes for your Thanksgiving table on the next page!

Live Healthy Healthy Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Table Mashed Cauliflower

Green Beans with Walnut Parsley Sauce

(instead of Mashed Potatoes)

(in place of creamed beans)

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

•

1 head organic cauliflower, chopped

•

1/3 cup coconut milk (from a BPA-free can)

•

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

•

Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions: Steam cauliflower until soft and put in a blender with coconut milk and sea salt. Serve with a garnish of fresh organic parsley.

• • • • • • • • •

1/3 cup toasted walnuts, unsalted 1 1/4 cup fresh organic parsley leaves 1 clove garlic, peeled 1 teaspoon Bragg's Liquid Aminos 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1/2 teaspoon Kirkland No-Salt Seasoning 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 pounds green beans Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Put all ingredients through no-salt seasoning into a food processor, and with the motor running, add olive oil. Process until coarsely blended and set aside. Boil green beans with a pinch of salt until tender, 5 minutes. Drain and top with walnut sauce.

NUTRITION HACKS AND MYTHS REVEALED! ASK YOUR QUESTIONS. WE HAVE ANSWERS.

By Marisa Gonzalez

The different kinds of eggs at the grocery store can be confusing. What's the difference between them, and which ones are better for you?

Lori Wesley • Campbell, CA

When it comes to which egg is better for you, where the egg comes from and your pocketbook may help you decide. With the exception of omega-3 and pasture-raised eggs (which have a slight increase in nutritional value), the general nutritional makeup of chicken eggs includes protein, B vitamins, fatsoluble vitamins, and important minerals. Omega-3 eggs are from hens that eat feed supplemented with omega-3-rich oils. Each egg may have up to 250 milligrams of omega-3s. Pasture-raised eggs are considered the gold standard because hens have unlimited access to the outdoors. Some of these eggs have been found to have higher amounts of naturally occurring omega-3s. Cagefree eggs come from chickens kept in a barn-like environment without access to the outdoors.

Organic eggs are marked by the USDA's National Organic Program. The uncaged hens are free to roam, have access to the outdoors, and are fed an organic diet.

I'm recently a vegan but have had problems with low B12. How can I get B12 into my diet?

Theresa Rodriguez • Cerritos, CA

As a vegan, it is important to have a healthy diet which includes B12 because it helps the body perform several vital tasks and plays an important role in nerve and blood cell health.

Vegans should do one of the following to consume enough B12: eat fortified foods two or three times a day to get at least three micrograms of B12, or take one 10 microgram B12 supplement daily, or take a weekly 2000 microgram B12 supplement. Not all B12 supplements are the same, and some may include animal-based filler materials. The B12 vitamin itself is animal-product free and is made from fermentation and bacteria, so be sure to check nutrition labels.

The second B12 option is to eat B12 fortified foods like fortified breakfast cereals which will also include other essential vitamins and minerals.

Which gluten-free pasta is good for you and has the best texture?

Melody Saalman • Agoura Hills, CA

Of the gluten-free pastas I have tried, Banza is my favorite for taste and nutritional value. Banza has twice the protein, three times the fiber, and half the net carbs of traditional pasta.

Sounds too good to be true, but that’s exactly what you get, and it tastes great. Banza looks like regular wheat pasta, so you can feel good about serving it to those who prefer the real thing. Banza gets its nutritional punch from its main ingredient, non-GMO chickpeas.

It comes in a variety of noodle types, including rotini, penne, and ziti.

Live Healthy

RawDaddy James Hall's Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

By Caron Shahrestani When most people hear a phrase like "vegan thanksgiving," they think of bland, tasteless substitutes for their favorite holiday dishes like a turkey made out of tofu.

But for Silicon Valley chef James Hall (aka RawDaddy) vegan cooking is all about using real foods in creative and approachable ways.

"People have their own negative ideas about vegan or raw foods," he says while making an oat milk latte for himself. "And there is this mistaken association with soy (and tofu) being healthy."

As a former tech executive and foie-gras eating foodie, James brings a refined palette to his menus. Having lost 85 pounds when he first

shifted to a healthy diet, he also aspires to help others heal and nurture their bodies through food.

"Mushrooms are the best alternative to turkey," he says. "They are meaty and freakin’ delicious!"

Served warm with his cauliflower pecan stuffing, James' Wild Turkey Mushrooms are a savory and satiating alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving entree. Devoid of the nap-inducing tryptophan found in turkey meat, this raw vegan dish instead gives you energy and more mental clarity.

"It will leave you feeling no food coma at all!" he says. "So when everyone else at Thanksgiving is passed out, you'll be ready to work out!"

Cauliflower Pecan Stuffing

Wild Turkey Mushrooms

• • • • • • • •

• • • • •

• •

8 cups of chopped cauliflower florets 4 cups pecans 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 2 cups of carrots, peeled and diced small 2 cups of celery, diced small 1 cup onion peeled and diced small 1 teaspoon truffle oil 2 tablespoons fresh or 1 tablespoon dried rosemary minced 3 tablespoons fresh or 1.5 tablespoons of dried thyme minced Salt and pepper to taste

1. Put cauliflower in batches into a food processor and process until the texture is similar to sesame seeds or small rice.

2. Add the extra virgin olive oil and a big pinch of salt to cauliflower and mix well. Spread mixture on a nonstick sheet and either bake in the oven at 170 or put in a dehydrator for an hour to dry the cauliflower slightly.

3. Meanwhile, grind the pecans into the same size as the cauliflower.

4. Once the cauliflower has been dried, put all of the ingredients together in a large bowl, mix well, salt and pepper to taste.

• • •

3-4 pounds of wild mushrooms cleaned and sliced thick 1 medium onion finely minced 2 cups of extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh or 1 tablespoon dried rosemary minced 3 tablespoons fresh or 1.5 tablespoons dried sage mince 3 tablespoons fresh or 1.5 tablespoons thyme minced 1 tablespoon of salt

1. Put all ingredients in a bowl except for the mushrooms and mix well.

2. Mix in mushrooms and marinate at least 2 hours or overnight.

3. Spread mushroom mixture on a non-stick sheet and bake in the oven at 170 degrees or put in a dehydrator for 1 to 2 hours until tender and serve.

For a complete vegan Thanksgiving dinner, serve these dishes with RawDaddy root mash and fresh cranberry sauce! To order from RawDaddy’s Giving Thanks catering menu (including glutenfree, dairy-free pies and desserts!) or for fun vegan catering anytime, visit www.rawdaddys.com. RawDaddy caters events throughout Northern California.

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Live Well Organizing…You Got This!

Let Go of the Past and Stop Forecasting the Future

By Wendy Quaccia Living in an environment full of things that no longer matter to you can be more than consuming. Life can pull us into different directions, spiraling into clutter accumulation. Here are some ways to lift the weight of unnecessary stuff from your shoulders and give yourself the space to enjoy the activities you love.

Where to begin?

Pick a room or space in your home that could use a little or a lot of TLC. Identify a box, container or area that you can easily decide what to do with. It could be an empty box that you were saving to use someday.

It could be a set of speakers that no longer work, or it could be a container that just needs to be returned to the garage. Hey, maybe you can put that empty box to use after all and designate it to gather E-Waste items like those broken speakers. By working through these easily identifiable items, you’ve already made progress and are officially on the road to making a difference in your space.

By focusing on smaller areas of a room rather than the whole room at once, you’ll see sections of progress that will add up over time. Trying to make changes to the whole room all at once can be overwhelming and may lead you to abort ship, allowing your procrastination skills to take over.

I have never liked this. It never fit me. It doesn’t bring a smile to my face. So, why are you keeping it? I have a good guess. Because Aunt Sarah thought you’d

like it. Because you thought you’d get back into that pant size again. Give yourself permission to let these things go to another person who will get enjoyment out of them.

I’m keeping this in case I have that big party I’ve talked about. You may have found a party decoration “on sale” at a store while shopping for something else. You purchased it because it was a “good deal,” and you could see yourself using it “one day.” So if you’ve housed it for a number of years and it’s still wrapped in cellophane with the price tag on it, you may be able to let it go.

Do you think that party will really happen? Even if you were to plan a party, would this item still be useful to you? A deal really isn’t a deal if it just adds to the clutter you already have. If it really has potential to be used, even on a rare occasion, you could store it with like items in a protective bin in a storage area, rather than in an area where things are used most often.

Plan time to chip away at organizing projects and get the job done. There are times when you’ll find yourself in the right frame of mind to work on organizing.

When you are “in the zone,” you can make a lot of progress. Sustain your positive outlook by keeping the work mood light and stress-free while listening to your favorite music. The outcome of your efforts will give you a sense of freedom, which is a reward in itself. If that’s not enough motivation, reward yourself with a movie or going out for coffee with a friend after you’re done. Trust me; you’ll be motivated to do more!

Live Well Looking Back While Planning Your Forward

By Ilana Shapiro Yahdav, MPA, ACGRS

“Time is non-linear. I’ll always be with you.”

My dad repeated many times to my mother, brothers and me when he learned he had terminal brain cancer and approximately six months to live.

I learned many valuable lessons from my father in his final months. I witnessed true courage and what it means to have a “good death” and to “die on your own terms.” I learned that when you are given a death sentence, there are different ways you can react and spend your final days.

I was paralyzed upon learning this news, but not my father.

He immediately sprang into action planning his “good death” taking advantage of the time he was still lucid. He devoted energy to looking inward and outward and having deep emotional conversations with us. He determined his treatment plan, where he wanted to die, and what he wanted his funeral to be like. He organized his finances and sold his medical practice, making sure no stone was left unturned. With this, he gave us several gifts: space to grieve, delivery of last communications, and not being haunted over whether or not we were honoring his wishes.

When invited to write an article about a terminal cancer diagnosis, I immediately thought of my father.

While writing this has been very emotional; my wish is to share the lessons I learned to help provide some comfort and structure in a chaotic and scary time.

The Final Act Of Living is Very Personal

There is no wrong or right way to have a good death. A good death largely depends on staying true to your truth, your desires, and how you want to depart. You alone get to make that decision.

Important questions to ask yourself: What does a good death look like for me? What do I need to do to have a good death, on my terms? What are my terms?

Looking Inward

You may be experiencing lots of emotions – or none at all.

Jumbled thoughts of the past and the future may be spiraling in your head. It will be helpful to express these feelings and work through them with a trusted professional.

Understand Your Diagnosis And Treatment Options

It’s imperative to be clear on what your personal goals are and have them align with your chosen treatment plan. Do you want to live as long as possible at all costs?

How much pain are you willing to endure?

Familiarize yourself with all of your options and create an action plan. Share with your family how you would like to proceed so they can best support you. Consider meeting with a palliative care team and find out what hospice services are available to you.

My friend Jay Westbrook, Clinical Director at Compassionate Journey and end-of-life expert, outlines several key questions to consider when developing a treatment plan: 1. How will this affect my survival time? How long will it extend my life? Days? Weeks?

2. How will this affect the quality of my life? Will there be pain? Will I spend hours in treatments?

Will I need lots of time to rest and recuperate?

3. How will this affect my functional integrity? With the extra time the treatment affords me, will I still be able to enjoy life?

Discuss the options with your doctors and insist on hearing all the options.

Within each option, it is important to understand how the different treatments will affect you.

Complete Undelivered Communications

Speak your truth in a way that feels good to you. Have you told your partner how deeply you appreciate him or her? Have you told your children how proud you are? Thanked a mentor or friend? Apologized for any wrongdoings? Delivering these messages are a gift for you and your loved ones.

Settle Your Professional Affairs

If you own a business, will you sell it or scale back so someone else can take over? If you are an employee, is it time to wrap up your job so that you can focus on your health?

Determine Your Legacy

Does your family know where all of your important documents are? Have you decided whom you want your finances and prized possessions to go to?

I cannot stress the importance of having a will and living trust that outlines how you want your estate to be disbursed. It’s very important to let your loved ones know in writing so that they can honor your wishes and avoid any potential conflicts.

Plan Your Funeral

Do you want to be buried or cremated?

Where would you like to be buried or have your ashes spread?

Who do you want to speak at your funeral?

Do you want a religious or secular service? Share with your family so they can honor your wishes. If it doesn’t matter to you, let them know that too.

Learning you have terminal cancer can be one of the hardest and most emotional things to hear in the world. I hope my words can help bring some solace and direction to help navigate this next stage of life.

Live Well When You Look at Yourself in the Mirror

What Do You See?

By Jamie Nease

The next time you’re near a mirror, take a moment and look at yourself. Do you see a beautiful, capable, and strong human being? If not, you’re not alone.

Almost every woman I’ve worked with as a photographer has struggled at some point in her life to acknowledge her own beauty — and I have, too. I’ve learned through experience that others see us very differently than we perceive ourselves. Those close to us don’t think the same negative things about us. So why do we have those critical inner voices?

Our culture is full of messages about how women should be thinner, prettier, and younger.

We spend our whole lives exposed to these ideas that we’re never enough just as we are. Celebrities usually have perfect hair and makeup, but they owe it to a team of people helping them look gorgeous in the public eye.

How can we overcome this and learn to love our authentic, beautiful selves? By getting used to looking closely at our own faces.

Each morning, take a few minutes to look at your reflection and say something out loud that you might say to a close friend who’s struggling with her looks.

Something like, “I love you,” or “You’re beautiful and perfect exactly as you are.”

Then take a moment to think of five things you love about yourself while you’re looking in the mirror, and say them aloud. Notice what’s beautiful about your appearance or what you love about your personality and talents. When you say these things to yourself, you teach your brain to pay attention to the great things about you.

I know it sounds cheesy, but it can be so powerful. I cried the first time I did it! The more you practice saying positive things while you look yourself in the eye, the better you’ll begin to feel about yourself and your appearance. It might feel hard to do at first, so be patient and loving with yourself. With practice, it will get so much easier to see your beauty both inside and out.

What’s on Their Face is Not About Me

By Pat Obuchowski

I was ready. I walked on stage and confidently took center stage. I stopped, looked out into the audience, took a deep breath, and began my talk.

The lights were low enough, I could see the faces and expressions of my audience. I read that Brene Brown asks for the lights to be lit at 50 percent capacity so that she can see the faces of her audience. I figure if it’s good enough for Brene, it’s good enough for me.

I began my talk. As I usually do, I focused on the individual faces in the audience. I've learned when listeners see your eyes connecting with the audience, they feel invited to engage with the presenter. And according to Sims Wyeth, they are “transformed from passive receivers to active participants.”

Considering those two options, I prefer active participants. At the very least, those who stay awake.

As my talk evolved, I began to notice a woman sitting in the middle of the audience. When I looked at her the first time, I saw she was intent on my words. As a speaker, intentness is rewarding. I consider this a sign that my hard work in preparing a talk was well worth the effort and any positive acknowledgments I can read on others faces, such as smiles, focused eyes, nods, helps to keep my talk flowing.

As my talk progressed, I began to notice her opening her eyes wider and thought she was getting more excited at what I was saying. Wow! I felt confident I was wowing the audience.

Then it happened.

She rolled her eyes to the top of her head, and I lost my thought and stopped talking. I couldn’t stop staring at her. Then I decided

I needed to go on, so I took a deep breath and moved my gaze to another participant.

But I was trapped.

I based the entire success of my talk on this one woman and kept looking back at her to get her approval.

She just kept rolling her eyes to the top of her head and worse; she began shaking her head from side to side.

I felt like I was failing!

I made it through the talk, and I had to find out what it was that shifted her reaction to my talk to such an extreme.

I walked up to her and asked what it was in my talk she appeared to disapprove so strongly. I told her I saw her rolling her eyes and shaking her head in disapproval.

Her eyes got wide and she said, “Oh, Pat! My eyes are so dry, and my contact lenses were bothering me. I was just trying to fix them.”

That was when I fully came to embrace what Goman says,

Live Well

The Process of

GRIEF

By Carmen Milagro

They say there are moments in one’s life that you never forget such as receiving devastating news about a loved one’s deadly diagnosis. Some people say they remember every single detail of such a moment. They say they felt as if they had been punched in the gut and became sick to their stomach. Still, others said they felt numbness all over, and many burst into tears, or fell to their knees. They say colors intensified, or everything turned grey and bleak. Some say the smell in the air was fresh and clean in contrast to the sadness squeezing their heart. Others say they simply couldn’t breathe.

I can’t remember a single detail about the day I found out my Mami was diagnosed with cancer. I don’t remember anything. I don’t remember feeling sadness, shock or disbelief. I don’t remember breaking down into tears or wailing in grief. I don’t recall pulling my hair out or wringing my hands. I can’t describe the room we were in, who was there with us or the weather. I can’t remember what she was wearing, what she smelled like, or who her doctor was. I didn’t fall to my knees. I didn’t start to pray. I didn’t cry. I didn’t speak. I don’t know how she told us that she had been given only three months to live. I didn’t feel anger. I wasn’t in denial, and I can’t re-play the scenario in my head because I can’t recall it.

What I can tell you is, I think of her all the time. I honor her every day in any way I can. I strive to keep her memory alive in the work I do. I cry almost as much as I smile when I think of her. I look at her photo on my desk and give myself permission to feel whatever it is I feel.

It’s been almost seven years since I learned my mother was dying. It’s been six and a half years, seven days, nine hours, and twenty-two seconds since she died of cancer. This, I remember.

Psycho-Oncology EMPOWERS the Fight for Life

By Dr. Katerina Rozakis Based on 2019 cancer facts and figures reported by the American Cancer Association, it is estimated there will be 1,762,450 new cancer cases diagnosed and 606,880 cancer deaths this year in the United States.

Statistics reflect individuals, but cancer affects the entire family. Lives are disrupted, and everyone feels grief. At times this may create feelings of burden, helplessness and hopelessness. Grief comes in multiple phases and affects everyone at different levels.

This may include denial, disbelief, bargaining, guilt, anger and despair.

These are important feelings that need to be expressed and honored. They are not to be swept under the rug. Caregivers tend to hide their feelings believing they may burden a loved one.

The person diagnosed with cancer may be keeping feelings inside believing they are being helpful.

But this is not the case. Dialogue and education are imperative. This is why psycho-oncology is a vital adjunct to cancer treatment.

Psycho-oncology integrates the mind, body and spirit.

It aids in grief-related issues, education, social and behavioral dimensions of cancer. It encompasses areas such as coping, exploring, body image, identity, relationships, sexuality changes and family support.

Psycho-oncology utilizes three key ingredients to bring out the inner warrior and empower the fight for life.

Knowledge Knowledge opens eyes to available options and helps with decision-making. It decreases fear and increases help. The unknown "what ifs” can trigger anxiety.

Knowledge is the best armor. It decreases anxiety and propels a proactive state. Make a list of concerns and ask questions. Knowledge creates awareness, strength, and a sense of security. Knowledge is the first weapon the warrior acquires.

Support Support increases well-being. A supportive network consists of friends, family, community, and a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Support confirms being loved. Love is powerful when it comes to healing.

It gives our heart hope and increases the drive to survive. Support gives the warrior energy.

Taking Action Taking action means picking up the phone, seeking help, and talking to others. Fear can delay necessary treatments. Second and third medical opinions open treatment opportunities and possibilities. Action empowers!

Psycho-oncology aids wellness through healthy life choices. Develop a sense of inner beauty during treatments to fend off feeling robbed of your identity, low self-esteem, and faced with the big question “why me?” Taking action teaches, “I am not alone!”

Taking action is the warrior’s fight.

At Insight Wellness Center, we provide a serene, integrative, psychotherapeutic environment. BrainTap Technology, Reiki, CBD massage, natural pain management, supplements and CBD consultations are alternative adjunct treatments offered for mind, body and heart healing.

Live Well

5 Women Leading the Way in Silicon Valley

by Ali Lee and Sarah Wilson

Silicon Valley is a hot spot for talented individuals and start-ups, and it can take quite a bit to succeed and make your company stand out. We spoke with five notable women who achieved their goals and are thriving in their careers. Their industries are wideranging, including politics, manufacturing biodegradable materials, founding a school for autism, money management, and helping companies tell their innovation stories. Each woman speaks about the challenges she had to overcome, as well as any particular issues she faced as a woman in her field. Their stories are compelling and will inspire and motivate you to flourish in your career!

ELENA MARIMO BERK

CO-FOUNDER OF CREEKSIDE SCHOOL What led you to cofound The Creekside School?

The Creekside School was founded because when my son turned six years old, we couldn't find an appropriate school placement for him. My son Derek has Autism, and he is seriously impacted.

We traveled around the country to find an appropriate placement but realized that there was a huge need in the Bay Area, and we wanted to stay in California. So we decided to start our own school. We started with two students, and classes were held in my basement. We quickly began to grow. We then leased a couple of classrooms at the Achiever School in San Jose in 2007 and remained there until 2018.

What’s the current location of The Creekside School ?

We recently moved into the former George Miner Elementary School site in San Jose, California, which had closed due to low enrollment. By this October, we hope to have 21 students, and we currently have 65 students on our waiting list!

What are some of your day to day tasks?

I serve on the board of The Creekside School as board secretary. I also assist the Head of School and staff with resources, making connections with organizations we'd like to collaborate with, and just making sure everything runs smoothly.

What have your biggest challenges been?

Our biggest challenges have been finding staff and finding land for our school. There is a teacher shortage

in California, especially in the field of Special Education.

Because our program is so specialized, it's even more difficult to find credentialed teachers with an Autism certificate. I'm very proud to say that today we have the finest staff around - we have an amazing Head of School, incredible teachers, teaching assistants, and resource specialists: Occupational Therapists, Speech therapists, Art therapist and Music therapist. We are very grateful to the Oak Grove School District for allowing us to lease their school site!

What makes The Creekside School a special place?

Our program tries to accommodate the needs of each student. As the saying goes, "if you've met one person with Autism, you've met one person with Autism." Each child is different, so we do our best to design the program around them. We rely on several types of therapeutic approaches, but the foundation of our program is based on the DIR model, which focuses on developmental, individual differences and relationship building. This year, we are very excited to be adding a primary level classroom, as well as an Adult Transition program, for our 18-year-olds who are moving into adulthood.

ALISON MCCAULEY

CEO AND FOUNDER OF UNBLOCKED FUTURE What is Unblocked Future?

Unblocked Future is a boutique consultancy that helps companies tell their innovation story. We work with companies that are really at the edge of emerging technology and help them articulate their stories in a way that resonates with the market, their customers and their partners.

What drove you to found Unblocked Future?

I founded the firm because there is such a need for this kind of work. What has been missing in the market is the combination of B2B strategists and expert communicators. I focus on what kind of technologies get adopted and what helps to accelerate the adoption.

Live Well What have your biggest challenges been?

Having the weight of the firm and all its responsibility on me is the biggest challenge. You need to learn to be very mindful about weathering through both the ups and the downs and making sure you pull in the energy to get through any downs. When it is all on you, it is a pressure that you need to learn to manage. Over time I have gotten better and better at it.

Have you faced any issues as a woman in the industry?

Statistically, women are still not as represented as I’d like to see, especially in leadership roles in technology.

I feel like we are making great progress, but there is an incredible amount of work to be done.

SHELLY MASUR

FORMER CEO OF CALIFORNIANS DEDICATED TO EDUCATION FOUNDATION (CDEF) How long have you held the position of CEO at the CDEF? I actually just left the CDEF after five and a half years at the end of June to focus on my state senate campaign.

Why did you decide to run for CA State Senate 2020?

Well, it’s really about education and public education. Before I was on city council, I was a school board member for ten years, and I did a lot of advocacy around supporting our schools and increasing funding for education.

Before that I did a lot of work doing advocacy with women’s health and access to reproductive health. I have spent a good part of my life doing advocacy at the state level. I thought that given my experience, serving as a local elected official for 14 years and my commitment to the state, it would be good to take my experience to Sacramento and try and help make the policies in addition to advocating for them.

What have your biggest challenges been?

It was hard to be working full time, have a family and also be a council member. Time is the thing that you’re not going to get back. Allocating your time appropriately and trying to maintain all of your commitments is challenging.

Just figuring out how to put all the pieces together is hard.

What interested you in non-profit work?

I started getting involved politically by doing activism around reproductive rights and women's access to healthcare. There used to be fairly regular attacks on women's health clinics. People would try to physically shut down a clinic by putting their bodies in front of the door, so I would put my body between those people and the door to make it possible to keep the clinics open so women could access the healthcare they needed. When I became a school board member, I started doing more work around public education.

Have you faced any issues as a woman in the work that you do?

Well, it's interesting because the areas that I have worked in, education and public health, there are a lot of women in those two industries, so I got used to being in rooms that were all women. I wouldn't say in non-profit work I faced any gender issues, but I would say the people who work in non-profit tend to make less and there's a variety of reasons for that. One of the things I really focus on is helping get other women elected. I founded democratic women's club to help elect women at a local level. I have made a strong commitment to that.

ASHLEY JOHNSON

COO AND CFO OF WEALTHFRONT INC. Can you share what Wealthfront Inc. does?

Wealthfront is a next-gen banking service that helps you manage your money for both the near and long term by providing a cash account with the highest interest rate on the market, best in class automated investment management and free financial advice, delivered through a mobile and web application anytime you want it. It’s a great platform for enabling people to really visualize what their financial goals are.

What are some of your day to day tasks?

A lot of what I do is helping my team coordinate across the company. For example, I work with a finance team to understand both our historical financial performance and also our projected performance. I then communicate that to other parts of the organization and receive input back so that we can continue to increase the accuracy of our forecast.

What have your biggest challenges been?

I think the biggest challenge is hiring and retaining talent.

On the hiring front, we’re in Silicon Valley, and it’s a really competitive market with a lot of companies competing for the same talent.

We differentiate ourselves by making it an interesting opportunity for people to join.

Have you faced any issues as a woman in your industry?

In technology, I have faced far fewer issues being a woman. When I was an investor, it was much more difficult. One of the stories I tell is about walking with two other colleagues and talking about a deal I was working on. Suddenly, I realized they were walking to the restroom, and they went inside, continuing the conversation and left me standing outside.

Why did you start the Vista Guapa Surf Camp in Costa Rica?

When I was in my late 20’s, I went on a vacation with my brother where we went surfing for two weeks in Costa Rica. The first couple of days, I kept making conference calls and getting on the internet. But the draw of Costa Rica and the culture really captured me. When I came back to the U.S., my grandmother, who I was very close with, passed away and one of the last things she ever

emailed me was “I hear you found something very special in Costa Rica. Just remember these things don’t come around often in life and when they do hang onto them.”

After that I reached out to the surf instructor and said I’d like to buy some property. So, I spent the weekend drawing up a business plan, and now here I am still operating it today.

DR. MOLLY MORSE

CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF MANGO MATERIALS What is Mango Materials?

Mango Materials is a San Francisco Bay Area-based company that manufactures biodegradable materials. It’s comprised of a first-class team of engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators.

What interested you in starting Mango Materials?

I have always been passionate about the environment specifically the concern surrounding disposal of materials and waste.

Have you faced any issues as a woman in the biomanufacturing industry?

People remember me and my team since there are few women in biomanufacturing. This can be nice since we are sought after to participate in events and conferences, but it can also feel like we are operating under a magnifying glass with others watching.

Live Strong Train Your Littles to Love a Good Workout

By Rick Green

Time is an adult's most precious commodity.

Every moment should be lived as fully as possible.

An unfortunate reality about time is that it is perishable. However, focusing on your and your children’s health is a surefire way to make the most out of your time. But a good question is…how?

There are a few things to keep in mind when incorporating your children into your workout.

Safety is the most important thing to ensure.

Instead of loading your child into a baby carrier attached to your body for a 100-meter sprint, a light run with your child safely secured into a jogging stroller would be a better choice. In other words, when it comes to exercising with your child “less is more.”

When exercising with your child around, make the most of your interaction time.

Count your repetitions out loud and on your fingers. This will help make counting repetitive and more familiar to your littles.

Another important thing to keep in mind when training with your littles is to keep it fun. The fastest way to get your kids to lose interest in working out is to make training feel like a chore. Keep the littles interacting in fun ways. Get them to come up with challenges like distances or repetition counts. Keep them laughing, clapping and counting!

The music you play during your workout session with your littles can also add to the fun factor of exercising. If you can ask them what they want to hear during the workout, be sure to ask them.

Fortunately, the wonderful world of electronic dance music has a fast uptempo version of virtually all songs imaginable. Trust me. I have done burpees to the electronic version of “Baby Shark” more than once.

Small sacrifices such as these will go a long way in building the concept and importance of exercising in the subconscious of your beloved littles.

Happy Training!

Ice or heat?

That is the question!

By Laurel Mines

When you have an injury or pain, an ice or heat pack is a good therapy modality to try, but which one should you use in your situation?

ICE - Acute or New Injuries •

•

Acute injuries most often cause an inflammatory process. Signs of inflammation are redness, warmth, swelling and pain. Ice can help control swelling by constricting or closing blood vessels to draw fluid from inflammation away from the injured area.

After exercise to relieve soreness and excessive induced pain.

HEAT - Chronic Pain Lasting More Than a Few Months • • •

Heat can bring blood and nutrients to the area via blood vessel dilation.

Acute whiplash injuries common after car accidents can also benefit from heat to relax the tense muscles.

Before exercise to warm up the body or an area of the body.

Follow these parameters with temperature modalities: • • • •

Protect your skin with a layer of cloth between the ice or heat pack and your skin.

Do a skin check every few minutes to make sure you don’t give yourself an ice or heat burn.

Be cautious around open wounds and burns.

Use ice or heat packs for 10-20 minutes at a time with at least 30 minutes in between sessions. It is ok to use ice or heat intermittently throughout the day.

These are general recommendations, and you may feel one works better for you than the other.

So go for it! Ice and heat packs won’t fix your problem, but they can help the healing process and offer natural pain relief.

Live Strong

Overcome Your Pain

Pain Prevention Strategies You Can Do at Home

By Laurel Mines

Ouch! What was that? I’m in pain! What do I do?

“Am I dying?” Determine this first. Joking aside, please seek medical advice if you feel you are experiencing something seriously wrong.

Now that we’ve determined everything is ok, how do we manage our less serious aches and pains?

Is this a new or acute pain? Or is this pain chronic or recurring over a longer period of time, more than a few months? If your pain is chronic, you can use these tips, but it might be time to seek medical advice such as your primary care doctor or a physical therapist. If you have an acute pain from a non-serious injury or problem, try these tips.

Rest Take a rest day between your workouts. Rest the body area that is giving you pain. Give yourself 1-3 days of rest before you ease into your activity again.

Move Maybe you are in pain from being in one position for too long. When you are in one position for a prolonged period, some areas of your body get good blood flow while other areas may have restricted blood flow. Try stretching or going for a walk to get blood flowing to your whole body.

Change Positions If you are sitting for a while, stand or walk. Inversely, if you’ve been on your feet, sit or lie down. Place yourself in a position where you can relax and find relief from your pain. You may even want to meditate or practice deep breathing in this position to release tension and relieve stress which may be contributing to your pain.

Stretch Identify the body area that feels painful and stretch.

Hold your stretches for at least 20-30 seconds.

Thermo-Therapy Use an ice or heat pack. Put it directly on the area where you have pain. The recommended time is 10-20 minutes. Be careful to check the skin and not leave the pack on too long to avoid ice or heat burns.

Ah! Take a nice deep breath. Doesn’t that feel better?

C

By Ali Lee

As summer comes to an end, the weather cools and tree leaves begin to change color. Fall is the perfect season to get your feet moving with your family and enjoy all the activities that this time of year has to offer. The best part about fall activities is that most are free and hold delights for everyone. Grab your sweater and join in on the active fall fun!

Visit a Pumpkin Patch Go to the pumpkin patch with your family and pick out the perfect pumpkin to carve. Make sure to take your time and cover a lot of ground in order to get the right one. Don’t forget to wear a fitness tracker to calculate your steps as you reach your distance goal for the day. There’s nothing like carving a pumpkin you picked straight from the patch!

Go on a Fall Colors Walk Fall is the best time to get outside and admire the changes all around. As tree leaves begin to turn different colors and fall to the ground, take a walk with your family and count how many different colors you can spot. After your walk, rake-up a pile of leaves and hop in!

s

F y a l i l l m A a c F t i c i s sla to Get Your Steps In vitie

Trick-or-Treating Dress the kids up as their favorite spooky or cartoon characters in fanciful costumes and celebrate Halloween by foot. Walk your neighborhood among the goblins and rainbow emojis collecting candy from house to house.

Be active and gather yummy treats at the same time!

Visit a Corn Maze Try not to get lost while walking inside a corn maze with your family. This fun and often tricky fall activity keeps you on your toes while you try to find a way out. Once you’ve figured out the right path, race through again to see who can get out of the maze faster.

Go to an Apple Orchard This is a timeless fall favorite. As you walk around the apple orchard, get your steps in while picking nutritious apples to bring home. Make it a competition with the family to see who can collect (and carry) the most apples back to the car.

Live Inspired

Serving Up

Global Nourishment

Celebrity Chef Shannon Kring Incorporates Indigenous Cultures at the Table

There are chefs who travel the world to bring exotic recipes to our kitchens, and then there are chefs whose pursuit of quality ingredients turn them into global advocates for sustainable farming practices and the rights of indigenous people who till the land. Shannon Kring is one such person, a stand out among culinary professionals. Shannon’s passions have taken her out of the kitchen and into the fire. As a humanitarian and documentary filmmaker, she works in some of the world’s deadliest regions.

Like those she serves, Shannon has been faced with her own life and death struggles. Because of her myriad of ventures, hers often play out in the public eye. Even her personal battle with cancer and other health issues have become topics of discussion. Although it may sound paradoxical at first, Shannon’s quest for her own healing is as fierce as her willingness to forsake her own well-being for the betterment of others. It seems nothing will stand in the way of her bringing light and hope to the voiceless. She’s devoted to sharing their stories with the world.

TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU CREATED A CULINARY EMPIRE. A year out of college, I got an Amex card with a 300 dollar line of credit. I figured that was enough to become my own boss. I left my job in broadcast sales and copywriting to start my own marketing and PR company. My clients included some of the biggest sporting bodies in the world, and while I enjoyed this work, I quickly realized I was taking up space in someone else’s dream. I began taking on projects within health promotion and hospitality. I got to work in dozens of countries and nearly every U.S. state.

After helping so many clients open their own restaurants, hotels, and shops, I thought I could do it for myself. Three years later, I had an Emmy-winning, national PBS cooking series;

my own cookware line sold at Macy’s and on QVC; restaurants; culinary schools for home and professional chefs; and an international culinary tour company. I also had contracts with three different publishers, and my first cookbook was named Cookbook of the Year.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A TV CHEF PERSONALITY? I loved being able to work alongside some of the greatest chefs in the world, and for my food to play a small role in some of the most important events in the lives of others—weddings, anniversaries, proposals, birthdays, memorials.

HOW HAS TRAVELING THE WORLD FOR YOUR DOCUMENTARY SERIES “SACRED FOODS” CHANGED YOU? Travel sometimes makes me feel like I do when looking up at the night sky: I am but one tiny, rather insignificant point of light in an infinite field of heavenly bodies. And yet I am part of an interconnected whole. Travel gives me perspective.

WHAT INTERESTS YOU ABOUT INDIGENOUS CULINARY PRACTICES? Long ago, food was grown with awareness, cooked with intention, and eaten with mindfulness. In the modern Western world, we have forgotten this. Indigenous cultures have largely preserved the recipes and rituals of their ancestors. When we change the way we shop, cook, and eat, we invariably change the way we think of our own bodies.

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED ANY “AHHA” MOMENTS WHEN LEARNING FROM INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOOD? While filming the pilot for my documentary series “Sacred Foods,” I was reminded that some cultures have a tradition of preparing feasts or plates of food for their ancestors. It is an offering and an honoring. Even in the Native American

Live Inspired tradition, the first serving of food is for loved ones in spirit. As one of the women in my pilot says, “Just because people in your culture don’t believe that ancestors are still with you doesn’t mean they’re not there. You just don’t listen to them. Preparing the foods they loved in their life is a way to thank them for their guidance.” I think this is a beautiful sentiment.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO CREATE A DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT STANDING ROCK’S FIGHT AGAINST THE DAKOTA ACCESS OIL PIPELINE? “Is this really your problem?” This sentiment from top Hollywood executives is something I’ve heard plenty over the past two years.

One could argue that the ongoing oppression of indigenous peoples is more my problem than anyone. I was born white in the United States of America, and therefore with privileges unfathomable to those I document. Through years of systematic racial, economic, gender, geographic, and religious oppression, my subjects have been left vulnerable and voiceless.

Their fight played out on the world stage, but the women of Standing Rock have a story that is both timeless and universal. Through them, we bear witness to the agony and triumph inherent in the struggle for identity.

I cannot atone for what people who look like me have done to indigenous lands and civilizations the world over. No one can. But I have a voice.

Lending it to the women of Standing Rock has been one of my life’s greatest honors.

WHAT DID THE WOMEN OF STANDING ROCK TEACH YOU? They exemplify what it means to be an authentically empowered woman in the matrilineal way of being.

WHY IS HONDURAS SPECIAL TO YOU? I will never forget the moment in 2007 when I stepped off the airplane in Honduras for the first time. I felt an immediate and profound connection. My eyes filled with tears, and I felt an opening in my chest. Honduras felt like home, but no home I had ever known. My heart still swells every time I land there, and inhale its unmistakable scent. I call Honduras the “heart center” of the Americas. I believe that the world needs more heart, and if you heal the heart, you can heal the world.

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF YOUR WORK THERE? For the past 12 years, I have worked fearlessly and independently to protect the heritage and people of Honduras. Like elsewhere in the world, in Honduras, I serve as a voice for the country’s forbidden and forgotten: indigenous peoples, addicts, gang members, survivors of abuse and human trafficking, people with disabilities, and other marginalized members of society. I have shot four productions in Honduras—most recently in July 2019. It is my way of giving back to the people and places that have given me so much over the years. Because of my ongoing work with the government of Honduras and with its Department of Tourism, I became Honduras’ Goodwill Ambassador and also its United Nations World Tourism Organization Liaison in 2015.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS HONDURAS’ GOODWILL AMBASSADOR? In this capacity, I bring forward global projects that help promote safe and sustainable tourism, elevate women and other marginalized members of society, and eradicate poverty. I am grateful for the support of the UNWTO on behalf of this country.

THROUGH YOUR WORK, HOW DO YOU ADVOCATE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE? I used to do my work completely under the radar, but a leading global political analyst pointed out to me what happens when leaders or marginalized members of society appear in the media with me. I was shocked to learn that my name and likeness generated social media

clicks and likes. It is a sad fact that otherwise invisible people and projects sometimes need bolstering from an outsider or celebrity. I have learned to use my presence for the advantage of the causes I support.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT BEING ABLE TO MAKE YOUR OWN TELEVISION SHOWS AND FILMS? I love working on my own schedule and the ability to tackle only those projects that captivate me. I know that every production requires a several-year commitment, and so I have to be ultra passionate about the stories on which I turn my cameras.

Filming Sacred Foods

Live Inspired HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR WELLBEING WHEN TRAVELING THE WORLD? I have genetic health conditions that require me to be extremely careful about exposure to bacteria, viruses, and insect-borne diseases. I also get so immersed in my work that I sometimes have to be reminded to eat or rest. My crew is great about that, and I am learning to be more diligent myself.

A simple change I have made because of my strict diet is to always carry packages of almonds or another small, nutrient-dense snack. Travel makes me hangry, and I never want to approach a set with anything but a positive attitude.

Because my work takes me to some of the most

dangerous cities in the world, and because colleagues of mine have been murdered in recent years, I am now taking my safety more seriously, too.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN 2017?

In the early days of filming “End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock� on the Great Plains, I got a sunburn despite my SPF 50 and widebilled hat. Months later, my nose was still red and peeling. Sometimes it even bled. I went to a dermatologist, who said it was either the early stage of skin cancer or the last stage of actinic keratosis. Either way, the recommended treatment was the same: topical chemotherapy.

Filming Sacred Foods

WHAT DID YOU UNDERGO TO FIGHT YOUR CANCER? At first, I questioned what I did wrong. The dermatologist assured me that for someone as fair as I, no amount of sunscreen would have been enough to protect against years of living in Honduras and Los Angeles. For the first couple of months post-diagnosis, I continued to try natural remedies, but they failed. I caved in and started the chemo my doctor prescribed. It set off my various autoimmune issues, and I ended up in a terrible cycle of musculoskeletal issues, viruses, and infections. I stopped the treatment after 12 weeks. The negative effects of chemo lasted far longer than the slight improvement it made to my skin. I continue to look for natural remedies because the problem hasn’t completely gone away.

SIMILARLY, HOW DID YOU SUPPORT YOUR MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH OVARIAN CANCER? I was living in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, when my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Much of my support, therefore, came from afar.

From the beginning, Mom was positive and determined to kick her cancer. Her trademark sense of humor almost never left her side. I knew she was scared, but I also knew she was strong.

Looking back to the many emails we exchanged during that time, I recognized that I did what I do with my many dear friends who have had cancer: I listened. I feel it is important to let the person with cancer take the lead. If they want to talk about their cancer or mortality, let them. If they don’t, don’t. That said, I always asked her how she was feeling. I was less concerned with her physical state than her emotional one. I didn’t doubt for a moment that she would overcome the cancer. I told her this every time we spoke, in many different ways.

HOW DID HER CANCER DIAGNOSIS AFFECT YOU AND THE WORK YOU DO? I was working on major socio-political projects in Honduras and Spain at that time and wished I could have been alongside my mother in more than thoughts and prayers during her treatment.

Though I knew she would eventually be fine, I felt horrible for her. She had just endured a year of full-time caretaking for my father, who miraculously survived a near-fatal accident while working in the woods. Just after recovering from her complete hysterectomy, Mom had to have emergency gallbladder surgery the same month I suffered a miscarriage in the second trimester.

Our already close family became even closer during that time, and all that followed.

AS UNITED NATIONS WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION LIAISON, WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR BEING A CONSCIENTIOUS TOURIST? Being conscientious begins before you even board your flight. Research your destination.

Learn local customs, traditions, taboos, and national laws and regulations. Learning a few words in the local language goes far.

Use common sense after your arrival. How many of us would be comfortable with a stranger taking photos or videos of our families in our yards, or live streaming from our religious ceremonies? This happens all the time in popular tourist destinations like Asia or the Caribbean.

Ask permission before snapping a photo of a person or his/her property. Be respectful regardless of their response.

Some of the worst behavior I see occurs while tourists shop. Buy locally made crafts and products. Respect the livelihood of local vendors and artisans by paying a fair price. After all, you wouldn’t haggle at Whole Foods or a local museum gift shop.

By Sarah Wilson

Across 3. Carbohydrates, Fat, and ____ 5. Popular type of heated yoga 6. Person that doesn’t eat animal products 8. Alternative to coffee 12. Green fruit high in healthy fats 13. “Eye of the ____” 14. First name of cover model of Summer 2019 issue 16. “Do one thing every day that ____ you” 18. Green vegetable with varieties of Lacinato, Curly, and Dino 19. Personality test Myers ____ 20. Fish high in Omega-3’s 22. Effective glute-toning move 23. Yellow root containing curcumin

Down 1. Sport with jabs, crosses, and uppercuts 2. Two-piece swimsuit 4. Relaxing scent (purple flower) 7. “Where your inner warrior meets your outer ____” 9. Green tea powder 10. The most abundant protein in your body (helps with skin structure) 11. Live + Thrive CA motto #be ____ 15. Nutty alternative to cow milk 17. Largest organ of the body 19. Broth that’s “liquid gold” 20. Free source of Vitamin D 21. Aloe ____

Answers will appear in our next issue!

Live Strong

No more yo-yo diets

Hello All Year Summer Body

By Tiffany Toney

Let’s face it; the majority of us have a difficult time keeping our New Year’s resolutions, especially when it comes to our health and fitness goals. For some reason, the guilt of holiday binge eating seems to serve as stronger motivation to get into shape for summer, than the thought of how amazing it would be to look and feel good in a bathing suit all year long.

The bad news is that waiting until February or March to start thinking about your summer fitness goals is too late! Rushing to try and get into shape for the summer often leads to yo-yo dieting or weight cycling, which ultimately leads to dramatic weight gain.

Fortunately, there are a few life hacks that can help you stay in shape all year long.

The first step toward maintaining a summer body all year long is drinking a gallon of water every day.

Drinking water will flush out toxins and help your organs and digestive system function properly.

If this seems like a challenging task, try adding some fruit to your water to enhance the flavor. My favorite recipe is cucumber, sliced lime, and mint leaves.

With this fruit and veggie addition, I look forward to each sip of water.

The second step to maintaining a summer body all year long is adding fasted cardio to your weekly routine. Doing fasted cardio, a cardio workout before eating in the morning, 2-3 times a week will help recharge your metabolism while burning off the carbs and sugars your body may be storing as fat from the night before.

Starting your day off with a little pre-breakfast cardio will also give you the boost of energy you need to conquer the workday.

Tip number three to keep your ideal waist for the entire year is to commit to a personal trainer or a group training program that provides you with accountability partners. If this is not in your budget, evaluate where you can cut costs so that it is, like taking your lunch to work instead of spending money on eating out.

Another low-cost option is to find a friend who lives an active lifestyle and follow their lead. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can crash their workouts.

My final tip to keeping your body in summer shape through all four seasons is to post photos of the body you desire on a vision board, on your bathroom mirror, and on your refrigerator to remind you of what it is you are working to achieve. This will serve as a subtle prompt to keep your eyes on the prize and your butt in the gym.

Live Strong for Overall Health and Longevity

By Esther Ekhart I want to encourage everyone who hasn’t tried Yin Yoga, to try it. Why? Because the feeling you're left with after you have practiced Yin Yoga is amazing!

Benefits of a regular Yin Yoga practice • Calms and balances the mind and body • Reduces stress and anxiety • Increases circulation • Improves flexibility • Releases fascia and improves joint mobility • Balances the internal organs and improves the flow of chi or prana

What is Yin Yoga?

While Yang Yoga practices (Ashtanga, Vinyasa) physically target the “superficial” muscles, in Yin Yoga, we target the deep connective tissues of the body, ligaments, joints, bones, and deep fascia networks. A yin class usually consists of a series of passive floor poses held for up to 5 minutes or more, that mainly work the lower part of the body, hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine. These areas are especially rich in connective tissues.

On an energetic level, Yin Yoga improves energy flow and enhances the flow of chi in the organs. The practice also offers huge mental and emotional benefits too.

Who is Yin Yoga for?

Yin Yoga is for you if you are tired and craving energy or you’re over-stimulated and have too much energy.

Our world bombards us with stimuli, 24/7, keeping our minds constantly busy with processing all the information that’s thrown at it. We get used to that level of stimulus and start to crave it if things become quiet. So we end up browsing, looking for stuff; it doesn’t matter what, as long as we fill the gaps.

Any form of dynamic yoga caters to this aspect of keeping ourselves busy. Although the mind may calm down as a result of active exercise, we're still feeding the part of us that craves intensity and wants to be stimulated.

We just happen to have found ourselves a healthier stimulus! I'm not encouraging you to cut out the dynamic yoga, just try to balance all the on-the-go aspects of life. A great way to do that is by practicing Yin Yoga.

Yin Yoga and the body Yin Yoga works on the yin tissues, also known as the connective tissues. Connective tissue responds best to a slow, steady load, which is why we hold the poses for longer. If you gently stretch connective tissue by holding a yin pose for a long time, the body will respond by making it a little longer and stronger, which is exactly what you want.

Different Yin Yoga poses stimulate and remove blockages in the myofascial meridians of the body, which in turn balances the body’s internal organs and systems. Yin Yoga requires the muscles to relax around the connective tissue in order to get a stretch, so not every yoga pose can be done safely or effectively when practicing yin style yoga. Thus yin asanas (postures) have different names.

For example, Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle pose) in a Yang Yoga class is known as Butterfly in Yin Yoga and has a different movement focus.

Yin Yoga and the mind Becoming still in a pose and staying for a while creates those mind gaps that I referred to earlier.

Keeping the gaps empty creates space for anything that wants to come up. This could be anxiety, happiness, sadness, boredom, any emotion or feeling suppressed by busyness.

During a Yin Yoga class, you learn to observe the pure physical sensations of emotions, without getting caught up in the stories about those emotions. It costs the body a lot of energy to keep things suppressed, so the release you feel from letting it all come out can be just as big.

These stories are usually related to why we feel such and such, whose fault it is etc. Just observing the physical sensations, without giving “juice” to the stories, allows those emotions and physical sensations a way out of your system. This helps to clear the mind of these often unconscious emotions, and thus gives your system an opportunity to work through the blockages those emotions have caused in the body. What a wonderful and muchneeded release!

Tips for practicing Yin Yoga Find your appropriate edge: Move slowly and gently into the pose. Don’t go straight to your “maximum” in the pose and never stretch so far as to cause pain.

Stillness: Consciously try to release into the pose, and to remain still, without fidgeting or shifting position too much.

Hold the position: Start with holding a pose for 1-3 minutes and progress to 5 minutes or more.

Live Strong

Functional Fitness with TRX: 7 Movements for Every Workout

By Jennifer Slaboda

Functional fitness exercises mimic the movement patterns you do when performing daily activities. Jennifer Slaboda, owner of Fitphoria personal training, shows us how to do these exercises using the TRX System, photographed here at Crossroads Fitness San Mateo. TRX suspension training uses varying strap lengths to access your body weight to power your workout. The exercises shown here will help you become more efficient in your daily movements and reduce your chance of injury. Keep your core engaged to support your lower back throughout all exercises.

1

Exercise 1 Squat Row

Functional movement: Sitting down and getting up from a chair Strap length: mid-length How to do it: Stand with legs hip-distance apart and arms bent by your side. Keep your core tight and lower into a squat until thighs are parallel to the ground. Use your glutes to stand up to the starting position while pulling back on the straps. Do 12 reps.

2

Exercise 2

Balance Lunge

Functional movement: Lowering on one leg to pick something up Strap length: mid-length How to do it: Stand with elbows at sides, hands on handles.

Center one leg, lift and bend opposite leg to 90 degrees, and drive lifted leg back, lowering knee without touching your foot to the ground. Press through the heel of grounded leg, lift chest, and return to full standing position. Do 8-10 reps on each leg.

Exercise 3

Atomic Pike

Functional movement: Pushing something away Strap length: mid-calf How to do it: Start with feet in straps, engage core and lift body into a straight arm plank. While maintaining plank, lower your body into a pushup. Return to plank and drive hips up into a pike. Do 8 reps.

3

Exercise 4

Inverted Row

4

Functional movement: Pulling something toward you Strap length: over-shortened How to do it: With chest under the anchor point, extend arms above body with feet flat and knees bent at 90 degrees. Pull shoulders down and back, drive elbows to sides of body pulling torso toward the anchor point and maintaining plank.

Do 10 reps.

Exercise 5 Power Pull

5

Exercise 6

6

Functional movement: Reaching behind you to pull something forward Strap length: mid-length How to do it: Start facing TRX with a strap in one hand, elbow at chest, and a dumbbell in free hand. Reach free hand up the TRX main strap toward the anchor point, then rotate free hand toward the ground while extending the working arm. Return by driving your working elbow straight back while rotating free arm up toward the anchor point. Do 10 reps each side.

Overhead Back Extension

Functional movement: Hinging hips to lift something off the ground Strap length: mid-length How to do it: Stand with hands in handles, extend arms overhead with palms forward and tension on the straps.

Lower hips down and back, hinging at hips with legs straight, keep your head in between arms in line with spine. Squeeze glutes and hinge back up, pulling on the handles to return to standing. Do 12 reps.

Exercise 7

Mountain Climbers

Functional movement: Walking, running, climbing Strap length: mid-calf How to do it: Start with both feet in the straps on your hands with legs straight in an active plank. Keep weight over your hands while you lift your hips and bring one knee toward your chest, keeping the other straight. Extend bent knee back to start and bring opposite knee to chest. Do 12 reps or more, speeding it up as long as you can keep a strong plank.

7

Veronica Galindo

After fighting two cancer battles from the first diagnosis in 2001 with leukemia and then again in 2010 with uterine cancer, I cried, I asked why?

I faced the disbelief that I had leukemia and that if I did not get chemo, I would die. How do I tell my son? Somehow, I found the courage and strength to fight with every bit of me, losing hope as the beatings of chemo deteriorated my body, and then I was free, remission as they call it. Second ugly battle, uterine cancer 2010, I opted to do whatever it took to give me another chance at life. I put up my armor of faith, endurance, hope and most of all courage. I am here. I am a Cancer Warrior.

Darlene Torres

In August of 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After experiencing three bouts of breast cancer with my mother; I knew I would need to be aggressive with my treatment. I decided to have a double mastectomy and decrease the emotional effects that my young daughter would experience. My oncologist informed me that I had stage three invasive ductal carcinoma, and chemo was necessary. Losing my hair was difficult for both my daughter and me. We decided to make this fear a positive. Never wearing a wig, we decided together to make my head a beautiful representation of the healing that would be at the end of this journey. Not only did I work on healing my body but my emotional past traumas.

I used this as an opportunity to grow into a well-rounded and emotionally strong woman. I smiled and enjoyed life throughout my chemo regardless of my symptoms. This fearful diagnosis has assisted in my growth and made me someone my daughter could be proud of. SĂ?, se puede!

Carla Perez

At the age of 38, I was faced with my hardest challenge, a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer stage one in my left breast and was HER2 positive.

After challenging doctors at the beginning of my journey, I went under the care of a Stanford oncologist. I made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy.

The decision was based on not wanting to put my children through this situation a second time. Cancer has sculpted me into someone who understands more, hurts more often, and lives more passionately. What I use to take for granted, and the life I once thought was limited, I now look at with a different perspective. It helped me to understand how to live life from my heart.

My drive, motivation, and perseverance, are fueled by the love of my family, along with my strong faith in God. I now own my own business. I am a board member of Latina Contra Cancer, committee member of NAHREP, co-author of a book and starting a non-profit for children with parents diagnosed with cancer.

Courtney Watkins

I was 34 years old and diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. This was not supposed to happen to me. This was the type of thing that happens to other people, right? I had just retired from being a hairstylist and looking forward to being at home with my three little kids when our lives changed. The aggressive form of HER2 positive breast cancer was quickly spreading and sent me into the fast lane of chemotherapy, followed by surgery, and 20 rounds of radiation. You don’t know how strong you are until strong is your only option. Thank goodness for modern medicine, cancer research, and amazing doctors. I am now cancerfree and living life with a new lens. I know firsthand that we never know what tomorrow is going to bring. This has been a great lesson to live life as fully as I can, to stop sweating the small stuff, enjoy the little things, and be thankful every day for a healthy and happy body. It’s not lost on me that life is a gift and cancer warriors are some of the strongest people I know! This experience has changed me and opened my heart. Sending lots of love to all the cancer warriors fighting the fight! You got this!

Live Involved www.LiveThriveCA.com

Clutter-Free Wardrobe

Unity in the Community

Monday Morning by the Bay

Soulful Living Arts Fair

First Saturday AfroVegan Workout

Family-Friendly Bike Ride

DATE: Thurs, Sept 26, 2019 TIME: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM LOCATION: 2635 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA 95051 Lifestyle Coach Kim Nowlin will guide and encourage us to create a small, but powerful wardrobe—one that reflects your personal style and season of life. Registration required.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2U4Hh89 COST: Free

DATE: Sat & Sun, Sept 28-29, 2019 TIME: 10:00 AM LOCATION: 1540 Hicks Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 Our Exhibitors offer many kinds of modalities in the healing arts, professional readers, astrology, numerology, beautiful jewelry, crystals and rocks, visual arts, crafts, and more. Lectures: ancient and the latest sciences in healing, personal growth, spiritual unfoldment, and awareness in an ever-changing world.

Visit: www.communityofinfinitespirit.org COST: Free

DATE: Sat, Sept 28, 2019 TIME: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM LOCATION: 4709 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, CA 94805 The outdoor festival event is free to the community, and we will provide health screenings, community resources, exercise demonstrations, Zumba, kids fun zone, healthy produce bag, giveaways, and healthy refreshments.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2PcfO5A COST: Free

DATES: Sat, Oct 5, 2019 Sat, Nov 2, 2019; Sat, Dec 7, 2019 TIME: 9:00 AM LOCATION: 2706 Park Boulevard, Oakland CA 94606 Get your sweat on every first Saturday with Plant Based Fitness! AfroVegan and Plant Based Fitness have partnered to offer free small group classes for AfroVegan members.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2L7TODM COST: Free

DATE: Mon, Oct 14, 2019 TIME: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Location: Cesar Chavez Park, 11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley, CA 94710 The walk is paved and level, light rain will not scare us away.

Come and join our group of 5 – 8 regulars for this lovely stroll of approximately one mile along one of the most picturesque bodies of water in the world!

Visit: https://bit.ly/326jsQc COST: Free

DATE: Sat, Oct 19, 2019 TIME: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM LOCATION: 210 Lincoln Blvd, San Francisco, 94129 Join Presidio Trust staff and National Park Service rangers for a gentle four-mile bike ride. Roll through the history and nature of the Presidio at a family-friendly pace that’s fun for all. Bring your own bike, rent one from Sports Basement at Crissy Field, or pick up a dockless JUMP e-bike found throughout the Presidio.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2U8z3f9 COST: Free

Fall 2019

Discovery Hike

Book Signing and Keto Talk

Kinks N Curls Hair + Beauty Expo

The Perfect Eyebrow

DATE: Wed, Sept 25, 2019 TIME: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM LOCATION: 22144 Canyon Vistas, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Explore beautiful Wood Canyon and discover its native flora and fauna with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this steep, uneven and rocky 5-mile hike with up to a 500 foot elevation gain.

Visit: https://bit.ly/33YWBrx COST: Free

DATE: Sat, Oct 5, 2019 TIME: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM LOCATION: To Be Announced, Los Angeles Bring your friends, sisters, daughters to one of LA's biggest hair and beauty expos! Free General Admission, sample new products, shop, food, and so much more! The first 100 guests will receive swag bags FILLED with goodies.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2Zj4oBz COST: Free

DATE: Sat, Nov 2nd, 2019 TIME: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM LOCATION: Keto Cafe, 8066 Melrose Ave. #3, West Hollywood, CA 90046 Bestselling cookbook author Maria Emmerich is at the forefront of the keto movement and has become the go-to source for high-fat, lowcarb recipes that both please the palate and nourish the body. Meet Maria, talk keto and get your books signed.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2NE9x0l COST: Free

DATE: Sat, Nov 16, 2019 TIME: 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM LOCATION: MUD Studio LA, 129 South San Fernando Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91502 This workshop focuses on the art of eyebrows. Eyebrows have the power to create expression and character to an individual just by altering the placement subtly or drastically. The process starts with the classic eyebrow shape.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2LnmNDR COST: Free

Love Your Body Event

DATE: Sun, Nov 17, 2019 TIME: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM LOCATION: Luxe Sunset Blvd Hotel, 11461 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles 90049 LYB is an event designed to empower women and girls of all sizes, ages, shapes and ethnicities.

It's a great way to meet new clients, customers and buyers face to face in a fun and exciting setting. Red carpet and runway show featuring the latest fashion styles.

Visit: https://bit.ly/2HuktK2 COST: Free

Do you have a mind, body and spirit wellness event that our readers should know about?

We’d love to hear about it!

GUEST CONTRIBUTORS www.LiveThriveCA.com

Wendy Quaccia

simplyput.yourway

Wendy Quaccia is a Professional Organizer who takes pride in showing people how to live comfortably in their home through organization. Helping to make decisions, relocate items to more convenient locations within the home and offering storage ideas is fun for Wendy. www.simplyputyourway.net

Pat Obuchowski

pat.obuchowski

Jennifer Slaboda

consultantjenniferslaboda

Pat Obuchowski is CEO, Chief Empowerment Officer, of inVisionaria, an Executive and Leadership coaching company. She is the founder of Gutsy Women Win (www.

GutsyWomenWin.com), an organization that supports women leaders; a best selling and award winning author; and a public speaker. Connect with her at Pat@GutsyWomenWin.com

Jennifer Slaboda is passionate about helping people live healthier through better food, personal care products, and exercise. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with Fitphoria, an Independent Consultant with Arbonne, fitness instructor at Pilates ProWorks of Burlingame, and a mom of two teenagers. www.Fitphoria.com

Sarah Wilson

beets_and_bikes

A native New Englander recently relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband. Sarah’s childhood in Vermont fuels her passion for local organic food and outdoor lifestyle. After graduating from Wesleyan University, she obtained her Health Coach certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

Ali Lee

Ali Lee recently graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Journalism.

Her interests in both writing and fitness led her to become an editorial intern for FitNFabs.

When she isn’t writing, she enjoys going on hikes, spending time with friends and family, and eating at healthy food spots around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jamie Nease

JamieNeasePortraits

Jamie Nease is a portrait photographer located in San Francisco. She is on a mission to help women see their unique beauty. Jamie creates a safe and welcoming environment for her clients to be seen. What she loves most is connecting with her clients to help them transform the way they see themselves. Jamie enjoys getting outside in nature with her boyfriend and her dog. See her work at www.jamienease.com.

Fall 2019

Caron Shahrestani

caronmodmedia

Caron Shahrestani is the founder and director of Caron Modern Media, a video marketing, photography and social media training company based in Silicon Valley. Caron worked as a newspaper reporter and volunteered with the Peace Corps in West Africa before starting her own business. A former group fitness instructor and video model for The Bar Method, Caron prioritizes her health by taking a variety of exercises classes and eating a balanced diet.

Caronmodernmedia.com

Tiffany Toney

Beast_Md_Barbie

Tiffany Toney

The_BeastMode_Barbie

Tiffany Toney is a former pro softball player with a background in fitness and journalism.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, she has traveled to Europe and all over the U.S. for her work in sports and entertainment. She’s worked for America's Most Wanted, NBC, and recently launched her own YouTube series called "The Cheat Day" about sports and food. Her mission is to empower women by creating content that no longer forces them to choose between their strength and their beauty. BeastModeBarbie.com

Dr. Katerina Rozakis

Insight For Wellness Center

Insight4WellCen

Dr. Katerina Rozakis is the CEO of Insight for Wellness Center (InsightForWellness.com) in San Ramon,CA. She is a Natural Health Educator, CBD Therapist, Psycho-oncologist, and Contributing Writer focusing on wellness and how to release your inner goddess. Dr. Rozakis is committed to helping individuals achieve a balanced lifestyle. She is a Certified Diplomate in Psychotherapy with the American Psychotherapy Association and is Board Certified in Integrative Medicine.

Ilana Shapiro Yahdav

TheNonLinearJourney

Ilana Shapiro Yahdav, MPA, is an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, passionate about healing the world, one heart at a time. Ilana founded, The Non-Linear Journey, LLC, named for her father who, as he was dying, often said, “time is non-linear, I’ll always be with you.” Her focus is to meet grieving people exactly where they are and support and guide them through their grief journey. www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/ilana-shapiro-yahdav

Esther Ekhart

EstherEkhart

EkhartYoga

Esther Ekhart, face and founder of EkhartYoga, brings years of personal yoga and meditation practice, therapy training and study of yoga philosophy into her teaching. She loves teaching dynamic styles like Hatha or Vinyasa Flow, focusing on strength, stability and fitness, along with slower practices such as Yin Yoga and Meditation that allow you to drop in and get to know yourself better. www.ekhartyoga.com

www.LiveThriveCA.com

Fall 2019

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