What is it that you reallywant this year? Is there one thing that will make your heart sing? For some of us, we really do not want or need more things.  Maybe there is one thing that will make your life easier, or make you feel sexier, or have more confidence or feel more loved?

In reality, don’t we all want more connection, love, peace and joy?  Isn’t that what the holidays are really all about?  If this is so, then why are we all so stressed out this time of year?  I love to give. I identify myself as a giver and a healer. (Although I really don’t heal anyone, I just guide and support you on how to heal yourself).  But often, as in the case with givers and healers, we are so busy giving that we lose connection with ourselves.  Or we end up giving more than we have.  Do you have a hard time putting yourself and your own needs as a priority?  Do you let all of the small things crowd out the really big important things and then feel exhausted, burned out or or even resentful?  I know this all too well.  I used to go to bed with a migraine headache on holidays.  The expectations are so high for the perfect meal and the perfect gifts as if they are a reflection of who we are.  There is so much pressure to consume, from spending money to overindulging in sugar, and alcohol to be “Merry”.  It is no wonder that we are all addicts.  Yes, I said the taboo word, we are all certainly addicted to sugar and I believe that is where most dis-ease begins, in the gut.  I have a whole lecture series on the new medicine of how this is now proven by both ancient medicine as well as new functional medicine. Fortunately, we don’t have to give up sweetness to overcome this and thrive.

This year I have the privilege to bring healthy food and recipes to several events to demonstrate how we can be kind, loving and nourishing to ourselves as well to our taste buds!  Food is the foundation for health and can either be energizing and life affirming or lead to diets, deprivation and death.  Yesterday, I catered food for a wonderful sound-healing event with Jim & Ashley Cash from the band Woven Green and Ana Medina from Awe Healing Arts. I brought raw vegan pumpkin pie (that really is to LIVE for!), raw cranberry sauce, “better than tuna” wraps and pumpkin chia pudding.  I had one man say that he was allergic to gluten, dairy, soy and corn and was forced into a Paleo diet and begged me to buy the pie right there!  It really is that sinfully delicious.  And easy, fun and fast to make, no baking required! I have enclosed the recipes below so you can enjoy them for Thanksgiving.  

These recipes use dates instead of processed sugar. The Fiber in whole natural food helps to slow the absorption and effect of sugar in the bloodstream and insulin secretion.  High insulin secretion not only leads to many diseases, it also leads to an increase wrinkles and aging! 

Mark your calendars for December 21^st for a Winter Solstice Celebration @ 4pm at the Unity Church of Chantilly, VA for another sound healing event.   I will also be doing a healthy food demo for The Amen Clinics 25^thAnniversary Open House and will be on the local TV show, Lets Talk Live News Channel 8, December 15th talking about how to use food as medicine to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Stay tuned because I bet it is not what you think!  I’ll talk more about that in the coming weeks.

So what is it that you reallywant this holiday season? Is it more peace and joy or maybe just a little more energy?  So how about a gift of health for you or your loved ones? I have several offerings this season. 

1.     First, in honor of BLACK FRIDAY, I will offer 25% discount for my 21 Day online Kickstart to Wellness Program to start Monday, January 5^th. 

2.     Of course my book Savvy Secrets is also a great holiday gift with more recipes for living and you can purchase it now on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=savvy+secrets+in+books

3.     The ultimate gift to you of course, is one to one coaching.  I will also honor 25% off for those who purchase this on Black Friday. If you have been thinking about this, now is the time to honor yourself, get the support you need to prioritize you and your goals. Schedule a Discovery Call now: https://carpediemwellness.org

Please know that I am so very grateful for those reading my blogs and for any feedback, comments or referrals you may have. Witnessing your personal and professional transformations keeps me energized and inspired! Thank you!

These recipes are from my friend Luzy Perez from classes we’ve taught together. She also offers sprouting and raw food classes:

Raw Pumpkin Pie

1 Orange, peeled, seeded, quartered. Zest saved for 1 tsp orange zest

Happy Thanksgiving and Carpe Diem!

Lisa