Khalik Allah and I speak about the effects of plants and drugs on your body and share real experiences with you.
Drugs — synthetic and naturally derived from plants — have various impacts on your mind, body, and spirit. Most prescription drugs serve to only alleviate and subdue the symptoms and have little to no effect on actually getting to the source of the problem. Khalik will argue that all the healing you need is already provided in your own bodily powers. David states: “Plants that haven’t been altered can provide your body and spirit with a certain intelligence.”
Most people have no idea what REAL chocolate is — raw cacao. Vanessa Barg, the “Chocolate Girl” and alternative health expert / consultant, educates us on what chocolate, and raw food, is all about. If you’ve ever wondered about the magical benefits and experience of eating chocolate in its natural form, then watch this video and learn. Enjoy and Much Love to you.
Why doesn’t Al Gore ever mention the stopping of meat consumption, or even cutting down meat consumption, throughout all his speechifying on global warming? Doesn’t he know that meat production and consumption leads to the destruction of the universe? Not to mention the extreme harm it does to our health. I mean, even with all the science showing the causal links between meat consumption and death (re: heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer etc…) and the actual first-hand experiences people encounter when they find themselves getting sick 10+ times a year… it’s still not enough to get people to put down their burgers. Absolutely, amazing!
Getting through the work day on high power is a work habit that’s more common than not. From the espresso concoction from Starbucks to the green tea from the organic coffeehouse, there are plenty of ways to get the daily buzz. Today’s newest caffeine-infused products even include gum, chocolate, and caffeinated water. But could caffeine be getting in the way of your natural productivity?
Caffeine has long been used as a central nervous stimulant to provide mental focus, increased energy, and a convenient rush when you need it. However, many people are touting the benefits of a caffeine-free lifestyle, claiming that caffeine is counter-productive to thinking clearly, making us anxious, jittery, and contributing to our stress levels. But are we ready to forego that cup of java each day?
According to health researchers and physicians, caffeine is a major contributor of many health conditions and disease such as:
Severe stress
Mood disorders
Headaches and migraines
Diabetes
Irritable bowel syndrome
Indigestion and upset stomachs
Acid reflux and GERD
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Interstitial Cystisis
An increased heart rate and high blood pressure can also lead to increased stress; if you’re already experiencing a significant amount of stress in your life, caffeine might worsen the problem. Extreme anxiety can also be counter-productive; think about how difficult it is to focus if you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode. Excessive caffeine also interferes with sleep and natural resting patterns. Sleep problems and mood disturbances can take a toll on your daily productivity, making it difficult to focus and even get up in the morning. Without a healthy sleep schedule, you can become irritable, anxious, and find it difficult to concentrate.
The coffee buzz that keeps you running on all eight cylinders may be great for your to-do list, but chances are it’s taking its toll on your health. Reducing the amount of caffeine in your diet might just offer some valuable benefits for both your brain and your body.
Have you kicked the coffee habit? Share your ideas and suggestions below:
A healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for long term health, but many people forget the role that specific foods and balanced nutrition have in boosting that brain! The brain needs a wide range of nourishing and wholesome foods on a daily basis; in addition to stocking up on omega 3 fatty acids and quality protein, boosting your brain power might be as simple as snacking on a few almonds.
Here are just a few brain foods that might give you the extra nutrients you need to kick your intelligence into high gear:
Oily fish:
Pick up some salmon, sardines, or fatty tuna for dinner and you’ll be loading up on important omega-3 fatty acids. These can help improve your memory skills and even accelerate learning.
Soy milk:
Soy protein isolate is found in many supplements and nutrition bars, but soy milk can give you the essentials for enhanced mental functioning.
Blueberries:
Filled with antioxidants, blueberries can help protect the delicate blood vessels in the brain, and may even improve memory and motor skills.
Leafy greens:
Popeye was onto something with all that spinach; not only will green vegetables give you the iron and fiber you need to stay healthy, but also pack a punch for mental performance.
Almonds and walnuts:
Just a few ounces per week can help with memory and cognitive enhancement.
Brown rice:
Enriched with vitamin B6, this whole grain is very valuable for cognitive health.
Olive oil:
Add it to salads or just switch to an extra-virgin variety in your cooking. Olive oil is filled with antioxidants that can protect your body from damage and preserve that valuable brain tissue.
Garlic:
Not only can this powerful herb reduce stress and clear up congestion, but some studies suggest it has a positive effect on brain power and concentration. Consider taking a garlic supplement if you want to avoid any cases of bad breath.
Stock up on lean meat:
Eating lean cuts of red meat, at least once or twice per week, can give you iron and B vitamins needed for a healthy brain.
Eggs:
Packed with choline, eggs prepared any way you like will give you the nutrients you need for healthy brain cells; keep your diet low in fat by eating whole eggs just once or twice per week.
Hectic schedules, rapid learning, and a never ending to-do list can take their toll on your mind and body. If you’ve been feeling a little blue lately, or simply need some motivation, consider changing up your diet with some of nature’s best resources for brain food.
If you’re on the constant journey for maintaining and improving your health – chances are you’ll meet many contradictions along the way. The world of medicine vs. herbal and food remedies is painted almost entirely in shades of grey. Doctors, writers and experts can only reveal their part of the truth. But, there are many basic concepts at the core of true health knowledge that tend to get neglected for the sake of money and marketing. Now that it’s so cool to be healthy — we have to be extra cautious about what we decide to put into our bodies.
I’ve spent years studying people like Dr. Andrew Weil and Doctor Mercola (who have varying views, but extensive knowledge on how food can heal). And, on the other hand I see moms “thanking God” that McDonalds now offers apple-dippers as a snack option for their kids’ happy meals. If these moms had some basic knowledge of proper food combining, perhaps they wouldn’t be thanking the deities (so much).
Think about all those cereals that you see in the organic food aisles. Yeah, those $7 or more per box all natural granola things. Do you think those are healthy? Do you feel better after eating them? Well, what would you say if I told you that they may actually be causing an imbalance in your intestines?
When we eat anything our bodies must release enzymes to help break down our food and turn it into useful energy and waste. Different enzymes are released for veggies, animal proteins, carbs etc. So, when you combine dried fruits with grains and pour some milk over the top (soy, or otherwise) your body becomes confused about which enzymes to release. This can result in the food actually fermenting in your body (which turns the food to sugar and feeds the bad bacteria and yeast), staying in your body too long, and causing a variety of sometimes un-noticeable symptoms.
Much of the ingredients in your organic cereal can be beneficial to you. That is, if you have no allergies to gluten or sugar (etc). It is much harder to gain that benefit when your body has to work double-time just to digest breakfast.
Some of us are so used to occasional headaches, acne, joint pain, stress and fatigue that we write off these symptoms. But, these little signs can be related to how we combine our meals. And, even the healthiest of us can feel better if we decide to combine our meals properly. Studies show that if 80 percent of our meals include veggies, and 20 percent is either protein OR carbs – we will get maximum nutrient assimilation.
For more information on this you can research proper food combining and the 80/20 food combining rule.
I am very inspired by our generation’s growing concern for health. We continue to test the norm, and find the answers that work best for us. But, BEWARE – as soon as people like us start thinking, corporations tend to jump on the bandwagon. Now that health is a trend – there’s so much opportunity to make a buck.
What can be cooler than yogurt these days? Companies that used to sell these creamy treats as a low-fat alternative to ice-cream are now claiming that this stuff actually boosts your immune system and controls your weight?
The idea behind the scenes is the pro-biotic. Pro-biotics are amazing little organisms that already live in your gut. They help ward off infection and balance out any bad bacteria and viruses. The word pro-biotic actually means pro-life. So, yeah – they are good.
But, what the yogurt companies do not reveal is that most of their “live and active cultures” are actually dead. And furthermore, the rest can easily die in your stomach acid as they make way to their destination. And even furthermore, since the sale of raw dairy is MOSTLY illegal in the U.S. – all commercial dairy has been homogenized and/or pasteurized. This process kills the natural enzymes and bacteria that live in the milk, and turns them into histamines. Have you heard of these guys? Histamines cause allergic reactions.
So, if the yogurt cultures were actually “alive” and the dairy “raw” the enzymes would act to assist in your digestion of the dairy, make it into your gut and flourish.
Before you spend your money and test your health on any pro-biotic you should know that many of the pills (like acidophilus) that are sold commercially contain mostly dead organisms as well. It’s very hard for a pro-biotic to make it passed your stomach. Some of these products claim to have seven billion or 30 billion per capsule – but, what you’d like is for a claim of how “alive” they are. The box should also contain info on how the bacteria are preserved (i.e. freeze-dried).
Pro-biotic foods, which have been used for centuries may be a better way of re-introducing that healthy bacteria into your system. Health food stores in my area can’t keep enough Kombucha Tea in stock. This fermented tea is actually very potent because it is able to sneak passed your digestive acids and settle in your gut.
Because of their potency, Kombucha and other raw pro-biotic foods may cause detox or die-off symptoms. In essence this is a good thing, but moderation is key. The Kombucha bottle recommends one bottle a day to keep healthy. When your body releases toxins, it can mimic illness – so drinking a whole bottle on your first taste can be really painful.
I encourage you to make all of your health decisions conscious ones – weigh all sides and introduce new remedies in moderation. Some books that offer a well-rounded view of the benefits of pro-biotics, and the truth behind them are: The Body Ecology Diet, by Donna Gates; and Nourishing Traditions, by, Sally Fallon. Both also have websites.
Most of us have our own interpretations of what true health means. And, for good reason – we all have unique health needs, desires and restrictions. But, I think most of us would agree that without our health we would have nothing. We couldn’t make it to the office, attend meetings, brainstorm or pull all-nighters without properly maintaining our well being.
I was recently forced to take an extended leave from work because my health took an extreme turn for the worse. There were signs that I ignored for years because I followed what I thought was a very healthy lifestyle. And the ironic thing is that my lifestyle could’ve proven very beneficial to someone else. It was just killing me.
As entrepreneurs we tend to be conscious thinkers and strong decision makers. But, with so much information out there regarding the meaning of health and how to achieve it – how do we decide what is right for us? There’s a book and a doctor or two to support any diet that you can dream up. Even the off –the-wall ones. Just yesterday, I read two very convincing stories about the dangers of dairy (as we consume it), and one pretty convincing commercial about the necessity of FIVE servings of dairy a day.
I’ve been eating organic for years, shunning red meat, practicing yoga whenever I can, and attempting to keep a positive mental outlook. But, somewhere between the Google searches on alternative medicine and the occasional antibiotics for sore throats, I missed the uniqueness factor.
I missed the point that everything from blood type to occupation, family history and climate play a role in making up our health. What works for me may not work for you. But, we can usually succeed in finding the right answers for healing our ills if we pay close attention to what our bodies tell us. We can also control and repair so many illnesses if we take the time to break them down to their original cause, and give ourselves time to heal.
On my journey, I’ve discovered what exercises work best for my blood type, and have benefited from incorporating them. I’ve also discovered the true power of food in healing, and what “healthy” foods just don’t work for my body. I’ve also learned the hard way that when my original doctor told me I’d be better in eight weeks – she was out of her mind. We are programmed to think that there is a magic formula or pill out there to blast away any sickness, and we’re never taught to consider time.
And most of us were brought up to trust our doctors. But, if a doctor treats you with the same meds he gave to his last ten patients – this should inspire you to do your own research.
There are countless good reasons to get to know ourselves better. But, if knowing ourselves means having the most control over our health – what other reason do we need? We are intuitive thinkers and excellent researchers when it comes to our business. Challenge yourself to feel better – even if you aren’t sick. Listen to your gut instinct, do the research and make changes for the better of your own unique health.
Is your corporate job keeping you overweight? When I started my first company back in 2001, I never thought that it would help me get in better shape. Many people are surprised to hear this but it really has had a profound effect on my life. It was one of those totally unexpected ‘bonuses’ that came as a result of quitting my job and becoming my own boss. How does quitting your job improve your health? Here are a few ways:
1. You Actually Get Enough Sleep
If you’re like most Americans, you don’t get enough sleep. Many factors contribute to this, such as the long hours many companies require, rush hour traffic requiring you to leave earlier and earlier, and all those great programs on late night television (just kidding!). In all seriousness though, sleep deprivation is a big problem. As a result, many employees ending up drinking many cups of coffee or drinking caffeinated soda every morning to try and stay awake. It usually doesn’t work and can take its toll on your body.
While caffeine can make it difficult to fall asleep, it sure doesn’t make it fun (or productive) to be awake. The National Commission on Sleep Disorders estimates that sleep deprivation costs U.S. companies $16 Billion each year. Terrible disasters such as the Chernobyl nuclear reactor meltdown and the Exxon Valdez oil spill were both linked to extremely sleep deprived workers.
When working for myself, do you think I feel guilty about taking a nap in the afternoon? Of course not! I’m my own boss and I know what’s best for own body. It’s been a long time since I worked for someone, but being in a constant state of sleep deprivation is one thing I certainly won’t miss.
2. Exercise
Most people who I see enter high stress jobs (such as investment banking, consulting, and those in the medical field) end up gaining quite a bit of weight in their first year. I’m always amazed when I see overweight paramedics driving around.
They of all people should know to be healthy! Employees gain weight partially because of stress, but it’s also because they can’t find time to exercise. I can remember coming home from a long day at the office back when I had a “real job”. After making it through rush hour and arriving home, I would make a beeline for the couch and collapse.
About the last thing in the world I wanted to do at that point was drag myself to the gym. I was just too exhausted. But now that I work for myself, I exercise four or five times a week! My favorite time to exercise is before lunch (10 or 11am) when I have lots of energy and an empty stomach. Since I’m my own boss I can schedule my workouts for whenever I’d like, and when you exercise in the morning the gym is less crowded. If you go to a yoga, cycling, or martial arts class, for example, you’ll get more one on one time with the instructor. Everyone else has to exercise in the evening (the busiest time) which creates psychological barrier to working out.
3. Eating Right
The final way that being self-employed improves your health is by making it easier to eat right. When I worked in the corporate world, we were always on the run. I’d rush out of the house each morning, being lucky to grab a burnt piece of toast as I was headed out the door. Inevitably, by lunch time I’d be starving and we’d run down to a local restaurant or the food court where the meal options weren’t quite ideal.
I was always famished by lunch, and would gorge myself, leading to a very sleepy afternoon. Finally, I’d make it home in the evening and often stop to grab some fast food. You see, I was using food to relieve stress (also known as self-medicating). After a tough day, it was far too easy to cheat and eat something unhealthy because it had been a hard day and “I deserved it”.
Fast forward to today where I no longer use food to make myself feel better. My days are more enjoyable and less stressful so I simply use food to get more energy and stay productive. I do this by eating small meals throughout the day. Many health professionals recommend this as the healthiest way to eat.
Eating small meals has the advantage that (1) you are never hungry and (2) you never get sleepy after eating. Whenever I’d eat a big lunch at work, my eyelids were feeling pretty heavy in the afternoon. Now I have high energy and higher productivity by snacking as I work during the day. Since I have time to go to the grocery store now and cook, I spend less money on food, eat healthier, and haven’t been to a fast food restaurant in more than a year!
What’s your drink of choice? When it comes to coffee and tea it’s not a hard decision for me. Tea is my drink of choice.
As entrepreneurs, I am sure that many us rely on stimulants such as coffee and tea to help keep us going throughout our busy days. I have no doubt that some of us drink upwards of 5 cups of coffee per day — wouldn’t you say?
I used to be the biggest coffee drinker ever. Coffee was my crack and it gave me that special feeling that kept me perky all day long. It was just so good. However, after learning about the vast health benefits of green tea, I switched over to the green side.
I learned that green tea is great for your entire system. Helps improve your brain functioning (cognition), improves digestion, clears skin, increases the amount of good cholesterol in the body and decrease the bad, improves memory, cleans blood, fights cancer, improves immune system, etc…
Sure coffee tastes great and helps keep us awake, but tea not only helps keep you alert, it vitalizes your entire system and the Chinese and Japanese have known this for thousands of years.
Now and then I’ll hit Starbucks for a coffee, but nowadays you’ll find me drinking around 2 - 3 cups of good ol’ green tea per day.
Share your drink of choice with the Mind Petals Community
As an entrepreneur, which do you prefer
Post a comment and let us know what type of tea or coffee you drink and why? Is it green tea, black tea, black coffee, etc…
One of the most overlooked aspects of entrepreneurship would have to be “health.” We can have the greatest services in the world, with more clients than we know what to do with, but if we — personally — aren’t in good health then all of that doesn’t really matter too much does it?
As an entrepreneur, founder of a company, heck, as a human being, you should do everything in your power to live a healthy life.
Let’s not get it twisted here, true wealth isn’t only about money and prosperity. You can be the richest person in the world and not be wealthy. You can be the happiest person in the world and not be wealthy.
True wealth is the combination of happiness and health. Sure, you can have one without the other but without both you’ll never be a wealthy person.
We spend countless hours educating ourselves about our customers, our markets, various business strategies, etc… but how much time do we invest in our own well being? If you’re like me, you’ll be so busy at times that you forget to eat. Not good.
Or what about the times when you are so caught up with work that you barely see the sun for a few days because you’ve been working nonstop in your office. In order to be at your best, you need to take care of your body.
Here are some tips:
Exercise:
Most of us are super busy throughout the day, but spending 30 mins to go for a walk or run — possibly hitting some weights — can go a long way when it comes to your energy levels and even creativity.
Raw:
When was the last time you ate something that wasn’t cooked? It’s extremely important that you eat a fresh supply of fruits and vegetables “everyday” to keep your body nourished with proper nutrients.
Fun:
The absence of stress in your body can do wonders for your health. What’s at the root of all disease? Stress. Science has shown beyond a doubt that stress actually brings about physiological changes in your body. When you’re feeling down, your body will respond in the same way. When you’re feeling happy — guess what — your body will respond in the same way.
Take after Richard Branson — founder of Virgin Group — and never stop having fun throughout your journey to success. Having fun is healthy.
Take the time this weekend to reflect on your health and make adjustments where needed. Your body will thank you and your business will be that much stronger when it’s being lead not only by a savvy entrepreneur, but by a healthy one!
Is it just me, or does every season feel like cold season? My mother owns a day-care and tells me “there’s a bug goin’ around” nearly every time I talk to her. People constantly blame it on the weather…. The change in weather, the rain, the chills, the heat – and they reason that it’s normal to get sick because every one else is sick. And they, we, deal with it.
They grab a few boxes of Lipton Cup-A-Soup and some saltine crackers, pop the Seinfeld box set into the DVD player, and take a day or two off of work. Or they stick it out and sneeze all over their co-workers and innocent by-standers on the subway.
So, are we going to sit back and take the flu like the rest of them? My guess is that if you’re feeling under the weather in any way – you get quite annoyed. You have no time for a cough that prevents you from making necessary phone calls. A runny nose doesn’t exactly scream professionalism either.
Any annoyance that steals time away from business or pleasure just plain sucks.
And, Heaven forbid that you’ve got to pay to see a doctor or get prescription medicine.
I completely gave up on popular healthcare about two years ago. After having my son and realizing that my hospital bills exceeded $3,000, after a $2,500 non-refundable hospital down payment and at least $1000 in doctor visit co-pays, plus monthly insurance premiums and deductibles – I cancelled my health insurance plan.
Now, I have a two year old son and a business to run – and you better believe we can’t afford to get sick. Or, at least we can’t afford to treat our sicknesses conventionally.
Well, I ALMOST opted to call a doctor this week. I’ve had this awful cough that my mother scared me into believing was pneumonia. I didn’t want to mess with chest pain either. And, my fatigue has really taken a toll on the quality and quantity of work I’m producing.
But, I stuck to my holistic entrepreneurial guns. I whipped up a pretty kick ass recipe that knocked the crap out of my cough, fatigue and chest pain. I think I’ll be fully recovered by tomorrow.
The world and our parents often want us to believe that there’s only one way to cure ourselves, or one path to walk down. And that is the popular way that’s marketed on every other TV commercial and magazine ad.
But, even Hipocrates – the granddaddy of medicine said that “he who does not know food, how can he know medicine”? Food is medicine. And, with the proper diet you can prevent and fight common illnesses that plague your Tylenol taking friends.
I am not sorry about my choice to trash the insurance. I save money on premiums and deductibles. My two year old has only needed to visit the pediatrician for cold treatment twice. And, that was when I was a freaked out new mom.
We live a diet that saves us money on health care and keeps us healthy and energetic. As a new business owner, you may consider studying health and holistic treatments. You will need to budget everywhere possible, and you will need every ounce of vital energy you can possibly store up for all of the work and partying you’ve got ahead of you this season.
If you are feeling flu –ish this season, and want to try my tried and true cold kicker, here’s the recipe:
Holistic Cold Remedy
Boil 3 cups water and about 2 tblsp of minced ginger for about 15 min
Turn off heat and add 4 cloves minced garlic,1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, and ½ cup pure lemon juice
Let the mixture sit for about 8 min. strain and add I tblsp pure honey
Bundle up with a sweater, or crawl under your covers and drink the liquid while it’s still hot.
This is particularly effective at the onset of a cold. You may need to do a double dose (one at night and one the next afternoon), if you let yourself get as sick as I have.
I refuse to take sickness or life like the rest of them. There are tons of other options out there for us – if we have open minds. Many alternatives will lead you to better health, less stress, and more time for play and work. No doctors for me means I can buy more toys for my little guy, or take a weekend road trip.
Pulling an All –Nighter? Well chances are that you soon will be. What entrepreneur can get away with eight hours of sleep EVERY night?
For most of us: the All-Nighter is an inevitable nightmare. We get tired, restless, bored and jealous of our sleeping roommates.
I’m not so proud to say that I’ve been awake since 2 a.m. But I’m not tired and I don’t owe it ALL to coffee. But diet can be the deal breaker between you and your pillow. If you load up on sugar and caffeine – eventually the pillow will win.
Here are some tips (that have worked to keep me alert most of the time) – for eating your way though a nightly work-a-thon.
Hydrate: Yes, you need lots of water. Stay consistently hydrated throughout the day. Take drinks in a comfortable moderation. There’s no exact proof that you need 8 glasses. Drinking too much will just leave you feeling bloated. But, as you get older – your body doesn’t always let you know when you’re thirsty. Stay away from sugar and caffeine. Even limit juice as it MAY cause sudden rises and falls of your blood sugar and mess with energy levels.
Eat: Eat often and in small amounts.Don’t ignore hunger pangs just because you think eating will slow you down. It’s good to snack on healthy treats like fruit and cereal. In fact, when I’m really struggling to stay awake, and I’m hungry—I always go for breakfast food. It may not be my favorite, but the combo of whole grains and fresh fruits helps keep the metabolism balanced (I advise against eating fruit alone without some sort of grain – the blood sugar thing again).
Peppermint: You know those little star light mints they give you at restaurants? I know I said no sugar, but.. peppermint helps wake up the senses and can be a good way of satisfying your candy craving. I suppose you can find something a bit more natural. Although peppermint tea has consistently put me to sleep, so I prefer the candy.
Stretch: Stand on the balls of your feet, stretch your arms over your head and roll your palms upward. Hold it for a few seconds. Release and repeat. This helps blood flow circulate, and is also a great way to relieve your back and shoulders from tension.
When faced with the challenge of supporting ourselves financially it can become easy to neglect the support of our fellow entrepreneurs.
We’ve got to cut corners whenever possible. So we might sell our car, settle for a cheaper apartment, and skip the daily latte. Quite frankly – maybe we just can’t afford the independent book store, coffee shop, or graphic designer.
But we still need tons of stuff. We need groceries, clothing… office supplies. We need entertainment. Information. Our age group holds the world’s largest number of consumers.
Everyone markets to us!
With expense cutting in mind — we young entrepreneurial consumers may decide that dining on Ramen noodles from Wal-Mart, (or some other discount food from a discount chain) is an acceptable option that keeps us satisfyingly in the black. After all, we’ve got a business to Start, and we need to give it time to grow before we can splurge on eccentricities, right?
Well, I came across three smart business women who might disagree. In fact, their examples show us how to begin supporting each other, and in turn – they’ve gained my support. I think they’re genius.
Anna Lappe and her partner Bryant Terry recently released Grub: ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen — a cookbook with a movement attached. The Brooklyn-based team teaches the reader about sustainable food and encourages us to buy locally and from Farmers Markets.
Lappe and Terry have taken their concept to the streets, or should I say gardens of America. They’re touring and enlightening people like us on the health importance of organics and locally grown food choices, and the politics behind theses choices.
Grub gives you a bit of an idea about where your money REALLY goes when you decide to shop big-box retailers. It suggests the old get what you pay for theory. Did you realize that spending less at some cheap-o-rama superstore may lead you to paying higher cost for taxes and other items?
It’ll make you think. It’ll make you hungry.
Michelle Garcia’s Bleeding Heart Bakery offers a breath of fresh organic air to Chicago’s Wicker Park/ Bucktown neighborhood. Michelle swears by sustainability and buys all of her produce from Illinois farmers.
When I took my first bite of the vegan lemon bar – I think a tear came to my eye (really). Sure it was tasty and rich as ever – but there’s real satisfaction in knowing that you’re not swallowing 12 different chemicals, or supporting the already rich folks who’ve stopped caring about quality.
Bleeding Heart’s prices can be a tad higher than other local bakeries – but the benefits of supporting entrepreneurs like Michelle and area farmers, as well as contributing to the conservation of fuel (needed to transport produce from other states and countries) makes it worthwhile for me.
The food and display in this place is amazing. Stop by if you’re ever in Chicago. You can even learn more about sustainability and Michelle’s mission through her convenient framed info sheets.
Christina Carano created Holy Cacao! just over a year ago. It’s a line of pure organic chocolate sold in raw form for baking or medicinal purposes. That’s right, Christina suggests ways in which pure chocolate or cacao can cure common ailments and prevent others.
The Los Angeles based 26 year old entrepreneur is now slated to open her first physical shop. Planet Earth Eco Café will serve up vegan, vegetarian and creative raw treats at moderate costs. Her passion for food and art has inspired her to teach through feeding her audience.
Planet Earth’s products are fair trade and local whenever possible. This has undoubtedly added to the struggle of Christina’s start up. But now she’s here – (and I hope) to stay.
Young entrepreneurs around the globe are making their mark. Those of us who try to do the honorable thing or the smart thing for the bigger picture or the common good, often get swallowed up by larger companies who can afford to offer services at lower prices.
But, maybe if we follow the example of these three successful women – we can start to afford to support each other.
Then, we will learn that we will grow exponentially by supporting others like us.
When I first took the leap, and declared myself to be an entrepreneur, every moment was filled with unbridled excitement. Sleep came slowly, for my mind raced every night with plans for the next day. I spoke incessantly about my latest endeavor, and felt giddy as my friends and family expressed their interest in my business, while wishing me the best of luck.
Then, reality sunk in.
After two months out there, on my own, as a freelance writer and small-business owner, I had stumbled upon the disturbing realization that I had developed an intense fear of failing. Every night became sleepless. And not because of the nervous, excited energy that I had been swept away with at the beginning. I had a black pit of fear in my stomach, leaving me wakeful in the wee hours of the morning. I was frantically seeking new clients and high-paying freelance gigs; desperate for the security I had while on salary at my former company. All I could think about was my $1850 rent check due, the car payment and insurance that was coming out of my bank account next week, and the five mouths I had to feed (one spouse, two cats, and two snakes)—if necessary, I could live on day-old bread and baked beans.
Stress kills.
Luckily, I have a mentor who has been a successful business owner himself, and is now CEO of the largest surrogacy agency in the world. He told me that there would be fluctuations every month—some months will be good, some will be terrible, and some will just be so-so. But keep at it, and use your downtime to relax and decompress.
So, I used the following ten methods to “de-stress” my life—which has remedied my insomnia and quelled my anxiety.
10) If you have a home-based business, set a schedule for yourself (with “opening” and “closing” times), so that you are not working during family time.
9) Give up caffeine. I got to a point where I had to have caffeine to function like a human being—it’s much cheaper and healthier to drink decaf or mild tea.
8 ) Have a glass of wine or beer to relax every once in a while.
7) Invite friends to dinner and cook for them.
6) Sign up for a gym membership and dedicate one hour per day to working out.
5) Take a weekend trip every couple of months.
4) Eat healthier—there’s a lot to be said for cooking at home; with a diet of vegetables, fresh fruit, lean meats, and legumes.
3) Take your spouse/significant other out to dinner and tell them how much you appreciate their support.
2) Check out a good non-business-related book from the library and go somewhere relaxing to read it (the beach, swimming pool, a park, etc.)
1) Turn off your computer and cell phone after “X” pm (I turn mine off at 8 pm) and don’t turn it back on until tomorrow.
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Most people have no idea what REAL chocolate is — raw cacao. Vanessa Barg, the “Chocolate Girl” and alternative health expert / consultant, educates us on what chocolate, and raw food, is all about. If you’ve ever wondered about the magical benefits and experience of eating chocolate in its natural form, then watch this video and learn. Enjoy and Much Love to you.
