Dear Friends,

As the first decade of our century rapidly draws to a close, I would like to extend some deliciously warm wishes of peace your way. I honor the beauty inside you, the divinity, and the strength you possess. May the New Year bring you all that you wish for, your heart’s desires, your potent and poetic dreams.

I sit here musing on the meaning of a New Year, a new decade, new resolutions, new ideas, new hopes, new intentions a new you. The possibility of change is so imminent, so exciting, so – so possible! The concept of a New Year to incite change is a powerful tool, but alas, limiting. Our Gregorian calendar appears to give us one chance every year to change – to hit the gym more, to eat better, to spend more time with our loved ones… what have you.

A deeper glance reveals that this opportunity exists every new day, every new minute, every new second. A calendar only feels the change into newness by virtue of it needing replacement at the end of the year. But you, you can feel the newness right now, or right then. Right when it’s right for you.

What will it take for you to truly change? To get in touch with your truest desire. To go deep and see, beneath the mask of ego and fear, what it is we truly, truly want. More health? More love? More freedom? More success? Going deep makes life so much easier – little question remains. When you want more success, unequivocally, your choices become easier to make. You avoid the things that don’t get you there, as best as you can. You’ve become certain, that it is what you want,
and soon you start to be able to see what it feels like when you get there. So you solder on. Like when you want more health, sometimes you have to say no to the more social parts, the cheese parts … or when you wish for more love, then it’s no to the negative thoughts, the judgement, the isolation.

This week, I offer no menu. I offer blessings of peace, and wishes for you to realize amazing intentions. I’m hard at work getting “Faux Gras” and other healthy foods into people’s lives. It is with great love, certainty and intention that I choose to bring delicious, healthy food to you. I only ask that you continue to enjoy them.

Happy New Year!

With love, respect, and other nutrients,

Ella

Dear Friends,

Most people have no idea how much their food affects their mood. It’s not a new theory, in fact, it evolved from the 4,000 year old tradition of Chinese medicine.

Though many may not get the connection, they’ve heard of the theories of Yin and Yang. They kinda get that white swivel and black swivel with the opposite color dots inside are about balance. This very theory is the one used to understand the food and mood connection. It’s pretty amazing when you think about it, and even more amazing when you put it into practice.

Foods that are very “Yin”, like sugar, chocolate, alcohol, fruit etc can make you feel like your mood has been elevated for a short time. After your brief ‘high’ you may feel spaced out, or sensitive, confused, sad or dreamy. And since the body craves balance, you may immediately start to crave something salty. Has that ever happened to you?

Salty foods are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Also meat, cheese, eggs, miso – all these foods are “Yang”. Eating them may send you spiraling into a craving for something sweet. They may also leave you feeling aggressive, competitive, stubborn or angry.

So, how do you get a handle on this swinging pendulum of emotions? The first thing to do is become aware. Practice some self-reflection, and you may start to observe the food-mood connection in action. You can also choose to eat foods that are more in the middle of the spectrum, like whole grains and vegetables. These will give you more steady energy, fewer cravings and less dramatic mood swings.

I’ve definitely discovered the difference in eating this way, and find myself struggling for balance around the holiday time. Luckily, everyone who gets to eat Regal Vegan meals has this work already thought for them. I hope you enjoy the luxury of balance.

With love, respect, and other nutrients,

Ella

Dear Friends,

Almost all of us have a distorted image of our body, often due to the importance our culture places on outward appearance and the onslaught of media images of airbrushed models and celebrities. On a daily basis, we talk to ourselves in ways we would never speak to another. Imagine speaking to a child the way you speak to yourself about your body. It would devastate and squelch a child. It affects you similarly, causing stress and emotional pain in your body, which can make improving your health or losing weight even more difficult.

Think of all the intelligence, creativity and time you spend on improving, altering and judging your appearance. Who would you be and what could you accomplish if your valuable resources weren’t used this way? Constant emphasis on the external makes us discount the great presence and intelligence that is housed by the body. It makes us forget the magic of our internal rhythms and fail to acknowledge the beautiful bodies we have.

The body you have right now is incredible! It never misses a heartbeat, it maintains homeostasis and it miraculously digests whatever you put in it. It is your instrument for expressing your creativity, intelligence and love. By focusing on the 1% you don’t like or wish were different, you may be ignoring the remaining 99% about your body that is beautiful, unique and delightful.

What would your life be like if you were simply at peace with the body you have? You may wish to make your body healthier and stronger, but could you do that out of love and respect for your body instead of the opposite? Could you begin to treat yourself with kindness, to limit the negative self-talk and to reconnect with your inner wisdom? Take a minute to imagine what that would feel like. It would mean celebrating your body rather than punishing it. It would mean nourishing your body rather than depriving it. It would mean a chance to watch your body flourish when treated with care and respect.

If you’re ready to start feeling good in your body, about your body, email health@ellavation.com to schedule your free one hour consultation with me.

In the meantime, enjoy this week of elegant food bound to make a body feel great.

With love, respect, and other nutrients,

Ella