Author and Allomi Instructor, Carolyn Ziel shares about how making meditation a priority, was a game changer for her and her health!

29~~
It’s the number of pounds I’ve released since January 2018.
With the release of 29 pounds, I have let go of some other things as well: negativity, fear, toxic thoughts, gossip, judgement. And when I do feel my toxic thoughts, or want to gossip, or judge myself or others I practice letting go, releasing, not judging myself for judging. I write. I release again.

Sleep

Most adults should aim for 7-8 hours a night. After our diet, sleep probably has the biggest effect on our immune system and hormones, affecting our appetite, ability to respond to stress, and our mood.

Eat Nutrient Dense Foods

Load up on veggies of all colors, healthy fats like avocado, raw nuts and seeds, clean protein, and don’t forget to stay hydrated with water and herbal teas to keep energy up and fight winter colds.

Exercise and Practice Self Care

Exercise reduces stress, increases our good mood hormones, and helps us avoid gaining extra holiday weight.

Amber Maron, our Holistic Nutritionist & Health Coach offers tips to keep you on track this holiday season

My favorite MOVEMENT at Allomi has to be yoga. I don’t have as much time for classes right now because I have an 11 month old baby girl, but I have made it a commitment to pick times during the week that I can either take a class or roll out my mat at home while Sawyer naps.

My go to MEDITATION tip...I have to be honest...I am not one that takes the time to sit down and meditate. I know how important it is to take that time to clear your thoughts and just “BE,” but for me I thoroughly love a moving meditation. I can get completely lost while doing sun salutations or a particular flow over and over. When I practice yoga in a class setting, the instructor has carefully selected music and flow to compliment each other, it’s magical. I leave class feeling completely renewed and it’s not because of whatever stretching or strength work I just did. I stopped thinking about all of the things in my life, important or not, for an hour. Thought about nothing else besides my breath and what the teacher was saying. It can be a fun energetic class or it can be a mellow flow with a theme of gratitude...I love it all.

more about Courtney

We are so grateful for our Allomi Tribe! This month's member spotlight is the one-and-only Erin Grannis. She lights up the room with her smile and her joyful energy is contagious! We wanted to honor this amazing Mama and let you get to know her a little better!

Where are you originally from? How long have you been in the SouthBay?

I am originally from the great state of Idaho. I moved to Los Angeles in 2000 to attend USC and never left. I met my husband when I started my career in real estate. We have been married for almost 10 years and have a 6 year old son Michael and a daughter Lizzie who is 3 ½. My husband grew up in Palos Verdes and knew he wanted to bring his family back. We moved to PV from Redondo in 2011 and plan on never leaving!

more about Erin

This portable smoothie from Dr. Mark Hyman can power the busiest of days. It’s 100 percent whole, real food — with plenty of plant proteins, healthy fats, fiber, and potent phytonutrients.

Ingredients:
1 cup frozen wild blueberries or other seasonal fruit
½ cup frozen cranberries
¼ lemon with rind (optional)
2 tbs. almond butter
2 tbs. pumpkin-seeds
2 tbs. chia seeds
2 tbs. hemp seeds
1 small handful nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans (optional: add a Brazil nut or two for selenium)
1 leaf de-stemmed, ripped-up kale or handful of spinach (optional)
1 tbs. extra-virgin coconut butter
½ cup unsweetened almond or hemp milk
1 cup water, plus 1 to 3 ice cubes if desired.

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