Feel good, French style

I have been in a flurry of autumnal housekeeping. Declutter your home, declutter your mind – it’s a great feeling. In this day and age where projects tend to be complicated and never ending, it feels so satisfying to overhaul your closets and then stand back and admire your handiwork.

But what do you do with all the stuff you don’t want? Clothes and other knickknacks are easy – there is Ebay, thrift shops like Second Time Around and organizations such as Dress for Success. For textiles which are too worn to be donated or sold, remember that they shouldn’t end up in landfills. Instead of trashing them, check out recycling programs like Wearable Collections.

My recent conundrum was electronics. What to do with my broken toaster, old phone, antiquated tape recorder and an assorted collection of cables? Then I learned that Best Buy will take back any electronics, no matter whether they sold it to you or not. My husband and I tested it this week-end. They took our big bag off our hands with a smile, and I saw that you could also recycle old DVDs and used gift cards. Brilliant.

After all that housework, I treated myself to some energizing (and efficient) R&R at Sanctuary Pilates and Wellness.  Kate Artibee’s new studio (UES Manhattan) is amazing. If you have trouble deciding between yoga and pilates, Kate has classes that blend both, and includes pre-natal and kids classes. To celebrate her new mat studio, Kate is offering first-time clients a free class. Just mention Feel good, French style.

I hope you enjoy these tips for creating breathing room in your home and in your body.

What are yours?

Live épanoui*

Elisa

* in full bloom

I was just profiled by a website because apparently I am “living the dream.”  That seemed a little crazy to me because I don’t quite yet “have” everything I want.

But then I realized that you never get everything you want. The whole point of life is understanding that it’s not about what you want, it’s about what you already have.

Here’s my favorite quote from the article:

“Today, being successful to me means staying in the moment, enjoying my everyday life and being engaged in the world.”

Cheers to that!

For more advice, read here.

Live épanoui*

Elisa

* in full bloom

“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” says supermodel Kate Moss. I beg to differ. Not because a double cheddar burger with crispy bacon or a molten chocolate cake tastes better than being skinny, but because it makes you chase after the wrong thing.

If you want to look good in your bikini, there’s nothing more sabotaging or frustrating than pitting food against looks. We’re not at war with food!

What if instead you give yourself the time and permission to eat the right, natural and delicious things for you? That love will make you feel amazing in your body, no matter what the scale says.

Bikini Tip #2: Be kind to yourself. Eat the foods that speak your body’s language (a lot of quinoa, a little cake)…

Love your food, and your thighs – and they will love you back!

Live épanoui*

Elisa

* in full bloom

I went a little overboard this winter on the olive oil and butter. The problem is, I have a gorgeous Eres red bikini sitting in my drawer, and I would have liked to wear it again.

Luckily, as the sun comes out, your body starts craving lighter, detoxifying foods. It’s pretty easy to pick up a few good habits to get ready for your bikini.

One of my secret weapons is Bragg’s raw, organic apple cider vinegar. My doctor recommended it a few years ago to help with allergies, and I’ve been using it ever since. It’s known to help with weight and detox. A teaspoon diluted in water a few times a day is a great palate cleanser and craving controller.

These days, I’ve been using it as a yummy salad dressing. I mix fresh lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper and thyme. Play around with the amount of vinegar and try different herbs and spices to suit your taste.

Last night, I used the dressing on a red cabbage salad. Perfectly tart and crunchy. Do you think it zapped away the delicious, flaky croissants David and I devoured after a long walk in the park ?

Whether or not I manage the squeeze back into the bikini, Summer always puts a smile on my face. In the meantime, spike your life with a little vinegar… and a lot of love.

Live épanoui*

Elisa

* in full bloom

“Keep Calm and Carry On.” I suppose this is Kate Middleton’s mantra of choice as Royal Wedding frenzy reaches its height. I’m not marrying Prince William on Friday (sorry, Will, my heart is taken) but I do love this classic British saying.

It was initially a poster produced by the British government during the beginning of World War II intended to raise morale under the threat of impending invasion. But, it still works for any urban warrior.

When something happens that makes you upset, angry or scared, you can jump right into those feelings and get sucked into panic mode. Or, like the Japanese model for us in the aftermath of the tsunami, you can step back, and shift your perspective. Take a few deep breaths and throw the panic out to sea.

Do you have a tendency to feed your sense of calm, or to feed your sense of panic?

There is a story of a Cherokee elder talking to his grandson. He tells the child that he has two wolves fighting inside himself. One wolf is goodness, love, kindness, joy, and peace. The other wolf is hatred, anger, envy, pride, and greed. The grandson anxiously asks, “Which wolf wins?” The grandfather answers solemnly, “The one that I feed the most.”

Whichever one you’re feeding, try chocolate. Then daydream that you too are marrying a prince, in a spectacular white dress on a glorious Spring day.

Keep Calm and Carry On.

Live épanoui*

Elisa

* in full bloom