Behind the Scenes of my 5-Day Kitchari Cleanse

When I was asked if I wanted to participate in a 5-day Kitchari reset, I honestly didn’t know what Kitchari was, but I said a fast, “HELL YES” because it was being hosted by the owner of Curcuma - the most special little food truck here in Austin.

Doing an Ayurvedic cleanse was a no-brainer for me. While I don’t follow it fully, I love and deeply trust Ayurvedic traditions. Overall, I knew we’d be following deep-rooted practices, not some posh, quick-fix detox.

Spirit-Free Options for Keeping Spirits Bright

If you’re alcohol-free or sober-curious, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can make it both a tempting time to drink as well as an unusually alienating time to avoid drinking.

The first step to surviving the holidays alcohol-free is managing stressors and anxiety during the holidays is a necessary step. No worries, I’ve got a free guide as well as a free holiday challenge support group to help you here.

The second step is to arm yourself with fun and festive alcohol-free options so that you’re not left drinking seltzer water all night! Whether you’re looking for an easy substitute or a full-blown fancy mocktail, I’ve got you covered! Check out some of my favorite sources for tasty recipes, shopping recommendations, and products below.

I visited Tulum for the first time in May of 2017. I’d heard so many wonderful things about this destination being the boho-travelers dream. However, the all-inclusive resort I stayed at for a friend’s wedding was nothing like the Tulum I’d been told about.

Just two years later, in May 2019, I decided to venture back for my own solo exploration of this magical beach destination. The purpose of my trip was to unplug, rest, relax, and experience the culture of this beautiful place. If you’re in need of a refreshing solo trip, Tulum is your destination - here is my guide.

Nestled against a backdrop of Colorado’s scenic mountains, just outside of Estes Park, Colorado, you’ll find a serene little spot called Dao House. With its sprawling grounds, log cabins and rustic lodge, it was immediately clear that Dao House was the place I’d gone searching for when looking for a place to go for reflection, inspiration, and relaxation.

Dao House hosts personal retreats, group retreats and weddings at their rustic venue, sat in a peaceful valley facing a breathtaking view of Longs Peak. During my stay, I got a sneak peek at several of their restorative services as well as their Artist’s Residency Program (which I can’t wait to return for).

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a quiet day in the country, spent sitting by the water. I’m always dreaming of spending the day soaking in the views and reading by the pool or lake. I love the convenience and excitement of living in a great city like Austin, but long for time to disconnect and relax in the country.

Located on Lake Austin, Lake Austin Spa Resort is perhaps the most lush expression of my weekend dream. With ample lake shore views, a scenic country setting, mature trees, foliage, and...oh yeah, a beautiful spa, two restaurants, and amazing accommodations, Lake Austin Spa Resort is the ultimate spot for a day away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

It’s officially summer, which means many of us are planning an adventure or relaxing getaway. Vacations are traditionally a time to cut loose, relax or explore new places and experience a new culture. For most people, this means gluttonous eating and drinking. I gave up the latter almost 18 months ago and have navigated the waters of sober vacationing many times since - and always with a travel companion (or companions) who were decidedly not sober.

Whether you’re newly alcohol-free, working through recovery, or just trying to be more mindful - getting outside of your normal routine can be a test of your commitment to sobriety. You are surrounded by messages that suggest you deserve a drink to relax or that you need to have a cocktail to be normal. Here are my tops for rocking a group vacation when you are (the only one) not drinking.

I’ve lived in Austin since the Fall of 2015 - it’s a vibrant city known for its funky, eclectic (and sometimes super weird) culture. The city has a little of something for everyone - especially when it comes to great restaurants and nightlife. As one of the nation's fastest growing cities, a host to two major festivals, and a frequent destination for bachelor/bachelorette parties; it isn’t too difficult to find a place to grab a good cocktail in Texas’ capital city. Finding a great spot that offers alcohol-free options that go beyond “virgin” cocktails (which is actually code for club soda and syrup) is a bit of a different story.

I just returned from a three-day vacation in Havana, Cuba...and I did it all stone-cold-sober. Most people thought I was crazy to travel to a city known for their amazing rum and not have a single sip of their famous nectar, but I did it and it and it was an absolutely wonderful trip. For those wondering if Havana is a practical sober vacation, I can assure you: it is. Here are my pro tips for navigating the city of rum, alcohol free including my sober strategy as well as the spots I hit up while exploring there.

Earlier this spring, I took a private aerial arts class with several of my gal-pals as part of a bachelorette celebration. While I’d love to tell you I left the class able to gracefully ascend from the ceiling on a silk like Beyonce, I think it best to provide you with a more accurate representation of what happens in an aerial arts class. 

If you’ve meandered through my blog much, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I’m a big admirer of Gabby Bernstein and her work. So, when she announced her 2016 Summer Retreat, A Way Through Every Block, I was among the first Spirit Junkies to register. This three-day event took place at the end of July at the beautiful Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Tonight I tuned in to watch and listen to one of my favorite authors and speakers, Gabby Bernstein, for her livestream event: The Art of Manifesting 5 Secrets to Attracting What You Want (I was invited to attend after pre-purchasing her upcoming book, The Universe Has Your Back, which is slated to come out this September).

This year, I had the privilege of attending a literal “summer camp for the soul” with one of my favorite mentors, Gabby Bernstein. Gabby is a heavy-hitter in the world of spirituality and self-growth these days; she’s someone who I deeply admire and respect - so when her annual retreat popped onto my radar, I jumped at the opportunity to register. The retreat took place in late July 2016 at the beautiful Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. I took so much away from this amazing weekend - though I’ll write another blog with more details, I wanted to share my main takeaways with you,,,

I tried Aerial Yoga the first time a couple of years ago when my yoga studio added it to their offerings. Mesmerized by photos of women gracefully floating upside down from a piece of cloth, I eagerly signed up for one of the first classes offered. Though I’ve taken several aerial yoga courses since, I wouldn’t say it’s officially “in my rotation”, but it is nice to mix in from time-to-time. If you’ve never tried an aerial yoga class and are thinking of giving it a try, here are 5 things to know before trying it out