As summer winds down, it's hard to believe we're already nearing the end of this vibrant season. It seems like just yesterday we had endless days of sunshine. Is it just me, or did school start later when we were kids? Regardless, all cycles must come to an end, and here we are, ready to welcome fall.

I hope you've all enjoyed a fantastic vacation this summer. If you're like me, health might not have been your top priority during your time off—and that's perfectly okay. Life is meant to be enjoyed. I follow the 90% rule, which allows me to indulge 10% of the time while maintaining ultimate care for my body the other 90%.

If you're feeling less than optimal after your summer adventures, a nutritional cleanse can be a fantastic reset. But don't worry if the idea of a strict 7-day cleanse feels daunting. Instead, consider a "slow cleanse." This approach involves gradually incorporating cleanse-friendly meals into your diet without fully restricting yourself for an entire week. Small, incremental changes can lead to a healthy transformation.

One of my favorite cleansing recipes is this delicious vegetable soup. With 11 different vegetables, it requires no added spices—the natural flavors are enough. This soup will leave you feeling light and energetic. You might even find yourself wanting to add more cleanse-friendly meals to your routine!

If you have any questions about cleansing or want more information on doing a full cleanse, feel free to message me.

​Enjoy the last days of summer and embrace the transition to fall with health and vitality!

People-pleasing can be a form of dishonesty. Why do we do it? Speaking from my own experience, it often stems from ego, insecurity, and fear of criticism.

From a young age, we're conditioned by our caretakers to "do good" and "be good." We're taught that behaving well makes our caretakers happy, which in turn makes us feel safe. Essentially, we learn that making others happy can ensure our own happiness and safety.

However, people-pleasing becomes problematic when you start putting everyone and everything ahead of yourself. This can range from minor situations, like not expressing your true preference for dinner, to more serious ones, like harboring resentment while pretending to be agreeable to avoid conflict.

Don Miguel Ruiz, in "The Four Agreements," emphasizes being "impeccable with your word." Similarly, Master Choa Kok Sui teaches the virtue of "honesty and non-lying." So why do we think it's okay to lie to appease others? Loving kindness should always supersede honesty, meaning we shouldn’t hurt others by weaponizing honesty. Compassion is key, but that includes compassion for yourself. Prioritizing your own needs, or those of your family, over others' happiness isn't selfish—it's necessary for your well-being.

This balance can be tricky. Sometimes we need to put others first. The problem arises when people-pleasing becomes a default behavior, leaving you unhappy and constantly catering to others.

​Remember this quote: "If you live for praise, you will die with criticism." Don’t fear criticism. You are a good person, and your needs and desires are important. Your unique expression and perspective make the world a more beautiful place.

The problem isn’t the outside world—it’s you! Triggered yet? Good. This perspective can transform your emotional control. One of the biggest addictions in our world is the addiction to our problems.

What does this have to do with feelings? Everything! Emotions are feelings—sensations in your body in response to stimuli. Positive stimuli create pleasant feelings like joy, happiness, and gratitude. Negative stimuli bring uncomfortable feelings like anger, sadness, and stress.

The key is to just feel what you’re feeling. What does it mean to "just feel"? It means allowing yourself to experience whatever you’re feeling without resisting, rejecting, or denying those sensations.

Consider this example: You’re having a great day until a friend’s phone call makes you angry. Most people’s default reaction is to respond with charged words and actions, essentially saying, "You made me feel this way, so I need to expel this feeling."

Instead, try sitting with the anger or any difficult emotion. If you’re highly emotional, this might be uncomfortable at first, but it gets easier with practice. Use the sensation of anger to guide your next steps. Responding emotionally often means we’re not thinking logically. When you can sit with uncomfortable sensations, you’ll notice they pass, and you can respond more calmly and thoughtfully.

​​By viewing our feelings as gifts, we see them as they are—messengers. They help us decide our direction and recognize what serves us and what doesn’t. This isn’t about living without emotions; it’s about intentional living informed by emotional awareness.