Sunday, July 18, 2021

On Melatonin + Sleep: One Crucial Tweak You Need To Stay Asleep

Healthy levels of melatonin are vital to getting consistent nights of restful sleep. For years, doctors have been recommending melatonin supplements, the “sleep hormone”, for patients suffering from sleep issues.

Quick fact: Melatonin production peaks around age 5! By age 60, our levels can decline by almost 80%. As levels decrease, so can healthy, restful sleep. It's notable that many common drugs and over-the-counter medications can also further inhibit melatonin synthesis.

Taken melatonin in the past with little success? This could be why...

Typical melatonin supplements peak in your body 3-4 hours after you take them. They may help you fall asleep, but after a few hours, you find yourself wide awake.

The key is to look for a supplement that includes delayed-release melatonin. Rather than having all the melatonin enter your bloodstream right after you take it, you get a steady supply of melatonin throughout the entire night, and won’t find yourself wide awake at 3 A.M.

The Science On Delayed-Release Melatonin

In a breakthrough study, participants who were given delayed-release melatonin before bedtime reported significant improvement in their sleep quality along with greater morning alertness.

A nightly dose of delayed-release melatonin helped another group of adults fall asleep faster, enjoy better sleep quality and feel brighter in the morning over the entire course of a six-month study.

Multiple studies show that daily melatonin can provides significant cardiovascular, neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory support.

This form of melatonin doesn’t leave you groggy the next morning, so you can take it every night as a long-term solution.

Calm Your Mind So You Can Fall Asleep Faster

A second essential element of consistent, restful sleep is to be able to get your mind to wind down at the end of a stressful day.

Your brain naturally produces an amino acid called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA for short. This neurotransmitter works as a calming agent, allowing your mind to disengage from the wakeful state and enter into the sleeping state.

In a Harvard Medical School study, scientists found that people with chronic sleep problems had 30% lower levels of GABA on average than normal.

When your tired mind isn’t bathed in the healthy levels of GABA needed to promote relaxation, your racing thoughts can leave you wide awake.

A new form of natural GABA has been scientifically shown to promote calmness and relaxation while decreasing the beta-wave brain activity linked with nervousness and anxiety.

delayed release melatonin

Synthetic GABA supplements are widely available, but GABA in synthetic form isn’t easily absorbed and doesn’t provide much help at all.

In a 7-day study, natural GABA reduced the time it took patients to fall asleep and increased sleep quality and efficiency (the amount of time asleep while in bed). Participants also reported improvements in the way they felt upon waking.

Natural GABA is quickly absorbed. It begins promoting the relaxation response within 5-30 minutes after ingestion.

Meet SleepAdapt Delayed Release Melatonin + Natural GABA

Combining natural PharmaGABA® with delayed-release melatonin SleepAdapt™ is designed to to help you fall asleep quickly, and to help you stay asleep or get back to sleep easily even after a nighttime trip to the bathroom.

o1. A research-based dose: Research-based doses of the two top non-habit-forming nutrients which promote restful sleep – melatonin and GABA.

02. Two kinds of melatonin: Dual-action melatonin means that you get 1.5 mg of regular melatonin to help you fall asleep quickly, plus 1.5 mg of delayed-release melatonin to help you stay asleep. The key is taking both forms of melatonin together shortly before bedtime.

03. Natural PharmaGABA: Features 125 mg of natural PharmaGABA in every capsule. That’s the full amount of the calming compound used in the studies cited. This natural form of GABA has been clinically shown to be highly effective.

04. Safe to use nightly: Unlike many popular sleep aids, SleepAdapt is non-habit forming and produces no unwanted side effects. Made in a FDA-inspected facility here in the U.S. to meet or exceed stringent USP standards for quality, purity and potency.

GREAT SLEEP AID ★★★★★
“I can tell a huge difference in my quality of sleep with sleepAdapt. I have more restful sleep and sleep longer through the night.” – Susie

GREAT NIGHTS SLEEP ★★★★★
“Best Melatonin sleep aid I have tried. Finally able to sleep all night.” – Kevin T.

FINALLY SLEEPING ALL NIGHT ★★★★★
“I have tried many products and have to say I am so happy I found this product... I will continue buying this product.” – Yvonne T.

For a limited-time, buy two bottles and get one free - a $25 savings and as little as $17 per bottle. (If it doesn’t help you, contact us for a full refund – up to one year after purchase.)

This story is brought to you in partnership with Naomi Whittel. From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.

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Thursday, July 15, 2021

To The Beach! 7 Timeless Beach Umbrellas + Other Sand-Worthy Accessories

Paralzyed by inspiration -this beach shot from our girl, Erica Chan Coffman of Honestly WTF stopped us from scrolling and had us asking all the questions. Like, where can we get our hands on this umbrella?

Apparently, Erica's beach umbrella was a very special travel purchase we're not able to source, but, inspired by her epic set-up in the sand, we've rounded up other timeless options for you we know you're going to love!

Timeless Beach Accessories 101

Serena & Lily Beach Umbrella | In white or this sweet blue gingham, this fringed umbrella is all that's needed for a vintage-inspired beach day. Toss down a towel, break out that frozen water bottle and lounge in style. SHOP NOW

Rattan lounge chair | Why downgrade that well-designed swimwear with a not-so-well-designed beach chair? This rattan lounger is just what we're dreaming of to create the beach day of our dreams SHOP NOW  

Sunny days patio umbrella | Another fringed piece, and we won't apologize. This lemony number takes some skill -- and maybe a bit of ocean water -- to get into the sand, but we know you'll commit if you really want to live out your '60's California dreams. Pair with some vintage swim and a picnic basket. SHOP NOW 

FOLDING UTILITY WAGON | Who will be dragging all this beautiful gear --  plus the snacks and hydration needed -- to the water's edge? Keep a folding wagon like this one in your trunk and make your beach set up as easy as planned. (It's never quite.) Extra points for the low-key army green shade. SHOP NOW 

Business & Pleasure Premium Beach Tent | Umbrella are divine for one to beach rats, but if you're gathering a small family or group of friends, go with a beach tent! They don't have to kill your style. In fact, this version (Fringed! Again!) from Business & Pleasure is cute as can be. Use it in addition to umbrellas, if you want to lay out in the breeze, then gather for a meal. SHOP NOW 

Vintage Picnic Basket | Chairish has a great collection of vintage picnic baskets ready to pack for the beach. We love this mid-century wicker version, but shop around for one that is the size and price you're looking for! SHOP NOW 

Beach days aren't made of umbrellas and great chairs alone. Want our best carry-along recipes? Find a few here. Looking for the best suncare? We've got you covered. Once you get back from the beach, have these green tea ice cubes ready for the ultimate recovery facial.

The post To The Beach! 7 Timeless Beach Umbrellas + Other Sand-Worthy Accessories appeared first on The Chalkboard.



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Wednesday, July 14, 2021

How My Debilitating Anxiety Led Me To Launch A Wellness Brand That Helps Others

In wellness, we hear about anxiety more than ever before. We hear about it from our community more often and there has, perhaps, never been less stigma around it.

That said, there have also never been more “solutions” available -- sometimes including pharmaceutical cocktails we’re not always interested in.

If you suffer from anxiety or know someone who does, read our fascinating interview with Nature’s Candy founder, Benny Singh. His story is compelling and the way he explains CBD’s potential benefits for those who suffer is a true education...

The Chalkboard Mag: Benny, we hear more about friends and readers dealing with anxiety now than ever before.

Millennials, and the fast-paced, quickly-evolving culture in which we now live, seem to be especially susceptible to it. We learned a little about your story. From the social to the professional challenges, it all felt so relatable. Tell us how anxiety started to become what you call a “debilitating” condition for you personally?

Benny Singh: As a millennial Indian-American, I grew up under a lot of pressure from my parents and some traumatic events that no child should experience. I was told what to think, what to feel, and how to act in ways I was not comfortable with, especially around other Indians.

My family wasn’t well-off whatsoever, so it’s inevitable that a kid would feel the negative effects of financial stress in a household. There also was a looming pressure for me to succeed in life, being pushed to one day become a doctor because of the social status it holds.

It wasn’t until I actually graduated college that I had the confidence to say that I wasn’t interested in helping to sell more pharmaceutical drugs, or work 12-hour shifts for an industry of greedy corporations. All of this, combined with several traumatic events in my life, served as the building material which would lead me to a full-fledged anxiety disorder by the time I reached my 20’s.

When I entered the workforce, my anxiety got worse. I was laid-off from my first job due to performance (which slipped because of anxiety), but I didn’t understand how to start talking about what I was going through, especially because of the stigma, “You’re Indian, you don’t get anxiety.”

As I was gaining professional experience, my anxiety intensified, especially during the intense political turmoil of 2016. At the time, I felt overwhelmed by the world-wide issues at hand, from global warming to the changes in the stock market, mass shootings to unlivable living wages.

For some of us, anxiety can be debilitating. You know that stomach-sinking feeling you get before doing something nerve-wracking like getting on a roller coaster? I had been feeling that way for over a decade -- 24/7, 365 days a year.

I was constantly imagining the worst of any situation I was in, whether driving or at work or in a social setting. My heart rate was high, my breathing rapid, and my thoughts and emotions were frequently out of whack.

I realized my anxiety was a huge issue when it was basically owning my life every single day. It’s as if I was traumatized by all the adult things I had to do correctly that made anxiety an everyday thing.

Around 2017, I was watching Netflix in my living room and had a minor chest muscle spasm and had a panic attack thinking I was going to spontaneously die right then and there just watching TV. Once I was calm, which took about 30 minutes, I thought about how ridiculous it was to feel that way; unreasonable and out of my control. Anxiety can make you believe anything is possible, especially the negative ones.

TCM: When/how did you first encounter CBD in your journey to deal with all this? What was your experience with it?

BS: The first time I tried CBD, it instantly became a powerful daily tool for me to cope with my anxiety.

I had seen CBD as early as 2013 and honestly didn't think much of it -- I thought it was some kind of illegal, knock-off marijuana. Slowly, I started to hear more and more about CBD online and knew it was connected with relief from pain and anxiety.

Finally, in 2017, I bought a CBD tincture for myself from Whole Foods, but only after weeks of deliberation because of the $100+ price tag for just one ounce of a mediocre strength product. I began taking the CBD every morning for a few weeks. The results were night and day. My thoughts at work were untangled and completely organized, my mood was uplifted, my heart didn’t feel like it was pounding, and my breathing felt unhindered. I was honestly amazed.

I wanted to keep taking CBD every day from then on because of the profound effect it had on my chronic anxiety, the only problem was how expensive that habit would be. Was it even worth it?

That was the last and only time I ever bought CBD and the start of my journey taking control of my anxiety and getting my life back.

TCM: Fast-forward to today, you are now a molecular biologist who is passionate about developing accessible CBD products designed to support others like you, who struggle with anxiety. Let’s talk about your motivation...

BS: Lucky for us younger scientists, CBD has been known by the scientific community for many years now. It is only just now gaining traction with the growth of marijuana legislation and recent clinical studies done on CBD’s benefits with childhood epilepsy.

It was thrilling to learn that something not produced by big pharma could be this powerful! I’ve worked in pharmaceuticals as well as manufacturing, so it’s no question that I was equipped to know the right way to develop a product. Most important of all, having personal experience with a challenge like anxiety can drive a person like no other, with the purpose of ensuring that no one else has to experience the similar pain.

In my opinion, there is no other more powerful motive than a personal obstacle that was overcome.

TCM: So, you launched into the CBD business with a passion to provide solutions for others like yourself. What products did you decide to make and how do you recommend people try them?

BS: A person like me who suffers with anxiety can start with a high strength oil like our 1350 mg tincture. The more severe the anxiety, the more frequently he or she can take it.

I personally take CBD once in the morning and once at night before bed, but I know others who take it once in the morning every other day.

natures candy cbd line

It really is a matter of trying it and finding the frequency that is best for you personally, everyone’s body differs depending on age, weight, gender, race, genetics, etc.

Dispense one dropper-full of 1350 mg oil under your tongue and hold for a few seconds to allow absorption, and then swallow. After 2 weeks, adjust your dose up or down until you find the best dose that works for you. Perhaps you add in a dose at night, or reduce dose by taking half a dropper. It’s really up to you, but this is a good starting point.

Beyond anxiety, I wanted to do a diverse array of products because there are a diverse array of needs out there. I decided to offer an ingestible oil, gummies, a fast absorbing softgel, a pain cream, and something for dogs -- because I love dogs. We're offering all of the products for 15% off to your readers -- details below.

Nature's Candy Gummies + Capsules

Some people don’t like swallowing pills so we have the oils. Some people like adding CBD oil to morning coffee too. Others prefer on the go easy-to-take options like the gummies -- just throw it in your bag and go. Some don’t like added flavoring which is why we have an unflavored oil that tastes earthy, natural, and ‘real’.

The softgels are really special because they use our proprietary nano-emulsion technology for a more robust absorption, twice as much CBD gets absorbed from the soft gels than do the oils. Nature’s Candy sports cream is great for people who have more topical discomfort like muscle soreness. Those with intense muscle aches and joint pain would benefit from a combination of topical sports cream and CBD ingestible.

TCM: In wellness, we find personal experience to be as compelling as anything, but why don’t you also share some larger facts about CBD with readers as well?

BS: CBD is 100% legal in the United States as long as it comes from hemp and not marijuana and contains no more than 0.3% THC. CBD with 0% THC will not make you high whatsoever (minus placebo effect or adverse drug interactions), since the psychoactive is completely absent. Nature’s Candy takes an extra step to completely remove THC.

Using Nature’s Candy CBD, unless you have consumed marijuana recently, you will not fail a THC drug test on the most commonly administered drug panel sensitivity used in the US.

A 2017 study by Penn Medicine showed that 70% of CBD products sold online are mislabeled. This means consumers are pretty much wasting their money on low quality products, unless they truly do their research!

TCM: Back to the topic of panic attacks, what do you personally use for a more acute moment of anxiety? Of course, we wouldn’t expect you to give medical advice, but in your opinion…

BS: For anxiety “episodes”, it’s a good idea to regularly take CBD. I used to have panic attacks every week, but now I don’t have any at all. This is because I regularly take my CBD regardless of how I’m feeling in the morning. It is quite similar to a multivitamin you would take daily. A steady stream of good CBD will do its job in keeping you from entering that mindset that sends your thoughts spiraling out of control. As you said, I’m not a doctor but that’s my opinion and that’s what works for me.

TCM: What about for those who have some kind of situational anxiety -- whether they get a bit of social anxiety at gatherings or have a specific encounter that whips them up every week, that kind of thing?

BS: My recommendation is actually not to treat CBD situationally. The reason for this is that CBD can take 2 weeks before you notice a difference if you’re a first timer, and a couple hours if you are a regular CBD user.

As previously mentioned, it’s a good idea to take CBD regularly as part of your daily routine to ensure that any situations you encounter keep you calm and collected to feel your best. Your body will also adapt overtime to the steady stream of CBD, and you don’t necessarily want to hinder that flow by only taking the rare dose. Note, however, that this is just my opinion. The body can do some pretty amazing things, so some people might find it effective to take CBD a couple hours before a specific situation that normally would give them anxiety!

TCM: What else do you want people with anxiety to know? Have you found other resources to be especially helpful?

BS: I want people to know that CBD is not a cure, but if you do have anxiety, you definitely should be taking it. CBD is one of several anxiety coping tools you should have in your arsenal.

If a person suffers from anxiety, I highly recommend talk therapy. Talk therapy tends to be looked down upon or seen by the sufferer as embarrassing, but speaking about your thoughts and feelings actually helps to rewire your brain which can help you better organize your thoughts. If you add CBD to your toolbelt of talk therapy, 1 min. breathing exercises, healthy eating, and plenty of sleep, you’re on your way to relief.

My company, Nature’s Candy will give you your money back if you don’t experience the kind of relief myself and so many of our customers now have. No questions asked. This is how confident we are about the quality of our products and service. You can hit us up with more questions at info@naturescandyshop.com or find us on Instagram to learn more and for limited time promotions.

This story is brought to you in partnership with Nature's Candy. From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.

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In the Kitchen with Chef Jason Pringle of Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg

Earlier this summer, we had the absolute pleasure of heading back to Napa and Sonoma to check in with everything new and notable happening as the area emerge from one of the toughest seasons ever encountered. An historic fire season followed by Covid-19 restrictions hit all of California hard, but especially wine country.

We're happy to report that, while the land is still showing signs of healing, Napa and Sonoma were as beautiful an experience as ever -- some winery's tastings even better than before with their new outdoor seating!

At the top of our wine country to-do list, was a stay at the brand new Montage Healdsburg, the buzziest new resort in the area and a total stunner from what we could tell online.

In person, the property did not disappoint. The hillside bungalows are everything you're hoping to experience on a trip to Northern California and eating a farm-to-table dinner al fresco under olive trees filled with twinkling lights at Hazel Hill was everything our post-2020 aspirations were made of.

Chef Jason Pringle is the Chef de Cuisine of Hazel Hill and the star of the latest installment of our In the Kitchen series.  We talk to so many foodies and cookbook authors, but it's chefs like Jason that dish out the best kitchen tips of them all.

Enjoy the inspiring, applicable insights from Chef Pringle below, then peruse the rest of our series with fascinating world-class chefs like Dan Barber of Blue Hill and Rene Redzepi of Noma, plus the bread gods at Tartine and the chef behind goop's new delivery-only cafe.

In the Kitchen with Chef Jason Pringle of Hazel Hill

The view from Hazel Hill at Montage Healdsburg 

Currently: Chef de Cuisine of Hazel Hill

In my kitchen you’ll find plenty of… Preserves, pickles and fermented vegetables, which I actually pickle myself.

Recipe staples always on hand… A variety of peppers from around the world. My favorite is Sarawak black pepper.

Ingredient that makes everything taste better… Salt.

Best food memory… I’m at a chateau in France and it’s after a few days of travel. I remember simply walking into their kitchen to find the owners grilling a duck over grapevines. Its taste was nothing short of exquisite, but the sheer simplicity of how they prepared it was amazing to me.

Essential Cookbooks… 4 Season at Table No 5 (Le Meurice in Paris) by Yannick Alleno and Kazuko Masui. This cookbook changed by entire philosophy and made me appreciate being in fine dining. I have the French edition, however, it has been translated to English.

Chef Jason Pringle

Food philosophy in one sentence…Simply highlight the bounty of the seasons.

Fave ingredient lately… I’m really into Japanese curry powder. It’s a little sweeter and milder than madras curry powder.

Midnight snack perfection… Chips and salsa.

Food you love to eat with zero prep/additions… Fruit; stone fruit and berries are amazing right now.

Most impressive dish: Believe it or not, I’m still searching...

Healthiest habit in the kitchen… Always have tons of fruits and vegetables on hand. I have three kids ages four (4) years old, two (2) years old and six (6) months old and we try to keep their diet healthy and give them lots of fruit and veggies. (Even I am currently eating like a toddler!)

Fave condiment: Mustard.

Best bargain tip… Buy ‘off-cuts’ of meat. Instead of the usual fillet or ribeye, try skirt or flat iron steak. They are a more economical option and often have more flavor than their more expensive counterparts.

Fave veggie + what you make with it… Celtuce (also called stem lettuce or celery lettuce) from the farmers market. It’s really versatile and can be grilled, braised or even enjoyed raw. It’s kind of a cross between romaine and celery in its flavor, with the romaine side giving it an almond-nuttiness.

Must have munchies: Cheese and crackers – we are in wine country after all.

Craziest thing I buy at the market: Silkie chickens – it is the only breed of chicken to have this crazy furry appearance.

Fave splurge: Wagyu and A5 Japanese Wagyu Kobe Beef. Mushrooms can also be a more realistic splurge.

Idea of an ideal dinner setting… Anywhere with my entire family.

For last-minute entertaining... I grab a bottle of rose and cheese and call it a day.

Signature cocktail… A Manhattan …or after an exceptionally long day, anything cold, really.

Simple go-to recipe… Sorghum Salad. This is nice to make ahead of time. You can substitute any grain or a protein can be added to make it a more substantial meal.

Sorghum Salad with Hazelnuts + Mushrooms

 

Ingredients:
Sorghum (Cooked) 2 C
Grapes ¼ C
Mushrooms a la grecque ¼ C (below)
Fines Herbs (chives, tarragon, parsley, chervil) 2 tsp
Toasted Hazelnuts 1 ½ tbsp
Arugula 1 C
Red Mustard Frill ½ C
Apple Cider Vinaigrette ¼ C (below)

Mushrooms a la Grecque
Mushrooms (crimini, chanterelles, or trumpet royals work very well) 1 LB
Vegetable stock 4 C
White wine 1 ½ C
Apple cider Vinegar ½ C
Black pepper 1 tsp
Coriander ½ tsp
Bay leaves 1
Thyme ¼ Bunch
Tomato paste 2 tbsp
Onions 1/2ed and charred well 1/2ea

Method
Toast spices and put into a sachet with herbs and onions.
Combine all ingredients except mushrooms and bring to a simmer.
Add mushrooms and cool.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Shallot, brunoise 2 tbsp (julienne, turn a quarter turn and dice)
Apple cider vinegar ¼ C
Honey 1 tbsp
Lemon juice 2 tbsp
Salt ¼ tsp
Dijon 2 tsp
Cracked black pepper ¼ tsp
EVOO ½ C

Method
Macerate the shallots in the vinegar, lemon juice and salt (5 minutes)
Add the Dijon and coarsely cracked black pepper
Whisk in EVOO, leaving the dressing broken

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Monday, July 12, 2021

Smoked Barley, Beet + Grapefruit Salad From Everyday Whole Grains

Sweet, smoky, earthy and light. This little barley and beet recipe has al fresco dinners written all over it.

Ann Taylor Pittman, a former award-winning editor for Cooking Light Magazine has written an entire cookbook on grains of every kind and we're all over it. Everyday Whole Grains is a treasure trove of healthy, entertaining-worthy recipes like this one. A few simple ingredients, one masterful kitchen skill and you're all set...

The Cooking Light Test Kitchen perfected a stovetop smoking technique (which works on gas and electric stovetops) that has changed my life. I now keep wood chips and disposable aluminum foil pans on hand because you never know when you might want to smoke something… like barley! A sweet vinaigrette, earthy beets and the bright citrus twang of grapefruit balance the robust smoky hit of the grains for a truly memorable salad. You can certainly make the salad without smoking the barley - just reduce the amount of honey to suit the milder flavor.

Smoked Barley, Beet + Grapefruit Salad
Serves 4 (about 1 cup per serving)

Ingredients: 

cooking spray
1⁄3 cup cherry or apple wood chips
1 cup cooked, hulled barley
3 medium beets with greens
2 ½ Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ Tbsp champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 tsp honey
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 large pink or ruby red grapefruit, peeled and sectioned

Directions:

Pierce 10 holes on one side of the bottom of a 13 x 9–inch disposable aluminum foil pan. Coat pan with cooking spray. Arrange wood chips over holes inside pan. Spread barley onto opposite side of pan. Place hole side of pan over stovetop burner. Turn burner on high. When wood chips start to smoke, carefully cover pan with foil. Reduce heat to low; smoke 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat; carefully uncover. Rinse and drain barley under cold water; drain well.

Trim beets, reserving greens. Remove tough stems from beet greens; tear greens to equal 3 cups and set aside. Wrap beets together in a large piece of microwave-safe parchment paper. Microwave on high, 8 to 9 minutes or until tender; unwrap and cool slightly. Remove skins from beets; cut each beet into 8 wedges. Place beet wedges in a small bowl.

Combine oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle 1½ teaspoons vinaigrette over beet wedges; toss to coat. Add barley and beet greens to bowl with remaining vinaigrette; toss gently to coat. Arrange barley mixture in a serving bowl; top with beets and grapefruit.

The post Smoked Barley, Beet + Grapefruit Salad From Everyday Whole Grains appeared first on The Chalkboard.



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3 Incredibly Good Reads On The Future of Wellness + Longevity

In the not too distant past, the computing power that now slips easily into our micro Prada bags lay within a machine that took up an entire room. It's that kind of rapid innovation that has us on the edge of our seats when it comes to the kinds of wellness research and longevity innovations that are being buzzed about now.

Futurist, Dr. Ian Pearson has often been quoted as saying: "If you're under 40 reading this article, you're probably not going to die unless you get a nasty disease." Dr. Pearson, and many world-renowned engineers like him, believe that, in as little as thirty years, medical and lifestyle technologies will have advanced so far that 'dying of old age' will be postponed dramatically -- or even indefinitely.

Whether you're interested in the wild news stream coming from the health tech sector or not, there are all kinds of practical insights coming out of the rapidly advancing research around how we age.

These three fascinating books cover some of the latest in longevity studies, from telomere length to bio-optimal nutrition.

We'll be talking more about this topic as the year goes on, although almost everything we speak to on TCM -- from non-toxic homegoods to seasonal eating -- is designed to support a better quality (and quantity!) of life.

Lifespan | Author David Sinclair Phd has been hitting the podcast circuit lately and we recommend finding one with whichever wellness, world news or bio-hacking host you love (it seems he's visited them all).

Dr. Sinclair is a leading voice in genetics and longevity and is most often quoted as saying, "Aging is a disease, and that disease is treatable.”

Keep an open mind and prepare to be amazed as you explore the ideas presented in Lifespan. Sinclair also covers simple life-extending habits for which the science is in -- from cryotherapy to intermittent fasting. SHOP NOW

how not to die

How Not To Die | Previously included in our reading list 'for hypochondriacs', How Not To Die is an impressive aggregate of important studies regarding prevention and longevity -- all nutrition-related. The giant book by Michael Greger MD has made itself at home on most nutrition nerd's shelves already and if you've never leafed through it, we highly recommend that you do. SHOP NOW

The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer | Elizabeth Blackburn PhD won a Nobel Prize for discovering telomerase and telomeres' role in the aging process. Her co-author, health psychologist, Elissa Epel PhD conducted original research to find the lifestyle habits that protect our telomere length most profoundly. In reviews, Blackburn and Epel's research is crediting with unveiling "a biological underpinning of the long-hypothesized mind-body connection." SHOP NOW 

Want to learn more about the latest in longevity? Read our book report on Super Human and this guide to aging well with a nutritionist we love.

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What’s Your Human Design Type? 7 Reasons You Should Find Out

It took me a while to conjur any interest at all in Human Design. The philosophy has been trending here in L.A. for a few years and while I'd heard trusted friends gush about their readings for a while, my aversion to 'guru culture' and fatigue on 'new' wellness ideas just kept me from latching on.

Fast-forward to the weekend after my first session with Ahram Arya and I was spending days at a time unpacking everything I'd learned, reeling from just how useful the insights from my chart became in just one hour.

Key fact about Human Design: as mysterious as it may first sound, the philosophy is far from from culty or manipulative. -- core concepts encompass self-knowledge, self-empowerment and self-acceptance -- no 'pyramids' or sketchy leadership required. 

If getting your astrological chart read is like learning your blood type, getting your Human Design chart read is liking reviewing your genetic test results -- the learnings are that much more specific and in-depth. 

A short while ago, we shared this complete guide to Human Design with coach Ahram Arya. Since then, our readers been wanting to learn more.  I asked Ahram to do another story for us to further break down the unique value of Human Design and explain more about what people can expect to learn from a session... 

Human Design is a revolutionary tool to 'know yourself'. There is a fair amount of mystery surrounding the system, including its jargon-heavy concepts, and so it presents a bit of a learning curve.

Human Design crosses boundaries, and for many of us it may challenge some long held beliefs. Yet, despite a host of initial questions, interest in Human Design is on the rise because it has undeniable advantages which stand alone in the field of self-discovery. No other system can give you this much depth. Interested in learning more? Here are seven reasons why you should know your Human Design, including a few tips to get you started:

Human Design System is pure knowledge of self. It is not fortune telling or a personality test or someone’s latest theory. It is a personalized operating system which brings your best self to life. There are no shortcuts to changing your patterns or beliefs about yourself, but through learning and experimentation, personal breakthroughs are possible.

ahram arya human design coach

What you need to start a Human Design session: 

  1. You’ll need your exact time and place of birth. You may be able to receive the basics of your chart with an approximate birth time, but the exact time guarantees that all aspects of your chart will be accurate. 
  2. Invest in a professional. The quickest way to dive deep into your chart is to invest your time with a professional. To pick the right kind of Human Design professional, I suggest that you select someone who will not only teach you about yourself, but will also teach you the basics of the system. Many people want sound-bites and summaries of their chart, but without a relative understanding of the big picture, you may misinterpret key concepts and send yourself down the wrong path. Editor's note: Clearly, we trust Ahram and recommend him for personal sessions. His approach is pragmatic, professional and completely approachable. 
  3. Got some extra time? Explore Jovian Archive, or my personal favorite, My Body Graph.

7 Unique Benefits of Human Design

No. 1: Discover Self-Love Did you know that there is a map of yourself which shows how you are unlike anyone else in the world? This map is called the Bodygraph, and it is the centerpiece of the Human Design System.

At the moment of your birth, your body is coded by any array of signature characteristics which activate a set of unique energetic qualities within you. So first realize that this energy-fingerprint gives you a kind of vibe which is one-of-a-kind. This is the first gateway to loving yourself just as you are, and get ready, because Human Design can describe you in many ways that you never imagined.

We are all under so much pressure to be something that we are not due to the conditions of our society and the rules imposed on us by others. Breaking free from old habits, beliefs, and conditioning is hard. It can be a long journey to uncover your truth when external influences are so strong, but with Human Design, you get to discover what is already inside of you right away. The experience can be extremely validating. With this knowledge of your core essence in hand, the work ahead is to elevate your mind-body connection so that you can access your inner power with ease. Human Design lets you accept your individuality, and as you crack open your potential, you can discover self-love.

“For an adult, the road back to living life as yourself can be challenging: overcoming lifelong habits and the power of conditioning takes commitment, courage, and determination... Human Design opens the door to the potential of self-love, a love of life and the love of others through understanding... Enjoy the fact that there is truly valuable knowledge so that you too can participate in becoming a healthy, self-loving being.”  – Ra Uru Hu, Founder of the Human Design System

No. 2: End Self-Hatred + Undo conditioning If you can’t find self-love through discovering your uniqueness, then take a fresh look at how you are beating yourself up.

Self-hatred can come from failing to meet expectations and not living up to ideals. Many people make decisions based on what they think they're missing in comparison to others or feel pressure to go out there and "make it happen” or else. 

"Human Design explains that most people are simply caught up in trying to be something that they are not, and most likely this was never a conscious choice."

Self-hatred comes from conditioning. Trauma, shame, guilt, addiction, and endless rationalizing can create years of self-defeating habits. You can be fooled you into believing that your habits are your identity, when they are only patterns. Some of us end up hating the conditioned version of ourselves -- who is not our true self -- all the while believing that it is us.

People can go on for their entire lives like this, all without ever having experienced living life as their true selves, free of conditions and judgement.

When people don’t know themselves, they tend to look outside themselves for answers. To counter this tendency, Human Design focuses inward on the authentic roots of yourself, separating the real you away from those frustrating patterns which are probably working against you.

No. 3: Uncover Your Gifts Human Design shows you your gifts and talents in black and white. The system brings them to you in the form of energies and characteristics which guide you on the finer points of being yourself. You actually do have a precise purpose and role to play in the world, and your unique gifts describe how you can bring your purpose to fruition. Practically speaking, while Human Design can’t tell you how to make more money, it emphasizes that by sticking with your strengths and your defined modalities, you can create better opportunities for yourself more frequently.

The more you can let go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and focus on doing what you do best, the easier it gets to live your purpose.

Surrendering to your gifts is how you draw out their real power. So while you cannot change yourself at the core, give yourself permission to double-down on your design. This part is fun, because you get to push ahead with your God-given abilities, and often you are quite skilled at these things already.

Living aligned to your essential characteristics means that you are married to them in a sense. You cannot ever escape them because they are your laws to live by. Violating your natural laws means continually struggling against the flow of your energy. There is an easier way. 

No. 4: Understand Your Body + manage your energy Human Design offers a breakthrough understanding of the body and its mental, physical, and emotional mechanisms, and so learning to clean up your own mechanics can help eliminate a lot of internal confusion, stress, and unhappiness. You are a conscious being at the controls of your machine after all! This mechanical way of looking at yourself may sound cold or unfeeling at first, but learning to use your energy in the right way is completely intuitive, reliable, and joyful.

The Bodygraph has a network of 9 chakras, and as you understand each one and its automatic processes, you can start to master your own human instrument.

Discerning how your body is talking to you helps you command the moments of your life that matter. For instance, in your body, can you easily differentiate between a gut response, an excited emotion, a spidey-sense of intuition, an inspiring idea, or an outpouring of love? Is this easy or not so easy for you?

People are wired differently, so they place different values on different energies in the body. But whatever your design, when your energies are all mixed up, runaway thoughts and emotions can have their way with you. It can be quite a challenge to disentangle thoughts from feelings from fears, but this is the process and path to self-mastery. Becoming your own best observer lets you be fully present with your body, and that’s powerful. 

“These essential truths are simple because they are mechanical... Just the simple mechanics are enough to make a vast difference in somebody's life.” – Ra Uru Hu, Founder of the Human Design System

No. 5: learn A Formula to Make Decisions It sounds too good to be true, but Human Design is the only tool in the world that gives you a personal operating system for life.

Ra Uru Hu, the founder of the system, called the system a “User’s Manual,” which made sense as a metaphor for a man who grew up in the twentieth century. Thinking of Human Design as an operating system makes more sense with the backdrop of today’s technology, but the twist is that you have this OS and hardware (your body) for life.

In the most direct way, your operating system is a formula for making better decisions, and making better decisions is the key to unlocking a life with less resistance and more opportunities.

what is Human Design

A sample Human Design chart

In Human Design lingo, your Type, Strategy, and Authority guides you on how to engage in the right decision-making process and how to come to your final answer. This formula is all about being in the body, not the mind. Painful decisions can come from relying on the logical mind, because while logic can make sense of your past, it can’t predict your future. Human Design guides you how to listen for, trust, and follow the vibrations within your body so that you arrive at your best decision in the right moment. Receiving the go-ahead to trust your body’s sounds and sensations is healing in itself.

No. 6: manage Better Relationships Better relationships could easily be the number one benefit of knowing your Human Design. However, better relationships always start with you. If you enter into a relationship without first knowing yourself, loving yourself, and having clear boundaries, then chances are your relationships will suffer.

By bringing awareness to the roles you were born to play within dynamic relationships, you get peace of mind, and how you show up can bring out the best in others. Most importantly, being 100% authentic allows you to evaluate whether or not a relationship is correct for you in the first place. 

“The problems of most relationships are that they were never entered into correctly, and that the participants in the relationship don’t operate correctly as themselves. That really is what it’s all about… To be yourself is to bring into your life those beings that are truly for you.”  – Ra Uru Hu, Founder of the Human Design System

If you like Human Design, you’re going to want to know the designs of those closest to you. Many people are interested in compatibility based on design, but true compatibility is much more complex than that. Human Design teaches us to respect differences first, then to love the differences for what they are. None of us were designed to be the same, so if you agree to begin a relationship, then you must respect the other person’s nature. Remember, if you are seeking to change someone, your efforts will only condition them -- as you cannot change anyone at their core.

In this way, children may have the most to gain from Human Design. No matter what, all children are conditioned in some ways that they must unlearn in order to be themselves as adults. But imagine what it would be like to be raised to be yourself instead of to be the person whom your parents wanted you to be. As a parent, you can positively impact your children by treating them in ways that bring their unique Strategy, Authority, or Profile to life.

No. 7: speak A New Language It’s hard to describe new ideas with old or outdated language. At a certain point, old terminology simply can’t fit into a new paradigm. With that in mind, know that Human Design will require you to acclimate to a few new vocabulary words.

Just think of how technology continually adds new words and concepts to your lexicon. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up! But that’s the challenge and the opportunity with a brand new set of ideas: When you level up your awareness to learn something that is more powerful, you can become more powerful too.

Much of Human Design cannot be described with comfortable ideas from popular science or psychology, and this is the special opportunity. Personal breakthroughs can happen when the language of Human Design gives voice to your long-held intuitions about yourself.

A recent client of mine said, “Human Design puts words to feelings and concepts that I never thought possible.” So take a chance on learning some of the lingo: knowing the differences between Manifestors, Generators, Projectors, and Reflectors just might change your life.

Intrigued? You should be! Whether you want to bring balance and understanding to your own life, improve a close relationship or learn more about Human Design for children, Ahram Arya is available for personal and corporate sessions and has been an incredible resource for our team and community!

The post What’s Your Human Design Type? 7 Reasons You Should Find Out appeared first on The Chalkboard.



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