Our departure from the Berkshires went as smoothly as anyone could hope and after a short stint in Cambridge - to refuel, unpack, repack, and have some fun - we've arrived on our beloved island! It's only been a couple of days but we're well on our way to being fully settled and resuming our island lifestyle. Despite a few minor glitches the Green House is still standing and with a little TLC will soon, once again, be called home for the season.

Yoga classes begin this Saturday 8:30am!

Embracing Earth Day!

Do your part to participate and acknowledge this global movement to save our planet. Big or small, all efforts count. Life, relationships, global warming - our personal actions create ripple effects which affect the greater whole. If we each move with a greater awareness, positive change is inevitable. Today I'm walking to yoga class where I'll set an intention to breathe clean air and support the people in my life more fully so that they can then do the same.

What can you do today to make a difference? What will you give up? How can you contribute? Share your ideas...

All Nuts Are NOT Created Equal

By now I hope you're convinced that nuts, in moderation, are good for you. They're a great source of protein and heart-healthy fats (the "good for you" fats). A few nuts go a long way, calorically and nutritionally. It's good to eat a variety of the top six nuts (which I'll discuss below), as they all offer slightly different nutrients.

I've always loved nuts, in all their crunchy, rich deliciousness. Over the years, my preferences have changed from salted to unsalted, from roasted to raw, from peanuts to almonds. I can't deny that part of the preference change has been influenced by knowledge I've learned about the varying health benefits each nut offers. As in all food groups, certain variations promise more nutritional umph, and nuts are no exception. Just remember to enjoy in moderation. Here's a list of what I believe are the top of the nut food chain (listing in order of my preference) and a few of their highlights:

1. Walnuts - have high levels of vitamin E and an ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids (1:5). These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, protect heart health, and guard against arthritis.
2. Almonds - help stabilize blood sugar, have high calcium content, and are the least acid forming.
3. Pecans - also have high vitamin E content, and regular consumption may help decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
4. Cashews - are high in magnesium (second only to almonds), which can help build strong bones, and have more carbohydrates and a lower fat content than most other nuts. They are often inexpensive relative to other nuts.
5. Pistachios - have lots of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin A, as well as fiber and iron.
6. Brazil nuts - contain omega-3 fatty acids and high levels of the mineral selenium, which may help prevent breast cancer.

Hazelnuts and pine nuts are also considered great nuts, though I don't tend to consume them so I'm omitting them here. Peanuts - which most adore, and I'm no exception - are considered by many to be at the bottom of the nut barrel, the nutrional black sheep. But again, everything in moderation.

Raw vs. Roasted...
This is where the raw foodies jump up and wave their arms and demand an audience while they defend their movement. I have to admit that everything I've read on raw food is convincing, and there's really no downside except when you take it to the full-fledged level and then it just becomes, well, a time-consuming, anti-social pain. The health benefits this lifestyle promises are incredibly tantalizing and I was intrigued last summer after reading a great book called, "12 Steps to Raw Food." It had me seriously convinced to conform for about 12 hours - but then reality set back in; I made myself a tall glass of carrot-cucumber juice and decided that was my extent. Back to the nuts. Again, it's preference in the end, but the bottom line is that any food in its most natural form (i.e., NOT cooked or processed) is the best choice.

One last point - nuts are expensive but it's worth shelling out a couple extra bucks and opting for organic. Nuts are not only tempting to our savvy palettes but the little critters love them too, so they are doused in toxic pesticides which no doubt have an ill effect on us. Weigh the options - a few bucks or your health, you decide. This goes for all food choices we make. If you're lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe's, they offer an excellent selection of nuts at the most reasonable prices around. Stock up next time you're there and store the extras in the freezer.

The best things in life...

...are free! Debatable by some but not moi. Think about it. Think about all your favorite things to do, the experiences of daily life that make you happiest - no matter how trivial or small - and think about which ones you have to pay for and which you don't.

Stepping outside when the sun is shining. Your first sip of tea in the morning. Holding hands. Taking a hot shower. Laughing with a friend. Scoring a free sample at your favorite gourmet food store!

It's so easy these days to get whisked away by the consumer wave of needing, wanting, buying, wasting, needing more, and relying on these "things" to fulfill some deeper void within ourselves. We convince ourselves - often subconsciously - that the more we buy the happier we'll be and the better our lives will be. Sure, practical items make daily life easier in many ways, but they never make us happier people. We all know this, but putting it into action takes awareness and practice. To be truly happy we need to heal and nurture ourselves from the inside out.

And in these financially trying times, who can deny wanting to save a few pennies?

I recently read a book called "The Price of Privilege," in which the author argues that affluent adolescents are in fact worse off emotionally than those whose families struggle more financially. The author claims that families with financial means tend to placate their children by showering them with "things" in lieu of physical and emotional love and support. At the same time the families who can't provide their children with material goods tend to have stronger emotional support systems. It's proven in many studies that families who place emphasis on the family and spending time together produce happier, more grounded children. Those whose parents work constantly and spend little quality time together - talking, laughing, sharing about their days - lack the confidence and support needed, which forces them to try and attain it from "things" and exterior stimulants.

It's interesting research and one that we can apply to our own lives and benefit from as we move through our days of being constantly bombarded with advertisements and temptations for quick fixes. Clearly, the answer is not to stop shopping or never again to buy another new dress (my own personal fetish), but instead to recognize what's driving us when we do feel the need to buy the latest model of this or that - is it need based or want based? Is it to keep up with the Joneses or to console yourself after a bad day?

Think back to the mental list of free things you love to do and enjoy in your life. Make more room in your day for these activities and see how this can fulfill you more completely and keep you empowered on your path.

I invite you to keep this interactive and share your moments for us all to enjoy!