The beauty and grace of these amazing beings are so wondrous and every morning since that day has been like Christmas. I jump out of bed and rush to the window to see if they are there. And almost always, they are!

We’ve even named them Bonnie and Clyde. I don’t know, they somehow seem like outlaws. Just the two of them against the world. I dig it.

And for the past week they’ve been here, they’ve taught me a few things that I want to share with you.

1. Sometimes you need to go with the flow (or the pool ripples). 

Bonnie and Clyde don’t mind if the water shifts them in one direction or the other. They just hang out and go where it takes them. Us? We pull, fight and try to course correct on a daily basis. It’s amazing how stressful it is to always try and make things “right”! I don’t know about you but I’m making the decision to let go of the way things “should” be and just accept them as they are.

2. Invest time in taking care of yourself. It shows.

My two feathered friends are gorgeous! They are plump, round and their feathers sparkle as they glide through the water. They’ve gotta be two of the finest duck specimens this side of the Mississippi.

When I pointed this out to my husband, he said, “Well, look how well they take care of themselves! Of course they look great!”.  He’s right. These ducks are always relaxing, preening their feathers, taking a nice flight, eating healthy food (they can’t waddle through McDonald’s) or going for a nice swim.

When is the last time YOU did things like this for yourself on a daily basis? I know, I know. We have kids and jobs and families and … stuff! But if we invested just 10 minutes a day practicing this type of extreme self care, it would show up in a big way.

3. Sleep. Often.

Who knew ducks were such big nappers? Cats? Yes. Ducks? Really?!

After a nice long swim, they hop out of the pool, tuck their beaks under their wings and close their eyes for a nice little slumber. Sometimes they don’t even bother to get out of the water! They just sleep right where they are. Brilliant!

The cool thing about sleep is that it reduces stress, helps lower blood pressure, boosts weight loss, improves memory, increases heart health and loads more!

How much do YOU sleep? Me? I love to sleep. It might be one of my favorite things ever. But with a two year old, it isn’t always so easy. However… I’m taking notes from the ducks and squeezing in a 20 minute power nap today. I know it’s gonna feel SO good!

Let’s make magic happen

What have YOU learned from Bonnie and Clyde (the ducks, not the gangsters)?  What ONE thing have they inspired YOU to do TODAY? Tell me in the comments below!

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For myself.

For my loved ones.

For this planet and every living being on it.

My Top 8 Dreams

1 –  I dream of a day where every being, everywhere, finally feels free.  Inside and out.

2 –  I dream of massive embracing of community and understanding that we do not have to go it alone.

3 –  I dream of no one’s dream being too big.  Too unrealistic. Too bold.

4 –  I dream of a world where fresh food and glowing health is abundant for everyone.

5 –  I dream of every woman, man and child being happy in their own skin and proud of their body.

6 –  I dream of no one being afraid or ashamed of who they are or where they came from.

7 –  I dream of a world where no one travels to the top of a mountain to “find themselves” but rather that they never lose that exquisite connection with who they are, what they want and why they’re here.

8 –  I dream of a shift where we all fully embrace love, deny hate and realize we are all one.

What are your dreams?

Now, let’s make magic happen! Share at least one of your dreams in the comments below.

Believe me when I say this can send a huge message to the Universe and start a revolutionary shift in every life on this planet.

Today’s Tweetable: I dream of a shift where we all fully embrace love, deny hate and realize we are all one. via @CPasquella  (simply click the link to tweet!)

Watch Dr. Martin Luther King’s, “I Have A Dream”  Speech HERE.

The post My Top 8 Dreams appeared first on | Cynthia Pasquella, Celebrity Nutritionist, The Transformational Nutritionist™.

Do you want a radical new way to set (and accomplish) all your goals in the new year?

One that doesn’t involve day planners, sacrifice or deprivation?

If so, you’ve come to the right place.

We’re in the middle the first month of 2013 and I’m knee deep in planning how this year is going to go down.

While most people set goals based on the amount of money they want to make or how much weight they want to lose, I’m going about it a little differently.

I’m starting with the experience I want to have, not the things I want to do.  (Or as Vishen Lakhiani would say, “the end not the mean“).

And yes, I’m setting financial goals for my business as well as other things in my life but I’m not being driven by them.  Whoa… that’s a radical thought.  It’s a bit scary and a lot refreshing at the same time!

Instead, I’m focusing on how I want to feel this year.  How I want to live.

I’ve chosen three words to guide me this year in all areas of my life.

They are: Grace, Peace and Love.

I want everything I do this year to be filled with one or all of those things or I’m choosing not to do it.

YOU can do this too. I fact, I HIGHLY encourage it.

Instead of setting a goal for losing 60 pounds, set a goal for how you want to feel every day while doing it.  Then make that FEELING your focus!

If the numbers on the scale are getting smaller but you’re starving or unhappy with the food you “have” to eat, then that’s not cool.  It doesn’t properly feed your soul and that’s just as important if not MORE important than properly feeding your body.

Are you REALLY going to be able to maintain weight loss using this technique?  Yes, you might be smaller but are you happier?  If not, do things differently.

There are foods you can eat that burn fat and boost weight loss and taste amazing (if you don’t know what they are, check out my free Look and Feel Great Naked Kit or pick up a copy of my new book, The Hungry Hottie Cookbook).

There are jobs you can do that will light your fire and bring in income.

You don’t have to settle.  You do have to live life full out.

Start with how you want to feel.

Grace, peace and love,

Let’s make magic happen in the comments! Please share  the top three words that describe how YOU want to FEEL this year!

Today’s Tweetable: You don’t have to settle.  You do have to live life full out. via @CPasquella http://bit.ly/Vs3Pfm    

The post A Radical New Way To Set (And Accomplish) All Your Goals appeared first on | Cynthia Pasquella, Celebrity Nutritionist, The Transformational Nutritionist™.

This morning as I poured myself a hot cup of green tea with jasmine, I immediately remembered how I used to be completely addicted to coffee which led me down a path of remembering when I used to be completely addicted to everything – food, drugs, relationships, you name it and how far I’ve come since then.

I certainly didn’t do it alone but I did it.

I devoured books like A Course In Miracles, Remember, Be Here Now and You Can Heal Your Life.

I studied at some of the countries most prestigious institutions and worked with some amazing teachers.

I adopted a practice of Kundalini yoga and began eating a plant-based diet.

I radically transformed my body and my life because I believed I could.  I believed in miracles.

Which is why I’m so thrilled to kick off 2013 with an exciting announcement

My dear friend Gabrielle Bernstein just launched her third book and it’s a doozy!  May Cause Miracles: A 40-Day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change, is now available in a beautiful hardcover and as an e-book.

Can it really cause miracles?

Absolutely!  May Cause Miracles is a six-week guide that enlightens, inspires, and empowers. Gabrielle helps you clear through blocks and discover authentic happiness in every aspect of your life.  I’m personally going through it and it’s causing some major shifts for me!

With the structure and support provided by May Cause Miracles, you’ll transform your relationships to friends, family, romantic partners, work and money, your bodies, and the world.

By adding up subtle shifts, you’ll create long-lasting, miraculous change. (Translation: Did you make a New Year’s resolution? THIS is how to make it stick.)

A little about Gabrielle

If you’re not yet familiar with Gabrielle, she was just featured as a new thought leader on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday. (Seriously, what’s up with all my buds being on Oprah lately?!  I’m SO proud of them!) She’s the best-selling author of Spirit Junkie: A Radical Road to Self-Love and Miracles (recently out in paperback!) and Add More Ing to Your Life: A Hip Guide to Happiness.

Gabby is an incredible inspirational speaker and teacher of A Course in Miracles—and believe me when I say she not only talks the talk, she walks the walk.

Ready for amazing change?

Check this out: When you give yourself the gift of May Cause Miracles you get some uber bonus gifts, too. You’ll receive:

• Gabby’s video course on how to manifest your desires in 2013
• Guided meditations
• Gabby’s interviews with miracle workers Kris Carr, Nick Ortner, Danielle Laporte, and Mastin Kipp

I have just one question for you

What are you waiting for?

Make 2013 the year of radical, positive, long-lasting change simply by adding up subtle shifts over 40 awesome days. Get your copy of May Cause Miracles now!

Here’s to causing miracles in 2013!

P.S. Want to meet up with me?  If you live in the Los Angeles area, you can see Gabrielle LIVE tonight!!! Check out the details here: http://gabbyb.tv/may-cause-miracles-la-launch AND… if you’re going to attend, let me know and we’ll meet up! Just send an email to info AT cynthiapasquella.com!

P.P.S. Want to win a FREE Copy of May Cause Miracles?  Simply leave a FACEBOOK Comment below telling me what miracles YOU want to manifest in 2013!  We will randomly pick a winner (using random.org) and announce the winner on my Facebook page on Monday, January 14, 2013!  Good luck!

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With a new year comes an incredible opportunity to start fresh! You get to hit the Reset button (PINK Method ladies, you know what I’m talking about) and create the life and health you’ve been dreaming of.

This is such a powerful time for manifesting your hopes and desires and I want to encourage you to really dream BIG!!!

What’s more… I want to share with you the #1 best way to EASILY keep your New Year’s Resolutions!

Don’t make them.

Seriously! Bear with me here…

There’s something even more powerful than any New Year’s Resolution and that is being present.

Wait… what? That’s it?

What does that even mean?

While it is important to keep your goals clear, it’s even more important that you don’t consider today as simply a means to an end. In this upcoming year, I really want you to stop the waiting game and start enjoying every single day!

So many of my clients base their happiness on the FUTURE, making the mistake of thinking their lives are going to be perfect, “if only”.

“If only I were thin I would be beautiful.”

“If only I had more money I would be happy.”

“If only I had a husband, child, dog, cat, iPhone…”

You get the point.

The problem with “if only” is that time and time again, I’ve seen clients actually achieve their goal weight, the husband, the money, the dog, cat and iPhone, and yet these things did not bring them the everlasting happiness they had banked on. They get to their destination and yet feel only fleeting contentment.

When you deny yourself happiness until a goal is achieved, you deny yourself of the blessed experience of life itself. I promise, you won’t suddenly discover everlasting joy when the scale finally reads the number you are looking for.

Other clients are literally stuck in the PAST. They constantly deny themselves of what they want because of fear, sadness, regret, anger and feelings of unworthiness that stem from the experiences of yesterday, last week, or even years and years ago. Sometimes so far in the past they don’t even remember it!

These women carry the weight of the past both figuratively, and literally. When I get to work one-on-one with them, I certainly guide them when it comes to physical health, but we actually spend most of our time healing on an emotional and spiritual level. We work together to forgive and release old negative thought patterns that no longer serve them, and the weight literally slips off!

This simple shift in thinking is what makes life simple. Starting anything new whether it be a diet, exercise class, job, relationship, or anything else, can be daunting – but that’s only because we worry based on past experience and future anxieties. If you simply consider right now – this very moment – you discover that you are always safe, satisfied and complete.

No New Year’s Resolution needed! You just have to show up, right here, right now and voila!

It’s not that tough, cookie! Try this simple exercise with me:

Deep breath in…and release with a sigh. Now quiet all the chatter in your head for a moment. Look around. What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? Taste? Feel? There is so much beauty to be found if we only open our eyes.

Now take another deep breath in and release. Close your eyes and look within. Right now, no matter what your health is like, no matter how many problems you think you have, no matter what – at this present moment, all is okay and you are whole and content.

This is what I mean by living for the now. It’s so simple it’s almost silly when you think about it.

So this upcoming year here is my wish to you.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed or discouraged take a moment and become fully present. You will never BE in the past, and you will never BE in the future. But you ARE always HERE NOW.

And right now, everything is perfect – even you.

Happy New Year!

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We drank these every morning for a week until we finally ran out of sweet potatoes. Then, I went to the store and bought more! It’s SO rich and delicious, we just couldn’t get enough of them – especially Rain. Every sip offers a warm and spicy zest that brings back the sweet nostalgia of the holiday!

I suggest you start your Thanksgiving morning off with my Oh So Sweet Potato Smoothie Recipe! Not only will you give your taste buds a real treat, you’ll also be treating your body. Sweet potatoes are full of fat-melting fiber. Because you digest them slowly, they are perfect for balancing blood sugar and staving off cravings. Plus, they are loaded with beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C to give you gorgeous glowing skin and full lustrous hair.

Oh So Sweet Potato Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:
2 c cooked sweet potato, chopped
½ c coconut milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 c ice

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients into your blender (I suggest a Vitamix for the best results).
2. Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Tips and Substiutions:
Add a quarter cup of cashews that have been soaked at least four hours (you can skip the soaking step if using a Vitamix) for added protein and creaminess. You can also substitute pumpkin for sweet potato – just add a few drops of stevia for sweetness. To boost the protein content, add four tablespoons of SoCal Cleanse Organic Detox Protein or one scoop of Sunwarrior Vanilla Protein Powder.

I loved this recipe so much I included it in my upcoming cookbook which is just about to launch!! I’m beyond excited to share it with you so if you aren’t already on the list, click HERE to become a VIP and be the first in line to grab your copy and get special discounts and bonuses.

Cheers to a happy, healthy, fat-burning and deliciously sweet Thanksgiving!

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This year promises to be especially exciting because it’s the first real year that Rain can understand this whole “Trick or Treat” thing.  We took her out last year to see the lights and other kids but this year she will be able to get much more involved! Did I mention she has the cutest costume ever?!  I’ll share a picture of her in it in next week’s newsletter! (You can sign up for it just below this post!)

This past week one of my dear friends celebrated her birthday with a costume party, which got me to thinking about the characters we morph into to celebrate Halloween.  It also got me thinking about the masks we wear on a daily basis.

I was speaking to one of my private clients just yesterday who said she feels like she’s never been able to be her real self.  She said she had never really revealed who she is, what she likes, what makes her laugh out loud or what she would really like to do with her life to her friends and family.  You see, for her entire life she’s been wearing this mask and playing out the roles that people said she should.

Something tells me you’re all too aware of these masks and roles.  They include the loyal friend, the nurturing wife, the loving mom, the responsible daughter, the go-getter in the boardroom and the tiger in bed.  Oh, and make sure you have a great body, a permanent smile on your face and bake a mean apple pie.

The scary thing is that we all fall into these characters and most of us never get out of them.  Instead, we live our entire lives going through the motions of what someone else thinks we should be and do.  This ultimately leads to being us being unhappy and unfulfilled.  It also creates a void we try desperately to fill – with money, fame, alcohol, drugs, power, control and food.  Especially food.

Unfortunately, no matter how much food we eat, we can never fill the void. But that doesn’t stop us from trying.  I’ve spoken with thousands of women who are characters in their own lives and I say enough is enough. Seriously, what the what?!   This is YOUR LIFE we’re talking about.  You get one shot at it. Do you really want to go through it as someone else?  Never expressing who you really are and what you really enjoy? Never being truly, madly, shake-your-tailfeathers happy?  Stuffing yourself with food only to feel bad about what you’ve eaten and how that affects your weight loss program? Now that’s scary!

I want to challenge you to wear a costume on only one day of the year (a few more if you’re feeling adventurous ). For the rest of the time, I challenge you to be your authentic self.  Step out of your regularly scheduled life and do something that YOU want to do.  Go for a hike. Paint.  Dance. Sing. Run. Sit quietly. Enjoy a hot cup of tea. Go out with your girlfriends. Ride a roller coaster. Explore your spirituality. Explore your sexuality. Pet a cat. Ride a horse. End a career. Start a new one. Live life full out and most importantly discover who you truly are inside.

Once you’ve unearthed this beautiful, radiant, feminine being love her, honor her and most importantly BE her on a daily basis.

Look at you go!

The post Halloween, Masks and the Scariest Thing EVER! appeared first on | Cynthia Pasquella, Celebrity Nutritionist, The Transformational Nutritionist™.

It was so beautiful watching her play full out and fully embrace her special day. Come to think of it, she does this every day. She doesn’t need a special occasion to wear her party dress or eat chocolate cupcakes. She doesn’t have to have a party to blow out candles. She never asks for permission to live life on her terms and never worries about being accepted. She just does her thing.

In the two years she has been a part of my life she has taught me so much. You might remember that I wrote about the shakin’ that took place on my birthday and much of that is because of the lessons I learn from her every day.

I challenge you to celebrate every day like its your birthday. Wear your party dress. Party so hard you fall asleep in it.  Hope that someone takes your picture and it inspires them to do the same.

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What made the difference is my INTENTION.  I had to share this little tip with you because it makes a HUGE difference when it comes to goal-setting and goal-getting!  Your thoughts can literally change your reality.

Need proof?  Check out check out Dr. Masaru Emoto’s water experiments.  The photo below is a side-by-side comparison of water before and after prayer.  Thoughts and intentions can literally change the physical structure of water (of which 60% of our body’s are composed).  Ponder that for a minute.

Think this was just a fluke?  Dr. Emoto performed this experiment literally over 10,000 times with the same results!  He also tried the same experiment by attaching both negative and positive phrases to a water bottle.  Here are those results:

Try it for yourself!  As you head into this weekend, think about what it is that you truly want for yourself.  Write it down and be sure to word it carefully – adjectives are a plus here!  Place this intention on your bed stand where you will see it first thing in the morning. Carry it with you throughout the day and read it often.

Here’s mine: My intention this week is to honor my own health and happiness through optimistic energy, mindfulness, generosity and a go-with-the-flow sense of ease and grace.

Tell me YOUR intention in the comments!

The post How Your Thoughts Can Make or Break Your Goals appeared first on | Cynthia Pasquella, Celebrity Nutritionist, The Transformational Nutritionist™.

I remember waking up one morning to a coffee maker that had kicked the bucket at some point during the night and completely freaking out. I proceeded to head directly to the nearest department store (which, luckily was within walking distance) in my pajamas. I told you, it wasn’t pretty.

Once I realized the havoc that this tasty hot liquid was wreaking on my body, it was time to make some changes.

What havoc, you ask? Let me explain.

Caffeine sends your body into a state of stress which is not a good thing. When your body is chronically stressed, several things happen including:

• it produces increased levels of cortisol which can lead to belly fat
• your immune system is suppressed making you more prone to illness
• your blood pressure is increased
• digestion is impaired and conditions like acid reflux are made worse
• your memory is impaired

Scary stuff, but if that’s not reason enough to quit your habit, there’s more!

When it comes to your skin, coffee is not your friend!  The diuretic effect of this beverage depletes your skin of moisture, leaving it more prone to fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and excess oil production.  Plus, the acidic nature of coffee can cause an inflammatory response that further promotes breakouts, rosacea, premature aging and other skin disorders.

If that wasn’t enough, caffeine also interferes with the absorption of the beauty mineral magnesium.  Magnesium is like the fountain of youth for skin because it helps to stabilize DNA and RNA.  But, when you consume caffeine, your absorption of this amazing nutrient is greatly depleted.

Caffeine often leads to sleep disturbance.  As you know, sleep is incredibly important for repairing and regenerating skin.  When you are overtired, the first place it shows is on your face!  Sleep is also key when you are trying to lose weight.  Lack of sleep causes increased cravings for quick sources of energy, i.e. sugar and carbs.  These same cravings happen as you crash from your caffeine high so generally, somewhere between breakfast and lunch the carb cravings come creeping in!

Oh, and by the way, there’s something hidden in that cup of Joe that you might not want to know about…MOLD.  Yep, most commercial grade coffee contains fungus in the form of  dangerous mycotoxins.  These are secondary metabolites of mold that carry toxic effects and give your roast that bitter taste. These fungi can cause a host of issues including kidney disease, immune dysfunction, nervous system disorder and even carcinogenic effects.  Plus the high amounts of caffeine can cause increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and even irregular heartbeat.

Now that I have your attention, let’s talk about kicking the habit!

I quit drinking coffee, oh… around 323,987 times. I’m not kidding. Every time I quit, I would always find a reason to start up again. I finally found a method that worked for me (and countless other women over the years) and I want to share that with you now.

My 3 Step Method For Giving Up Coffee

1. Make the decision to do it. It might be obvious but really take this commitment seriously. If you’re in it, be in it to win it.
2. Find your “why”. Get really clear on why you want to give up the habit and write it down.
3. Find alternatives. This was a HUGE help to me and I bet it will be to you too. Instead of quitting cold turkey, start by cutting back. If you have 3 cups of joe today, have 2 cups and a cup of black tea tomorrow. Keep reducing the coffee and increasing the tea. Then, gradually switch to an herbal tea or coffee.  My favorite herbal coffee is Teeccino.  I’m seriously in love.

AND… in honor of the upcoming National Coffee Day (September 29th), I’m  giving away 20 Teeccino VIP Goody Bags!

That’s right, I’m celebrating National Coffee Day by urging you to step away from the Starbucks and finally kick the habit for good with a little help from my friends at Teeccino.

This herbal coffee is a mouthwatering blend of herbs, grains, fruits and nuts that are roasted and ground to brew and taste just like coffee. Plus, it’s incredibly good for you!

It’s gluten-free, antioxidant rich, naturally energizing, non-acidic and even has fiber to help you shed pounds! The rich and savory flavor tastes even better than coffee, and comes in delicious varieties like Vanilla Nut, Maya Chocolate, Hazelnut, Almond Amaretto, Caramel Nut and Pumpkin Spice.  Talk about tasty!

Now that I’ve wet your whistle, here are the details for my Cut Coffee Contest!

I’m giving away 20 VIP Goody Bags of Teeccino to the top 20 tips to cut down on coffee!

Here are the rules:

• Scroll down below and post YOUR tip in the Facebook Comments section.
• The limit is ONE suggestion per person!
• The contest ends at midnight PDT on Friday 9/28.

The WINNERS will be announced on Saturday September 29th, National Coffee Day!

I look forward to all your amazing ideas!

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