Testify

I just wanted to share with you this wonderful testimonial my coaching client, Kim, wrote me:

I first contacted Monica when I decided I wanted to add more vegan foods into my diet.  I had been a vegetarian on and off for years but never really stuck to it.  At the time I met Monica I was in the middle of reading some very enlightening literature about food, but was still unsure about the whole thing.  My goal was to be vegan 50% of the week at least.  My first meeting with Monica was great.  She was completely non-judgmental and made clear that she would help me reach my goal, whatever that was.  She recommended various resources depending on what I wanted to learn about (animal welfare, health and nutrition, and/or the environment).  Most importantly, she made me examine my own reasons for wanting to change my diet.  I left the meeting feeling energized, empowered, and more eager than ever to learn about veganism and to clarify my own thinking about how I felt about the food I was putting in my body.

Over the next couple of weeks, I found that I was eating vegan 100% of the time for a number of reasons: (a) I learned even more about the food industry, animal welfare, nutrition, and the environment; (b) Monica’s assistance made making the dietary change easy; and (c) I was LOVING the vegan foods I was eating.  Over the next couple of months, with Monica’s help I found myself eating a more healthy, varied, and exciting (and yummy) diet than I was when I was eating meat and dairy!

Monica has served as a coach, mentor, educational resource, and friend.  She has been there to answer my questions, research issues I have raised, listen to my concerns, and encourage me every step of the way.  If you are interested in making your diet and life healthier, on whatever level that is for you, Monica can and will help you do it.

I’m so incredibly thrilled that Kim has found such happiness pursuing radiant health! If anyone reading this is interested in a FREE Initial Health Consultation, I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Healthy Almost-Spring!

Transcendence Theatre Company

One of my favorite people on the planet is my good friend Leah Sprecher. We met  when we lived in California and became close friends when we began auditioning a lot together here in NYC. One coffee date led to a lasting friendship as we bonded over the obstacles in creating a happy, healthy, balance life while pursuing an acting career and fighting the “struggling actor” mentality.

Right now Leah is on a two month cross-country rode trip with five other people (and a dog!) as part of the Project Knowledge Tour for their newly formed Transcendence Theater Company.

I can’t begin to describe how awe-struck I am of this fabulous and daring group of people. The company was founded by actress Amy Miller (check out this awesome video from her wedding here) in an effort to experience theater as a vital aspect to the community in which it serves.

Last year at this time Amy and her group lived, volunteered, and performed in Punda Banda Mexico. I had a plane ticket to go out there to visit them, but thanks to the outbreak of the Swine Flu in Mexico along with scheduling conflicts, I had to cancel my trip. You can see why I was so bummed to miss out on the fun here.

So for now I live vicariously through Leah, Amy, and the Transcendence Theater gang. I encourage everyone to check out their website and blog and dig deep into our pockets to help support these pioneers of Holistic Theater. In the words of Sir Laurence Olivier:

“I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.”

The Sun Will Come Out…..

In the holistic health world we often people talk about “living in the present” and “focusing on the now.” What about when the now doesn’t seem so great? What if the past is constantly scratching on the door trying to find it’s way in again? And isn’t it irresponsible to not plan for the future? These are the kinds of questions that keep me awake at night.

I don’t know if the frigid winter weather is to blame, or if that fact that my birthday is a month away provides an excuse to evaluate this past year and create expectations for the next, but I somehow got off of the “be here now” train.

Since the first day of rehearsals I have been on the hunt for the next gig. After all, this show only runs for three months and it’s taken me years to get this first Broadway job. And so far very little seems to be on the horizon.

And then it hit me. If “I’m this stressed and anxious now, what will I be like when I actually am unemployed”? So I had an honest discussion with myself: Yes I do need a job after this one. And yes I’ll do my best to find it. But that’s all I can do. And there’s still more than enough time to enjoy my days. I’ve finally started a regular yoga practice. I’m teaching myself French. When the weather doesn’t resemble Antarctica outside I can take my dog for long walks. Try out new recipes. Read books and plays and scripts. Not to mention that everyday I go to work I get to be surrounded by an incredible cast and crew.

So the next time I feel like life is passing me by, I can stop feeling sorry for myself and start writing down all the things I’m grateful for. If you find yourself in the same boat, I highly recommend keeping a gratitude journal by your bed and jotting down 5-10 things you are grateful for every night.

Tomorrow will be tomorrow and it’s our choice how we greet it.