Thai Lemongrass Soup with Crispy Mushrooms and Tofu

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This refreshing Thai Lemongrass soup has a light gingery broth, pan-fried tofu, zesty tomatoes, and crispy crimini mushrooms. It’s perfect for a refreshing lunch or dinner any time of the year.

This soup is so light and refreshing, it’ll be one that you may choose to cook year-round. Unlike other heavier soups, the zesty combination of lemongrass, ginger, lime and garlic make this a great summertime option. But then again, it’s still soup, and as such, it’s still warming and comforting all the same.

Perfectly Crispy Tofu

So many recipes call for crisped tofu, but if you don’t do it just right, you may end up with less-than-desirable results. Follow these steps to prep the tofu for this Thai Lemongrass Soup.

  1. Select extra firm tofu. The firmer the better when you want it crispy because the softer varieties contain more water.
  2. Drain the tofu. I mean really drain it. If you just empty the water from the package, that ain’t gonna do it. My favorite way to drain tofu is by gently squeezing out as much moisture as possible. Then wrap it in a clean towel and place it on a cutting board. Place a heavy-ish frying pan or other item on top of the tofu, and set aside for at least 20 minutes. Longer is even better.
  3. Cut the tofu into cubes. For this recipe, 1/2-inch cubes work well.
  4. Select a non-stick skillet with a flat bottom. Coat the skillet with oil and preheat over medium-high heat.
  5. Once the skillet is hot, carefully place your tofu chunks evenly. Be sure they aren’t stacked on top of each other.
  6. After about 4-5 minutes, check to see if the bottom side is nicely browned. If so, flip the pieces over and brown the reverse side. Cook until they are equally crispy on the top and bottom.
  7. Now your tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; perfect for topping this soup or another dish.

In love with crispy tofu? Try it in this dish!

Yellow Chickpea and Basil Curry

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I love quick and easy meals that I can throw together and put on the table in just a few minutes. This Yellow Chickpea and Basil Curry uses simple ingredients that I usually have on hand. Plus, it comes together quickly and tastes delicious as leftovers. You may even want to double the recipe to prep a week’s worth of lunches at one time.

Batch Cooking 101

Batch cooking can help you stick to your nutrition plan and avoid grabbing unhealthy fast or processed food. Having something prepped in the fridge or freezer means never having the dinner hour dilemma.

You can set aside a day to batch cook several recipes, or you can just double your recipes as you cook your meals. Either way, you’ll love having food at-the-ready for those busy days when you just don’t feel like cooking.

Tips for Batch Cooking

Some foods lend themselves to batch cooking better than others.

  • Soups and stews are some of my favorite foods to batch cook because they often tend to taste even better over time.
  • Roasted vegetables freeze well and are oh-so-convenient when you need a handful of veggies to finish a dish.
  • Salad prep is another great time saver during the week. Wash, cut and portion veggies and other salad components to have ready when you need them.
  • Burgers and other time-consuming dishes become easy weeknight dinners when you make them ahead of time.

Looking for some recipes to get started with batch cooking? Check out these Mushroom Lentil Burgers or this Butternut Squash Soup.

Exercise and Your Period

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For many women, their monthly menstrual cycle means a week of fatigue, headaches, food cravings, and well, just feeling crummy. It’s no surprise that most women don’t want to hit the gym during their period. But did you know that a bit of exercise can be just the right medicine to actually help you have a healthier period? Find out why you don’t want to skip out on exercise during your period.

Benefits of Exercising on Your Period

Aside from just keeping you on track to meet your fitness goals, exercise can bring relief from many menstrual complaints. So before you decide to hit pause on your workout routine, check out these benefits of exercise during your period.

Relieve Painful PMS Symptoms

At least 80-90% of women experience some kind of PMS. Sadly, some women experience a severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Studies show that exercise is one of the simplest non-pharmacological treatments for premenstrual syndrome. Women report a decrease in symptoms when they participate in regular light exercise.

Improve Mood

Exercise increases endorphin levels in the brain. It’s these hormones that help stabilize mood and give that sensation of uplift following a workout. Not only that, but studies show that exercise can improve various other aspects, such as self-esteem, perceived vitality, general well-being, and satisfaction with physical appearance. Evidence also indicates that regular physical activity may protect against the development of depression. In fact, physical inactivity might even be a risk factor for depression.

So if you struggle with the blues during your period, force yourself to get up off the couch and commit to at least 15 minutes of moderate exercise. You’ll thank yourself for it later.

Boost Energy Levels

It’s no secret that a bit of exercise can fight fatigue and leave you feeling energized. This is especially true during your period, when you probably tend to feel the most blah. A quick jog or 15 minutes of focused stretching may be just what you need to boost your energy and lift your spirits.

The Best Exercise During Your Period

If you already have a regular exercise routine, you may be able to stick to your plan during your period. However, some women prefer a lower impact workout during that time of the month. Begin by focusing on gentle movements and exercises. If your workouts include a lot of intense cardio, you may consider dialing it down just a bit. Then again, some women run marathons with Aunt Flo. Just remember to listen to your body and don’t overdo it.

With that said, some exercise tends to be more nurturing and gentle on the body and may be more suited during your period.

Take a Walk

You will reap many of the benefits of exercising on your period by simply getting outside and taking a walk. Not only does the rhythmic movement of walking provide all the benefits described above, the fresh air can do a lot of good too. Plus, walking stimulates the lymphatic system to improve immunity and overall health. A brisk 15-30 minute walk is a great place to get started implementing exercise into your daily routine.

Yoga and Pilates

Deep stretching exercises, like yoga, can help relax your body and potentially reduce PMS symptoms. In fact, a small study of 72 participants discovered that women who engaged in yoga for 40 minutes three times a week experienced noticeably less pain and other PMS symptoms.

As with any other exercise regimen, it’s important to start slow. With practice you will increase your flexibility, balance, and endurance.

Low-Volume Strength Training

Due to hormone fluctuations during menstruation, many women find increased strength during their periods. Use this to your advantage and engage in some resistance or weight training. Alternating strength work and cardio is an even better way to nurture your body.

Staying Comfortable

You may be thinking, “but what about leakage?” Especially if you have a heavy flow, this is a very valid concern. Ordinary pads, tampons and other period supplies sometimes just don’t cut it when it comes to getting active while on your period.

That’s why I’m so excited that Thinx just launched a line of period activewear. Choose from Leggings, Cycle Shorts, Training Shorts, and Leotard. In sizes from XS to XL, you’ll find the style that suits your body shape and preferred exercise method.

I love wearing Thinx period underwear as an added method of protection and peace of mind. Learn more about my experience and find out why I love Thinx in this post. Want to try them for yourself? Use this link to get $10 off!

The Bottom Line

As with all health and wellness decisions, the choice is yours. Given the overall health benefits of exercise—and the relatively low risk of side effects—consider using exercise to help manage menstrual pain. 

The Age of Aquarius: The promise of better days ahead

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The unsettling events and upheaval of 2020 came as a surprise to many. However, last year likely did not surprise astrologers. That’s because so much of the tumultuous nature of the past year could be a result of rare and impactful planetary interactions. From retrogrades and eclipses to planetary alignments that just don’t happen often, cosmic energy may be at least partially to blame for some of the chaos we collectively experienced. But alas, good news lies ahead. Take a look at what may be in store as we enter the Age of Aquarius.

The Great Conjunction was Just the Beginning

Remember the great conjunction back on December 21? Some dubbed it the Christmas Star or Star of Bethlehem. On that day, Jupiter and Saturn closely aligned for the first time in nearly 400 years. The message of hope from the bright convergence of the two largest planets in the solar system pervaded social media. And rightly so, because this significant cosmic event at the conclusion of 2020 actually represents a catalyst of some serious shifts.

While this great conjunction seemingly lasted only a day or two, the interaction will continue to influence the energy of the solar system for years to come. Also significant is that the continuing energy of Jupiter and Saturn takes place during the air sign of Aquarius. As a sign of revolution and growth, this may mean the breath of fresh air we crave is headed our way. Not only that, but it may also bring a spark of new humanitarian efforts, since Aquarius is the sign of the humanitarian.

What’s in Store for 2021?

An astrological “age” shifts about every 2,150 years, as the Earth rotates and moves into a new zodiac sign. As we depart from the wild ride brought by the Age of Pisces, relief may be in the forecast. During the Age of Aquarius, we’ll see some forward-thinking, fresh creativity, and revolution. For those who fear change, it may become a bit uncomfortable. Conversely, if you feel that change is desperately needed in our society, you may just get what you’ve been asking for.

Cosmic Stellium

In addition to the relief brought by this cosmic shift, we can expect to feel a positive shift in energy from other stellar events. In February, a whopping seven astral forces form an astrological stellium. A stellium occurs when a group of several planetary objects align together in a single sign of the zodiac. This year, the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and asteroid Pallas will cluster together in Aquarius.

Retrogrades

All Mercury retrogrades of 2021 occur in air signs as well. These will begin on January 20 (Aquarius), May 29 (Gemini), and September 27 (Libra). These times will pose an impact on communication and provide an opportunity to learn how to understand one another better.

Learn more about Mercury retrograde and get a recipe for an essential oil roller here.

Technology is the Way

2020 brought us great advances in technology as so many people transitioned from schools and offices to home-based models. By necessity, even technology-resistant folks became more adept and welcomed technology as a means to stay connected. In the Age of Aquarius, expect this to increase even more.

So is this a good thing or a bad thing? It all depends on how you look at it and just how reliant on technology you become. We have the opportunity to be more connected than ever through digital avenues, but this may lead some people to grow more disengaged with the world around us. Physical connection is important to our social development and mental health. Just check out these benefits of social connection.

Economic Challenges

I’m not an astrologer, and I don’t fully understand all the implications of the movements of planets and other energetic forces. However, I recently learned that Saturn and Uranus will enter opposing positions that could create some serious disharmony. To some, this may sound a bit far-fetched, but a look at the history of this interaction gives reason for pause. For example, the most recent occurrence of this opposition was back in March-April of 2020, when the pandemic caused significant global economic strife. Even more alarming, is that it also hit a few times in 1929 during the Great Depression.

Whether you believe it or not, it doesn’t hurt to guard your assets a bit more in the coming months. Take heart; it’s not all bad news. Remember that economic disruption often precludes an era of rebuilding and restructuring, leading to more prosperous times.

Widespread Healing and Community

There’s no denying that 2020 swept across the globe bringing a collective trauma to humanity. As we close the door on this monumental year, people everywhere rejoice with a hope of better things on the horizon. If we look to the sky for answers, these hopes may prove to be sound. We experienced a “tearing down” of our normal social construct, and the Age of Aquarius presents an opportunity for restoration and reformation. This paradigm shift has the potential to draw people together with a common need and goal. Much-needed widespread healing awaits if we embrace this opportunity to build more social programs and focus on taking care of one another.


Want to read more about the zodiac signs and how they impact you? Head here.

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