health

The Scoop on Functional Mushrooms! by Alexandra Pullen

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve likely seen me talk about mushrooms! No, not that kind ;) I’m talking, functional medicinal mushrooms + adaptogens. They are the ultimate superfoods, and some of nature’s most healing creations. Mushrooms and adaptogens are definitely a health buzzword at the moment, but don’t let that deter you from the magic of these potent healers. Mushrooms have been used in eastern cultures for thousands of years, so they are definitely not new — despite the fact that you may be seeing them pop up more and more in trendy LA spots. Healing herbs are a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic healing traditions.Each species of mushrooms has its own unique benefits naturally aiding wellness, sports performance and recovery. I take a lot of different mushrooms because they all bring something unique to the table! Functional mushrooms are adaptogens, which basically means that they help the body adapt to stress and exert a normalizing effect on bodily processes. Which, if you think about it — is pretty magical and amazing! They help the body resist stressors of all kinds: physical, chemical, or biological. Adaptogens help bring us back to our baseline. For me, mushrooms are an integral part of my daily rituals, and it’s seriously so easy to incorporate once you get started.

Read More

5 Yoga Stretches To Alleviate A Stiff Bod by Alexandra Pullen

Need some stretches to get through a long day of work? Try these at home or at your desk! Swipe to see my favorite stretches that target the common areas of tension cause by sitting for too long (shoulders, hips, chest). Read more below to see the benefits of each posture! These are also great to do on a long flight!

Read More

Why I Don't Count Calories by Alexandra Pullen

I don’t count calories. This is mainly because I’m lazy, but it’s also because I don’t see the point. Your body doesn’t understand an arbitrary numerical value that you select as an acceptable amount to feed your body, nor is there a magic number that is going to make your body say, “I don’t need these five extra pounds.” There was a period of time in which I was really strict and aware of how many calories I was putting in my body, but I was also CRAZY during that time. Since then, I've also become a lot more in tune with my body. Once you can learn how to eat intuitively, you will be able to gauge exactly how much you need and when you have truly had enough. This is the same reason why I don't weigh myself. I want to go off how I feel, not by a number. It's a very evolved way of thinking and being in a calorie/media-obsessed culture that we live in, but I promise that you will be so much happier without the scales and numbers!

Read More