Category Archives: Recommendations

Best Baby DVDs

I used to think I wouldn’t let my child watch any TV before the age of 2…then I actually had a child. Of course we all know that babies need more interaction than to be plopped down in front of the television, but there are times when turning on a video is just what everyone in the family needs.

I HIGHLY recommend Classical Baby 3-Pack – Music, Art & Dance.

My son loves Classical Baby: The Art Show so much, that on a recent visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC he recognized this painting by Mary Cassatt and was THRILLED.

Little did I know when I bought those DVDs that it would help my baby appreciate The Met!

Spring Grocery List

I’ve taken this from Dr. John Douillard’s wonderful website Lifespa.com

Spring Grocery List
By John Douillard, DC, PhD

(March-June)

To Stay Strong and Healthy:

  • During Spring, eat more foods from this list.  Simply circle your favorite foods – and those of anyone you cook for –
    and eat more of those foods.
    *An asterisk means it is best to eat more of this food.
  • Eat more foods that are Pungent (Spicy), Bitter, Astringent / Light, Dry, Warm:  such as flavorful steamed
    veggies, brothy soups, brown rice.
  • Eat less foods that are Sweet, Sour, Salty / Heavy, Cold, Oily:  such as fried foods, ice cream, heavy dairy.
  • Tired?  Schedule an Ayurvedic Consult with Dr. Douillard to treat the root cause of your fatigue, which is different
    for each person.

Daily Routines (Dinacharya) for Spring:

  • Self-massage with warm Lymphatic Massage Oil or raw sesame oil.
  • Three or more times per day practice Bellows Breath:  breathe quickly  and with strength in and out through your nose for 30 seconds while expanding and contracting your diaphragm.  Sit in silence for 1 minute.
  • Exercise in the morning to increase circulation, mood and immunity.
  • Perform Neti by irrigating your nasal passage with warm salt water.  Always follow with Nasya.
  • Perform Nasya by dipping a q-tip in warm Tri-Doshic Massage Oil or warm sesame oil, swirling it inside your nostrils, and inhaling deeply.

Signs of Excess Kapha During Spring:

  • Cold, cough, allergies, congestion, flu, fatigue, depression, weight gain.
  • If you experience some of these signs, schedule a consult with Dr. Douillard and follow the above guidelines for a balanced Spring!

VEGETABLES

FRUIT

SPICES

LEGUMES

HERB TEA

*Alfalfa Sprouts Apples Anise *All Sprouted Beans Alfalfa
Artichokes Blueberries Asafoetida Adzuki *Cardamom
*Asparagus *Dried Fruit (all) Basil Black Gram *Chicory
*Bean Sprouts Grapefruit Bay Leaf Garbanzo *Cinnamon
Beets Lemons, Limes *Black Pepper Fava *Cloves
*Bell Peppers Papayas Chamomile *Goya *Dandelion
*Bitter Melon Pears Caraway *Kidney *Ginger
Broccoli Pomegranates (sour) Cardamom *Lentils *Hibiscus
*Brussels Sprouts Raspberries *Cayenne *Lima *Orange Peel
*Cabbage Strawberries Cinnamon *Mung *Strawberry Leaf
*Carrots All Berries *Clove Split Pea
*Cauliflower Coriander
*Celery Cumin
*Chicory

DAIRY

Dill

LEAN MEAT & FISH

BEVERAGES

*Chilies, dried Ghee (moderation) Fennel Chicken Black Tea (moderation)
Cilantro Lowfat yogurt (moderation) Fenugreek Duck (moderation) Coffee (moderation)
*Collard Greens Rice/Soy milk Garlic Eggs (moderation) Water (room temp. to hot)
*Corn *Goat milk Ginger Freshwater fish
*Dandelion Horseradish Lamb (moderation)
*Endive Marjoram Ocean fish (moderation)
Fennel Mustard Turkey
*Garlic Nutmeg
Ginger Oregano
*Green Beans

OILS

Peppermint

NUTS & SEEDS

SWEETENERS

*Hot Peppers Canola Poppy Seeds Filberts *Honey – Raw
Jicama *Corn Rosemary Pinons Maple Syrup
*Kale Flax Saffron Pumpkin Molasses
Leeks Mustard Sage Sunflower
*Lettuce Safflower Spearmint
*Mushrooms Soy Thyme
*Mustard Greens Sunflower Turmeric

GRAINS

CONDIMENTS

*Onions Amaranth Carob
*Parsley Barley Pickles
*Peas

Buckwheat
*Potatoes, baked Corn
*Radishes Millet
Seaweed Oats, dry

Learn more about the seasonal diet in

“The 3-Season Diet”

by Dr. John Douillard

Snow Peas Quinoa
*Spinach Rice, Brown, long grain
*Swiss Chard Rye
*Turnips
*Watercress

Eat Chocolate! Coupon for My New Fave…

Remember to eat lots and lots of chocolate while you’re pregnant- your child will have a sunnier disposition.  This is a proven fact and not just an excuse to gorge on chocolate.  I found a new favorite-Green and Black’s dark chocolate with whole cherries-and to quote my hub’s cousin Amanda, “I never want another day to go by without having a piece of that chocolate.”  Since I’m buying a lifetime supply, I found a coupon for a dollar off, so I thought I’d share it with you!  Just don’t plan on finding any in my ‘hood.

The Story of Bottled Water

It’s true:  tap water is better for you than bottled water. We’ve all been totally brainwashed- most companies are completely unregulated, and are nothing more than city water put into plastic landfill clogging bottles.  The xenoestrogens in the plastic cause breast cancer.  So kick the bottled water habit, and drink it from the tap.  If you’re out and about all day, buy a reusable stainless steel bottle from Kleen Kanteen or some other comparable company.
And check out this video!!! The Story of Bottled Water

Ask Holly: Magazine Recs?

Hi Holly,

I love your website- thank you for all of your easy tips and ideas. I really want some new reading material, but it seems like all of the magazines I read push processed food…can you give me some recommendations?

Bernice C.

Grand Rapids, MI

Hi Bernice-

Absolutely!  Here are some of my favorites:

Kiwi Magazine
Body & Soul
Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health Balanced Living

That should get you started! Thanks for writing.
Holly