Lindsey Glasson, formally an Executive Chef in Napa, now resides in Michigan where she continues her passion for plant medicine and culinary creations. This is her beautiful story of how travels, ceremony and cacao catapulted her into a life of purpose and inner knowing.

"The Holy Trifecta is body, mind, spirit connection and it's where we can achieve our fullest potential."

If you've never learned about the benefits of cacao, this interview is the perfect introduction. We also talk about anti-inflammatory foods and healthy options for eating on-the-go (hint: prepare ahead of time!)

You can PURCHASE cacao and learn more on Lindsey's website at: iekawa.com 

To find Lindsey on Instagram: @her_thyme

Cacao is chocolate in its purest form.

i.e.Kawa beans are handpicked on a family farm in Upala, Costa Rica where they are then fermented, sundried and stone ground in an artisanal machine. The word cacao comes from the Olmec people who inhabited what is now Mexico, and it is believed to be the closest pronunciation to the original name of the plant. History shows that chocolate then changed hands from the Olmec to the Mayans to the Spanish. The word cacao is the only word ever used in any of the Hispanic languages to describe what English speakers think of as cocoa. Chocolate is made from Cacao beans — or rather seeds — from the Theobroma cacao tree. This plant produces large, pod-like fruits, each containing 20–60 beans surrounded by a sticky, sweet-tart white pulp. The word Cacao translates to, food of the gods. The Mayans and the Aztecs have used it for thousands of years for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. Not only is it a super food but a spiritual aid.

Welcome to PART 2 of my conversation with Clint Frakes, Founder of Sedona Sacred Earth. In this interview we dive into parenting and talk about everything from fatherhood after divorce to co-parenting to placentas. Yes, placentas, and it's FASCINATING! Have an open mind and you'll be awe-inspired. :)

Clint brings up a truth that resonated with me so much: "Our original educator was in-utero." 

We also talk about giving up control and doing what's best for our kids using what we have.

"They are watching our behavior more than our truths."

This interview ends with a visualization meditation, specifically to help us stop losing our sh** (as parents and humans!). Can I get an AMEN?

To book a retreat with Clint or connect, you can reach out in the following ways:

(928) 254-9507

[email protected]

P.O. Box 4041, Sedona, AZ 86340 

Clint Frakes is the Founder of Sedona Sacred Earth, Sundancer, Native American Church member, poet, writer and ceremonialist. He has been guiding pilgrims in Northern Arizona since 1993 and has developed strong spiritual connections in Native America. 

Our time together exploring spirit, earth, ancestry and life is overflowing with so much wisdom that I decided to split the interview up into two parts. This is PART 1. Next week PART 2 will go live, which includes a guided meditation and chat on parenting, so please SUBSCRIBE to Sunny Side Up. You don't want to miss it!

During our chat, Clint shared that although we look for surrogates, "there is no substitute for a connection to the spirit of the earth." You can reconnect to your roots and mother earth by booking a retreat or Land Journey with Clint and his team at SedonaSacredEarth.com

Clint and I also talked about being vigorously accountable for our own state of mind, returning to the elemental self, grief and gratitude. 

A couple things I loved that Clint shared: 

See you next week for Part 2!

It’s the evening of the last full moon of 2020. Astrologers are saying that this full moon will be a "huge release for us all," and it's exactly what we need to bid adieu to the 365 day-long emotional roller coaster we've been on this year. This moon is the opportunity for closure as we head into a brand new 2021. What did we learn in 2020 and how can we apply those lessons to 2021? How can we make our mental health top priority in the new year? 

*Original Poetry by Ali Long:

I tried to find the space to make sense of what I feel.

I closed my eyes to breathe and decipher what is real.

The spinning world around me; the heresay in the breeze.

The lies we follow blindly that grow taller than the trees.

My darling heart... listen closely...

your beat is strong and bold.

You simply cannot believe whatever you are told.

Follow the rush in your veins,

The whispers when you rest.

Believe that little voice inside is the one that knows what’s best.

There will always be a breakdown;

that’s how the light gets through.

Eventually we learn that WE BECOME ALL THAT WE DO.

The choices we make, the truths we follow, the circles we call our tribe.

Everyday we are building a blueprint... a legacy... a scribe.

How will your chapter book read? When all of this comes to an end?

What did you unlearn? What did you defend?

Mentioned in this podcast: 

@NPR

@carlyonthedaily 

@Glennon Doyle

@Rachel Cargle

@Black Girl in Om

@The Loveland Foundation

@Check Your Privilege

@The Conscious Kid

Sam Rowells bravely bares her soul and courageously walks us through her story of living with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), growing up with an abusive mother and an early childhood misdiagnosis. Even if, as a listener, you don't suffer from ADHD, this interview will impact you in some way. Our conversation is real, raw, mostly unedited and beautiful in every way. 

Coming to terms with her diagnosis of ADHD helped Sam realize that she's not just flaky, scattered, unorganized and impulsive. Neurologically it's how her brain is wired and she has to work harder than "a normal brain" to stay on top of tasks and fight through depression/anxiety. As you can imagine that comes along with tremendous challenges. "It's a very scary place inside your head..." Sam told me during the interview. 

When I asked Sam, what does ADHD feel like? Hard time following through, unorganized, messy, lose interest very fast, restless, hard on yourself, anxiety, depression, concerned what everyone thinks of you, blame, hyper focused at times, consistency is difficult. 

Tools that help Sam: therapy, yoga, counting small wins

the_mini_adhd_coach/ 

https://www.additudemag.com/

Sam's coaching program is through: I have ADHD podcast by Kristen Carter

How to find Sam:

@sam.am.i

@adhd.sam

There is SO MUCH to be grateful for so I wanted to flood the airwaves with words of gratitude and lift up SMALL BUSINESSES during this very tough year. Thanksgiving is just one day dedicated to appreciation and kindness; let's make it year-round!

Thank you to all of the small businesses and beautiful humans that reached out to be a part of this episode! It was fun listening to your messages and learning about the local businesses that you love. Looking forward to the next Small Business episode! Please reach out if you want to connect. 

Mentioned in Episode 12: 

i.e. kawa

Indo

Grapes and Hops

Elyssa Sardy Fitness

Juliet Jozwick

Brian Tass Fitness

Deniz Strenski

Emma & Jason Loudermilk

Traffic Jam & Snug Restaurant

Shinola

Park Shelton

Detroit Institute of Arts

Sage Green

People Skate

Board and Brush

The Fix Chiropractics

The Door Salon

The Lodge

Fork N Pint

J Bird

B-1

http://www.b1tavern.com/

BK Sushi

https://www.facebook.com/bksushithaifood

The Lakes Grill

https://thelakesbarandgrille.com/

@Bethjamesyoga

@purium

@barefootandfreeyoga

@evolveyogalove

@evolvejuice

@JesusCalling

@EkhartTolle

This morning something remarkable stopped me in my tracks and I believe it is the EXACT message we all need to hear right now: Spread a Little Joy! Grieving the loss of her stillborn daughter, Dylan Joy, this mama created a Facebook page called: A Little Joy. She created it in the hopes of celebrating her angel baby through random acts of kindness; small little gifts that we can all give throughout the year. Maybe it's a gift card that you send "just because" or a buying a cup of coffee for a stranger. Maybe it's homemade cookies that you leave at someone's doorstep or a random act of kindness at school. Whatever it is--- the world needs it now more than ever!

My boys and I will be doing random acts of kindness all week to celebrate Dylan Joy and I hope you do the same! 

To learn more visit: https://www.facebook.com/dylanjoymachnak/ 

"Through our grieving of the loss of our daughter we found putting smiles on others faces helps our hearts heal. “A little Joy” or kindness in a random act can go a long way. Please help us make this world a better place just a little bit at a time."  

Coach Brian Tass is a PE Teacher turned Fitness Coach, P90X Wizard, Entrepreneur, Dad, Spartan Alum (Go Green!) and fellow Podcast lover. He walks us through what it's like to be at a breaking point in your career and make the scary LEAP into the unknown. We can definitely all see ourselves in his story, whether we are facing a big change, challenging job or restarting a fitness program for the umpteenth time. He believes that "everyone is an athlete."

He shared that he was "giving everything to everyone else" and would go home and have nothing left. He got overweight, overworked and stopped putting himself first. The front seat of his car was filled with fast food wrappers and he knew he needed to make a change... and so he did. 

Enter the world of P90X and at-home fitness. 

I asked Brian: "What makes you stand out in the vast world of fitness instructors?" And his answer is all about relationships.

Something unique to Brian Tass Fitness is a class he calls, CLIMB, and it's a metaphor for life. Brian inspires others to CLIMB higher every single day and shares his heart in this episode about his mom and dad as mentors, and losing his mom to ALS.

PLEASE NOTE: This interview is smack dab in the middle of "the mess"! Brian and I recorded with kids home and crazy dogs playing (so please excuse the background noise). This is REAL life, and we (mostly) love it that way. Thanks for keeping it real with us!

We also dive into parenting (tweens) and the challenges of the pandemic ("this isn't summer camp." lol)

Where to find Brian Tass:

Podcasts he recommends: Yoga Land, Shawn T, Chalene Johnson, David Goggins, Luke Combs

Thanks in advance for SUBSCRIBING to Sunny Side Up! Your support helps make these episodes possible. 

To learn more about Alicia Long, visit AliMarieLong.com.