I’m currently on a nature road trip to Big Bear Lake for some much needed time in nature’s wonders. Nature heals! With so much happening in Los Angeles right now, I had to escape to nature to balance my energy. Hugging trees, running by the lake, horseback riding through the forest–all have positive effects on us physically and mentally. It truly makes us feel alive from the inside.

More and more scientific evidence shows that exposure to nature plays a direct role in improving mental and physical health. Countless studies show nature improves overall happiness, positive social interactions, sense of meaning and purpose in life, ability to manage life tasks, decreased mental distress, improved memory and attention, better impulse inhibition as well as improved imagination and creativity. This is why we must make time for ourselves to take a break from the chaos of our lives to reconvene with the outdoors … it’s where we came from, after all, and that’s why we need to get back to our roots–the root of the problem!–and rebalance ourselves.

Being in nature always helps me “clear my head.” It also helps me recover from mental fatigue, reduces stress, boosting happiness, positive emotion and kindness. Our affinity toward nature is genetic and deep-rooted in evolution. Human dependence on nature validates evolution. Contact with natural light is therapeutic and has immediate positive effects on stress, blood pressure, and immune system.

Frank Lloyd Wright said, “Study Nature, love Nature, stay close to Nature. It will never fail you.”

Outdoor activities enhance the nature-human connection and acts as a catalyst to happiness. I am so thankful to be here with my sister and my two beautiful nieces. If you can’t escape to nature anytime soon I recommend watching the birds and squirrels, it always has a calming effect.

Today’s food & workout recap:

• Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 1/4 cup raspberries, Arbonne daily fiber boost, probiotics digestion plus (334 cals)
• Exercise: One hour Zoom class Upper Body training
• Lunch: 2 eggs, 2 egg whites, 16 oz. cucumber & lemon water (251 cals)
• Dinner: 6.8 oz. chicken, 1 medium avocado, avocado dressing, salad, corn, 1 cup cherries (774 cals)

Total food calories for today: 1,359 = (119g, 34% Carbohydrates / 57g, 36% Fat / 105g, 30% Protein)

See, some days I go high and some days I go low and some days I’m on the mark of my nutrition – and it is all okay! Life evens itself out!