Women in Wellness series continues! Today I’m happy to introduce to you my friend Carolyn Gatus. She is a Dancer, Health/Energy and Movement Coach and Founder of Dynamic Body Mind & Spirit. We met while being classmates at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and have continued our bi-monthly accountability sessions via Skype till this day. She lives a mere 6 hour drive from me in sunny L.A. Here are her answers to my quick-fire questions:
Your food philosophy
Eat what you love and what makes your body feel good! Many people do one or the other but not both. When you do both, it’s heaven!
Eat what you love and what makes your body feel good! Many people do one or the other but not both. When you do both, it’s heaven!
Dream breakfast
Fresh tropical fruit and a variety of exotic fruits from different countries! Delicious green juice, vanilla chia pudding and fruit parfait, gluten-free belgian waffle.
Fresh tropical fruit and a variety of exotic fruits from different countries! Delicious green juice, vanilla chia pudding and fruit parfait, gluten-free belgian waffle.
Daily breakfast
Fresh fruit and green smoothie made with green apples, kale, cucumber, ginger, lemon juice, and a green superfood powder; Sometimes I add soft boiled eggs.
Fresh fruit and green smoothie made with green apples, kale, cucumber, ginger, lemon juice, and a green superfood powder; Sometimes I add soft boiled eggs.
Morning ritual
I do 15-30 minutes of morning meditations followed by writing in my journal and setting my 3 intentions for the day. Then I go and drink 2 glasses of water, one warm with lemon juice. After, I either take a walk or do a workout with mantras, which is followed by stretching and intuitive dancing/choreography on some days. Then, I prep breakfast.
I do 15-30 minutes of morning meditations followed by writing in my journal and setting my 3 intentions for the day. Then I go and drink 2 glasses of water, one warm with lemon juice. After, I either take a walk or do a workout with mantras, which is followed by stretching and intuitive dancing/choreography on some days. Then, I prep breakfast.
Go-to juice or smoothie
My green smoothie is made with green apples, kale, cucumber, ginger, lemon juice, and a green superfood powder
My green smoothie is made with green apples, kale, cucumber, ginger, lemon juice, and a green superfood powder
What supplements do you take
I don’t really take much supplements – some iron once a month, vitamin D3, and algae oil Omega-3. My superfood powders have adaptogenic herbs like maca, ashwagandha and many others. It also has spirulina and chlorella, and plenty of “raw” slow-dried vegetable powders.
I don’t really take much supplements – some iron once a month, vitamin D3, and algae oil Omega-3. My superfood powders have adaptogenic herbs like maca, ashwagandha and many others. It also has spirulina and chlorella, and plenty of “raw” slow-dried vegetable powders.
Your fave kitchen tool
My spiralizer so I can make zucchini noodles!
My spiralizer so I can make zucchini noodles!
5 pantry staples
Dried seaweed snacks, quinoa, black beans, nuts – walnuts/brazil nuts/almonds, tamari
Dried seaweed snacks, quinoa, black beans, nuts – walnuts/brazil nuts/almonds, tamari
Favorite thing to cook for friends
I like to make salads and vegan desserts. I make a good Asian slaw salad and vegan coconut cream pie.
I like to make salads and vegan desserts. I make a good Asian slaw salad and vegan coconut cream pie.
Favorite way to workout
Dancing and intuitive movement!
Dancing and intuitive movement!
Strange wellness habit
Oil pulling, Clay toothpaste, Looooove sauerkraut and fermented foods more and more!
Oil pulling, Clay toothpaste, Looooove sauerkraut and fermented foods more and more!
Favorite thing to wear
Yoga pants and a comfy loose shirt or tank
Yoga pants and a comfy loose shirt or tank
Favorite place you’ve travelled to
Sagada, Mountain Regions, Philippines
Sagada, Mountain Regions, Philippines
Where would you like to travel
The whole world! – South America, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Europe, Australia, India, Japan, China, everywhere!
The whole world! – South America, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Europe, Australia, India, Japan, China, everywhere!
Your favorite healthy place in your city?
UBATUBA – make great Acai bowls
UBATUBA – make great Acai bowls
One piece of health advice
Tune in to your body, talk to it, listen and make the health & lifestyle changes it asks so it can thrive.
Tune in to your body, talk to it, listen and make the health & lifestyle changes it asks so it can thrive.
Healthy recipe to share:
Strawberry-filled Chocolate Date Tarts
Easy Peasy Recipe:
Crust:
10 pitted medjool dates
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup soaked walnuts
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1 Tbsp. cacao powder
(some coconut oil and coconut flour to dust bottom of mini cupcake pan)
Filling:
6 chopped strawberries
Directions:
Brush bottom of mini cupcake pan with coconut oil and dust with coconut flour. Add crust ingredients in food processor and pulse until well mixed. Press combined chocolate/date/nut mixture into mini cupcake pans to form tart crust. Fill with chopped strawberries and enjoy!
For an alternate filling: Dairy Free Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients:
1 can full-fat coconut milk
1 1/4 cup pitted dates (softened)
3/4 tsp vanilla
5 tbsp cocoa powder
Directions:
Have can of coconut milk sit overnight in a cool area to let water and cream separate. Open can and scoop the cream off the top of the can and place in the food processor or blender. Add the softened pitted dates (Soften by soaking in water for 5 min.). Add vanilla and cocoa powder and process or blend all ingredients until smooth. Scoop into date tart crusts.
Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for a cool treat with loved ones later!
