Have you ever wondered how our emotions shape the way we navigate through life's challenges and triumphs? Emotions are the unseen forces that shape our lives, guiding our actions and reactions. In this episode of "Integrated Being," Elizabeth Cook and her daughter Maggie explore the complexities of emotions, focusing on the often misunderstood feelings of jealousy and grief.
What if every choice you made felt like it truly belonged to you? In a world that often pulls us in a dozen different directions, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But what if your days were shaped not by pressure or habit, but by alignment with your true self? In this episode of Integrated Being, we explore the art of intentional living — not as a rigid checklist, but as a compass that guides you toward a life that feels whole, authentic, and deeply your own.
What if you packed not just your suitcase but your intention? It can be a challenge to maintain mindfulness amid the chaos and fast-paced routines of life. Even in the shifting seasons of travel for work or summer family vacations, you can stay intentional with your life. Whether you're navigating a new season, a life stage, or a physical journey, it’s important to take time to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with your true self. In this episode of Integrated Being, we’ll explore how to stay grounded and intentional during life’s many transitions, especially while traveling.
The journey is as important as the destination. As a culture, we value future achievements and external accomplishments over the process of being and becoming. This emphasis can lead to a disintegrated way of life that leaves us feeling empty, isolated, and alone. If you’re feeling a sense of restlessness and discontentment in life, now is a good time to examine the impact that self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience can have on your perspective. In today’s podcast episode of Integrated Being, I have a special guest walking alongside me to share how true fulfillment comes from focusing on the present moment and embracing the journey of becoming rather than fixating on external milestones.
Remember: Your nervous system is not a machine. Welcome back to Integrated Being, where we explore the intersection of leadership, life, and living well—mind, body, and spirit. This month, I want to gently, but honestly, remind you: your nervous system is not a machine. We often talk about leadership from a cerebral space—strategy, performance, decisions. But leadership is also felt. It’s in how we show up when the room is tense, speak when we’re exhausted, and breathe when everything feels too much. If you’ve ever found yourself checking the boxes, constantly producing, and dismissing the signals of your own body just to keep going—this one’s for you. What we often label as “high functioning” is, in many cases, just “over-functioning.” And it’s costing us—physically, emotionally, and energetically.
In today’s podcast episode of Integrated Being, I share practical tools for self-regulation and highlight the significance of community & connection in fostering overall well-being. Plus, I share my best book recommendations for those who want to dive deeper into this space.
v\“How much is too much?” Quick Quiz: How many portions are in a bag of snack-size whole grain crackers? Or a small bottle of locally-pressed juice? Or a lunchbox pack of granola bars?
Hint: it’s not “one.” Often, the above products actually contain 2 or 2.5 servings per package.
Can YOU Eat Just One? Sure, you could go ahead and enjoy just half the bag, but are you really going to do that? Don’t beat yourself up if the answer is no: If you place food in front of most people, they tend to eat it all. It’s just the way we’re wired.
Exactly how full is your glass? Picture a big glass goblet filled to the halfway mark with water. How do you see it—half-full or half-empty? Consistently finding the glass half-empty—and the world as a difficult place— is a hallmark of negativity.
Research has found that a negative outlook can contribute to everything from depression to heart disease to lowered immune system function. It can affect sleep, weight maintenance, the quality of your relationships, your social life, and even your ability to hold a job. Now imagine what it would feel like to approach life from a place of positivity, fun, connection, health, and possibility. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
When you think about healthy eating, do salads and green vegetables usually come to mind? How about adding a little more variety to your plate?
Root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and turnips are a rich source of nutritious complex carbohydrates & a great way o add a healthful variety to your diet. Instead of upsetting blood sugar levels as refined sweet foods do, these power-packed root vegetables help regulate your blood sugars.
Long root vegetables – carrots, parsnips, burdock, and daikon radish – are excellent blood purifiers & can help improve circulation in the body. Round root vegetables – turnips, radishes, beets, and rutabagas – nourish the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and reproductive organs. Which root vegetables do you eat most? If you’re like most of the world, you probably eat carrots and potatoes the most. Here are a few other root vegetables to explore and add to your dinner plate!
Have you ever downed an entire package of chips, crackers, or cookies? Ate pizza or cake until you felt sick? Drank more coffee or wine than your body wanted? Do you remember how you were feeling at the time? I ask because sometimes we overeat to help distract us from emotional pain.
Think about it: have you noticed that sometimes when you overeat you’re not hungry at all? What you are is lonely. Or angry. Or sad. Or resentful. Or frustrated. Or something else. What hurt are YOU holding on to?
“I was determined to know beans.”— Henry David Thoreau, The Bean-Field
How about you? How well do you know beans? Creamy cannellinis, meaty garbanzos, sweet adzuki, tender pintos, and so many more—beans are one of the most powerful, nutrient-dense plant foods around.
Consider this: Beans are packed with tons of fiber, as well as plenty of iron and protein. They are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients. They are low in calories. Plus, studies have found them to lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
