Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.6.2, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Simply Mindful ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://simplymindful.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Resources](https://simplymindful.com/resources/) - [Your Brain on Nature - Finding Harmony When 'Human Moments' Are Sparse](https://simplymindful.com/your-brain-on-nature-finding-harmony-when-human-moments-are-sparse/) - By Fran Benedict | Originally written in 2020 | Republished on simplymindful.com. The science of nature and the brain - and why the forest may be the most underutilized medicine we have. If there's one thing for certain, it's that nature is good for us. It not only serves as a calming elixir to the - [What the Forest Does for You](https://simplymindful.com/what-the-forest-does-for-you/) - Meet Us in the Forest The forest has always been medicine. Science is finally catching up. Dr. Qing Li, the world's leading expert on forest medicine, has spent decades proving what our bodies already knew - that time among trees is genuinely, measurably good for us. His research shows that forest bathing lowers cortisol and - [Sunshine for Your Winter Table](https://simplymindful.com/sunshine-for-your-solstice-table/) - Butternut Squash Galette During the shortest days of the year, I made a butternut squash galette. Twice, actually - once in the Bay Area, and again the day after Christmas back home in Nashville. "Sunshine for Your Solstice Table," the Edible East Bay cover promisedThe first attempt started with confidence. Homemade crust, gluten-free - [The Transformative Power of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey We Take Together](https://simplymindful.com/the-transformative-power-of-emotional-intelligence-a-journey-we-take-together/) - In our chaotic world, I've discovered something transformative: emotional intelligence isn't just a buzzword—it's essential nourishment for our hearts and minds. Research confirms that cultivating EQ powers personal wellbeing, healthier relationships, and organizational success. This understanding didn't come from books alone—it emerged from my own journey of learning to feel rooted amid life's inevitable storms. - [The Power of Play](https://simplymindful.com/the-power-of-play/) - A Tool for New Neural Networks I've come back to an excellent book by Dr. Stuart Brown called: Play, How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. In his research, he explains why play is not just for children. It's also vital for adults. According to Dr. Brown, play is nature's most excellent - [Marinated Zucchini & Yellow Squash Salad](https://simplymindful.com/marinated-zucchini-yellow-squash-salad/) - Marinated Zucchini & Yellow Squash Salad Are you looking for a way to use your abundance of zucchini and yellow squash this summer? Look no further than this simple Marinated Salad. Both zucchini and yellow squash offer versatile food prep options: They can be enjoyed raw in salads, grilled, roasted, sautéed, spiralized into noodles, or - [Buckwheat Crepes with Fresh Berries](https://simplymindful.com/buckwheat-crepes-with-fresh-berries/) - Buckwheat Crepes with Fresh Berries Cast Iron Skillet 2 cup buckwheat flour (raw)1 13.5 fl oz lite coconut milk (canned)1 pinch sea salt1 tbsp coconut oil Place ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix well until the batter is pourable but not too thin or watery. Heat the cast-iron skillet over medium heatWhen hot, add - [Simple Pumpkin Ginger Scones](https://simplymindful.com/simple-pumpkin-ginger-scones/) - Simple Pumpkin Ginger Scones Eating for enjoyment. Food nourishes our soul, and eating foods we like is integral to that. I love scones, pumpkin, and cashews, so I married the three! They're simple to make and delicious. The nuts, seeds, and pumpkins are fiber-rich, helping keep you regular during the delightful feasting season. With - [World Gratitude Day](https://simplymindful.com/counting-blessings-on-world-gratitude-day/) - A catalyst for connection and effective change Today is World Gratitude Day! It's also the official change in seasons as we move into the season of abundance as Fall Equinox begins tomorrow. With that said, I'm honoring the harvest of goals and intentions I planted almost a year ago when I set out to overhaul - [Kale with Seaweed & Sesame Seed Salt](https://simplymindful.com/kale-with-seaweed-and-sesame-seed-salt/) - Kale with Seaweed & Sesame Seed Salt This prebiotic-packed seaweed recipe provides a nutrient-rich addition to any meal. Not only does this prebiotics-rich food feed the healthy bacteria in your digestive system, but it's also full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, it's full of iodine which is essential for metabolism. Finally, leafy - [Chili Chickpea Sloppy Joes](https://simplymindful.com/chili-chickpea-sloppy-joes/) - Chili Chickpea Sloppy Joes A is a delicious plant-based spin on the traditional sloppy joe. These small but mighty legumes top the charts with fiber and protein, they're incredibly versatile and a great addition to help balance blood sugar levels and your gut microbiome! frying pansauce pan Chickpea Sloppy Joe2 cups canned chickpeas ((rinsed - [To Grow Love: A Manifesto](https://simplymindful.com/to-grow-love-a-manifesto/) - The Heart of the Garden The growth process isn't easy – it's pretty uncomfortable. Yet, I find solace in my garden as I observe nature's calming and straightforward process. Thich Nhat Hahn reminds us in Mindfulness In the Garden: Tools for Digging in the Dirt by Zachiah Murray, that the things we throw away can become - [Mint Chocolate Chip Banana Shake](https://simplymindful.com/mint-chocolate-chip-banana-shake/) - Mint Chocolate Chip Banana Shake Bring on the bananas! Thanks to their high pectin content, bananas have a soothing effect on the gut. Pectin is a soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol and normalizes bowel function and it stimulates the growth and activity of helpful bacteria. In addition, some studies show that pectins have - [Broiled Homegrown Tomatoes](https://simplymindful.com/broiled-homegrown-tomatoes/) - Broiled Homegrown Tomatoes Extreme heat yields super-juicy results and a delicious way to enjoy tomatoes. Fresh from the garden and a favorite way to enjoy them is to broil! Especially when they've gone gangbusters. I love cooking with cast iron pots and pans because they offer inexpensive, healthy alternatives to your standard non-stick cookware. - [Cultivating Self-Compassion](https://simplymindful.com/cultivating-self-compassion/) - Compassion is the highest form of Intelligence. The old proverb above is what I firmly believe this to be true. To have compassion for another, it must begin with ourselves first. The secret to empowered action is learning not to beat ourselves up. We live in a society that regularly sends messages to strive for - [Apple-Oat Pancakes with a Berry Coulis & Coconut Kefir](https://simplymindful.com/apple-oat-pancakes-berrycoulis/) - Apple-Oat Pancakes with a Berry Coulis & Coconut Kefir These simple pancakes are a great way to start your day. Add a mixed berry sauce (aka coulis) and a hefty dollop of a deliciously rich probiotic addition - coconut kefir! And you've got yourself a breakfast of champions. Kefir is a rich and diverse probiotic - [Build Immunity by Nurturing Your Gut Microbiome](https://simplymindful.com/build-immunity-by-nurturing-your-microbiome/) - 70-80% of the Immune System Resides in the Gut. Our immune system does the job of protecting us from the world of deadly microbial viruses and pathogens. It acts as our bodyguard, ready to shield us from sickness and infection. Researchers agree that a person's microbiome slowly develops within the first three years of life. Still, you - [A Restorative Spring Tonic](https://simplymindful.com/a-restorative-spring-tonic/) - Replenish and Renew with Stinging Nettle Stinging Nettle, also known as Urtica dioica, is a perennial flowering plant full of healthful and restorative benefits with a rich mineral source. This plant has been used for centuries to support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and provides allergy relief to those of us who are sensitive to the new blooms - [Asparagus + Wild Sockeye Salmon Salad](https://simplymindful.com/smoked-salmon-asparagus-summer-salad/) - Asparagus + Smoked Wild Sockeye Salad This easy-to-put-together salad is refreshing as it is delicious! And great for digestive health with prebiotic-rich veggies like asparagus, which feed the helpful bacteria that live in your gut. Not to mention the rich Omega-3s in the salmon and avocados - although different forms of Omega-3s are great - [Zesty Dark Chocolate Bark](https://simplymindful.com/zesty-dark-chocolate-bark-seeds/) - Zesty Dark Chocolate Bark I stumbled upon this recipe in a cookbook I scoured at a bookstore. I was especially drawn to it because I saw lime zest and chocolate in the same sentence. Though skeptical but curious, I bought the book to try it out. To my surprise, this hunk of chocolate divinity - [Hold Your Thoughts Lightly](https://simplymindful.com/thoughts-are-not-facts/) - Don't Believe Everything You Think We are not our thoughts. When I first heard the words, it was a profound statement that unhooked me from the busyness of my crazy-making mind. I associated my weird thoughts with my identity, so imagine what a relief it was to have this shift in perspective. I still have - [Foods To Help Regulate Your Mood](https://simplymindful.com/foods-to-help-regulate-your-mood/) - "Mental health is a lot more than the absence of illness: it is an intrinsic part of our individual and collective health and well-being." ~World Health Organization The COVID-19 pandemic triggerd 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Not only that, but depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according - [A Permanent Attitude](https://simplymindful.com/forgiveness/) - The Greatest Healer of All Have you ever wondered how the act of forgiving helps us manage life's inevitable hurts? In his book Forgiveness: The Greatest Healer of All, Dr. Gerald G. Jampolsky explains how forgiveness is a transformational process. "With a shift in perspective, we can stop seeking other people and things outside ourselves to blame - [Perspective: The Ultimate Power Source](https://simplymindful.com/perspective/) - Perspective Shift As chronic stress continues to develop into a global epidemic, our stress response is studied more and more to see how we can continue to uncover its mysteries. It turns out perspective has an impressive influence on the body's stress response. Scientists have discovered that when we shift a perceived stressor into a - [Restoring Wellness through Nature](https://simplymindful.com/restoring-wellness-through-nature/) - Nature Nurtures "Attention is the place from which all mental states spring", stated the cognitive psychologist David Strayer from the University of Utah, who specializes in attention. It may seem obvious, but spending time outdoors can be a simple way to regulate mood and decrease stress and anxiety while helping us come into the present - [How Emotions Impact the Brain in our Bellies](https://simplymindful.com/gutmindconnection/) - The Second Brain When you hear the word brain, what's the first thing that comes to mind? For me, it's a 3-pound soft, shiny, deeply folded grayish-white mass about the size of two fists. Well, another brain is not as popular, and it has the same neurotransmitters and nerve cells as the one we have - [Self-Acceptance through Loving-Kindness](https://simplymindful.com/self-acceptance-through-loving-kindness/) - "I can't overestimate the importance of accepting ourselves exactly as we are right now, not as we wish we were or think we ought to be." ~Pema Chödrön We're officially in a new decade, which is exciting! And with that newness of a clean slate comes a lot of excitement around resolutions, goals, and - [A Body+Mind Rx](https://simplymindful.com/a-bodymind-rx/) - Nourishing the Core of Our Being. The best wellness encyclopedia that has all the complete information, wisdom, and power, well, it's within you! Your body holds an innate intelligence and understanding that only you can access. The path to connecting with this intelligence is not always clear, and often we reach for external sources to - [In Solidarity](https://simplymindful.com/in-solidarity/) - EMOTIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH WITH THE RECENT UPRISINGS in our society and glaring spotlight on social injustice and systemic racism in our country. Taking the time to feel all the feelings presenting themselves with this movement are essential to honor, acknowledge, and transform into action. Everyone deserves the same opportunities and freedoms as a human - [How to Create a Culinary Pharmacy](https://simplymindful.com/how-to-create-a-culinary-pharmacy/) - A Culinary Pharmacy with Herbs + Spices I've been building my culinary pharmacy for many years now. It includes everything from the foods I prepare, plants from land and sea, to power-packed herbs and spices. Like anything, creating a culinary pharmacy is a process and can be tailored to your taste preferences, interests, and level - [Stress and the Sensitive Gut](https://simplymindful.com/stress-and-the-sensitive-gut/) - FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS affect 35% to 70% of people at some point in life, women more often than men, according to Harvard Health. When you take the time to enjoy a meal in a relaxed state, you will not only enhance the enjoyment of the meal but your metabolism and digestion will improve too. A - [A New Kind of Earth Day](https://simplymindful.com/a-new-kind-of-earth-day/) - Socially Distanced. I've been grappling with the best words to describe my feelings. I see how it's impacting everything around me – from stepping out the door to go for a socially distanced jog to wearing a mask as a new normal. It's all incredibly bizarre. On the one hand, it's brought up feelings of ## Pages - [Home](https://simplymindful.com/) - [Integrative Nutrition Consulting](https://simplymindful.com/integrative-nutrition-consulting/) - Button Label - [Services](https://simplymindful.com/services/) - [Contact](https://simplymindful.com/contact/) - [About](https://simplymindful.com/about/) - [Nourishment](https://simplymindful.com/nourishment/) - [Foundation](https://simplymindful.com/connection/) - [Homepage - with Collective](https://simplymindful.com/home-collective/) - [Simply Mindful - Meet Us in the Forest](https://simplymindful.com/forest-bathing/) - [Collective](https://simplymindful.com/collective/) - [Quiz Page](https://simplymindful.com/quiz-page/) - [Small Acts of Wellbeing Challenge](https://simplymindful.com/small-acts-of-wellbeing-challenge/) - Button Label - [Frequent Asked Questions](https://simplymindful.com/faq/) - [General Questions](https://simplymindful.com/general-questions/) - [Terms](https://simplymindful.com/terms/) - Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat - [Privacy Policy](https://simplymindful.com/privacy-policy/) - Who we are Suggested text: Our website address is: http://simplymindful.com. Comments Suggested text: When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a ## Categories - [Mindfulness](https://simplymindful.com/category/mindfulness/) - [Well-being](https://simplymindful.com/category/well-being/) - [Recipes](https://simplymindful.com/category/recipes/) ## Tags - [emotional well-being](https://simplymindful.com/tag/emotional-well-being/) - [perspective](https://simplymindful.com/tag/perspective/) - [primary food](https://simplymindful.com/tag/primary-food/) - [resilience](https://simplymindful.com/tag/resilience/) - [forgiveness](https://simplymindful.com/tag/forgiveness/) - [healing](https://simplymindful.com/tag/healing/) - [kindness](https://simplymindful.com/tag/kindness/) - [mindfulness](https://simplymindful.com/tag/mindfulness/) - [self-compassion](https://simplymindful.com/tag/self-compassion/) - [breath](https://simplymindful.com/tag/breath/) - [loving-kindness](https://simplymindful.com/tag/loving-kindness/) - [thoughts](https://simplymindful.com/tag/thoughts/) - [breathwork](https://simplymindful.com/tag/breathwork/) - [conscious breathing](https://simplymindful.com/tag/conscious-breathing/) - [relaxation](https://simplymindful.com/tag/relaxation/) - [attention](https://simplymindful.com/tag/attention/) - [nature](https://simplymindful.com/tag/nature/) - [well-being](https://simplymindful.com/tag/well-being/) - [mind+body](https://simplymindful.com/tag/mindbody/) - [crepes](https://simplymindful.com/tag/crepes/) - [buckwheat](https://simplymindful.com/tag/buckwheat/) - [plant-based](https://simplymindful.com/tag/plant-based/)