  Please join us in beautiful Oakton, Virginia for an evening of mindfulness, festive food, yoga, community and a wine tasting. RSVP to nicoleseevers@wellnessfeast.com. I can't wait to usher in my favorite season with you!
 Summer is a great time to host a wellness class, workshop or retreat at your home, workplace or community event. I have spoken and facilitated wellness events at local companies, law firms, churches, community organizations and private events. Contact me for more information and pricing.
 Greetings! Spring has arrived!
I will be celebrating by flying to Wisconsin where it's calling for SNOW on April 1st. But that's okay, because I get to see my college kid! So a few important announcements: 1. I'll be traveling for portions of next week (spring break here in Fairfax County), so if I'm slow to respond, be patient ~ you know I'm never really far away. 2. The next Reboot is on the calendar and it's a special one ~ LIVING WELL: The Wellness Feast 14-Day Health Reboot starts on Friday, May 12th. Don't panic, I haven't suddenly turned hedonistic on you ~ we're still taking care of ourselves. But pleasure is definitely part of the plan. Why? Because the weather is warming up, summer is coming, and life is way too short to opt out of the things you love because you're _________ fill in the blank: out of shape? too tired? afraid of your bathing suit? too old? stuck in a rut? Not any more! I hope you can join us for this one, because it's going to be a game changer. You can read more about it below (and Members, don't forget this event is free for you ~ simply RSVP in the Members Area). In the meantime, GET OUTSIDE and be well! ~ Nicole THE WELLNESS FEAST 14-DAY HEALTH REBOOT: LIVING WELL The Wellness Feast 14-DAY HEALTH REBOOT starts Friday, May 12th, and we'll be focusing on LIVING WELL! This special Reboot will focus on all aspects of the GOOD LIFE, including movement, mindfulness, play, rest, connection, celebration and, of course, food. We'll feast on nutrient-rich, seasonal foods and reduce common toxins & "junk" over the course of two weeks. This is a custom protocol aimed at cultivating a love of whole foods, increasing energy, getting to know your body's true needs, and embracing the things that nourish your life. You will eat real food, meals and snacks. The Reboot is NOT a fast, cleanse or detox, and it is NOT intended to be a quick fix or crash diet. Rather, it provides you with an opportunity to reduce common sources of inflammation and build awareness, so that you can uncover the lifestyle habits that support your goals. We'll also learn about the importance of balance, progress over perfection, and avoiding "all or nothing" thinking and diet culture. The Reboot is a launchpad to your new normal, so you can HEAD INTO SUMMER with energy and a new perspective on what it means to live well. I will lead you through all 14 days, with full instructions, a video introduction, shopping lists and recipes, online video sessions on aspects of the Reboot, "do anywhere" movement suggestions, daily email support, a private Facebook group, live "check-ins" and more ~ all geared to your success and growth. In other words, you get an amazing wellness experience, plus me as your coach for two weeks. Your purchase also includes one 30-minute private coaching session with me via Zoom and a one-year Wellness Feast Membership (access to the Members Area and Member Resources pages of the website, chock full of exclusive content, tools, recipes, resources and more). After you complete your purchase, you will receive a short welcome e-mail from me and a link to set up your Membership password, followed by more detailed information the week before the Reboot starts. Here's to the GOOD LIFE! PLEASE NOTE this item is free for clients and current Wellness Feast Members.  Does anyone read fashion magazines anymore? Back in the day, I loved when the latest issue of Vogue or Bazaar was crammed into my mailbox ~ a tiny NYC mailbox that I opened with a little key. And there was always an issue dedicated to aging stylishly. . . and slowly. February at Wellness Feast was loosely themed around love. Tomorrow is March, and I’ve decided to make it about the thing that’s been on my mind: aging well. I’m closing in on 53, and as a cancer survivor, I’ve learned not to get too hung up on aging ~ it is in fact a fabulous privilege. But I won’t lie, I’m not always thrilled about it. My body doesn’t always do what I tell it to anymore ~ running is totally out of the question, for example. My kids are growing up so fast, and I find myself longing to hear Sesame Street or Max & Ruby in the background as little feet and voices fill the house. And as Dolly so brilliantly stated in Steel Magnolias, “Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it's marchin' across your face.” But I also feel more relaxed, a bit more capable, somewhat more forgiving of myself and others, and I laugh more. So I hope you’ll join me this month in exploring and celebrating all stages and ages of this wonderful life. Let’s step fully into this moment and fearlessly move forward with love, intention and curiosity. If you're not on the Facebook or Instagram pages yet, head on over there ~ it's a great way to keep in touch more often and share how YOU're leaning into your perfect age. Be well!  I received the best compliment the other day from a client. She said, "This is exactly what I needed. Someone who has been through the kinds of things I'm dealing with. You've shown me how to stop being scared." I had tears in my eyes. Listen, every single person you know is going through stuff. Even the ones with the perfect Facebook pages. Life brings us loss, trauma, uninvited change, illness, broken hearts. But we can decide what to do with those experiences . . . because life also brings us second chances, unexplainable miracles, tiny moments of beauty, redemption. I look back at the last 10 years (and especially the last SIX, since my cancer diagnosis), and I feel awestruck. The things I've risen from, the things YOU've risen from. It's miraculous. Don't stop, keep rising!
(And by the way, those bathing suit pics up there? Yes, you can bet I take pretty good care of myself, eat tons of veggies, work out. But one of the many perks of beating breast cancer (including, you know, being ALIVE): new boobs, filled in with fat from my thighs. I'm all about transparency: no, I was not born this way. And if you find yourself in the scary but manageable position of needing breast reconstruction, I know a guy . . . and he's the best. I'm always happy to chat with anyone who's exploring their options. There are LOTS of mixed emotions involved, and there are LOTS of options.) XOXO ~ Nicole  Greetings, Wellness Feast Community!
I'm just back from visiting my dad on his 78th birthday! The drive to and from Richmond, Virginia was gorgeous, and I had my 19-year-old son with me, which made it extra special. Lately, my three teenagers and I have been giddy with thoughts of the holiday season. My husband, ever the steady realist, will say quietly, "Stay in the present, guys." And of course, he's exactly right. That being said, I stand by my special ability to be absolutely mesmerized by the leaves, chunky sweaters and apple cider of fall, while also being super excited for the holidays. The ability to stay present did not come naturally or easily for me. I needed a couple knocks up 'side the head to start really living in the present moment. I still backslide sometimes, and have to start training those present awareness muscles again. This is something many of my clients choose to work on, and I'm right there experiencing it with them. What a gift. What a present. I'm happy to share that I am opening a few more spots in my private coaching schedule this fall. If you could use some support adopting healthier lifestyle habits, getting clear on your goals and the steps needed to get there, or simply abiding more in the present moment, I urge you to reach out sooner rather than later for a consultation. The spots fill up fast, especially in January. And as I posted earlier this week, contrary to popular belief, you do not have to wait until January to adopt healthier habits or take action on those dusty resolutions. In fact, fall's harvest, the cooler temperatures, the beauty of autumn days and that "back to school" feeling all provide an inspiring and motivating backdrop for healthy, creative, intentional living. You have one glorious life ~ make it count!     Dear Wellness Feast community,
I had hoped to do the Food for Others Tysons 5K and Fun Run like we did pre-COVID (check out our pics from 2019), but I’ll be traveling that weekend. But that’s not stopping us ~ we’ve been lifting weights over here, and I have two strapping teenage boys ~ and a strong teenage girl, come to think of it! So we are collecting donations until the end of September, which we’ll deliver to the FFO warehouses in shifts. Please do not bring fresh/perishable foods from the list above, we will take care of the fruits and vegetables. All other items are up for grabs! Reply to this e-mail if you would like to donate, and I will send you our address. For those of you participating in the Wellness Feast 14-Day Health Reboot, you can bring your donations to the Reboot Retreat on September 17th. And here is the Food for Others Amazon wish list if you don't have time to bring something by. Let’s help our neighbors, y’all! It’s been a tough few years for all of us. #giveback #community #serve  The Reboot materials go out a week from today! And let me share a funny story with y’all. Yesterday I pulled up the draft materials on my phone to search for the apple cake recipe. The dangerous combination of my clumsy fingers and lack of reading glasses somehow caused the word “apple” to be deleted everywhere. And it couldn’t be fixed with a click of the “undo” button for some reason. So I got to comb through all 80+ pages looking for all the places where the word apple should appear. Let’s just say it was a lifetime learner moment, as I attempted to turn frustration into meditation. I hope you’ll take this opportunity to “reboot” yourself in a holistic, balanced way. You’ll be well-fed, energized, empowered and excited about the season ahead. Find it HERE.
 I hope you'll join us in September for the next 14-Day Health Reboot. Yes, we'll be upending and rearranging the way we eat, move, rest, etc. ~ all with the goal of forming new and healthier habits, reducing toxins and reconnecting with the way we nourish ourselves. But we're also doing something new this season. It's no accident that the 14 days lead to the Autumnal Equinox: that moment of BALANCE between day and night. Each day on the Reboot, I'll be providing something for you to reflect on . . . all in the theme of BALANCE. Don't miss this opportunity to identify the places in your life that need a little more or a little less. Let's be intentional about moving into the next season. Members, you can RSVP in the Members Area. If you're not a Member yet, you can get the Reboot here (and it comes with a year of Membership). See you soon!
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Photo: Lynn Cates
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