the most unique event i've ever attended!

Photo Credit: Candis Hickman

Sarah Baker, the talented powerhouse who is the creator of the well known digital mag., The Balanced Babe, shared that she was hosting an event titled 'Holidays Beyond Expectations' at The Rooted Center in Wicker Park. Sarah hosted alongside two incredible women, Marcy Cruice, The Detoxitarian & Shruti Sekhri, the Founder & Facilitator of The Rooted Center. 

I was intrigued! The purpose of the event was to give us ideas, tips & tricks as to how to navigate through the stresses of holiday season! And I think all of us can agree this is no easy task between the hustle & bustle of traveling, buying/wrapping gifts, mailing cards (yep, I still do that), visiting w/ friends & family, most of us gaining weight and well, feeling frazzled & often depleted.  Pure holiday madness!

The Rooted Center, which you will learn about in 1 minute, is located in Wicker Park so I just conveniently walked over. Let me just share with all of you that I was expecting your typical wellness event: Mingling w/ wellness minded folks, nibbling on yummy healthy treats, several bloggers snapping photos in between introducing ourselves to one another, listening to a well meaning presentation on health w/ a few good takeaways & on my way home I go! I should have known that when Sarah Baker is involved in anything, it's not 'typical'....aka her Be Healthful Retreat this past year which blew-our-minds - the digital magazine that she curates - being a Health Coach that practices what she preaches & teaches, etc. Sarah ALSO is an International Super Model too so, at this point, your thinking 'this chic's talent is ridiculous'. And you then find out she is the most down to earth & genuine person - filled w/ integrity. Dear Lord, you are thinking - ha! A rare gem that Sarah (smile)!

Back to last night...

I don't even know what to say right now about this event other then....it was so AMAZING! And I expected NONE Of what would take place.

Alright, how do I explain The Rooted Center?!

The Rooted Center http://www.rootedcenter.com/

You walk in & The Rooted Center has this immediate soulful vibe working through the rooms & hallway.  The walls are filled w/ every form of written self expression from people of all ages. It is a creative space where you come to 'be you' and trial various forms of self expression - no judgement and total freedom.  I walked in highly stressed & left with a smile not only on my face but in my heart. I admit that sounds a bit cheesy but it's actually so true.  I felt like someone gave me a really long heartfelt hug for over an hour....which I kind of really needed.  It gave me goosebumps. Talk about 'real connection'.

After eating delish plant based bites by Kitchfix & sipping the most yum green juices by Element Wellness, we moved into the creative & learning phase of the evening! And this is where the unexpected part of the evening started for me.  We wrote 'journal style' in this beyond cool exercise led by Jacquelynn Camden-Gay on releasing feelings. We illustrated our individual form of art expression on the walls with our eyes closed which was incredibly meditative and basically got to the core of what each of us was wrestling with. And this all took place in this safe, nurturing & truly trusting space which happened to be warm & cozy too (think quaint yoga room combined with color and creativity - I know, pretty sweet). 
 

So, I will wrap this up with ONE 'Top of Mind' takeaway from each facilitator above regarding how I am going to now better navigate through this holiday season!!!

• I am going to put my own health-wellness first this holiday season & create boundaries with others to allow this to happen. This requires me getting comfy with saying a graceful 'NO' (Nah, nope, nada, can't, won't, sorry, meh). Whether it be resting vs. going to that third holiday party, showing up a bit late to cocktail party so that I could get in a yoga class or leaving a family party a bit early so that I can get some sleep.  I will plan ahead and organize the months ahead so that I feel taken care of by me.  Thanks Marcy Cruice for that amazing tip!
  
• In order to make to sure that I don't gain weight this season (a past time of mine), I will not take part in 'mindless eating' when I am at cocktail parties, I am going to socialize away from the appetizer tables. When I am conversing w/ others, I am going to stop eating entirely and focus on connecting to that person. This includes at the dinner table this Thanksgiving. Putting down my fork & knife to focus on the person next or across from me actually makes a big difference. It's such a simple tip but one that will save myself (and you) hundreds of calories! Thank you so much Sarah Baker! 

And a special thank you:

• Jacquelynn Camden-Gay, who facilitated all of our creative expression, thank you. You created such a safe space for us to share intimate details of our lives. And you have the best voice by the way!
  
• The Rooted Center achieves what it sets out to accomplish in all forms: Relaxation, Self Expression, Freedom to 'Be Me', a safe & lovely environment, etc. And for this, I have to thank Shruti Sekhri, the Founder of Rooted Center.  And Shrui, if you are reading, you have such a badass aura of 'calm' - I feel you ARE The Rooted Center - loved your whole personal vibe.