In our first interview with Mondo Samu, we asked him how it feels to have lost 100lbs with mindful eating and living over the last year. He spoke of mental and physical agility and stamina + how mindfulness has improved his relationships. Here we dig a little deeper - he shares with us what tools and knowledge have been most helpful in this journey.

In this interview series we speak with Mondo Samu: a husband, father, devoted Savor reader and student of Thich Nhat Hanh who has lost over 100 lbs practicing mindful living. 

Savor: In your blog- you equate the amount of weight you’ve lost to the weight of 5 spare tires. Wow! How do you feel physically, mentally & emotionally, having lost 100 pounds?

Photo by Zirconicusso from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is a lot of hype about coconut water and health—search the web and you'll find claims that drinking coconut water boosts the immune system, helps with weight loss, prevents aging, or lowers the risk of cancer. The research is just not there to support these claims, and much more research is needed.

We experience thousands of marketing messages each day. Sensory stimuli constantly compete for our attention and our dollars. So much so, that we begin to forget what an effect these messages have on our decisions.

If you find that you have fallen away from your exercise plan for a day, a week, even a month, do not judge yourself harshly as a failure. Just start again. Everyday is a new day, an opportunity for a new beginning. You can begin anew every moment.

"when I go shopping, when I cook, and when I eat, I shall give rise to mindfulness and not bring into my body the kind of food which makes me heavy and unwell."

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Americans ingest too much salt and it’s threatening our health. So how do we cut down? Salt is ingrained in our habit energy around eating and we must consciously form new healthy patterns.

Photo by Michelle Meiklejohn from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or just looking for healthy options in your local community,I offer these suggestions of restaurants and cafes.

Learn more about the health risks of eating too much salt in this ABC Nightline video. Dr. Frank Sacks, a professor of cardiovascular disease prevention at Harvard,  explains that less than 2 teaspoons a day of salt contribute to 150,000 deaths per year.