Cassandra Bodzak is a global meditation and wellness teacher who teaches people how to utilize the technologies of food, meditation, and self-care to make peace with their bodies and their plate, so that they can live their best life. She’s an author, speaker, and certified Kundalini yoga and meditation instructor. You may know Cassandra as the happy, healthy living guru from ABC’s The Taste or the host of Eat with Intention TV as well as various other healthy online cooking series. Read on to find out what living well looks like to her!
Biorhythms
I love waking up before sunrise when possible and starting my day with my sadhana (or daily spiritual practice). It begins with me reading a lesson from A Course in Miracles, a metaphysical text about removing the fear that blocks our true essence of love, and then I do a short meditation on that day’s lesson followed by a Kundalini meditation and some channeled journaling with my angels and guides. I then make myself a cup of tea or coffee and go for a 15-20 minute walk to get some fresh air and sunlight. My bedtime routine usually involves a bath, reading, or watching something on Netflix with my man. After dinner, I dim all the lights and light candles to help my body know it’s getting ready for rest.
Diet
I avoid dairy and meat because my body does not process them well. I get some pretty serious side effects from either so it’s been easy to stay away for years. I try to limit my gluten because I am sensitive to it, particularly with my skin, but I’m not super strict about it. You could call me plant-based but I’m an avid non-believer in labels because I feel like they stop us from genuinely listening to our body. As a obvious advocate for “eating with intention”, I strongly believe that we should be checking in with our body and asking it what it wants to eat instead of trying to fit inside a box that someone else has created. Your body is a genius; you can trust it. Breakfast: I keep breakfast light these days. I find it gives me more AM energy, so a small bowl of cherries, strawberries, blueberries or raspberries usually does it. Lunch: I just taught myself how to make “nori burritos” and it’s my new obsession. Rice, steamed veggies, avocado, a wasabi-mustard dressing, all wrapped up in nori. So good!! Snacks: I’m not a snacker. I find when I eat full, nourishing meals, snacking doesn’t come from a place of genuine hunger for me. Dinner: Dinner varies, but lately some favorites have been this thai spring roll salad with tofu they make at Mendocino Farms or if I’m at home, spaghetti squash tossed in olive oil with fresh herbs or a salad with whatever I pick up from the farmer’s market and some quinoa or beans. Drink: Water, water, water. Sparkling water and sometimes peppermint iced tea. Splurge: Lily’s sugar-free coconut dark chocolate bars are my kryptonite. Supplements: K2 and B12.
Fitness
I’m a huge walker! I walk everywhere and if I’m not walking, I ride my bike. I’m a big believer that just living an active life and being in a relaxed state while moving is way more impactful than going to some class at the gym that makes you feel like death! I work from home so I’m also a big believer in frequent dance breaks. I do yoga pretty regularly and a short body-weight strength training routine three times a week.
I think the best exercise is what your body craves. Sometimes that’s a little more laid back for me and other times I desire something more intense so I keep it fluid, check in and never force my body to do something that doesn’t feel expansive.
Relationships
I value integrity, trust, and communication in all my relationships. Someone with whom, in each other’s presence, we are able to rise to new heights and become closer to the best version of ourselves, which requires a lot of love, respect, communication and authenticity.
Home
My home is my sanctuary. It is bright, spacious and super zen. I think creating a place where you feel relaxed, at peace and super abundant is paramount to having a life that reflects the same. I have very meticulously and thoughtfully decorated it.
Stress-Release and Centering Tools
Meditation, epsom salt baths, phone calls with my closest girlfriends, and cuddling with my man are my go-to’s for stress relief. I ground myself by getting out in nature, sitting on a tree stump, putting my feet on the ground, or doing a visualization meditation where I connect my energetic roots to the core of the earth.
My ACIM lesson of the day is usually a great go-to. Putting on a song like “I am Light” by India Arie or a powerful mantra track like “Narayan Shabad” also helps me switch my state.
Soul
My meditation practice feeds my soul, connecting with my guides and angels regularly, taking long baths with crystals, candle lights and dead sea salts, reading books I love, writing, watching documentaries, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen and spending time at the beach. All of this replenishes me and brings me peace and joy. I am in full joy when I’m doing what I feel called to do in the world whether it’s working with one of my spiritual mentoring clients, speaking at an event, leading a meditation workshop, writing for one of my books or being on camera sharing my mind, body, soul balance message.
My mission on this planet is to awaken people a new way of living by helping them utilize the technologies of food, meditation and self-care; my meditation practice connects me to this daily. I also write a letter to all the people I am here to serve, read it, and send them love on a daily basis. This is very sacred to me.
My book Eat with Intention is coming out Nov 2016, I’m taking on a few new spiritual mentorship clients this month, and I just launched a LIGHT-filled business online program that I’m really proud of!