In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last time, we headed out on a road trip. Today, Keren shows us that a tour in wine country is a must.

Pictures taken by Keren Weinstein in Paso Robles Wine Country.

"Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance” Benjamin Franklin

What’s great about road trippin' is having a plan and going with the flow. It is exploration with freedom and relaxation.

In San Luis Obispo (SLO), local wines were big on the menus and wine tasting bars boasting local wines seemed to be everywhere. I was very close to the central CA vineyards. I could almost taste it. Next stop – wine country. I HAD to experience it.

It seems as if wherever you stand in California, a vino experience is lurking around the corner. If you are not surfing or hiking, you are drinking in the life balance. Either way, the good life is embedded into their every day culture.

True. I am a wine enthusiast. I simply Love a glass of great (red) wine.

Wine is Vintage. Modern. Biblical. Royal. Spiritual. Relaxing. Healthy. Celebratory. Elegant. Fun & Delic! They don’t call it “the mommy’s sippy cup” for no reason!

Like The Meal of the Moment, wine tasting (& even drinking a glass of wine at dinner or night out with friends) is a form of Mindful Eating. You acknowledge. Smell. Taste. Savor. Enjoy. Time freezes and then moves at a super slow speed. You live in the moment.

But tasting it at the vineyard--where you can learn the art & history of its making, actually see, smell, taste the grape itself, feel the energy of the wine--is unmatched. You truly experience the Experience.

Vineyards and wine countries are good for [my] heart. I may ‘love’ wine, but I am ‘in love’ with the environment with which it is harvested & made. Wine country regions are all unique. They have different grape varietals, experiences and vibes and can range from small family owned boutique style to large commercial corporations. But one thing they all have in common is that it is always an amazing life-balancing experience with grape perfect weather, beautiful landscaping, what seems like endless fields of grapes on vast rolling hills or some sort of a stunning backdrop, local produce or flower farms nearby, scent of lavender, olive groves, gourmet olive oils, bread and cheese.

It’s a relaxed atmosphere. You kick back and have fun. Smile from the heart.

Yes, I do agree with the saying that life is simply too short to drink bad wine. Obvi, if you can get to any of the other majors like Napa, Tuscany, Rioja Bordeaux or a region that harvests the varietal you love, you are ensured a wine tasting experience full of elegance and complexity (and of course cases of wines you just have to buy and take home). But wine country as an experience can be had and appreciated in virtually Any vineyard. And how great to go off the beaten path and discover amazing spots, wines, boutique style tasting rooms, lavender farms, locally made soaps, art, antiques.

Wine country rates very high on my list of places to visit and things to do for life balance. Especially when you are on a detox trip away from the city, work, business, children, husband. Even if you are going ‘just for the experience’ and cannot drink the wine because you are either pregnant, kosher, the designated driver, etc, you should still go for the sake of win(e)ding down.

Paso Robles Wine Country Experiences on Project Detox.

The ride to Paso Robles from SLO (which actually means "pass of the oaks") was filled with beautiful clusters of oak trees lining the streets and rolling hills. With the windows rolled down & my Chanel Sunglasses on, I looked out onto the scenic vineyards, breathed in the fresh air and instantly felt the benefits.

With over 170 wineries in Paso Robles, I was not short of places to go and things to do. Just short of time!!! I discovered a lot of hidden charms. First off, I learned that Paso Robles was rich in tradition of health & spa and was in the 1880’s a sought-out health resort destination known for its bath houses and mineral hot springs along the Camino Real trail. I discovered an area with great Paso wines West of Highway 101 as they are close to the Pacific Ocean & are planted in limestone soils (as with some of France’s finest vineyards). Found vineyards with wines made by the “Rhône Rangers” (focusing on grape varietals of the Rhône Valley of France). Lots of family-owned boutique style wineries tucked away in the end of winding roads. Commercialized vineyards with colorful landscaping that sell amazing wine enthusiast inspired products and gadgets in their Boutiques.

Breathtaking picnic options and bring-your-own-al-fresco-dining spots (OMG Eating outdoors! My absolute fave.) that make you feel like you are living the moment in an oil painting.

One ‘wrong’ turn and we ended up following a winding road to the best time we had in Paso Robles. Cass Vineyards & Winery was a great experience and departure from the standard winery. A family friendly vineyard (owned and run by the Cass family) that not only grows ENTAV certified grapes to make their Estate Grown wine, but is one of the rare places that actually has an onsite Café (indoor and outdoor seating) serving lunch pairings in addition to the cracker-cheese-chocolate in most wineries. The music and vibe was fun. Young. They host events with live music and have cooking & wine classes. Their space is merchandised with homemade cheese, jellies and local products, from food to art and music. I was having genuine fun. The secret to aging to perfection!

Don’t say you didn’t hear it from this grapevine.

It’s never good to keep things Bottled up. ‘Any day is a reason pop the cork…and breathe’.

L’Chaim.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we realized stopped and truly enjoyed the power of the perfect bite! Today, Keren shows us why we need to horse around.

You order the signature dish at a world renowned chef owned restaurant. You buy vintage Chanel when traveling to Paris.

Experience experiences.

So too, at Miraval® Arizona Resort & Spa, their signature activity and much talked about ‘Equine Experience’ was Not to be missed.

One order of Horse-Whisperer-experience for me please.

Extra sun block with a side of cowboy boots!

After roll call, we were released into the expert hands of Wyatt Web, the legendary bestselling-author-creator-and-director-Equine Programs-and-resident-human-therapist at Miraval. One look at him and I had this dizzying sensation that we were in for more than just a horse ride.

Although the ranch was a short drive from the resort grounds it felt like we were secluded from the world. There was no traffic, the desert scenery was vast and organic, and the most man-made action consisted of abandoned-looking desert mailboxes (pictured above).

Dimensions away from New York City.

As with Swing & Prayer, we first sat in a circle and, guided by Wyatt, introduced ourselves, shared why we signed up for this activity, & what we were expecting.

What a scene!! I recall literally needing to step outside myself to view what was happening and take a mental picture. The large rustic wood chairs in circular formation. The wise-looking ‘cowboy’ sitting back, oozing inner peace and speaking to us as if he knows something we have yet to know. The magnificent backdrop of raw desert surrounded by the Catalina Mountains. The midday desert heat beating on us. The scent & sound of the Sanoran desert.

The harmony.

This was a scene from a Western flick. And I had a starring role.

The Good, the Bad and the [ultra chic]

Wyatt’s instructions: Go out in groups of two and groom the horse.

Eyeing each other’s reactions like in the Brady Bunch theme song we were all thinking the same thing.… shouldn’t I, on my spa vacation, be getting the pedicure and hairstyle - not the horse?! Before we could finish our thoughts, as clearly Wyatt knew what we were thinking, he proceeds to say…”this is not about the horse, it is about you”!

Horses (like babies) are very intuitive. Mindful. They have a supernatural ability to respond instantly to whatever they experience in the moment. This includes what you may be feeling, thinking or even planning to do next.

They have a Horse Sense.

This sense forces us to be honest with ourselves when working with the horse. To use our instincts. Our emotional energy.

When in this raw state we can learn a lot about who we are and how we are perceived by others. How effective we are in communicating, relationships, tasks, etc.

Like a mirror into ourselves.

The trick Wyatt says is to go in with clear Intention. “Your body is your oracle” Stay focused on your present task. Follow-through. If you do not succeed in getting the hoof up. Try again using a different method. If you still cannot do it. Ask for help.

And with that we go out into the corral. Grooming buckets and curiosities at hand. For 15 minutes I struggle with that horse. I do exactly what I thought Wyatt said to do. I walk up to the horse and I focus on my intention.

The horse does not budge.

I step back and try again & again using different methods. I attempt to force the leg up (as if they don’t measure strength in Horse Power!!). I pet the horse (what a stunning horse). I focus from my mothering skills onto this adorable creature “c’mon sweet thing, I am doing this for your sake! You need to have a clean hoof! Just lift up for me. Just try to enjoy your pedicure. It’s for your own good. now…Lift!.”

Then, like a cross between simple matter-of-fact and a bit of scolding Wyatt says to me “Would you stop taking care of everyone else and focus on yourself. (Isn’t this why I am even on a Project Detox?!) This is for you! It is not for the horse’s sake. You have a task to finish and he is not assisting.

Intention. Focus. Follow-through.”

(This rancher was not horsin’ around!)

I go back in and this time the horse begins to bring up his hoof to my hand before I even touch him. As if he senses my next move. Like we were connected. Like I was a magician. The Oracle.

This was my Aha moment.

Looking around at my “Brady Bunch family’, I spot a few more I-just-had-an-Aha-moment faces & I instantly learn the deeper meaning behind ‘Horse Power’.

The next tasks from point of self discovery and on were not only simple but empowering. We each got a turn to walk the horse and then to guide him in a round pen. With a bullwhip in hand (that would Never be used on the animal!) I had that horse going in whatever direction I chose. I got him to start, stop, walk, canter, run, turn. I can feel and almost see my energy at work.

This was the same for each of us there that day.

We were all in the same movie.

Popcorn anyone?

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we realized that a scent can calm us and create its own memory of peace and tranquility! Today, Keren brings us to the perfect moment with a meal.

I’m a young girl at a family function when I notice my L.A. based uncle sitting by the patio with the sun shining on his face. He is eating something from the fruit tray. By the looks of it one might think he was eating a slice of heaven. I immediately dart over.

‘Taste this Fig’ he says. Still standing I take a small bite and begin chewing. As if the faster I chew the quicker, I too, will taste.

‘Whoa. Slow it down. He tells me.

Sit down. Close your eyes.

Now take another bite.

Roll it in your mouth and let it touch the different taste buds.

Smell the experience.

Feel the texture & sensation.

Taste.’

(Wow. Was that the SAME Fig?) I recall opening my eyes & needing a moment just to snap back.

This was my first experience with Mindful Eating. I confess. Originally, I wrote it off as his ‘California’ way of eating.

And I was New York.

Fast forward to Project Detox where I am on the hunt to infuse balance into my every day life. When I see an activity called Mindful Eating I immediately sign up. The curiosity. The nostalgia. The craving for another Miraval-esque experience.

And after being gently slumber I woke up reborn. Hungry like a baby.

We sit with an appetite and an open mind in the dining room. Table set for about 20 guests. (Eating & mingling. Perfect!). Amongst us sits Junelle, the nutritionist. As she guides us through the meal with tips and teachings along the way, we quickly realize that the Only mingling was going to be with our inner selves and with the food!

We are not to talk to each other. We are to focus on the act of eating. Take a moment to notice our surroundings. The setting. The plate. The color and consistency of the food. To take a bite and feel the texture and temperature of the food in our mouths. Acknowledge the process of chewing and swallowing. The pause in between. Notice the after taste. Breathe.

It was challenging (& a bit awkward) to eat quietly in lieu of being amongst new friends but the greater the challenge the greater the reward. In no time did I learn about my personal relationship with food. About eating intuitively.

We were all shocked at how much food was left on our plates when we felt full and how delicious the experience was. The French know this. Quality over Quantity. They are thin.

It makes sense. Your brain receives a signal from the body through the central nervous system that you are hungry, eating and full. If your mind is ‘multi-tasking’ or rushing through a meal then there is no mind-body connection. You then miss the essential flavors and pleasures of the food & your digestion efficiency is decreased (and how ironic that IBS and stomach disease is on the rise). Plus, your brain may miss the messages that you are even eating - let alone full.

It may still think you are hungry. You continue eating.

No skinny jeans for you.

Our lives are in high-speed. If on-the-go we can talk, text, trade stocks, email, shop and for just about Anything…’there’s an App for that’, then you KNOW eating on-the-go must have been mastered way before that. Long ago in the U.S. eating has been defaulted as ‘another task to do on our list’. We eat meals while working at our desks, driving, watching TV, even walking.

OK, clearly we cannot eat every meal in silent focusing on the act of eating. Dinner with friends & family is Critical and there are times we simply must eat on-the-go. But between eating 3 meals and about 2 snacks per day, we have over 35 opportunities a week to attempt it. In between it all, we Can balance a sense of well-being with our high speed culture.

The picture above is my son ‘E’ at my favorite lunchtime-waterfall-escape-spot in NYC two blocks from my office. It’s important to me he learns the importance of mindful eating early on. No write offs this time.

Most cities are packed with many public parks, gardens, waterfalls, etc. and with an iPOD you can be staging moments for your meals just about anywhere. Another trick is to at least eat the first bite of every meal mindfully to set the tone. Putting your fork down in between bites really does help (thanks Junelle).

Book time on your calendar to eat mindful meals. Treat it with the importance of a business meeting or a trip to the doctor. This is time for you. A much needed break. A reconnection.

Slow down. Become aware. Chew. Pause. Savor. Enjoy.

Haven’t you heard?

Mindful eating is the meal of the moment!

Bon Appétit

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we prepped with her for the trip and today, we're at the first stop! Thankfully, Keren will share her journey which will provide a little insight into our needs of finding our equilibrium.

For this full-time working mom that lacks sunshine, serenity and nature, a jolt back to equilibrium begins with detoxing from the jungles of NYC into the warm soothing arms of the Sonoran Dessert.

Sunshine. Straight up for me please. Dry. No olives.

And ‘according to the Tucson locals’, I was actually in the sunniest state in the U.S. (& one of the sunniest places on earth)…. Sorry Florida I love ya dearly & I know you have Sunshine State plastered on your drivers licenses but I did get the gossip on how Arizona really outsunned you but let you keep the title ‘Sunshine State’ back in the 70’s since they had the Grand Canyon as one of the world’s natural wonder’s to boast (& of course the added bonus title of ‘Copper State’ for their mineral wealth).

Their proof they claim is in the Biosphere.

As in, the choice to build the famed Biosphere 2 in Arizona because it most resembled outer space (ala’ lots of sunshine!) . Biosphere 2 is a glass dome which contains the largest closed man-made ecosystem ever created in order to study the interactions between humans, farming and technology with the rest of nature and to explore the possibility of humans living in one of these in space – talk about a destination spa fit for Jane Jetson, I’d love to go there!). And yes, this Biosphere is the place George Costanza referred to on Seinfeld when he lied and said “Elaine has been chosen to represent the Upper West Side in the next Biosphere project”.

Stepping out of Tucson Airport into the bright early morning sun was more like stepping in to a detoxifying sauna. You instantly feel your body melt away the stress in the dry desert heat.

This is the moment when you close your eyes and take it all in. (..and I mean Really close your eyes as you don’t have to keep one eye open to watch over your lil one!!)

The solitude. The heat. The stillness. The scent (gosh that clean scent! of mesquite, cactus, sun, rain, flora).

When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front of a very rare & beautiful sight: The flower bloom of the Organ Pipe Cactus situated right at the airport taxi station. This cactus blooms only at night and once a year but I was able to see it! Not only was it early morning and the flower didn’t close yet from the night but since it has many buds that open up on different days between May and July there is a span of a few shorts weeks out of the year where you can catch a glimpse of one of the buds blooming at the tip of the cactus’ arm.

It was one of those moments.

Now that I am back home to my busy urban life I infuse that detoxifying moment into my every day by simply lighting my Cactus Cream Travel Candle, closing my eyes and allowing the heat and scent transport me to Tucson.

Staging moments in a tin can.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

Aerial Art by Spectral Q ~ Photography by J. Emilio Flores

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Thankfully, Keren will share her journey which will provide a little insight into our needs of finding our equilibrium.

Bags packed and ready to jet set.

The boys are in a different time zone and I have confirmation that they are more than OK! and are actually having a fun’tabulous father-n-son bonding vacation.

Perfect.

Being on the cusp between genuinely happy for them and envy of their time together without me is exactly the point where I can truly allow myself to disconnect and have a guilt free solo trip for Me (remember, I have to chuck Universal Mommy Guilt out before I depart on my first adventure and I am a Jewish mother…so pressure’s on).

It is amazing how the Guilt naturally gets swallowed up by the fact that they are having a better time there and you know your son has a smile on his face even without you around.

Mommy Me time has officially started.

Ever notice when you choose to set an Intention for yourself the world opens up to you as if you are wearing 3D glasses with that Intention?

Same world. Different opportunities & experiences.

We have all clipped out a limited edition (AKA Must Have) LV handbag or Gucci Boots from Harper’s Bazaar, hung it up at our desks and noticed that somehow they made their way to our closets.

This is not a new concept by any means and has been around way before me from Kabalah to the Secret but for a full-time working mother on a mission to restore balance into her life this self-taught-via-experience concept could not come at a better time.

The above picture, and one that captures the essence of what I set out to do on Project Detox, was created by an amazing producer in L.A that I met up with (co-founder of unitenow.org). In this picture, over 4,000 school children from Los Angeles spelled out “Restore Balance” on a beach in celebration of the 12th Annual Ocean Day Kids’ Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Up. No, my Intention did not get this amazing project with 4000 kids to happen but it did bring me to meeting up with Mark and literally stumbling upon the work he created that captures the energy of my Intention for Project Detox – to restore balance.

First Stop – Tucson Arizona.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling