Author: The Galavanting Gastronome

Love writing about food and travel (www.thegalavantinggastronome.com) and my conversations with God (https://gitanjali.yoga). Born and raised in India. Sailor's daughter. Travel is in my DNA. Married to a scientist, who is a chemist professionally and in every other culinary way. Food, coffee, cocktails, BBQ, smoked meats, rubs, sauces...he experiments with it all - with way more wins than misses. We love the outdoors. Hiking, kayaking and camping make us happy. We are equal opportunity foodies. We love hole-in-the-wall little mom and pop places, and multi-coursed Michelin star meals as well. And, we love talking about what we love about the food, drink, coffee and anything else we get to try.

Is your energy drink clogging your arteries?

by The Galavanting Gastronome, posted in Health, Nutrition

Is your energy drink clogging your arteries? Click the link to read full article

My protein scientist husband forwarded this link to me, AFTER checking every supplement and protein powder bag in our house for carnitine. Since we only use Arbonne supplements in this household, we were naturally in the clear! If you’re an omnivore like me then this is more important than if you are vegetarian or vegan. The compound to watch for is carnitine; present both in red meat and certain energy drinks it can lend itself to atherosclerosis (hardening/clogging of arteries).

Like with everything else, it is vitally important that we become conscious of everything we consume. Our health is our responsibility and it is our duty to take care of it in the best way we can so we can live the longest, healthiest lives we can for ourselves and our future generations. It’s no longer enough just to read carbohydrate, fat and protein content; its the ‘other ingredients’ that you really have to watch for. If you can’t pronounce it, it doesn’t deserve to be in your food or your skincare.

When the veil moves away

by The Galavanting Gastronome, posted in In Their Words, Meditation

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My friend in Australia who is bonded to me in a way that defies explanation wrote this to me a couple of days ago…

you came to my dream few nights ago and told me ” When the veil moves away, what is in the heart and soul will appear on the face, a wounded soul looks scary not because it is evil but because it is in pain. A loving soul looks beautiful beyond words. when you heal your own wounds with love and compassion and forgiveness then every soul you look at will be beautiful beyond words.” you ask me to tell you what you told me.

What does this mean to you? I’m still trying to decipher what it means to me.

Carbon Neutral and Proud!

by The Galavanting Gastronome, posted in Inspiration

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I got a box of products today and for whatever reason my eye wandered to the little label to the bottom right where it said Carbon Neutral Shipment so I went off to do some research!

I love what Arbonne does to reduce its carbon footprint as a company! Certified Carbon Neutral Read about how it’s partnered with UPS to fund carbon reducing projects worldwide!

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Would You Like To Change Your Relationship with Food?

by The Galavanting Gastronome, posted in Health, In Their Words, Nutrition


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Good morning Niki. I’m doing pretty well. I’ve had some slips but for the most part the program is changing how I eat – giving me a breaking point with past food behaviors. My belief is that in the long run this will help me in so many ways. I have more energy, I’m sleeping more soundly and longer. I know I have shrunk a bit – my friends have noticed in my face and in the middle. I’ve also received input that I just look healthy.

For more information or a 20min complimentary wellness consult contact me at nikirichardson@myarbonne.com

Have Your Guides/Gurus/Teachers/Mentors Earned Your Trust?

by The Galavanting Gastronome, posted in Inspiration

I’m on a spiritual walkabout right now and am exploring, reading, listening, learning about different modalities as I try and determine what works for me. I learn best through mentors and therefore in all areas of my life I surround myself with people who know more than me and are further along in their journey. These are people I’ve ‘curated’ as a result of personal relationships, referrals from very close and respected friends, and lifelong friendships. These are all people who, if they said jump– I’d ask how high? I trust them implicitly and KNOW with every fiber of my being that they have my best interest at heart with no other motive but to see me succeed.

Naturally then during this walkabout I have sought guides and in my exploration have come to realize that there are 5 billon people on this planet and that many ways to be spiritual. The thing that I’m realizing is that during this particular process you’re very vulnerable, your mind is very open and therefore if you don’t take measures to protect yourself you could be allowing some very unscrupulous ‘guides’ into your consciousness.

– Remember your guides and mentors are human too– be sure they’ve earned your trust by working for it, not just because they’re more knowledgeable than you.
– If your gut instinct says something’s off about the advice they’ve given you- pay heed! Your gut has one function and one function only – to protect you! It will never steer you wrong.
– Ultimately they ‘work’ for you even if they’re not charging you anything…you have free will and the right to say ‘thank you but no thank you.’

You’ll reach the highest pinnacles of success by following the good advice of someone who cares about YOU more than their message and the lowest pit of despair if you follow the advice of someone who cares about their message more than you. Remember people don’t care how much you know unless they know how much you care– great sales advice but also great advice to take personally when seeking out guides, gurus, teachers or mentors.