As part of my blog series about Pink Medicine, I wanted to share with you the story of an exceptional patient, who I’m blessed to have as a friend. This woman has made straight A’s in activating her Inner Pilot Light and being her own healer. She’s a rock star woman who has earned her honorary white coat like nobody’s business. You’ve met her before in her posts here on Owning Pink and in the interview I did with her. Meet my friend Kris Carr.

This year I turned 40. Yes, 40 and proud! And thanks to my Crazy Sexy Diet and lifestyle, I still fit into clothes from high school (however, I no longer wear neon and sport a perm – thank God). At the start of an important decade, I find myself reflecting on the notion of aging gracefully. The word graceful makes it seem easy. Like if I embrace linen, simple makeup and tie my hair neatly, elegance will be mine. Hmmm, not sure I buy that. Aging gracefully takes more dedication than many of us think. Aging gracefully involves a healthy diet, green juice and smoothies, hydration, sleep, stress reduction and a good dose of love and mental health. Forgiveness. Gratitude. Joy. Clearing the unfinished business in our lives. All this important work makes grace deposits into our aging bank account.

Dear Travel bunny,

This Crazy Sexy healthy lifestyle is all well and good at home, but how the heck do you take it on the road? Answer: forward thinking and planning ahead. I don’t know about you, but my job requires lots of travel. I have a choice, I can let my health fall apart or I can do my best to stay balanced in unfamiliar territory. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of bum f@ck nowhere it can be a mind bending challenge to keep clean and green. Check out the top tips that help me love my love-a-liscious self while on the go.

Illness can be a magnificent teacher if you allow it. In the 18 months since I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, each day I learn something new about me or the world. 

But not everyone I meet with this or other dis-eases is so open to illness being a teaching experience. I see the sadness that weighs on so many people that attend MS events. I hear it on facebook and forums. The message is, “I have given up joy.”