Thrive Boldly: My Scientist Patron Saint: Dr. Ellen Langer

If I had to choose a scientist as my spiritual guide, it would be Dr. Ellen Langer—Harvard psychologist, mindfulness pioneer, and one of the boldest thinkers in behavioral science.

We’ve never met, but I feel like we’d understand each other instantly.

We both eloped without telling anyone for reasons of our own —then had a “real” wedding shortly after. We’ve each followed paths that didn’t always make sense to others, twisting and turning in unplanned ways that demanded resilience. We’ve both traveled solo and found ourselves in unpredictable situations that taught us about life off the beaten path. She lives mindfulness. I live yoga. She trusts inner knowing. I do too.

There’s a framed photo of her on my desk—right next to one of Frida Kahlo. When I need to feel brave or bold, I look up at those two women and remind myself: this is the company I want to keep.

But maybe what I admire most is Ellen Langer’s courage.

She started talking about mindfulness before it became a buzzword—before there were apps and mantras and million-dollar wellness brands. She meant mindfulness in the original, radical sense: bringing awareness to context, noticing what others ignore, questioning what we assume is fixed.

Her research shook people up. It still does.

One of her most famous studies—now known as the “counterclockwise study”—took a group of elderly men and placed them in a retreat setting recreated to feel exactly like 1959. Photos of their younger selves were on the walls. Magazines and radios were from the 50s. They were told to talk as if it were 1959—not to remember it, but to live it.

And the results? Stunning.  After just one week, their hearing improved. Their posture changed. Their grip strength, joint flexibility, and even intelligence scores improved. Independent observers said they looked visibly younger. The mind, it seemed, could turn back the body’s clock.

At the time, many in the scientific community dismissed her. Too woo. Too uncontrolled. Too weird.

But Langer didn’t stop. She kept asking: What if beliefs affect biology? What if diagnoses create limits we then live down to? What if being present and noticing new things could be the most powerful medicine?

Now, decades later, science is catching up to her. Researchers in placebo studies, psychoneuroimmunology, and epigenetics are confirming what she saw long ago: The mind and body are not separate. They’re in constant dialogue. And that dialogue can shape our health, our identity, our lives.

As she says in The Mindful Body:“Mindfulness can make the body young again, but only if you stop thinking of it as something inevitable or fixed.”

Dr. Langer also writes:“Your body is not a thing—it is an ongoing process. It changes in response to your thoughts and actions.”

In her work, Dr. Langer shows us how we often live on autopilot, adhering to societal assumptions or biological beliefs that limit our potential. We move through life without noticing the deeper patterns shaping our experiences. But mindfulness, as Dr. Langer teaches, calls us to break that cycle. To be aware of our assumptions, to question what's 'fixed' and embrace the possibility that change, growth, and vitality are always within our grasp."

This is the spirit that animates the Three Brain Cookbook.

It’s not just about nutrition—it’s about fostering alignment and being mindful of the decisions we make - how they impact ourselves and people in our lives. It’s also about recognizing that our head brain, heart brain, and gut brain each have their own wisdom to offer. Science is still advancing, but even metaphorically tuning into what each of these "brains" is thinking—mentally, emotionally, and physically—creates harmony within us. And when we’re in alignment, we show up more fully to ourselves and to the world around us.

This awareness can transform not only how we eat but how we live. It’s about more than just food; it’s about creating a mindful relationship with our bodies, hearts, and minds—a relationship that nurtures health, energy, and vitality. And in turn, we become better humans—not just to ourselves, but to others too.

The Three Brain Cookbook is an invitation to embrace that integration. It encourages us to slow down, listen, and honor the wisdom within. It’s an exploration of how food and mindfulness can be used as tools to nourish not only our bodies but also our emotional and mental landscapes, leading us to a deeper sense of purpose and wholeness.

Dr. Langer’s work reminds me that this kind of mindful alignment isn’t just possible—it’s transformational. When we stop seeing the body, mind, and emotions as separate entities and begin to treat them as interconnected, we unlock a path to greater health and fulfillment.

I believe this is the future of well-being—where mind, body, and heart work together in harmony, helping us to create a life full of intention, energy, and joy.

Recipe: Mindful New York-Inspired Sweet Potato & Kale Bowl(

Perfect for a busy New Yorker who values health and mindfulness)

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced into cubes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 4 cups fresh kale, chopped

• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (for a protein boost)

• 1/4 cup tahini (rich in healthy fats and proteins)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice (for a fresh, zesty kick)

• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (for a burst of antioxidants)

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (adds a touch of crunch and health benefits)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Roast the sweet potatoes: On a baking sheet, toss the diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and slightly caramelized.

3. Massage the kale: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, massage the chopped kale with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. This helps soften the kale and makes it more digestible—important for both the body and mind.

4. Assemble the bowl: In a large bowl, layer the quinoa as the base, add the roasted sweet potatoes, and top with the massaged kale. Drizzle tahini and lemon juice over the top, then sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and sesame seeds.

5. Garnish with fresh parsley for an extra burst of flavor.

Mindful Eating Tip:

Appreciate the colors, textures, and flavors. Feel the warmth, the crunch, the freshness. Let the process—massaging the kale, plating with care—be part of your mindfulness practice.

Drink Pairing: Herbal Ginger-Lemon ElixirPerfect for digestion and clarity

Ingredients:

• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)

• Hot water (about 1 cup)

• A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for extra zing)

Directions:

Steep the ginger for 3–5 minutes, then add lemon, sweetener, and cayenne.

Mantra:

“I am aligned, I am present, I am nourishing myself with every choice.”

Music Pairing:

"So What" by Miles Davis

A jazz classic that brings ease, spontaneity, and grounded sophistication to your table.

One Last Note to Dr. Langer:

If this kind of pairing isn’t your thing—we get it. We just want our Patron Saint to feel seen, appreciated, and, most of all, happy. Thank you for being fully, unapologetically you.