Lately I have had bouts of anxiety ignited by the medias relentless coverage of unsavory and frightening aspects the world. I don't do stressed and anxious well. It manifests in physical ailments and I eat like a wildwoman.
So I cut the media off at it's base. Facebook. I've been away for a few weeks at a time lately...and that's felt awesome. Initially it was difficult but it's been about two months of long term hiatus and I've never felt more blissful. Not blissfully ignorant. I'm still very aware of the sick, and sad things happening...but I don't have propaganda to scroll through on the way to seeing pictures of my friends babies. And I don't have people fighting about opinions. And I don't need to feel bad about posting things that people feel bad reading (It's called opening your mind. Yes GMOS are in everything you probably eat unless you eat like me. I don't care if that's obnoxious. You can eat all the poison you want...it's your choice. And I can share all the information about how sick GMO's makes the people who eat them. That's my choice.) But I digress.
Sporadically I hop onto twitter but it's not my favorite medium. I think for what I'm looking for instagram and texting works best.
I do believe it is important to pay attention to what is happening on our planet- being mindful, informed so you can make choices that are conducive to making this a great place for us all to live, being aware of societal changes and needs...I also believe that our media has a proclivity to induce fear, and keep you sucking at the teat for their fear juice.
Because this warped and disturbing information is addictive. It makes you feel like you can learn something real and empowering and ultimately you just feel worse; but one would stay latched on in hopes of that moment where they can feel better. Or they enjoy fear porn and the herky jerky adrenaline and cortisol stress rush.
I for one do not. I feel overwhelmed, powerless and quite frankly it makes me want to buy a boat and just set out for the sea. Can I move to Fiji? Or perhaps Antarctica. For a place so inhospitable it seems like it'd be the best place to live if you want peace.
My point is more and more I feel myself tuning off of social media, the internet and television. I've been working on art projects and enjoying being fully engaged with my son and my surroundings.
It's not easy all the time. Especially when people are posting some really funny memes and FML status updates because Starbucks ran out of sugar free Pumpkin Spice Lattes. ( That was sarcasm. I am really quite fine not hearing about everyone's every waking thought and experience...and equally happy not sharing mine.)
For the people who are in my life, it is for a reason. Most of them have been there since before the dawn of social media.
I feel like I've never been more aware now that I've distanced myself from my 658 friends.
And the anxiety is still there from time to time. But it's more easily dispelled when I can dive into a project, or live in the moment, or just step away and think about what my instinct is telling me.
Ultimately I think that there are a lot of terrible things going on around the world, and it is important to keep an eye on them. But it's also important to keep an eye/ear and finger on the pulse of the moment you are in. Getting inundated with what ifs and speculation will make you feel unnecessarily bad. And that stress will eat at you.
And ain't nobody got time for that.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
Another one bites the dust...
General Mills has purchased Annie's Homegrown.
This is a very sad time for me. And many many others. It's another 'homegrown' organic company that mirrors the ideals of it's customer base that has been purchased by a large, soul-less, monster company that has publicly, and privately made it a point to deceive consumers. This is a very sad time.
You see, I planned so many of my child's snacks around Annie's offerings. Who needs cheeze-its filled with hydrogenated, un-sustainably sourced palm oils, dyes, artificial flavors? Nobody when there was Annie's to take their place! Wholesome ingredients? Check. Organic? Check (usually...). No artificial colors? Check. Non-GMO? Check!! Free of the evils associated with purchasing food from a large corporate conglomerate? Womp womp.
I've cried, I've decided to boycott (as much as possible...because bottom line- my kid isn't eating Nabisco or other conventional crap. Not happening...but if there are alternatives, I'm going to opt for them).
le Sigh.
But the heart of the matter, is how the hell can moms who want to boycott this empty- sell out brand still have macaroni and cheese on the fly for their little ones?
Well, well, well...I've got a solution. No, it's not exactly the same as grabbing a box and whatever, but it'll be a nice way to feed your kids yummy and nutritious mac-n-cheese!
First things first- ingredients! This is the fun part. You can literally mix in anything, or nothing. I think it's so important for children to get their veggies- which is hard to do from what I hear.
You can add in chopped broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, zucchini, diced cooked chicken...The list is endless! Just make sure the harder veggies are well cooked before adding them in.
1 lb organic pasta (works well with gluten free pastas as well!)
2 cups of your preferred cheese blend (sharp cheddar and gouda are my fave)
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of milk
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup of any mix in item you would like- pre cooked.
wax paper
cookie tray
foil or ziplock baggies
- Cook pasta as per directions on box, and then drain thoroughly
- Put pasta back in the pot, and over medium heat mix in the butter, two cups of cheese (1/2 cup at a time) as well as the milk, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix in optional ingredients as desired.
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, and scoop spoonfuls (what you'd approximate to be a serving) along the sheet, and freeze overnight, or for minimum 4 hours.
Once the scoops are frozen wrap with foil or wax paper, and store in ziplock bag or freezer container. They'll keep for about 3 months if frozen.
To reheat, put frozen servings in a sauce pan with 1/4-1/2 cup of water, over medium heat for approximately 5-10 min until you can stir the macaroni.
Enjoy!
So of course I encourage everyone to boycott Annie's Homegrown products now- since essentially they've sold out. There are still alternatives, and if you can't buy any alternatives, you can always make your own!
This is a very sad time for me. And many many others. It's another 'homegrown' organic company that mirrors the ideals of it's customer base that has been purchased by a large, soul-less, monster company that has publicly, and privately made it a point to deceive consumers. This is a very sad time.
You see, I planned so many of my child's snacks around Annie's offerings. Who needs cheeze-its filled with hydrogenated, un-sustainably sourced palm oils, dyes, artificial flavors? Nobody when there was Annie's to take their place! Wholesome ingredients? Check. Organic? Check (usually...). No artificial colors? Check. Non-GMO? Check!! Free of the evils associated with purchasing food from a large corporate conglomerate? Womp womp.
I've cried, I've decided to boycott (as much as possible...because bottom line- my kid isn't eating Nabisco or other conventional crap. Not happening...but if there are alternatives, I'm going to opt for them).
le Sigh.
But the heart of the matter, is how the hell can moms who want to boycott this empty- sell out brand still have macaroni and cheese on the fly for their little ones?
Well, well, well...I've got a solution. No, it's not exactly the same as grabbing a box and whatever, but it'll be a nice way to feed your kids yummy and nutritious mac-n-cheese!
First things first- ingredients! This is the fun part. You can literally mix in anything, or nothing. I think it's so important for children to get their veggies- which is hard to do from what I hear.
You can add in chopped broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, zucchini, diced cooked chicken...The list is endless! Just make sure the harder veggies are well cooked before adding them in.
1 lb organic pasta (works well with gluten free pastas as well!)
2 cups of your preferred cheese blend (sharp cheddar and gouda are my fave)
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of milk
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup of any mix in item you would like- pre cooked.
wax paper
cookie tray
foil or ziplock baggies
- Cook pasta as per directions on box, and then drain thoroughly
- Put pasta back in the pot, and over medium heat mix in the butter, two cups of cheese (1/2 cup at a time) as well as the milk, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix in optional ingredients as desired.
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper, and scoop spoonfuls (what you'd approximate to be a serving) along the sheet, and freeze overnight, or for minimum 4 hours.
Once the scoops are frozen wrap with foil or wax paper, and store in ziplock bag or freezer container. They'll keep for about 3 months if frozen.
To reheat, put frozen servings in a sauce pan with 1/4-1/2 cup of water, over medium heat for approximately 5-10 min until you can stir the macaroni.
Enjoy!
So of course I encourage everyone to boycott Annie's Homegrown products now- since essentially they've sold out. There are still alternatives, and if you can't buy any alternatives, you can always make your own!
Arts and crafts/ embarassing confessions/beautiful epiphanies...bringing y'all up to speed.
So that was a pretty decent chunk of time away from blogging. What was I doing? A whole lot of nothing and everything. That's life right? I will aim to be a more committed bloggess.
Allow me to bring you up to date.
I'm super thankful right now. Always...but right now specifically.
Right now I am thankful for the usual. Health, wellness, my family, Cha-cha-charlie!!, and of course Drew! Things are always going to be hectic, up or down, good or bad. But the gift of right this minute is something I can't overlook. Enjoying the moments as I inhabit them.
Aside from all of that, I'm also really thankful for the increasing time I've had for myself lately.
Charlie has had some really solid naps and I've been able to work on de-cluttering the house, and getting myself, and my home and my mind organized. I'm not there completely, but it's nice to see some semblance of a path. For example, I've gotten rid of some clothes that I'll never wear. I've thrown out some things I'll never use, never need, and never look at. And of course there's tons of donation bags to be dropped off. It feels good. Guess it's autumn cleaning.
Arts and crafts have been such catharsis lately too. I've been painting (almost done with a friends commissions that have taken FOREVER!), sewing, making cards, autumn wreaths and making bracelets. My whole life any time I've been able to be creative my life has become a little better. My goals are to set up an etsy shop with the letter panels I've painted, headbands I've embroidered, and paintings.
Now before I conclude this post, I have to say that it's imperative that everyone engage in some kind of indulgent behavior. Be it a deep dark chewy-gooey brownie, or a cheeseburger, or a new pair of boots. Everyone should treat themselves to something. TREAT YOURSELF.
Ok. So I indulge in lethargy and bad TV. Food, well let's say I've been there, done that. I don't associate guilt with food. If I want to eat it I do. But time to do nothing? Ahh...love it. Mindless television with vapid and pointless dialog? Mmmm.
The reason why this is such a treat is I spend a lot of time over thinking, and analyzing, and concerning myself with the problems of this world. Politics, Food, the economy. Shit is on my mind. So when I watch this gar-baaahge- well it all just goes away while I enjoy my brain candy. Not bad I suppose.
I think that associating guilt with indulgence isn't ideal. There is always a happy medium - and like I said, treat yourself.
Movimg forward I hope to be a more consistent blogger- sharing ideas, and projects. And I hope people will still follow along as I battle boredom, the quest to figure out what to do when I grow up, my artistic and culinary endeavors and everything else that crosses my mind.
Allow me to bring you up to date.
I'm super thankful right now. Always...but right now specifically.
Right now I am thankful for the usual. Health, wellness, my family, Cha-cha-charlie!!, and of course Drew! Things are always going to be hectic, up or down, good or bad. But the gift of right this minute is something I can't overlook. Enjoying the moments as I inhabit them.
Aside from all of that, I'm also really thankful for the increasing time I've had for myself lately.
Charlie has had some really solid naps and I've been able to work on de-cluttering the house, and getting myself, and my home and my mind organized. I'm not there completely, but it's nice to see some semblance of a path. For example, I've gotten rid of some clothes that I'll never wear. I've thrown out some things I'll never use, never need, and never look at. And of course there's tons of donation bags to be dropped off. It feels good. Guess it's autumn cleaning.
Arts and crafts have been such catharsis lately too. I've been painting (almost done with a friends commissions that have taken FOREVER!), sewing, making cards, autumn wreaths and making bracelets. My whole life any time I've been able to be creative my life has become a little better. My goals are to set up an etsy shop with the letter panels I've painted, headbands I've embroidered, and paintings.
Now before I conclude this post, I have to say that it's imperative that everyone engage in some kind of indulgent behavior. Be it a deep dark chewy-gooey brownie, or a cheeseburger, or a new pair of boots. Everyone should treat themselves to something. TREAT YOURSELF.
Ok. So I indulge in lethargy and bad TV. Food, well let's say I've been there, done that. I don't associate guilt with food. If I want to eat it I do. But time to do nothing? Ahh...love it. Mindless television with vapid and pointless dialog? Mmmm.
The reason why this is such a treat is I spend a lot of time over thinking, and analyzing, and concerning myself with the problems of this world. Politics, Food, the economy. Shit is on my mind. So when I watch this gar-baaahge- well it all just goes away while I enjoy my brain candy. Not bad I suppose.
I think that associating guilt with indulgence isn't ideal. There is always a happy medium - and like I said, treat yourself.
Movimg forward I hope to be a more consistent blogger- sharing ideas, and projects. And I hope people will still follow along as I battle boredom, the quest to figure out what to do when I grow up, my artistic and culinary endeavors and everything else that crosses my mind.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
These are a few of my favorite: CLEAN FOODS
Oh food, how I love thee...let me count the calories- uh, I mean ways.
I've been paying attention to whats in my food for a pretty long time now. First it was just to measure calories, and fat.
Little did I know that would lead to checking portion sizes, and how much sodium, and nutritional value. It was a slippery slope. But I managed to find amazing foods, that are clean (you know, not filled with garbage that will make your body work harder to digest, cause inflammation or dis-ease/disease) but also really delicious. But it all started with paying attention, combined with my love of food and eating it.
Now let me say that most of the foods I eat are clean,whole and unprocessed (meaning they haven't been broken down, and put back together combined with chemicals and garbage...like an apple, or a banana). But there are some really great foods that, while they do come out of a package, are made with integrity and respect for the ingredients, the nutritional value, and the impact on the environment from which the ingredients came.
So here is a list (and links to their websites! If you read, or watch the videos you can see examples of how loving and gentle these companies are. A total contrast to vile, evil large mega conglomerate corporations that make "food" ) of my most favorite clean foods:
These crackers are Vegan, Organic, Gluten-free. Oh, and flippin' delicious. Seriously, when I was pregnant I would have days where I ate a whole box. And you know what? It didn't matter because they are super chock full of good for you, whole, mindfully procured ingredients. All of which are easy to pronounce, and can be found in nature! Impressive! Even more impressive is that there is a woman named Mary, who created these cookies, and is still a part of the company today. No selling out. It's nice to see companies like that.
Veggie burgers are not all created equal. I've had some atrocious veggie burgers in my day. Between 3 years of vegetarianism/veganism and a few other spurts here and there- the horrible examples of faux meat, or mushy, soggy, tasteless or too salty patties I've eaten is sad.
And then there was Hilary's Eat Well. (cue the angels singing!)
These are no ordinary veggie burgers. These are crispy, flavorful, and dare I say- delicious patties. I love to eat them plain- over some greens, or chopped up and thrown into an omelet. Make no mistake, you will enjoy eating anything this company makes. There are 5 varieties of burgers, and veggie bites. All of them satisfying and tasty.
The name used to be 'The Perfect Foods Bar', and that has since changed. This is a family started, owned and operated company based out of San Diego. They make delicious nutrition bars for people who are on the go, lead an active lifestyle, or anyone who wants a nutrient dense snack. They come in a multiple flavors- but good old peanut butter is my favorite. Lots of protein, vitamins and nutrients. Being a mom who can't take too much time for meals- these are perfect for when I want to run errands with my little one.
Fiber? Check. Protein? Check. Clean, whole tasty ingredients? Check.
Where do I even begin with these chips? Dude. I have shared these with many people...and while I was managing a health food store, I got the whole team addicted! And customers too! We at one point were ordering pallets of these! My favorite flavor is the Sweet Chili- it's sweet, it's spicy- perfectly balanced. And not to sound like a dork- but they're like healthy Doritos. But, you know, WAY BETTER! (My inner fat girl misses some of her junky vices. But believe me, it's been quite some time since I slummed it eating convenience store repast...)
5) Penta Water
If I had a million dollars, one of the very first things I would buy is the most intensely purifying water filtration systems money could buy. Yes, this is kind of lame...but if it could get my water to be as perfect and crisp, and well, awesome as Penta water is- well, then that'd be just fine with me.
Some water is just difficult to drink. I can't drink Evian. It's dry. And Fiji is not ethical. And some water comes from companies who have CEOS that are maniacal sociopaths. Like Nestle (I boycott the shit out of this vile, gross company. They make more than chocolate chips though- check the package for this logo and you'll know the make it.)
Oh, so my point is, PENTA WATER IS THE BEST WATER you can buy!
I can't say enough about this coconut water. There definitely are differences in taste depending on where the coconuts are grown. This particular company is mindful of how they harvest the coconuts and the indigenous people. I love when companies have a conscious.
Lookit, I know that in a perfect world we would all be vegans and all living creatures served the same purpose- to love, live and love some more. But as a human being- an omnivorous one at that, I eat meat. There were times in my life where I didn't, and I wasn't healthy despite proper balancing of supplements. I digress...Applegate farms meats and cheeses are top notch. They are minimally processed, no added nitrates or preservatives. Their dairy is no RGBH, and all their animals have just one bad day...ifyouknowwhatimean.
8) Trader Joe's organic Tunisian Olive Oil
It's just delicious. The flavor is unparalleled to anything I've ever had- with one exception. My dear friend and fellow blogger (http://www.theglobetrottinggamine.blogspot.com/) is married to a man who's family is from Kalamata, Greece. THAT is the best olive oil I've ever had. But it's not available to me right now.
TJ's is know for having some pretty great stuff, at a great price. I'm a fan of that sometimes. This olive oil is that sometime. It's amazing drizzled over hummus, on some veggies. I've made dressings out of it with just the tiniest bit of lemon to compliment it. And we all know that the health benefits of cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil are immense right? Right.
9) Go Raw
As a sales representative for countless products in the natural and organic food world- I have had the pleasure to sample and enjoy many incredible brands and their fantastic products.
One of them is Go Raw. Their line of raw, sprouted, organic, vegan, gluten free flax snax, bars, cookies, granolas and new coconut chips are top notch! While I was on the road I always had a bag or three of various treats in case I found myself in traffic. They have a satisfying crunch- and tons of nutritional value packed into each bite! Sprouted seeds are easier to digest, and allow your body to reap the benefits of the enzymes as they are more bioavailable.
My personal favorite right now are the lime-coconut chips, spicy flax snax since forever, and of course the sprouted pumpkin seed bar. Try them! They're so good!
10) Navitas Naturals
Holy health foods Batman! Since I was a little girl, my mom always had healthy options in the house. Never a junky snack (um, until my brother who was a skinny little thing was old enough to ask for them...) was to be found in my house. My apricots were dark brown, and we ate lots of sunflower seeds, natural fruit leathers...etc. Flash forward to my nutritional renaissance and I now revel in a good healthy snack like the ones I can make with Navitas Naturals goodies. I love their cacao nibs (the sweetened ones are INSANELY YUMMY. I've eaten them by the handful. It's a special treat I don't often indulge in because it's habit forming. I could probably eat a bag a day!), goji berries, golden berries(Inca berries), dragon fruit, and pretty much everything else. They make pre-made trail mixes with mulberries, gojis and cashews, energy chunk bars, freeze dried wheat grass which is great to add to smoothies, homemade energy and snack bars.
I'm always so happy to eat these foods. And meet my condition of being healthy and nutritious. A few years ago I made it a point to be conditional with the foods I eat. If the foods meet the condition of being nutritious in some capacity I'll eat it. Most foods are nurturing to some extent you know? But if the calories are empty, the food is highly processed, artificially colored/flavored they won't make the cut. The occasions I've had something junky, my body did not respond well.
What are your favorite clean foods?
It's just delicious. The flavor is unparalleled to anything I've ever had- with one exception. My dear friend and fellow blogger (http://www.theglobetrottinggamine.blogspot.com/) is married to a man who's family is from Kalamata, Greece. THAT is the best olive oil I've ever had. But it's not available to me right now.
TJ's is know for having some pretty great stuff, at a great price. I'm a fan of that sometimes. This olive oil is that sometime. It's amazing drizzled over hummus, on some veggies. I've made dressings out of it with just the tiniest bit of lemon to compliment it. And we all know that the health benefits of cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil are immense right? Right.
9) Go Raw
As a sales representative for countless products in the natural and organic food world- I have had the pleasure to sample and enjoy many incredible brands and their fantastic products.
One of them is Go Raw. Their line of raw, sprouted, organic, vegan, gluten free flax snax, bars, cookies, granolas and new coconut chips are top notch! While I was on the road I always had a bag or three of various treats in case I found myself in traffic. They have a satisfying crunch- and tons of nutritional value packed into each bite! Sprouted seeds are easier to digest, and allow your body to reap the benefits of the enzymes as they are more bioavailable.
My personal favorite right now are the lime-coconut chips, spicy flax snax since forever, and of course the sprouted pumpkin seed bar. Try them! They're so good!
10) Navitas Naturals
Holy health foods Batman! Since I was a little girl, my mom always had healthy options in the house. Never a junky snack (um, until my brother who was a skinny little thing was old enough to ask for them...) was to be found in my house. My apricots were dark brown, and we ate lots of sunflower seeds, natural fruit leathers...etc. Flash forward to my nutritional renaissance and I now revel in a good healthy snack like the ones I can make with Navitas Naturals goodies. I love their cacao nibs (the sweetened ones are INSANELY YUMMY. I've eaten them by the handful. It's a special treat I don't often indulge in because it's habit forming. I could probably eat a bag a day!), goji berries, golden berries(Inca berries), dragon fruit, and pretty much everything else. They make pre-made trail mixes with mulberries, gojis and cashews, energy chunk bars, freeze dried wheat grass which is great to add to smoothies, homemade energy and snack bars.
I'm always so happy to eat these foods. And meet my condition of being healthy and nutritious. A few years ago I made it a point to be conditional with the foods I eat. If the foods meet the condition of being nutritious in some capacity I'll eat it. Most foods are nurturing to some extent you know? But if the calories are empty, the food is highly processed, artificially colored/flavored they won't make the cut. The occasions I've had something junky, my body did not respond well.
What are your favorite clean foods?
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Adaptogenic Plants
So what is an adaptogenic plant you ask?
Well, an adaptogenic plant helps restore balance to, and protect the body.
Some are quite popular and you've probably heard of them before. Some are so common that they are in things like teas, and sold at bodegas! (For those who don't know, a bodega is a corner store in NYC) They might be roots, leaves, berries or bark.
I'll list a few that are fairly common, and a few you may or may not have heard of.
- American (There is Panax and Korean varieties!) Ginseng:
You may have seen Arizona Iced Tea with Ginseng. Or those weird tinctures sold at the counter of some bodegas in NYC. I used to wonder what the hell they were- and then I saw that the majority of people buying them were older, and male. They say that it's great for, uh- virility. I did some research and it's also used for immune boosting, and respiratory conditions. Helps with jet lag and helps boost energy. The other varietals are intense and tend to make some people who might be sensitive to it, jittery.
Cordyceps Mushrooms: Oh goodness me, these are some potent fungi. They're not only incredible for circulation, but they are known to be anti tumor and anti leukemic, with benefits for the cardiovascular system.
Rhodiola: Women will often take rhodiola for infertility, both sexes can take it to relieve depression, anxiety, and weakness.
And the next few are ones I've personally used and benefited from.
Holy Basil, a.k.a. Tulsi:
WOW! So I love holy basil. I've taken liquid capsules of holy basil during some very trying times in my life. It is known to relieve stress and elevate ones spirit and mood. There is a pretty impressive list of other uses too- regulating blood sugar, balancing hormones, heart health, lung health and immune support just to name a few. And it works! It's in the same family as mint, and the sweet basil that one would cook with. Let me reiterate, I LOVE HOLY BASIL!
Tulsi is also WONDERFUL! Ha, if I were to say this to you, I'd be shouting about it joyfully. Because it's true. I often drink Tulsi (My favorite brand is Organic India) tea for the calm, but potent energy boost it gives.
Ashwaganda: Ashwaganda is a very popular herb used in Ayurveda. What is Ayurveda? Short version- It is a holistic approach to health and wellness, and the balancing of body composition determined by certain health issues and predispositions that started in India.
So I've used ashwaganda to help me balance my hormones. I think that it worked, however I will say that I was also in the process of altering my lifestyle greatly when I used it so I can't say for certain that it was the ashwaganda or not. What I can say is that it certainly didn't hurt the cause. Oh, so it can also be used for it's ability to help the used focus, relieve anxiety and stress, immune support, and ailments that occur normally with age like arthritis, inflammation and sexual issues.
Sea buck thorn: Personally I love sea buck thorn. My favorite brand is Sibu, not because I used to represent them, but because their products are not only AMAZING, but sustainably sourced, and ethically procured. They help create jobs in the regions where they harvest the berries. Really great! Plus they make a myriad of sea buck thorn products that help you nourish your body inside and out.
And here's why you'd want to use/take a sea buck thorn product. These berries are super high in vitamin c, so that will bolster you immune system, they are also high in carotene, saturated and poly saturated fats- all of which nourish your skin. Then the phytonutrients in them are VERY potent antioxidants and are known to reduce inflammation significantly.
So there you have it. A brief look into the world of adaptogens. It's nice to know that there are some natural alternatives to some ailments right in your local health food store!
Well, an adaptogenic plant helps restore balance to, and protect the body.
Some are quite popular and you've probably heard of them before. Some are so common that they are in things like teas, and sold at bodegas! (For those who don't know, a bodega is a corner store in NYC) They might be roots, leaves, berries or bark.
I'll list a few that are fairly common, and a few you may or may not have heard of.
- American (There is Panax and Korean varieties!) Ginseng:
You may have seen Arizona Iced Tea with Ginseng. Or those weird tinctures sold at the counter of some bodegas in NYC. I used to wonder what the hell they were- and then I saw that the majority of people buying them were older, and male. They say that it's great for, uh- virility. I did some research and it's also used for immune boosting, and respiratory conditions. Helps with jet lag and helps boost energy. The other varietals are intense and tend to make some people who might be sensitive to it, jittery.
Cordyceps Mushrooms: Oh goodness me, these are some potent fungi. They're not only incredible for circulation, but they are known to be anti tumor and anti leukemic, with benefits for the cardiovascular system.
Rhodiola: Women will often take rhodiola for infertility, both sexes can take it to relieve depression, anxiety, and weakness.
And the next few are ones I've personally used and benefited from.
Holy Basil, a.k.a. Tulsi:
WOW! So I love holy basil. I've taken liquid capsules of holy basil during some very trying times in my life. It is known to relieve stress and elevate ones spirit and mood. There is a pretty impressive list of other uses too- regulating blood sugar, balancing hormones, heart health, lung health and immune support just to name a few. And it works! It's in the same family as mint, and the sweet basil that one would cook with. Let me reiterate, I LOVE HOLY BASIL!
Tulsi is also WONDERFUL! Ha, if I were to say this to you, I'd be shouting about it joyfully. Because it's true. I often drink Tulsi (My favorite brand is Organic India) tea for the calm, but potent energy boost it gives.
Ashwaganda: Ashwaganda is a very popular herb used in Ayurveda. What is Ayurveda? Short version- It is a holistic approach to health and wellness, and the balancing of body composition determined by certain health issues and predispositions that started in India.
So I've used ashwaganda to help me balance my hormones. I think that it worked, however I will say that I was also in the process of altering my lifestyle greatly when I used it so I can't say for certain that it was the ashwaganda or not. What I can say is that it certainly didn't hurt the cause. Oh, so it can also be used for it's ability to help the used focus, relieve anxiety and stress, immune support, and ailments that occur normally with age like arthritis, inflammation and sexual issues.
Sea buck thorn: Personally I love sea buck thorn. My favorite brand is Sibu, not because I used to represent them, but because their products are not only AMAZING, but sustainably sourced, and ethically procured. They help create jobs in the regions where they harvest the berries. Really great! Plus they make a myriad of sea buck thorn products that help you nourish your body inside and out.
And here's why you'd want to use/take a sea buck thorn product. These berries are super high in vitamin c, so that will bolster you immune system, they are also high in carotene, saturated and poly saturated fats- all of which nourish your skin. Then the phytonutrients in them are VERY potent antioxidants and are known to reduce inflammation significantly.
So there you have it. A brief look into the world of adaptogens. It's nice to know that there are some natural alternatives to some ailments right in your local health food store!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
"Home is wherever I'm with you..."
** Interactive blog**
Make sure to click the links as you come upon them so you can "listen" to the blog. I hope it helps you "feel" the emotions I experienced while writing. Obviously if you don't want to that's cool too.
Right now I'm listening to 'Home' by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. I love how my pandora radio stations bring up such great, random songs!
I love this song so much. It's so lovely- and it embodies the sentiment that I feel about anyplace that I've made my home. And I've got many homes.
Home isn't an address, or a building. It's where your heart is. And if you're anything like me, your heart is probably in a million different places.
My parent's live over 1,000 miles from one another, and yet my home will always be where they are.
One of my absolute best friends and favorite person/former roommate lives in California. Across the continent- And yet I know whenever we are together we are both at home.
I left New York after many incarnations of my life there. Childhood, adolescence and my whole up until a year and a half ago adulthood. But with all the friends and family whom I adore and love there- It's always home. Those people are my heart. So as long as they are there, it will be my home.
Currently my sweet husband and I are looking for a new apartment (the song 'Let's Stay Together' by Al Green just came on and it makes me want to drink wine and dance all slow and fierce...but I want to finish this mini-blog, or bloglet if you will. Not like I have wine or will be dancing, I'm going to paint my nails, sit in a bubble bath and pin things on pinterest while my sweet husband watches our son). What a pain in the ass that is right? Trying to find a physical place to turn into a home is not always easy. Sometimes you sacrifice living in a nicer area for a nicer apartment, and usually it seems impossible to find anything that feels like it could be the right place. It can all seem so overwhelming ('Wonderwall' by Oasis flips on. Seriously so perfect!), but I love change. Change is part of growth, for bigger and better things. Everything changes- it's the only constant. I know we will find the right place. And as long as I have my sweet husband, and my son, I'll be home. Because they are my heart, as as I said, that's where the home is right?
Oh, and this:
Dear Universe,
A bright and sunny apartment with a washer/dryer, dishwasher and backyard space so I can garden in a safe, sweet neighborhood, Please!
Thank you in advance!
Love
Sara
OK guys! Send good apartment finding vibes please!!
Make sure to click the links as you come upon them so you can "listen" to the blog. I hope it helps you "feel" the emotions I experienced while writing. Obviously if you don't want to that's cool too.
Right now I'm listening to 'Home' by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. I love how my pandora radio stations bring up such great, random songs!
I love this song so much. It's so lovely- and it embodies the sentiment that I feel about anyplace that I've made my home. And I've got many homes.
Home isn't an address, or a building. It's where your heart is. And if you're anything like me, your heart is probably in a million different places.
My parent's live over 1,000 miles from one another, and yet my home will always be where they are.
One of my absolute best friends and favorite person/former roommate lives in California. Across the continent- And yet I know whenever we are together we are both at home.
I left New York after many incarnations of my life there. Childhood, adolescence and my whole up until a year and a half ago adulthood. But with all the friends and family whom I adore and love there- It's always home. Those people are my heart. So as long as they are there, it will be my home.
Currently my sweet husband and I are looking for a new apartment (the song 'Let's Stay Together' by Al Green just came on and it makes me want to drink wine and dance all slow and fierce...but I want to finish this mini-blog, or bloglet if you will. Not like I have wine or will be dancing, I'm going to paint my nails, sit in a bubble bath and pin things on pinterest while my sweet husband watches our son). What a pain in the ass that is right? Trying to find a physical place to turn into a home is not always easy. Sometimes you sacrifice living in a nicer area for a nicer apartment, and usually it seems impossible to find anything that feels like it could be the right place. It can all seem so overwhelming ('Wonderwall' by Oasis flips on. Seriously so perfect!), but I love change. Change is part of growth, for bigger and better things. Everything changes- it's the only constant. I know we will find the right place. And as long as I have my sweet husband, and my son, I'll be home. Because they are my heart, as as I said, that's where the home is right?
Oh, and this:
Dear Universe,
A bright and sunny apartment with a washer/dryer, dishwasher and backyard space so I can garden in a safe, sweet neighborhood, Please!
Thank you in advance!
Love
Sara
OK guys! Send good apartment finding vibes please!!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Meditation
One of my favorite sounds is the hum of a singing bowl. Like the ones you can hear, HERE. The act of playing a singing bowl is a meditation. The sound brings a sense of peace and calm to me.
I try to meditate as often as I can, which isn't as often as I would like. At a point in my life I had a sacred space. A shelf with some figures. One of Buddha, some shells I found on a beach, flowers, some beach glass and my sage. I would burn some sage, do some yoga, light some of my favorite incense (nag champa), chant my mantra, and then sit quietly and listen to the sound of my breath. Sometimes my mind would wander, once I fell asleep. But occasionally I would find a peaceful calm place where it was just quiet and all I would hear and think about is my breath, and Om mani padme hum. It didn't always last a long time- but the times that this would happen helped me find peace with my self, and really find a love for my being. And I also realized that I am a speck of cosmic dust, here for a blip in the realm of existence. I felt connected to all, and wanted to run around hugging people and singing songs.
Now, I meditate in the car(not while it's on, that's dangerous). In the bathtub. Where ever I am and there is some quiet, and I am alone. I still connect to my breath.
Being a momma in the beginning is not always easy, nor does it readily allow for me to take the time I once did for my peaceful rituals that connected me to my soul. However I look into my son's face and see in his eyes that he is so present. So in the moment. In his laugh I find something so much more special than anything I've experienced on the yoga mat. He's a constant active meditation for me.
Meditation should be simple. It's finding time to listen to your breath. To empty your mind of all thoughts. It really can be anything you'd like though. I have meditated and sent positive thoughts and prayers out to people...it's however you want to mould your energy. The way you wake up and set your intentions, chant a mantra, it's how I like to start my meditation.
There are many mental and physical benefits to meditation. It's obviously relaxing, and can help reduce stress (which contributes to inflammation in the body, which causes dis-ease, which causes disease- you see where I'm going with this?). It can literally aid the body in protecting itself from many ailments like high-blood pressure, and in some way turn on the genes in your body that protect it from degenerative conditions like arthritis, helped balance hormones and improved immunity.
What many people don't realize is that meditation can also aid in creative processes like art, writing, music etc., as well.
A few tips to make meditation easier to incorporate into your life are:
1- Meditate early in the morning. The way you would schedule time to go to the gym, or another appointment, schedule time first thing in the AM to meditate.
2- Listen to a guided meditation. Often if you just sit down, and try to 'Ohm' your way through meditation you'll get bored, fall asleep, or lose focus. You can find a guided meditation online, on you tube, or a podcast.
3- stretch, and sit up straight. It's important to be in a comfortable position, that allows you to be mindful of your breath, be relaxed, but not hunched over.
4- Find a mantra. Many people are given mantras, some people find ones that they connect to.
My mantra is om mani padme hum(ओं मणिपद्मे हूं,). When chanted (click HERE, you won't regret it. And this is the sound of whats almost always going on in my head when it's not filled with bad TV show theme songs, recipes or horrific scenarios for the future dotted with my inner monologue saying "STOP IT!")it is said that the benefits are infinite. Om mani padme hum is the Compassion Buddha mantra and will clean your karma. The eight teachings of Buddha are within this mantra. A path to enlightenment. I even have it tattooed on my wrist! It makes me feel at peace. It allows me to use my every breath as meditation. It allowed my very being to be a walking meditation. Ha, it doesn't always work because I am human, and I have my moments. But since I've adopted this (extremely common) mantra those moments are less and less, and I always find resolution in my soul. Om mani padme hum has brought me peace from within.
I hope to increase my time spent meditating. I'm not sure if I'll be able to find the time I'd like to dedicate to it, but worrying about it defeats the purpose anyway.
I try to meditate as often as I can, which isn't as often as I would like. At a point in my life I had a sacred space. A shelf with some figures. One of Buddha, some shells I found on a beach, flowers, some beach glass and my sage. I would burn some sage, do some yoga, light some of my favorite incense (nag champa), chant my mantra, and then sit quietly and listen to the sound of my breath. Sometimes my mind would wander, once I fell asleep. But occasionally I would find a peaceful calm place where it was just quiet and all I would hear and think about is my breath, and Om mani padme hum. It didn't always last a long time- but the times that this would happen helped me find peace with my self, and really find a love for my being. And I also realized that I am a speck of cosmic dust, here for a blip in the realm of existence. I felt connected to all, and wanted to run around hugging people and singing songs.
Now, I meditate in the car(not while it's on, that's dangerous). In the bathtub. Where ever I am and there is some quiet, and I am alone. I still connect to my breath.
Being a momma in the beginning is not always easy, nor does it readily allow for me to take the time I once did for my peaceful rituals that connected me to my soul. However I look into my son's face and see in his eyes that he is so present. So in the moment. In his laugh I find something so much more special than anything I've experienced on the yoga mat. He's a constant active meditation for me.
Meditation should be simple. It's finding time to listen to your breath. To empty your mind of all thoughts. It really can be anything you'd like though. I have meditated and sent positive thoughts and prayers out to people...it's however you want to mould your energy. The way you wake up and set your intentions, chant a mantra, it's how I like to start my meditation.
There are many mental and physical benefits to meditation. It's obviously relaxing, and can help reduce stress (which contributes to inflammation in the body, which causes dis-ease, which causes disease- you see where I'm going with this?). It can literally aid the body in protecting itself from many ailments like high-blood pressure, and in some way turn on the genes in your body that protect it from degenerative conditions like arthritis, helped balance hormones and improved immunity.
What many people don't realize is that meditation can also aid in creative processes like art, writing, music etc., as well.
A few tips to make meditation easier to incorporate into your life are:
1- Meditate early in the morning. The way you would schedule time to go to the gym, or another appointment, schedule time first thing in the AM to meditate.
2- Listen to a guided meditation. Often if you just sit down, and try to 'Ohm' your way through meditation you'll get bored, fall asleep, or lose focus. You can find a guided meditation online, on you tube, or a podcast.
3- stretch, and sit up straight. It's important to be in a comfortable position, that allows you to be mindful of your breath, be relaxed, but not hunched over.
4- Find a mantra. Many people are given mantras, some people find ones that they connect to.
My mantra is om mani padme hum(ओं मणिपद्मे हूं,). When chanted (click HERE, you won't regret it. And this is the sound of whats almost always going on in my head when it's not filled with bad TV show theme songs, recipes or horrific scenarios for the future dotted with my inner monologue saying "STOP IT!")it is said that the benefits are infinite. Om mani padme hum is the Compassion Buddha mantra and will clean your karma. The eight teachings of Buddha are within this mantra. A path to enlightenment. I even have it tattooed on my wrist! It makes me feel at peace. It allows me to use my every breath as meditation. It allowed my very being to be a walking meditation. Ha, it doesn't always work because I am human, and I have my moments. But since I've adopted this (extremely common) mantra those moments are less and less, and I always find resolution in my soul. Om mani padme hum has brought me peace from within.
I hope to increase my time spent meditating. I'm not sure if I'll be able to find the time I'd like to dedicate to it, but worrying about it defeats the purpose anyway.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
I am probiotic. What about you?
Heads up: I kind of discuss poop. If you have problems reading about poop, well, exit- stage right!
Most of the time these bacteria help us fight off bad bacteria, and keep up going on our way. But sometimes the balance is off and we get infections, or feel icky...
An important part of what our bacterial inhabitants help us with is digestion.
Now I'm not going to get into the actual breakdowns but they help break down our food as we digest it, and then prevent pathogenic infections by populating areas where that could occur in greater numbers. Having a healthy digestive tract relies heavily on proper flora (good bacteria)! When you're sick a combination of a flora imbalance and dehydration will lead to diarrhea. Or constipation. Or bad poops. Yes, all poop is gross- but a bad (extremely freakishly smelly, greasy loose and watery poop is a sign of intestinal distress. You are unbalanced, and dehydrated and probably ate something rank. If that's not the case there could be a more pressing issue like IBS or Chrons disease. VERY important to talk to a medical professional about this. Though I'll just state in my opinion the remedies for these conditions can be arduous and taxing on your body too. There are many natural and healing ways to remedy and aid in these maladies- like a good pro-biotic and aloe...).
A good poop is just great. You know when you take a good poop because in that moment nothing can bring you down! There's pep in your step.
Fun fact: A poop that sinks shows you are getting a LOT of veggies and fruit. A poop that floats shows a lot of excess fats.
We also need a healthy balance in our intestines because our immune system primarily resides in our intestines. Because of that it's important to maintain and nurture the good bacteria in our bodies by supplementing with a probiotic, or eating fermented foods.
I am not a huge fan of dairy being a major staple in a diet as it creates an acidic and damp environment in the human body- however there are exceptions to this. I think that eating a high quality yogurt (plain, Greek or Skyr yogurts or a kefir is great!) is a fine way to get probiotics that help populate your body with good flora. If you're a dairy teetotaler then almond and coconut yogurts are great alternatives. Then there are fermented foods like kombucha (which, over time will help bolster your immunity like whoa!) trending in the health food stratosphere despite blips of controversy regarding alcohol content, Miso (it's easier for your body to digest then straight up soy and has a solid dose of potassium too!)paste, and one of my most favorite- KIMCHI! It's the national dish of Korea, and I can eat it every day. It does make my currently breast-feeding baby gassy so I have to hold off on it, but damn I miss it. There are many other fermented foods that are easy to integrate into your diet...But if yogurt is too difficult for you then I don't know what to tell you.
And of course there are probiotic supplements. Now some will say "50 trillion strains!" or something ridiculous like that. Part of me says to be mindful that there really is no way to know how may strains you are getting. Often if you opt for a supplement pro-biotic opt for one that has a pre-biotic as well. It will help protect the integrity of the supplemental bacteria and ensure you get them in your gut where they belong.
Now if the circumstance arises and you find yourself at a doctors office, and for whatever reason you are given an Rx for an antibiotic, (if you're me you roll your eyes and ask why, and 30 other questions, specifically if you can be given the lowest dosage possible...) make sure to inform them that between doses you intend on taking a probiotic (this is when a supplemental pro-biotic is bad ass!) to maintain the integrity of your intestinal flora. Any doctor that protests needs to check themselves before they wreck themselves. The anti-biotic isn't going to differentiate between the bad bacteria causing a health problem, and the good bacteria fighting them off. This is especially important for the ladies. If you want to keep your parts in good standing make sure you keep up with probiotics.
In my opinion antibiotics are an absolute last resort. There is such a rising rate of antibiotic resistant strains of illnesses because of overuse. Contracting a strain of antibiotic resistant anything will put you through the ringer! I will opt for alternatives before going to the pharmacy any day.
Alternatives to antibiotics are oil of oregano, cinnamon, thyme, clove and many more. They can be blended with coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil and applied topically to help heal skin infections or taken internally.
Colloidal silver is an incredible immune boosting, bad bacteria butt kicking alternative to antibiotics. It's been used since 400 B.C. when Hippocrates first realized that it had anti-microbial properties! Awesome right? If integrated into a healing regiment you'll notice an absolute difference.
GARLIC!! I can not say enough about this magical food. It's antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal. I try to add it to every juice I make, and cook with it as much as I can. In my humble opinion there is no such thing as too much garlic (fun fact, if you chew raw garlic, make sure you've got fresh parsley on hand- it will help neutralize the odor it might leave behind).
Manuka Honey is a variety of honey from New Zealand. A monofloral (bees only pollinate one variety of flower, in this case blossoms from the Manuka tree...) varietal that has been known for its incredible healing properties, along with all honey- but has actually been recognized by the FDA to treat wounds! That's kind of awesome. I suggest using it preemptively when you feel that tickle in your throat right before a cold sets in. It's mega potent and a perfect way to help stave of illness.
There are many more amazing alternatives to antibiotics out there, I hope that you will look and see what suits your lifestyle and specific health needs.
(I have to say this next part)
***As I am not a medical professional please consult one before deviating from their recommendations for your health and well being.
(But also listen to your body and instinct. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and doctors are not in charge of you. They are not God. YOU choose what's best for you)
With the perfect combination of probiotics, and alternatives to antibiotics you'll hopefully find yourself in great health!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
"Food"/Food/Local Food.
We are a nation of very very sick people. This can be traced directly to what and how we eat. There are foods that are so processed they are mere shells of the foods they attempt to imitate.
I learned a while back that if you were to consume a fast food burger you are eating the beef from over 100 different (mistreated, abused, miserable, sad) cows. How odd is that? I find it absolutely repulsive.
Most people know that fast food and healthy aren't synonymous. Even the industry that created big Ag knows this and as trends have dictated even made attempts to green-wash with nifty salads and healthier options (GMO apple slices? RBGH infused milk and dairy? Ugh, no thank you). And for those who eat fast food as a necessity I will say that it is better than supersizing or getting fries with "that". But if you opt to eat at a fast food or chain restaurant you are getting father and farther away from eating real food. If it came out of a package and you can eat it in a year, it's not real food. If it's got ingredients in it that your grandmother or mother (depending on how old you are) would not recognize, it's not real food. If it's diet/lite/now with more/less or has BHT/MSG or aspartame/splenda/HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, and food coloring- it's almost certain to have been the brain child of Monsanto, Dow or another biotech company that also makes poisons. They made nerve gas during all of the World Wars and the Vietnam conflict; but now we let them MAKE THINGS WE EAT. Sorry, but thats just fucking stupid.
But lets get to the good stuff.
One of my food gurus, and favorite author, Michael Pollan has inspired my passion for real food.
This quote of his makes me extremely happy:
“If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't. ”
Such a simple and yet complicated way to approach food.
Because how can we slow food down in a world where everything is being made faster and bigger and NOWOMGWTFBBQ?!!!!!!
Well, thankfully there is a burgeoning local food movement growing across the country. Along with it a slow foods movement as well. How many cities now have regular farmers markets? This connects people to their farmers, their local artisan butchers, bakers and yes, candle stick makers. These crafted foods and goods are made everyday by people in your local communities. Local can be vague and there are often debates as to "what s local?", but ideally you'd think in your state or within 100 to 200 miles of where you live; but it varies. Just know that local is not a bag of Tyson chicken nuggets, or a box of Wheaties.
When you purchase a fresh item, it isn't going to have the same industrial, mechanized lovelessness in the final product. There is a person on the other side of the jar of pickles who has a story. And there is a soul. When you have a product with soul it helps to ignite yours. The first time I had an apple grown 80 miles from my house, I got pretty psyched. And then when I went out east to pick them myself there many years ago, there was something of a romance ignited. Now my day dreams have me in Cutchogue Long Island at Sang Lee farms. I have a constant vision to one day own a small patch of farm land on Long Island to mirror this particular farm(seriously, if you haven't gone out on the North Fork of Long Island you are missing out! Apples and pumpkins, flowers, wine, goat cheese and a huge lavender farm!!).
But if you aren't near the North Fork of Long Island, buying local is as simple as going to a mom and pop bakery for a cake instead of a supermarket. Or getting a bike from an independent store and not a big box chain like WalMart. When you do this- you are helping to support a family, and your local economy. You keep the big guys from running the little guys out of town. The thought of a desolate nation filled with strip malls and drive throughs is maudlin to say the least. Who really wants that? Not I. And I hope my kid doesn't ever have to endure the garbage that is inside a 'happy meal'.
One of the reasons why I am optimistic about the local foods movement, is because I have been lucky enough to watch an awesome friend of mine help it thrive in New York. His name is Martin Butts (click this link to see this dude in action. He's just the bees knees!) and he's the go to guy for local food/product producers in CNY (Central New York State). I interviewed him to get an idea of his perspective on local foods, and some insight on how others can find local products and foods.
*Marty's answers are in bold
1) Why is local important?
For me eating local is important because there's so many reasons it's important. If you're concerned about your local economy, your health, the environment, workers rights, you can make a choice that reflects that and you can see the impacts your choices are having. 2)
2)What is the easiest way for a person to find local foods?
I tell everyone whether they're a consumer looking for locally grown, a chef trying to localize their menu, or a grocer trying to get more local stiff on their shelf the same thing. Start at the farmers market. As you get to know farmers and producers there, you'll figure out where else you can find what you're looking for.
3)What inspired you to get involved with food in this way?
I started working in food kind of by accident. The food co-op where I started working was in my neighborhood (I had been riding my bike 10 miles each way to my previous job). While I was working there, I started to connect with my community in a way I hadn't been able to before, and I started to see the greater impacts my choices were having.
There wasn't any one thing, it was kind of a slow release "Aha moment". I can say that Jennifer Baskerville-Burros (a local food advocate who used to live in Syracuse) and her blog "Cookin' in the Cuse" really got me digging deeper into my local food system.
4) What is your favorite local to you food?
Boy that's a tough one. I grew up spending a few months a year with a family in Buffalo, NY and chicken wings will always have a special place in my heart. I'm always proud to see "Turkey Joints" on a shelf. Right now, I'm a little obsessed with Main Street Farms out of Homer, NY. They're an aquaponics operation that runs a CSA and is trying to grow food in city centers. What they're doing is cutting edge, sustainable, and they have a focus on making food affordable for folks living in neighborhoods that have access issues.
For more information about what it is that Marty does, check out his website, http://www.iamsmallpotatoes.com/.
There are so many facets to local foods and products and concepts. It's not a one dimensional topic as you can see from the information Marty shared. But it's great to know that there are so many opportunities for us all to connect with what it means to eat locally. We all have an impact on our communities and it is dictated by our choices in the same way that what we choose to eat has an impact on our health and well being.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Yogi life
A long time ago I had to choose a class for a gym credit at Queensborough Community College. And that is how I became a yogi.
Of course at the time I thought that it was a glorified nap time, and I would just show up in sweats and curl up on my mat and that'd be that.
There was no way for me to know that the hour and 15 min I spent once a week in that sweaty annex in QCC would be life changing.
I never really had any ideas about yoga aside from thinking about yogurt every time I saw the word. No really, I did and honestly still do.
So what happened next was amazing. Actually the next two things were amazing. First amazing thing? I showed up. In those days I wasn't prioritizing my education to put it gently. In lay mans terms I was fucking shit up seven ways to Sunday. Until that day that I showed up.
To be frank, I couldn't tell you the instructors name for a million dollars. But she was old, round and flowed like a spring breeze through a meadow of flowers. Her strength that carried her through an enviable on all levels practice impressed me enough to do my best.
BOOM! I fell in love with yoga. Perhaps it was the gentle flow of my own practice, and the innate ability for my body to go from down dog to plank- and then the clumsy "hop up to the top of the mat" that makes me smile everysingletime...That was 15 years ago.
My practice is still sporadic, but over the past ALMOST HALF OF MY LIFE I have taken with me the knowledge that yoga isn't always about the asana (position). It's a spirit of love, it's Namaste (recognizing the light, divinity that resides in you, resides in your fellow Earth dwellers) incarnate. It is how you flow through life, and not just how you flow through a vinyasa that is your yoga practice.
Since having my son, getting time on the mat is precious and rare. The time away has taken a toll on my once impressive strength and balance. So when I waiver, I smile and remind myself- that it's ok. On the mat I'm in love with my soul. I'm in love with myself. By giving myself that love, I can radiate it out to others. I dedicate my practice to the lost and hurting. Almost every time. Sometimes that means me, or a friend, or sometimes it's a general contribution to the love out there.
I'm excited to carve more time out for my practice and look forward with anticipation to grow within it.
I've been lucky enough to practice in some great studios, in addition to my home practice. The last really exciting classes for me were in Queens, where one of the most lovely classes were taught by my friend Sarah. She was gracious enough to answer some questions for me and I'd like to share them here. I'm going to put her answers in bold.
1) When did you begin practicing yoga? Do you remember your first class?
I feel like I always knew about yoga somehow.
It was always something that interested me long before I even know what it really was. But my first experience with the practice was in high school. When an older friend came back from college on a break and taught me a sun salutation and seated forward fold. I was totally drawn in. I came back to yoga in college and then stated a real regular practice in 2008 when a patient of mine recommended Vitality studio. After 3 years of regular practice there I went though teacher training and started teaching immediately after.
2) What do you think is the biggest misconception about yoga?
I have found that a common misconception about yoga is that it's a) girly or b) not challenging. Once a person takes their first class both of those misconceptions get blown out of the water! I find that many people are misinformed that way. Then there is always the misconception that yoga is only a set of physical postures. I thought that too, until teacher training. That's really when I learned about the entire philosophy that yoga is a part of.
3) What would you say to somebody who says "I'm bad at Yoga"?
I would say there is no such thing, and maybe they've just not found the right teacher or style. When you enter the yoga practice, the options are endless. So many styles, so many forms.
4) How has yoga changed/inspired you?
Self awareness, self awareness, self awareness. The practice shows you your patterns of thought, behavior and living.You naturally start to sort out the patterns that you wish to continue and those you wish to stop because of the positive or negative impact they have on your life and the world. Regular practice has made me want to make better choices for my body too, in terms of nutrition and exercise.
5) Favorite asana/sequence?
I think about this a lot actually...If I was told I could only practice 3 yoga poses for the rest of my life and nothing else, I would have to pick anjaneyasana (a.k.a. the low lunge or crescent lunge) because you can vary it so many ways to get a backbend, shoulder stretch, hip stretch and/or side body stretch. Trikonasana (a.k.a. triangle pose) I just love the pose and feel like it softens all my tension. And supta baddha konasana (a.k.a. reclined bound angle or butterfly pose) because it's the ultimate way to relax, unwind, calm down and open up all at the same time.
I would like to thank Sarah, an amazing yogi, teacher and friend- for allowing me to share her insight with you.
And I will close this blog post with an ::::::::::::OM:::::::::::: .
Namaste :).
Of course at the time I thought that it was a glorified nap time, and I would just show up in sweats and curl up on my mat and that'd be that.
There was no way for me to know that the hour and 15 min I spent once a week in that sweaty annex in QCC would be life changing.
I never really had any ideas about yoga aside from thinking about yogurt every time I saw the word. No really, I did and honestly still do.
So what happened next was amazing. Actually the next two things were amazing. First amazing thing? I showed up. In those days I wasn't prioritizing my education to put it gently. In lay mans terms I was fucking shit up seven ways to Sunday. Until that day that I showed up.
To be frank, I couldn't tell you the instructors name for a million dollars. But she was old, round and flowed like a spring breeze through a meadow of flowers. Her strength that carried her through an enviable on all levels practice impressed me enough to do my best.
BOOM! I fell in love with yoga. Perhaps it was the gentle flow of my own practice, and the innate ability for my body to go from down dog to plank- and then the clumsy "hop up to the top of the mat" that makes me smile everysingletime...That was 15 years ago.
My practice is still sporadic, but over the past ALMOST HALF OF MY LIFE I have taken with me the knowledge that yoga isn't always about the asana (position). It's a spirit of love, it's Namaste (recognizing the light, divinity that resides in you, resides in your fellow Earth dwellers) incarnate. It is how you flow through life, and not just how you flow through a vinyasa that is your yoga practice.
Since having my son, getting time on the mat is precious and rare. The time away has taken a toll on my once impressive strength and balance. So when I waiver, I smile and remind myself- that it's ok. On the mat I'm in love with my soul. I'm in love with myself. By giving myself that love, I can radiate it out to others. I dedicate my practice to the lost and hurting. Almost every time. Sometimes that means me, or a friend, or sometimes it's a general contribution to the love out there.
I'm excited to carve more time out for my practice and look forward with anticipation to grow within it.
I've been lucky enough to practice in some great studios, in addition to my home practice. The last really exciting classes for me were in Queens, where one of the most lovely classes were taught by my friend Sarah. She was gracious enough to answer some questions for me and I'd like to share them here. I'm going to put her answers in bold.
1) When did you begin practicing yoga? Do you remember your first class?
I feel like I always knew about yoga somehow.
It was always something that interested me long before I even know what it really was. But my first experience with the practice was in high school. When an older friend came back from college on a break and taught me a sun salutation and seated forward fold. I was totally drawn in. I came back to yoga in college and then stated a real regular practice in 2008 when a patient of mine recommended Vitality studio. After 3 years of regular practice there I went though teacher training and started teaching immediately after.
2) What do you think is the biggest misconception about yoga?
I have found that a common misconception about yoga is that it's a) girly or b) not challenging. Once a person takes their first class both of those misconceptions get blown out of the water! I find that many people are misinformed that way. Then there is always the misconception that yoga is only a set of physical postures. I thought that too, until teacher training. That's really when I learned about the entire philosophy that yoga is a part of.
3) What would you say to somebody who says "I'm bad at Yoga"?
I would say there is no such thing, and maybe they've just not found the right teacher or style. When you enter the yoga practice, the options are endless. So many styles, so many forms.
4) How has yoga changed/inspired you?
Self awareness, self awareness, self awareness. The practice shows you your patterns of thought, behavior and living.You naturally start to sort out the patterns that you wish to continue and those you wish to stop because of the positive or negative impact they have on your life and the world. Regular practice has made me want to make better choices for my body too, in terms of nutrition and exercise.
5) Favorite asana/sequence?
I think about this a lot actually...If I was told I could only practice 3 yoga poses for the rest of my life and nothing else, I would have to pick anjaneyasana (a.k.a. the low lunge or crescent lunge) because you can vary it so many ways to get a backbend, shoulder stretch, hip stretch and/or side body stretch. Trikonasana (a.k.a. triangle pose) I just love the pose and feel like it softens all my tension. And supta baddha konasana (a.k.a. reclined bound angle or butterfly pose) because it's the ultimate way to relax, unwind, calm down and open up all at the same time.
I would like to thank Sarah, an amazing yogi, teacher and friend- for allowing me to share her insight with you.
And I will close this blog post with an ::::::::::::OM:::::::::::: .
Namaste :).
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Hemp...Not just for Hippies anymore!
Once upon a time, in a land far far away there was a magical plant.
This plant could be used for almost anything. Food, building materials, fuel, paper, animal feed and bedding, rope, fabric, and medicine.
Oh, wait- that wasn't far far away and it wasn't once upon a time. It's here and now- and that magical plant is HEMP. Hemp has been cultivated by man for a millennia, and is able to thrive almost everywhere on the planet. Because of it's relation to marijuana (cannabis sativa/indica...) it's been given a scarlet letter and a totally undeserved terrible reputation. The medicinal properties of cannabis are far and away undersold in our modern allopathic minded society. It's an absolute shame and disgrace that the initiatives to utilize this plants healing properties are slow going or not at all. And hemp and it's psychedelic counter culture cousin are cast into the same category as heroin and cocaine. Which were all medicinal at some point in history.
But I digress; I'm going to discuss it's nutritional benefits for now.
Personally I like to put hemp seeds on and in anything I possibly can. Partially because the seeds are really crunchy and they're so nutritionally dense it'd be silly NOT to! How healthy are these seeds? Well lets just say that you get minerals like iron and calcium...a balance of omega 3-6-9, and fiber! And protein too. I think those who don't eat meat and need some great plant based protein would benefit from adding hemp seeds to oatmeal, yogurts, smoothies. Or you can just eat them. I've spilled seeds while pouring them right into my mouth like a beast. I have no shame, I'm a total eat-right-out-of-the-bag kind of girl. Whatever. Like you've never done that. My favorite use of hemp seeds are to put them in my salads and smoothies.
Oh, so those who consume hemp seeds have reported incredible benefits like lowered blood pressure, and because of those fabulous omega fatty acids all up in there- radiant glowing skin and beautiful lustrous hair. Omegas are also important for brain health so there's that also.
Not too shabby.
But wait- There's more!
Now don't quote me because it's not "FDA approved", but hemp seed have plant sterols, antioxidants and solid fiber that have been known to help you control your appetite (fiber helps you feel full longer- remember from my smoothie vs. juice entry?), which aids in weight loss.
Pretty awesome right?
You can also make (or buy) hemp milk, you can sprout hemp seeds and throw them into salads (I'm waiting for an amazon order of my raw hemp seeds to come in so I can sprout them...I'm super psyched to add these to my gargantuan salads!) or onto a sandwich, and hemp oil is great for dressings, in healing tonics and elixirs, and I've just used it in place of olive oil in some capacities.
Hemp is a very nutrient dense seed- throw it into everything and you will be happy that you did! The health benefits are solid- and contrary to what people might assume- hemp will not get you high.
But you will feel awesome.
This plant could be used for almost anything. Food, building materials, fuel, paper, animal feed and bedding, rope, fabric, and medicine.
Oh, wait- that wasn't far far away and it wasn't once upon a time. It's here and now- and that magical plant is HEMP. Hemp has been cultivated by man for a millennia, and is able to thrive almost everywhere on the planet. Because of it's relation to marijuana (cannabis sativa/indica...) it's been given a scarlet letter and a totally undeserved terrible reputation. The medicinal properties of cannabis are far and away undersold in our modern allopathic minded society. It's an absolute shame and disgrace that the initiatives to utilize this plants healing properties are slow going or not at all. And hemp and it's psychedelic counter culture cousin are cast into the same category as heroin and cocaine. Which were all medicinal at some point in history.
But I digress; I'm going to discuss it's nutritional benefits for now.
Personally I like to put hemp seeds on and in anything I possibly can. Partially because the seeds are really crunchy and they're so nutritionally dense it'd be silly NOT to! How healthy are these seeds? Well lets just say that you get minerals like iron and calcium...a balance of omega 3-6-9, and fiber! And protein too. I think those who don't eat meat and need some great plant based protein would benefit from adding hemp seeds to oatmeal, yogurts, smoothies. Or you can just eat them. I've spilled seeds while pouring them right into my mouth like a beast. I have no shame, I'm a total eat-right-out-of-the-bag kind of girl. Whatever. Like you've never done that. My favorite use of hemp seeds are to put them in my salads and smoothies.
Oh, so those who consume hemp seeds have reported incredible benefits like lowered blood pressure, and because of those fabulous omega fatty acids all up in there- radiant glowing skin and beautiful lustrous hair. Omegas are also important for brain health so there's that also.
Not too shabby.
But wait- There's more!
Now don't quote me because it's not "FDA approved", but hemp seed have plant sterols, antioxidants and solid fiber that have been known to help you control your appetite (fiber helps you feel full longer- remember from my smoothie vs. juice entry?), which aids in weight loss.
Pretty awesome right?
You can also make (or buy) hemp milk, you can sprout hemp seeds and throw them into salads (I'm waiting for an amazon order of my raw hemp seeds to come in so I can sprout them...I'm super psyched to add these to my gargantuan salads!) or onto a sandwich, and hemp oil is great for dressings, in healing tonics and elixirs, and I've just used it in place of olive oil in some capacities.
Hemp is a very nutrient dense seed- throw it into everything and you will be happy that you did! The health benefits are solid- and contrary to what people might assume- hemp will not get you high.
But you will feel awesome.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
I LOVE BEE VOMIT!
Because as you know, honey is bee vomit.
And I LOVE honey!
Why do I need to always be so crass? Because that's just how I roll. That's just how I roll.
So yes, my Winnie the Pooh-like affinity for honey.
It's amazing stuff. While it is one of the most gloriously sweet and wonderful substances I've ever had the pleasure of consuming...it has historically been used in medicine since, well, pretty much the dawn of man. There are countless ailments for which it is considered to aid in remedying. Circulation, infection (as it has anti-biotic properties), digestion, respiratory, and can nourish your skin from the outside in.
Obviously one of the most common ways we use honey is for oral consumption. I put it in everything from tea, salad dressings, to parfaits, marinades and sometimes- sometimes...I'll just eat some off a spoon. Not a lot, as the sweetness sometimes is too much to bear...but just enough to make me dizzyingly- and gloriously thankful for the tiny-fuzzy-noble honey bee.
I'll pontificate about my adoration for bees now...
Did you know bees are responsible for over 75% of the produce we see in our supermarkets? They are the humble drones that flit and flutter about between blossoms pollinating our plants. It's a known saying "once the bees die, so will we". I don't doubt this for a moment. We are so interconnected (we being all the creatures on this beautiful blue marble flying through space) and rely so heavily on one another for survival. Which is why we need to do something.
And this amazing creature is up against the clock.
With the rise in use, and abuse of pesticides our black and yellow winged partners in life are having a hard time. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) which is being linked to pesticides. NO BUENO! Pesticides are not helpful to us for a multitude of reasons (that I will get into another time possibly). But really what needs to happen needs to start at a grass roots level. It's up to us- the conscientious individuals- to save the bees. In doing so we will be saving ourselves.
With huge companies like Monsanto, and Bayer using their billions of dollars to slowly cripple industries that help and heal- the many millions and billions of mindful inhabitants of this planet can each do their part to help the survival of one of the most incredible creatures.
HOW though? Well, to start- plant bee friendly plants. Some of those include the following:
Clover
Dandelions (NOT A WEED!! STOP KILLING THEM! THEY'RE MEDICINAL!)
Marigolds
Poppies
Sunflowers
Zinnias (Apropos of nothing, my most favorite flower...)
Clematis
Cosmos
Crocuses
Dahlias
Echinacea (a great medicinal herb to have growing too!)
English Ivy
Foxglove
Geraniums
Hollyhocks
Hyacinth
And MILKWEED! Milkweed is a great flower that bees love! If you plant anything to make your yard a haven for our friend the honey bee, this is the one.
I have some friends who are bee keepers and plan on interviewing them in the coming weeks to share some information about what it entails. Hopefully it will inspire some people to take it up as a hobby, or who knows- maybe even a profession. One day I'd love to have a space to have a few hives of my own.
* * * * *
BEE POLLEN
I'm obsessed with bee pollen. It's basically pollen, stuck together with honey. It's got tons of protein and amino acids. And for those who have holistic inclinations- it's known to remedy fertility issues, circulation (like honey), immunity, allergies and craving cessation. It's absolutely a superfood because of how amazing the health benefits are.
Some of the best ways to eat it are strait up off a spoon (it's got a funky, weird taste at first- I've still not mastered the art of eating it this way...) and mixed into a smoothie, juice (I try to pulverize it so it is more of a powder and easy to blend it in) or some yogurt.
This spring as so many of us will begin to start our gardens (more on details of my attempt to do so in another entry...) please don't shoo away our closest ally, and noblest flying friend. Remember, it is bees who are the only creature on this planet who actively make something that we desire, and serve a greater purpose than we can fathom.
“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.”
― Henry David Thoreau
And I LOVE honey!
Why do I need to always be so crass? Because that's just how I roll. That's just how I roll.
So yes, my Winnie the Pooh-like affinity for honey.
It's amazing stuff. While it is one of the most gloriously sweet and wonderful substances I've ever had the pleasure of consuming...it has historically been used in medicine since, well, pretty much the dawn of man. There are countless ailments for which it is considered to aid in remedying. Circulation, infection (as it has anti-biotic properties), digestion, respiratory, and can nourish your skin from the outside in.
Obviously one of the most common ways we use honey is for oral consumption. I put it in everything from tea, salad dressings, to parfaits, marinades and sometimes- sometimes...I'll just eat some off a spoon. Not a lot, as the sweetness sometimes is too much to bear...but just enough to make me dizzyingly- and gloriously thankful for the tiny-fuzzy-noble honey bee.
I'll pontificate about my adoration for bees now...
Did you know bees are responsible for over 75% of the produce we see in our supermarkets? They are the humble drones that flit and flutter about between blossoms pollinating our plants. It's a known saying "once the bees die, so will we". I don't doubt this for a moment. We are so interconnected (we being all the creatures on this beautiful blue marble flying through space) and rely so heavily on one another for survival. Which is why we need to do something.
And this amazing creature is up against the clock.
With the rise in use, and abuse of pesticides our black and yellow winged partners in life are having a hard time. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) which is being linked to pesticides. NO BUENO! Pesticides are not helpful to us for a multitude of reasons (that I will get into another time possibly). But really what needs to happen needs to start at a grass roots level. It's up to us- the conscientious individuals- to save the bees. In doing so we will be saving ourselves.
With huge companies like Monsanto, and Bayer using their billions of dollars to slowly cripple industries that help and heal- the many millions and billions of mindful inhabitants of this planet can each do their part to help the survival of one of the most incredible creatures.
HOW though? Well, to start- plant bee friendly plants. Some of those include the following:
Clover
Dandelions (NOT A WEED!! STOP KILLING THEM! THEY'RE MEDICINAL!)
Marigolds
Poppies
Sunflowers
Zinnias (Apropos of nothing, my most favorite flower...)
Clematis
Cosmos
Crocuses
Dahlias
Echinacea (a great medicinal herb to have growing too!)
English Ivy
Foxglove
Geraniums
Hollyhocks
Hyacinth
And MILKWEED! Milkweed is a great flower that bees love! If you plant anything to make your yard a haven for our friend the honey bee, this is the one.
I have some friends who are bee keepers and plan on interviewing them in the coming weeks to share some information about what it entails. Hopefully it will inspire some people to take it up as a hobby, or who knows- maybe even a profession. One day I'd love to have a space to have a few hives of my own.
* * * * *
BEE POLLEN
I'm obsessed with bee pollen. It's basically pollen, stuck together with honey. It's got tons of protein and amino acids. And for those who have holistic inclinations- it's known to remedy fertility issues, circulation (like honey), immunity, allergies and craving cessation. It's absolutely a superfood because of how amazing the health benefits are.
Some of the best ways to eat it are strait up off a spoon (it's got a funky, weird taste at first- I've still not mastered the art of eating it this way...) and mixed into a smoothie, juice (I try to pulverize it so it is more of a powder and easy to blend it in) or some yogurt.
This spring as so many of us will begin to start our gardens (more on details of my attempt to do so in another entry...) please don't shoo away our closest ally, and noblest flying friend. Remember, it is bees who are the only creature on this planet who actively make something that we desire, and serve a greater purpose than we can fathom.
“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams.”
― Henry David Thoreau
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Body Shots
Honest to goodness, I have no idea how many times I've made self depreciating comments about my body.
Even as a child I knew that I was not your average skinny girl.
My mother never made comments, and the few well meaning comments from one of my grandfather never held water- as he was always heavy since I can remember.
But I was no older than seven years old when I noticed that I had a belly. It was right before my parents were going to take my brother and I to have our photos taken. My mom bought me this super cute peachy parrot top and jungle shorts. It was a really great outfit. But I clear as day remember looking down at my belly as it was rounded out a bit over my shorts. I didn't realize it then, but that was a catalytic moment in my life, it was the first time that I was aware of how my belly looked in what I was wearing. No child should ever be made to feel self conscious, and about their body no less. But there I was in that moment...analyzing my cute tummy, and sucking it in. I looked in the mirror and sucked my tummy in to see what I would look like if it were flat. And in that moment my life long Achilles heel was born. Fuck.
Nothing ruins a childhood like being chubby, and having low self esteem. Thank the Lord above and all things good and holy that despite knowing I was chubby- I also knew I was abso-fucking-lutely awesome. My parents instilled in me many qualities. Thankfully a solid sense of self, sense of compassion, and sense of humor were some of them. Not only was I able to skate through childhood and adolescence with minimal to no (well, nothing memorable) bullying...I was often befriended the bullied weirdos and helped integrate them into some social groups. Not the cool kids though. Ugh- I loathed the idea of being cool or popular. That meant that you blended in. And I knew even then that is a fate worse than death to a creative soul.
But back to my being fat.
I'd make comments about myself jokingly before anyone else could so that it'd diffuse any attempts at getting me in my weak under-belly (pun intended). My defense mechanism was (and is) humor and light-heartedness.
Flash forward to now. I sit nearing my 33rd trip around the sun and after a baby, some mega weight losses and gains in that period of time- typing this blog entry in the glow of a borrowed MAC computer looking down at my still rounded belly.
To some extent we've made peace. This belly hides a pretty strong core. This belly carried life. This belly carried me through life.
And even at my skinniest I had it. My soft, round and warm fleshy belly.
No man has ever denied me because of it, well, no man that I'd have would. And if anyone were to eat me after a plane crash I'm sure I'd be tasty because we all know that fat equals flavor.
I have to work hard to lose weight, and I have to work harder to lose the noise in my head that sounds like criticism coming from myself. No more shots at my belly, or the other parts of my body.
This phase in my life isn't about me enough for me to beat myself up. I have a family to care for, a child that I feed from the body I grew him in (yeah, that's right I'm a goddamn life giving goddess bitches!). So I will make sure to nourish this body. And I will make sure to keep this body strong, and able. I will make sure to love this body because it is a curvy, swervey pretty sweet machine.
You don't have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body. And it's where your soul lives.
(Some semblance of that quote has been attributed to C.S. Lewis but it's been refuted. So I modified it to suit my needs)
The whole point of this is to send a message of self acceptance. We all have things about ourselves we don't love- but if it's something that we can't change, it's something we will have to come to terms with.
* * * * * * *
Even as a child I knew that I was not your average skinny girl.
My mother never made comments, and the few well meaning comments from one of my grandfather never held water- as he was always heavy since I can remember.
But I was no older than seven years old when I noticed that I had a belly. It was right before my parents were going to take my brother and I to have our photos taken. My mom bought me this super cute peachy parrot top and jungle shorts. It was a really great outfit. But I clear as day remember looking down at my belly as it was rounded out a bit over my shorts. I didn't realize it then, but that was a catalytic moment in my life, it was the first time that I was aware of how my belly looked in what I was wearing. No child should ever be made to feel self conscious, and about their body no less. But there I was in that moment...analyzing my cute tummy, and sucking it in. I looked in the mirror and sucked my tummy in to see what I would look like if it were flat. And in that moment my life long Achilles heel was born. Fuck.
Nothing ruins a childhood like being chubby, and having low self esteem. Thank the Lord above and all things good and holy that despite knowing I was chubby- I also knew I was abso-fucking-lutely awesome. My parents instilled in me many qualities. Thankfully a solid sense of self, sense of compassion, and sense of humor were some of them. Not only was I able to skate through childhood and adolescence with minimal to no (well, nothing memorable) bullying...I was often befriended the bullied weirdos and helped integrate them into some social groups. Not the cool kids though. Ugh- I loathed the idea of being cool or popular. That meant that you blended in. And I knew even then that is a fate worse than death to a creative soul.
But back to my being fat.
I'd make comments about myself jokingly before anyone else could so that it'd diffuse any attempts at getting me in my weak under-belly (pun intended). My defense mechanism was (and is) humor and light-heartedness.
Flash forward to now. I sit nearing my 33rd trip around the sun and after a baby, some mega weight losses and gains in that period of time- typing this blog entry in the glow of a borrowed MAC computer looking down at my still rounded belly.
To some extent we've made peace. This belly hides a pretty strong core. This belly carried life. This belly carried me through life.
And even at my skinniest I had it. My soft, round and warm fleshy belly.
No man has ever denied me because of it, well, no man that I'd have would. And if anyone were to eat me after a plane crash I'm sure I'd be tasty because we all know that fat equals flavor.
I have to work hard to lose weight, and I have to work harder to lose the noise in my head that sounds like criticism coming from myself. No more shots at my belly, or the other parts of my body.
This phase in my life isn't about me enough for me to beat myself up. I have a family to care for, a child that I feed from the body I grew him in (yeah, that's right I'm a goddamn life giving goddess bitches!). So I will make sure to nourish this body. And I will make sure to keep this body strong, and able. I will make sure to love this body because it is a curvy, swervey pretty sweet machine.
You don't have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body. And it's where your soul lives.
(Some semblance of that quote has been attributed to C.S. Lewis but it's been refuted. So I modified it to suit my needs)
The whole point of this is to send a message of self acceptance. We all have things about ourselves we don't love- but if it's something that we can't change, it's something we will have to come to terms with.
* * * * * * *
Friday, March 21, 2014
Smoothies vs. Juicing
"Where do you stand on smoothies versus juice?"
Nobody has actually asked me this. WHY NOT?! I'm so prepared to answer this!!
Lets start with smoothies.
Smoothies can be an amazing and quick way to get nutrition; a meal on the go. They can be a simple water mixed with protein- or you can have fruits and veggies blended with your favorite milk (dairy or otherwise). They can also be glorified milkshakes. If you aren't a body builder the 900 calorie peanut butter and mega builder protein shake is not for you by the way.
Ideally a smoothie should have enough protein, fat and fiber to keep you full. I try to keep it limited to no more than 4 ingredients, plus a protein or green (or BOTH if I'm feeling it) powder for a nutrition boost.
My favorite smoothie is half a banana, kale, berries and coconut water or milk and a handful of chia seeds. However the combinations are endless. Anything that you can juice, you can put into a smoothie. The only limitations are really the power of your blender and making sure you have enough liquid. I wouldn't suggest a beet in a blender unless you have a *Vitamix* (swoon...I want one SO badly. When I see a friend with one I have major blender envy). But aside from heavier root veggies most juiceable items can be blended.
What fantastic about smoothies is you get the WHOLE fruit or vegetable. You benefit from not just the quick enzymes and phytonutrients- you also get the fiber! That added bulk is beneficial for digestion and will keep you fuller longer.
Sometimes I like to make a smoothie to replace dessert. It helps with a chocolate craving (cacao nibs anyone?), and will keep me full for a remainder of an evening. Half a banana, cacao and some almond milk and greens powder is not only a nutritional booster- but really delicious.
And then there is juicing. But then there is the amazing quantity of enzymes, vitamins and nutrients you can consume from juicing. You can feasibly consume the nutritional value in a whole beet, 5 carrots a cup of kale and four stalks of celery in one very big juice. The odds of eating that many vegetables in a sitting or even a day is not common for most people. You get a lot of bang for your buck.
And again you have an amazing number of combinations for juice. There are endless health boosting properties to consuming a large amount of vegetables via juice. In the times when I juice frequently my skin is radiant, my hair shinier, and I feel happier overall. There is a feeling of lightness that comes with drinking in nutrients that you body can readily absorb.
I try to make really unique and tasty combinations. I think it's important to vary your combinations the way you would vary your own diet- though there are components to every juice I keep the same. Three to be exact. I always like to include one or all of the following:
1) turmeric (fresh if I can, dried powder is great too)
2) fresh ginger (If you buy a lot of it, it keeps really well in the freezer and you can break off chunks as you need it)
3) a clove of raw garlic
* Fun fact: both turmeric and ginger are distantly related rhizomes. A rhizome is a plant that has it's stem and root system primarily underground.
So I like to have a combination of fruits and veggies to keep a balance and variety of nutrients. I'm a fan of apples, beets and carrots (ABC juice!), and then any green veggie, along with my buddies turmeric ginger and garlic.
Where does that leave us in this versus battle between juiced fruits and veggies and smoothies?
Sigh.
Dammit how can I choooooooose?!
I won't. Ha! I won't choose. Because there is a time and a place for both. Aside from personal preference there really isn't one that is better than the other. I think it's amazing how versatile both approaches to healthy eating are.
What are your favorite smoothie/juice combinations?
Nobody has actually asked me this. WHY NOT?! I'm so prepared to answer this!!
Lets start with smoothies.
Smoothies can be an amazing and quick way to get nutrition; a meal on the go. They can be a simple water mixed with protein- or you can have fruits and veggies blended with your favorite milk (dairy or otherwise). They can also be glorified milkshakes. If you aren't a body builder the 900 calorie peanut butter and mega builder protein shake is not for you by the way.
Ideally a smoothie should have enough protein, fat and fiber to keep you full. I try to keep it limited to no more than 4 ingredients, plus a protein or green (or BOTH if I'm feeling it) powder for a nutrition boost.
My favorite smoothie is half a banana, kale, berries and coconut water or milk and a handful of chia seeds. However the combinations are endless. Anything that you can juice, you can put into a smoothie. The only limitations are really the power of your blender and making sure you have enough liquid. I wouldn't suggest a beet in a blender unless you have a *Vitamix* (swoon...I want one SO badly. When I see a friend with one I have major blender envy). But aside from heavier root veggies most juiceable items can be blended.
What fantastic about smoothies is you get the WHOLE fruit or vegetable. You benefit from not just the quick enzymes and phytonutrients- you also get the fiber! That added bulk is beneficial for digestion and will keep you fuller longer.
Sometimes I like to make a smoothie to replace dessert. It helps with a chocolate craving (cacao nibs anyone?), and will keep me full for a remainder of an evening. Half a banana, cacao and some almond milk and greens powder is not only a nutritional booster- but really delicious.
And then there is juicing. But then there is the amazing quantity of enzymes, vitamins and nutrients you can consume from juicing. You can feasibly consume the nutritional value in a whole beet, 5 carrots a cup of kale and four stalks of celery in one very big juice. The odds of eating that many vegetables in a sitting or even a day is not common for most people. You get a lot of bang for your buck.
And again you have an amazing number of combinations for juice. There are endless health boosting properties to consuming a large amount of vegetables via juice. In the times when I juice frequently my skin is radiant, my hair shinier, and I feel happier overall. There is a feeling of lightness that comes with drinking in nutrients that you body can readily absorb.
I try to make really unique and tasty combinations. I think it's important to vary your combinations the way you would vary your own diet- though there are components to every juice I keep the same. Three to be exact. I always like to include one or all of the following:
1) turmeric (fresh if I can, dried powder is great too)
2) fresh ginger (If you buy a lot of it, it keeps really well in the freezer and you can break off chunks as you need it)
3) a clove of raw garlic
* Fun fact: both turmeric and ginger are distantly related rhizomes. A rhizome is a plant that has it's stem and root system primarily underground.
So I like to have a combination of fruits and veggies to keep a balance and variety of nutrients. I'm a fan of apples, beets and carrots (ABC juice!), and then any green veggie, along with my buddies turmeric ginger and garlic.
Where does that leave us in this versus battle between juiced fruits and veggies and smoothies?
Sigh.
Dammit how can I choooooooose?!
I won't. Ha! I won't choose. Because there is a time and a place for both. Aside from personal preference there really isn't one that is better than the other. I think it's amazing how versatile both approaches to healthy eating are.
What are your favorite smoothie/juice combinations?
Cuckoo for Coconut Oil!
The health food/natural industry is extremely susceptible to fads.
Very often the promise of losing weight, better skin- the Fountain of Youth!, are all waiting in a bottle of the hottest super food. I'm not sure it started with green tea, or acai...but between now and then we have a population that is starting to recognize the importance of health and wellness, even if it's because initially they think it'll be a quick fix.
Over the past few years doctors began to realize that not all fats are created equal. Begin the re-introduction of healthy good fats! Between olive oil being used since the beginning of time, to avocados and nuts - fat is more accepted than ever.
Fat will improve brain function, skin, hair, nails- it seems that eating fat will help keep you smart and beautiful! Look at a walnut! Walnuts are packed full of Omega 3's which help with brain function and they LOOK LIKE A BRAIN!
I've spent a great deal of time walking natural food stores- and oils are always welcome. While in sales there was never a buyer who said "no, we don't sell ____ oil well". Most recently I managed a store and we had 6+ different kinds of coconut oil, then pumpkin seed oil, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil. Olive oils from every corner of the globe...Fat is no longer the foe that it had once been.
And this brings me to coconut oil.
Initially coconut oil was villainized due to being one of the highest sources of saturated fat. As it turns out due to the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil, your liver is the first to process them and your body can then convert the oil into quick energy via ketosis.
Coconut oil is also anti-microbial. This is due to the content of lauric acid which becomes monolaurin in your body and monolaurin kills bad bacteria and viruses. Amazing right?
I will quickly mention before I talk about my favorite ways of using coconut oil that it also balances good/bad cholesterol and helps with weight loss (fat is more satisfying, plus its abdominal fat that tends to be lost!).
So ok, a jar of coconut oil (16oz) lasts me about a month, and I buy two at a time. One for my kitchen and one for my bathroom/bedroom to use topically. Seriously it's the best moisturizer I've used- ever! You'd initially think "oil? wont that clog pores?" The answer is a resounding NO! Your thirsty skin drinks it up after a few minutes (wait- just don't use too much!). It will help with blemishes, dry patches...and nourish you from the outside in! I also use coconut oil for deep conditioning (often with my other favorite fat, avocado!) my scalp and hair. Just rinse it off well...if you have naturally oily hair this might not be a treatment for you.
When it comes to culinary applications the options are limitless! I use coconut the same way you'd use butter. Or any oil really. While there is sometimes a faint coconut flavor, it's subtle and pairs nicely with everything.
When buying coconut oil it's important to get organic, virgin, cold-pressed and hexane free. Hexane is a solvent used to extract oils from seeds and nuts. It's made from crude oil and is toxic.
Do you love coconut oil too? Whats your favorite way to integrate it into your life?
* * * * *
Today I wrote this blog between sipping on lemon water, and songs during my dance party with my son. His favorite song was 'Limbo Rock' by Chubby Checker!
Keep reading guys! I'm interviewing some interesting people over the next few weeks!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Here's the deal...
So here's the deal.
I'm a new mom, an artist, and for those who know me, slightly obsessed with food, health and wellness and all that those things entail. I've lived a natural lifestyle for almost 10 years and haven't looked back. I've been practicing yoga for almost 15 years, and while there are times that I am more focused on it than others, the mat is my home and it's where I can always find my balance- even when I can't actually balance.
There are many topics I'm extremely passionate about so some posts will be more intense than others. Some might just be photos of me doing a headstand, an art project or what I've made for dinner.
Actually there will probably be a lot of food pictures.
I'd love to have (kind, respectful) diologue in the comments section about any and all of this too, so please don't be shy!
* * * * *
Want to know a secret? I had two cupcakes (homemade sized ones not those gargantuan 'Crumbs' beast sized cupcakes!) for breakfast. They were no ordinary cupcakes though. They were these amazing, deep chocolate paleo cupcakes. Now I don't adhere to a paleo diet- but it's perfect for my endeavor of eliminating white flour from my diet. More on that another time.
The cupcakes were frosted with an amazing coconut cream ganache icing.
Now I will be the first to admit this is not the healthiest diet that I have ever consumed...but they are probably healthier than the average breakfast.
Made with all organic and whole ingredients- no white flour as mentioned- and a ton of love...these bad boys are a life saver for a girl who has a tendency to eat her feelings.
What is your favorite not-healthy breakfast?
I'm a new mom, an artist, and for those who know me, slightly obsessed with food, health and wellness and all that those things entail. I've lived a natural lifestyle for almost 10 years and haven't looked back. I've been practicing yoga for almost 15 years, and while there are times that I am more focused on it than others, the mat is my home and it's where I can always find my balance- even when I can't actually balance.
There are many topics I'm extremely passionate about so some posts will be more intense than others. Some might just be photos of me doing a headstand, an art project or what I've made for dinner.
Actually there will probably be a lot of food pictures.
I'd love to have (kind, respectful) diologue in the comments section about any and all of this too, so please don't be shy!
* * * * *
Want to know a secret? I had two cupcakes (homemade sized ones not those gargantuan 'Crumbs' beast sized cupcakes!) for breakfast. They were no ordinary cupcakes though. They were these amazing, deep chocolate paleo cupcakes. Now I don't adhere to a paleo diet- but it's perfect for my endeavor of eliminating white flour from my diet. More on that another time.
The cupcakes were frosted with an amazing coconut cream ganache icing.
Now I will be the first to admit this is not the healthiest diet that I have ever consumed...but they are probably healthier than the average breakfast.
Made with all organic and whole ingredients- no white flour as mentioned- and a ton of love...these bad boys are a life saver for a girl who has a tendency to eat her feelings.
What is your favorite not-healthy breakfast?
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