Baltimore (and Woodstock) Bliss

My New Website & Blog

2010-03-02T12:04:00.000-05:00

I love this artist...

2009-07-12T11:13:00.006-04:00

I've been admiring Matt Muirhead's work at Yabba Pot and Evergreen Cafe lately. Evergreen is featuring three typewriter pieces that are four times larger and much more involved than the image above (see more here...). I am crazy about them. CRAZY. I want all three to be hanging next to each other on the wall next to my desk right now. For now, I'll have to settle for a smaller, but just as lovable version, which I picked up yesterday afternoon at The Art Under Ground Studio on The Avenue in Hampden. I feel joyful everytime I look at it, which is why I plan to take this concept and finally get a tattoo.

56,364 words, a lot of post-its, and a surprise!

2009-07-03T18:03:00.009-04:00

Finally, my husband and I cleaned out our cluttered and neglected office. Its probably only 90 square feet of space...and we share it. Last Saturday we rolled up our sleeves and got rid of eight garbage bags filled with paper. We also rearranged the desks, brought another bookshelf into the room and voila! It feels like a Zen Monastery compared to its former state. I couldn't have been happier working from home this week.

A lot of things have shifted recently. I was on a really regimented schedule over the past couple months and I needed a change. I've just let go recently. Instead of going to the gym everyday I've been taking long walks at night with Steve. Instead of reading novels, I've been reading blogs late at night and jumping between five different books that cover a wide range of topics. I've pulled way back on my writing, which has given me perspective and now I'm ready to dive back in with fresh eyes and a clear(er) head.

I'm almost to the "end" of the first draft of my novel. Last weekend, I was becoming overwhelmed trying to keep the plot straight in my head. Plus I couldn't see the conclusion clearly. I've learned a lot from Kris and Brian (my rockin' bosses at CSL), especially when it comes to the creative process. I remembered a picture they had shown me of a dry erase board covered in post-it notes, which they had used to organize one of their largest projects. This seemed like a perfect solution to plotting the progression of my story.

For a few hours on Saturday and Sunday, my husband and I sat in our kitchen and thought through the entire book. He knows the story pretty much as well as I do, since I've bounced almost every idea off him, he has read every page, and he has some kick ass ideas of his own. I don't think I would have gotten this far without him to talk through it with me.

Anyway, what you see above is what we came up with. I moved it next to my desk for easy reference and I'm trying to copy it all down before I leave for Woodstock on Sunday. I'm a little more calm about my progress. I'll get there. Slowly but surely.

Another wonderful surprise last week was an unexpected gift from Steve. Last summer, Steve and I took a trip to Bar Harbor, ME. We stopped at a musical instrument shop one day and I picked up a viola for the first time in ten years. I was instantly inspired to start viola lessons again and I found an amazing teacher in Baltimore when I returned home. I was also lucky enough to borrow my teacher's viola (it could make anyone sound good, its gorgeous, I want it!). I took lessons in the fall and winter, but ended up quitting when fitting in practices became more stressful than enjoyable. Ever since, I've said that I regretted quitting. Before ending the lessons, Steve and I recorded a song together for his band, The Freeminer Birds...

A few weeks ago I decided to renovate my vision board and a picture of a viola ended up in the upper right corner. I didn't know how I would pay for lessons, if my teacher was still available, or how I would fit the lessons and practicing in my schedule. I just knew that the instrument still resonated with me and I wanted it in my life. A couple days ago, Steve called me up and told me he had contacted my viola teacher. She was happy to take me as a student and could lend me her viola again. She also said not to stress about practicing and that we would do the best we could with the time that I have. I was speechless. My first lesson is Sunday and I couldn't be more excited to start playing again. Again, I am humbled by the power of the universe (and my incredibly thoughtful husband). Thank you!

I'm also very excited to be doing a little blogging at Crazysexylife.com. I've been behind the scenes since we launched the site and now I'm posting a blog every now and then. Our blog posse is flourishing and packed with trailblazing change-makers. I am so grateful to be a part of this inspiring group of people. I have to pinch myself sometimes. Is this really part of my job?

I love nights like tonight. I'm sitting at my computer, which faces a window overlooking our backyard. Its a cool night and I don't have any obligations. I can catch up on my favorite blogs, my novel, listen to music (right now its Tegan & Sara, So Jealous), and update my own neglected blog. My husband is happily recording music in the basement. The second Freeminer Birds album comes out soon!

Time to push past 56,356 words...

49,079 Words...

2009-06-08T22:10:00.003-04:00

Blogging about my word count is keeping me motivated. I know, I know, word count doesn't matter, but those silly numbers make me excited for some reason. I'm currently in the fourth week of The Artist's Way, which is still fantastic. I've stayed faithful to my morning pages. This experience is also unearthing some things that have been bothering me, which I was conveniently ignoring.

For one thing, I've just stopped caring about my cluttered, dirty house. I brush it off, saying "I don't have time" or "Who cares? We're not going to live here for much longer anyway..." But its gone way too far. I would estimate that we don't need 50% of the stuff in our house. 25% is probably garbage (not literally, but it could be thrown out) and 25% I'm sure we could donate. It's time to devise a plan. One corner at a time. Although I'm not there half the time, it doesn't mean that the house doesn't need some TLC. The basement scares me the most, *shudder*...

Anyway, that's all for now. 49,079 words complete!

41,000 words

2009-05-29T23:18:00.004-04:00

Its been a long time since I've posted here. Many wonderful things happening. Crazy Sexy Life is busting at the seams and I am loving the beautiful journey we are on, which has me traveling between Baltimore and Woodstock every other week.

Here is a list of things that make me very happy right now...

1. I'm reading The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron. After finishing a 10-week creative writing course, I've started Cameron's ten-week program. I LOVE it. Especially the three daily morning pages and the weekly artist date. This week I visited the lovely psychic Aurora at breathe books for my artist date. As soon as my eyes pop open I'm giddy about my morning pages. The book and its exercises are opening up many creative doorways.

2. I've written 41,000 words in first draft of my novel. I have a 3 pages per day goal for the next two months. Hopefully that will bring me to the end of the story so that I can begin the first round of revisions.

3. I just finished The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and I'm back to Looking for Alaska by John Green. I took a hiatus from LFA so that I could read Outlander, which I loved by the way.

4. I've started working with a trainer (every other week). Over the past six months I've been going to the gym without a lot to show for it. I'm usually more successful if I'm accountable to someone or something, so here it goes. I'm very excited to see some results over the next couple months (finally!).

That's all for now. Another week in Baltimore and then its back to Woodstock! Time to write my 3 pages for the day...

Dorky Book Lust

2009-03-19T15:44:00.005-04:00

I am obsessed with reading more than ever. As a kid, I thought it was silly to read books that were written for kids my own age. I tried to read Shakespeare, Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and even Dostoevsky. Of course, I was bored, confused, and thought that reading for fun sucked. Now that I am way beyond the age of young adult literature, I've started reading it. My descent into this genre began with the Twilight series.

From Christmas until about two weeks ago, I read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series, thats eight books of Louisianna-Vampire-Love-Mystery mania. Although this series isn't YA, it may as well be, except for some of the adult content... Now that Sookie is on hold until May, I've started three other books and I can't decide which to focus on.

First, I started Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which was a little slow in the beginning. Plus, it was big change from the fast-paced, fun reading I had been doing. The descriptions of Scottish countryside were putting me to sleep, but now that I'm a hundred pages in, I love it! There is something to be said about building a story...

A few days after beginning Outlander, my good friend (who also loved the Twilight series and is an avid reader of all genres) gave me Looking for Alaska by John Green. I started reading it that night and was instantly drawn in, especially by his amazing sense of humor. He reminds me of David Sedaris, one of the only authors that actually makes me laugh out loud.

A few days ago, I saw an advertisement for the Twilight DVD and like a putty in their hands I went to Amazon immediately and ordered it. Of course, I couldn't pass up ordering Host by Stephanie Meyers as well. I'd like to add that this would be on the shelves in the big people part of the bookstore, thank you very much. As soon as it arrived, I cracked it open. Its very different from the Twilight series and I look forward to seeing how she has evolved as an author.

I've stayed true to writing my three pages or more each night and tomorrow I'll receive feedback from my writing teacher, who I love! We had our first discussion last weekend and it was encouraging and helpful. Looking forward to her ripping apart last week's submission.

I've also been very faithful to the gym:) Why not? I catch up on my reading and I can't work there or be on my computer. I look forward to my techno detox everyday.

Only a few more days in Baltimore and then its back to Woodstock for a week. I'll be spending a little time in NYC too! My brain is fried. Over and Out.

Back to Charm City Tomorrow

2009-03-12T23:51:00.003-04:00

I can't believe I'm getting back in the car and driving to Baltimore tomorrow night. This week has flown by. CSL.com is bursting with new trailblazing peeps and I'm so excited for their blogs to arrive! Here is where I've spent most of my week. KC encouraged me to start a vision board on my bulletin board (top left) and surprised me with a little plant friend this week. For some reason Mr. Plant always lifts his leaves up toward the lamp late at night. I've become quite attached to him this week. I've never had luck with plants, but it looks like I'm doing ok with this little guy. I'm sure he'll be in good hands while I'm in Charm City for the next ten days:)

I finished!

2009-03-09T22:45:00.003-04:00

Finally, I finished the seventh Sookie Stackhouse novel, while on the treadmill at the tiny Woodstock gym this evening. I was pleasantly surprised by From Dead to Worse. The past two were losing me a little, but this one captured my attention again. I'm happy to report that I've stuck to my 3 pages/day commitment! I want to keep writing, but its time to start the Outlander series, which I now consider research as well as entertainment.

Goodnight!

Back in Woodstock...Armed With My Mixes

2009-03-09T00:06:00.002-04:00

My hubby pulled through and made me two mixes this weekend. Here is the play list for Mix #1:

Climbing To The Moon by The Eels
Detlef Schrempf by Band of Horses
Ramblin' Woman by Cat Power
Absentminded Melody by Joel Plaskett
The Dress Looks Nice On You by Sufjan Stevens
Challengers by The New Pornographers
The Funeral by Band Of Horses
The Park by Feist
3 Speed by The Eels
A Stranger's Car by Rickie Lee Jones
(Some Song by Billy Bragg)
Torn and Frayed by The Rolling Stones
Lost Girls by Till and the Wall
Traveler's Song by The Fruit Bats
Toys by The Epoxies

They were wonderful companions on my rainy drive to Woodstock. I had did a lot of brainstorming during the 5 1/2 hour journey. These songs create the right mood. My imagination functions much better with good music as fuel. I'm a little tired at the moment, so you'll have to excuse my writing tonight.

We had a delightful day. Hubs and I met with some peeps at The Great Sage, which I've blogged about many times. It's vegan heaven. I enjoyed some chili, brown rice, and cornbread:) I dedicated a lot of time to my writing project this weekend and I am happy to report that I sent my first submission to my long-distance writing teacher today. I know that the numbers of words don't matter, but I was proud to have 4,419 words to show for my work this week. We'll see what she thinks.

I'm so close to being done with the Sookie Stackhouse series! Maybe tonight's the night that I say goodbye to Sookie (at least until the next book is released in May). I'm off to jot down the ideas that popped into my head during the drive. Until next time!

Sugar Induced Writing Frenzy

2009-03-07T00:52:00.004-05:00

My poor husband had a rough presentation experience at work today, so we went to One World Cafe to unwind and enjoy some vegan chow. Afterward, we picked up a pint of Purely Decadent's Mocha Almond Fudge Swirl (Non-Dairy!) and headed home. We were going to see Watchmen at the Senator Theater, but we were too beat to go out again. The ice cream was phenomenal (my hubs loved it too) and no, I did not finish the whole pint (there is at least a quarter left). I have done that once with a pint of PD's Pomegranate Chip and I'm not proud of it.

I felt so awake after my bowl of ice cream (with raw cacao sprinkled on top) that I launched into an internet browsing/creative writing binge that's lasted three hours. I'm finally starting to feel tired. Our cat, Sweet Pea, is snoring in the chair next to me. Sometimes I can hear her from our office upstairs during the day. I never knew a cat could snore that loudly.

Unfortunately, I always work better late at night. You know that you won't get interrupted and no one is looking over your shoulder or expecting you to do something. Its 100% your time.

On another note, its been another successful week at the gym. Five days straight. I plan on continuing this trend as long as possible. The amount of vegan goodies that I've been eating pretty much negate any exercise I've been doing, but there are many benefits other than losing a lot of weight (at least I'm not gaining a whole lot). I officially hate my scale. I hate other people's scales too, especially the doctor's scale.

I juiced today too! I haven't been doing very well with that this week. Sometimes if I get away from the habit (like when I go to Rochester and don't have a juicer) its difficult to get back into it. Anyway, I'm back on the horse now and thats what matters. Now I'm really tired.

Goodnight.

My Latest Challenge...Three Pages A Day

2009-03-06T15:57:00.003-05:00

After reading through some of my past blogs last night, I picked up on a pattern. I love creating challenges. They don't usually turn out as I planned, but I think they've all taught me something. My newest challenge is to write three pages of my creative writing project each day. Last night I was typing in bed, almost falling asleep, but dammit, I did it!

I think it would be fun to share my frustrations, triumphs, and lessons here as I progress with this project. While at the gym this morning, I read a few chapters of Bird by Bird. No other book on writing has struck a chord with me like this one. If there was one book I could recommend to any aspiring writer, it would be Anne Lamott's Bird By Bird. Not many writers can make me laugh out loud or cry. It happens very rarely. Whenever it does happen I am inspired to create the same magic on paper. I couldn't help letting out a giggle here and there while on the elliptical today.

Allie Larkin's short story, Bathtub Mary, made me cry. I feel very lucky to be able to pick her brain on occasion. David Sedaris always makes me laugh out loud (especially while listening to his readings). I love self-deprecating humor. Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels have made me blush many times (I'm almost done with the last book and its much better than the past couple, I was starting to lose faith in Charlaine). And of course Stephanie Meyers made me feel like I was falling desperately in love all over again.

I Heart Americana

2009-03-05T15:33:00.006-05:00

As always, my husband has a lot to do with my latest music obsession. He has always been plugged into music in a way that does not come naturally to me. I don't know where he finds it, but every week there its something new playing in the house or car. He also has the annoying ability to memorize the lyrics to every song he hears (I, on the other hand, am always singing the wrong words and have to be corrected, which is always all too embarrassing).

For the past 12 years, he has been making me mixes. At first of course, these were on cassette tapes. He would decorate the tape jackets with odd characters and give each mix a funny name, like "Songs to Eat Mac Salad By" or "Blah Blah Blah Blah" (I hate Mac Salad by the way, but it is a Rochester, NY favorite). Making mixes is an art to him. He's like John Cusack's character, Rob in High Fidelity (except Steve is getting his Ph D. in microbiology and isn't commitment phobic).

I've given him a new mix assignment: Create a mix CD (more like CDs I hope) that will be the soundtrack for my novel. I've committed to writing three pages a night now that I've finished a rough outline of the plot (and a 5 generation family tree in excel). Yes, I'm type A when it comes to writing. Anyway, my husband has been the poor victim who has listened to me work through the details of the plot for this new project. He also has his own brilliant ideas and I have stolen nearly every one.
For the past year we have been listening to Americana nonstop: Brandi Carlisle, Allison Kraus, Neko Case, Gillian Welch, A. A. Bondy and countless others have graced our CD player. In addition, Steve writes and plays for the Freeminer Birds, which has an Americana vibe. His guitar would never touch the ground if he could help it (see above), therefore I listen to the evolution of his songs as they unravel in our living room.

Recently, I spent most of the drive from Baltimore to Woodstock trying to memorize the lyrics to "One More Dollar" by Gillian Welch. If I could have anyone's singing voice, it would be hers. I almost drove off the road a few times trying to read the lyrics from the CD book. When I listen to these artists I am transported into the world (or mood) I want to create in my novel. I want to put in my earphones, tune out my surroundings (except the beautiful harmonies of my Americana songbirds) and write.

I'll post the tracklist here once he is done with the first CD. Hopefully, this weekend. Tomorrow is Steve's first committee meeting for his thesis project, so I'll given him some slack (until tomorrow night that is).

Its the little things that count...

2009-02-25T22:41:00.004-05:00

I feel very happy at the moment for a few reasons...
...I'm preparing for my sister-in-law's baby shower this weekend in Rochester and I am so excited to be a hosting it with one of my best friends. It is so amazing that a baby is coming into our family.
...Today is the ninth day in a row that I've been to the gym:) Its changing from a chore to something that I really look forward to (plus, my pants fit better).
...I sampled Purely Decadent's Coconut Milk, Vegan, Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream and it was FANTASTIC! My husband was amazed that it was dairy-free. Thanks for the recommendation, The Urban Housewife!
...I have fallen in love with the creative writing project that I am working on. There is something that fills me up when I can get lost in my writing. Its so exciting to have that in my life again. My poor hubby has to hear me work through all of my ideas. He is such a good sport about it (that's another reason that I'm so happy today)!
...I've started the last Charlaine Harris book, From Dead to Worse (her next book in the series comes out this summer). I can't wait to start my next series (Outlander by Diana Gabaldon!
ps- If you love all things vegan (especially the sweets!), check out The Urban Housewife. I love her blog! Her flickr photos kick ass too:)

Honesty Award (Better Late Than Never!)

2009-02-24T14:37:00.004-05:00

Allie from Incidents and Accidents honored me with the Honesty Award (thanks Al!). I should have done this weeks ago, but better late than never...

The honorees are to:

A) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep!
B) pass the award on to 4 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

1) I have always dreamed of being a published author. I want to write a series of books that transport people to another world and feel like a best friend.

2) I am obsessed with love stories (books, movies, tv). Some of my favorites include: Anne and Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables, Jim and Pam on The Office, Edward and Bella in Twilight, Andrew and Sam in Garden State, Sookie and Bill in Dead Until Dark, and Angela and Jordan in My So-Called Life.

3) I genuinely love my job and feel blessed because I don't think a lot of people can say that.

4) I believe that we manifest the course of our life and that anything is possible if you truly believe it to be so.

5) My husband and I met when we were 14 and I knew when I met him that he would be my best friend and my true love (and he still is!).

6) I've been blessed with the best in-laws imaginable and I hope that I can create a life for my children that provides the love, support, and joy they have give their family (and now me).

7) My life was guided by fear until a few years ago. A big turning point was skydiving with a group of grad school colleagues. Suddenly I changed from the girl who would have watched from the ground to the woman that jumped out of the plane first.

8) I recently became a huge fan of vampire novel series.

9) I hate small talk, big crowds, and loud noises.

10) My friends are my family.

I am passing this award along to...
girlandcoconut

My Cleansing Adventure

2009-02-15T09:30:00.005-05:00

Well, last week I made it for three days on just vegetable juice and then a couple more with some smoothies thrown in (plus a colonic!). It felt fantastic, especially because I didn't care about food. Food didn't have control of my mind. I also realized that I was afraid to transition back into eating. I knew that I was visiting a friend from college and Valentine's Day was approaching. Both events included dinners at restaurants. I definitely fell off the wagon once again, but I'm realizing that its ok to fall off as long as I don't fall down the rabbit hole.

I've gotten back into creative writing lately and it feels fantastic! I'm so inspired by the fun stories I've been reading. Speaking of which, I'm almost done with "All Together Dead" by Charlaine Harris. Once I've finished this series (one more book to go!), I'll start the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. It may sound ambitious, but my dream is to write a series:)

I've been loyal to the gym for the past seven days! It feels great and I think its finally paying off. 30 minutes each day switching between cardio and weights. Sometimes I play squash with my hubs too:) Next weekend is my sister-in-law's baby shower. I can't believe that we're going to have a new baby in our family. Its so exciting!

My three day fast!

2009-02-11T19:59:00.002-05:00

I feel clear, calm, and rested. Peaceful even. On Monday I juiced three times (30 oz. the first two times, 15 oz. the last time). My first two juices were a combo of romaine or spinach with cucumber, lemon or ginger, and pear or apple. I ended the day with a tomato, cucumber, garlic, basil, and sea salt juice (which I ate like a soup). On Tuesday and Wednesday I started the day with a pear juice in addition to the three other juices (so yummy!). My juice hero, Kris Carr, guided me on the fast and gave me to salt tip. Sea salt is super important during a fast, keeping our blood pressure at a healthy level and balancing our electrolytes. Read about Kris' fast here.

This morning, I went to the colon hydrotherapy. It made a WORLD of difference. For the past couple days I've been feeling low energy and a little blue. After the colonic I felt mentally clear, upbeat, and focused. I still feel fantastic. I juiced all day and made a smoothie for dinner (spinach, banana, and cacao). I plan to have another smoothie in the morning and then juice all day. I may end up going out for dinner tomorrow night, I plan to stay raw and just have veggies.

The question I've been mulling over lately is, whats next?

Juice Feasting!

2009-02-09T12:30:00.001-05:00

Here goes nothing...Monday-Friday I will be juice feasting.

Crazy Sexy Life is LIVE!

2009-01-31T23:09:00.003-05:00

Check out our new website...

Starting Fresh

2009-01-20T21:15:00.004-05:00

The biggest news of the day (or decade) is of course the inauguration of our 44th President OBAMA! We took a break from work mid-day to watch the inauguration and I had chills the whole time. What an exciting time to be alive. If 4,000 people could reduce crime in Washington, DC in 1993 through group meditation, think about the effect of millions of people vibrating with hope at the same time and in the same place. What effect will this have across the country?

Now to more trivial matters, like vampire novels and working out at the gym. I'm on to the fifth Sookie Stackhouse novel: Dead as a Doornail. I've stayed true to my exercise commitment (although I have yet to see any results...). Last night, I met with a trainer to get me on track with the circuit and I'm feeling the effects of my early morning workout already. Tomorrow is a cardio day. Much more boring, but at least Sookie will keep me company.

A nice woman at the gym was reading a book from the Twilight series and I had to let her know I was part of the fanclub. She recommended the Outlander series, which looks to be right up my alley. I'm sick of pretending that I have high brow taste in literature. Sure, I love the classics, but a girl just wants to have fun, you know? Anyway, I will be purchasing The Outlander as soon as I've said goodbye to Sookie. I'm building quite a library.

Tomorrow is our office fasting day:) We'll drink juice until dinner and then have a raw meal! Its nice to hit the reset button.

Back in the Saddle

2009-01-14T20:50:00.004-05:00

Its been another successful week so far and I feel great! I'm in Woodstock for this week and the next, so I have one of my favorite vegan friends to help me stay motivated! We made a deal last night to ban sugar (no chocolate!), cut down the vino to a glass (or two) a week, be loyal juicers until lunch, and fast until dinner on Wednesdays. Today was a fasting day. Check out KC's blog about the day. It isn't tough if you have someone doing it with you...I know from experience that its more difficult on your own, but you can do it! Plus, its nice to have someone to share the juice making/juicer cleaning duty with.

I've also been going to the gym every morning. It feels fantastic! I am going to kick it up a notch once I meet with a trainer on Monday. One thing I definitly need to do more is STRETCH! Wasn't I a yoga teacher at one point...?

I'm reading the forth book in Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series: Dead to the World. I love it. I am so happy that I've rediscovered how fun and relaxing a good book can be:) I still have three more to read after this and then I'm going to read Stephanie Meyer's newest novel, The Host.

Check out the Freeminer Birds website for some updates! They have two more shows coming up and the new album, Fill the Shelter, will be out soon!

Squash (the sport), and more yummy vegan living:)

2009-01-08T11:51:00.004-05:00

I didn't make it to the gym this morning, but I did some yoga, juiced, and just had a delicious lunch! My salad included: romaine, carrot, hemp seeds, avocado, olives, and an olive oil/braggs dressing (thanks KC!). I also had a Southwest Sunshine Burger (vegan and soy-free!) in a sprouted grain tortilla with some salsa. Yum! Tonight will be another big salad with some goodies. My hubby and I made some vegan fajitas last night. He added seitan to the mix of garlic, onions, salsa, red peppers, and beans, but I left the seitan out (something about that stuff is just too "meaty"). I love that its a great substitute for him though!

Tonight we're going to head to the gym for some squash. I haven't beat him yet, but I'm close...wish me luck!

ps- Check out the Twilight chatter going on at Kris' blog! Its a hoot:)

Staying on Track...lots of greens, lots of exercise (and lots of reading)!

2009-01-07T10:14:00.006-05:00

So far, so good this week. I've been filling my diet with big, beautiful salads, juicing every morning, staying raw until lunch (which is mostly raw anyway), staying away from sugar (even chocolate!), and waking up early every morning to go to the gym! It was rough this morning, but I still made myself get out of bed. Its always great once I get there, but its so tempting to stay in my warm bed (especially with my husband snoozing next to me).

I'm on the third book in the Sookie Stackhouse series and it is keeping me quite entertained. Its light and fun and takes my mind off whatever I need to let go. I find reading to be one of the best stress relievers. I have trouble relaxing because I like to be busy, so reading lets me tune out, but still be "doing" something. Sitting around watching tv too much makes me feel lazy and depressed. I always used to force myself to read something that would be "good" for me, but now I realize that its fun to read things that are just plain entertaining. I'm sure its good for my brain regardless of whether its William Faulkner or Charlaine Harris.

Time to juice!! Right now I am enjoying a cucumber, romaine, pear combination:)

ps-I've been listening to a rough cut of the Freeminer Bird's next album and its SO good! I'm trying to book more shows for them in Rochester (NY), so if you know of a venue, drop me a line:)

My Singing Debut!

2009-01-04T22:12:00.008-05:00

Well, I did it. I got up in front of a crowd of strangers and sang a song with The Freeminer Birds. I was scared as hell, but it felt great to do it despite the fear. The show was at Potential Life Studios and we had a great crowd! They played with Gregory Paul, an amazing soloist. Hopefully there will be many more shows over the next couple months in Rochester. I don't have a picture of me up on stage, but here are a few from the rest of the show (I doubled as photographer...its not my strong suit).

Em on Keyboards/Neil on Drums

Steve on Guitar

Guy on Guitar/Tony on Bass/Steve on Guitars and Vocals

Abundance Market: Rochester Food Co-op!

2009-01-02T19:41:00.005-05:00

I just visited Abundance Market in Rochester, NY this evening. I can't say that I like it as much as Lori's Natural Foods, but it is still a fantastic natural foods store. Plus, its a co-op! I used to think that only members could shop at co-ops, but this isn't the case. I picked up some veggies for my juice, some Sunshine Burgers, and some dark VEGAN chocolate (I still haven't given up the fantasy of chocolate in moderation). Yum! Abundance also offers yoga! I'm back in the 100% vegan saddle again and it feels damn good:)

ps-I'm practicing with the Freeminer Birds tonight! The more I sing with them, the more confident I feel. Tomorrow night will be a breeze, right?

ps-Here is a new guilty pleasure...for some reason the small individually packaged goodies help me pace myself

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T17:53:00.005-05:00

I did it! Chocolate-free for almost 48 hours!

I started yesterday morning with yoga, a shower, and a green juice. In the afternoon I enjoyed a big, beautiful salad with a Sunshine Vegan Burger and avocado. Dinner consisted of another yummy salad and Amy's Vegan pizza. I dabbled in some vegan granola to curb my chocolate cravings. All in all, I'm pleased. Today has been pretty similar. I felt 100% better waking up this morning without a sugar hangover. I felt peaceful. I can't completely change my diet overnight, but I'm learning that slow and steady works pretty damn well.

Some guilty pleasures that I've enjoyed lately include...

Watching the entire season of Freaks and Geeks (it is AMAZING).

Reading the entire vampire love series by Stephanie Meyers.

Starting the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.

Singing in my husband's band, the Freeminer Birds! I love that I'm challenging myself to do something that I never thought I would have the courage to do.

This is going to be an amazing year filled with challenges and new experiences!

Confessions of a Chocolate Eating "Vegan"

2008-12-30T23:18:00.004-05:00

OK, maybe if I write about this, I'll realize that there is MILK that comes from COWS in chocolate (well, at least the kind that I've been eating). Its like I think that if I don't look at the ingredient list, the milk doesn't exist. Being out of my comfort zone and without my lovely vegan friends has led me into a black sugar addiction hole. Ugh! I've also been terrible about exercising. Blah, blah, blah...

That's enough with the self degradation and pity though. I have dusted off my juicer (which I lugged back to my in-laws house for the holidays) and I've been juicing for the past three days. My morning bagel (that I was becoming quite accustomed to) has been pried from my hands and I'm sticking to juice only until noon. Baby steps.

The chocolate is everywhere. Those shiny green and red wrappers cry out from their ceramic Santa bowls and glass Christmas tree dishes. Its like I become temporarily insane every time the thought of a dark chocolate covered pistachio nuts cross my mind. I really need a slap in the face. Get it together woman! Not only does the sugar make me feel like complete crap (plus my skin is freaking out and my pants aren't getting any looser), I feel like a hypocrite wearing my "Make the Connection" sweatshirt. Hello! Make the connection! Anybody in there?!

Here is the plan for tomorrow (I've said this to myself the past five nights, but maybe if I write it here I will finally follow through): Juice in the morning, salad for lunch, as much fruit as I want, and salad with Amy's vegan pizza for dinner. I'll report back on New Years Day. Wish me luck.

ps-I LOVE Lori's Natural Foods Market in Rochester, NY. All this city needs now is a juice bar and some vegan restaurants (not to mention a vegetarian restaurant).

Freeminer Birds

2008-12-29T20:19:00.007-05:00

I had the pleasure of attending a Freeminer Birds show at Boulder Coffeehouse in Rochester, NY this past week.
Here is a picture of my and my hubby (the singer/guitar player) recording some guest viola for the new album!
You can listen to their first album, see pics of their shows, and buy your own copy of Model Cities at their website:) There is another show this Saturday at Potential Life Studios (I'll be joining them on stage for guest vocals for The Auctioneer!).

Crazy Sexy Life's T-Shirts Now Available!!

2008-12-09T16:34:00.004-05:00

I'm so excited to announce Crazy Sexy Life's T-Shirts! Check them out here.

Make Juice Not War (Front)

Make Juice Not War (Back)

Crazy Sexy Cancer Goddess

If you haven't already, check out our online community, Crazy Sexy Life!

VOTE

2008-11-03T15:36:00.003-05:00

I passed this sign in my neighborhood today. It made me smile. Vote people.

Its been almost 2 months! Here is what I've been up to...mostly in pictures

2008-09-18T12:16:00.009-04:00

It all started with a three week Cleansing Adventure with my Green Goddess Guru...

I've been experimenting a lot in the kitchen (Green Smoothies, Raw Food dinners and desserts-yum!)

Took a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine with my Hubby and In-Laws

Took a trip to LA with my fabulous boss-lady

Where we ate a lot of yummy raw food (bruschetta from Euphoria!)

Soon I'm off to NYC for the fabulous NYC Crazy Sexy Posse Meetup!

Recent Blog Posts from Bloggers I love!

2008-07-24T16:03:00.003-04:00

I found this post to be very inspiring!

Allie's Answers: Tip of the Day - Remember the Power of Your Voice

Bueller recently wrote about a couple things I'm very excited about:

Food Matters

Kris Carr in Scientific American!

If you haven't checked out Bueller's Kitchen or Allie's Answers yet, what are you waiting for?

Must Visit this Website!! DH LOVE LIFE

2008-07-16T11:36:00.003-04:00

Darryl Hannah has traded acting for activism! Her website: DH Love Life is packed with fun, entertaining, and INFORMATIVE videos documenting her exploration of environmental movements around the world. She personally visits organizations and individuals who are making a positive impact on our planet in innovative ways. Her store is really cool too! I can't stop watching her 5 minute mini-episodes on everything from worm poop to bio diesel.

Check out the first of her mini episodes:

Crazy Sexy Cancer Boot Camp at Omega!

2008-07-10T23:19:00.004-04:00

This past weekend I was blessed to assist Kris Carr, Beth Villandry, and Terri Cole at the Omega Institute for the Crazy Sexy Cancer Bootcamp. Twenty-three beautiful and inspiring women joined us to participate in workshops, share their journey, support each other, drink some green juice, and fly through the air! The weekend was filled with healing circles, loads of nutrition and lifestyle knowledge, the purging of fears and manifestation of desires, and lots and lots of love. Did I mention the tears? I did my share of crying (but also a lot of laughing). You can read about the weekend at Kris' blog here. Here I am taking a leap...

Public Transit and Re-joining the Gym

2008-06-28T22:28:00.004-04:00

Lately I've felt the need to sweat (and not only as I walk from my car to the house), so I joined the gym (this is the same gym I left about 18 months ago). I used to be an obsessive gym member. I would go every day for at least an hour (usually two!). I appeared to be in great shape on the outside, but inside I was a mess. It didn't matter how much fat I lost and muscle I gained, it was never enough and I started to hate the gym. After leaving the gym, I went through a lot of failed attempts at physical exercise, DVDs, books, magazines, you name it, I tried it, but nothing stuck. Finally, about a year ago, I found Sivananda yoga. It hit a chord with me and within three months, I quit my job and started yoga teacher training. I loved shifting my focus from purely physical exercise to a practice that integrated the body and mind.

After a year of practicing yoga on a regular basis, something has reawakened in me. I want to run, lift weights, take exercise classes, and SWEAT. There is a summer special at Meadow Mill right now, so I was even more motivated to take the leap and I joined last week. The gym is only a few blocks from my house too! Its heaven so far. I don't feel rushed, judgemental, or negative like I used to. Its more of an enjoyable and relaxing experience. My routine is shaping up to look like this: 30 minutes of cardio on the elliptical machine, 6-7 of the weight lifting machines, and then 20 minutes of yoga (on my own). After the workout, I sit in the sauna for about 10 minutes, rinse off, and walk home! I love it. I don't even have to drive there.

Speaking of driving, I am switching to public transit to get to my day job. There is a light rail station a few blocks from my house and the ride is only 20 minutes (same as driving). The walk from the station to work is about a mile. I'm not promising anything, but I am going to give it a try!

A Vegan Birthday

2008-06-27T22:31:00.004-04:00

I realized (once again) how lucky I am to have such loving friends and family this past weekend. My husband and I went to our hometown for my birthday and we had a fantastic time! First of all, my always considerate father-in-law emailed me ahead of time for a vegan birthday cake recipe. My sis-in-law planned a picnic (really a bbq, but I think picnic sounded more vegan-friendly to everyone) with a ton of animal-free dishes! We gathered on her back deck and enjoyed a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

The cake was phenomenal. I heard a lot of people saying that it was better than any non-vegan cake they'd ever had. This was exactly what I wanted: for everyone to have a positive experience while enjoying vegan foods and realizing that it isn't a big deal!! Best birthday present ever. Plus, the menu sparked a lot of great conversations and over the course of the weekend I shared the many health benefits of juicing, eating a vegan diet, and other fun wellness habits that I adore.

I'm also happy to say that I received a subscription to Get Fresh! Magazine, a Kleen Kanteen, a salad spinner (love this! saves lots of paper towels), and many other thoughtful gifts:) I can hear my new chime dangling on my back porch.

I had some fresh young coconut water from Zia's today! They opened up a little hole at the top and I brought it home with me. There is a lot of water in one of those coconuts! Over a pint. Later, I scooped out the coconut meat for a smoothie, yum! I also had the pleasure of visiting Liquid Earth this evening with another birthday girl. We brought our hubbies along and enjoyed a delicious meal. I had the raw tacos again, they are so good:)

Tomorrow morning its off to Waverly's Farmer's Market. Time for bed, so that we can get there bright and early.

Baltimore's Vegan and Raw Food Stores and Restaurants

2008-06-16T23:39:00.004-04:00

I haven't been updating as often lately because I've been exploring the wonderful vegan, raw, organic stores and restaurants in Baltimore and enjoying the outdoors! Here are a few of my newest discoveries:

The Health Concern is a small independent store in Towson. Many of the vegan, raw, and organic goodies that are difficult to find, even at Whole Foods, can be found at this little jewel! The vibe here is fantastic, please support this store:)

Zia's Cafe is also in Towson and is filled with healthy goodies: fresh coconut water, spelt/vegan pizza, fresh juices and smoothies, wheatgrass shots, and much more! Zia's is also hosting a Raw Dinner Event on June 28th! Make reservations soon:)

I have also made a habit (with my hubby) of visiting Waverly's Farmer's Market on Saturdays and Jones Falls Farmer's Market on Sundays. Waverly has a wheatgrass juice vendor (B-More Alive!) and Don & Renee Gorman at Harmony's stand offer lots of vegan treats! Jones Falls has many organic farmers (its where I get my kale and romaine) and a fresh juice/smoothie stand!

I have also visited Liquid Earth twice in the past week:) Liquid Earth offers a large raw food menu, fresh juices/smoothies, and wheatgrass shots! Almost the entire menu is vegan too.

My next stop is Yabba Pot...I've visited Yabba before, but not since beginning my juicing, mostly raw diet! I'll report back soon.

xoxo

Video of Kris Carr Speaking at a Book Tour Event

2008-06-16T23:36:00.001-04:00

Here is a fantastic 50 minute video of Kris at one of her book tour events! Check it out!

Watch, Be Inspired!

2008-06-07T12:48:00.003-04:00

I know, I know, you've all heard it before, but this trailer inspired me once again this morning! If you haven't seen the documentary (which comes in an eco-friendly case), you can order it here. Take a few minutes to watch the trailer here:

Have an inspiring Saturday:)

Green Smoothies, Woodstock, Skinny Bitch

2008-06-06T11:19:00.008-04:00

An angel brought me a VitaMix and I am now living in the land of Green Smoothies!

My first Smoothie included:
1 Bag of Spinach
4 Strawberries
1 Banana
1/3 Bag of Frozen Organic Tropical Fruit
1 Cup of Filtered Water

I am a sissy right now when it comes to the ratio of greens to fruit, but it works for now (I can't even taste the spinach!).

Soooo yummy. Here is what it looks like blended up and ready to enjoy. I drink my smoothies in a pint glass, in honor of my beer drinking days:)

I have continued with my food journal over the past 17 days and have found it to be a helpful resource and touchstone. It keeps me honest and in connection with my body, mind, and diet.

I spent some time recently in Woodstock, NY and there were so many health and earth conscious businesses to enjoy! Here are a few that I loved:

Sunfrost Market (Freshly Made Green Juice!)
Sunflower Market
Bread Alone
Oriole 9 Cafe and Restaurant
New World Restaurant

I read Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
yesterday and it was filled with eye-opening knowledge. It was difficult to read about the practices of the meat industry, but these atrocities cannot be ignored. The tone of the book can be abrasive, but its meant to wake up readers who shove chemical-filled, processed foods into their mouths daily without a second thought. Although I don't agree with a few of their dietary recommendations, as a whole I think that it is fantastic! The authors also uncover the brainwashing that has been carried out for decades by the media, government, and corporate worlds. Unfortunately, we cannot trust these sources and we have to do our own research if we want to be conscious consumers for our own health and the health of the planet. Start reading people!

My birthday is coming up and I'll be in Rochester, NY. I can't find a vegan bakery, so my hubby is ordering a vegan cake from Baby Cakes in NYC. It a little pricey, but its my bday! Plus, I've heard rave reviews on this place:)

The Battle Between Body and Mind...is Juice Feasting an Answer?

2008-05-30T00:06:00.005-04:00

Its funny that my body is smarter than my mind sometimes, especially when it comes to eating habits. My body is saying: "you're full, you don't want that!". But my mind is saying: "just eat it anyway, it'll make you happy!". These are the same battles I went through two years ago when I quit smoking (actually, this battle was quite long-it lasted seven years).

I've been reading a lot of juice feasting blogs lately and I feel drawn to this challenge because I want to break my mental addiction to food. I am very happy with the shifts that I have made to a healthier diet through juicing, eating primarily raw, and choosing a vegan diet. At the same time, I know that there are issues I have not overcome in terms of my relationship with food. I want to look at food as nourishment, not as comfort. Maybe a juice feast would help me make this transition...If you are interested in learning about the life of a juice feaster, check out these blogs:

Philip at Loving Raw
Angela at Raw Reform
David and Katrina at Juice Feasting
Penni at Real Juice Daily
Courtney at Radical Radiance

Ups and Downs...

2008-05-25T22:07:00.003-04:00

I've been journaling my mood/food journey over the past six days. Its pretty eye opening. I lost count of the number of jelly beans and chips I consumed at our bbq yesterday. At least I resisted the ice cream sandwiches and cake...it wasn't easy, but I'm dedicated to staying vegan:) I got back on track today, but I am feeling tired and a little frustrated with my attachment to food. I feel full, but still unsatisfied.

On a lighter note, my hubby and I had a wonderful afternoon. We went for a walk at 10am, not knowing where we were going. We ended up at One World Cafe for brunch (carrot-spinach-ginger-apple juice and vegan pancakes!). Then we wandered through the John Hopkins University campus and ended up at Baltimore Museum of Art. Here is a picture of Steve in the Modern Art Exhibit:

My One Hundredth Post! Happy Birthday Veggies:)

2008-05-23T16:59:00.003-04:00

This is my one hundredth post at Baltimore Bliss. It was around this time last year that I became a vegetarian. Its funny that I took a step further recently by transitioning into a vegan diet. I am dedicated to continuing this journey. Next year, I'll be writing my 200th post and remarking upon the new healthy lifestyle choices I've discovered. It just keeps getting better.

Thank god for blogs. Sometimes I get a little blue, unmotivated, blah, whatever you want to call it. After reading a few entries by bloggers like Kris Carr, Bueller, LolaBloom, Bunny Berry, the crew at We Like It Raw, and many many more, my mood lifts and I feel motivated to get off my butt and do something productive (or at least be more positive and thankful)!

I think there is a Vitamix in my future...My hubby knows that it is at the top of my birthday wish list, so I'll let you know in a few weeks if he delivers! Hopefully, I'll be in Green Smoothie heaven soon:)

It is my fourth day on Natalia Rose's 21 day Life Force Energy Plan. So far, so good. I am keeping a food/mood journal and I hope that this exercise will help me realize patterns in eating and how certain foods and habits effect my well being. I am sticking to Rose's food combining guidelines, which has helped with digestion and general comfort throughout the day. Although breathing exercises are something that I became familiar with through yoga, the fact that these exercises are part of her plan help me to make time for them throughout the day. I am also paying special attention to my sleeping patterns and the amount of time between meals. Overall, my diet has become more raw and vegan over the past few days. I have integrated 70% organic dark chocolate into my diet because Rose states that 50 grams per day is ok...we'll see. Its difficult for me to stop at 50g! I am eating more fruit in the morning also.

Its too soon to tell how this new lifestyle has effected me, but I'll let you know over the coming weeks!

ps- Oprah is doing a 21-day vegan cleanse, check it out!

A Weekend in Asheville

2008-05-20T22:19:00.005-04:00

This past weekend was wonderful! My hubby and I drove to visit our dear friend Pepper (aka Jed) in Asheville, NC. Asheville is a GREEN city:) Lots of juice, vegan cuisine, earth-friendly businesses, and hippies! I enjoyed fresh veggie juice at the Green Sage, raw food and the Laughing Seed Cafe, UliMana's Raw Dark Cacao Truffles at the Grove Corner Market, and vegan cake at Rosetta's Kitchen! We watched lots of movies, walked around for hours, took a nap in the park, and spent time browsing local bookstores and shops. It was fantastic!

I picked up Natalia Rose's book: Raw Food Life Force Energy at Malaprop's Bookstore. The whole weekend supercharged my motivation to move forward with a healthier lifestyle. I started Natalia's 21 Day Program today. My favorite part was dinner, which was so simple and easy! I picked up organic tomato sauce (ingredients limited to organic tomatoes, spices, and olive oil) at Whole Foods today along with an organic zucchini. I heated up the sauce and used a peeler to slice the zucchini into linguine-like strips. I topped my pseudo-linguine with the sauce and added a few ak-mak crackers and voila! It was delicious:) today was about 90% raw. I feel great. I'm going to end the day with a hot, Epsom Salt bath. I'm documenting my progress in a journal, noting my diet, moods, exercise, etc. I'll keep you posted!

xoxo
Sundari

Lovely Saturday at Roots Market and The Great Sage!

2008-05-10T17:28:00.003-04:00

This morning, I slept until I could no longer sleep and it felt fantastic. Usually I feel guilty about sleeping in on the weekends, but this morning it just felt plain good. My hubby and I decided to take a trip to The Great Sage and Roots Market, which is in Clarksville's Conscious Corner:) I had "A bowl of body-and-soul-warming three bean chili served with brown rice, vegan lime sour cream drizzle and vegan corn bread," and "Green peppers, plum tomatoes, red onion and cucumber tossed in lemon herb vinaigrette over romaine lettuce with kalamata olives and lemon wedge". My hubby had a "Down-home" vegan version of your favorite meatloaf: seasoned lentils, walnuts and grains baked with and apple-barbecue sauce and topped with onion gravy. Served with roasted potatoes and vegetable of the day". We both loved every bite.

Afterward, we visited Roots Market. It is a raw vegan's paradise! I could have stayed there all day, but Steve dragged me out after I walked around starry eyed for at least a half hour. I did manage to buy some goodies and I'll be back soon! They have all of the hard to find ingredients that can make a raw vegan's life much easier (not that I am 100% raw vegan, but this place will help me get there!).

New Articles in Smart Woman Magazine: Ashram Visit and Swimming!

2008-05-06T11:42:00.005-04:00

The May/June issue of Smart Woman is out! I have a couple articles in this issue:

Something New: A Weekend at an Ashram

This past winter I spent a weekend at an ashram nestled in the Catskill Mountains of New York. The Sivananda Yoga Ranch is a spiritual community that teaches meditation and yoga to everyone, from beginners to experienced practitioners. Guests ranged in age from 18 to 70 and came from all over the United States and Canada. Ours was a diverse group: fashion designers, writers, business people, college students, teachers and retirees...read more.

Learning: Swim School

As a frequent visitor to Soup’s On in Hampden, I have often marveled at the energy of owner and chef Cynthia Shea. It was she who told me about Masters swim classes...read more.

The First Crazy Sexy Meetup in NYC (plus some reflections on raw vs. cooked food)!

2008-05-05T21:35:00.003-04:00

The first Crazy Sexy Posse Meetup was in NYC this past weekend! On Saturday afternoon, 60 Crazy Sexy Lifers met up at Bonobo's:) You can read all about it and see some pictures at Kris Carr's blog. The conversation, community, support, and food were fantastic. It is so exciting to think of events like this popping up all over the country and spreading wellness to so many more people! If you haven't already, check out the Crazy Sexy Life forum!

I missed my juice this weekend. I loved making the trip to Whole Foods this morning to pick up my veggies (I picked up some Tom's of Maine mouthwash and Nutiva Coconut Oil too!). Switching between mostly raw to mostly cooked days, helps me realize how much cooked food slows me down! I had a very large cooked meal for dinner tonight and I feel tired, unmotivated, and a little down-in-the-dumps. Its a learning experience. Tomorrow will be all 80% raw and then maybe a fast on Wednesday to wipe the slate clean.

I've also been trying to switch to 100% vegan (probably 90% now). Its not so easy at restaurants! I'm going to continue to work towards this goal.

If you were on the fence about becoming a vegan, here are a few more reasons...

2008-05-01T10:11:00.002-04:00

I just read an amazing blog post by Dan Paul at Kris Carr's blog. I wanted to email it to every person I know, but thought it might be better to post it here. I touched upon the issue of animal treatment in this post concerning a Human Society video released in February. Although I am probably 80-90% vegan (ice cream always gets me!), this post has inspired me to take the 100% vegan plunge.

Wayne Dyer on Generosity

2008-04-28T08:16:00.003-04:00

Giving more and expecting nothing in return is not the easiest thing to do. I used to believe that kindness was something to be tallied up. I thought that if someone did something nice for me that I was indebted to them and vice versa. I thought that every act of kindness needed to be recognized and "paid back". It is freeing to understand that kindness and love are not scarce and there is no limit to how much you can give and receive.

I try each day to incorporate this principle into my daily life. The more I give, the more I receive and the more people I meet who are filled with love and kindness. Wayne Dyer has helped me understand generosity. He writes about it in Manifest Your Destiny:

"Practice giving just a bit more than you think you can, and a bit more than your comfort level allows. Increase your patience with a child, hold your spouse in a passionate embrace for just a bit longer than a superficial squeeze, give an extra dollar or two to the maid who took care of you during a hotel visit...Whatever you have convinced yourself is the limit of your generosity, try going beyond it, knowing full well that it is not going to cause any great hardship in your life. Know too, that it will give you that sense of spiritual fulfillment..."

Randy Pausch: A message on living

2008-04-27T09:22:00.006-04:00

I just watched this 11 minute video on Raw Model's website and I wanted to share it here. Randy Pausch is living with pancreatic cancer and has been told by doctor's that he has only a few months to live. He shines with more light and life than most people I know and he has blessed us by sharing his wisdom and courage. I highly recommend taking the time to watch this short clip of his talk on Oprah.

NYC Vegan Restaurants and Raw Vegan Chocolate

2008-04-25T16:00:00.007-04:00

I had the pleasure of visiting two raw vegan restaurants earlier this week in NYC. The first was Bonobos at 18 E. 23rd Street. Bonobos is named after the Great Ape that lives in Africa. We share 99% of this ape's DNA. Bonobos website explains:

"Wild bonobos are happy pleasure loving creatures whose lifestyle is dictated by instinct and Mother Nature. They are very healthy and live long lives, dying from old age, accidents or predators. There is no evidence of degenerative disease like there is with their human relatives. Instinct is responsible for their diets instead of social custom and food manufacturers. Their diet is predominantly raw, wild and plant based: fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Since there is so much discussion about the correct diet for humans, bonobos can give us tremendous insight into what we are meant to eat and what kind of lifestyle we should have."

The food was fantastic! I enjoyed coconut water with my meal of a big green salad, lots of raw veggies and a yummy nut meat pattie:) I felt wonderful after my meal. There are so many tasty options for raw vegans that are packed with the good stuff we need to be healthy and vibrant. Check out Bonobos' menu here. If you live in NYC, be sure to stop in! I'll be back at Bonobos for the first Crazy Sexy Posse Meetup on May 3. Check out the Crazy Sexy Life forum here, you may want to join us!

The second restaurant I visited was Pure Food and Wine at54 Irving Place. This restaurant is the creation of Sarma Melngailis who wrote Raw Food Real World (a raw cookbook that I've mentioned in previous posts). The restaurant was a cozy and inviting place to settle in for a 3 hour meal! We enjoyed: Spicy Thai Lettuce Wraps with Tamarind Chile Sauce, Marinated Shitake and Avocado Sushi Rolls, and Rawviolis for starters. For the main dish, I ordered the Zucchini and Roma Tomato Lasagna with Basil-Pistachio Pesto, Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce, and Pignoli Ricotta (picture from flickr.com). Last, but NOT least, I savored a raw mint ice cream sundae, topped with unbelievably rich cacao truffles. To die for. I also enjoyed coconut water with my meal:) Its a good thing that I do not live in NYC, because I would want to eat there every night!

I had a wonderful conversation with a new friend that evening about raw vegan food. I've struggled with following a mostly raw, vegan diet in social situations, especially with family. My wise new friend helped me regain my confidence in my choice to follow this path. She helped me turn my insecurity into pride! Next time I feel like compromising my diet to "fit in", I am going to bring a delicious raw food dish to share with friends and family.

Lastly, I was just at Whole Foods picking up some greens for the weekend, when I got a hankering for chocolate. I'm not someone who can have a bar of chocolate hanging out in my cupboard without devouring it in one sitting, so I was looking for a single serving, organic dark chocolate treat. I was pleasantly surprised to find 100% Organic Vegan Raw (single serving) Chocolate bar! The chocolate (70% cacoa) is made by Love Street Living Foods. You can read an article about this company here. The article explains:

"The chocolate, made with a low-temperature (melted below 108 degrees) process, contains no processed sugar or hydrogenated fats or chemicals. The ingredients list starts with organic raw cacao (70 percent), which they source from Ecuador (cacao typically is roasted for chocolate). The rest: Organic raw cacao butter, organic raw coconut oil, organic raw agave nectar (the sweetener), organic raw whole vanilla bean, organic raw maca (powdered South American root vegetable), organic raw cayenne (a subtle touch of it) and Himalayan crystal salt."

The texture is more gritty than traditional chocolate, but it is still delicious, rich, and flavorful. Not to mention very satisfying:)

I am more and more motivated each day to continue on a (mostly) raw vegan path...people keep telling me I'm getting "the glow". Its not just the food, its part of a lifestyle, which I discovered through Crazy Sexy Life (CSL), Sivananda Yoga, and numerous spiritual teachers. Since returning from NYC, three friends have approached me on how to start on the CSL path and I love sharing my knowledge and resources. Thanks CSL!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead

p.s.-I picked up Alba's Body Sunscreen (30 S.P.F) today at Whole Foods! I'm ready to enjoy the sun (safely).

xoxo,
Sundari:)

Sunscreen

2008-04-24T08:17:00.004-04:00

Good Morning Sunshine:)

Its official, sunscreen has become a part of my morning routine. I could beat myself up about not integrating it into my regimen sooner, but whats the use in that? I've spent a lot of time in the sun lately, walking around NYC, DC, and Baltimore and I've picked up more color than I would like. Although I am fair skinned and it is obvious that I need to wear sunscreen because I turn into a lobster at the beach, EVERYONE needs to wear sunscreen. It doesn't matter if your skin turns a lovely brown or already is a lovely brown, the sun is not our friend UNLESS we protect ourselves from harmful rays.

I picked up Alba's Botanica's SUN Facial Sunscreen at Whole Foods yesterday. I don't put makeup, lotion, or anything else on my face other than a couple sprays of Burt Bee's Carrot Seed Oil Complexion Mist, so I was reluctant to use the sunscreen, but it is not an option to ignore this necessity! I am happy to report that I can barely tell that it is on my face:) My skin doesn't feel oily or look greasy. My skin feels and looks the same as it would any other day, except now I am protected and I can enjoy the sun. Within the next couple days, I will be purchasing Alba's Sunscreen for the whole body and adding it to my morning routine!

And now its time to make some Green Juice!

Thanks Allie's Answers!

2008-04-16T09:42:00.003-04:00

Thanks Allie's Answers for honoring Baltimore Bliss with the Blog of Distinction Award! I would like to share the love by honoring my favorite blogs (Allie's Answers would be one of my honorees, if she hadn't already received it!):

Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Cancer blog is filled with information on caring for your mind, body, and the planet! Her writing is fun and inspiring to read and she has interesting guest bloggers!

Debbie Does Raw gives readers a first hand look at the raw food experience. Debbie writes about her journey with raw foods, organic products, current issues effecting our food, recipes, and more!

Radical Radiance is filled with information on juice feasting and raw foods. Courtney also talks about positive thinking and spirituality. She lives at the Tree of Life and writes about the latest happenings at this phenomenal place!

We Like It Raw is chock full of support and resources for raw food living. If you are interested in the leaders of the raw food world, many of them blog here and share their experiences and tips!

Here is my menu so far today:
6:30am-Water, lemon, stevia
Fasting Yogi Tea
10:00am-Green Juice (same as yesterday afternoon's juice:))

Last night's meditation:
Jon Kabat-Zinn's Body Scan Meditation
This morning's meditation:
Wayne Dyer's Morning Meditation

Today's Menu

2008-04-15T21:22:00.004-04:00

7am-Water, lemon, stevia
11:00am-Green Juice:
1/2 cucumber
ginger
lemon
lime
3 handfuls of baby greens
celery stalks
stevia
2:00pm-Veggie "Soup":
The following were blended in a food processor and warmed slightly on the stove:
2 tomatoes
2 carrots
1 head of broccoli
cayenne pepper
celtic sea salt
1 clove of ginger
fresh dill
olive oil
water
3:00pm- Green Juice:
1/2 cucumber
ginger
lemon
lime
3 handfuls of baby greens
broccoli stems
stevia
9:00pm-Veggie "Soup":
The following were blended in a food processor and warmed slightly on the stove:
2 tomatoes
2 carrots
1 head of broccoli
cayenne pepper
celtic sea salt
1 clove of ginger
1 juiced lemon
olive oil
water

Lots of herbal tea and filtered water too!

I taught two yoga classes this evening. I felt clear headed, calm, and energetic. Its amazing how much easier it is to feel peaceful when your body is at peace. Its not so fun teaching yoga when you feel bloated and full. I'm very happy that I have integrated this practice into my weekly regimen. Time for my nightly meditation. I've been downloading different guided meditations onto my iPod. Tonight's selection: TBA:)

Time for the weekly fast

2008-04-14T17:23:00.005-04:00

Today, I will be joining the CSL crew for a 1-2 day juice fast (feast). Last week's fast was incredible. I felt like I had wiped the slate clean. My cravings were drastically reduced, I even resisted dessert on my husband's birthday (I watched everyone eat hot fudge sundaes)! Friends and family were in Baltimore this past weekend and it was tough sticking to a healthy diet while eating at restaurants for almost every meal. I wasn't perfect, but I managed to eat vegan the entire weekend and properly combine foods most of the time.

Sometimes the only vegetarian option on a menu includes cheese. In the past, I would have probably just eaten the cheese so that I didn't seem fussy. This weekend I realized that its silly to compromise the diet that works best for me just because I think others will judge me. Surprise! The world doesn't revolve around me and it was no big deal to ask for what I wanted! Glad I'm over that now:)

Last week, I was focused on fasting as a "reset" for my body and mind. This week, I feel like its more of a "tweaking" that needs to be done to get me back on track:) I hope that with each week, my fast will be less and less of a major overhaul and more of a time to just give my body and mind a rest.

I've integrated wheat grass powder into my daily regimen and its taking me a little while to get used to the taste. The powder is much more palatable than the real deal, but I think its going to take a few days (or weeks) to love my wheat grass. Adding lemon juice helps! I order it from Debbie at CSL. Its very affordable and Debbie can answer any of your questions about wheat grass (and much more!). I've mentioned her blog in the past-Debbie Does Raw. You can contact her through CSL or her blog.

My husband and I recently renovated a room in our basement that walks out to the backyard. I've designated a little nook in the room as my sacred space:) I have a small table with pictures of Swami Vishnu and Swami Sivananda, a picture of Durga, a candle, incense, and a few other items that symbolize people that I love and things I am thankful for. This morning, I meditated for thirty minutes (listening to Jon Kabat-Zinn's Sitting Meditation on my iPod).

I will always have this safe haven to retreat to when I need clarity and peace. I have made the commitment to meditate for 30 minutes in the morning and evening in my new sacred space. It only took a few minutes to arrange and it is so powerful! I'll be checking in to let you know how this new space has effected my meditation practice and my everyday life. Reading Deepak Chopra's Seven Spritual Laws of Success, Wayne Dyer's Manifest Your Destiny, and being involved with the Manifesting and Yoga groups at CSL has given me the support and encouragement to make these steps. I am happy and grateful that these things have come into my life.

Fasting, Day 2

2008-04-09T09:47:00.005-04:00

Good Morning!

I feel fantastic today:) Last night was pretty sweaty, but I assume that this is a sign that my body is detoxing. I had a cup of tea before bed and I fell asleep easily (no hunger). I had very vivid dreams last night, which weren't pleasant, but I'm not going to analyze it. This morning I got up at 6am to teach yoga. I went through my regular morning routine and had a big glass of water with lemon juice. I took a cup of Fasting Yogi Tea with me to the studio. I was pretty hungry when I got back home, but I went on a walk with my husband before juicing:)

This morning's juice included:
6 stalks celery
1 lemon
1 lime
3 big handfuls of greens
1/2 cucumber
1 inch ginger
Coconut water
Stevia

I just finished my juice and I feel content, alert, and positive. Terri (crazy sexy life coach) was a guest blogger at Kris Carr's blog this morning. She wrote about the power and benefits of meditation. The post is packed with tips, motivation, and wisdom. It has inspired me to kick my meditation practice up a notch. I am going to buy a timer today so that I can meditate peacefully without looking up every few minutes at the clock!

I am thinking about breaking my fast today, but we shall see!

xoxo,
Sundari

Fasting Part III

2008-04-08T21:21:00.005-04:00

After my last post, I had another cup of tea and took some coconut water mixed with fresh lime juice on the road. It wasn't until 6 o'clock that I became hungry and drinking water helped to calm my stomach until I got home at 9. I taught two yoga classes and felt high in energy and had a clear mind the whole time. Right now, I'm sipping 20 oz. of juice:)

My Second Juice of the Day:
3 Carrots
2 big handfuls of Baby Greens
3 Broccoli Stalks
1 Lemon
1 Lime
1 inch of Ginger

I didn't have to add Stevia because the carrots and broccoli add sweetness:) The ginger makes the juice nice and spicy! I am very pleased with this juice and I'm glad that I used some different veggies. Its nice to branch out! I feel very calm. I don't know if I will break the fast tomorrow, I'll just see how I feel.

xo,
Sundari

Fasting Part II: Blended Soup!

2008-04-08T14:40:00.003-04:00

I got hungry mid-afternoon and decided to try my first Blended Soup. Zero cooking involved because heating food over 118 degrees destroys enzymes. Here is what I threw into the food processor (my substitute for a Vita Mix):

1 Avocado
3 stalks celery
1/2 Cucumber
1 Carrot
2 handfuls of Baby Greens
A few shakes of Celtic Sea Salt
1 Squeezed Lemon

The lemon and salt helps to make the soup much more appetizing. I did heat the soup minimally to take the chill out, but I made sure that it was only luke warm:) Next time, I am going to add garlic and cayenne. It's three o'clock and I feel great!

Adventures in Fasting, Coconut Water, and Stevia

2008-04-08T12:30:00.006-04:00

There has been a lot of discussion about fasting at the CSL forum and Kris Carr's Blog. These resources have come at the perfect time (as they always do). As I've integrated more healthy eating habits into my life, the unhealthy ones have naturally become more apparent. My mind and body are more connected, which makes me more sensitive to foods that are energy depleting and toxic.

During the weekends, I often fall off the bandwagon and eat refined sugars and grains. The following day I feel down in the dumps and tired. In addition, I crave these foods more, which makes me feel worse and encourages this unhealthy cycle. These foods also make me feel bloated and uncomfortable. There are many excuses that I could make for choosing these foods, but the bottom line is that I am responsible for my health and happiness.

I'm hitting the reset button today, in hopes that I can reduce my cravings and boost my energy. So far, I've had a big glass of water with lemon, a cup of tea, and green juice. I've eliminated apples from my green juice because of the sugar content and as Kris Carr wrote in the comment section of her blog, "fruit cleanses faster than veggies so you may experience more detox effects with fruit".

Today's Green Juice:
2 large handfuls of Baby Greens
6 Stalks of Celery
1/2 Cucumber
1/4 inch Ginger
1 Lemon
1 Lime
Coconut Water (O.N.E. brand)
1 packet of Stevia (an herb-very sweet!)

I was afraid that I would dislike the juice without the apple, but I can't tell the difference:) I feel great so far today. If you haven't tried Stevia as a sugar substitute, I highly recommend it! Also, O.N.E. Coconut Water can be found at Whole Foods, in case you don't feel like cutting open a coconut yourself. Here is some info on the benefits of Coconut Water. Here is some information on Stevia in case your are curious.

Taking it Easy

2008-04-06T10:07:00.002-04:00

I've noticed a pattern in my thinking during the weekends. I wake up and immediately a "things I should do today" list begins to grow out of control. I should...juice, do yoga, dry brush, neti, take a walk, clean the house, garden, finish some home improvements, read a book, get a head start on work due this week, meditate, grocery shop, and the list goes on. At least I am concious about the fact that I do this, but its difficult at times to fight feelings of guilt and disappointment that crop up because I can't get all of these things done in one day. Plus, when do you fit in spending time with friends and family or "relaxing" with all these things to do?

I hope that eventually, I will break this cycle, but in the meantime here are a few things that help me come back to earth. I try to shift my focus from my to-do list, to my "I am happy and grateful" list. Debbie, from Debbie Does Raw, mentioned this practice and I've integrated it into my daily life. Every morning and before I got to bed, I list the reasons I am happy and grateful. I also use this opportunity to manifest my desire for the future.

Staying present! This is the ultimate tool for beating the blues. It helps to ask these simple questions when trying to be more present: "At this moment, what do I see, feel, smell, hear, and taste?" Answering these questions automatically shifts my consciousness to the present moment and give me a sense of peace.

Pushing my pride to the side. Often, I get on a high horse about all these things I have to do. In other words, I take myself too seriously. My husband helps me laugh, let go, and chill out, but only if I let my guard down. He is pretty persistent, so usually it works.

The shower can be a place of peace or chaos inside my head. When I feel like the events of the day are like gray clouds over my head, I remind myself that if I change my perspective, these things could be fun. I can make them enjoyable if I let go of my preconceived notions.

I am still reading Wayne Dyer's book, Manifesting Your Destiny, and I've already seen the benefits of this different way of thinking. I'm still working on my vision board and it continues to be a source of motivation and clarity. I'm off to visit CSL and check out the Crazy Sexy Manifesting Maniacs group. Its filled with support and knowledge, so if you are interested (or curious), check it out!

Kris Carr's Advice On Fasting...

2008-04-02T16:45:00.003-04:00

I've wanted to begin fasting once per week since I learned that it was a beneficial break for your digestive system and the rest of your body. Kris Carr wrote a fantastic post at her blog today that outlines her approach to fasting. There are many different fasting practices, but this is the one that I recommend:) I will be fasting on Friday and I'll let you know how it goes!

Manifesting Your Destiny

2008-04-01T15:41:00.006-04:00

Last night, I began reading Manifest Your Destiny by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. I underlined the following passage because it brought such clarity:

Whenever you are about to act, ask yourself this question: "Is what I am about to say or do going to bring me peace?" If the answer is yes, then go with it and you will be allowing yourself the wisdom of your highest self. If the answer is no, then remind yourself that it is your ego at work.

I've been asking myself that question today and it has reminded me to live consciously. By respecting my own inner peace, I automatically respect others, and the earth. Its such a simple concept, but it is so powerful. What if everyone asked themselves this question before acting and speaking?

This book is a continuation of my exploration of manifestation, which began with reading Abraham-Hicks' book Ask And It Is Given (Law of Attraction) about a year ago (you can read the post here). The vision board has taken me a step further. I picked up Dyer's book because of a recommendation at CSL. I have already experienced life unfolding in more positive and natural ways since shifting my way of thinking and creating the board. I am amazed at how quickly things that I put on the board, which at the time seemed like a long-shot, are becoming a reality. I am learning to trust that things will work out rather than constantly being on the defensive and trying to be prepared for every possible way the sky could fall. The words: surrender, allow, and let go, all come to mind.

More on this later!

Tongue Cleaner

2008-03-29T17:45:00.003-04:00

One more item to list for my daily morning regimen! Behold, the tongue cleaner:

This is an Ayurvedic practice. Tongue cleaners help to reduce bad breath (brushing your tongue is not very effective!), activate digestion, improve the detox process through the tongue, and decrease plaque. They are very cheap too!

Neti Pot

2008-03-27T09:41:00.004-04:00

A few posts ago, I listed my ideal morning routine and I forgot to mention one of the most important parts! The Neti Pot! I love my neti. The Neti Pot is an Ayurvedic cleansing tool that is easy to use and very affordable. All you need is a plastic or ceramic neti pot (can be found in pharmacies, health food stores, and spiritual/new age bookstores/gift shops), warm water, and sea salts.

This You Tube video shows you exactly how to use the Neti:

It may feel funny at first, but it will become second nature. It is not painful at all and should only take a few minutes. I always feel refreshed afterward. This cleansing method allows you to breathe more deeply, it awakens your senses, and helps to clear your mind. Make sure that you use non-iodized salt (not table salt!) and the water should be body temperature. If you have any questions, let me know!

Be Well,
Sundari

My Vision Board In-Progress

2008-03-25T08:45:00.000-04:00

I had so much fun yesterday creating my vision board. Its not done yet, but it has already helped me work through some questions that I've had recently. Although I didn't know exactly why I chose some of the images, it all came together when I sat down to organize the board. Every time I look up from my computer, I am reminded of the strong women entrepreneurs that I am striving to join! Their journeys help me keep a positive attitude that I can make a difference if I stay positive and focused. The board also reminds me to have patience for certain things in my life (ex. writing a book, planting a garden) because these things take time and I shouldn't give up! The vision board also reminds me to focus on my own wellness and the wellness of our planet. I'll post another picture when the board is further along. I hope that others will start thier own vision board! It will help you manifest your dreams by focusing your attention and energy on your desires.

Vision Board

2008-03-24T09:08:00.002-04:00

I've been thinking about creating a vision board for many months and today is the day I will begin. Although there are countless reasons to make a vision board, I am focused on developing a clearer understanding of my purpose: how can I focus my strengths and contribute in a greater way to the universe (the whole, or whatever you want to call it)? Although I am doing many things that make me happy (yoga, teaching, writing, etc.), I feel scattered and at times, isolated. I know that I want to continue my focus on mind and body wellness, but I hope to find a way to do this on a deeper level through more education and collaboration. How will this happen? I have faith that if I stay focused, motivated, and present that I don't have to have an exact plan. The vision board (hopefully) will help me cultivate these goals. Here are some resources that I found:

How To Make A Vision Board by Christine Kane
How To Use A Vision Board To Activate The Law Of Attraction by Tristan Loo

Anyone out there have experience making a vision board?

Wheat Grass Powder

2008-03-23T22:18:00.003-04:00

I had my first wheat grass shot at Liquid Earth a couple weeks ago and I'm not going to pretend that it was easy getting it down. Regardless of the taste (which really wasn't that bad), I know how wonderful it is for you and I would like to integrate wheat grass juice into my diet. So, when I saw a packet of Amazing Grass Wheat Grass Powder at Whole Foods yesterday, I decided to pick it up. I've been making a smoothie everyday a few hours after juicing, so I decided to add the powder while blending my daily smoothie. The end product is pictured above. I could taste the difference in the smoothie, but it was still enjoyable (I am trying to develop a wheat grass palette).

I have decided to move away from fruit smoothies. They appeal too much to my affinity for sugar and I find myself becoming addicted to them. Until I get my Vitamix and start blending some serious veggie smoothies, I think I'll stick to my green juice:) I'm learning about how my mind reacts to my diet and I can recognize when I'm developing an unhealthy relationship with certain foods. Too much of anything isn't a good thing. I am committed to developing a diet that consists of foods that I enjoy consuming in moderation.

Spring Officially Begins In Two Days!

2008-03-18T10:09:00.003-04:00

Spring is almost officially here, although you wouldn't know it by looking at my backyard:

I am determined to transform this wasteland into a veggie garden. But where to begin? Here are some resources that I've found through the Gardening Group at the Crazy Sexy Life Forum:

You Grow Girl Website
You Grow Girl Book
University of Florida Organic Gardening Guide
Gardenaction

Anyone out there getting started with their gardens?

A Peak Into India

2008-03-17T09:19:00.004-04:00

A yogi/photographer friend of mine, Ana Grillo, is on a journey in India. She is documenting her travels through a blog and photo-journal. It is very inspiring to read about her experiences! Check them out here. She is traveling with Uli, who is also chronicling their journey through a blog hosted by Baltimore City Paper. You can check out her blog here. I have never visited India, but the words and photos of these women are bringing the country alive for me! I hope you'll take a peak:)

*This is not one of their photos, it is from flickr.com

Starting Your Morning On The Right Foot

2008-03-16T22:32:00.004-04:00

The way that I start my morning influences the rest of my day. During yoga teacher training, the swamis talked about the tamasic energy that builds up during the night while we sleep. Although tamas allows us to relax, if it manifests, we continue to feel sluggish, heavy, and negative as the day moves on. Showering in the morning and other simple practices help to reduce the tamasic energy in your body. The three gunas of yogic philosophy are tamas (inertia), rajas (activity), and sattva (purity). These energies are always present, but one is usually stronger than the others depending on our diet, lifestyle, and state of mind.

Here is my recipe for getting up on the right side of the bed:

As soon as you rise...

(1) Dry Brush entire body (small counter clockwise circles from the bottoms of your feet to your shoulders with a natural bristle body brush)
-if you have extra time, put on an all-natural organic face mask before you dry brush (its like a mini-spa treatment!)
(2) Shower (try to be in the moment and enjoy the shower, focus on your breath, try to set a positive intention for the day)
(3) After showering, moisturize your whole body with organic, cold pressed coconut oil (run container under warm water to liquefy)
(4) Floss, brush teeth, and gargle
(5) Make some Green Juice!

Beginning my day by taking care of myself, rather than laying on the couch and watching t.v., helps me to live the rest of my day consciously. Otherwise, I get stuck in a lazy, ho-hum mood and it becomes more difficult to break that state of mind. It only takes me an extra 30 minutes to do these steps.

Is there anything that helps you start your day in a positive way?

Check Out The Latest Summerset Review

2008-03-15T15:59:00.004-04:00

A talented writer friend of mine was recently published in the Summerset Review! Check out her short story, Bathtub Mary. It moved me to tears! Congratulations Allie!

http://www.summersetreview.org/

Meditation Pledge and more on A New Earth

2008-03-13T17:07:00.007-04:00

I'm still loving the A New Earth Webcasts. Chapter two is ready for viewing. I also love this quote from the book (its one of Oprah's favorites):

"Life will give you whatever experience is the most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this experience is what you need? Because you are having it right now." Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

Whenever I feel frustrated, bored, or spaced out in the moment, I remind myself of this principle and it helps me to honor the present. I realize that its a lot of work trying to be present all the time, but I have hope that it will become a way of life.

Over at Crazy Sexy Life, we are doing a meditation pledge. 5 minutes a day for 21 days. For me, its been that extra push I needed commit to a meditation practice. Join us (you'll find the pledge in the Yoga Group)!

I love this blog: Lola B On The Move
Lola B has dedicated a blog to 101 things that she plans to complete within 1001 days. Her list is inspiring and I love reading about her journey! Check it out, maybe you'll start your own.

Green Juice, Kris Carr's Documentary, and A New Earth

2008-03-11T12:02:00.006-04:00

I am drinking my Green Juice as I type this entry. Today's juice consists of:
1/2 cucumber (peeled because it is not organic)
1 head of celery
3 handfuls of Mixed Spring Greens
1 Lemon
1 Apple
1 Mango

I forgot the ginger this morning! Side note: I find mixed spring greens to be more palatable than Kale or Romaine (alone), so if you are struggling with drinking your greens, try this option. Extra tip: It is best to drink your green juice within 15-20 minutes of juicing. The juice will begin to oxidize and lose much of its nutritional value if you let it sit longer.

I feel like I'm back on the juicing band wagon. I received Kris Carr's documentary yesterday in the mail and watched it with my husband last night! It reinforced many of the habits I've adopted over the past year (juicing, dry brushing, yoga, eating raw as much as possible, meditation, etc.). This is a documentary for everyone! It will open your eyes to so many ways of improving your mind and body health.

I also would like to share a passage that I was reading yesterday from A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle:

"A vital question to ask yourself frequently is: What is my relationship with the present moment? Then become alert to find out the answer. Am I treating the Now as more than a means to an end? Do I see it as an obstacle? Am I making it into an enemy? Since the present moment is all you ever have, since Life in inseparable from the Now, what the question really means is: What is my relationship with Life?The question is an excellent way of unmasking the ego in you and bringing you into the state of Presence." (Tolle, A New Earth, p. 203)

I find this "exercise" to be very effective and I wanted to share it with you.

Be Well,
Sundari

Jivamukti Class at Flow Yoga Center

2008-03-10T10:04:00.004-04:00

I made it to Jivamukti yoga class yesterday at Flow Yoga Center in Washington, DC. I brought a friend along with me, which is always a great way to motivate yourself to practice yoga. Having a "yoga buddy" will add accountability to your practice and can make it more fun.

The studio is on the second and third floors of a rowhouse in Dupont. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. I loved the long benches with soft, red cushions lining the walls. The lounge was an inviting place to spend a few minutes relaxing and chatting before class. The picture to the left is not me, nor is it Flow Yoga Center, but it is a pose ("downward dog") that you will often find yourself in, if you decide to try this style.

About ten minutes before class, we went upstairs and set up our mats on the bamboo floors. There were 20-25 people in the room for class. Our instructor, Agitha, began practice by discussing the theme of the month-listening, and how we could integrate this principle into our practice and everyday lives. She also asked us to dedicate our practice to someone we love, which I really enjoyed. The class was challenging, I definitely worked up a sweat, but it was also fun and powerful. Jivamukti is very different from Sivananda (music, flowing movements, very little relaxation between poses) but I can appreciate the practice for its differences. I felt strong, happy, and clear-minded after class. My friend mentioned that it reminded her of Ashtanga yoga.

Before class, I had the opportunity to meet Cory, Food Karma Alert blogger, and he mentioned a free Jivamukti class in Clarendon each Sunday. Cory and Agitha teach at Lululemon from 10-11am. The class is free!

Anyone else have experience with Jivamukti? Any studios that you would recommend?

A New Earth and the "Voice" in Our Heads

2008-03-07T21:08:00.006-05:00

Even if you haven't read the book, I highly recommend watching the webcasts of Oprah's talks with Eckhart Tolle, author of A New Earth. Oprah and Tolle discussed the first chapter of the book this past Monday and they will be talking about Chapter two today.

Tolle writes a lot about that "voice" in our heads, also know as our ego. For years, I believed that voice, which caused unnecessary guilt and sadness (I still get tricked by it sometimes). I'm not talking about a "voice" that tells me that aliens have landed on earth. This "voice" is one that could be mistaken as my own. It is the voice that says things like: "You're never going to get that job, you're fat, you're not worthy of this happiness, you should feel guilt about this or that", and so on. Tolle gives simple insight into how to separate from the ego. He suggests that we observe these voices, step away from their harsh judgments, and bring our focus to the present. Sounds easy, right? Well, not for me at least.

As I awoke this morning the first thoughts that came to me were: "Get out of bed! Your wasting your time! You're never going to get everything you need to get done today!" Rather than enjoying those last few moments in bed, my heart was racing. Luckily, I recognized these "voices" and was able to observe them and push them aside, savoring a few more cozy moments. I am going to start writing these thoughts down and see if I can find some patterns. Writing them down also helps you to separate your true self from the ego (voices).

Anyone else recognize a similar voice in their head? How do you cope with this negative thinking?

Spicing Up Your Yoga Routine

2008-03-07T17:12:00.006-05:00

I teach and practice Sivananda Traditional Hatha Yoga and I love it. I also think there is something to be said about exploring other styles of yoga. I've been spending a great deal of time on Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Life Forum, which inspired me to purchase a Jivamukti DVD (I also purchased the newly released Crazy Sexy Cancer documentary and I can't wait to watch it in its entirety when it arrives in the mail!).

I think its important to watch a yoga DVD before you physically engage in the practice, so that was my first step. Thursday morning, I did the entire practice and it was quite enjoyable. I could tell that I was using different muscles because when I was in the Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) my legs were shaking! It felt good to challenge myself. Based on my limited experience, I would say that Jivamukti is a mixture of Vinyasa and Traditional Hatha. The meditation and relaxation in the end provided a well rounded practice, although I would have liked some breathing exercises as well. The Traditional Indian music provided an enjoyable atmosphere for the practice. I found the verbal instruction to be helpful and complementary to the experience.

This weekend, I'll be visiting Flow Yoga Center in Washington, DC to take a Jivamukti class. I'll let you know how it goes. Anyone have yoga DVD recommendations?

Smart Woman Articles

2008-03-06T11:18:00.007-05:00

Here are the links to a few of my articles in Baltimore Smart Woman Magazine. Subscribing is free! Sign up today and receive a free issue in the mail every other month:)

Being Thankful (even when you're bored)

2008-03-03T21:52:00.006-05:00

Sometimes I get bored. One of my odd jobs (I have many) is pretty mundane. No computers, no stress, no demands, sounds great right? Usually when I get ready to leave the house for this job, I'm panicked. I scurry around the house trying to fill my bag with reading, papers to grade, editing assignments, my calendar, books, and anything else I can put my hands on that will fill the time.

Today I looked boredom in the face and said, "Thanks". I took a moment to notice how my body felt. No pain, no ailments, no aches. Was anyone that I love in a crisis? In pain? In distress? Nope. Was there a crisis going on in my life? Nope. It usually takes a painful physical or emotional moment to wake me up. Why wait until those moments to honor health and serenity? It makes more sense to be thankful in the moment, when you can enjoy those sweet moments of just being.

It also helps to write down what you are thankful for in the moment. Just start writing and record anything from finding matching socks that day to waking up next to the person you love. It will make a difference in your mood and perspective because you are shifting your awareness from a negative or passive focus to a positive one.

What are you thankful for?

Groggy? No More!

2008-03-02T09:18:00.005-05:00

If you've been reading this blog for more than a few weeks, you know that I was struggling with the morning blues. I had to peel myself out of bed in the morning (kicking and screaming in my head). Lately, I wake up naturally, around 7:00 or 7:30 am. Mostly, I credit my diet (and juice!). I've been faithful to juicing each morning, cutting out refined sugars and flour, and eating lots of greens. Plus, I've added a B12 vitamin. I have even resisted my late-night sugar cravings (which does get easier). These are not easy modifications, but necessary to my long-term health and happiness (inside and out).

There are a few wonderful resources that I attribute these changes:

Kris Carr and the Crazy Sexy Crew. The Crazy Sexy Life Forum is up and running and it will change your life if you open your heart and mind to it! Whether or not you are a cancer survivor, this is a place for anyone wanting to nourish their body, mind, spirit, and the planet. It is packed with priceless knowledge and positive people from all over the world!

YOGA! Traditional Hatha Yoga (Sivananda Lineage) guides my practice, but there are hundreds of styles to choose from:)

BOOKS! Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, T. Colin Campbell's The China Study, Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips...much more on my nightstand:), including Fast Food Nation.

BLOGS! Allie's Answers (helps me learn about how I can care for the planet and protect my family from harmful chemicals, etc.), We Like It Raw has taught me about raw food living, Radical Radiance has taught me about juicing, and Kris Carr's blog-need I say more about Kris?

VEGAN! I've cut out all meat and dairy from my diet and it feels great!

Also, dancing, journaling, and nice long baths have helped to reduce stress:) When you have a toolkit filled with these positive habits you are never alone or lost. Try adopting one new healthy habit a week and soon you'll see and feel the difference. The sky is the limit:)

What healthy habits have you incorporated into your life that have made a difference?

Rested

2008-02-28T09:19:00.003-05:00

*Sigh of relief*
Well, I listened to my own advice yesterday by doing the following simple things:

Juiced!
Danced
Yoga:)
Meditation (ten minutes is better than zero!)
Light and satisfying meals (smoothie, salads, quinoa, baked sweet potato, nuts)
NO computer after 9pm
Wound down for a half hour before turning out the lights (reading a novel in bed)

It all paid off. Eight wonderful, restful hours of sleep. I woke up naturally this morning and finished some writing projects before 9am! Plus, I didn't carry that negative energy with me to bed. Yes, there are dishes in the sink right now, but I feel great! It wasn't a problem fitting these things into my day even though I taught four yoga classes and worked for four hours.

This blog is a huge motivator. It keeps me on track and records my progress. I highly recommend starting a journal or a blog if you want to make healthy changes in your life or stay on track with the changes you've already made.

Sleep

2008-02-27T06:52:00.003-05:00

Rather than getting bent out of shape that I had a horrible night of sleep and today is my busiest day (working 7am-8:30pm), I am going to learn from WHY it happened and move on with the day. First mistake, I ate sugar minutes before hitting the hay. Although it was natural sugar, I should know better! Second mistake, zero "down time" before turning out the lights. My hubby and I were watching a movie until 11pm and the whole time I was multi-tasking. Third, I jumped on the computer and dealt with some email that I knew was going to make me upset just before going to bed. The odds were stacked against me as I tried to catch as many z's as possible before my most hectic day of the week.

The good thing about days like today are that I learn the most about myself when faced with a little challenge. How can I use the tools that I've picked up over the past year to make today a good one? First, eat healthy and just enough so that I am nourished and satisfied. Second, take at least 10 minutes to meditate. Third, do some yoga (shouldn't be difficult, I teach four classes today!). Fourth, computer stays off after 9pm. Fifth, take at least 30 minutes to wind down before turning off the lights tonight. Now that I have my plan for the day, I think I'll start things off with a little boogie.

xoxo,
Sundari

Have Fun

2008-02-26T14:29:00.003-05:00

People who know me probably scoff at the thought of my advising others to "have fun". I've had trouble with this simple yet priceless part of life. Sometimes its easier to make excuses to not have fun, like "I have too much work to do", "I don't have enough money", "I'm too stressed out", and the list goes on. Lately, I'm very conscious of my tendency to make these excuses and I think that becoming aware is the first step toward letting go and just goofing off. The sky won't fall, the world won't come to an end, and no one is going to die if I decide to wait until tomorrow to do the dishes or finish a writing project. Instead of thinking up ways to fill time with preparations for the next day, an errand, or a phone call, do something that is purely for the sake of enjoyment. I find that when I do indulge in some simple pleasures (and I'm not talking about chocolate cake), the "work" stuff is ten times more enjoyable! And again, through writing this blog, I've decided that the best thing to do is crank up the tunes and dance:)

BREATHE

2008-02-25T11:55:00.007-05:00

Knowledge is power, but it is also a pain in the butt sometimes. The more I learn about health, ego, spirituality, nutrition, the environment, and the list goes on, the more I am aware of the thoughts and actions working against these things (or resisting them). There was a time that I would have thrown up my hands and given up after making a mistake, but I've learned to be more gentle with myself. Now, I breathe. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but incorporating deep abdominal breathing and anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing-which by the way is also great for quiting smoking) are priceless tools that can be used anytime, anywhere.

First of all, let you belly relax. For the first twenty-four years of my life, I took shallow, short breaths and held in my stomach. This breathing pattern effects your entire body and mind. Shoulders tense, heart races, chest is tight, hands clenched, and again the list goes on. This chain reaction will reverse if you relax your belly and breathe deeply into your abdomen. I usually count "om one, om two, on three" (as I inhale) and then "om one, om two, on three" (as I exhale). In the morning, try taking ten deep breaths like this before your feet touch the floor:)

Anuloma Viloma (alternate nostril breathing) takes a little more practice, but I can say that it has changed my life. The directions in this article are fantastic. Even though other drivers probably think I'm cuckoo, I sometimes do this exercise in the car. This breathing exercise is helpful when you feel overwhelmed, anxious, confused, worried, or stressed. If I need to relax or find clarity, the simple exercise of conscious breathing helps me get there. I hope it helps you too!

Food Dehydrator

2008-02-23T23:28:00.003-05:00

My new food dehydrator arrived in the mail yesterday! I have good and bad news. Good news is, the apple-cinnamon-almond-agave cookies are pretty good. Bad news is, after twelve hours of working its magic, the dehydrator started smelling funny. Nothing was burning, but a weird plastic and unnatural smell wafting from the machine. It took a few hours to get rid of the smell (with the aid of incense) and now I feel like the cookies are tainted with fumes. There is a lot of talk lately about toxic chemicals released from plastics, so I am a little wary. I should have sprung for the Cadillac of dehydrators, but I had a gift certificate to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and they only offer this model. I'll give it another spin this week and see how things pan out.

The more I experiment with my diet and peel away layers of unhealthy eating habits, the more I have to face what is truly good for my body and let go of life long (comforting) dietary habits. It has become a personal science experiment. Even natural sugars are giving me the jitters now. I'm going to start increasing my greens and decreasing my fruits. Also, my cravings for regular cookies, baked goods, and chocolate are back to zero after only a week of abstaining from these sugary treats. They say it takes 21 days to break a habit, so we'll see how I feel come March.

I keep adding books to my reading list. At the moment, I am reading The China Study, In Defense of Food, My Antonia, and the most recent addition: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. All excellent.

I've done a lot of cooking this weekend. Yesterday, I made "Wheat" Balls, whole wheat angel hair pasta, and a carrot-red pepper marinara sauce. Tonight, I made Falafel and salad. Usually, I try to go raw all day except for dinner. I also watched Becoming Jane and The Motorcycle Diaries this evening with my husband. Both also excellent. Last night, we watched Michael Clayton. I guess we're getting ready for the Oscars.

xoxo,
Sundari

Humane Society Video

2008-02-20T18:19:00.005-05:00

Words cannot describe how shocking, sickening, and saddening this video (secretly filmed by the Humane Society) is, so watch at your own risk. Background on the beef recall can be found here. I was deeply disturbed by the footage, but at the same time, where did I think hamburgers came from? Baltimore Sun reporter, Rob Kasper, said it best when he wrote:

Longtime vegetarians are, Cunningham said, "somewhat bemused" by the reaction of surprise to the video. "As a friend of mine said, 'What did people think happened at a slaughterhouse? Did they think the animals got tickled to death?' "

This video shows the reality of food sitting on most American's kitchen tables. If I wasn't already a vegetarian, I think seeing this video would make it difficult to take another bite of meat. We don't need to eat meat to be healthy. Its becoming more and more evident that animal-based protein is not the best source of protein and it is actually harmful to our health. So why do so many people eat it? I hate to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but the more I face the facts, the more I realize that the government and "food" corporations have brainwashed Americans to think that vitamin-infused Coke, hormone-injected meat and dairy, and calcium-fortified cereal will make us strong and healthy. Have you seen commercials for Special K Protein water???

All of this information is obviously not spontaneously entering my brain. Currently, I am reading In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, and today I picked up The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell. The China Study is fantastic. Its easy to understand and based on decades of research. Over the past six months, I've been scouring the web for information on vegetarianism, raw foods, organic foods, ayurvedic nutrition, and macrobiotics. Kris Carr has also offered a wealth of information and resources. I guess what I'm saying is, educate yourself before putting packaged and processed foods into your body! I have just skimmed the surface of understanding these concepts, but the changes that I have made (i.e. vegetarianism, raw foods, juicing, organic produce, food combining) has made a huge impact on my mental and physical health. More later on all the fascinating and relevant things I am learning from Pollan and Campbell.

Rise and Shine

2008-02-20T06:52:00.004-05:00

I felt so good this morning (waking up at 6am) that I wanted to spread the positive energy here. Three days in a row of waking up refreshed and ready for the day! There must be a connection between my mood and refined/processed sugar detox. Hooray!

Its amazing how remarkable the difference is in my feelings about the rest of the day, my perspective on work, and general happiness. I hope that this keeps up! I'll be noting my progress here:)

Composting and Smoothies

2008-02-19T14:41:00.004-05:00

I have wanted to spiff up our backyard since we bought the house a year ago and I am especially excited about the possibility of composting. Since we live in the city, I was skeptical about whether we could pull this off without inviting every critter in the neighborhood for a nightly feast. I came across a few encouraging articles and websites, one from Urbanite and the other from NYC's Compost Project. I'm sure I've only skimmed the surface of the resources that are out there. I'll keep you posted on this composting/gardening journey. My hope is to have a nice vegetable garden this summer and to put the pulp from my juicer and other organic materials to use, rather than throwing them in the garbage.

So far, so good with the refined/processed sugar detox. I am still eating natural sugars (honey and fruit). Today I made a nice smoothie, loosely based on a recipe from Raw Food Real World by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis. I threw the following ingredients into a blender: a bag of organic tropical fruit medley (frozen Whole Foods Brand), 1 tbls. raw almond butter, 1 tbls. raw honey (Lord Byron's Honey), 1 tsp. Bee Pollen (first time eating this, couldn't taste it in the smoothie!), 1 tsp. organic vanilla extract, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, pinch of celtic sea salt. It was sooooo good! I also experimented later in the day with Carob powder. I heated up 1 tbls. of Carob, 1 tbls. raw honey, and 1 cup almond milk. Although the powder wouldn't dissolve completely, it was still very good.

I'm feeling better overall. This morning, I awoke naturally at 7:30am and I didn't feel groggy for the first time in weeks! I really hope that this continues. I'm very excited to receive my new dehydrator in the mail! It should be here in a few days. Hopefully I'll be "cooking" (dehydrated food cannot be cooked over 110 degrees or the enzymes will begin to break down in the food) lots of goodies this weekend:)

Addiction Part II

2008-02-18T10:09:00.004-05:00

I'm feeling better today than I have in about a week. The culprit: sugar overload (and me of course). For a while I had my sugar addiction under relative control with dark chocolate, but in reality, I was still overdoing it. The first few bites were never enough! Once I had some, I couldn't eat enough of it! I know it sounds crazy-Chocolate? Get a real problem, right? Unfortunately, these are the same emotions, thoughts, and actions I experienced with cigarettes and alcohol. Just because the substance is "less harmful", the internal struggle still drives you bonkers. Needless to say, I was down in the dumps for days as I "sugar crashed" and beat myself up, over and over again. Bottom line: refined sugar (and even too much natural sugar) makes me feel like crap, so I need to take it out of my life. That means brownies, cookies, muffins, pies, ice cream, and the list goes on.

Here is the catch, I recently ordered a food dehydrator in hopes that I can make some sweet treats that won't turn me into an obsessive maniac. I've read about these healthier options on the We Like it Raw blog. Its worth a try, right? The dehydrator should be here in a few days. I'll keep you posted on this little experiment. In the meantime, I'm steering clear of all sugary sweet delights and cutting back on my fruit intake. More veggies!! David Wolfe's website has a nice overview of sugar here.

Less is more

2008-02-12T15:28:00.000-05:00

I never would have thought that too much knowledge was a bad thing until I realized that all this information is making me crazy! I am ashamed to say that I check my email while driving. How can we find peace if we have 10 windows open on the computer and we are darting to one web page while the other one is loading?

Last night I was at the end of my writing and editing "rope". I felt frustrated by every sentence that I pounded out of the keyboard. Finally, I decided to just go to bed and it was only 9:30! The world didn't come to an end. I got up this morning and the words flowed onto the page. We are all a work in progress. I don't know if any of this makes sense, but its all I have. I'm off to teach some yoga!

A New Earth and In Defense of Food

2008-02-04T21:27:00.000-05:00

I picked up two books today-A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. I've already dived into both of them. In addition, I will be discussing the books with two wonderful communities . Kris Carr's blogging community is reading The Defense o f Food and Oprah's Book Club is reading A New Earth.

I'm so confused about food right now and I can already tell that Michael Pollan's book will set the record straight in a simple way. I'm also struggling to stay positive, focused, and in the moment. Eckhart's book, The Power of Now helped me make some positive changes in my everyday life and I hope that A New Earth will take these changes a step further.

Juice Analysis, Organic Produce, and Inspiration

2008-02-03T15:53:00.000-05:00

I've been a little worried about my juicing habits lately because my urge to juice was dwindling. Even this morning (after two days without juice) I was questioning whether I could keep this up. After doing a full yoga practice, it was back. I went downstairs and juiced away! The picture to the left is what I started with.

I was curious about which nutrients I was benefiting from in this juice, so here the analysis I came up with, using The Complete Book of Juicing by Michael T. Murray. I listed the key benefits of each vegetable, fruit, and root.
Celery:

Potasium
Sodium (electrolyte replacer)
Coumarins (increases activity of certain white blood cells, tone vascular system, lower blood pressure)

Carrot:

Highest vegetable source of provitamin A carotenes

Cucumber:

Skin contains Silica (strengthens connective tissues, i.e. muscles, tendons, and ligaments)

Ginger:

Excellent Carminative (promotes elimination of intestinal gases)
Anti-inflammatory

Lemon:

Rich in Vitamin C and Potassium
Contains Limonine (promising anti-cancer properties)

Apple:

Pectin (improves the intestinal muscle's ability to push waste through the gastrointestinal tract)
Ellagic, chlorogenic, and caffeic acids (anutrients with significant anticancer properties)

And here is the result of those veggies and fruits plowing through my Breville juicer:

I am going crazy trying to figure out where to buy produce and which produce to buy. Until yesterday I thought that any produce bought at Whole Foods was organic. Not true! Anything marked "Conventional" is not organic. Bummer.

Also, I wonder about the integrity of companies like Nature's Promise. Nature's Promise is easy to find at the cheaper, chain grocery stores in Baltimore: Giant and Super Fresh, but how great are these fruits and vegetables really?

I am excited that Kris Carr has brought up the idea of a book club in her blog. I am interested in reading, Michael's Pollen's book, In the Defense of Food and it would be nice to share the experience with her community.

I am working on a fiction novel at the moment, but my interest in writing a creative non-fiction novel is increasing as I become more inspired by my pursuits in alternative health and wellness. Also, I feel inspired each day by information coming from blogs and books that I am drawn to make a contribution as well. Its like the idea is at the tip of my tongue, but it hasn't come to fruition yet. I am going to have faith that it will come in its own time and I just have to keep on this path. With that thought in mind, I should get back to other writing projects. Peace and love:)

Balance

2008-02-02T18:06:00.001-05:00

I've been playing with my balance lately and discovered how easy it is to fall, especially when it comes to my diet. I fell off the deep end with half of a medium sized Papa John's Garden pizza (more cheese and white flour than I've consumed in months). I couldn't sleep- heart racing, cold sweats, scattered thoughts. I was miserable! I had a pizza hangover the next day. In college, half a pizza, a six pack of beer, and half a pack of smokes were a regular part of my diet and my body surrendered to this pattern. Now, my mind and body revolts!

Thank goodness I had my green juice to fall back on the next morning. Since experimenting with a juice fast, becoming vegetarian, and adopting other healthy habits (dry brushing, tongue scraping, neti potting), I am comfortable with giving my stomach a rest in the morning. I used to throw food in my mouth as soon as my feet hit the ground in the morning. Now, I'm ok with waiting until noon to eat if I don't feel ready, although I usually drink my juice around 10am.

I am also finding balance in my yoga practice. For a few months following my stay at the ashram, I was putting all of my energy into teaching and ignoring my personal practice. Over the past month, I have found new joy and confidence in my personal practice. I've also taken it up a notch and I am working my way toward the handstand. This is a pose that my mind tries to tell me that I cannot accomplish, but I am ignoring those thoughts and focusing on the handstand a few minutes each day. It was the same situation when I approached the headstand. My body simply did not have the strength at first, but everyday I tried to get a step further in the pose, until eventually it just happened. I feel as fulfilled by achieving this pose as I do about getting my Master's degree. It taught me that I can achieve things that my mind perceives as impossible and that is priceless.

Updated Yoga Teaching Schedule

2008-01-28T23:02:00.000-05:00

Here is my updated Yoga Teaching Schedule:

Tuesdays:
7pm-8pm Reisterstown Brick Bodies

Wednesdays:
7am-8am: Baltimore Yoga Village
9:30am-11am: Baltimore Yoga Village
7:30pm-8:30pm: Padonia Brick Bodies

Fridays:
12pm-1pm: Baltimore Yoga Village

Addiction

2008-01-28T22:10:00.000-05:00

It doesn't matter how many vices I cut out of my life, I always find an addiction. Even if its something that is harmless, the addiction is the problem, not the focus of the addiction. Once you realize this, you discover that the obstacle is internal and cannot be overcome by eliminating one nasty habit after the next (although getting rid of unhealthy habits is a good thing!). As I peeled away the layers of vices, they became less and less detrimental to my health. Now that I'm staring at chocolate like its a bottle of Gin, I have to think to myself-where are these feelings coming from? How many more things can I take out of my life while I run away from the fact that these emotions and thought patterns are not a product of the outside world?

As my thoughts raced this evening, I took out a pad of paper and started writing. I promised myself that I would not stop writing until two pages were filled and that I would write anything that came to my mind. Although I felt somewhat crazy, it felt good. I wasn't turning on myself, I was unravelling myself and just being. My heart is racing as I type this, but that could be from the half a bar of dark chocolate I just ate.

I am just starting this journey. I have to remember this. Yoga, meditation, positive thinking, yogic philosophy, vegetarianism, juicing, chanting, all of this entered my life only 6 months ago. At least I've gotten this far. My mantras at the moment are: Surrender, play, and let go. I'm going to do those things right now. Most of the times I sit down to write here, I don't know what will occur, but usually I learn exactly what I need to do at that moment to be happy and free.

PS- One of the people who inspired me to make these changes is Kris Carr from Crazy, Sexy Cancer. A few days ago, I awoke to find that she had commented on one of my blog entries. I can't explain how motivating and uplifting it was to hear from her! If you haven't yet checked out her site or blog, do it now!

Ashram life for the weekend and Dry Brushing

2008-01-21T09:57:00.000-05:00

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Thats how I feel when I think about this past weekend at the Sivananda Yoga Ranch in Woodbourne, NY. I visited the ashram with one of my oldest and dearest friends. It was like we were kids again at summer camp. Lots of laughing, conscious living, peaceful silence, sharing wisdom, and positive thinking. The focus of the weekend was positive thinking and there was a wonderful workshop on Saturday afternoon on the subject. Here is a quote from Swami Sivananda's writing on positive thinking:

Lead a well-regulated life respecting the natural rhythms as much as possible.
Adapt, Adjust, Accomodate.
Live in the present.
Allow sudden changes to arise in your life.
Do not look for perfection in life. Perfection lies in stillness of one's own mind.
What really matters is not what happens but how we react to it.
Under stress most people loose their balance and their routine. We let things 'fall apart'.
Try to stick to your minimum routine.
Sit down and sort out any changes you could make to help you. Then make them NOW!
Do not waste your life speculating about others in ways that are not to your mutual advantage.
Purge your mind of all aimless and idle thoughts, especially those dealing with affairs of others or wishing them ill.
Become a staunch believer in self-reliance and self-effort.
You are affected by things only in accordance with your idea about them.
The minds sees value in that in which it has intense faith.

Each time I read this passage, I find something new and helpful. One of my biggest challenges at home is making time to meditate, which is one of the most integral parts of living a healthy life (in my opinion). We sat for meditation four times during the weekend and I realize how restless and cloudy my mind is at the moment. I promise to meditate at least 30 minutes a day, even if it is 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night. I want to find my quiet mind.

The hatha yoga was fantastic! I hadn't taken a class since teacher training and it was so relaxing and satisfying to be on the mat. I would like to begin taking at least one a yoga class a week in Baltimore in addition to my home practice. It was also wonderful taking a class in the temple, which is an octagon-shaped room with floor to ceiling windows. I felt surrounded by warmth and peace.

Satsang is also a wonderful part of the ashram schedule. We attended four Satsangs during the weekend. Swami-ji spoke about positive thinking after chanting and meditation. We also went on a walk through the ashram property on Saturday morning. It was a silent meditation walk and we traipsed through the woods over the crunchy snow to the Shiva and Ganesha shrines. The fresh air was cleansing and invigorating.

All of the meals are vegetarian and it was wonderful catching up with friends from TTC and newcomers to the ashram over brunch and dinner each day. It was simply a fantastic weekend and I highly recommend making a visit to any of the Sivananda Ashrams, even if you have never practiced yoga. The majority of guest were completely new to ashram life and yoga as a whole. I am working hard to carry the principles of yoga into daily life. I'm sure I'll be back at the ashram for another refresher as soon as possible!

I also picked up a natural bristle body brush at the ashram. I used it before showering last night and this morning. Kris Carr introduced me to this great detox tool in this blog entry. Check out this site for some helpful instructions. It feels great while you are doing it. I can't report on the long-term effect yet, but I'll keep you posted:)

Day... I have no idea what day it is

2008-01-16T16:08:00.000-05:00

I don't know what day I'm in of my nutritional journey, but I've found a place where I've integrated new elements into my daily diet and found a regimen that works for me right now. Without a doubt, 32oz of juice is the first thing I consume. Lunch-salad (romaine, carrots, cucumber) with homemade dressing. I get protein through snacks-raw almonds, Lara Bars, 70% Dark Chocolate. Dinner is usually salad and soup, lately I've been having a baked sweet potato too. I'm still writing my morning pages, although morning pages turned into late-afternoon pages today. And I'm just about to do my daily dance. I read about this in Kris Carr's blog. Dancing alone to a song of your choice every day tends to lift the spirits. It lifted mine yesterday. With that, lets dance.

Day 17

2008-01-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

I fell off the deep end this weekend with a slice of apple pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To tell you the truth, it was unsatisfying and gave me a sugar hangover the next day. I'll take some organic dark chocolate over pie any day. I've started writing "morning pages" on the recommendation of a dear friend. Its nice to do a brain dump first thing in the morning.

Day 13

2008-01-10T11:07:00.000-05:00

I'm drinking my Green Lemonade and still loving it as I type this blog. I've lost a few pounds since Day 1. Shambhala meditation will have to wait until next week because of some grant writing that can't wait. There is a Open House at Baltimore Yoga Village this Sunday January 13, which should be a wonderful event, including: two free yoga classes in the morning, free food by nutritionist Lucas, free chair massages, and an Art Show. Check out the website for more details. I am finding heavier foods less appealing and gravitating more towards juice, salads, and soups. I feel full faster and food isn't running my life. I feel nourished.

Day 8 and Day 9

2008-01-06T22:06:00.000-05:00

Here is the start of my blog from yesterday (day 8): Blogging yesterday was exactly what I needed to start meditating at home. I meditated yesterday and today, and it was fantastic.

Continuing on Day 9...
I bought a scale yesterday so that I can track my weight. Although weight loss isn't a major goal, I am curious to see if making these lifestyle changes will effect my weight. I am still drinking my morning Green Lemonade every day! I'm also still snacking on almonds, Lara Bars, and fresh fruit. For lunch and dinner, I've been eating soup and salad, and to satisfy my sweet tooth-organic 70% dark chocolate. I've also been drinking a lot of herbal tea.

On Thursday, I'll be visiting the Shambhala Center for the Open House and meditation from 7:00-9:00pm. I'll let you know how it goes.

Day 7

2008-01-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

I like the Green Lemonade more each day. Its almost 12:30 and so far today I've had 32 oz. of Green Lemonade and a pear. I am taking more time to take care of myself, my husband, and my home lately. I don't get as stressed out about these tasks either. One thing that I have not done since returning from the ashram is meditate. I'll make every excuse not to do it-like writing in this blog. I'm going to meditate right now actually. I'll write about it later.

Day 5

2008-01-03T10:46:00.000-05:00

I've found a nice balance. I made a carrot-sweet potato soup last night for dinner. I was planning on juicing, but the cold weather had me craving warm soup. It was delicious, but I felt VERY full afterwards. I was a little hungry in the late evening, so I made my second salad of the day around 9pm. My energy, mood, and state of mind is improving every day. Right now, I am sipping 32 oz. of Green Lemonade:) I have also been eating a little 70% Dark Chocolate each day. It keeps my sweet tooth at bay. I don't know exactly why, but I am having an easier time taking things less seriously, slowing down, and enjoying myself. I am looking forward to visiting the Sivananda Yoga Ranch in a couple weeks for a weekend retreat. Hopefully some friends and yoga students will join me!