BUBBLY the champagne hangover

It's the mind that makes the body

Yes, while water, fresh citrus juice and a banana may help with our hangovers the only cure is- as my driving instructor Mr. O put it succinctly- TIME.

So, the real question is not how to try to "cure" the hangover, but how we treat ourselves as our body does so naturally. We have 24 hours, give-or-take, to heal and we can only help the process by making the best of it. The key to bouncing right back from a hangover or any setback in life is compassion and forgiveness. Why is it that we practice so much empathy and kindness towards others but never ourselves?

As we grow older it seems that we easily obey the golden rule but so often forget to inverse it on ourself. "TREAT YOURSELF AS YOU WOULD TREAT OTHERS."

Bubble baths, a warm cup of amazing coffee (a little caffein is thought to help,) steamed veggies, great movies, wonderful company... surround yourself with what you love and makes you feel good. Call the person who always manages to cheer you up, re-read something inspirational, partake in light and enjoyable exercise, and think only good thoughts! (When we are thinking lovely thoughts the not so lovely ones are pushed out since there isn't room for two at once.)

No punishing, scolding, or starving allowed. And no hair-of-the-dog-that-bit-you either!

Sleep is for the chic

The Death Jam.

At the end of every yoga class we take the most important, and for many of us the most difficult, pose - Savasana (pronounced shavasana.) Savasana is difficult because there is no stretching, strengthening or fidgeting allowed; it is the art of doing nothing: just being. Savasana is translated into English to mean 'corpse pose' because it is the practice of dying. In yoga we also discuss that every fear can be reduced to the fear of dying, and the Buddhists believe that if we let go of this fear- the root of all suffering- we will find freedom and happiness.

Please,please,please I beg of you do not roll up your mat and skip out on Savasana*, every other pose is leading up to this pose; we go through the physical motions of hatha yoga only to reach the final most desirable state of meditation- and preparation for our death! I know it sounds morbid, but that's just our conditioning talking. By examining uncomfortable topics we get to work through them and find a release on the other side. I like to imagine a doorway- breathing through that doorway of discomfort in order to find a spacious room of release on the other side. If you feel any pain enter and face that pain: get to know it, what color is it? What temperature is it? What shape is it? Is it Sharp? Dull? Smooth? Jagged? Hot? Cold? Itchy? Sticky? Name it. Get inside of it and breath into it. Walk through the doorway.

"Get over it?!" I don't think so. Go through it.

Ps: I love to sleep! Use your yoga breathing tools and Savasana pose if your having troubles. The above pose on the iPad-doodle has her hands one over the other nuzzled up into her occipital ridge where the spine meets the skull. This position aligns our entire body and clears the energy pathways. With arms like this, try not to cross the ankles and simply watch the breath.

I have been known to zonk out for 12 hours at a time (shameful,) 6-8 is far better.

*and if you don't get a Savasana, shame on your teacher - I'm sure she has a good excuse- but you'll have to squeeze in your own later in the day. Maybe in your parked car? If your yoga class does not include Savasana at all, ever, well, my friend, I don't think that's yoga your doing then.

Though we are busy living, we must make time to die a little too.

Less is more more more!!!!!!

Except when it comes to exclamation points.

“Moderation in all things, including moderation.” -Petronious

As the weather gets warmer and the clothing skimpier we naturally clean our diets- even if that simply means adding more water/fruit/greens and light foods (while not necessarily taking anything away. The old spring cleaning phrase reminds us it is imperative to clean other aspects of our lives as well. I am a lover of organization, labeling, minimizing, cleanliness, and streamlining. Though I love it now, this wasn’t always so and I am by no means at the professional level- at least not yet. I would say I have achieved near perfectionism in packing, but we can leave that lesson for another day.

As with packing, the key to a clean and uncluttered house is to reduce and simplify. Give it away, throw it out, whatever you do get rid of it! Let it be someone else’s problem. There are so many junk removal businesses these days and the savvy entrepreneurs of these companies didn’t become millionaires practically overnight for nothing. We all have too much stuff and the majority of it is JUNK. Go to the nearest Salvation Army in your or your friend’s SUV, call your local veterans donation association (they will generally pick up for you,) hold a yard/garage sale, E-bay it, or give to a needy friend or neighbor. Anything is better than letting stuff hang around and clog your physical landscape and hence your emotional terrain too.

Physical objects are literally blockages we have to get around unless we get rid of them. Everything has a place, and everything in its place.

If you don’t NEED IT or LOVE IT get rid of it!!!!!! BE RUTHLESS!!!

My mom just sold her sprawling home for a trim apartment and let me tell you not a single family member misses one thing we got rid of (and we ditched 80% of our material possessions, conservatively.)

Now she lives amongst her most favorite objects in pure serenity; nothing tethering her down or holding her back.

A clear space and a clean body gives us freedom to be happy and thrive. An organized house allows us to move through life smoothly with ease and joy, just as your body functions with fluidity when unblocked and free of excess.

Clean ONE spot in your house today (make-up area, underwear drawer, nightstand…)- I will too!

Maybe that one will lead to more…

If you are really not sure about parting with an object just make a limbo bag/box and if you don’t retrieve anything from that quasi-trash after a few months than toss it for real.

Standing up or lying down: TWIST to remove toxins from your bod and aid in digestion.

Flying High

The water store in Pacific Beach, San Diego is a frequent hangout spot of mine considering I need to refill my gallon sized water bottle almost every day. Not only is my waterman an H2O aficionado and my personal weatherman, he is as enthusiastic about his job as they come. He truly wants to spread clean water to one and all.

I asked him about the ionized alkaline water this evening ($3.50 a gallon rather than the usual 45 cents,) and he warned me that the quick cleansing effects might cause me to breakout! There are three levels of ionized water available: 1,2,3 and 4, 4 being the most alkaline. Waterman was hesitant to let me try level 3 my first time around because he didn’t want my complexion to suffer, or my sleep schedule to be disrupted from high levels of new-found energy. He even told us clients of his have worked up to level 4 only to have to step down again to level 3. This water is serious stuff. We agreed on level 3 with the promise that I wouldn’t drink it too fast. So J and I are here sipping away, wedding planning, law-school studying and having a grand old time. Sure, it may be the placebo effect, but who doesn’t love a placebo effect?! Either way gets results!

Alkaline Ionized water.

The claims:

“Alkaline water has a higher pH level than does tap water. Some proponents say that alkaline water can neutralize acid in your bloodstream, boost your energy level and metabolism, and help your body absorb nutrients more effectively. Others say that alkaline water can help you resist disease and slow the aging process. However, researchers haven't verified these claims. (Mayoclinic.com)

For most people, plain water is best.”

-Nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. of the Mayo Clinic.

Andrew Weil discusses on his website that the body maintains its pH and is not affected by outside substances.

“The health claims for water ionizers and for alkaline water are bogus. Save your money.”

-Andrew Weil, M.D.

Don’t know who Dr. Andrew Weil is? Definitely look him up! An amazing natural practitioner with so much knowledge and a wonderful author sharing his wisdom and paving the way for us each to find true health.

Her Butt probably needs to go just a liiiiittle to the left, right over the shoulders .

Pincha Mayurasanana (feathered peacock pose, forearm stand) is my favorite pose to practice/play with lately (the traditional pose is legs straight up.) By practice/play I mean exactly that; there is no destination, no perfection: it’s all about the ride. And if your shoulders are in anything but mint condition, and that’s a lot of us, than this pose is not for you, and guess what? You can live a happy, fulfilling, and complete life without this or any pose.

Pincha Mayurasana and many other inverted and flying pose take lightness and energy that I have been aiming to achieve through:

-Lots of (ionized alkaline) water

-Eating dinner early and not snacking late (a very hard habit for me to abandon)

-More meals in liquid form

I am very creaky in the morning so I practice harder poses before lunch when my body has been alive for a little longer. An empty stomach is important, and for most not-so-stiffies first thing in the a.m. works best.

I am fairly brittle and dry because I am primarily a VATA type rather than PITTA or KAPHA. Want to know your dosha? Look up AYURVEDA!!! Click for a DOSHA QUIZ! You’ll love it!!! It describes everything by its QUALITIES. We find homeostasis by treating our imbalances by treating the quality of the issue. Ayurveda is the sister science to yoga. (This link, Kripalu, is my mother-ship yoga school. I will be there for two weeks in May.)

Sent from my iPad

So, I sprung for an iPad! And my favorite feature thus far (and not very far have I gone,) are the drawing apps. Sketchbook Pro holds a lot of promise, and above is my first virtual doodle.

J and I had Italian style breadcrumb stuffed artichokes last night for dinner. This is one of my favorite snacks/accompaniments that I get at Bice in Palm Beach, FL. I didn't quite hit the mark (too much bread, not moist enough,) so if anyone knows how to properly make a delicious stuffed artichoke please do comment.

love the site Boing Boing. My brother M and many others argue it may be the best site on the web?

My Body Is My Temple

Finding Ananda - Bliss

Side bending stretches our peripheral body and creates more space for our breath to move into. Opening our side body allows prana (life force energy/breath,) to move more freely through us. Our breath becomes multi-dimensional. And so do we. And so do our lives.

Backbends of all levels- mild, medium and hot- are wonderful chest openers. My favorite, shown above with the two blocks as props, can be made mild with the legs bent and arms by your side or is so-spicy-you-get-numb when held for a prolonged amount of time as pictured. (About ten minutes.)

Don’t let how relaxing this pose looks deceive you, this pose is so effective it will not only do wonders for your posture but emotionally and spiritually open you heart. Warning: after opening your heart your approachability and charm and its strong effect on others may be alarming at first.

Anandamaya kosha is our bliss sheath and is the innermost sheath of five sheaths that layer outward from our true self, our inner light. The outermost layer is the Physical, Annamaya kosha. In Sanskrit Anna means food and though the Yoga Sutras do not outline a specific diet the importance of what we consume is emphasized. I think Yoga Sutra compiler/author Patanjali would have agreed with author, journalist, activist Michael Pollan: "Eat food. Not too much. mostly plants."

Remember!!! The only reason we pay attention to, care for and improve our physical bodies is so that we can get the body out of the way so it is no longer an obstacle to us finding our inner Bliss. It is so our legs don’t hurt when we sit for hours in meditative ecstasy: a means to an end, not an end within itself.

Fluid for Thought

National water day was March 22^nd, and on that day I was surprised to learn that over 1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water. Learn more at www.waterday.org.

J and I use 2 glass, gallon jugs for drinking water that we end up having to refill almost daily- no wonder I pee so much. I am making it my mission to “walk for water” by filling my water jugs and carrying them home on foot, as opposed to taking my much loved gas-guzzling Defender90. Understandably not everyone has time for this- but I choose not to have time for the gym. Walking for water equals cardio, weightlifting, plus hydration; I can already feel myself treading the earth lightly- in more ways than one!

PLEASE think about alternatives to plastic water bottles if you are still in that habit.

I drink a gallon a day without having to tote it around with me everywhere, it can be done.

As important as ‘saving the earth’ by making ‘green decisions’ and progress through action, is changing the way we view, and our relationship with, the earth. Rather than a me-versus-it situation, can we put right our reality to realize that we are nature? Where does the earth end and we begin? Meditate on that.

Simply sit still and listen to the sounds around you. Are they man-made, or straight from mother earth? How do they make you feel? Which noises soothe you and which cause you to tense up? What noise do you resonate with the most?

Realizing that we are children of the earth can be freeing and enlivening. It can appease our endless wants, needs, and desires and slow us down.

Also, the orange shirt this doodle is wearing is a Threads 4 Thought (click) sustainable apparel Tee that comes in a variety of colors at Whole Foods Market for $10.50. So comfy, I’ll definitely be purchasing more the next time I pop in.

Have you checked out the Life series on Discovery Channel? (Sunday evenings, narrated by Oprah!)

I do

Feeling unable to make a break in a certain direction I decided to turn to the pros and here are some words of wisdom that are driving me to move forth.

Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days... What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it.

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Indecisiveness is debilitating, and from what I have noticed habit-forming. It’s contagious; it’s downright, dangerous! Lately, I am trying to decide the when/where, which eventually leads to the what/who of my wedding.

I dream- of a large field, a big tent, people barefoot, glowing string lights, long tables, basically the most glamorous picnic you ever saw, with pink flowers everywhere. All I really need is the where and the when.

Stay committed to your decisions; but stay flexible in your approach.

-Tony Robbins

I have been told by many a former bride these words of wisdom (not in so many words.)

Please all, and you will please none.

-Aesop

The most important thing is always to know: What do I want?

William James went so far as to say:

There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.

We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.

-Kahlil Gibran

(Kahlil Gibran is a genius, if you have not yet read his work, do so.)

Lean Mean Green Machine

minus the mean part.

Consuming green smoothies can do us wonders and we don’t have to change the rest of our diets (although it is likely to be a side effect.) Blend any fresh greens with juice- I recommend classic apple or orange, unpasteurized please, with spinach or soft leaf lettuces, but the possibilities are endless so be brave and play around. Just add them into your routine, preferably first thing before breakfast or even before every meal and see how you feel. Do it for one week and notice any changes. I dare you.

Even if we don’t undergo a pants-dropping makeovers we are likely to at least reduce our cravings for sugar, white flower, caffeine, or alcohol, and that’s enough reason for me. I like to blend a large handful of fresh spinach, 1 banana, almond milk and agave for my easy green smoothie that I enjoy every few days. Small, simple tweaks that last will gently create the most profound transformations, naturally.

Another face of green:

Madeleine’s Crispy kale!!!

Ingredients (3): desired amount of kale leaves, EVOO, sea salt

Cut leaves of kale off of stem and into bite size pieces. Wash. Dry.

Spread onto parchment paper lined baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and salt.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until edges are brown (not burnt) and leaves are crispy.

Be prepared to share this recipe as you surprise and shock those you serve it to: J remarked, “Where did you learn to do this?” in man-speak that's "You find the most amazing ways to surprise me, I love you."

My favorite greens book: The Live Food Factor by Susan E. Schenck and Victoria BidWell

Let's get physical!

These are some plausible daily activities of mine and the calories I burn doing them per hour. Your numbers will be a little different, depending on your weight- but what I find interesting is the comparison. Thank goodness all this housework is coming to good use!

sleeping 50

sitting/resting 57

reading 57

writing 57

studying 100

standing misc. 114

shopping 129

walking (2 mph) 151

housework 158

stretching 215

sex 230

walking (4 mph) 280

hiking 323

tennis (singles) 331

skiing (downhill) 475

Vinyasa yoga 475

climbing stairs 488

and some i don't do so much... but have been known to dabble in!

aerobics 381

bikram/hot yoga 381

running 6mph 547

elliptical 619

www.healthstatus.com

I like to live more like a 'french woman who doesn't get fat' and simply move a little more all the time (with bouts of tennis, walking, and yoga) rather than hitting the gym. I don't have a membership and I don't plan on getting one. Walking is the best way to get to know a city/neighborhood and to clear our minds or get our errands done. I mean, I'll take three hours of shopping over an aerobics class any day! I do like my occasional at-home video, though, and in case you haven't been reading- I'm a Yogini!

I do admit these numbers sure make the elliptical look tempting. I'll put it on my to-buy-when-I-own-a-house list. It's amazing how we all have these lists and then the day comes and we are like a deer in headlights. (Think wedding, packing for a big trip...) Today I am going to get a binder for all the magazine clippings for my future palace. There will also have to be lots of stairs! Did you see those numbers?

One of my favorite yoga instructors, Julie, with a rockin-hard body at ripe but undeterminable age said she stayed a mini bitty by using the stairclimber. Her husband considered the squat the grandfather of all exercises. And he didn't look so bad either.

I also know I could stand to sweat a little more. (Sooo good for the pores!)

Sweating flushes out toxins and disease, it is the body's natural way to heal. I notice much clearer skin the more I sweat. A Sauna session (about 30 minutes) burns about as many calories as a walk or jog- but don't get too excited it doesn't tone muscles or shed fat. I'm not going to lie, I'll be adding it to my regimen.

You must watch, and then grab two friends and do, this work-out video.

Amaze-balls.

'When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,' said Piglet at last, 'what's the first thing you say to yourself?' 'What's for breakfast?' said Pooh. 'What do you say, Piglet?' 'I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?' said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. 'It's the same thing,' he said.”
A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner

Home is where my honey is

As I noted in my last post- spring sprang just four days ago and that often means temperature-change provoked colds and seasonal allergies- especially for my busy bee friends in NYC! And though I always extol the benefits of yoga, this is one case when going into a warm, sticky studio with 30+ heavy breathers might not be the answer (but don’t be naughty and roll out your mat at home!) More importantly, here’s where the honey comes in- I love the kind with the bee pollen mixed in, it’s creamy and divine, and make sure to buy local (as local as possible) because it’s the gametophyte (pollen) from the flora near you that will aid with your sensitivity to those plants. This is similar to Homeopathy, which attempts to treat patients with heavily diluted preparations that are claimed to cause effects similar to the symptoms presented (wikipedia, duh.) Basically, you get a teeny bit of poison under your tongue so you can react and adapt to internal and external causes of the disturbance.

Hot water with 1 squeezed lemon and a tablespoon of honey will cure your cough (I am not a doctor, but it will.) It worked on J!

Honey makes a great facemask that will reduce pore size and moisturize. Honey is antibacterial and may help with small abrasions. It’s also full of antioxidants. Simply slather all over face, leave on 15-30 minutes, wash off with warm water. I’ve done it, I like it.

Plus, honey is just so darn good. Try a few – see what you like best (the darker, the less processed, the creamier the yummier, on the comb- so much fun.) It might be pricey, but it keeps forever, so don’t be cheap.

I enjoy it just as I do my peanut butter: straight off the spoon.

“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”

The TAO of Pooh

'When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,' said Piglet at last, 'what's the first thing you say to yourself?'

'What's for breakfast?' said Pooh. 'What do you say, Piglet?'

'I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?' said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully. 'It's the same thing,' he said.


-A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner

Home is where my honey is

As I noted in my last post- spring sprang just four days ago and that often means temperature-change provoked colds and seasonal allergies- especially for my busy bee friends in NYC! And though I always extol the benefits of yoga, this is one case when going into a warm, sweaty studio with 30+ heavy breathers might not be the answer (but don’t be naughty- do roll out your mat at home!)

As for the sticky stuff- I love the kind with the bee pollen mixed in, it’s creamy and divine, and make sure to buy local (as local as possible) because it’s the gametophyte (pollen) from the flora near you that will aid with your sensitivity to those plants. This is similar to Homeopathy, which attempts to treat patients with heavily diluted preparations that are claimed to cause effects similar to the symptoms presented (wikipedia, duh.) Basically, you get a teeny bit of the problematic poison under your tongue so you can react and adapt to internal and external causes of the disturbance.

Hot water with 1 squeezed lemon and a tablespoon of honey will cure your cough (I am not a doctor, but it will.) It worked on J!

Honey makes a great facemask that will reduce pore size and moisturize. Honey is antibacterial and may help with small abrasions. It’s also full of antioxidants. Simply slather all over face, leave on 15-30 minutes, wash off with warm water. I’ve done it, I like it.

Plus, honey is just so darn good. Try a few – see what you like best (the darker, the less processed; the creamier, the yummier; on the comb, so much fun.) It might be pricey, but it keeps forever, so don’t be cheap. Sunflower Organics is local San Diego and to die for!!!! You can order it online (click!) seriously. I enjoy it just as I do my peanut butter: straight off the spoon. Click for more benefits of honey and bee pollen

“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”

-Pooh