tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40834126032795846112024-02-20T11:47:19.510-08:00Yoga, Dogs, and ChocolateMiss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.comBlogger434125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-51132401876009807292013-07-20T09:47:00.001-07:002013-07-20T09:52:15.248-07:00Its time to leave<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Its time for me to go. I want to thank everyone who ever stopped by to read a post or comment. This has been a great pleasure, but It's time for me to move on. I may blog again, but not on blogger and not at this time. If I do I'll put a quick post here, but that won't be for a long while.<br />
Thank you so much, <br />
Much love and light, <br />
Shine on, Shine bright.<br />
Miss. S</div>
Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-75790211734767679862013-01-17T16:09:00.000-08:002013-01-19T05:02:55.113-08:00Time for a Break<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Piles of Laundry (imsufyan.com) </span></div>
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I've been reading about Julia Child. I do that when I need comfort, optimism and a happy injection of life drive. I don't know what it is about her, but she always fills me with good feelings. I notice I reach for her in times of spiritual need. </div>
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There's a lot going on these days. I acknowledge that perhaps my blog can be a bit frustrating. I don't even give my actual name and if I do mention something that may be going on I talk about my feeling state, not what the actual matter is. I'm sorry if I've frustrated anyone. Partly I'm quite private and partly I always wanted it to be about the subject matter and the writing. </div>
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I have been writing this blog for about five in a half years now. Its been a real point of joy and I have run across <i>amazing people </i>through this process<i>. </i>I've nothing but praise for this lovely experience, but right now I need to suspend my writing. I think I need to journal offline, meditate quietly and speak freely in the privacy of my analyst's office. </div>
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I do believe I will be back sometime before too long, but if for some reason I am unable, well hey.... thank you, this has truly been a gift.</div>
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Hari Om, much love and light to all,</div>
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Thank you so much, it's been such a pleasure.</div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-18422626497185212672013-01-10T03:12:00.003-08:002013-01-10T03:13:26.124-08:00Nine More Weeks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This time of year is always a conflict. Winter brings quiet, solitude, Yin yoga and an introspection which is always appreciated. In my neck of the woods it's also cold, icy and the chill can be felt physically and emotionally. Energy can become lackluster, and simple things like getting out of a warm bed to greet a frosty morning loose their appeal rather quickly. Around this time of year I begin looking to when the sun sets and making some figures in my head as to when I can look forward to days a bit longer and brighter. As the dogs and I walk through the woods I'm careful not to slip on the ice while I remind myself only nine more weeks. Nine weeks isn't so long, I can do this for a little longer, and I suppose I can, but now's a good time to devise a strategy to make this period a little lighter and more joyful. This time of year I enjoy lighting lots of candles in the studio when I'm teaching. It brings a warm glow and makes the area cozy. Hot steamy showers, lots of layers, many gentle and restorative classes and time spent in front of the fireplace are helpful as well. I also make a sincere effort to avoid people who are offensive. Everyone has to deal on a everyday manner with certain folks that will never get it together socially. It's just not in their DNA in this lifetime. I'm better able to handle these folks when I have a daily dose of vitamin D. I'm far less patient in the dead of Winter. My best strategy is vanquish these folks from my life completely and if not possible avoid at all possible costs. </div>
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So here's to nine more weeks with a level head, a warm hearth and a happy heart.</div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-24964568763896453382013-01-02T05:33:00.001-08:002013-01-02T05:37:04.651-08:00A Salty 108<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This year I elected to start the New Year off with 108 sun salutations. This was a perfect jump start to 2013 and an auspicious beginning. I haven't done 108 in a while. In the fall for the global mala I have been doing 108 minutes of yoga which is far different. After finishing my start to the new year I went cross country skiing. I'm a bit sore all over today. It's a good feeling though and the right kind of ache. </div>
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New years eve we decided to go out for dinner. We both wanted a quiet night with an early evening. We have a lot going on these days and a good meal and an early evening seemed perfect After pursuing some menus and reviews we made our selection. Giant mistake. As I enjoy a meatless lifestyle the "special new years menu" had nothing for me. I did manage to piece together a few dishes and felt OK with my selections. Unfortunately I wasn't able to enjoy any of it, as the chef bathed everything in salt. I did try, but found myself gagging through most of it. I got home and spent a good deal of time drinking water, lots and lots of water. A celebratory glass of champagne was out of the question. The idea of alcohol made me cringe. Yesterday while doing my 108. I was soaked and dripping in perspiration, as the salt came oozing out of my pores. </div>
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This restaurant was well reviewed and packed with many happy folks enjoying a night out. I overheard the table on both sides of us comment on how much they liked the food. I don't believe this was an issue of an over zealous chef with a salt love affair, but a bigger issue with the American diet. Americans like their salt, but large doses are detrimental to overall health and frankly mask the taste of food. If the food is fresh and cooked with even minimal skill, you don't need to disguise the taste.</div>
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Salt in moderation is beneficial for the body but when overused leads to water retention, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. If you feel you may have overindulged in saltiness this holiday season I recommend a little cleanse for the body. </div>
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Three day salt flush:</div>
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<li>Drink 64 oz of spring water spread out in 8 oz glass of water.</li>
<li>limit your salt intake. Be mindful of what you are eating.</li>
<li>Limit your carbohydrates to foods such as rice and oatmeal. (no bread and butter)</li>
<li>Exercise, choose activities that will allow you to sweat. ( A little bikram yoga should do the trick!)</li>
<li>Do not eat out, prepare all you meals at home. </li>
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You'll feel better and your body and heart will love you for doing this.<br />
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Be well, eat mindfully and do your practice. ( and all is coming as Pattabhi Jois used to say) <br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-51505436581152575842012-12-30T13:42:00.002-08:002012-12-30T13:43:06.239-08:00Warm Glow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>In the midst of Winter,</i></div>
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<i>I finally learned that there was in me </i></div>
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<i>an invincible summer. </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Albert Camus</span></div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-66592913944122406752012-12-28T05:15:00.001-08:002012-12-28T08:27:25.803-08:00Winter Play<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Winter has set in rather quickly. Stormy, snowy, icy and cold with a bit of a hushed silence. It's a fine time to turn off the sound machines and try a little meditation. A labyrinth is a wonderful vehicle for helping us to slow down and look within. Personally I find it nearly impossible to sit in quite contemplation draining the worry thoughts away while reaching for a silent bliss. More than likely I am making mental lists, thinking about the day, or the week or my life and trying desperately not to let that little monkey of mine have a fun free spirited tromp, giggling away, while I politely and then with less finesse ask him to get out of my head for just five minutes. </div>
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Labyrinths help tremendously with the process of meditation elevating some of the madding aspects which make mediation so difficult. a labyrinth walk follows a man-made, spiral pattern path (traced on
the ground, as in many cathedrals, or constructed in garden) to
meditate, focus, and calm the mind. Not a maze, the path follows a
number of circuits to the center of a circle and back out. </div>
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The process leaves one feeling calm, centered and refreshed. Its a wonderful winter activity and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family regardless of age. Labyrinths are easy to find and rarely exclusive. They can be found both inside buildings as well as outside in gardens. I suggest looking for one with the <a href="http://labyrinthlocator.com/home">World Wide Labyrinth Locator</a>. You'll be amazed how many are out there in your area. </div>
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Enjoy, and happy meditations!</div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-35979388330614278302012-12-22T04:39:00.004-08:002012-12-22T04:39:52.669-08:00Tea Time!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Time for a cup of tea and a little relaxation..... well almost. Saturday is my busiest day . Clients all day, but with papers handed in and finals finished I am mentally ready to relax and move into the rest of the holiday season with some mental ease. It's also time for a shift in our yoga practice. Old man winter reminds us to slow down and and go deeper. Winter is an excellent season for yin and restorative classes. This season allows us space to go into areas which may have been neglected during the warmer weather. Hips, shoulders, and back all need loving care and a slower deeper practice helps us heal neglected or injured areas which may have been overworked in the warmer season. </div>
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Happy holidays and good health to all!</div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-86023484927517270442012-12-17T03:28:00.002-08:002012-12-17T03:55:02.058-08:00 Contemplation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr align="justify"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif; font-size: small;">There
is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring,
summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only
in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when
you can savor belonging to yourself. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Ruth Stout</span></td></tr>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-27886275908191056632012-12-12T04:45:00.001-08:002012-12-12T04:47:32.061-08:0012-12-12
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Have a great one, send some love out there and let it come back and hug you a bit!</div>
Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-32917389274496030732012-12-10T02:58:00.003-08:002012-12-10T02:58:24.632-08:00Words for a Sunday Afternoon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"I would say to young people a number of things, and I
have only one minute. I would say, let them remember that there is a
meaning beyond absurdity. Let them be sure that every little deed
counts, that every word has power, and that we can do — every one — our
share to redeem the world despite of all absurdities and all the
frustration and all disappointments. And above all, remember that the
meaning of life is to live life as it if were a work of art. You're not a
machine. When you are young, start working on this great work of art
called your own existence."</div>
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<i>Rabbi Hieschel </i></div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-69819754589987311702012-12-08T13:25:00.001-08:002012-12-08T13:25:14.085-08:00Sweet Dreams<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is the situation where I would like to involve myself. Just crawl up and fall asleep, happily and sweetly. Unfortunately I have little freedom for an activity of my choosing. A mountain of work, hard deadlines, and absolutely no clue how I'm going to complete all this in a timely manner, keeps me rolling out of bed each morning with a slight cringe and a propensity to continually check my watch. Things are getting done and soon it will be all finished and I'll be free to dedicate my time to research only. This means more family time, yoga, energy and household organization. I don't like this amount of fretful busy. After climbing out of my horrible work experience I have sworn never again, and never again is the only acceptable answer. That said this is a short, hot little period and will be over quickly. Occasional crunches I can handle, but not daily or long term. I'd much rather grab my blanky and and cuddle up for a snoozy, followed by a snack and playtime. Much better, much nicer, far more preferable. </div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-38631321893292202292012-11-29T04:55:00.003-08:002012-11-29T04:56:22.432-08:00One Step at a Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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With the transition to a more academic life I have found the biggest struggle is grounding myself into a writing and research schedule and sticking to it. As the weeks pass into months it has been easier to zone in on what I need to do and make realistic deadlines and stick to them. That is until the past few weeks. Between the holiday and the looming end of the semester deadlines I have found myself with more work than I have time. The next month is going to be a frenzy of writing, late nights and some finger crossing. It's all new and each day is somewhat of a learning curve. One step at a time.... one step at a time! Wish my luck.</div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-18591413570276006062012-11-25T06:03:00.001-08:002012-11-25T07:19:17.896-08:00Goodness in the Kitchen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Wonderful Thanksgiving! This year we had our own feast with many friends on Saturday. Wonderful noon meal with lots of good food and good conversation. As promised I am reporting back on the recipes I decided to try from old yoga journal magazines. To begin, I once again tried a few recipes from a book called Thanksgiving, that I found a few years ago at the library and decided to purchase. There are some great ideas in this cookbook, but none have translated (at least in my kitchen) into good eating. Four different dishes all horrible. I am donating the book away, perhaps someone else will have better luck with it. As for the <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/food/recipes">Yoga Journal dishes,</a> the pumpkin pie and the cranberry relish were the best I have ever made. I'm sold and will be trying a lot more in the future. I am so incredibly thankful this year for where my life is, and the direction its heading. A good place, a good head space, and much gratitude. </div>
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Wishing everyone well with much peace.</div>
Jai</div>
Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-50868675506065959622012-11-19T16:22:00.003-08:002012-11-19T16:40:50.475-08:00Meghan Currie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Full moon madness!
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-2331208007995135552012-11-18T05:30:00.001-08:002012-11-18T05:30:27.774-08:00Sunday Morning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">A few
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with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, </span></span><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">
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</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Eric Sloane</span></span></div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-36542336407724031712012-11-17T05:04:00.002-08:002012-11-17T05:04:48.203-08:00Overflowing with Goodness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's holiday time! I have an array of cookbooks, magazines and printed recipes spread out on the dining room table. I've ordered the turkey and the shopping list is nearly completed. Tomorrow, armed with my reusable grocery bags I'll make my way to the big market where I'll insert myself in the endless throng of others all doing there holiday grocery shopping as well. Every other year our little home has two Thanksgiving feasts. One on thanksgiving, and one the following Saturday, this is because logistically we travel in different directions for the holiday. We enjoy a good home cooked holiday feast so this is our compromise. It tricky and consist of a lot of meal planning, shopping and cooking. Added into the mix, I don't eat meat, so the vegetable dishes, at least for me, are the most interesting part. I can't stand Tofurkey. I have tried it on several occasions and I just don't like it and either does anyone in our house, so its better to have a nice selection of vegetable dishes. I have a few new recipes I am looking forward to trying out, including a cranberry relish from December 2008 and a vegan pumpkin pie, November 2011 Yoga Journal Magazine! I'll let you know how it taste. So here's to holiday madness but with a celebratory tone as things are much more peaceful and grounded this year. Many blessing, much to be thankful for this year. </div>
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Jai, peace and love to all!</div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-15175492162861276392012-11-12T04:51:00.001-08:002012-11-12T12:15:54.826-08:00Fall and Foward bends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This Autumn I have been deliberate and careful in my energy expenditure. Every year around this time I begin to feel worn down, fatigued and usually take to my bed with a thermometer and box of Kleenex. As Summer faded to Autumn I began to see tell tail signs, the leaves began to fall off the trees, peoples movements became a little more harried and the sneezing and sniffling has started all around me. My calendar has been filling up fast and I'm feeling a little tired and overwhelmed. </div>
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I have no intention of repeating last years fiasco of a life. I'm all about self preservation these days, but even with the best of intention, deadlines approach and projects must be completed. Added to change of season madness is the fact I am still working on some of the things I let go for so long. I have made vast inroads in organization and ticking things off the list, but there's still stuff lingering while embarking on new deadlines brought on by a thesis, and at the moment boatloads of papers to write. </div>
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I'm not entirely sure what the best game plan is for keeping sane and healthy but I am working on a plan for some type of healthy living schedule. In the meantime I have a few ideas what I can do now to help me out and perhaps increase energy levels a little.</div>
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<b>Neti Pot</b>: I find the neti is an excellent defense against cold and flu season. </div>
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<b>Echinacea gold</b>en seal:I have been using echinacea since I was a graduate student. Echinacea bolsters the immune system and pushes out whatever might be trying to invade the system. This one is full proof if I use it over the course of several days. </div>
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<b>Emergen-c: </b>It's a vitamin mix in powder form. This is a popular one in the winter in our house. I like to put it in hot water and have it as tea. Others pour it into water and drink it throughout the day. I think of it as a little energy drink to help with boost levels throughout the day. kind of healthy alternative to Red Bull.</div>
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<b>Vitamin C : </b>There's very little proof vitamin C helps with the common cold, but I find it useful.</div>
<b>Paschimottasna or forward bend</b>: Seated forward bend can calm the brain
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Other important tips include staying hydrated, slowing down, getting to bed earlier and staying warm. <br />
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Be well and good health!<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></div>
Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-28759431626199390672012-11-11T13:06:00.002-08:002012-11-11T14:17:57.710-08:00Kates Mystery Book Store and The City Life Left<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My Dad loved mystery books. <a href="http://www.katesmysterybooks.com/directionstokates.html">Kate's was a funky, funky mystery book shop</a> located on the first floor of an old Victorian house. Birthdays and holidays I would rumble around looking for something unique and interesting he might enjoy. later when his old lion eyes needed a little help, I would go to Kate's and dig through old piles of books looking for large print mysteries, which she sold to me cheaply in generous portion. Kate was good people.</div>
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Quirky and a lot of fun, she had a thousand cat chachkas placed happily around her book store. There was probably a real cat or two padding about somewhere, but I don't remember and I definitely didn't see any real felines the last time I was there. On my way to a seminar today I passed her old Victorian which has been sold and she herself has moved on to a new life somewhere far away from the madding crowd. I last saw her a couple of years ago. It was the holiday season and she looked a bit tired with a diminished life drive. I must say we were in a similar place. My Dad was very ill and I too was tired and had zero interest in celebrating the holidays. She and I spoke briefly, I knew she had been trying to sell her old Victorian and my gut told me this was our last visit. She talked about not feeling present in her urban living environment. She was not going out exploring restaurants, or attending social or cultural events. As she put it she wasn't taking advantage of what the city has to offer. She packed up her life and moved away shortly after. I myself moved out shortly thereafter, having found myself with zero interest for all things urban. As I drove past the sign, which has been neatly painted over and now blank, I began to think about what I knew as a city when I lived there and what city meant to me. Partly it meant what every city means, crowded, expensive and always moving. But then there were individual aspects that were perhaps generational. Things whose time has come and gone but made the urban experience special and fun. Places like this little book shop, or a Wiccan store I used to find herbs and esoteric books, the acupuncturist whose office was in a funky old arcade next to a sex shop, the guy who rewrote my resume for a fee on an old typewriter when I was a newly minted undergraduate, the big all Latino grocery market, the lady who rented a room to one of my graduate students who supported herself teaching tap dance classes. All special, all gone. I don't need to list them all, but just as an example, the Latino grocery market is a whole foods store now. I think that about says it all in a nut shell and perhaps explains in part why I have moved on. </div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-41789792158765250042012-11-08T04:27:00.000-08:002012-11-08T04:31:50.549-08:00Snowy Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's a snowy day this morning. Time to pack up summer clothes, beach blankets and flip flops and take out the Winter coat, hat, mittens and scarfs. Although its going to warm up later this week we're on a trajectory toward Winter so I suppose it's time to embrace it. Time for hot herbal tea in the afternoon, sun salutations, inversions and grounding poses, and longer meditation. New season, new discoveries to be made.</div>
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Jai bhagwan and be well.</div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-75405954135147106822012-11-05T03:13:00.001-08:002012-11-05T03:13:14.251-08:00Vote!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's time to vote! Every vote counts, Every vote matters! Tuesday November 6th is election day, a fine time to get out and meet your neighbors. Head on down to your local voting pole and make your opinion official! <br />
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-11796525167908934302012-10-21T03:55:00.001-07:002012-10-21T03:55:20.839-07:00The Desert<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This big guy resides in the back of my sisters house. So peaceful and such beauty. I found myself staring at a lot of cactus, just peacefully drifting off in quiet meditation. This was a sad yet very healing visit. My siblings and I gathered together to say goodbye to my oldest sister. It was a journey back in memory and a healing for the soul. It felt good to be with my siblings, anchoring.</div>
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The dessert is a quiet place and the mind and body slow down a bit, long enough to take a look around and wonder why life moves at such a fast pace back East. I first began to notice how harried and sickeningly fast life moves after I finished my first yoga teacher training. I no longer wanted to be involved in city living and slowly began to extract myself from an urban lifestyle. This has been process and at times quite difficult. Obligation and necessity have not allowed my to fully remove myself from city life, but slowly I have managed to bring my involvement down to a minimum. I do not live in the city and I do not work in the city full time. I rarely go in for arts and entertainment or shopping and most of the people I know no longer live in a city, so I have little reason to travel in other than work. The lure of life calls me elsewhere. </div>
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Spending time in the dessert was very healing and a few things came up during my visit. Earlier this year I ran across a colleague at work. She looked, felt and radiated health. She had been out West on a soul journey of sorts and made many discovery's. One was cactus juice, she was sold on its health benefits. This stayed with me and I decided to look for some while in the dessert. Not so easy to find. If anyone has used cactus juice I would love to hear your story and even where you found it. Other holistic discoveries unfolded during this visit, <a href="http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/castor_oil.html">caster oil packs</a>, <a href="http://www.massageandbodywork.com/Articles/AugSept2002/Mayan.html">Mayan abdominal massage</a> and ways of looking at my body from a health perspective I had never considered. </div>
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It was a healing visit. I experienced a view and appreciation of the dessert I have never had before. </div>
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Jai and shine on brothers and sisters, shine on. </div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-49953375221492881352012-10-06T05:54:00.000-07:002012-10-07T06:27:10.124-07:00Change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://mrsmessenger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Autumn-Tree-via-FFFFound1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://mrsmessenger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Autumn-Tree-via-FFFFound1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The leaves are changing and falling off the trees. Its a beautiful time of year in the Northeast to stop and take in the magnificence and splendor. I am also reflecting on the major changes that have taken place in my personal life. Having finally made the initial leap and re calibrated the direction I am going, the realization of how important and necessary this change has been is settling in. These days I am filled with gratitude and hope, but not so long ago I was depleted and in a constant state of stress and exhaustion. My health had slipped from a place of vitality to a bundle of ailments with anxiety always hovering under the surface. I had no time to address or problem solve any issues in my daily life, no matter the size, and this continually culminated into emergency situations which could have easily been averted. People can be very nasty, and I was surrounded by toxic attitudes, which darkened by soul and left little room for joy. </div>
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The summer allowed me some time to rest and heal. I was so exhausted, there was little drive for much else other than just getting a baseline of energy back. I really had no idea how much I had beaten up my body, mind and spirit until it all finally all collapsed. The journey back is a slow one, and it's going to take a full year to recover. My days are now far more meaningful and slowly the grip of stress and anxiety is loosening, and with it my alignments are receding. </div>
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This change took a good year of planning with a lot of dead end roads and hopes dashed along the way. I have a few suggestions if you are in a situation that needs change, but seems overwhelming:</div>
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<li>Consider not only what you are leaving but what meaningful piece you are planning to add.</li>
<li>Work out your finances and take some time to see someone with financial acumen about your options. You don't have to go to a financial adviser, but if you can, it's recommended. </li>
<li>Understand you will be living with a lot less money and will have to make changes in your lifestyle. Once you have figured out the smallest amount you can live on, cut everything else out and see how it feels. This was hard in the beginning, but as time has gone by I have cut out more and more. There was a lot of waste and unnecessary spending I wasn't aware of. </li>
<li>If possible put a small stash of money away for emergency only. I have already had two major unexpected expenses since my financial lifestyle changed.</li>
<li>If married or in a significant relationship start talking about these lifestyle changes with your partner. The changes will affect everyone in your household, more so than you or anyone else will realize till it happens. Talking about it not only brings awareness, but makes the initial shock understandable and less stressful. </li>
<li>Once you've set a course and have something in place, things will fall apart a little and have to be re-worked. It all part of the process, frustrating, but not the end of the world. Something else will present itself which is better, just have faith and keep working the problem, you will find a solution. </li>
<li>Slow down! Make stable decisions that serve you. A certain amount of panic occurs when you have been living with an income you have become accustomed to and it is no longer there. Temptation for the money is always a lure. Don't! You'll be back in a similar situation you just worked so hard to leave behind. </li>
<li>Network, network, network. Every contract I have been able to secure since making this lifestyle change came from my networking circle, not from a job board. </li>
<li>Give yourself time. Once on the course of change things will evolve but rarely at the speed of light. Decide on what you consider an acceptable amount of time you will need. My change is significant, I have given myself four years. </li>
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Be well, follow your heart and serve your highest good.</div>
Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-36540681978273649172012-09-30T05:05:00.000-07:002012-09-30T05:08:02.827-07:00Cleaning the house does not make it better!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQp1Fy3Mbdb0hXTb9oAdMZR3Ad5zCH5osCyxx-eVRAHWZrlEcZYMW9fH-1_l5V1eFmt8-V6Cz9S6uW4GfFAmzi1WxZO5CGKMKX_NSfGKNklrW1vMmgSNfQjgceAYDx6DVq4mOX0K2zLo/s1600/DBCClosewriting.web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQp1Fy3Mbdb0hXTb9oAdMZR3Ad5zCH5osCyxx-eVRAHWZrlEcZYMW9fH-1_l5V1eFmt8-V6Cz9S6uW4GfFAmzi1WxZO5CGKMKX_NSfGKNklrW1vMmgSNfQjgceAYDx6DVq4mOX0K2zLo/s400/DBCClosewriting.web.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've spent this month getting organized. I now have a really great cleaning routine and my home is looking better than ever. Clutter has been cleaned and unwanted items thrown away. I've managed to work through my home and really organize and problem solve some areas that have needed to be addressed since we moved in two years ago. That should be fabulous, and in another reality I would be feeling really great about the state of my personal environment, but as my home gets cleaner and more organized, clutter free and feng shui perfect, my overwhelming sense of <span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">guilt or conscience-stricken state by my</span></span><span id="hotword"></span><span id="hotword"> delinquent behavior does not bode well for the clean state of my home. </span></div>
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<span id="hotword">I've got a classic problem. I'm not working on my thesis, I have writers block and I'm procrastinating. At this rate there just wont anything left to organize or clean while my research sits in piles on the dining room table begging for attention. Initially I thought I would be able to do my writing at home. I realize 30 days in what a fantasy this is. In the past few weeks I have dedicated more time to research, but have completed a fraction of what I initially thought I would be able to accomplish. When my best friend was writing her dissertation she reached a point she knew she would need a new game plan, this occurred while she was standing in her bathroom de grouting the shower tiles. </span></div>
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<span id="hotword">It's time to get out of the house and find a library! Easier said than done. There are a few mental and logistical stumbling blocks which need to be overcome. I will need two library's, one local and my school library. The university library is the best in terms of resources, but it's a pain in the ass to get to, driving or by public transportation. I've decided Sunday will be my university library day. Finding a local library is a bit trickier. I checked out a few and they just wont work for me. I have one more option, I just have to go check it out. Again, procrastination is rearing its ugly head. This as it turns out is an issue for many of my classmates as well. It turns out everyone is in the same boat having come to the realization home is not the utopia we all thought it would be for this project. It made me think about how many local libraries scattered in little towns across the country have been the go to place for countless students needing a productive environment to just sit down and get it done! </span></div>
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<span id="hotword">So here's to my classmates and all the other graduate students across the country feeling the guilt of September slip by, don't beat yourself up, just get out of the house!</span></div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-79115196214099185342012-09-23T06:46:00.002-07:002012-09-23T06:46:31.732-07:00Global Mala<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Each year in September a wonderful tradition takes place. "The <a href="http://yogamonth.org/globalmala/" target="_blank" title="Global Yoga Mala">Global Yoga Mala </a>peace
project was dreamed up by world-renowned yogi Shiva Rea in 2009 as a
way for the international yoga community to mark the United Nations
International Day of Peace. Each September around the time of the Spring
/ Autumn equinox, yogis around the world celebrate and promote world
peace with108 sun salutations." </div>
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Since its inception it has evolved into a day of reflection and offering with many variations on the sun salutation theme. Yoga practitioners come together to practice in groups, solo, 108 sun salutations or 108 minutes of yoga. Many groups donate money to local organizations others recognize a day of peace or give a personal offering to someone in need. Today I offer my practice to my oldest sister who transitioned from this life Friday night. Peace to you my sister and all others.</div>
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Jai</div>
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4083412603279584611.post-47783543703095034162012-09-14T16:55:00.003-07:002012-09-14T16:55:44.034-07:00Shana Tova<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here's to a happy, sweet new year. Blessing one and all!
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Miss Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08534286783162124127noreply@blogger.com0