2009 and Resolutions

I write this first blog of the New Year from my very own bed! I am so excited to say that, as I haven't been in my own bed in two months. I have been living out of suitcases for weeks now and it was fun. But finally, I have a place to be with my furniture, my kitchen stuff, my clothes. It may not be my home, but it is a temporary place for me to hang my hat that feels settled and comfortable, and for that, I am so grateful. (Thank you, Cory!)
It gives me a sense of peace and stability from which I am better able to write, work and move forward in achieving my goals. Speaking of goals, why is it we only resolve to become better, achieve more, change bad habits, DO more at the beginning of a new year? SO much pressure. So this year, I am resolving to DO less. But accomplish more. Stop spending so much time surfing the Internet unless I am specifically searching for something or paying bills. Start hanging out on my bed more and writing, whether it be for my blog or in my journal, or reading. Stop wasting so much time and energy thinking about how many calories I ate and what I am going to have for dinner and start focusing on how I can help others or spend more time sharing, relaxing and laughing with good friends.
Granted, I will be pretty busy for the foreseeable future, but if I can better identify my time suckers and manage them, I can better get everything accomplished that I set out to do for 2009 while still 'doing' less.
I will be going back to school to get a degree in Integrative Nutrition and Holistic Wellness in New York City. I look forward to being back on the east coast for a few months and re-connecting with old friends. I look forward to sharing the knowledge I gain there with all of you to assist you in reaching your health and lifestyle goals.
And since everyone knows that no one ever seems to make good on their 'New Year Resolution', if I don't end up doing less, no big deal, right? Take the pressure of yourself. Set goals and re-assess as needed. And know if you don't attain the lofty resolution you decided to try at 11:37pm on December 31st, 2007, you can always set more attainable goals for yourself at any date. Why not your birthday? Or next Tuesday? Or possibly March 4th? It doesn't matter. You have a chance to re-invent, re-create, or re-define yourself every day you wake up.

Getting Your Zen Any Way You Can

The home page on my computer is the New York Times.  Most of the time, the headlining story, especially lately, tells a tale of woe, a sagging economy or a political scandal.  But not today. Today's top story was about meditation.  And punk.  Yes, a whole article devoted to how people typically classified as "punk" are attending meditation sessions made just for them.  Normally, I would have thought it to be somewhat gimmicky, especially upon reading about the statue of buddha with a mohawk. However, lately, my meditation sessions have been less than focused and I could use a little organized sit to get me back on track.  And whatever makes people feel comfortable and invites them into a space where they can practice something as beneficial and healing as meditation, I'm all for.  Whether that is a zafu, a yoga mat, a pew in a Catholic church or under a tree in the middle of the woods. And as I type I realize that even if my morning sits seem distracted or drifting, I have a whole day to find solace somewhere.  

Food and Health and Being a SKINNY BITCH!

It's been bombarding me lately. All the talk, news, buzz about ORGANIC. So I saw it as a sign to blog about it.

How important is it really?  I'll tell you what.  Pick up a copy of the SKINNY BITCH book by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin and you'll never want to touch anything that could remotely be considered an animal or a by-product of an animal again.  That includes DAIRY people.  And eggs.  And fish.  Of course I really got going on the book right after my egg white fritatta yesterday and a trip to Maui in which I consumed enough fish to feed a small family.  Hey, when in Rome!

Anyway, back to the book.  I've heard about it for a long time and even met the authors to discuss their upcoming fitness DVD's by the same title.  But oddly enough, never read it.  It happened to be sitting on my friend's shelf, calling my name the night prior to my departure to paradise.  Looked like an easy read which is EXACTLY what you want on a vacation to Hawaii, right?

In a nutshell, they support everything I've said for the past two years or so.   Plant based diets are best.  However, they go into much more graphic detail about the meat and poultry industry that I can't even begin to discuss here.  READ IT.  It will blow your mind and keep you as far away from that section of the grocery store as you can possibly be.  Granted, I didn't follow up on their accounts and sources, but just the idea of the possibility of what goes on in the ranching and farming industries, and to what extent our government goes to protect corporate interests at the expense of OUR HEALTH disgusts me. I've been bitching about it recently as well ... somehow I am paying an arm and a leg for health insurance which won't cover the doctors I see to prevent me from getting sick (i.e. holistic health practitioners like chiropractors, herbalists, meditation healers, etc.) but supports a health care system that thrives on keeping people sick and then prescribing drugs to help them 'get better'.  Bullshit.  I haven't been sick in about six years (aside from a nasty 24 hour stomach flu here and there) and that's because I spend the money to take care of myself.  Someone reimburse me for that.  Not likely. 

Ok, so I've gone off on a total tangent.  But it's all related.  Diet and disease.  It is not rocket science.  You know what is good for you and what isn't.  I've been saying this for years, and Rory and Kim will back me up.  READ YOUR FOOD LABELS!!!!  Do you know what hell "sodium acetate, red 40 or disodium inosinate" is?  My spell check doesn't even recognize these words.  Yet they are just three of the unfathomable ingredients in Doritos Cool Ranch "100 Calorie" mini bites.  Ah yes, shit food posing as 'diet food'.  Because, somehow, if it's smaller and in a little package, it's better for you.  These people are smoking crack.

Sorry for the somewhat 'strong' language here.  Not my usual tone, I know. But sometimes, it's the only way to go.  And Rory and Kim will set your ass straight in the same way.  Straightforward, direct, no b.s.  I'm all about it. 

And click here for another great article on the home page of the New York Times today in the Health section.  People so often confuse organic with vegetarian or vegan.  NOT the same.  Organic is a term reserved for HOW food is produced or grown: without pesticides, toxins, or hormones. (that's the short version of the definition!) Whereas vegan or vegetarian refers to WHAT food is or made with.  Basically a plant based diet.  My favorite quote from the article is this one: "If you don't eat meat at every meal, if meat becomes more of a side dish than a centerpiece, you can fill the plate with healthy organic food for about the same price." Which debunks the myth that organic always means more money.  NOT TRUE! 

My recommendations?  Read all you can about nutrition and health and decide for yourself.  Do you REALLY want to get healthy?  Do you REALLY want to have more energy and as Rory and Kim so fabulously put it, become a "Skinny Bitch"?!?  Then toughen up and take the steps necessary to put you on that path.  I'm not saying you have to go drastic.  Start making small changes. Email me with any questions you may have.  It's not about saying 'NO' to food.   It's about saying 'YES' to a healthy, vibrant and happy life. Love, Live and Laugh.

Lucky.

I can not believe how unbelievably blessed and lucky I am. I spent the past 24 hours packing, moving, hauling, driving a way too large U-Haul afraid I would kill someone (happy to report, I didn't. However, I did manage to knock out a light!). I am exhausted, drained. My feet are the size of a small child and my face looks as if someone has siphoned every last drop of color out of it.
But I am thrilled. In a deadbeat tired sort of way. One very kind and benevolent gentleman has opened his home to me, and his back house, and I am in my own little piece of quiet paradise. Yes, I am amidst boxes and suitcases and just stuff. But I have a place to lay my oh so weary head and allow it to be heavy. And allow myself to sleep as long as I want to without having to worry about arising for work, or a shoot, or a meeting or packing or getting to a class. NOTHING. Who knows, I may sleep until noon. Probably not, but just knowing I can means all the world to me. I have no plans. Not for tomorrow. Not really for the next week. Nor for the month. Day by glorious day. Sunrise until beautiful sunset. I can do whatever I please.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank three people for today. Jim, your moving skills are stellar. You may want to quit BOTH of your day jobs. Although, I don't think the pay would be as good. Andre. Your constant support and generosity of spirit astound me. I adore you.
And Dan. For giving me a place to rest my head and hang my hat for a while. And to all of those who have supported and encouraged me on this journey. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you.

On The Turn Of A Dime

Life will change. Just like that. It's so funny. I looked back at my blog in April and how excited and full of life I was upon beginning my hosting job with the JUICE. Wow. I wish I could say my enthusiasm and passion for the position lasted the entire seven months or so that I was a part of the program. Yes, "was". As in past tense. As of yesterday, I will no longer be a host with the JUICE. I was laid off. Or dismissed. Or whatever you want to call it. And I believe I felt more exhilaration, more excitement and more joy at the news of being 'let go' than I did when I was hired. It was freeing, as if a hundred pound weight had been lifted off my shoulders. My friends hear it in my voice, the tone they heard when they would speak with me five months ago. My usual enthusiasm and passion for life had been slowly squashed. But within 15 minutes, restored. As is with many things, the job was not all it cracked up to be. I LOVED the people I met through my work, I LOVED the stories I got to create. But the day to day struggles were no longer worth it.
But hey, I asked for it. I wanted to host a show and not necessarily in fitness. Be careful what you ask for . . . yup, I got it. And then some. The lesson in all of this? Be VERY specific when asking.
Needless to say, I'M BACK!!!! I am just as excited about moving on to the next chapter in my life as when I first began the job, if not more so. I don't even know where I might live in the next few months. Maybe back to L.A. Maybe up north to San Fran. New York? Who knows? I'm not quite sure what the future holds but I am giddy about the possibilities.

Right and Wrong

This past weekend, after witnessing some events that, to me, demonstrated much wrong in this world, I definitely found right and chose to reflect upon those things during my drive through the canyon en route home, observing a pink tinged night sky that served as a backdrop against the mountains. That was the first right thing. New beautiful innocent babies. They are SO right. U2's "With Or Without You" . . . another very right thing. Red wine and bloody mary's. VERY right. Singing out loud and car dancing. Makes the world right. Good music that makes you feel. Friends that make you laugh and laughter itself. That can't be wrong. Right? So while I could make a list of wrong things, I so much rather harp on the right things. Some may call it optimistic. Others, delusional and escapist. I call it me. For better or for worse.