I haven't been blogging much lately for a number of reasons, mostly because I've been trying to spend more time OFF the computer and IN the "real" world and my own "real" world happens to include a lot of reading material.
There is one book that has captivated me beyond words and I am encouraging all my family, friends and clients to read it immediately. I wrote about it here - http://luscious-ness.blogspot.com - and am again going to sing the praise of the author, Johnny Bowden, and his book, "150 Healthiest Foods," on this blog.
Having lost 60+ pounds since high school, I've been no stranger to diets and eating plans. But I've never lost site of the notion that real, "live" food is the best way to go, for the purposes of managing weight and being healthy overall. Johnny Bowden takes this philosophy to heart and hones in on exactly what we should be eating.
Now that I know which foods are the absolute best, in terms of their nutrients, I'm not wasting time and money on anything processed. It just doesn't make sense. There is so much value in eating simply, locally and reasonably. Do something great for yourself and your family and order this book. I promise, you won't be disappointed!
Here's to vitality in 2010!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Perfect Message On New Year's Day
My lovely friend, Michelle, taught a New Year's yoga class this morning. At the close of the class, she read a poem that spoke volumes to me. When I told her how very much I resonated with the poem, she admitted she'd thought of me when she selected it as a reading for the class. I felt my heart warm. How wonderful is it when a friend can look at your struggles, your challenges, your dreams...and provide something so beautiful, so fitting, so perfect?
Thank you, Michelle, for your years of friendship. For your confidence. For your spirit that wraps itself around me like the warmest imaginable embrace, for your hugs - that are plentiful and spontaneous, for your wisdom, for your eloquence, for being an enigma, an inspiration and a God-like friend. You are a gift to everyone you touch.
For everyone else, there's this, compliments of Michelle:
Thank you, Michelle, for your years of friendship. For your confidence. For your spirit that wraps itself around me like the warmest imaginable embrace, for your hugs - that are plentiful and spontaneous, for your wisdom, for your eloquence, for being an enigma, an inspiration and a God-like friend. You are a gift to everyone you touch.
For everyone else, there's this, compliments of Michelle:
The House of Belonging
I awoke
this morning
in the gold light
turning this way
and that
this morning
in the gold light
turning this way
and that
thinking for
a moment
it was one
day
like any other.
a moment
it was one
day
like any other.
But
the veil had gone
from my
darkened heart
and I thought
the veil had gone
from my
darkened heart
and I thought
it must have been the quiet
candlelight
that filled my room,
candlelight
that filled my room,
it must have been
the first easy rhythm
with which I breathed
myself to sleep,
the first easy rhythm
with which I breathed
myself to sleep,
it must have been
the prayer I said
speaking to the otherness
of the night.
the prayer I said
speaking to the otherness
of the night.
And
I thought
this is the good day
you could meet your love,
I thought
this is the good day
you could meet your love,
this is the black day
someone close
to you could die.
someone close
to you could die.
This is the day
you realize
how easily the thread
is broken
between this world
and the next
you realize
how easily the thread
is broken
between this world
and the next
and I found myself
sitting up
in the quiet pathway
of light,
sitting up
in the quiet pathway
of light,
the tawny
close grained cedar
burning round
me like a fire
and all the angels of this housely
heaven ascending
through the first
roof of light
the sun has made.
close grained cedar
burning round
me like a fire
and all the angels of this housely
heaven ascending
through the first
roof of light
the sun has made.
This is the bright home
in which I live,
this is where
I ask
my friends
to come,
this is where I want
to love all the things
it has taken me so long
to learn to love.
in which I live,
this is where
I ask
my friends
to come,
this is where I want
to love all the things
it has taken me so long
to learn to love.
This is the temple
of my adult aloneness
and I belong
to that aloneness
as I belong to my life.
of my adult aloneness
and I belong
to that aloneness
as I belong to my life.
There is no house
like the house of belonging.
like the house of belonging.
~ David Whyte ~
Monday, December 21, 2009
And That's A Wrap
We've (almost) made it through December. Despite being a complete Scrooge, I think I fooled Ben into believing that his Mommy is nothing short of Mrs. Clause-in-training.
Our holidays always start with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This year we took Ben for the first time. He lasted for two hours but declared it to be a "great show!" (My dad's dog, Mali did not attend the show due to the fact that my dad cut off her airway for this photo!)
Meanwhile, our Molly staked out her spot near the tree. And let it be known that my tree was up and decorated the first weekend of the month. I love having a fake tree!
Ben's holiday performance for his school brought tears to my eyes. He sang his little heart out. I love this picture. He was so focused!
After the performance, parents and kids gathered with the teachers in the classroom for treats.
I took Ben out one Friday night to see Christmas lights. We (I) mapped out our route - we hit eight houses, ending in Orangevale at the famous Dovercourt and it was fabulous!
My angel, among the other angels.
Last year, we had a gingerbread house disaster when the house I assembled collapsed mid-way through decorating. This year, I got smart and bought a pre-assembled house. The house came with enough candy to decorate a 4,000 square foot house. It went a long way on the 4-inch house!
The finished product.
We did Round 1 of presents at my house with Alisa, Alec and my Mom.
Santa brought two gifts he was dying for: an Air Hog (it climbs the ceiling and the walls - YAY - and Battle Strikers.
Next round of Christmas was at my Dad's. The weather was sunny and spectacular. We sat on the porch and my Dad taught Ben some new Domino tricks (and he didn't let Ben win!)
There was an obscene amount of presents. Ben literally dove right in!
Spending Christmas Day without Ben was harder than I imagined it would be. Much harder. I spent the day mustering up all my packing creativity and am now off to take a quick nap before jumping on the midnight flight direct to NYC.
My family still can't believe that I'd rather be staying home with Ben rather than escaping to New York. But it's true. The other that boy gets, the more I fall desperately in love with him and the more I want to be with him.
Nonetheless, the big suitcase is packed and New York awaits.
Our holidays always start with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This year we took Ben for the first time. He lasted for two hours but declared it to be a "great show!" (My dad's dog, Mali did not attend the show due to the fact that my dad cut off her airway for this photo!)
Meanwhile, our Molly staked out her spot near the tree. And let it be known that my tree was up and decorated the first weekend of the month. I love having a fake tree!
Ben's holiday performance for his school brought tears to my eyes. He sang his little heart out. I love this picture. He was so focused!
After the performance, parents and kids gathered with the teachers in the classroom for treats.
I took Ben out one Friday night to see Christmas lights. We (I) mapped out our route - we hit eight houses, ending in Orangevale at the famous Dovercourt and it was fabulous!
My angel, among the other angels.
Last year, we had a gingerbread house disaster when the house I assembled collapsed mid-way through decorating. This year, I got smart and bought a pre-assembled house. The house came with enough candy to decorate a 4,000 square foot house. It went a long way on the 4-inch house!
The finished product.
We did Round 1 of presents at my house with Alisa, Alec and my Mom.
Santa brought two gifts he was dying for: an Air Hog (it climbs the ceiling and the walls - YAY - and Battle Strikers.
Next round of Christmas was at my Dad's. The weather was sunny and spectacular. We sat on the porch and my Dad taught Ben some new Domino tricks (and he didn't let Ben win!)
There was an obscene amount of presents. Ben literally dove right in!
Spending Christmas Day without Ben was harder than I imagined it would be. Much harder. I spent the day mustering up all my packing creativity and am now off to take a quick nap before jumping on the midnight flight direct to NYC.
My family still can't believe that I'd rather be staying home with Ben rather than escaping to New York. But it's true. The other that boy gets, the more I fall desperately in love with him and the more I want to be with him.
Nonetheless, the big suitcase is packed and New York awaits.
Birthday Blessings
Being a December baby has always been a curse.
A child with a birthday that falls two days after Christmas gets a birthday party in February, gifts wrapped in Christmas paper and possibly, the worst: "This is your combined birthday AND Christmas gift."
As a child growing up, my parents forgot my birthday. Not every year but generally, I'd start dropping a few hints mid-morning and then they'd look a little flustered and say, "OHMYGOSH, it's Jan's birthday!" One year, I bought a pin to wear that said something to the effect of, "TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!" I showed up for breakfast, proudly wearing the pin that year.
Having a sister born on the 31st didn't help matters. I don't think my mother ever combined our birthday parties but she was probably tempted!
So I'm always delighted when someone does something special for me on or around my birthday. I don't make a big deal out of my birthday and I don't expect others to, either. Still, it's nice to be remembered (just ask my dad - I forgot his 70th this year!) and to be celebrated.
My good friend Nancy who I so admire for her generosity and compassion offered to host an early birthday dinner for me with my friends from the gym. I could have cried from gratitude (and I did - a little!).
This month has been more trying than I've let on. I've found myself "putting on the happy face" for Ben and at the same time, feeling a little deflated and overwhelmed with the closing of a year that has brought more than its share of challenges. A party was just what I needed, and Nancy was intuitive and insightful enough to know that.
We gathered - five of us - in Nancy's warm and sweet home for a wonderful meal, good wine, an enormous cheesecake and presents (YES, presents! Before my birthday!!!!).
For my actual birthday, I'll be in New York. It would be hard to find a better spot to be in to celebrate 39 years. But I'll tell you what: being at Nancy's and sitting in front of the fire, having lots of laughs and being supported by four fabulous, strong women was right up there with any celebration I could ever have in a big city.
Nancy, on a list of the nicest things that people have done for me, this ranks right up in the top five. I treasure you. The gift of your friendship is the best gift of all.
Thank you.
A child with a birthday that falls two days after Christmas gets a birthday party in February, gifts wrapped in Christmas paper and possibly, the worst: "This is your combined birthday AND Christmas gift."
As a child growing up, my parents forgot my birthday. Not every year but generally, I'd start dropping a few hints mid-morning and then they'd look a little flustered and say, "OHMYGOSH, it's Jan's birthday!" One year, I bought a pin to wear that said something to the effect of, "TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!" I showed up for breakfast, proudly wearing the pin that year.
Having a sister born on the 31st didn't help matters. I don't think my mother ever combined our birthday parties but she was probably tempted!
So I'm always delighted when someone does something special for me on or around my birthday. I don't make a big deal out of my birthday and I don't expect others to, either. Still, it's nice to be remembered (just ask my dad - I forgot his 70th this year!) and to be celebrated.
My good friend Nancy who I so admire for her generosity and compassion offered to host an early birthday dinner for me with my friends from the gym. I could have cried from gratitude (and I did - a little!).
This month has been more trying than I've let on. I've found myself "putting on the happy face" for Ben and at the same time, feeling a little deflated and overwhelmed with the closing of a year that has brought more than its share of challenges. A party was just what I needed, and Nancy was intuitive and insightful enough to know that.
We gathered - five of us - in Nancy's warm and sweet home for a wonderful meal, good wine, an enormous cheesecake and presents (YES, presents! Before my birthday!!!!).
For my actual birthday, I'll be in New York. It would be hard to find a better spot to be in to celebrate 39 years. But I'll tell you what: being at Nancy's and sitting in front of the fire, having lots of laughs and being supported by four fabulous, strong women was right up there with any celebration I could ever have in a big city.
Nancy, on a list of the nicest things that people have done for me, this ranks right up in the top five. I treasure you. The gift of your friendship is the best gift of all.
Thank you.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Amazon, The North Pole...It's All The Same
Ben is asking a lot of questions this year. About Santa, the reindeer, the chimney, etc. All age appropriate, but daunting to me as well. I think the confusion started with the trip to see St. Nicholas. So, I took Ben this weekend to the Auto Museum to see the "real" Santa and clear up any confusion in that worried head of his. I thought he would talk Santa's ear off with all his requests, but no, I only got a quick smile and then, "Mommy, let's go check out the cars." Dare I admit, Ben almost acted too cool for Santa. Yikes. Well, at 6, at least he'll still throw me a bone...
Then there's the whole issue with UPS showing up at our door a few times a week. Since I typically buy gifts for all of my clients, for Ben AND for my family, I decided to simplify things a little this year and shop online. Plus, the Air Hogs car that Ben is desperately coveting ("Mommy, it climbs the ceilings AND walls; I MUST HAVE IT!") was sold out everywhere. No, I do not want a car with a vacuum for a motor tearing across the ceilings. Nor do I want a whiny 6-year-old. The Air Hogs was found, at twice the amount of the sale price, on Amazon. So were a lot of other things.
Ben, of course, asked me where the boxes were from. "The North Pole," I answered. He looked at the return address label. "Aaaaahhhhhmmmmmaaaahhhhhzzzzzzznnnnnn." Thanks, Montessori teachers. You're doing a great job! "See the large, black arrow?" I explained. That's a sign for The North Pole. "Ohhhhhhh," said the gullible, naive and innocent boy.
Now whenever we hear a "THUMP" at the porch, Ben's tearing for the front door.
Not that he even needs one item from the above boxes. Do those boxes look too big to contain a Nintendo DS player? They are. How 'bout TWO DS players? Nope, not in there because right now, said DS players (that'd be TWO, in case you missed the count) are sitting on my kitchen counter. Ben is perfect proof that if you want something badly enough, sometimes you will get more than one of the item. Not quite sure why that theory isn't working for me in the boyfriend department but Ben is well outfitted with a pair of DS players and I am using the "Nintendo Bucks Reward System" to maintain healthy levels of gaming.
Lastly, here are two very sweet children who are making their debut on my blog and who I hope that Santa will be very kind to because they were very kind to Ben over the weekend and their parents were very kind to Ben's mommy and we like have them as friends very much...
Then there's the whole issue with UPS showing up at our door a few times a week. Since I typically buy gifts for all of my clients, for Ben AND for my family, I decided to simplify things a little this year and shop online. Plus, the Air Hogs car that Ben is desperately coveting ("Mommy, it climbs the ceilings AND walls; I MUST HAVE IT!") was sold out everywhere. No, I do not want a car with a vacuum for a motor tearing across the ceilings. Nor do I want a whiny 6-year-old. The Air Hogs was found, at twice the amount of the sale price, on Amazon. So were a lot of other things.
Ben, of course, asked me where the boxes were from. "The North Pole," I answered. He looked at the return address label. "Aaaaahhhhhmmmmmaaaahhhhhzzzzzzznnnnnn." Thanks, Montessori teachers. You're doing a great job! "See the large, black arrow?" I explained. That's a sign for The North Pole. "Ohhhhhhh," said the gullible, naive and innocent boy.
Now whenever we hear a "THUMP" at the porch, Ben's tearing for the front door.
Not that he even needs one item from the above boxes. Do those boxes look too big to contain a Nintendo DS player? They are. How 'bout TWO DS players? Nope, not in there because right now, said DS players (that'd be TWO, in case you missed the count) are sitting on my kitchen counter. Ben is perfect proof that if you want something badly enough, sometimes you will get more than one of the item. Not quite sure why that theory isn't working for me in the boyfriend department but Ben is well outfitted with a pair of DS players and I am using the "Nintendo Bucks Reward System" to maintain healthy levels of gaming.
Lastly, here are two very sweet children who are making their debut on my blog and who I hope that Santa will be very kind to because they were very kind to Ben over the weekend and their parents were very kind to Ben's mommy and we like have them as friends very much...
Sunday, December 13, 2009
She Could Be My New BFF
...I'm talking about Kari (not the blogging Kari) and "BFF" for those of you who are over 60, stands for "Best Friend Forever."
Everyone knows I love thrift shops and that I find about 90% of my clothes in our local secondhand stores. I also buy all of Ben's clothes in thrift shops. I am mildly obsessed with secondhand searching and will stop at nothing to find the perfect wool dress for my sister's wedding (WEAVE), a tall pair of black boots (Salvation Army) and a pair of "skinny jeans" that actually fit (still looking and looking and looking!).
So it was with great delight, that I clicked on this website: http://juniperjames.wordpress.com/ and discovered Kari. Not only is she an amazing secondhand fashionista, she is also quite creative with "thrifty" gift ideas. Check out her local media coverage and the beautiful gift creations she put together, then move down on the page and be amazed at her eye for fashion detail. I got nothin' on this girl!
After contacting Kari and telling her how utterly talented and what a goddess I think she is, she told me that she is going to put together an online feature with some of her "thrifty" readers, modeling their own secondhand clothes, styled by Kari. How cool is that? Of course I volunteered and can't wait to see what creative ideas she can come up for me. Maybe she can even find a pair of the coveted, yet very elusive skinny jeans! Stay tuned.
Everyone knows I love thrift shops and that I find about 90% of my clothes in our local secondhand stores. I also buy all of Ben's clothes in thrift shops. I am mildly obsessed with secondhand searching and will stop at nothing to find the perfect wool dress for my sister's wedding (WEAVE), a tall pair of black boots (Salvation Army) and a pair of "skinny jeans" that actually fit (still looking and looking and looking!).
So it was with great delight, that I clicked on this website: http://juniperjames.wordpress.com/ and discovered Kari. Not only is she an amazing secondhand fashionista, she is also quite creative with "thrifty" gift ideas. Check out her local media coverage and the beautiful gift creations she put together, then move down on the page and be amazed at her eye for fashion detail. I got nothin' on this girl!
After contacting Kari and telling her how utterly talented and what a goddess I think she is, she told me that she is going to put together an online feature with some of her "thrifty" readers, modeling their own secondhand clothes, styled by Kari. How cool is that? Of course I volunteered and can't wait to see what creative ideas she can come up for me. Maybe she can even find a pair of the coveted, yet very elusive skinny jeans! Stay tuned.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Identity Crisis of St. Nicholas
I took Ben, for the first time, to the annual St. Nicholas Night at our church. The event is held every year but it seems like it always falls on a day that Ben is with his dad. This year, we got lucky and St. Nicholas was scheduled for a day that I had Ben.
Before we left for the evening, I prepped Ben a little on what to expect out of Jolly 'Ol St. Nick. We googled St. Nicholas, laughed at his funny pictures, pointed out the physical differences between St. Nick and Santa and read the traditional St. Nicholas story. We didn't talk much about how St. Nick might be different than Santa - other than in his appearance.
We show up at church and it's a great, crafty, spirited extravaganza. Stations for kids to make ornaments, draw pictures of St. Nick, paint, color, you get the idea. Ben loved all the crafts, especially the ornament making stations.
About an hour into the festivities, parents collected their children for a St. Nicholas service. We Episcopalians have to be formal about our celebrations; I'm learning this. Even when dozens of young and hungry children are waiting anxiously to see St. Nick. We love our traditions, we Episcopalians. But I digress.
So we start to sing the St. Nicholas song and St. Nick makes his appearance, strategically weaving between each table so that the children can catch a glimpse of him. To my delight, he looks exactly like the pictures that we saw online earlier.
The kids are then asked to come sit in front of him and hear the St. Nicholas story. I tug on Ben's hand, he tells me "no way" is he going alone and I realize that he is slightly afraid of St. Nick. No worries, I grab Ben's hand and we go sit on the carpet together. And then St. Nick spills the beans:
"Do you know the difference between St. Nicholas and Santa Clause?" he asks the children. "Nooooooo," many little heads shake from side to side. "Well, Santa is the spirit of Christmas. St. Nicholas was a real person."
Ben looks at me. Confused. Oh boy. I tell him he's about to get a chocolate and he is distracted, momentarily.
He retrieves his chocolate, we say a few prayers, sing another song, and then it's time for pictures. My normally outgoing and talkative boy clams up and grabs my arm: "Mommy, you have to come WITH me." OK, I walk up with him and he motions for me to stand right next to St. Nick's chair while he has a photo taken.
Then, to my surprise, Ben leaps off of St. Nick's lap the moment the flash goes off. Doesn't want a second picture. Doesn't want to tell St. Nick about the Air Hogs or Legos sets that are on his list. Doesn't ask him for another chocolate or even a candy cane. Oh no, my boy is done with St. Nick.
We skip the dinner because it's spaghetti and meatballs, which neither of us eats, and head next door to Bernardo's. Ben goes straight to grilled cheese nirvana, pausing long enough to say, "Mommy, I like Santa MUCH more than St. Nick."
I haven't heard any other discussion since then and am once again thankful that at the innocent age of 6, Ben recalls the details of St. Nicholas night like this: "I got to make THREE COOL ORNAMENTS! Wanna see them? Mommy gave me a Zone bar BEFORE dinner! AND, we didn't have to stay for dinner! St. Nick was funny looking. He gave me a chocolate coin. I went to dinner at my favorite new restaurant, wait, what's it called? Bernardo's? BERNARDO'S! I LOVE that place. They have the BEST grilled cheese sandwich. It is SO BIG. After I ate it, I opened my chocolate coin and ate it too. AND I had that Zone bar at church. Gosh, I can eat a LOT. Have you seen my dog, Molly? Do you want to pet her soft ears?"
This post is dedicated to Lish.
Before we left for the evening, I prepped Ben a little on what to expect out of Jolly 'Ol St. Nick. We googled St. Nicholas, laughed at his funny pictures, pointed out the physical differences between St. Nick and Santa and read the traditional St. Nicholas story. We didn't talk much about how St. Nick might be different than Santa - other than in his appearance.
We show up at church and it's a great, crafty, spirited extravaganza. Stations for kids to make ornaments, draw pictures of St. Nick, paint, color, you get the idea. Ben loved all the crafts, especially the ornament making stations.
About an hour into the festivities, parents collected their children for a St. Nicholas service. We Episcopalians have to be formal about our celebrations; I'm learning this. Even when dozens of young and hungry children are waiting anxiously to see St. Nick. We love our traditions, we Episcopalians. But I digress.
So we start to sing the St. Nicholas song and St. Nick makes his appearance, strategically weaving between each table so that the children can catch a glimpse of him. To my delight, he looks exactly like the pictures that we saw online earlier.
The kids are then asked to come sit in front of him and hear the St. Nicholas story. I tug on Ben's hand, he tells me "no way" is he going alone and I realize that he is slightly afraid of St. Nick. No worries, I grab Ben's hand and we go sit on the carpet together. And then St. Nick spills the beans:
"Do you know the difference between St. Nicholas and Santa Clause?" he asks the children. "Nooooooo," many little heads shake from side to side. "Well, Santa is the spirit of Christmas. St. Nicholas was a real person."
Ben looks at me. Confused. Oh boy. I tell him he's about to get a chocolate and he is distracted, momentarily.
He retrieves his chocolate, we say a few prayers, sing another song, and then it's time for pictures. My normally outgoing and talkative boy clams up and grabs my arm: "Mommy, you have to come WITH me." OK, I walk up with him and he motions for me to stand right next to St. Nick's chair while he has a photo taken.
Then, to my surprise, Ben leaps off of St. Nick's lap the moment the flash goes off. Doesn't want a second picture. Doesn't want to tell St. Nick about the Air Hogs or Legos sets that are on his list. Doesn't ask him for another chocolate or even a candy cane. Oh no, my boy is done with St. Nick.
We skip the dinner because it's spaghetti and meatballs, which neither of us eats, and head next door to Bernardo's. Ben goes straight to grilled cheese nirvana, pausing long enough to say, "Mommy, I like Santa MUCH more than St. Nick."
I haven't heard any other discussion since then and am once again thankful that at the innocent age of 6, Ben recalls the details of St. Nicholas night like this: "I got to make THREE COOL ORNAMENTS! Wanna see them? Mommy gave me a Zone bar BEFORE dinner! AND, we didn't have to stay for dinner! St. Nick was funny looking. He gave me a chocolate coin. I went to dinner at my favorite new restaurant, wait, what's it called? Bernardo's? BERNARDO'S! I LOVE that place. They have the BEST grilled cheese sandwich. It is SO BIG. After I ate it, I opened my chocolate coin and ate it too. AND I had that Zone bar at church. Gosh, I can eat a LOT. Have you seen my dog, Molly? Do you want to pet her soft ears?"
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