Upcoming Events
No current events.
"Humankind is being led along
an evolving course, through
this migration of intelligences,
and though we seem to be sleeping,
there is an inner wakefulness
that directs the dream,
and that will eventually startle us
back to the truth of who we are."
-Rumi
"Any new possibility that existence acquires, even the least likely, transforms everything about existence.”
Where does the time go?...
I cant believe it is already mid February. I'm once again starting the next round of the Chopra Center 21 day meditation challenge today, February 20, 2012. January was a very intense, somewhat extreme cleansing and meditation month for me - so after the last few weeks of being non stop busy and chaos, I'm really excited to step back into the centered being mindset with this meditation series...
First, I would highly recommend signing up...like right now this second!! http://www.chopracentermeditation.com/ Because it begins today, Feb. 20 and it's great to follow the daily routine. Whether you are highly enlightened or zero experience meditating, I promise something good will come from it and alter the way you perceive things. Trust me - something positive ALWAYS happens! I've done these, I believe, 4 times now since the inception...Also, these are guided meditations (anywhere from 10-20 mins) which are much easier for beginners or people with the monkey mind that can't fathom sitting in silence for a while...
Second, I was meaning to post all my thoughts after my January month long juice fast/raw foods cleanse. I had the best of intentions to share my what I learned- in case it can help any of you on your cleanse journeys...Or maybe you can even give me your feedback and advice? However, after it was over, I was so full of energy and ready to get out into the land of the social and living it up again, that I just didn't take the time to recap in a blog. Well, better late than never! Here's the story of the important elements and common questions people asked me...
I have to say I learned so much about what to do and what not to do on this first extended cleanse! (I'll do 3-5 days cleanses regularly, but this was the whole month!) Let me preface- I'm no cleansing pro at all, but if you have any questions, please send me an email. I started on January 2 with solid fruits and vegetables. After 3 days I went straight into juice only. Yep 20 some days later nothing but juice! Then my body finally said- screw you, it's over and I need to chew on food! (I'll get back to this later on...) Since over the holidays I mentally prepared in advance and truly wanted to do a cleanse for some time, it was easy to stick with it. I loved being in this perfectly calm and almost euphoric, meditative state. Of course it still affects the way I live and choices I make til this day. Although, I remember that "cleanse state" vividly and crave it when I'm ready for the next cleanse. That feeling always comes back when I give my body a break from processing and eliminate unhealthy things that I tend to enjoy too much! The hardest part at first was no sushi, no sweets (AKA chocolate), no alcohol, no warm cooked meals, and no protein. People ask why I had to go some extreme measures (a relative term) and avoid everything except juice...My reality is I know myself way too well and any other way would not work! Plus I enjoy the challenge and commitment. I'm not going to pretend like I understand moderation...My balance is swinging back and forth on the endless pendulum. Somehow the perfect imbalances end up in the middle and that is my version of balance! haha...And I'm totally ok with the awareness of that. If you are a person who understands and practices balance and moderation, then lucky you - you are way more awesome than most of us! ;)
So you're probably wondering what and how I chose what to juice?...This is going to sound funny, but here's what I I did before every juice 4-5 times a day. Overall, I became very mindful of everything I did throughout the day - eat, sleep, speech, decisions, how I spent my energy...As a result, I would open the fridge and literally take a few seconds to think about what my body needed - the fruits or vegetables I was in the mood for or lacking. My body always gave me the answer. In addition, I had a recipe book for ideas as well. One of my favorite experiences was and still is going to the farmers market on Saturdays and gathering some food for the week. I like to know I am consuming local, organic produce.
A few important things to mention, I was never hungry or had that starving feeling. Also, I would always get really cold after I had my drinks. I actually researched this and found that blood flow and energy is diverted to the stomach area so it takes away from the body's ability to warm yourself up. Less blood flow, less heat. Not sure how accurate that it, but it makes sense and was an interesting phenomenon. It might also have to do with blood sugar. If anyone has the answer, please let me know!
I should also mention that I was absolutely not working out hard during this time or dealing with anything too incredibly stressful. I would either go for a walk or yoga...no weight lifting, no long runs...nada. Also, I would meditate every morning to start the day and get focused before work. The other important thing to mention is that I did not at all do a cleanse for weight loss. In fact, you do not lose much weight and often gain it back- possibly more if you go back into old habits. For me it is about spiritual, mindfulness, and enlightening reasons. It resets your body and mind allowing for release, change, and transition. You have to really want to do it or else it will be a miserable experience. Personally, until the 20th day of juicing, I was so happy doing this. I actually didnt want to stop, but I knew it was time to end it when I was craving fats soooo badly. So what mistake did I make to break my cleanse??...Well, I ate a big ol' bag of cashews. Waaay too many!...And did I feel incredibly sick?? Absolutely!! LOL...Ok not the best decision, but after that I learned my lesson and knew I had to ease out of the cleanse with raw foods for a few days. Rule in cleansing: Ease in, ease out. Another realization...next time I do this, I would definitely go have a few colonics or incorporate a digestive cleanse. This is very important! I'm guessing what happened after the first week is that my body was detoxing and retoxing because my digestive system wasn't moving. I ended up feeling full, sluggish and got a horrible cold for a few days. So yes, II'll spare the details, but I would definitely recommend a way to get your colon moving!
Finally, after the juice cleanse, I continued raw foods for a few days and then added quinoa, faro, and the Garden of Life raw protein supplement. When I started eating regularly again after the month, I had sooo much energy and felt fabulous! The main thing to take away is that the cleanse mentality should not stop there and you go back to your old ways and habits...
Every time I do a cleanse and some soul searching, it puts me even further in touch toward a better way of life. I'm going to explain exactly how my lifestyle and eating has changed for no other reason than to help you. I'm by no means perfect, but I do work hard at trying to make more postitive choices and changes. When I used to be a fitness trainer, the best thing you can offer someone is a how to guide and map. Over the years, I have figured a lot of things out by trial and error. It's been important to me, so in the least, I hope to save you time and give you some ideas..that is if you even care! Also, transformation does not happen overnight. This is a lifelong process and practice. Find what works for you and stick with it. We are all different with have different needs and unique situations...
In regards to my personal choices, my lifestyle is still fairly healthy (minus some nights out!)...I eat a ton of fruits and vegetables every day - especially love the local farm options. I've also tried to cut out most "white" foods - breads, sugar, rice, etc...and eat gluten free when I can. In fact, I havent eaten red meat since the cleanse. I used to be a huge burger fanatic, but it is so weird it doesnt appeal to me anymore. I used to love sweets and never thought I'd say it, but fake sweeteners, candy, and corn syrup taste so fake to me. I dont eat much dairy- sometimes eggs. I never drink any type of soda whatsoever. I continue to only use Raw protein supplement since I'm convinced there's a lot of hidden chemicals in the meathead brands I used to support. I eat tons of nuts and often sprout them before eating. However, I love going out to eat if it's worth it for good, quality food. We are so unbelievable fortunate to have many farm-to-table or inexpensive, gourmet options in town! This city is so easy to eat fabulous or healthy food - I cant even believe people who live here would go to chain restaurants. The bad: I know I eat waaaay too much sushi, love chocolate, and have a San Pelligrino addiction. When I drink alcohol, I drink prosecco or good red wine that I savor every sip! For exercise, I still work out most days but not the crazy intense, passing out workouts anymore. A simple brisk walk around the lake with friends is good for me. I loooove doing yoga many times a week (Black Swan Westgate is my haven!) I run 3-4 miles a couple days a week, then separate body parts for weight lifting - but nothing hardcore heavy anymore - just mindful. And of course lots and lots of dancing!!...Although the late nights throw me a bit off! ;) For spirit needs, I meditate daily alone or sometimes with a group as well take time to pray for people. My job is stressful and busy, so at the end of the day I take a quiet, relaxing bath most evenings. To ease into sleep I listen to dharma talks on podcasts...And finally, do I have fun? YES!!! This is all fun for me or I wouldnt do it!
The moral of the story is take care of yourself when you have the choice. It's not about doing a month long cleanse, but being aware and present in every day. Be good to your body and mind - it's the only one you got. Most importantly clear out toxic things and people and fill it up with positivity! Lastly, breath deep and see the beauty that this wonderful life has to offer!
I hope you join in on the 21 day mediation. It's so great to know many of my friends signed up and are going through similar experiences of the collective consciousness. Remember the universe is always working FOR you. Whether it be from the zafu or to the dancefloor, whatever you do, I hope you find that innocence like a child and joy like an aphrodisiac. ;)
""We are indeed on a shaman's journey, mere children struggling to become technicians of the sacred. We are learning how to deal with the plasticity that is part and parcel of a universe in which mind and reality are a continuum, and in this journey one lesson stands out above all others. As long as the formlessness and breathtaking freedom of the beyond remain frightening to us, we will continue to dream a hologram for ourselves that is comfortably solid and well defined...And when we outgrow any given set of conceptual pigeonholes we must be prepared to move on, to advance from soul-state to soul-state...from illumination to illumination. For our purpose it appears to be simple as it is endless. We are, as the aborigines say, just learning how to survive in infinity." - 'The Holographic Universe' by Michael Talbot
Radiating Loving Awareness in 2012!