stuff I like - part 1

I have the tendency to get very attached to things. I think it has something to do with being the baby of the family and about as sensitive as a little flower. Aw. Anyways, there are so many things that I have that I love and cherish.

One of those things is my reusable mug. At first, I bought it because my sister likes me to be enviro-girl and I like to make her happy. It didn't take long for me to practically attach the mug to my hip. I use it every day for my coffee, if I forget it at home I turn the car around to get it. When I make my espresso at home I now drink it out of my to-go mug so it stays warm for at least 3 hours and I get to enjoy every sip slowly.

When I went to Hawaii my mug came on board with me so I could get a much needed coffee at 5 in the morning in L.A. and at 4 in the morning in San Fran on the way home. Every single morning on our trip we went to Starbucks to get delicious coffee (I swear Starbucks tastes better in Hawaii).

One day I took it whale watching and sipped my latte as I watched 40,000 pound beasts throw themselves out of the water - wicked. Anyways, on the way back I went into a lavish bathroom and left it sitting on the edge outside.. I didn't realize until the next morning when I headed out for coffee. To me it was gone. I was sad, but you know what? I knew I'd get over it... Eventually.. My knight in shining armour insisted we drive back to Lahaina and check to see if it was there. I doubted it but always like my man to be the hero so I agreed. Sure enough it was sitting there waiting patiently in the 10-minute parking zone. I guess I thought for sure someone would pick it up but when in retrospect, why would someone want a well-used mug that recently survived a tumble down the stairs?

I'm sorry for leaving you mug. I cherish you even more now that you had an overnight adventure in the big bad woods of a Hawaiian pier.

coco

You know something I've always wanted to do? Give myself a facial while sauteing my onions...

Well now I can.. and I do! What is better than using the oil you ingest on your skin? I have recently been introduced to the wonders of coconut oil. This stuff is so freaking awesome. I've been using it since before I went to Hawaii, it was one of the first things I bought at the grocery store in Hawaii and I have used it every day since returning. I was super worried about my skin peeling when coming back from a humid environment to the super dry air of the Rockies and was also worried cause my skin reacts when I detox from milk (inevitable on vacation I have decided). So every night and sometimes in the mornings I smother myself in coconut oil and my skin looks better than it ever has, I swear. I love highly recommending products and this one is a definite must - like Birkenstocks!

words to live by

Have you ever had a conversation with a friend about life's issues and all of a sudden one sentence they say might as well be blinding you like the lights of times square? I love that. I live by so many one liners that encourage and motivate me to be a better me. Those few short words are easy to remember and recall during moments of distress... or delight. It's like a little mantra to repeat in your mind and remember what's important. I definitely have had many of those mantras spoken to me by wise friends and family members but I've also found them else where, waiting for me to unwrap them just like a present. When I go to my tea drawer, more often than not, I grab the Yogi tea for 2 reasons: first, it really is delicious tea and secondly, about 1/3 of the way through my cup I check the words of wisdom attached to the tea bag and do a little reflecting of where I am in that moment and how those words pertain to me. A few weeks ago my sister left me her Yogi teas words of wisdom which, resonated with me at the time and which, I yesterday, repeated to a friend and let the words resonate with her. It's an uplifting treat to look forward to and just seems to make sense when you give your body something as refreshing and cleansing as a cup of tea that you get a little refreshment and cleanse for the mind too.

Yummy

Hmmm, it's definitely been awhile since I've blogged. Sometimes I feel inspired and sometimes I don't. One of those weeks I guess.. I don't mean to neglect my blog, it just happens. It seems lately there's always been something else to tend to. Anyways, we'll see how the next week goes. Hopefully I'll be inspired to update.

So there is a saying that really ruminates with me, it has for such a long time but I feel like I'm finally, finally living by it "my body is my temple". It's amazingly disgusting what people ingest, knowing or not knowing the effect it has on the body. The body that provides you with life; that is a huge part of your being. I wonder how people can live off of some of the things out there. Unfortunately, our society has made it so so so easy to eat unhealthy, feel that there are much more important things to do than exercise, and more and more people are spending more and more time inside. I read today (on Perez no less) that kids 'these days' (haha) learn to use a smart phone younger than they learn to tie their shoes. To me, that is sad. I feel sorry for the kids who get their exercise through the, oh so clever, wi-fit or whatever it's called. There is NO substitute for the great outdoors and NO child of mine will be inside playing some skateboarding game instead of actually being out there skateboarding. So sad. 

Then there's food.. Some people eat McDonald's on a fairly regular basis, or some kind of fast food, or even processed foods at home. Whatever it is, it is probably so bad for the system. I am fueling my body with whole foods and eliminating 95% of the crap and I have to say I have never felt better. My body has more energy, my skin feels better, looks better, my hair is shinier, my whole body just seems to 'work' better. I have more energy. I still have serious problems getting my curious mind to turn off so unfortunately I haven't mastered the art of sleep.. yet. A work in progress.

 

Anyways, think about what it is you put in your temple. Our bodies are so good to us. I want to give back to it. Mmm, broccoli!

Here's a pic of the Rialto Market in Venice. Man, those Italians know what's up!!