Life After Death

In 69 days the world, as I knew it, changed dramatically. My brother, Patrick died of AIDS.  I found out he was sick, spent precious time with him in the hospital, eulogized and buried him in what felt like the blink of an eye.

During those 69 days I learned so much about life, love, self esteem, strength, faith and family.  I loved our time together.  I loved our talks.  It was nice to laugh with him, pamper him...just BE together. I remember one day while watching TV he looked over at me and said,

Minute MADE

This morning I was craving orange juice. I no longer buy the stuff in stores because it gives me acid reflux. So I MADE MY OWN and it only took a minute! I have an Oster juicer (under $20 on Amazon.com) and well worth EVERY PENNY! I juiced 8 oranges, added 1c of water & voila! Instant Yum!! To chill the juice I tossed in a few pieces of frozen pineapple*.....so cool & refreshing....plus the pineapple thawed and made a great after juice dessert! :)

* Freezing fruit is a great way to store excess season ripe fruit for future smoothies...AND.... it maximizes freezer space because they also make delicious, beautiful ice cubes!!!

Helping Homeless Veterans

The VA2K is an event that benefits homeless veterans. In lieu of a registration fee, participants are asked to bring items the vets are in great need of. I jammed out to music the whole way.  This was my theme song:

Looking serious (actually it was HOT & I was tired) at the finish line!

First 5K This Season

I decided that the only exercise I wanted to do this year was the fun kind and the ones that were for a good cause.  Shareen & I particiated in a 5k Fun Run/ Walk to raise money for the Maliheh Community Clinic.  We had a blast, pushed ourselves and crossed the finish line together! 

Girl Power!

I love that their are programs out their that encourage & boost the self esteem of women & young girls through physical activity.  Here are two awesome examples:

GirlTrek

Blogger Blah Blah v.Facebook Briefs & Tweets

OK, I admit it...I am a chatty Karen.  ;)   In as much as I love facebook it hardly seems the place for a lotta going on and on about stuff.  Of course I can say a bit more there than I can when Tweeting.  In the end I have much more to share than feels appropriate for many of my faceboogie friends.  Soooo for those of you that love me inspite of or perhaps because of my verbaliciousness.....I am back on the blog scene.  YES!! 

So much has happened since I've blah-blogged.  But let's catch up from here ok. I am dancing in the loveliness that is health & wellness through intimate honesty and lots of laughter and play. 

Don't want to miss a beat?  Sign up as a follower or get my posts sent straight to your e-mail (the swanky options are down and to your right).  If facebook is more your thang, no worries compadres, I'll still be there.  Same goes for Twitter.  OK, this Urban Goddess has a date with some ZZzzs.  Before I head off, I'd like to leave you with this sweet song.  Night, night.

The Extreme Almond Energizer

"Not only does this smoothie taste fantastic, the health benefits are extreme. As I always say, NO SUFFERING!! Blend one up for yourself and you will see what I mean!"  - Sue Ansari

Blend together all until completely smooth - yields 1 1/2 quarts. This might get addictive!

1 banana, frozen or not
1 1/2 c almond milk, unsweetened (organic or make your own)
1 T raw unsalted almond butter
1 T raw coconut oil
2 Medjool dates
1 T maple syrup
1 T chia seeds
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 large handfuls of organic spinach
Add 1-2 cups of ice to the blender if you want an icy drink.

Thanks Sue Ansari for this amazing raw recipe!


HEALTH BENEFIT INFORMATION  (for each ingredient)

Falling in Self Love: Day 337 Happy Vegetarian Week!

It happens to be world vegetarian week.  So here are a few sites worth checking out for those of you who are feeling the call to give it a go. One week, one meal or a lifetime...it's all good whatever you choose.  Enjoy!

Raw Picnic

A few support links for the interested:
National Vegetarian Week
Ethnic Vegetarian Recipes
Epicurious' Veg Recipes
Recipes from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Planet PlayTake fun to a whole new galaxy

55,000 square feet of absolute entertainment with an ‘All You Can Eat’ buffet. You can orbit into their amazing arcade game room with over 100 games. They have exciting attractions such as laser tag, bumper cars, mini bowling, go karts and glow in the dark miniature golf. Got little ones? Bring them to Tiny Town, a place for them to climb and slide at no charge. There are smaller rides along with mini air hockey and many kid friendly games. $13 - $20

12101 S State St
Draper, UT 84020

(801) 410-7222

www.PlanetPlayUtah.com

Spring Cleaning For The Body

25 Ways to Detox Your Life                                                             (This is a re-post from my alma mater, Institute for Integrative Nutrition's, Blog)

1.    Our resident raw food guru and Integrative Nutrition guest teacher David Wolfe talks about getting started with detox in this short but super informative video.
2.    When detoxing your diet, food really matters. The film Food Matters offers a Detox and Rejuvenation Guide e-book that helps you apply the principals in the movie to remove processed, illness-causing foods from your diet.
3.    Integrative Nutrition guest teacher Dr. Mark Hyman gives you everything you need to complete a safe, effective, and medically informed detoxification program at home in The Detox Box.
4.    Find the right moves to twist and detox yourself into healthy bliss with Yoga Journal’s Go Podcast: Twist and Detox.
5.  Revamp and detox your current routine with the “Reinvent Yourself 21 Day Detox eProgram” by Find Your Balance Health (Michelle Pfennighaus—an Integrative Nutrition graduate).
6.    To prepare for a successful spring detox, check out this jam-packed foods and shopping list. 
7.    Take this quiz to see if you are a Detox Diva and get all the facts, even if you’re not quite the Aretha Franklin of detoxing yet.
8.    Serious about detoxing your home? Many toxins, especially indoors, are within our control to regulate. PlanetGreen gives a comprehensive Room-by-Room Guide to creating a chemical free home.
9.    Dr. Furhman’s Five-Day Super-Diet Challenge offers the chance to give your body a real cleanse with high-quality foods.
10.  Striving for health, but pressed for time? Check out Pressed Juicery, a juice company with a cult following of celebrities started by an Integrative Nutrition grad. Check out their shippable menu and cleanse programs.
11.   Ready to detox the meat out of your diet? Try Neal Barnard’s 21-Day Vegan Kickstart will get motivated.
12.   Feel like you can’t seem to find your life amongst all of the clutter? Check out this helpful guide to clear your clutter and find your life.
13.   Lemons & Loafers, a fashion and health blog Integrative Nutrition grad Julia Argenti, helps others look and feel great, and also offers guided cleanses through out the year.
14.   Skin brushing can detox the largest organ of the body. Organic Passion’s “How to detox your skin” is a complete guide on how to use skin brushing for detoxification.
15.   Make your own. Since many cleaning products are full of harmful chemicals, Eco-cycle gives easy recipes for making your own cleaning products. 
16.   Need some ideas to get started on the whole decluttering process? Zen Habits shares its 15 Great Decluttering Tips.
17.   Debunk myths to clear out the space for decluttering! The Happiness Project reveals 11 myths of decluttering to help in your efforts!
18.   The skin is one of our biggest organs, so tea drinkers, try pairing Yogi Tea’s “Skin Detox” with an easy weekend skin detox from Natural Health Magazine.
19.   Detox the SAD (Standard American Diet) out of your life. Integrative Nutrition grad and author, Alex Jamieson, who also appeared in the film Super Size Me, gives us The great American Detox Diet.
20.   Crazy Sexy detox this spring with wellness warrior Kris Car’s new book Crazy Sexy Diet for the ultimate guide to cleaning up your body and your mind.
21.   Integrative Nutrition guest teacher John Douillard shows you how the ancient science of Ayurveda provides a healthy daily routine and eating plan that will detoxify your body naturally on his Ayurveda for Detox DVD.
22.   We’ve all heard of detoxing your body, but what about detoxing your day?
23.   Top ten list on how to detox your home for babies and kids from author Alexandra Zissu of The Complete Organic Pregnancy. These tips go well beyond the standard advice.
24.   Easy-to-follow detox ideas from Frank Lipman's checklist of 20 Ways to 'Detox' Your Home.
25.   You say Juice, some say Joos. Joos To Your Health! is a juice company started by an Integrative Nutrition grad that helps properly support you through juice cleanses. 
26.     BONUS: Need to get rid of stuff? Recycle with Freecycle their mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills.

Now playing: ASPARAGUS

Rich in vitamin A,  seasonal*  and local, asparagus may be one of the most long-awaited signs of spring.


Zesty Parboiled Asparagus

1 bunch asparagus
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Sea salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Wash asparagus and break off bottoms.
Cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces, on the diagonal.
Fill a medium-size saucepan halfway up with water and bring to a boil.
Add the asparagus, reduce heat to a simmer and cook asparagus for 2 minutes.
In a medium sized bowl combine oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
Toss asparagus in sauce.

*  Seasonal foods are often far less expensive.  Yesterday I saw gorgeous bundles of asparagus for 99¢ per pound (at Whole Foods no less)  Check your local market!

Recipe Courtesy of Institute for Integrative Nutrition

C = Chefs, Cookies, Comical Crack-Ups & Monsters

I have been craving sweets lately so I decided to make cookies!  I made vegan coconut-oatmeal cookies and g/f peanut butter cookies.  Instead of granulated sugar I used local honey (where the recipe called for white sugar) and grade B maple syrup (where the recipe called for brown sugar). It's worth noting that I could have been slightly influenced as a little girl. That is to say, a little girl, with a mini record player and just ONE album.  Perhaps I hypnotized myself (lol) by playing this song over and over and over again....

Happy birthday Sandy bear!

"We derive immeasurable good, uncounted pleasures, enormous security, and many critical lessons about life by having dogs." ~ Roger Caras, A Celebration of Dogs

Today my golden retriever turns 15 years old!  (The life span of this breed is 10-12 years). These are a few of the many lessons I learned because of my dog, Sandy...

Unconditional love • rest  natural food and how it heals the body • playing with reckless abandon •  never complaining • if one way doesn't work try another • never give up • stay till the job is done • share • boundaries • nurturing • empathy • loyalty • companionship • holding space • being in the now • power of prayer • power of community gathered for a unified cause • grace • resilience • getting messy • being young at heart • compatibility • surrender • water lust • flexibility • conviction • freedom...

 

 

Sandy has defied the boundaries others tried to set for her time and time again.  I am in awe of how much I have changed specifically because of our relationship.  I am beyond blessed to have shared & enjoyed the last dozen years together.    Read more of Sandy's story here...

Yum for my tum!

Last night I introduced another person to my new favorite foodie spot in SLC.  EKAMAI 336 West 300 South, SLC (next to Caputo's Market). I had a nice portion of Massam Curry Beef w/ Brown rice (which by the way is reddish and VERY delicious even on it's own)! Anyhoo, this din din cost me just $5.43.  They also have a 2 entrée combo for $7.99 that includes a spring roll.   This tiny spot sure knows how to do simple well and the owner, WOOT is very nice and happy to have you over for a meal.  Ekamai has been open for just 13 months and has already won a BEST of SALT LAKE award!  Howdya like them mangoes?   Next time you are hungry for something delish on the go...say NO to CrackDonalds, Whatdy's & Burger Prince... and stroll on down to EKAMAI! Your body & wallet will thank you!

Falling in Self Love: Day 233 Mirror, Mirror

I recently found myself frustrated with a circumstance in my life.  After unsuccessfully being able to change it from the outside, I've decided to change my relationship to it.  This is no new concept.  Actually it is one I thought I new well....lol...apparently not. :)  Anyhoo, I started the day by eating well, I figure if my body is well fueled, I'm apt to make better decisions.  I had noodle salad w/ shrimp over a plate of organic veggies.  I feel comfortably full and clear! 

Valentine's Day YUM!

Today I wanted to make an ice cream for one special person :)  She loves oreo cookies (which meant vegan was out the window so I improvised...I did, however manage to not add any eggs or sugar) ...and here's the yum of the day (w/ veg*n friendly suggestions):


Cookies & Cream Ice Cream 

1 pint heavy cream (soy cream or coconut milk)
3/4 cup honey (agave might do but may not harden all the way)
1/2 c milk (your favorite vanilla flavored milk substitute)
1 tablespoon vanilla*
Pinch of salt
6 Oreos, crumbled

Blend first 5 ingredients. Pour into an ice cream maker.  Add crumbled cookies.  Pour into container and place in freezer until set.  Enjoy!!

* Singing Dog is my current fave (made in Oregon)

Falling in Self Love: Day 220 Tea & Tao & Twos

Today bliss = sipping rose tea and reading the Tao of Pooh!  With much gratitude I am enjoying a spontaneous vacation at home.  Taking time out this morning to rest is definitely an act of self love.   I have been so busy over the past few weeks.  When I found myself getting upset yesterday over trivial things I realized it was time for a "time-out." With the loving support of my partner I began resting my circus clown mind. Today I was up early with that doo-doo-dootle-ootle-oot-doot-doo-doo music going again so after my morning meditation practice I went back to bed.  First, to catch a feww extra Zzz and then to enjoy a nice book & a cup of Tulsi rose tea (w/ a splash of rice milk & a drizzle of maple syrup in my favorite mug from IIN*).  Aaaahhh....the balance of life...is being restored 

On another note, there is something interesting going on in the way of TWOs.  Today...is... February (2) second (2) two thousand (hello) eleven (1+1=2)  There are a few other ways that the magic of 2 is showing up in my life....I am curious to see how things continue to unfold today.  :)


*IIN = Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Falling in Self Love: Day 202 Food Rx

This morning I woke up feeling sick.  I feel so passionately that food can heal the body that I gathered my weary bones and started cooking.  On the menu:
Eggplant Subji:  Dr. Vasant Lad's recipe (Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing by Usha & Dr. Vasant Lad)
Chicken Soup:  My mom's recipe
SPICY Green Chili:  a gift from my friend Dale

My goal here was to have medicinal foods, comfort food and spicy food to make way in my system for what's ill to pass through me, warm my heart (less worry = quicker healing) and clear my sinuses..it's working!  I am also drinking 6 ounces of water every 10-15 minutes. 

Eggplant Subji

Chicken Cilantro Pesto Pizza

Wheat Free

~ serves 3 or 4 ~

Chicken Cilantro Pesto Pizza w/ Asparagus

Wheat free pizza dough (I used Bob's Red Mill mix)

1 bunch of cilantro

5 T olive oil

5 basil leaves

3 cloves garlic

Pinch salt

dash of pepper

1 tomato, diced
1/2 yellow pepper, slices thin
1/2 zucchini, shredded
1/4 onion, sliced thin
8 mushrooms, sliced & sautéed
1 chicken breast, sliced paper thin, pan seared
3/4 c mozzerella & parmesan cheeses (combined)

Prepare the pie crust according to the directions on the package.  Combine the bold green ingredients in a food processor until a paste is formed. Spread the pesto on the crust then layer on your veggies, chicken and cheese.  Bake in a 425 degree oven for up to 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

Falling in Self Love: Day 179 Reuse, Renew, Rejuvenate

 Laughter Headquarters  renovations are underway! I used to say that I am not a painter..so not true! I am! I am...anything I set my soul to! As I build the foundation of my laughter company I feel proud and excited that the office of foolishness is almost complete! It feels good achieve success with a project that I thought I couldn't do!

Before

After - rehearsal stage, desk, laughter quote board

After - chalkboard on back of door

After - bistro seating for show previews

After - desk (on stage) toy & bookshelf