learning to love curly hair
February 2, 2013 | Filed Under Health, Inspiring, Learn something, Plain cool, Read this | Leave a Comment
A long-time friend of mine, Nikki Walton of CurlyNikki has finally released her long-awaited treatise on curly and kinky coils with Better Than Good Hair. For the past five years, she’s been sharing her knowledge and building a community for those embracing the path of self-love by accepting their hair as it is and learning how to work with it as opposed to against it. Better Than Good Hair is best suited for those new or relatively new to the world of natural hair care, but also serves as a handy reference guide for those like me, who have been natural for a while but never fully went down the rabbit’s hole and could use a refresher every now and then.
I’m pretty psyched to be connected to the project, as a short essay of mine is featured. (I’m published!) My favorite thing about Nikki and her movement is how genuine and bright she is and how passionate she is about positively impacting people’s mental and emotional health as it relates to hair. She is, after all, a certified therapist.
If you know anyone who could use a more information about naturally curly hair, Better Than Good Hair is a handy reference, and especially helpful to sift through all the online information. Get your copy today.
the art of stress-free productivity
February 1, 2013 | Filed Under Consider this, Inspiring, Learn something, Pay attention | Leave a Comment
The heart of my efforts right now center around productivity, so I’m sharing productivity expert David Allen’s TedxTalk with you. Enjoy!
ATTENTION
to what has your
ATTENTION
you will give it more
ATTENTION
than it deserves.”
focus on the friendship.
June 21, 2011 | Filed Under Inspiring, Learn something, Moment of Truth, Watch this | 1 Comment
CNN interviews Jada Pinkett and asks about the key to a successful Hollywood marriage. Her answer works for everyone, in Hollywood or not. A beautiful moment in time…
maybe it’s you: “about the highly sensitive person”
May 30, 2011 | Filed Under Consider this, Learn something, Watch this | 3 Comments
The more I understand about highly sensitive people, my curiosity grows. Is this me? Perhaps…
Is it you?
Take the test and learn more about Elaine Aron’s research on the highly sensitive person at hsperson.com.
SPOTLIGHT: “Forks Over Knives”
May 19, 2011 | Filed Under Consider this, Inspiring, Learn something, Moment of Truth, Pay attention, Spotlight, Watch this | 3 Comments
Once upon a time, I was a health zealot. Whether or not you asked, I’d gladly and immediately inform you of the contents of your food and any health risks they posed. My intention wasn’t to be a zealot; it was to be helpful. I was open and ready for that information and assumed everyone else was, too.
I was wrong.
Over time, I’ve ebbed and flowed with health. It’s prominence rises and falls. Over the course of the last year or so, it’s fallen. I’ve had beef (I thought it was veal), I’ve had pork (I knew it was pork), and I’ve consumed lots and lots of sugar. As of late, however, my attention to health has been on the rise.
It’s not even necessarily what’s present in my diet, so much as what’s been missing: easily digestible, nutrient rich plant-based foods.
Preventative health, mostly based around diet, used to be such a large focus in my life, and over time has dwindled away. But I miss it. I believe in it. I want it back.
That said, last week, I decided to detox by eating raw foods for two weeks. At first, I was super nervous, even tentative about lasting the entire time. By the time the first day arrived, I was mentally prepared and fully committed. On the second day, I realized it was my one year anniversary of moving to New York (sentimental, I know) and decided to, on day three, treat myself to a dinner at the raw restaurant near my house.
Best decision ever. 
I’m so about to eat lots of raw foods. Not just for the next two weeks, but period. I’m interested in optimal health.
I saw the Forks Over Knives trailer posted above and thought you’d be interested in knowing that optimal health is at the end of your fork.
If health and food politics are of interest to you, you may also like:
Seeking the shadow
April 30, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Learn something, Read this, Rewritable words | 2 Comments
“I looked, and looked, and this I came to see: that what I thought was you and you was really me and me.”
- Unknown
In light of Wednesday’s question, the concept of the shadow has reigned heavy on my mind. So far, it’s had a mildly profound effect on me. As I learn more about it and truly begin the process of self-integration, I’m anticipating benefits of even greater profundity.
For the benefit of helping others in this process of self-development, I’m including some links on the shadow so we can learn together, if you’re so inclined.
Food, Inc.
April 22, 2010 | Filed Under Consider this, Do your research!, Health, Inspiring, Learn something, Moment of Truth, Pay attention, Rewritable words, Watch this, Website | 1 Comment
I was all over Twitter with it, but everyone doesn’t use Twitter, so I decided to share some of the information, reminders and thoughts I had while watching Food, Inc., on PBS. Food, Inc. is an incredibly eye-opening film everyone who eats should see. PBS believes this so strongly that it’s airing the film on national television and streaming it in its entirety online from April 22 – April 29. Check your local listings for television viewing.
- Even if you don’t eat at a fast food restaurant, you’re still eating food made for/within that system. [If you haven't already, read Fast Food Nation.]
- “Chickens never see sunlight. They’re pretty much in the dark all the time.”
- “This isn’t farming, this is just mass production.”
- “It doesn’t matter if the chickens get sick, all of the chickens will be sent for processing.”
- Learn about the industrial food system.
- 30% of the land in the US is used to produce corn.
- Farm-raised fish is eating corn.
- Average American eats over 200 lbs. of meat a year. Ugh. Do you know how long it takes for meat to leave your body??
- Reminder: there’s manure in your meat! Bon appetit!
Did you know?: Fish have a purpose
June 8, 2009 | Filed Under Do your research!, Learn something, Moment of Truth, Pay attention, Watch this | 1 Comment
A few years ago, I semi-seriously inquired about the evolutionary purpose of fish. I still don’t have the answer, but I suspect that will change soon. Today is World Ocean Day and the new documentary, The End of the Line, debuts, answering that question and addressing the very quiet issues concerning the deteriorating state of our fisheries.
It turns out that 90% of the sea animals caught in the fishing industry are “bycatch: dumped dead or dying into the sea, or turned into fertilizer, pet food and fish food.”
As a semi-vegan/pescetarian, I think I might need to add a little diversity in my fish choices, skip it altogether, or eat Whole Foods quality farm raised. The sacrifices we all have to make so as many people as possible can enjoy this planet for as long as possible…they’re really not that big.
Source: Ode Magazine
A little bit of random: lessons learned
May 15, 2009 | Filed Under Learn something, Moment of Truth, Pay attention, Random | 3 Comments
- The world is replete with energy vampires. Depending on your aspirations, you may have to slay them from your life. It might not be easy, but it is critical.
- The potential for a transformative moment always exists, even in your pain. You can find the good and end your suffering if you stop torturing yourself.
- Life really does provide us with signs all the time. Pay attention to them and you might find yours working with a bit more ease.
- Ego and confidence are not the same thing. Decrease one, increase the other.
- Once again, love is a verb, not feeling alone. If your love doesn’t translate into anything, what is it, really? Just as faith without works is dead, so, too, is love without action.
- There will be times when you have to go at it alone…and for those times, it’s the best possible thing. Don’t fight it.
- Know when to let go and walk away. From addictions, arguments, situations, people, etc.
- Clean out your life regularly. Not just in spring. But it’s spring now, so if you haven’t started, go!
- People who make you laugh, smile, and think are heaven sent. If one person can do all three, they’re a true gem. Consider keeping them around.
- Telling your story gives you power over it. Don’t let it hold you back.
The Visual: 350 (parts per million)
February 25, 2009 | Filed Under Learn something, Moment of Truth, Pay attention, Watch this | Leave a Comment
For the first time in several months, I rode a bike today. Not for fun, but for transportation faster than my legs. I thought about how wonderful bikes are as a mode of transportation when you’re not traveling far distances.
“I want to live in a community that localizes most of the facets of my life,” I thought.
Then, I saw this video and that desire intensified. Only 90 seconds with no words, it illustrates the importance of a number most of us don’t know the significance of.
Courtesy of 350.org
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