fresh + organic

A Saturday morning highlight for DC and I has been the Morningside Farmer's Market. We had a few ambitious mornings when we biked over (approx. 3 miles?), or we carpool. There are maybe a dozen farmers/vendors that have the most delicious organic produce. Heirloom tomatoes have been AMAZING, along with bell peppers of all colors and sizes. Last week I canned some habeneros and scotch bonnets, a fiery mix to await on a dark shelf until December.

It's amazing how dynamically different and alive the organic farmer's veggies taste compared to what you buy at the store, including Whole Foods. I've also found the costs to be the same if not a bit less. Last week DC bought a whole free-range chicken that he's fixing to grill beer-can style. He's psyched for the taste test (he's tried organic chickens from Kroger, Publix, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's - I don't eat chicken) to see how this chicken compares. I've also been growing sweet bibb lettuce in containers in our back alley, and its almost ready to be eaten.

In August, we visited my family cottage in the Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan. My family has had a place up there since the 1930s. As you wind away from the lakeshore, you'll find rolling hills of working farms, orchards, and wineries. My parents bought a share in an organic farm this year and we went crazy with just-picked organic tomatillos, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, fresh eggs, cucumbers, potatos, everything just so delicious, every week a new haul. We also went into Traverse City on a Saturday for their Farmer's Market, and it was huge. Seriously, there were probably 100 vendors, including several Amish farms, and everything from flowers, honey, cherries, (Cherry Capital of the World) corn, veggies of every variety. I guess these experiences really reignited our passion for finding outstanding veggies in our urban existence.

We've made the choice that in this current freaky and scary economic climate, that we are going to take pleasure in simple things. No matter what, we are going to eat healthy, good foods that nurture body and soul. Clearly, I'm all about de-stressing with yoga...come join me anytime.

visit the Morningside Market
go early!

do you need an eco yoga mat?

do you know what your mat is made of?

If you are not using an eco-yoga mat, which are a fairly new, non-vinyl concoction, your yoga mat is made of vinyl or PVC, a petroleum-based, non-renewable source, which continues to give off gases throughout its existence.

Vinyl contains phthalates, or plasticizers, which have been linked to a host of health risks, including damage to the liver, lungs, and reproductive system. Phthalates, which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, have veen banned from some products by the European Union , but not by the US or Canada.

Eco-mats are made with other materials, such as polymer envrionmental resin, natural rubber, or blends containing natural fibers such as jute. They are free of heavy metals. And being biodegradable, they'll revert to their origins at the end of their lifecycle.

source: envionmnet.about.com; PVCFree.org; Grist.org

Hafiz Rocks!

Suspended Blue Ocean

The sky
Is a suspended blue ocean.
The stars are the fish
That swim.

The planets are the white whales
I sometimes hitch a ride on,

And the sun and all light
Have forever fused themselves

Into my heart and upon
My skin.

There is only one rule
On this Wild Playground,

For every sign Hafiz has ever seen
Reads the same.

They all say,

"Have fun, my dear; my dear, have fun,
In the Beloved's Divine
Game,

O, in the Beloved's
Wonderful Game."


From: 'The Subject Tonight Is Love'  translated by Daniel Ladinsky

Men's Yoga Workshop: Smart Guys do Yoga

Mens' Yoga Workshop, Wednesday, September 17th, 5:15 - 6:15 pm, @ Rejuvenate, in the Sun Trust Gardens Building, Lobby Floor, Downtown Atlanta. Parking Garage under the building.

Guys, here's an opportunity to give this "yoga thing" a try. I've designed this Power Yoga workshop to explore your dynamic power, balance and finesse, as well as destress and unwind. Yoga is an excellent complement to any sports or fitness activities you are already doing.

You will sweat. You will test your body. I promise, yoga won't kill you, it will make you stronger, and a more mindful, enlightened dude. There will be no judgements. It will be fun!

Special pricing - $10/class includes mat and all materials.

Pre-registration is required for attendance.
Call 404.577.4877 or email info@rejuvenatespas.com to register.

Read "Where are all the men?" in Yoga Journal

brain food

last Friday DC and I walked down the street to the fabulous sushi restaurant in our neighborhood, Wasabi. It is a small, narrow spot, and we were there early, so we had nearly all to ourselves. We are crazy about sushi and for some reason, haven't had it in months. We always get seaweed salad, which is awesome brain-stimulating food that gives you crazy dreams. Then it's on to our recent favorites, amaebi, which is a whole shrimp head, tentacles, eyes, brains and all, flash fried. It's crazy crunchy, with some sweetness to it. We also love tobiko (fish eggs) with a little quail egg on top. For some reason that always makes me think of Dr. Seuss - I guess it's the "green eggs". I could eat tobiko + quail every day. We get a roll I think is called Bulls Eye, and assorted nigiri. We left supersatisfied, and just strolled on home.

If you love sushi, you must go to Wasabi. Sit at the bar. Enjoy.

let your light shine

Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our Light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves: Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented or fabulous? Well, actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us - it is in everyone.

And as we let our Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson

read this over, and over, and over, until it is embedded in your heart.

yoga news: yoga makes you feel groovy

How does yoga improve mental health?

On a physical level, yoga postures are designed to massage the internal organs, increasing and decreasing blood flow to targeted areas. This circulates the blood and lymph, thus removing stale bodily fluids from vital organs and helping flush toxins. The physical movement can also stimulate certain hormones and neurotransmitters, leading to positive feelings and emotions.

Additionally, according to the Eastern medical model, yoga exercises are also designed to specifically move the “prana” or life force energy in the body (traditional Oriental medicine calls this “chi”). Keeping this life force fresh and alive is vital to well-being, according to Eastern philosophy.

Yoga poses stimulate certain aspects of the body's energetic system, comprised of “chakras” (energy centers) and “nadis” (the yogic term for “meridians” or energy channels). As stuck prana is moved and energized, old emotional wounds manifesting as blockages in the energy centers and channels can be released. This may explain why so many yoga practitioners experience a sense of emotional release from practicing certain poses, such as a spontaneous expression of tears, providing a sense of extreme relief and peace afterwards.

The special breathing exercises that go along with yoga (called “pranayama”) also serve to energize the body by bringing fresh quantities of prana in through the breath. These breathing exercises can also alleviate anxiety and create a sense of calm and well-being.

from naturalnews.com, read more...