First Things First: I am NOT a Vegetarian.

I am not a vegetarian.  I am not a vegan.  I am not a raw foodist.  But at some point in my life, for some period of time (ranging from 1 day to 10 years), I have identified with each of those labels.  Today I just am.  I simply try to eat healthfully and ethically and kindly.  Now that we have that out of the way, I'd like to also say this: I am not trying to preach or force my approach on anyone.  Truly.  That is not my intention and it is certainly not my goal with this blog.  I'd just like to share some information and get us all thinking about the choices we make every week.

This weekend I had a difficult and powerful experience.  I saw a video about conventional factory farming -- animals being raised for their milk (that means milk, cheese, yogurt, and, yes, your coffee cream too), eggs, and meat.  I have seen these videos before, but it's been a while.  And, of course, we all hear about the horrible things going on with factory farming -- disease, chickens having their beaks cut off (not all survive the experience), confinement, terror -- but until you see it for yourself, you cannot imagine how awful it is.  I cried.  And I honestly thought I might be sick at two points during the 8-minute video clip. I can't even go into detail for you because I can't bring myself to relive the images in my mind right now.

After watching this video, we heard from Howard Lyman.  Howard is a 3rd generation cattle rancher who became a vegan and now speaks to the public about the atrocities of conventional and factory farming.  He has written a book called Mad Cowboy if you'd like to read what he has to say.  Some of you may have heard of Howard because he and Oprah Winfrey were sued some years back after he appeared on her show, told her some of what goes on at factory farms, and Oprah declared to never again eat another hamburger.  They were sued for disparaging a food product.  Yes, seriously. 

So, why am I telling you all this?  I just got back from the grocery store and as I walked down the refrigerated aisle I couldn't stop thinking that 99% of the products on those shelves originated from places like the ones I'd seen and heard about last weekend.  We each have to make our own choices as consumers, but I wanted to offer a gentle reminder of what's going on before we toss these products into our shopping carts.  I encourage you to learn more about this situation. 

Personally, for my home cooking, I buy organic animal products and/or try to get most of it from local farms. Where I have been less diligent is in restaurants.  So, that is going to be my biggest intention: to ask about the sources of animal products at any restaurant I go to and, if I don't get a satisfying answer, then I'll be vegan for that meal.  For me, this is a small and crucial sacrifice.  I guess I'm writing about this today as much for you all as I am for myself -- I need some accountability so that I keep this intention clear in my mind, and you all are my accountability. Do you ever realize how easy it can be to forget even the important things? 

Here are my suggestions:

• Look into this issue for yourself (but make sure you trust the sources).
• Your best option with animal products is to buy local.  Check out your local farmers' markets, talk to the farmers, maybe even visit the farm.  This is the only way to be sure about what's going on.
• If you can't find a farmers' market or local farm, then products labeled "organic" are your next best bet (although it's true that there have been instances of problems there too). By eating organic animal products, you are also avoiding ingesting any antibiotics or hormones that were given to the animals.
• Also look for "grass fed", "pasture fed", "free range".
• Ask your servers at restaurants where they get their meat, dairy, and eggs.  Are they organic?  Are they local? The more inquiries they get about this issue, the more likely the restaurants are to make changes, once they are aware of the demand.

Again, I did not write this post to ruin your dinner.  I simply felt the need to pass along what I witnessed and to encourage us all to remember that our choices as consumers are some of the most important ones we make. 

Thank you for reading about this sensitive issue and for keeping an open mind.

Eat Well.  Live Well.  Be Well.  Eat kindly.

How Will You Celebrate the Summer Solstice?

A Solstice Meditation for Transformation.

Good Morning!  Today is the Summer Solstice - the beginning of summer, the longest daylight of the year, the beginning of a season of active energy, growth, and maturation.

We are coming off of spring, which is a time of intentions and ideas, of cleansing and clearing out the clutter.  Whether you did it consciously, on paper, or simply in the back of your mind, during spring you probably found yourself with new ideas about what you want to change or bring into your life.  Now (summer) is the time to make those changes happen.

Whenever we arrive at another solstice or equinox, I try to celebrate in some way.  I come up with a special event or ritual to acknowledge and harness the power of the seasonal shift that is taking place.  This year, this morning, I decided to start the day with some outdoors, sunny meditation.  I walked down to the river behind my building (with Keeley the dog) and sat next to the river, facing the sun.  The sun was already blazing and it felt warm and powerful on my shoulders.  I took a few minutes to mentally gather the major ideas, intentions, and changes I've been contemplating throughout spring.  I sat there, feeling the sun on my shoulders and face, feeling the light breeze off the water, and silently repeated those intentions to myself several times.  Then I took five or ten minutes to seal those intentions by breathing.  What a rejuvenating, powerful, and seasonal way to start the day!

Here's the step-by-step on how to practice my 2010 Summer Solstice Transformation Meditation:

• Find a place that feels right (and Solsticey) to you -- ideally this will be someplace outdoors.  If you can't get outside, then at least find a comfortable spot where you can sit facing out a window.
• Take a moment to jot down (mentally or on paper) your intentions.  This could be as simple as one thing you have been hoping to change or do, or you may have a list of changes.  Either way is fine, but it may be easier to focus on one or two of the biggies.  For example, one of my intentions went something like this: I will let go of the old stories I tell myself that hold me back and make room for the new realities that move me forward. (Your intentions can be more specific than this, but for me this intention had specific meaning.)
• Review your intention, or your list of intentions, several times so that it fills you up. 
• Once you feel that your intention(s) is strong and clear, close your eyes (if they aren't already) and begin to breathe in and out through your nose.
• At first just observe your breathing.  Are your breaths short and quick or are they long and fluid?  Just observe this for a minute or two.
• Then, when you feel ready, intentionally deepen your breathing.  Breathe fully into your belly.  In fact, you may want to imagine that you are breathing in and out through your bellybutton, rather than through your nose.
• Once you feel that you're in a nice deep rhythm with your breathing, add these silent phrases to accompany your exhalations and inhalations.
• Exhale.  Say silently to yourself, "Let go of the old" (habits, patterns, behaviors, stories).
• Inhale.  And say silently to yourself, "...to make room for the new" (habits, reality).
• As you sit and breathe your intentions, feel the warmth and power of the sun on your face, on your skin.  You may want to visualize harnessing that warmth to power your transformation.
• Repeat this guided breathing for a few minutes, or for as long as you like.

Let us know how this meditation felt for you. 

Or, do you have your own Summer Solstice ritual that you can share with us?  Please do.

I hope you enjoy this Summer Solstice Meditation.  And I wish you a happy and powerful summer of action, transformation, and fruition.

Eat Well.  Live Well.  Be Well.  Be the Change.

Creating Enduring Relationships

Tomorrow I'm flying to Pittsburgh because one of my childhood friends is getting married there on Saturday.  I only have a few minutes because I really should pack my suitcase and get to bed, but it occurs to me that my friend's wedding is a nice opportunity to tell you all about a book that I love.  In May 2005, I was recovering from surgery at a friend's house and I grabbed this book off her shelf -- If the Buddha Married: Creating Enduring Relationships on a Spiritual Path, by Charlotte Kasl.  I really loved this book.  If you feel hesitant to check it out because of the title, I hope you reconsider because (a) this is not a deeply religious book and (b) while the author does discuss marriage and romantic relationships, I found that the ideas in the book could easily apply to all relationships ... parent-child, friendships, colleagues, and of course romantic relationships. Kasl uses Buddhist teachings and psychological concepts to guide us in healing our existing relationships and creating new enduring relationships.  The book is broken up into short, manageable essays/chapters, and is a quick read.  I highly recommend it.

Has anyone read If the Buddha Married, or any of Kasl's other books? 
Has anyone (you know who you are!) seen my copy?

Do you have a favorite book about relationships or spirituality? 

If so, please tell us about it ... comment on this post.

Congratulations, Joanna and Richard!  I'm looking forward to being there this weekend.

Eat Well.  Live Well.  Be Well.

June is National Iced Tea Month! -- Who Knew?

One of my loyal readers (thank you!) just informed me that June 10, 2010 is National Iced Tea Day.

When I checked it out online, I discovered that not only is today Iced Tea Day, but June is National Iced Tea Month. So, why don't you give my Hibiscus-Mint-Chamomile Iced Tea a try. I just made a batch last night -- it is so tasty and refreshing! Enjoy.

Has anyone tried the Hibiscus Iced Tea yet?

What's your favorite kind of iced tea? 

Let us know...comment below to share your own recommendations.

Eat Well.  Live Well.  Be Well.  Sip Well.

Have You Had Your Hibiscus Today?

Whether you realize it or not, you probably already know about Hibiscus.  Ever had Red Zinger tea?  That gorgeous red color and distinctive flavor can be mainly attributed to Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) flowers.  Even if that tart, cranberry-like flavor is just too much for you, keep reading. You can always add a little natural sweetener (raw honey? stevia leaves/powder?) to get rid of that pucker, and it's worth it.  Here's why...

As the weather has gotten hotter and much more humid lately (except for today, which is unseasonably cool...and I'm loving it!), I have been drinking lots of iced Hibiscus tea.  Frankly, I started doing this intuitively.  I love the taste, I find it very refreshing, and drinking herbal iced tea is a great complement to drinking water to stay hydrated.  As I was drinking my third glass of iced tea one morning, it occurred to me that there are probably health benefits of Hibiscus, so I did a little research and discovered that multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that drinking 16-24 ounces of Hibiscus tea daily can lower systolic blood pressure, helping people at risk of developing hypertension.  In fact, the blood pressure reduction from drinking Hibiscus tea demonstrated in one study was equal to the typical effect of taking a single hypertension medication. There is also evidence that drinking Hibiscus tea can prevent oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) and lower blood cholesterol levels.  And my favorite piece of Hibiscus lore is that Hibiscus has been used in North Africa as a natural body refrigerant -- that's right! Hibiscus tea can help cool you down from the inside out when you're battling horrible hot, humid weather or hot flashes, or both.

To sum up, Hibiscus tea...

• is caffeine free
• tastes great hot and cold, distinctive and cranberry-like
• brews to a gorgeous red color (see above)
• smells fragrant
• is packed with Vitamin C and other powerful antioxidants
• keeps you cool
• lowers blood pressure and may lower blood cholesterol
• is a diuretic
• offers liver and kidney support

Several Ways to Make Hibiscus Iced Tea

1. Hot-Brewed Iced Tea from Whole Flowers - I have been making my own Hibiscus tea from whole dried flowers.  I just toss ~9-10 dried Hibiscus flowers, 1/4 cup chamomile flowers, and 1/4 cup dried peppermint into a large (8 cup) Ball jar, pour hot water over the herbs, steep it for 10-15 minutes, and strain the tea through a fine mesh collander to remove the herbs.  Let it cool down a bit, then store in the refrigerator.  If you prefer your tea sweetened, you can either add some dried stevia leaves to your tea mixture during steeping or stir in a bit of honey after straining.  If you'd like to try brewing from whole flowers, here's one of my favorite places to buy bulk herbs.

2. Hot-Brewed Iced Tea from Packaged Tea - If you don't have access to dried herbs/flowers, you can make a nice yummy Hibiscus iced tea using a packaged tea like Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger, Wild Berry Zinger, or Raspberry Zinger.  That works fine too.  Just use 1 tea bag per 6oz water, steep for ~10 minutes, remove tea bags, and cool.

3. Sun-Brewed Iced Tea - I haven't tried this yet with Hibiscus, but it can't be bad.  You may want to use more flowers for sun brewing.  Maybe 15-16 dried Hibiscus flowers in that 8-cup Ball jar.  Just add the flowers, pour cold water over top, and place the glass container in direct sunlight for at least 2-3 hours.  When the tea has brewed to a rich red color, remove the herbs, chill, and enjoy.  I once read that you can also add 1-2 TBSP of fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to your herbal sun tea while it brews.  And, of course, you can always sweeten with natural sweetener if you choose.

So, now that you've heard about all those great health benefits of drinking Hibiscus tea, are you excited to brew some up?

Eat Well.  Live Well.  Be Well.

Life Lessons from My Trusty VW

Over the past few days I've been dealing with an unexpected and frustrating situation with my car.  My troubles began on Sunday when I parked my car, turned off the engine, and tried to remove the key.  That's right...tried to remove the key, but the key wouldn't turn all the way into the "off" position and I couldn't get it out of the ignition.  I tried turning the car on and off, driving around the lot, shifting repeatedly between Park and Drive.  I tried to remove the key while the car was in Neutral.  I tried begging the Universe to help me out.  I tried hitting the dashboard.  Nothing!

So, what did I do?  It was Sunday (of course!) and the next day was Memorial Day (again, of course!), so I had no choice but to throw a t-shirt over the steering column, lock the car with my spare key, and forget about it.  Right?  Well, that's what I did....only to discover a couple days later (this morning) that my battery had drained and my car would no longer even start.  I remember sitting in my car at that point thinking, "I'm stranded.  I'm stuck.  What do I do now?  I feel helpless.  How do I get unstuck?"  I know, I know....you can probably see where this is going.

After hours of phone calls (insurance company, friends/family for advice, mechanics, dealership), strategizing (tow the car?  jump it and drive it to the dealer?  dealer or local mechanic?), and stressing (money, how do I get to work?, etc.), I decided to have my car towed to the dealership.  Before calling for the tow, I went down to get a few things from my car.  That's when I discovered a small (3-4mm) piece of metal that was blocking the shifter from setting fully into the Park position.  Once I removed the block, the shifter moved just a little bit further and the key was set free!  I cannot impress enough upon you how tiny this piece of metal was, how stupid I felt that it was the cause, or how relieved I felt that my transmission was not busted.  All I have to do now is wait for my friend to pop over after work so we can jump my car and I can recharge the battery.  Then....good as new.

So, what's the lesson?  Well, earlier when I was sitting in my car feeling stuck and stranded, and not knowing how to proceed, it did not escape me that this was a metaphor for how I've been feeling about certain things in my life lately.  Whether it's career, health, relationships, or something else, I'm sure you can relate.  Sometimes it's the tiniest obstacles that stand in our way.  Once you remove those obstacles, you will be set free to be happy, healthy, and successful.  But remember that after you remove the obstacle, you may need to take some time to recharge before you're good as new.

Are there obstacles standing in the way of your health and happiness?  What steps can you take to remove those obstacles?  And once you remove them, how will you recharge?

This is Ganesha, The Remover of Obstacles.










Eat Well.  Live Well.  Be Well.