New Year's Eve is coming upon us and I don't know about you all (y'all for my American peeps!), but I adore the self-painting and primping that is involved with the night. Beyond that, all that healthy sheen from a great yoga practice can benefit from a good cleaning on a regular basis.
I had given up facial exfoliants after realizing that most scrubs are either: A) made from small plastic nurdles making their way from my drain to fish bellies B) made from "natural" products that have sharp edges that will scratch and tear at my skin or C) made with dirt dissolving chemicals that are sketchy.
Unfortunately, with winter well on it's way, my skin is drying out and needs some exfoliation (my amazing honey cleansing routine just needs that little boost).
A few months ago a local company, Pur Alternatives, was sadly closing shop and having a ridiculous sale. I purchased a few products I wouldn't typically purchase, including a "natural" exfoliant using grains. I was skeptical that a jar filled with dry grains could do the trick. Except... this stuff was AMAZING. Seriously, the BEST EXFOLIANT EVER. And the ingredient list was stuff you can eat!
Recently, I ran out. So off to Planet Organic bulk and herb section to give my own version a try. I tried it this morning and it rocks! I had a funny feeling that the oats were the gently, moisturizing ticket and I was right. My mixture has only four ingredients, all naturally round and gentle on your skin, super easy to put together and will leave your skin soft and smooth!
EcoYogini Lavender Oat Exfoliant
Hardware: mortar and pestle (or something to squish the oats a bit)
large bowl
small glass container (could be a small jam jar)
Software: 1 tbsp of whole lavender buds (organic and ethically sourced is best!)
1/4 cup of rolled oats (not cooked)
3 tbsp of amaranth (easy to find at natural bulk stores)
1/4 cup of quinoa (white) (Ingredient measurements are approximations, I actually didn't measure any of mine!)
In the mortar and pestle lightly crush the oats. You can leave some larger pieces, and truly this will be to what texture you'd like in your scrub.
In the bowl add all the other dry ingredients. As I didn't actually measure mine, feel free to add or remove to the amount of each you'd like. The lavender really makes it smell delicious, but once you add water that lavender smell disappears into the "oat".
Store in a small glass jar.
To Use:
In the shower (or at the sink), pour out about a teaspoon of grains into your palm. Drip a few drops of water into the scrub and gently massage over your face. Use once or twice a week only. For a fun facial mask add some yogurt and honey!
Now your face is all ready for some yoga-ing, dancing healthy New Year's Eve Shine!
What can be said about Yoga in Western Culture, there remains a whole heaping of the foofoo, from full on Anusara spiritual referencing to vague pop psychology one-liners. I happen to like a happy balance between the two, mostly because my own spirituality doesn't feel comfortable with random Hindu references and I'm so done with PopPsych one liners like "By helping yourself, you can better help others".
However, is there a place for the firm, disenchanted atheist in this spectrum?
Recently, Andrew's hardcore Atheist brother was asking about how best to begin meditating, sans any spiritual reference. At all. Including PopPsych foofoo. This is more difficult than you'd initially suspect.
Many of the best meditation books are written by Buddhists. Although many can be very straightforward and low-key on the spiritual pomp page, they are still written from an ultimately spiritual perspective; Buddhism. When we suggested he look into purchasing (or borrowing) one of these books and ignoring all the spiritual references, he made a face. An atheist to the core, spirituality tends to evoke disdain and chips away at the author's credibility in his mind.
But "Meditation is HARD" he says. "And I really want to work on it, any suggestions?"
My first thought? "Start a yoga practice". Last spring a few friends took a free meditation workshop at the local Moksha studio. I expected to learn something new, or be extremely challenged. I don't have a regular meditation practice, therefore I figured this would be HARD. At the end of the workshop I realized that I had been meditating for the past 6-7 years.... during and at the end of every yoga asana practice. I already had the tools that worked well for me, focusing on my breath and some sparten visualization techniques learned through various yoga instructors.
What I did learn was that straight-up, no prep meditation, is MUCH more difficult than at the end of a yoga practice. Why is that?
Although yoga may have many other benefits (both physiological and psychological), as I understand the history, simply put yoga was created to prepare the body physically and the mind to withstand long periods of meditation. Yoga Asana was the entry point to meditation.
After chatting with a few other friends who practice yoga and have a semi-regular meditation practice, we all agreed that it's much easier to ease the mind into meditation after the body has been physically exhausted from a strenuous yoga practice. We're too tired to hold onto any of the anxiety, circular thinking or our "monkey mind" (as much as I dislike that phrase). Further, the actual asana practice teaches you to focus on your breathing and to bring your attention away from the past-future to the now.
Yoga Asana is a shortcut to Meditation.
Now... how to convince a videogaming, Warhammer playing Atheist that actual physical Yoga can be his ticket to Meditation success....and finding the best yoga class fit.
The gap between Yule and New Year's always feels a bit fluid; like we're all holding our breath waiting for something spectacular. It's the time of introspection, the inbetween of announcing new aspirations willynilly and reviewing our lives.
As a rule I've always avoided New Year's resolutions. They're like dieting: they never work nor are they realistic. Falling off the New Year's Resolution Wagon can cause a plummet beyond your previous levels, also like dieting. I am not a fan of dieting (re: self-loathing, self-restriction).
Every year, predictably, I'm tempted. To make sweeping environmental plans like: "I will make soups and freeze them!" or "We will significantly decrease our energy usage!" or even "I will only buy clothing second hand or made from organic cotton". It never works.
My Yoga/Health plans sound vaguely like: "I will practice at a studio more than once a week" or "I will begin meditating every day" or "I will read a whole crapload of yoga books" or "Coffee and Yoga will take on a whole new level this year".
My other life plans sound like: "I will play the guitar more often" or "I will actually write another song every month" or "I will start my voice and piano practice up again"...
Yep- all completely overwhelming and a lesson in guilt tripping. I really wish I had time (and money) for ALL of them!
I do think that this fluid space between now and New Year's is a nice time for some thoughtful redirection towards what could be a mindful adjustment on the path of life.
As many of us are enjoying the lull of inbetween limbo, now is the time for more journal writing, guitar playing, singing, yoga practicing... all with the purpose of accepting who you are right now, where you'd like to direct your sails in the wind and a few possible tools to get you there.
You know what's better than discovering an awesome Yulemas cookie recipe? Making it even AWESOMER (yes, that is now a word).
If you've discovered that you've forgotten a few peeps on your Yulemas card list, instead why not bake these fantabulous cookies, place them in a small mason jar, a bit of ribbon and you're good to go!
Lisa's Yulemas Shortbread Cookies
(modified from Andrew's mom's shortbread recipe, which was modified from the back of the cornstarch box)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of icing sugar
1/2 cup of cornstarch
1 cup of flour
3/4 cup of butter
glaze: 1 cup of icing sugar
3 tbsp of eggnog
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
In a large bowl whisk together 1/2 cup of cornstarch, 1/2 cup of icing sugar and 1 cup of flour.
In the microwave soften butter (I cut mine in cubes and place in a bowl). OR you could plan in advance and let it warm to room temperature over a few hours.
Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter with the flour, cornstarch and icing sugar.
Once the butter is in tiny bits, abandon the pastry cutter and use your hands to knead and squish. Do this for about 4 minutes minimum.
Taking the dough, flatten it on the counter as much as possible. With a rolling pin, roll it out to about 1cm thickness (be careful! the dough cracks and separates easily).
Using a small cookie cutter (or yeast jar like I did), cut out small circles and place on cookie sheet. I greased mine lightly with butter, but you don't have to.
Bake for 16min (or, right before they turn golden brown on the bottom. As opposed to other cookies, golden brown means overdone for these)
Remove from the oven and place on a drying rack (with a cookie sheet beneath).
Mix up the glaze and using a spoon spread on the top of each cookie.
When you're done the batch immediately go back and start sprinkling the sprinkles (too soon and they'll bleed into the glaze, too late and they roll right off).
You know those crazy people you see on tv who have ridiculous amounts of lights (thousands) that are coordinated to music? My little internal dialogue vacillates between: "Wow that is SO NEAT!" to "How wasteful is that? So much energy used".
Well- this family in a small Nova Scotian village, has created a fabulous Yulemas light show and not only are all 28,000 lights LED, but money is raised every year for a local charity.
Although my journey with yoga has been a tumultuous one, what has resonated with me the most has been the (most likely watered down) concept of living mindfully.
Not only does this apply to the steps I take to decrease my impact on our beloved Planet, but it has also spread it's relevant tendrils to touch all aspects of living.
Including eating. This isn't a blog post about veganism or vegetarianism, but about what my food isn't worth.
My food has never been worth slave labour. Often products such as coffee, sugar and chocolate are named when discussing human right violations, terrible working conditions, slave and child labour and polluting cultivation practices. Similar discussions surround farming, with purchasing directly from your farmer assuring that your food has been purchased for a fair price.
This isn't news to most here in Nova Scotia. Despite this province's tendency towards traditionalism and conservative views, the slow food and local movement is making some pretty significant headway. The farmer's markets are booming and 'Buy Local' movements are getting a lot of press, it's great.
(This video is of a local fisherman making the best of a rough situation- hilarious to watch, especially as I've always heard of the crazy things they did while out on the ocean. As you can see, if the rope from the traps pulled him over he's not wearing his floatersuit... most don't. I'm also fairly certain this wouldn't be considered a "rough" day on the water)
Interestingly enough, with the start of District 34's lobstering season (end of November to end of May), which provides 60% of the global lobster industry, the 'fair price' logic hasn't connected. As a fisherman's daughter, I grew up eating lobster. Yes, I know I was lucky, but let me tell you, we were never rich. There is this strange misconception in the Atlantic provinces that lobster fishermen from District 34 are well-off. Perhaps there are a few, but they are far between and definitely not the norm.
Due to the proliferation of lobsters in this area of ocean, it is not easy nor cheap to become a fisherman. Firstly, there's purchasing a boat. Ranging anywhere from 200-500,000$ depending on where you'd like to fish (inside or steaming far outside). Then there's the license, which also costs another couple hundred thousand. You need to hire at least one other person (if not more) to help, minimum 100$ a day. Fuel costs a fortune and don't forget the traps (or 'pots' as their called home). Over 100$ each, with about 200 per boat, often they need replacing during the year.
Beyond this, these fisher-people fish during the harshest season of the year- winter. With winds, snow and sleet, leaving the warf at 3 or 4am to work all day and return after supper, (or stay out for days at a time), it isn't an easy life. Too many have lost their lives in that ocean, with riptides and currents assuring that bodies are never found. Unlike other districts, winter waters mean hypothermia in minutes followed by death. Families and communities never forget this risk.
(A local boat, the Hunter Madison, sinking earlier this week. Thankfully all crewmen were safely rescued. Even though it was a very calm morning, the boat didn't take long to sink....)
This year the season started with a price of 3$ or less a lb. In District 34, most fishermen belong to a co-op at their warf to whom they sell their lobsters. The co-op then sells to buyers, who sell to businesses and ship around the world (including the States).
For most fishermen, there aren't enough lobsters to justify a price of 3$/lb, it costs more to catch the lobsters than they're worth. Unfortunately, most fishermen are too indebted to change careers. With a boat, license, mortgage and house loans their only option is to keep fishing.
I don't know about you, but any lobster I eat, special occasion or no, restaurant or no, will never be worth unfair wages paid to fishermen who risk their lives every day to provide us with a delicious delicacy.
Instead of blindly purchasing your lobster this year, here are a few tips that you can do to help support the fishermen of district 34 (and around the world):
Whenever possible, buy directly from the fisherman and pay a decent price (at least 5$ if not more).
If that's not an option, but you live in Halifax, Pete's Frootique purchases their lobsters for a fair price directly from a fishermen in Cape Sable Island.
Not in Halifax? Before purchasing ask where the lobsters come from. Voice your concern with regards to the pricing and purchasing practices of buyers. Ask to know what price the original buyer (not the grocery store) paid the fishermen for the lobsters.
Group together with friends who also want lobsters and contact fishermen or co-ops in Nova Scotia to see whether a larger order could justify a trip to the city. People often know people coming up to the city this time of year.
If you can afford it, be willing to pay a bit more for fairly priced lobsters. They're a luxury item and as a result worth a few extra dollars to assure you're not contributing to the destruction of an entire community of fishermen and their families.
Living mindfully is so much more than just the obvious. This year my lobster will be fairly priced and worth every penny.
This week has been busy with an engagement of our closest friends (after a sweaty hockey game!), picking up our ridiculously organic and misshapen Yulemas Tree, a work party and finally a day of rest.
And wrapping presents for family.
I adore beautifully wrapped presents and may have a few rigidities around wrapping presents PERFECTLY. That said, the thought of spending money on something that people are going to rip into pieces for it to be at worse, thrown in the landfill, or at best recycled, kills me. As a result, we haven't bought much wrapping paper in years.
Nevertheless, our presents continue to look smashing if I do humbly say so myself.
How? Through the joys of newspaper!
A local Haligonian paper, The Coast, always has the most interesting graphics and front page "art" work, which is especially festive during December. All I needed to do was pick up a free paper two Thursdays in a row, read them as I would anyway, and spend some time searching for a "wrappable" section.
Seriously, this can get really fun, especially since for certain friends I wrapped their presents using the "Savage Love" (warning, explicitly sexual articles post-link!) section of the newspaper (hah!).
Advertisements can look fantastic with beautiful graphics that can at times span an entire page, perfect for wrapping. My brother's gift was wrapped using a "Flight" advertisement that had an entire page of mountain and snow.
Smaller graphics can be cut out for pretty gift tags. A bit of repurposed ribbon or string and you're good to go!
Now, for my brother's "step-son" who's 3 years old, I caved and purchased a small bit of wrapping paper made from recycled paper. I pick my battles :)
Wrapping our Yulemas gifts with artfully selected newspaper can be fun, beautiful and would help save our landfills from tons of plastic-y, non-recycled wrapping paper. Give it a try!
Since I am currently in my pyjamas, I figured it would be best to forego the videotaping of the choice- so pictures it was!
On a scrap piece of paper I wrote out all the names, cut them up and placed them in this beautiful burl that we received as a wedding gift (isn't it gorgeous?).
Swish, swish, swish annnnd......
Voilà !
Carla, you are the lucky winner of the beautiful YogAttitude Cards! I hope they serve you well as inspiration throughout your house while you complete your PhD!!
Thank you to everyone who participated, and please feel free to check out Nadine's space in case you'd like to order them (or send a special someone a link hint lol) for Yulemas!
My job means I travel every few months, which has been an adventure over the past two years. Except for that first big move to BC, most of my travelling has been with Andrew over the past six years. So it definitely was an adjustment to pack-up, kiss him 'bye, and drive off for 3,4,5,6 hours at a time, stay in a hotel by myself for a few days and return.
Surprisingly, there are a few things that I've learned about myself in this process:
- Eating by yourself in restaurants must start with a hotel because there are usually a bunch of businessmen there by themselves too- so you're not the only one!
- If I'm hungry enough, though, I will definitely eat ANYWHERE by myself. For example, this week I'm eating at the hotel's fancy schmancy hotel... by myself. Which is a big deal. Last night I read out of my book, tonight I'm typing a blog post. I feel a bit weird, like one of "those", but darnit I'm hungry and don't feel like staring into space.... (that and I finished my book)
- I will take yoga where ever I can get it. 10 min in my hotel room? Sure thing! Some breathing and quiet space between presentations and consultations? Yep!
- I can make herbal tea out of anywhere that can heat water. Including using a coffee pot. I usually dump the tea bits in the toilet, rinse out my tea mug and I'm all ready to go for another cup!
- I am a neat hotel person. I hate leaving a mess for the staff to clean up. It's kinda like when you're a guest at someone's home. You know they're going to wash the sheets after you leave, but you make the bed anyway, to be polite.
- Local yoga studios are like part of a tourist attraction. I feel like I'm collecting them almost. Like each new village, community, town that I visit I need to attend a yoga class. I'm always disappointed when a local studio doesn't have a class that I can attend (timing), or there isn't one. I'll even go so far as to email local instructors to see if they're teaching somewhere (google!). A bit compulsive? Yep!
- I love travelling in Nova Scotia since all the hotels compost and recycle- even in the rooms! I'm also always disappointed when my towels are changed each day, even though there are signs saying that if I hang them a certain way they won't be.
- Tim Hortons will NOT automatically serve you their crappy coffee in a "for here" mug even if you ask for it "for here".
Happy Monday!
Don't worry, my YogAttitude entry-peeps! I'll be writing your names down, cutting out the paper and placing them in a hat to be chosen soon. Right now I find myself 5hrs away from home, the in lovely town of Sydney Cape Breton. I'll be here for three days, presenting on bilingual language development and even a quick interview on the cbc!
I did manage to find time to squeeze in a yoga class this evening at a local studio- Tapestry. A blend of Ashtanga and Tripsichore, it was an interesting mix and I definitely enjoyed my practice while learning a few new things! The instructor, Anju, was supportive without being flowery and provided feedback without being too negative. The right amount of alignment with playfulness.
The best part- was the students themselves. In the small space (just enough for two rows of yoga mats, each against the opposite walls facing each other), the first thing I noticed were the men. It was the first time I've been to a class dominated by men. 8 men to the 5 women. And these were not all "gym" guys, ranging from young to mid-wisdomed, I could easily picture a few of them working at a local construction site or fishing alongside my dad. It was great!
Then, there were the women. I was the only classically stereotyped "yogini" there. Three more wisdomed women (one who called herself a senior) and one girl with fantastic tattoos on her feet and arms. I had a moment of, ahhh perhaps this class isn't going to be strong enough to get rid of my tension. Crazy how we judge based on appearances. I was quickly proven wrong, not only was the class a sweaty flow of breath, but those ladies kicked butt. My favourite was watching the "self proclaimed senior" kick up in headstand as if it were nothing at all. I was watching because there is no way my body can do that. lol.
There were many lessons in this class, braving a new studio as the only and most obviously "noob" in the class of regulars, accepting my own limitations and unconscious stereotypes and letting go of my own expectations.
I'm hoping to get an easy afternoon practice tomorrow between clinical assessment/consultation and parent presentation using my YogAttitude cards!
With my mom on her way up to Halifax for our annual "Yulemas" shopping, and this weekend being the Halifax Crafter's weekend, my mind is filled with how to purchase/make sustainable eco-gifts! (ps- if you haven't been to Halifax Crafters, I *highly* recommend it! Olympia Centre, 11am Sat & Sun- free admission!).
Following are two sections of gifts: "stuff" and "usables" for your favourite Eco-Yogi/ni!
Stuffs:
1. Organic Yoga Mat Bag: No need for sweatshop stitches to carry your mat, this Yoga mat bag is handmade in the USA and made with organic cotton!
2. Recycled Yoga Mat Bag: I also adore this peaceful upcycled fabrics yoga mat bag. Beyond the fact that it's handmade (in Florida!), it also has cute pockets with recycled buttons!
3. Yogi Soap Gift Set: Even their soap can be EcoYogic! Fun, handmade soap with organic ingredients (with organic palm oil, so not so terrible!) and fun descriptions.
4. Bamboo Arm Warmers: Nothing is more fun than eco-friendly arm warmers, especially these extra long bamboo fabric purple ones! Perfect for that adventurous, outdoor asana yogini! (Plus, it's handmade in Canada!)
5. Yogi/Unisex Organic Cotton Shirt: I love this print and the funky tree-chakra dude. A great yoga shirt for the yogi in your life!
6. Ayurvedic Tea: I will admit I was a bit skeptical about this one, but let me tell ya, I am in LOVE with the Kapha Tea from David's Tea. With Licorice, organic ginger, cloves, organic cinnamon and more, it's a smooth tasty treat that rivals the famous Aveda's Tea... Just saying.
7. BeLove Shirts: Although I'd stay away from the Native American referenced shirts (as there's been a bit of contention regarding the recent "feathers" and Native American fashion trends), I do enjoy the Yogi for Life, Lila Cloak (Hemp, Organic Cotton), I Appear (Organic Cotton) and Seva (organic cotton) tops.
8. Eco Rubber Yoga Mat: After some thought, unless the yogi/ni in question is a regular mat destroyer, my eco-mat of choice is the Jade Encore Yoga mat (made with post consumer rubber!). For every mat purchase, Jade Yoga plants a tree!
Usables: 1. A gift pass for your choice of classes to a local studio. This is a fantastic idea that would provide a yogi/ni the opportunity to experience and grow in yoga without adding to the "stuff" in their life. You could do a three, five or even ten class pass and instant yogic gift!
2. A subscription to Yogaglo. I love this idea as it is versatile and encourages the Yogi/ni to invest in home practice. Yogaglo means that your yoga practice can come with you anywhere, it has a ridiculous amount of class choices constantly being uploaded with real teachers and real students! Using Yogaglo also means no carbon in transportation to and from class, heating, lighting and running the space. You could do a two or three month subscription just to get your yogi/ni started!
3. A Yogi Class/Course Gift: Why not sign up your yogi/ni to a fun "yoga" course, like this Introduction to Ayurveda at Bhavana happening this January? Checking out local studios and healthy living organizations (such as a local Shambala Centre) to see whether there are any events like this happening near you.
Coming up- some DIY Yulemas ideas, eco-gift wrapping, cards and more!
