A Book Release + A Photo Shoot + A Road Trip + A New Career Path = Phew!

Greetings, dear readers! Happy Friday! I don’t know about you, but things have been positively positive around here, swelling with new energy like crazy. I have great new things to share! An essay of mine just came out in a book, I took part in a fantastic Day of the Dead photo shoot, I went on a road trip through the U.S. southwest, and I’m starting school again in January for a total change in careers. And that’s not even counting the political changes here in the US. Lots of good going around! Read on for more!

Book Release! Nothing But The Truth So Help Me God

Last summer, I wrote an essay as a submission for an anthology and the book has just been released! It’s called Nothing But The Truth So Help Me God: 51 Women Reveal the Power of Positive Female Connection, and you can buy it on Amazon by clicking that link!

I’m part of 51 women, including Joyce Maynard and Christine Bronstein, writing about female friendship and life for an anthology that set out to share only positive stories about women! It has already received glowing reviews from Eve Ensler, Michael Krasny, Katherine Spillar (editor of Ms. Magazine), Peter Coyote, and many, many more.

My essay is about how I assisted a good friend with pre-natal yoga and then with the birth of her daughter, even though I don’t want to have children of my own. It’s about supporting friends and learning what it means to be a great auntie!

The other essays in the book cover everything from cancer and abortion to the challenges and rewards of finding friends later in life ~ the latter being someting I know we are all familiar with.

I do hope you’ll pick up a copy of the book for yourself and for your friends this holiday season, to help share the goodness and the power of positive female connection!

Photo Shoot: Tea Time de Los Muertos

I was honored to take part in a fabulous photo shoot spearheaded by my creative friend Rebecca of My Dirty Dishes and photogaphed by Barbara Jacqueline Photography!

Rebecca’s creative vision was a spooky tea party with Day of the Dead elements, which, if you know me, is one of my favorite holidays and creative visions ever! I’ve been making my own Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) art since I was in high school and was absolutely stoked to help out Rebecca.

With two other models, we spent the day helping everyone pull together this fantastic mis en scène, from tea party to tea party debauchery to ending up in the spooky elevator. It was a blast!

Check out the public photos on the Barbara Jacqueline Photography Facebook page by clicking the photo to your left or by clicking here!

And while you’re at it, check out some of my own Dia de los Muertos art on my Tumblr, Sugar Skull Senoritas and see some older stuff at my website, Spacekitten!

Road Trip: Sedona, Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, and More

I had the great fortune to take a 10-day road trip through the U.S. southwest and visit a bunch of places I’d never been to before, including Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and Joshua Tree ~ all of which were amazing! I saw some old friends and family, some familiar places, and many unfamiliar places that were jaw-droppingly beautiful.

The Grand Canyon was simply amazing. If you are in the U.S. and have a chance to visit, do not pass it up! Seeing ancient stone from the beginnings of our planet up close really puts things in perspective. We are so new to this planet and the planet has so much history! Earth beings, let’s please respect Earth and not screw it up!

Here’s a short slideshow of the trip highlights. Enjoy!

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And Last But Not Least… Back to School for a New Career Path!

So! Many of you know I’ve been writing and editing for many, many years. I’ve also done other things along the way, including teaching yoga, corporate training, and even professional fire dancing. But for the past few years, I’ve been focusing on writing and editing as my career, since that is what I went to grad school for and, well, because I love it. I still do love writing and editing, but I was missing the human element, the face-to-face time, and the service aspect. One of my favorite things in life is helping people feel good! So, after a long decision-making process and TONS of research and soul-searching, I made my decision. Starting in January, I will be going back to school to become a licensed cosmetologist! OMG!

That means that all of this advice I’ve been giving over the last year in my 52 tips? It will all be legit! Haha A lifetime love of all things hair, skin, and makeup will finally be made official. It also means that I will be on a career path that will put me in situations where I get to work one-on-one with people, face-to-face, hands-on, helping people to feel GOOD about themselves!

I truly can’t think of anything better than helping people feel good all day. Who doesn’t love to put a smile on people’s faces? And that’s what hair stylists, makeup artists, and skin care specialists do! It’s also a very creative career, which will allow me to channel my creative (writing) energy in a positive new direction.

Helping people feel good, providing service, being creative, and working one-on-one ~ BRING IT ON! 

Staying Strong & Healthy

On that note, I am exhilarated just writing this post! But with so much going on, I definitely need to stay grounded and healthy. It’s more important than ever that I eat super-healthy and nourishing foods, get regular exercise including running, swimming, yoga, and strength training, and get plenty of sleep, relaxation, and quality time with my honey and our kitties.

As long as I focus, do my best, and take very good care of myself, all wonderful things will continue to bloom.

Tell me, now ~ how are you??

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #41: Take Off Your Shoes

Image by RBerteig via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

One simple tip this week: take off your shoes!

I know, you paid a fortune for them / they’re super-cute / they’re “really actually comfortable.”

But they ain’t your feet and your tootsies know it.

Proponents of minimalist (“barefoot”) footwear call shoes “foot coffins” for a reason: they restrict natural movement, essentially freezing your muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments into a living rigor mortis. Some energy medicine specialists even say they cut you off from the true energy of the earth, preventing any kind of grounding and keeping you disconnected from the planet’s healing energy. Orthopedic shoes and inserts can minimize the “shoe death trap,” but the best solution is just to take ‘em off.

Wiggle your toes, do some ankle circles. Set your feet free.

If you’re up for it, get your feet dirty—remember, soil increases serotonin! Don’t forget regular pampering, either, with foot massages and callus removal

Do you go barefoot at home?

Do you go barefoot outside of your home?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #40: Relax & Focus in Just Ten Breaths

Image by Mike D. Logan via Flickr

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

At this point, you’re well aware of the amazing multitude of benefits from meditation and deep relaxation.

In case you’ve forgotten, a few ways your body, mind, and spirit can be affected by slowing down include reduced stress, strengthened immune system, enhanced emotional stability, and a greater sense of overall well-being. 

Today’s tip is one that you can practice anywhere, anytime—literally. All you need is your breath and one empty hand. It’s easiest to learn this with both hands, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you can even do it with both hands full (while driving, for example, or while holding both a child and a grocery cart). Using gentle touch helps to ground your thoughts and awareness. It brings your attention to your body, which helps you to remember where you are, right here, right now.

Focusing on the rhythms of your breath immediately calms your mind, relaxes your nervous system, and brings you into a calm awareness of the present moment. It helps you to concentrate with a clear head and soft heart. You can practice this tip as often as you like!

Stuff to Know:

• Breath work and meditation should be used in conjunction with conventional medical or psychological care, not as a substitute for it. If you are suffering from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, an eating disorder, or other psychological or emotional distress, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional before practicing meditation.

How to Relax and Focus in Just Ten Breaths

1. First, relax your hands. Rest your thumbs gently at the base of your same-hand index fingers.
2. Inhale as you slowly slide your thumbs to the tip of your index fingers. Exhale as you slide your thumbs back to the starting point.
3. Move your thumbs to the base of your middle fingers and repeat.
4. Repeat again on your ring fingers and pinkie fingers.
5. Then, repeat your pinkie finger again. Move your thumbs to the base of your ring fingers and repeat. Work your way all the way back to where you originally began.
6. After you’ve completed your index finger again, relax your hands. Take two long and slow breaths, savoring the moment.

Remember:

• Don’t force it! Just breathe and slide your thumbs along your fingers. It’s that simple
• Keep your breath gentle—do not over-fill your lungs or make noises. The simpler, the better.

Do you practice breath work during the day?

Do you have any tips for everyday relaxation?

A Year of Natural Health & Beauty Tip #33: Walk There

Image by Keith Edkins via Wikimedia Commons

To view all tips so far, click here or simply scroll to the top of the screen and click on 52 Tips.

One simple tip this week: walk on your errands

How many times have you set out on a quick errand a mile or two away (or less), only to spend 15 minutes parking and sitting at stoplights? Consider the benefits of walking, instead. Stuff a Chico Bag in your pocket, bundle up or bring an umbrella if necessary, and get outside! If you’re like many of us, you already spend several hours a day sitting. Why add more when you don’t need to?

Why walk?

Besides boosting your metabolism, endurance, and spirits, a walk a day can fend off heart disease, diabetes, and other dis-ease.

As we’ve seen earlier this year, recent research has shown that the more time you spend sitting, the more likely your health will suffer as a result. Getting off your butt and walking to the grocery store, cleaners, restaurant, bank, or library provides too many benefits to argue: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and even financial and environmental benefits.

A short walk can help to clear your mind, boost your mood, and re-connect you with nature or with your spiritual practice. Walking saves gas money, doesn’t pollute, and helps you to relax, calm down, and even sleep better.

You don’t have to buy or wear new clothes or shoes. High heels can throw your body off balance and cause pain, but if you can walk in ‘em and find them comfortable, don’t let me stop you from trying. Just move. That’s what matters.

If you’re physically unable to walk, or if you live in a rural area where “quick errands” are ten miles away, you might consider getting outside once a day, anyway. The benefits of fresh air alone will be worth it!

Do you walk to your errands?

Do you ever walk in high heels?

Llewellyn Moon Signs Book + San Francisco Marathon!

Greetings, dear readers! Happy Friday! I have two fun things to share with you today and I hope they make you smile, wherever you are.

The Wipro San Francisco Marathon—done!

 

The first announcement is that it’s done! I ran a marathon! Holy cow! I DID the San Francisco Marathon this past Sunday ~ success! It’s done, I did it… I done did it. And I’m more than happy with the way everything went! What a race! My awesome sister came into town for a week with her family, which was a blessing and joy, and a great way to relax before the race, being touristy and hanging out with good family. My race recap is short, folks:

• 25,000-ish runners—9,000 doing the full marathon, everybody else doing the 1/2 marathon or the 5K
• Early, early start time: 6am!
• Hilly, hilly route
• Crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and back
• Ran through Golden Gate Park, my favorite spot in the city to run
• Began and ended at the Ferry Building, near the Bay Bridge, a beautiful and scenic waterfront spot

My sis and I ran the entire race (except for short walking at water stations), a fact that makes me proud and yet not surprised. We both trained well for the race and we did it! In the few days since, we have also recovered… at least, for the most part. I’m still a little stiff when I wake up, but yoga helps with that (as always).

In sum, it was an excellent experience, from training through to the end! I’d be interested in possibly doing another marathon, but maybe something…less hilly? Chicago, perhaps! We shall see Stay tuned.

Llewellyn’s 2013 Moon Sign Book—my gardening tip published!

The second announcement is that I am published! In a book! Actually, I’m published in TWO books, one of which will be coming out this fall (more to come on that…) but this first one is a cute little thing that I completely forgot about, and it’s available in stores now! Many moons ago, I answered a call for reader tips on gardening for this book… then never heard anything… until a few days ago, when I received the book in the mail, with my tip in it! It’s just a short blurb, but makes me very happy to see in print

The book is Llewellyn’s 2013 Moon Sign Book, an astrological guide for pagan types and nature lovers, published by the wonderful New Age company, Llewellyn. The company’s online description says:

This essential planning tool can help you choose the best time to do almost anything: buy stock, get married, buy or sell your home, start a new job, travel, have surgery, and much more. With lunar timing tips on planting and harvesting and a guide to companion plants, this book is a gardener’s best friend.

In addition to New and Full Moon forecasts for the year, you’ll find insightful articles on 2013 eclipses and careers, moon goddess energy gardening, preserving your bounty, foraging for food, lunar fertility, and waxing Moon yardwork.

My gardening tip is in there, but I don’t want to give it away Tap into your lunar / yin / feminine essence and get thyself a Moon Sign book to own! (NOTE: I don’t make any money from this book ~ it’s just a fun little thing!)

Well, I hope you’re all enjoying yourselves, whatever you’re doing and wherever you are. That’s all for now. Enjoy your weekend. xo