My mind tends to race throughout the work week, and I've realized that thinking itself can be a problem. It seems necessary to analyze everything when you're analytical by nature but this can be of detriment sometimes when you're trying to solve a problem. It's kind of like driving on the same highway each day to work and not noticing the beautiful trees that line the one side. Some of the best moments arise when we turn off our thoughts and act more spontaneously. For once, the beautiful tall greenery to the left of the highway comes into view and it's like seeing with a new pair of eyes. I have some of the best conversations and articulate myself more clearly when I'm not putting so much pressure on how I craft my sentences or how I'm speaking, and rather just allow the message to formulate itself freely without any preparation. It's a nice feeling to free oneself from restraint and be truly present. It really is about being present. Not dwelling on past grievances. Not worrying about the future. Just being and letting be. I find at work, I tend to rehearse what I'm going to say before I say it, many times, and the words don't flow naturally and come out the way I hope. In fact they come out worse than they would had I not been so self-conscious and analytical about it. I need to remind myself that it's not that complicated and it's best to just let go and let whatever needs to happen, happen. Sometimes it's hard because there's the fear of screwing up, but the truth is, perfectionism is a bitch and does more harm than good. Nothing is perfect anyway so there's no sense in striving to attain the unattainable. That's the crux of it. So being present is important. That's all we have, isn't it? I can't remember who said that but it's stuck with me. It makes sense. Where else would great memories come from?
06 February 2013
Inner peace struggles.
Sometimes it's difficult to attain inner peace, when your thoughts are muddied by that looming to-do list during the work week. When I find myself overwhelmed by all of the items calling my attention at work, I tend to just push forward, without giving consideration to how this affects me, on a deep level, in terms of my emotional well being. I try to slow down but it seems forced and it's like my mind is bent on moving forward at the fastest pace possible, at any cost. It's strange because today I felt much more worked up and anxious compared to yesterday. Yesterday, even though I was playing catch-up after a day off, since I've been sick, I felt a bit more balanced and composed. I'm thinking maybe it was the yoga I did the day before, or the positive affirmations I was saying to myself throughout the work day yesterday, that lifted my spirits and made me feel much more at ease. Today, on the other hand, I was wound up like jack in the box. I even stepped out to get a breath of fresh air, stopping by Saladworks for lunch, and yet this wasn't enough to change my mood. I tried the positive affirmations to change my mindset a bit, and I wasn't feelin' it and fell off that bandwagon really quickly. In an effort to get myself back on track in feeling more peaceful during the hectic work day, I need to really start keeping a notebook of those ideas that sit well with me to motivate me and make me feel more positive and confident and in effect, more peacefully productive when I'm at work. As I've been sick, since last Friday (I caught a pesky bug from a coworker), I've had some time to contemplate how to improve certain aspects of my life that need a little much fixing, by just taking a break from all the noise.
My mind tends to race throughout the work week, and I've realized that thinking itself can be a problem. It seems necessary to analyze everything when you're analytical by nature but this can be of detriment sometimes when you're trying to solve a problem. It's kind of like driving on the same highway each day to work and not noticing the beautiful trees that line the one side. Some of the best moments arise when we turn off our thoughts and act more spontaneously. For once, the beautiful tall greenery to the left of the highway comes into view and it's like seeing with a new pair of eyes. I have some of the best conversations and articulate myself more clearly when I'm not putting so much pressure on how I craft my sentences or how I'm speaking, and rather just allow the message to formulate itself freely without any preparation. It's a nice feeling to free oneself from restraint and be truly present. It really is about being present. Not dwelling on past grievances. Not worrying about the future. Just being and letting be. I find at work, I tend to rehearse what I'm going to say before I say it, many times, and the words don't flow naturally and come out the way I hope. In fact they come out worse than they would had I not been so self-conscious and analytical about it. I need to remind myself that it's not that complicated and it's best to just let go and let whatever needs to happen, happen. Sometimes it's hard because there's the fear of screwing up, but the truth is, perfectionism is a bitch and does more harm than good. Nothing is perfect anyway so there's no sense in striving to attain the unattainable. That's the crux of it. So being present is important. That's all we have, isn't it? I can't remember who said that but it's stuck with me. It makes sense. Where else would great memories come from?
My mind tends to race throughout the work week, and I've realized that thinking itself can be a problem. It seems necessary to analyze everything when you're analytical by nature but this can be of detriment sometimes when you're trying to solve a problem. It's kind of like driving on the same highway each day to work and not noticing the beautiful trees that line the one side. Some of the best moments arise when we turn off our thoughts and act more spontaneously. For once, the beautiful tall greenery to the left of the highway comes into view and it's like seeing with a new pair of eyes. I have some of the best conversations and articulate myself more clearly when I'm not putting so much pressure on how I craft my sentences or how I'm speaking, and rather just allow the message to formulate itself freely without any preparation. It's a nice feeling to free oneself from restraint and be truly present. It really is about being present. Not dwelling on past grievances. Not worrying about the future. Just being and letting be. I find at work, I tend to rehearse what I'm going to say before I say it, many times, and the words don't flow naturally and come out the way I hope. In fact they come out worse than they would had I not been so self-conscious and analytical about it. I need to remind myself that it's not that complicated and it's best to just let go and let whatever needs to happen, happen. Sometimes it's hard because there's the fear of screwing up, but the truth is, perfectionism is a bitch and does more harm than good. Nothing is perfect anyway so there's no sense in striving to attain the unattainable. That's the crux of it. So being present is important. That's all we have, isn't it? I can't remember who said that but it's stuck with me. It makes sense. Where else would great memories come from?
22 January 2013
Ridding myself of fake reality that is reality television
I used to watch tv every night, almost. My shows of choice
included The Bachelor, and any reality show I could get my greedy little
eyes on. Now I feel empty and as though I’m wasting time when watching. I feel as though there are far better uses
for time than staring blankly at a black box, letting it do all the work for me.
I made the choice, a few weeks back, to not watch as often. I would say that
for the past month or so I’ve been watching a maximum of 2-3 hours per week, if
that. That’s not being conservative. My
reasons are rather ethical in nature. To appreciate life, my rule is that you
must be present and not distracted by any drama which is not truthful.
Do I feel somewhat aggravated that for the past few years, I have allowed others to live their live joyously at my expense, because I bought into the bullshit? Uh, yeah. Yet, there’s a saying that goes something to the effect of: If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have done it. But I did and it’s done. Going forward, I do not plan to cheat myself like that, out of the true beauty that is life aside from television. So I bid adieu to reality tv in large part. You aren’t worth my precious time.
Many
reality shows are not as real as one many think (you will discover this in
conducting research online or by word-of-mouth). I used to delude myself for
instance, into thinking that most of what went on in The Hills truly
happened. Kristen really did get together with Justin and this in effect caused
Audrina a significant amount of emotional pain, given that she and he were the
ones with the authentic connection. Even though I read an article wherein
Lauren Conrad indicated she was forced to dress in all solid colors and to
paint her walls specific colors, I still believed that despite this, most of
what went on in the show was true. Then she revealed more details, including
the fact that the producers would text her and other cast members, suggesting
that they say this or that, to create controversy in the storyline. I concluded
then that the show was fake, but continued watching. I’m a masochist like that.
When a Hills marathon was on several months back, I plugged in as per my usual
giddy self, and like the other Hills addicts, was glued to my screen for the
weekend. I watched each scene and dissected the real from the obvious
improvisations and felt annoyed at the ending of the final episode. It belied
the viewer, making one believe as though the meaning of the show was in its
entirety so symbolic. It’s all a pile of nonsense. My point is that I’ve made
the choice to stop deluding myself. I am no longer living vicariously through
the characters, no longer envying them, longing for life to be as exciting as
it is for them, given the constant drama with which they all must contend. Now
that I have dipped my toes into the pool of reality, and reduced the extent of
which reality tv plays a role in my life, I have begun to feel an overpowering
sense of liberation.
For the first time in quite some time, I feel competent,
capable, and creative. That reminds me of a Chinese fortune cookie message I
received many years ago, which read: “You’re competent, creative, and capable.
Prove it.” As a matter of fact, I still have that little strip of paper sitting
around somewhere. So, there you have it fortune cookie master. I’m proving it.
I’m behind on the eight ball on that one, but better late than never, right?
Now that I’ve relinquished my tv obsession, I have the time to take walks in
the park, play the bass, write, and engage in other creative pursuits, and am
not scheduling my life around the blank black box.
Do I feel somewhat aggravated that for the past few years, I have allowed others to live their live joyously at my expense, because I bought into the bullshit? Uh, yeah. Yet, there’s a saying that goes something to the effect of: If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have done it. But I did and it’s done. Going forward, I do not plan to cheat myself like that, out of the true beauty that is life aside from television. So I bid adieu to reality tv in large part. You aren’t worth my precious time.
Chocolate
Oh how I love thee. You encompass my mind in
the week before my period. Hence, why I’m craving you so intensely as of late.
I wonder if it’s the fact that my body is in need of magnesium, or some other
mineral or vitamin or whatever. I read an article today that stated that the
body needs fat, hence the chocolate craving. I didn’t realize that chocolate equates to fat. I am pretty thin however, so the author of that article may be on to
something. Perhaps it’s the melee I feel after satiating myself with dozens upon
dozens of chocolate chips; the emotional high it yields in the aftermath. Quite
possibly it’s the sugar itself contained within the delectable chocolate pieces
that trigger the craving. It seems when I eat a little bit of sugar one day,
I’ll inevitably crave it the next day, and the cycle continues. However, I
don’t like depriving myself of life’s luxuries and sugar is a luxury of which I
have access, so why avoid it?
05 January 2013
Regulating your cycle the natural way.
Scratch my earlier post about how drinking dairy helped to regulate my period. Sure, that worked, but it wasn't full-proof. I needed to drink it consistently, and having to consume dairy on a regular basis was not sitting well with me, in part because it was too regimented. I wanted to eat/drink dairy when I felt so inclined, not out of need. You feel me? Furthermore, I just wasn't buying the fact that my body needed milk every day for my period to arrive on schedule. Thinking that I needed the same thing (milk) each day for "x" amount of years was a bit daunting and just didn't feel right.
In seeking a more balanced approach, I conducted what I refer to as "research" online (ie. through all random sorts of googling) and in the process, uncovered two items of importance: that I am a vata person (in ayurvedic terms) and that I have a cold uterus in need of warming (in traditional chinese medicine terms). You're probably thinking this sounds crazy but trust me, it led me to an "aha" type moment.
You see, I was eating cold foods in the winter (ie. cold salads/fruits/water, you name it) and not thinking twice about how this could have a potential impact on my cycle. There I was sitting in my car during my lunch break in the fall, shivering while eating a huge bowl of salad. As I'm a thin person with cold hands (characteristics of a "vata" type person) with an erratic menstrual cycle (characteristics of a "cold uterus"), these are the principles I followed to warm the uterus, and (crosses fingers), my period has been like clockwork ever since (sept, oct, nov, dec, jan):
1) Consume warming foods/drinks (as per traditional chinese medicine and also, temperature-wise).
e.g. Drink warm water with cinnamon, eat dried fruit such as dates.
2) Avoid cold/raw foods.
3) Ensure the abdominal area and feet are warm at all times. (Wear enough layers in the winter to ensure the stomach area is not exposed to cold drafts, and do not go without socks, ever.)
4) Use a heating pad on your feet and lower back.
5) Practice yoga (the most beneficial poses for menstruation in my opinion are: cat, cow, corpse, downward dog, and reclining bound angle).
Tip: You can do reclining bound angle for a few minutes in your bed, before sleep.
6) Take walks or do some form of exercise. (ie. get off your buns and move)
This is especially important to keep in mind if you're an office worker like me and tend to lose track of time while sitting at your desk.... no excuses; make the time, for your health.
7) Get outdoors, in the sun preferably. (Don't be afraid to take walks in the fresh air even in cold weather, being sure to bundle up. Even though it is sometimes difficult to get motivated in the cold months to take a stroll outdoors, it feels good once you get going.)
Disclaimer: Everybody is different and what works for one person may very well be ineffective for another. Also, I am not a doctor, so take what I write with a grain of salt and don't hold me to any particular outcome. My opinions and experiences should not be misconstrued as medical advice and no action should be taken based solely on the contents of this website. Consult with a medical professional for advice on any matters pertaining to your health and well being.
In seeking a more balanced approach, I conducted what I refer to as "research" online (ie. through all random sorts of googling) and in the process, uncovered two items of importance: that I am a vata person (in ayurvedic terms) and that I have a cold uterus in need of warming (in traditional chinese medicine terms). You're probably thinking this sounds crazy but trust me, it led me to an "aha" type moment.
You see, I was eating cold foods in the winter (ie. cold salads/fruits/water, you name it) and not thinking twice about how this could have a potential impact on my cycle. There I was sitting in my car during my lunch break in the fall, shivering while eating a huge bowl of salad. As I'm a thin person with cold hands (characteristics of a "vata" type person) with an erratic menstrual cycle (characteristics of a "cold uterus"), these are the principles I followed to warm the uterus, and (crosses fingers), my period has been like clockwork ever since (sept, oct, nov, dec, jan):
1) Consume warming foods/drinks (as per traditional chinese medicine and also, temperature-wise).
e.g. Drink warm water with cinnamon, eat dried fruit such as dates.
2) Avoid cold/raw foods.
3) Ensure the abdominal area and feet are warm at all times. (Wear enough layers in the winter to ensure the stomach area is not exposed to cold drafts, and do not go without socks, ever.)
4) Use a heating pad on your feet and lower back.
5) Practice yoga (the most beneficial poses for menstruation in my opinion are: cat, cow, corpse, downward dog, and reclining bound angle).
Tip: You can do reclining bound angle for a few minutes in your bed, before sleep.
6) Take walks or do some form of exercise. (ie. get off your buns and move)
This is especially important to keep in mind if you're an office worker like me and tend to lose track of time while sitting at your desk.... no excuses; make the time, for your health.
7) Get outdoors, in the sun preferably. (Don't be afraid to take walks in the fresh air even in cold weather, being sure to bundle up. Even though it is sometimes difficult to get motivated in the cold months to take a stroll outdoors, it feels good once you get going.)
Disclaimer: Everybody is different and what works for one person may very well be ineffective for another. Also, I am not a doctor, so take what I write with a grain of salt and don't hold me to any particular outcome. My opinions and experiences should not be misconstrued as medical advice and no action should be taken based solely on the contents of this website. Consult with a medical professional for advice on any matters pertaining to your health and well being.
15 January 2012
DIY Recipe: Shampoo + Condish
If you are looking for a simple, truly organic way to cleanse and condition your scalp, then I have the solution for you. All you need are two ingredients. That's right, you read correctly, it takes just TWO. I never thought it could be so easy to clarify and condition the scalp without having to worry about the toxicity of the product(s) being used.
Ingredients:
- 2 Egg Yolks
- 1 tsp of ACV
How to use:
- Apply to hair, making sure to coat the scalp and hair
- Let sit for 1-3 minutes
- Rinse scalp/hair with lukewarm or cold water (or if you prefer, you can first rinse with lukewarm water and then follow up with a final cooling rinse)
Feel free to modify the recipe as you see fit. (E.g. Use 1 egg yolk instead of two, use 2 tsp of ACV instead of one, just use egg yolks, just use ACV, etc.). Do what works for you and don't feel confined to following the recipe to the letter.
Ingredients:
- 2 Egg Yolks
- 1 tsp of ACV
How to use:
- Apply to hair, making sure to coat the scalp and hair
- Let sit for 1-3 minutes
- Rinse scalp/hair with lukewarm or cold water (or if you prefer, you can first rinse with lukewarm water and then follow up with a final cooling rinse)
Feel free to modify the recipe as you see fit. (E.g. Use 1 egg yolk instead of two, use 2 tsp of ACV instead of one, just use egg yolks, just use ACV, etc.). Do what works for you and don't feel confined to following the recipe to the letter.
07 January 2012
The Bachelor, Jersey Shore, Real Housewives, Oh My!
Those are my three favorite shows,
in no particular order. Why do I watch them? Oh, I don't know. To traverse vicariously through the lives of the characters? Perhaps. To
revel at "the audacity" of their actions and to analyze their every move? Yep.
It's fun! ::shrugs shoulder and smirks coyly:: After a grueling day at work, I
have a penchant for resting my weary bones on the couch, and tuning in to the boob tube, mindlessly but with good intention.
What better way to reduce stress than to revel in some drama and relax the mind, all the while laughing like a banshee at the ridiculousness that defines reality television?
I get a kick out of these shows, and in my humble opinion, they certainly drive home the following important points: a) don't be catty as it makes you look unattractive, [sidenote: I think Brandi from Real Housewives of BH is the only authentically non-catty Houswife out of all of the castmates] b) getting drunk continually leads to serious problems; that is, with friends, significant others, and the po-po and c) what is thought to be true love, just might not be, so be sure to think with your head and not just your ... heart.
I don't think it's wrong to get a good ol' dose of some "reality" via the tube. I will say though, that the premiere of "Joisy Shore" was rather disappointing this week given that it seemed like the drama level was at an all-time low, and the previews for the rest of the season also seemed dismal. I am pretty much over the whole Snooki-Jionni-Mike love triangle. The Bachelor, on the other hand, seemed to revive itself a bit from last season's storyline, which was bo-ring, to say the least. Ashley and her long line of seemingly disinterested suitors got old quickly. Don't ask me why, but Ben seems to really possess something that the women this season find quite enticing. It's as though he's the last scrap of food on earth. It seems a bit crazy that the ratio of women is an estimated 30:1. That's bound to invoke some histeria, no? The previews really foreshadowed some serious distress among the ladies in upcoming weeks. Exciting! Anyway, that's my take on these drama-laden reality shows. They may not make they world turn, but they surely keep you entertained and are a nice break from the mundane.
I don't think it's wrong to get a good ol' dose of some "reality" via the tube. I will say though, that the premiere of "Joisy Shore" was rather disappointing this week given that it seemed like the drama level was at an all-time low, and the previews for the rest of the season also seemed dismal. I am pretty much over the whole Snooki-Jionni-Mike love triangle. The Bachelor, on the other hand, seemed to revive itself a bit from last season's storyline, which was bo-ring, to say the least. Ashley and her long line of seemingly disinterested suitors got old quickly. Don't ask me why, but Ben seems to really possess something that the women this season find quite enticing. It's as though he's the last scrap of food on earth. It seems a bit crazy that the ratio of women is an estimated 30:1. That's bound to invoke some histeria, no? The previews really foreshadowed some serious distress among the ladies in upcoming weeks. Exciting! Anyway, that's my take on these drama-laden reality shows. They may not make they world turn, but they surely keep you entertained and are a nice break from the mundane.
21 December 2011
More veggie meals, please
Tonight, I had a delectable dinner. It was vegetarian-based, required very few ingredients, and better yet, very little prep time. When I get home from work, the last thing I need to do is to create more work for myself. Easy-peasy is my mantra when it comes to making dinner. Furthermore, I strive to maximize my "free" time to the fullest extent, so conjuring up quick, no-frills platters is a top priority.
The dish I whipped up within minutes tonight, consisted of the following ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Quinoa
- Black beans
- Soy sauce (I used liquid aminos)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Water
The above ingredients were combined on the stove-top and within a few minutes, my meal was fully cooked. So simple and so good, and surprisingly filling. Next time, I'll take pictures. It was much too long a day today, and I was much too famished (I know, excuses, excuses, haha) to run to the other room and grab my camera. However, this definitely won't be the last time I make this, so stay tuned for the colorful photos to be posted at a later date. For those who give this meal idea a go, please let me know how it turns out. I am sure your palate will not be disappointed!
If anyone has veggie-laden quick 'n easy dinner ideas to share, please do. Why veggie-laden, you ask? I am looking to scale back on my meat consumption due to personal values and interests. My affinity for animals coupled with my desire to optimize my health are the primary reasons. For non-vegetarians out there like me, if you take a few moments to reflect on how much meat you eat throughout the week, you might be surprised; not in a pleasant way, that is. While I think meat is a crucial source of protein and other nutrients, moderation is most likely prudent. I am not a doctor or nutritionist, so I do not really what specific quantity of meat is truly safe to consume. However, I am very interested in finding out. If anyone out there has any insight to my meat-eating dilemma, please enlighten me.
The dish I whipped up within minutes tonight, consisted of the following ingredients:
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Quinoa
- Black beans
- Soy sauce (I used liquid aminos)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Water
The above ingredients were combined on the stove-top and within a few minutes, my meal was fully cooked. So simple and so good, and surprisingly filling. Next time, I'll take pictures. It was much too long a day today, and I was much too famished (I know, excuses, excuses, haha) to run to the other room and grab my camera. However, this definitely won't be the last time I make this, so stay tuned for the colorful photos to be posted at a later date. For those who give this meal idea a go, please let me know how it turns out. I am sure your palate will not be disappointed!
If anyone has veggie-laden quick 'n easy dinner ideas to share, please do. Why veggie-laden, you ask? I am looking to scale back on my meat consumption due to personal values and interests. My affinity for animals coupled with my desire to optimize my health are the primary reasons. For non-vegetarians out there like me, if you take a few moments to reflect on how much meat you eat throughout the week, you might be surprised; not in a pleasant way, that is. While I think meat is a crucial source of protein and other nutrients, moderation is most likely prudent. I am not a doctor or nutritionist, so I do not really what specific quantity of meat is truly safe to consume. However, I am very interested in finding out. If anyone out there has any insight to my meat-eating dilemma, please enlighten me.
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