The New Home of Nature's Blessings

Hello All!

I have some exciting news to share! Please join me at my blog's new home: naturesblessingsandotherponderings.com

Thats right! We have our very own site :) Its pretty cool so come check it out and spread the word!

See you soon & thank you for your continued support as my little blog grows :)

Remember to always:

Be Your Best You

CL

Photo Friday

BE BOLD

BE FIERCE 

TAKE ON THE WORLD

BE ORIGINAL, FEARLESSLY

BE YOU

Note: All photos from Harpaar's Bazaar

 BE YOUR BEST YOU

CL

I'm a Snob!

A food snob that it is :O) I was recently perusing through an outdated issue of Glamour while I munched heartily on some doctored up grits with okra, cheddar cheese and fish (don't judge me- I pictured the meal and finally got around to satisfying me urge and it was delicious!) when I came across an article entitled, Why You Should Try the Snob Diet.

At first I skimmed and was about to turn the page (if you have only known me for a day you will quickly surmise that I am not about the diet life... at all) but then the heading, 'Snobs don't deprive themselves' made me stop and start from the beginning and I was very impressed at what I found.

I suppose I will share my own views on eating first: I do not believe in depriving myself of anything I want to eat (and I don't), I believe that meals should be savored - I am often made fun of because I am a slow eater, in fact, I used to get in trouble on school mornings when I was growing up and was forced to miss an hours worth of sleep because I ate so slow due to my mother's fear I would be late, I also believe that if you stop eating when you are full and do not eat when you are not hungry then you should be fine, and precluding some sort of medical condition I do not believe in diets...at all.

 I couldn't imagine missing out on the savory goodness of oxtail (if its about eating- I will be mentioning my favorite food over and over again- sorry), the tangy wonderulness of my mom's garlic aoli (or my mom's anything- when it comes to cooking she has earned her stripes seven fold), the rich decadence of dark chocolate everything or the smooth indulgence of gelato in multiple flavors (yes please!)

I also believe however, that when it comes to food that quality should come before quantity and that as the consumer you have the last say about what you put into your body. Of course, some may argue that living this type of gastrointestinal indulgent lifestyle could reek havoc on your wallet- not so my friends. If you are more selective about where and what you buy you do not have to sacrifice quality- or perhaps you sacrifice those amazing $200 pair of shoes this month and invest in your internal well being- some adjustments may have to be made, all I'm saying is it is possible.

I was so excited when I read the theory and research behind this habit of eating because it finally confirmed what I have been thinking and doing all these years. So without further ado:

The Tenants of Being A Snobby Eater:

*Choose the highest quality foods whenever possible

*Don't deny your cravings (my personal fave)

* If it is not truly delicious, don't eat it

* Savor vs Wolfing down your fare

* You be in control of what you eat and when

* Do not eat while distracted (turn off the tv, don't answer the phone, save the txt til after you eat, stop checking your emails or going over the final draft of that report- it will all be there when you are done and with a well fed belly you may be in a better mood and better able to deal with all of the demands placed on you)

So the research says that (I am paraphrasing) 1. When you eat something you want and are looking forward to eating- you get fuller faster and do not eat as much 2. When you satisfy your taste buds (cravings) you are less likely to binge later or snack to fill the empty void created because what you ate didn't satisfy you 3. People who have restrictive diets generally do not weigh any more than people who eat what they want (I found this to be particularly interesting) 4. This amazing research has been buried under the diet industry's sneaky capitalization on people's (mostly women) emotional ties to their appearance and the media's messages regarding what we should look like, in fact 10,000 new diet products hit the market every year...and you can just imagine how much society spends on them.

So I say- do what is right for you but free yourself from the guilt that accompanies being good to yourself- food is where we get our energy, it can help us build immunity to live healthy active lives, our bodies need it to survive (unless you are a monk and are trained to fast for long periods of time) so shouldn't we enjoy this thing that we have to do anyway? I invite you to make as many of your meals as special as you can (people can taste the love in brownies :) )

And one last thing: Do share your meals with quality company as well...and if it's just you- know that you are a gem and your own company is sometimes your best.

Be Your Best You

CL

 What say You?

Please Do Not Touch

photo credit: collegecurlies.blogspot.com

Natural Hair- the absence of chemical processing. Curly, kinky, coily, anyway you describe it there seems to be a movement sweeping the nation as curly haired women everywhere are turning their backs on the "creamy crack" aka relaxers/ texturizers/ perms and putting a dent in the billion dollar industry.

The shift has been blatant and has been punctuated by every hair care company now boasting a natural hair care line meant for the care of hair au natural. There are blogs galore dedicated to the care and styling of kinks and coils, there are countless tutorials found on YouTube documenting styles, length checks, diy conconcotions meant to help the newly natural navigate the confusing world of product junkism and inspire those who have been natural before it was the 'thing to do'.

All of this fan fare has caused me to reflect on my own reasons for going natural and has helped me to realize that the decision was much more than a style choice but was a progression along my way to live the most wholesome life possible without the aide of chemical additives. Everyone's reasons are different but this post is about none of that- it's about a simple rule most of our parent(s)/grandparent(s) teachers taught us growing up, "keep your hands to yourself"!

This simple tenant has served us well in society however it has become clear that many have forgotten the lesson (in more ways than one- but for the purposes of this post I am just talking about as it relates to natural hair)

Imagine you are minding your own business- walking down the street, in the grocery store, at a party, having dinner with friends...whatever and you are approached by a stranger and after a few murmurs of awe this stranger thrusts his or her hand into your hair and proceeds to molest it (seriously). This has happened to me on several occasions and has caused me to second guess my decision to wear my hair out in public. I know that I am not the only natural who has come face to face with the "strange hand" or  "stranger danger" if you will. Upon the violation I promptly inform the violator that what just happened is unacceptable and at the very least asking before touching should always be their first move.

Photo Credit: natrube.wordpress.com

Aside from the germy implications associated with having someone's hand on your person (our hands are dirtier than a toilet bowl and most people do not bother to wash them- they sneeze in them, pick noses with them, touch other things and people that have their own set of germs and spread the love for everyone to partake in...yuck) there is a deeper issue (at least for me)-

 my personal space and apart of my body is being touched unsolicited and  nonchalantly by random people- and you can tell that they know it's wrong because there is a split second of hesitation  and you can see the internal debate and then its like they are about to jump out of a plane and they just go for it! All well in good but its not a plane, its my hair and uh...I don't know you. The total disregard for another person's space is what really bothers me more so than foreign fingers in my hair- you wouldn't randomly go around touching a stranger's bum or private areas- people get shot for stepping on someone's shoes or bumping them- I mean come on! Think about it...this premeditated assault on curls is ridiculous and furthermore - what is the big deal- it's hair- everyone has some somewhere or at least the memory of it...I am not a animal in a petting zoo- I am a person ....with personal space issues...*sigh* anyhoo...

The moral of the story: please ask before touching anyone's anything. You are showing courtesy and respect- something everyone deserves.

What say you?

Be Your Best You

CL

On Eating

At a recent raw food experience I was exposed to a film about...eating, entitled, Eating. Making the case for a plant based and in some cases a plant only diet. What follows is what I learned (this not my first 'food industry' film, however there were things that I took away) and my impressions.

The film interviewed a number of doctors and a few athletes who have adopted a plant based diet when facing debilitating health concerns themselves. The film took a hard look at the medical and food industry backed by political dollars and how both work hand in hand to kill Americans- be an informed consumer- knowledge is your best weapon.

The Learning:

Note: the burgers I am referring to are those mass produced and found for ridiculously cheap prices in most fast food joints

* cholesterol leading to heart disease is our nations number one killer

* heart disease has killed more people than all of our wars combined

* the food pyramid was designed by drug companies and politicians

* the diet that is advertised as "good" is fed to us as children and leads to all sorts of ailments as we age

* methane is the leading cause for our global warming issue

* the largest source of methane is the cattle that makes our burgers

* Half of our fresh water is used for the cattle that makes our burgers

* The other half of our fresh water is polluted by the feces of the cattle that make our burgers

* The animals that are used for the mass production of meat products are abused and horribly treated

* If one person did not consume meat for just one day that would equate to taking 8 Million cars off of the road

photo credit: foodcultures.web.unc.edu

* Our forests and environment are being destroyed to provide grazing land for the cattle that make our burgers not for the wood or even to house our growing population

* Drug companies use the medical industry to push chemical compounds that do nothing to cure the problem, in fact the pills keep people dependent on the drug and create a whole host of new problems via side effects

* Almost 70% of our grain, corn, wheat etc goes to feed the cattle that makes our burgers not to the people who are actually starving in the world

* The burgers found in most fast food joints are hard baked fecal cakes injected with chemical compounds to cover up the flavor of shit

* A piece of chicken has as much cholesterol as a T bone steak and seafood has more cholesterol than both

* Cattle are not designed to eat grains- they were meant to eat grass/ REad: e.coli

* A lb of ground beef is cheaper than a lb or rasberries


My Impression:

A plant based diet just makes sense...the Creator, nature, Mother Earth (whatever/whomever you believe in) provided all we need to not only live but to thrive. It has been a long standing theory of mine that the majority of mental health and behavioral health that I've seen over the years had a strong connection to diet- especially in children.
Fresh fruits and veggies retain all the nutrients our bodies need- so much so that many people have cited some as 'super foods' which have been credited with reversing some very serious medical conditions when doctors had given the patient a death sentence. What you put into your body affects how you relate to yourself and others- it affects your mood and energy levels.

For me, have a limiting or restrictive diet of any kind is not my idea of fun- and as mentioned in another post one of my favorite foods is oxtail- so am I destined for the emergency room? I don't think so- I am armed with a few guiding principles that help me make different and better food choices for me:

* Reading food labels tells you a whole lot of information including- ingredients (if you can't pronounce it you may not want to eat it), where the product was made etc

* Because I am a meat eater I look for and purchase meat that are grass fed and raised in happy healthy environments (yes you can find that information on the label too) not from mass produced slaughter factories

* I shop at places known for the food conscience (Trader Joes, Farmers Markets)

* When given the choice- I buy local

* I have switched my milk, sugar, and refined starch consumption (I try to stay away from refined products, I only buy sugar in the raw, and I have not personally bought cow milk in over 10 years)

Photo Credit: styleblazer.com

* I do have a weakness for ice cream but gravitate towards brands with natural ingredients

* I believe in balance- incorporating fresh fruits and veggies at every meal (in the winter frozen veggies and fruits are a great way to add some green to your plate)

* I eat when I'm hungry and I stop eating when I'm full

I must admit that being exposed to the truth behind the food industry was a bit scary but knowing that as the consumer I can choose where I spend my monies was comforting and empowering- we do not have to fall victim to the glossy ads and exciting commercials that ultimately empty our wallets and lead us to gastrointestinal slavery. You have a brain- use it! Be informed- its free :)

What Say You?


Be Your Best You

CL

In the Raw

photo credit: muchadoaboutfooding.com

As a result of an invitation to attend a seminar for the book A Course in Miracles I received another invitation to take part in a "raw food experience". Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have a very special relationship with food, am a self proclaimed foodie of sorts and the chances that I would turn down an opportunity to take part in any type of food experience (especially a free one): slim to none.

I readily agreed and prepared my palate as best I could for whatever awaited me. Now, I feel I must say that I have toyed with the notion of having a strict plant based diet- knowing all of the benefits that come with it and have every time dismissed the notion heartily. One of my favorite foods is oxtail...how could I turn my back on such succulence? I could if I wanted to but the bottom line is I discovered I didn't want to- and over the years that has not changed. I also had the benefit of growing up in a household where, although the candy dishes were never empty, when I wanted a snack I was given fresh fruit generally. Not only were my meals balanced, delicious and interesting but my mother frequently prompted me to try new things (the responsibility of my appetite for new and wonderful vittles rests squarely on my mother's shoulders) her wisdom: "the worst thing that could happen is you don't like it and if you don't like it you don't have to eat it". Thanks mom- that was one of the best gifts you could have given me :) (I often scoff at how other people limit their diets to what is familiar- a tendency often reflected in how they live their lives...but there are so many dishes, cultural flares, ingredients and creativity...*sigh* on and on I could go)

I digress...perhaps. So anyhoo, I drove myself and my friend the short distance to where our fates awaited. We were ushered into a uber cat friendly home and invited to make ourselves comfy (I must say I was waiting for the other guests to arrive...but it was just us three) We were informed that there would be a feature film to accompany our meal. Eating, the 3rd edition was that film and as we watched we were served giant bowls of watermelon (my favorite fruit, REad: score!) and deep burgundy cherries.

(Stay tuned for my impressions of the movie in another post)

photo credit:antonvandenberg.wordpress.com

After the movie we began discussing all manner of things- of course beginning with the implications of a plant based diet, the political basis of our "good American diet", and moving into the state of our communities and ending with our personal experiences as truth seeking soulful beings.

Our discussion was punctuated by generous portions of a salad topped with a homemade cucumber and creamed cashew dressing. The evening ended with scoops of "apple surprise" consisting of finely chopped apple and cranberry. Not so bad, I secretly was expecting cups of beet juice and garden picked brussel sprouts (my least favorite vegetable). As I have found when like minded beings come together, free spirits seeking truth, I felt content and full and it had little to do with the physical food consumed. We communed and bonded over the shared experience of being a human seeking to realize our potential. We shared stories and insight in a comfortable environment and wisdom was shared in mutual respect for each others' unique view point and as the youngest of the bunch- I found that I had much to offer as well and it was received in mutual respect.

So my first raw food experience was successful and satisfactory on a few different levels- my kind of party :)

Have you had any raw food experiences?

Be Your Best You

CL

On Letting Go

photo credit: thebridgemaker.com

There is a saying, "let go and let God"- many people use it, seldom practice it in their own lives. It is hard to do- evolving as a person is hard work. It can be frustrating, exhausting, lonely, and there are so many other things that one could be doing that are so much more fun...(shoe shopping perhaps) the bottom line however is that in order to be the best you- at some point you have to shed some part of you in order to blossom and grow into the being you were created to be- or as I like to call it, 'realizing your potential'.

So why let go? Negative emotional buildup can manifest itself in many ways- including physical dis-ease; emotional baggage weighs you down, blocks your blessings, keeps you trapped in a mobile prison and my personal favorite: why not? What are you holding onto anyways? Ask yourself how is it feeding you?

Here's the thing: we all have had a childhood of some sort- some fond, maybe some not so fond. We all have challenges that face us on our journey to adulthood (and a whole load more once we finally get there) but the ones that block our path in our earlier years tend to have effects that are long lasting with unknown consequences (both pos + neg -if such things exist- in the grand scheme of things I'm beginning to think that they do not...but I digress) that can last well into ripe "old" age. If we harbor ill feelings they have a tendency to fester inside causing all sorts of maladies. Negativity tends to breed more negativity and hurt people hurt people creating more hurt people.

Here's the other thing: the only road map that exists in this life is internal and most people go through life ignoring it...our intuition. Instead they let fears, doubts and other external stimuli overpower their own guide-which is most important. Just like a muscle or skill if you do not use it, you lose it. Your internal guide begins as a subtle feeling- a nudge if you will, in this direction or that, however, the more you listen to it and value it's ability to point you in the right direction for you it gets stronger and stronger.

At some point in order to live our best lives and be the best we can be there will be cause to pause, take stock...and let go (I was tempted to put 'simply' but as a fore mentioned this process is not for the faint of heart)

Photo Credit: newblackmagazine.com

The process generally begins when we realize that we are doing something over and over again and in spite of the repeated process...we end up with a less than satisfactory result. I do believe that everything happens for a reason and it is up to us to find and utilize the lesson in the situation so we can continue our evolution as beings on this earth. Some people continue to repeat the same action expecting a different result- as is widely known this is one of the definitions of insanity. Other people STOP and try to figure out what the heck is going on...and in their willingness to do so...the process begins.

Truthfully speaking (from first hand experience) it can be a wearisome daunting process- well worth it but none the less at times it down right sucks. You lose friends, you have to face yourself honestly (I mean really taking a very hard look at yourself ladies and gents), your world seems to flip inside out and upside down and for awhile you really feel insane because your once comfortable space you occupied in the world has been shot to bits and what surrounds you is foreign and unknown...yet it is you and yours.

When I began my process many moons ago one of the phrases that began to haunt me was, 'trust the process'- I heard it so often that I began to resent it (and at times the process itself) but I honestly did not know how important that message was for me until it recently resurfaced in my life. One of my biggest issues (REAd: still working on) is trust- I am a problem solver, an analyst- I take great joy in figuring things out and to ask me to blindly trust anything or anyone immediately elicits an internal response akin to gagging or gut wrenching knotting- which brings up my other issue: patience. This process takes as long as 'it' needs to...what the heck does that mean? Unfortunately- it means exactly what it says...UGH! Yet I painfully realized that after a point- no matter what you do, no matter how you try to force your will on the circumstances- nothin's doin' and you have no choice but to wait and see how things unfold.

So if this process is so much fun (please pick up on the uber sarcastic tone in the word 'fun') why would anyone embark on it? When I began I thought about the alternative: staying stuck in the ickyness of pain and an unsatisfactory drab world (emotionally and spiritually). I often look to nature for guidance/inspiration and I noted that if things in nature do not grow they die, so for me- stagnation = death (in a spiritual sense). In essence I felt I had no choice, and in retrospect I didn't (of course you always have a choice- but for me, none existed but to forge ahead- it has always been my choice- I always chose life over death- perhaps my one guiding principle)

All is not bleak and grim once this journey begins (although I do not want to romanticize this process - much of the work is done alone and old habits do indeed die hard) you meet people, you do things, you go places you never imagined you would. You uncover the subtle beauty of life- both within and that which surrounds you. Your life begins to blossom in ways you could not have fathomed or designed better yourself- your true purpose, your very essence is yours to rediscover and claim. You uncover (hopefully) the wisdom in being gentle with yourself which naturally extends itself to those who cross your path and as you travel you reflect on your life and realize you can't imagine that you ever clung to where you were- life is definitely sweeter along the road less traveled.

Be Your Best You

CL

PS. And yes it is ok to go right instead of left 'just because', to indulge in a favorite past time because you feel like it even though you're "supposed" to be working, to hug a tree, to have a snowball fight, to face your ultimate fear head on, to yell from the rooftops, to follow the urgings of your soul wherever they may lead- IT IS OK TO BE YOU!