Dietary Discernment

As we near the end of the Summer Holidays, it is not unusual to have allowed the enjoyment and celebration of the last few months catch up with you. I, personally, have been a little looser with allowing myself to indulge and be a little bit more relaxed about my routine over the past couple of months. No matter how great a shape I am in, self care is a daily practice and my daily habits catch up with me. That is what I always follow the Summer with some sort of revamp to my diet.

I am a love your body as is girl, however, I know that we are the result of a series of choices that we make. So it's time to make a few.

Here my top 3 guidelines for setting yourself up
:

Choose a plan you can stick with. 
You don't have to starve yourself on a liquid only diet. Or eliminate every single vice. There is no one right way of eating. In fact, your own body may change in terms of what it needs. We go in phases, and our bodies respond differently at various times in our lives. Take some time to consider what you are able to do today. Can you spend some time with measuring and portions? Perhaps the Zone is for you. Don't want to calorie count? How about going sugar and grain free for a week or two.

Make it a fun project.
When your food plan is enjoyable, it can be something to look forward to. I remember trying the Raw Vegan Diet and all of the delicious treats I had never sampled. Or going into a Raw Vegan cafe and realizing that I could order the "Cheeseburger" guilt free. I have recently started using a produce delivery service called Farmbox LA and I get very excited to see what foods they have sent me to explore. I love that I can prepare something I have never tried before.

Leave perfectionism behind. 
If you happen to go off of your plan for a meal, simply get right back on it the next meal. Being perfect (or thinking there is such a thing) can really hold us back from trying new things. Let your inner critic have a job, like looking for recipes that go with your dietary choice.

This next week may still be a holiday for you. Even so, begin to reign it in and make some discerning choices. For instance: choose the dark chocolate instead of the slice of cake. Or have a glass of wine, but push away the bread basket. Indulgence is still possible if you are willing to make conscious decisions.

Celebrate Your Self!

When you have trouble motivating yourself to get to a yoga class or take a run, consider this: exercise is a way to celebrate your body. The fact that you have this amazing instrument which allows you to express movement through dance, experience emotions like joy and taste the deliciousness of nature is a blessing. We are abundant beings in the universe. Nature is full of a richness that cannot be bought. The trees dancing in the sunlight, the moon river reflected in the ocean. All of these simple joys are priceless.

I went to a wonderful potluck celebration over the weekend, which was a reminder of this body as amazing gift. The celebration was a response to the illness of a woman who had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. This woman had no family, and not very much money, but still she has a sense of humor and a joy for life. In honor of Lucretia, we sang songs, danced and shared food. Those who had money to give, gave money. Those who did not, wrote heartfelt blessings in a card to her. The evening celebration reminded me that we need not gather and huddle in suffering, but can come together and  give forth joy. It is just as powerful to celebrate!

Be reminded today, that your body is a priceless gift and find five ways you can celebrate. Dance. Eat delicious foods that are of the earth. Notice the subtle feelings that run through you from moment to moment. Sweat and pay attention to feeling your muscles. Sit in silence and listen to the sounds around you. The wind rustling throughout the trees or human sounds like a hammer in the background.

Take time to look another in the eye and smile in mutual celebration
, for we are all expressions of this same amazing energy of life.

Sexual Energy is Creative Energy

What's more arresting than talking about sex? This topic is a real favorite and seems to grab everyone's attention . It's really not a stretch to say that sexuality and creativity go hand in hand. In fact, the most creative energy out there is sexual energy. That is the very energy that created each of us. You and I  are a product of that potency. And it all probably started with a little crush.

This idea can go two ways:

1. Thinking about someone you have a crush on can be extremely motivating. Have you ever felt that feeling when you first meet someone who piques your interest? You are able to stay up all night, lose your appetite and have a permanent smile pasted upon your face, barely needing anything to keep going. You are fueled with the sheer energy of hormones. When I need some extra kick in my work out, nothing energizes me quite like a crush.

2. If sexual energy is so potent, why spend it on a mere crush? If you can create an entire person with that energy, than imagine what else you may be able to create. I have authored a book, painted, written poetry, acted and cooked in place of ...well...you know.... This energy is a kissing cousin of any creative project. Some people have babies and others feel that they have birthed a child when they launch a creative project. The point is: do you really need another make-out session, or is something bigger wanting creative expression? Only you know. No judgment, only options.

Lastly, you can do a combo. One of the best ways to get motivated is to have a secret crush, and do absolutely nothing about it. If you don't have a crush, then you have homework. If you DO have a love, and it's out in the open, then a make-out session is in order. Take a risk today and have fun with your sexy. It can be as simple as a flirty wink, a pole dance class, or a thought nobody knows you're thinking....

Enjoy!

YOU ARE THE SUN (salute) OF YOUR UNIVERSE

“Even 
After 
All this time
The Sun never says to the Earth,

"You owe me."

Look
What happens
With a love like that,
It lights the whole sky.”- Hafiz

 I have always been moved by the above quote. The generosity of the Sun, even though the other planets revolve around it, is a wonderful reminder here. I felt it was timely, for the New Moon is in the sign of Leo today (August 7th). We get an opportunity to set our creative intentions. In a world where we are taught that being center stage is selfish, it can be against the grain to step into the spot light and own our place in the world. Here's an idea: each of us has a unique vantage point, and a life that is important to fully express. When we share our own perspective, others can learn from our experience, and interpret its meaning for their own lives. We are constantly dancing with one another.

 Creative expression comes in many forms. The most obvious are the arts, like dancing, writing, painting and theatre. Play is also a form of creativity, as are our children that we raise or gardens that we plant. A delicious meal that you make out of nature's gifts is creative. I once heard that creativity is the way you organize what already exists.

The idea that Spirit understands itself through you and the play of your life, makes taking center stage feel a bit more generous, doesn't it?  As we create our lives and craft our surroundings, our actions have an effect upon others. In that sense, you are the center of the universe, and you have the ability to generate real change and influence others in a positive way.

When I imagine the importance and the impact of my actions, I feel much more responsible and generous. I can imagine that I am the Sun at the center of my Universe and I give off heat and light that has the ability to inspire and nourish those around me. Today, when I salute the sun, I will imagine what it would feel like to be that ball of energy. I will embody that light. And as I am the center, in the center of me is my heart. Let's come from the heart, let's see how our creations  give to others.