A Quick Post this Crisp January Morning: JACK LALANNE

I had a few minutes and just wanted to share the following video. Many of us have heard of Jack...he's 94 years old now and still kicking ass.

I love this man! I haven't eaten any refined sugar in over 2 weeks and I feel so good.

Check it out...the video is probably 45 years old.



God bless Jack LaLanne.

PS: Just came by this site: MARK'S DAILY APPLE GUIDE to PRIMAL EATING

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-definitive-guide-to-the-primal-eating-plan/

PROCESSED PEOPLE DOCUMENTARY

Came across this and thought it may be worth seeing when it comes out. It's ust a short clip so check it out.

I'm Muffin Everywhere..Working at staying Yogic

Wow...this year is just flying by. Seems like only yesterday it was 2008 and here it is, a week has nearly passed of 2009. Okay, okay...I'm just kidding. kinda. It was practically yesterday when it was still 2008. And the year is actually moving along one day at a time. I think it does that because most of us probably couldn't handle things if it went by faster. While I am not one for resolutions each new year's, I do intend to have an intention each day. I said intend. That is not to imply that I actually remember to set some sort of intention each day. I don't. I believe I've heard a quote, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." and while I can't say I personally subscribe to that belief, what I do believe is that some action is required in order for one's intention(s) to become a reality.

So far this year (well, actually way before '09), I've had the daily intention to maintain some sort of balance in working on my website listings, studying towards my nutrition degree, and reviewing anatomy as I pursue my 200 hour yoga teacher certification. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I am still human and I find myself procrastinating at times and doing just about ANYthing other than those things in efforts to put off the inevitable...playing an online game, watching a movie, writing in a blog. Uh...er...anyway. You probably get the picture!

So, as a yoga practitioner, student, and teacher, a major intention of mine is to take my yoga practice off of the mat and into my "real" life. Yoga is much more than stretching and achieving a "yoga butt", though as a human, I wouldn't mind that yoga butt I have heard so much about. Really, though, as I work with customers of my online business, focus on nutrition studies, and live my life in general, my daily intention is to BE a yogini...not just physically as in asanas (postures), but in my actions, my words, my thoughts towards others and myself.

It's not always easy, hence the title of my post. Part of my being human is being a 43 year old woman with all sorts of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual changes occuring. A favorite mantra of mine has been "Bodies change and I am not my body." I think I made that up...or I heard it one day and borrowed it. Regardless...when I remember that phrase, I am so much better off. I happen to be somewhat impatient, as well as currently experiencing some of these "body changes" that I would definitely not choose if I had a choice in the matter. Hormones. I heard about it, I was warned about it, but I didn't really believe that I would be affected. Wrong.

Despite the fact that I am physically active, mentally engaged, nutritionally conscious and knowledgeable, there are some changes that are going on and I am not really thrilled about it. So yesterday, when a dear friend noticed a certain part of me that was, in her words (and I am paraphrasing) "a muffin top in the right place"...ie...where some women would pay to have them surgically enhanced...I responded, (again paraphrasing...my memory isn't what it used to be either) "I'm muffin everwhere." Funny but true. Lately, I feel a bit inflated..I know the upper area muffin top thing going on also is reflected in my snug pants and that puffy feeling.

And I am impatient...being a sugar addict and having had NO sugar now for over a good week, nearly 2 weeks actually (ok, more like a week and a half), I feel that any puffiness from the hormones and the holidays' "Desserts Throughout the City" tours which I led and participated in, should have subsided by now. Right? I should be in my 'skinny' jeans..comfortably...I want it now! (channeling Veruca Salt) But I dare not even slide those babies on right now. Afterall, bodies change and I am not my body. I may be muffin everywhere...today...and that is OKAY.

My intention today is not to drop the few pounds I may have found recently, nor to achieve a yoga butt. Today I feel muffin everywhere. But my real goal, if you want to call it a goal, is my intention to have balance. Today, I'll go to a hot vinyasa yoga class, come home to have a healthy, mindful lunch (sans sugar, what I believe to be truly the most addictive drug on the planet) , get some packages ready to ship to customers, and review some anatomy for my yoga intensive weekend coming up this Friday. That's all I need to do for a mindful, balanced day...today. A yoga butt may come one day. Or not. Today, I'll embrace my inner-muffin...and my outer one. Anyway, muffins are yummy.

PS: the 1st photo is one of me which actually is possibly one of my most UN-favorite, MAJOR-muffiny pictures of me in existence. It's nearly 6 years old and is from a time in my life when I was neither mindful nor yogic. I can see this lack of mindfulness showing in me from the inside out. It still me...muffin or not. The 2nd picture is a bit more current...still me!

Charmed I'm Sure (back to Jewelry!)

Okay, I'm not going to mince words. The primary reason I began this blog was for the blatant self promotion and networking of The Family Jewels. Yup...when I first began my business, the internet wasn't around yet, so now, I want to take full advantage of how small the world wide web (do we even call it that anymore?) has made our world.

Somehow, though, I got a bit sidetracked the past few days with reflections on yoga and philosophy and such...I guess the passing of another year can do that to a person. Well, enough of that...for now! At least for a minute or to I am getting back on track.

This evening finds me going through jewelry and collectibles as I decide on things to list on my website.

Sifting through my "keeper" boxes, I found myself drawn to all the charms that I have been collecting for the past 25 years or so. I realize that I have HUNDREDS of charms. Ok, now, don't start accusing me of being a hoarder. I've seen the Oprah and Dr. Phil shows on people who hoard...that's not me. OK, maybe a bit. But hoarders just stash...I sell. And stash. A little.

There is something about charms that make me want to have them all. At least for a little while. Most new charms being made today are fairly boring; I'm talking about vintage charms from the mid 1900s and earlier.

So I perused through my little personal stash, deciding what I may sell and what I would keep. Read on to click over to some of the ones I have decided to sell. Listed are some amazing chunky bracelets, mostly sterling silver charms, many of them movable ones with little wheels that turn, hinges that open, even a Victrola with a crank that works.

Here is one of my favorite bracelets ever...it has ornate baubles and a lovely carved bone elephant, but maybe one of my favorite things about it is the jangly sound it makes when worn.

I remember finding this bracelet many years ago at an antique show. It's a heavy bracelet with lovely 3D charms, most of them a circus motif. My son, now 19, was not born yet. Back in those days, I practically lived to go antiquing, leaving no stone unturned as I found all sorts of treasures.

Maybe one of the coolest bracelets I decided to part with is this one, an ornate Victorian style bracelet with mythological and 3D charms. I'm not sure, but it may be a rare designer piece by Peruzzi.

Of all my charms that I viewed this evening, the ones that bring up the most memories are on a charm necklace that I actually assembled myself. The photos above are of this piece.

I remember sitting up one night several years ago, and while watching sappy Lifetime movies, I took my jump rings, needle nosed pliers, and loose charms I had collected, and made a necklace. I picked charms that had significance in my life, like an ornate Menorah, a gift and a reminder of my heritage. Other charms were symbols of places I had been...like New York, Las Vegas, West Virginia, Georgia (my home), Washington DC, a Statue of Liberty, the Atlanta Stadium (which was demolished to make way for Turner Field several years ago), a glass bottom boat from Silver Springs Florida (one of the coolest places I ever took my son Alex), a roulette wheel from Vegas, a pirate head from the Pirate's House in Savannah where the waitress kept reminding us that "if we left hungry, it was our own damn fault". It was a buffet....ahh, the days of southern cooking and eating it...lots of it. A black enamel kitty charm reminds me of Shiva, rest his little kitty soul, and a trumpet from New Orleans. I didn't actually find most of the charms when I was at the places, but it doesn't matter.

Seeing the Washington Monument charm brings back instant memories of my son and I when we visited DC for the first time. He was about 8 years old on the first visit, and we had an amazing time at all the museums and walking around Dupont Circle, Georgetown. A couple of years later, we went back and marched with Walter in the Gay Pride Parade when he sang with the Atlanta Gay Men's Choir. Nothing like strolling down the streets of DC with hundreds, maybe thousands of people, singing Dancing Queen with a group of beautiful gay men...and your little heterosexual 10 year old son (and yes, he told me he was hetero, even at that young age!).

It's hard to pinpoint a favorite when each one has its own beauty and memories, but one that I doubt I will ever part with is a graduation cap with a peace sign on it. I remember back in the day when my son's father and I were first in love, and we used to drive all around the countryside looking for quaint little antique stores and flea markets. He was from West Virginia, and on one outing, while driving through the mountains we decided to get a little bite at a little bed and breakfast/cafe. We walked in to find not only the most delicious homemade pies, but all around the cafe were little art deco curios filled with things for sale. It was like a dream...homemade pie AND vintage jewelry! I bought a few things that day and that cap was one of them. It hangs proudly from my little homemade necklace.

I now have 2 great nieces and I decided to start them each a charm bracelet. They may not have as much fun with them now, Tickle Me Elmo being a much more compelling attraction, but one day, they will have a little keepsake with tiny mementos. Little reminders of the snapshots of life that make up our memories and make us smile.

I have pages of lovely silver charms if you click HERE, and if you prefer gold, then click HERE. What a fun way to document the memories today for the future.

David Loy: "Healing Ecology: A 'New' Spiritual Perspective"

Buddhist scholar David Loy discusses how the Buddhist religious tradition offers a fresh spiritual perspective on consumerism and ecology during a lecture at Vanderbilt University.

How I spent the first day of 2009/ How did YOU spend yours?

I hope everyone had a lovely first day of 2009.  Atlanta was cold
though we had amazingly beautiful, crisp clear weather.   I woke up
fairly early, though later than usual (I'm up by 5am most mornings as
I teach at 6am on Fridays), felt great thanks to not staying up too
terribly late.  Not being a drinker and not indulging in lots of
sugar (my true addiction) certainly helped.  I had some coffee, a new
habit I brought back with me from Greece this summer (organic fair
trade from Trader Joe's...yum)..I've cut back to about a cup, maybe a
cup and a half, 4-6 days a week...then caught up on emails, had a
nice healthy breakfast, did a little listing on my site.

Then, to start the new year off fresh, I washed bed sheets and
cleaned up a bit...not a crazy-in depth cleaning, but enough to make
the house feel good.  Then I picked my mom up and we went to the
local farmer's market (indoor and year round) where they have an
incredible little restaurant with $5/lb fresh home cooked and healthy
food...lots of ethnic dishes too since many of the cooks are Indian,
African, and Asian.  Best deal in town...and really good.  For about
$11 for both we ate yummy meals and brought home a bowl of homemade
lentil soup.  No collars and black eyed peas though!  So we'll have
to get our health and prosperity from the kale and lentils.  If any
of you ever find yourself here in Atlanta (Decatur), I'd love to take
you on a field trip to the Dekalb Farmer's Market....it's a pretty
amazing place.  After lunch, we shopped and saw so many lovely
people...some shopping and some who worked at the market.  It seemed
everyone was happy and smiling.  A wonderful older man from India,
Raymen, gave me the most wonderful new year's hug.  He is probably my
favorite person there and always asks me how my son and family are
doing whenever he sees me.

My mom is 83 and recently gave up driving, so it was nice to spend a
little time of her and get her out of the house.  (in case you're wondering,
that's her and her granddog, Bart, above)She's been in the
same place since 1962 and while she is still independent, we're
trying to convince her to downsize to a retirement community.  She is
definitely not too enthusiastic about moving, so it's been a
challenge.  We live about 4 miles apart, so at least I can see her
regularly and be there quickly if needed. There are several nice
senior communities within walking distance from my house, so my
brothers and I are hopeful that within the next 6 months (or less) we
can get her to transition to an apartment where she will be less
isolated.  I want her nearby so I can make sure she eats healthy
foods and gets regular exercise.

After I dropped my mom off, I came home and decided to go to a hot
yoga class where I work.  It was so nice to be in the studio in a
ultra hot room with over 30 other people.  The roomed was a nice
blend of calmness and a buzzing energy.  The theme of the class was
to find "santosha"...or in English, contentment.  And to have
gratitude for that contentment.  It was a perfect message..I can't
think of a better thought to have to begin 2009.  About 75 minutes
later, dripping in sweat, and blissed out, I came home.

I just finished a delicious dinner and will have a bath, make the bed
up with my freshly cleaned sheets (and smooth shaven legs...ohmagosh,
love that feeling), and settled in for the night.  Tomorrow begins
early with my 6am class to teach.

If you've read my little diatribe, thanks for indulging me.  I don't
always have days that flow so nicely, and when I do, it is sure nice
to share it and to hear about how others spent their day.  I'm just
so grateful for mine.

I'll end this email with a sanscrit mantra:

"Lokah somasta sukhino bhavantu"

translated:

May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may, words and
actions of my own life in some way contribute to this happiness and
freedom for all

It's 2009: Another Day, another post, My Yoga story

I barely just began my habit of writing in my blog, and what began as more of a jewelry blog (though I did mention it would be the Family Jewels "& So Much More"), has expanded to some less jewelry related posts. So pardon my digression..I promise I'll get back on target and begin to blatantly self promote more often. Soon.

On the very first day of the man-made calendar year of 2009, I thought I would re-tell a little story of how I began my yoga journey. I first wrote it in the summer right before my 43rd birthday (which was sept 18th in case you want to mark it on your calendar..it's practically around the corner ya know).

I began a dedicated, regular yoga practice about 5 years ago right before I turned 38. I was at a crossroads in my life after many years of battling my body, my addictions, my obsessions, and my life in general. I felt I was on a hamster wheel, running all the time, yet getting nowhere. I spent so much time in my own self induced isolation, overeating, over exercising, over working, and then becoming paralyzed, zoning out with the TV or computer.

I sought help by joining a support group for my food and eating issues about 6 months before I began my yoga practice, and I began taking Bikram yoga for one reason...to continue to lose some weight and to be slim and physically in shape. Years of running and harsh physical activity was no longer suitable for me, not for my body, mind or spirit. So I began practicing hot yoga and as a creative way to finance my classes, I cleaned the studio in what was to become a very zen-like exchange of energy with the studio owner. Something clicked, and somehow, I was hooked. Yes, my body changed; while I was not overweight to begin, a few pounds melted off and I began to accept and even like my reflection in the mirror. But a deeper change was beginning.

What I found was that I began to get in shape from the inside out. My basic personality of being an outspoken open person didn't disappear, but I began to be more mindful, a better listener, more compassionate, of greater service to others, humble. I didn't come to yoga for these things. They just happened. Actually they ARE happening. After about a year, I thought I was at an intermediate level with my practice; after a year and a half I realized I was a beginner...a beginner on all yogic levels. The journey, I discovered, was just beginning. The physical benefits are undeniable, but the subtle and not so subtle internal shifts are the miracles.

As I turned 40, I felt the best I ever had felt in my life. Yes, I still had life happening...a teenage son, eating and body image issues, and working towards a balanced life in general. However, the willingness to change, to grow, is what I have found is the important thing. It's not seeking perfection in life. It's remaining teachable. As one very wise yogi told me, it's keeping a beginner's mind, as the possibilities are endless for beginners.

One day, after nearly 2 1/2 yrs of a 5-7 day a week yoga practice, the teacher overslept, and the class asked me to lead them through the class. I was nervous, and I am sure I wasn't the best teacher or that I led the best class ever, but I did it. By serving the students, not only were they grateful to me, but I also did myself a service of feeling the joy of giving back. A new path had begun, and my cleaning barter for my classes became a part time job of leading a silent yoga class to seasoned practitioners each week. I was nervous at first, but then I delved within and did my best, letting go of the results. The students loved the classes, and a regular group formed a core of devoted yogis whom practiced with me weekly.

Other blocks in my life began to lift. While I still reach for food compulsively at times, it does not rule my life as it once did and I don't feel trapped in a body that is unfit or unhealthy. After years of tossing around the idea of going to school to pursue a degree in holistic nutrition, I finally enrolled in school and am nearly 2/3rds of the way through with my program. Last year I attended a training and received a 100 hour certification to teach a type of hot yoga, and this year I not only am receiving another 100 hour certification, but I began a long and involved process to receive my Yoga Alliance 200 hour yoga teacher training certification. For nearly 3 years now, I have been teaching 1-4 yoga classes each week in a lovely studio, something I had never, not in my wildest dreams, envisioned doing in my life.

My life is nothing like I could have envisioned and I am forever grateful for it all. My son left for college in August, and I am still processing the myriad of emotions that have been flowing through me. Most of the time I deal with them in ways that are mindful; sometimes I make less than ideal decisions. The point is that I am living my life the best way I can for today, learning from mistakes, accepting my humanness, remaining humble and open, and being of service to others. I am not seeking perfection nor do I always act in ways for which I am proud. Yoga helps me to recognize, to be aware, and to keep a beginner's mind.

Yoga is a tool to keep me from becoming stagnant with my life and it reminds me to be grateful and to have an open heart.

If you've read this little ramble, thanks for sharing my journey with me. I initially began writing this as a way to enter a contest to go to a yoga conference, but to tell you the truth, I continued to write as a way to get in touch with the way I am honestly feeling today. Letting go of the results is a gift, and for today I can honestly say that the results are really not so important as being able to share my story today.

As for today, January 1st 2009..I resolve to have no resolutions other than to focus on each day.
namaste....Lisa