Losing Control

I have lost control.  This is a new feeling for me for I was always an "in control person".  I was always the one to be on top of affairs, run things, coordinate, orchestrate, conduct, facilitate, manage.  This proved very successful during my corporate years as I was rewarded and sought out because I could "make things happen" and "get things done".   I ran every aspect of my life and those in it with diligence. I easily managed  multi-million dollar budgets and several hundred employees in the same manner I orchestrated family trips and play dates.  I was always the "go to girl" for corporate projects, functions, baby showers, or weddings.  Everything always went off successfully.   I thought fast on my feet and always had a back up plan or alternative to ensure a final successful objective.  I recall how proud I was at the "astonishment" of other parents when I gave them a typed Agenda of Events for my son's 5 year birthday party.  It never dawned on me that their reaction may not have been in accolade of my "accomplishment".  I did not notice because my focus was centered on controlling the situation. It was important that I even dictated or at least influenced how others even thought of me and what I was doing.  I was always intent on controlling how I thought I appeared, not realizing that the tight, overbearing grip does not align nor appeal with a peaceful, zen-filled life.  It took a simple act of waste disposal to send me spiraling out of control with a blissful gratitude.

Throwing it all away

Last week, my area was scheduled for a long awaited disposal of yard waste and debris. After a long winter, it was great to clean up loose leaves, dead shrubs, and grass clippings.  As we are in the process of cutting down a dead tree, we had accumulated quite a bit of branches and twigs for disposal.  Since the pick up is not a regularly scheduled event, I had written it on the calendar a month in advance to ensure we would not miss  pick up.  Since my town has strict rules about when and what you can put out on the curb, to place the waste out the night before was not feasible. It was important to put things out first thing in the morning. All day prior to  pick up, I literally calculated how and why I would bound the branch bundles and determined where each would lay. I went to bed ready to get up to get things out bright and early.  When I awoke, I immediately prepared to go outside to start my task.   To my utter surprise, for the first time in years, I had slept longer than I wished to.  I immediately began to panic, feeling the control slip from my grasp.  My house was quiet.  My family had already left for the day.  I had missed their departure, something I had not ever done.  When I opened my front door ready to get back on track, lo and behold, to my utter surprise,  the waste was prepared and placed at the curb, ready for pick up.  My family had taken care of it.  No, they did not calculate  how, why or where to do it; nor did they "consult" with me, they just did it.  I went back in and sat down.  This simple act became an earth shattering revelation for me.  The objective was accomplished and I had nothing to do with it.  I had no control over it.  I had lost control and all was still standing.  With no control, I had just learned how  to rely and how to depend.

Dependence

When I started practicing yoga,  as I first began my vegan transition, I never hesitated to accept the assistance of others.  I naturally sought out others for help in areas I had no knowledge.  Perhaps the humility of the practice and the quieting of my mind allowed my heart become open to dependence.  In this instance, I came to the realization that you can not control that which you do not know and that is it okay not to know. I discovered a new found freedom in accepting the guidance and reliance of others, discovering that as I became more agile in poses and more knowledgeable in raw vegan consumption, I find I need not be in control, that things will eventually fall into place exactly where and as it should at the precise moment it is meant to occur.  Being present in the moment and acceptance of self "as-is" was wonderful in my yogic vegan life however it took the trash episode to break the grip of mental control I still maintained on everything outside of the vegan, yogic circle.  I am finally beginning to loosen up.

  

Loosening Up

In my past, the worst in the world that could ever happen would be to lose control.  The epiphany of last week has shown that loosing control is not a terrible thing at all.  It is something we all can do on a regular basis.  Loosen up and let it go. For in reality, you never were in control of others anyway.  You can't control other people or other things.  There is an arrogance somewhere hidden within the thought of being "controlling" that facilitates such thought.  Let it go.  Imagine an empty glass on an empty table.  Allow the glass to fill up slowly with water.  See the water fill the glass to the brim and feel the water spill over the sides onto table and run in all directions off of the edge.   Imagine yourself as the water.  Imagine  you filling up glass to the brim as you slowly begin to spill out in all directions, all over the place with no control...dispersed.   Instead of focusing on self, become so full of yourself that you have had enough, that you now must spill out into the unknown to spread and share that which you used to try to keep contained in the one glass on one table.  

As you lose grip of that which you held too tightly, let it go, as well as what others may think of you, of expectation, of objective if each is something that continues to keep you bound and wound around artificially created stresses and desires.   If your hands are in, on, and around everything, it is time.  Time to learn to look to see your true self.  Realize that a typed agenda for a "party" of 5-year olds is absurd.  Realize that attempting to manipulate your view upon others in an the attempt to influence their view of you is selfish and inconsiderate.  Stop, reflect, look through your trash for your "ah-ha" moment.  Realize that sometimes, it is okay to be out of control, to throw it all away, to accept dependence. Understand that you don't have to know or do everything, to touch everyone, or to always be in control.  Accept that through meditation and breath, you can let your mind drift to free your spirit, releasing the grasps and tensions that kept you up on your toes, holding up shoulders, eyebrows, hair, heart rates, agendas and schedules.  Know that when you return to your physical state, you will see just as I have, that the earth is still rotating on its axis, that objectives were met, that others helped and that everything is fine, just as it should be.

Yoga - Partner Poses

When practicing yoga with a partner, one practices dependence as the full benefit of the posture can not be realized without release of personal control.  Instead of focusing on "self", the focus is to be reliable to and to rely upon "other".  Partner poses provide deeper stretches, connectivity, challenge, and increased strength.  Partner practice facilitates awareness of letting go of control, letting go of self, and encourages reliance, bonding, sharing,  and awareness.  

Unmasking

Last week I posed for my first professional photo shoot.  In anticipation of the event, I purchased a make-up foundation for my face.  It is a cosmetic that conceals imperfection and evens complexion tone.  It is artificial. I was quite familiar with this application as I used to wear it daily.  It is called foundation as it is the base upon which additional makeup is added.  The night before my shoot, I put on a "full face" makeup with all of the cosmetics usually applied for "the camera".  As a former modeling student, I was taught how to "properly" apply the products on my face.  When I looked in the mirror at the "finished look", I no longer saw myself.   Instead, I saw the mask I had created.  It was an epiphany.  It was not me.  I had changed. The makeup mask no longer represented a look of beauty.  For the past two years, I have been walking this personal journey of truth seeking and could not find any truth in the caricature that stared back at me.  Although I immediately wanted to remove it, I decided to leave it on for a little while thinking I needed  re-acclimate myself with it only to discover that the longer I left it on, the more unnatural it became.  This mock face no longer defined my look....I had changed my definition of beauty.  It was time to remove the mask.  It seemed to take longer to remove than it was to put on.   As soon as I washed my face, I felt liberated, refreshed, and "clean".  At that point, I decided that I would shoot the photo session au naturale, in my truth with a clean scrubbed face.  This exercise led me to ponder what else in my life have I covered with old thoughts and old methods.  What else needed unmasking?

Fears and Facades
When we embark into new territory, we sometimes fall back into old ways out of fear, creating a fabricated reinforcement, leading us to forget acknowledgment of the new ways that made us stronger and wiser. We must remember that we can use our new found strength to foster the power to project our truth, to remove our masks.  Many of us hide behind the mask of our responsibilities,  job titles, wealth or excuses creating a facade of competent falsehood to avoid facing that which we should face.  Other times, if we find challenge with our self-esteem or our freedoms, we conjure ourselves into alter-egos, super beings and larger than life entities to create a mask of security.  The main reason we create facades is fear of acceptance or fear of rejection.  This fear, whether acceptance or rejection, is one and the same.  Either way, by focusing on the unknown, we cultivate this fear.  Many of us live our entire lives never once thinking about removing our mask.  It makes a hard and difficult path for therein lies the problem.    

The Problem with Masks
Masks in and of themselves aren't a bad thing - they can be sometimes be whimsical, wild, adventurous, sexy,  playful, fun, exciting.  The problem is that masks are meant to be worn temporarily.  When forced to wear them every day, it becomes a distortion of true selves.  It is a hard and sad occasion living untrue each day.  When worn all the time, we fool ourselves that the unnatural image is more beautiful than our own.  How vulnerable one must feel when they remove their masks in private for regardless of what mask you wear, you have to take it off sometime.  You can't sleep in it, you can't bathe in it, you can't breathe in it, you can't heal in it.  You can't live artificial all of the time.  If you imagine a freedom without your mask, do you know that everything will be okay? Life is not meant to be lived dependent upon the acceptance or rejection of others.  Light and truth will attract truth and light.  Realize that:

One single light still shines bright ~Zhu Shuzhen

Who Are You?

Unmasked - I am Me

For me, the practice of Yoga and the transition to raw, whole, live foods helped me remove my masks.  Yes, "masks" plural.  I, like many others wore more than one mask.  When you first begin this process, you discover or "learn" who you really are.  It is an amazing and very enlightening feeling.   One-by-one I removed my masks and became settled and more comfortable walking the steps of  my "facade-less" path.  For the first time in my life,  I am unmasked... I "see" myself.  I have clear skin, clear mind, and clear focus.  I accept myself and my truths.  I no longer seek acceptance or fear rejection of others.   I do not wear foundation to mask my clear skin or who I am.  If I wear a little kohl on my eyes or gloss on my lips, it is a fun, temporary mask that I take off for days, or even weeks, at a time.  I am happy to wear my face just as it was given to me.. unmasked.  I now know who I am... I am "me".  "Who" are you?

Unmask Yourself
Take off whatever mask(s) you have been hiding behind whether you wear it everyday or just once in a while.  Face your fears.  You will be surprised.  For every rejection, there will be an acceptance, most often from where you least expect it.  Your path to revealing your true self doesn't have to be solitary.  If you are afraid, look in the mirror and admit to yourself that you are; this act is the first step to breaking down the wall you've been hiding behind.  Take the guidance or hand of the one light that shines bright, that attracts and accepts your light.  Confess your truth, ask for mask removal assistance. Break old ways and methods.  Wash off the fake foundations. Rejoice as it dissipates.  Feel and grow in your empowerment.  Embrace the beauty of your true, exposed, naked, self - become the real "you".

Mindful Meditation

This month has started with an infusion of positive energy.  I am fortunate to have two friends, unbeknownst to each other, establish this month as an opportunity to dedicate time to practice mindfulness through meditation.  Prior to this, I started each day with a moment of meditation, however, I now realize that I may not have put my "mind" into it, not feeling the full effect of that which I had hoped to achieve.  I am grateful to these two people  who have brought clarity and grounding to my practice.

The Company You Keep

We all have a "circle of friends". Sometimes it is just an all-inclusive sphere in which we lump every person we interact with. Other times, we have categories of circles, where we place different people in respect to their "place" in our lives.  We don't mean to do so, however, we all tend to mentally sort the people we come in contact with  in the same manner we sort and and store any other piece of data or information.  It is sometimes not so good to do this as we may inadvertently cause pain to someone through exclusion.  Other times, it is critical to do so for someone may wish to cause us harm, bring negative energy, or ill-will.  In each instance,  it is our interaction with each of these individuals which influence our actions and "who" we are. It the becomes important to reflect upon the company we keep as each circle overlaps and aligns, they shape the nature of our lives. 

March Meditation

I had have the providential opportunity to have in my company,  two beings who were in two separate circles now congruent.   This month my friend, yogi Jen McGown, infectious smile, strong hug, and peaceful earthling, introduced "21 Minutes for 21 Days" which is just as the title describes.  For twenty one days during the month of March, Jen will lead a meditation program to guide participants through "a sustainable way to incorporate mediation into your busy lifestyle".  Jen is a teacher, not by trade, but by natural gift.  In this video, she uses this gift to teach us about our brain, the physiological changes during meditation and how our we benefit when we are mindful in our meditative practice:

Simultaneously, another wonderful earthling, my friend, vegan athlete John Lewis, strong, compassionate, inspirational, positive-energy, and motivator, launched a group "Meditation in March" in which to establish the practice of meditating just five minutes per day for the month of March.  John also teaches.  He has written several documents which motivate, yet instruct on how to prepare yourself and how to quiet your mind. In this video, he introduces his Meditation in March initiative:    

I 

Completing Circles

I don't know if John or Jen know each other.  What I do know is that the blessing of the interaction of their circles through the mutual connection of my acquaintance has sent the message to me that we are all linked.  It through this link that we grow stronger, both mentally and physically and that we do so when we are in the company of friends. I have benefited from solitary meditation as it is something you do personally within, however, the overwhelming physical connection when you meditate knowing that others in your circle are doing the same has changed my view and "way" I meditate. I am more cognizant of the others in my circle during meditation as if I "feel" them.  I am experiencing a deeper connection as I delve deeper into my practice.  This month, thus far, I have begun to be more "mindful" as I conscientiously "think" about the practice and set an intention before I begin, something I had not done previously.  I am discovering a sensation of loosing track of time as I meditate and experience more clarity when I arise from it.  It is a peaceful feeling of "wholeness", as my circle is complete.

Give yourself an infusion of positive energy.  Set an intention to be grateful for your circles.  Mindfully look for overlaps and rejoice in the empowerment and growth they provide you.  Experience the benefit of going deeper to realize completeness.

Namaste.

Leaping

Today is February 29th.  It is a leap year. As we all know it comes once every four years. It is reason enough for many to do something they have never done before, to break with tradition.  The purpose of leap year is to adjust our perception of time in tune with nature.  It was meant to help farmers plant crops appropriately.  In modern history, leap year has been associated with doing something unconventional, for example, "Sadie Hawkins Day" in which women propose marriage to men instead of the other way around.  While the idea of doing something different on a day that only comes around once every four years, sounds interesting, the concept is something we should adapt to our lives daily.

Carpe Diem - Seize the Day!

Every day can be Feb 29th.  Use each day to adjust, to adapt,  to become in balance with nature.   Don't wait for a specific time or a reason to seize the day.  Carpe diem baby - take a daily leap!  Each day can be an opportunity to do something jubilant and unconventional.  Get up, be silly, have some fun. Smile, laugh, be tickled for absolutely no reason at all.  Eat a treat that makes you feel good that is also good for you:

Raw Vegan Strawberry "Ice Cream"

4 frozen bananas or 2 frozen plantains

1 cup frozen strawberries

Chop and puree strawberries in a blender or food processor. Set aside.  Next, chop and puree the bananas/plantains in the same manner until thick 

             and smooth.  Add strawberries.  Blend well. 

                    Enjoy with a smile on your face.

As you can see, taking a daily leap doesn't have to be a complex task:

• Wear silly socks, a whimsical tie or your favorite cartoon character t-shirt under your business suit.  Remember you have it on in the middle of a meeting and mentally tickle yourself with a smile at the thought.
• Try skipping down the block or through the park every now and then.  When was the last time you did that?  Double your fun, bring a friend.
• Sing along with your favorite song out loud at the top of your lungs.
• Play a few of the games you played as a child.

After you've had some fun,  smile in gratitude for being able to remember how to experience innocent, personal amusement.  Be grateful for the courage to have taken a bold, high, strong leap, knowing that after you've experienced silliness, you will still safely be the same, competent (fill in the blank job description, duty, or responsibility) that you always were, just a little happier. 

Yoga:  Mandukasana - Frog Pose
Although there are more than one way to practice Mandukasana, each version helps tone the thigh muscles, opening the hip and abdominal regions, assisting the digestion process.  The frog pose strengthens the legs, providing full flexibility and the ability to....leap.

Starting...Again

"How do you start over?"  This question was presented after my last post regarding willpower.  "Do not start over", I replied, "Start again".

You see, there is a difference.  You can never really start over.  When you initiate any "thing", you do so with the knowledge you have acquired up to that point.  You make choices and decisions based upon it.  When you set out to re-initiate a task, you will do so with the history of your previous attempts in an effort to either recreate or avoid it depending on your perception of the results.

Starting over fosters failure, a missed opportunity, dream deferred, an objective not reached.  It is a negative reinforcement which focuses on the possibility of falling once more as it establishes a cycle of disappointment and let down.  If you failed initially, you will do so again.  This occurs when you think the same thoughts, using the same tools in the same manner toward the same goal.  Starting again produces a different outcome.  It is a positive approach as it acknowledges previous setback.  When you start again, you move along a path you may have traveled previously with knowledge of prior obstacles and the ability to make adjustment for them.  Even if you once again do not arrive where you wish to be, you still arrive that much closer.  In this instance, you will not face a brick wall, you instead face new possibility with additional data.  You will add this new information to the foundation you've already established.

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again"~Thomas  H. Palmer,1847

New found knowledge obtained through starting again allows you to correct mistakes and calculate a new formula for success. As I continue to learn how to live a low-fat raw vegan lifestyle, I find the need to restart "how" and what I eat.  Things I first thought suitable to consume are not so and have led me off of the path as they trigger cravings of food I need not partake or creates a void of those I should.  Here is a list of a few things I used at the beginning of this walk thinking it was "safe"  and healthy only to discover myself "back at start" after realizing that these things do not serve wellness nor beneficial consumption:

What I used to eat  and why I no longer eat them

apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples.  All vinegar contain a diluted acetic acid which is poisonous in its natural form. Vinegar is not good for the kidneys, thyroid glands and produces mucous within the body.

olive oil  simple, Oil = fat. A waste of calories.  There is no need to add fat to your meals.  The total daily fat intake needed per day should not exceed 10% according to Dr Graham of the 80/10/10 Diet.  You can have a serving of nuts or seeds to obtain this objective naturally.

liquid amino acids contains a naturally forming high salt content that occurs during processing and glutamic acid which is the same chemical in MSG and is processed with hydrochloric acid in a procedure called hydrolization to separate and isolate the aminos.  I've learned that you can get the required aminos (protein) from eating a balanced whole fruit and vegetable diet.

agave nectar  concentrated  fructose (yes, even those that tout they are "natural or raw"). Because of its low glycemic index many think it is "healthy".   It is not.  It is simply,  processed sugar not much different than a tablespoon of refined white sugar.

soy  too many to tell. This link sums it all up http://www.foodrenegade.com/dangers-of-soy/

cacao  a stimulant derived from heating up and extracting the fermented result from the cacao bean pod.  In its natural form, it has an unpleasant taste and must be processed in order to produce the "chocolate" effect.  Cacao has some nutrients however it contains more toxins than nutrients

This is but a short list as I have also cut out many other things. The point however, is that the knowledge gained of how these things effect me enables me to propel myself forward should I find myself faltering.  This knowledge provides the "starting" point for the next leg of the journey.

Jumping Ahead

Each of these items landed me back at square one.  As I began again, I utilized the knowledge obtained previously to jump ahead, actually beginning at the last drop off

point instead of doing everything "over".  This method can be used for any initiative you seek to achieve whether it is weight lifting, eating raw vegan, or learning how to fly a kite.  I recently spoke with someone who admitted to me that they were not being honest when asked the question "How are you doing?".  This person would respond "Great".  Secretly, in silence, that was not the case.  In a need to "come clean" this individual confessed to me that they had indeed not been doing all that well.  After thanking this awesome human being for trusting me with their honesty, I informed that there was nothing wrong with their answer as sometimes the question is asked rhetorically, or as a gesture of politeness.   If this is the case, then the inquisitor really isn't looking for an answer.  When the person answered the question, everything in their life was not great however, a few components were.  Focusing on the positive aspects will help deal with the points in life that are not so great.  Sometimes the question is asked as a litmus test for your failure if the person asking is not in your corner.  In this instance, the answer would still be "great" since the objective is to steer away from negativity and to embrace that which is awesome in your life.   I am not advocating lying, I am advocating focus and communication of your positive truths in which to feel and express goodness.  This will always be true for no matter what you are in the midst of, you are capable of good and great.  It is always in your possession.  It is up to you to recognize it.  Use it to jump ahead over past transgressions and setbacks, arm yourself  with your new knowledge to begin once more with different thoughts and different ways to thrust yourself exactly to the point where you left off, starting again, moving forward along your path.

Yoga:  Uttanasana - Standing Forward Fold or Bend
Purpose of forward fold is to open and strengthen the hamstrings and hips.  It requires strong legs and fosters humility by introducing a quiet mind.  It is sometimes called the pose of surrender. In this instance it is surrendering to gravity and breath.  As you practice uttansana, surrender breath, acknowledging that which did not work; surrender gravity, expressing gratitude for positive opportunity to jump ahead with strong legs to begin again.

The Power of Will

This past month, I have been struggling with the will to rise each morning with focus on a newly established physically demanding workout regiment.  While I readily enjoyed the results of an arduous workout, I realize that I had been viewing it as a formidable task. The challenge I created for myself left me no longer able to enjoy the training.  The issue lies in the will to initiate the process as I found that I was forcing work that I perhaps needed to view differently.  This realization came surprisingly when I received an observation from someone after I expressed gratitude to a friend for the motivational boost to workout despite lack of enthusiasm.  He mentioned that although I received a push to move, in the end it was still up to me to do it. It was an eye opening moment that I was grateful for.  It was the shove instead of push that I needed.   He was correct.  No matter what inspiration you receive, it is still up to you and you alone to muster the power of will to achieve anything that you seek to do - no one or no thing can do it for you.


Problem with Perfection

This "aha moment" led to a personal examination of why I felt so compelled to do all and "be all".  The answer was simple.  I was seeking perfection, wanting too much too fast, and becoming impatient.  I had forgotten my yoga training of self acceptance in the moment, as you are, where you are. I wanted the results of such a workout to be evident immediately instead of taking the time to build toward the goal.  I was mentally  and unrealistically imposing someone else's definition of  "success" over a picture of myself.  Therein lies the problem with perfection.  When you strive and push yourself too hard towards someone else's goal, you will burn out, crash and fail, achieving nothing even close to your original objective.  Humbled by the truth of this reality check, I started over with clear focus.

The Will to Live

During this will power challenge, I was fortunate to view the movie, "A Single Man".  The movie was about life, that despite all we may do to self destruct or move toward the alternative, when faced with it, most of us fight with frenzied passion to survive, exercising a tremendous innate force - exerting the will to live.  I was so moved by the ability we all possess to breathe the breath we breathe.  When faced with the possibility not being able to do so, we will ourselves to the very end to cling onto it yet, we take it for granted, focusing on things not at all important in the grand scheme.  It is the during the quiet time when we are alone with ourselves, in the small instance when we think about these things and make the effort to exert the will to live is when we are most powerful. It is that instance which struck me with awe and moved me to tears. I came to the understanding that, will power is but a mechanism to demonstrate the will to live.
It is very humbling and reminds us to get rid of artificial goals, deadlines, and New Year's resolutions...be grateful for simple things, be grateful for who you are, be grateful for where you are, be grateful for what you can do.

Lifting Weights

All of this started as I had created a weight lifting and muscle toning regimen for myself.  Trying to do all each day. As I mentally cleansed, I began to lift the "weight" of feeling that I had to work until exhaustion.   I was able to think clearly and obtain a new focus with a realistic plan -a plan just for me.  It was time to "recoup, regroup, and restart".  Ahhh....what a beautiful exhalation.  The first step I took was to stop "wearing", trying to "fit" other people's goals and began to wear my own, changing the paradym of what "success" looked like for me.

When you think of lifting weights, you think of moving or manipulating something heavy.  In this instance, as I physically lifted the weight of the bench press or dumbbells, I changed my thought process from negative to positive as each weight lifted is also the lifting of the burden of not wanting to do that which would benefit me, to learn to appreciate what is best for me.  It is acceptance of what I can lift right now, today, at this moment with the understanding that as I do what I can in this instance, I will grow stronger and perhaps tomorrow, I will be able to lift more for a little longer.  Whether I will be able to do more is not important.  The key is recognizing that I, along with each of you possess the will and the power to do whatever it is we are doing in the present moment and that each of us have the capability to generate the fuel to do the very same tomorrow.

It is only at the end of a task will you be able to determine if you are able to do more.  So instead of biting off more than you can chew, accept what is in your mouth today and savor the flavor with gratitude.  If you are fortunate and have an opportunity to take a second bite then do so.

"It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise" 

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

If you realistically establish your goal for what you can do within the moment, you soon will discover that in time, you will you have advanced far more quickly than you would have if you remained focused on outcome.  Instead, accomplish one step at a time as each step will eventually deliver the overall objective. Slow and steady wins the race.  Taking small increments will ensure goals are realistic and obtainable. Use will power to address each step with the enthusiasm of the will to live.    This revelation has opened my eyes, lifting the weight of the albatross I had hung around my neck, freeing my power, releasing my will.  With new found fervor and renewed power of  will, I awake happy for the present day with passion to climb just the one step I will climb today knowing that each day as I climb this one step, I am one step higher than the day before and one step closer to the step for tomorrow.



Yoga:  Balasana -  Child's Pose

In gratitude for reality checks and restoration of self-truth, Balasana or child's pose. In yoga, the child's pose is a rest between challenging postures.  It humbles, cleanses, calms breathing, settles the mind and the body.  The child's post is an exhaling opportunity for respite, providing the balance and gravity necessary to facilitate the ability to take one step at a time.


Namaste.

A Day in the Life

A year ago this week, I made the commitment to become a raw vegan.  Although I had only become vegan three months prior and still stumbling my way through food selections,  it wasn't a dramatic decision.  In fact, the choice to become raw just happened naturally.    I had been invited to participate in my first juice fast.  In preparation, my coach suggested that we eat raw the week leading up to Juice Day 1 to ease our way into the fast to avoid a jolting  "shock" to our systems.  Despite eating raw, as you'll recall, my first attempt did not go over so well (Rescuing Failure).   Keeping that episode in mind with  respect to the realization that that my body had begun to purge itself of toxins, the last thing I needed to do was consume cooked foods.  I began to eat raw and starting researching how to "eat raw properly".   I liked the way I felt after eating raw.  It was a noticeable difference.  I had energy, stamina, and a feeling of euphoria.  I did not experience the lethargy that accompanied a cooked meal.  I suddenly could practice yoga or even workout in the evenings if I were inclined to.  My second fast (Breaking Fast) was a success, most likely due to the fact that I had practically one full month of eating at least 75% raw.   What I discovered is that:

Better preparation leads to better results.

Wow.  All of that seemed so long ago.  Today, I am constantly asked what I eat in a day or how can I "be full after eating raw all day"?   It is not difficult to eat raw.  Yes, there is a gourmet raw version of  practically every cooked dish and it is fun to be creative.  However, keeping it simple is the easiest way to eat and maintain a raw diet from day to day.  I save the fancy raw meals for fancy times the same as anyone consuming cooked foods treat "going out" to eat.  A common mistake when transitioning is consuming high fat raw meals.  They are tasty and mimic cooked counterparts.  By keeping it simple, you can eat low fat raw with ease. Keeping it simple was the very first lesson I learned when I first converted, (What a Bargain), remembering to KISS my foods (Keeping It Short and Simple). Show your love as you give yourself a kiss with each meal.   You can, in fact, go about your tasks:

Kissing Yourself All Day

To demonstrate how easy it is, here is my picture diary of a typical, random day.  It is my KISS to you:

Early Morning 

Water                   Herbal Tea                           Water  

6am - I always start the day with a glass of water, keeping a full glass ready by my night stand. Meditation and  yoga followed by a cup of herbal tea.  Usually drink two glasses of water prior to daily 5k run. The morning is completed with weight training and a glass of water.



Breakfast to Mid Morning

Bananas & Pears        Water                        Apples              

Breakfast is either fruit, a fruit/vegetable smoothy, or a green juice followed by a glass of water.  Mid-morning snack is a mono-meal of fruit.

Lunch to Mid-Day

                   Salad                           Water          Red Bell Peppers

1pm -Lunch through mid-day is when I eat the largest meal, usually foods which are hard to digest or take longer than fruit to process. This is also when I will consume the majority of fat intake for the day. A glass of water is typical after lunch.

 The perfect mid-day snack is a mono-meal of a fruit or vegetable.

Afternoon

Herbal Tea                        Bananas                       Water

Afternoon is the beginning of "winding down".  A late day cup of herbal tea is wonderful.  A mono meal of fruit usually will hold me over until dinner followed by a glass of water.



Dinner to End of Day

Squash noodles/sauce         Tangerines        Herbal Tea

5pm - Dinner consists of a light vegetable meal.  Later, around 7pm, a mono meal of fruit.  The day completes with a quiet evening asana and a cup of soothing herbal tea. The evening ends by pouring a glass of water to sit, on the nightstand,

                                                                                 ready for the next morning's wake. 

Getting Started
As you can see, it isn't an arduous, formidable task. Some days, I eat fruit for every meal.  Other days, I drink thick juices or soups made from extracted fruits and vegetables.  It's up to you. The more simple you make it, the easier it is. To get started, I suggest to begin by substituting foods, one meal at a time.  Breakfast is probably the best meal to begin with.  After you have replaced a meal successfully and repetitively for at least one week or more, move on to substitute all mini-meals or snacks before you continue with the next major meal replacement until you feel comfortable.  To be honest, I did not do it this way.  I took the plunge and dove in head first, replacing 75% of all meals within the first week and moving to 95% within the first month.  Here are a few quick tips:

1. Do what is best for you. Pick the fruits and vegetables you enjoy to get started.  If you eat something you like eating, it will be all the more easier to stick with it.
2. If you fall off the wagon, dust off and jump back on.  There isn't going to be a test at the end of the day.
3. As always, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  Not only is water "brain food", it is crucial to the digestion and will help elimination process through your body consistently and in a more efficient manner.   
4. Eat frequently.  I eat an average of every 2 hours in a 12 hour span of time.  When you add that up, that is quite a considerable amount of food.  I am satiated and never "feel" hungry.  If hunger pangs hit you, a piece of fruit will always answer the call.   
5. Phone a friend.  Find a coach or someone who is an established raw vegan who will be happy to aid,  guide you, or provide step by step resource materials as you need it.
6. Discover new ways to prepare and eat foods previously cooked.  Explore! Throw away old fears - trying a new exotic fruit or vegetable you never had before.   

Enjoy yourself, have fun "uncooking" and seal it with a kiss.

Namaste.