Eye Opener

This took my breath away with the shock of the red in an unexpected way.

via jakandjill blog

Sustenance

1. Beets: Think of beets as red spinach, Dr. Bowden said, because they are a rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters.
   How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power.
2. Cabbage: Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes.
   How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.
3. Swiss chard: A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes.
   How to eat it: Chop and saute in olive oil.
4. Cinnamon: May help control blood sugar and cholesterol.
   How to eat it: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal.
5. Pomegranate juice: Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants.
   How to eat: Just drink it.
6. Dried plums: Okay, so they are really prunes, but they are packed with antioxidants.
   How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked.
7. Pumpkin seeds: The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death.
   How to eat: Roasted as a snack, or sprinkled on salad.
8. Sardines: Dr. Bowden calls them “health food in a can.” They are high in omega-3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins.
   How to eat: Choose sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with dijon mustard and onions as a spread.
9. Turmeric: The “superstar of spices,” it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
   How to eat: Mix with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish.
10. Frozen blueberries: Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don’t spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies.
    How to eat: Blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds.
11. Canned pumpkin: A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories.
    How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Verbatim via NYtimes

Kindness

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle"
-Plato

I have been contemplating this quote a lot this weekend. Everyone I meet or come across and whatever there reactions and/or reactions is not a personal action towards me. They are simply living their human existence, searching for meaning and strategizing ways to meet their needs, just like me. Sometimes it's hard to think of this in a heated moment or when I get pulled into the same story of dislike of a specific person, an old anger, an injustice done to me or others. However, it doesn't serve anyone,importantly myself when my actions from a reaction cause more suffering. Breathing into the feeling helps to loosen the stranglehold of the old stories that I am working to release from this life and my karma.

image here

Heart

Do you not see that you and I are as the branches of one tree? With your rejoicing comes my laughter; with your sadness start my tears.
Love, could love be otherwise with you and me?
-TSU YEH, Tsin dynasty, AD 265-316

Shine

"Our deepest fear is not to be inadequate. Our deepest fear is being powerful beyond measure. It is our light that most frightens us, not our darkness. We ask ourselves: Who am I to be brilliant, extremely talented and beautiful? And really: Who are you not to be? "
Nelson Mandela

Holiday

Warm wishes to all for a joyous holiday!

image here

Sweet Suite

Martin Margiela designed Suite Ile aux Oiseaux at Les Sources de Caudalie near Bordeaux. For 650 euros a night, you get sleep in this beauty, plus you get a signed "gift" from Mr. Margiela. Sweet!

via NYtimes

Ray of Sunshine

Coasting down Park Ave So., I got sprayed with this ray of sunshine.

It's poetry in motion
She turned her tender eyes to me
As deep as any ocean
As sweet as any harmony
Mmm - but she blinded me with science
--Thomas Dolby

Felt

I'm connecting with my body and asking what it's feeling right now and what it needs to be more nourished. Tapping into the felt sense of what my body is saying and not analyzing, not thinking, just asking and waiting for my body to let me know when it's ready. Being and sitting with it.

What is your body telling you today and what does it need to be more nourished?

Come with me

Come with me / My love / To the sea / The sea of love / I want to tell you / how much / I love you

Happy Friday

Via scout holiday

Roped

Alexander May found via Duskin

Breathe

Holiday seasons seems to raise the stress level for most people. Somehow the season of giving has turned into giving and expecting the hottest toy, hottest electronic item, the hottest, latest whatever. Another stress inducing holiday experience is the experience of the physical shopping activity. Just writing these stressful thoughts are raising my stress level, I feel a tightening in my stomach that is telling me, "I don't want that stress!". To honor that, I will...

• breathe, when I catch myself holding my breath
  
• meditate
• yoga (breathing, moving meditation)
• practice mindfulness in my thoughts, movements, gestures and interactions
• daily grateful list

How do you/will you deal with the stress or non-stress of this holiday season? I would really love to know.


Image from here.

Richness

These two questions have been on my mind all week, I've been pondering, searching and digging deep, I'm not done yet......

What would you do with your life if you knew that you could not fail?

What would you love to tell your younger self?

Any thoughts, oh fellow humans?

Riddle me this

Solve These Typographic Riddles to Win a Nook! This is from Fast Company. Solve the eight typographic riddle and win a nook, Barnes & Nobles' version of kindle. More info on this, the what's, where' and how's, here.

Good luck to anyone that's entered. I enjoy looking at typographs, but don't really understand it, so it's way over my head!

Collecting Bukowski

A petition to commemorate Charles Bukowski's 20th anniversary of his death.

Via here

Smokin'

Catherine Baba is fierce! Love the outfit, though the fur turns me off (the humane thing), but the rest of it...wow! This woman also zips around town on a bike, in a kimono robe and stilettos...hot!

Credit: Jak and Jill

Sheer Pleats, Ruffles Galore

Credit: The Sartorialist

Snap

Found My Animal makes these badass dog leash. They also make great leather alternative collars and harnesses. Their products are handcrafted in Brooklyn, the ropes for the leashes are handmade by professional rope makers in New England. These leashes are so chic, they do double duty as an accessory. Can be worn as a belt or necklace. Badass.



Found My Animal makes these badass dog leash. Makes me wish we had a dog. This company alo

Fly Funk

So smooth, so hot, so fly.

photo: Michael Abramson
from the moment blog/nytimes

Crystal Drops

This is my inspiration for a new chandelier in the bedroom. The challenge is to make this with materials that I already have at home.

From here

Snow Sunday

Glimpses of Sunday afternoon. It snowed in New York for the first time of the year, unfortunately unless it snows hard, it's gone the next day. Happy for me, we took a ride out to my parents and snapped some pictures for posterity.

Surprised Kitty Friday

Too d*mn cute! I'm sure you've already seen this, this has been the toast of internet this week. But just in case you haven't....

Fantastico Senor Zorro

Charming movie. Highly recommend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing all love, peace and joy on this holiday of Thanks Giving.

What are you thankful for?

My list is sky high and keeps growing.

Running to catch up

Fallen behind, that's what happened after being sick most of last week. Will be back on board as soon as I can breathe.
xoxo

Tulum Dreams

This is where I will be this weekend in my dreams, returning to Tulum.
Have a lovely and sparkly weekend.

via NYtimes

Last Friday of the month

The delightful, insightful and joyful blog by Maira Kalman in the NY Times, The Pursuit of Happiness. I look forward to her posts every month and know that it will bring a smile to my face and happiness bubbles in my tummy.

The Pursuit of Happiness by Maira Kalman

Grateful Friday

1. Rain for three days and sunny for four
   
2. Kisses from the husband
3. Fantastic Tuesday class
4. Little Girl learned how to fetch
5. YumYum, I can't stop showering him with kisses
   

Rainbow Acid

Rad batteries from Romania.

via Lovely Package

Tea for 2010

Loving the tea towel calendar. Love the idea that once you're done with the calendar, it can incarnate into its second life as a tea towel. I'm all for multi use objects.

From Cicada Daydreams