Your Shadows.

T H E   S H A D O W   E F F E C T

A Journey from your darkest thought to your greatest dream.

"In this age of public humiliation and media meltdowns, the work of New York Times best selling author, Debbie Ford, continues to make headway as she exposes the opposing forces of both light and dark that compete for attention within every human being. In her film debut, The Shadow Effect, Ford presents the hidden power of “the Shadow” alongside some of today’s most provocative thinkers including Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Mark Victor Hansen, James Van Praagh and others.

In this life-altering journey, individuals who have transcended child abuse, racism, the Holocaust, war, and wounded upbringings, share their remarkable stories. Meet those who have learned to face their terror, heal their wounds, and embrace their higher, heroic selves to overcome the shadow effect."

I ordered my copy of the DVD today. Click on the banner to go to The Shadow Effect website and to view the trailer:

Just a Good Ole Boy

...never meanin' no harm!

Karen just shared this link with a bunch of us animal loving girls. It's John Schneider and a video clip of his experience with an awakening. I loved this clip because not only do I love animals, but it reminded me of when it first hit me that I'd never eat animals again! (or wear them or use them...) I just knew it was right for me to choose to avoid that kind of pain. Looks like John just realized a few things that he needed to know to help out his path. Check it out! (Thanks Karen!)



I'm glad he can change things that no longer work for him. It was nice to see it and hear it in his own words. :)

To Show You My Love

I just made a wedding slide show with this song and it's stuck in my mind. Sad to me, but very beautiful. I thought I'd give a bit of exposure to this great artist.



As this plays, I will copy a bit from an email I received today from The DailyOm. It was a bad day and made me question why I do what I do. Interestingly enough, I came home to this:

"Some of our goals and dreams come to fruition so easily that it is as if an unseen hand has done much of the work for us. When this happens, we say it must have been meant to be. On the other hand, when dreams and goals require a tremendous amount of effort, we may interpret this to mean that our dream is not meant to be. However, difficulty is not necessarily a sign that our hopes and plans are ill-fated. On the contrary, difficulties and challenges along the path can be important parts of the project’s overall meaning.

When we find ourselves facing difficulties with a particular plan or project, the chances are we know already whether we are meant to continue on or let it go. We simply need to look within ourselves for the answer. When an idea is meant to be, it comes back to us time and time again. Then we know we can go forward, no matter what challenges arise, knowing that it is meant to be."

I hope that helps you if you begin to question yourself too. Just keep on doing your best. It is enough and always has been.

Your Thanksgiving Turkey!

Sponsor a Turkey

Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project has encouraged people to save a turkey at Thanksgiving through sponsorships that help us rescue animals and provide care for them at our sanctuaries, as well as educate and advocate for turkeys, and other farm animals, everywhere. Now is your chance to join us in saving even more lives this year.

For a one-time donation gift of just $25, anyone can sponsor a turkey who lives at either our New York or California Shelter. As a Adoption Certificateturkey sponsor, you will receive a special Adopt-A-Turkey certificate with color photo of and fun details about your new friend.

Turkey sponsorships also make perfect gifts, so make an even greater impact this holiday season by sharing the love with others. For a gift of $150, you can sponsor the whole flock and have adoption certificates sent to family and friends!

We are pleased to present here photos of beloved turkeys at F. S. who not only need your sponsorship support this Thanksgiving but also your help showing others just how deserving of life farm animals really are. We are privileged to have these beautiful birds in our care, and we know you’ll love making a difference for them too!

source: Farm Sanctuary

Donny and Marie Show

Do you remember this show? I cannot believe I was actually laughing so much at Donny's Soul Man performance near the end. The music, the OUTFITS, and the dancing are sure to bring you back to how awesome TV was then!!



"I'm a little bit country...I'm a little bit Rock + Roll!!" I miss my Donny and Marie dolls!

What the BLEEP Do We Know!?

What the BLEEP Do We Know!?

The Original 108 minute film - released in theaters in February 2004. Starring Marlee Matlin and 14 Scientists and Mystics. Exploring the worlds of Quantum Physics, Neurology, and Molecular Biology in relation to the spheres of Spirituality and Metaphysics. Part documentary, part drama, part animation:

Part 4 of 6 of a series, "Down the Rabbit Hole:"



Watch all 6 YouTube clips if interested. It mentions aging, emotions, reactions, habits, changing yourself and recreating your life!!

This Is It

Awesome movie. The songs are great and seeing MJ behind the scenes and hard at work is inspiring. His dedication and over-achievement are a rarity in most and we were lucky to be ale to catch a glimpse of that from rehearsal footage. Makes me wonder what those shows would have been like if *this* footage was just prepping.

Thank you Michael for giving 100% in your life and sharing with us, even if only by rehearsal footage. The audience was clapping and cheering you on in a small theatre and missing you as the credits roled. Nothing was wasted. We saw your effort and energy and dedication. It was nice to be there with you for that when you did not know we would be watching, caring and inspired by it.

Smooth Criminal:

Boston VegFest 09

It was nice to make time off for Boston's annual VegFest! I was sad to go alone but was happy to find friends there from real life and Facebook! It was nice to meet people from Vegnews and even Maple Farm Animal Sanctuary as well.

The Vegnews stand offered a free copy of their magazine. I get the online version, but I do miss flipping through the pages of this awesome magazine! I grabbed a copy for me and for you, Karen! :)


Vegan Treats is the company name and their booth was not only the most popular, but it was so pretty! Check out all the cute cakes they made and I will show you a closer up photo of them too... yum!

I was psyched to see Sequel there and giving samples of their Vega products! Their new sport drink is really good and soon to be available at places like Whole Foods. It was nice to meet my Facebook friend and vegan body builder Robert Cheeke there are well. (makes me want to work out now...)


One note on the Vega powder... I usually make mine with Hemp milk. Some make theirs with water. The nice lady in the pink sweater there said that half milk and half water is what she does. She shook one up for me and it is even better mixed like that! Not too thick and not too watery!

Below is the Sproutman! I've ordered from them online, but it was nice to pick up some organic seeds for sprouting.


I was happy to see my friends at Buddha Hut cooking up a storm at VegFest! The owners were there (husband and wife) and it was nice to say hi. I had to RUN since I'm on the 30 day raw food challenge and did not want to sample anything, but I already know they are great! Worcester based and really nice! (All vegan!)


The crowd...


A close up of those cakes! All vegan. Why are they not raw? :P


Such a pretty day out today. I liked the view from VegFest. (See the sign for it?)


Some views from my walk back to the car:








At home, showing Britty what I got for her!! MMM! Vegan Treats cakes! I picked out cookies and cream, carrot cake, coconut cream, and brownie cheesecake:


As for my treats, I got the spouting seeds. (I know, not as exciting as the cupcakes, but I do need to eat better and feel better!)


A new stainless steel water bottle:


Acai power powder for my shakes.smoothies:


"Twister" power powder for shakes, smoothies or even for sprinkling on salads. This has chia seed, flax seed and brown rice. I also got raw cocoa nibs from this company. The rep told me that all of their products are raw.


I also picked up a t-shirt from Maple Farm Animal Sanctuary and heard they need weekday volunteers. (Hmmm! This is worth taking a day off for!) I picked up some samples for myself and friends and tried not to buy everything in sight. I sampled coconut water, which I actually liked for the first time. (I guess different brands are better than others.) Looking at my own cupcake photos, I'm getting hungry so I am off to find something raw to whip up!

Thanks to VegFest and all its sponsors and exhibitors!

Monthly Raw Challenge

Each month, Raw Food chef and author, Alissa Cohen, has a 30 day raw food challenge on her forums. I'm going to participate in the November one and wonder if you want to join?! (say yes!)

The forums give lots of ideas and support so it's a great place to "detox" for the month and join in with others doing the 30 day challenge. The website has recipes and tips and links to books and other resources for helping you feel your best.

Just register on the forums and prepare for a great November! I hope to see you there. Email me if you join so I can find you!

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/index.html

Boston VegFest 2009

Will you be there? :)

Just when I thought I was down...

I saw this video on Lilou's facebook page and had to share it. The 100th fall is just another to get right back up from:



http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

<3

Love Never Ends

Photo Source:  http://www.unitedinlove.com.au/images/photos/commitment-ceremony.jpg

Your Vision

We become what we think about most. Believing this, I find it very important to take notice of what you are thinking a lot of the time! (You may be surprised!) It can be difficult to stay focused on the positive parts of who and what we'd like to become, so a project I'm excited for is creating a 'Vision Board.'

A vision board is a collage of images, pictures and affirmations of your dreams and desires. It can also be called a dream board, treasure map or vision map. It helps keep your mind focused on positive goals and dreams and helps block out the excessive negativity we are surrounded by. It's easy to step away from your goals if you do not make an effort to keep them in the forefront of your thoughts. It's important to replace the bad thoughts with good and healthy ones often!

Here is a sample board I found online:

I've already created a collage of images on a travel cup a few months ago and feel I need bigger goals now! You can attain the goals quickly once you set your mind to them and make a commitment to yourself and these goals. I used to feel this was selfish, but now realize that this gives me to best chance to help take care of those who need me if I am giving myself permission to do and be my best!

Give it a try! Dream BIG!!!



Sample Vision Board Photo Source = http://christinekane.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/vb1b.jpg

The New Year Can Begin in October

"The possibility in making this your best year ever exists in every moment. Having the best year of your life depends not on some outside accomplishment, but on allowing the greatest expression of yourself to be unveiled." 

~ Debbie Ford from The Best Year of Your Life.





Image Source:  http://www.reiki-light.com/reiki.htm

Get Your Greens

Here's an easy way to get your dark leafy greens in: tuck them in your morning smoothie! (or afternoon and evening) I read that it's good to vary up the greens a lot with choices like romaine, red leaf lettuce, spinach, arugula, carrot greens, beet greens, butter lettuce (yum!), spring greens, etc... You won't taste them much in a smoothie with fruit and it's a great way to get those medicinal properties of the greens in!

Here is what I am making this morning:

Berries and Greens Smoothie:

1 cup strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 banana
1/2 bunch romaine lettuce
2 cups water

This should make about 1 quart. You can keep it in the fridge and have it all day long!

"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food."
Hippocrates


Veggies photo source

Catalyst

Debbie Ford is a NY Times Best-Selling Author and internationally recognized expert in the field of personal transformation and human potential. I have benefited immensely from reading her books and will soon be seeing her movie, "The Shadow Effect." In my research, I found this video clip online where Debbie speaks about her book, Spiritual Divorce. I listened to it even though divorce is not part of my life. I watched this video clip and thought of "divorce" as something coming to and end. (not necessarily a marriage.) This could pertain to a job, a friendship, a bad habit or anything that people tend to hang on to a bit longer than they should.

We may have all seen people forgo opportunities because of fear. We can be so afraid of closing the door on something in our lives, that we spend more time being upset about that one closed door than about the thousands of doors in front of us that we could choose to open.

Aside from being afraid of change, sometimes people can be bitter because of it and can blame the world for their troubles. Not accepting responsibility is one way to stay upset and to not give yourself permission to live a better life. I feel bad for the "victims" of the world who created the label and hold tightly to it as if it will somehow ever change on its own. Spiritual Divorce sounds like a great book for those who cannot let go of the past or the bitterness or who have not yet given themselves permission to be happy.

Here is Debbie Ford speaking of the ideas in her book. Even without reading the book, this video clip is helpful and gives you lots to think about!

Lisa & John - Crane Beach

Congratulations to my friends Lisa and John on their wedding on Crane beach! It was great to be part of your day and what a great beach day we had. (Lucky you!)

Don't happy couples make you happy?

Britty got this shot of me crawling in the sand for a photo. It looks like my head is missing...

...but it's worth it to get these shots of Lisa and John.

This is the first wedding I've photographed barefoot.  ;)

Britty is at it again with her sneaky photos:

While I show off the newlyweds' new rings:

Congratulations Lisa and John! :) You will be seeing all of the images soon. Thank you for letting us be part of this perfect day on the beach! Thank you SO much for our gift basket too, that was SO thoughtful!

We feel very lucky to have spent our day with you and your family. Watching a marriage between two awesome people take place was great to see and I wanted to share it here. Maybe it will inspire another couple to renew their vows! (on a beach!)

Mistakes of the Past

"The mistakes you have made in the past, you have already paid for. You don't have to pay twice.

Start right now and redefine what it is you want and take the steps to get there..."

~ Paul Martinelli

Image:  "Let Go"
source:  http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/322266123_c777cfbbca.jpg

Daily Reminders

New Blog!

Hi! Did you notice a change here? This blog is now geared toward what I have been focusing on for some time now and feel it may help lots of people. Optimum Health! To me, this means successfully managing our own life. This encompasses our inner and outer world. Jobs, goals, dreams, emotions, energy, purpose, relationships, self-healing, etc... many areas are ones to tackle individually. I have been finding that addressing the fundamentals such as - what do you truly believe? - are ones that are life changing. I've enjoyed the books, videos, food, ideas, and people I have encountered now that I have pointed my life in this direction. This blog will be some things I have discovered along the way and will be a place for me and you to come back to often, if it should help us.

My old blog was a vegan blog. After four years, I am still vegan and believe I always will be. I do not like the label of "vegan" because I've seen it put people in groups or feel separate. The label is not needed for me, but I do believe in being compassionate in every possible way because it is right for me. This includes eating. I love animals too much to ever participate in hurting any of them. I choose to live a life that involves the least amount of suffering, and I am non-judgmentally happy with my decision. I was only not happy with the label. My old vegan blog is still available, and some of the posts are here in this one too!

Onto my Daily Reminders, which is the title of this blog post: My friend and health/nutrition coach, Jen of Pure Energy LLC, sent me a link recently to a site that I now visit daily. This site is full of wonderful information, courses on personal growth and healing, and even offers daily horoscopes. :) The link is:

http://www.dailyom.com/

...and it's free!

Sign up for their free email newsletter. Their online courses are great too, and some are fee based or donation based. Pay what you can! To give you an idea of their work, today's daily reminder included this:

Nothing happens without a purpose. Whether we attract success or repel it depends on our willingness to stay open to a wide range of possibilities and to embrace concepts like synchronicity.

The photo is also from this artcle, which is called Cosmic Support.

Check it out if you would like to see their library of articles and to even receive one each day in your inbox! What a nice way to wake up!

Juice for Dinner!

I haven't felt like cooking much due to the heat and a busy schedule, but also because I have those days where I just don't want to eat! We found a temporary solution until my new juicer arrives...

Jumpin' Juice and Java was a place I never went to because of the name. lol. It's a coffee shop and a smoothie shop and any of their smoothies can be made non-dairy. The menu is pretty good and it's attached here:

jumpin juice and java

We chose the Caribbean Cooler and a Berry Berry Good non-dairy smoothie as our dinners. I'll definitely be going back for another one! It's nice to not have to cook and also to have something for dinner despite low appetites. My Vita-Mix would be great for this, but when I don't have the ingredients or am on the road, this works out well!