Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Latest Secret Zumba Night
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Zakka Style Sewing
Don't you just love the library? You've probably heard me praise libraries before, just think, there are many places in the world where libraries don't even exist! Anyways, here's my latest find: Zakka Style- 24 projects stitched with ease to give, use and enjoy. The Japanese word Zakka loosely means 'many things' or 'miscellaneous goods' as well as a style that is simple, unique and handmade. Simple, unique and handmade? Sounds like something right up my alley! Apparently, I'm not alone in this alley, a quick search on the internet turns up hundreds of pages on Zakka Style sew-alongs (sew-alongs are web-supported groups of people who sew the same project at the same time, help each other and show off) so I was eager to get started.
Here's a photo of my pencil case which I completed in about an hour while the Kid was his crib singing: "Mommy, I don't close my eyes, I don't nap, Mommy."
What's fun about this style is the small amount of patchwork included in the sewing. I'm not much into making quilts and cutting a zillion little pieces of cloth, but with these small projects you can enjoy the combination of leftover fabrics without going bananas. The use of linen also gives the pieces a simple and natural look. I think I might repeat this project again, it was so much fun. Or invent something....
Oh and I finally got my hands on a copy of Simplicity Parenting- Using the extraordinary power of less to raise calmer, happier and more secure kids from the library, so I might have to slow down the artistic challenge so I can read it before the next person on the long, long, waiting list can have it. Gotta find out why so many people want to read this book! More on that later!
Here's a photo of my pencil case which I completed in about an hour while the Kid was his crib singing: "Mommy, I don't close my eyes, I don't nap, Mommy."
Oh and I finally got my hands on a copy of Simplicity Parenting- Using the extraordinary power of less to raise calmer, happier and more secure kids from the library, so I might have to slow down the artistic challenge so I can read it before the next person on the long, long, waiting list can have it. Gotta find out why so many people want to read this book! More on that later!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Take the Bus to The OutPost Cafe
YAY! I wish we had a place like this on Commercial Street. Come on! Someone! Anyone!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
You are Beautiful! Banishing FAT TALK!
It's been a while since I've written. I could say that it was a combination of taking care of a more and more active Baby, picking up food off the floor 4-5 times a day, training for the Sun Run, but really I needed a break from writing. Plus I haven't found anything much to write about until this morning.
On my way to work one morning a few years ago, I saw that someone had painted: "You are beautiful." on the wall of an overpass. It made me smile. After that, I noticed this was written more and more in random public places around the city. It always made me smile, but I would soon forget about it and I never did find out what it was all about until this morning. I picked up at the library "Operation Beautiful-transforming the way you see yourself one post-it note at a time." by Caitlin Boyle. She states that the mission of Operation Beautiful is to post anonymous notes in public places for others to find, spreading the real truth that WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL; we are enough... just the way we are. Her book is full of photos of women and notes from all over the world, abolishing FAT TALK and taking back the power of their unique beauty.
I first started noticing my own FAT TALK in my late twenties. I can't remember when I started, but I've Fat Talked a lot. It starts in the mornings, in the showers, in the closet, at the gym, on the street, at work, while eating, while watching tv, and it doesn't stop. I've done it alone and with others.
"I'm so fat."
"Did you lose weight? You look great!"
"I wouldn't be caught dead in that bathing suit."
"What's with size 0? Is that a size?."
"I haven't run this week, I feel so guilty."
"Don't give me any of those, I'll eat a whole bagful."
The only time I've ever had a break from Fat Talk was when I was pregnant. I was FREE!!! I felt beautiful, round, sexy and happy. It was SO AMAZING to NOT think about weight, size, food, exercise etc... It was such a significant change, I couldn't believe it. That inner voice was gone.
It wasn't long after my baby was born, that the FAT TALK came back. If I managed to tame it, reveling in feeding and caring for my newborn, there were plenty of skinny moms at the new mommy groups who had apparently given birth only a few weeks prior. "Really?" The rest of us, round belly moms, wondered when we were going to fit in our old clothes again. Some moms were already on diets, doing hard-core training in the rain with their babies in strollers. What is with that?? It's sick. The funny thing is that I haven't minded that my boobs are bigger and point a little more to the south that before. I love that they are feeding my boy so wonderfully and he truly seems like he's in heaven when drinking his momma's milk. BUT the weight around the middle? That's not okay. It's not??
This paragraph from Caitling's blog " Healthy Tipping Point" summarizes what FAT TALK really is.
"So, what do we really mean when we say, "I’m so fat"? We actually mean that we are FULL WITH AN EMOTION. Oftentimes, it’s shame. Or sadness. Or fear. Why do we express our inner turmoil by hating our bodies? Because that’s what Fat Talk and society tells us to do. Don’t admit you’re scared, just feel fat! Don’t admit you’re lonely or depressed, you’re just fat! We can deal with ugliness, we cannot deal with weakness. The next time you feel the urge to say, "I’m so fat," think about what you REALLY mean. By berating your body, you aren’t doing any favors. But by honoring your emotions, you’re living a happier, more honest life."
Last week I completed a 10km run in 1 hour and 9 minutes. I trained for it for 4 months, running in the rain with Baby in the stroller. It's been 6 days and the FAT TALK is back. I heard it. Yesterday I stood on a scale for the first time since I gave birth. I couldn't believe it what I was saying to myself. I won't ever repeat it. So I'm fighting back:
http://operationbeautiful.com/
On my way to work one morning a few years ago, I saw that someone had painted: "You are beautiful." on the wall of an overpass. It made me smile. After that, I noticed this was written more and more in random public places around the city. It always made me smile, but I would soon forget about it and I never did find out what it was all about until this morning. I picked up at the library "Operation Beautiful-transforming the way you see yourself one post-it note at a time." by Caitlin Boyle. She states that the mission of Operation Beautiful is to post anonymous notes in public places for others to find, spreading the real truth that WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL; we are enough... just the way we are. Her book is full of photos of women and notes from all over the world, abolishing FAT TALK and taking back the power of their unique beauty.
I first started noticing my own FAT TALK in my late twenties. I can't remember when I started, but I've Fat Talked a lot. It starts in the mornings, in the showers, in the closet, at the gym, on the street, at work, while eating, while watching tv, and it doesn't stop. I've done it alone and with others.
"I'm so fat."
"Did you lose weight? You look great!"
"I wouldn't be caught dead in that bathing suit."
"What's with size 0? Is that a size?."
"I haven't run this week, I feel so guilty."
"Don't give me any of those, I'll eat a whole bagful."
The only time I've ever had a break from Fat Talk was when I was pregnant. I was FREE!!! I felt beautiful, round, sexy and happy. It was SO AMAZING to NOT think about weight, size, food, exercise etc... It was such a significant change, I couldn't believe it. That inner voice was gone.
It wasn't long after my baby was born, that the FAT TALK came back. If I managed to tame it, reveling in feeding and caring for my newborn, there were plenty of skinny moms at the new mommy groups who had apparently given birth only a few weeks prior. "Really?" The rest of us, round belly moms, wondered when we were going to fit in our old clothes again. Some moms were already on diets, doing hard-core training in the rain with their babies in strollers. What is with that?? It's sick. The funny thing is that I haven't minded that my boobs are bigger and point a little more to the south that before. I love that they are feeding my boy so wonderfully and he truly seems like he's in heaven when drinking his momma's milk. BUT the weight around the middle? That's not okay. It's not??
This paragraph from Caitling's blog " Healthy Tipping Point" summarizes what FAT TALK really is.
"So, what do we really mean when we say, "I’m so fat"? We actually mean that we are FULL WITH AN EMOTION. Oftentimes, it’s shame. Or sadness. Or fear. Why do we express our inner turmoil by hating our bodies? Because that’s what Fat Talk and society tells us to do. Don’t admit you’re scared, just feel fat! Don’t admit you’re lonely or depressed, you’re just fat! We can deal with ugliness, we cannot deal with weakness. The next time you feel the urge to say, "I’m so fat," think about what you REALLY mean. By berating your body, you aren’t doing any favors. But by honoring your emotions, you’re living a happier, more honest life."
Last week I completed a 10km run in 1 hour and 9 minutes. I trained for it for 4 months, running in the rain with Baby in the stroller. It's been 6 days and the FAT TALK is back. I heard it. Yesterday I stood on a scale for the first time since I gave birth. I couldn't believe it what I was saying to myself. I won't ever repeat it. So I'm fighting back:
This break is well deserved!
Thank you body for taking me to the finish line!
Let's have fun today and move so that it is fun!
My body is awesome as it is!
My body is feeding and taking care of Baby so perfectly!
I am beautiful!
http://operationbeautiful.com/
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Compassion
Halfway through "The Wise Heart", by Jack Kornfield, I was inspired to create a sacred space to spend some time every day sitting still, practicing mindfulness and gratefulness or just focusing on breathing. For this space, I've collected a candle, this book, a blanket and some matches. It just so happens that on the wall in our spare room there is a beautiful Mexican picture of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" which completes this sacred space very well.
Recently I've spend some quiet time on cultivating compassion. Here is a nice practice as explained in "The Wise Heart". As I sit quietly and breath softly I picture someone I care for in my mind and my heart. As I think of them and their life, I try to be aware of how my heart opens to them, how I seek to comfort them, share their pain and extend compassion. I repeat these phrases:
May you be held in compassion
May your pain and sorrow be eased
May you be at peace
After a time, I picture all my loved ones, one after the other and wish them well.
There are friends and family moving, traveling, fighting, overworked, worried, waiting for babies, bored, wondering, unfocused, wanting to quit, celebrating, unappreciated, unloving of themselves, sick, broke and I hold them in compassion.
I didn't want to see any more media coverage of the Tsunami in Japan. All the images broke my heart. There was so much sadness there I couldn't bare to think about it. So I hold them in compassion.
Then, I do the same for myself which is weird at first, but boy, does this ever have an impact on me.
May I be held in compassion
May my pain and sorrow be eased
May I be at peace
So on those days when I wish I could envelop myself in a soundproof bubble because baby is inconsolable, I remember to hold myself in compassion.
So on those days when I lose my patience because I just want to prepare dinner without having to take everything out of the cupboards to entertain Baby, I remember to hold myself in compassion.
So on those days when I blame, judge and feel bad about myself, I try really hard to remember to hold myself in compassion.
Recently I've spend some quiet time on cultivating compassion. Here is a nice practice as explained in "The Wise Heart". As I sit quietly and breath softly I picture someone I care for in my mind and my heart. As I think of them and their life, I try to be aware of how my heart opens to them, how I seek to comfort them, share their pain and extend compassion. I repeat these phrases:
May you be held in compassion
May your pain and sorrow be eased
May you be at peace
After a time, I picture all my loved ones, one after the other and wish them well.
There are friends and family moving, traveling, fighting, overworked, worried, waiting for babies, bored, wondering, unfocused, wanting to quit, celebrating, unappreciated, unloving of themselves, sick, broke and I hold them in compassion.
I didn't want to see any more media coverage of the Tsunami in Japan. All the images broke my heart. There was so much sadness there I couldn't bare to think about it. So I hold them in compassion.
Then, I do the same for myself which is weird at first, but boy, does this ever have an impact on me.
May I be held in compassion
May my pain and sorrow be eased
May I be at peace
So on those days when I wish I could envelop myself in a soundproof bubble because baby is inconsolable, I remember to hold myself in compassion.
So on those days when I lose my patience because I just want to prepare dinner without having to take everything out of the cupboards to entertain Baby, I remember to hold myself in compassion.
So on those days when I blame, judge and feel bad about myself, I try really hard to remember to hold myself in compassion.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Boys, Boys, Boys
I'm currently reading a fascinating book entitled: "Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys." by Stephen James and David Thomas
So far, some of the key things I've come away with are these:
Boys need space.
Boys need to move around. Alot.
Boys will destroy things.
Boys need to go outside alot.
Boys do listen. You just have to learn how to talk to them.
Boys are different than girls and isn't that wonderful?
Boys need to go outside alot. Did I say that already?
The more boys seem to despise you, the more they love and need you.
Get educated. Educate your boys especially about those dreaded topics like masturbation, wet dreams, sex, drugs, pornography, and any other topics your parents probably "forgot" to tell you.
Lori has written a great review of this book in her blog, if you want an idea of what this book is all about.
It's funny how my 1 year old zeroed in on the picture of the boys on the cover of this book. Mesmerized....
So far, some of the key things I've come away with are these:
Boys need space.
Boys need to move around. Alot.
Boys will destroy things.
Boys need to go outside alot.
Boys do listen. You just have to learn how to talk to them.
Boys are different than girls and isn't that wonderful?
Boys need to go outside alot. Did I say that already?
The more boys seem to despise you, the more they love and need you.
Get educated. Educate your boys especially about those dreaded topics like masturbation, wet dreams, sex, drugs, pornography, and any other topics your parents probably "forgot" to tell you.
Lori has written a great review of this book in her blog, if you want an idea of what this book is all about.
It's funny how my 1 year old zeroed in on the picture of the boys on the cover of this book. Mesmerized....
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Under the Piano
Last year, while I was still pregnant, my lovely co-workers got me a gift certificate for Under The Piano. What's special about this is that while you are laying under the piano, Craig plays whatever comes to him. How cool is that? Lying down to enjoy a concert that is yours only. Well, Baby came early and we never made it. Today, I managed to make some mommy time for myself and go with my good friend instead. It was fantastic! I regret that I wasn't able to go when Baby was still in my womb because the vibrations from the notes and the piano were so wonderful! After the 40 minute session, I felt so relaxed and so happy.
I recommend this to any pregnant mom, for sure, and anyone else who would like to experience something different. Couples would love it for something intimate and different than your typical dinner date. Craig offers package deals and also a recorded CD copy of your concert. I'll probably go back, just for some more well-deserved mommy time. What a wonderful way to enjoy music!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Les Faux Bourgeois French Restaurant
Martinis- Awesome
La salade de chevre chaude- nice, but way too much dressing.
Les moules- Delicious!
La salade de chevre chaude- nice, but way too much dressing.
Les moules- Delicious!
I wish this kind of restaurant would open on Commercial Street (our cool little pocket in the city could use a nice French restaurant)... I'm putting it out there...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Babyproofing Your Marriage- A Great Book
"I expected to add diaper, pacifier, formula to my new motherhood vocabulary-I didn't think f*!k and s#*t would feature so prominently!" Lisa married 5 years, 1 kid
Funny. Babyproofing Your Marriage-How to Laugh More, Argue Less, and Communicate Better as Your Family Grows is a hilarious, down to earth book written by real mom authors, Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O'Neill and Julia Stone. At first, I was saying to myself: "yawn, not another self-help book that takes 233 pages to explain a one paragraph concept.", but I decided to give it a try and do some armchair reading slash breastfeeding.
I absolutely loved this book. It covered everything that's missing at those mommy groups and what other parents are too tired to share with you. The best chapters are "What's the score? The post-baby battle of the sexes" and "The sex life of new parents. Coitus non-existus." Too tired to read? Cartoons are included.
What's also really nice about this book is that it's written for both women and men and highlights real examples from both moms and dads! Also provides lots of useful advice on how to say goodbye to your "single, where should we fly to this weekend, pour me another glass of wine self" and embrace "your turn to change diapers, what's my name, I'm so tired self."
Visit the library or order online!
 |
| Babyproofing your Marriage, 2007 |
I absolutely loved this book. It covered everything that's missing at those mommy groups and what other parents are too tired to share with you. The best chapters are "What's the score? The post-baby battle of the sexes" and "The sex life of new parents. Coitus non-existus." Too tired to read? Cartoons are included.
What's also really nice about this book is that it's written for both women and men and highlights real examples from both moms and dads! Also provides lots of useful advice on how to say goodbye to your "single, where should we fly to this weekend, pour me another glass of wine self" and embrace "your turn to change diapers, what's my name, I'm so tired self."
Visit the library or order online!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Loved the atmosphere, the soft lighting and simple decor. Everyone is seated close together, yet we can hear each other talk. The waiters are attentive yet discreet. It was nice to order in French.
To make it short: