Shoshone

The Snake River Canyon

A few weekends ago I went to visit my father in Southern Idaho. He lives right by the impressively massive Snake River Canyon. For the past 6 years, since my dad has lived there, I can remember being sucked into that place like a magnet. The beauty of the canyon captivates me. I'll never forget the first time I ever saw the canyon; I was in a bit of a panic. We were crossing the Hansen Bridge, I was driving on my learner's permit, ahead of me, coming in the opposite direction, were two large semis, and behind me was another. I have this bad habit of imagining, very vividly, worst case scenarios while driving. So that set in and I broke into a cold sweat. My dad just kept telling me to stay calm. "The bridge isn't that long, you'll be fine!" he kept saying. Ah, I credit my dad for my cool-head in situations.

So, this canyon instills a sense of freedom and beauty in me. It's like instantly being transported to the 1700s, before the dams were built, before the houses, before white man. There was nothing in Idaho's country except nature and the Native tribes. In my simple, nature-loving mind that's perfection. "To live in harmony with the spirit of the mountain called Monkey was enough."

My dad took me to see The Niagara of the West; Shoshone Falls. It was my first time there, and I was beyond myself with excitement. Waterfalls don't exist in Florida. It's horrible!

Meditative Rock

I spotted the massive, inviting rock in the above photo while my father and I were strolling around. And I thought to myself, "I could sit there all day long, reading a book or weaving a basket." Then the thought never left my head. If it weren't illegal, you'd better believe I would've crawled my ass up there to enjoy the sight and sun! My dad and I walked as far as we could, we watched little birds fly by the steep rock walls and land gracefully on little pinnacles. We talked about the sounds the thundering water makes. He showed me Juniper trees (new favorite) and we even participated in a little green cleaning by picking up plastic sacks and beer cans. By the way, never let me catch you litter. It will instantly ignite a very pissed off fire!

Not many people understand why I love Idaho so much. Thankfully, my dad does. All I have to say is, "I love rocks" and he's on the same page with me. Yeah. We're rock people. But in all seriousness, the shapes the rocks create, the vegetation that grows between the crevices, the hills, the animals, the trees... I love it all. Yes, even the wind. Idaho is painted in rich, nutty brown tones and vibrant greens; it's bathed in gold and sage. Nothing can replace Idaho's place in my heart.

Coconut oil

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Ayurvedic medicine loves coconut oil. It's one of the most important oils in this ancient science (sesame oil might take first place, though). Coconut oil is known to speed up skin regeneration after wounds and helps prevent sagging skin and wrinkles. Here is some of the science behind it. It's really very interesting to see how our body uses the lauric acid found in coconut oil to prevent diseases.

It's also excellent for hair, making it shiny and adding necessary proteins. It even helps prevent hair loss! I have yet to try it on my hair (treatment post coming soon) but I did trade in my sesame oil for coconut oil as a skin moisturizer for a few weeks. I must admit, I wasn't thrilled with the direct application on my skin. It felt wonderfully silky going on my face, but I noticed that my complexion was a bit red and it didn't help my blemishes at all. I know of people that adore coconut oil for their skin, but sesame oil works better for me. I think it's because my dosha is primarily Vata, and sesame oil is the most calming to that airy element (to find your dosha, take the quiz). Coconut oil is known to help balance Vata and Pitta doshas, but I think for me it's best to stick to ingesting it instead of direct application.

What have your experiences with coconut oil been like? Do you prefer a direct application or ingesting it?

indulge without fear

Lately I've been obsessed with what goes on my skin; I don't trust chemicals. I reserve make up for "special occasions" and I use it maybe once a month, usually less. This slight obsession has also seeped into my use of body lotion. There are some really scary, and unnecessary, things in conventional lotions. I've dabbled in research to find product brands that promote healthy cosmetic formulas. There aren't many. Today I found this short article on one of my favorite websites that addresses some of my concerns. It's basically a list of the 12 most toxic, common ingredients in cosmetic products. It's definitely worth checking labels before you buy anything to make sure the product is free of these vile ingredients.

But I'm not perfect and didn't check before I bought a new lotion from Whole Foods yesterday. I figured they would have the best selection of healthy/natural beauty products without having to spend hours on the internet, and then waiting, waiting, waiting for the product to arrive. So I scoured the isles and picked out one that I felt was worthy. I checked the label with the article today and, to my utter joy, the lotion I picked up checks out on the "Dirty Dozen" list! Yes! I am so happy.

This pomegranate sunflower (smells awesome, by the way) lotion from Nature's Gate is paraben free, phthalate free, mineral oil free, petrolatum free, PEG free, and butylene glycol free, and free of the other ingredients on the list. Plus it has extracts from sunflower seeds, safflower, pomegranate, sweet almond, apricot, jojoba, shea, vitamin E, soybean, aloe, pansy, marshmallow, calendula, sage, milk thistle, grape, red tea, oat, and horsetail! Nature's Gate also has products for hair and sun. Definitely worth checking out!

oatmeal & orange peels

I'm somewhat obsessive over my skin. The generic products grocery stores carry always, always irritated my skin. So I was stuck with the expensive stuff; it was the only thing that somewhat worked for me. The drawback to that, besides the harsh chemicals and high price, was that if I skipped a day of exfoliation or a mask my skin would take 3 steps back... *sigh*

Because of all that I decided to try my own, home-made treatments. I have to say I really enjoy the experimenting and my skin can handle it, too. My problem with home-made is that I'm somewhat lazy and don't plan ahead. But that all stops now.

Today, I was in dire need of exfoliation. I must admit I haven't exfoliated for a while, and I'm planning an epic pamper-spa day, complete with dry brushing, oil bathing, hair treatments, mani/pedi, and a facial mask. But before I do a mask I need to exfoliate, and I don't like to do both on the same day. Laziness aside, I concocted an exfoliating treatment today.

This is what I used:
*2 Tablespoons of Oatmeal- ground up with a mortar and pestle
*2 Tablespoons of dried orange peels- also ground with mortar and pestle
*1 Tablespoon of honey
*1-2 teaspoons of yogurt or milk

After I cleansed my face, I ground the oatmeal and dried orange peel and put them in a small bowl. Then I added the honey and milk and stirred it all together. I applied it with gentle circular motions and let it sit for about 5 minutes. After that, I rinsed it off with lukewarm water, gently dried, and topped it all off with some sesame oil. The result: awesome feeling skin.

sesame oil

My sister-in-law asked me to dig around for some information on sesame oil to find out what makes it so great. And i'm glad to do it! She tells me it's been working wonders on her skin, leaving her soft and naturally glowing. The more skin alternatives I find the better. Having struggled with skin issues my whole life, I've recently become sort of obsessed with using only all natural, chemical-free products on my skin. My delicate skin! How could I torture you with chemicals?! I choose not to. So when I hear of new stuff, I try it!

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Here is what I found out about sesame oil:

• It's one of the most important oils used in Ayurvedic medicine
• Also known as gingelly or til oil
• It's popular in oil bathing, as it calms an imbalanced Vata dosha
• It provides natural protection against UV rays
• It's antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory (really good for fighting blemishes!)
• It's full of antioxidants
• It's full of vitamin E, which is excellent for keeping skin hydrated and healthy
• It draws oil soluble toxins out of the skin
• It's used in oil pulling, for oral hygiene 

Basically, sesame oil is hydrating, it helps regenerate new cells, protects against UV rays, it attracts and extracts toxins, and it has very sanitary qualities. Plus it has awesome nutritional value being high in mono- and polyunsaturated fats, as well as being low in saturated fats. It's a win-win situation all around.

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I can say with confidence I'll be getting my hands on some of this miracle worker soon!

beyond the tops of trees: a milestone

Today is my beautiful mother's 50th birthday. She makes it look so good. I'm so thankful that my mom has been blessed with 50 years of excellent health because it means she'll have many, many more years to enjoy with her family and the earth.

She's lived in the United States for 25 years now, and she's never been to New York. So that was her birthday present. I dropped her off early at the airport this morning. We celebrated her birthday last night as a family, since she left so early today. It was really nice to relax with her and we had our dinner outside with a glass of pino grigio. 

My family has always shared in sky gazing. We're fascinated by the colors of the sky and shapes of the clouds. Last night, on the eve of my mom's 50th birthday, she, my brother, and myself took a few minutes to appreciate the beauty bestowed upon us in our backyard.

my favorite

I chose not to edit these photos. These are the colors and shapes that dominated overhead. As disconnected as I might feel from others at times, it's nice to be reminded of our interconnectedness in the small things. Such as the sheer admiration of the ever-changing sky.

I told my mom that the sky was especially beautiful that night for her. We were able to have a few moments together before her trip where we could just relax, be happy, and enjoy the present moment. Things like that make me feel so warm and fuzzy inside.

As if the spectacular sunset last night wasn't enough, the sky dazzled us again at sunrise when I dropped her off at MCO.

I caught Mr. Sun just as he was peeking over the horizon.

The day dawned bright as ever on my mother's milestone birthday. 

Happy birthday, mami. Thank you for the beauty, joy, and happiness you've given me. I love you!

barefoot in the grass

Today marks the first official day of summer, and it's definitely hurricane season in Florida. That means awesome light shows in the sky throughout the summer! I love lightning storms. They can be scary! But I welcome the flashes of light that creep into my windows during those grim nights. There was an especially fantastic lightning storm last Wednesday. I stood in my backyard staring at the sky for a solid half hour. 
I tried to capture the spider-vein patterns of light on my phone's camcorder. It didn't turn out so well. Lucky for me I found Mr. Jason Weingart while I was looking for other lightning fanatics in Florida. Check out one of Weingart's videos of the lightning storm last week. That's really how it happened. It was non-stop; absolutely breathtaking!
My fervent attention was probably helped along by my belly fresh full of good food, feeling the enduring inner peace after an amazing yoga session, and because I was sipping my favorite tea. Regardless, I felt so happy and connected and wholesome.  Yes, standing barefoot in the grass, hair tumbling in the thrashing wind, staring at the pulsating sky made me feel natural, comfortable, at peace. The Divinity of the earth is stunning. It is perfect in its existence. I love the subtleties in nature that seem purely accidental but are inextricable. The cycles the earth falls into are serene and honest. Humans can't live without plants; plants can't live without water or sun; water falls from the sky; the sun follows the water and completes the balance of natural events.
I'm looking forward to the stunning displays of nature this summer has to offer. 

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"Poo" Free: Sayonara mainstream shampoo and conditioner!

Hair. It's all around us. It's pretty. It's shiny. It's soft. It's not called your "crowning glory" for nothing!
But wait-- have you ever considered the 20-syllable word ingredients list on shampoos and conditioners? The chemicals are there, always haunting, always lurking, waiting to strike.... You rub that stuff into your scalp, you know? They find a way into your body, those nasty, icky chemicals. They also find their way in our water supply; every time you or a stylist rinses shampoo, conditioner, perm solution, lightener, color, and treatments. Nasty chemicals. Lets try to cut some out, shall we?
One day I thought to myself, "how the hell was beautiful, silky hair possible before Paul Mitchell, CHI, and Redken? There must be some deeply hidden secret the world is hiding away from me." I set out to find it. I wanted a way out of the clutches of mainstream shampoo and conditioner. What I found out is that you can make your own shampoo and rinse with low-impact stuff you have laying around your house, and reap the benefits of an natural serum. Awesome, right?!
Awesome. So, not only will this save you TONS of money on shampoo and conditioner, but it's so much nicer to the planet, and healthier for you and your family.
All you need is some basic kitchen ingredients, a tablespoon and two bottles or dispensers. (Personally, I use a coffee mug and a small/medium bowl that I leave in my shower). I usually prepare my mixtures right before I get in the water, so everything stays warm and mixed up.

FIRST: The shampoo. Re-think this. Think, shampaste. This isn't nearly as messy or pasty as it sounds. You'll want to warm up one cup (8oz) of water. Keep it warm, not hot, as this is going on your precious, tender scalp. Then, saunter over to your baking cupboard and enlist the assistance of your beloved sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

Meet your new hair cleansing agent

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the baking soda to your warm water and mix it well, dissolving the baking soda. I find that for my hair 1.5 to 2 tablespoons is enough. Depending on your unique texture, your hair might require less or more. It might take a little experimenting to find the right ratio. If you use too much baking soda, chances are you'll get a little itchy*, since baking soda is an alkali. Again, make sure the water is warm and not hot. Hot water will blow your pores and hair follicles wide open, and too much baking soda + over-heated water = a really, really itchy head. (Trust me, I did this when I was first going "poo" free. It was very unpleasant. It's better to start with too little baking soda and/or too cool water and work your way up. You can always try again tomorrow.) Once the baking soda is mixed in your warm water, simply pour it over your head and massage it all around, scalp to ends. It won't lather, but don't worry, your hair is getting clean! Rinse this out with cool (not lukewarm) water. The cool water seals down the outermost layer of your hair (the cuticle) and helps increase shine (woo-hoo!).

SECOND: The rinse. You'll have to re-program your brain from 'conditioner' to rinse. Traditionally, conditioners are heavy to make up for the stripped natural oils the shampoo lifts out. However if you're not stripping your natural oils (thanks, baking soda), there is no need to use a heavy, creamy product on your hair every day. This is where your small/medium sized bowl comes in. Take half a lemon and squeeze it all out. And I mean all of it, the juice and the pulp that comes with it!

Lemon fresh takes on a whole new meaning!

When the lemon is squeezed out, dilute the juice with water. I usually use about a cup and a half, but again your hair might need less or more. Then, pour it over your tresses. Let the lemon-water sit in your hair a minute or so, make sure it gets everywhere, and enjoy the zesty scent in your steamy shower, ahhhh... The acidity of the lemon neutralizes the alkali baking soda and brings your hair back down to its healthy pH, between 4.5 and 5.5. When you're ready to rinse it out make sure the water is cool. The cooler the water, the shinier the hair! This also helps cut back on frizz (a major issue in Florida).
EDIT [4 August 2011: Since I originally posted this, I've experimented with a couple of other rinse methods. I don't use lemon water anymore; I use a 50/50 water/vinegar solution now. Apple cider or white distilled is fine. Vinegar is also good for flakes; I recommend using white distilled diluted with water. Your scalp will love it.]

THIRD: Natural pick me up. I always like a serum to calm my unruly little fly-aways. I use olive oil. First of all, it's all natural (always my favorite). Second, the vitamin E and antioxidants found in olives encourage hair growth. Third, I always have it anyway. And fourth, it makes hair more manageable, giving it a little "grip" without greasy buildup. 

The olive: sacred amongst the Goddesses

All you need is a dime-sized drop rubbed between palms and smoothed over tresses. Oh! And you can use the excess on your hands to show your elbows and knees some love. Olive oil is wondrously moisturizing.

From here, you have two options: you can air dry and embrace your natural wave, or you can blow dry. If you're letting it air dry, you might want to use a tad more olive oil, depending on how wavy/curly your hair is. If blowdrying, start with a little bit, and add more when you're completely dry, smoothing out fly-aways.

See me shine!

PROOF! Opting for a "poo" free alternative won't make you look like a mountain woman! I've been using the baking soda/lemon water/olive oil regimen for about a month now, and my hair has never felt better. The first time I did this, I could literally feel the baking soda cut through the buildup on my hair. It was quite a sensation, difficult to put into words. But I promise you, if you try this you'll experience it too. Another thing I noticed since switching is that my hair dries twice as fast, and I can go longer between washing it. Expect your hair to take a week or two to get used to the new routine. It is worth it. The shine and softness of my hair can be witnessed in the photo-- I only used the ingredients and techniques in this entry the day I took the photo. It's wonderful.

I hope this is useful for those of you looking to save a few pennies or take a stand against harsh chemicals in everyday products.

peace&love

*For mild itching between shampoos, rub a couple of drops of tea tree oil on your itchy scalp. Tea tree is moisturizing; it's antiviral, antimicrobial and antiseptic. However, if your skin is cracked or very sensitive, reach for the olive oil. This is much less intense and still offers the moisture itchy scalps crave. Tea tree on cracked skin can cause a burning sensation and the only way to get rid of it is to wash again. If in doubt, use the olive oil. Hair loves olive oil.