Just another day

Yesterday like many days started off with a meditation followed by some blog writing then yoga. I took annie’s class at Exhale... lot’s of arm balances which certainly felt good and left me feeling strong but boy was it difficult.  After class, Jen (who met me at class), and I decided to grab lunch at Rawvoltion.  We each had a spirilina warrior shake and split an enormous seaweed salad, so good and so healthy. We chatted about our hopes and intuitions and it felt good to be around someone who shares similar interest.  Jen  is one of my favorite people on earth, lovely and so inspirational. she has spent the last three years traveling the world, and for a moment she’s staying westside before she heads out again to continue her journey.  While here, I’ve been giving her little insights on the westside lifestyle and taking her to all the good for you stops. we like that.

We decided to go on a bike ride,  so she can feel the energy of venice and really see the neighborhood. we went on a short journey and rode down the bike path and headed over to the marina pennisula where we sat on the beach soaking in the sun. there were birds hawking at us, that were actually kind of frightening. the thought of being picked at by birds was both running through our minds, so we decided to walk along the beach collecting rocks and shells. I felt very blessed to take a little time out from working and enjoy nature.  Later we rode thru the venice walks streets, a part of venice I love. It was getting late and I knew I had to run to the market.

While shopping down the isle of Santa Monica Co-op. I was noticing the change in the super market. For many years this market has felt like one of the last hippie mom and pop stops.   It’s been revamped and there is so much more good stuff to check out.  I bought tons of superfoods, sprouted nuts, and hemp powder for my healthy shakes.

As I was checking out and waving goodbye to Jen, a little girls voice shrieked of pain which caught my attention.  I walked over to offer my help, surprisingly the mom was not freaked out, even after seeing the tremendous gash on her daughters upper brow.  she was very calming while cuddling her three year old child.  this little girl was lucky the cut was above her eye. she had hit a corner of the shelf that created a huge gash, which was just awful to look at.

I was surprised by what little help was offered to this woman and child while she was screaming bloody murder. no one but myself and one of the store workers asked if she needed help?? but someone did call the ambulance.  I supposed I could see peoples confusion whether they should be helping or avoiding, then again I don’t think anyone saw that she had split her head open. I sat there for a few more minutes, and as I walked away I realized it was the first time that I approached a stranger who was in pain. I’ve always felt nervous being around injured people, as I don’t like the sight of blood. but something in me wanted to make sure she was ok like a motherly instinct I never knew I had.  As I drove home I thought of that moment. there was knot in my stomach but that euphoric feeling of helping someone in need.

Caulfields at the Thompson Hotel

Hi my sweet loves,

Last night I went to Caulfield’s in Beverly Hills at the fabulous Thompson Hotel with my dearest pal Jen for a little dinner party. The newly opened Caulfield is the newest baby to proprietor Laurie Mulstay, owner of Magnolia, the Bar, and bar Chloe. We were delighted with an array of culinary excellence…TIGER SHRIMP COCKTAIL, CHARCUTERIE PLATE , ARTISINAL CHEESES , MAGNOLIA’S MAC + CHEESE , TROUT ALMONDINE, CAPERS & FRIES, BEEF SHORT RIBS – glazed carrots + English peas, BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON …..  soooo good!! Trout and Brussel Sprouts were my favorite! but everything was delish!

To top it off we had a sampling of all their desserts, GOATS  CHEESECAKE – w/ fig jam, bruleed figs, BANANA TERRINE FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE, KEY LIME PIE – fresh whipped cream. ummm.. Can you say Hello & mmmm!!

We polished off our scrumptious desserts with tea, spirits and great conversation. the company couldn’t have been more delightful, thank you Laurie and Jen!

Caulfield’s is cozy yet sheik with a stylish décor. Definitely a great place to dine with friends, or for a hot date night.  A must try!

http://caulfieldsbeverlyhills.com/

Tea Time

Dahlings,

Would you like to have some tea with me?  My favorite new thing this past year is having tea with friends. It wasn’t until my husband and I took part in a tea-ceremony that I started drinking tea every day. I am a coffee drinker,  I love the aroma and taste of having a cup of coffee, but lately i’ve needed something a bit easier these days, so tea has suited me just fine.

After part-taking in the ritual of tea that one fine day, my husband researched traditional tea ceremonies, and has since then been doing his own at our gatherings. it’s similiar to having a wine tasting as he will also give you a bit of tea history while pouring.  there is a method to pouring tea that is quite unique and great to experience with friends.

We enjoy a variety of green teas, mate, chai, oolong and elderflower….  there are many teas to explore from many different countries.  teas are very medicinal and in many cultures, tea is often served at high class social events, such as afternoon tea and the tea party. It’s known to heighten alertness and is a type of antioxidant.

Normally we order tea cakes on-line but the Bird Pick in Santa Monica has a pretty good selection. You can find them here.  There is a very cool Tea House in San Francisco that is must visit if you are in the area.  OmShan Tea

So if you ever wanna to get a hold of me? Ask me for Tea.. please. The company would be delightful!

high five!!

Tonight my husband gave me the high-five and congrats on my ONE year anniversary of staying sober.  I marveled at the fact that it’s been a year. time flies when you’re having fun. This in fact is one gigantic accomplishment because it was something I never even thought I could do let alone wanted to do. I wasn’t an alcoholic or had a problem. I actually liked boozing and hanging out with friends getting cocktails.  I mean I can’t say there weren’t nights that made for a exhausting morning. liquor is hard on everyones body no matter what age, and I always considered myself a work hard play hard kind of girl.

A little over a year ago I started feeling a physical change, as if I was developing some kind of allergy to alcohol.  I felt physically sick not just with headaches but frequent colds and digestion problems. perhaps it was my age starting to set in? I am not sure, but I knew something needed to change.

There is a very different side of me that only a handful of friends truly get and understand. I am deeply spiritual person. I have spent the last 14 years of my life studying various eastern philosophies of nutrition and ways of life, so changing things up isn’t something that I was afraid of or couldn’t do. I actually really embrace change, and feel fearless in that way.

I have spent many years doing month long detoxes yet the thought of not drinking alcohol for an entire year never crossed my mind. When the idea to stay sober for a year came to mind, I knew then that this was going be a great learning experience and a tremendous spiritual practice.  As you get on in life, grow older, discipline gets tougher. It’s easy to lose sight of how important it is to cleanse our bodies.

It was important for me to change the course of my body’s habitual needs. Growing up in Los Angeles and being part of the entertainment business most of  my working life lead to some unsavory habits, and now that I was getting older I could feel my body not recovering like it use to. My social network has never slowed down, even when I got married. In fact it’s picked up the pace,  I seem to attract more friends being married than being single…

As the months of sobriety went on I could feel my physical self getting stronger, my mind clear and aware.  my memory sharp like an elephant. I even lost about 25lbs– I have fluctuated between 5-7lbs during the wintery months, but for the most part I trimmed down quiet a bit. I didn’t realize how bloated I looked until I saw past photos. I was probably looking that way for some time.  (much to my surprise)..

I could honestly say that not only did I lasted the year without a hitch, but it really did change me and my pursuit of happiness. and the craziest part about it, I kept on with my social life.  2011 was probably the most social year I’ve had in a long time. it’s like taking my already extremely social life and multiply it adding numerous festivals, art shows and birthday parties. not to mention the fact, out of all years, this was the year I decided to go to Burning Man for the first time . I even threw a 40th birthday party that was an all nighter!. I had a wild year staying sober while all my friends getting smashed around me. The fact that I didn’t hide away or became a complete anti-social just added to the punch.

I can’t deny there weren’t moments that were tough. friends smoking and slurring in my face started to get annoying?  the constant questioning, and feeling the need to stick up for what I was doing seem to hit some high notes. There wasn’t a whole lot of sympathy or praise, not that I was looking for any, but it’s nice when someone would say.. good for you. There were also many occasions I’d be left out of the mix, friends just stopped calling, because no drinking means no going out to bar’s. I realized it takes more effort all around to be sober person. I guess that’s why most people I talked to claim they could never do what I am doing unless they had a serious problem? definitely interesting.

I could go on about the insight to all of this?…. does it matter?

The simple truth is: I set out to do something and I accomplished my goal. I am pretty proud of that.