Happy Valentine’s Day!  Today my partner and I have a low stress and relaxing day planned for the two of us.  Each and every day is special with him so today is just like another day.  I believe that society puts pressure on couples for Valentine’s Day activities and romance, when it should be about spending time in each other’s company doing whatever makes you happy.  So, we are going to do just that and not be pressured by society.

We have nothing planned this morning but breakfast and yoga.  I think doing yoga with your partner is the most romantic and truly intimate things you can do.  Both of your minds, bodies, and spirits are engaged in the same practice.  Yoga is a stress reducer, full of inspiration, creativity, and the essence of a healthy life.  Sharing a practice with your loved one is such a loving and spiritual journey.

After our morning we are going to go to our favorite café in the park.  Nothing beats a good cup of coffee, nature, and your partner any day.  This café also has the best scones I have ever had; you have to treat yourself every once in a while.

We don’t have anything else planned for the rest of the afternoon but enjoy each other’s company and conversation that I am sure will turn to laughter.  We are planning on cooking dinner together and relaxing in the hammock outside all evening.  Hopefully this dinner doesn’t burn like the last time he tried helping me cook.  He is so funny!



We are making pacific sole with oranges and pecans. Here is the recipe we are using-

Ingredients-

• 1 orange, skinned and membranes removed
• 10 oz. Pacific Sole
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. ground pepper
• 2 tsp. unsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 2 tbsp. white-wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp. chopped pecans
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill

Instructions-

• Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the fillets and place in the skillets on medium heat for 1-3 minutes and flip cooking until the fish is opaque in the center.
• Add the butter to the skillet and melt, add the shallot and cook for about 30 seconds.  Add the vinegar and orange and continue to cook and stir for another 30 seconds.  Spoon the sauce over the fish and top with pecans and dill.  Enjoy!”

I am really looking forward to today.  It is going to be perfect; just like every day with him.  I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day full of passion and love.

Namaste.

Anita

Growing up I celebrated Christmas, the religious holiday, with my family, but as I grew up and decided I would form my own spirituality I began celebrating December (winter) Solstice.  I honor the cycles and the seasons that remind us of the ever changing flow of life that we are part of.  Obviously, you cannot get rid of Christmas in today’s society but, I put my effort in celebrating and having a Solstice party.





Sunday, December 21st was the Winter Solstice.  And just like the past 7 years, we hosted a Winter Solstice dinner party at our house for our good friends that celebrate it as well.  It is great to have friends that have similar beliefs and enjoy celebrating aspects of the earth….we also have a summer solstice party too! :D

At our party we celebrate the “light” coming back to the world.  After the solstice the days begin to get longer and nights get shorter, meaning the sun will be out longer.  At our celebration we make a big dinner, similar to the one I used to make when celebrating Christmas, give gifts, usually have a campfire and engage in conversation all night. 

Even though we have good friends that understand what the Winter Solstice is about, I often get questions from students in my yoga class or other acquaintances what it is.  Here are a few common questions I get-
What is the December (winter) Solstice?  The winter solstice is an astronomical phenomenon where the sun in in the furthest part of the southern sky.   It is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. After the winter solstice the days begin to get longer and the nights get shorter.  It is the first (unofficial) day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer in the Southern.  Below is a map of the world during the time of the solstice.




Is it related to Christmas?  Some believe it is because there is no date in the bible that specifically says December 25 was the birth of Christ.  The December solstice is tied to many cultures and events including the Mayan apocalypse scare that marked the end of their calendar.

Do you decorate for the solstice? Yes we do.  We decorate the house with evergreens and wreaths representing the rebirth of the circle of life.  We decorate the house with candles, lights, mirrors, prisms, and everything that creates light to welcome back the light.



The winter solstice is a magical time when we acknowledge our incredible earth and the change in seasons.  Even though the winter solstice has past, make your calendars to celebrate the summer solstice on June 21, 2015.

Happy Solstice!

Namaste

Anita

Being a spiritual person has made me who I am today.  Looking back at old pictures reminiscing and reliving my childhood make me so happy I was raised the way I was.  Growing up my parents were very religious.  I went to services with them until I was about 13 then they let me make the decision if I wanted to go or what spirituality I wanted believe.  I continued to go with my parents until I got to high school, then I only went with them on holidays.  When I went to college and found yoga, I quickly adopted a holistic approach to spirituality.  I was so grateful my parents let me choose what I wanted to believe in from my own experiences.  …on a side note, after I saw the movie, Life of Pi, I felt such a connection to Pi while he was experiencing different religions and forms of spirituality.  It was truly an incredible film. Check out the clip here.

I often pose the question to myself, what is a human life without the attention to the aspects of life beyond our physical, emotional, and mental concerns?  Through the ways of the world and my love for humanity I defined my own meaning of spirituality.  Although I have no tangible believes system, I have my ideas and a unique belief’s that work for me.   When I began practicing yoga, it awoke my spirit even more that I would have imagined.  Being able to be one with my mind, body, and spirit and open my heart is such a way, made me realize how much more the world has to offer.  I embrace all the natural world and work to contribute my part to it. 

I focus on the natural abilities of the human anatomy and how I can maintain my spirituality as one with my physical body.  I do what I believe is good for my body; what is healthy and what I feel is emotionally right.  Devoting time each day to reflect on who I am, how I can service society and help take care of the world is very important to my spirituality. 



I believe in positive energy and negative energy.  Each human being has their own energy they contribute to the world.  I believe that through actions you can make your energy stronger or even change your type of energy.  Going along with changing energies, I believe in karma.  The sum of a person’s actions decides the fate of their future.  I believe that karma is not a punishment for actions, but a result in those action.

As a spiritual person, I focus on enjoying every day, embracing who I am, and appreciating the world around me.  To maintain my spiritual health I spend time meditating, doing yoga, reflecting on each day, and spending time trying to make the world a better place.




Although others may not understand my spirituality, I know how I view it and help make the world a better place because of it.

Namaste.

No matter what; someone, somewhere has a harsh opinion and feels it necessary to share it.  This morning after my yoga class, I went to a café to get a cup of tea and reflect on the day to come.  There was a man very angry because the barista did not get his order right.  He was acting outrageous and spreading his negative energy to everyone in the café.  It was visible, the people sitting around him were getting physically upset.  Times like these, I am very happy I have a strong mind that can ward off negative energy.
Ever find yourself getting caught up in all the negative energy society gives off?  Sometimes it’s hard not to get consumed with the problems of family, friends, and those around.  It is important for me to find peace in the moment and let the negativity pass.  Society has such a strong hold on the minds of its citizens, it’s crucial to have a resilient mind and avoid all the criticism and negativity. Society should try to take time each day to release the destructive energy built up and allow the positive energy to flow in. 
When I come across such negativity and criticism, I try to look at it as a gift.  Whether the criticism is towards me or someone else, if it is a valid suggestion to improve, or a cruel jab, it reiterates how strong my positive energy is.  The human mind is the most powerful tool that can be used to increase positive energy in stressful situations.


Forgive and forget.  It sounds easier said than done.  Learning how to forgive those who hurt me and move on, made me live a happier life without grudges or hatred.  By forgiving and forgetting, both parties are able to move on and regain the positivity.  I have found that living without anger and hatred is living a happy life. 
When talking about forgiving and forgetting it is hard for me not to think about a story that made national headlines a couple years ago.  A father publicly forgave a drunk driver that hit the vehicle he was driving and killed his wife and two children.  That is a perfect example of forgiveness to create some sort of positive energy out of a situation so tragic and negative.  Read the story here.
I believe one of the most important components for living a positive and spiritual life are to forgive, forget, and continue being positive by living in the moment.  
I think everyone should spread positive energy everywhere by offering thanks for a healthy life, gratitude for the people around, and appreciation for the how fortunate they are.  Positive energy creates positive actions.



Namaste

It has been nearly 6 months since my birthday and I am so thankful for all the great energy this year has begun to bring me.  Last weekend I was cleaning through our closet and saw my partner’s gift from my birthday that I had totally forgotten about.  He knows how much I like DIY projects, so he got me a soy candle making kit.  It was such a thoughtful gift I can’t believe I forgot about it.  I love being about to make as much as I can from scratch and spend time with good company. 

This week my partner and I finally got to make our soy candles.  I have made soy candles before but these were a little different but smelt so delicious.  Our candles turned out so great, I had to share how we made them with you.  I highly suggest making your own soy candles, they are magnificent.

This recipe makes about 2 small/medium candles depending on the size of jar you use.

Supplies you will need:

•    8 oz. soy wax flakes
•    Scent drops (whatever scent you want to make)
•    Candle wicks
•    2-3 popsicle sticks
•    2 small/medium jars
•    Candy thermometer
•    Heat-proof measuring cup
•    Hot glue gun
•    Small sauce pan

Directions:
Step 1- Prepare your jars by gluing one end of the wick to the bottom of the jar and wrap the other end around a popsicle stick and secure on the top of the jar.

Step 2- Bring about 3 inches of water to boil in a small sauce pan.  Put the soy flakes into a heat-proof measuring cup and put it into the sauce pan.  Leave the wax be as it melts.

Step 3- Once it is melted use the candy thermometer to make sure the wax is around 185 degrees F. Remove the measuring cup from the saucepan and heat.  Add a few sent drops to the wax (to your personal preference of scent) and stir with a spoon for about 2 minutes.

Step 4- Use the candy thermometer again, let the wax cool to about 135 degrees F. When the wax is cooled, carefully pour it into your jars.

Step 5- Let your candles cool down and solidify.  They turn fairly opaque and solid after about an hour.  Do not remove the popsicle stick with the wick until the soy is COMPLETELY solid.

Step 6- When the soy is completely solid, remove the popsicle stick and trim the wick to your desired length.

I read that you are supposed to let them harden completely for two weeks before lighting them.  But they smell great and are great decoration until you light them.







Hope you enjoy making DIY soy candles as much as I did.  I love quick DIY projects, if you have any favorites please share the directions!

Namaste.

Living a positive life rubs off on those around you.  Today while I was going for a jog in the park, I saw an older gentleman struggling to get off a bench.  I stopped and helped him stand up and make sure he was okay.  He was so gracious that I came to his aid.  As I walked beside him while he was strolling out of the park, he began sharing a story with me.  He told me how his wife and he came to the park every day for the past 25 years to watch the sunrise with coffee in hand to begin their day.  He told me how he was so lucky to have had such a wonderful wife.  He proceeded to tell me she had passed away a week ago but continued coming to the park to begin his day with her.  As we approached the park exit, he told me if I wouldn’t have come over to the bench to help him, he wasn’t sure if anyone would have stopped.  As we parted ways he gave me a giant hug and said that because of my kindness I made his day, he would try paying it forward to someone that needed a smile that day.

As he walked down the street, I thought about how just a little positive action can generate so much happiness for someone feeling down.  Having a positive attitude and helping others is something everyone should strive to have.  I focus on living in the moment and spreading positivity where ever I go through action.



Being positive and happy doesn’t mean you have to ignore the pain or emotions in that moment, but instead embrace that specific feeling with an open and loving heart.  Learning to deal with pain and angst with positive energy is a very powerful emotional mechanism.  Everything happens for a reason and keeping a positive attitude though the tough times, produces spiritual growth.

Positivity begins from within.  When we fill our mind with beautiful thoughts, the world becomes a beautiful place.  I find happiness and positive energy through physical, mental and emotional wellness.  When I engage in a regular wellness activities I feel my stress and anxiety from the world subside and my optimistic vitality increase.



If everyone was to take time for themselves to understand how to embrace feelings and emotions, the world would be a positive place.  But, to get to that point, it only takes one person to begin the cycle.  When I helped the older gentlemen at the park, he wanted to spread his new found positivity with someone else, and hopefully they will want to as well.  Let’s begin a chain of positive energy and brighten each day.
Namaste