Bittersweet Endings

The last days of yoga were amazingly perfect in every way. I couldn't imagine a better way to have spent my summer than with these incredible people. The community we shared, the space we created for one another, the safety and support offered by complete strangers... strangers who quickly became friends. 

Thank you all for what you have offered me. I hope that I was able to return the favor. See you all again soon, I am sure! 

Our teachers were phenomenal. While their wisdom was offered freely,
their care and love, respect and honor for their students resounds beyond the class room.
Thank you Christy, Walter, and Astara!

This is my family. I love them all.

With the Sincerest of Gratitude,
~Birdie

This for That - Green Machine Cont.

Rather than giving out hundreds of resources regarding the "WHY" area of this blog, I am simply providing a quick overview of reasoning. If you have questions or need more information than is offered please email, comment, or FB me and I will be happy to dive deeper with you. 

This	That	Why?
Plastic Tupperware	Mason Jars/Pyrex Glass Dishes	Plastic leaches chemicals into our foods which can affect our body regardless of being used to hold food in the fridge or cook it in the microwave. Plus, you can purchase mason jars for about $10 for a dozen 16oz jars. That is a lot of food storage compared to Ziploc. AND they will last for years! Mason Jars: They ain't just for Grandma anymore!
Bottled Water	Steel or Copper Water Bottles	That's a lot of plastic waste. Also see “Why” above. Steel or Copper water bottles will also last you a long time. Chances are, you will lose it before you break it.
Microwaves	Stove or Oven	These have been known to cause infertility through radiation emissions among other health concerns. There isn't much regarding studies, but honestly, do we really think they are safe anyway? When we microwave meat, for instance, we end up altering the chemical makeup of the meat. The proteins are no longer long strands of chemical compositions and instead are crunched up, tangled globs of chemicals that cannot be properly digested by the body. Other experiments have shown that if we were to microwave a jar of water, let it cool to room temperature, and put a fish in it. The fish would die. This experience also worked on plants. Scary stuff.
Processed Foods	Fresh Veggies!	If it comes in a box, best try to avoid it. Check out the ingredients list on those suckers! Holy smokes! Rule of thumb, if you don't know what it is or can't pronounce it... don't eat it. The fewer the ingredients in the list, the better. Lay Original Potato Chips has three ingredients: Potatoes, Salt, and Safflower Oil. Yum.
Soda/Pop... Soda Pop	Iced Tea (unsweetened)	To find out how much sugar you are consuming in a single can of soda divide the amount of grams of sugar by 4... that's how many teaspoons of sugar is in that one can. Now, compare that to the amount of sugar we need on a daily basis to survive: 1 tsp. Shocking, no?
Fast Food	Home Cooked Meals!	Made easier now with those nitfy mason jars, you can take soup, spaghetti, etc to work/school with you now. No stove at work? OK ok... compromise – use the Microwave OR better yet, get a hotplate that you can plug into the wall and a small pot. It's worth it. Trust me.
Chemical Cleaners	Baking Soda and White Distilled Vinegar	See previous blog about chemical cleaners: here.
Conventionally Grown Food	Organic	It would take 10 conventionally grown apples to reach the equivalence of 1 organic apple in nutritional value. Pretty crazy, huh? Science has proven that 8 times out of 10, organics are more nutritious and healthier for us than conventional foods. Can't afford to buy all organic? I understand. Keep in mind that when you eat Organically you actually eat less food because they are higher in nutrients. When our bodies tell us it is hungry it is telling us we need more nutrients. Don't dive in head first, start integrating organics into your diet slowly. Buy organic apples or broccoli and slowly add more into your budget as you learn more about it.
Video Games/FB	Life... Adventure	<--- 'nuff said. Seriously.

This is just a start and they are easy starts! Implement them one at a time and see how much money you can save, how much better you feel, how much fun you can have! Get creative!


Knowledge is Power,
~ Birdie

Green Machine

What is this whole "Going Green" madness about, really? Is it a new found industry much like our technology booms? Or is it a new awareness amongst the human civilization (of the USA) that if we continue on the path we are on, there might not be much left for us to enjoy in this world? There are debates upon debates upon debates about terminology like carbon footprints, etc... thanks Al, whether or not we should be taxing for said carbon footprints, if hybrid cars are worth their weight in the long run versus the SUV.... on and on and on.


There is news media from both the conservative and the liberal sides spouting off extremes and end of days messages. Are our lightbulbs really that bad? I mean, really?! It is a topic that infiltrates our daily lives without fail. Slogans like "Green!" "Think Global, buy Local!" "Global Warming..." I mean "Global Cooling" "Climate Change!!!" Oh brother!


But who are we to believe? What really is the truth? And how do we sift through all the other junk that is out there when we already have full lives as it is? Who has the time to decipher it all? AND THEN, when you finally do break through the lies and get to the root of the problem, where do you start to make changes in your life? Where do you begin? There is so much to do, so much money to spend, so much to replace! 


It is downright overwhelming.


I have my own political views on this matter that I won't bog you down with, however, I overheard a conversation some months ago where a gentleman brought up a truly brilliant point that I had never heard before. He said, in regards to "going green to save the world": 


"The Earth will always be here, whether it is lush and green and full of life or covered in ice or burnt to a crisp. The Earth will always survive. It is the human race that needs to worry. We shouldn't be changing our lifestyles under the impression that we are going to Save the World. We should be doing it so that we can save ourselves and the future generations to come." 


With that said, I feel like this blog has evolved from a basic "Look at my Garden" journal to an all encompassing lifestyle awareness resource. My household, in preparation for our move to Oregon this summer, is beginning to rummage through our belongings and see what we need, what we want, and what is healthy for us. It is a long process, downsizing, but it will be worth it in the end. 


Through my education at SWIHA I have been blessed to be exposed to knowledge, philosophies, and plans of action that result in a healthier lifestyle for my family. We have changed our ideologies regarding this Green Movement from thinking that we could Save the World and, instead, have started to focus on how to better our own lives through living the healthiest way we can. This includes ridding our house of chemicals, plastics, and electronic distractions. It also includes making healthier food choices like where we eat, where we shop, and attempting to plant our own gardens. 


When we move and begin our homestead we will have water from a Well, solar power, a garden and orchard to feed our family with organic deliciousness, and herbs galore. We will have chickens and goats. This lifestyle will save us money on utilities and groceries. We will feel accomplished and proud of our ability to live off of the land and to be free of outside resources. We will be able to share our experience with others in many, many different ways. And physically, we will be stronger than ever by working our land. This is our way of "Going Green" and we are doing it for US. Respect for the Earth and all of its creatures falls under a different category and is something we will never forget. For us, it is a philosophy, a way of life, a deep rooted belief and growing practice.


In the blog post to follow I will share some easy ways to get started on helping your family become healthier on a budget. Quick and simple - no solar panels necessary.


What Does "Going Green" Mean to You?
~ Birdie

Burn Out

There is so much in my life that I am thankful for. So much that I am learning to love and show gratitude for. So much to appreciate. 


While I may be exhausted, flirting with a lovely thing called "Burn Out," I am eternally grateful for the reasons for it. 

Rather than saying that "I have to go to work," I choose to say "I get to go to work." There are so many out there who don't have this option. I am thankful that I do. I am thankful for the job I have - I truly love it. Teaching about and discussing the wellbeing of children lifts my spirits whenever they are low. It is a pleasure.


Going to school while working is a challenge, but a worthy one. SWIHA is a blessing, every step of the way, and the people I meet there encourage me to dig deeper, learn more, and share the love. Every day I am learning to be better, stronger, healthier. I am honing my skills as a Healer and becoming familiar with my heart.


While Yoga is a part of my schooling, it is really a world all its own. Perhaps the most accountable for my fatigue, it is worth every minute. The more I learn, the more I love it. The philosophies, the asanas (poses), the community. What a beautiful and blessed way to start my day.

I am a wife and with that title comes certain responsibilities. Like loving, nurturing, and caring for my husband and finding the time to be a part of my family, love my spouse, connect with my babies (our furry little bundles of joy). Fortunately, my family is my therapy. My husband is my support who loves and nurtures and cares for me. My babies show me unconditional love every moment of every day... even when they are sleeping, I can feel it. 

I am a daughter, a grand-daughter, a sister, and a best friend. Family outside of this house garner my attention throughout the week. Thank goodness for Facebook and cell phones, letters and cards. To be loved and cherished by so many; to know that I am held in the hearts of others; to have a support group ready to lend an ear or a warm embrace... no obstacle becomes too great. I am invincible.

I have a business, in its beginning stages, that becomes a focal point whenever there is spare time. I am thankful for the knowledge that I have and the education I am receiving so that I may grow that business, so that I can spread my message, and so that I can touch the lives of others. It will be an adventure to watch as Oak Tree takes off and reaches its full potential.

What about this blog? Obviously I have neglected it in these last few weeks, but as the summer calms down, more time will become available for my dedication to return. To have a venue to share with others around the world is amazing and inspiring. Having friends and strangers show their support for this blog and the values it represents is encouraging. Thank you all for your time and attention. It is very much appreciated.


Although I know that I am forgetting somethings here and there, lastly, I must acknowledge that I am Me. While learning to be able to sit with just Me and listen to Me and be OK with just Me - I am spending time with Me. Having personal time is very important and I am getting better at embracing this idea. As independent as I am it has occurred to me that I may have forgotten how to be it. Baths help. As does meditation. I am grateful for Me.

What Are You Thankful For?
~Birdie

M.I.A....

Oh dear me. I feel like I have officially become neglectful of this blog. Oh dear, indeed.


Well I have a few excuses.... as mentioned before, earlier in the month, I started my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and it is amazing... and busy... and incredible... and consuming. Plus I am taking an online course (Alternative Lifestyles), and two other classes at SWIHA: Psychology, Honoring the Masters; and Ayurveda. 


I also work. But that doesn't take too much effort really... I just can't blog from work. That part is unfortunate. The internet restrictions, not the working part. I love my job. It is amazing.


Then there was this thing that happened last week. I have aged. I can rent a car now. My insurance rates will drop. I turned 25.... and as a birthday gift Hubby (in cahoots with my parents) surprised me with my mom. There I was, minding my own, chatting it up at a coffee house with my friend (and birthday buddy), Eliza, when my mom walks around the corner like it is no big deal. Um. Yeah. It is kind of a big deal! It was a great surprise... I feel very lucky.


That being said, with my mama here and my studies... I have had little time to approach and address my blogging responsibilities. Thus this posting. I am still here, I am still alive... I am just currently pleasantly distracted by all the happenings. Like shopping. And movies. And food. And sitting by the pool. And eating pancakes with family. And sleeping in a little. We went to the Grand Canyon too.


It has been a great weekend. I'm looking forward to more of them once we move back to Oregon... in 10 weeks. Only 10 more weeks. Ten.

Here are some photos to wet your appetite. 

Grateful, Blessed, and Excited,
~Birdie