Spring Cleaning

I don't know about your "neck of the woods" ... but, Spring is definitely here where I am!
Light rains mixed with milder temperatures ... Daylight savings time ...

What a great reminder to do some inner Spring Cleaning!

This is the time to start kicking your goals into high gear!

A great way to do that is to do a little "digestive" cleaning ... get things moving a bit, eh?

Be sure you are chewing your food well, taking your time to eat undistracted and drinking at least your bodyweight in ounces of plain water per day. Yes - plain water.

Water is IMO the BEST cleansing, detoxing agent out there!! It naturally flushes out your system, while hydrating you!

Adding in a cup or two of green tea is helpful too!

As far as food goes ... GREEN is the color for spring! Eat unlimited cooked/raw, plain green veggies. Add these into your current nutritional plan!!

Add spinach to your egg whites, a big salad to your lunch and steamed broccoli/asparagus to dinner!

You may also want to add some cleansing yoga twists into your workout warm up/cool down.

Here is a five minute twist series to try:
http://life.gaiam.com/video/energize-am-quick-yoga-twist-sequence-how

Have fun with your clean out!

(image from istockphoto.com)

The Blog is Back!

Start looking damn good again, cuz the blog with a polished finger on the pulse of beauty, fashion, fitness and nutrition trends is back!

Please note the new URL:: http://lookdamngood.blogspot.com

Beastie Zen

The Beastie Boys have always been on the cutting edge of music, but now MCA (also know as Adam Yauch) is taking finding a cure for cancer to a new level.

Yauch was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary glands and as a proclaimed Buddhist, has made meditation a part of his treatment.

Last Tuesday, Yauch rallied Beastie fans to join him in meditating to destroy cancer:

"a few friends and i are meditating at the same time twice a day. 9:30am and 6:30pm eastern standard time, for about an hour and half.

we are picturing smashing apart all of the cancer cells in the world.

we are visualizing taking the energy away from the cancer, and then sending it back at the cancer as lightening bolts that will break apart the DNA and RNA of the cells. if you have the time, please join us in whipping up this lightening storm. mind over matter..."

I love this idea and wholeheartedly believe in the power of manifesting our deepest desires through the power of thought and meditation.

Whether you want to join Yauch in meditating to fight cancer, or you have your own cause to materialize, try directing your thoughts and energy for a dedicated period of time each day towards your goal.


(image from: shutterstock.com)

The Yoga of Raw Veggies

Local Co-ops, grocers and farmer's markets are starting to buzz with early crops and lately I've been craving the satisfying crunch of raw veggies.

I've been washing and chopping my earthly treasures and packing them for all day snacking.

I've also been trying to overcome my habit of absent mindedly shoveling food into my mouth, as so many of us in my industry unfortunately do - as we cram fuel in between clients.

I'm making a conscious effort to sit quietly, without distraction and focus on my meals.

This is especially important with raw veggies. You need to masticate those suckers! A lot. Like until they are liquefied to get the full benefit of the enzymes, vitamins, fiber and nutrients - without upsetting your stomach.

The cool side effect is that I am experiencing this major calming, grounding quality from consuming food that has been grown responsibly in the earth in as close to it's most natural state as possible.

It's an undeniable, cooling, mellowing sensation. Plus, I feel all glowy from all the raw goodness!

Prep some crudities for yourself this week and take the time to truly chew, in a peaceful setting. Experience the veggie chill out several times during the day.

Ahhhhh ... the garden of bliss! It's like yoga with veggies! A meditation cornucopia. The produce section with benefits.

(image from: stockvault.net)

Rise and Shine

There is nothing like getting a head start on the day.

Regardless of whether my schedule necessitates it, I make it a point to wake up between 4:30 and 5:00am each day to get my yoga practice and internetting done.

I have a ritual of setting the coffee maker (prepped with water and yerba mate bags) the night before so I wake up to a pot of hot yerba mate. I enjoy the steaming brew while I email and surf the web. Then I hit the yoga mat for "me" time.

On days I sleep in, I make sure I still allot enough time for this sacred, meditative time. If I get tired during the day, ideally I take a 10 - 20 minute rest or power through it and go to bed a bit earlier.

Ultimately, I fall asleep faster and my sleep is more restful and solid.

Getting up early allows me to work a full day and still enjoy time with my family, knowing that I took care of my needs first thing of the day.

Try waking up early to get tasks, workouts and whatever else you need to center yourself and motivate yourself for the day in. It will take 21 - 28 days for your body to get used to the new schedule, but your sanity will thank you for it.

(image from: shutterpoint.com)

Oldie Sunday - Cod Liver Oil

As Spring comes into full effect, you are sure to be getting more serious about your fitness regime. Be sure to support you body with Essential Fatty Acids like those in Cod Liver Oil:
http://damn-ilookgood.blogspot.com/2009/12/cod-liver-oil.html

The Law of Impermanence

My dear friend and Ayurvedic Practitioner, Shanalee Gallagher recently completed a ten day Vipassana Meditation course.

It consisted of ten days of silence, meditation, two vegan, gluten free meals a day and a ton of self realization.

One of the huge themes and lessons she took from this retreat was how The Law of Impermanence applies to life.

The Law of Impermanence is one of the three Universal Laws that the Buddha taught and states that all phenomena are subject to constant change, to rise and fall, and no permanent states, either physical or animate, exists.

Heavy.

This law can be applied in so many ways, giving so many lessons, ultimately bringing a peace that definitely influences feeling and looking damn good!

For me, this law is a reminder to not constantly try to manipulate my circumstances and rather to let things be so that things can just change naturally.

It is also thematic of non-attachment whether to the physical or emotional.

So what if you can't do headstand in yoga class yet ... that will eventually change.
Who cares if you are developing crows feet around your eyes, that is a beautiful marker of time passage, wisdom and your body changing.
Why worry if you didn't get that job you thought you really wanted; know that things are constantly changing and something else will come your way.

I am finding great comfort, resolve and perseverance within this Law.

Apply The Law of Impermanence to your life and watch the damn goodness follow.

(image from: dreamstime.com)