While the images were inspirational, they were disproportionate to the areas in my life that I wanted to improve. Kind of like that gigantic poster of Liam Neeson I had on my wall which was one of the first things that you would see, yet I had to hunt for Kenneth Branagh, who was my true love at the time. It was easy to find entire sections of magazines devoted to Mr. Neeson, while KB pics were a little more elusive. Much like my teenage crushes, most of the images on my board were out of whack with my desires. I was hard-pressed to find images for finances that were bigger than my thumb while pictures of models wearing items that I wanted to incorporate into my personal style practically filled up the whole poster. While I really do want to be better at displaying my personal style, getting my finances in control is a much more pertinent goal, and my vision board did not express that. Looking at my old vision board was more reminiscent of looking in a disorganized drawer; yes, it's all in there, but it doesn't do me any good when I need to find anything. I ended up giving up my vision board because, much like that disorganized drawer, I just didn't want to look at it. 

Recently, I was reading my business coach Dallas Travers's book, The Tao of Show Business, where she advises you to make a vision board. I was starting to get a little panicky about another vision fiasco, when I read her take on vision boards. She recommends dividing up your board into sectors, one for each part of your life that you want to affect. What an amazing idea! Life is always easier when you're organized, so why wouldn't your vision board be?

Dallas says to divide your board into 9 areas: Spirituality and Service; Business and Marketing Tools; Confidence and Personal Growth; Relationships and Communication; Fun and Enjoyment; Health, Wellness, and Body; Craft and Creativity; Wealth; and, finally, YOU. She recommends getting your favorite picture of yourself and putting it in the center of the board. After all, the whole point of a vision board is to see yourself in the vision! What I find great about this method, too, is that it addresses a lot of areas that I normally wouldn't think of in my vision board planning process. My old vision boards definitely had health and wealth on there, but I had forgotten about spirituality and service! While I may feel more confident in those areas, I still want to grow in them and they are definitely part of my vision for myself!

Now, the 9 areas stated above are designed for actors, which I realize most of you are not. Obviously, you may not need a "Business and Marketing Tools" square on your vision board. I think it would be a great idea to instead put the 9 areas of the Feng Shui Bagua map on your board. Heck, Dallas kind of already feng shuied the board any way, so why shouldn't you do it too? The Bagua map categories are: Fame and Reputation; Relationships, Love, and Marriage; Children and Creativity; Mentors and Helpful People; Career and Life Path; Education, Knowledge, and Spirituality; Health and Family; and Wealth and Prosperity. Or, you can play around with what categories feel right to you. I think you should probably keep yourself in the center square--you still want to be in the center of your vision! 

I wanted a long-lasting vision board, so instead of going for the 3rd grade science project poster or foam board, I bought a cork board. I lucked out and found one at Staples for $3, which was less than half the price of foam board of the same size! I divided the areas up equally with ribbon and made some beautiful placards with the 9 areas written in calligraphy. I got a lot of the images from magazines that I already owned, but also found some online. I have a picture of it below for your reference.

Let me tell you, this organization of my vision board has made such a difference! I actually enjoy looking at it now and find myself easily being swept away by the inspiration of my vision. I'm even already manifesting a few things on it! I hope you find this little idea helpful. Let me know what areas/sectors you come up with for your vision, too. I'd love the feedback!

If the “entitlement” of the new generation is true, they might be cutting unnecessary steps and using creative, unconventional, faster paths to reach the end goal.   But what’s the rush?  In the hurry to reach the finish line, are we missing the joy of the journey?

This past spring I decided I would plant and raise an organic vegetable garden filled with tomatoes, mint, basil, zucchini, and lettuce.  Maybe baby watermelons, too.  I could make a whole salad from my own backyard!  After perusing a couple of magazines and websites, I began to wonder if I should have my soil tested, how I’d do the digging, and where I’d find the time to prune and water.  My green-thumbed mother sensed my plan was a bit overambitious and gently suggested I begin with a tomato plant.  She even “started” it for me.  She potted one, watered it, encouraged it, and then let me adopt her baby.  Her advice was to love it and occasionally talk to it.  While the plant has produced a few handfuls of baby tomatoes for us, the leaves are dry and wilting.  I can admit that I’m gradually killing it.  Hmph. 

Perhaps I’m not quite ready for that organic vegetable garden after all.

A teensy bit wiser, I applied this lesson to my yoga practice.  While I’ve dabbled in yoga since 2001, it wasn’t until the last few years that I ventured from the gentle stretching and shivasanas to the more difficult sun salutations and chatarungas.  But the first time I saw a one-armed plank with a leg raise, I thought that’s crazy.  I’ll never be able to do that. 

It wasn’t long, however, before I changed my mind.  That looks cool.  I really wish I could do that without collapsing.  This time, I’d put away my naïve self-confidence.  I’d start slowly and build up to it.

First, I used the modification for one-armed plank.  Placing my left foot on the ground in front of my right leg helped me to build my arm strength.

Before I knew it, I could place both feet together and maintain this position for a few breaths.

After several more practices, I went for it!

I felt strong.  And I felt proud that I invested in all the necessary baby steps to get there.  Sure, I could have gone for it on that very first day, but my arm would have undoubtedly collapsed or I’d have wound up with a major backache the next day.  Then I wouldn’t have wanted to try it again.  I enjoyed the satisfaction that came in taking it slow. 

A few days later, I learned what climbing mountains is really all about.

Ninety years ago this month, women got the right to vote.  But did you know that it took them about 70 years to accomplish this?  A fantastic New York Times article chronicles the journey and highlights the dedication of leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt.   National legislation allowing for the right to vote was unlikely, so these true pioneers set out to conquer the states one by one, attempting to pass referendums from Alabama to Wyoming.   Susan B. Anthony spent years and years in South Dakota trying to advance her cause.  Can you imagine being committed to one cause for so long?

What goals do you have that might need baby steps?  What is more gratifying – quick success or a long buildup?  How do we maintain patience during the process?   Please share your thoughts with us below.



Today I want to cover my experiences visiting a South African CSA (community supported agriculture).  The one that I visited is part of the "Harvest of Hope" project and is facilitated by a non- profit called Abalimi Bezekhaya.  They have over 100 plots of land around Cape Town and 20 processing facilities.  Initially, they identify plots of land that have been abandoned or are used as illegal dumping grounds.  They clean up the land and rent it from the local government for about $100 a year.  They then enlist local women from townships near the land.  These women work as a cooperative to decide on which vegetables to grow and how to run the garden.  They then send their harvest off to the charity's processing facility to become part of a veggie box which is sold to local restaurants, school cafeterias, and private homes.  They produce enough output to make a profit to support their families and with the surplus crops, they feed other needy people in their local community.  I was lucky enough to sample a delicious organic carrot that had been taken out of the ground minutes before it was in my mouth and it was hands down the best carrot I've ever eaten!

This project was so inspiring because this non- profit identifies local women who are committed to this project and helps them every step of the way.  The non-profit raises the money for all of the start up costs and helps them until they are self sufficient.  The number of women who run each CSA dwindles to about four or five but they become integral to their local community not only because of the food the produce but also because of the jobs they create. 

Here are some photos of the CSA that I visited.  The CSA project in Cape Town is actually modeled after the CSAs in the United States.  If you aren’t a part of one, consider joining up!  It is a great way to get involved with your local farmers and to support them directly.  Not to mention, it is much cheaper than buying the equivalent food at a big super market chain.

If this project inspires you, this organization accepts donations.  Just visit their website: www.abalimi.org.za

 For more pictures of Abalimi Bezekhaya, click any of the pictures below:

The community garden on the outskirts of a township

One of the women who owns and operates this garden

Processing facility

I recently watched a wonderful documentary on PBS called Lord of the Ants, it is about one mans life passion for the living world. His name is Edward Osbourne Wilson, otherwise known as E. O. Wilson, and he is an American biologist, who throughout is life, has studied animal behavior, using ants as his studying species. 

He devised a model for social behaviors from studying ants, his theories are fascinating and have led him to be a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction. His prize winning books are 'On Human Nature' and 'The Ants'. 

His latest book, 'Anthill' is fictional novel about a boy's summer adventures in the wilderness, growing up to become a keen explorer. 

Mr. Wilson's latest goal is to have all the world's living organisms stored in a central database. From this idea, came the website, www.eol.org, this is an electronic encyclopedia of life. This site provides users the opportunity to learn all about the different living species on earth. It is a global partnership between scientists and the general public, and anyone can sign up as an EOL member to add text, images, videos and comments. Expert curators ensure the quality of the material by authenticating the collection submitted.

I think this website is an excellent idea, it gives anyone the chance to explore the world's living organisms. Every year, new species are being unearthed, this website therefore is ever changing, documenting these new findings. Along with information on existing species becoming better known, it works as an important up to date resource for everyone.

During my youth I never really thought about my appearance.  I didn't pay much attention to clothes (I wore a uniform until 7th grade) and I had no clue if my stomach was flat of it my butt looked good in jeans.  I had always been a thin, active kid with an insanely voracious appetite.  I was often referred to as “a bottomless pit” and adults would laugh at my food consumption in comparison to my size, warning me, “it’ll catch up with you later!”  I was proud of my appetite though and didn’t think twice about where any of this food might end up. 

This happy place of oblivion changed when I joined the Girls Cross Country team my freshman year of high school.  Gone were the days of not knowing what a six pack or a fat gram was.  During warm-ups there was constant chatter of thunder thighs, love handles and arm fat.   Girls would giggle about their “food babies” recounting huge pasta dinners from the night before.  Fat talk became our sick entertainment, a way to bond and laugh over our imperfections.  I use the word “entertainment” because we honestly found Fat Talk to be amusing.  There was always rowdy laughter surrounding the conversation which would almost always turn into a competition of who could prove they were indeed the “fattest”.  At the beginning I found this banter hilarious and fun.  However, over time, my participation in this “fun” turned sour.  I started to believe what I was saying.  

Flash forward to now.  For the most part, I haven’t actively participated in overt, vocal fat talk for years (save for the times I slip up to my husband or sister).  Somewhere along the way I realized how destructive this behavior was not only in regard to me, but also in regard to the women around me.  Unfortunately old habits die hard and this vocal talk morphed into head talk.  The funny thing is that I actually feel pretty darn good about my body.  I’m physically very strong and I’ve learned to embrace my shape, even like it.  But there are still occasions, usually after an overindulgent feast, that my mind will talk right back to me, “Whoa, you totally pigged it!  Check out this food baby up in here!” 

So this post publicly ends fat talk for me.  Over the past month, whenever that voice has arisen, I have immediately given myself a pat on the back for either a physical attribute that I am proud of or a recent accomplishment I’ve made.  Sometimes I actually write it down.  I forgive myself and move on.  Sure, it feels pretty weird but I’m hoping that eventually the habit will be ancient history.   I’d like to thank both Catherine (who posted about unroasting a few weeks back) as well as Caitlin over at Operation Beautiful (a movement to end toxic negative self-talk) for helping me shape my plan of attack.  If Fat Talk, be it vocal or in your head, is a part of your life, I encourage you to join me in this challenge towards The End of Fat Talk!

I have often wondered in my childhood at the ridiculous sounds I have heard people use in other languages, sounds we probably only use when bringing up some phlegm or lifting something super heavy.

I used also to get very angry at my Arabic and Indian friends who could not translate things for me to English when asked. They usually came back with: "there's no translation."  (And I used to think they were lazy or elitist for not trying.)

As I have grown up a bit since my college years (not much) I started to consider the possibility that "Hey, maybe it's me. And not them." So I started to do some language studies and come up with this startling fact: English is an imperfect and incomplete language!!  That's right folks, America is not the center of the Universe!

Take a look at the diagram to the right:

1."English" is the box in the middle.

2.The circle labelled "Language" is the full verbal capacity that humans have at their disposal. 

3. The larger circle labelled "Expression" is the full expressive capacity that humans have.  (Drawn to scale, this circle would be about ten times larger.)

No wonder there is miscommunication between cultures, between people. We're starting out with only 80% of the language capacity! There are other more complete languages, for example, Saskrit contains over 95% of the sounds that a human can make. 

We use English and will probably continue to use English as it is the main economic language of the world, driving the financial markets and any sort of "result oriented" speech.

But it fails miserably oftentimes when one is trying to express EMOTION. How many times have you tried to express yourself and not found the words?  (My hand is up- and I apologize to the ex's on that.)

I have been guilty of judging that supposedly awkward guy who can't succintly express how he feels: "I'm doing, well, I guess, OK...if you count, oh here, I mean all together, pretty good. Mostly." When I would say, "I'm fine, thanks."

The truth is he/she is trying to express the full truth of how he feels, as completely and accurately as possible- and I have been trying to fit my feelings to those three words.

This of course isn't an excuse for those whose hyper-verbosity heads to ridiculous lengths, but it should give us more compassion for those who seem verbally awkward- when seen in a different light, it is quite beautiful.

PS- And how wonderful is it to find an actor whose capacity for expression fills out beyond the words? How wonderful is it to find that writer or poet who can use this incomplete language to accurately give us a taste of the magic that lies beyond the squares of English?

He who binds himself a joy
Doth the winged life destroy
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sunrise.

-William Blake 

In essence, when we have unexpressed negative emotions or experience ricockulous amounts of stress, we store whatever we don’t express in different places in our body. This storage can show up as aches and pains, knots in your shoulders, or even fat on your body. This is why yoga can be very emotional for some people as they are stretching parts of their bodies that have not been accessed in awhile, which tend to be where those old, negative emotions love to hide. This is also why simple exercise can help cure depression, which I believe is because the simple act of moving can help you to release and let go of what you couldn’t before.

But, as I said, I had heard all of this before. It’s what she said next that got me thinking. She was talking about how we were clearing out our bodies and how she was also always in the process of clearing/cleaning out her home. She likes to apply the principles of yoga to her living space. Now, while I have no intention of living a Spartan lifestyle, I was inspired to clean out my home. It had been a couple of months since my last purge, and I figured there were a few papers that I had been holding onto that could use the good ole 86.

Well, I found more than I bargained for. I did this clean right. I deep cleaned like no one has deep cleaned before. Well, at least no one other than Martha Stewart’s staff. I lifted beds, I vacuumed places that had never even seen the light of day, I scrubbed, I brushed, I polished. And the process dragged on. And on. And on. Every time I almost finished an area or a room, I’d stop and find something trivial to focus on. I lived in a somewhat clean haphazard hurricane for 2 weeks because I kept on finding all of these small things to prohibit me from moving on. For example, before I vacuumed under my chair, I felt the need to go through every cooking magazine I own (around 80) and cut out every recipe that I wanted so that I can purge myself of the clutter and scan the recipes in to my computer on a future date (gotta love the creating clutter to get rid of clutter paradox, huh). I did all of that because my magazine bin is by the chair. This cutting process took 3 days. 3 days in which I could have been living in a beautiful super-vacuumed home. 3 days that I instead spent in a partially vacuumed home that looked like Edward Scissorhands decided to throw a ticker tape parade in my study.

Now, I realize that organization is an ongoing process, but this was getting ridiculous. Organization is supposed to help create calm in your life, and I was using it to harbor the chaos. I was creating and allowing myself to live in ever-present shambles and I didn’t know what exactly was preventing me from finishing certain parts and moving on. So, like any sane person with a penchant for all things Eastern, I meditated on it. By the way, if you’re looking for some great, free guided meditations, I suggest visiting Deepak Chopra’s website. They have some really excellent ones there.

While I was following one lovely meditation's instructions to name what was confining me, I finally asked myself why I couldn’t reach a completion point with my current cleaning crisis, as it was readily on my mind. And the answer quickly came: “because if you finished that, you’d have to focus on what’s really not working in your life.” Well, that was blunt.

And right. My life has been seemingly in a tailspin lately, what with bills and a death in the family (sadly) and other emergencies. So much so, that I kept ignoring what I really wanted to be doing, which is getting my acting career flourishing as my sole source of income. While I had been submitting for castings, I hadn’t actually gone on an audition since before the whirlwind. I wasn’t giving any attention to what I needed to be doing for my life path, so my subconscious created this physical mess to alert me to my life mess.

After this realization, I decided to make a change. So now, when I feel overwhelmed by all I need to do, I stop, take a breath, and look at what I can do. I’ve gotten everything clean and orderly now, and very livable. I still have loads of things that need to be cleaned out, but they can be taken care of in time. I’m also making sure to schedule in a little time each day to work on my career. It’s amazing how doing something as simple as rehearsing a monologue can lift the great weight and burden of a huge dream. I even have an audition of Friday. I’m working out on the regular so that I can at least physically purge what I may not be able to handle mentally. I'm also finally following up on volunteering opportunities in my community (something I love to do but continually put off as it can be difficult to find a good program). When I find myself in a fugue, I do all I can to stop, take a breath, list what I’m avoiding, and then do it.

Sometimes life is much too much. We have ways of distracting ourselves, but it’s always right there. Sometimes, we’re lucky to have a yoga class to kickstart our realization. Sometimes, we go years without acknowledging our downward spiral. I was lucky to have that yoga class, as well as family and friends with whom to share my frustrations. And my life is getting back on track, slowly but surely.

In the world the way it is today with unemployment and housing crises and oil spills and wars, I think that we all need to be open about how we get through it all. The worst part about the spiral is that you feel so alone, like a failure, when the reality is that most of us have gone through it at one point or another in our lives. My Dad likes to call this time “your twenties.”

In that spirit, please share what works for you, if you feel so inspired. What do you do when you find yourself off balance? How do you cope when life seems out of whack? Please leave any advice you have in the comments area. I know that I would appreciate it, as well as many others.

Why do I feel like I should end this post with “Namaste”?

What is a GMO?  

A GMO is a genetically modified organism.  Foods are often modified genetically to make crops more “robust.”  It may also make the crop herbicide-resistant, allowing farmers to spray weed killers directly on the plant without killing it.    

This term can also apply to animals.  Cows injected with artificial sex hormones to increase their milk production are also considered genetically modified.    

Why are GMOs controversial? 

GMOs originated in 1996, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved their use because they are considered “substantially equivalent” to conventional food products.  

Proponents of GM crops argue that they can produce more food with fewer chemicals and higher nutritional value than other crops.  And some say the practice can help reduce poverty by raising crops in areas where they wouldn’t usually prosper.   Others worry that disrupting the natural genetic patterns of organisms that have developed for millions of years may produce unanticipated or harmful side effects on humans, of which we will not know the full extent for several more years.    

Where are GMOs found? 

According to the Long Island Press, GMOs lurk in approximately 60-70% of our food supply.  Certain crops are more likely to be genetically modified than others.  

Soy, corn, cotton, canola, and sugar beets are the five main categories of GM food crops.  These crops are inserted with bacterial genes that allow them to be sprayed directly with a greater dose of pesticides and herbicides.  Many of these GM crops, especially cotton and corn, even produce their own herbicide.  

Keep in mind that a significant amount of livestock and cows raised for meat consumption are often fed GM products, like corn.  

Unless the packaging states otherwise, most milk products originate from cows injected with genetically engineered bovine growth hormone, which is also called “rBGH.”  Cows treated with this hormone have a higher concentration of IGF-1, which is a hormone linked to prostate, breast, and colon cancer. 

How can I avoid purchasing GM products? 

Many derivatives of soy, corn, and canola may pop up where you least expect them.  For example, lecithin is frequently used as an emulsifier and to avoid sticking in cooking.  Lecithin is extracted from soy and is an ingredient found in most salad dressings, and many cookies, crackers, and candy.  Even baby formula can contain GMOs. 

In addition, you’ll find canola oil in baked goods and cottonseed oil in many fried foods.  Vegetable oil can be made from canola, too.  For a comprehensive guide to non-GMO shopping, click here.  

Another way to avoid GM foods is to buy organic.  If the product says “100% organic,” then all ingredients are organic.  The term “Organic” means that at least 95% of the ingredients are organic, and none are GMO.  In addition, some food products now will state “non-GMO” on the packaging, like my favorite sweet potato chips from local company Food Should Taste Good.  

According to Seeds of Deception, very few fresh fruits and vegetables are genetically modified.  Non-rBGH dairy and animal products can be more difficult to find, but not impossible.  If you eat these foods, you should look for organic or non-rBGH milk.  For the vegetarians and vegans in the crowd who like alternative meat products made from soy, double check the non-GMO shopping guide before you hit the grocery store! 

Stay tuned for more information about government regulation of GMOs and their potential effects on humans…

I could write a series of blogs just on my travels around the Cape.  It is, after all, one of the most beautiful cities I have visited.  But I would be remiss not to report the many inspiring environmental projects currently under way in Cape Town.  My next few blogs will highlight some of the things I learned during the duration of my class.  I will also attempt to put these developments in the context of a country whose majority population of black South Africans, is still rebounding from decades of oppression under an apartheid government, hopefully doing justice to their stories and struggles.  The people of South Africa continue to exhibit a remarkable, reconciliatory spirit on their quest for equality.  They are the example of forgiveness for the world to emulate.

Photo of Khayelitsha township

One of the things that I couldn’t help but notice driving from the airport to my hotel is the large number of townships that currently decorate the outskirts of the city.  These are primarily occupied by illegal immigrants from other African countries as well as black South Africans who were banished from the city during apartheid and didn’t return.  These townships are just what come to mind when you think of poverty in Africa: corrugated roofed, temporary housing each wall a different color, indicative of its previous use, unearthed electrical wires scattered in every direction.  The government is currently in the process of converting these make shift structures into actual brick-and-mortar, one bedroom homes.

South Africa’s biggest and poorest townships, located in the Cape Flats, is called Khayelitsha (Kai-Lee-Cha).  Within it, exists Africa’s first CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) Project called Kuyasa (Koo-Ya-Sah).  CDM’s were established as part of the Kyoto Protocol (the US chose to not participate) whereby developed countries who have committed to carbon emissions reductions can help developing countries implement low emissions projects for carbon credits. 

Kuyasa “simultaneously addresses environmental concerns, pro-poor service delivery, job creation, skills development and socio-economic upliftment. This ground-breaking initiative earns carbon off-set credits through installing insulated ceilings, solar water heaters and energy efficient lighting in over 2300 existing RDP homes.”

The water heaters that are used

The goal of Kuyasa is three fold:

• Installation of solar water heaters: Before this CDM project, people would use paraffin as their heat source.  This posed many health and respiratory issues and also can be a dangerous fire hazard.  The cost of paraffin would also add up over the course of a winter.

• Replacing asbestos insulation: All original homes with fitted with asbestos insulation in the ceilings.  Because of fluctuations of temperature and humidity levels, condensation would build up contaminating everything in their homes with asbestos.  This lead to rampant lung diseases including tuberculosis.

• Replacing all light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs

2,000 homes were retrofitted with these changes.  As a result, each home has benefitted from a 56% costs savings on energy per month with over a 96% satisfaction rate with the installation and maintenance of the water heaters.  Kuyasa gets audited twice a year which is when they are allotted their carbon credits.  These credits are then tradable on the global market serving as an essential means to raise funds to expand the project. Also, it should be noted, there are parts of the water heaters that are manufactured on premises.  The people who are hired to work in the factory all have physical limitations and wouldn’t be able to get jobs elsewhere.

While CDM’s attract their fair share of criticism (ie: without funding the project comes to a halt) the benefits they bring are too numerous to count.  Not to mention, the residents of the Kuyasa neighborhood have an overwhelming sense of duty with regards to their carbon emissions and pride that they have reduced their emissions even in comparison to other developing countries.

While standing at the edge of Kuyasa overlooking an expanse of homes, each outfitted with a solar water heater, I felt a slight sense of frustration.  Almost simultaneously, we got word back from the states that the US Congress did not pass the climate change legislation.   While we continue to debate climate change and its existence in this country, the rest of the world (literally, the WHOLE rest of the world) is joining together to be a part of the solution.  I couldn’t help but think that if Americans could look into the eyes of the people who are affected most by the uninformed decisions that we make, and acknowledge that our daily lives have a direct impact on those that we share the world with, then we can begin to pass meaningful climate legislation and take the necessary steps forward to reduce our environmental impact.  If the poorest township in South Africa can do their part, so can we!

Kuyasa with water heaters on all of the roofs. Behind it is table mountain draped in clouds which the locals call the 'table cloth'

For more picture of Kuyasa, click here.