Sacred Moonchild Chic

I'd like to dedicate a post to the alternative.

I don't think of myself as alternative. I think of myself as healthy. I think of myself as reasonably stylish (to various degrees, depending on mood, occasion, states of readiness).

But then again. I like to take inspiration regarding health and wellness from online communities, usually from people who live in California, to which I've never been, but, from what I can tell, has a vastly different culture to the one I know, and is full of a lot more extreme lifestyles and habits. I love doing this, with a passion.

But, I can tell you now, it's not normal. Not here, in my hometown, at least.

I'm also a Social Anthropology graduate. That is, I studied the 'different'. Anthropology opens your eyes to the possibilities of living in the world... almost everything we think of as being innate to our being can pretty much be contested with an obscure example from an anthropological study.

Take your vision. We live in a world where aesthetics, whether we like it or not, are paramount. Whether we give a shit about the way we look, our surroundings, etc. - unless we have a disability - we consider vision to be our primary sense. It's how we connect with the world. It's how we make sense of it. Think about it.

I mean, how else, right?

Wrong.

Take the Onge people of South East Asia. They manoeuvre the world using their noses. Their sense of smell is their primary sense for connecting and understanding the world around them. Instead of saying "how are you today?", their equivalent is "how is your nose today?", and they describe things in terms of having a heavy or light smell.

Well, the first time I heard that, the world as I knew it turned upside down. Amazing. And, on a three year degree, it was one of many.

Yes, I like to consider the alternatives to the 'every day' life I'm confronted with in my hometown. And back to health: I do live an alternative lifestyle when it comes to my views and how I care for and nourish myself. Living away from the city, and meeting new people in a small town, I am reminded of just how unusual my habits and outlooks are (though, maybe it is different in California?)

And you know what? It can be pretty lonely. Not enough to make me move back to London, but still.

As a future Ethnobotany Msc student (the study of plants and human culture... I just received my acceptance today!) I am fascinated by plant use and properties. So, in a twist from academics to celebrity culture, I was thrilled to read about the actress, Shailene Woodley, in Gawkers 'Your Guide to Shailene Woodley, America's Sacred Moonchild'. (Yes, I did watch 'Secret Life' until it got too bad to continue, but I though she was awesome in it).



Here's someone, my age, firmly entrenched in Hollywood culture, yet who goes foraging for wild herbs and mushrooms, makes her own toothpaste, has a herbalist, talks about Gaia, the meaning of aloha, and feels connected to nature and, in particular, woods (I hear you, Shailene). She wears second hand clothing, rather than mindlessly consume. But, to me, critically, she still looks glamorous while being so ... alternative.

I love it. Embrace the earthly spiritual eco chic - and look red carpet hot while you're at it.

Yes, she sounds like a giant hippie. And I love it. As an introvert, I love to embrace nature. I love the natural, wholesome and 'different' to conventional society. Maybe because I've spent a lot of time around people like this at my hippie university. But maybe because it's a part of me, just not so obvious. But if Hollywood brings out more of this? I say bring it on. If there's one thing this earth needs, it's more tree hugging, Gaia-loving hippies.

Note to self: embrace the alternative.

So, thank you Shailene.

Aloha

Just Like Riding a Bike

So, I've recently discovered a new freedom.

I'm a little late to this. Some of you will be pretty familiar with it, I know. But seriously. For the first time in ten years, I got my bike out and went for a good, long bike ride.

They say that you should do one thing a day that scares you. Well, I don't know if I can handle that, personally, but getting up on a bike and expecting to... balance... definitely sacred me! As an adult, these things can be more daunting. It's easier to fall over as a kid. It's never nice, but it's part of childhood. As an adult, however, we expect ourselves to be able to do everything. Because we have to. The stakes are so much higher. If we can't, if we fall over, the consequences as so much bigger.

But, then again, it's just a bike. And I did it - I did learn as a child, and as they say... it's just like riding a bike...

And oh wow... the speed, the freedom to zip past the ambling pedestrians that I used to be, the exercise - and cycling isn't just aerobic exercise, believe me (I think those who say it is live in flat country), I can definitely feel  my quads, glutes and, strangely, biceps (probably from lifting the huge metal frame), despite the fact that I am regular exerciser, whether power yoga, running, walking or (okay, light, but effective, think TIU) resistance training. I have a friend who cycles as her main mode of transport and I've always marvelled at how muscular she is for someone who does no other conscious exercise. Now I know.

I've cut my commute time in half, freed up time on days off instead of lengthily walking into town, and feel the freedom to take routes that, as a pedestrian, I probably wouldn't, given the extra speed (within limits, of course, I don't condone taking risks with personal safety).

And how did I get into this time saving, heart racing, muscle boosting form of transport?

Ever stylish and perceptually (and sometimes terrifyingly, in a sky diving, shark infested water swimming way) active Sarah Wilson, the Australian health queen of the moment:

You may have heard of her. If you haven't, you'll probably have heard of the health movement she's fore-fronting - I Quit Sugar.  While I don't altogether agree with the sugarless trend (processed and added sugars, NO, but fruit? One of the most wholesome things you can eat...), Sarah Wilson is definitely a role model of mine at the moment - healthy, compulsively active, stylish and also somewhat of a worrier (I can relate). An avid cycle enthusiast, she's even given up her car in favour of this healthier form of transport - and looks fabulous at it. What more inspiration do you need to dust the cobwebs off your bike? 

Balancing Act

I would like to dedicate this post to my favourite Yogi: Kathryn Budig.

Yes, yes, you've heard of her, I know, but she's such an inspiration, I just want to share some of her awesomeness here today.

If there's one truly amazing thing that Kathryn promotes, it's this: balance. Life is a balancing act, whether you're on the mat, or in daily life. It goes like this: don't get stressed trying to be perfect in everything you do. You are imperfectly perfect; you are you, so celebrate it! Being healthy isn't just about exercise and drinking green juices, it's also about being good to your soul. That means a really good yoga work out, balanced with a cocktail while you catch up with friends; it means drinking a delectable green juice, and having an equally delectable dish of pasta for dinner. Let go of rigidity; it doesn't create wellness, only mental unease; embrace nurturing every aspect of your being, instead.

I recently saw a status update by the yogi queen on facebook:

Student: Master, how do you become wise?
Master: Good choices.
Student: How do you make good choices then?
Master: Experience.
Student: And how do you get experience?
Master: Bad choices.

Relax. You don't have to be perfect. Be good to yourself, explore, discover and have fun!

BuzzFeed

I've spent FAR too much time procrastinating on Buzzfeed in the past, when I should have been studying/working/just plain being constructive. So I've decided to turn that time around into research, and I made my own BuzzFeed list on.... you guessed it, health!

So, here you go:

BuzzFeed: You Know You're Health Obsessed When...

The Epidemic of Self-Sabotage

Here's an amazing article on Gwenyth Paltrow and Tracy Anderson's new show, where they explore what happens to women before they embark on a healthier path in life. And guess what? It's not vanity, but the realization of the impact that caring for yourself has on your life. It's pulling yourself up in life by the understanding that you, your physical and mental health, really matter.

Tracy Anderson offers her own personal and insider perspective on society's attitude towards celebrity bodies:

The celebrity obsessed aspect of our culture is a curse. A lot of these celebrities are not healthy in real life. Why they get put on the cover of a healthy magazine like they are the picture of health or why they get airbrushed in half to look like they achieved something that isn't realistic? I think it's disgusting; I have major issues with it.

This, I find, is fascinating, as I had always assumed Tracy Anderson was someone who was fully immersed in this culture; it's also refreshing, and somewhat liberating to hear, as it's easy to be sucked into a world of 'I'm not this, so I'm not good enough'. She laments that, despite being in the fitness business for fifteen years, no one is interested in actual sustainable health, but simply being 'red carpet ready in 10 days'. I have to say I agree; while aesthetics are important to me, it feels that we live in a society where people have the need to be better than everyone else; look better, have a better career, family etc., and make others feel bad/insignificant in the process.

But, this sabotaging of others comes from our own insecurities and (perceived) inability to see that we can be anything other than what we are now. Anderson laments that people self-sabotage: they're afraid of improving themselves; of taking a look at their lives, habits, diet, and deciding what they really need to change to be healthy. Note: not perfect, not a human form of air brushing, but fit, attractive, healthy for them.

Like I said, aesthetics are important, and I find it strange when people deny that. But it's not about being perfect. It's about what you think looks good, not what people tell you does; it's about taking care of yourself, through diet, movement, whatever, and loving the shape that your body takes. That's the beauty of true health, not fad or fear of not being 'celebrity' good enough. The honor and celebration of who you are through your habits and choices.

And the best side effect of being healthy? You're going to look smokin' hot.

So, put your magazines and conceptions of Hollywood bodies aside and go take care you yourself. Go discover your own aesthetics. Take a look at what you can be doing differently to start being sustainably healthy today.

You'll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Jasmin Valium

I've just finished reading Hot House Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire by Margot Berwin, and while I am a plant person anyway, I have just been reminded of their true power to impact our lives. (Yes, I am aware the the book is an amazing work of fiction that makes you want to travel to the rainforest and meet a beautiful Mexican man who is very much in touch with the natural world, of course). So, I thought I would do a little research into something that does, on occasion, trouble me, and what plants can do about it.

As a frequent insomniac, I've tried everything (natural) to induce sleep, and, while I've discovered very little works other than being in a very good mental place (a difficult feat when anxiety and stress seem like the natural resting place for your personality), Sleep Easy tea, with it's good (but not overwhelming in regards to taste) dose of Valerian works wonders for a deep sleep (when you eventually get there). Lavender, of course, has its reputation for a reason, with the wonderful sense of calm, the deep restorative sleep it induces.

I love plants - there's something about that connection to nature, the rewards of their growth and beauty that fulfills a spiritual part of your being. Maybe because we are so dependent on them for life, and yet so removed of this fact, that the simple act of keeping a plant in your house can bring you happiness. So, what about plants to actually keep in your room? Living, breathing, life-giving plants to keep in a sunny, light spot, to help send you off into glorious sleep...

It may sound crazy - I mean, how can just keeping a plant in your room help you sleep, when you're not eating or drinking it, or extracting oil? It just sits there, right? (I am aware life isn't actually like a Margot Berwin novel).

But, you may be surprised. Jasmin, beautiful Jasmin, rivals some of the most fierce anti-anxiety drugs, you'll be thrilled to hear.

I remember, when I was very young and I lived  in a tiny terraced house with my family, we had a small sunny patio filled with plants. But what I remember most, even as a four year old, was the lovely, sweet smelling jasmin running up the wall by our back door. I thought it was the most beautiful flower in the world, as even though we moved away about a year after that memory, throughout my childhood Jasmin was my favorite plant.

Maybe this was a sign predicting my future insomniac self, as the scent of Jasmin flowers have been proven to be powerful aids in calming the mind and promoting restorative sleep. Attesting to the scent of Jasmin and the power of aromatherapy is Dr. Bryan Raudenbush (see here for details):

“Research shows that odors have significant effects on the human nervous system (..,) even in the absence of attention and awareness to these odors. Therefore, it was reasonable to expect that the human body may respond to odors presented during sleep.”

The scent of jasmin has been found by one German study (published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry)  to have the same effect - that is, the same molecular action - as Valium and Diprivan. According to the study, the effect on the neurotransmitter GABA is as strong as the conventional medication, so, essentially, Jasmin fragrance can be used for sedation and anxiety and aggressive relief, and without the dangerous side effects of conventional treatment.

The power of plants truly amazes me. But, what amazes me even more is that people belittle the use of plants. You know the type: you'll have encountered someone, at some point, who declares that a largely plant based diet is one that consists of 'rabbit food'; that no meal is complete without steak. If eating a simple, everyday grapefruit can affect medications and produce dangerous side-effects, or that eating hemlock (Why? may be the question here) or the wrong wild berry can actually kill you, the why can't we acknowledge the power plants hold to affect our bodies; if they can alter our chemical structure so drastically as to harm us (excess side-effects of medication in grapefruit consumption), surely, then, they can alter our bodies in a way as to cure us.

For now, I'm going to continue eating my rabbit food. And invest in a Jasmin plant.

Wait, make that many.

Mocktails Monday

So, I've been trying out juice recipes for a trendy London based magazine (read, not green juice, but green mocktail, of course). And so I think I've come up with a pretty delicious and fiery drink to give you a healthy glow - not an alcoholic flush. This drink tastes fabulous and will detox you on a cellular level, fighting inflammation from indulgence and unhealthy habits over the holiday season and keep colds at bay.

The idea was to create something exotic, colorful and perfect for a winter detox. So, post-festivities, I present to you my Detox Pineapple Sour:

You'll need:

1 sweet golden Pineapple
1 succulent, zingy lime
1 good chunk of fiery ginger
1/2 bag of luscious green spinach

Rim one beautiful glass with powdered ginger by rubbing fresh lime around the edge, and dipping the glass in the spice. Juice the raw, fresh ingredient, serve, share and enjoy!

If this is too intense, sweet, or fiery, feel free to top with naturally sparkling water, coconut water or cucumber juice to cool, hydrate and refresh.