Continuation of the recap

I forgot a couple of things that I managed to complete in January.  Two no spend days in January.  My goal was to complete three days of no spending.  It is one way I can illustrate my unease with what is currently happening in the world.  As noted, I am overwhelmed.  Stressed.  Anxious.  Not sleeping.  Monkey mind at 3 am.  Feeling heavy, bloated, unattractive.

I recognized today that I need to take mental health days.  I need to stop watching youtube and other social media outlets.  It is challenging to not obsess over some of the chaos that is being created. I want to look away.  I do.  Then I consider all of the damage being done.  Blaming DEI for everything.  It is terrible.  And false.  Creating a narrative that only white men have the answers.  Forcing anyone who isn't a white man to dim their lights.  It is insane.  I talked to a gal today to discuss the tragedy of the plane crash in D.C.  We both agreed it was terrible that it happened and then she went on to say it was because of the military.  I corrected her that it had been blamed on DEI.  She looked at me and said--what is DEI?

This is the problem.  There is so much misinformation being spread.  She thought it was due to military negligence.  It wasn't.

It wasn't DEI either.  Instead, it was due to firing people in TSA, FAA and air traffic control.  Why isn't that being highlighted or suggested?

That is the truth.  We need to be spreading truth, not fiction.  

These policies are intended to hurt everyone and enrich the current administration.  Asking for kickbacks or cuts is not normal.  It is not about enriching people.  It is solely to increase the wealth of a select few.

Refuse to buy into this bullshit.  Consider taking three to five days a month of no spending.  No online purchases, gas, groceries, wine.  We need to consolidate and do more.  Push back.  There is so much going on.  It is challenging to focus on what all is happening.  And that is the point.  Like I noted earlier, the one girl I spoke to about the crash in DC thought that blame was on the military helicopter.  It isn't.  It wasn't.  

Be aware of your surroundings.  Trust your tuition and vibes.  Be well

I can watch the news and be furious with some of the shit that is happening right now.  

That inspires not participating in society or contributing.  I chose to stop by one of my favorite wine bars this afternoon after dropping some tomato fennel soup off to my yoga client.  

Recap of January

It started off with fear and trepidation.  Uncertainty, too.  I didn't know what to expect.  I was hopeful that maybe they wouldn't attempt to fire off all of the executive orders.  Perhaps he would be happy to avoid going to jail and focus on golf.  

Midway through the month, I struggled greatly and am now slowly finding hope.  I know it doesn't feel like it if you have been reading my recent posts.  I have been freaking out.  I fear how bad it can get.  Not only for me, but for my friends that are in the LGBTQ community, immigrants, other minorities.  A girlfriend of mine in Santa Fe mentioned that she had been physically harassed last week since she is gay.  I didn't really know how to respond to this.  Knowing that it will only get worse.

Watching the response to the tragic airplane crash in D.C.  The blatant misinformation and lies.  The lack of sympathy for the victims and their families.  I think he responded to the question of if he would visit the crash site with why?  So I can go swimming?  It's astounding.  Truly, he does not care about anyone other than himself.  

To shift the blame to D.E.I. instead of acknowledging that this occurred from firing TSA, FAA and other government agents is gross.  It creates more division and hate.  It does nothing to heal this nation.  

Returning to the hope I mentioned.  I am finding other people to link up with and build not only community but a resistance.  I called several senators today to urge them to vote no to the the RFK, jr confirmation.  I am concerned about his lack of leadership.  I want these republican senators to know that there is a ton of people that do not support this nomination.  I want them to acknowledge the implications of agreeing with this man and how he will dismantle the department of health and human services.  I left voice mails for the ones that were available.  I found one mailbox was full.  One mailbox isn't an option, and I spoke to some man in Senator Rounds office.  He allowed me to say what I wanted but it was clear that he could care less.  That is the difficult thing.  Realizing that they do not care, at all, that people do not agree with this.  My immediate response was to return to being apathetic.  It was a hesitation on my part.  I will not let them win by remaining silent.  

I wrote letters to a few Democratic representatives to thank them for their service and ability to effectively communicate and push back.  We need more of that.  

Yoga in the mornings has been fantastic.  I committed to offering a session on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.  It has been fantastic.  I will continue to offer these classes.  In addition, I hope to offer a virtual happy hour once a month with my community.  I need to find commonality to decompress, share ideas and support each other.  For example, there are companies that I am no longer supporting for their lack of commitment to D.E.I.  Target (which hits home and is such a letdown will no longer be an option to shop at for goods).  Clearly, I knew that Walmart, Hobby Lobby and a few other companies were gross and places I didn't frequent for their company policies or religious views.   I will support and spend money at Costco, Trader Joe's, Shop Rite, Kroger, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic to name a few.  Kroger is challenging since they do donate more money to Republican causes, and they had a strike in Denver a few years ago since they didn't want to increase the pay of their employees.  Instead, their CEO took a massive salary bump.  Think about how much money grocery stores have profited since Covid.  We were unable to go anywhere during the pandemic and grocery stores made huge profits.  

Moving into February, I am determined to find some sanity and continue to find ways to participate.  I want to build a community of people.  Stay hopeful that you are not alone.  We can overcome this.

current thoughts

In many ways, I have always chosen the alternative path.  Choosing not to be married or have children. I am reminded, daily, of that choice.  I do not regret it.  And, honestly, I believe there are other women in my age range who agree with me.  Choosing to not have children because I could choose what was best for me.

I watched my parents' struggle.  Having four daughters, providing shelter and not really liking each other.  At that point, they didn't have a choice.  It was the way to live life.  Get married, have children, buy a home and be loyal to your job.  There was no deviation from what you were supposed to do.  My mom went from being a daughter to being a mother.  Her options were restricted.  She got pregnant and became a mother.  She couldn't pursue her dreams or desires.  She had to be a mom.

Eventually, they made the right decision to divorce.  It was a hard choice.  It was atypical.  The church definitely didn't support it.  You could be ostracized and cast out of your church and community.  Yet, it was the best thing my parent did for me and my sisters.  Instead of growing up in a household where there was resentment and hurt, we were shown that there were other options.  We, as young girls, could curate the life we wanted.  

My sisters all chose a different path than me.  Some went to college.  Others went to nursing school or a trade.  Some married.  A few of my sisters chose to have children while my older sister and I refrained.

I opted for the alternative path.  Choosing to be independent and self-sufficient.  I do not regret any of the choices I have made. I have benefitted, greatly, from my decisions.  Being independent, traveling, eating all sorts of food, creating joy, choosing to not shave the back of my legs since I was 15 or ever wearing makeup.  

Yes, it's true.  I have worn make-up, fully done up, maybe five times in my life.  Yes, I have worn mascara and eye liner more.  But, not in the last 8 years.  

I only note this since the current president looks ghoulish.  He wears makeup but it isn't blended.  It makes him resemble a raccoon, at times.  I don't know.  It is something that I have been thinking about after seeing him on the news.  

I am thankful for my decision to seek the alternative path.  I do not regret not having children.  I applaud other women who have made this decision as well.  Why are we the ones to sacrifice our passion?  Why are we supposed to stay home and raise kids?  Why are we supposed to be silent as our rights are stripped from us?  

Why is there this return to "trad" wives?  What did our generation do to these kids that would influence them to think that their best option is to create a home environment and allow their husband to make all of the relevant decisions?  I am flabbergasted by these 20 year-olds who think their best life is to stay at home and raise kids.

Why are we telling women to dim their lights?  To be submissive.  It is so gross.  It won't work.  It didn't work out for several generations of women before.  We are not content being suppressed.  Being submissive.  Or told what to do.

Today

Egg prices are still at all-time highs.  Pointing it out to remind folks that this still has not been addressed.  People chose to vote this current administration in.  Overlooking their plans to reconfigure society.  He said he didn't know anything about project 2025.  

Clearly, he wouldn't lie.  Politicians never lie.  

And now, we see the truth of this administration.  They fire people at will.  They gaslight daily.  They are attempting to strip us of our rights.  Rights that have been fought for and secured.  They aim to hurt people.  Children, disabled, poor.  They don't care if they take away your access to funds.  

I watched the current press secretary try to blame it on the former administration.  Typical gaslighting.  Politics, as usual.  Just know.  The egg prices were a campaign promise that people voted on.  They chose the price of eggs and gas over being decent human beings.  

I am concerned for my friends that are gay or lesbian.  I fear for any transgender person as there are some questioning their identities.  It appears to be a younger phenomenon than me.  Still, they deserve the right and opportunity to live their best lives instead of being ostracized, mocked, put back in the closet.  I fear for immigrants and what they endure.  I work alongside some of the hardest working people who happen to be Venezuelan.  They show up, smile and hustle.  They came here, legally, to avoid a terrible situation in their country.

I fear for women.  I fear for myself.  I have never felt vulnerable entering a restaurant by myself until recently.  I consider if I will feel welcome entering the establishment as a solo woman.  If the vibe isn't welcoming, I leave.  I do not intend to welcome any bullshit into my atmosphere.  

I encourage all women to stock up on plan b's.  

The current regime is relentless.  They will not stop at taking away our healthcare.  They want us pregnant and taking care of children.  Not working.  In the homes.  Sacrificing our dreams.  They will eliminate contraception in addition to allowing us to make decisions regarding our bodies.  They do not value you.  They want to act as if they are our protectors.  They are not.  Do not forget this.  

Collectively, we can stand together.  We are all witnessing women stand up to this dictatorship.  Mother Pence.  Kamala.  Michelle.  Caroline Kennedy.  The woman who stood up against Hegseth.  Several others.  Continue to push back and move forward.  We, the people, deserve to move forward.  To protect our rights.  To support equality and reject theocracy.  

I am finding my voice and way to protest.  What is your role in this?  How can you help?  Monetarily.  Joining a mutual aid group.  Creating art.  

Disrupt.  Be loud and bold!

Finding joy?

Cat videos are the best.  

This past week has been chaotic.  Designed that way to distract, overwhelm and destroy pushing back.  It is nonstop bullshit.  Overwhelming shock and awe.  

I am trying to sort through the crazy and stay sane.  It isn't easy.  Believe me, I get sucked into the echo chamber and react.  I don't know what to believe.  

I believe there are many people, like me, who want to push back.  To stay healthy, have access to facts, clean water, fair housing, and food.  To know what I am putting in my body and feel safe doing it.  Somehow, we are trying to eliminate access to these things.  We want people sick, depressed, poor.  Why?  So they will give in to what they are trying to achieve.  Blind walking into a fascist state.  Where you have no rights.  No opportunity to improve your life.  No access to education.  Just accepting the shit sandwich that they provide you.  It's nuts.

They hide behind religion.  Using the cross to indicate that they are bringing god's message.  Yet, they are eliminating programs to help the poor, needy, children.  Isn't that what Christianity is all about?  Isn't that a tenet of religion?  To be welcoming to everyone.  

Instead, they are completely creating chaos to instill fear and compliance.  Refuse to be compliant.  Recognize this for what it is.  Do not lie down and think this is the only way.  Know that you are not alone.  That there are many other people who do not agree with this.  That there is a way through this.  Find joy and gratitude instead of rolling over.  Also, eventually, there will be people standing up for themselves.  Yes, there are a lot of uneducated people that continue to support this man inspite of how it affects their lives.  How do you support someone who wants to get rid of medicaid?  Snap?  Or Head Start?  These programs are in place to help people.  Isn't that why we pay taxes?

No, I am not supporting socialism.  I am supporting being a human being.  Yes, we pay taxes that support a number of things.  Infrastructure, military, social security, etc....that all seems fine.  But when we want to support kids, programs for veterans, poor, or sick, we want to eliminate them.  How does this seem right?

I am struggling.  I do find joy.  Knowing I have a good support system and people in my life.  

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for participating in no spend day number two and realizing I could improve on it.  I worked an event yesterday where I was unable to spend for 10.5 hours.  That helps minimize opportunity to purchase items.  Yet, I drove to the event.  For a full day of no spend, I think I should eliminate transportation, too.  

Still, I avoided spending and want to complete three monthly.  More, if possible.  I believe I can fulfill this pledge.  I am thankful for my support network.  It continues to evolve and grow.  I found out, yesterday, that one of my coworkers was born in a small village in Africa.  Her father was a minister, and they spent a fair amount of time traveling.  She is transcribing letters from her parents' past.  There was a love story between a European woman and her African husband.  She was given $10,000 when she was 35 years old as was one of her sisters.  Her mom asked them what they would do with the money.  Her sister said pay off debt while Martha said--take dad to Africa.  I loved that.  She had two small children at the time.  My coworker, Tyson, asked if she took her kids with her.  She said, no.  I left them home with my husband.  I also loved that, haha.  

Access to clean water and being warm.  I am thankful for that as well.  Always.  

I am thankful that I do not need prescription pills at this point in my life.  Super thankful for my health.  Health is directly tied to wealth.  Only to remind you that the current president just wrote an executive order to reverse prescription pills being lowered.  Basically, he is screwing over everyday Americans in favor of corporations.  It's nuts.  Sort through the chaos and focus on what is happening.  There is an attempt to distract and divide people.  Meanwhile, they are doing some shady ass shit to create more costs for working people.  Slashing regulations that protect our air quality, water, emergency services, healthcare.  Do not sit back and watch this happen.  We need to stay engaged and protect what rights we still have.  

Be loud.  Do not agree to take on more shit because you think there is nothing you can do.  And try to stay joyful.  That is something that I am struggling with.  It is easy to want to stay in bed and decrease interactions with people.  I do not have kids, but I have nieces, nephews and my friends have kids.  I want these children to thrive in a world that does not force a handful of beliefs of what is the acceptable way to live.  They should have the rights that I had, at least.  Access to making decisions regarding my body.  Being able to go to college, get an education and choose the unconventional lifestyle that I have always led.  I am so thankful for my life.

Day three

Gas prices are holding steady.  Eggs, too.  Soon there will be tariffs in place.  Possibly a remand on the federal income tax which I would applaud.  However, that will be placed on us through the tariffs.  Buying anything will incur a tax of 30%.  Taking on more responsibility of the debt.  Prices of gas and eggs will increase.  Lucky us.

The latest rage is that ICE will be able to enter schools, hospitals and churches.  All sanctuaries of the past.  All places that were held up in the eyes of the church and public.  Oh, how the mighty has fallen.  There seems to be no bottom.

Women seem to want to be resistant.  Mother Pence.  Kamala.  Hillary.  A bishop that delivered a sermon that asked the man for compassion for LBGTQ people.  Americans who are scared and confused.  She spoke of it, calmly, and compassionately.  All of the family members and the V.P. seemed indifferent and dismissive.

The idiot in charge took to social media to attack this bishop.  To say she was a hater, leftist and boring.  It remains, ridiculous to me, that the religious people stand behind this hypocrite.  They repeat his lies.  Justify his behavior.  Dismiss his divineness.  Support him.  They are reaping benefits of him in office.  They can grift, thieve, take.  

Then, I watched this repulsive video on youtube.  A video made by a fool and a comic.  A used-up comedian who is trying to be relevant.  This woman, somehow, convinced ABC to put her back on air after a hiatus.  About midway through her rebirth, she went on a racist rant.  I don't recall the details nor care to find out why she was fired from her show.  They renamed, regrouped, continued.  

Now she sidled up to some unknown rapper to produce some song about where we are today.  I don't want to call more attention to it.  It's awful.  There is nothing to be learned or admired by viewing it.  Instead, it affirms this call to arms by the right.  Patriarchy.  Divisiveness.  Owning guns.  Using guns.  Flipping people off. Being aggressive & unapologetic.  

I want to put my head in the stand.

I want to look at sunflowers and be happy.

It doesn't work.  At some point, we must acknowledge our part in this debauchery.  This abuse of the government.  Accepting bribes.  Lying.  Dividing.  

Grow up.  Be accountable.  Build a community and feed that group.  Refuse to sit at the kids table.  

Continuing

I don't apologize for my post yesterday.  This chaos and flooding the zone will continue.  Taking over the canal, Greenland, renaming the Gulf of Mexico.  Avoiding helping people.  Not lowering costs.  Wasn't that what people voted for?  Lowering costs of eggs, gas, inflation.  Making a more of a populist movement.  Moving forward to aid the working class.  

Instead, today they reversed the $35 cap for insulin.  That definitely helps senior citizens who voted for the current politician.  Raise the cost of necessary medicine.  Reverse DEI policies.  Withdraw from the Paris Accords. Eliminate the focus on climate change.  What in the world are we leaving for kids today?  Truly.  Scorched earth.  No access to water.  Blade Runner on Steroids.  Only a reminder....yesterday, they declared that they would explore Mars.  Mars to populate for the oligarchs who sat behind the inauguration yesterday.  The men who want to dictate how we live.  Destroy this planet.  Who cares?  There are options with their space ships and funding from the government.  Who is the welfare queen now???

2024 was hot.  Really hot in several places around the world.  Then we watched as hurricanes ravaged the east coast.  Affecting places that were not in the path of the storm.  People begging for aid which they received.

2025 fires in L.A.  Ravaging parts of the city.  Suddenly politicizing the crisis and demanding tax cuts to ensure aid for people affected by the fires.  

What? 

Really?  You would consider conditioning aid for political purposes.  California pays in an exorbitant amount in taxes.  Those taxes support red states that are unable to care for their own.  Or provide dollars to their constituents.  Why is this even an issue?  Maybe California should refuse to pay their federal taxes in if aid is not offered to them?  Why wouldn't they?  How can this even be considered?  

What would that mean?  The majority of red states would falter and decline.  

They choose to eliminate education.  They choose to eliminate focus on climate change.  They choose to privatize health care.  Clearly, that has helped.  All of these decisions have aided the common person in pursuing their best life.  

Flooding the zone

Well, we are now here.  Now with the new regime.  Some are hopeful, optimistic, confrontational.  Really confrontational.  You won.  What is the point in provoking fights with others?  Are you ready to tackle some of the policies you ran on.  Lowering costs of eggs, food, inflation.  What will you do to continue to create jobs and help the working class?  Oh, that's right.  Nothing.  Instead, you focus on tax cuts for the billionaires and compiling your cabinet with unqualified people. If you watch the confirmation hearings, all they do is deny, deflect, and refuse to answer the question.  They repeat the question and then refer to the lord and savior as their justification as to their answer.  This country was founded on a separation of church and state.  We rebelled against Great Britain to ensure that separation.  Why is there a push to return to the oligarchy of past times (in Europe)?  The United States has firmly relied on a separation of church and state.  We should proceed in that tradition.  

Others are fearful, unsupported and uncertain about how to proceed.  I avoided listening to the inauguration and opted for an inauguration focusing on kittens and puppies.  I wanted my mind to be fresh and uncluttered.  It helped me manage my morning.  Focus on yoga, clients, and upcoming tasks.  

Still, I couldn't resist the urge to check in on you tube after the fact.  It reported that our leader didn't place his hand on the bible while swearing in.  Classy.  Typical.  Shows how religious he is.  

His wife looked like the Hamburglar.  What was with her outfit and hat?  Was it ward off being affectionate?  The other leader gave the universal heil sign to welcome the crowd.  When did we return to the 1930's Europe?  Or the 1950's for that matter?  At which point women couldn't vote, own a home, own a credit card or be independent.  Women had no autonomy.  Sounds like a place we should return to....

Cost of a dozen eggs at King Sooper's was a mix, ranging from 6.99 to 9.99.  Trader Joe's eggs run out by 10 am on two different visits.  Their eggs also increased, not as dramatically.  $4.99 for a dozen eggs.  Gas for the mid-range pump is $3.25 (minimally).  Keep in mind in Colorado, you need to avoid filling up your vehicle with the 85-gas grade as it fries the catalytic converter.  And in European cars is a big no-no.  They chose to pardon 1500 J6 prisoners.  Apparently, they were accused, incorrectly.  Tomorrow will bring more chaos, and the cost of eggs will increase.  Super excited to see where this ends up.  I am sure that I missed several things that were of importance and interest today.  I refuse to get inundated with the chaos.  I did manage to enjoy a lovely day with my friend, Brie.  Lunch at Pepper, wine at Postino and dinner at home.  I hope to stay safe and continue to reflect on the state of things.  

New habits and other ideas for a successful 2025

It's been 19 days since 2025 began.  In those nineteen days, I have managed to incorporate a few new habits.  I wake up, earlier, and either teach an a.m. yoga class or perform sun salutations.  There is a tonic I drink five days a week.  Cumin, fennel seed, coriander and hot water.  At times, I add citrus and ginger.  Mostly dependent on if I have those supplies available.  

Oil pulling has been an inconsistent habit for me.  Better recently.  At least five times a week.  I think it is ok to take a few days off during the week to take a break.  It is natural.  This past week, I experimented with soup day.  Meaning eating soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Specifically, a soup you can blend and make lighter.  This enables detoxing the body and resetting your metabolism.  I felt incredible after I tried it out the first time on Tuesday.  I believe it would be beneficial to perform soup day on the same day weekly.  Unfortunately, I need to experiment with this to find the best day.  This Tuesday, I have the happy hour class which will not be a soup day.  There are caterings throughout the week which challenges eating soup all day and I have a lunch planned which further conflicts with soup day.  

I prepped a roasted cauliflower curry soup and another lentil soup.  I should be okay for a few weeks to do soup days and see how I feel.  I think a black bean soup is approachable and another curry.  I like the idea of using spices to enhance the flavors and minimize reliance on dairy or cheese to enjoy the soup.  

My ankle continues to pester me.  I have been using kinesiology tape to assist with the discomfort.  Soaking and icing is also decreasing the discomfort.  Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar, baking soda all seem to alleviate and soothe the joint.  Eventually, I will return to the sports medicine clinic to have my ankle assessed.  Maybe corrective exercises will aid me.  I have been strengthening my ankle with balance poses in yoga.  I am trying to strengthen and stretch.  I want to avoid surgery, arthritis or other debilitating injuries.

No spend day is another fantastic idea that I came across on Instagram.  The goal is to not spend any money for an entire day.  I have completed one, so far, in January.  I believe it is possible to achieve this once a week.  I have so many resources at home to minimize spending money.  Coffee at home.  The body scrub brush to avoid going to the korean spa.  Or the pumice stone for my feet to reduce calluses.  Walking to meet friends instead of driving.  

New year.  New focus and habits.  Any suggestions on habits or ways to achieve these?  If you want to join me for a virtual yoga session, contact me here on via email.  I am determined to offer that class (6:30 am, mst) every Monday, Wednesday & Thursday regardless of rain, snow or shine.  Perhaps this will deter me from overindulging with wine..... 

Upcoming Class

Happy Saturday!  Consider joining the yoga happy hour class.  The ultimate alternative happy hour.  True there is wine and tequila (typical happy hour essentials).  And there is yoga to begin this happy hour.  We build up a collective heat, energy and vibe.  Afterwards we celebrate community by enjoying food and drink.  I will be providing a Moroccan chickpea stew as the main for this happy hour.  Healthy, hearty and filling.  There will be other snacks, too.  I believe Kerp dip (also known as crack.  It is such a good dip.  addictive).  I am still deciding on the third dish.  It might be vegetables and hummus to offset the heaviness of the Kerp dip.  Or maybe a fruit salad of sorts. I don't know.  I have a few days to figure it out.

Contact me on gmail for additional information.  I look forward to seeing you Tuesday night!  Disregard the date of the 14th.   I moved it to the 21st due to scheduling conflicts for some of my clients.  

Canterbury Tales

I remember reading this classic book while in high school.  It was part of the mandatory reading list.  Chapters were dedicated to characters back stories and development.  There was an array of citizens in the book.  The Miller's wife, Wife of bath, the Friar's tale.  I remember reading it and being surprised by the hypocrisy of some of the virtuous professions that were behaving in the most abysmal ways.   The friar's tale for example.  Using the church to receive bribes and be absolved.  Or, the Pardoner's Tale.  He had syphilis.   Hmmmm...how do you contract syphilis without some sort of personal irresponsibility.  I was raised in a Catholic household.  Reading this book affirmed, for me, the ridiculousness of the confessional.  I knew several people that were terrible people who attended church.  They would confess their sins and go about their day.  And, tithe, of course.  10% of their income would go to the church.  I believe in forming a community, supporting them and being accountable.  The idea that you can beat your wife/husband or kids, be a raging alcoholic, cheat/steal/take and then go to church and confess, is ridiculous.  Confessing does not make you a good person if you continue to behave in this manner.  

Perhaps the book is banned now.  The banned books are the best.  If you want to really create anxiety in your life, read the Handmaid's Tale and Parable of the Sower.  Both were written by women and are relevant for our current state of affairs.  

 We are now returning to that time.

Not in jest or supposition.  I have been listening to the senatorial confirmation hearings.  Multiple times, there is a reference to being saved or to God in general.  Blatantly avoiding answering the question and instead saying--I am thankful for the lord and savior.  I won't answer this question, but I will point out that I believe in god.  Hypocritical and absurd.  And we are allowing it to happen.  All of these yo-yo's are lying to be confirmed into their position.  Similar to the supreme court.  The conservatives lied to be appointed and then proceeded to fuck 50% of this population over.  They want women to return to the kitchen.  That is our value.  To get fucked over and then raise the kids.  There is no value in us as human beings outside of birthing kids [chattel].  Why do people who live in rural areas or small towns hate women?  Why do we not build each other up to see more of the world?  Experience other cultures, share in culture and experiment with different foods?

I thought we were founded on a separation of church and state.  Why are we willingly walking back to this time of inferiority?  Where women or any person of color had no rights?  Did you see that Oklahoma (magnificent state that it is) is now making it more difficult to get divorced?  Or that there will soon be a requirement to determine your career choice out of high school.  College (which is becoming more and more expensive).  Trade school which is also expensive. Or the military.

Oklahoma is forcing kids to sign up for the military.  To be bait for upcoming wars.  Which we are baiting with the outrageous talk of taking back the Gulf of Mexico, annexing Canada as the 51st state, reclaiming the Panama Canal or taking over Greenland.  Where will we have bodies to use for these fights?  Oh, that's right.  Being forced into military conscription or taken away from your family (mass deportation, LBGTQ family, or being unable to care for your kids).  

Then, returning to the reason for this post.  Just say you have seen the light and been saved.  Suddenly, you are absolved and no longer required to justify your asinine ways.  Listening to these hearings, is nuts.  None of them answers.  With the exception of Rubio.  Maybe he does.  However, the rest of them, are not.  They deflect.  They defend their deflection.  Then they ramble.  Why are we enabling this?  Why are we agreeing to return to the company town or where every aspect of our livelihoods are controlled by our bosses?

Read.  Read more.  Look at history and choose not to return to it.

New habits and routines

I have been drawn more towards the ayruvedic agenda recently.  More spices, movements to encourage lymphatic drainage and meditation.  

Ginger, turmeric and cinnamon are staples in my pantry.  I have increased bulk spices--fennel, cumin, coriander, paprika.  I feel I am benefitting from having an assortment of spices to aid in meal prep, digestion and feeling better overall.  There is a tonic that I make five days a week.  Hot water with cumin, coriander and cumin.  It is considered a detox tea, and I have enjoyed drinking it throughout my day.  I found this practitioner that has wonderful suggestions to incorporate more ayruvedic practices into my daily life.  She had a post about taking one day a week and only eating soup.  Soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I was intrigued.  And knew I would be able to manage that task.  I have soup from Tom, and I have dabbled with soup prep in the last few years.  I chose to make today my soup day of the week.  We shall see how I feel.

It is recommended to eat a soup that can be blended.  In addition, I felt a soup without dairy would be preferred.  Soup day is about detoxing, de-bloating, feeling lighter.  I love baked potato soup.  It is amazing and super heavy.  I cannot eat three meals of baked potato soup.  I had a lentil and potato soup in my freezer that seemed the perfect soup to start with.  We shall see how it works out over the next month.  I will commit to testing out four consecutive weeks with a soup day.  I think a potato leek for next week sounds delicious.  

I hope to practice no spend days during the month, too.  I think three is doable.  Yesterday, unintentionally, I did have a no spend day.  Partially due to having a productive morning and a catering.  I didn't have time to purchase anything yesterday, lol.  I will take credit for the day.  

I have two body brushes--one dry and one to use in the shower.  Inspired by my body scrubs at the Korean spa that I have been missing.  I need to schedule an appointment and relish in that service.  My skin feels amazing after that treatment.  In the meantime, I have brushes to use myself.  Typically, I use the wet brush.  New year.  New opportunities.  I see the dry brush being thrown into the rotation.  

Success comes from your daily life and how you choose to handle your day.  I am not going to lie.  I love meeting up with friends, sharing food and wine.  I would love to be paid to drink wine and travel.  Yesterday, I noted that to one of my colleagues at the catering company.  He agreed.  That would be a wonderful way to live.  It's all the hustling to make the life a reality.  

To balance out my hedonistic ways, I must incorporate soup day, lymphatic drainage, more walking and strength training.  That is truly the lesson of this.  Try something different to experience new results and opportunities.

Monday Motivation

Tackle those tasks that you procrastinate first thing in the morning.  It is the only way I am able to get this done, lol.

I have known about a business filing that was mandatory for the last fourteen months.  My CPA notified me that I would be required to file this new thing.  I looked at when I had to do it and it said I had all of 2024 to file the paperwork.  Then it got postponed due to an injunction.  I knew that deadline loomed til today, but I was unwilling to actually sit down and do it.  I considered allowing someone else to file it for me and pay $200 which is absurd since it was not nearly as awful as I thought it would be.  It all comes down to avoiding things I don't like.  Admin.  Spreadsheets.  Filing paperwork.  I really do not enjoy these tasks and it isn't that I don't know how to do it.  I have convinced myself that I am not good at it.  I delay, delay, delay.  Today, I forced myself to handle it, first thing.  I have a busy day and the last thing I wanted to do was create a situation where I was rushing.  Believe me, I would create more anxiety trying to get it done by the end of the day.

Sunrise yoga is now offered every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning at 6:30 am, mst.  It is a virtual class.  Unless you are in Denver and want to come over to my apartment.  I will have coffee and maybe juice.  Anyways, it is a 45-minute session.  Some days we will focus on breathwork.  Other days it will be sequencing.  But it will always be fun.  Email me at tastelifeyoga@gmail.com for additional information and to request a link to join the class.  

This week will be a detox/cleanse week.  Last year I managed to participate in Dry January.  This year, I couldn't make myself do it.  There is too much chaos for me to not enjoy a glass of wine here and there.  I am committed to relying on being positive and less reactive to all that is being released around me.  I do enjoy listening to podcasts--Rational Boomer, Pod Save America, I've Had it--to name a few.  I have eliminated a few to stay out of the rabbit hole.  I get inundated with the uncertainty and deep dive into the crazy.  I cannot help it (at times).  I need to minimize my exposure to some of it.  It is overwhelming.  

Take time to optimize your day.  Your time is money.  Do not take it for granted.  Until tomorrow.....

Grateful Thursday

I am at a loss for words today.  I want to express gratitude for my life--having access to clean water, a roof over my head, food to eat.  I feel weird saying this as many people are fleeing their homes to avoid the fires in southern California.  It looks apocalyptic.  Truly dystopian and horrifying.  I am not a fan of snowstorms that shut down my state, or hurricanes that ravage people in those communities.  But fire is something else.  Truly terrifying.  Plus, the winds are devastating other areas in L.A.  Sending so many healing vibes to the people of Los Angeles.  I have reached out to my friends who are there and thankfully, safe currently.   

This is another reminder how important community is.  Hug those around you who you value and love.  I listened to my favorite podcast this morning.  They were discussing being fed up with checking out at the market and being inundated with--do you want to donate to the cause of the month.  They were considering doing self-check-out to avoid the interaction and saying no to the request.  [There is a prompt for the donation request in self-check-out as well.  It is less peer pressure to hit the button denying that request]

At any rate, after chatting with their guest, they reconsidered.  He noted how disconnected we are since Covid.  We don't trust people we don't know.  We choose to be alone to avoid interactions and he noted how damaging this is.  Why not go through the check-out line and engage with the person who is standing behind it?  Make an observation of the person.  Maybe they have a beautiful smile, gorgeous earrings, or something else to comment on.  I agree.  Let's return to decency and kindness.

I am thankful for my community of people and that it is growing.  My classes this week did not take off, but I offered them yesterday and today.  I chose to do sun salutations before meditating.  In addition, I found my dry brush to aid in exfoliation, lymphatic drainage, etc.  Showered.  Moisturized and am now safe and warm in my apartment.  I see a nap in my future as my sleep has been terrible the last week.  I cannot turn my brain off.  Some anxiety of what might come and ways to navigate the chaos.  Reminding myself that I have many things to be thankful for and people in my life who support me.

Also reminding myself to follow every crazy thread of the next four years.  I know there will be endless confusion and chaos.  It's designed that way.  Instead, I will hold on to my people and choose the threads that are not in my face.  Those are the terrifying ones.  Federal abortion bans.  Restricting contraception.  Reminding people that a woman's place in the home....this is the most offensive sentence spoken.  My role is not to be chattel.  Keep looking at what is there and avoid the distractions. 

I am thankful, today, that I was told I could be whatever I wanted to be.  I could choose to be independent, capable, fierce.  

Weekly Classes

 I am now offering virtual classes every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 6:30 am, MST.  45 minutes of movement, breathwork and fun.  I will change it, daily.  I prefer having variety instead of the same sequence.  Easily I become bored, distracted and uncommitted to what I am trying to achieve.  Please contact me if you are interested in attending one of these virtual classes.

Today, I began with a post about it on instagram to remind people of the a.m. class.  Then I did sun salutations before settling into my dry sauna blanket and meditating.  This will be my morning routine until people attend the classes.  And it will happen.  I believe it.  I must commit and make this a habit.

The affirmation is the reminder that success comes from our daily habits.  In the past, I have made time to meet up with friends for coffee, walking a park, yoga classes, wine lunches, etc.  Looking back, I have not had much structure.  It has always been very open and flexible.  In hindsight, I think due to its flexibility I have not moved forward with my business as much as I would have liked to.  I have allowed distraction to keep me in a similar pattern.  Relying on other jobs to supplement my income instead of creating more opportunities to teach, build community, offer retreats.  I want to make my business more of a focus this year.  

There will be virtual classes during the evening, too.  I have not committed to what days or times, yet.  I want to take small steps to increase my likelihood of building this habit.  It takes 21 days to build a habit.  Possibly offering pm classes in February most likely.  Barre classes, HIIT yoga and mashups of the two styles of fitness classes.  Occasionally, I offer, restorative classes in the evenings.  Only seems a nice way to decompress from your day and settle into your nights.  I have been hosting a virtual class on Sunday mornings for the last few years.  I call it, Slowdown Sunday.  45 minutes of stretchy yoga.  A few sun salutations (sometimes).  Mostly focusing on holding poses, breathwork and stretching.  

If you have suggestions on other class offerings that speak to you, please contact me.  Or, if you would like to do a private session, virtually or in Denver, contact me.  I am here to create a class for you.  To customize the session specifically to suit your needs.  I love teaching yoga and building my community.  Too often we isolate ourselves from opportunities to meet people as we age.  This is a safe space open to everyone.  

Happy Hump Day!  I hope you are enjoying the new energy of 2025 and crafting ways to make this your best year yet.  Cheers!

New Classes and other ways to take control in the upcoming year of uncertainty.

It's a new year with new focus.  I will be offering yoga classes every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 6:30 am, MST.  Forty-five minutes of stretchy goodness.  Let's build this habit together!

I will focus on breathwork, movement and sequencing.  Some days more strength.  Others stretchier.  I believe in changing it up to keep things fresh.  

Today in an attempt to reset my energy, I cleaned my apartment and am de-cluttering.  Finally finishing up tasks, moving items I no longer use and saging my space.  These are things that I encourage everyone to do.  Let's start this year in the best possible way.  Make it work for you.

I have felt helpless and apathetic towards the political system after the most recent election results.  I am still questioning how it was called so quickly, almost immediately.  It does not matter.  It was called and I will gear up for what comes next.  Chaos.  Confusion and figuring out how to keep control of myself and my emotions.  

In that vein, I am unsubscribing to companies that I do not agree with politically.  I will no longer support companies that donate to causes that affect me and my rights.  There are companies, of course, that I have never frequented or have any intention of ever supporting.  Hobby Lobby.  Walmart.  Chick Filet to name a few.  

However, I was surprised, learning that some of the companies I do frequent dumped so much money into the race this year.  I broke up with Sierra Trading Company which saddened me since I love buying Saucony shoes from them.  I have purchased yoga attire, as well.  But no longer.  I will rely on the good unites us app to consider where to shop and spend my money.  I hope to try to grocery shop, primarily, at Trader Joe's as our interests align.  I need to figure out another bigger market to shop for other things.  I don't think I am interested in shopping at Sprout's anymore.  Especially now, since I just looked up Sprout's on the app and know it contributes to the republican party.   The party that hates women and all other minorities.  

I needed to find some laughter and joy.  I think listening to some of the podcasts I was listening to was making it worse.  The uncertainty of what looms and how it will affect everyone.  I stumbled onto this podcast called I've Had it.  I love it.  I find myself laughing out loud as I walk around outside.  People look at me funny when I burst into laughter, but I cannot help myself.  It is great.  These two women from Oklahoma are a riot and say, most everything, that I think and agree with especially the hypocrisy of religion.  How judgmental and ridiculous these folks are...Give it a go.  They offer two episodes, weekly, for about 45 minutes.  Or check out their daily dose which is anywhere from 10-18 minutes long.  When I drove back from Santa Fe last week, I listened to multiple episodes.  Entertaining and insightful.  

Continue learning, questioning and living your life.  Mostly, lean into educating yourself and reading.  Don't accept that you are unable to change or improve your situation.  That is my takeaway.

Be well~

2025

Here is to an amazing new year.  I am absolutely ready for new energy, opportunities and travel.  No more meh year of 2024.  I feel that since 2020 each year has been its own type of shit sandwich to a certain degree.  2020 was a pandemic.  Loads of fun to reflect on.  2021 was a smidge better than 2020.  At least some restrictions were lifted and travel returned domestically.  2022 offered more yoga opportunities, growth and I met Tom.  An improvement over the former two years.  2023 was ok.  Not as solid as 2022.  I started getting depressed about my lack of travel.  That feeling has remained with me.  I never knew how much I relied on travel to provide happiness.

And I have been traveling.  To Santa Fe, Texas, Kansas, Arizona.  I am not traveling at the rate I would like to and that is the issue.  Tom and I have not taken a trip out of the country which is further depressing me.  Part of it is due to timing and health concerns.  Thankfully, we managed to make great strides in his health journey this part year.  We are currently waiting to have a consult for an endoscopy before his hip surgery can be arranged.  It is another example of why people are frustrated with health care in this country.  Some places won't take his insurance and now we will have to have it scheduled in Albuquerque which adds another layer of challenge.  I remain hopeful that he will have the hip replacement by March at the latest.  Fingers crossed.

We have discussed going to Mexico, Puerto Morelos, to be exact.  Five to seven days on the beach sounds terrific.  We just have not been able to do it because of health concerns until this year.  Or we have considered Las Vegas or Miami.  However, I think we will be focusing on western cities/states this year.  

Health, healing and communication will be focuses for me this year.  I have some things I need to release and let go of that I have carried with me throughout my life.  I am understanding how carrying that emotional baggage with me from relationship to relationship is a habit I need to break.  I need to have better coping mechanisms to deal with stress and conflict.  It is never fun to take a hard look at yourself and realize that there are things that need to change to improve yourself, life, relationship. Mostly, I want to be better and focus on what truly makes me happy.  End living in mediocrity and thrive.  

How will I be able to do that?  By making some small changes, daily.  Creating new habits and patterns which will inspire new energy and opportunity.  I am skipping dry January this year and changing up that focus.  I intend to be moderate to eliminate some of the crazy episodes I create for people in my life to contend with.  It can be challenging.  I strive to create new patterns, habits and routines to elevate my life.

Thank you for listening to my 2025 hopes of new energy and possibility.  It is time, for me, to make some changes to live my best life.