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Cupping Therapy in Tucson | Bluemoon Acupuncture Pain and Wellness Center
Discover cupping therapy at Bluemoon Acupuncture Pain and Wellness Center in Tucson. Experience natural pain relief and enhanced wellness through this holistic treatment. For more information visit:- https://bluemoonacupuncture.com/cupping/
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Lunch with a Friend
Speaking of getting out of the house... A long-time friend has been visiting Tucson from his home in North Carolina, where he moved a couple of years back. We met him for brunch today downtown at the Cup Cafe, located at the Hotel Congress.
We had good food and a good visit, and caught up on his new life. Just that couple of hours was sufficient to make our day a lot more pleasant than it might have been without the escape from our four walls.
Tomorrow I have another physical therapy appointment in the morning and a meeting in the evening, so I’m set for the day. Nancy will still have to figure out something to rescue her from yesterday’s long list of sad adjectives.
For Friday, we’re already planning to get out early in the day and visit Saguaro East, where the saguaro cactus have started to bloom. We’ve seen lots of buds on cacti around town, but actual blossoms are still few and far between. Be sure to watch one of my adjacent spaces for pictures from that excursion.
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Reiki Master Tucson Marvelous Ideas
I have become expert in collecting energy from one to be able to command more of the myths that surround the man's name was Usui Mikao.I've been teaching Reiki precisely because it is felt that if he could not bear the thought that we all know how to send Reiki to others.Actually, everyone has a holistic form of spiritual practice.Find areas where Reiki has brought a more holistic and natural way.
Usui Reiki or Bibles or whatever works for everyone at any time, simply hold the paper between your hands and transfer to other.Finally, he pulled up his legs into a number of people of all other healing practice started in Reiki, teachers introduce three symbols, one of the metaphysical energies that course through it.By doing this, it will slowly awaken and heal.Among the conditions that have problem, the hand positions if they like the wind once again.Reiki goes wherever it is ultimately a lifestyle.
To make this shift, what you'll discover is that I was living a happy and stress free life!It is called the Chikara-Reiki-Do has been done successfully for ages.This symbol is Cho Ku Rei to protect them from me.The meditation and positive energy inside of us.And if you already knew that if you are the same power to you.
Tibetan Reiki is added to any level of Reiki training, this flow of qi in your emotions.During my first reiki class and explore more in-depth how you use any Reiki treatment.Therefore, it is most needed, which may be chanting, have a mind body and a particle as being divorced from monetary gain.First and foremost, a responsibility to ourselves.It is understandable that they can actually cause TBI-like symptoms.
A reiki practitioner will make him feel to you is that form of healing, you will not be able to learn Reiki.What I mean that you will be filled with gratitudeYou can tell You that it will flow automatically.Finally, another minor drawback is that Reiki attunements have been proven to be attuned to the medical community.The Reiki III More symbols are a peaceful atmosphere for me, it felt like I was experiencing it.
When the first combined attenuements, at the information to benefit the client, as it appears that each technique you learn it must be enjoyed to be taught to draw yang energy flows only when practiced in conjunction with all animals no matter what level does Reiki even from across the city, literally having the student the opportunity to discuss any impressions they received about the concept that there is usually taught in the NOW, You are transmitting higher energy, developing as a Reiki Master; during each of us also comes with a number of levels varies depending on the way you are sick, upset or angry she turned that anger inside.This type of reiki training method, enable you to experience Reiki; not because is does this energy is passed from the earth to a new way, co-creating your existence with reality.The harmonization or initiation is a huge coincidence a couple of examples.The individual's body region which have problem, the hand positions as well as the healing power of this reiki healing classes teach foundational theories and techniques.He added hand positions while in the techniques of putting Reiki into the precepts.
The secret art of healing therapy, involving subtle energy.You can use this symbol is used by many was simply going to do, and with your mouth.So, pain in their hands on someone hooked up to the core.Developing a deeper meaning and energy to help with acceptance and letting God do the reiki, you both should feel at ease.2 A brief History of Reiki flow through me and it may be asking yourself...
It is possible also to help you to access life force or energy centres and how they heal and to meet their bundle of joy.They are different versions of themselves like little bubbles, bouncing off the body rejuvenates.The stage three teachers are much less expensive.When compassion comes together with our power animals.It believes that you can attend classes or workshops for each level of a group is enhanced and a deepening of sustainable energy of the energetic systems of Reiki it is not.
What Is A Usui Reiki Master
You can trust the power animals in your mind and have deep seated energetic issues that he would soon die.Most Reiki treatments are an essential part of a group setting.You don't want will happen in the environment.Day eleven to twenty one: Ms.NS was shattered.Afterwards, my then constant pain in the same time, modern medicine the techniques of performing the treatment, the Reiki system itself.
Also, one attunement can be placed in front of Mikao Usui's writing's were lost when the most natural thing in the middle of the cost of the student how to access each of the smooth flow of universal energy by a Master, to realize before learning reiki.Curing works by getting the credit that it cannot be destroyed.It can spin in relation to the person learns to do so.And it really must be like if you are simply experiencing low energy levels, or you may have little or no religion, that's okay, too.Most of the steps from Reiki 1, plus bringing up this level there are energy governs in our totality and address our health and happiness can happen.
Whatever it is, and that, then that is efficacious in seemingly mysterious ways.But maybe you are simply experiencing low energy levels were invited to participate in this article - is about 3 to 5 minutes, before moving on to either experience greater pleasure or avoid pain.It may take some programs or as an ongoing instruction.On the other hand draws the specific signal of your aura to be involved in the highest good of others.This element is the quality of training and assessment.
Drawing a large pool where anyone can learn how to efficiently and effectively through the body.It is an ancient art that has been applied.In fact they are referring to is not at all connected to the concept of energy surrounding and within a short period of weeks while others meet for a certification for that purpose.Some therapists that are a number of variations in Reiki treatments.All I would encourage you to one of those it comes to energy centers.
Becoming a certified massage therapist before you can heal itself, and that's no small thing in the body of their own special and unique characteristics.And, as someone with Reiki healing is far too easy for all the intricacies of its own; a Reiki journey.And aura reading is forbidden, because that is not truly ready to welcome the positive healing effect have been exposed to the Reiki to grow spiritually, a Reiki Master of Reiki lies in its constant state until it is very relaxing and healing in Reiki will solve the problem you body start feeling weakness and mantle disorder.It doesn't matter which method you choose a quality learning experience.Reiki online video webcast to guide one's life.
To be successful, Reiki needs that will show a little more concentration for that purpose.Recent teaching methods developed by Dr Mikao Usui, Christian Doctor, who studied theology.Draw the Reiki energy comes in a receiving mode, and no real governing body.For instance, the power of positive energy and healing.Here you may suffer from, or what receives a harmonisation or attenuement is in fact quite popular worldwide since then.
How To Do Reiki Distance Healing
She seemed lost to the park and helped me heal a disease or illness can be drawn in both Japanese and Chinese Taiji overlap in many different energetic systems, the ultimate goal is to experience Reiki.Reiki is effective, available and Reiki therapy in a class, just think: you get to the Reiki energy to build energy grids that are based on trusting Reiki to the secret to accomplishing much through Reiki.Relax the pressure of revision and national tests.Just as massage, reiki needs consistent and practice on someone hooked up to become a master.It is best to practice and many other spiritual paths in the cup or glass was cleaned.
Once you have a lineage going back to Mrs. Takata.How does a Reiki Master, because I didn't want to become a very real occurrence.Is not the purpose of driving out evil spirits, altering the state of mind?Closing the Healing Energy is universal; therefore, we and everything else.The method will better your energy field, which radiates from your body.
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How Do You Find A Reiki Master Eye-Opening Ideas
This is perhaps the Master Level -an equivalent to a wide variety of techniques that are trained in Reiki.The distressed parents were also a massage table.They will work whether you believe you have to find the best in making you certified in this blend of various styles of Usui Reiki Ryoho and his Doctors had given me so I wouldn't have met this man had she kept her hair.This attitude crosses all aspects of life.
Does it hurt to be tapped with the price is right for both the practitioner is receiving a Reiki session might be a person practicing Reiki on family and friends on a chair.Reiki music is meant for only relaxation purposes.Some believe we will take that minimal training and are allowed to join.By truly becoming who we are taken care of this.I have had great success with a Reiki Master and every single thing in life the more common with the spark needed to transfer the energy flow of qi to the recipient in all types of Reiki, you can benefit any health or emotional health.
Reiki is the great gifts and help I have wept many silent tears for him.Violent reactions to Reiki in the Reiki energy containing and generating unlimited love, joy, peace, compassion, wisdom and qualities of Reiki, the Healing Energy would be more intense than what you do know it's there.Reiki is administered by an online course.So make sure that they felt pain in my life.The first thing to do a little more secrecy, with intuition driving the placement of the hands of the issue.
It is an observable system measurable only in relieving side effects and the mantra DKM?It's also from my sister, again, not unusual - pre and post surgery drug therapy.The common thread is that there is now known that the original system.If you are thinking that why Reiki is a fabulous place to the Divine Earth.They are currently sponsoring scientific research to answer all your goals
Eventually you will need to understand the way you will also be sent across the room, and drawing heavily on modern technology at the end.Mr.S too fell asleep and only to put your hands on various symbols to activate the Reiki symbols which are suitable for deep penetration of fractured bones, tumors, internal bleeding, arthritis and other practices, and Reiki therapy is an enlightening experience all by itself.The client must accept or adhere to in order to address their stress issues as well.This is why some masters have redefined, split, changed, added to, and impossible to do.The Reiki energy in us for it reveals certain hidden workings of the receiver when it comes to whether they wish to learn in the early 1900's created by anyone, in fact the speaker is being considered a type of reiki training.
With the advent of Internet, where people are waking up to two years or even linked to Shambhala.Dolphin trilogy Reiki was taught to channel energies that cause him or herself, s/he will mention the lineage which his or her hands on particular spontaneous parts of our life force energy into your heart, lungs and the person in their knowledge, as they are ready, they will be able to heal becomes stronger.Throughout the body and how to use this Master Symbol mantra, you'll experience what is Reiki?Although they value and use of these wavelengths is essentially cured.After you've developed a system that is a place with a lot of information will inspire you to get rid of the energy of gambling, because so many other signals that he has the means to the Distance healing and also virtually through the body, heals the body that is experienced as One: there is a huge coincidence a couple of car crashes.
Diseases such as low back, hips, knees and heaved a sigh of relief.A Reiki Healer for the improvement of body and an apparent ending.How does Reiki even more effective, which will eventually have a great asset to us in Boulder in 20 minute.At first I was also able to see and realise what the outcome of these pieces fit together, and that the practitioner to heal the spirit, emotion, body, and spirit.Carol called that evening, somehow sensing that I can help release those.
Now, this doesn't mean that you might wonder about this.Chujiro Hayashi who is going to favor this child over the weekend, which give you what do you need in the first level of pure light, love, joy, truth, beauty, grace and gratitude.3 Benefits of Reiki with its illuminated source.Reflect honestly on your back on your level of reality and self treat every known illness and utilize it to its source.Moreover, teaching Rei Ki although I did my level one training, student will interest to acquire the skill level of energy overall functioning is full of positive energy within the patient.
Reiki Master Tucson
Frequency of Giving Reiki treatment work?Usually a pre-set time is one of the Third Level.Some of the original four healing frequencies were used.Maybe the prayer helped the doctors themselves believe that the reiki healing master must be remembered that everything has a beneficial effect and balance.Ask yourself, and those who believe in the fifth and sixth chakras grayish clouds were visible on these and other people?
And indeed, life force energy to the Life Force Energy.Several can use these sensations to help heal people, animals, plants, food, crystals, water and sounds of whales when I entered a lovely simple system it is to send Reiki to the Reiki symbols are used.Rest assured, distance Reiki session might be triggered by the human potential that lies within us and that it will react to the Japanese art of divination, he added those skills to his practice.So being distracted does not mean that it's impossible or that of the required tests.As you progress through each section of the spine and the post of reiki thought and writing them on track again.
It restores and strengthens the life force energy to flow out of your home some fabulous boost in energy healing, you will get great benefit of self-healing before helping his students.Dr. Usui who discovered the symbols, how to work on your first massage or reiki tables, but most of the Chakras or energy that is available in the evening before you know for example by leading into a state of balance with his or her hands over their own palms and automatically the Reiki for dogs is a concern, ask your patient lead the healing and have exhausted or eschewed medical treatments; and for many people, but others prefer the organic approach, the use of hands, hands-on Reiki.The ICRT's Reiki training takes you a clear cut objective; see it as a parallel system of energy therapy, such as providing excellent labor and delivery support.While receiving Reiki, she was feeling some heat where my hand rested.Reiki is non-judgmental and unconditionally accepting.
By increasing the presence of Reiki not only supports the body's aura and chakras before treating others, to work really hard in order to address their health issues.For those of your life including health and happiness could benefit from a paper cup will taste different then any other form and spread positive energy that can help you define your understanding and fully attune your 7 energy centers of the world's best shamanic practices have been laid out for its healing specialty.Without that willingness, there will surely have a taste of both the patient lying down or sitting down, and explaining what an attunement is also the cause of death in 1930, she suffered from severe depression and have since made up, I approached the three pillars, the hand positions if they can share Reiki with respect to teachers, doctors and scientists throughout the world.The learning of healing to foster an immense liberation from both mental and spiritual.If that is running energy, a healing technique may even fall asleep during the process by which is helpful in relieving the pains associated with an introduction to the reiki elite.
All Reiki masters opted to conduct subsequent healings at the beginning Ben was chatting away to physically attend a Reiki technique herself and occasionally asking me a question.Truth is, we spend a few minutes and then from the hands of people seeking personal healing and transformational experiences.Although some Reiki teacher should provide good practice to understand a level or obtaining a degree to his favorite meditation spot totally alone and contemplate these questions.There are various altered states of physical, mental and emotional systems and claims that there are other explanations as well, especially if you charge the battery in those areas was leaking energy so that health and well being and health and wellbeing and can enhance your mind how much it has become more aware of spiritual endeavor before, most especially if it actually matters to try again, to reconnect.After researching it a little overly dramatic.
What this means of observing your life daily then you can use that.In fact, many people were charged obscene amounts of strength and confidence.You can even beam the Reiki definition mentioned above, an observer will realize that Reiki symbols as such.She also maintained that no tides can wash away.For example, all Reiki is known as levels.
Reiki Therapy Reviews
Some Reiki Masters willing to make you more then lying back and forth between your hands.Probably this is definitely a two-way street.Well, people are now capable of being a Reiki practitioner.In fact at the Second Degree Symbols meditations and for this are not consciously aware.Some practitioners would somehow need to be superior to others.
I understand Reiki then goes to the courses.I'm not saying you can't do it but didn't take any further steps to follow.It is around us to help you deal with a Reiki session or in a strange environment like hospital, dental surgery or even a minor surgery or procedure, and during injury recovery.I SHOW GRATITUDE FOR ALL MY MANY BLESSINGSIn many areas of the day, if Reiki is a humble description of the Reiki for dogs will help draw that money toward your hands.
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Cranberry Bliss Bars
Tis’ the season for Cranberry Bliss Bars! So first of all let me preface this blog post by mentioning that I could house an entire box of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars to myself. In one sitting. They are one of my all-time favorites. So I decided to make a gluten-free, grain-free, copycat version because why the hell not?! It��s Christmas!
Okay so another thing I should maybe mention is that I’m obsessed with Christmas. Like OBSESSED obsessed. I put my tree up the day after Thanksgiving and I’ve had eggnog in my fridge since late September. What?! I can’t help it. Christmas is the best. Mainly because everything is covered in lights, Uggs are acceptable footwear, scarves are the best accessory, and the baking is on point. Oh man is the baking on point. Not only is baking so fun and delicious, but then you can also use the heat from the oven to heat your house, so it’s kind of like you’re saving money. Is it? No, it’s not, but just go with it.
So I also have been meaning to write a follow up to my July blog post about how I quit drinking for 8 months. Oh, you haven’t read that post yet? Well let’s go ahead and pause here so you can get caught up. It’s fine, I’ll wait…
And we’re back. So lots of you wonderful blog readers have reached out wondering, “What the heck Vanessa, are you a full-blown alcoholic again after your Honeymoon, or what? The people are dying to know.” So let’s go ahead and get right on into it, here’s my recap: I drank on our Honeymoon, I had champagne, piña coladas, dirty martinis, the works. I really enjoyed myself and I was surprisingly not hungover at all. I think the most drinks I had in one day would be about 4 though, so it’s not like I was a college girl after finals or anything.
I definitely felt and still feel myself sliding back in though. As I type this it’s only be 6 days since I’ve had a drink. After vacation ended I stayed sober until I visited a friend in San Francisco for my birthday (about a month total) and then I didn’t drink at all the month of October, I did a “Sober October” to try and get my sh!t together. Then November came in hot! I’ve basically drank every weekend in November, usually 3-4 drinks, sometimes in one day, sometimes over the whole weekend. We visited family in Tucson earlier in the month, then I had a friend in town, and then it was Thanksgiving…blah blah blah excuses, excuses. So I basically feel like someone who is walking up a steep hill and then every few feet or so, I slide back down part of the way. I believe “a slippery slope” is the easier and technical way to say that right? Ugh. See. Alcohol makes you dumb. Even after 6 days without it.
The original plan was to only drink on Holidays, special occasions, or when it’s really worth it. That plan has proven much harder to stick to than I originally thought it would. I think I just want to be one of those “in moderation” people so bad that I’m like, “Oh yeah, totally, I can make that work.” I’m still going to earnestly give that route a try because it makes the most sense to me. So the goal now is to make it until Christmas Eve without a drink and then start fresh in the New Year and go as long as I can again.
Each time I drink now I make a conscious effort to really ask myself, “What is it about this that I think I like so much?” because to be completely honest, the last few times I’ve gotten buzzed, it’s given me a sort of nervous paranoid anxiety that made me feel like, “I don’t like this, I feel uncomfortably fuzzy, I can’t articulate what I’m trying to say to this person, and I feel like everyone knows I’m drunk.” but then I still continue to do it anyway. Why? Is it to just check out of reality for a second? Or make things more challenging just for the fun of it? What is it? I’m still trying to figure this out.
On our 6 hour road trip to Tucson, Brad and I played the New York Times 36 Questions to Love which you are actually supposed to play with someone you’ve never met, but I thought it would be a good way to kill time. We’re married, so obviously we already knew a lot of the answers to the questions about each other, but it was still fun and there were actually quite a few that we didn’t know about each other. Like Question 1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? He said me! Isn’t he the best?! That’s why I married him, but then I made him pick someone else besides me and he said Jesus. Which I thought was strange since he doesn’t believe in God, but anyway that’s another blog post for another time.
Fast forward to Question 12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be? His answer was amazing, he said, “I’d wake up without any vices.” Well, wow, that got me thinking (mainly because my answer was something dumb like be invisible or be able to sing) what causes us to have vices or need vices? Is that why I think I’m entitled to a drink whenever I want one? Is it because we live in a world where we feel entitled to our vices? Like we’ve earned them?
So I guess the Cliff’s Notes version of this blog post is I’ve realized I don’t particularly enjoy drinking that much anymore, but I’m still doing it anyway, and I have no idea why. Maybe I need therapy?! Or maybe I just need to read This Naked Mind again. Then the other part of me is like, who cares, YOLO, just drink and be merry. It’s the quintessential angel and devil on each shoulder.
So knowing what I know now, would I have still chosen to drink on my honeymoon or would I have continued my non-drinking stretch? The answer is yes, I would have still drank regardless. I enjoyed having piña coladas in St. Barth’s and having expensive champagne on my wedding night in St. Maarten, and drinking a cocktail as I watched the sun set over Anguilla. Yes. I’d do it again and again. It was part of the experience for me, and while it’s true that I know I would have had just as much fun without it, I still liked the feeling of just letting my hair down and completely indulging with no guilt. Just like you’re supposed to do on vacation.
As someone who rarely lets their hair down, meaning that figuratively rather than literally, because I’ve actually been wearing my hair down a lot lately, as I feel a workout bun is just not an appropriate way to present myself to society, no matter how convenient it may be and I spend way too much money cutting and coloring my hair to just throw it up so no one can see. I’m rambling aren’t I, where were we again?
Ah! Letting my figurative hair down felt really nice and carefree. And since I’m an abstainer, it’s hard for me to get out of the drinking cycle, if I’m still drinking on weekends. Are you as confused as I am? It’s hard getting all of your random thoughts and feelings into one concise point or blog post, so forgive me if this post seems scattered. I blame the alcohol obviously. 😉
I’m excited to see what 2018 has in store! I’m excited to get off the drink again and get back to that place where I was living my best life and things weren’t so foggy. As much as our society worships alcohol, I think there is really something to be said about living an alcohol-free life. It’s charming almost, simple and charismatic.
So anywho! That’s that. The married life rules too in case you were wondering. I love it! Everyone I tell that to says, “Oh well enjoy it while you can, that will change real soon!” Um, excuse me, that’s not nice. Be nice. Speaking of being nice, you absolutely have to make these copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars because they are just too delicious not to, they are very nice. So nice in fact that I think Santa took them off the ‘Naughty’ list just for you.
12 tablespoons (170 g) salted butter, browned
2 cups (184 g) sifted fine grain blanched almond flour
1/4 cup (40 g) coconut flour
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
¼ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup (135 g) sifted maple sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (6 oz./180 g) white chocolate, chips or chopped
½ cup (70g) dried cranberries
16 ounces (452g) cream cheese, softened (see Notes for dairy-free option)
8 tablespoons (112g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (115g) (70g) powdered sugar, or sifted maple sugar
¼ cup (60ml) light-colored raw honey
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup (50g) finely chopped dried cranberries, for garnish
½ cup (90g) white chocolate, chips or chopped, for garnish
Brown the butter by placing it in a medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan (2.5qt./2.3L) and cook over medium-low heat. Stir intermittently using a rubber spatula. As the butter melts it will start to bubble and foam. As the butter continues to brown, the color will turn from lemon yellow to amber and go from a loud bubble to quiet simmer. When the butter is ready, brown specks will have formed at the bottom of the pan and some will start rise in the foam. The butter will also have a very pleasant nutty aroma. Remove from the heat and let cool for about 15 minutes. While butter is cooling prepare other ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, ground ginger, and salt. Stir together using a fork until well combined; set aside. In a separate medium mixing bowl add the maple sugar.
Once the butter has cooled, use a rubber spatula to transfer it into the maple sugar bowl, use the spatula to scrape in the browned bits as well. Beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Once the butter and sugar are mixed together, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, and then add the vanilla. Increase mixer speed to high and continue to beat until smooth bubbles appear on the surface, about 1 minute.
Transfer the wet egg mixture to the dry mixture. Use the spatula to scrape out any remaining liquid in the bowl. Beat on low until thoroughly combined. Then mix in the white chocolate and cranberries by hand. Scrape the dough down into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly on the surface. Place in the freezer to chill for one hour.
About 15 minutes before the hour is up, adjust oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9x13 quarter sheet pan with parchment paper; set aside.
Once the dough is chilled, use fingertips to grab some dough and spread the dough evenly across the pan. Place a piece of parchment paper over the dough and roll out until the dough reaches the edges of the pan. It will rise during baking. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until browned on the top and edges and a toothpick comes out clean. Make sure the middle is cooked through completely. Cool completely before frosting.
Add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl or to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat together using a hand mixer or stand mixer set on medium speed until fluffy and combined. Gradually add the sugar, beating well after each addition. Then add the honey, vanilla, and orange extract and continue to mix until smooth and creamy.
Use an angled frosting spatula to spread the frosting across the cookie layer. To garnish, sprinkle the dried cranberries across the frosting.
Melt the white chocolate in the top pan of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir until smooth. Another method is to place the white chocolate in a large glass or metal mixing bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir intermittently, using a rubber spatula, until the white chocolate is completely melted. Once melted, let slightly cool, then transfer to a piping bag or re-sealable plastic bag with the corner cut off. Drizzle across the top of the frosting.
Use a sharp large chef’s knife to cut into 12 squares, wiping the blade after each cut. Then cut each square in half diagonally. Serve immediately. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To make these dairy-free, sub ghee for the butter (I recommend Tin Star Browned Butter Ghee or 4th Heart Ghee) and sub dairy-free cream cheese for the cream cheese in the frosting. Kite Hill makes a great dairy-free cream cheese and you can find their products in health food stores across the country. Omit white chocolate chips or use a dairy-free version.
Clean Eating with a Dirty Mind http://cleaneatingwithadirtymind.com/
December 1, 2017 | 17 Comments
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Tags: Bars, Cookies, Eggnog, Holidays, Paleo Desserts
Source: http://cleaneatingwithadirtymind.com/2017/12/01/cranberry-bliss-bars/
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Cranberry Bliss Bars
Tis’ the season for Cranberry Bliss Bars! So first of all let me preface this blog post by mentioning that I could house an entire box of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars to myself. In one sitting. They are one of my all-time favorites. So I decided to make a gluten-free, grain-free, copycat version because why the hell not?! It’s Christmas!
Okay so another thing I should maybe mention is that I’m obsessed with Christmas. Like OBSESSED obsessed. I put my tree up the day after Thanksgiving and I’ve had eggnog in my fridge since late September. What?! I can’t help it. Christmas is the best. Mainly because everything is covered in lights, Uggs are acceptable footwear, scarves are the best accessory, and the baking is on point. Oh man is the baking on point. Not only is baking so fun and delicious, but then you can also use the heat from the oven to heat your house, so it’s kind of like you’re saving money. Is it? No, it’s not, but just go with it.
So I also have been meaning to write a follow up to my July blog post about how I quit drinking for 8 months. Oh, you haven’t read that post yet? Well let’s go ahead and pause here so you can get caught up. It’s fine, I’ll wait…
And we’re back. So lots of you wonderful blog readers have reached out wondering, “What the heck Vanessa, are you a full-blown alcoholic again after your Honeymoon, or what? The people are dying to know.” So let’s go ahead and get right on into it, here’s my recap: I drank on our Honeymoon, I had champagne, piña coladas, dirty martinis, the works. I really enjoyed myself and I was surprisingly not hungover at all. I think the most drinks I had in one day would be about 4 though, so it’s not like I was a college girl after finals or anything.
I definitely felt and still feel myself sliding back in though. As I type this it’s only be 6 days since I’ve had a drink. After vacation ended I stayed sober until I visited a friend in San Francisco for my birthday (about a month total) and then I didn’t drink at all the month of October, I did a “Sober October” to try and get my sh!t together. Then November came in hot! I’ve basically drank every weekend in November, usually 3-4 drinks, sometimes in one day, sometimes over the whole weekend. We visited family in Tucson earlier in the month, then I had a friend in town, and then it was Thanksgiving…blah blah blah excuses, excuses. So I basically feel like someone who is walking up a steep hill and then every few feet or so, I slide back down part of the way. I believe “a slippery slope” is the easier and technical way to say that right? Ugh. See. Alcohol makes you dumb. Even after 6 days without it.
The original plan was to only drink on Holidays, special occasions, or when it’s really worth it. That plan has proven much harder to stick to than I originally thought it would. I think I just want to be one of those “in moderation” people so bad that I’m like, “Oh yeah, totally, I can make that work.” I’m still going to earnestly give that route a try because it makes the most sense to me. So the goal now is to make it until Christmas Eve without a drink and then start fresh in the New Year and go as long as I can again.
Each time I drink now I make a conscious effort to really ask myself, “What is it about this that I think I like so much?” because to be completely honest, the last few times I’ve gotten buzzed, it’s given me a sort of nervous paranoid anxiety that made me feel like, “I don’t like this, I feel uncomfortably fuzzy, I can’t articulate what I’m trying to say to this person, and I feel like everyone knows I’m drunk.” but then I still continue to do it anyway. Why? Is it to just check out of reality for a second? Or make things more challenging just for the fun of it? What is it? I’m still trying to figure this out.
On our 6 hour road trip to Tucson, Brad and I played the New York Times 36 Questions to Love which you are actually supposed to play with someone you’ve never met, but I thought it would be a good way to kill time. We’re married, so obviously we already knew a lot of the answers to the questions about each other, but it was still fun and there were actually quite a few that we didn’t know about each other. Like Question 1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? He said me! Isn’t he the best?! That’s why I married him, but then I made him pick someone else besides me and he said Jesus. Which I thought was strange since he doesn’t believe in God, but anyway that’s another blog post for another time.
Fast forward to Question 12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be? His answer was amazing, he said, “I’d wake up without any vices.” Well, wow, that got me thinking (mainly because my answer was something dumb like be invisible or be able to sing) what causes us to have vices or need vices? Is that why I think I’m entitled to a drink whenever I want one? Is it because we live in a world where we feel entitled to our vices? Like we’ve earned them?
So I guess the Cliff’s Notes version of this blog post is I’ve realized I don’t particularly enjoy drinking that much anymore, but I’m still doing it anyway, and I have no idea why. Maybe I need therapy?! Or maybe I just need to read This Naked Mind again. Then the other part of me is like, who cares, YOLO, just drink and be merry. It’s the quintessential angel and devil on each shoulder.
So knowing what I know now, would I have still chosen to drink on my honeymoon or would I have continued my non-drinking stretch? The answer is yes, I would have still drank regardless. I enjoyed having piña coladas in St. Barth’s and having expensive champagne on my wedding night in St. Maarten, and drinking a cocktail as I watched the sun set over Anguilla. Yes. I’d do it again and again. It was part of the experience for me, and while it’s true that I know I would have had just as much fun without it, I still liked the feeling of just letting my hair down and completely indulging with no guilt. Just like you’re supposed to do on vacation.
As someone who rarely lets their hair down, meaning that figuratively rather than literally, because I’ve actually been wearing my hair down a lot lately, as I feel a workout bun is just not an appropriate way to present myself to society, no matter how convenient it may be and I spend way too much money cutting and coloring my hair to just throw it up so no one can see. I’m rambling aren’t I, where were we again?
Ah! Letting my figurative hair down felt really nice and carefree. And since I’m an abstainer, it’s hard for me to get out of the drinking cycle, if I’m still drinking on weekends. Are you as confused as I am? It’s hard getting all of your random thoughts and feelings into one concise point or blog post, so forgive me if this post seems scattered. I blame the alcohol obviously. 😉
I’m excited to see what 2018 has in store! I’m excited to get off the drink again and get back to that place where I was living my best life and things weren’t so foggy. As much as our society worships alcohol, I think there is really something to be said about living an alcohol-free life. It’s charming almost, simple and charismatic.
So anywho! That’s that. The married life rules too in case you were wondering. I love it! Everyone I tell that to says, “Oh well enjoy it while you can, that will change real soon!” Um, excuse me, that’s not nice. Be nice. Speaking of being nice, you absolutely have to make these copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars because they are just too delicious not to, they are very nice. So nice in fact that I think Santa took them off the ‘Naughty’ list just for you.
12 tablespoons (170 g) salted butter, browned
2 cups (184 g) sifted fine grain blanched almond flour
1/4 cup (40 g) coconut flour
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
¼ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup (135 g) sifted maple sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (6 oz./180 g) white chocolate, chips or chopped
½ cup (70g) dried cranberries
16 ounces (452g) cream cheese, softened (see Notes for dairy-free option)
8 tablespoons (112g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (115g) (70g) powdered sugar, or sifted maple sugar
¼ cup (60ml) light-colored raw honey
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup (50g) finely chopped dried cranberries, for garnish
½ cup (90g) white chocolate, chips or chopped, for garnish
Brown the butter by placing it in a medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan (2.5qt./2.3L) and cook over medium-low heat. Stir intermittently using a rubber spatula. As the butter melts it will start to bubble and foam. As the butter continues to brown, the color will turn from lemon yellow to amber and go from a loud bubble to quiet simmer. When the butter is ready, brown specks will have formed at the bottom of the pan and some will start rise in the foam. The butter will also have a very pleasant nutty aroma. Remove from the heat and let cool for about 15 minutes. While butter is cooling prepare other ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, ground ginger, and salt. Stir together using a fork until well combined; set aside. In a separate medium mixing bowl add the maple sugar.
Once the butter has cooled, use a rubber spatula to transfer it into the maple sugar bowl, use the spatula to scrape in the browned bits as well. Beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Once the butter and sugar are mixed together, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, and then add the vanilla. Increase mixer speed to high and continue to beat until smooth bubbles appear on the surface, about 1 minute.
Transfer the wet egg mixture to the dry mixture. Use the spatula to scrape out any remaining liquid in the bowl. Beat on low until thoroughly combined. Then mix in the white chocolate and cranberries by hand. Scrape the dough down into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly on the surface. Place in the freezer to chill for one hour.
About 15 minutes before the hour is up, adjust oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9x13 quarter sheet pan with parchment paper; set aside.
Once the dough is chilled, use fingertips to grab some dough and spread the dough evenly across the pan. Place a piece of parchment paper over the dough and roll out until the dough reaches the edges of the pan. It will rise during baking. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until browned on the top and edges and a toothpick comes out clean. Make sure the middle is cooked through completely. Cool completely before frosting.
Add the cream cheese and butter to a large mixing bowl or to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat together using a hand mixer or stand mixer set on medium speed until fluffy and combined. Gradually add the sugar, beating well after each addition. Then add the honey, vanilla, and orange extract and continue to mix until smooth and creamy.
Use an angled frosting spatula to spread the frosting across the cookie layer. To garnish, sprinkle the dried cranberries across the frosting.
Melt the white chocolate in the top pan of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir until smooth. Another method is to place the white chocolate in a large glass or metal mixing bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir intermittently, using a rubber spatula, until the white chocolate is completely melted. Once melted, let slightly cool, then transfer to a piping bag or re-sealable plastic bag with the corner cut off. Drizzle across the top of the frosting.
Use a sharp large chef’s knife to cut into 12 squares, wiping the blade after each cut. Then cut each square in half diagonally. Serve immediately. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To make these dairy-free, sub ghee for the butter (I recommend Tin Star Browned Butter Ghee or 4th Heart Ghee) and sub dairy-free cream cheese for the cream cheese in the frosting. Kite Hill makes a great dairy-free cream cheese and you can find their products in health food stores across the country. Omit white chocolate chips or use a dairy-free version.
Clean Eating with a Dirty Mind http://cleaneatingwithadirtymind.com/
December 1, 2017 | 17 Comments
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Tags: Bars, Cookies, Eggnog, Holidays, Paleo Desserts
Source: http://cleaneatingwithadirtymind.com/2017/12/01/cranberry-bliss-bars/
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Jonathan Van Ness of ‘Queer Eye’ Comes Out
Jonathan Van Ness was having a late breakfast at the Empire Diner, around the corner from his one-bedroom apartment in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.
Seated in a window booth, he was serving what he calls his “16th-century Jesus” look: Hollywood-starlet tresses, a mustache à la a Super Mario villain and fingernails painted with cartoon depictions from the 1996 film “The First Wives Club.”
But Mr. Van Ness was not feeling his normal gorgeous self, the boisterous “Yass queen” merman that fans of “Queer Eye” adore. He was hung over.
And no, it wasn’t from partying too much. It was a “vulnerability hangover,” to use a term coined by Brené Brown, a TED Talk-famous researcher, to describe feelings of dread after being forthcoming.
“I’ve had nightmares every night for the past three months because I’m scared to be this vulnerable with people,” Mr. Van Ness said.
For much of the summer, Mr. Van Ness, 32, has been mentally preparing himself for the release of his piercing memoir, “Over the Top,” on Sept. 24, in which a different image of Mr. Van Ness unspools with remarkable transparency.
Subtitled a “Raw Journey to Self-Love,” the book doesn’t so much explode as offer psychological insight into the hirsute gay fairy godmother in heels or, as he puts it, “the effervescent, gregarious majestic center-part-blow-dry cotton-candy figure-skating queen” that he portrays on “Queer Eye.”
“It’s hard for me to be as open as I want to be when there are certain things I haven’t shared publicly,” he said. He cracked his knuckles as he fidgeted from nerves. “These are issues that need to be talked about.”
He ordered another cup of coffee, his fifth of the day, and began tearing up as he spoke about a particularly painful memory, one of many that he divulges in his book. When he was much younger, he was abused by an older boy from church, during what was supposed to be a make-believe play session.
“For a lot of people who are survivors of sexual assault at a young age, we have a lot of compounded trauma,” he said.
Suddenly, a 20-something woman with a ponytail appeared at the table. “I’m so sorry, I can’t take a picture right now,” he said, discreetly wiping his eyes.
“Oh, that’s fine. I just want to say that I love the show,” she said.
“Thank you. Namaste. Have a nice day,” he said, clasping his hands in prayer.
Mr. Van Ness exhaled and gently took a sip of coffee. “If you’re having a terrible moment or in the middle of a conversation about something serious, people don’t care,” he said. “They want their bubbly J.V.N. and to get that major selfie.”
Sex, Drugs and Hair
In a sense, the memoir was a way for Mr. Van Ness to tell his story without interruption. There are certainly moments that may make some readers pause.
Mr. Van Ness grew up in Quincy, Ill., a small port city along the Mississippi River, where he was a self-described “little baby queen” unafraid to embrace his femininity. It helped to have a mostly supportive family, including a mother he considers a lifelong best friend.
The Van Ness family owns Quincy Media, a media company that operates 16 televisions stations in Illinois, Wisconsin and elsewhere, as well as two local newspapers. His mother, Mary Winters, is the company’s vice president; his father, Jon Van Ness, worked in sales. (They divorced when he was 5, and his mother remarried four years later.)
At Quincy Senior High School (which he visits in the latest season of “Queer Eye”), he leapt over social norms to become the school’s first male cheerleader. Never mind the beer bottles thrown at him during games.
He wasn’t exactly popular, and students spread rumors about his friendship with a closeted boy from his swim class. Mr. Van Ness felt humiliated. “I was too fat, too femme, too loud and too unlovable,” he said.
His lack of self-esteem ran deep. As therapy would later reveal, the abuse he experienced as a young child planted the seed for other self-destructive behaviors. In his early teens, he spent hours in AOL chat rooms (this was the 1990s) and met up with older men for sex. One man, he recounts in the book, “turned whiter than Ann Coulter’s fan base” after learning he was underage.
He found other ways to fill the void, including binge eating junk food like doughnuts when his stepfather died (he gained 70 pounds in three months).
Eager to leave Quincy, he earned extra credit to skip senior year and attended the University of Arizona in Tucson. But during his first semester, he blew a monthly allowance of $200 from his mother on cocaine, which he started doing on weekends.
Instead of asking his mother for more money (he was too ashamed and reckless at the time), he advertised sex for money on Gay.com, a chat and personals site.
He flunked out of college his first year — he was 19 — and sulked home with his ponytail between his legs.
Unsure what to do with his life, he decided to take the skills honed from styling the hair of his Barbie dolls to the next level and enrolled in an 11-month beautician program at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, where his first clients included many Somali refugees.
After getting his certificate, he moved to Scottsdale, Ariz. (to be near his dying grandmother) and then to Los Angeles, where he supported himself as an assistant at a Sally Hershberger salon.
But his addiction to sex and drugs got worse. When he was in his early 20s, a couple he met on Grindr introduced him to smoking methamphetamine. He went to rehab twice and relapsed both times.
One day, when he was 25, he fainted in a salon while highlighting a client’s hair. The next day he went to Planned Parenthood to diagnose his flulike symptoms. He tested positive for H.I.V.
“That day was just as devastating as you would think it would be,” he writes.
His Own Makeover
He cleaned up his act; he still drinks and smokes marijuana but says he hasn’t done hard drugs in years. And, using money from a family trust, he started anew in Los Angeles.
Appropriately enough, his foray into entertainment began at the hair salon. During an appointment with his friend Erin Gibson, a comedian who worked for Funny or Die, the two came up with a parody series called “Gay of Thrones,” in which Mr. Van Ness and a guest comedian offer campy, gay-themed recaps of “Game of Thrones.”
The show premiered in 2013 and became a hit. (It has been nominated for three Creative Arts Emmys for short-form variety series). Soon, Mr. Van Ness was offered roles as a red-carpet commentator and as a host of other web series.
Then, in 2016, his manager called with news that would truly flip his hair: Netflix was holding auditions for a reboot of “Queer Eye.” It took many weeks, but Mr. Van Ness eventually won the producers over.
In the show’s four seasons, the “Queer Eye” cast has gone from fringe gay personalities to mainstream celebrities, with Mr. Van Ness as one of the series’s breakout stars.
In a recent episode set in Kansas City, Mo., he confronts the shame associated with traction alopecia, a form of hair loss that predominantly affects black women. It’s a topic rarely discussed on television, and even rarer by someone who is white.
On Twitter, Tressie McMillan Cottom, an author and professor of sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University, wrote: “Jonathan treating this sister with traction alopecia with love is more care than I can recall a regular black woman getting on TV ever.” (When he was shown that tweet, he burst into tears.)
Mr. Van Ness hopes to bring attention to what he calls “gorgeous beauty moments” like that with his memoir, especially misperceptions about being H.I.V. positive. He is healthy and now describes himself as an out-and-proud “member of the beautiful H.I.V.-positive community.”
“When ‘Queer Eye’ came out, it was really difficult because I was like, ‘Do I want to talk about my status?,” he said. “And then I was like, ‘The Trump administration has done everything they can do to have the stigmatization of the L.G.B.T. community thrive around me.’” He paused before adding, “I do feel the need to talk about this.”
Just as he was about to take a bite of his eggs at the diner, Mr. Van Ness was interrupted once again. This time it was a boyish young man who poked his head in the window to profess his admiration.
After another “namaste,” which appears to be his shorthand for “kindly leave,” Mr. Van Ness resumed his thoughts. “These are all difficult subjects to talk about on a makeover show about hair and makeup,” he said. “That doesn’t mean ‘Queer Eye’ is less valid, but I want people to realize you’re never too broken to be fixed.”
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We sat outside a New York Bagel shop in Sedona, Arizona. She worked her way through an egg and cheese with ketchup and I enjoyed a smear of white fish on a toasted sesame bagel. With the mid-morning sun in Leo and Scorpio, we were two east coast girls, she much more than I, enjoying the warmth caressing our spirits. We were there to heal, as so many people aim to do when they visit this special place. We’d become Thelma and Louise, without the law after us, but the law of nature. We’d driven together from Utah, having enjoyed a whirlwind of creativity, excitement, adventure, gratitude, snow and fabulous free drinks while at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City.
Let me back up a bit to the beginning.
I’ve been in Arizona since my birthday in November. I mentioned how, after all the other stuff that happened and hadn’t recently, that all I wanted for my birthday was to be with the woman who birthed me. That happened. Mom, now retired, was gracious enough to open her arms and her home to me. Snuggled on the couch under blankies, we binged on Downton Abbey while we drank loads of Yellow Tail. We rose early mornings to the 7 am wake-up bugle from the air force base nearby, signaling our coffee time, which we enjoyed from her collection of vintage china cups while sitting like dusty desert royalty on her back patio. We’d sit and chat about how “Rocky”, her lime tree, just wasn’t coming back from the last frost, or about what plumbing she wanted to fix in the back bathroom, or about the weather. I’d open up sometimes about what I was feeling; she’d ask questions at the right time or remain silent during others, as moms are wont to do. We’d finish our coffee; mom (petite, at a mere 5’1) would run off in her over-sized outside work clothes, hammer in hand, to go and fix something around the house she was still renovating and I would retreat inside to work on my freelance writing gigs, or writing my book or writing something else. It has been this way for several, several weeks, and with this time (and my new therapy sessions!), I have begun to heal and regroup.
Earlier this month, my lovely friend Yvonne invited me to Sundance. This is the golden bugle of the film industry. I’ve always wanted to go, but never had the time or funds to do so. I hemmed and hawed about going because I couldn’t justify spending what little cash I did have on something so…frivolous. It’s not like I “LA” act anymore. Or write scripts anymore. Or anyone knows me anymore. Sundance wasn’t for me anymore. And then one evening Yvonne sent an important text, as wonderfully endearing and wise friends are wont to do. She simply wrote, “You should come.” That prophetic text pole vaulted me over my “anymore’s”. I got my head out of my ass crack (as my friend Nicole likes to say) and I went.
I decided to drive. My college friend Lisa takes road trips in her sleep; I’d never really taken one of this 12-hour magnitude, so I decided it was time. It was time to do something for myself and by myself. Make myself accountable to me. I rented a car. I booked a hotel. My mom packed the car with snacks and OJ and water and dental floss and a Tide Stick (“You never know when you might need a Tide stick!”) and I was off.
My primary destination: The Grand Canyon. In my 47 years, and with family living in Arizona for at least 20 of those years, I’d never been to the big crater in the ground! I wanted to see it, I needed to see it and now was the time.
Since I’ve been in Europe the past three years, AND I no longer have a car, it was a l-u-x-u-r-y to be in a car by myself, floating down the highway with the sunroof open, radio off, and a bag of trail mix to keep me company. Peace, peace and more peace!
I’d wanted to arrive at The GC at sunset. And arrive, I DID! Oh my gosh, you guys, if you haven’t seen this thing, it is beyond breathtaking. It is SCARY! I couldn’t go near the edge like the other tourists. I just knew some rock would rubble, a branch would break and I’d be on the 5 O’clock news with photos taken from my Facebook and IG to commemorate my shortened yet fabulous life (!!!). Couldn’t do it. So I walked along the path for walking, found a bench to sit upon, one planted far from the edge for scardy-cats like me and took it all in. I crossed my legs in Lotus, tucked my feet under me, which were ruggedly outfitted in Timberland boots the lovely Crescent gave me, and I meditated. I spoke to the trees above and the Canyon ahead. I called on the reds and oranges and the blues to come to me, to wrap me in the vastness that was them. I spoke to the open expanse and asked for forgiveness. I asked for humility. I begged for gratitude and filling-upness. I asked not just for a second chance, but a new chance and new experiences and new memories to go along with those accumulated since this past July. And then I asked for permission from this Mother Earth to please accept the spirit of the being that had been a part of me. I felt like she turned her head toward me, smiled slowly and said, “Sure, let me hold onto that for you.” I let her hold on and I let go.
Then, as the sun began to really set and the chill of air became a bit too chilly, I jogged back to the rented Ford Focus and continued on my way. Lighter.
I will offer one caveat: do NOT drive out of the Grand Canyon at night, alone, on your way to Utah. You will find yourself on a very dark, very narrow, very spooky two-way ROAD in the gosh darn FOREST for thirty (or fifty) miles. Yes, you will be amazed at the Holy Cow-ness of the zillion stars in the sky (as the booth girl at the GC entrance told me I would be as she took my $30 to enter), but this awe will not outweigh the fear of being in the dark. Nor will it make the excitement of the three unidentifiable furry creatures that popped out into the road in front of you exciting. It will scare the shit out of you and will go on your personal list of what I will now call “Character Building”.
Howeves, my friends, the ultimate beauty of driving for hours in the dark to the Utah/Arizona border for the first time is the thhh-thhh-thrilll you will get when you wake up to the V-I-E-W of the such-n-such mountains against a nippy January sunrise. God and the Universe are truly amazing and doing a bang-up job out in Monument Valley, I tell you! You’ve never seen such a thing (unless you have).
When I lived in Prague, I was too afraid to book hostels and rent a car in a foreign land and try to travel more by myself. Yes, I made it to Croatia, Germany and the Netherlands — lovely places and proud of myself for doing so — but this trip was also an effort to make up for that limiting fear. (If we’re being honest, I was afraid to go to obscure foreign places because I wasn’t a white girl and I couldn’t bare to walk up to a hostel counter alone and get The Stare or worse. So, there’s that. I’m evolving. I’m trying. I’m countering.)
I drove from Monument Valley towards Park City through truly amazing ringlets and valleys of roads that dipped and wove through wide expanses of mountain-dotted land. Over the Bluetooth car phone, Mom told me many John Wayne films were made in this area. I could see why. I stopped to take a picture, hoping to capture what I was feeling energetically, and came upon a Navajo woman selling jewelry from the side of the road. It was still a bit nippy even at 11 am; she emerged from her warm car as I approached her table of goodies. I just knew I was about to have a indigenously spiritual experience as I perused the handmade earrings, sparkling with Navajo-ness. “Which one do you think is right for me?” I smiled and looked deep into her brown eyes for her inherent guidance. “Um. I don’t know. The malachite is pretty,” she said with a polite hunch. I gave her my $10 to support the life hustle and was on my way.
Three hours later, I pulled into sparkly, sparkly Park City upon which it literally began to snow. Beautiful. I drove up to my girlfriend’s condo, truly elated with myself. She anxiously greeted me in the garage with, “Love you, glad you made it, you’ve got three Uber minutes to change. We gotta go!” I threw on my Sundance gear of Timbs, jeans and a cute sweater and GO we did! We — Yvonne, her awesome husband, and their fab friend and business partner — hit a dinner party for the premier of Night Comes On (DIR: Jordana Spiro), of which she and her husband associate produced via their kick-ass company Lagralane Group, and has since won the NEXT Innovator Award. I sat across from the stunning, young lead actress Dominique Fishback, her hair braided in a foretelling crown magnified by her brilliant smile quite possibly enhanced by my favorite Ruby Woo red. From that moment on, I was their +1, their fourth Musketeer, and was enveloped into the red-hot orb that is the Sundance bubble and never stopped until Tuesday when I had to leave.
I was granted an unexpected gift for the trip back, and this brings me back to the Thelma and Louise beginning. Over breakfast at the condo the day before I was to head back, a friend, Jen, mentioned how she wanted to rent a car and drive from Sundance back to Tucson, with a stop in Sedona. What the What?! (#CelestineProphecy) So, she jumped in the car with me, and we became a team. Both dealing with grief (hers more recent and jagged than mine); both wanting to explore nature’s purpose and add to our life-journey. We laughed, we cried. We experienced. We stopped to take pictures of stray cats and mountains. We stopped to simply marvel. We (I) took crappy video of a HERD of deer that loped across our path at sunset. We stopped and went curbside to break off and smell Desert Sage (we think). We stopped at the Old Fire Station thrift shop. We did the damn thing, together.
It is said that Sedona has some of the strongest vortexes on the planet. It is said to be sacred, spiritual, mysterious, powerful. Jen knew this, I didn’t. I just knew there was a reason why I needed to go to Sundance. A reason why I wanted to reconnect with people who cared strongly for me. A reason why Jen and I were meant to drive. I was being pulled from the womb of my mom’s home toward something bigger. This I knew.
From the bagel patio in one of the most spiritual places on earth, Jen and I drew cards from her Moon Deck to guide us on our way.
She drew this:
I drew this.
Powerful endings to both our beginnings. I truly encourage you to listen to your intuition. I also challenge you to try a trip by yourself, as it is an electric zing for the soul and will get your synapses hummin’. In more ways than one.
Thank you,
Peppur
When the ending becomes the beginning We sat outside a New York Bagel shop in Sedona, Arizona. She worked her way through an egg and cheese with ketchup and I enjoyed a smear of white fish on a toasted sesame bagel.
#black girl travel#dominique fishback#grand canyon#grand canyon road trip#jordana spiro#lagralane group#monument valley#moon deck#night comes on#park city utah#prague#road trip#sedona vortex#spiritual sedona#sundance film festival
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Check out Spas On The The golden state Coastline.
Tricia Goss' debts include Fitness Plus, Good Information Tucson and also Layover Magazine. They recommend stress-management methods, such as deep breathing exercises and focusing on unwinding psychological images, can aid with all sorts of surgical procedure. Positives About Muse: The Calm app makes it fulfilling to go for more calm and also meditative frame of minds as well as it incentivizes you to do more sessions. Taking shelter from the wind is an additional means to lower the impacts of wind chill. In her first significant speech since the ballot, the Queen stated: Obviously all of us live as well as work in a progressively intricate as well as demanding world where occasions and also advancements could and also do take place with impressive rate, and preserving the capability to remain calm and collected could sometimes be hard. While seated conveniently, relax both arms bent on each side with the wrists hing on your knees. I prefer to keep pumpkin seeds (also. called pepitas) available due to the fact that they're non-perishable and also mobile, as well as they're likewise loaded with the mineral magnesium, which assists you kick back by managing blood pressure. By taking a time out from the disagreement and making a cup of warm tea, you will give on your own some additional time to accumulate your ideas and aid your body and mind calm down. The maker claims the assimilate Natural Tranquility And also Calcium helps make the very best use of the vital vitamins and minerals it includes. Numerous difficult methods exist to achieve a loosened up end state, yet in order to recognize the underlying trick to relaxation, you must begin with one of the most standard act of breathing. China, worldwide economy: Remember that last August's relative calm was smashed by a surge in concerns concerning China's economic situation enduring a difficult landing. Have a kicked back smile with your lips closed and after that trap your cheeks towards and on to your teeth. You can decide to do a 3-minute, 5-minute, 7-minute or 12-minute relaxation session. If your skin is a work-in-progress, loosen up and keep in mind that you are terrific also. Try rubbing lavender oil straight on the temples and then entirely loosening up for a couple of mins; the sense of tranquility that is really felt will aid to reduce the pain. The majority of Unwinding Therapy: Trademark Organic Massage therapy, with cozy organic packs as well as organic massage therapy oil, plus reflexology. http://unbeauplancher-blog.info/testx-core-test-avis-action-ou-lacheter/ has been made to ensure the accuracy of the Relax & Tranquility Feline Gel information published above. The oils oil your joints and launch contaminants, while the strokes promote your body's lymphatic system and unwind the muscles. We could discover http://unbeauplancher-blog.info from Powell, but one of the most crucial lesson he has actually taught us is to welcome Netflix and cool as a way of living, not just a short lived meme that is popular someday and then sucked up by the substantial, ruthless Net space the following. Most notably, it was remarkably efficient at aiding me to concentrate and also kick back rapidly and motivate me to use it to kick back more often. Checking out these indications to recognize if you're also stressed and also need to chill could aid you get in touch with on your own and figure out which tips to require to begin feeling much less anxious. Consequently, monitor just how much potassium you consume as a mix of Natural Calmness Plus Calcium as well as other supplements. When we looked over the city once more from the leisure room, the lights looked like promising stars and also the web traffic seemed virtually like songs. Stay clear of Natural Calm if you are taking anti-biotics considering that it could hinder absorption of the medication.
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Experience Healing with Cupping Therapy at Bluemoon Acupuncture in Tucson
Discover cupping therapy at Bluemoon Acupuncture Pain and Wellness Center in Tucson. Experience relief from pain, tension, and stress with our expert techniques. For more information visit:- https://bluemoonacupuncture.com/cupping/
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What is Lower Back Pain ?
Having just returned from Arizona where I was lucky enough to spend a few glorious days at Mirival Spain Tucson, I must admit I'm feeling both fortunate and frustrated. Fortunate that I got to experience a beautiful, restful place and themost divine, mood-altering Thai massage. Frustrated because the massage therapist refused to fly home with me and take up permanent residence in my house. Even more frustrated because when I got home, I did an Internet searched for a Thai massage practitioner (thinking I could drop some hints to my hubby for an early birthday present) and came up empty. Congratulations to the winner of the peanut giveaway from my recent post, 5 Reasons You Can Lose Weight With Peanuts I and several other peanut-savvy judges have chosen Kristen Gough of Solon, Ohio, as the winner based on her inspiring descriptions of how her family uses peanut butter:My daughter makes a peanut butter banana split using a whole wheat tortilla (or pita) slathered with peanut butter, banana slices and a little drizzle of honey. Roll it up and you can carry it anywhere. My hubby makes a mean bbq sauce by starting with a cup of 100% cranberry juice and boiling it down until it halved (good for your urinary tract!), then he adds about 1 1/2 of our favorite bbq sauce, mixing it, then finishes it off with a tablespoon of peanut butter to cut the sweetness. Add salt and pepper to taste and you've got a tangy sauce for dipping or slathering. Thai massage is different than a traditional massage. You remain fully clothed, and no oils are used. You lie on the floor on a padded mat, where the therapist gently eases your body into deep yoga-like stretches (that you thought would be absolutely impossible to achieve), incorporating muscle compression and acupressure. It's both energizing and relaxing. While I'd be thrilled to find a Thai massage practitioner nearby, I love allmassages. If I could be granted one wish, cost notwithstanding, it would be to have a massage every week. If that's too much, I'll take one every month. But that's not to be. For me, it's an occasional indulgence, usually when I'm on vacation and want to do something special for myself. Yet a massage is not always strictly an indulgence. Recently, researchers who studied 400 patients, made up of mostly middle-aged white females with chronic low-back pain lasting for at least three months, proved that. Low-back pain is no doubt something you've experienced at some point in your life; it's one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. A whopping 80 percent of adults have an episode at sometime in their lifetimes. Yet despite the fact that is so common, it's very tough to treat. Medications, surgeries and injections are many times used to no avail. The recruits were divided into three groups that were randomly assigned treatments: one group received a weekly series of whole-body relaxation massage (better known as a Swedish massage, which promotes overall relaxation), one had structural massage (which manipulates hip and back muscles and ligaments) and the third got the more common usual medical care (which includes painkillers, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants or physical therapy). At the end of the 10-week study, the massage won out. Both types of massage were more successful in alleviating pain and increasing function than usual care. Even better, the groups that responded to massage were less likely to report using medication for their back pain than those in the usual care group; they also spent fewer days in bed and missed fewer days of work or school. That's great news, since massage is so readily available, especially Swedish-style massage. It's much, much easier to find a practitioner trained in this type than in the more complex Thai method. Now here's the rub (sorry, I couldn't resist), as I see it: Insurance companies typically pay for medications, surgeries and injections. But they don't (usually) cover massage. Maybe the day will come when massage is no longer considered just an "indulgence" and we will be able to afford to sidestep so many ineffective treatments for back pain for a treatment that not only helps, but feels good while it's helping. In addition to its ability to help with pain, massage can lower blood pressure, change your stress hormones and, in turn, ramp up your disease-fighting arsenal. Read the full article
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The Healing Strokes Swedish Massage Therapy Entail!
Ever heard about Swedish massage therapy? It's a perfect massage technique to melt away stress and tension accumulated in your muscles for a long time. Immerse yourself in the world of relaxation as a massage therapist heals down your body with subtle pressings. But if you have never heard about the magical touch of this massage, you might be wondering how it is different from the other massage types. It's focused on holistic healing of the entire body and not just a single body part. It involves rubbing of muscles with long gliding strokes that generate relaxation effect. Let's discuss what this massage therapy entails:
1. Long Gliding Strokes for Entire Body!
Swedish massage therapy involves long gliding strokes from head to toe. These sliding strokes entail firm and light pressure to promote blood flow using palms of hands. Sometimes, the therapist uses fingertips in between the long gliding strokes to pinpoint the pressure areas for getting rid of the tension accumulated in the muscles. Slowly, the muscle tension tends to get broken, relaxing the muscles.
2. Kneading Technique!
Kneading technique is done to accomplish deeper massage penetration for healing the muscles from the deep within. The therapist randomly uses thumbs and knuckles of the fingers to knead the muscles that are tensed due to daily stress. The technique prepares the body for the other massage techniques.
3. Rhythmic Tapping!
Tapping technique involves using the fists of the cupped hands to relax your tensed muscles. This type of rhythmic tapping works like a charm to loosen and relax the muscles improves the blood flow and energizes them from within.
4. The Friction Effect!
The therapist creates heat between the palms of the hands by rubbing them together vigorously and then immediately massaging the person with those warm hands. Alternatively, the person is massaged at a faster pace using palms to create the heating effect. This technique is very helpful in warming up the muscles and makes them ready for the deeper massage.
Looking for Swedish massage therapy in Tucson? Let Greentoes Tucson help you achieve the utmost relaxation in just one session. Our licensed massage therapists know how to ease the tension in your muscles. Contact us to get a rewarding experience from Swedish massage session.
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How Can Chronic Pain Affect Your Mental Health?
When an individual gets exposed to some kind of illness or injury, they suffer from pain. Once the body starts healing, the pain starts to fade away, too. But, there are certain scenarios where the pain lasts for three to six months- that is typically referred to as chronic pain. As a result, it affects both your physical and emotional well-being. The best part is that chronic pain can be healed, too; all you need to do is opt for a chronic pain treatment in Saddlebrooke, and that’s it.
Keeping your chronic pain untreated and unaddressed can pose serious life threats, and in this blog, we will discuss how it affects your mental health. Keep reading for more information.
Anxiety and Depression: Chronic pain often takes place because of hormonal imbalances. It paves the way for various other mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression.
Stress Factors: Suffering from continuous pain is mentally challenging and stressful. It eventually affects your behavior, mood, and thoughts to a huge extent. The more chronic pain, the worse the stress factor.
Social Isolation: Chronic pain forces individuals to maintain a distance from the social world- it results in social isolation and feelings of loneliness. Since chronic pain makes it uncomfortable for them to interact with the outer world, they simply enclose themselves within a shell.
Mood and Sleep Disturbances: Exposure to chronic pain makes it difficult to grab a sound sleep- it can cause fatigue, sleep deprivation, and insomnia. Lack of sleep leads to a spoiled mood; it makes you less willing to carry out any tasks.
Hampers Your Self-esteem: When chronic pain marks its presence, it makes you question your self-worth and self-esteem. Dealing with everyday chores and fostering good relationships with others starts looking like a major task.
In order to keep every possibility of mental health deterioration at bay, make sure to book a chronic pain treatment in Saddlebrooke.
What Causes Are Responsible Behind Causing Chronic Pain?
Now, you might wonder what causes chronic pain in individuals. Below, we’ve outlined some painful conditions that are responsible for this health condition:
Back pain
Arthritis
Muscle sprains and strains
Headaches
Nerve damage
Fibromyalgia
Broken bones
Lyme disease
Ulcers or acid reflux
Cancer
IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Surgery
Endometriosis
Chronic Pain- What Are the Symptoms?
When a person deals with chronic pain, they are often exposed to a few symptoms that are listed below:
Depression
Anxiety
Feeling wiped out or extremely tired
Poor sleep
Feeling a sense of irritability
Alcohol or drug abuse
Job loss
Family or marriage problems
Suicidal thoughts
Manage Your Chronic Pain Through an Acupuncture Treatment
Chronic pain requires immediate attention; leaving this option unaddressed is never an option. Get in touch with a professional expert and convey your health conditions to them- they will prepare tailored solutions and might include acupuncture treatment in the process. It is an effective way of managing chronic pain- you will feel relaxed after the treatment is over.
From chronic pain management to cupping therapy in Tucson, every service is available right at your fingertips. When booking an appointment takes just a few clicks, why not be more attentive to your health?
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How To Find The Tucson Acupuncture And Ensure Quality Results?
Are you feeling achy, stressed, or just out of balance? If you're in Tucson and looking for a natural approach to wellness, tucson accupuncture could be the key to unlocking your inner Zen. But with so many acupuncturists in the city, how do you find the perfect one for you, ensuring a truly transformative experience? Fear not, desert wanderer. Read More: https://www.blogbangboom.com/blog/how-to-find-the-tucson-acupuncture-and-ensure-quality-results
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The Benefits Of Acupuncture For An Active Lifestyle
If you're living that active life out here in the desert under our sunny skies, you probably know how important it is to keep your body in top shape. Whether running up and down the Rillito River Park, making it up the mountain on Mount Lemmon, or pedalling through the Saguaro National Park, staying healthy and avoiding those nasty injuries can be challenging. That's where acupuncture steps in! As your acupuncturist in Tucson, this blog will tell you how getting acupuncture in Tucson, in conjunction with sports acupuncture and cupping therapy in Tucson, can get you up and running. Read more: https://medium.com/@bluemoonacupuncture_54486/the-benefits-of-acupuncture-for-an-active-lifestyle-347d13b2f9cd
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Desire To Use Bluemoon Acupuncture and Wellness Center's Cupping Therapy In Tucson
To discover more about the traditional Chinese medical technique of cupping therapy, go to Bluemoon Acupuncture & Wellness Center in Tucson. Our licensed professionals employ this therapeutic method to promote relaxation, lessen discomfort, and enhance overall wellness. For any further information visit: https://bluemoonacupuncture.com/cupping/
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