Week of Passion – Giveaway + Guest Post

Today is a super exciting day.  Well…since you asked…my Week of Passion is taking over the interwebs!  Not only am I hosting my first ever giveaway both here and on Facebook but also because the lovely Janetha is featuring my sexy tips as the first post in her new Three Tips Thursday series.  Make sure to head on over to Meals & Moves for more of that sweet goodness.  East-coasters – Janetha is in Utah so her posts tend to come later in our day.  Check back tonight/tomorrow if you can’t find it.

Welcome to the first ever Y/B/L giveaway!  Technically this is a giveaway on my Facebook page but I figured since we’re celebrating Passion here, I’d share the love!

This giveaway is for a Passion Pantry must-have.  It makes play-time (solo or with a partner) both safer and way more fun!  By decreasing friction and heightening sensation, this product lets you feel into your body like never before.  Because it is water-based, it is condom-friendly, non-staining, and easily reactivated.  <–think a little lick…or using a bit of water if you prefer  Because it was created by Passion Parties, its also long-lasting, non-sticky, and sure to bring you pleasure.

Passion Parties RomantaTherapy Revelation Lubricant (sorry for the crappy picture)

Rules of the Giveaway

1. To enter, simply leave a comment on my Facebook page or here regarding one topic you’d like me to explore in more depth here.  It can be anything, but I’d especially love suggestions about women’s and/or sexual health/issues/etc.
2. You must “Like” Passion by Kait to be eligible.
3. Winner will be chosen using a random numbers generator after collapsing all comments into one thread.  #nerd

The giveaway closes next Wednesday, March 28 at 12am EST.  Just to be different from all those giveaways that end at 11:59 pm.

Yoga/beauty/passion,

Kait xo

P.S. Project: Food Budget will be back next week!

Week of Passion – Notes on Wellness

Thanks for all your kind comments on yesterday’s posts.  I was a little hesitant about how you all would feel about my Week of Passion posts since it is a pretty big departure from the norm here at y/b/l so I truly appreciate the encouragement!

In my Convention re-cap post I mentioned how I had the opportunity to train with some amazing individuals.  Since Wednesdays are typically days for revelations, I wanted to share some of the amazing things I learned from these speakers.  I’m going to do a quick intro of each before highlighting my favorite quotes from their presentations.  The common theme: passion.

Dr. Sadie Allison

Source

Dr. Sadie Allison is the author of several sex how-to books including Tickle Your Fancy, Tickle His Pickle, and her latest book, Tickle My Tush which I reviewed yesterday.  She is the founder and CEO of Tickle Kitty Inc which both published her books and her line of lubricants.  She is “America’s Pleasure Coach” and the mission of her work is to help people have more powerful orgasms (Source).  One of the many reasons I love her is her belief that knowledge = power and that our brain is, indeed, our biggest and most powerful sex organ!  Seeing her speak left me beyond starstruck because she is as intelligent, engaging, and sexy as the photo above and her writing implies.

Here are my favorite bits of information that Dr. Allison shared with us during her presentation.  These are not direct quotes because I paraphrased extensively in my notes.  That being said, absolutely all material belongs to Dr. Allison.

• Every clitoris is different.  <–aka, don’t assume that what worked on the last girl will work on the next!
• Because the clitoris and penis come from the same tissue, you need to start thinking of one like the other, especially when it comes to touching/licking/caressing each.
• It is ok to have a conversation with your partnerbefore you get busy to let your partner know, “Hey, I need 20 minutes to warm up…let’s do this and let’s do that.  Not only will it let me relax, everything will feel better for you too!”
• “Explore new things because that is what keeps Passion alive”…if you don’t like it, it’s ok!  Just be open to trying new things and experimenting to find what you like.
• The factors which affect male pleasure include the following: lubrication, grip, speed, stroke, angle, warmth, rhythm, and variety.  *whew*
• “Hands are some of the best toys we have.” <–amen to that!

Week of Passion – Tickle My Tush Book Review

This post contains explicit information intended only for those 18+.

Speaking of which, this post might make you feel a little uncomfortable.  IMO, all new learning experiences should be. For those of you running towards the ‘x’ as quickly as possible I ask that you give this post a shot and, yourself, a chance to discover something new.   At the end you might still say, “Naw…not for me.”  That is perfectly ok. You might also say, “Hey…I was told wrong.  I need to explore this more.”  Regardless, please keep all comments clean and respectful, recognizing that some readers may find this awkward and even painful…or this might be someone’s favorite topic.  As I say at parties, “We never want to yuck on someone else’s yum.”

Ok so since I slacked yesterday, you are getting two posts from me today!  I need to make up for my long absence, right?!

This afternoon I want to introduce you to one of my idols: Dr. Sadie Allison.  I mentioned her briefly earlier but want to go more in-depth before reviewing her latest how-to sex book, Tickle my Tush: Mild-to-Wild Analplay Adventures for Everybooty.

You can tell why I like her already, right?  We both adore cheesy puns.  *sigh*

Anyway Dr. Allison is the author of several how-to sex books including Tickle His Pickle: Your Hands-on Guide to Penis Pleasuring and Ride ‘Em Cowgirl: Sex Position Secrets for Better Bucking.  One of my favorite aspects of Dr. Allison’s approach to writing about sex is her lightheartedness with sometimes heavy topics (see my point re: cheesy puns above).  She is serious when necessary, such as when discussing sexual safety, but is comfortable enough with the unfortunately-still-taboo topic to laugh at it (and herself).  The information contained in each book is presented in such a way that will make you giggle, sometimes with joy and sometimes uncomfortably.

You have to leave your comfort zone to start living, right?

All her books include cartoon-ish illustrations, a chapter on safe sex (woot!), FAQs, and a guide to any terms that may be unknown or made up (e.g. a-spot for anus).  I’m a huge fan of the two books mentioned above and will likely review them in the future.  For now lets just say that Tickle is the penis bible and Ride ‘Em is the greatest position book ever simply by excluding positions that require you to be double-jointed.

But lets get to the butt of this post…I mean heart.  I swear. 

Fun fact: thoes are the great dr’s lips you see.  In fact, her face is on the cover of every book.  Some may find that conceited but hey…she’s an independent publisher with 2million+ books sold so I say she can do what she wants!

Alright…onto the book.  For reals this time!

Dr. Allison does an amazing job of de-stigmatizing the booty.  While most people immediately think of anal sex when they hear the former word, she shows that there are a ton of fun activities you can enjoy sans penetration.  In fact, it takes eight whole chapters to even get to the topic of penetration!  Even then she continues to follow the book’s mild-to-wild theme by showing you the five levels of penetration starting with just one knuckle.  From there we move onto G-spot and prostate massage (huuuge orgasm triggers for her and him, respectively), toys, and positions.  Throughout these chapters, Dr. Allison reminds us that communication is key as is taking it slow and letting the individual being penetrated call all the shots.  Anal play isn’t generally something you jump right into as the tissue back there is not as elastic as that of the vagina and therefore needs a bit more conscious training!

So what’s contained in those first 7 chapters?  Information about sexual safety, hygiene, anatomy, massage, non-penetrative finger play, and oral play.  In that mild-to-wild order.  And throughout these Dr. Allison reminds the reader that you need not go one page further.  She encourages you to, if only to learn, but does not pressure, another feature I greatly appreciate.

Do I think this book is the penultimate guide to anal play?  No.  In fact I expect it is a pretty basic introduction for some.  However, for those who have never experimented, for sex educators without much personal experience and/or knowledge about this aspect of sexuality, for those couples for which anal play is the primary source of sex…this is a fantastic introduction and absolute must-have addition to your library.

Here’s a short guide to the things I loved…and those I didn’t!

Things I Loved

• The book’s layout (mild-to-wild overall and within each chapter).
• De-stigmatizing anal adventures.
• The plentiful photos.
• The basic info on safety, hygiene, etc. and the fact that it is repeated throughout the book.
• The no-pressure tone of the writing and encouragement to explore at your own pace and within your comfort zone (kind of).
• The emphasis on communication and trust between partners.

Things I Wasn’t Crazy About

I didn’t love the fact that much of her writing ties so closely into societal norms about what relationships and sex should look like.

• The book is written for hetero couples (although she does note that you can interchange any pronouns) with all the pictures featuring a female and male and the conversation about him and her.
• The vilification of hair down.  Undoubtedly, for some, hair may be a non-issue or even a total turn-on.  I’ve heard or read it all folks…this is my passion and my career!  This information could have been presented in a more neutral, “If you wanna groom here’s how and if not that’s cool too!”
• Her definition of gender as being based on one’s genitals.  Boo hiss.

Thing I’m on the Fence About

Throughout the book, Dr. Allison uses here own terms (defined early in the book) for anatomical parts.  “A-spot” instead of “anus,” “pleasure tunnel” instead of “rectum,” etc.  I can see how this would be a good thing for those who aren’t comfortable using anatomically-correct terms.  However, part of my goal with my work is to overcome genital shame and a part of that is being able to speak the proper names of our body parts without shame or concern.

Say it with me now…VULVA!

Ok…had to get that out!

All in all…if you have ever wondered about or wanted to know more about analplay, I highly recommend this book.  As my way of saying thank you for your support over the past five months, I’m offering all Y/B/L readers 20% off any of Dr. Allison’s award-winning titles.  All payments will be processed through PayPal for your security and books range from $15-17 through PP.

Click here to see all of Dr. Allison’s titles.
Click here to contact me with your order.

I hope you enjoyed this post and would happily chat with you more about the topic of analplay or any sex-related topic me.  Use the Contact Form at the top of the page to send in questions, etc.  I’m thinking there’s an FAQ post in our future! If you have a super personal question/concern, we can set up a 15-minute one-on-one consultation.

Oh and don’t forget to be a dear and show your support for this post (and me in general) by “Liking” me. 

Yoga/beauty/passion,

Kait xo

Week of Passion – Behind-the-Scenes at Convention 2012

Welcome to the first ever Week of Passion!

Each day I’m going to cover a different topic related to Passion Parties, our Convention, or Passion in general.  I’ve only written about my biz a handful of times so I’m excited to explore this topic in more depth with all of you.

Today I’m going to give you a behind-the-scenes look into convention!  I’m secretly hoping some of you maybe so impressed that you say, “Hey girlfriend…I want that lifestyle!  Sign me up!”  Ok…secret’s out!

This year’s Convention theme was “Get the Party Started”  and party we did!  Having just finished my cleanse, I didn’t do too much drinking because I knew a) my alcohol tolerance would be nonexistent, b) my sugar tolerance is dooown, and c) I wanted to fit into my clothes come Wednesday.  <–I learned that last one the hard way last year.    Even more, I wanted to prove to myself that I could mostly stick to my healthy habits while on the go and in situations where I wasn’t in control of the food choices.

Sunday was our annual team costume party and I happily enjoyed my Avocado Slush (see below).  One of our leaders’ hubbies went as Snow White (yes you read that correctly) and we were all his dwarves.  I was more wood nymph but hey…my legs look good.

Chaos 1

Chaos 2

Eventually we all made our way up to the hotel’s rooftop club (talking our way in since we definitely weren’t in dress code) where we proceed to tear up the dance floor, PP style!

Monday was our first of two awards dinner where Corporate honors new leaders in the company plus others who’ve reached milestones with their sales and/or sponsoring.  AKA we get fed a catered meal and spoiled with goodies like diamonds and iPads.  Oh and these hunks come for a visit!

YUM.

Not sure who I'm sassing here...

Tuesday was our annual team trip to Freemont St.  This is in old Vegas and has the largest screen in the world.  There’s also a zipline, lots of casinos, a McDonald’s, Krispy Kreme, and, oh wait, places to get ginormous drinks.  Highlights from this year included getting kicked out of McDonald’s for having alcohol, performing ridiculous dares (see below), and, of course, dancing on the bar at Hogs & Heifers.  Did I mention that we have party buses as transportation?  Oh yea…forgot about that! 

Waiting for the buses!

My dare? Teach 3 people a dance!

Cotton Eyed Joe it is then!

Thanking them...or just showing off my bum?

Tehe  And, of course, Wednesday was our big awards dinner: Night of the Stars.  We celebrated the best of the best on Wednesday…and more ridiculousness ensued, of course.

Wednesday night post-dinner we all just hung in our pjs and ate junk food and did team bonding.  I might have consumed too much Jack Daniels…but just maybe.    I think I slept for a total of 20 hours the entire time…when you only see your team once per year, you make the most of every loving + blissful second together.

During the days, when I wasn’t walking to Chinatown for those slushes + veg food, we trained with leaders in the field such as Dr. Sadie Allison (look for my review of her latest book this week!) and Dr. John Gray (author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus) as well as the fabulous Alison Levine.  All three were incredibly dynamic, engaging, and informative.  Don’t let Dr. Gray’s geeky appearance put you off -  we all had crushes on him by the end of the speech!  Both Sadie and Alison are hot little tickets who are kicking ass and taking names while showing that you can be powerful and sexy.  Yes I just wrote that.  Haha

And of course there was the Breakthrough Experience with Brian Biro.  This is the last formal activity we share as a company and it is, by far, the most powerful.  I sobbed last year when it was my turn to break my (1-in, solid wood) board and again this year as I realized just how much of Brian’s lessons and my experience had manifested unknowingly in my life over the past year.  Its incredibly empowering, inspiring, and life-changing.  You literally see people transform before your eyes. 

To this day my board sits on my dresser with my zipline wristband pinned through it (fear of flying breakthrough).  Clearly these are my photos from last year…the experience is far too intimate to share for others.  Lots of tears and absolutely unforgettable.  If you ever have the chance to train with Brian, do not pass it up for anything.  Oh and I am taking full bragging rights and letting you know I broke that SOB on my first try.  I won’t, however, tell you what overwhelming fear I broke through.  Lets just say less than 1 year later, Hopkins came in and proved that my journey is complete, for now.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into the biggest party of the year!  Since I missed Monday, I’ll be putting up my book review a little later today so stay tuned!

Yoga/beauty/passion,

Kait xo

Thoughts on fear

I refuse to capitalize it and thus give the word more powerful than its worth.

Its a manipulative tricky a**hole.  Sometimes its obvious…you know, the heart-pounding, breath quickening, frozen in one spot fear.  Other times it manifests as mental self abuse.

Sometimes it rouses its friend the Gremlin and taunts “Hey let’s remind her that she’s different!  That she can’t overindulge just-that-once b/c it’ll show up on her hips/stomachs/ass/thighs the next day…that she cares about things like proper alignment and has stopped wearing heels as a result..that its beyond difficult to find clothes that will fit her strangely shaped body…tehehe lets put those reminders on both track and cd repeat!”

Sometimes you find yourself sobbing on the floor of your apartment, commando, clothes scattered about, sobbing uncontrollably because you’re fat, ugly, not good enough, not pretty enough, not creative enough, not fun enough, not sexy enough.

When really you are just scared of the unknown.

Last year was so amazing…is it possible for this year to live up?  You broke a board for God’s sake but you had those you know the most there to support you.  This year, you’ll be watching when in reality, the scary truth that you hate to even admit to yourself nevermind the world is that you need to break that board again, injured wrists and all.  You need that proof because the memories just aren’t cutting it.  And because you’ve grown tremendously but also backtracked and you just need it.

Two weeks ago you were looking slim and sexy…now your legs are tree trunks and your stomach looks like you’re 4 months pregnant. <–note: arbitrary length of time chosen there.  Seriously…who knew thighs could spread out this much?  And where did my abs/calf/arm muscles go?  How did they disappear so quickly?

Like I said, mental self abuse.

And as you are laying (lying?  I never know the damn difference so someone help a girl out…) there with these thoughts burning through your head and your face smooshed into the most likely hasn’t been cleaned in a month or more carpet another voice comes up and says, “wait a second…do you realize how ridculous this all is?”

All of a sudden there’s a sassy thirteen year old (or gay best friend…you choose) talking back to the mean girl.

She says, “So what? they love you for you!”
She says, “Go look at that block…let the feelings of joy overwhelm you.”
She says, “This too will pass….remember Lissa wrote that the average feeling only last 90 sec.”
She says, “You’re not perfect and its ok.”
She says, “You are good enough, pretty enough, smart enough.”
She says, “There will be someone else there who is fatter than you…and you’ll think she looks prettier and she will because she thinks so.”
She says, “Change is good…and its not like you’ll be alone.”
She says, “Its about spending time together, not having the best outfits.”
She says, “Remember how effing ridiculous they all are?!  That is why you love them…that is why you feel at home among them.  Because they are your tribe.”

The tears stop flowing.  The anger diminishes.  She knows they will love her.  She’s learned she can self-comfort.  The tree trunks are still there but she’s at peace.

After all, it was only fear talking.

Project: Food Budget, Week 23

I’m freestyling again this week…just roll with it. 

Weekly Menu

A Menagerie of Food Photos and Recipes from the Past Two Weeks

Five Spice Asian Salad

Aloo Gobi*

Mama Pea’s Magic Kale Salad

Sunshine Salad with Sweet Potato Burgers

Tuscan Salad (I love how the beans are glowing!)

Pesto* with Pasta + Roasted Asparagus

Epic Cereal Bowl

Just one more look…yuuuum

 

Five Spice Asian Salad

Tuscan Salad

For the salad:
2 bunches Tuscan kale, de-stemmed, washed, and chopped
6 carrots, diced
1/2 package Alfalfa Sprouts
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 bunch roasted asparagus

For the dressing (adapted from HH’s Italian Dressing)
1:1 ratio vinegar of choice + oil of choice (I used Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar + Wegman’s Basting Oil)
Small squirt of dijon mustard
A couple dashes of Italian Seasoning
1 dash each: onion and garlic powder
Honey or agave to taste

Whisk dressing ingredients together and adjust seasonings to taste.  Pour dressing over and massage into kale.  Mix in carrots, sprouts, salt & pepper.  Plate and top with kidney beans + asparagus.  Enjoy!

Magic Kale Salad

I omitted the apples + pistachio and tossed in a diced green pepper + five chopped scallions.  I topped it with sunflower seeds one day and quinoa + kidney beans on another.

Sunshine Salad

I added in chopped red pepper + black olives.

Most Epic Cereal Bowl (Janetha and Amanda - this one’s for you!)

1 c Nature’s Path Mesa Sunrise
1/2 c Nature’s Path Hemp Plus Granola

Toppings as desired:
Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
Raw Almonds
Frozen Wild Blueberries
Golden Raisins
Coconut Milk <–my new obsession

Ingredient Intros: Chinese Five Spices

Source

Last week I mentioned using Chinese 5 Spice in the best salad dressing ever.  It was sweet and spicy and warming and salty and just all around delicious!  I also promised that I’d tell you more about this little known gem.  After chatting with some friends I realize just how under the radar this unique and delicious spice flies so I got to researching!  You’re welcome. 

What is Chinese Five Spices?

Chinese Five Spice (aka five-spice powder) is a mixture of, you guessed it!, five different spices: fennel, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and Sichuan pepper.  I have the Dynasty brand and its ingredient list is a little longer: cinnamon, star anise, fennel,  ginger, cloves, white pepper, and licorice root.

Now before I continue it is imperative for you to know the following: I hate licorice.  I won’t drink sambuca because it tastes like licorice.  Same goes for fennel (yes, Wegmans, even when you smother it in cream + cheese I can still taste the licorice).  The fastest way to get me to say no to a food is to tell me it tastes like licorice.  True story.

Yet I love this powder.  I’ve only used it a handful of times but when I do, the results are always amazing.  Lindsay has a recipe that calls for it in the original Happy Herbivore Cookbook and I in last week’s post (linked above), I shared my 5 Spice Salad recipe.

Please note that I use the term “recipe” loosely.  I measured absolutely nothing for this salad, just adding things to taste as needed!  If you missed it, here are the salad ingredients:

For the Salad:

• Arugula
• Sprouts (I used an alfalfa + dill mix because its what I had on hand)
• Green onions

For the Dressing:

• Toasted Sesame Oil
• Soy Sauce
• Chinese 5 Spice

I topped it with some Thai-inspired tofu (not pictured) and it was just all types of heavenly and amazing.

I digress.  Lets get back to business (to defeeeeat the Huns…ok sorry I couldn’t resist.  10 points to whoever gets that reference xo).

How can I use Chinese Five Spices?

This stuff is great on anything.  Its my new go-to for baked sweet potatoes, Asian-inspired dressings, and stir-frys.  According to my research it is also great on meats.  <–I wouldn’t know anything about that.

Looking for more specific ideas?  Here’s three fantastic ones!

What are the benefits of Chinese Five Spices?

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the formula of Chinese Five Spices is designed in such a way to balance your yin/yang.  Or so Wikipedia tells me.  Whether or not this is true, the balance of spices is sure to fire up healing mechanisms. Each of the spices in both the original blend and mine are at least known for their healing properties (if known at all).  Cinnamon provides warmth and speeds up the metabolism.  Licorice root + ginger help calm the stomach and cleanse the body.  Lesser known are fennel, star anise, cloves, and Sichuan pepper and, therefore, I am going to go into more details about their benefits below.

*Note: this information is based on the whole foods nutrient profiles featured at WHFoods and some information from Livestrong.  I like this site because it provides detailed nutrient profiles and information sources.  It also does not hesitate to say when something is speculated rather than supported by science.

• Fennel has strong antioxidant activity due to its blend of various phytonutrients.  It has been shown to decrease inflammation and may play a role in reducing tumor growth.  It also is a good source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium.  Ladies who are of child-bearing age: folate is super important for healthy babies!

• Star Anise has mild antibacterial properties and, like many the other spices, contains various phytonutrients, minerals, and vitamins. It is high in the B vitamins (except B-12 which can only be gotten through animal products + fortified veg products) as well as Vitamin C, calcium, and potassium.

• Cloves contain significant amounts of a substance called eugenol which numerous studies suggest has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect in the body.  Cloves also contain numerous other phytonutrients including flavanoids and nutrients such as vitamins K and C and omega-3 fatty acids.

As this information shows, spices and herbs can be powerful tools not only for creating great-tasting meals but also for helping your body work at its maximum potential.  I highly suggest trying out Chinese Five Spices on your next Asian-inspired meal.  Be aware that it is a powerful spice so a little goes a long way.  I happen to really enjoy the taste of it but recommend starting out very slowly!

Have you ever tried Chinese Five Spices?  Let me know what you think!

Yoga/beauty/life,

Kait xo

Looking Forward: Kitchen Edition

Source

In case you haven’t heard, I’m moving to Baltimore in less than 4 months.

I’m all sorts of excited and terrified.  It means I will quit my job (which I’ve outgrown), leave my current apartment (my first…and you always will have fond memories of your first, right?! ), move away from my family, and go back to school.  It also means I get to move closer to other friends and have the opportunity to experiment with a whole host of new thing.  Shockingly, many of these experiments will occur in the kitchen.

Since I love making lists (I pretend like they actually help me get stuff done) here, presented in no particular order, are the Top 10 hings I’m Looking Forward to Experimenting with in My Baltimore Kitchen:

1. Crock Pot cooking.  This is a skill I will need to develop but cannot wait to try recipes like this and this.
2. Non-stick cookware.  I love using stainless steel now that I’ve learned how but it does take longer to clean.  Since saving time will likely be of the utmost importance, being able to wash and go will be a beautiful thing.  I intend on investing in these.
3. Using a rice cooker.  Another make-my-life-easier appliance.
4. Using my George Foreman again.  There will be many a summer dinners of “grilled” veggies + tofu on top of salads.  Its easier + faster than turning on the stove.
5. Not having to share my kitchen.
6. Having newer appliances…including an oven that doesn’t take 20 minutes to boil water or run 15-30 degrees under.
7. Shopping at a year-round farmer’s markets.
8. Shopping at Costco.  There is one right on the outskirts of Baltimore (er…it looks like the outskirts to me!).  Nature’s Path cereal, MaraNatha almond butter, Alexia frozen fries, 13 lb bags of baking soda, bottles of spices (and pure vanilla extract), bananas and nuts galore!
9. Shopping at Glut.  Not technically in Baltimore, this amazing, fantastic, food-gasmic, life-changing co-op is high on my list of places to visit again and again.  Bulk everything including liquids + carob-covered amazingness + non-sulphered dried fruits at reasonable prices.  Because its a bit of a drive, I’ll probably do a stock-up monthly.
10. Exploring all of the awesome sauce veg and veg-friendly restaurants and cafes.  Look at this list of places within 5 miles of JHSPH.  *sigh*

I want to address the likely question of why I cannot use the items listed in numbers 1-4.  Depending on how much you’ve creeped this site, you may know that I share living space with this little menace.

Kaybird!

So the short answer to the question is because of Kaybird.  The long answer is this.  The chemicals released when non-stick coating is heated include some nasty buggers called PFTE and PFOA.  The safety of inhaling these in humans is currently being explored by the EPA.  While I don’t exactly entrust my safety to government agencies (see here) and nothing may come of it, the fact that they are examining it says something.

Nevertheless, it has long been known that inhalation of these chemicals by birds is fatal. While the jury is still out on the coating in rice cookers and crock pots, my roommate prefers that any and all non-stick coating be avoided.  Since I am in love with Kaybird (you thought I was going to say my roomie for a minute there, weren’t you?  creep.  tehehe), I’ve learned to cook with stainless steel and live without the other appliances.  This is fine but let me tell you…I really can’t wait to get perfect rice and meals that cook overnight or while I’m in class etc.

For more information on non-stick cookware, click here.

#6 is, of course, dependent on where I end up living but let’s just say, for now, that it looks promising.    Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I’m also eager to see how I’ll do sticking to a food budget. I apparently thrive on challenge!  Who knows….maybe I’ll end up teaching my fellow grad students a thing or two about saving $ while eating green.  I’d actually love that very much.  Caring is sharing, right?

Over the next couple of months I’ll be updating more about my move to Baltimore, my bucket list of experiences to have before leaving, etc.  I’m so excited to still be on an adrenaline rush to be walking with you into this next stage of my life!  I’ve already contacted other HLB members and made connections with friends and friends-of-friends in the area.  I’m heading down for the JHSPH Open House at the end of March and hopefully will find an apartment then.  I’m in get-it-done mode which is good for the move but not-so-good for current stuff (like, ya know, work and working out and all those other things that are important currently).  Don’t worry…you can expect to hear all about it!

Yoga/beauty/life,

Kait xo

Movin’ on Up

Well you all might have noticed (or maybe not) a new image has taken residence in the sidebar.

I’m excited to announce that as of last week, I am officially part of the Healthy Living Blogs community!

To become a member, you simply have to write a blog related to some aspect of healthy living.  This makes for a super diverse community including food bloggers, fitness bloggers, spirituality bloggers, etc.  One of the major benefits of joining the community is to be able to connect with other bloggers in your area (both geographic and topic) because HLB offers a geographic listing of member blogs by country and state.  There are also tons useful posts as well as member-exclusive giveaways.

 

I’m excited to join the likes of Janetha, Averie, and Chelsey along with hundreds of other bloggers dedicated to living rich, healthy lives.

For more information on becoming part of the HLB community, check out this post.

I know the blog has been full of gratitude this week but I do want to just thank you again for all of your love and support.

 

From My Heart to Yours

Source

Its been a long road. Without realizing it, I started this blog as a way to reach out to others and to help heal myself. Some part of me also hoped that my transparency would help others as well.

All of this has come true.

Let me back up. Yesterday I mentioned that I received oodles of good news this week. I held on to this news for a bit because I’ve learned over the years to really relish in and appreciate my news–good, bad, or otherwise–before broadcasting it to the world. I consider this lesson my earliest foray into the world of mindful living (also known to me as YOGA) for it was the first time in my life that I learned to stop and cherish life before broadcasting and rushing through it. Furthermore, when I did tell others, I did so consciously and by choice, telling only those closest to me who would share at the deepest level in my trials and tribulations.

So when I started to receive good news this week, I fought back my immediate desire to share it with the world. Instead I skipped out of the hospital, texting the beau as I went and calling momma later in the day. When I opened the package I admittedly called momma and beau immediately but then stopped and hugged myself, filling up with appreciation and pride before calling the others. I let myself smile and giggle incessantly, much to the chagrin of those around me (whose opinions, suddenly, didn’t matter one bit). Slowly but surely I disseminated the information more but, again, only to those who could fully share in my joy.

Yet through it all, I knew I needed to write about it. So many of you came into my journey at the mid-way point and you’ve been besides me every step of the way since. So here goes…

Saturday I rocked into half moon pose…on both sides.
Monday morning I was discharged from hand therapy.
Wednesday I received my acceptance letter from John’s Hopkins School of Public Health.
I’m moving to Baltimore in July.

In other words: I’ve arrived.

Every time I think about these things, I am filled with infinite amounts of joy, peace, and gratitude. As recently as a couple months ago, I did not truly believe that I would, or could, reach this point. Surgery was a viable and increasingly attractive option as I sought a way to end the pain, anger, sadness, and inner turmoil. I hadn’t gotten my shit together for applications. Even when things started to improve, I was still scared, living from a place of lack and waiting for the other shoe to drop. I had hope for the first time in months, yet I still was deeply wounded.

My discharge and subsequent marked the final step in my healing process. Let me repeat that: I am healed.

I’m not longer the “almost girl.” My letter from JH is so much more than a new opportunity. Its proof positive that I am worth it. Yes I know…I shouldn’t seek validation from outside sources. Yet I still do, especially when I am rejected time and time again (a pattern that extends all the way back to friggin high school applications, if you must know). My acceptance to Hopkins proves that it is time for me to take the next step…time to jump and leap and SOAR.

As for my physical issues, they are not gone. In fact, the opposite is true. But instead of being angry or questioning when enough was enough, I’ve come to accept that, fact of the matter is, I have flexible joints and there is nothing I can do to change that. Its how my beautiful body is built. I can stabilize many of them (e.g. shoulders, spine, hips) through strength training. I can make lifestyle modifications that will consciously protect the others (e.g. thumbs, wrists). I will continue eating an alkaline, anti-inflammatory diet, meditating daily, and practicing heated yoga (the heat lubricates and protects the joints) that emphasizes alignment over being the best.

Despite all this, new opportunities and doing best by my body, I’m not invincible. But I know I can overcome whatever else the Universe has in store for me. My big plans (which were to move to CT in May and shack up with the beau after 7 years of being apart and not really having a plan beyond that) have been drastically changed, a fact which presents new dilemmas. I’m re-entering school after 2 years off and going straight into an intense accelerated Master’s program at the top-rated School of Public Health. It won’t be a walk in the park.

But I know I can do it because I have the most amazing support network both among friends and family and the blogging community (that includes you, dear readers). I have my writing and this online diary to show how far I’ve come…how dreams can come true, even if we don’t really know they are dreams yet. And I have me.

To everyone who has listened or read about my journey, who has held me, comforted me, wiped my tears, and supported me, to those who offered words of encouragement and hope: I owe you a boatload of gratitude and love. Both have been filling me up since Monday…I’m literally overflowing with peace and joy and gratitude and general love for all that is around me, including the snow/sleet that New England is finally experiencing!

So from my heart to yours…

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Yoga/beauty/amazing life,

Kait xo