Absorbing Life

Fragrance vs. Essential Oils

2011-09-12T14:39:00.003-05:00

In general, fragrance oils tend to be more affordable than essential oils. There are famous and much beloved scents that can only be found in a fragrance oil. Some fragrances simply cannot be mimicked through essential oils.

Fragrance oils fall into the FDA's jurisdiction and their "trade secret" law. This means that the manufacturer of the fragrance oil does not have to disclose the ingredients used in making their fragrances. Basically you may never know what in the world is really in a fragrance oil, but they do have guidelines in place to ensure the general safety of the product.

Fragrance oils are synthetic (man-made), produced by chemists in Laboratories. The majority of candle fragrances are created using fragrance oils. There is no plant or bark that naturally smells like cotton candy.

Essential oils are derived from plant matter, such as the leaves, stems flower buds and bark. These oils are also used in proven aromatherapy methods to calm the mind, body and soul.

Soy vs. Paraffin

2011-09-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

Paraffin wax is a heavy hydrocarbon that comes from crude oil. Paraffin waxes are produced by refining or separating the waxes out of crude mineral oils. Obtained from the ground, crude oil is a compositionally varied product, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons. Another name for crude oil is fossil fuel. Crude oil is transported to refineries where it is refined into finished products by complex processes. One of the many products derived from refining is lubricating oil. It is from the lube oil refining process that petroleum waxes are derived. There are three general categories of petroleum wax that are obtained from lube oil refining. They include paraffin, microcrystalline and petrolatum. Paraffin waxes are derived from the light lubricating oil distillates. Paraffin waxes contain predominantly straight-chain hydrocarbons with an average chain length of 20 to 30 carbon atoms.

Soy wax, on the other hand is made from vegetable matter. Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from the oil of soybeans. After harvesting, the beans are cleaned, cracked, de-hulled, and rolled into flakes. The oil is then extracted from the flakes and hydrogenated. The hydrogenation process converts some of the fatty acids in the oil from unsaturated to saturated. This process dramatically alters the melting point of the oil, making it a solid at room temperature. The leftover bean husks are commonly used as animal feed. The U.S. grows the vast majority of the world's soybeans, primarily in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana.

While petroleum based paraffin wax is a limited resource, soy wax is a renewable resource that is limited only by how many soybeans we can grow. It is also beneficial to farmers who sell soybean crops, as well as lasting almost twice as long as paraffin wax.

Read more

Just got a NEW Cookbook!!

2011-09-06T11:13:00.001-05:00

I'm very excited to cook my way through "The Blissful Chef" Christy Morgan's new cookbook Blissful Bites. She is a local Vegan Gal from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. This book is categorized by course and also by season which helps vegans or fellow plant enthusiasts eat local fresh produce whenever the "gettin is good".

I have a created a photo album on Facebook to document my journey into the Bliss! Also, if you want to read my review on Amazon, please do. Today is the first official day of publication for the cookbook so check out your local bookstores, request it if it's not there or purchase it online.

You can follow Christy @TheBlissfulChef on Twitter.

My connecting with Christy has opened up a lot of doors in just a short time. Her boyfriend runs DallasVegan.com, offering a plethora of local vegan information! She suggested joining the group Vegan101 through Meetup.com where I have also found a lot of other vegan groups in the DFW area and am looking forward to all the great Dallas events! This week is Dallas Vegan Drinks...Two of my favorite words :)

Until next time...keep Absorbing Life!

About Us

2011-08-23T12:30:00.000-05:00

Absorbing Life Products all began with our search for an alternative. Living as an organic vegetarian means more to us than just choosing to eat well. This lifestyle impacts every choice we make from food and clothing, to recycling and conservation. Natural and ethically made products can be hard to find so we decided to make them ourselves.

Absorbing Life Eco-Friendly, Vegan Products are something we can be proud of inside and out with All Natural Ingredients and 100% Biodegradable Packaging. We hope that you enjoy them as much as we enjoy doing our part for Mother Earth.

At Absorbing Life we not only make a Great, Natural Product, we also use great Natural Packaging to insure our Eco-Friendly standards are met while being passed on to you.

The Nature Flex Cello bags are made from wood cellulose fibers sourced with sustainable forestry principles. Certified biodegradable, compostable and made carbon zero. Meets ASTM D6400, EN13432 standards for CA and other states.

We use 100% recycled neutral pH tissue paper made up of 100% post industrial recycled pulp to individually wrap your tart. The label cards are printed on 100% recycled premium white paper with plant based dyes. The Raffia ribbon is also dyed with plant based dyes and biodegradable since its made from 100% natural vegetable fibers.

Each package contains 5 soy wax tarts scented with essential oils. net wt 3.5oz that's over 1oz more than Scentsy without all the dyes and chemicals.

Who Woulda Thunk It?!

2011-08-23T10:44:00.000-05:00

No one would have ever guessed that this "country" girl from Pennsylvania would be living the life in Fort Worth, Texas??!! Not only am I living the life but I am loving the life here in this southern city.

It's no secret that my path in this world has taken a drastic change for the best. I now celebrate a Vegetarian birthday as well as a regular ole' birthday. Maybe that's strange to some but becoming vegetarian has saved my life. People often comment on how they could never "give up meat". For the record...I never decided to "give up meat". I decided to give up feeling like crap'ola every day. Taking control of my life not only feels great but gives me a true sense of purpose.

I am somebody. I am an organic vegetarian that avoids most dairy and eggs. I am a great cook that provides myself and my family with delicious and nutritious foods. I am dedicated and passionate...I am Me!

My Vow: No more Excuses!

2011-08-04T09:55:00.002-05:00

Wow! Has it really been 8 months since my last post!?
It’s upsetting to me that when reconnecting with friends, they ask "How's the soy tart business?" or "What have you made lately at the pottery studio?" and I have no real answers...only excuses. Almost every day I need to talk myself into going to yoga...I know how great it makes me feel so why the excuses?? I'm over-worked, tired and uninspired....All Excuses! Our spare room, also known as My Closet, has been in disarray for almost a year. The guest bed was made for the first time this year, on Monday. I'm not exactly sure what's going on...this is not a new problem...excuses and procrastination will get me nowhere and I'm changing this today!

I'm tired of boring dinners at home and that guilty knot in the pit of my stomach because I'm wasting my time doing things that don't matter. Maybe it’s my impending birthday that's got my panties in a bunch...a Mini Tri-Life Crisis...but I refuse to not become what I'm destined to be...Great!

Talk soon! Meanwhile, continue Absorbing Life.

Coming Soon!

2010-12-27T14:47:00.002-06:00

Six and a half months later...

2010-12-07T15:56:00.002-06:00

I've decided that I now have two Birthday's. My original Birthday: 8/20/1982 and my Vegetarian Birthday: 3/23/2010.

Its almost as if the first twenty-seven and a half years of my life (OMG I'm 28! ah!) have been lived somewhat in the dark...Most people can relate when I compare my Vegetarian rebirth to a spiritual awakening and that is exactly what it feels like.

Being vegetarian means a whole lot more to me than just not eating meat. I am conscious of everything that has to do with my body inside and out. Dedication and investigation are keys to my success...researching what makes a healthy balanced diet. What do I need to satisfy daily vitamin/nutritional values? Eight months after my awakening I have noticed many improvements:

Stronger healthier hair/nails/skin ( I also have not dyed my hair since becoming VEG)

Increased energy

Healthier digestive tract

Less back/neck problems

Sleep GREAT!

Cook dinner 3+ times a week

I've lost 10lbs (actually that is just the past 30days: my theory is that a body needs time to expel all the toxins from 27yrs unhealthy living)

This success is not just my own. The people in my life, my loved ones, have been extremely supportive and that makes all the difference! It can sometimes be tough trying to take the path less traveled and initially there are doubts. There are always obstacles. Knowing I have a support system there to boost the mental strength needed to keep striding towards my goal allows me to be fearless!

I just may be a morning person afterall!

2010-09-24T09:36:00.005-05:00

Lying on the couch I look to my right and see purple and amber rays beaming through the stained glass front door of our cozy 3 bedroom home. On the table next to me is decadence...vegan chocolate chip brownie waffles with pecans and non vegan chocolate...a hand crafted mug billowing with steam from my freshly ground French pressed coffee...creamy and rich...grass green depression glass of fresh cool water condensating, begging to be enjoyed! I pick up my pen and paper to record and savor this moment just as the two four legged monsters wrestle themselves into my dream breakfast...spilling coffee on the rug and almost drowning my waffles! That was a close one...my throat is scratchy from my exclamation (to put it mildly) but I'm breathing deeply again...about to continue reading and taking in the aromas that is perfection this morning.

Busy Busy Busy

2010-09-09T22:18:00.006-05:00

There have been a lot of life changes and important occasions lately.

I had a birthday...not much to say... K took me out to an amazing dinner at an eclectic vegetarian restaurant in Dallas where the positive energy was absolutely a two way street. It was the most exciting thing that happened and I'm happy about that.

Three days later...
K and I moved in together!

Initially the "moving in" talk was fueled by my desperation. I mean, who wants to be homeless? He was sweet offering up a place to stay but it definitely made me uneasy and I told him all about it! As you know (if you know me or read this blog), eviction turned out to not be in the cards that time so all the "moving in" talk became more relaxed and turned into a natural progression of our relationship. We couldn't be happier :) Cute little house with the cute little girl army and of course our 4-legged family...happy happy happy!

Four days later...
I'm off to Portland OR for my sisters wedding ceremony.

Its hard leaving a job unfinished (I couldn't really relax) but the timing was not my own. Flew to Portland on a Friday and back to Fort Worth on Sunday. Great to see my sister and dad. She is very happy in her own little world in Portland...I can see the appeal! But that is her town now and she likes it that way :) nothing wrong with that...I'm happy she's happy.

I was able to bring back some great plants and memories of some amazingly fresh produce. Also the environmental awareness was very impressive...and it motivated me to do more. I've recently started bathing in two gallons of water with my Dr. Bronner's tea tree hemp oil soap...brushing my teeth in a cup of water or less...and generally just being more conscious of my carbon footprint.

Happiness

I'm to the point at the moment...maybe its my new minimalistic mentality...or maybe I'm truly realizing that with happiness there is no need to try and complicate things. You are either swimming with the current or against it.

P.S.
Check out some Pix from my sisters wedding (before the contamination began) HERE

Spring Cleaning

2010-08-26T13:30:00.006-05:00

As you all know my move to the great state of Texas has brought about many positive changes in my life. Initially deciding what to bring to my new life from my old one was slightly difficult. Having a big heart leaves a lot of room for old favorites and sentimental attachments. I had rekindled some loves IE: books, art, writing, long lost clothing etc...and said good-bye to a lot of junk as well. Having no idea what my interests and persuasions would be in Texas, I brought all of my loves including some guilty pleasures (figuratively speaking) with me.

Some people may agree that I use the word "love" very freely...and maybe some people have forgotten that love is the only thing that is free! Many play games in order to protect or ration their love. Others give it away without meaning and just as swiftly take it when ever or where ever the wind may blow. Speaking from experience as both the giver and the receiver of such love...I am slowly but surely realizing that guilt does not equal love...that nothing is owed for sentiment...and people (just like moths) swarm towards the light. Everyone's motive is different but they all seem to understand that the light is precious and hard to come by. My best friends and family genuinely adore, embrace and cherish my light. There are very few people that have fooled me in my lifetime...and those that have...Man, they were good! Smooth, sexy, cunning light suckers! Subconsciously, I knew that we were madly in love...and I mean MADLY (in every sense of the word). Considering myself a strong person, I would get in way over my head expecting to persevere. Admitting to myself that I had allowed these things to happen somehow made it OK for me to continue allowing the behavior ("his" and mine). One day I realized suddenly that my head was slipping below the water as if I had concrete blocks strapped to my ankles. The worst part was that I stopped putting up a fight...there was no splashing...only bubbles rising to the surface where my pierced nose had once been.

Understanding how to give love and to accept love is not easy. A lot of my actions were guilt based. I felt as though things were expected of me even if I, alone, had placed those expectations. If I helped you with your rent/bills/phone/car once...well then I guess I will do it again and again and again and again! There is something in me that wants to do for others...my mom references my soft heart often enough for it to sink in. I'm AWARE! As I mentioned earlier (my guilty pleasures) had traveled with me to Texas. A link to some of the madness that deep down I had craved...that excitement, the thrill of passion and intensity. Forgotten were the moments of despair and anger...the phone throwing and screaming. The nausea and anxiety that eventually led to the sobs and lies. I am now in a healthy relationship with respect, with room to grow, with laughter and consideration...(plus much more) BUT at first I constantly questioned what was normal/healthy and what was not. I guess most of those things are relative but I know for sure that constant fluctuations from one extreme to the other is NOT what I want out of a relationship. Its not boring knowing what to expect from your partner...love, understanding, sharing life, learning and growing together...what's boring about that?!

Every day leads to more perspective, with every move I gain freedom and rid my life of the guilt. Reevaluating the "stuff" I have acquired, separating what's vital from what isn't liberates me from those guilty pleasures that don't seem so pleasurable any longer. 100 self portraits as a going away present? Today I have severed all ties to the drama, every link to the light suckers....GONE! I know it's August...but spring cleaning sure does feel good, no matter the time of year!

Oh my ACHING back...

2010-08-19T11:47:00.010-05:00

At 19, I worked at a transitional home for recovering drug addicts and their children. This was not your average half-way house as the women here were court appointed...they had no choice in the matter. It was the only one of its kind in the tri-state area (Pa/Md/Va + DC) where their children could live with them as well.

There was a unique mix of women...a local 40 something, (former) rich, white lady who was a pill addict and had two little boys from two different fathers. The youngest was not acknowledged by her (former) in-laws due to his bastard(ness). They would come visit the eldest and bring him gifts on holidays while the baby just watched him enjoy the new toys. The baby, Jordan, was actually my favorite in the house...blond haired, blue eyed-bobble head little 2 year old who would come running awkwardly towards me every time I arrived to work. Jordan had this little Prince Valiant hair cut that would mat, sticking to his forehead with sweat throughout the day. One day I asked his mom if I could give him a haircut and she said she didn't care (of course not, she tried really hard to be a good mom but it just wasn't in her nature to be patient). Poor lil Jordan cried those huge tears and screamed just at the sound of the clippers...sitting on a changing table in the bathroom, he had eventually worn himself out and fell asleep (still sitting upright) with his forehead resting on my belly as I stood next to him finishing up the cut. It was my very first time tapering a male's hair and in my opinion (and everyone elses') he looked even cuter with his lil man haircut! Her oldest (Alex) was such a little know it all...even at 4 years old...he once said to me "My mommy says I have loose bowels." TMI little kid! When angry he would make this weird hissing noise and tell us he was using his "Dragon Breath" to keep everyone away...he said it with such entitlement/pride/confidence that I feared what he would be capable of as an adult.

There were two African-American women from Baltimore that had one child each. One of them was a bit older, followed the rules but had a few extreme moments of rebellion...it made sense that her daughter was only 2 years old...obviously a mistake. The other was in her early thirties, immensely over-weight and immensely ignorant. I say ignorant because she was capable just not interested in anything other than what she knew...the ghetto, using intimidation as a means to an end and her version of "soul" food which consisted of processed, fake alternatives to anything fresh or nutritious. You couldn't tell her anything! When I first met her I thought she had been crying with a single trickle of mascara running down her cheek. I soon found out that was a scar from a knife fight. Maybe I was naive but my heart was in the right place. This woman's daughter had the worst name I'd ever heard. Two syllables and the second sounding like Queer. I'm not sure what she was going for with this name but for a chubby lil black girl who was all mouth, that name was just begging for hateful school aged ridicule! This woman would pretend to be nice and cooperative but as soon as she was having a bad day or told to do something she didn't want to do..."You stupid bitch! What's a rich lil white girl doin tellin me anythin bout life? You don't know what I been through! You don't know shit lil white girl!" I guess from her perspective that was the easy route to take with me and the two other young (white) women that I worked with on the 2nd shift. She was right, I didn't know what she'd been through except from reading her file. However, she also didn't know what I'd been through...I had the same choices in life as she had...and I chose to do the "right" things to get me to the place I was at the time...and that was: not in jail, not with 3 kids, not an addict...I repeat, NOT AN ADDICT! Her being an addict was the catalyst. Just once, I did feel kinda bad for her. She finally got a steady job, consisting of steady movement/exercise throughout the day and having us apply ointment to the sores developing between her fat rolls must have been extremely humbling. Guess my lil white ass wasn't too good for that!

Not all the residents were living up to the typical crack-head stereotype. There were a couple younger women that had lived similar lives to mine. A few wrong turns and suddenly they went from addict to pregnant to rehab to transitional home...learning how to live a sober life and raise their children to do so as well.

Another local woman who had three kids (the youngest named Morgan...guess why)...all three born addicted to crack and alcohol...all three relatively healthy and normal...I used to ask myself all the time how is it a woman like this can be so lucky to have 3 healthy babies and someone else who follows all the rules has a baby born with cancer (my cousin) or a baby with heart defects (my aunt)? Its crazy to me how this world works. This woman's eldest, a cute 3 year old, demonic, little blond haired boy who wore his heart on his sleeve, would fight, kick and punch as you tried to hug him. Once your arms were securely around him, he would just melt into your body...his inner turmoil, even at a young age was unsettling. One of his finest moments: All the toddler aged kids were playing in the shared living room...they each had one of those cars/trucks that had little handle bars on the back so a small child could use it as an kiddie walker...some of them even had seats so one could sit and the other could push them around. This lil boy was pushing around one of the younger lil girls...both laughing and being sweet. He was so careful not to run her legs or feet into any of the furniture. He stops suddenly and looks at me all hunched over with his hand on his hip and a devious look on his face...he groans "Oh my aching back!"

Almost ten years later, when my back aches I think of this lil boy, that time in my life and how much I learned from the people that were in it...

Just a typical day in the neighborhood

2010-08-13T11:09:00.010-05:00

This morning I am awake, lying in bed, (whether I like it or not) getting covered in kisses by a 55lb baby boxer named Coco. She's clumsy, lanky and lovable! Baxter, a Havanese (Google it), is lying on his back in the crook of my armpit looking very sweet and innocent. Bella, my Shih-Tzu/Maltese mix, all five pounds of her, likes the space down at the foot of the bed observing the calamity. TIME TO GET UP! I make my way to the front door wearing a pink tye-died t-shirt that I acquired in high school at one of my many track & field meets and lavender scrub pants. After slipping on my kitchen clogs I hesitate…usually these three monsters go leash-less but today I decide that’s not gonna fly.

Most people that see me walking three dogs say “Boy, you’ve got your hands full there!” and I just smile and nod. What do they know? My lil' monsters are so good for me that I can usually walk with all three leashes in one hand, no problem. I don’t enjoy voluntarily adding stress to my life…these three have learned to just go with my flow.

My (gated) apartment complex is very nice…and very expensive…and that’s why I’m moving out at the end of the month! There are ten total buildings arranged in a huge circle with, on average, 36 apartments to a building. The outside entrances to each apartment are in a sort of tunnel. They are covered but still without complete protection from the elements. The four of us make our way through the tunnel to the rear of my building. Right in front of me is the sand volleyball court surrounded by a lot of grass and that’s where most people on this end of the complex let their dogs take care of business.

I’m happy that mine are leashed as one of the maintence men is driving around the golf cart stopping near by to throw things in the back from a recently vacated unit. My dogs are UBER friendly and will run up to anyone just for some love and affection. The other day an unleashed Coco and Baxter were heading toward my apartment door when a woman and her two children were walking in from the parking lot (the front side of the building). Coco and Baxter took off running, straight for them…of course the kids were freaked because Coco is kinda huge but the best part is watching this fat woman, carrying a fast food bag, talking on her cell phone, turn and run (as fast as SHE could) to the tailgate of a nearby pick up truck and hopped in! She left her two lil ones in her dust! I had to laugh…and of course apologize for MY lil ones scaring them…but I just stood at my door and said “COME” and they did. I’m proud I have that kind of power…

Today while walking back towards my apartment door there is a lady (that I don’t remember seeing before) walking down the steps from the second floor, as it seems, to throw away a bag into the trashcan by the volleyball court. She is short but I’m tall so I doubt that’s helping with her description. She has that body type of huge boobs, round belly but lil bitty skinny legs and arms. You know what I’m talking about? Wearing glasses with her graying black hair piled on top of her head, shorts, a t-shirt and sandals. I can tell she’s excited to see my dogs, especially Bella. Bella looks like a lil teddy bear and she loves people…EVERYONE wants to pick her up! As this lady comes closer she starts making those baby-talking noises and bends down to pet the, at this point, highly excited lil monsters. She’s bending down...she’s bending down...she's bending down...next thing I know she’s on her knees in the grass and then on her face! “Oh my God! Are you ok?” She has literally face-planted with her arms crumpled beneath her! However, it was seamless, graceful and I couldn’t believe it! I am now on my knees in this urine soaked “yard” (the main reason I don’t wear shoes in my apartment) trying to figure out if this lady is ok. The poor thing just lifted her upper body and stayed down on her knees to pet the dogs. I had another OMG moment as I see poor little Bella’s head peaking out from this woman’s crotch! I pull her out gently by the leash and the woman just put her glasses back on and kept petting Coco, not even realizing that she just birthed-a-Bella! Baxter, who is usually just so happy-go-lucky, also had an OMG moment. He stood behind me seeming to want nothing to do with this freak show. She motions to Baxter murmuring something about him being shy…I had to laugh! Baxter? Shy? More like incredibly intuitive! Now realizing, as I noticed one of the lenses to her glasses was lying in the grass (she has been wearing them since she “righted” herself without a clue it had been missing) that this lady is drunk…or high…a little too chunky to be a drug addict (in my opinion) plus she had all her teeth…But WTF is she doing in this state at 11am?
After asking again if she is ok, I finally got back into my apartment and just started laughing!

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor, Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

Charles Bukowski "The man with the beautiful eyes"

2010-08-12T13:21:00.000-05:00

in the throws of anxiety

2010-08-11T23:42:00.006-05:00

If you know me well then you know that, well, I am well. A few things come up from time to time to reinforce that no matter who or where you are in life there are going to be obsticles...even if that includes yourself...or in this case, MYself.

Having a steady hand, steady head and centered spirit 99.9% of the time really doesn't matter when anxiety sets in.

In the Depths of the Night

2010-08-11T10:19:00.003-05:00

After reading my blog from last night, I don't feel as if I was able to articulate my thoughts as well as I would have liked. The consumption seems so intense and dramatic in my mind. How do "writers" convey that intensity? Is it because the reader is engrossed? Is it because the reader can relate or wants to so badly?

My best thinking is done at night

2010-08-11T03:13:00.003-05:00

I've always done my best thinking at night. As a child I had trouble falling asleep because of the constant obsessive thoughts coursing through my brain. Somehow I needed to expel them and find some peace.
I started writing in a diary as all little girls do...but after reading over my works I came to the realization that I just sounded like a whiney little brat and just ceased writing all together. As u may know, children tend to have selective memories and I would soon enough forget that I didn't like what I wrote the first twelve times and start up another journal...I had graduated from the princess diary with the lock and key...which didn't work very well anyway. Again I stopped writing in the newest journal...my mom will attest, I rarely finish what I start. Haven't figured out if I have ADD or am just too smart to waste my time on things that aren't fulfilling some type of need. Either way, I soon decided that when I do write I will just crumple it up and throw it in a shoe box or my nightstand drawer. to this day I still have the shoe box...I plan on a compilation of my younger works...but that's for another time.
There is something about the night...when all is quiet. its almost as if I am all alone in the world. its just me and my thoughts...they tend to envelope me, consume me. I can't rest until they are documented...I can however rest easy when the fear of "lost thought" subsides. Writing has been my only solution...even if it means lying in bed typing on my phone as I'm doing now.
What could possibly have me so engrossed you might be asking...its really my attempt to truly grasp how unpredictable life can be. Waking up one person and quite literally going to sleep another. How can anyone know what they will feel from one moment to the next? I do sometimes need to remind myself that I'm unique in a lot of ways...I'm not so different but even though people may be able to understand my school of thought doesn't mean they are able to teach at Absorbing Life University. Maybe people aren't inquisitive enough or have stopped asking themselves anything of importance. Have we as a society given up? Satisfied or content with a mundane existence? From the outside looking in things might seem mundane but I can say without any doubt that my mind is never satisfied...it is grateful but not content and I will continue to strive for what I believe in, continue to live my life as I see fit and enjoy every moment of it!

2010-07-29T13:30:00.003-05:00

Unconditional love and affection,

Sensitive and intuitive,

Forgiving and loyal,

Genuine and Sincere

I LOVE MY DOGS :)

I'm a little paranoid that I'm a little paranoid

2010-07-16T15:15:00.004-05:00

The past 6 months I have been very conscience of what I put in my body and that includes on it as well. Using organic all natural soaps to wash my hair, face and body. Deodorants without aluminum and chemicals. Even my toothpaste is free of artificial sweeteners etc.... As I'm going through my morning routine of washing my face and applying moisturizer...I can't help but notice some dark circles and puffiness around my eyes from being tired. I also can't help but feel the need to brush on some color to my cheeks, concealer under my eyes, a little powder to even out my skin tone and a touch of mascara so my eyes look pretty. WHAT!? Do you ever stop to think why make-up was created? Of course women need it to feel attractive to men. Most men I know don't like when women wear a lot of make-up. sooooo what is going on?!
Living the way I do makes everyone else's toxic tendencies obvious. I have to keep an eye on myself to not lecture and criticize. Trying not to be a hypocrite, I read labels of everything...from my food to my dogs' food. The better I eat, the better I feel, the better I look. One day I hope to not use any beauty products but to make facial scrubs out of organic ingredients. Manage oily hair and skin with things from my pantry. After recently reading an article titled " Could you live 30 days without beauty products" I realized that the most difficult obstacle this particular woman faced was living confidently without all the things she thought she "needed" to look/feel beautiful. Her skin went through withdraw and eventually looked just as nice if not better than on day one wearing full make-up.
Here is where my paranoia comes in...I don't trust the FDA (in case you didn't know). Everyone is out to make money...beef/dairy farmers, corn producers etc...are paying the salaries of the people creating the food pyramid and our daily serving suggestions . Conflict of interest? Anyway, that leads me to wonder if we as a society took better care of our bodies and our emotional well being would we need things such as make-up to mask the "imperfections"?

I hope to find out.

Inside the box

2010-07-15T11:28:00.007-05:00

There are times in all our lives when we are excited for change and this new "something to look forward to" could give us a one track mind.

Last January, when our beloved Aventino closed, I had a simple thought that maybe I won't look for work in another restaurant (was truly too heartbroken). That simple thought opened up so many doors for me and now I am working in a great office with great people and have a great schedule! Recently I have picked up some shifts in a new Mediterranean restaurant to make some additional money but the "revelation" I experienced prior had given me a positive perspective. I go to work grateful and beaming joy.

The time is drawing near to make a decision on where to live next. Don't worry, Fort Worth is now my home but my apartment is way too expensive. Growing up we all have this fantasy time line to gauge our accomplishments. Married by 25, Owning a home by 28 (somewhere kids factor in there for most) blah blah blah. Seeing how I'm soon to be 28 and never really considered trying to own a home, its pretty exciting that I may be living in an "owned" home! Rent has been the only word in my vocabulary for years and knowing now that there are a lot of different avenues that can be persued to get the things you want out of life, makes a lot of tasks less daunting.

Last month, as I've mentioned before, I was at serious risk of eviction so instead of focusing on all I might lose, I started thinking about alternative ways to live my life that didn't rely on the standard arrangements. So began my research into green living, cohabitation, life on the road traveling and experiencing beauty. Most importantly, my mind, my thought processes, my perspectives started evolving. What society deems normal is changing! And no time like the present to encourage and promote the evolution! We tend to look the other way. News of the oil spill in the Gulf is background noise. MacDonald's monopolizing not only our money but our health and the health of our youth. A lot of people look a dollar bill as 1 double cheese burger or 4 hot apple pies. Had a conversation today that we as Americans assume if it is sold as food then it must be safe and even good for you. Please don't be a fool...ask questions and take the control out of "their" hands...place it back in yours!

"Their" BOX is too cramped anyway...

As Always,
Absorbing Life

Some days your hands are just tied

2010-07-08T11:37:00.008-05:00

Some days are more difficult than others. Its not a coincidence that my evenflo is directily related to my even flow. Sitting at work with Animal Planet airing animal resues made me teary. Changed it to CMT only to start watching Extreme Home Makeover which always makes me cry. Then I start to think about the notice to vacate I just recieved yesterday from my apartment...again...and I want to cry...again. Hearing about my friend's personal experience of a man falling from the upper deck at Ranger stadium and how her 9 y/o daughter is in such shock she took the day off yesterday...This world is unpredictable. There is no way you can wake up in the morning and know what is in store for you. Two weeks ago I went to work like I normally do and came home with a new dog! (that being a positive unexpected event)

Instead of having a fear of impending doom, I try to look at my every day life in such a way that welcomes the unexpected. What's going to happen next? Of course "everyone" says you gotta take the good with the bad but i truly believe that your energy really dictates the majority of what gravitates toward you. I don't expect good things to happen...I know they will.

Money doesn't just appear out of thin air but I KNOW that I am bartending this weekend and money will be in my possession soon. Patience is a skill...practice makes perfect! Worrying and stressing out about things out of my immediate control is a waste of time. So I put a smile on my face now...knowing my dogs will eat tonight, knowing I will eat tonight, knowing there are so many good people in my life that love me.....all is well :)

as always,

absorbing life

Just as easy as you want it to be

2010-07-04T21:31:00.005-05:00

Becoming a vegetarian was not a difficult change for me...having better than average knowledge of food and ways to prepare them has definitely worked to my benefit...for example:

4th of July BBQ menu

Portobello burgers topped with balsamic glazed onions, bleu cheese, greens and tomato
Grilled corn on the cob basted with lime oil
Grilled chili lime sweet potato wedges
Mango and watermelon fruit skewer

Delicious and satisfying

as always, absorbing life

The 4th of July

2010-07-04T14:23:00.003-05:00

Happy independence day America! Way to play dirty and spare no expense to pursue your own agenda!

I do appreciate the unity felt on days like these...as if we all just come together to eat and watch fireworks...spend some time in the sun and celebrate our great nation. Of course I enjoy the festivities despite now I have to bring my own grilling goods...veggie burgers and vegan dogs it is! Yum :)

I have taken my dogs out to the park to celebrate with their other 4-legged friends...ran their little hearts out...good pups...can't go wrong with settling down sipping on a root beer float...smelling the sweet scent of summer.

Hope you all enjoy your day and stay safe.
absorbing life as always

The simplest things!

2010-07-01T11:50:00.006-05:00

Whatever it may have been to spark this revelation, I am very grateful! There is so much joy in day to day life...waking up with my four-legged family giving endless unconditional love. Bathing in my lavender hemp oil soap (conserving both water and time). The satisfaction of eating well and feeling well. Surrounded by some amazing people that constantly challenge and teach me. It feels pretty incredible discussing real topics...inspiring each other to keep progressing/learning/loving/changing the world! Even something as simple as researching a new and exciting meal to make...I have a huge resource in my friends and family...THANK YOU!

It has also been a very long time since I have looked forward to spending time in my home. Actually it has been a very long time since I have felt like I have a HOME. Maybe its just the feeling like I don't really belong "here" or that no one really gets me. Again, thanks to my friends and family, I've come to realize that feeling was manufactured by me. Great conversations that were never had outside of my own thoughts really distanced me from some loved ones. Opening up my mind, my heart and my soul has not only let others in but let my true self out. Such a liberating feeling to just be you! I feel like nothing can stop me but me.

Taking things in stride, having peaceful relationships and a place to call home...Making the most of every day and appreciating the simplest things...Endless Joy!

speaking of...one of my bestest has returned with our lunch :) until next time...keep absorbing life!

MY promise of a brighter tomorrow

2010-06-12T17:41:00.006-05:00

The past 10 years of my life have been filled with some extreme highs and lows, dysfunctional relationships with myself and others, a lot of broken promises and unrealized dreams. Another gifted child, a plethora of potential...wasting her days day dreaming, indulging, and getting lost in the beat of her own drum. This "other" world that I live in...I REALLY like it...but the dimensions have changed...I'm adapting organically. The universe is speaking to all of us and I have learned to listen to it and to my gut.

I roamed around the book store the other day with this romantic idea: I'd find the perfect book, with such an amazing story that would propel me forward and be the perfect introduction or beginning to the memoirs of my lower middle class, white girl angst: How Dramatic. I read the flap of every book whose cover or title caught my attention. Each time disappointed by the same rags to riches or riches to rags to riches (again) story. Those are all inspirational in theory...but why? Maybe the repetitive nature of a message promising a brighter tomorrow is all some people need to keep plugging along. I, for one, am tired of just plugging along. Even when faced with some of the most challenging experiences of my life all I can do is be thankful that my revelations have come from just 27 years of plugging, not 65, like my father or yours.

This emotional journey was jump started by my move to Texas: a foreign land. MY promise of a brighter tomorrow!

I'd like to start by thanking my mom and step dad for making this change possible...funding my move, my education and helping keep me on my feet...even a year and a half later!

It's been tough. Facing eviction: twice! Facing repossession: twice! There were times that I wondered what the hell am I doing HERE or ANYWHERE!? I'm intelligent, very capable of getting it together...yet I struggle, financially. Well, I am my father's daughter. I swear even my childhood piggy bank had a hole burned in the bottom!

Moving where you basically know no one, learning to navigate in a metroplex of over 6 million people, finding employment and friendship, I was not intimidated. After finding a job at an amazing restaurant filled with amazing people...lifelong friendships were developed. I learned so much from them all and I learned so much about myself. It's pretty incredible to transplant into another "world" and see just how different you are from others...both good and bad. There were things about myself that just screamed "FIX ME!" and I did. For the first time I genuinely wanted to change. I relaxed, started to breathe and really absorb life!

Some people come and go through your life and the ones that have come and gone (or stayed) have taught me so much about life. The lesson may have been learned the hard way but it was learned. The amazing food, music and conversations that were had and will continue to be had have really transformed me into this content soul. Priorities in life are simple: Food, Water, Shelter, and Happiness. Make up your mind to be happy, follow your heart and don't take those important people for granted. This is a journey that will never end...and this is just the beginning of mine. I invite you to join me...