change your attitude or relax with things the way they are

Oh my goodness I could say so much on this topic!

Many of us have seen the Dove campaign for real beauty called "The evolution of beauty" here and it's amazing. If you haven't seen it you should check it out.The video below is really, really amazing as well. Amazing and so true. I could say so very much on this topic but I am in a huge hurry this morning and only have a few minutes for this post. It breaks my heart to think of all the beautiful young girls (and some not so young, and some boys included) going through what they go through to be at a certain weight, look a certain way etc...

I was one of those girls a million years ago. And you know what? So were many of my girlfriends. Of course I like to look good. As a matter of fact I'm going to the beauty parlour this afternoon but I like to be healthy, and feel good on the inside too. I battled eating disorders in my younger years, have been dangerously thin, and in the 80's "diet pills" were big (these were bennies and speed. i'm just sayin').

I frequented tanning beds for years (to the point of getting skin cancer). I'm serious. I still go for yearly skin cancer check ups. I used to starve myself, was bulimic... Looking back I can't even believe it was me! It is truly so bizarre to me now! It sometimes takes years to get comfortable in your own skin but it's important to do whatever you need to do for that to happen (yoga helps a lot ).

So get any and all little girls you know to watch these videos and feel happy in their own skin and love who they are. They, like us are constantly being given these messages to live up to an impossible ideal, and it just couldn't be any more ridiculous.

Don't stop taking care of yourself, (and don't cancel your hair appointment haha)!

(personally I LOVE East Vanity Parlour at 46 Kingsway. You can click here for more info)

Just remember that we're all gorgeous! Cause we really are! And be kind. To yourself and others. That makes you more gorgeous then any make up, diet or plastic surgery ever could.

Gotta fly for now! Have a beautiful day:)

October is Brain Tumour awareness month♥

Brain Cancer is an orphan cancer that needs loads of more press than it gets! Did you know that 55,000 Canadians are living with a brain tumour right now? Including babies and children :(

Approximately 10,000 more folks are diagnosed with a brain tumour every single year here in Canada. Brain tumours are the leading cause of solid cancer death in children under the age of 20 and are the third leading cause of solid cancer death in young adults as well between the ages of 20-39. Fact.

We don't like to think about this stuff but it's all true and real life for too many people. Lets bring brain cancer to the forefront!! We need funding.

Here are some more Canadian facts about Brain Tumours:

-Because brain tumours are located in the control centre for thought, emotion, and movement, they can dramatically affect an individual's physical and cognitive abilities and quality of life.

-There are over 120 different types of brain tumours, making effective treatment very complicated.

-Brain tumours in children are different from those in adults and are often treated differently. Although as many as 60% of children with brain tumours will survive, they are often left with long-term side effects.

-Metastatic brain tumours are the leading cause of solid cancer death in children under the age of 20, now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They are the third leading cause of solid cancer death in young adults ages 20-39.

-The most common type of primary brain tumour, glioblastoma multiforme, is also the most malignant. Average survival, even with aggressive treatment, is less than one year.

-Primary brain tumours (originating in the brain) occur in 8 out of 100,000 people.This number rises to approximately 32 per 100,000 when metastatic tumours (cancer originating in other areas of the body that has spread to the brain) are included.

-Metastatic brain tumours occur at some point in 20-40% of people with cancer

-Enhancing the quality of life for people with brain tumours requires access to quality special care, clinical trials, follow-up care and rehabilitative services.

-Currently, the Canadian medical system does not track statistics on primary brain tumours. Complete and accurate data is needed to facilitate the research that will lead to a better understanding of this disease and improved diagnosis and treatment.

For more information, resources, programs, and support and ideas on ways to help contact The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. You can click here for more info :)

Meditation is like training a dog. Your breath is the treat.

Do you meditate? Actively meditate when you are not on your yoga mat?

I highly recommend it and so do studies. Numerous studies. The more you can meditate the better, and it doesn't have to be complicated. At all. Even 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night for starters, can literally change your life. I'm serious!

Cyndi Lee who turned out to be one of the highlights for me at this years Yoga Conference says that Meditation is like training a dog. Your breath is like the treat.

Those of us who meditate and practice yoga (it's the same thing by the way), know that it is impossible to just turn off our mind. But can you slow down your thoughts? Absolutely, and at will. You really can self regulate.

There are many meditation techniques out there (including walking meditation).

When you can..just sit. Just sit and watch your breath. When your mind wanders simply notice and come back to your breath. And remember...."your breath is the treat". You will notice a great many things come up and you'll notice "there's that thought". "yup, there it is again", "oh, there's another one". Items from your to-do list may pop into your mind. You may even feel the release of stress hormones flooding your body if it's a stressful thought (and if you do, it's all ok)! Sit with it and breathe and notice what happens. Just watch, observe and come back your breath. Just come back. Just come back to two more breaths.

Its challenging but it does get easier to quiet the mind, slow down your heart rate etc. I really can not recommend it enough. It can get ugly, annoying, uncomfortable, and even boring, but it is so very interesting to watch the mind.

Meditation is getting to know yourself. Warts and all. And the benefits are endless.