Last Halloween post then I'm packin' it in for another year.

Fright Nights on Oct 30. Good ghoulish times :)

hahaha...chainsaw guy was pretty funny :)

Happy Halloween friends!

See you on the mat boys and ghouls :)

The Arts.

No idea who wrote this but I think we'd all agree.Where would we be without art? ♥

Fan of the macabre? I am. warning- **only watch if you dare**.

Dr. Warren Chapin- Ladies and gentlemen, please do not panic! But SCREAM! Scream for your lives!

Fact-Janet Leigh never again took showers after filming Psycho.

(When asked if it was true that she doesn't take showers) "It's actually, honestly true. And not because of the shooting of it. It was the seeing of it. It never dawned on me how truly vulnerable we are. But that's what Alfred Hitchcock did". A shower. A bird. All these things that are absolutely ordinary, he made extraordinary. –Janet Leigh 1027-2004

“One thing is certain: the arts keep you alive. They stimulate, encourage, challenge, and, most of all, guarantee a future free from boredom. They allow growth and even demand it in that time of life we call maturity but too often enter it with a childish faith that what we learned in youth is sustenance enough for the years when most men are mentally famished but won't admit it—or when they are apt to curb their hunger with the sops of complacency, security, and the assurance of death.”- Vincent Price

The schoolhouse, in Bodega Bay, California, has also been known to be haunted, even back during the filming. According to Tippi Hedren, the entire cast was spooked to be there. She also mentioned how she had the feeling, while there, that "the building was immensely populated... but there was nobody there." When Hitchcock was told about the schoolhouse being haunted, according to Hedren, he was even more encouraged to film there.

In the scene where the fishbowl falls to the ground, (dead) sardines painted orange were used in place of actual goldfish, which director Richard Donner refused to kill for the sake of making a movie.

You can click on the image to enlarge (and I hope you do).

This is really worth contemplating. Feel free to share and re-share. I really hope things change one day. I have posted this on both my Facebook pages, Twittered it, and now posted it here.

pills pills pills. lives are wrecked by them and others saved.

Have you cleaned out your medicine chest lately? I have been doing my fall cleaning and attacking one cupboard at a time and feel like its never going to end. The above bag is from my own cupboard and its larger then it looks. I was amazed by it actually. Although it has no actual pharmaceuticals in it and very few (if any) were actually bought at a "drug store/pharmacy", all drug stores will gladly toss them in their bio-hazard for us, which is wonderful as I'm sure we all know by now the environmental concerns of throwing them in the trash and flushing/ pouring them down the drain etc. with trace drug residues in our water supply/community drinking water and such.

But what do you do with tinctures/liquids and salves ? The truth is, I just don't know. And neither does anyone else seem to.

Even after speaking with two different London Drug Pharmacists, two different Choices Markets locations, and even The Recycling Council of British Columbia (click here for them- an AMAZING resource) this morning I still don't quite know for sure...

One Pharmacist when I asked what they did with liquids told me that he just sends them back to the manufacturer. Somebody else said to throw them in the garbage and to mix it (the substance) in with used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and still another person told me to just flush them. (the latter I am not willing to do). The Recycling Council dude and I had a really great conversation about lots of issues, and they really are a terrific resource. In the end on this topic he said that its really hard to mandate every single product we have/use but we are really close in BC to having to having that happen! Isn't that exciting?

In the meanwhile I'll just hang onto my tinctures until I learn of the best way to dispose of them.

If you have any suggestions feel free to pass them along. As well, I'll repost on this topic should I get the answer. Namaste.

Its almost time for the Shanti Love Project!!!

Have you got your ticket?

It's THIS Saturday Oct 29, and the event is one of a kind and has lot's for everyone! And prizes? There are prizes/raffles/silent auction items galore. And I mean GALORE including West Jet tickets, visits with Naturopaths, Yoga, yoga and more yoga all over this beautiful city of ours (including some with me)! , Garden works certificates, toys for children, Norwex cleaning products, clothing, tons of delicious body work and seriously the list goes on and on...and on!

Check out the event and list of goodies for yourself by clicking here

Even if you have Halloween party plans you can still stop by beforehand. The event is at Semperviva City location. #100-1985 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC (Corner of Maple Street in the Wawanesa Building)

All funds raised this evening will contribute to Shanti's work to reduce infant and maternal mortality in Uganda. For more info on The Shanti Uganda Society and why it means so much to this Ambassador click here and Happy Halloween!

Only the man who learns to relax is able to create, and for him ideas reach the mind like lightening. Cicero

Be sure and watch...

Watch your habits, for they become your posture.
Watch your posture, for it creates your boundaries.
Watch your boundaries, for they restrict your growth.

Watch your restrictions, for they create immobility.
Watch your immobility, for it becomes your illness.

-Katy Bowman

Day after day...

Let the yogi practice harmony of soul: in a secret place, in deep solitude, master of his mind, hoping for nothing, desiring nothing. Bhagavad Gita

Use it or literally lose it. remember your yoga practice

Its been a couple of years since I have posted this Gil Hedley video but it is brilliant and describes so clearly the fascia, and how critical it is to move our body/the sliding surfaces of our body every single day. Otherwise the fuzz literally builds, and builds, and builds.

A facebook discussion on my own self myofascial release this evening prompted me to post this video again. MOVE MOVE MOVE your body, and lose the fuzz. And feel delicious. Remember your yoga practice :)

Ever have a day just go completely sideways on ya?

Oh yesterday was that sort of day for me. Sigh..

Thankfully today is a new day.

My biggest disappointment yesterday when my afternoon went horribly wrong was not being able to go to a Shanti Uganda Society event I had been looking forward to for weeks and weeks. I got my hair done, picked up the clothes from the cleaners (not a fan of dry cleaners ) when sadly life threw me a curve ball and attending became impossible. Other than having a big fat cry and trying to remedy a situation in which I had absolutely no control I thought...

How do I make something good out of something bad?

And I I purchased a Fence Post. *See Post For Peace to find out all about what the fence project is about.

There are so many ways to support this marvelous organization, and like Rumi said: There are a hundred ways to kneel and kiss the ground

For all other happenings/upcoming events and ways YOU can make a difference click here, and be sure to get on their mailing list. Get ready to be blown away!

Pelvic floor issues for men? Yup. you betcha.

Just last evening I looked in the faces of about 20 women and told them that even if they didn't have babies/have a vaginal birth/wound up having a c-section/were a man etc. our pelvic floors can become compromised no matter who we are for various reasons. I looked at them point blank (the previous day I told even more...25-30 people easily) that even my own pelvic floor is changing and I haven't even ever had a baby. I certainly wouldn't call it compromised in any sense of the word thankfully, but at 47 it's just a little different. And if you live long enough you'll notice too that things just change a little bit. Its not bad and difficult to explain. The bottom line (pun intended haha) we ALL need to take care of our pelvic floors, thats all. Those muscles are holding our internal organs in there, babies in there, women use those muscles to push baby out if they deliver vaginally, and men too need to keep a strong and healthy pelvic floor to support the organs and core and spine just as we do because everything is connected. The latest research seems to speak of really strengthening the adductors and to keeping that lumbar curve while sitting. Saw this video this morning and thought I'd share. See ya at yoga! Registration is on. Namaste.

Is this not the most idyllic scene? I hope to dream about this very place tonight :)

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns."
- George Eliot

mmm...mmm....garden.

Have you planted your garlic yet? Its the easiest thing in the world.

And you can keep those vampires away this Halloween ;)

Our breasts. Watch them, feel them regularly.

Its that time again folks. Register today for all new sessions with me!

New sessions are as follows:

Mount Pleasant Community Centre

To register click here or call 604-257-3080

Monday's

Baby and Me Yoga 10:45am-12:00pm Nov 7-Dec 19

Daytime Yoga 12:30-2:00pm Nov 7-Dec 19

Wednesday's

Daytime Yoga 12:30-2:00pm Nov 2-Dec 21

Prenatal Yoga 6:30-7:45pm Nov 2-Dec 21

Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre

To register click here or call 604-713-1800

Tuesday's

Prenatal Yoga 5:45-7:15pm Nov 1-Dec 20

Mixed Levels Hatha 7:30pm-9:00pm Nov 1-Dec 20

Thursdays

Baby and Me Yoga 12:30pm-2:00pm Nov 3-Dec 22

Prenatal Yoga 5:45pm-7:15pm Nov 3-Dec 22

Yoga for Limited Mobility 7:30pm-8:30pm Nov 3-Dec 22

Like squash? Wild Rice? Roasted pecans?

Mmmm...this recipe was so delicious. I am about to embark on some leftovers for lunch! The only thing I screwed up on was, I sliced the squash down the middle instead of lengthwise. (didn't seem to matter too much). Made them a little wobbly, thats all.

Here it is: Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing

• Ingredients-
• 3 medium acorn squash (about 1 1/2 pounds each), halved lengthwise and seeds removed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium shallots, finely chopped
• 4 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
• 2 cups cooked wild rice mix (1 cup uncooked)
• 2/3 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 
  
• INSTRUCTIONS
• 1. Heat the oven to 450°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
  2. Place squash cut side up on a baking sheet, brush 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the tops and insides of the squash halves, sprinkle with brown sugar, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast in the oven until just fork tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, place 1 tablespoon of the melted butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. When it foams, add the onion, shallots, and celery, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the thyme and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the rice, pecans, cranberries, and measured salt and pepper.
  5. Divide the rice filling among the roasted squash halves (about 1/2 cup for each) and drizzle the remaining tablespoon of butter over top. Continue roasting until the squash is completely fork tender, the edges have started to brown, and the filling is heated through, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Be honest and sincere anyway

The verses below were written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta, India and are attributed to her:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and the Divine. It was never between you and them anyway.

I am so grateful for all of you.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

~Melodie Beattie

I like to stroll in my neighborhood.