Today's Meditation

Just as the highest and the lowest notes are equally inaudible, so perhaps, is the greatest sense and the greatest nonsense equally unintelligible. ~ Alan Watts

Oh, I am going to have to spend some time wrapping my head around that one...

holly go-lightly

holly go-lightly
Originally uploaded by zenbecca

This past Sunday, R and I were planning to go to a movie, but decided at the last minute to go for a bike ride instead. It was such a nice day; it would have been a crime to waste it by sitting in the dark. Even the promise of popcorn, Milk Duds and a soda the size of my head wasn’t enough to lure us away from the sunshine. After a quick detour to pick up my bike (the lovely Holly go-lightly, pictured above) and then back to R's to put a little air in our tires, we were on our way to the Forks.

I was so happy to see that the rest of Winnipeg was on the same wave-length - people were out in droves! Besides the sunshine and good-karma, it felt so nice to be on a bike that was actually going somewhere for a change. In 3 months of spinning classes, I have probably logged hundreds of (theoretical) kilometres. Sure the bikes at the gym have brought me closer to my goal of better fitness…but they don’t take me to the yummy rum punch that R and I had on the patio by the river.

Today's Meditation

The most important things are beyond language.

Today's Meditation

It's more important to acknowledge things as they are and not as you want them to be.

Today's Meditation

You can make your day-to-day existence easier by accepting the futility of resistance.

...and breathe...

Flowing Gracefully

Have I mentioned how good my new yoga class is? So good.

There are a lot of vinyasas; but there’s plenty of time to really sink into the asanas, too, which is what I’m all about. I was worried that I would be a little rusty after my 18 month hiatus, but that wasn’t an issue at all - I’ve still got it! Whatever “it” is. (I think in my case, "it" is surprisingly good balance, better-than-average flexibility and freakishly-long arms, which are a huge help.)

My personal goal for the next 9 weeks is to concentrate on “graceful flow”. I know, right?

25 things we can live without…or can we?

I found this list on the Planet Green website and thought it would be fun to post...with my comments, natch.

Plastic wrap -- Instead, use a container with a lid.
Agreed. I haven’t bought plastic wrap in, like, forever. I do heart ziplocks, though…and I reuse them to death, so it's ok. Ish.
Tin foil – Use an oven-safe pot or dish with a lid.
Disagreed. I heart foil. Used judiciously, it's a big help in the kitchen. It makes clean-up a snap…and it’s recyclable, too.
Disposable cleaning cloths, dusters, etc. – Use a microfiber cloth that can be washed.
OMG! Was there life before the Swiffer?!?! (Yes, yes there was. When I was a kid we would cut up my dad’s old t-shirts for dusting.)
Paper towels – Use a tea towel, instead.
Ermmmm…guilty as charged.
Disposable pens – Buy a good pen that only needs the ink well changed.
Ok, yeah no. I’m not there yet. I do, however, try to buy better pens so that I’m not constantly chucking out duds.
Paper plates – Washing dishes may be an effort, but it’s worth it.
Yup. And, really, if you have a 12-year old kitchen slave, it's no effort at all.
Plastic cutlery – Use the metal stuff.
Ditto. (Although I will admit that I have a secret fetish for plastic spoons.)
Disposable razors – Invest in a razor that only needs the blades changed.
I have a bone to pick with the razor companies – their constant “innovating” has left me with a box of obsolete razor handles!
Packaged fruits and vegetables – Produce does not need to be packaged.
Yes and no. I buy a lot of bagged/boxed produce that I wouldn’t buy if it was sold “loose”…like snap peas and baby spinach. Some stores (I’m looking at you T&T) go beyond silly with their saran-wrapped styrofoam trays of, well, everything.
Individually wrapped snacks – Snacks travel better anyway in a hard container.
Yes…and the same goes for individual yogurts.
Juice boxes – Put juice in a reusable container (not plastic).
Juice? Apples and oranges are full of juice. Eat one.
Electric pencil sharpeners -- Use the hand-crank version of days gone by.
Oooh...now I want a hand-crank sharpener. (Although, I guess my sharpening needs aren't that great...I've been getting by with one of those little hand-held ones.)
Disposable diapers -- Cloth diapers aren't that much more difficult to use.
(Says the person who has never washed a bucket of dirty diapers or traveled with a baby.)
Disposable cloths – Fabric cloths can be washed regularly to avoid bacterial or viral build-up.
Key words – wash regularly.
Paper or plastic single-use grocery bags – Get a few reusable bags.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Bottled water -- Install a water filter on your tap or pick up a water jug with a filter.
We have broken ourselves of the bottled water habit. It helps that Winnipeg tap water is good.
Non-rechargeable batteries – Make the investment for rechargeable batteries and you’ll save money in the long run.
Will do…just as soon as I get through this case of IKEA AAs.
Electric can openers – Use a little muscle.
Lol. Again, is this an issue?
Single-serving pudding or yogurt cups – Buy a large container of yogurt or make your own pudding, and send it in a reusable container.
Oh, I spoke too soon. BTW...the big yogurts are cheaper, too!
Plastic cups – Stick to reusable cups.
I’ll see that...and raise you a coffee cup!
Disposable table cloths – Spills are a reality of life; just clean them up as they happen.
Better yet – wipeable placemats.
Antibacterial wipes – If you must, use a gel hand sanitizer.
I disagree, but for a different reason. I'm not big on anti-bacterial products. Just use soap and water.
Facial tissues -- Unless you have a bad cold, a handkerchief will work just fine.
Ermmmm…or a sleeve, if you’re 12.
Paper billing -- Switch to e-billing for your bank statement, credit card bill, utility bill, etc.
Or, better yet, pre-authorized payments. I have a problem with the “out of sight, out of mind” thing. I like to stay on top of my bills, but emails are SO easy to ignore.
Plasticized sticky notes -- Use the original paper sticky notes; they can be recycled when you're done with them
What? Is there such a thing? Are they for leaving notes in the shower?

Parting Words

Every morning, as I'm flying out the back door (literally), I tell the mascot "Ok, I'm outty...don't forget your lunch, your key, your bus pass...turn out the lights...lock up...set the alarm...have a great day...be good to people...I love you...bye!"

Today after "be good to people", I tacked on "...don't take any crap..."

I think we'll keep that one in there for a while.

You had me at free.

Don’t forget – it’s free coffee day at Starbucks!

Take your reusable cup to any participating Starbucks location and have it filled for free! The offer applies only to brewed coffee, up to 20oz., on Thursday, April 15th only.

Yoga, girl!

Who’s nutty enough to go to the gym twice in 1 day? Oh, that be me. Due to some bizarre scheduling (on my part), for the next 8 Wednesdays I will be book-ending my workday with an early-morning weightlifting class and a pre-dinner yoga class. It means that I have to be extra-prepared (packing breakfast, lunch, an outfit for the office and 2 sets of workout clothes), but it should* be worth it…

* I say should because I am not sure about this yoga class. I signed up for it based on time-slot, but I am feeling a little trepidation…it’s called “yoga for athletes” and I’m not sure I qualify. Tonight is my first one, so we’ll see how it goes. I might just surprise myself.

After this one, my next yogic adventure will combine a 45 minute spin-class with a 45 minute ashtanga class. That one I *know* I can do.