Thursday, November 30, 2006

slipping and sliding

Here in Seattle we have been experiencing light snow and tons of black ice. This makes getting around the city dangerous both on foot and in car. Some of you that have braved the elements and gone out into this weather may have noticed your legs are sore. This is from tensing and utilising muscles differently when walking on ice.

On of the nicest things you can do for yourself on these slippery days is stretch your legs at the beginning of the day and the end. A hot bath would be amiss either.

Shoes that are designed to have traction in ice are a plus, Blundstone boots work well but they don't insulate you feet very well so if you are out in the cold for long periods you will have to wear really warm socks. Ugg boots, also from Australia, have good bottoms and of coarse my favorite brand of shoes, Keen work well in the snow and ice. One of the worst types of shoe you can wear in ice, beside high heels because that should just be obvious, are hiking boots. The reason is they are designed to prevent slipping in muddy conditions and have thick chunky traction that gives you no purchase on ice. They also have no flexible soles so it is hard for your foot to "feel" the surface it is walking on and you end up on your bum, or pulling your calf muscle. Powdery, non-compacted snow you can bring out the hiking boots, but resist in icy conditions.

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Wednesday, November 22, 2006

the giant list of ethical food sources

Here are some resources for healthy food alternatives. Sorry this is such a long post but I did not want to loose this information. This list is part of one from the book The Ethical Gourmet by Jay Weinstein, I have omitted the very large meat section because it is 3 pages long and some of the websites below will get you that information.


Fair Trade Certified
www.transfairusa.org
www.ifat.org

Listings
www.globalexchange.org
www.fairtradefederation.com

Chocolate
www.dagobachocolate.com
www.newmansownorganics.com

Coffee
www.cafecanopy.com
www.cafelasemeuse.com
www.mountainviewcoffee.com
www.adamsorganiccoffees.com
www.cafeman.com
www.deansbeans.com
www.elanorganic.com
www.greenmountaincoffee.com
www.groundsforchange.com
www.kalanicoffee.com
www.saltspringcoffee.com
www.urthcaffe.com

wine
www.astorwines.com
www.ecowines.com
www.feywine.com

Organic Groceries
www.arrowheadmills.com
www.beanbag.net
www.celtic-seasalt.com
www.diamondorganics.com
www.edenfoods.com
www.garlicgourmet.com
www.greatgrainsmilling.com
www.greenmountainmills.com
www.lotusfoods.com
www.organic-planet.com
www.publix.com
www.sunorganicfarm.com
www.truefoodsonline.com or www.truefoodsmarket.com
www.villageorganics.com
www.woodprairie.com
www.worldofrice.com
www.yatatex.com

Rainforest Friendly
www.tradesfairusa.org
www.rainforset-alliance.org
www.chiquita.com

Ethnic and Specialty
www.deliciousorganics.com
www.agferri.com
www.asianfoodgrocer.com
www.cybercucina.com
www.ethnicgrocer.com
www.farawayfoods.com
www.goya.com
www.harvestsensations.com
www.importfoods.com
www.kalustyans.com
www.kitchenmarket.com
www.livingtreecommunity.com
www.mexgrocer.com
www.mustaphas.com
www.orientalpantry.com
www.pointshop.com

Sugar and Alternative Sugar
www.lasiembra.com
www.levelground.com
www.marquisproject.com
www.wholesomesweeteners.com

Organic Info
www.eatwellguide.org
www.iatp.org
www.lohas.com
www.foodnews.org (pesticide info)

Political/ Socially Responsible
www.lcv.org
www.sierraclub.org
www.chefscollaborative.org
www.greenpages.org
www.workingassets.com

Garden Seeds
www.seedsavers.org

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Becoming Visible

In my journey through the world as a self employed business person I have battled the resistance to be seen. In the last 2 months I have suffered from my reluctance and have finally taken steps to show up in the world.

Here's what I've been up to:

1. I got a website: phoenixbodywork.com
2. I put business cards at various places, coffee shops, my dentist, bookstores
3. I actually had conversations with people telling them what I do
4. I mailed my former clients cards, with an update and business cards and a promotional special.
5. I have given away several hours of time for free or severely reduced rates to encourage multiple visits.
6. I have stared at the computer for hours on end, read about 10 books, and wrote down all ideas I had and did something everyday, even if it was dropping off cards at the post
7. I advertised in a local woman's newsletter
8. I got information for the local natural health directory and have designed and ad

In essence I have been busting my bum for the past two months working through the emotional issues of "am I good enough" and "what if" and "but no body's calling". This week I am happy to report I got a random email form a person who found my card and a free session I did at Bastyr came to see me in my office. It works, it just takes time and patience.

Being visible isn't easy, it means I 'on' all the time and everyone I meet is a potential client. It makes me more accountable to myself and my future in this profession and it also drives me to open my heart a bit more and live a little louder, bolder, and more authentically in my power.

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Friday, November 03, 2006

Sustainablity

I'm moving to Ireland... sorry everyone but these people are on top of it! The people of Kinsale Ireland are determined to become energy independent by the year 2021 and have created this amazing proposal on how they are going to achieve it.

It is inspiring and also bring home how serious the issue is an how ignorant we are all being about this. For the most part this is not our fault, we don't decide where our food comes from, and or the price of an electric car, or for the most part where our president spends our taxes, but we can begin to be educated and try to make better choices that are less impacting to the earth.

So this all came about because I had place about 300 books on hold at the library, and 4 of them came in 3 on how to create a better environment, which lead me to again pick up the above article and begin to read it in ernest. I am floored at how little is being said or done. This is a crisis of epic proportions, the entire world economy is at risk, not to mention the health of the planet. And what are we worried about? I can't even begin to say how trivial it is.

The following is the website if you want to see a brief outline, you can download the longer version 55 pages and they ask a contribution to do it. Take a gander, be impressed by your fellow humans and start looking around you for solutions.

http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/005135.html

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