Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Buzzing w/ a Balanced Center.

Chakras. Something new to me as of (one of my) bridal showers when my mom, Donna Rae, presented me with this beautiful and powerful necklace. Something more people should know about as it could put you 'back on track'. So, time for a bloggy-blog on it! Please ignore this post if you yourself already have immense Chakra knowledge or if you just plain don't give a damn (frankly, my dear), because it is a bit out there, I realize.


Quite a timely post, if I do say so myself, as I watched Ruby go through a super-duper intense Reiki session last night on the Style Network. Hence why I'm wearing my necklace today and "buzzing with a balanced center", as Donna Rae put it so perfectly.


So, Chakras are the entry gates of the Aura in each person. Funky, I know. Basically, within your physical body resides a "body double" that is your spiritual body, which contains the Chakras. Charkras translate best to a floppy disc with vital programs. These discs are responsible for your spiritual, mental and physical functions by absorbing and transmitting engeries inside AND outside of your physical body (i.e, from the universe, nature, celestial entities, even other people and things).


Very abstract. Bear with me.


There are literally thousands of Chakras in the human body, covering the entire thing. Only seven of them are considered major (see left). They are located along the central line of the body, which is literally where is sounds like it is --- a line down your center from the base of your spine to the top of yo' head (ya heard!).


I wear my Chakra necklace when I need centering and balance in my day and in my self. Since the Chakras are constantly moving, there is room for what I'll call error, which sets one off balance. If a Chakra is blocked, for instance, energy cannot flow evenly and thus affects all aspects of your life & your harmony (or lack there of).


"Each chakra is expressed on the physical body in one of the endocrine glands that regulate physical and emotional processes in the body. The imbalance in the chakra will also be expressed in the endocrine gland linked to it."


Makes sense right? When you feel "unbalanced" there is always a physical or emotional reason, or in this case a physical or emotional process being hindered. Perhaps a scratched 'floppy disc' or damaged software.


How is this information useful if you weren't given a handmade necklace to prompt your research or spark your interest? Different techniques to keep the balance and create physical and double body awareness are used, ranging from the real funky Reiki (as mentioned above), guided visualization, color therapy, weird stuff with crystals and pendulums that I don't quite get, etc., etc., to the not so rare/weird yoga, meditation, aromatherapy & simple positive thinking. 


Everyone is capable of influencing their own balance and being the most holistic being they can be. I think it's just a matter of realizing when something's off. All of these techniques are healing mechanisms and each person requires different levels depending on how severely damaged the "software" is. (In our analogy the body is the hardware, the programming is the software and the user is the Self.) 


So WHY did you just get a 5 minute class on Chakras, you ask? Lately many of my friends (and myself), have been going through different changes and experiences all affecting their holistic being. Taking some time in your day to day life to do perhaps some concentrated breathing, take a yoga class, enjoy some personal time outside taking in the sight, sounds, smells in the air around you on a nice, long run, are all simple ways to grasp some centeredness and 'reboot', to stick with our analogy. :)


There is a TON of info out there on this Eastern belief and practice. Check it out if you feel inspired or off-balance one of these days!


Happy reading!


-ERSM


P.S. I'll be coming back down to earth for my next post. If you were turned off by this or uninterested, don't go far because I'll be back! ;)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Passing of the Torch

A dear friend of mine is getting married in a few weeks. Her pre-wedding activities have really brought me back to almost 6 months ago, and the emotions we were feeling weeks, days, hours, minutes before we took the plunge into married-hood. This weekend we'll celebrate her Bachelorette on Saturday followed by her Bridal Shower on Sunday.  We'll surround her with love and excitement, and she'll be glowing and bouncing and hugging and smiling all over the place, I'm sure. 

Now that I'm married, I feel very different at these parties and celebrations. It's a deeper appreciation of the energy put into each event, plus the true meaning behind it all. Something that's impossible to grasp until you're the one opening the gifts and reading the cards and praying to baby jesus that you'll fit into your dress. Or until you're the gal looking like THIS circa 2am on your bachelorette night after rapping a truly unique rendition of Tupac's "Dear Momma". Until then, it's just another party.

I often wonder if I'll ever have a brat-attack at a wedding event and want to be the bride again. Want all of that attention again. It hasn't happened yet, but it's too early to tell I think ;). Instead of a bit of jealously, I'll just embrace my marital status, and pass on some crucial pre-wedding week information to these bride-friends of mine. A list of dos and don'ts that was once relayed to me by a very wise, very kind and thoughtful friend of mine (yea that's you EB, that's you). This list will vary from bride to bride (for instance mine said no running with sharp objects haha -- I'm a bit reckless though. That's not for everyone per say).  This particular bridey got this advice yesterday:

1. Don't do, take, eat ANYTHING NEW over the next 2 weeks. That includes food, meds, run a marathon, etc. NOTHING NEW.
2. Don't overexercise.
3. Limit wearing heels. 
4. Drink TONS of water. Extra water is always better.
5. Eat TONS of extra veggies. Helps with the photographic glow (like the water does) AND keeps "things moving" if you know what I mean for optimal day-of GI situations.
6. Eat extra protein when possible -- again, for the glow.
7. MOISTURIZE (entire body and extra for the face)
8. Wear little to no make-up when possible up to the day-of
9. Do light stretching every day. Keeps you from getting too tense.
10. 8 hours of sleep EVERY night no excuses
11. And...finally...whenever you think of it, take 5-10 DEEP, DEEP, breaths. And enjoy them. Enjoy each of them. This is such a special time so it's crucial to recognize your moments :) 
12. Kiss your man-candy. Kiss him A LOT. Soon he'll be your husband, not your boyf. Enjoy the semantics of that, no matter how silly you might deem them.

I get butterflies in my belly when I re-read my list from back in October. I'll keep it forever because for some reason it takes me back. Brings all the emotion to the surface again, just like it's October 20, 2011, and we're packing the car to head to Bethany Beach three days before the big day. Just like I'm getting my hair done an hour before the ceremony & putting on my grandmother's earrings. 

Or just like I'm smooching that husband's face, post 'i dos'. Takes me right back there. 

Can't wait to celebrate with you, Lindsay Cummings (almost Goodman!)

-ERSM




Monday, March 21, 2011

Explore Your Own World With A Possible Case of the Olds

After living in The Hamiltons for over 14 months, we're finally just getting into exploring everything this unique city neighborhood has to offer. Meaning, beyond Clementine's Taco Tuesday & the famous Hamilton Tavern Crosstown Burger. 

Many newlyweds co-habitate before jumping the broom, giving them the opportunity to break their own ground and discover their community, as Jeremy and I chose to do in Canton. Those that don't live in sin probably get settled post-marriage and then begin this discovery process. Either way is great --- just make sure you do it! So easy to go to the same restaurants, same bars. Eat the same food. Shop at the same grocery stores. Humans innately stay close to the nest, which doesn't have to have anything to do with actual proximity in my experience; it's more about comfort. This is an easy routine to fall into. Branching out takes a conscious effort, which usually proves to be worth it in the end.

I'm not implying that having your go-to watering hole where 'everybody knows your name' is a bad thing at all. It's the alternative that's just so good. And so easy to miss out on. Sometimes these life changes, like moving and getting married, help us see a new side of things...

Living downtown in Canton for 3 years prior to our home purchase, we had our spots. More of them than we have now, but we had our spots. Red Star, Dead End Saloon, Hudson Street Cafe, Mahaffeys, Three..., Waterfront, Kelly's, etc. etc. We knew the 'tenders and fellow bar-goers. We knew the specials, both food and drink. They knew us just as well. With no kids, no dog that had to be walked to do their "numbers", no mortgage, we had little responsibility outside of work making it very easy to be a regular, meet up for happy hour, and eat out almost every night. Sounds glorious, doesn't it? And it was ---  in that time and in that space.

But all good things come to an end, as they say. And thank god new interests file in right behind 'em. Otherwise we'd be bored out of our minds. All of us.

Now we have a house that is our home. We are proud of it and spend more time there than anywhere else. A difference from renting and paying someone else's mortgage. A big difference. Do I miss the corner bar stool at Red Star on the occasion? Absolutely. We just go down to Fells, which is  4.5 miles aways, and scratch that itch when we need to. Do I miss seeing my girlfriends more frequently and conveniently? Of course. But now, it seems, our time we do have together is a bit more meaningful in a lot of ways. Instead of meeting at the same ol' places, we venture out in new neighborhoods --- even in the COUNTY, which some of you might shutter over. :) Or we just stay in and share the surroundings of our Carter Ave Mecca.

Those of you that shuttered over my 'county' adventures, also probably think I'm lame, and have a possible case of the olds after reading this (and a few of my earlier posts -- see Changes), but it happens to everyone. Just wait. And when that day comes, I'll be showing up on your 21212 zip coded front porch with a house-warming bottle of wine, ready to check out your new digs, help you decide on your living room paint colors you're debating over, and meet your husband-worthy man candy.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Rain & Rings


Today it rains. A lot. And hard. We have buckets in two of our walk in closets/attic areas to catch those drops and streams that escape through the apparent HOLES IN OUR ROOF and cause major probs. One estimate to fix the flashing and mend the slate was $17k. HA! Good one. Such are the woes of homeownership, I suppose. Good thing we're loaded ;)

Rainy days are welcomed because it means Spring is just around the bend. It's Mother Nature prepping the soil in our gardens and washing away the salt stains from our streets to reveal a fresh, new scene.

Even though I have a nice tan and some sun-kissed blonde hair, I'm still in Hunter boots, long pants and a sweater. It's a shame to not be able to show off 5 days of hard work laying out pool-side in the FL sun. Cryin' shame.

Saw this miracle peaking through the rock-hard ground the other day in the back patio at work. Refreshing. Hurry, little plant! Tell all your friends! It's almost time to show your little, green faces to this almost thawed-out world!



Soon we'll make our trek to the local Hamilton nursery and buy our jalapenos, bell peppers, tomatos and whatever else we decide to take a green-thumb to this season. What a grand day that will be.


Living in one of the oldest Baltimore city neighborhoods, that is now on it's way back up, has many perks. Not only does Hamilton/Lauraville have a fabulous, 80-some year old nursery (with snowball stand attached), another gem is opening on April 1 just across from the tavern on Harford Road --- The Green Onion. They're going to offer up local, freshly cut meats & fish (butcher and possible fishmonger ON SITE). Seasonal veggies picked fresh daily, straight from the Hamilton Crop Circle and other nearby city farms. Home-dried spices and spice mixes. Would you line your larder with legumes, leg of lamb, leeks? Perhaps you're partial to prime rib and pickles (Clementine's house-made pickles, of course, since Clementine owners Winston Blick and his wife are responsible for this amazing addition to the 'hood). Or fancy fennel and fine herbes? Hanker for ham hocks or lamb chops? Stock up on savory soup stocks? This place is probably for you....for everyone, I think. 


I'm telling you, and have been over the past few blog-spouts, but season's change is so inspiring, not only for people but for businesses and lifestyles and attitudes (wait, I guess those are all related to people...). Either way, it's magical and I know for me at least, I'll never pass up something to look forward to. Even if it does come at the same time every year, Spring never gets old.


Enjoy it!


-ERSM


P.S. Merry belated xmas to me. My Amrita Singh stack rings FINALLY made it after months of back-order. Totally worth the wait! 



Tuesday, March 1, 2011

My Chihuahua Bites...

...on the toes. And my standard fall-back, Ballet Slippers, on the fings. Digits are all primped & prepped for our trip to Miami! I'm literally jumping out of my skin with excitement & my daily Facebook posts prove it (and annoy my 'friends', I'm sure).

 We've cleaned the house (well the top floor and the kitchen, at least). Now for the packing and the cat prep, and we're all set! 77 and sunny today. Hope that lasts through out the next 6 days. I'm even OK with the afternoon thunderstorm that lasts 20 minutes, as long as there's a close haven (AKA a bar) for us to run to and wet our whistles while we wait out the short-lived deluge. I welcome those mini-storms, in fact.
We're ready to fill our days with fresh-berry breakfast smoothies, suntan lotion, beach front reading/ipod action, and Coronas with extra lime. Ready for some Summer wardrobe refreshes at Aventura Mall (my personal mecca), and morning walks to Starby's for an iced greed tea after a long run on A1A.

I need beach-cruiser bike rides before happy hour through palm tree & multi million dollar home-lined streets with the hubslice, all the while still working on my tan lines in the 5PM, hot-as-hell SoFlo sun. It's surely time for grilling fresh veggies, and whatever the catch of the day might be, poolside (enter Corona(s) w/ extra lime), while the sun sets perfectly on the intracoastal, casting pinks and purples all over (JUST like the opening to CSI Miami - hope you're listening to my playlist).

Put me there. Put me there NOW. Thanks.

More fun-in-the-sun to come from SoFlo later this week!

-ERSM

P.S. Happy 4 year (dating) anniversary to Jeremy! Lurve ya lots.