The Power of family vacations

As you probably know by now there are four Simon kids, all boys ranging in age from just about 22 to 15. From afar we are a powerful group, very into each other, physically strong and vital appearing. Yes I get pride out of the heads they turn when the four are together. I am their mom after all. Each of course has their roles to play.

Scott, the oldest, the Bad ass kid as he refers to himself. (mostly big talker the rough days are long gone) he is the family protector G-d forbid he believes someone messes with any of his family members, especially his mom...(maybe he watched too many G-d father movies).

Michael comes next he is the Atlas Shrug of the group. The Thinker, he even strokes his chin in that just in deep thought action. He takes care of things, actually probably more responsible then any of us except his Dad. We try to loosen him up and he tries to make us grow up. (yes a possible role reversal going on)

Mark is very cerebral, not quite here with the rest of us. He lives in his own world and likes it there. I believe though some of my deepest most interesting conversations come when with alone with him. He tries to hide it but he feels and thinks with such sensitivity, he feels everything digests it thoroughly, and slowly lets you into his thoughts with great awareness.

Kevin, is the most like me. He lives his life with passion, believes others around him will take care of and sweat the small stuff for him. It is that baby position. He truly works so hard though on anything he feels warrants it, he is an athlete through and through, and his smile lights up any room. He treats a woman with such charisma and charm, trouble brewing...

It is such an honor then to get to spend two weeks traveling the 6 of us. I am so honored to be their mom, and they know I feel that way. They truly cherish one another and talk all the time about how we are the greatest family. To us we are, and I hope all of you have the same good fortune to feel that way about yours. Just today I was saying to my men, feel the gratitude of being altogether here in this place at this moment in time. If I have had one major gift to have given my family it is the mindfulness of the sweet moments we live. xo ginny

Yoga and the boys

I have always wanted my boys to do yoga with me, so when one of the boy's school coach called to say that over the summer he wanted my son doing yoga to loosen and stretch my his hamstrings I was overjoyed. I have always pushed for them to add yoga to their physical regimen, but could not overcome their macho attitude towards it. I believe this started because I did not introduce my husband properly into yoga. I kind of threw him in and he was not comfortable. Unfortunately he got really turned off and never looked back. My boys picked up on his attitude, and like many other things in my male dominated household decided yoga was for women.

Things have changed...when one started another of my boys decided too as well. They are loving it. The boys are now telling their father and brothers how incredible yoga is. It is such music to my ears. They have decided it feels incredible and their muscles actually do get sore and stretched from practicing. Tomorrow, I can't wait, we are doing a power yoga class together. What a joy it will be sharing in the experience. I have waited a long time for this...I'll let you know after class about our Vancouver yoga experience. xo ginny

Musings

I came home from Yoga today and heard voices from the kitchen, and there was a very typical scene, people eating around the table. Lunch was out, kids, friends and my husband gathered. I was proud of what was pulled from the refrig as I looked around. Lots of color, lots of veggies and salad. Funny though there was a college girl there who I knew, but couldn't quite place and my son Scott, to make sure I was not going to blow anything says her name in super speed and then progresses to tell me I have known her forever. That said, I couldn't ask too many questions as I didn't know where to begin. Well within minutes all the males at the table popped up to do boy stuff on the boat. I am left sitting with this person of which I didn't even catch her name. Within seconds she is introducing herself and asking whether she should call me Mrs Simon, (that was a quick no!) I was so glad I hadn't lost my mind , but actually had never really officially met her before. Yes I am sure she has been in my house quite a bit, with four kids that is the life we encourage. Alexandra (Nani) turned out to be precious and within moments together we were baking up the Chocolate Chip Cherry Love Cookies, and talking about Mindful Organics. (I was so happy her Aunts knew my products sell at The Workout Spot in Coconut Grove)

Cooking I have decided is probably the most relaxed and at times intimate way to get to know someone. I was honored today to have Nani cook with me, and then watch in 30 seconds two dozen cookies gone. Isn't life sweet. xo ginny

Papaya and more papaya

This past year as the organic garden was going in and Juan Carlos was living at my house it seemed, ( I loved it-hope it happens again JC) we planted some fruit trees as well. Bananas, papayas, meyer lemon, key limes, pineapple, kumquats and tangerines. I was watching and watching and you the know the expression, a watched pot never boils...well I didn't look for about 2 weeks and 2 days ago I pulled off two grand papayas! Ripe, huge and just gorgeous. Well I like papayas, for their health benefits which are many, and like the taste, however for some reason I cannot get enough of these two. I believe as with the garden that when something comes from your land and you know how it was grown, clean and pure, the pride is immense and the flavors are so much more intense when no pesticides are used.

I guess the body is talking and I am listening...I have eaten both of these two papyas within 2 days. I go to bed thinking about them and wake up heading straight for the kitchen to make another papaya smoothie. My simple recipe is as follows...(though you can add any fruit you desire such as mango and pineapple with a little banana, that would be incredible as well)

1 cup papaya to 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/4 of a banana, 1 tsp flaxseed oil and 1 tsp coconut oil with some ice blended in. I have lived on this and some fresh juicing the last 2 days. I feel like I am glowing with great health as papaya is full of anti-oxidants, beta-carotene, vitamins C, A, and the B vitamins, folate, minerals, potassium, and magnesium, as well as fiber. It also carries digestive enzymes within it, similiar to pineapple. Our body has a lot to teach us about eating well. We just need to listen. xo ginny

ps if your hands turn a little orange from all the beta-carotene- no worries...

Respond Don't React

Sometimes even when we are very aware of our boundaries, and the way we want to conduct ourselves, we find someone or something that disrupts our serenity. I try and live by the mantra my yoga guru taught me long ago, respond don't react. When you really turn that phrase over and over again it takes on a huge significance in the way we conduct ourselves.

yesterday I found myself upset with a turn of events with someone in my world. It left me thinking, and took away some of my peace. I found myself reacting to their words instead of responding giving me internal stress. I slept on it and went to yoga this morning where Paul, who was teaching the class had such pearls of wisdom about not needing to do battle. Explaining that how you feel internally, not proving your point but rather surrendering is the way to release. That does not mean you bend to others battles, but rather carry the knowledge inside of knowing every thought of ours does not need to be released or argued. We can hold our thoughts close to heart, and empower ourselves with the keeping of our emotions to ourself, understanding we only need our own personal acceptance of our behavior, to honor oneself, we give better to others. Thank you Paul for the wonderful reminder this morning. I do believe where you are meant to be is where you will find yourself. Yoga this morning balanced me in all areas, mind, body and soul. What a gift. Namaste. xo ginny

summer mindfulness.

The days of summer are here. My family has left the days of working and studying hard instead we are playing hard. We are grateful and totally into the pace of summer. During summer the lights go out several hours later then during the school year. I am even seeing midnight during the week! I am struggling to get up by 8:30, the body seems to be craving the deep sleep of total stress free dreams. I leave for yoga and come back to the house still in a deep slumber. Today my niece came over and we all cooked lunch together. Michael made a great carbonera, while Jenna and I put together a great tofu scramble. All were happy. I think every moment of this summer I have been so mindful of the peace it offers. I am sitting now writing this outside feeling the soft breezes of summer, knowing I am so happy. xo ginny

Summer

Here I am again sitting with the Lovely Miss Bear at my feet. I am in my summer mode, hair is big wavy curls, face is clean and fresh, spared of any make up. Summer to me means a rest for both mind, body and soul. My soul needs nourishing, it requires quiet walks in the Utah mountains, Miss Bear always by my side, great books to enjoy and learn from. I require a quietness, a deep period of time where quiet appreciation is called for. I prefer the sweat and movement of yoga over a training in the gym. My phone is quieter, responsibilities lessen. Shorts are about as dressed as I get. I am not sure why I require such a break each year, but I never question it. I believe each of us knows what our own care instructions are and it is our own responsibility to honor ourselves. No apologies just a forthrightness. May your summer be filled with renewal, whatever that means for you. Namaste. xo ginny

A new way of life

It seems lately like I am living in a parallel universe. I have been a full time mom for 21 years and all of a sudden here I am a working mom. I am at times distracted, sometimes so filled with absolute joy at the people I get to interact with, be with, share and talk with.

Sometimes at the end of the day I just want to curl up and be quiet, but that is when family life truly begins around our dinner table. It is where my husband wants my attention, when the boys are quick to call me on being absent if my mind wonders. There are days where I wonder if my friends will ever let me fully back in. Our lunches are farther, and fewer apart and yet there are my closest of friends, who are always there. Where a day is not complete with out our exchange of daily banter or deep conversation depending on the moment, day or week. These are friends that are on my journey they are not going anywhere nor am I.

When I am in doubt which is not too often a day like today comes along...

Today I had a group over made up of 10 woman. Some were clients, some great supporters of Mindful or who I met through workshops I have given to them or their kids. One a friend of a friend who has missed the mindful mornings and wanted to. She was someone who instantly warms your heart and puts you at ease. They were all so dynamic, so interesting and all claiming to be so inspired by the workings of Mindful. To my lunch buddies today I want to thank you. The inspiration comes from each of you. To making new deep relationships with women I deeply respect. Thank you for giving your time to me and honoring all of us here today by being very present, very in the moment and very candid with the sharing of dreams and aspirations. I am at times pinching myself. Let dreams continue...xo ginny

continuation

My trip continued from NY to Chicago where my 2nd son goes to school. I was meeting my niece, I wanted her to join me to spend time reconnecting with me and her cousin. I wanted a shopping mate as my 4 sons do not fit the bill.

She is as of yesterday 26, busy in school, exercising away, helping me in my intent to get ginnybakes out there. She is rebuilding a life that was put on hold for awhile. What did I discover? ...a beautiful woman who has clarity in her dreams, strong intentions, a deep love of family , and a great deal of poise and grace. I loved our deep conversations as well as relearning her nuances. We sat on a rock by the water, for a couple of hours gazing into the churning lake watching the boundless energy of dogs at play, the sun setting, the coldness coming in. It was magical to sit there with my sister's child talking about her mother's childhood. It was a bridge that brought memories flooding back of a childhood I hadn't spoken about in forever. It was time at its best. I love you Jenna Gayle.

Jody

How does this blog tie into Mindfulness...not sure you be the judge. I guess it is more on the quality of the relationships you keep and being perhaps mindful that all our relationships take work. How much do we want to put in and what truly are the rewards?

This past week I went on an a little odessey of my own. Walked out of my life for a week and went up to NY to attend an intense weekend at The School of Integrative Nutrition where I am taking a course load. Generally it is distance learning, but this was an intense weekend of live lectures. On Sunday night when the weekend was over my friend Jody, her husband and their daughter picked me up in the city and we drove out to their hometown on the Island. This is the same town we grew up in. I left when I was 11 Jody has lived there all of her life. We met I guess you could say in utero, if that is possible. Our parents were and still are close friends, by now on their journey, family...It felt like I was losing a little touch with Jod the phone calls were becoming less frequent, it just seemed like a big deal to pick up the phone when there was so much to catch up on. I knew, know and understand though this relationship is one that I will never let go. It was time for a visit. She is my history and I hers. She looked at one of my kids when they were 2 and announced OMG its your face and could tell me what picture to relate back to. She is the one that remembers all my childhood ways and I am her keeper. We are now mothers with kids starting to build their own separate life and think of their own futures. We are woman scared and anxious about the next steps, but both of us dynamic and wanting to emerge with new interests, drive and dreams. We check each others faces to see if the year that passed between visits has shown a mark. We are each others marker, both of us athletic (she is now doing the 30 day bikram challenge 2 classes a day, and a survivor of a boot camp the likes of which I never heard before). She is family, she is friend, she is my sister. She is the only one I would put side my phobias and sleep downstairs in her basement, in the guest room that seems very far from everyone else. Ties that bind, these is a gift, one that I will never take for granted. We have decided for us the best way to communicate is now texting. Technology has given us a way to reformat our communication. I am grateful we have been so busy chatting away. I love it and I love her. Thanks Jod for always being in my life.

I will continue the unfolding of the trip tomorrow as I share more of what I learned.

xo ginny