CSA pot luck dinner

Last night under the stars we gathered as a temple CSA to rejoice in a season of fresh beautiful produce. As a temple we made a choice to commit to a season and see how it went. It was not without its hitches, there was far more administrative tasks then were at first realized, and some families did struggle with the responsibility of understanding their ownership over their hosting day. You put those aside though, make your adjustments, shrug your shoulders and move on. The beauty of the season was intangible in some ways. Yes, the obvious tangibles were there, the gorgeous bags overflowing with produce every other Thursday...the things you couldn't touch? The knowledge gained by stretching outside the comfort zone, cooking and dealing with that unknown vegetable. The relationship that grows by becoming involved with people that normally don't cross your daily life except for the bond of trying to do better for our health and the planet. The relationships strengthened and the new ones formed are so dear to me, as I bonded with people sharing the same passion.

We sat outside had a beautiful evening filled with conversation, and great vegetarian food. The night ended with a beautiful moon, the feeling of warmth and love, and one exhausted Miss Bear. xo ginny

Spring Time Renewal

Passover begins tonight, the clocks have changed and I am once again lying on a table in Dr Chen's office. You see every March, I find myself sleep deprived with no explanation. For 3 years now I find myself hidden away in the little office laying on the table waiting for the needles to turn my body heavy with a feeling of dead weight. Soon my body cannot even think of twitching and my mind starts to shut down to a point of vivid pictures slowly fading into nothingness...into the ultimate state of relaxation. The warming lamps offer the body a warmth and the traffic noises from outside slowly recede. I have what you call a very sensitive system. I'm the type that gets skin rashes, hives if I am nervous, psorosis if I drink alcohol and of course added to the list- doesn't do time changes well! Well the good doctor clicks her tongue, giggles a little and always reminds me" same time each year." I have just come home from paying for the accunpuncture which for me includes the wonderful nap, and I have gone from a wreck to a creature of bliss in 1 and 1/2 hrs. Oh life is good, and now hopefully tomorrow when I turn 39 again, well rested I will include a thank you to Dr Chen as I walk the waters edge, thinking life is sweet!

Spring Time renewal

A Vegan in Word and Deed

The above title is the name of the article that is inspiring me to write this blog.

It is written about Alicia Silverstone who turned vegan 12 years ago. It is in todays New York Times Sunday Styles section. I will get to that in a moment...

I have a birthday coming up in 9 days and have to tell you I am not into the numbers game. Never felt that you should count your age by the numbers of years you have been on this earth , but rather how you feel. I feel about 34 but have decided since I seem to need to conform to society's rule that you must be a certain age I am forever 39. I feel so incredible, sensual, strong, vibrant, and I feel I glow with a happiness that starts from the inside.

I bring this up because as I was reading the above mentioned article where Alicia states that after turning to veganism she had sudden weight loss, her skin was glowing and her nails are strong and her eyes are white. She says the karma of turning vegan is amazing.

I had a client come in on Friday and she could not understand my way of eating, and yet she came in suffering from stress, low libido, and weight gain. It is difficult to get people to understand turning to clean living is not deprivation, but rather the best gift one can give themself. I'll keep talking I know changes are coming, patience...patience. xo ginny

ps please read anonymous's comment on the previous blog we are the voice of change each of us...

changing views

I think awhile back I blogged on watching Food Inc with my husband and two younger sons, Mark and Kevin. My youngest son Kevin watched it took it in, asked some questions and went about life. So it seemed did Mark. When Food Inc was over he said it wouldn't really be realistic to think you can only eat grass fed, organic beef because that would rule out 5 Guys. I was surprised that was the first thing he had to say after such an intense film. He added that I was on a guilt trip with them. The knowledge had been given to them take it as they may. The next day I was alone with Mark and once again I asked after sleeping on it did he have any more thoughts on the movie. He said yes he had gleaned some awareness and did not really say more than that. Shortly after that we were in Fresh Market when the meat counter attendant told us they use Factory Farmed beef only and it was loaded with antibiotics. Perhaps that added more fuel for thought. (last week by the way while I was there I went back to the counter and asked the big question...why aren't you carrying grass fed???? The answer no surprise is that they tried to carry grass fed and no one wanted to spend the extra money for it guess people don't get it yet you pay for it and more later in health care)

Interesting thing is that last week I served the boys and my husband a simple meal of turkey burgers. Mark said he didn't want it, he wanted to begin playing around with vegetarianism. At first I thought it was just a ploy not to eat the turkey burger, not his favorite thing. After disregarding him for a few days I realized he is truly serious. He makes it very clear it is not about the animals, but about his health. I respect his opinion and thoughts immensely and am so grateful no matter what his reasons to see once again knowledge is power.

Today is the first day of spring, renewal and new paths open for us. I am so glad of the path Mark is trying on. xo ginny

knowledge is key

Interesting, I am once again contemplating going vegetarian and giving up the fish I eat. I guess for me that struggle is the same one people struggle with when they give up meat and poultry. For me these were never part of my everyday world. They have always been a foreign thing to eat. I have impatience with those that eat meat without taking the responsibility of knowing the animals' situation and basing their decision without that knowledge. Am I any better though since I still love and consume fish? I don't feel any connection to these creatures but does that mean it is ok to eat them?

Oprah had a great show on last week about eating organic whole foods. Michael Pollen was interviewed and he does still eat animal flesh, but with extreme care. He knows well the source. I believe that is the first step...knowledge but I do believe within the next generation there will be a huge reversal from the 200 pds of beef the average American eats compared with the pound and a half of asparagus the typical American eats. Lets start that process. Eat more greens, if you eat beef make sure it is USDA organic which means it has no added hormones and pesticides. Eat only grass fed. Open your eyes and take control. Yes, it is more expensive in the short term but long term healthcare will be much cheaper. xo ginny

ginnybakes

Wow, a few months back I decided I wanted to create an organic line of bake mixes. I had tried some and knew I could do better. I wanted people to seek out great tasting bake mixes that are an alternative to the ones lining the grocery shelves.

My husband said no way, my marketer Annhy said cool...different responses but all have been supportive once they saw I meant it. Being an aries is one of those things you learn to grow into. We don't necessarily know limitations, but rather dream away. In this case the beginning of a dream is coming true. I don't know exactly the next step from the kitchen table to hopefully big production, but I believe in what I am doing. I love this life of passions and dreams even those moments when fear enters and doubts lodge in the middle of the night. I wake up and just push a little harder. Thank you for encouraging me with your comments and support without the feedback the road would be lonely. xo ginny

Brian's dinner

My husband has a trainer who truly is what a trainer should be all about. He takes such an interest in his clients and takes on their goals as his own. Through the past 6 months, my husband has been so impressed with Brian as well as his side interest; he is a true foodie and gourmet chef. We have been talking about getting together for awhile, Brian wanted to cook.

Friday night we got together at our house, with my friend and trainer Fabiana, as well as dear friends Marcelo and Juan Carlos. (Marcelo also works out with Fabiana) We were gathering between 7:30 and 8 this being a spanish crowd, with the exception of Steve and I, nobody showed before 8:30. Dinner didn't even start the cooking process before 9. Appetizers were long finished and the tapas plates from Brian just started appearing. We ate in the kitchen, sitting around the island. The wines were being drunk, laughter was very present and the intimacy of the kitchen was so perfect. We ate the main course at 11:30. Juan Carlos and Marcelo were laughing at Steve and I... the Americans eating on Argentinian time. We loved it. The night was perfect, shared with wonderful friends Marcelo and Juan Carlos and new friends too. My village is expanding and I love that. I love being open to befriending anyone that walks an intersecting path, who wishes well and laughs hard. Good cooking goes a long way too. Thanks Brian! xo ginny

Friendship

ginnybakes is a new product line from Mindful Organics. I am so excited about it. There are 4 varieties, Chocolate Chip Cherry Love, Blueberry Walnut Oatmeal Bliss, and 2 more that are created but are nameless at the moment...so exciting! I hope they truly take off as I really believe in them. The ingredients are organic and were well thought thru with taste and health always in the forefront of any item included. I have used multiple test audiences trying all the different prototypes along the way. This included school kids, business professionals, gym rats, and every friend I know. Strangers and friends alike all loved them. They are ready to hit the market! Like any start up though it takes a village, and my village entered my kitchen on Friday. It started when one friend was complaining she never sees me. I said if you want come over anytime Friday for a cup of tea, I will be home packaging ginnybakes. Well from there it grew. My friends, my mom, my niece all came to the rescue. Caroline (ginnybakes head baker, and my dear friend) and I took pictures. The pictures show womanhood and friendship at its best.

Thank you to my intimate village for answering the call when I needed you. xo ginny

Valentines Day

Here it is again the holiday of love.

I was engaged on Valentines Day as so many people are. 24 years ago today my husband asked me to marry him. He brought a picnic to the waters edge on Key Biscayne. The shrimp was frozen, the champagne perfect. He promised to adore and love me, told me he would gladly endure a lifetime of listening to me singing in my off tune way. That is love. Today I love him more than I did that day. Then he was a kid offering promises we both hoped would come through. We were still at a kind of crazy stage, racing home on Friday nights after working downtown all week, alcohol in our systems from happy hour. Not very mindful at all; just glad the week was done, weekend ahead.

I believed in him, crazy in love but no proven track record of how we would care for one another when difficult times came our way. We have now gone through the many turns both good and terrible that is life. We know we are each other's protector.

My husband has always made me feel safe he was grounded while I was the passionate one. I have grown in different directions and he always let me fly waiting with open arms. Now the years are marching forward and he has learned to open up so much. He wants to dance me around the kitchen floor, sit together dreaming of the future and reflecting on the past. I love new love, but better I love the feel of someone's hand in mine that has weathered a joint journey together. That knows my sounds, my smells, my fears and joys. Who knows what scares me, and what instantly makes me giggle. I love this man who tells me I am is world, and who I know is my home, my world. I love the fact that we worked so hard at what we have. Nothing intense and beautiful comes without its pains, just makes the sweet times sweeter.

Happy Valentines to all, and most especially to my gorgeous man. xo ginny