Fun Fact

One can almost never have too much garlic.

It's true.

Almost.

New Likes

 The Provo Accoustic Sessions. They're good.


Provo Acoustic Sessions from provo acoustic on Vimeo.

Let Us Talk of Hobbits and Things

My soul is craving The Lord of the Rings, so all I can do while I wait for them to arrive in the mail via NetFlix is watch these trailers. *Sigh* I love these movies.

 

If I were a character in the movie, I would be an Elf.

Time Warp

 This is one of my favorite songs from Rocky Horror. And FYI, my favorite character is Riff Raff. *wink, wink*

2009: In Review

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

I Have a New Favorite Artist

That would be the talented Mister James Christensen. Just take a look (these are some of my favorites, so far!):

Christmas Movies

I've compiled a list of Christmas movies that I like to watch each year and thought I'd share them with you all. In order, here are my top 10 all time favorite Christmas movies.

10. Scrooged
9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
8. The Polar Express
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
6. The Family Stone
5. Little Women
4. A Christmas Carol
3. A Christmas Story
2. Miracle on 34th St.
1. It's a Wonderful Life

Giving Thanks

Here's a little something I wrote last year about the Holiday Season, and well, I still feel this way so I thought I'd share it again. :)

Happy Thanksgiving to all - friend, foe, those I know, and those whom I do not. May we all have somewhere to be and have someone to love.

Love to all

***

This is the time of year when my very soul is enlivened by the delicious scents of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, when apple cobblers and pumpkin pies are baked in our homes, when cozy boots, sweaters, and scarves clothe us all, when Halloween, Thanksgiving (my most beloved holiday) and Christmas impend their promised magic, when luscious wreathes adorn inviting doors, pumpkins are carved and their seeds baked, and Christmas music fills the air. The weather cools promising snow angels and icicles for many, when geese leave for winter, when children giggle as they whisper their greatest of wishes to Jolly St. Nic, when homes are warmed by blazing fires, when candlelight flickers and glows in windowsills, when families walk under the night sky to enjoy the neighborhood's lights, when friends stop in to enjoy a glass of mulled wine or spiced cider, when family visits from afar, and when stockings are hung by the chimney with care. When New York City is jiving with rosy-cheeked ice skaters, when Salt Lake City bustles with excited reverence while it's lighted Temple is a beacon in the nights, when choirs raise their voices in joy and praise, when parents become suddenly secretive so as to hide their family's gifts, when life ~ even if just for a while ~ is cheerful and sweet. When we lay aside our cares and worries, when we create with gladness in our hearts the very magic the season is intended for, when we come home and warm the chill from our fingertips, when we watch a little longer the the giddy playing of bundled children outside, when we sip our cocoa and slowly savor the marshmallows just that much more, when pieces of candy canes stick to content children's smiling cheeks, and when we relax in our warmed homes while our children play in the golden and rusty leaves outside. When Halloween begs us to give a trick or a treat, when Thanksgiving reminds us what is really important, when Christmas brings it's resounding joy. When we bring glad tidings to those less fortunate than ourselves.

Oh how I wish this were so year 'round, oh how I wish. Until such a time, I will hold tightly to my season, to the cheer in which my soul so delights!

You Are The Perfect Gift To The World

The Many Benefits of Yoga

Physiological Benefits of Yoga
* Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium * Pulse rate decreases * Respiratory rate decreases * Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors) * Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases * EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation) * EMG activity decreases * Cardiovascular efficiency increases * Respiratory efficiency increases * Gastrointestinal function normalizes * Endocrine function normalizes * Excretory functions improve * Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase * Breath-holding time increases * Joint range of motion increase * Grip strength increases * Eye-hand coordination improves * Dexterity skills improve * Reaction time improves * Posture improves * Strength and resiliency increase * Endurance increases * Energy level increases * Weight normalizes * Sleep improves * Immunity increases * Pain decreases * Steadiness improves * Depth perception improves * Balance improves * Integrated functioning of body parts improves

Psychological Benefits of Yoga
* Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase * Mood improves and subjective well-being increases * Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase * Social adjustment increases * Anxiety and Depression decrease * Hostility decreases * Concentration improves * Memory improves * Attention improves * Learning efficiency improves * Mood improves * Self-actualization increase * Social skills increases * Well-being increases * Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase * Self-acceptance increase * Attention improves * Concentration improves * Memory improves * Learning efficiency improves * Symbol coding improves * Depth perception improves * Flicker fusion frequency improves

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga
* Glucose decreases * Sodium decreases * Total cholesterol decreases * Triglycerides decrease * HDL cholesterol increases * LDL cholesterol decreases * VLDL cholesterol decreases * Cholinesterase increases * Catecholamines decrease * ATPase increases * Hematocrit increases * Hemoglobin increases * Lymphocyte count increases * Total white blood cell count decreases * Thyroxin increases * Vitamin C increases * Total serum protein increases

Benefits of Yoga Versus Benefits of Exercise

* Yoga Benefits
o Parasympathetic Nervous System dominates o Subcortical regions of brain dominate o Slow dynamic and static movements o Normalization of muscle tone o Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments o Low caloric consumption o Effort is minimized, relaxed o Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled) o Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups o Noncompetitive, process-oriented o Awareness is internal (focus is on breath and the infinite) o Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness

* Exercise Benefits
o Sympathetic Nervous System dominates o Cortical regions of brain dominate o Rapid forceful movements o Increased muscle tension o Higher risk of injury o Moderate to high caloric consumption o Effort is maximized o Fatiguing (breathing is taxed) o Imbalance activity of opposing groups o Competitive, goal-oriented o Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the toes, reaching the finish line, etc.) o Boredom factor

*Lists borrowed from the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple website.

Rose Lassi

Right now I am drinking my very first rose lassi. A traditional Indian drink used to aide digestion or is just simply enjoyed after meals. I may not have made it the best or right way, as I imagine it should taste a little better than it does. I added real rose petals so maybe next time I won't. Or maybe I won't add the rose water and see how that tastes. As I've been drinking it, I thought that a mint lassi would be good. We didn't grow mint this year because it pretty much takes over our garden so I'd have to get a bunch at the store, but it may be worth it.

Here's a recipe, for those so inclined:

LASSI:

About a cup of plain (unsweetened) yogurt {or indeed use sweetened and just don't add sweetener afterward}

rose water (can be found in Asian markets, but be careful which you get, mine seems fake...)

rose blossoms (optional)

A few teaspoons of honey (until it's sweet enough for you)

Whizzz it up in the blender (until it's frothy and smooth)

Bach's Toccata Fugue in D Minor

My Latest Envy

I totally want to get all of Kat Von D's makeup line. I recently ordered her Sinner fragrance and can't wait to try it. If I like it I am going to buy its "alter ego", Saint. THEN I really just want to get her whole collection. I mean, I am a huge Bare Minerals devotee, and probably always will be (I've recently applied to a local counter - fingers crossed!), but Kat's collection is just pure awesomeness (much like her). I just love the dark, rocker colors - unapologetic for their nightwalker flare and hardcore edge. Basically, I want Makeup Geek's job. *GRIN*

Travlin' At The Speed of Light

One of the greatest rock bands of all time and one of the greatest songs they ever made. LOVE it!

H to the 2 to the O

Pellegrino is my new favorite drink, and in fact has been what I've been using in place of any soda cravings as I've officially kicked soda (and beer, let's be honest) out of my life.

Ah, sparkling water...

Sweet Lord of Hosts

I'll loan this and its sequel to you.

"I'm the Best!"

I just want to say that The Cider House Rules ... RULES!! Dang! I had almost forgotten how wonderful a movie it is - it had been 10 years since I first saw it (was it in the theatre? I don't recall) so it was enjoyable to revisit and feel the emotions as strongly as I had the first time. I remember that when I saw it those years back, it had inspired me to work in an orphanage (are there even orphanages left in the U.S.? - Just checked: after the mid 20th century, orphanages gave way to foster homes and small institutions like group homes. Hmm...). I still felt that way last night when I watched it again. I of course love Michael Caine and Tobey Maguire both of whom make nearly any movie they're in enjoyable to watch if for nothing else than their individual performances.

Anyway, it was moving, poignant, and inspirational. I would recommend it to anyone who prefers personal interaction and dialogue over action and intense drama. Just my style! My two thumbs up (even though I'm 10 years too late to rate it). :)

** The title of the post is from the film. The children were so desperate and lonely that they took to approaching any adult who came to the orphanage and proclaiming how they were the best to pick. So sad...

Now and Zen

Last but not least for today, is the alarm clock I have wanted to get for a good ten years now: the Now and Zen alarm clock. This is the most awesome and "me" clock I have yet to come across, aside from Grandfather clocks, of course. Its ring is actually the the strike of a small internal gong, tuned to the note of E which is meant to be a less relaxing tone and thus will wake you up. It gongs something like once every couple minutes, and then sooner as time goes on if it's not turned off. It's on the list!

For My Lounging Habit...

Suits from MyBabyJo.com

I could use me one of these beauts (uh, talking about the suits, of course ;) ).

Sew What?

Brother sewing machine, LX3125

This little cutie is my next "big purchase" (sometime soon, maybe).

Singer sewing machine, circa 1890

Now, what I really want is one of these. *sigh*