How To Use Your Scale as a Happiness Tool!

Today I give you a very important tip on how to use your scale as a happiness tool! That's right, get that scale a moving, and give
yourself an instant happiness boost every single time you step on it!

With this one simple technique, you can make weighing yourself MULTIPLE

TIMES A DAY one of your most enjoyable daily activities.

LOVE
THE NUMBER ON THE SCALE EVERY SINGLE TIME, GUARANTEED!

And if that doesn't work, you can always use turn your scale into a weapon of mass destruction, as seen by GypsyMama in this video from the early days of RawFu!




Find more videos like this on GeekedFu

Day 55 GeekedFu- I Get No Kick From Champagne

"I'll have the mineral water, and a slice of lime, please."

I Get No Kick From Champagne

Friday night, Basil and I went to a wedding to celebrate the love of two of our dearest friends here in Anderson.  The wedding was gorgeous.  Wildflowers surrounded The Lodge at Table Rock State Park as the couple said, "I do".   It was a hot June night, but there is something to say about getting married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout.  At least that's what I heard once in a country song.

Basil looked especially handsome in his suit, and he stopped me and kissed me when I joked about how I felt like a pig in a blanket.  I pulled my skirt up so that he could see the Spanx shaper that I was wearing underneath.  I explained to him that the girdle helped prevent what I affectionately call "The Chub Rub" between the thighs.  If you've ever had "The Chub Rub", you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.   

My mother swears that my Nanny Bobo wore a girdle every day of her life, despite the fact that she weighed 98 pounds soaking wet.    Nanny Bobo was much like me, and liked to wear clothes that cling to the curves.  The girdle helps to smooth the lumps and the bumps.  I learned at a young age that wearing the right undergarments is essential in certain situations.   But on this particular occasion, the combination of the humidity and the Spanx definitely screamed pig in  blanket!   Add this to the candida infection under my arms, and under my breasts, and there was a self esteem train wreck just ahead.  Cruelty, thy name is vanity. 

I stopped myself, and took a brief reprieve from the reception to step outside, and admire God's handy work.  The mountains, the lake, the trees, the rock face, they were all perfect just exactly as they were.  Standing among the beauty of nature, it was impossible to not soak in that same feeling of stillness.  I decided to fit in, and to be part of the present moment.  With the strength of the rambling vines and softness of the mountain mosses as my friends, I returned to the party a true creature of natural beauty, settled into my skin, and sipped each conversation as if it were my glass of champagne, relishing the bubbles.

Observing the party as a wonder of nature, I realized how many unnatural habits I've released from my life.  While others were drinking beer and whiskey, I stashed two bottles of mineral water behind the bar, and made friends with the bartender.   I was able to escape the heat, and sit inside watching the older couples dance because I no longer need to sit outside so I can smoke cigarettes.  I didn't have much interest in going to the after party because now that I don't rely on sleeping medication, my natural body rhythms were telling me that getting to bed would actually be more fun than staying up all night.    It felt good to realize that although there is still much work to do, I have made huge strides in my health.  Take away the Spanx and the lipstick, and I actually, for the first time, understand the meaning of being a Natural Woman (wooomaaaan!).  

We are all wonders of nature, ever evolving.  Until our last breath, we will remain works of art, perfectly imperfect, and magnificent just the way we are.    This week, let's walk in magnificence, free of the ego created obstacles that nag us about those extra pounds, or our external beauty.   The birds don't care if their feathers are blue, black, or green, they will sing a happy song, regardless.  Love yourself, and rejoice in who you are. 

LaughFu- Introduction to Laughter Yoga

Today I invite you to go on an uplifting journey with me, as I  explore Laugther Yoga, and bring you along to learn to laugh, to  breathe, and to squeeze every bit of joy out of your life. This is the first video, and explores different types of laughs, exercises to get yourself going, and gives you an idea of the fun we'll have  doing Laugther Yoga together.

Upcoming videos will be a combination
of structured Laugther Yoga exercises and breathing techniques, and  some days of freeform joyous laughter. WILL YOU LAUGH WITH ME? Forget about what you put IN your mouth for 10 minutes a day, and focus on  what comes OUT of your  soul through the simple act of  just...laughing!

WILL YOU LAUGH WITH ME?

CANDIDA: I am NOT the Addict. I am the ENABLER!

Today I talk about a very important mental shift that I have made.

Just by recognizing the addictive nature of candida, I was able to

take myself out of the role of victim, and into the role of ultimate

healer over the out of control sugar and carbohydrate cravings and

binges.

I feel really proud of making this mental shift. I feel
like it's really significant. I feel like I just found the keys to my

own wellness and healing. And it only took 39 years. What can I say?

I'm bright like that.

Day 12- GeekedFu: Lighten Up!

The Picture

This picture was taken last June at Matt and Angela Monarch's wedding by the lovely and most adored by many (especially me), Jeff Skeirik, the Rawtographer.  I look back at this picture, and I can remember how happy I was that day.   I met Angie, Tiffany, Cindy, Rawbin, Heidi, Rainbeau, Camille, Kevin & Annmarie, David Wolfe, and so many other amazing people that have been part of my raw food experience. 

Unique

This was a very happy, but bittersweet time in my life.  I had been laid off from my job of 7 years, and was trying to create a job by pulling together a raw food magazine with a handful of people, and with my pitiful savings.  I grossly underestimated the cost of printing, and production, folded the magazine after two awesome issues.  I lost a couple thousand dollars,  still owe people money which I have been chipping away at paying back, and fully intend to pay back every cent when I attract money into my life again.   Some people may have seen this venture as a flop.  I saw it as a life accomplishment, and a very cool learning experience.   That's how we can choose to view our world- as a flop, or as a unique experience to learn and grow.  Or as a unique experience to learn, and stumble a few steps back, only to reground your footing and get back on your way.

Expectations

So often I see people who are eager to start their raw food lifestyle, lose a ton of weight, completely transform their life, and be a bright shiny new person.  Everything starts out with a bang, and then old habits creep in, a friend invites you out for Mexican, or you wind up hitting a drive in after an exhausting day of work, kids, errands, and you know, having a life.   Suddenly you may be feeling the same happy but bittersweet experience of my life last summer.  You're learning new things, you're starting to feel better and lose a pound or two, and you're glad you chose to take a RawFu Challenge.  But maybe you grossly underestimated how much different your new lifestyle would be on your social life.  Maybe it's more expensive than your old way of eating.  Maybe you start thinking that every single thing you do that isn't in the Raw Food Handbook (of which there are SO MANY) is just turning your happy raw food experience into a flop. 

Education

But look at what you've learned, even if you've only been at this for a week, or a month, or six months.  You have probably learned that if you soak nuts they are easier to digest.  You've most likely shoved spinach into a blender, and made a smoothie that was packed with minerals and vitamins.  You've stopped, and at least thought about the food you were about to eat, even if it wasn't the best choice.  That's three unique experiences that you've got under your belt.

Enlightenment

My happy raw food experience has taught me incredible things about myself, even with the stumbles backwards, the days that I just threw my hands up and gave up, and the many times I brushed myself off, and got back on track.  I've learned that I'm very sensitive to the effects of sugar, and that I need to tread lightly on the glycemic index.  I've learned that I'm still a valuable part of a community, even though I'm not perfect.  I've learned that not everybody is going to like what I do, say, or how I feel, but that I can still love them unconditionally.  I've learned that I can be obsessive about food if other parts of my life are out of balance.  I've learned that being able to laugh at myself, and not take everything so seriously is one of my best qualities.

Renewal

Tomorrow is May 1st, and I'm starting my happy raw food experience over again.  Every single day is a chance to lighten up, and love what your life is made of,  even if it's a day of stumbles, and belly flops.   Just laugh it off, and welcome yourself to the human race! 

Send in the Clowns!

Bunny

Day 11- GeekedFu- Live Your Life NOW!

Today I got the opportunity to talk with Amanda, RawDawg's lovely wife about her upcoming Live Your Life Now Trek.  I had to take this opportunity to tell you all about the amazing journey that the RawDawg family is about to embark upon.

Here is more information about Amanda's Journey: http://www.liveyourlifenowtrek.com

If you could drop everything and go on your own Live Your Life Now journey, what would you do?