Perfect Powder

Melvin and I called the babysitter and headed up to Grouse Mountain for some snowboarding.


I came home with...
- bruised knees
- sore muscles
- hurting wrists
- injured bum bones
- wounded pride


...all good, we were smilin' throughout as we don't get snow like that back east (well, maybe New York did this past week)!...all I gotta say is: thank goodness I was wearing my bike helmet!  LOL

Poet's Cove

We just got back from a much needed mini-getaway to the Southern Gulf Islands. We headed out to Pender Island and stayed at beautiful Poet's Cove in South Pender. It was such a retreat-like setting, extremely relaxing and reminded me how important it is to get out of the city every once in awhile and breathe in some fresh air. 

AERIAL VIEW OF POET'S COVE RESORT & BEDWELL HARBOUR

The BC Ferries are a fascinating (and organized) system!  It was our first experience bringing our own car onto a ferry, but it is a common mode of transport here, especially in the summer. The only other time I've done this was in Malta (to and from Gozo), but that was so long ago with someone else's car and I didn't appreciate travel as much then. Anyway, it ran very much like an airport; made a reservation, got into a line, turned off our engine and waited there (just as if we were at a gate) until our ferry docked and it was time to "embark".  The nice part is we were free to roam around, there was a "Kids Zone", cafeteria, etc. on the ferry and we are able to go outside. I spotted a Bald Eagle flying past my window, which was pretty unexpected.  

We are excited to check out some of the other islands, but not too keen on the long line ups I hear about during the summer. When all is said and done, I'm sure it's completely worth it.  What does one expect in the Gulf Islands?  Lots of nature, hiking, random animals, secluded beaches/coves, fresh food and local wine...all one can ask for in a relaxing vacation.

Books to Cooks

I blogged already today, but before I forget, I need to mention this amazing place I found the other day. It is a bookstore in the Armoury District (fast becoming THE design district in Vancouver) called Books to Cooks. It is a bookstore with every cookbook you can imagine and right in the middle towards the back is this island, with a stove and cookware, etc where someone is making items to taste/drink/take away. Ingenious! 

This woman named Barbara Jo opened the store and as I got to the cash register, there she was. I mentioned to her that I love the store and now I'm a bit obsessed at this simple concept. They have a book club called Eating Between the Leaves that meets each week to discuss a book, while eating a gourmet meal inspired by the book. I can't afford to be a part of this amazing club, but just needed to share! LOVE IT!

Merry Christmas

Our first Christmas in Vancouver was super fun!  We enjoyed every bit, including the 51 degree Fahrenheit weather!

On Christmas Eve, after we left Santa Wendel's Organic Power Cookies and his reindeer raw carrots, we went to a friend's party in N. Vancouver. Highlights included:
- piano playing and singing carols
- 11 children/babies
- lots of great food (host is a trained chef)
The mishmosh buffet featured - ham, corn bread, cranberry sauce, collard greens, butternut squash soup, mashed potatoes, shrimp ceviche (made by yours truly), duck and soy chicken, Korean Japchae, spicy crab dip and a range of desserts and beverages.  

Christmas Day was chill, we woke up, marveled at Julian's gifts from Santa.  He insisted on eating Santa's leftover cookies, stating that Santa had some already. It is the first year that Julian understood that it was "Christmas", so we went all out and got him Legos, a scooter, wooden NYC vehicles, and a Thomas the Train sticker/coloring book. All I gotta say is thank goodness Amélie didn't know what was going on, as she would've been disappointed to see her empty stocking.  Hey, at least we got her a stocking, right?  Then, we went to church and continued to spend the day relaxing, with an afternoon in Stanley Park for pictures and so Julian could ride his bike.

Tomorrow (Dec. 26th) is an official holiday called "Boxing Day"...supposedly like Black Friday in the States. I highly doubt it is anything like Black Friday, but we shall see!  We'll be packing up clothes and food for our mini-trip to the Gulf Islands...we have a Monday morning ferry to catch from Tsawwassen to Pender Island and will be staying in S. Pender (links to map) for a few days.  

SO EXCITED TO VEG OUT! Updates on our trip to follow...

Six Months

It has been exactly 6 months since our arrival to Vancouver...the time has completely flown by!  I've been reading some of my past blog entries and it's crazy how things become distant memories. I also can't believe that Amélie was only 2 months when we arrived and now, at 8 months, she is crawling like a mad woman, standing and trying to cruise!  

I think we've all adjusted nicely...Julian is no longer having pee accidents every day and has mastered underwear at night; which we are ecstatic about! He asks about "the old red car" sometimes and asks where some of his old friends (Logan, Nadine, Dylan, Nik, etc) are - we show him pictures often.  Terrible 3s are certainly in effect and I have my days with him!! Melvin is adjusting to his new job and is working from home more often now, which I'm enjoying. He is loving our proximity to the seawall for his bike rides and is more open to alternative medicine (i.e. acupuncture). I'm miraculously breastfeeding still and am loving being at home with the kids (most days!). I have my side gigs, that are just for me and keep me busy, but realized pretty quickly that I don't care to go back to work full days anymore. Don't get me wrong, I miss my paycheck tremendously, but not the stress that came along with it. More than anything, I'm shocked that I don't miss the travel.  Who would've known?  

I have been lazy about it, but I still have to blog about the healthcare process here, as well as  make light on the odd Vancouver weather.  Those are the things people always seem to ask about or have misconceptions on.

All in all, we are loving this chapter and are happy the kids are a part of it. It would've been a lonelier road without them. Now it's time to get ready for Julian's new friend's birthday party and buy some stuff for a Christmas party tomorrow night...can't wait to see what we're doing after our 1-year mark!

New Traditions

In the past, Melvin and I have always been running around before Christmas, finalizing plans (mostly arguing over whose family to see and how much time to spend with either), buying gifts, family drama, etc. etc.  In addition, I somehow often had a huge program with work, which required me to be traveling or be away from home for 3-5 weeks before the week of Christmas.  I mean, how much more stressful could it get? This is probably the first year we had time to think of ourselves and each other.  Last night, we went out for our first Christmas Dinner, without the kids, and we felt it was a nice tradition to try and keep.

We checked out Market by Jean-Georges (clearly, I chose this restaurant), which is located at the Shangri-La Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

I indulged in the tasting menu, which featured a few of my favorite things in life, and had this amazing Portuguese red wine with it.  I must say though that my friend, Aimee, can whip Jean-Georges' chocolate lava cake in a cook-off any day!

Seared Scallops, Caramelized Cauliflower, Caper - Raisin Emulsion

Steamed Shrimp Salad, Tender Greens, Avocado Champagne Dressing

Foie Gras Brulée, Roasted Strawberries, Balsamic Vinegar

Seared Sablefish, Malasian Chili Sauce

Grilled Lamb Chop, Roasted Brussel Sprouts 

Warm Chocolate Lava Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream

Melvin got the Dungeness Crab Cake with Snap Pea Remoulade, Soy Glazed Short Ribs with Apple - Jalapeño Puree and Rosemary Crumbs and for dessert, Homemade Caramel Ice Cream with Salted Candied Popcorn.  His dessert (which he loved) was creative, but not my cup of tea.

New York City has offered us way better restaurants, but it was totally wonderful and if anything, I highly recommend taking some time with a loved one during the hectic schedules the holidays bring us each year....especially if you have kids!

The Peak of Christmas

SANTA'S WORKSHOP

Today was mid-40s and sunny, so we decided to head up to Grouse Mountain's Peak of Christmas to check out the holiday season events.  Much to our surprise, there was a straight up blizzard up at the top of the mountain!  Thank goodness, we had our ski coats on, but I didn't wear a hat, was wearing sneakers and rockin' my Botkier purse. Totally inappropriate. The mountain is only 15 minutes away, so who would've thought???

SANTA'S SLEIGH

To top things off, as we were changing Amélie's diaper in the trunk of our handy dandy 2-door VW, she decided to crap in her pants! Mommy chose today to forget an extra pair, so there she was, in her fresh diaper and leg warmers underneath her snowsuit.  C'est la vie, off to the gondola we went!

REAL REINDEER!!

Life goes on and we had a great time! We checked out Santa's Workshop, his reindeer, and rode on his sleigh.  By the time Julian actually saw Santa, he didn't really care to take a picture with him.  It definitely beat pictures at a mall...I think Julian thought he was actually at the North Pole!

HO HO HO!

Undercover Investigation: Smithfield Foods

What a very sad issue that is going on in the U.S. right now...it's really tough, but it's really important to try to know where your food is coming from!

Undercover Investigation: Smithfield Foods

Female breeding pigs were crammed inside "gestation crates" so small the animals could barely move for virtually their entire lives. The animals engaged in stereotypic behaviors such as biting the bars of crates, indicating poor well-being in the extreme confinement conditions. Some had bitten their bars so incessantly that blood from their mouths coated the fronts of their crates. The breeding pigs also suffered injuries from sharp crate protrusions and open pressure sores that developed from their unyielding confinement.

Nationwide Ban on Drop-Side Cribs

I just heard about the ban in the U.S. of drop-side cribs because of 30 infant deaths in the past 10 years.  I'm sorry but stuff like this really annoys the crap out of me!!  This could potentially be a controversial blog entry, but I must express myself...

I happen to think that drop-side cribs are essential, if not helpful to say the least, for a number of reasons.

1) If you are pregnant with your 2nd or 3rd or 4th child, and they are close in age, it's impossible to bend into a crib to pick up your near toddler with a belly, especially when the mattress is at the lowest setting.

2) It is extremely helpful for grandparents to bend into a crib without straining their backs.  For most grandparents, they are unable to bend into a crib that doesn't have a drop-side to begin with!

3) It is essential to have a drop-side crib during c-section recovery.  And no, not everyone has space in their homes for a pack n play, bassinet and co-sleeper.  I was a true minimalist when it came to "stuff" - we bought the crib for the babies, so they used it from day one.

4) 5' 2" and shorter??  HELLO??

Anyway, my MAIN point is, if you're going to buy any item for your child, whether it's drop-side crib or infant car seat or high chair, take the necessary precautions and do your due diligence, research the mechanisms, read the reviews, know where it's made, and first and foremost, don't buy a cheap-ass one!  

I just feel a nationwide recall for a product that has been on the market since the beginning of time is a bit extreme.  Maybe they should regulate which companies are making the cribs, the safety measures being taken and control the quality of the product?

This is very similar to the irresponsible parents that had their kids in slings and oh, forgot to make sure they were still breathing, or whoops, didn't secure them properly!!  

"Meditative State"

Melvin has been going to acupuncture treatments, as have I, and we often compare experiences.  He says he "thinks" he falls asleep sometimes, but a "light" sleep because when the doctor comes in, he wakes up right away.  Since the sessions are fairly short (20 min), I told him he's probably in a "meditative state", which is great, because he's actually allowing himself to let go of his thoughts and slow his central nervous system down....This "zone" is a wonderful place; I highly recommend it.

Now that I've been teaching yoga for a couple months now, it's interesting to observe my students.  It is so evident when an individual has a full mind, heavy heart and is unable to just "let go".  Sometimes I want to shake them and tell them to clear their mind and listen to what I'm saying, rather than thinking about work, kids, school or whatever it is that is boggling their minds!

This is more common than not.  That was certainly one of my struggles when starting yoga.  I used to do yoga practically every day my senior year in college and even so, I admit that I never reached that higher level of the practice...the zone...Now that I know what it is, I want to share it with the world; however, I just hold the tools and it's up to the individual unfortunately.

All I can say is...breathe...let go...

Here is a very cool video I found (after watching it a few times, I realized the flies are thoughts). Some of my students actually look like this - opening one eye, twitching, readjusting...LET GO PEOPLE!

Julian's First Musical

I was a bit apprehensive about leaving New York and moving to a place with a lack of culture and arts.  It was a pleasant surprise to see that Vancouver actually has some great museums and smaller theaters, so it can hold its own.  I mean, it's no Broadway, but we've had our fill of New York and London theater, so it's all good...for now!

In fact, Julian went to his best "pre-school" field trip to date (they have one per month) - Seussical the Musical!  Yes, I know, 10 years AFTER it was shown in New York, but whatever, we didn't have kids 10 years ago.  We had 2nd row seats and the look on his face was priceless.

For the most part, I think he was confused, especially since I've only read maybe one Dr. Seuss book to him in his life.

1) why is everyone singing everything?

2) where on earth is the "cat"?

3) why is everyone dancing so emphatically?

What did he have to say at the end of the show?  I'm hungry mommy.

Priceless.

Video Monitors

...thank goodness for them!  Amélie started standing up in her crib (and everywhere else) and if I didn't have the video monitor to see she was hanging out, she surely would've fallen out last Wednesday!  We lowered the crib mattress soon afterward....ahh, another milestone. 


They grow up so fast!

Raclette

Our new favorite cheese is Raclette, from Switzerland, and is considered one of the best melting cheeses, so we've been using it on burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, omelets, etc.  
This morning, as we were munching on our cheese omelet, I went off on one of my "ugh, I can't believe people eat Kraft singles when they can have this stuff" rants.  Which typically sets Melvin off on his defense of Kraft singles!
Let's face it, Kraft singles was a staple in most of our homes growing up.  Why would we ever question why it lasts for a year in our refrigerators without a sign of mold?  I usually go on about how it's not real cheese and Melvin goes on to say that it is and yada, yada. Well, this morning, I looked up the ingredients of Kraft Singles vs. the Racelette currently in our refrigerator.  


Here is what I came up with:


Raclette: Milk, Salt, Cultures, Rennet, Calcium Chloride, Annato
The only thing questionable in there is calcium chloride, which I looked up and appears to be a firming agent that is approved in foods produced in Europe.  It is defined as the "salt" of calcium and chloride, so it heightens the amount of sodium.  Rennet is an enzyme from a calf's stomach, which is really gross, but is not a chemical. 


Kraft Singles: Cheddar Cheese, Milk, Whey, Milkfat, Milk Protein Concentrate, Salt, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Sodium Phosphate, Sorbic acid as a preservative, Apocarotenal (color), Annato, Enzymes, Vitamin D3, Cheese Culture, Yellow Dye
Hmm, kinda scary...Calcium Phosphate is used for fertilizers and is used as a rising agent in foods. Sodium Citrate is a salt product and is simply a food additive.  Sodium Phosphate is described as a laxative, but can be used as a meat preservative, as well (huh?).


My conclusion?  Well, I was happy to see that Kraft actually has cheddar cheese in there.  And no, it will not be a staple in our household...

Pão de Queijo - Pan de Queso (Cheese Bun)

Sometime in my past life, pre-babies, pre-marriage, pre-major responsibilities, I had the opportunity to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Future hosts of the Summer Olympics, World Cup...also known the land of beaches, bikinis, babes and oh, the best plastic surgeons in the world.

During my visit, I picked on these delectable treats called Pão de Queijo, which Brazilians often serve in place of the "free" bread you get at a restaurant.  The outside has just enough crustiness and the middle is filled with chewy goodness.   Very addicting, I must say!

I found a place in Vancouver that actually makes a gluten-free, wheat-free, yeast-free, non-dairy version of them at this place called Quejos.  The second I found out, I loaded the family into the car and off we went.  Certainly not as good as Rio, but a nice find, in my opinion.  I'm a bit obsessed with them now and found a super easy recipe for them (the recipe is not dairy-free, is certainly low in carbs because of the manioc - yuca - starch).

I'll be making batches of these bad boys and freezing them!  Enjoy!

Pão de Queijo - Pan de Queso
INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup tapioca or manioc starch(225 grams)
  (recommend manioc starch)
• 1 egg
• 100g of grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Bring to boil in a big pan the water, the milk, the oil and the salt.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tapioca starch. Mix well with a wooden spoon and let it cool down.
3. Put the mixture in a bowl, add the eggs and knead well.
4. Add the grated cheese and keep kneading until the dough is smooth.
5. Roll 1 tablespoon of mixture into small balls.
   (Tip: Grease your hands with oil if it's too sticky.)
6. Place the balls onto a greased baking tray.
7. Bake the cheese buns in hot oven (350 degrees) for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Put the cheese rolls in a basket and serve them warm.

CHEWY GOODNESS!

ooh, la, la...Shangri-La!

Today, I had the opportunity to visit the Shangri-La Hotel for a site inspection and afternoon high tea with the Canadian Tour Guides Association of British Columbia.  I'm consulting with a local destination management company in Vancouver, so off I went.  What an amazing property!


First off, it is the tallest building in Vancouver (who would've known) with 61 floors.  Secondly, only 8 floors are hotel rooms!  The first 6 floors are meeting space, restaurant, lobby, spa, etc. Floors 7-15 are hotel rooms, housing 119  and floors 16 - 61 feature residences (16 - 41 are actually called "live/work" units)!!  Very exclusive, obviously.  


The hotel is extremely luxurious and features this amazing Brazilian Rosewood throughout.  The spa is to die for, with 6 treatment rooms, all of which are "spa suites" with a tub and toilet within.  


It was interesting to meet new people and I'm always game for High Tea.  It wasn't as impressive as the Empress Hotel in Victoria, but I'm not complaining!  Next stop at the Shangri-La:  MARKET Restaurant by Jean-Georges (don't make me beg, Melvin)

A little taste of Germany...

In Germany, during Christmas season, markets are held in towns, cities and villages throughout the country. They evoke a festive season and are a popular stop for locals and tourists alike. Here, you will not find any commercialism or mass quantities of produces, but rather handmade crafts, ornaments and best of all, Bratwurst & beer! 

For the first year, and hopefully not the last, Vancouver recreated the famous German Christmas Market downtown at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza. We made the mistake of going to the Vancouver Christmas Market on a Saturday afternoon (massive crowds); however, it was such a great atmosphere with a Carnival band, characters walking on stilts, hot apple cider, mulled wine and the smell of Bratwurst and onions floating through the air.

Christmas trees were freshly cut and lined along the perimeter of the market, wooden booths housed unique vendors.  We made it in just before the square reached capacity.  I hope it comes back next year, but at a bigger venue next time! 

OpenTable

I've always been a big fan of OpenTable and we use it frequently for our date nights, dinners with friends, visitors, etc.  I'm always anticipating those 100 points you get after a dinner, so once I reach a certain amount, I get a measly $25 voucher in the mail.  Hey, $25 is $25...

Well, recently, I've been noticing that restaurants are linking OpenTable to their own websites, so you can easily make a reservation on the actual restaurant website.  I thought to myself, well, this is convenient...and then I started to notice that as many reservations I've been making, my points were not moving on my OpenTable account!

Did you know that if you make that reservation on the "restaurant website", you don't get your dining points?  How messed up is that???

Like Father, Like Son

Julian's teachers told me all the girls in his class love hanging with him...A couple mothers inquired "Who is Julian?" as their daughters talk about him at home. 

My reaction?  Oh? How interesting...

I wonder if he'll have twin "girlfriends" in Kindergarten like his father did?

I think...

that PMS causes writer's block.

Disney on Ice

Such a great show for the kids! I highly recommend it. We went to a show yesterday afternoon at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver.  It was super chill and casual, so that the kids could get up whenever they need to, eat/drink as needed and go for potty breaks easily.  It was a nice way to end the weekend.

Auntie Char left us this past Saturday and it was sad to see her go.  We look forward to May when she'll be back with cousins and significant others...for an Alaskan Cruise!  6 more months!

Filipino Foodies...

This is for you!!

Happy U.S. Thanksgiving

We didn't have an official Thanksgiving this year, as we were in NY during the Canadian Thanksgiving and are in Vancouver during the U.S. Thanksgiving.  My sis has been here visiting this week, but today we're doing an unconventional Turkey Day.  For one, we're not having turkey...we're doing like the Jews do on Christmas and ordering Chinese food...and blueberry pie, of course.  Can't wait!

We are also decorating our Christmas tree (we never pass up my sister's presence, as she does most of the work)...Melvin "worked" from home today, while we watched some football, checked out a consignment shop and looked at the unusual snow falling onto Vancouver's roads.  Vancouverites cannot handle snow!  I saw a VW Golf spin out on 1/2 inch of snow this morning during a walk I was taking...seriously?

All in all, it has been so nice to not fight over whose family to visit and when during this holiday season!  Or, having to load the kids up to visit one house after the other, ruining nap times, etc. in the process...

Here's to our first Thanksgiving in Vancouver! 

Ziptrekking

We went to Whistler for the night, since my sister is in town.  We had some good times ziplining on Whistler Mountain with Ziptrek Ecotours.  I had been ziplining in Costa Rica 5 years ago, but between my older age and two kids later, I'm definitely not as ballsy. Maybe it was the snow, the fact the trail was slippery or perhaps the 1100 foot lines?  It took awhile, but I finally loosened up and even went upside down on the last line.  Good times! This particular company is big on sustainability and the environment so it was quite educational and our money went towards charity.  I highly recommend it!

Whistler rocks...

La Niña

La Niña has arrived to the Pacific Northwest…

This week, Vancouver metro received snow two nights in a row, which is extremely abnormal.  It is quite common for an entire year to pass with no snow in sight.  When it does come, it doesn’t stay very long, which is fine with me.

La Niña is associated with cooler than normal water temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean, unlike El Niño which is associated with warmer than normal water.  In the continental US, during El Niño years, temperatures in the winter are warmer than normal in the North Central States, and cooler than normal in the Southeast and the Southwest. During a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the Southeast and cooler than normal in the Northwest. 

Speaking of La Niña, my younger sister arrived last night for a week-long visit.  We have a ton of fun things planned this week!  She is out getting a $40 90-minute massage now and this morning, we took her by the beaches and Stanley Park for pictures, followed by the Vancouver Baker’s Market.  When she returns, we'll walk along the seawall and go for dinner at Nu Restaurant, which specializes in seafood and foods found within 100 miles from here.  We got a table right on the water in False Creek, so it should be a great first night.

The snow will also benefit our trip to Whistler tomorrow, as it forced the resort area to open the season early!!  We got really lucky getting a room at "off-season" pricing and then having the resort start its winter season a week early.

Updates on our trip to follow...

Xanax please?!?!

...or any drug should do.

I thought my 2-hour journey to Washington and back this morning with a crying baby in the back would take me over the edge.  I got through that just fine, but then my toddler realized he is now 3-yrs old and doesn't want to take his afternoon nap.  I am not having that - I worked too hard to get them both on the same nap schedule and that is my time to get some work done, surf the net, shop online, cook , etc.  That was easy though...lock him in his room for 2 hours of "quiet time".  He decided to pee in his underwear twice. No problem!  Let's change those bad boys.  What did it for me was the 90 minute tantrum...while trying to cook dinner for 3...and puree food for 1, while Julian asked for every food item we didn't have in the house and while Amelie let out massive cries in her frustration to sit up, crawl and move her chubby little bum.

Someone get me a glass of red wine pronto!  It should go nicely with the burnt quinoa.

I will be escaping to the infrared sauna tonight...for a few hours.

Brandi's

I've been doing some marketing for my friend's beauty clinic for a few months now.  I had a very important task this past weekend...

She was trying to target a new market segment: Strippers.  Off we went, trying to sell some treatments to some of the strippers in town (hey, this recession is requiring some desperate measures).  Naturally, we ventured to the fanciest strip joint in town - Brandi's

This was actually the place where Ben Affleck allegedly cheated on JLo. That's right, I got to see the private room and all.  Melvin was quite jealous...

Happy Birthday...

Julian!  I can't believe you are 3 years old today!

Julian had a month long celebration for his birthday with a small dinner celebration in NY last month to cake & ice skating with his twin friends yesterday, a birthday play date today and treats with his class tomorrow.  We are cutting the sugar off tomorrow afternoon!

Amélie turned 7 months today and started crawling.  Yay for getting old!

Boga Yoga at The Beaumont Studios

Before I get into my yoga update, I wanted to share the disadvantage of too many glass walls and windows in your home.  As I was giving Julian a time out in our "solarium" yesterday, I turned around to storm off...right into the glass wall.  I'm talkin' cheek on glass, stubbed toe, the works.  Needless to say, that ended the time out very quickly with a burst of laughter from Melvin, Julian and even Amélie.


Moving on...I taught my first class at The Beaumont Studios tonight.  Melvin came out for support and I had 6 people in total.  I taught an hour long class under candlelight and I think it went pretty well.  Teaching is definitely tiring though, especially after a full day with the kids...

Infrared Sauna

We've been ecstatic that our building just built an infrared sauna.  After the kids are asleep, we take turns going down to use it either before or after a gym workout or swim.  It's pretty damn awesome.


What is the different between this and a regular sauna you ask? An infrared sauna is a sauna that uses heaters emitting far infrared radiant heat. Unlike traditional Finnish Saunas, infrared saunas do not use steam, (which heats the air, and thereby the user), but instead use infrared radiation to directly heat the user.  It is the same heat the sun emits, but without harmful UV rays.


It is the same heat that is used for newborns in the "warmer" at the hospital and in incubators for premature babies.  There are so many advantages to using an infrared sauna that a lot of spas and wellness centers are building them these days.  

• Removes Toxins
• Reduces Stress
• Improves Skin - clears cellulite, tones & hydrates cells and pores
• Burns Calories - as much as 600 calories or more in a 30 minutes session
• Pain Relief - Arthritis, muscle spasms, joint stiffness, sprains
• Strengthens Cardiovascular System - stabilizes blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output and increases metabolic rate

With that said, if you come out for a visit, don't forget your swimsuit!

Remembrance Day

We had a great laugh at this!

Today was "Remembrance Day" in Canada; Veteran's Day in the U.S.  Everyone was on holiday and we were going to head to Seattle for a long weekend.  However, I was talking to a friend and she was like, Uh, you know everyone will be on the road right?  That's all she had to say to change our plans.  I'm not trying to sit in the car for 3 hours just to cross the border, which should only take 45 minutes.  We'll have to reschedule for another time, when people are working!

Instead, we headed to Stevenston Village, a fisherman's marina in Richmond, B.C.  We had a great time in this very cute village and dined on some fish n chips, of course.  The fishing boats line up each day on the dock and sell salmon, tuna, shrimp and crabs right off their boats.  I love it.

Then, we went up to North Vancouver while the kids napped in the car and found the Salmon Hatchery, which is where the salmon are trying to swim upstream.  It is very similar to the facility in Seattle, which I went to awhile back.  Always very interesting to see and I recommend everyone to check something like this out one day.

When the kids woke up, we headed to the Vancouver Aquarium. Julian didn't know where to run between the jelly fish, dolphin show and beluga whale.  It was a great time.

This had to be the most eventful Veteran's Day / Remembrance Day I've ever had in my life!

What's in a Name?

Julian was drawing quietly last night...

Mommy:  Hey Julian, what are you drawing?

Julian: I'm drawing Papi's name.

Mommy: Oh yeah?  What is Papi's name?
Julian: His name is Melvin.  I'm drawing mommy's name too!

Mommy: Wow...What is Mommy's name?

Julian: Babe.

LOL!

Colonics Continued

There have been a lot of questions offline about the medical viewpoint and insurance coverage of colonics.  This is what I know and then I'm totally done with this topic :)

Doctors: They usually want a scientific answer and/or benefit of something.  I am not sure  if doctors really know too much about the irrigation part of it and its benefits, (unless one researches and/or does it, right?), but most do know that the colon is somehow associated with the state of our health.  I would be interested to hear a viewpoint of one that has actually tried it.  Here are some statements that I've researched and heard of. 
Footnote: I've spoken to 3 hydrotherapists, 1 naturopathic doctor and asked about what they have talked to MDs about.  I also checked out WebMD. Melvin felt it was important I made my sources clear :)

Remember: To each his own. I am just stating what I've researched.

1- It is not natural. Totally fair, but well, neither are surgeries, neither are the toxins and chemicals and pesticides that we are ingesting these days.  Removing a gallbladder and,  moreso, without explaining to patients what the function of a gallbladder is, is also not "natural".  Just because the removal of a gallbladder  or appendix are totally normal surgeries these days does not mean they are natural either. 

2- It makes the muscles down there lazy and people rely on the procedure to go to the bathroom.  I know from experience that this is not true as for the first time since toddlerhood, I'm actually going everyday!  I also know 8 people that have gotten this procedure done and all can attest that this statement is false.

3- You lose probiotics (good bacteria) during the procedure. Yes, this is absolutely true.  This is like how chemotherapy kills your bad cells, as well as your good.  Your good and bad bacteria get cleansed out during the procedure.  This is why it's particularly important to take acidophilis (pill or liquid form) for  at least 2 days after.  However, most of us, as adults, should be taking acidophilis (good bacteria) everyday anyway.  Even both my kids take it.

Now, in regards to insurance...I've actually been able to get 90% covered through extended insurance.  So far, Canada rocks with that.  In the US it's not covered.  I believe that anything preventative (aside from a yearly physical exam once a year) is not covered in the US and people get treated for pre-existing conditions, for the most part.  Again, you go in with a stuffy nose, that is what they look at.  So dumb and so controversial, I'm not going to get into it.  

Not to mention, if you do feel something is wrong, you need to jump through hoops to get the proper tests covered by insurance for it (speaking from my mom's experience).  At the end of the day, prevention is the key word.  I know people that were put on diabetes medicine before they got diabetes "because it runs in their family".  How is that right? Also, how many people out there are on crazy strong acne medicine that causes depression, infertility, etc.  My only thoughts on this is look to the internal cleansing first...before reaching for that prescription. Most of us don't want to change our diets and lifestyles (trust me, I'm one of them)...it's a tough call.

Medicine costs more later when you really, really need it, so why not "do what we can" now. without the use of prescription meds...At the end of the day, this is the reason I'm so open to alternative medicine, as well as organic foods.  Do what we can, right?

Okay...moving on to the next thing...til next time!

Diwali

 

Mommy & Julian working on the Rangoli

I'm going to take a bit of a break from all the poop talk...

This weekend, Vancouver had many celebrations for the Indian holiday of Diwali. Diwali is popularly known as the festival of lights, which is a five-day festival in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. Diwali is the most important festival of the year for Hindus.  

We are lucky enough to live right across the street from the Roundhouse Community Centre, which hosts the largest celebration in downtown Vancouver.  Yesterday, we witnessed some very talented Bhangra dancers, Mendhi artists, painters, sari designers and, of course, an assortment of Northern & Southern Indian snacks.  It was so great to see people of all types of ethnic backgrounds enjoy the event.

Above, Julian and I were contributing to making the Rangoli, which is a traditional folk art in India, often using symbols to signify different things.  This Rangoli above is made out of dyed rice!!  Pretty amazing, huh?

Not for the faint-hearted...

If you have an aversion to poop, I would skip reading this...:)  Also, please do not read if you feel you'll get so grossed out and then later give me crap about it! :)

Many of you have asked me to write about my colonic irrigation journey.  I don't blame you, it's a  fascinating topic, whether you want to admit it to me or not.  This is going to be information overload, but it's so important to share and document.  I want to be clear that this is not about weight loss, it's about your overall health.

Also, my colon is far from being at the state of where it should be and my diet could use major help too.  For me, it's just good to be aware.  It helps you become aware of your body and its energy too.


Facts
- 80% of your energy goes towards digestion.  If you have a clean colon, this energy can be better distributed to your blood, glands, brain, motor functions, etc.
- Our colon houses up to 25 lbs. of waste.  That's right folks, you read it right.
- Health begins in the colon.  Toxins are absorbed by the colon, so this is where diseases start, if our waste is not properly eliminated.
- We are supposed to have 2-3 bowel movements a day.  It has become the norm in our society to go once every 2-3 days.  In fact, the definition of constipation has recently been changed by doctors that you are not considered constipated until you have reached 4 days.  WHAT??
- Bad breath and acne are often a sign of an unhealthy colon.


Okay, so on to the procedure and my experience...Picture a lasagna pan after a huge dinner with the family.  No one ever wants to wash it out.  All that build up can be a pain in the ass to scrub off and often times, you need a Brillo Pad to get that bad boy cleaned.  So what do you do?  Let it soak...That pan is your colon after how many years of build up...a colonic is the "soaking" to eventually (after a series of treatments) get that build up out of your body.


Here is another scenario for those of you that are parents.  You know the baby's first poop?  The meconium?  THAT is what has stuck to the sides of our colons after so many years.  The reason the baby has that first poop like that is because that was the build up from the 9 months he/she was in the womb.  Do you remember how hard it was to clean that first changing?  


Colonic Irrigation by definition is also known as hydrotherapy of the colon, high colonic, entero-lavage, or simply colonic. It is the process of cleansing the colon by passing several gallons of water through it with the use of special equipment. It is similar to an enema but treats the whole colon, not just the lower bowel. This has the effect of flushing out impacted fecal matter, toxins, mucous, and even parasites, that often build up over the passage of time. It is a procedure that should only be undertaken by a qualified practitioner.  


Here is a picture to help you out.  Usually, an enema only clears out the Descending Colon, but this procedure irrigates the entire thing. 

Most of our colons are disfugured because the waste that remains (up to 25 lbs) build up pockets.

Moving on, this is why our poop is in all sorts of shapes and sizes when we "release".  :) Here is a video from the man who invented the colonoscopy procedure.  Warning:  The video is a bit dry, but does show live footage of colons from individuals with breast cancer, gout, etc.  You can see the difference between their colon and a healthy one.  Click here for your viewing pleasure.

Okay, my brain is totally dead from writing this.  I think I covered most of what I've learned.  Here are some tidbits from my personal experience.

- On my 1st colonic, I got rid of 3-4 lbs of waste.

- On my 3rd colonic, I had 3 feet of waste come out and on my 4th colonic, I had more!

- I saw waste that included yeast, candida (these are the organisms that are "carb eaters" which are the reason we crave carbs.  They are VERY hard to kill as you need to go off carbs for weeks), acid and a bunch of other fun things.

- On my 4th colonic, I saw undigested food, which means I was making major progress and actually cleaning a bit of my small intestine.

- I've also done 3 colonics with a "coffee soak", which goes right through the Portal Vein directly connecting the colon to the liver.  This automatically cleans your liver which makes the toxins from the bile go directly through you colon and out.  I found this to be extremely successful as I could feel the acidity of the bile (I thought the coffee was actually hot but found out later it was the acidity I was feeling!).  Also, the bile toxins is what actually goes into your gallbladder making gallstones, which are actually cholesterol crystals!! Our gallbladders hold 500-2000 of these stones!  I have high cholesterol so this is particularly insane to me.  The second I am done nursing, I'm going to do the gallbladder cleanse, so I'll let you know how it goes.

 Gallstones in Gallbladder!

If you decide to do a colonic irrigation, I recommend doing a juice or raw food diet for 2-3 days prior to your FIRST one.  Again, picture the lasagna pan, the first couple appointments are to "soak" and loosen up your build up from however many years of life you've lived.  I heard if you do a raw food diet for 6 weeks with a colonic once a week, you can lose 25-30 lbs in a healthy way.  I am not doing this because I need my cooked food and I'm nursing.

Okay, my brain is fried from this post.  Feel free to chat with me about this and I could recommend a place in NYC that my sister has tried.  There are also places in Philly that do this, which I've found online for a friend, but I don't know anyone that has tried it yet.  Good luck!

Addition (2 hours later) - I forgot to mention some pretty cool things that the people administering my procedure have seen come through the observation tube.
* Barbie shoe
* Comic strip from a bazooka wrapper
* Meat from a vegetarian of 8 years
* Clam, which my sis saw yesterday and she hasn't had clams since Sept.  Chew your food, girl!