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This video totally blew me away. Can you imagine what our world would be like if all children had this type of awareness? It just goes to show that when people are educated about what’s really happening with our food system, they can make good, informed choices! I think everyone should watch this video!

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Over the past week, I’ve been glued to the news on Japan. After the Tsunami and major earthquake, I became overwhelmed and a bit shaken. Part of the reason is that I have friends in Japan and I worried for their safety. I also spent time in Japan in 2006 and felt a deep connection there so everything felt so real to me.

I’ll admit that I got caught up in the sensationalism. For example, if you’ve been listening to the news about Tokyo over the past week, you probably would have a picture in your mind of many people evacuating, of food shortages, and fear of radiation. However, what I’m finding out through others is that Tokyo is nearly back to normal. People have moved on with their lives. One resident became angered by the fear mongering and exaggeration with the press and created a Journalist Wall of Shame.

Here are some examples of what people are saying on Twitter:

@Silverlines – I just read a friends FB status (he’s in Tokyo), saying how annoyed he is w/media’s exaggerated news

@TimeOutTokyo – To the UK tabloids claiming that Tokyo is in a state of panic with thousands on the run, we’d just like to say how laughable that is.

It took me almost a week to realize that what I thought was going on (from what I was reading in the news) was not really what it was like for residents in Tokyo.

Is there anything positive coming from all of this? Any lessons?

What has happened in Japan has been very devastating and shocking to the world. But, can there be any positivity that comes from this? Any lessons? I read a very beautiful article which went viral over the past week on email, twitter and facebook. In a letter from Sendai, a woman by the name of Anne talks about her surreal experiences of being in Sendai after the devastation of the Tsunami and Earthquake. She gives beautiful accounts of being able to see a sky full of stars; of the community coming together to help each other; of food showing up at her door; and of neighbours posting signs that they have water so that others can come and fill up their bottles.

It’s unfortunate that it usually takes catastrophic events to bring people together in a united community. Otherwise, we are usually caught up with our own lives or that of our own immediate families. The ‘beauty’ though is that in these difficult times, people do reach out to one another. In their pain, they are united and can relate to each other because they have experienced similar things. When the Tsunami and major earthquake happened, it brought out the best in people. Even the Yakuza (mafia in Japan) helped out! In an article titled ‘The worst of times can bring out the best in everyone, even the yakuza,’ the author talks about how even the ‘bad guys’ donated a lot of needed supplies to the Tsunami/earthquake victims.

The other thing that is happening is the questioning of Nuclear power. Germany and China are two countries that are now questioning the use and safety of nuclear energy. Hopefully with everything that is happening in Fukushima, we will start to look to more natural forms of energy such as Wind, Solar and Geothermal energy.

I believe that experiences like this act as a ‘wake up call’ for our planet. If YOU were in one of the majorly devastated areas in Japan, you would no longer have a house, you would not have a car, or a job. Running water would be a luxury. Everything that you built would be erased in one day. Just take a moment and imagine that. Without your ‘career,’ who are you? In North America, there is a lot of push to pursue the ‘American Dream’ -  work hard, be successful, buy nice things etc. What if that were all just an illusion? What are we without all of those things? Who are we really?

I think sometimes we can really take things for granted. Especially in America, we just wake up and ‘assume’ that we can go to the store and buy food, we can have fresh water. But the truth is that nothing is certain. I know that with everything that is going on in the world right now, I’m realizing that I need to take more responsibility. Slowly, our food is becoming more expensive, more vegetables and fruits are becoming Genetically Modified (and it’s not labeled so we don’t know what we’re eating!). I believe that in the future, growing our own food gardens is going to become more popular and more important. It’s also important to always have some extra food and bottled water on hand if there are any natural disasters. It’s good to always be prepared.

Overall, I feel like I’ve had my own ‘wake up call’ with seeing everything that has happened in Japan. It has made me think more deeply into what I want to do to help people and to play a role in healing the planet.

Have you had any shifts? Please feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

- Strawberry Woman

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I apologize, because I know I haven’t written on this blog for awhile. With so many changes happening in my life, I haven’t known what to write about and have sometimes felt that I have lacked focus. However, this week I have been thinking a lot about the theme of Creating an Authentic Life.

Up until last year, I worked in the corporate world as a Computer Software Trainer. It was well paid and I only needed to work part-time. I used to joke that I had a part-time, ‘full-time’ job because I made enough money working part-time to live a modest but comfortable life.  I was so happy teaching that I did it for almost 6 years.

So what changed??

Below the surface, I knew that I was not being completely authentic with myself or with my career. By day, I was training people in Microsoft Office, and by night and on weekends, I was studying Holistic Nutrition and I had an interest in things like Reiki, yoga, Energy Medicine and other Alternative Medicine practices. I was also starting to make friends who also shared these interests. I found that after awhile, I felt like I almost had a split personality – there was the ‘corporate’ me and then there was the ‘other’ me.

After awhile, I no longer found Computer Software training as fulfilling as it had been before. Now, I really wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I didn’t want to just help them, I wanted to inspire them on a deeper level!

So what now?

I left behind my ‘comfortable’ life and ventured out into the unknown. It was both an exciting thing to do and a scary one! I had to ask questions like ‘how would I make money now?’ and ‘would I work for someone or be self employed?’ and ‘what would my ‘new’ career look like if I allow myself to be completely authentic to who I am and what I can offer?’

Choosing a career path that was more in line with who I truly am was both a no-brainer and also one of the most challenging things I have ever done. I also had to make a lot of sacrifices. For example, I now make a lot less money in the Holistic industry than I did as a computer software trainer. In fact, some months, I’ve gone into debt because I haven’t had enough money to cover all of my expenses.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely!! I am now much happier now then I was before. I am now surrounded with like-minded community and I have a slower, more Holistic lifestyle and a ‘job’ that allows me to be myself.

Am I now living an Authentic Life 100%?

It is always a process to live authentically. I think it is something that I will be working on for the rest of my life because I am always growing and evolving.

Over the past few months, I’ve come to the realization that a conventional way of life does not interest me. I’ve also realized that I enjoy working on ‘projects’ and collaborating with others. For example, over the past few months, I’ve worked at the front desk at a yoga studio, had Reiki clients, did a talk at a high school to give students tools on how to overcome depression, started an e-book, wrote music and connected more with the First Nations community in London. For some people, that may not sound too appealing because my energy is focused in many different areas. But, for me, this is all very exciting!!

My big epiphany this year is that it was an illusion that I had to choose any one thing as a career. There is no problem with working on ‘projects’ and if anything, it makes things more interesting!

Are you living and creating an authentic life?

I wanted to share my story with you in hopes that it may inspire you to also ask the questions – am I living an authentic life right now? One that reflects who I truly am? What are my gifts and how can I share them with the world?

Please feel free to share any of your own stories of creating an authentic life. I’d love to hear from you!!

- Strawberry Woman

P.s. If you happen to live in London Ontario, friend and speaker Alex Baisley will be doing a workshop called the Calling Workshop – LONDON: What the *&^% am I doing with my life?! It will be exploring themes of creating your own authentic life. I highly recommend this event and you can learn more by clicking on this link: http://callinglondon.eventbrite.com/

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I know it’s been awhile since I wrote a post and some of you are probably wondering, where have I been? The past two years, I have been making a lot of changes in my life so that I could create a new type of life; something more authentic to who I am. I thought I’d take the time to write a post and tell you all what I’ve been up to!

Going to College for Holistic Nutrition

In September 2008, I registered for the Holistic Nutrition program at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto. The program was 2 years, part-time and I am finally finished!

Here are some of the courses that I took while in school:

• Nutrition fundamentals
• Ayurveda
• Body metabolism
• Symptomatology
• Holistic food preparation (cooking classes)
• Preventive health care
• Nutrition & the environment
• Comparative diets
• Nutrition through the lifespan
• Fitness & sports nutrition
• Psychology of Disease
• Herbal Medicine
• Pathology
• Chemistry
• Anatomy

After two years of study, I am now a Certified Nutritional Practitioner (C.N.P.). In my holistic nutrition practice, I can help people with achieving their goals in health and nutrition. With a holistic approach, I also look at things like stress levels, underlying emotional causes of health imbalance and overall wellness on all levels (mind/body connection).

Energy Medicine

In my last year at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition (IHN), I also took a continuing education course called Energy Medicine. It was a very interesting course. Energy Medicine has a focus on emotional and spiritual healing and uses techniques like EMF (Emotional Freedom technique) and BSFF (Be Set Free Fast). For more information about Energy Medicine click here. I am now a certified Energy Medicine Practitioner (E.M.P.)

Reiki Level III

I started my path in Reiki 7 years ago when I got certified in levels 1-2 in the Western style of Reiki. I learned a lot but didn’t start making it a regular part of my life until the last 3 years. In 2009, I found a new Reiki Master, Elyssa Matthews who taught in the more traditional, Gendai Reiki lineage and became certified in levels 1-3. Within the next 6 months, I plan to take the Reiki Master course so that I may begin teaching.

What is Reiki? It is an energy healing modality that originated in Japan by Mikao Usui. A practitioner uses light-touch and healing, life force energy (Reiki) is channeled through the hands. It is beneficial for those receiving the healing energy and also for the practitioner. In Gendai Reiki, a practitioner learns to use Reiki as a healing technique (for self and others) but also learns special meditations and techniques. In the more traditional sense, Reiki can also be seen as a step in the path for our own Self-Realization.

For more information on Gendai Reiki, I recommend checking out Elyssa Matthew’s website: Click here

My Transition Away from the Corporate World

For those of you who know me well, you will know that I was a computer software instructor for almost 6 years in Toronto. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed teaching and meeting new people. After gaining a lot of great teaching experience, I said goodbye to my corporate roots to pursue a career in Holistic Nutrition, Energy Medicine and Reiki. I taught my last computer software course in the summer of 2010.

Moving to London Ontario

In mid-August, I moved to London Ontario. I left Toronto because my boyfriend Julius is studying Law at the University of Western. I was also ready for a change. As much as I love Toronto, it was starting to feel ‘too busy’ for me and I was really looking to have a more healthy balance in life and wanted a slower pace. London is a beautiful, green city with lots of parks and trees. It offers everything a city can offer, but also is more laid back.

The Lotus Centre

In September, I started my position as a Reiki Practitioner at the Lotus Centre. The Lotus Centre is a yoga studio and also a Holistic Health centre. I work there every Tuesday and Saturday. I also do Energy Exchange there which means I clean for 3 hours every Thursday and get unlimited yoga.

My ‘new job’ is very different from my old corporate job. Instead of dressing in business clothes, I get to wear yoga clothes to work. Instead of being on the computer, I get to listen to calming music while giving relaxing, Reiki treatments to my clients. There is also a beautiful community of practitioners and modalities at the Lotus Centre – Naturopathic medicine, massage therapy, Holistic Nutrition, Phoenix Rising yoga, Thai Massage, Yoga, and of course, Reiki. I have met a lot of people who inspire me at the Lotus Centre and I feel blessed to have found such an amazing community! I love my new job

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Did you know that on average, women use 12 personal care products daily? The average man uses around 6. Do you have any idea how many chemicals are in those products or what those chemicals do to the body?? Here is a video called ‘The Story of Cosmetics.’

‘The Story of Cosmetics, released on July 21st, 2010, examines the pervasive use of toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo. Produced with Free Range Studios and hosted by Annie Leonard, the seven-minute film by The Story of Stuff Project reveals the implications for consumer and worker health and the environment, and outlines ways we can move the industry away from hazardous chemicals and towards safer alternatives. The film concludes with a call for viewers to support legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of cosmetics and personal care products.’

If you enjoyed this video, you may also enjoy the video called The Story of Stuff

*Video synopsis from http://storyofcosmetics.org

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I know I am posting this a bit late, but I thought you may find this interesting, especially based on the events that have happened in the last few days in North America and in the world. I received this information on the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse via email. I’m not sure who the author is.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse

On June 26, we have a powerful Full Moon Lunar Eclipse with the Sun in Cancer and the Moon exactly opposite in Capricorn. Eclipses come twice a year, and they always come in pairs – a lunar eclipse followed by a solar eclipse – a fortnight later. The corresponding solar eclipse falls on July 11. This partial lunar eclipse will be visible over Western US and Canada, Alaska, Antarctica, Australia, the Middle East and East Asia.

Once upon a time, eclipses were feared as harbingers of doom but today they are recognized as important staging points in our path of personal development when – if you choose – we can become more fully yourselves. Eclipses, however, have proven to coincide with difficult events in the outside world as well.

During a solar eclipse, the Moon is positioned in between the Sun and Earth, cutting of the light of the Sun. A solar eclipse always occurs during a new Moon and is considered to denote the start or beginning of something new in our lives. A lunar eclipse, on the other hand, occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Moon and the Sun, cutting off the light of the Sun from the Moon. Lunar eclipses always occur during a full Moon and are supposed to mark the end of something in life.

What a Lunar eclipse requires is that you balance two opposites in your life. For example you need to be a strong individual as well as be compromising in a relationship. You need to be of service to yourself as well as to others. You need to give space in your life to friends as well as to loved ones. You need to protect your own security as well as co-operate over money. You need to pay attention to detail as well as keeping the big picture in mind.

This particular lunar eclipse aligns with other major celestial influences, with seven planets participating and it is going to carry a big punch! The eclipsed Moon will be exactly conjunct with Pluto in Capricorn against a backdrop of a square between Uranus and Pluto, as well as squares with Jupiter and Uranus both in Aries and Saturn in Virgo also in a square alignment forming a Grand Cross in astrology, which is a big event. Jupiter may help to ease the strain, bringing a ray of sunshine and some lucky breaks.

But be prepared – things may get intense and you may get more than one hint about areas in your life that need radical changes.

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According to Dr. Mercola, there are sunscreens on the market that may contain harmful ingredients. It is recommended that you dispose of any sunscreens that contain the following harmful chemicals:

Para amino benzoic acid…
Octyl salicyclate…
Avobenzone…
Oxybenzone…
Cinoxate…
Padimate O…
Dioxybenzone…
Phenylbenzimidazole…
Homosalate…
Sulisobenzone…
Menthyl anthranilate…
Trolamine salicyclate…
Octocrylene…

Dioxybenzone and oxybenzone (two chemicals that were mentioned above) are some of the most powerful free radical generators known to man! So if your sunscreen contains dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or any of the other chemicals that were listed, I highly recommend you switch to a formula that is safe and healthy for your skin.

Interestingly, you can make your own sunscreen and sunblock! Here are two recipes:

Sunblock: Mix 3-6 drops Helichrysum with 100 drops of sesame oil or olive oil.
Apply on skin every few hours.
 
Sunscreen:  1 oz. sesame oil, 1/2 oz. coconut oil, 1/2 oz. olive oil,
10 drops Helichrysum, 5 drops Lavender, 3 drops Chamomile.  Mix and apply.

If you are not the ‘make-your-own’ type, you can check out the Environmental Working Group website as they have a list of ‘recommended’ sunscreens – Click here

If you would like to get more information on healthy products and ‘health news,’ you can check out Natural News – Click here

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At a weekend workshop called Coyote Medicine, we were guided by Lakota Native, Author, Healer and Speaker, Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D., Ph.D. through a series of exercises which included Storytelling and Native ceremony.

On the first day, we all shared personal stories about our lives. What amazed me was how much I learned, just from listening to the stories of other people. It was also amazing that in our group of people, we all could see similarities in our lives through the stories. I found this interesting as there were many ‘types’ of people there (i.e. diverse ages and coming from different areas – rural and urban). A lot of people found comfort through this and powerful shifts took place on an internal, emotional and spiritual level.

I remember going to a Tensegrity workshop once, and one of the teachers told us that Carlos Castaneda had once said that after awhile, you realize that ‘it is all the same story.’ The more I go to workshops like these, the more I agree with that statement. I think that we can feel separate or isolated from others when we don’t share our stories, because we somehow think that we are different or that these ‘problems’ are only happening to us. In reality, we may not have the exact same problems, but there are always similarities. I find that people come together when they share their stories.

In the second day of the workshop, we participated in a native pipe ceremony. It was an amazing experience. In the native tradition, tobacco is sacred and the smoke from the pipe carries the prayers to the Creator. In this ceremony, we all took turns smoking the pipe and it went around the circle. We also shared stories about a ‘sacred object’ that we had all brought (something that was personally sacred to us) and it was very heart warming and interesting to see what people had brought and why it was sacred to them.

Afterward, Lewis Mehl-Madrona smoked a cigar* and gave us messages from the Spirit world. Everyone received a special message that had to do with their life. In my message, I was told to connect more to the Native community through ceremony and to find a Native Sundance this summer. I felt this was a good message for me because during the weekend (before getting the message), I had been thinking the very same thing – that I was ready to connect more with the Native community (I am native – Ojibway/Mohawk).

Overall, the weekend was an amazing event and it taught me about the power of Storytelling and Native Ceremony. It was a very healing experience and I’m glad that I was able to meet the beautiful people in the workshop. It really inspired me to get more involved with ‘Healing Circles.’ I understand through a few different healers, that Healing Circles and group work is becoming more needed in our societies. I’ve also noticed that more and more, people are trying to bring together communities. Lewis said that we are all ‘looking for our tribe.’ I think that this is a theme that we will see more in our societies over the next few years.

- Strawberry Woman

*Lewis was taught to smoke a cigar while talking to the Spirit world because the smoke is said to attract the Spirits.

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Happy Valentines Day!