Om Mani Padme Hum

"May the Jewel in the Lotus shine forth the light and love of compassion to unite all as one."

Green Land!

Josh & I just came back from our journey to a distant land.....Portland, Oregon!

We were welcoming my 30th year....after an amazing surprise party.....with our dear friends who now live there.

I already knew before we left that I would love the vibe of this super conscious city. I was correct! Not only did I love it, but Josh loved it....maybe even more!

Portland is a city of music....art....eco-lifestyling....and of course food!

Being a vegan has its challenges....especially living in WPB, Fl (no offense).

I was like a kid in a candy store! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner....vegan options all over.

A few of my favs were right in the city.

Prasad, which is a cafe inside Pearl Yoga, great classes, had the most amazing breakfast...maybe ever!

It was a bowl with beans, kale, rice, quinoa, avo, tempeh, and yummy sauces.

If you ever get the chance to go to Portland you MUST go here.

Vita Cafe.....vegan biscuits and gravy!!! Thia was a first for me.....and they also have non-vegan options.

Portabello....a fine dining experience....beautiful space....just not quite as awwed by the food. They did however have vegan tiramisu....scrumptious!!

As many people have seen on the food channel, VOODOO Donuts, definitely lived up to the hype. We were strongly urged by my bro to check it out and I'm so happy we did! I helped myself to 2 donuts. The classic glazed and then the old dirty bastard which had peanut butter and oreos. yes....i know....sinful! and................vegan!

Last but not least....the food carts of PDX. My favorite was the Whole Bowl. She has a "secret sauce" that was yummers. Thats the pic at the top. The perfect warm and healthy treat.

Needless to say our Portland experience was delightful and breath taking. The coast was beautiful with its snow covered hills and the city was energetic yet peaceful. The best of both worlds.

And now....I hope to bring that same peaceful, healthy, conscious, yummyness to south fl. Who knows what the future holds!

CLEAN!

I often speak about the amazing treasures that find their way to Stuart Recycling. Brass engraved flatware, various Ganesh statues and now the newest.......engraved enameled elephant statues!

2 of the statues are trunk up & one has a more natural stance w/the trunk relaxed down. With research I have learned that the trunk up is inviting luck and trunk down is giving luck.

Just like everything else in this world there are 3 sides to every story! I have chosen to believe this explanation.

I am always the person to say that everything happens for a reason. I have a feeling that these are gifts with little messages and if nothing else I feel lucky to be surrounded by these beautiful objects!

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So.....it has been a WHILE since I have picked up a book and been hooked.....the last one being The Skinny Bitch which over night changed my life forever. I, like the rest of the world, are reading CLEAN. It is an educational read which inspires me and at the time depresses me.

I love where I live and at the same time have always felt limited by what it has to offer. Such is life and I have to make the most of it....but.....I do want to make it better if I can.

This book lays out all of my frustrations with the world and at the same time makes me realize that most of these things we have no control over. I like to joke about dropping off the "grid" and growing my own food and starting a yoga hippie commune.....can't I do this? Why not? Oh....right....the rest of my family and my life as a contributing citizen. hmmmmmm

This year for my 30th Bday....yes 30! Josh and I are going to Portland Oregon. The utopia of green living and the lifestyle I dream of one day having! When we arrive back we will CLEAN!

cleanse body, intention, and habits that are dragging us into the unhealthy hamster wheel of life.

cleanse.

the universe is screaming at me!!

There are always signs presented to us....do we see them?

The most interesting parts of the scrap business are the people you meet and the stuff they discard as trash!

"ones mans trash is another mans treasure"

In the past 2 months we have recieved a brass statue and a set of dishes.

The dishes were brought in by a woman who had carried them back from Thailand over 25 years ago. They are made of brass and the flatware is engraved.

Engraved with what you ask?

lotus petals, ganesh, and buddhas!!!

Not only have I not seen anything like this.....but the symbolism is ironic.

Is the universe screaming at me or what!!!

I now have a gorgeous Ganesh statue living on our balcony and a set of dishes I can't wait to use.

All of these beautiful objects are a reminder to let go, remove obstacles, simplify, and enjoy the unexpected gifts in everyday life.

Ganesh seems to be my mantra lately......thank you universe!

The end of the year is coming quick.....I hope to enjoy the last few moments in 2010.

May 2011 bring unity, consciousness, gratitude, and love.

shanti shanti shanti om