Take Two: Asian Americans Appearance
Friday, May 17, 2013
A fun and dynamic interview with Sue Robinson and RD Chin. photo: Sue Robinson
I have been informed that my Asian American Feng Shui segment with RD Chin and Sue Robinson is scheduled to air this Sunday May 19th at 3:30pm and Thursday May 23rd at 12pm. We give some great Feng Shui tips so if you are around this weekend, please tune in. Have a wonderful weekend!
TV Host/Writer Sue Robinson interviewed myself and Feng Shui Architect Master RD Chin for PBS’s show, “Asian Americans.” The channel depends on which cable provider you use. The channel listing you should look for is “WNYE (NYC Media/ NYC Life.) Time Warner WNYE in my neighborhood is channel 25. NY Cablevision is Ch.22, NJ Comcast is Ch.14, Verizon Fios or Cablevision Ch. is 22 or 25. Please check your local TV listing for the channel in your area.
Congratulations BTB Class of 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
New generation, new energy. Top from l to r: Rosalie Prinzivalli, Barry Gordon, Chongtul Rinpoche, Steven Post. Bottom l to r: Anjie Cho, Suki Sohn, Diana Mahiques, Dorothee Walliser, Sherri Agnew. photo: Jeremiah Cymerman
Today I attended The BTB Feng Shui™ Masters Training Program‘s graduating class of 2013 project presentations and commencement ceremony.
It took place at the New York Open Center and the graduates delivered thought provoking and well-researched project theses – from the Feng Shui of Paris and Korea to the explanation of how Yantras are created and used. The wealth of knowledge is only one reason why I cherish the Feng Shui education I received in this program. Another important reason is that I have met and am surrounded by so many amazing colleagues, mentors and leaders in the holistic industry.
We were blessed by the presence of Chongtul Rinpoche from the Bon Shen Ling Temple who delivered a heart-warming speech and relating his Bon Tibetan tradition to Feng Shui and our teacher, His Holiness Professor Lin Yun. We were additionally blessed by the attendance of Thomas Amelio, Managing Director and VP of the New York Open Center who, if you never heard him chant, makes you feel, as Chongtul Rinpoche mentioned, as though we were transported to the magic mountaintops of India. Amelio’s chant (hear an example in this video starting at 7:45) cleared and blessed the room and resonated in our bones. A truly exquisite afternoon.
My dear friends and colleagues, the Class of 2013, I am wishing you all the prosperity that life has to offer. May the Universe give back to you the beautiful gifts that you are already giving and continue to give to the Universe.
Wrapping Things Up: End of the Cleanse
Sunday, May 12, 2013
I’ve worked hard to get here. photo: ladyhump.blogspot.com
Note: if this is your first time on this site, it is indeed a Feng Shui site. Just covering a cleanse I’m on until May 12th – Spring Cleaning/Feng Shui for the Body.
Can you believe that I am already on day 21 – the final day – of this real food cleanse (#OloCleanse)? Me neither. This week I actually forgot at times that I was on a cleanse and I’m not just saying that. I got into such an easy habit of cooking and paying attention to what I was eating. I created a routine that was super easy to follow.
But today is the last day. I may even break it a meal early since it is Mother’s day (Happy Mother’s Day moms!) but that is yet to be determined. Don’t laugh but I am kinda really liking all these grains, veggies and steamed fish!
So what have I learned in these 21 days? Well surprisingly that I am not really interested in going back 100% to my old habits. I like being more conscientious about what I eat before it goes into my mouth. I like feeling satisfied but not stuffed. I like being thankful for what I do have and what I can eat. I like knowing that even in the face of difficulties that I don’t give up (thank you Olo friends!). It makes me realize how much other great food there is out there that I’ve never tried and to not just fall back on the ease of a cheese melt. It gives me a new respect for our gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free friends. I probably will keep a majority of my new found habits and pay careful attention to what goes back into my diet and how it affects me. Although one place I will make a big exception is coffee. Ah yes, coffee.
This Spring Cleanse was a very challenging yet equally rewarding experience. The sense of community was overwhelming. I could not have completed it alone. I am going to take the rest of the day and reflect on my accomplishments. Then, I am going to plan what I’m having for breakfast tomorrow. Bon appetit!
Cannot wait to see what adventures are next. photo: philosophynow.org
Days 17 & 18: Home Stretch
Friday, May 10, 2013
Maneuvering NYC streets is definitely a skill. photo: cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com
Note: if this is your first time on this site, it is indeed a Feng Shui site. Just covering a cleanse I’m on until May 12th – Spring Cleaning/Feng Shui for the Body.
Nothing new really to report. Smooth sailing in week 3. Got the food basics down and cravings have subsided. My body is now starting to crave quinoa and avocados. How do you like that? Emotionally, things have been very clear and optimistic. I definitely feel an emotional equilibrium that has partnered very nicely with my intended daily meditation practice.
By far the best thing that I have gained from this cleanse is a quiet awareness. I find that during the day, I’m more mindful. Mindful of what I eat, what I say, how I walk, what I see, what I hear. Yesterday I was walking down a very busy street and out of the blue I heard, “Can someone please show me where the entry to Trader Joe’s is?” Looking around, I saw a blind gentleman trying to find his way through throngs of pedestrians just whooshing by him. I hopped over to his lane and told him to take my arm and I’d show him the way. He was so appreciative and *he* asked *me* how *my* day was going. I was humbled on the spot. How often to we forget to be grateful for what we have. This blind man, in the middle of crazy NYC was wondering how I was doing. I’m going to stop and think for a minute the next time I open my mouth to complain about something. Thank you for the reminder enlightened NYC friend.
Days 15 & 16: Taking it in Stride
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Once you are in it, you’re good. It’s the starting that’s most important. photo: theignitedlife.com
Note: if this is your first time on this site, it is indeed a Feng Shui site. Just covering a cleanse I’m on until May 12th – Spring Cleaning/Feng Shui for the Body.
Who would have known that it would take 2 full weeks to finally find my own rhythm to this Spring Cleanse? But I’ve thankfully found my stride in week 3. I’m no longer panicking about what to eat, and if hunger strikes and I’m no where near home, I pull out my trusty snacks. It’s become a new way of life. It makes sense. They say that forming a new habit takes a minimum of 3 weeks. In Feng Shui, we ask that you do certain remedies or “cures” for 27 days. And, it works.
Yummy lunch, dinner and sometimes breakfast. photo: www.flavorboulevard.com
To get my protein and keep my energy up, I have been eating alot of fish. Steamed, baked, uncooked, you name it. Sashimi has become my friend but of course only cold water fish – salmon, tuna and mackerel. No soy products are allowed in this cleanse so the goal was no soy sauce. I admit that I cheated a little yesterday because I can not eat my raw fish with just wasabi. A few drops never killed anyone right?
What goal or change of lifestyle have you been putting off? Can you break it down to smaller steps by committing to just 27 days to begin with? You will have your challenges like I did during this cleanse, but again if you gather your community, your tribe, around you, I am sure that nobody will let you falter.
Days 13 & 14: Switchin’ it Up
Monday, May 6, 2013
Start clearing your clutter, air out your closets and baring it for the summer! photo: self.com
Note: if this is your first time on this site, it is indeed a Feng Shui site. Just covering a cleanse I’m on until May 12th – Spring Cleaning/Feng Shui for the Body.
Things have thankfully calmed downed now that I made it through to the other side of my crazy cravings. I’m feeling lighter thanks to my physical cleanse so I wanted to match my space with a matching mini cleanse. The season is changing and although NYC weather has been moody, my closet desperately needed to be switched over. Hello sandals and tank tops!
As we are on the topic of switching things up, this week is the third and final week of my “Real Food” Cleanse. Up until now I have mostly been consuming plant based foods with some occasional fish. This week, I am going to start incorporating some more animal based protein into my meals – organic chicken, turkey and who knows, maybe a bison burger. I didn’t realize that this place called BareBurger has organic and interesting burgers. Whenever I walked past a BareBuger, I just wrote it off as another unhealthy, fast food chain. But after reading their mission statement and browsing their menu, I was suprised to find that they are not only organic but sustainable and their meats are grass-fed. I am definitely down to trying them this week. I’ll start the week easy. Maybe attempt to make these awesome looking Black Bean Quinoa Burgers then finish the week off with a bison burger. I’m not a huge meat eater by any means but, as always, balance is key. Look out stomach! I have some surprises for you this week!
I’m going to start my week with this, a Black bean quinoa burger. photo: cookingwithmykid.com
Then my treat at toward the end of the week – bison burger sans the tomato and bun. photo: www.highplainsbison.com
Days 11 & 12: Grounded Support
Friday, May 3, 2013
With alittle help from my friends. photo: snu.edu
Note: if this is your first time on this site, it is indeed a Feng Shui site. Just covering a cleanse I’m on until May 12th – Spring Cleaning/Feng Shui for the Body.
Yesterday was brutal. All I had was images of mac and cheese dancing in my head. It was intense. I’ve been during pretty well for 11 days having only diverted a couple of times – a bite of Key Lime Pie and a sip of bubbly – do you blame me? But yesterday was brut-al. I thought I was going to break. I didn’t anticipate that mind bending cravings were going to screech to a halt in my willpowerless psyche halfway through the cleanse.
Luckily for me, I was at Olo Acupuncture yesterday. When I arrived, crazy eyed and carb deprived, they soothed me. They encouraged me. They gave me a plate of homemade hummus and brown rice crackers and told me to hang on. It will pass. I didn’t believe them. I was already planning my liberation from the cleanse with a bite of a french fry. Then to my surprise, it started to kick in. The hummus was working. The craze was lifting and was replaced by culinary calm. I made it through to the other side.
Another ally that saved me yesterday. photo:familyinshape.typepad.com
Thank you, thank you, thank you dear friends at Olo. Without you, I was an 11 day cleanser. It would have been ok but I’m glad that I was able to have you all by my side and be my support. Today has been better. No more images of mac and cheese or coffee and pastry. I survived.
Do you have a community that surrounds and supports you while you work toward your goals? I realized how so important my tribe is. Thank you my friends.
Day 10: Change of Consciousness
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Believe it or not, this is our body’s artwork. photo: brainybehavior.com
Note: if this is your first time on this site, it is indeed a Feng Shui site. Just covering a cleanse I’m on until May 12th – Spring Cleaning/Feng Shui for the Body.
Double digits! Surprisingly I’m feeling pretty normal in week two. Now that the difficult detox and release stage from week 1 is over, I am no longer nodding off at 2pm and 9pm. That being said, my food memory is coming back. I am often suddenly imagining the warm gooeyness of an egg and cheese sandwich or the after lunch soy latte, sniff.
Yes friends, it’s been more challenging beginning week 2 but I’m determined to stick it through. I’m getting bored of lentils and kale but I’m taking it as a sign that I need more variety in life and need to challenge myself more. To oppose what I already know and what my body and mind expect. Therefore I have compiled an arsenal of new recipes and routines. I made chocolate ice cream last night and it had an avocado in it. Get that, an avocado! It wasn’t a complete success but it was a good first step in challenging my brain. I also have challenged myself fitness wise, implementing a new vigorous routine at the gym. Not only is is keeping me fit, it’s challenging my normal patterns.
Brain energy patterns. photo: thesecretkeeper.net
Our brains are so beautiful I can’t stand it. photo: alfin2100.blogspot.com
We all get used to doing things the same way. It’s easy to fall back into routine habits. Pay attention to what you could improve in your life and vow to make one shift, one small change toward that goal. You know what they say, “No change, no change.” Change your habits, change your brain patterns, change your life. And don’t you want your brain to look like these?
Days 8 & 9: Take me to the Water
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Beautifully designed water bottles from Kor. But alas, unavailable. all photos: Kor.com
Note: if this is your first time on this site, it is indeed a Feng Shui site. Just covering a cleanse I’m on until May 12th – Spring Cleaning/Feng Shui for the Body.
Week number two of the cleanse and all is going well. The only thing is – I’m always thirsty. No matter what I eat, I seem to need to drink water like I’m a camel. And as luck would have it, my current water bottle is leaking and needs to be replaced. I came across these lovely designs by Kor and unfortunately it seems to be unavailable since it was a limited-edition series where sales proceeds went to non-profits working to preserve the environment. I love Google but that’s what happens. You find something you like online and it happens to be a photo from 1982. In this case, 2009.
Kor does have the one below available in 2013 and it seems to be also available to purchase with a “Kor Stone” where you can customize the lid with a saying or intention. It’s so in line with the Feng Shui mantras:
KOR Stone™ — a disc-shaped token with a message that empowers the awesomeness inside you with each sip you take. We all want to see change in the outside world, but we must first realize that nothing changes until we do. KOR Stones™ will inspire you to set those positive intentions free.
This one may have my name on it but before I hit “buy now,” anyone have a eco-friendly beautiful water bottle they love?
What words would you want to see each time you use your water bottle?
