Inner Beauty Workshops Field Trip – Green festival NYC 2012

On Saturday, April 21^st I ventured into NYC to spend the day at the Green Festival at Javits Center.  The main reason I wanted to attend was to meet Jeffrey Smith, Author of “Seeds of Deception” and “Genetic Roulette.”  I completely admire this man who has fought tirelessly to make the public aware of the dangers of genetically modified foods.  He maintains an informational website; Institute for Responsible Technology (http://www.responsibletechnology.org/) which has the most up-to-date news on GMO’s.  He has developed a labeling system for items that do NOT contain GMO’s.  Please visit his website to request a shopping guide brochure that contains products from manufacturers who are free & clear of genetically modified ingredients. 

Jeffrey Smith, Green Festival NYC 2012

Jeffrey Smith presented the most recent science validating the dangers of GMO’s.  Please visit his website for this information.

Christine Segal, Jeffrey Smith, Green Festival NYC 2012

Here is his first book at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Deception-Government-Genetically-Engineered/dp/0972966587/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335385265&sr=1-2

*You can educate yourself about GMO’s for the price of a movie and popcorn...think about it!

I also attended a lecture of the delightful Frances Moore Lappe.  She discussed her new book “Eco-Mind.  Changing the Way We Think, to Create The World We Want.”  Her message is for each and every one of us, no matter what age, to set our fears aside and collectively focus on solutions to the problems our world faces today. 

Frances Moore Lappe, Christine Segal - Green Festival NYC 2012

Here is her book at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/EcoMind-Changing-Think-Create-World/dp/1568586833/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335385212&sr=1-

I had a blast looking at all the vendor tables.  There was such a variety of eco-savvy information there.  I liked all the vendors and what they had to offer, however, here are a few that really caught my eye: 

1.    Mr. Ellie Pooh is a fair trade company that makes paper products out of elephant poo.  That’s right; the paper is made from 50 percent fiber from elephant dung and 50 percent from post consumer paper.  I was handed a sample of this paper at the festival.  It reminds me of what construction paper used to look like when I was a kid.  Check them out:  www.mrelliepooh.com

2.    Walleska Ecochicc is an innovative company who uses recycled aluminum can tabs to make items such as pocketbooks, belts, vests or jewelry.  These items will definitely make a statement wherever you g o.  Please visit their website to view items:  www.ecochicc.com

3.    I just loved the kale chips from Alive & Radiant Foods.  The kale chips are raw, gluten free, and made with organic ingredients.  There are many varieties including Southwest Ranch, Tarragon Dijon and Cheezy Chips.  http://blessingsaliveandradiantfoods.com/

4.    Phytopod is a gardening container that allows you to grow a 20 square foot garden in a 2’ x 2’ space.  Now you have no excuses as to why you cannot grow your own garden.  Check this out:  http://verticalhomegardens.com/

5.    Kopali Organics had samples of wonderful Kopali Chocolates which originated from Peru.  They have no refined sugars, no cholesterol, no transfats, no dairy, no animal products, vegan and gluten free.  Flavors include:  organic dark chocolate covered banana, organic dark covered goji berries and organic dark chocolate covered cocao nibs.  Here is the website for further information:  www.kopali.com

I cannot wait until next year!

Inner Beauty Workshops offers

in person coaching as well as telephone coaching.  Please contact christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com or (631)355-9442 for details…

A Matter of Principle





Have you ever had something happen to you that you felt the need to stick up for your rights?  For instance, a traffic violation you felt you didn’t deserve.  When something happens to me in life which doesn’t sit right inside of me, I always stand up for myself and express my concerns.  I wanted to write this blog post so you can follow my train of thoughts to understand my thinking process in dealing with an uncomfortable situation.

This week I got a “Notice Before Summons” mailed to my home from the Department of Waste Management from my town stating that I had five days to clean up debris such as “litter, paper, loose branches and leaves” from an area behind my fence or else I would be fined and cited with a misdemeanor.   This area is about 10 feet wide and meets with a traveled road.  I was told when I moved in my house over 20 years ago that the property belonged to the Town.  Consequently, the Town cared for the property up until I received the letter basically cutting down any tree branches that impacted the road and picking up any litter that passerby’s threw out of their car windows.  I never considered this area my responsibility.

The area in question

The area in question

I was taken aback by the tone of the letter…”I had five days to clean up this area or else….”  Why do people in the place of authority think it is okay to speak down to other people?  There was no reason to send a threatening letter.  Why not simply send a letter asking the homeowner to clean up the property because the Town is lacking the funding or the manpower?  Why not send out a letter in the spirit of cooperation?  By sending out a threatening letter, yes I may be forced to clean up the property, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth regarding those whom I voted into office.  Therefore, I phoned in a complaint.  As a tax paying citizen, I have the right to stick up for what I believe is inherently right. 

A few thoughts on the summons itself….As I stated above, the summons stipulates for me to remove “loose branches and leaves” from the property.  Why on Earth would I get fined for removing Mother Nature? Those leaves and branches fell naturally to the ground.  They will eventually naturally decompose and benefit the soil underneath.  “Hell can freeze over” before I pick up naturally falling leaves and branches.  How about instead issuing a summons to those who put chemicals on their property which sink into the ground and contaminate our drinking water?  Am I living in the twilight zone?

It’s time we collectively learn how to stick up for our rights as citizens of the Earth.  (Notice I didn’t write citizens of the United States).  We are born free, yet because of man-made arbitrary rules, we are bound so tight we cannot move.  It’s time to release the chains that bind. 

I did contact my local politician with my concerns and received a response that my complaint was “being looked into.”  My next course of action is to write an editorial to the local papers. 

“A girl’s gotto do what a girl’s gotto do!”

Flexing some muscle...lol

Inner Beauty Workshops offers

in person coaching as well as telephone coaching.  Please contact christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com or (631)355-9442 for details…

Pay Attention to your Posture

The older I get, the more I seem to slump.  I need to “check” myself throughout the day to make sure my body is in correct alignment.  I ask that you do the same.  Today, we spend many hours in front of a computer screen.  Let me ask you to examine yourself as you read this.  Are your feet firmly placed on the ground?  Are you sitting up straight in your chair?  If not, “sit up straight!”  Correct your posture.  It is not good for your spine to be sitting hours on end with your shoulders rounded.  If you are sitting in a room with others, take a look at them.  Are they slouched in their chairs?  If you want a good lesson in how not to sit, examine the people around you.  Make a mental note of what you see.

In the good old days, our Mother used to tell us to “sit up straight.”   For some of us, this conjures up bad memories.  As children, we didn’t like being told what to do.  As adults, we like it even less.  However we need to learn what’s best for us and incorporate it into our daily routine.  Why is checking your posture important?  Here are some reasons:

1.       Good posture and health are interdependent.  Physical ills sometimes vanish when posture is corrected.  Among these troubles is backache, which can be caused by muscular strain.

2.       Good posture facilitates deep breathing, which contributes to better over-all health. 

3.       Good posture protects the spine.  If we do not sit or stand in a straight position, this can restrict our blood vessels and nerves which can lead to problems of the joints, discs or muscles.

4.      Good posture eliminates “rounded shoulders.”  Rounded shoulders can lead to compression of the chest which can cramp the heart and lungs and over crowd the digestive and other functional organs of the body.

5.      Good posture makes a better impression on others.  For example, would you hire the person who is slouched in a chair during an interview or a person who is sitting up straight?  If an interviewee is slumped over that person can be read as self-conscious, shy or discouraged verses the person who sits straight up, which can be seen as confident, poised and dynamic. 

What is the proper position of the body for perfect posture?  Here is a description from MacFadden’s Encyclopedia. 

“The shoulders should be back, the abdomen should not be drawn in as is commonly recommended.  It should be relaxed and perfectly free to move outward and inward as the breath is inhaled and exhaled.  There should be no strain in any part.”

Picture from MacFadden's Encyclopedia - Correct Posture

For today, pay close attention to your posture when you are seated especially in front of the computer.   In addition, make a mental note to throw your shoulders back and stand up straight as you perform routine daily tasks.  Remember repetition leads to habit.  By adjusting yourself daily, you will see an improvement not only in your posture but in your overall health and well-being. 

REFERENCES

Macfadden, Bernarr,  “Macfadden’s Encyclopedia of Physical Culture,” Macfadden Publications, Inc., New York 1928

Why I didn’t purchase a lottery ticket….

The car radio blared that the lottery was now up to 650 million and people were scrambling to purchase tickets.  I must admit that even me, someone who has NEVER purchased a lottery ticket, turned up the volume.  Should I find the nearest card store and purchase a ticket?  The thought was intriguing as my eyes scanned passing stores.  If I had $650 million there were so many things I could do with the money like producing my own television show or paying off the mortgage of loved ones.  What a glorious life it would be….or would it?

We have all heard the phrases “money doesn’t buy happiness” and “money cannot buy love.”  These statements we know are true because money, after all, is just paper.  Money cannot buy an emotion.   What we think and how we feel are consequences of our journey and the choices we have made.  Time moves forward each and every day.  We can either take a step forward in the direction of our goal(s) or we can stay still.  Winning the lottery may get us to our destination, but it cannot give us pride, accomplishment and satisfaction for a job well done.  If we want to feel happy we have to earn it, not purchase it.  How do you earn the right to be happy? First, by being grateful that each day you wake up you have 86,400 seconds at your disposal.  Second that you use your time wisely and take the necessary steps to reach your goals.  Lastly, that you face any adversity head-on and move forward with determination and perseverance. 

Character is built by appreciating and valuing yourself.  Winning the lottery would drastically change my journey, hence affecting my life’s lessons, which can only be learned through hard work, sweat and tears.  I smiled as these thoughts encompassed my brain, turned the radio to another channel and kept driving.

Nope!

I am now coaching clients via telephone.  Please contact:  christine@innerbeautyworkshops.com for additional information.