NEW Blog Space

so in case you missed it I have a new space. I have outgrown Blogger and moved to Wordpress.....the new link can be found on my website www.themitchellmethod.com or by going to www.themitchellmethod.com/blog.

The Search for art

This past Sunday after a long morning indoors and the antsy feeling that Isa and I needed to get out I decided to walk to the water. I have been doing a lot of pro-active searching for balance in my life. Many of the books suggest grounding through walking and connecting to earth. I thought it would be best for both of us to walk to the river and feel like we were away from the stiffness of the city. As soon as we were outside I decided that maybe we should just head to Brooklyn instead. The day before I wanted to go to the Dumbo art Festival, but at the end of the day I was exhausted and Isa was asleep so it was more trouble than it was worth. I decided why not go this morning. It gave us a goal at least. With Isa on my back (that's right still using that lovely Ergo) we headed off on our adventure...to search for art. The walk was much quicker than I thought, and many more people were up walking the bridge early Sunday morning. Dumbo is directly under the Brooklyn Bridge and I must say much nicer than the last time I was there. They have amazing playgrounds and walking paths for Isa. 

We did not see much art but enjoyed it anyway. 

Afghan Hands

On September 30, 2010 my dear friend Matin will once again have a benefit for his organization Afghan Hands. If you cannot attend and would still like to help you can make donations or purchase shawls through his website.  

Afghan Hands
The vast majority of Afghans have suffered due to constant conflict in Afghanistan over the past thirty years, but the most victimized and brutalized by far are the women who have lost their husbands to war. Whether because of common misconceptions about the status of women under Islamic law or because of fear of retribution based on past experiences, these women have no other choice but to live with their in-laws, foregoing any chance of independence and essentially acting as servants.

After witnessing the plight of these Afghan women firsthand, celebrity makeup artist Matin Maulawizada founded Afghan Hands to allow the widows to get an education and earn a decent wage, enabling them to support their families and gain independence. The program, started in 2005 with five women, has grown to include over 200 widows today.

The Afghan Hands approach is two-pronged, involving both education and occupational training. The women receive a stipend to attend school in the mornings to learn literacy, numeracy, and basic human rights within the context of Afghan and Islamic law. This schooling provides them with at least a sixth-grade level education and gives the widows the intellectual tools to protect themselves from injustice within Afghan society. To ensure that they are truly dedicated to learning, they are tested every month, and if the women do not pass, they receive no stipend. In the afternoons, the women learn embroidery and make shawls. After ensuring strict quality control, Afghan Hands sells the best of these one-of-a-kind shawls to help with the organization's operational costs and provide the stipends for the widows.

Celebrity fans of Afghan Hands shawls include Claire Danes, Angelina Jolie, Mena Suvari, Rachel Bilson, and Mandy Moore.

What is perhaps most striking about these women is not their ability to obtain an education or support their families, but the confidence and sense of self that stem from these accomplishments. When they first join the program, these women are afraid to leave the four walls of their compounds or even make eye contact. It is heartbreaking to see their faces, scarred by years of physical, psychological and sexual abuse. But as they see that they can actually learn, that they have a chance for a better life and that they can create objects of great beauty, they begin to smile and laugh. It is then that they are truly empowered. 

Inspiration

It has been a while, and to be honest I am wondering how to continue with this blog. It has taken so many different directions and really I feel I need to focus it somehow. I am still thinking of the layout etc as well as the content. I guess my problem is that I have a lot of information stuck in my brain and like to share it all. Unfortunately, said information is a jumbled mess similar to my thoughts so it seems very difficult to find a workable cohesion. So until then you are stuck with my jumbled mess. This blog has also become a vehicle through which I can communicate with my friend in London so sometimes you may not understand or care about its content but she does....and hopefully you can still be entertained.

Beyond fitness, health and helping others I love that I can use this blog to highlight amazing people. Especially amazing women, and beyond that strong single mothers. That being said, my friend recently interviewed Betsey Johnson and I was reminded that beyond being cool she is a Grandma (yeah we are that old) and a single mom. Go Betsey!!

  

It Didn't Always Use to Be Like This

These days in NYC it is impossible not to notice the obscene amount of youth walking the streets. Squaters are quickly being replaced by NYU students and fresh faced models. A new school year is upon us, as is NYC Fashion Week. While there are many that complain about both of these yearly welcomings of Fall I like the energy it brings to the city. The long hot summer days are quickly being replaced by packed schedules and places to be. I think I am looking at it from new eyes this Fall. I feel very separate from it, and yet can still appreciate the fresh start of a new year. 

Of course it also fills me with nostalgia and I do hear my judgemental self....well judging. I've moved lanes into the "non-person lane." I use to be the smiling young thing amongst the excited crowd of young faces. Now I think the stroller is noticed first and the person behind it second (if at all). I am that person who takes up too much space on the sidewalk and walks a bit slower than a person should walk in this city. 

Last night as I walked home from work there were several crowds of students walking around welcoming each other back. I was surprised that I did not feel a jealous pain. Instead I felt comfortable where I am...here in my slower lane. 

So welcome back students and fresh faced models. I hope the city treats you as well as it has treated me over the years. 

Getting Organic

Me at 25...not very organic...I don't think I even knew what organic was

My non organic self and my I don't care attitude

I'm so addicted to coffee I choose to paint about it

If you are a follower of this blog or know me at all you are well aware I am not the most calm person. I am admittedly neurotic and stressed out. I have accepted this and woven it into my personality. Until recently I fully believed it served me well (see above photos for proof), but I am slowly changing my ways. It is a difficult process and I am determined to make it happen. 

There was a moment a few weeks ago when I was walking down the street and had a thought, "My neck could most likely break in 2 right now and I would hear a loud crack". Beyond that I had heart palpitations, insomnia, and I think I was unquestionably irritable. Months prior to this a client of mine suggested Frank Lipman's book, Spent, but at the time I felt I was too busy to add another book to my growing "To do list". When the neck thing happened I decided to check it out of the library and I quickly soaked up Dr. Lipman's words. He hit on many of my ailments and by changing my diet and a few other things I would be cured. I also was very drawn to his process of slowly eliminating and then adding.

Of course as we all know this is always easier said than done. My anxiety over the past month was at an all time high and I knew I needed to do something or I would soon be found curled into a ball under the kitchen sink so I began to eliminate the toxic and add in the positive. I have to say it is a difficult plan at first, time consuming, expensive if this is far from the way you are use to living, and there is withdrawal (lot's and lot's of withdrawal). But...I felt an immediate change. The physical affects of my anxiety were gone. Mentally I still felt the stress but my body did not hold it the same way. 

So the gist of his work is that we should eat whole grown foods and get rid of all the processed foods. Shop on the outside of the supermarket and if the food comes in a box or can or has more than 5 ingredients then it should no longer have a place at your dinner table. Sounds easy in theory but in practice it has become a bit of a struggle. Add into that mix a toddler and one mother who does not have a talent for cooking and has a strong taste for coffee. Oh, did I mention NO CAFFEINE!!! WHAT??!! Now again, I need to remind those who may not know me that this is a problem. Coffee is my vice. It is what makes me happy. I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs but I do drink coffee and lots of it. So I made a compromise and allowed myself 1 cup of home made coffee each morning. Maybe eventually I will also get rid of that. I also am trying to cook. Did I mention my little apartment in this grand city does not have an oven. So obviously a microwave is out since this is about whole natural foods. I am learning to cook on my 2 burner stove top. So far I have mastered rice. Oh, and soup. And rice with soup or soup with rice. I am in the process of finding recipes. Soon I will also have a recipe page on this blog...so any favorite non dairy, non sugar, non wheat recipes feel free to send them my way.

There are actually lots of options but you do need to cook. This is not the city slicker's diet. I won't lie we are consuming so many eggs in my home right now that it may be cheaper to invest in a hen soon. Soon I will get it together to try a recipe and of course post it here. It isn't that I hate to cook, but it takes an awful lot of preparation, ingredients and time, which just is not a priority now. It will be soon when I can't fathom another egg, rice dish or soup. 

Oh and did I mention there is a lifestyle change as well. This part I secretly like. He would like us to limit technology. I got rid of my television a year or so ago so that was not a big deal. I also have begun to cut back on the computer and phone at night. I no longer am very news savvy and really should have a plan in case of evacuation because I would never know. I am reading more and it has helped me to relax. I also am suppose to meditate and do yoga. Both of which I know are amazing for mental health and yet I have only been able to to this twice since the beginning of my program 3 weeks ago, but as I mentioned I am going slow. 

So here is the Lipman breakdown.....

No

- Dairy (I do allow myself a yogurt in the morning with my coffee...because I am a rebel)

- Wheat/gluten....that's right folks unless you find a recipe and make it yourself without wheat there is no bread or pasta on this plan

- Processed foods....slowly we have weened ourselves from the frozen comfort food of Trader Joes and have walked across the street to the aisles of WholeFoods

- Caffeine (tea, coffee, soda etc)

Yes

- Whole grains....brown rice and other grains I can't pronounce as well as steel oats

- Fruit

- Vegetables

- Almond milk (Silk makes a great one now)

- Nuts

- Low Mercury Fish

- Organic Local Meat

Summer's Day Winding Down

Well, after all my bickering this summer I finally was able to escape the city and have a proper weekend away. Isa and I were invited to share in the beautiful wedding of a dear friend/sister. It was an amazing time and reminded me to relax and enjoy life. 

Congratulations A and B! We miss you already.