amy purdy: living beyond limits

If your life were a book and you were the author, how would you want your story to go?

When she was 19, Amy Purdy lost both her legs below the knee due to meningitis . And now ... she's a pro snowboarder. In this powerful talk, she shows us how to draw inspiration from life's obstacles. 

~ via TED Talks: Ideas Worth Spreading


Anyone else get major chills while listening to her story?? 

advent calendar- 12 great ideas for diy

December 1st is right around the corner! Holiday tunes are jamming on station 103.5, Saint Nicholas and his helpers - a.k.a. Manhattan Beach Police Enforcement- is cruising through the neighborhoods (saw him tonight on Marine and Highland Ave!),  sightings of Christmas trees strapped to the roofs of cars are more and more abundant, and each night there's another house illuminated with beautiful Christmas lights!

To spread the cheer and commence the countdown to Christmas, I thought I'd share with you 12 creative ideas for making your own advent calendars! I hope you find one you like and try and recreate it! I've got my eyes set on #8!

[collage for one life in stills]

1. Advent Calendar using coffee cups - via Living at Home, photographed by Julia Hoersch

2. DIY Advent Calendar using potted plants - via The Feminist Housewife

3. Merry Bundle of Bags Advent Calendar - via Martha Stewart

4. DIY Magnetic Holiday Advent Calendar - via Twig and Thistle 

5. Hanger Advent Calendar - via Fryd + Design

6. Scrap Wood Christmas Tree Advent Calendar - via Summersville

[collage for one life in stills]

7. Starry Trees Advent Calendar - via Julie Marie's Etsy Shop

8. Advent Calendar using food cans- via House to Home

9. Advent Calendar using matchboxes - via Country Living, photographed by Victor Schrager
10. Advent Calendar using an old frame - Fiskars Crafts, designed by Becky Novacek
11. Advent Tree - via Sunset, photographed by Thomas J. Story
12. Advent Calendar activities - via All Things Simple

choose to live healthy [1]: celtic sea salt

We often hear about how unhealthy salt is for our bodies when in actuality, salt is essential for the survival of all living creatures, including humans. I'm not talking about table salt or even sea salt here. This kind of salt IS toxic and extremely unhealthy for our bodies. Table salt is super refined and the processing it undergoes removes 82 out of the 84 minerals in salt, leaving behind only sodium and chloride. Ew! Over-consumption of this nasty monster causes major health problems such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis- read more on atherosclerosis here, fluid retention, osteoporosis, kidney stones, and stomach cancer. Sea salt is just as bad as table salt even though it tastes better than table salt. It is still extremely processed and therefore lacking important minerals and trace elements.  

It's hard to imagine there being a healthier alternative, but hooray! there is and the salt I'm talking about goes by the name of Celtic Sea Salt. This type of salt is the PUREST form of salt and is actually needed by our body. Celtic sea salt is hand harvested from clay salt basins off the coasts of Brittany, France by the 'saunier' or hand harvester using long wooden rakes (this preserves its living enzymes). This salt is unrefined and contains all 84 known trace minerals and micro-nutrientes found in sea water. Not only does this salt start the digestive process, it is known to lower blood pressure, reduce water retention, help the liver kidneys and adrenals to work more efficiently, and help boost the immune system. WHAAAT? It doesn't exactly the opposite of table salt? Hell yes it does!   

Celtic Sea Salt is naturally gray and more chunky and wet than table salt or sea salt because it is not processed. How do I ingest Celtic Sea Salt? I usually take a pinch of it in my mouth morning and night and swish it around with water before swallowing. Then I take a few swigs of water to wash it down. If I work out that day then I take another pinch of it after my work out (so 3 pinches a day if I work out). I've noticed that sleeps are deeper when I take it at night before bed. I also use it for all flavoring just as I would in place of table salt. 

Healing Virtues of Celtic Sea Salt

(taken by Sara Ding of Juicing for Health)

Celtic sea salt has tremendous healing virtues that have the exact opposite effects of refined salt.  It helps to balance out and nourish our body with minerals that our body lacks.  It is particularly helpful in helping with mucus elimination.  Here are some conditions that Celtic sea salt is also good for:

Sinus and bronchial congestion:  I have seen many times how Celtic sea salt when taken before sleep has helped the sufferer sleep through the night as it breaks up the irritating mucus, providing much relief.

Regulate blood pressure:  We are right to say that salt causes high blood pressure but it is the toxic table salt that is the culprit.  Celtic sea salt has been shown to actually normalize blood pressure.  It literally goes around your body and 'scrounges' for the harmful sodium deposits and completely eliminates it from your body.  If you have high blood pressure, pure salt will bring it down.  But if you have low blood pressure, pure salt will bring it up.  Only nature has been designed with the ability to do this.

Deeper and more restful sleep:  When Celtic sea salt is taken with warm water before bedtime, it promotes a deeper and longer sleep that is both restful and refreshing.  Nor does it cause you to wake up and wanting to urinate.

Water retention:  We often hear that salt causes water retention.  Again, this is only because the wrong salt was taken¾table/commercial salt.  Celtic sea salt does the opposite by helping our body properly balance out the electrolyte minerals and releasing the retained water.

Kidney stones:  Celtic sea salt has also been reported to actually dissolve kidney stones.

Building the immune system and aids healing:  Celtic sea salt provides the rich minerals directly to our cells to enhance resistance to infections and bacterial diseases.  It also helps our body heal quicker when there has been a surgery, sickness, burns, mental disorders, etc.

Prevent over-acidity in body:  The rich minerals effectively eliminates unwanted sodium from the body, extracting excess acidity in the body, especially in the brain.  The electrolytes are vital to the nerves for communication and information processing of the brain cells.

Helps control saliva:  If you salivate (or drool) in your sleep, it could mean that your body is deprived of the right kind of salt, and that you are not drinking enough water.  This condition may also lead to double chin as your saliva glands work doubly hard to lubricate your insides.  Drink more water with Celtic sea salt to stop this condition.  

Diabetics:  Helps balance out sugar in blood in diabetics. 

Muscle cramps:  Providing essential minerals to the muscles and preventing muscle cramps.

Strong alkalinizer:  Helps keep our body at the right pH.  This is important as an over-acidic body creates many health problems and an endless list of degenerative diseases.

[via juicing for health]

You can find Celtic Sea Salt at your local health food store. I got mine from Whole Foods for $10 and it will last me 8 months. Yes, it's more pricey than table salt or sea salt, but FOR GOOD REASON! 

mishe mokwa trail to tri-peaks and sandstone peak

[Neptune's Net- a favorite spot for the area's biker gangs]

[with my friend Evan on the top of Tri-Peaks! it doesn't look like it, but it actually drops off right behind us]

[looking North towards The Channel Islands and Camarillo]

[looking South towards Palos Verdes and Catalina Island]

[sun has set and we still had to hike about 1/2 a mile to the car!]

To enjoy the lovely weather to the fullest this weekend and work off my Thanksgiving gluttony, my friend Evan and I drove to County Line yesterday to take on the Mishe Mokwa Trail to Tri-Peaks and Sandstone Peak, a 3 hour hike high in the Santa Monica Mountains. After hiking the 7.16 loop and taking in and preserving in my mind the beautiful views of Catalina Island and the Channel Islands (thanks to it being a clear day!) I can honestly say this is my new favorite hike in Los Angeles! 

Do it!:

From the PCH (northbound), take Yerba Buena Road (right near the border of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties) past the Circle X Ranch. A dirt parking lot is on your left after rounding a bend.

thanksgiving for forty-seven

Thanksgiving for a planned 47 but ended up totaling 54. No biggie for Mama Curry!

So incredibly blessed to have this lady in my life! 

Taking in the last little bit of the gorgeous sunset before heading inside to grub!

My first Thanksgiving as a vegan was stellar to say the least! Can't you just tell by the look of my plate that I was one happy vegan Thursday night?!

Portuguese Bend sunset. Couldn't ask for a more beautiful ending to the day.

The sun graced the south bay with beautiful sunsets this weekend!

I made my vegan and gluten-free chocolate peanut butter cookies- you can find the recipe here! and garlic lemon shitake broccoli side dish thanks to Kate Albrecht of Mr. Kate! 

"GRATITUDE TURNS WHAT WE HAVE INTO ENOUGH"

A big THANKS to the Curry Family for an amazing Thanksgiving! Love you guys!

choose to live healthy

[photos for one life in stills]

Its time I start a new feature- "Choose to Live Healthy"- on my blog because health is so important to me and I strive to live both a healthy AND happy life. Think about it. You're health really is the only thing you can control in life. YOU make the choice everyday to choose fruit over a candy bar, vegetables over french fries, exercising over laying on the couch, organic food over conventional food, and whole food over processed ickiness.

It's impossible to be 100% healthy because lets face it, we're human, and sometimes a hamburger and french fries is what we really want. Sometimes a piece of chocolate is the only cure for a rough day. That's ok, so long as you don't overindulge or have "eating a greasy cheeseburger" on repeat every day. Over indulgence, lack of self control to say "No," and consistently eating harmful foods will lead you down a path of life-long health issues.

Yikes! What can and should you do instead??

Eat organic dark chocolate over a Hersey's milk chocolate bar. It's a healthier choice for days when we really need that piece of chocolate. A turkey burger on a sprouted whole grain bun loaded with veggies and without cheese is a healthier choice over a "hamburger" from McDonald's (don't even get me started on what those "meat" patties consist of!). Naturally air and sun-dried Celtic Sea Salt that contains living enzymes and minerals is a healthier choice (and the best choice for that matter) over table salt.

See where I'm going with this? By tweaking a few things and choosing healthier ingredients, you can keep enjoying the things that make you happy while still living a healthy lifestyle.  

A little bit about me:

I am a health freak. Yes, I slip up at times (I have a weakness for dark chocolate and peanut butter anything, I'm a sucker for soy lattes, and some days I don't do anything but veg out on the couch and watch movies), but more often than not, I stick to a strict health regimen because I am conscious of how important being healthy is. More specifically, my health regimen consists of three categories: diet, physical exercise, and brain health. I'm a vegan. I support any kind of vegan, macro-biotic, or plant-based diet. As a vegan, I dedicate myself to eating leafy greens, veggies, whole grains, and beans with no refined flours or sugars. When I eat those things, and only those things, I feel like a Superhero! I guess that's why Alicia Silverstone of The Kind Diet refers to this vegan diet as the Superhero diet! More on the vegan diet and lifestyle to come! As for physical exercise, its been a huge part of my life since I started playing soccer and dancing competitively when I was 5. I played competitive soccer at University of California Santa Cruz from 2005 to 2009. In 2006 we were the #1 defensive team in the nation with 0 goals against (I was a starting defender so this statistic is one that I am extremely proud of and tend to brag about HA!). Go Slugs! I also practice yoga and run in half and full marathons (only one full marathon so far, but I will do more-it's addicting), hike, bike, dance, and walk (hey! that's better than sitting!). Why is exercising so important? It keeps the heart and lungs healthy, reduces blood pressure, and enhances mood. And trust me when I say you don't have to be an exercise junkie like me and engage in all those activities to be healthy. Walking and running are two activities that are extremely good for you that pretty much anyone can do. If you run/walk for 30 minutes 5 days a week, you are A-Ok in the physical exercise department! As for brain health, I retain my cognitive abilities by actively using my brain. I do this by reading, writing, and engaging in craft nights once a week where I do arts and crafts or DIY projects! See my crafternoon craft therapy session blog posts to get ideas and a feel for the crafts I engage in.

That's me!

This post is simply an intro to my new blog feature, "Choose to Live Healthy."  In future posts under this theme, I'll share with you tips for making healthier life choices when it comes to diet, physical exercise, and mental health. For example, my next post under this theme will be on the health benefits and healing virtues of Celtic Sea Salt over table salt and even sea salt. So stay tuned and I hope you get something positive from these posts :)

Namaste!

unusual gift ideas

The Golden Rule when it comes to gift giving:

One should give others as one would like others to give oneself.

I don't know about you, but I think unusual gifts are way more fun to give and get than more traditional gifts. Ask yourself this question: Would you rather give or receive an ordinary gift such as a box of chocolates or a more meaningful and unique gift such as a scratch-off-where-you've-been map that charts your globetrotting? (check out this unusual gift here). The latter is way more sweet, useful, and thoughtful! Don't you think?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe everyone and their grandma have received a box of chocolates, a pair of gloves, socks, etc... in their lifetime. It gets old, no? Why not switch things up a bit this year and give unique, unusual gifts to show the people receiving them that you really care. I'll bet they will remember your awesome gift forever! 

Here are some unusual gift ideas for both him and her: 

[collage for one life in stills]

1. Robo Stir- automatic stirring tool for the chef in your house! $10

2. Mini Fingertip Camera- the smallest camera that still resembles a camera, $100

3. Paperthinks Recycled Leather Notebooks- small enough to fit in a back pocket; sexy enough to use for jotting down a phone number! $6

4. Round Knife- a cheerful knife that doubles as a conversational piece, $48

5. Eraser Ring- erasers in the shape of a diamond ring, $5

6. BPA-free Polymer Champagne Flute- they're shatterproof and have a neat little dent for your finger, $13 for four

7. Pictorial Webster's: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities- intriguing book of curiosities from the Victorian era, $35

8. Sifteo Cubes- these cubes work together to spell out words and play six different fun puzzle games, $149

9. Los Angeles Food Truck Tour- the perfect experience gift for the foodie in your life! $90 for two

10. Beer Making Kits- fun diy project for a dude, $15-40

weekend wonderments [4]: venice beach and rainy days

Stills of my weekend:

Friday night I went to Hot's Kitchen in Hermosa with my girl friend, Suzie. Took this picture of her boyfriend, Sean.  Contrary to everything this image exudes, he's a nice guy and we're friends. Promise haha.

After my chiropractic appointment Saturday morning I walked to get a cool shot of the Christmas tree lined pier. I love that the city does this now along with stringing lights on the pier. Its a purdy new tradition!

Self-portrait silliness using IncrediBooth app.

Saturday afternoon, my friend Sarah and I adventured up to Venice to do some hardcore window shopping (money's tight in our wallets these days) and enjoy a raw/vegan meal at Planet Raw in Santa Monica. While walking down Abbot Kinney we stumbled upon this rad vintage store that housed floor to ceiling vintage cake stands, literally floor to ceiling. I love everything about them- shape, color, size- until looking at the price tag. These suckers go for a whopping $150 at the least! Wowzers! Displaying my cakes will have to wait.

[moon phase calendar]

[cute slogan :)]

[Eric's first Mo-Pho-Jito from MB Post!]

[Tom Hudson's from Strand House in Manhattan Beach]

Saturday night, Sarah and I mustered the strength to go out for cocktails and appetizers. Not surprisingly, one cocktail turned into 3. That's how we roll I guess. Our friend Eric had his first Mo-Pho-Jito- see this post for a more detailed description of my relationship with the Mo-Pho-Jito! Eric then took us to The Strand House, a reallllly swanky full of cougars and silver foxes kind of place, to get a cocktail. We got and loved their signature Tom Hudson cocktail which consists of gin, coconut water, palm sugar, lime juice, and aromatic bitters. It was THE BOMB! I loved how they garnished the drink with a soft coconut meat.

[Oh hey there, surfer boy!]

[Spring rolls and a chocolate shake  from Planet Raw- my absolute favorite raw/vegan restaurant on the westside]

[Sarah and I photo-boothing it...duhhhh!]

Sunday was rainy and friggin' cold! Slept in and cured a slight hangover by watching a couple Christmas movies on Lifetime and having lunch from The Spot with my friend Evan. I heart rainy days.  

Movember!- season of the mustache

Hilarious and uber creative Movember clip I came across today! For those unaware, during November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of mustaches on thousands of mens faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo's, these men raise vital funds and awareness for mens health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. Check out the Movember website for more information, to get involved, donate, or register your mustache!


So if you've noticed a sudden rise in the number of men sporting mustaches this month, you know why. Give 'em a high five because they are spreading awareness and raising funds that help benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation, LIVESTRONG, and the Movember Foundation!

[photos via google. collage for one life in stills]

a week of "i love you" 's

Stills of Geneva and I using the IncrediBooth app for iPhone...

[photo for one life in stills]

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy."

Oscar Wilde

this and that

[photo for one life in stills]

Festive nail fun! 

                 Do it: 1. paint two coats of O.P.I's "keys to my karma" 

                            2. lightly sprinkle Martha Stewart's fine glitter in "red corundum" (buy at Michael's) 

                            3.  add a top coat. 

                                                     Ta da! Fun, sparkly nails for the holidays! 

Everyday we walk home from school, picking flowers on the way.  

Bella the invincible perched on my bed. I love the composition of this photograph and the different colors, patterns, and textures of the pillows contrasted with her. 

My breakfast today- Bob's Red Mill 7 Grain Hot Cereal with pure canadian maple syrup, cinnamon, and a splash of rice milk. Mmmmmm!

Brick pavers arranged in a chevron pattern I came across today. 

Burt's Bees hand repair creme is the jam! I apply a pea size amount to my hands at night and in the morning they feel super soft and...repaired. 

My heart swelled up when I received this invitation! I LOVE kids net los angeles and feel so blessed to be apart of something so great! Last year I made my vegan chocolate peanut butter cups (which were a hit!) so this year I've got to top it! Hmmm what shall I make? Any ideas?

Who woulda thought measuring spoons could be so sweet?! "A heap of love," "A spoonful of affection," A dash of tenderness," and "A pinch of joy." Love this.

[photo via oh she glows]

It's exactly one week until Thanksgiving! It's my first Thanksgiving as a vegan and I'm very anxious yet excited to get in the kitchen and start whipping up vegan Thanksgiving-esque yummies! I'm debating weather or not I should buy one of those Tofurky turkeys you see at Whole Foods or just stick to making amazing side dishes like "creamed" garlic mashed potatoes, vegan gravy, broccoli with shitake mushrooms, sweet potato casserole, and a vegan pumpkin pie. I've been doing some research and I found what looks like a delicious pumpkin pie recipe that involves brownies and a gooey pecan topping. You know me...I love pumpkin, chocolate, and gooey things (in desserts people!) So I think I'm going to try to make Angela Liddon's  brownie pumpkin pie with a crunchy pecan topping recipe; found here on her blog, Oh She Glows. Wish me luck! 

New book I can't wait to dive into!

[gunpowder green tea from the tea exchange, superfood seed bar in dark chocolate peanut butter,
and information about subluxation I received from my chiropractor rob bates]

My morning routine usually involves a big cup of tea, elemental seed bar (when I'm lucky enough and the tea exchange has them in stock), and something to read (in this case, it's information regarding the health of my back...more to come about this in another post...)