Superhero - Day 67 - Yes, you!

Eureka! I know who is a superhero! You! Me! Everyone!

Most of us don't feel like it. Most of us don't know it yet 

I read a story of a woman, author and activist, Yvonne Pointer, who has been going to prisons to speak for well over 20 years. She went with a deep vision of knowing the inner essence of the inmates. She starts by saying, "I came to tell each of you this: you are a hero." She says that the room goes silent. She continues, "there's a hero that lies within you; you've just got to take off all of that extra stuff. You're not rapists. You're not murderers. That's your disguise, the "stuff" you've put on. You've got to shed all those things that are not who you were born to be, and get to the person you truly are." She reminds them that Clark Kent had to take off his suit before he could be Superman. (From Marci Shimoff's book, Love for no Reason). 

Yvonne is love and is a superhero. Her daughter had been brutally raped and murdered at age 14.

So, I won't be calling these posts superhero posts any longer. It's like saying human, or woman or man. We are all superheroes. Everyday is a superhero day. Let's all take off this armour, these damn disguises and just be these amazing beautiful beings.

Superhero - Day 66 - on vacation

I've been sitting in the garden and reading. Oh joy!

Last week at a yoga class we were chatting about our summer chores and holidays and time spent doing what we love. I said that I felt lazy when I sat around and read all day. Many agreed. One woman though laughed and said aren't we funny that we feel reading is wasting time but cleaning and sweeping floors is productive. The dirt is only moved. That's all. It will even be back tomorrow! So wise. So true. 

I have a sign on my fridge that days: I clean house every other day. This is not the other day. 

I am reading a funny, funny book which also makes me think about getting older and how we as a society treat elderly: The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules. By Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg. 

Continue on - doing what you love. 

Superhero - Day 61 - earthing

You may not have heard of earthing or grounding yet  it's so simple. In Ayurveda it's been known for a long time time that walking barefoot in the morning dew can help eyesight and eye ailments. But now it seems we are discovering this and much more in our modern world too. Data. Yahoo! 

I have been walking almost every morning in the garden in my bare feet. I'm checking earthing out for myself. What can it do for me? And then I was sent an email about grounding with a documentary attached. I haven't found a way to send the link. You can see this documentary for free until the 8th of August at mercola.com.  Look for the article that is called: Grounding is a key mechanism by which your body maintains health. It's a full length documentary so go ahead sit on the grass and watch it.

If no time, then walk in the grass whenever you can. Concrete is grounding too. Wear all leather shoes. Lean on a tree. Touch plants.

Superhero - Day 55 - Paneer

I like making food from scratch. 

Making paneer is fun. It's like a science experiment. And I love to eat it!

My wish is to be able to buy raw milk. But alas, it is illegal. 

I took a photo of the recipe. I hope you can expand and see it. It's from Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine by Harish Johari. 

The milk curdles so fast. Wow!

I just hung it from the cupboard knob in my almond milk making bag. 

The final products, paneer and the whey. I put whey in smoothies and I am sure I will discover more uses for it as I explore. 

The paneer I put into a simple stir fry, onions, garlic and hot peppers and lastly added the paneer. So satisfying!

Superhero - Day 54 - relationship to food

Our relationship with food is here to teach us about our relationship with life. 

I've been finding out a lot about food and me. At first it was depressing. Something I couldn't ever figure out. I enjoyed a free conference last week with the psychology of eating folks. 

This website is about our relationship with food. I have enjoyed this approach. Marc David, the founder, has a free video series (they are really talks, you can listen in car or bus too). It's about issues with food, new concepts about food, challenges with food, habits, evolution of food, and more. It is very positive. It's an invention to be more aware. Health. Weight. Love. Life. It is about seeing yourself as whole. Being who we are supposed to be. 

This is a list of 10 simple strategies for changing your relationship with food. 

If you can't see it, you can download it got free off: psychology of eating.com

Superhero - Day 53 - Hercules

My first recollection of a superhero was Hercules. Re-runs of the Hercules movies were shown on television in the afternoons, after the Three Stooges. I got to watch only on days when I was home sick from school which was rare. The good guy, Hercules, always won. And against great odds and after great persecution. 

We went to see the new Hercules movie tonight in 3D. I still love those craggy faces and the muscles. I wasn't disappointed. In the end someone in the movie said that it didn't matter if you were a superhero or not. What mattered was if if you believed you were. 

Superhero - Day 51 - canoe duels

Superhero - Day 47 - questions

Ask questions. Ask the questions that you don't want to know the answers to. 

Remember that all the scary things are smaller than you are.

Superhero - Day 46 - raw food

I love raw food, especially in the summer. Today I went to Thunder Bay's raw food restaurant, Bliss Cafe, on Cumberland street. Oh my! It was a wonderful experience! The owner and raw food chef, Helen Liba, is showing me her chocolate pie here. It's cozy. Helen knows her customers by name. 

I loved the wrap I had with falafel and lots of veggies with awesome sauce. And I had a very fresh blueberry tart or pie! I love how raw food leaves my lips tingling. No tiredness after eating either. I had so much energy! Isn't this what you are supposed to have after nourishing yourself with food? I notice how often I eat what makes me tired and lethargic, usually because it's familiar to make. Raw food is definitely in!

A superhero eats food that grows strong, healthy bodies and minds. 

Superhero -Day 45 - a walk around the lake

When Mike Link retired, he and his wife, Kate Crowley, decided to go for a walk. A long walk. All the way around Lake Superior. 1,555 miles or 2,502.5 kilometres. It took them 145 days. 

We attended their talk and slide show today at the marina, on Lake Superior Day. They really were great to hear and see. I am so inspired to do something like that. Something that makes me go "wow!!" We had lunch and thought about options and time frames. For the "wow!!"

Maybe we will keep the car and drive around the lake as a starter. That's on my bucket list. We decided not to walk it for sure. 

Mike and Kate superheroes? You bet!

Superhero - Day 43 - power pose

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

This is a wonderful TED talk on what your posture reveals about your mood. And it teaches you a great power pose! A female superhero pic at the end :)

Superhero - Day 42 - little free library

I went over to my friend's house last week and asked her retired husband if he would build a house for me. In fact, a library. They both chuckled politely but really wondered what I'm up to. 

I heard about littlefreelibrary.org a while back and instantly knew I wanted one. 

And tad dah!

The opening gala for the library was this afternoon with cake and coffee. 

Superhero - Day 41 - Oregano oil

I made my second batch of oregano oil today. To make your own, start with 1 cup of oregano leaves, washed & dried. Put them into a mason jar and fill to the brim with I cup of vodka (at least 80 proof). Place wax paper over jar and screw lid on tightly. Store in a cool, dark place for a week. 

After a week, using a cheesecloth or a coffee filter, strain the mixture into a clean jar. Cover with clean cheesecloth and set aside in a dry, warm place for at least 7 days or until the alcohol completely evaporates. What remains is pure essential oregano oil. Store in a cool dark place. 

This recipe is from an awesome book called Power Plants by Frankie Flowers and Bryce Wylde. It's about growing and using the healing plants that we can all grow or find in ourown gardens. 

Oregano oil has many, many benefits. It would take pages to tell you. It has antibiotic ability so I use it during the winter to prevent colds. Look it up. Everyone can use it. 

Superhero - Day 39

"This home urges us to find sacredness in the here and now of daily living. Cooking, eating, bathing, and the other specific actions of dwelling become a means for reconnecting mind, body, environment, and spirit to the integrated wholeness of the psyche. Within such a home, each distinct action can be experienced as a step in the cycle of creating, dissolving, and re-creating life. Simple tasks can become pathways to deepening soulfulness in daily life. "

Anthony Lawlor

Superhero - Day 38

Open street Thunder Bay. No cars. 

I rode my bike down the centre of Algoma street. Such a feeling of freedom not having to worry if the car behind me sees me. There were lots of people out and about, especially in front of the Bean Fiend drinking lattes. 

An old friend popped in to visit. She has been away for 10 years or so and moved back, finally found a job here in her field. She says people here don't know that it's the best place to live. She is so happy to be back. Loves it here!

Superhero - Day 37

My inner condition is more important than my external way of living. I've come to this understanding. 

I've written three different paragraphs and deleted them all. Hmmmm. What do I really want to say?

I guess it matters more how I feel inside than what I have. Or how smart I am. I don't think I ever felt they were important but I didn't know what else to pursue. I didn't actually think I could explore what made me happy. 

I don't think it's ever too late (or too early) to wonder about and to explore and pursue what makes us smile and sing and dance and explode with joy. What are we passionate about? I think a superhero has to know. Why else would a superhero do what a superhero does?

I don't know if I know.

Superhero - Day 36

Everything is coming up orange. 

I slept in this morning, until 7:30 am. I guess someone is laughing. But that's late for me. I just maintained today. Cleaned house, laundry, cook, got groceries, pulled some weeds.  All these everyday things that must be done. Today it was joyfully done. That's because I don't feel rushed since I have tomorrow free and also the next day. How do I do this joyfully in busy times? It's the same amount of work. The anticipation of time off made the difference. 

There really is no such thing as time off. We are always doing something. It's what we deem more valuable or more fun or more suited to how we see ourselves that makes the difference in joyfull doing something. Isn't it all just doing? Couldn't we just do the next thing and then the next thing? All with equal acceptance of just this next doingness?

Superhero - Day 35

I found this poster under my door today. This guy is awesome!! Thanks Amne and Joan. 

It's particularly great when you can laugh at yourself. If nothing seems funny just make faces at yourself in the mirror. And just start laughing. It's addictive. 

Superhero - Day 34

Apparently when we are near death one of the things we regret is not having made more time for friends. I so often feel too busy to connect with good friends. In fact, it's because THEY are good friends that I have any. They call me more often then I call them. I have received hand written notes and letters from friends near and far and I've decided to write some back. It's a dying art. Nothing is more wonderful to receive a letter in the mailbox. To think that someone actually took the time to think of you, write something, get a stamp, and bring it to the mailbox. Wow! That's a superhero!

This week I have phoned up a few friends and I feel so good about that. It was fun.

Long live friends!

Superhero - Day 33

I've thought a lot about putting on my sneakers and walking instead of driving.

Today I walked to work and back. Then to pick up my car, about a 45 minute walk, then walked back to work later. I was tired. Not so easy walking. And I am throwing up excuses about how I need a car but every time I do there is someone that says no that's not true. I met someone who takes a bus all the time and she knows the bus routes of the city. She said I don't need to transfer to where I have a weekly client. The bus drops me right in front of her residence. Okay, good. But I can't go to the U.S. with a rental car, can I? Apparently I can for very reasonable rates. Okay, good. I met someone I've seen biking a lot and asked him if he bikes all year. He said he's never had a car (he is about 60 years old). He takes a bus in the midst of winter. Don hasn't had a car since he was 34. He bikes or walks. He can carry anything home on his bike! And said he would get all the groceries if we didn't have a car.

Most people who have a car say they really need a car. At least in Thunder Bay....long distances, lousy transit schedules, no rapid transit, etc. Is this true for me?

I think it would be fun to see if I could do it. Have no car. Maybe it would be a hassle and maybe not. I could always buy another one if I really missed it. Wouldn't a superhero at least check it out? Wouldn't transit become more popular, along with more routes, more bike lanes, more sidewalks?

I was in Seattle once and they have free bus service in a 3 mile radius of city centre. Buses were full.

Wouldn't it be cool if we reduced our carbon footprint if we can?

Superhero -Day 32

I had two warning lights come on in my car today. Brakes and battery. Both are new. Hmpf!

The mechanic has Big Mama now.

I would love to be without a car. I don't need it for work or groceries. Or restaurants or banks. Or dentist. Everything is walking distance. Plus I don't mind taking a bus. Walking home from the mechanics I dreamed of how it would be - having no car. We'd have to sell our canoe. That's okay. I'd have to take a cab sometimes. That's okay.

It's my independence that I think about. This freedom to go wherever and whenever I want. It would take more time to get places and some places I would never go. But I would be free in a different way.

And of course, I have the bike for part of the year and yes! The broom!

Superhero-Day 31 correction

Oops. I misquoted my kid. She said "this was the best thing I have EVER done"

Superhero - Day 31

Minna, my daughter, rode her bike 200 km this weekend for a charitable organization. Afterwards she texted me "I finished! It's the most fun I've EVER had!"

Now how wonderful to be able to say that? I hope she and me and you and everybody could say it every day of our lives. That would make us superheroes!

Superhero - Day 30

Benjamin Franklin was an amazing man. He invented many useful items and never patented any of them.  They were to be used by humanity because they were needed. He was an author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and a diplomat. He was the master of productivity!

How did he do it?
He asked two questions of himself every day. One in the morning. One in the evening.

In the morning he asked:

What good shall I do today?

In the evening he asked:

What good have I done today?

Awesome!! A superhero!

(I received this wonderful information from another superhero, Jim Kwik, of kwiklearning.com)

Superhero - Day 29

I rode my bike everywhere today. I looked for bike paths to get over to the other side of town. I looked for flat areas to ride on which is pretty hard from where I live. I  went to Petries where I bought the bike to get handlebars adjusted. Don was my escort. I bought a basket for the back and Don encouraged me to buy the biggest one. I can see why. On the way back he was loading it up with books from Friends of the Library, doo dads from Dollarama, and food. Here's the basket fully loaded when we arrived home. It's disappeared under its load!

I felt like we had been exploring all day as tourists. A staycation. I want to do it again!

Maybe the bike is my superhero cape. 

Superhero - Day 28

In wanting just one thing there can be no conflict. Once it has been decided to want this one thing - doubt disappears because there are doubts when there are conflicting wishes. It's good to ask why we are doing anything. To find out what is the purpose of anything is sure to lead to a good outcome. In one way or another. This one want can be the biggest want. Peace. Acceptance of all. Joy. Truth. Then in every moment if faced with a decision you can ask yourself which choice would lead to what you want. 

I always start with this. What do I want? What do you want?

Superhero - Day 27

Lake Superior 

Super - Superhero - Superior

Superhero - Day 26

First full salad from the garden. Yum!

Superhero food. 

I like using lots of fresh herbs in a salad. All different kinds. After eating raw, healthy, real food my lips always feel like they are alive. Ki

Superhero - Day 25

Today I rested. I think resting is holy. I mean really doing nothing on purpose. 

It's amazing to see that I can't spend a day where I do nothing. I still get up and eat, drink, walk, sit down, look out the window, go outside, look at clouds and so on. I don't think I planned any of it. It just seemed to happen on its own. I do have one thing to do tonight and I put a note on the kitchen table so I can remember. I like to keep the mind empty. And rest. 

I receive creative ideas when I rest. I receive insight. I receive joy and peace. I receive energy. To rest is to receive. 

In yoga we always do a final relaxation where we lie down and do nothing. It's a difficult thing not to do anything. It's said to be the most important part of the class. Where you reap the benefits of the practice. 

Activity. Rest. Activity. Rest. 

Resting shouldn't only be done so yiou can do more and more activity but rather resting for resting's sake. Don't you think?

I lay in the swing under my birch tree. My place of choice for resting. 

Superhero - Day 24

I don't know if being a superhero is as important as having moments of single heroic actions. Maybe it's the same thing. A single heroic action may make us original. Telling a better story. By telling the truth. Aren't we all original? Don't we all have a song to sing? I think we teach conformity in our society. Even though we like to think that it's not true. And it's hard to stretch to be ourselves. And if we don't bring our gifts and talents forward then won't they be lost forever? I think it's sad to die with your song unsung. For anybody.

Today I ate sugar, wheat, lots of food. Yesterday I had a beer and a coffee.

Thank goodness I have a re-set button. I can always begin again!

This guy shows how I feel today!

Superhero - Day 23

I attended a meditation workshop today. I wasn't teaching. I was listening. I noticed myself starting the day wondering if I would have said it that way, or if that was true, or if this was correct. I finally sat back and sat still. Just witnessing this marvelous happening. People talking about what is close to their hearts. How to be accepting. How to be loving. How to be peaceful. What IS love anyway? What does it mean to be peaceful? I felt a hunger for truth. The truth of all truths. What is the most important thing for me to crave? What a great word - crave! What must I have? I crave to be real. Myself. Something like the Velveteen Rabbit who gets more real as he gets loved and worn. 

It's not easy to be myself. There seems to be a mask on when I am around other people. As if I am on display. I don't know why that is. And when I notice I was natural I look back and think -oops!- was I okay? Good grief! I want to just be who I am without any of that. I am happiest alone. I'm okay with that. I like my own company. I always say I am self entertaining. It hasn't always been this way. I'm glad I can say that now. I think a superhero has the capacity to self regulate. I think a superhero has a deep craving for something.

What do you crave?

Superhero - Day 22

I did the same bike route as yesterday. I feel so pleased 2 days in a row. 

I made a frittata for breakfast because we had company. I did something new with the crust. I boiled 4 potatoes in jackets and when they were a little cool  I gently squashed them into a fry pan for the crust. And then put the eggs and other veggies on top. Baked for 20 minutes. Voila! So easy. Goat cheese dollops tasted good on it too. 

Superhero - Day 21

I biked for 10km this morning. It was fun!

My stepdad's mom was a superhero. I only met her once in Finland. She was a head shorter than I and I'm not tall. Feisty. In her mid 80's she rode her bike every day from her own home on a country road, to feed the old people in a seniors' home. She passed away peacefully a few years ago in her own bed still biking the previous day. 

This photo is taken at the creek near my house. These stone people have just appeared in the last while. 

Superhero - Day 20

I took my new bike out for a ride in the 'hood. I am glad the weather is cooperating for biking. I thought I might have to use that broom after all. 

I used to bike a lot but half gotten wobbly. I can't turn corners well either. And because of that I bought the helmet. I feel like a dork but apparently I look like a bumblebee on the way to a picnic! Look at what it says on the front. So much for superherodom 

Superhero -Day 19

Someone asked me today if I had a superhero outfit. Hmmmmmm. I'm not sure what it would look like. I found this awesome broom in Home Hardware today. A man saw me holding it and laughed and chuckled. I said it looks like a witches' broom doesn't it. He kept laughing and said I need to buy it.  I did and tried it out. It works well. Way better than a corn broom. A superhero could have a broom, no?