Keurig Coffee Maker – My New Love

I have been eyeing up different models and researching for at least a year and I finally took the plunge and shelled out the dinero for a single cup coffee maker. I’m not a huge coffee drinker so I love being able to make a cup of coffee one minute than turn around and make a cup of hot chocolate the next! Even with discounts, it was a little pricey but I would like to think I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of it!


Addicted?

Everyone is addicted to something, and no I'm no talking about drugs or anything like that but everyone has something (or more than one thing) that you just can't get enough of or that one thing that you really look forward to on a regular basis?

One of my addictions is TV...that sounds so sad, but it's true.

I love movies and every season I have certain TV shows that I can't get enough of. I honestly look forward to them every week and I have them set to DVR, just in case I'm not home...

Reading is also an addiction of mine, I love escaping into a book or series of books!

And of course my smartphone is a big addiction, it drives me nuts when I forget my phone at home!What are your addiction(s)??

Meditation (cont.)

Looking for peace and tranquility? Here's where to start
By Margot Dougherty

1. Do Your Research There are as many approaches to meditation as there are lotus blossoms in haiku. To find one that resonates with you, poke around the Bodhi Tree Bookstore in West Hollywood, leaf through the flyers at your local yoga studio, or check out the new Ananda LA in Santa Monica (anandala.com). Next-generation guru Max Simon (getselfcentered.com) was born to the cause—Dad cofounded Deepak Chopra's center and Mom is a transcendental meditation teacher. Simon hosts periodic "Public Displays of Meditation" as well as other events and parties for his "soul tribe."

2. Let Go of Distractions Chances are you may be meditating already. Ever stare slack jawed at your computer screen? The trick is to know when you're tuning out—to be simultaneously mindful and detached. There's a lot to be said for meditating in perfect quiet, but if a trash truck rounds the bend or a cat goes into heat just as you’ve settled in, roll with it. The idea is to let uninvited distractions—including your inner dialogue—pass through your consciousness without grabbing on to or resenting them. Acknowledge them, then let them go. Whoosh.

3. Assume The Position For most folks, sitting—in a chair or cross-legged on the floor—and kneeling are the easiest postures for meditating. Lengthen your spine, or shushumna (it's fine to sit against a wall). That’ll give your energy a straight shot from your tailbone, or root chakra, to your head, or crown chakra. Or lie flat on your back (no snoozing!), walk contemplatively—maybe in the Peace Awareness Labyrinth in West Adams (peacelabyrinth.org)—or whirl like a dervish at one of Shiva Rea's or Micheline Berry's trance dances at Exhale Center for Sacred Movement in Venice (exhalespa.com).

4. Take a Breath Breathing technique, or pranayama, is integral to setting the stage for meditation. Different styles, like alternate nostril, or nadi sodhana, will be handy down the line, but perfect the basic inhale-exhale first. On the inhale, let your shoulders relax and your ribs expand (outward, not up) and feel your breath in the back of your throat. Count slowly—one-two-three-four—pause, and exhale for the same count. Steady breathing serves as a metronome to keep you focused and acts like a quaalude for your central nervous system.

5. Stick to a Schedule Start your practice by sitting five minutes once or twice a day and gradually aim for about 20 minutes at a stretch. The results are subtle but cumulative; the more you practice, the more you'll be able to bring the calm you feel during meditation to daily activities and relationships. Stress will dissipate. Now it’s time to shine your new inner light around. Kirtans (call-and-response chanting), led by folks like Dave Stringer (davestringer.com), and other group meditations are often geared to the common good. Someone’s got to get the world peace train rolling, so it may as well be you.

Meditation

One of my Bucket list items is learn to meditate, so these articles seem to be a good starting point.

Meditate: Zen Meditation

1. Sit on the forward third of a chair or a cushion on the floor.

2. Straighten and extend your spine, keeping it naturally upright, centering your balance in the lower abdomen. Push your lower back a little forward, open your chest, and tuck your chin in slightly, keeping the head upright, not leaning forward, or backwards, or to the side. Sway your body gently from left to right in decreasing arcs, until you naturally come to a point of stillness on your cushion.

3. Keep your eyes on the floor at a 45-degree angle, neither fully opened nor closed, and gaze naturally about 3 to 4 feet in front of your body. If the eyes are closed, you may want to start to daydream or visualize things. If your eyes are open wide open, your mind will scatter.

4. Keep your lips and teeth together with your tongue resting against the roof of your mouth.

5. Place your hands on your lap with the right palm up and your left hand (palm up) resting on your right hand, thumb tips lightly touching, forming a vertical oval. This is the mudra of zazen, in which all phenomena are unified. Rest this mudra with the blade of your hands against your abdomen, a few inches below the navel, harmonizing your own center of gravity with the mudra.

6. Take a deep breath, exhale fully, and then take another deep breath, exhaling fully. Let your breathe settle into its natural rhythm.

7. Keep your attention on your breath. When your attention wanders, bring it back to the breath again and again -- as many times as necessary!

8.. Practice this Zen Meditation every day for at least ten to fifteen minutes (or longer).

Relax meditate reduce stress start now


Because I Said So; Nights in Rodanthe Movie Reviews


I just watched 'Because I Said So'. I will definitely be adding this movie to my DVD collection. The whole movie revolves around a meddling mother and her three daughters. It's a great laugh out loud movie and it's sweet and romantic at the same time. I look forward to seeing it again.

Hhmmm, how to say this without spoiling this movie...

This is a touching and emotional romance rather than the comedic romance that I was expecting. Don't get me wrong this is a great movie and one that I will definitely watch again, but I will be watching it with tissues close at hand the next time around!