My heart goes out to Boston, my thoughts and resilience are with Venezuela, my spirit gathers strength with Amnesty International for there is much to do in this world.

My heart goes out to Boston, to everyone who participated, from runners to supporters, from individuals to families... I think of you. The world thinks of you.

My thoughts and resilience are with Venezuela, where elections were held a few days ago and the layers of corruption have yet again taken over the process of democracy.

I am inspired by those who extend their hand in the midst of chaos, those who keep on advocating for a just world, where human rights are met for one and all. In the midst of it all, these stories rise to the top, and I thank you for being a ray of sunshine on dark days. We stand for those who may not have the opportunity or freedom to stand, we speak for those who may not have the opportunity or freedom to speak, we act for those we may not have the opportunity or freedom to act, for themselves, their children, their country.

There is a quote by the Dalai Lama the XIV that I would like to share with you...

“There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.’ No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.”

Hope carries us through. I believe Hope combined with Action has the power to change each and everyone of us, our immediate community and the world at large.

My spirit gathers strength with Amnesty International.. and that was really my blog today, but I just couldn't let the two previous events go unspoken. This is my second year participating in Amnesty International's Canadian Yoga Day. A day to raise funds for Women's Human Rights. 

I am a strong advocate of human rights, where does this feeling or need to act come from? For me it comes from growing up in Caracas, Venezuela and, as a child and young adult, baring witness to one to many violations of human rights. It comes from my work as a photojournalist seeking justice in my heart, trying to raise awareness about current social-political situations and baring witness to the unthinkable. Today, as a mother of 3, having found some peace within myself with the fact that the I may not be able to bring justice to every situation I encounter, but I can focus on educating my children so that they can become shiny just beings with open hearts. I can take part in creating awareness in my own community, from human rights to the local food movement, I can participate in events like Yoga Day were my efforts have a direct influence on someone else's life for the better.

So come on out for Amnesty International Yoga Day Marathon !! Come for one class, stay for all!

If you are on lands far away, you can still help and participate... you can donate! you can create your own event! Ask your Yoga Studio to get involved! Spread the goods and make it a world wide event! Actually you can create any event you want as a fundraiser for Nasrin... go on... gather your hope along with your action.. its time! Post it... what event will you create? what event will you participate... anything from Potlucks to Yoga! keep it simple, the canvas is yours... It would be fun to see what you come up to.... take some pics and post them up.. lets see if we can go around the world with this one! 

Recipe for something BLUE: Balance those free radicals with Blueberry power!

Yes indeed Happy Day after Valentines! May your heart continue to feel warmth everyday, and your life be surrounded by love, always.

So here is a recipe to nurture our bodies from the inside out and perhaps help our bodies deal with the extra sweets from yesterday! Something BLUE to start the day, full of antioxidants that help our bodies fight the free-radicals in our bodies.

Yes indeed BLUEBERRIES are in my mind today, they protect  the heart and the brain, they boost memory, they help fight aging, and disease causing free radicals.

What exactly are FREE RADICALS you ask? well well, they are single atoms or groups of atoms, with an odd number of electrons. They are unstable and they go about in the body stealing electrons from other cells to gain stability, creating new free radicals along the way. They are responsible for cell damage. They have the potential to cause DNA damage and organ damage. As well, free radicals damage produced by excess of free radicals is believed to be associated with cancer.

Now, our bodies produce free radicals as part of our metabolism process, to neutralize viruses and bacteria, but the numbers of free radicals produced in these cases are what our bodies can handle. They can be easily neutralized by a diet high in fruits and vegetables, specifically foods rich in ANTIOXIDANTS,  and lifestyle.

When we experience physical and emotional stress, when exposed to environmental pollution, radiation, industrial chemicals, cigarette smoke, herbicides (used in our food production), processed foods, consumption of drugs (recreational and prescription), the presence of free radicals in our bodies can become excessive which as you read, can lead to all kinds of trouble.

The solution is easy. Find ways to manage your stress (exercise, yoga & meditation are great options!) and eat a diet filled with foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and vitamin E... some examples are berries, grapes, broccoli, garlic, tomatoes, and green tea. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, with a lot of raw power I might add, will take care of those free radicals dancing around in your body which will of course lead to more happy days ahead...

So roundabout we go to our friends the BLUEBERRIES...

RECIPE FOR SOMETHING BLUE: Balance those free radicals Blueberry Smoothie

1 1/2 cups of Hado water, spring water or good source water
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
2 bananas
2 TBSP raw almond butter
1 TSP raw honey
1 TBSP hemp seeds
1 TBSP Sea vegetable powder (spirulina, chorella, or any combination powder). IF you are new to them start them slow as they can be cleansing if you are not used to them. So start with 1 TSP and build your way up.

note_ I don't use frozen fruit in the winter, as the smoothie becomes to cooling for me, but in the summer I will even freeze bananas to add them to the smoothies!


Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend well, and shazam! you got your 'balance those free radicals power' ready to work for you!!!!! Sip slowly and enjoy!

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Quote of the Day
"We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it"- John Lennon

Rediscovering the wisdom in ancient traditions..

I have been on a quest rediscovering the wisdom in ancient traditions, trying to assist my body with as many non invasive tools as I can to make the healing journey a bit easier and a bit more supportive.

Two other tools in my healing toolbox are Tongue scrapping, Oil Pulling, and the Neti Pot. All come from the Ayurveda tradition. Ayurveda is the science of life and healing that developed in India. The term Ayurveda means "Knowledge of Life". Ayurveda itself is a complex system of wisdom and knowledge to guide us in maintaining or creating harmony and health in body, mind, emotions and spirit. Two powerful tools of detoxification and cleansing are Oil Pulling and the Neti Pot. If done on a consistent basis, they assist the body in getting rid of toxins before they accumulate and create too much trouble. They are easy to do, don't take too much time... well one of them does, but I think they are important part of a weekly, if possible, daily routine.

Tongue Scrapping

Tongue Scrapping is the process the build up of the layer of mucus and toxins that builds up overnight on our tongues with a tongue scrapper. It's pretty easy, takes a sec, and it does wonders for the body. It is also like a massage for the tongue. Our tongue is like a map of our bodies, different sections correspond to the different organs, so massaging our tongue, activates our different organs and clearing the toxic build up on our tongues, then clears inner toxicity as well.
Tongue scrappers are widely available at health food stores, they can be made of metal or plastic, your choice. Just make sure you give it a good rinse after you have used it.



Oil Pulling


Oil pulling is a very simple but powerful process that consists of swishing or pulling around Cold pressed oil ( Sesame or Sunflower oil- but I think sesame is best) in the mouth for about 15 to 20 minutes first thing in the morning, before brushing teeth, on an empty stomach. The process draws out toxins from the body without disturbing the healthy microflora. In this way it is possible to heal cells, tissue and all organs. The healing process may be fast for some or slower for others. As the oil is being swished and pulled by the tongue, between the teeth, the oil gets mixed with saliva and it activates teh enzymes in the mouth that draws toxins out of the blood. The oil must NOT be swallowed as it becomes toxic. As the process continues the oil changes colour from yellowish to white. It must be spit out, and the mouth must be fully washed and cleansed with water.

Oil pulling can be repeated up to three times a day, always on an empty stomach.

This ancient tradition does take a bit of time in the morning, but it's benefits are worth the time!



Neti Pot


The Neti Pot is used as a tool in Nasal Irrigation. It is also commonly used in the Ayurveda tradition, and it is commonly known of in the Yogic tradition. It is used to clear the Sinus passages and prevent the accumulation of mucus and toxicity in the Nasal cavity. It is quite simple and quick and it is a good tool to get you clearing and singing your Good Morning Sunshine tunes!
The process involved the use of a Neti pot. They are widely available at health food stores these days. Fill up the Neti Pot with warm water and a pinch of GROUND sea salt or pink himalayan salt (PLEASE DO NOT USE TABLE SALT). Place the Neti Pot on one nostril, close your throat, and insert the warm salty water into your nostril. (Please do so over the sink as it will come out the other nostril). Do so until about half the mixture has been used. Stop, clear your nose. Then repeat the process on the other side. It sound more complicated then what it really is.
It really freshens you up!

So there you go. Three new or perhaps not so new tools for your toolbox.

May the you sing your Good Morning Sunshine songs loud enough to make your neighbours dance! :)

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Ring the bells that can still ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.- Leonard Cohen

Tuesday is Yoga Day at the Rawllygood...

There is just so much to say in so many directions that I am trying to set things up so I get a chance to do it all!! I know .. there will always be more that I want to do... but I think it's a good way to start.

So Tuesdays will be all things Yoga... from the breath, to poses, to books and discoveries I make as I journey deeper into this world I love.

The Importance of our practice:

We may be new Yoginis, old Yoginis, new to the whole scene altogether. Often we hear the teachers we follow talk about their practice, about how important it is to make time for your own practice. I know for a long time I heard those words and was overwhelmed by them. Not knowing exactly how to make time for myself in the midst of a busy family life. Not knowing what to do first because there is so much I want to do. But my commitment was not as deep as it is now, for any little wave of life, would send "my practice" out the window, and then the whole process would start again.

Since my 40 day juice fast and 40 day meditation practice I have continued my commitment to my practice. It is a different kind of commitment, from a deeper space within me, that makes everything else work around the practice instead of trying to squeeze the practice in at some point during the busy day.  Some days, even getting up earlier than usual only allows for a short practice.  But even if it is short, sitting and noticing the breath creates a space within me of gratitude, wonder, acknowledgement that all is well, that I am taking care of myself.

Long ago a yoga teacher told me if you don't take care of yourself first, you won't be able to take care of those around you in the long run. At the time I didn't understand what she meant. In my mind, I had little ones to attend and thought taking that daily time to myself was selfish. Now I understand that it is selfish but necessary, because only when your light shines to the world are you able to share it. If your inner light struggles to maintain itself constantly attending others than at some point it will burn out, and I know that one all too well. So today I see 'my practice' as a gift not only to myself but to those around me.

My gift to you comes in the words of 'simplify your practice'. Start with 5 minutes a day. Make your practice whatever you want it to today. It may change as you change. Start by sitting quietly and noticing the breath. Then see what happens. Perhaps your practice is about stretching the body doing some Yoga Asanas (poses), or dancing to the beat of the drum...

Yoga is not only about Asana, as we see it here in the West. It is about union. Union of body, mind and soul. Yoga is about connecting with our breath no matter what we are doing, about connecting with the divinity within and allowing it to shine. It is about connecting to your inner truth, about brining peace and wisdom into your life.

Om Shanti Shanti Om
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 In theory, practice and theory are the same. In practice they are not Yogi Berra

Day 34: Make it happen!

As I breathed deeply last night I thought about how to make those really challenging days better. How to make the 'taking care of myself' part of the day happen, because it's the first thing that goes when the storm hits. I have been wanting to get up before the roosters croak for a really really long time. But it always seemed a far away desire, because I've been up through the night or I had a late night or so on.

Last night I went to bed very very late, with the intention of getting out of bed at 5.30 am to do my bowing, breathing, stretching and meditation. It takes me about 1.5 hrs to do my routine. I was up and moving, not feeling tired, but rather feeling gratitude for getting up, for taking care of myself before the day begun for everyone else. I loved it and I made it happen. That part of myself that was so frustrated yesterday, that feels anger and resentment when I have taken care of every one's needs but my own, was being nurtured and it felt so good.

My practice ended at 6.40 am with my kids up and on my matt, playing 'London Bridge is falling down' as I was on downward dog and trying to finish my last Sun Salutation! Not bad for the end of my practice today and the beginning of what so far has been a wonderful day. My son, who has been the 'challenge' lately, sat on my lap, and hugged me. It was the first time in a little while that we were able to connect on a one on one without either of us being frustrated with each other. Truly beautiful.

Making it happen has brought a few gifts for me already. It's only 10 am and I am writing!!!! whooaaaa, what a change!!!

I fully understand that sometimes "Making it happen" seems impossible. I've really struggled with this one and I know I am not alone in that struggle, whatever "it" may mean to you. But going beyond what we think are our limits and potentials has allowed me to discover my will, my strengths, my commitment to myself. It's all good, it's all worth it. In the process, I have surprised myself. I have inspired myself to keep on going, not only with the Juice Feast (Day 34!!!! wooohoooooo!), the mediation, but other things that have been on that long list of "one day I would like to do". Being present in this moment. Doing them now has allowed me to tap into my vibrant being.

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"Things do not happen. Things are made to happen."- John F. Kennedy
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Morning: Spinach, watercress, clementine, orange, grapefruit, 5 oz wheatgrass. 30 oz.
Mid morning: Spinach, carrot, gooseberries, orange, apple, celery, cilantro, cucumber, lemon. 40 oz.
Lunch: coconut water. 18 oz.
Mid afternoon: Pak Choi, kholrabi, beet, parsnip, cucumber, celery, cilantro, spinach, carrot, pear, lemon. 40 oz.
Tonight: cup of hot tea.

Day 26: meet my carnivore singing the Wheat belly song!

Meet my dear carnivore... my husband who has watched me change and grow for the past 4 years in more ways than he ever dreamed of in his wildest dreams. Now he knows he's got a special wife. But in the last 2.5 years, he's really expanded his definition of 'special'.

He has supported me all along, hesitant and suspicious of the path I have chosen... that is until a few months ago!!!

Finally, he read "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D, and I could see his head shake and his brain twist out of his head as someone else, with "scientific proof and data" told him what I had been saying for the past 4 years...

He has been inspired! and went on to read "Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health" by William Davis, MD and is now singing the "Wheat belly" song out loud and clear!. It's quite beautiful to witness his own growth and changes as his awareness on the subject expands...

Now, I am a firm non-believer in diets! But I am proof of the 'side effects' wheat has on the body and I do believe the extreme processing of it has done a lot of damage in our society. I also believe, it's time we take our health into our own hands, to find out what really works for you on your path to optimal health.

I am thankful for the changes he now seeks. He has lost weight, has a lot more stamina and energy, his skin glows and looks at least 5 years younger!

So if it's possible for my carnivore, who likes his meat rare and now rarely eats meat. It's possible. He is not vegan. But his new understanding of the effects of animal protein and wheat on the body, leads him to make different choices.

For our family and friends, it's been quite the ride to witness the carnivore and the raw vegan coexist happily under the same roof! Well, friends, family and reader out there... we are going on a ride! Where it will lead us no one knows...

I do know one thing... sometimes we change paths or in ways those around us are not ready to join in just yet. But we must trust that our changes our necessary for our own growth, even if isolating at times. We must trust that our loved ones will change at their time and that truly lasting change comes from within. Nobody can convince anyone of nothing, only you have the wisdom to know what you seek and need. We must trust that it's all good, RAWlly good!

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"All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Morning: Cucumber, Celery , parsley, apple. 16 oz.

Soon After: 5 oz wheatgrass in 8 oz of water.

Mid morning: Cucumber, celery, kale, lime, apple, coconut water, 5 oz of wheatgrass. 40 oz.

Lunch: Carrot, orange, ginger. 40 oz.

Dinner: 2 cups of hot water with Unpasteurized Miso.