Image from VeganMonth.Com

I was a vegetarian for 8 years followed by a time when I was a pescetarian (fish eater). A couple of years ago during incredible periods of stress and family loss I fell completely off my wagon and began eating meat. The obvious changes came in weight gain, digestive difficulties, and mood swings. This is quite typical for omnivores, but I fought hard not to connect the problems my body was having to what I was eating:

Perhaps most importantly, I checked out of the world around me. I found myself becoming less and less conscious of my connection to nature, living beings, and the spirituality that I had chosen to pursue through Buddhism and Pantheism. In this way, my diet was connected to my spirituality and so I was totally out of whack. I began to realize that my diet was one internal contradiction that I could and should pay attention to and resolve.

I chose to become a Vegan in both diet and lifestyle because it ultimately addresses and complements what I believe in and what I want to stand for as a caring human being. This is a very personal decision. Returning to vegetarianism is not enough. As the joke goes, “you’ll eat an egg, but not a chicken?” I don’t want to spend any time contemplating the answer. In a nutshell there are 5 simple reasons why I’m becoming a Vegan.

1. I cannot justify an animal being slaughtered for my consumption. This is the inconvenient truth of the matter. No matter how organically raised, farm bred, free ranged, grass fed, beer fed or massaged they are before being led to slaughter (yes, massaged…watch the Kobe Steers in the YouTube video below get drunk too **no violence shown**). They are led to slaughter for me. I can no longer be disconnected from this simple fact.

2. My body is not separate from the world around me. How I manage my body is to me, directly related to how I manage my world. I want the two in balance. I want them to reflect health, patience, consciousness, and care. Love my body. Love the world around me.

3. The only foods that both the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society apply dietary restrictions to are meats, fish, chicken, and dairy. The only foods they apply no limitations to, encourage you to eat daily, and will categorically state that can reduce your cancer risk are grains, fruits, and vegetables.

4. I have had to take a lactaid pill to enjoy ice cream without after effects. I buy lactose free milk to be able to eat a bowl of cereal with milk. This has started to make no sense to me. I say no to science like in this Wall Street Journal article. Scientists in the article ponder why so many people become lactose and diary intolerant after childhood. They are actually working to create human genetic modifications so that we will tolerate dairy better. This study was funded by the American Diary Products Institute. Humans are the only mammals to drink milk past development and the only ones to willingly, and consistently drink the milk of another.

5. My understandings of my dietary needs have evolved enough to understand that I can be strong, healthy, and food happy as a Vegan. I can have flavor. I can have texture. I can have protein. I can have variety.

As to diet, it is also my health commitment to reduce my intake of sugars and processed foods. As this “helpful” website lists, there are lots of foods that are Vegan. A Pop Tart is vegan, but that doesn’t mean I should be eating this highly processed mess for breakfast every day. Still, while I am focused on whole, fresh foods, I’m not going to deny myself the pleasure of having someone else do the work every once in a while. I won’t turn my nose up at prepared or even mock meat products. Just know that to me, to fantasize about eating a turkey and to regularly pretend I’m eating a cow is not really overcoming. I’m cool with tofu, and it doesn’t have to look like a chicken strip for me to eat it. It’s the seasonings that make it fly and to me, it is the seasoning that holds memory. Remember, few actually eat meat naked with no spices or breading. What does it taste like without seasoning, sauces, and breading anyway?

Don’t misunderstand me. I was raised on meat and such, and in the past months I have really, really enjoyed the tastes that I’ve experienced on the road. (See here and here) But you know, afterwards I felt wrong in my spirit. I know that I am able to find just as remarkable dining experiences on this next road less traveled. I’ve already set up my iphone with apps to help me find vegan restaurants, and apps to tell me what’s vegan in popular restaurants.

As to the Vegan lifestyle, I don’t intend on demanding that the leather sofa that has been in our living room for 10 years be thrown out. But, when we buy a new set, it will surely be considered with more thought. I’ve never really brought leather products, but there is a gorgeous coat I brought last fall that looks like the real thing but I don’t think it is. I’ll be keeping that and it won’t go to Goodwill. Future purchases will be more conscious. I won’t be joining PETA and throwing things at people, but it would be cool to be a sexy Vegan eh? Finally, because this is my personal choice, no matter how I feel about it, you and I can be friends if you’re an omnivore. I will go to dinner with friends who don’t eat the way I want to, as long as I can eat the way I want to.

The next road less traveled awaits, and I’m very excited.

Interested in Veganism? Here are some concept and recipe books to get you started. If you have more that have helped you, just place the title and author in the comment box.

Sistah Vegan – A. Breeze Harper

The Kind Diet- Alicia Silverstone

Quantum Wellness 21 Day Cleanse- Kathy Freston

Vegan Soul Kitchen Bryant Terry

Eating Animals – Jonathan Safran Foer

The Omnivore’s Dilemma- Michael Pollard

Buy fruits and vegetables at your local farmers markets. Find em’ in your area here.

One phrase often referred to after the Haiti Earthquake is that of Haiti’s “fragile infrastructure.” A country’s infrastructure refers to, among other things, the stability of schools, water, public safety, waste management, and transportation. Post-quake, all of these were damaged almost beyond repair, but they were all indeed fragile many years before this tragedy. Take the Port Au Prince airport for example. As the world watched and wondered why planes with much needed aid could not land, those in Haiti understood the structural and staffing limitations that the airport suffered from in the first place. It is said that prior to the earthquake, the airport typically had little more than 30 incoming flights daily. Suddenly there were hundreds expecting to land on broken soil. This is just one example.

So how did this infrastructure become so weakened? More importantly perhaps, are there significant plans in place that will allow the millions in aid sent to the country to be used to rebuild and strengthen it? Is it possible for this rebuilding effort to not turn into “disaster capitalism,” where outside capitalist investors jump into the effort with the focus on profit, leaving little change in the infrastructure to help communities ever gain self sufficiency? The money in turn, leaves the country to outside profiteers. I was sent this interesting article by Naomi Klein, who flips the script on the common view that Haiti is a liability to the world. Instead, she posits Haiti as a “creditor to the world, not a debtor.” Interesting perspective and historical content.

Second, the video above really deconstructs previous policy, and highlights some points of disaster capitalism, even looking at a potential US role in weakening Haitian infrastructure. Remember how much political energy citizens of the US expended to fight sweat shops in Central America? Here it is shown that US policy has helped foster a Haitian garment industry that is little more than sweat shop rule itself. Workers earning $3 per day? Wow.

Check out Partners in Health, who are referenced in the video. If you need a hands-on organization to see the work that has been done and which still needs to be done, this would be a good place to start looking around.

Naomi Kleins work on disaster capitalism and “shock doctrines” can be found here.

What I’ve always found remarkable about Will Smith, is his almost unflinching belief in his ability. This is demonstrated here, but what is telling is that his belief does not seem founded in arrogance, but in a simple personal philosophy. “I know who I am. I know what I believe in. I am willing to die for it. It’s that simple.” Truly we complicate our lives by allowing others and their motivations to interfere with our path. Yet, when we achieve focus and confidence in who we are and what we believe in, the universe respects this and allows us to achieve personal greatness. The greatness that is of our own definition. Smith talks about the ability to focus on a goal as being essential, and I really love it when he says that having a plan B takes the focus away from plan A. Failure should not be an option.

It’s funny that many critique Smith by saying that his views are such because he has success. I say he has success because of his views. Are you willing to test the method? Focus. Believe. Stay as positive as you can, regardless of what others say. Take note in those who are negative only to note the misery that they bring on themselves. Everyday we have a choice as to what we will do with our life. The glass always starts empty and ready for the days experience of life. What will you fill it with?

A few books to help fill the glass:

Don Miguel Ruiz- The Four Agreements- Practical Personal Freedom
Paulo Coelho- The Alchemist
Pema Chodron- Taking the Leap-Freeing Ourselves From Old Habits and Fears
Norman Vincent Peale- The Power of Positive Thinking

I am totally hooked on Ancestry.com. So much so, I’ve forgotten to sleep and eat a few different times over the past few days. Wow. I mean, who knew? I obviously didn’t. It started innocently enough. I was working on my memoir and was reminded of a discussion with a colleague about her web search for those in her past. I thought that perhaps a free trial would be harmless in helping me fill in some of the blanks in my family mystery. ( I always call it that versus history). It was easy enough to find most of my father’s relatives as they seemed well documented down through the years. I had only a few names from a couple of generations, but it was amazing to find documented proof of their lives back 5 generations. It is my recently deceased mother’s mystery that has always been the center of my family. Things unsaid. Conflict based on painful memories shared sparingly. Would I be able to find anything?

I began simply with her and the knowledge of my grandparents names. I was able to find a very valuable 1930 census recording where everyone in the house at that time was listed. I was able to search the spokes of information found within. Where they lived. Who were their neighbors. Names of her siblings. Their dates of birth. From there I took this info and looked for each relative and found incredible things about my grandparents, all the way back to my great great grand parents and perhaps more. I worked backwards, filling in a mysterious tree with both online info and by remembering tiny facts or old stories that came to my mind during this process. Where the line ended, and where names stopped in 1803, I found the birth of David M__, a man from Wilmington NC who I believe began the secret that haunted my mother’s side of the family for many years. I have known for years that there was pain, that there was shame, and that it was related to heritage. I believe he entered my heritage as a slave owner and possibly as the father of Martha my great great grandmother. How did I find him? With Ancestry.com and a bit of online detective work that had me eventually leaving the site and finding even more interesting facts.

My mother was born in 1937. Although I have been told she had 17 siblings, on Ancestry.com I have to date found proof of only 15. My mother’s tree filled in and branched out on my computer screen in facinating ways. I found matched couples. The R’s in Raleigh and Rosana- my grandparents. The J’s in James and Johnie, my great grandparents. The M’s in Mack and Martha, my great great grandparents. Raleigh was born in 1893. There is no record of the day of his birth. I found a 1917 World War I draft registration card for him that shows at the time he was a 24 yr old who did not know the day he was born, but knew the year. He was also unable to read or write so the draft records keeper filled out the card for him and he was released from draft consideration. I was able to confirm other facts about him through the 1910 and 1930 census documents. Here is where I was also able to track his growing family which would soon include my mother. In the 1930 census record, I found that he had become literate. Raleigh disappeared after the 1930 census and I could find no further records of him. I will have to hit the roads of his hometown to find out what happened to him. There are now addresses and info to help me piece that together.

Records show Rosana was born in 1899 and died in 1987. As a side note, I was quite honored to see a pattern of many women on both sides of my tree living close to and way into their late 90‘s. I hope that I will be that fortunate. Grandmother Rosana is listed in the 1900, 1910, and 1930 census records, first as a child and then as a wife. I learned the names of her siblings. I lost the thread of info on Rosana’s mother Johnie, because I could not find her maiden name. But my great grandfather James was born in 1869 and died in 1923. His death record shows that he died of pneumonia, but important to my search, it was in this document that I found his parents names. His father Mack I quickly lost, but the tree continued with his mother Martha (1841-1936) whose maiden name was on her death certificate. On her birth record I found an oddity. Her mother is listed as unknown, while her father was listed as a David M__ from New Hanover in NC. Scanning through several records for a David M__ born in 1803, I found only one that seemed to fit the correct age, name, and location. An 1850 census record detailed his household being that of a wife, 6 children, and one male servant. A white family, with no black child. No Martha. Where was she? Was I wrong about David M__? The records of David M__ continued and suddenly an 1850 US Federal Slave Record came into view. I found that David M__ owned 16 slaves from ages infant to 36. There were two older female slaves and one young girl who was 9 in 1850, the same age my great great grandmother Martha would have been.

Could this man have been her biological father? Could he have been her owner? Is this a broken thread and not related to Martha at all? I found all the points troubling but intriguing at the same time. There was one nagging factor that I couldn’t find a connection for. If this is Martha in the slave record, how did she wind up in Ellenboro NC, where everyone after her seemed to grow from, completely isolated in the mountains of North Carolina? This potential slave thread began on the far coast near Wilmington. This bothered me for a couple of days until I was doing separate research on the area where most of my mothers people are from. Ellenboro is a tiny place where the census of 2000 recorded a population of less than 500 residents. I was curious as to what it might have looked like throughout the 1800‘s. An extra click on facts suddenly gave me a possible route for Martha. In 1880, Seaboard Railroad built a line straight from Wilmington to Ellenboro of all places. Did this railroad line bring freed slaves to the mountains? Did it bring a freed Martha and Mack and their children, one of whom was my great grandfather, to a new life? I can’t say for sure, but surely with Ancestry.com I have more tools to dig deeper into my mystery and see what comes up next. Ready or not. In the meantime I’ll be printing all of these great documents off Ancestry.com and compiling them for my own daughters time when the deeper questions of where she comes from inevitably arise. Especially after she reads my memoir.

My iMac- Old faithfull and my households hub. Stays in my office and is connected to our main external hard drives. It is the center of our Apple Extreme home networking, printing and file sharing system. It’s also the main computer for our Apple TV home media system. I prefer to use its large display and stationary stability mainly for heavy work assignments like web site creation and video editing work.

My Macbook Pro- As close as I can get to a mobile iMac, this is my mobile writing studio. When the urge hits me to create, it’s there and with a 7 hr battery, I’m okay to write all over the place from backyard to park bench to passenger seat. Not just an expensive word processor. Its drive space and memory allow me to do much more with software and downloads.

My iPhone- My primary work and social phone. Who uses land lines anymore? My iPhone is of course much more. It is my ultimate portable–in my pocket info, music, and task master. It GPS voice navigates me, keeps me in touch in multiple ways, and plays all my music and audio books. Waiting in line at the DMV or anywhere else is not the same anymore.

So, with all that why an iPad? What might it do for me?

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I could go on. So do I really need an iPad? No one really needs one, but I do want one, and it could make my days a lot neater. I imagine for those who don’t have an iPhone or iTouch and aren’t used to the capabilities, the iPad could send them into a happy Apple delirium. Which brings me to an important point. It could be a bit financially excessive to bring an iPad (or 2) into a household that is already “Mac’d out.” However, I think it would fit, and I don’t think it is a redundant product. Yet, what of those who might bring a $499 iPad into a household as a digital media option where there aren’t multiple Mac products? Score! This looks to be a great product and a great deal. Seems clear to me that it does make a 3rd category between smart phones and laptops and seems like it will do it well.

Our Visit to Popcorn Haven

I love popcorn probably as much as I love my iPhone. I eat popcorn almost daily, and when I can find flavored and gourmet popcorn it makes life all the better. Over the years I’ve enjoyed Dale and Thomas. Saw them on Oprah’s favorite things one year and tried them out. They were good but their flavors were limited. I’m a candied popcorn fan so the cheeses and toffee cashew mixes are great but not my first in line fav. One summer on a Myrtle Beach S.C. trip, I discovered a popcorn shop at Broadway at the Beach that had my simple and cherished cherry popcorn. Lost contact with them when they closed shop. Discovered Chicago’s famous Garrett’s popcorn. Very good but again, limited in flavors to about 4-6, and heavy on the cheese versions. Chagrin Falls (Ohio) Popcorn Shoppe surprised me with a limited edition cranberry mix. Good, but the cranberry pops were mixed in with kettle corn. Interesting flavor but not fully fruity like I wanted it.

As you can see, I’m always on the look for popcorn shoppes. Heading up to Chattanooga north of Atlanta on I-75, I noticed a highway billboard touting a shop with over 100 flavors. 100 flavors?! How could I have not seen this sign before? Reason being, this shop in Calhoun Ga is a new one that I hope will have a long life. Exceptionally friendly and dedicated to the mastery of the corn, twin brothers Deon and DaRon Ragland have sold 20,000 bags of gourmet corn in their first six months of operation.. Clearly there are a lot of popcorn fanatics out there.

Deon and DeRon Ragland

It’s a bit overwhelming when you walk into their store. I’ve never seen so many huge tubs of flavored popcorn. Nearly 100 face the customer counter and believe it or not, they say they now have TWO HUNDRED flavors available. Samples are given to help you make your decisions. Deciding is a difficult but enjoyable task. This is true gourmet popcorn magic. All of the flavors I tried tasted just as the names promised, demonstrating the utmost care in creation. I was amazed. Kit Kat popcorn? White Chocolate and Pretzel? Banana Pudding? Key Lime? Pumpkin Pie?

We left with a substantial bounty for the holidays. Our bag selections? Cajon, Ranch, Sour Cream and Chives, White Cheddar Peppermint, Cherry, White Chocolate, White Chocolate Strawberry, English Toffee, and Cranberry. Wish we could have gotten more, but I’ll surely be ordering online very soon. Visit Popcorn Haven in Calhoun Ga or click this (link) for flavors and order info.

DeRon works his magic.

Hmmm...Which to choose?

My four-day qigong experience in Miami (general photos of the workshop) left me on such an emotional high, I felt it wise to come back down to earth before speaking on it at length. I figured I should return to my day to day challenges and life before blogging on the practicalities of what was probably meant to be a lifestyle shift. Lifestyle shifts are pretty regular for me and are typical surprises. I never look for them. I rarely say anything like, “This year I’m going to…” It’s more like they fall in my lap and I say, “I think I like this.” Some last, and some don’t. Some take me to the door of another experience. Some drop off with nothing in its place and I flounder without direction for who knows how long.

Attending the qigong workshop presented by Supreme Science Qigong was not my idea. I was an extra participant, but I had decided to be completely open to the experience and see where it might lead me. For 4 days the workshop led its participants through the three levels of Qigong (chee-gong), a 5,000-year-old practice of Qi (energy), and Gong (work). This essentially means understanding ones space in the universe as being surrounded by natural energy forces. These forces are both within and outside of us. It is the balance or lack of balance with these that can dictate our emotional and physical well being, as well as our ability to maneuver through our day to day in harmony with these forces. For instance, gravity is one such force that holds us earthbound, but our physical relationship with it allows us to move, walk, and run through it. At an early age we learn how to manage this force around us. Learning to walk is actually learning to fall with grace and trust in the unseen earths gravity. There are more forces around us. There are energy fields and magnetic relationships such as those within our bloodstream that ensure balance and survival. Qigong, in a very simplified manner is the work of harnessing and utilizing the energy that surrounds us, to ensure the harmonious balance between our conscious minds and our autonomic physical systems. This work gets harder as we grow older and are influenced by the challenges of life and our environment.

There are numerous health benefits to engaging in a regular qigong practice. Studies have shown marked reductions in blood pressure and stress hormone release, while noting increases in brain and focus boosting oxygen saturation. Qigong requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Its calming and healing features have been discussed as anti-aging tools for many generations. Even Oprah jumped on the bandwagon and qigong exercises are prominently displayed on her website. Her guru Dr Oz, recently made the bold statement, “If you want to be healthy and live to 100, do qigong.”

In a qigong practice you focus on the breath (as energy), slow your movements in time with the inhalation and exhalation, and strive to visualize qi(energy) all around you. These slow movements are purposeful to gather qi and bring your body emotionally and physically in balance. Imagine yourself as Neo in “The Matrix.” The field that you see around you is like qi. Now slow yourself, collect, and work with it.

This was difficult for me, because to slow my mind and body has always been a challenge. Yet, it is a challenge that I‘ve always known would be valuable to my mental and physical health if I could overcome my fidgety nature. Our workshop had about 300 people present, some fidgety and some not, but we were all doing qigong simultaneously. Having so many around attempting the same task was inspiring and the energy was high. It really pushed me to give this practice my best. Our instructor Jeff Primack constantly guided us to slow down and access the qi around us. He explained that qi could not be harnessed with quick motions. Like wisps of smoke, if we grab at it, the smoke will rush away and dissipate. But slow purposeful motion allows us to feel and see the smoke. Like this, our relationship with our internal and external qi must be slowed down in order to “see” and feel it as well. Once I hunkered down and settled my mind, I was able to complete the slow, precise motions with focus and sincerity. I was surprised to begin to feel a warmth and vibration passing between my outstretched palms. I thought, “Could this be qi?” There was a peace to this warmth that was very grounding. This started to make sense to me. Slow down. Clear your mind. Breathe. Make purposeful sincere movements. Connect yourself to the universe around you. Experience peace.

While there are many different forms of qigong taught by various instructors, the core concepts remain. What I enjoyed about the Supreme Science method and its instructor and founder Jeff Primack, was that the physical formations were simple and assessable to a large base of people with differing physical starting points. Some qigong forms require leg lifts and other challenges to balance. Supreme Science level 1 and 2 forms focus on precise movements with an emotional connection to visualizing and capturing qi- which in turn strengthens the body towards more advanced movements in level 3 and beyond. The video clip I’ve posted at the top of this blog shows a time lapse of forms 1 and 2. You can also see instructor Jeff Primack beautifully executing forms from level 2. Watching him you can experience the intensity, energy, and focus of qigong. The harnessing of all of these qualities is key to qigong. At the clips end you will see workshop participants sitting chair to chair, holding hands, and doing breathing meditations. At our session, this 9 breath method was taught as a means to oxygenate the body(not hyperventilate), connect with qi, and ground oneself. Each workshop has group meditations where this chain of healing energy is focused and sent out to loved ones and enemies equally. Equally to the world, and to the universe. I was enraptured. I utilized the 9 breath method as we engaged in a healing meditation and I thought of many things and many people. My mind traveled to young Saniyah Davis, a youngster in our community who was murdered. The angst felt over such a tragedy is incredible. This practice helped us not minimize, but address some of that.

At the tail end of the workshop, I raised my hand along with other buzzed and motivated souls, and committed to at least 30 days of qigong. The prescription from our qigong master Jeff Primack was that we would begin the next 30 days by rising early, drinking warm water and green tea, digesting a nutrient rich smoothie, visiting the porcelain goddess, showering and then doing a 45-60 minute qigong session before taking on the world. In essence, set our energy and focus to the positive so that our days would manifest as less stressful, deflecting negativity and manifesting good health. This sounds wonderful, and some days I was able to do so. Still, even with my very flexible life there were mornings I had things to do that would knock me off track and preclude my taking the 90 minutes or more that it would take to do what Jeff asked of us. Sometimes I had difficulty, and while my body was participating in the full 45 minute routine (led by Jeff on video), my mind would often race and think about the clock and what I needed to do afterwards.

I don’t beat myself up on this. I imagine this is a fairly common experience. To go from 4 days in a cocoon of 300+ supportive souls to the sounds, experiences, and expectations of real life on your shoulders can be a jolt. I still believe a major point of a qigong practice is to gain positive perspective of such real life challenges. This is not an overnight task.

This is a lifestyle change, so instead of dropping the whole thing in frustration, I reworked my commitment. For this first stage in my lifestyle shift to a healthier and managed life through qigong, I committed to 30 days, which don’t have to be one after the other. I try not to let too much time lapse between sessions because I know that the “good” qi can be lost in that time. I realize that 30 continuous days is the ideal, but not quite practical for me right now. However, when I feel a bit jagged around the edges I know that qigong will help me regain control and focus. This as a tool is a major shift for me. Importantly, when I step to a 45-minute qigong practice now, it is with a sincerity and purpose that will build a truly regular and more intensive practice in the long run.

I’ll be blogging more on my qigong journey in the days to come. Let me know if you start your own. Here are some links to assist you.

Jeff Primack’s Supreme Science Qigong Workshops and Qigong Info- link- you might have to check back for 2010 schedule

Oprah Winfrey Show Qigong Video and Audio Meditations link

Watch CBS News Videos Online

I admit I was amazed by what I saw on the AMA’s when Lambert did his controversial performance of “For Your Entertainment.” I have to say though, I respect him for sticking to his guns as a performer and offering no apologies in the name of artistic freedom. He does this in a “CBS This Morning” clip. He also criticizes the uproar by mentioning that the show had several moments from several artists that could have been just as maligned but weren’t. A very valid point. I probably was more offended to hear Eminem talk about his Slim Shady persona committing “17 rapes,” then I was seeing Lambert performing a glammed up version of any number of Madonna-like performances.

I also agree that he is a performer and not a babysitter. His near 11 pm performance was probably the best spot for it, and parents should have been aware of this. Really, if you’re going to sit with your pre-teen and watch the show, you had plenty of times to turn it off way before he hopped on the stage. Or as he said…”TiVo it” and review it before letting them watch. Ultimately, I won’t be buying his album, not even one song off iTunes. His vocal style and pop techno beats are not my cup of tea. But what he says here makes sense, and reminds us that it’s our responsibility to monitor our own kids, turn off the tv, or not buy a product. Parenting is a tough job, but somebody has to do it. How about you?…not ABC.

Miami Beach was a bit of an accidental road trip. We had planned to attend a 4 day qigong workshop in Charlotte NC, but due to a bad back that said, “nada,” we couldn’t make it. The next scheduled stop on the qi revolution tour was in Miami, so away we went. I initially thought Miami would have been too much of a distraction. Having never been there, I wondered if its frenetic, pulsing nature against the slow and precise qigong experience would turn the trip into a Jekyll and Hyde nightmare. All went well though. The small amount of free time from the workshop allowed me to have just enough of a taste of Miami Beach to find some favorites, and consider a return trip.

Miami is a study of contrasts that I had not experienced since living near Los Angeles. It’s said that every city has a word and for Miami I must say it is “juice,” as in the electricity and sensations from it that one experiences while there. The short morning drive to the workshop each day was frightening and exhilarating. Drivers in Miami don’t cut into traffic- they slice into it. All size cars from sleek sports cars to gigantic SUV’s zoom in and out of traffic through seemingly impossible openings. Coming out of a toll both is like being in a lane at a NHRA drag race. After one experience of nearly being run off the road after paying a toll, I got the gist: While your toll personnel is getting your change, engage your clutch, pump the acceleration, and be ready for the green light. I also quickly learned to drive with eyes not only in the back of my head but for Miami, I grew several pairs all around my head as I absolutely needed to see all sides and all angles at all times. This was the first time I can recall driving forward but paying more attention to my rear view mirror. There was always a car approaching dangerously in the rear. I constantly found myself playing some form of “reverse chicken,” as I would change a lane only to be frightened out of it by the sight of a fast approaching car coming at me from the rear. And I don’t frighten easy. It was amazing. I’m doubtful that there were any brakes applied. These drivers seem to instantly assume that you will move and thus protect them from what would be horrifying accidents all around.

Once we were safely and expensively garage parked each day, we were able to walk and see small parts of the area while on breaks from the workshop. Miami Beach is quite beautiful and so are its people. Lincoln Rd, which cuts through the heart of the area, is a shopping, people watching, cafe haven. Well groomed and well behaved dogs sit with their owners cafe side, and even the dogs have a “certain” juice to them here. South Beach, a 10 block section of the city, is infamous as much for its celebrity and wealthy citizen ratios as it is for the topless sunbathing on its beaches. I experienced both. I thought it very cool to be seated next to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco as I wolfed down my lunch at David’s Cuban Cafe. Found it a bit odd when Dan Renzi of MTV’s Real World Miami walked past our sidewalk cafe table at Carnevale, and gave me a subtle and low wave when he realized by some glimpse in my eye that I recognized him. I was utterly amazed at the regularity of cars that I would by chance see maybe once every 50 years in NC. Bentleys, Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, and Rolls Royce Phantoms cruised through the streets and were casually parked on the sides. It was quite surreal to see a tanned and thonged young woman park her Bentley on the street, purchase a parking meter coupon, then casually walk off to the beach. At another time while sitting on the beach surrounded by several topless bathers, I marveled as a beach vender strolled between us all, offering his items to each group. I had to laugh as he walked up to a woman laid out on her back– topless and reading Malcolm Gladwell. “Water Miss?” he asked. Even though he was selling bikini tops as well, he didnt ask if she wanted one.

Yes, bodies are freely viewed in Miami Beach. It didn’t take long or much effort on my part to realize that few men or women wear underwear under their flowing designer apparel. Got used to it fairly quickly. So much so, that I barely blinked at the photo banner outside of the Hotel Victor advertising its unisex steam room. The image (above) was filled with sexy young men and women lounging naked in the steam room sipping from long stemmed glasses. Ahhh Miami.

Check out the FB side of the blog and you’ll find stories and more pics I took while in Miami including: Ochocinco’s Lamborghini parked street side, the Hotel Victor, and the outside of The Versace Mansion (which has become a members only hotel with a purported $40,000 a year fee plus $600 to $3000 a night to stay.)–which is why I took that pic from the outside.

Below links to my fav’s from the trip.

Ghirardelli
How fortunate Miami Beach is to have an actual Ghirardelli Chocolate shoppe with extraordinary sundaes, hot cocoas, and mocha blends served sidewalk cafe style.

Carnevale Restaurant
Our host looked like Fabio, (complete with flowing hair, open shirt and deep italian accent) and the food was excellent. No one eats inside in Miami. Most prefer the sidewalk setting to people watch and enjoy the fantastic weather. Food was so good we ate lunch here 3 days. Recommend the Chicken Picatta, the Chicken Caesar Salad, and the Sliced Salmon Salad. All remarkably simple fare, but with excellent preparation and flavor.

The Hotel Victor
Walk in the lobby and inhale the sensual aromatherapy. A simply intoxicating hotel. Be sure and visit the spa downstairs. Unisex steam room for the daring and or body positive folks. Our hostess said people don’t get up till 3pm in South Beach , so if you want private time, go “early.”

CJs Crab Shack
Huge portions at great prices. A gigantic grouper filet tried to masquerade as a sandwich..but I knew better.

Effusion Gallery
Miami Beach is known for its art deco architecture and art spaces. This was my favorite street level gallery.

The Big Pink
The Big Pink is the retro restaurant in town. Part 50’s diner, part, Miami mecca….it’s pretty cool.

David’s Cuban Cafe
Open 24 hrs and serving authentic Cuban food as well as items as mundane as a tuna sandwich for the less adventurous.

Casa Casuraina
The former Versace Mansion. Take a look at these images and you just might be able to justify the pricy overnight stays.

Had a great experience down in Miami attending a 4 day qigong workshop. Will be blogging on it soon. One of the many things I came away with was a new personal commitment to start a food based health program that I learned of while there. Part of that program is intensive 3hp blending, and the recommended blender comes from Blendtec. While doing my online research I was “horrified” to see the power of this blender demonstrated by the destruction of my beloved iPhone. Amazing! But even more crazy…did you see the toxic smog that came from the phone? Where can we safely recycle these things?

Saw this performance of “I Am” on the American Music Awards this past Sunday. My new favorite song. Mary J is a phenom that continues to grow and shine with time. This will be on her next studio release, the album “Stronger,” due out on December 22, 2009. By the way, it didn’t bother me one bit when R n’ B teeny bopper rapper Drake (who?) introduced Ms. Blige as “my mothers favorite artist.” She looked great, sounded fab, and her body wasn’t up for display, but was still sexy. We grown folks have wonderful taste and it shows!

Ok. This guy brought tears to our eyes because he’s so talented and yet singing on the corner. I had to video him. We were walking down the street in Miami Beach and this voice just drifted over. He was singing for change. We went up and talked to him and he was happy to oblige a song for us. PLEASE PAY IT FORWARD. Share this clip on your facebook page. Twitter it. Send it as an email link to friends. Just one moment on your page. One moment in your life…make that change. You never know who might see it.

I’ve added a few new categories to the blog. Hope you enjoy the content to come. Remember you can click “I’m Blogging On..” in the sidebar to see category related posts.

North Carolina- I was born here and spent nearly all of my childhood here. The road less traveled beckons me to explore my state through adult eyes and revisited experiences.

Road Trips- When I head off, I’ll be writing about the journey. Who knows what’s next!

For the Love of Food- Ah yes. From my struggles to return to vegetarianism, weight conscious food choices, or just musing about my favorite meals and restaurants I discover on adventures. It will all be here.

Raleigh Restaurants- A subcategory of “For The Love of Food,” especially for locals. I live here. Therefore I eat! (These local posts will not be posted to the homepage. They can be accessed at the sidebar. )

Often when you hear “all you can eat,” it is a buffet setting. Typically you have a packed restaurant that will require you to wade through items cafeteria-style picking out what’s left, or waiting in line around bunsen trays for the refill crew. Additionally problematic is that the flow of your meal intimacy is always interrupted by “be right back,” as you have to leave the table to replenish. What a pleasant surprise it was then, to discover the Japan Inn on Falls of Neuse Rd in Raleigh.

The Japan Inn is newly opened and this is their second location in NC, the other being in Greenville. At the Raleigh location we were offered a semi private booth with traditional Japanese style floor seating. For those who are cross-legged challenged, there is a well under each table for you to stretch your legs. This provides a hidden, but comfortable restaurant style booth sitting option. The restaurant is well designed with floor seating booths, separate restaurant style booths, tables, and a comfortable sports bar area.

The staff was friendly and our server Sophy was knowledgeable, attentive, and understanding of our confusion at not seeing a buffet area. Instead, the Japan Inn offers a one price-off the menu option. You can order anything and as much of everything you want off their varied menu of sushi, hibachi, tempura, traditional Japanese appetizers, and a full desert menu- all for one price. Forgo any guilt and simply enjoy your meal being served to you course by course, and item by item. A few choices such as steak, are designated for dinner or added ala carte, and the prices vary by weekday or weekend lunch or dinner. Overall, the menu options are plentiful. Vegetarian choices are numerous as well.

By ordering off the menu, you ensure that the items are freshly made to order and are not burning at the buffet. The sauces, soups, and especially the tempura were delicious. The hibachi and teriyaki were exceptional. The sushi however, could use a little work. Some of the fish pieces were a bit fatty. The rolls themselves had too much rice on them, so the flavor of the smaller pieces didn’t shine through. Adding slightly bigger pieces and less rice will help. The sushi has potential, so sushi lovers shouldn’t shy away from including some rolls in their list of items to try. Because you’re ordering off the menu be forewarned that you might have to wait longer than expected between orders. Remember that the chefs are preparing multiple orders due to the nature of the all you can eat, so they are probably quite busy especially during dinner. Solution to that? Order up and save room for desert! For that course, be sure to try the banana tempura drizzled in chocolate.

The Japan Inn 4516 Falls of Neuse Rd. Raleigh NC 919-877-8636
Lunch Mon-Sat $12.95 Sun $15.95
Dinner Mon-Thurs $21.95 Fri-Sun $23.95
Greenville Website