To truly live

Pura Vida...ahh the two words my boyfriend and I (Mia) kept hearing on our recent trip to Costa Rica. Meaning pure life, these two words are used by Costa Ricans in every single conversation. Given the privilege to spend some time there getting to know the country and its people, I quickly realized that this is not just a phrase that's blurted out every so often, but its really a chosen way of life for the locals.

I recently watched phenomenal video which spoke about the 'happiness index' see here. As it turns out Costa Ricans are some of the happiest people in the world. Their secret? They use little, don't take more then they need, and spend time and energy cultivating meaningful relationships instead of cultivating material wealth. It really is no surprise that so many people go there looking for a relaxing vacation and end up calling it their new home. During our trip we met numerous people from North America and Europe that have permanently moved there. And I can't help but conclude that the reason many make the decision to jump ship, other than the tropical climate, is that Costa Ricans live their life with the kind of awareness and engagement in every day life that is nothing but inspirational.

Throughout my trip I saw many things that took my breath away and beauty that literally brought me to tears, but one place that was the highlight of the trip is a little eco lodge called La Cusinga, see here. I promise they didn't pay me to blog about them, instead its the kind of place I'm proud to share with all you fine people. Not only did I fall in love with the place itself, but also with each person I came in contact with. It didn't take long before I stopped feeling like a visitor and right at home.

The reason this place is so special to me is because its a prime example of how a business can be responsible with everything it comes in contact with, live in harmony with its surroundings and thrive all at the same time. Im not going to get into how they do all that, you'll just have to go there and see for yourself. But what I will say is that all of us can learn from their success that comes from nothing but unwavering commitment to who they are and what they stand for. I guess being a business owner myself I get very inspired when I come in contact with individuals who don't measure success by their bottom line but by the level of authenticity and full self expression that goes into every part of what they do. I'd like to express my full gratitude to everyone at La Cusinga for being such a great example for me and many others of what it means to truly live in harmony.

P.S. Did I mention that they have a Yoga studio overlooking the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. I'm thinking we might have possibly found our next Yoga retreat spot.

We found this in our room at La Cusinga...couldn't have said it better myself.

Nothing like the Pacific sunset.

Hey, get that gravy boat out of your nose!

Being a business owner, sometimes you may feel that you aren't allowed to get sick or take time off work if you've got the sniffles. False. First off, no one wants to be around you while you hack up a lung. Second, resting and taking time to get well, when you feel run-down is a smart business move since being out of commission while that nagging cough turns into full-blown pnumonia will only cost you more dough in the long term.

So for all you self-employed bosses out there, get plenty of rest, eat right and meet my secret weapon...the neti pot. Yogis of yore have been irrigating their nasal passages for a long time. Here's why it works:

• removes bacteria filled musus from your nasal passages, including the dirt and grime that accumulates from environmental toxins
• lubricates the sinus cavities which can become dry and raw from dry indoor air. This can leave us vulnerable to infections
• helps to eliminate or alleviate allergy symptoms (the neti pot helps to drain the sinus cavities)
• helps to flush the tear ducts – clarity of vision = clarity of mind

Mia describes it best when she shares her experience with the neti pot: She likens it to going swimming in a crisp salt-water ocean...coming out and feeling absolutely refreshed.

Here's an instructional video I found.

Go forth neti-potters!

BTW...ceramic Neti Pots are now back in stock at GL!

A resolution in the making...

Directly quoted from a beautiful note we received from friends down in beautiful

Costa Rica...

I will seek elegance rather than luxury, refinement rather than fashion. I will seek to be worthy more than respectable, wealthy and not rich. I will study hard, think quietly, talk gently, and act frankly. I will listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with an open heart. I will bear all things cheerfully, do all things bravely await occasions and hurry never. In a word I will let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common.

Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

Check ballot box please

Do you remember Captn' Crunch? What about Coco Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles, or TRIX? The shiny, sparkly sugary goodness of my childhood past. If you were an 80's kid (me being part of that demographic) you too, will remember looking for the box with the best free toy inside the cereal box. Thinking of this bring me straight back to my frizzy perm and plastic Hello Kitty faced watch.

But I'm not here to talk about sugary cereal perse. I'm here to talk about the sudden disappearance of aforementioned breakfast foods. Notice, how over the years they have basically vanished from the face of grocery store shelves? Well that folks, demonstrates the power of voting with your money, and an example of how individuals have power over large corporations.

We are in an age where cheap and unhealthy foods is as accessible as a mouse click away. We don't see that living beings are cruelly raised and slaughtered for our taste buds (no this is not a blog entry about being a vegetarian), and making us sick or dead in the process (listeria, mad-cow etc…)

for those of you who have yet to watch Food Inc., this is 2 hours of your precious time worth spending in front of the boob tube. It's scary, but eye-opening stuff.

Going back to the cereals of my childhood…they have almost altogether gone the way of the dinosaur because people no longer purchased them. Somehow, parents realized that no matter how fun or tasty these cereals were…they weren't too good for the kids…so they stopped buying them. Here's a hot tip, if no body buys certain product lines, guess what these big food manufacturers do…they stop making them!

I know I'm stating the obvious, but I'll still say it: retailers, food manufacturers and share holders look at what sells, what doesn't and they react to what YOU WANT. People make their living studying growth and declines in the market (I used to be one of them), and rationalize product lines so that they maximize profits and sales.

Did you notice, a few years back that EVERYONE was getting into the organics game? All of a sudden. your local grocer started carrying certified organic teas, cookies and snacks. A small, but obvious section was carved out at the butcher section for free range chicken or eggs? Head honchos realized that they could actually make money from these ethical choices, because everyone and their uncle started asking for them.

So every time we go to the grocery store, every time a barcode passes that creepy red laser…we are, in essence, voting with our purchase. When we buy GMO or pesticide laden foodstuffs, we are essentially saying…it's okay…keep producing this stuff which could or will make me sick. When we buy that toxic laundry detergent that was on sale for 1.99, that will be fed back into our water supply, we tell them it's okay to keep producing this sick stuff.

On the flip side, when we purchase free-range chicken from foul that actually saw real sun-light, we are supporting that farmer and entire production line that promotes ethical treatment of animals raised for consumption.

And if sustainable becomes the norm and expected, guess what happens?? Competition between manufacturers..which means…better/affordable prices for you and me, and eating hormone laden protein will be likened to eating asbestos…we wont stand for it.

Let us vote with our money, and as much as I love Captn' Crunch, I'll only be eating it in my fond memories of childhood.