Plastic Food

The easiest way to change your life, is change what you put in your mouth.   It is that simple.

Growing up on a small, self-sustaining farm in Oregon, I was giving an opportunity to understand food at a different level than most.  It didn't come from a store, it came from the ground.  We raised our own meat and drank milk from our goats. We planted, watered, tended and then eventually ate the food that sustained us. Every Fall we would freeze and can our harvest for the winter. It was a cycle that was as much a part of my life as breathing.   

I remember in the 1990's, I was living in Pocatello, Idaho building my third start-up company, using motorsports marketing as a platform to educate people on healthier life choices. It was with this company that I became aware of Monsanto and their "engineering" of seeds.   I could immediately SEE the danger in what would eventually be considered "genetically modifying" our food.  We used our sports platform to educate and warn people of the dangers, but people were more worried about celebrities drunken escapades, "Who Let the Dogs Out" and chicken dances.   I knew that people wouldn't start looking at these dangers until it hit their wallet or their health.   Well, here we are.

I'm not sure if it was my plight or my upbringing, but my body reacts to things that are not natural.  By age 5, my family figured out that Yvonne couldn't drink any red drinks.  I could have the green, yellow and blue, just not the red stuff.   Years later, red die #4 was considered dangerous by the FDA.  I would have extreme reactions to diet drinks; years later it was discovered that saccharine was deemed unhealthy.   I suddenly had issues with soy in the early 90's, then corn, then eventually the same issues with wheat and peas.  And sugar... well, don't get me started on the sugar issue!  I have learned that my body serves as a litmus test for society.  These issues affect me first, then ALWAYS follow to affect everyone else, and eventually studied by the FDA. In my early years, I considered this a curse. Now I consider it a blessing, for it has forced me to eat cleanly.  

I call this non-natural food --- plastic
.  

Plastic food, in my opinion, has many negative effects on our bodies.  Beyond the lack of nutrition, the stress on our bodies attempting to adapt to these foreign substances, I believe the most negative effect it has is numbing our minds.   We simply don't have the nutrition our minds NEED for full function.   It is as if our taste-buds have become our most prized physical asset, more than our minds or our physical bodies.  

With numb minds, we become sitting ducks to messages that appear before us.  Television.  Commercials.  Ads.  Buy this. Do that. THIS is what is YOU need.  THIS is important.   We are bombarded by a over-the-top-ridiculous amount of messages about who we need to be; what we need to value; what we need to spend our money on.  Even the clearest minds have issues sorting through it.   Numb minds have to work much harder.

Better nutrition leads to clearer mind.
Clearer mind leads to better vision.
Better vision leads to better choice.
Better choice leads to a better path.
Better path leads to a better life.

And it all starts with what we put in our mouth.

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(I have found what I believe is a great, easy solution to start this "better nutrition" ball rolling.   give me a shout if you have any interest yvonne@yvonneramage.com)

Why does my skin ITCH when I exercise?

Have you ever started a workout routine with excitement and vigor, only to have your first workout end with every square inch of your skin itching?     I have.   In fact, I think I am the queen of itchy skin.   The itchy skin lasts only through the first couple of weeks. But, oh ... those two weeks .... can brutally deflate the enthusiasm for a new exercise program.   After years of trial and error, I finally found a solution for me.

At first I thought my skin was reacting to the cold outside temperatures.  So I ran directly from outside into a hot shower.  This AMPLIFIED THE ITCH.  Folks, do not do this!  Maybe it was an allergic reaction to either my clothing or laundry soap?  I threw away all my running tights, purchased all new, washing them in just water.   Sadly, my next run started enthusiastically and ended with crazy-itch-lady just trying to get home.

Then I read an article that described this as a physical issue, caused by the sudden flow of blood through my blood vessels - boldly going where no blood has gone in a LONG time; it is called vasodilation. 

When I exercise, my blood flow increases.   To get the blood where it needs to go, the vessels are quickly dilated or "opened up".   It is the opening of the blood vessels that cause the itch.  OK I get it , but how can I get it to stop?   Some research suggests that the only way to get through this is to maintain a workout routine (Men's Health Article) But for me suffering through just wasn't an option any more.

More research revealed that histamine may play a factor. For some people this may be an allergic reaction to clothing, soap, pollen, etc.   For others, their body may feel a physical change and use histamine to help in their physiological shift to their new active body. 

What is my solution? Let me preface this with the fact that I am not a physician. If you have any concerns, you should always consult your physician.  What I am sharing is only my personal experience and research.  

My solution came by accident, from my personal trainer Bambi Will (amazing trainer!!).  She suggested that fresh celery juice in the morning is a great way to restore your electrolyte balance from a long workout.  So I purchased a juicer and juiced celery every morning. The itchiness completely stopped.   

Excerpt from article: Why does exercise make me itchy?   Outside Magazine
Besides being nutrient packed, (beet and celery) juice are great for pre exercise and has been found helpful in prompting improved stamina in endurance athletes- running, cycling etc. Beets contain a certain type of nitrate (that is then converted to nitrite) that has been found to help with functions including blood flow, muscle contraction and neurotransmission. (read full article)
Of course, juicing every morning became quite a chore.  So I found a WONDERFUL product that has the beets and celery pre-juiced, packaged with all the nitrate/nitrite intact.  It is part of a performance line of supplements from a world class company.  Now, all I do is drink a small shot of "garden flavored" juice and workout to my hearts desire.   Happy Day!  Happy Running.  Good-bye itch!

(if you are interested in knowing more about the specific product I use, contact me at yvonne@yvonneramage.com) 

Manifesting works: case in point

In August 2008 I found myself searching.   I knew I needed to make a change, just wasn't exactly clear on the details.   In these moments I use visual cues to help direct my focus.  SoI grabbed old magazines, cut out things that represented the life I wanted, and pinned them to my bulletin board.    Smiling people represented happiness.  Cool cabin in the woods represented my dream of an "off the grid" home.  The bulletin board was in my bedroom. It was the first thing I saw in the morning and the last thing I saw at night.  

Located in the lower left quadrant of the board was an advertisement for a vacation destination, a serene beach, turquoise waters, and sunshine (see photo above).  I wanted to go on a vacation this year, relaxing on a beach -- somewhere.  

Three months later, I saw the worst economic crisis in my lifetime (oct 2008).  My job was scheduled to end in less than 6 months.  I needed to save every penny.  I remember looking at that photo of the beach and thinking, "I probably can't afford that vacation now".  But, little did I know, the real work had already been done.  

Two months later my sister called; she was living in Florida at the time.  It was close to my birthday and she wanted to treat me to a cruise.  I booked a flight, took time off work and spent some much needed time with family.  

We "cruised" two days from Tampa to Cozumel and docked for a full day.  My sister found a cool half-day excursion to some Mayan ruins - and again treated me.  I would have never been able to spend the money on myself, especially with the end of a job looming in the near future.   The tour took us down the coast to the Walled City of Tulum... right on the beach.  It was gorgeous !!!  Beautiful beaches with beautiful waters, soft ocean breezes.  As I walked out on this rocky outcropping and looked down the gorgeous beach, I felt at peace.  (see photo below).

We cruised back to Florida, where I spent a couple of days with my family before heading back to Vegas.  Soon as I got home, I reminisced over my vacation photos, re-living the vacation before my dreary Monday. 

Then it HIT ME .....   I saw it ... I couldn't believe it. There it was, the photo I took while standing on a rock outcropping (photo above).  WOW... it looked VERY similar to the one on my vision board.  I ran to the board, pulled it down and verified just how close it was to my photo.  

Then I looked closer.  Wait, it looks like the same beach because it is the same beach.... one photo looking north, one photo looking south.  I was standing EXACTLY in the same place as the image in the advertisement.  EXACTLY.   

Since then, I have always used vision boards.  I know the term of "manifest your destiny" and "create your life" are a bit overworked and becoming cliche.  But I hope this story helps you realize that it works.   The trick is to set an intention, consciously guide it to seep into your personal understanding, then allow your subconscious to do the work.   Your subconscious works every moment of every day - even when you aren't watching.  

Remember, I worked every day on visualizing this vacation.  Then I gave up.  But my subconscious didn't.  And it was my subconscious that led me to the opportunity to go EXACTLY where I had envisioned.    It works.  It really works.

Hearing "no" - 24 hours later ... revised perspectives

The last 24 hours has afforded me some incredible soul-searching.   In my journey for musical expression, I have heard quite a few things that I did not like, most of which took a limiting stance.   You're too ___ (fill in the blank).  You're not enough ___ (fill in the blank).   No matter the exact nature of the limit it is, by enlarge, a limit handed to me by someone outside myself.

This morning, during my morning meditation, I had clarity.  Lots and lots of clarity.   These limits only bother me, because they echo my deep fears of inadequacy.  Fears so deep that I didn't really see how they influenced my thoughts.    

At the surface, I feel driven and clear that I am enough.  How could I not?  And if that were my complete truth, limits presented to me outside myself, would have no affect.   That clearly wasn't the case.  They bothered me.

Instead, I set this up as an outward battle for me to move around.  A fight for me to choose "not to fight".  But, this morning, I saw it as an inner battle.... people (outside) are telling me what I fear (inside).  The battle truly exists within. 

And this is good news. If the battle exists inside myself, I can choose a different perspective, thereby making all aspects of the battle mute.

Now that I see my fears of inadequacy, I can make choices that align with my purpose.  I have so much gratitude for those that told me "No".  You helped bring me closer to my goals. 

Hearing "No"

Three weeks in to my journey of music as a career and I hit my first roadblock.  No.  Of course, there are tons of reasons why someone says "No".  Mostly I can hear "no" and move on, knowing that my "yes" is somewhere ... closer than I may think.   This is my mindset that moves me forward.  

But this "no", came from an industry professional, who is widely respected in the music industry in Vegas.  It was a hard "no" to hear.   It did not help that this person is a dear friend, and was trying to help me manage my expectations of how my music career may (or may not) bloom in such a dog-eat-dog, youth-sells environment.

How does one get past such a honest and good friend's thoughts of my chances in the industry?   Firstly, I trust his opinion of the world in which he works... and ... I listened.  He will not be the first person to point out my miscomings.  And we all have miscomings.  I let the hard news soak in, permeating my understanding.   For this... this understanding.... is what I must work around.   it is the moat around the castle that I must find a way over.   

Not every battle needs to be fought.  Sometimes one can *see* the battle, let everyone else spend their energy trying to win it, while I calmly and quietly walk around.  The battle consists of societal ideals of a person's value, based on external circumstances, such as age, color, race, sex ... the list is endless.  Truly ... endless.  These are the judgments that others may cast upon me.  But the question is:  Do I accept them?  I can outshine their limitations of me, outlast their limits, or find a way past those that do not see the same potential I see in myself.  For if I spend my energy in my own truth, rather than in battle, I have faith that those aligned with my journey will propel me forward.  

I believe there is a niche for me. It may not look like anyone else's journey.  But it is there.  And now that I SEE what limits people may thrust my direction, I can SEE where my time and energy will be wasted, freeing me to find my own direction.   My path is uniquely my own.

Not everyone is a great country singer.  Not everyone is pop-star potential.  Not everyone is a concert pianist. But all musicians have a place.  I truly believe this in my heart.  Whether is it singing in a Las Vegas lounge, fronting a funk band, or even playing small venues ... I believe in my core, that people want and need to hear my music.  It has value.  

So I can thank the "no" people for their honesty.  Thanks.  Because now I know where I will be wasting my time.

Same but Different

Recently I moved back to Vegas, having been gone for an extended 7 years.  I say "extended" because it felt like more than 7 years. Paradoxically, it amazes me that I was gone that long.   

Returning to a familiar place, has been a daunting endeavor.  As I drive down familiar streets, to familiar places, glimmers of the 35-year-old me come bubbling to my surface.  Bright enough for me to both see and feel, yet veiled enough to know that it is a memory. 

Much has happened for me between then and now.  Life has offered me an endless vessel of learning opportunities. Some of which I grabbed; some of which floated by without detection.  And one thing is clear, I have grown dramatically in these last 7 years.

In these glimmering, yet veiled moments of my younger self, I feel a duplicity. It is a swilling fusion of both the new and old "me".   This assimilation allows me a perspective from which to measure the distance between then and now.  Who was I?  Who am I now?   How far have I come?   It is the perspective that only age can give you.  It is a perspective for which I am thankful to have and experience.   

So the streets are the same.  Yet my journey down them has proven to be vastly different. 

Leaving the Green

Today has been a transitory moment for me, coming to the understanding that I am moving and making decisions on what I will leave and what I will take.   

Nature is .... second-nature to me.  Green trees, gardens, plants all help me breath; they give me peace and serenity.  I was so fortunate to have spent most of my life in the natural world, from my career in mountaineering where I lived outside for many years, to growing gardens for years in Oregon.   Oregon is my home, where I grew up and where I live for the moment.    And although I am super excited about moving to a new city with new opportunities, I must take a moment to express gratitude for being able to spend these last few years among the green.

Green is the color of growth, renewal and rebirth.  It helps to balance the heart and head.  It is comprised of yellow-- the color of clarity and optimism, and blue--the color of hope.  And it is this that I choose to take with me, rather than my physical plants.  Soon I will leave the Oregon green, and move to the desert brown for new opportunity.   So focusing on optimism and hope, growth and renewal, will always keep me in the green.