Perfect Health Can Be Yours!!

Or can it?

As I was leaving the library the other day, I caught sight of a book by Deepak Chopra called Perfect Health: The Complete Mind Body Guide. I borrowed the book not because I was deeply interested but just out of curiosity.

The first chapter starts:

"There exists in every person a place that is free from disease, that never feels pain, that cannot age or die. When you go to this place, limitations which all of us accept cease to exist. They are not even entertained as a possibility.

This is the place called perfect health."

I suppose Chopra believes his book will be the guide that will lead readers to that place.

I couldn't help the feeling. Bordering on anger but more so skepticism. Vigorous skepticism.

I haven't read through the book so maybe I'm not being fair. I'll accept that.

I need to know: are we talking about real perfect health physically where I don't have any ailments or issues or are we talking about experiencing perfect health in spite of our issues? Are we talking about perception here? I can get with that. But from the back of the book, it seems Chopra is talking about really transcending our "ordinary limitations" and achieving perfect health, i.e. actually having no disease/illness at all.

I thought to myself, why the skepticism? Don't you believe that you can be perfectly healthy?

And then I realized that I don't. This might be defeatist thinking at it's finest but I just don't.

The hubby thinks it's possible if you can figure out the foods you are supposed to eat and then go live where those things grow locally. He thinks where those foods grow is probably where you'd feel most alive and you'd be able to heal quickly and overall enjoy perfect health. I can get with that.

But I guess at this point I'm tired of the "gurus" telling me how to achieve this or achieve that. It seems too complex, human beings are so different and so unique that, it seems, there's no one way to health. Even though Chopra breaks down four different groups that we all could fall under, I found that I didn't quite fit neatly into any group. If he's basing his recommendations for perfect health on what group you belong to and I don't fit into any group, what then?

Okay, I haven't read the book yet so I might be unduly critical but still. Sometimes I feel this is all a game using people's desperation to be well to make these "health experts" wealthy. It's kind of a dark place for me to be in but I've been on this road to illusory perfect health for years now and, alas, I feel further from it now than I was when I started down the road.

Anyway, I don't know if there's such a thing as perfect health while we inhabit our human bodies. We don't live in a bubble. We live in a world that can sometimes be very toxic to us. Even the air we breathe. We contend with our genetics that pre-dispose us to certain chronic conditions. We have handicaps and disabilities. Would a wheelchair bound individual still qualify as an example of perfect health if he follows this book to a tee but never walks? Is that perfect health? What about someone who is deaf but never regains her hearing? Perfect health there? And furthermore, I tend to think that the set of challenges we face genetically or through circumstance help us to reach a higher place. In terms of reincarnation, if you believe in it, we work through and resolve issues to break the cycle. Is this higher place what Chopra means? Does he think we can experience that right now?

I guess I want to believe that changing diet and eating better (better for your own specific body) can reverse certain illnesses/conditions. Maybe I haven't found the right combination to make me truly believe. I don't have a testimony. What I can honestly attest to is that I.am.pooped. And almost at my wit's end. I almost feel like I just better learn to live joyfully and vibrantly in spite of the issues instead of obsessing about getting rid of them.

So I guess I don't believe perfect health can be achieved while in the flesh. I like to think we can work to try to get as close to perfect health as we can. And of course what I consider to be as close to perfect health might not be what another person considers perfect health.

Whose job is it to teach you what you need to know?

So I was conversing with my sistren on her blog entitled "I'm Confused" about the current economic times and possible solutions. As we discussed, she brought up a very valid point: "Our education system sucks. We don't teach financial literacy in schools."

I wonder when parents send their children to school what they think the school is responsible for doing. I had a professor once who likened school to an emergency room. You, the injured person should not have to be a doctor to get world class, professional treatment. Likewise, parents shouldn't have to do anything special to get their children a world class education. Back then I totally agreed. These days, however, I am more inclined to think that school is more like going to your regular doctor and not the emergency room. I personally believe that if you are ill, you should have at least some idea going about what it could be. When you are diagnosed, you should be very aware of the treatment options and the side effects of each option. You should be free to say this is not working or I'm not comfortable with that treatment. And you should be free to go to another doctor without penalty or guilt fairly easily. You should have a say and power in your own health and treatment.

The same goes for education. Most of us don't vote on curriculums or dictate what should be taught. Even though so many of us agree that having Black history relegated to the shortest month of the year is an affront, we can also agree that unless we're willing to go to Albany with a brand new curriculum we drew up, that's not going to change. If you want your children to know Black history or any other history aside from the standard spiel, you're going to have to do it. Now, I will say that many parents do take an active stand to ensure the quality of children's education. In poorer neighborhoods, however, this is rarely the case. I know, I know, these parents sometimes work 2 and 3 jobs. Many mothers are single and all that. I get it. But I'm going to be a little hardline here and say one word: priorities. You may not be able to make every single PTA meeting but you can make some and you can call and ask for the minutes of the meeting. You can drop in every once in a long while or call or e-mail to let the teacher know, "Look, I'm busy but I care." My local school here of over 500 students has a hard time pulling 25 parents for the PTA. Will my sons be going to that school? No way. But I digress.

What exactly do we expect schools to teach our children? What did it teach you? Yes, I learned to read and write but not everyone who graduated with me could. Did I learn to think critically? No. Did I learn any valuable life skills? No. I graduated from high school to go to college. Graduated from college to get a job. When I didn't get a good enough job, went back to school to get another job. Even graduate school where I was supposed to be getting trained specifically to be a teacher did not prepare me for teaching. I would have been much better equipped to have spent those years learning from a master teacher. Because there's more to teaching than curriculum and lesson plans. How does your child psychology class translate to when you're in front of 30 kids?

So, it's safe to say that school kind of prepares us to get jobs. That's it. The rest, well, it's up to you.

I'm not the originator of that idea either. If there's nothing else I got out of graduate school, it was that public schools were originally conceived as places where everyone could get blended into the fabric of American society, in other words, Americanized. Get with the program. Being Americanized meant embracing the American dream, the idea that you work hard, so hard and then you enjoy. We all know that's not necessarily true but it keeps the system running nicely. Keeps those on top securely on top and those on the bottom securely on the bottom. School has always served a political purpose. And politics go hand in hand with economics.

So why would schools then start to teach us financial literacy? We can't even get schools to teach the histories of all peoples, to empower students in that way. If schools all of a sudden started teaching people how the economy really works, how to be financially literate, how to make sound money decisions, who would this system prey on? Whose blood could it suck? If we all knew a couple of years ago what a bubble we were in and all decided back then to remove ourselves from the bubble, start spending real money, start sowing in order to reap, it never could have gotten so out of hand. But we didn't. Most of us have never learned because that's not what school was set up to do. And we've never critically looked at the school structure to determine exactly what the point is, to realize what it can't and won't do for us.

I don't believe that school truly educates. We learn there. We learn facts. But we are not educated to become thinking, critically thinking adults. It's why Fox News exists. It's why all news that shamelessly distorts the truth or makes glaring omissions still exist. And why most of us suck it all in without a second thought. We've never been educated to understand that everything, big and small, needs a second thought.

I'm certainly not anti-school because my sons may need to go to school one day. I'd prefer a charter school or another type of private school with a different focus and a different, clear mission that I agree with. But if it is that public school ends up the only option, I know that I have my work cut out for me in terms of educating my sons. I tend to think that folks who never did well in school didn't do well because they couldn't be boxed in, couldn't get with factory schooling, i.e. put "x" into a child and get "y" out. For young Black boys, especially, this formula has been failing over and over again. I cannot simply depend on schools to teach them what they need to be successful in this world. No one should, really.

So whose job is it to teach you what you need to know? It seems like today we are realizing quite painfully that ignorance is not an option anymore. Each one of us is responsible to a very large degree for getting and assimilating the information we need to make it. We know we've been used as pawns in this system. And we've allowed ourselves to be for the promise of the American dream. But today we have to refuse to be victimized anymore, look at everything with intense scrutiny, open up our minds and for once, not be afraid to think. Not be afraid to embrace critical thought. Even if it's painful and even if it hurts our pride.

It's our job to teach ourselves what we need to know to survive.

Book Review: Fledgling by Octavia Butler

Fledgling* was a great read. Certainly not the best from Ms. Butler, in my opinion, but definitely a masterfully written book. I don't know that I'll do a very good summary of the book because of time constraints so I'll direct those interested to read the Amazon.com reviews of the work in addition to what I write here.

As usual, Octavia Butler tackles the issues of racism in unique and thought-provoking ways. In this book, racism crosses over species in that vampires are a completely different species than humans but still have the same human problem of discrimination against darker-hued people. But I think the issues of racism and species purity got conflated a bit. Shori, the main character, is a genetic experiment who through genetic modification has darker skin and therefore can be awake and alert during the day. This is bothersome to pure "Ina" (vampires). And I couldn't say I blamed them. If it's true that the fittest survive, Shori represented the ultimate "evolution" for the Ina and in time, I could see how Shori's offspring could eventually wipe out pure Ina. As an Igbo girl, I grew up knowing that my folks would like to see me with an Igbo man so that the tradition, culture, language and Igbo understanding could go on in my children. By marrying an American, there is no guarantee of that. Now, the fact that the modification is that she is Black, I think, complicates things in an interesting way. This aspect of the story stays true to Ms. Butler's style and motivation. And honestly, it is quite nice when the protagonist is Black but doesn't really need to be for the story to potentially work.

I guess this is the question that begs to be asked: Is Shori really Ina? She's been genetically altered, her genes mixed with human genes? What percentage of you has to a certain thing for you to qualify? Half? 1/3rd? 1/8th? This question has been posed time and time again in U.S. history as African-Americans have struggled to find their place in this society. And as this society struggles to place (or displace) those of African descent, i.e. Black people. How do you perceive and categorize someone who is a mixture of races? Especially if your treatment of people depends entirely on how you have perceived and categorized them?

I liked the story for other reasons: Ms. Butler works hard to break up the mythology of vampires and re-makes them as the victims of bigotry, hatred and misunderstanding. It's interesting then, that any Ina would then engage in the same kind of thing toward a darker Ina and I wonder if Shori had been pale like most Ina yet still had the same ability to be alert during the day, would the Ina still have objected so violently? I think so. It's also interesting to note the varying attitudes the Ina have toward their symbionts, that is, humans who they have bitten and need in order to stay alive. When humans become symbionts, they live much longer than ordinary humans and also do not get sick or hurt as easily. Symbionts, in my opinion, do not get a real choice because once bitten, most get hooked psychologically by the Ina venom and then eventually they get hooked physically. If their Ina dies, they will most likely die too. It seemed to me a form of slavery where the enslaved didn't seem to mind too much because of the pleasure and perks they derived from being symbionts. However, some Ina are condescending to or think nothing of symbionts and this brought up many issues and questions in my mind. This is what I love about Ms. Butler.

There were two little things that bothered me in this novel though I must say. Shori supposedly looks like a pre-pubescent girl. Yet grown men are sleeping with her. Now, I know she's Ina and actually 53 years old but still . . . a little disconcerting to me. The other thing that really annoyed me with this novel is that is poorly, poorly edited. There are missing words galore. Well, maybe not galore but to me, it was enough to get an eye roll.

All in all, this was an excellent (and quick) read like all of Ms. Butler's work. I am yet to be disappointed although I don't think I ever will be. I'm even recommending it to the hubby who is not a reader but loves vampire stories (he's a Blood Banker too which is hilarious and also a little . . . ummm . . . )

*I've linked to the full text of Fledgling. Also, check out Bloodchild and Other Stories. Bloodchild was the first Octavia Butler work I read.

Today is The Honorable Robert Nesta Marley's Earthlight. He would have been 64 today. I can't tell you how influential Bob has been to me personally. On such a deep level. He means so much to many others too. It's amazing how his work is still relevant, very relevant today. His music, though decades old, is not dated, doesn't sound at all like 70s music. It's timeless. Still hip. Still cogent. I am grateful that he graced the Earth even though it was such a short time. He came to do what he had to do, what we needed him to do and then he was gone.

Z1's favorite Bob Marley song (and one of my faves too--the base line is just so sexy) is Stir It Up!


Blessed Earthlight Bob!!

Randomness . . .

. . . To avoid blogging about something that will take some time and thought.

This morning I tried to do Billy's Bootcamp Live. It was . . . frenetic. Billy moved from one step to the next so quickly and, honestly, I don't have enough space in my living room to do everything comfortably. Not to mention, you need the special Billy Bands to do a large portion of it. I had hoped there would be some modification and I even tried to use weights--no go. I didn't finish the DVD. Any workout that requires some kind of specialized equipment won't really work for me. I don't have the space or the extra money. I also felt weakness/bordering on pain in my knees (from the jumping jacks yesterday, no doubt ) and so I'm glad that tomorrow is yoga and not aerobics. I need the break. But, I'm proud of myself--I still exercised today using Denise Austin's Blast Away 10 Lbs. I did the second workout, the interval with weights, because it is much more low impact than the first interval on the tape. So, Billy's Bootcamp is out and I don't even know if I want to try another one of his. Frenetic!!

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It took a lot for me to start up eating fish again. I really, really believe that I shouldn't kill things to eat especially if I don't have to but I figured I was sacrificing my health for ideals and that I should try and see if it would correct some of the issues I'd been experiencing. It's almost been a year since I started eating fish again and I have noticed no improvement. I'm ready to cut it out again but I won't say permanently. I do realize that because I am eating fish, I am naturally eating less carbohydrates so if fish comes out, I have to be especially mindful of that. Also, I started Z1 on fish too (he goes mainly for fish sticks) and it's one of the few foods he likes and will request. I would have to think of a replacement.
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I was running out of yarn for Emma's Sweater that I'm knitting. I found a cheap source online for more matching yarn and I now have enough to complete the project although I've lost momentum. In the meantime, I've been using some really rough wool I have in my stash to make a yoga mat bag. I got it at a thrift store with my sister-in-law well over three years ago. Initially I thought it was hemp but after washing it, it felted and so I knew it was wool. It was spun onto a cone and has little twigs and stuff woven into it--rough. But it's what I've got and it's strong, durable, natural fiber yarn. I was going to use an intricate stitch pattern, but who was I fooling? When the boys are awake (usually when I knit or crochet), I can't focus enough to do anything complex. So I'm doing a basic pattern with little bobbles to make it a little more interesting. I should be done soon.
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Anyway, we're in the midst of a deep freeze and emotionally I'm feeling it deeply. I wish the sun would come out or I could go somewhere warm so I could feel better.

Snow on Ice by Photobunny on Flickr

It is so cold outside. Brrrr . . .

I Found Them!

. . . A gardening method and a workout DVD that are everything I've been looking for!!

First gardening: I've been reading different books trying to figure out which gardening method/layout would work best for our garden. We don't have lots of space for the garden because we'd still like to keep most of the backyard free for the kids to play. The problem with a lot of these gardening books (including one I foolishly bought and I am thinking of returning) is that the methods require a lot of of room. So I was absolutely thrilled to come across Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. Just as I was about to order the book from Amazon, I did a quick Google search and found all these links:

Square Foot Gardening official site
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
Link 4
Link 5

These links along with the book borrowed fairly easily from the library will get us off to a great (and frugal) start. We had originally cleared land all the way in the back of the yard but the method requires as much sunlight as possible which means we will be doing the gardening very close to the house. I know exactly where. We'll re-seed the clearing we made in the back with grass or figure out what to do with it.

Anyway, this method is very simple to do and boasts that it is not labor intensive at all. The investment in terms of supplies and tools to build the boxes is minimal and what I've come to understand from reading different gardening books is that raised beds are a superior way to garden. With this method, there's no digging in the ground so there's less chance of me encountering a snake. I am so excited. The next task is to find a seed supplier.

Secondly, the workout DVD: I just finished Level 1 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and it was fabulous. There are three levels on this DVD, that is, three workouts of different intensities. Each one is 20 minutes long and consists of
- one two-minute warm-up
- three 6 minute circuits (3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, 1 minute abs) and
- one 2 minute cool down.

I worked hard. The routine is extremely varied which means you don't get bored or tired of the same move. And since that was Level 1 I did today, I am pleased that it leaves me room to grow and challenge myself. And while I absolutely hate jumping jacks ( a major part of the cardio circuit), with my Enell bra, at least they are not painful to do. I was also very pleased to realize that the ab workouts on Level 1 did not really challenge me since they are very similar to the one on my Crunch Yoga DVD. I am almost sure I will purchase this one.

African Herstory

So I was absolutely thrilled to find "The Black Herstory Series" by Anxious Black Woman, the author of Diary of an Anxious Black Woman, one of my favorite blogs. ABW put so much work and effort into this series to deliver a quality collection of essays about Black women in history that I can only hope is still available when my children are old enough to understand and learn. Links to individual posts in the series are on the sidebar of her blog.

More on teas . . .

Perhaps the best way to reap the benefits of medicinal herbs is through teas. Tinctures are great too and a convenient way to take herbs for those of us who are sensitive to taste, i.e. picky but it's true that tea is the easiest way for your body to make use of beneficial herbs. This book, 20,000 Secrets of Teas by Victoria Zak is a great resource.

From the book:

• sage tea in the middle of the afternoon will make you fell like your day is just beginning
• peppermint tea eases pain, headaches, and is a general cure all (I can personally vouch for that)
• rosemary tea on your scalp can help stimulate hair growth (and soothe your scalp--I can vouch for that too)
• thyme tea, considered the most powerful antiseptic herb, helps to heal infections, infectious diseases, and septic conditions (and when paired with raw honey makes a fabulous and seriously effective cough syrup)
• chamomile in your bath (or on your eyes with a soaked washcloth) will totally relax and do wonder for your skin
  

When I was pregnant, I would make iced raspberry leaf tea. Raspberry leaf is a powerful uterine toner and I believe it helped tremendously with both births. For morning sickness, tea made from freshly grated ginger multiple times a day was my savior. I still can't believe how effective thyme tea is for breaking up coughs.*

I'm on a quest to perfect health, working through my own health issues and bodily weaknesses. For a long time, I've neglected this book. There's a small shop nearby (owned by a sista) that sells a large variety of organic dried herbs. I will be reading this book, taking notes, and making a visit to her store.

I'm happy I was moved to talk about teas yesterday because I was reminded of what a great book it is. I'm also reminded that everything happens for a purpose. There I was yesterday feeling blue because of the snow so I made some tea. Z2 was sleeping so I blogged about the tea. Then I was reminded of my book.

I'm going to be trying out different teas over time and I'll certainly share the benefits I am receiving from drinking them.

*I first learned of thyme tea for coughs from Gentle Healing for Baby and Child by Andrea Candee. This is another must-have book for those interested in natural ways to help children heal injury and illness. This book alongside Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child have been so invaluable to me. I will probably do more in-depth reviews of these books eventually but I highly recommend them.

Just Tea!

Having tea is a fond memory from my childhood when my mother and siblings would drink Lipton tea. We'd have ours with evaporated milk and lots of white sugar. She'd have hers with honey and lemon. Tea was comforting to me, giving a warm full feeling in the belly on a cold day but also as a way to connect with my mother.

As an adult, I thoroughly enjoy drinking tea and have a cup nearly every day. The key to a good cup of tea I believe is that it should be 100% natural. That means, all the flavorings are real. No "natural flavors" or anything like that. Real tea leaves. Real flavors.

There are a number of teas that fit the bill. There's Numi Teas and my favorites from that company are Golden Chai Assam Black Tea and Red Mellow Bush Rooibos (rooibos is technically not a tea). Tazo Chai fits the bill too and is also quite tasty. You can find Numi of Tazo Teas at any health food store or in the "natural section" of your local grocery store.

What I really want to share with you, though, is a gem of tea company called Not Just Tea. At the annual African Street Festival in Brooklyn, we came upon a beautifully display of all sorts of teas. We were able to have a sample of those teas which handblended by a wonderful and warm sister, the owner Jennifer Jackson. We were totally convinced. Her teas are of superior quality, uniquely blended and delicious. And I love that when I buy from her, I'm supporting a sista, supporting Black business. My favorite tea from Not Just Tea is Peppermint Patty and let me tell you, it is the absolute bomb. You can buy all kinds of tea making supplies on her site too if messing with loose teas is not your thing (you know I just use a good old Pyrex measuring cup and strainer to make my tea especially after one too many tea infuser mishaps). The owner has a few retail partners so if you live close to any of those locations, you should absolutely drop by and give her teas a try. If not, don't hesitate to place an order. Delivery is quick and for any tea lover, her teas make a nice gift.

Anyway, I'm sitting here watching the snow fall and enjoying a cup of peppermint patty. While I love my tea, I still can't wait till summer.

Photo credit: "After the Tea Party" by Soaleha on Flickr

Glasses for Z1?

Everyday Eyeglasses by NCBrian on Flickr

I must admit that there's a fear that's been nagging me since the moment I found out I was pregnant with Z1: passing on the genes that have challenged me throughout my life.

Sounds so crazy, right? But . . .

• Acne ran me through as a teenager and still gives me a run for my money.
• Severe allergies have often kept me from doing what I want to do.
• I've worn glasses since I was 8 and at 27, I'm completely dependent on them.

Since my children are not old enough to deal with acne and don't seem to have any symptoms of allergies, the last bullet is the one that right now has me the most worried.

Z1 is constantly saying that he can't see. Now, I don't know if he's saying that just as an excuse to press his face close to the computer screen or television or if it's true. But it is seriously bothering me. I'm going to have to take him in to my optometrist (or should I find one specially for children?) to have his eyes checked. But honestly, I'm not willing to put glasses on a three year old. I've been wearing them since I was 8 and even though they are called corrective lenses, they don't correct the fact that my eyes are damaged. Glasses are truly an outgrowth of Western medicine: ameliorate the symptoms but don't address the underlying cause of the disease/sickness. In other words, glasses don't heal your eyes and year after year, the prescription gets stronger and stronger. I am now refusing to get a stronger prescription for my glasses. I don't know what I'll do if my vision gets worse but I certainly don't intend to make up for it with stronger lenses. And I certainly I don't want to start my three year old on this road just yet. But oh, do I remember the eye strain headaches and the general disoriented-ness that comes when you can't see more than a few inches in front of you.

So of course, I'm interested now in natural ways to really correct eyesight and heal eyes. Myopia and astigmatism are the vision issues I deal with so I'll be on the lookout for how to treat these things in myself and my son through diet and supplements. I'm not opposed to surgery for myself. I've tried eye-exercises before and that was a bunch of tomfoolery but who knows? Maybe I just didn't give it enough of a try?

So I'm asking myself again, what can you really do about your genes?

See, I've come to the conclusion that every challenge we face in life is for a reason, to take us to another level of consciousness and understanding (if we choose to see it that way). My eyesight is precious to me and I can't say that underneath all my other worry is the profound concern that it won't stay with me. I'm hoping, really hoping that in this particular area of my life (and my children's lives) I can find a way to become fearless and empowered.

Raw Homemade Lara-Type Bars

So this summer I'm determined to go at least 50% raw. I already have a green smoothie nearly every morning and I'm eagerly anticipating the return of farmer's markets and getting our garden going so that I can incorporate organic, locally grown produce back into my family's diet. Right now, we're mostly conventional except for frozen organics. We are still eating plenty of fruits and vegetables but I couldn't swing the cost of organics from Whole Foods right now.

Anyway, in thinking about going raw I realized that I never shared my recipe for Homemade Lara Bars. Lara Bars are simple (you will recognize every ingredient) but delicious and surprisingly filling. Because the ingredient list is so simple, they are easy to replicate at home.

Pineapple Coconut Homemade Lara-Type Bar
You'll need:
1/2 c raw almonds (I get mine at Trader Joe's)
1/2 cup dried dates (about 6-8)
1/2 cup dried shredded coconut
6-8 dried pineapple rings, soaked for 15 mins.
1-2 tbsp soaking water

Grind nuts in food processor till fine. Add dates, shredded coconuts, pineapples and process adding water (start with 1 tbsp) till the mixture comes together. Roll into balls or press into a pan and cut into bars.

Apple Homemade Lara-Type Bar
You'll need:
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup raw walnuts
1/2 cup dried dates
1/2 cup dried apple rings
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
dash cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger powder
1-2 tbsp. water

Follow the same process as above, making sure to grind the nuts first.

These will keep for a couple of days in the fridge and are a really great, handy, satisfying snack.

The variations are endless but the basic formula includes dates and raw almonds. Commercially produced Lara Bars come in a myriad of flavors and is a great starting point for your own experimentation.

Book Review of Angela's Ashes: A Memoir

Many times as I was reading this book, I wanted to put it down. Angela's Ashes is not a happy story. In fact, the abject poverty, squalor, desperation and makes it downright depressing. But it is masterfully told. McCourt's first person writing style is real, genuine and so you feel along with the protagonist: abandonment, disappointment, shame, grief, anger, betrayal but also hope and joy and pleasure in the simplest things. The turning point is when Frank finally decides to forget about his father, a drunk who abandons his family, and become a man. The story becomes more poignant as we watch Frank struggle to transform himself. As the story ends, though, the reader gets a sense that life is going to be better (the protagonist finally makes it back to America after scrimping and scrounging and working his "arse" off to pay the fare). He feels in America he'll be able to do great things and the reader hopes so much that "'tis".*

*"'Tis" is the title of the last chapter.

I'm currently reading Fledgling, Octavia Butler's last novel and I must say that I really am in love with Octavia Butler. I am moving through the novel quickly and really enjoying all of the questions that Ms. Butler asks--questions with no easy answers. Fabulous. I had started to read Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker but it was a bit too muddled. I need to have a little more time/space to focus so I can get into it. I own that particular book, though, so it's cool. No pressure to have to read it in time before it's due.

Trying out Fitness DVDs

I'd like to build my home fitness DVD (and tape) collection so I'm borrowing fitness DVDs from the library to sample them before I purchase. I have three borrowed titles in my possession right now.

1. Tight on Time Body Blast by Tamilee Webb. Ms. Webb is famous for buns and abs of steel. I actually really like her style and presentation on this DVD. The "No-nonsense Cardio Step" is 10 minutes long so with her warm up, the cardio step three times and her cool down, you could potentially get a really good, high energy workout. The only downside is that I need an aerobic step. I asked on Freecycle and no one has responded as yet. I know I don't want to buy one just to do this particular workout but if I come across other DVDs that use a step and that I like equally as much, I think it's worth it to get the step. Ms. Webb has other 10 minute workouts to target other areas of the body including the belly area. The next area I'd be interested in focusing on would be my belly which has lost all but all of its tone after having babies. I've got an ab workout tape by Denise Austin though, so unless I get the step, this DVD really might not be worth me buying it.
   
2. Yoga Shakti by Shiva Rea. I've been doing the Crunch Yoga and I absolutely love it. I look forward to it more than I look forward to the aerobics. I sweat when I'm doing it (burning calories) but I feel strong, lean and centerd after I finish. I could definitely see myself getting into a more serious yoga practice (and taking classes which everyone says is necessary to really learn well). So I was reading on one of my message boards and someone recommended Yoga Shakti. I did the "basic" today and it was okay. It's very slow and mellow (the point is the practice of yoga not necessarily exercise) so while I enjoyed it, I felt like I had wasted my time to exercise this morning and kept thinking of when I could squeeze in something aerobic today. When I visited my family in Arizona a few years ago, I had the chance to see Wai Lana on television and followed along with her. My issue with her was also that it was too laid back although I felt really, really good after following her sequence. So, if anything, I think I may have to give Wai Lana another look. So, long and short, I'm not sure if I'll add Yoga Shakti to the collection just yet especially since I may soon have the opportunity to learn Raja Yoga Meditation. I've only done the "Basic" though so I'm going to give it a chance.
   
3. Denise Austin's Personal Training System. If I didn't own "Blast Away 10 lbs.", this would be a great DVD. Blast Away 10 lbs. though is as much as I want from Ms. Austin. While her workouts are excellent, her style is awful. She's usually off rhythm and too perky for my tastes. I can ignore all that for a really good workout. "Blast away 10 lbs." is only 20 minutes long but it is really high intensity and you definitely feel like you exercised when you're done. I was hoping for something similar but longer on the Personal Training System. No luck. What's great about the Personal Training System, however, is that it is an all in one DVD.--Ms. Austin focuses on every part of the body and the DVD is customizable so that you can choose the level of intensity you want. And so for that reason, I highly recommend it and would definitely have added it to the collection.

I've got more DVDs on hold at the library and as I watch them and do them, I'll post about them. Meanwhile, I'm sticking with my Blast Away 10 lbs. and Crunch Yoga as my go-to workouts. I think for right now, they're working well so I don't feel any pressure at all to get new DVDs. Borrowing the DVDs is a great way for me to check out a large variety of workouts from different people before deciding on what I want to actually add to my collection and it also breaks up the monotony.

Forgot to mention: I'm also reviewing yoga DVDs for children. So far, we've tried YogaKids: The Original and it's really good. Except for the chapter called "Cobra Pose" which has way too many snakes for me to handle watching given my phobia, we really, really enjoy it. At random times during the day, you can catch Z1 doing various poses which is cute but also great for focusing and calming him. Each pose on the DVD is introduced separately and independently so my only wish is that there was more flow, i.e. putting poses together into a series. I've got another kids' yoga DVD on hold at the library though so maybe we'll prefer that one. If not, I'll be in the market to purchase Yoga Kids.

On the YogaKids site, I signed up for the free "Weekly Yoga Pose". I just got my first one in my e-mail inbox and I like it. It teaches a letter ("L") and the difference between left and right while teaching a yoga pose.

The Purposely Forgotten Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I foung this powerful piece via Womanist Musings.

From Mumia Abu-Jamal on death row

The following excerpts come from a recording made on Jan. 15, Dr. King’s 80th birthday. Go to www.prisonradio.org to hear Mumia’s audio columns.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is once again being resurrected this time of year, in part because his birthday is approaching, but also, of course, because of the imminent swearing-in of President-elect Barack H. Obama—the first Black man in U.S. history to be so honored.

As often is the case, the Rev. King—who is being projected today—bears little relationship to the real, live, breathing and growing man behind the name.

Like many men, he had his highs and his lows, his fears and his doubts, his inspirations and his insights. His Washington speech—known as “I Have a Dream”—was neither his finest, nor his most profound, but like many Black preachers who are master orators, he brought his best to it.

King, like many busy leaders, had others write some of his speeches, and one of those men was Vincent Harding, now a theologian and historian. Harding contributed to King’s groundbreaking N.Y. Riverside Church speech, delivered precisely a year before his assassination, where he denounced the Vietnam War—marking his break with an American president (L. B. Johnson), the corporate media and many of his closest allies in the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference).

President Johnson felt betrayed by King, and the media turned from praise to ridicule. In his book “Martin Luther King: The Inconvenient Hero” (N. Y.: Orbis, 1996), Harding quotes from the Washington Post editorial page which slammed King, who “had diminished his usefulness to his cause, to his country, and to his people” because of his speech against the Vietnam War, which the Vietnamese called “the American War.”

But betrayals didn’t stop him, nor did nasty editorials deter him. Indeed, the violence of war radicalized him deeply, so much so that he said later, “The evils of capitalism are as real as the evils of militarism and evils of racism.” (Harding, p. 101).

Think of that: capitalism, militarism and racism—as evils. When’s the last time you’ve heard that?

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was being radicalized by the churning events around him—and, a year before his death, he was both anti-war and anti-capitalist.

Ask yourself, if King were alive today, with his views, could he be elected president?

If not, why not? What does that say about the nation’s political system?

___________________________________________________________________-Articles copyright 1995-2009 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.

Night Weaning

Z2 is now 13 months old and his mama is ready to get a full night of interrupted sleep. Depending on how well he naps during the day, he generally gets up three to four times a night to nurse. I, of course, haven't minded the sacrifice because I know in the grand scheme of things, it's really a very short period of time but I'm so ready to wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested. Z2 was night-weaned at about this age when I realized I couldn't function at work without at least five hours of continuous sleep. To night wean Z1, I slept in a different room for 2 weeks. The hubby's job was to pat, rock, basically do whatever it took to get Z1 to go back to sleep without nursing. I would make sure he had plenty to eat before bed and I got very serious about his daytime naps. In about two weeks, I was able to return to the bed and everyone slept much better. It was a challenge, though, because Z1 was not trying to give up night nursing without a fight. I suspect it will be the same with Z2. But I'm ready. In the back of my mind I know that this is one step away from babyhood but it's one step toward a different phase of our lives. He can't stay a baby forever and I'm looking forward to being able to do more personally and with them. Night weaning will allow me to shift my schedule around: stay up a little later at night and sleep a little later in the morning or keep my schedule and just have more energy to do more. So I may give him a few more weeks but then, Z2, your time is up! :)

Now most folks I know quit nursing eons ago and so I'm sometimes hesitant to admit that I'm still nursing. A lot. You know, weird looks and all that. But I'm very grateful and proud that our nursing relationship (Z2 and I) has been pretty much flawless. If you know me, you know I always say, Breastfed Babies are the Best Fed Babies. And I don't make any apologies for that. For my children, I wouldn't have it any other way and I'm very glad that I haven't had to. I enjoy nursing and Z2 definitely does too. I've enjoyed very healthy, glowing children who kick illness quickly and easily. Z1 got his first ear infection well after his second birthday, after he was weaned when I was pregnant with Z2. I have a personal testimony (well) about breastfeeding.

Most of Z2's sustenance continues to come from breastmilk and will come from breastmilk for quite a bit while longer. But this phase is drawing to a close. And I'm a little relieved, a little sad, and a little excited. All at the same time.