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Patagonia Raw Birthday Party Photo Recap
Hello hello!
Last night, I enjoyed attending the birthday party for the Tree of Life’s General Manager, Yosef. It was another enjoyable Patagonia community party, enlivened with inspiring and joyful conversation, overflowing with raw food delicacies, and slicked out with pool fun. Some photos to recap (my apologies for the poor lighting in some pictures):
Choices for Gorgeous Hair
When one transitions to a plant-based diet, many notice their hair becoming healthier: shinier, stronger, possibly thicker, and sometimes, changing slightly in color. My hair has changed completely since I was a teenager, partly due to dietary practices, partially due to lifestyle habits, and partially due to my cessation of daily chlorine dips… (I was a swimmer and water polo player). In middle school, my hair was one of my biggest bodily insecurities. It was poofy, dry, had zero luster, never lay flat, and the color was an odd, flat light brown. Although thick, it seemed very lifeless. My best friend had long, lustrous, juicy blond hair and it was the bain of my middle school existence.
Jedis of Consciousness Awakening
Feelings of peace, love, and joy in life. An easier time letting go of destructive thought and behavioral patterns. Direct experiences of communion with the Divine and of the Oneness of all things. Clearer thinking. Longer life. Better skin.
Sweat Baby Sweat
Greetings, Earthlings.
I’ve begun a new habit that is making me question my sanity. How did I not think of this before now? For about 3 weeks, a good friend of mine, Meg, and I, have been meeting at about 7am, turning on one of the infrared saunas at the Tree, taking a power walk for 15 minutes while it heats up, and then sweating intensely for 45 minutes! The benefits of infrared sauna sessions are many, including moving the lymphatic system, allowing toxicity to dislodge within the body and be released through sweat, circulation, beauty (because of circulation and sloughing off dead skin cells), healing of scars, pain relief, muscle stiffness or soreness relief, breaking up cellulite, injuries, stress reduction, and cardiovascular health.
Graduations, Chocolate Salads and Slot Canyons
The heat has hit Patagoofy, Patagooch, aka Patagonia. It doesn’t get any hotter than it is now, but it’s hovering at about 101 and 102. Luckily, we’re so dry here that I barely notice. But then, I have become a (dry, moderate) heat lover and a sun worshiper, despite my east coast upbringing.
Weddings, Siblings, and Raw Food
Hello lovelies! My apologies for the delay in postings; I have been on a wonderful trip on the east coast for the last week. My dad got married in Pennsylvania, and then I ventured to New York City with my brothers.
I have very few pictures to share with you (sorry), but should have more coming to me that others took while I was there. Here was one of my favorites, though. My little brother decided to wear this shirt on the day of wedding rehearsals:
Eating: A Profound Spiritual Demonstration
My personal practice of meditation has been deepening quite substantially in the last six months or so and my experiences of non-causal joy, peace and love that I connect with during meditation are more profound. Subsequently, I have come to really enjoy meditation and really look forward to it.
Bodies: The Exhibition
Last night I went with my brother, Chris Whitcoe and Andrea McNinch to Bodies: The Exhibition in Tucson. You might recall my writing about my developed interest in anatomy in my Guardian of Organs post.
For Chris, Andrea and I, going to see the exhibition was both a learning experience and was valuable in grounding deeper our passion for helping people heal their bodies, feel and look fantastic, and extend their lifespans.
Sizzling Summer Days & Supplements
Hello friends!
I am still going with the liver flush preparation, but will do the actual flush a couple days later than I planned.
It is getting toasty here in Patagonia, getting into the upper 80’s and even to 90 degrees during the middle of the day. In ayurvedic medicine, my primary doshic makeup is pitta (for those who are new to doshas and ayurveda, I recommend reading Conscious Eating by Gabriel Cousens, M.D.)
Community Days in Patagonia
This last week has held some fun community happenings at the Tree of Life. This last Friday was Gabriel Cousens’ 67th birthday. Or, as Gabriel likes to say in his very eternal kind of perspective, no one has birthdays, but our bodies have birthdays. Nonetheless, we held a meditation on Friday in honor of Gabriel’s birthday, and enjoyed a peach cobbler at the Tree of Life Cafe. Gabriel was in Japan, but here in spirit 😉
Office Booty Intolerance
Something in my body has been shifting a great deal in the past 7 months or so. Primarily, my work with the Tree of Life involves my sitting down, and spending lots of time on a computer. Additionally, I have this blog to update, and my personal computer work with emails and such, which are all sitting activities. Prior to the Tree of Life, I have never had an office job. In high school, I coached a youth swim team, during which I was always standing up, walking around the deck, or I was in the water giving stroke and technique demonstrations. In college, I worked at a raw food restaurant and was also always standing and walking around.
Guardian of Organs
Today has held a synchronous unfolding of events in relation to my increasing awareness that I’m a caretaker, protector, and guardian of my body. In this case, I am referring far more to my internal body than I am to it externally and visually – it’s organs, bones, veins, arteries, muscles, etc.
Incredible Transformations
I want to share an amazing experience I just had about 15 minutes ago. We had a closing circle for our 21 day programs at the Tree of Life: Reversing Diabetes Naturally and Transformation programs. Normally I don’t talk too much about the Tree of Life’s stuff on my own personal blog and I keep it to the official Tree of Life blog, but I was so touched by what the participants shared that I wanted to write to you about it.
A Supportive Spring
Spring, which always seems short in Patagonia, is in full swing! Pink cherry blossoms are eye-catching against the backdrop of leafless trees, grass is shooting up, and the rolling hills and mountains, which always remind me of sand ripples in the ocean, are taking on a green tint.
