Moments in Thyme . . . Food in Film!

By Joyce Wiatroski

Recently, I went to see Cloudy with Chance of Meatballs. As interested as I am in food, nutrition, and the sad state of our collective health, a mainstream, animated film that carries the message “don’t fill up on junk food” certainly caught my attention.
The film does a neat job of sending an important message to kids and their folks. Having your fill of easy eats, such as chicken wings, cheeseburgers, and French fries, has dire consequences. The message is: “ease up on the junk food before it kills you”. I wonder how many viewers will take the message to heart. I also wonder how many left the theater and headed for the nearest fast food drive-in window.

On the ride home, I thought about how film influences our lives — how our culture is both reflected and informed by the films of an era.

Film offers escape, entertainment, enlightenment and education. It’s a medium that encourages us to lose ourselves, for a short while, in the adventures, joys and sorrows of other people. People much like us, and also people whose lifestyles and mores are completely different from ours. Film transports us, visually and audibly, to new worlds offering the opportunity to gain new insights, and develop broader understanding as we grow intellectually.

Before television, movies were our window on the world. Each current generation has grown up with some exposure to film. For many of us, movies are woven into the fabric of our lives, subtly influencing many of our decisions.

Film has always been a big deal in my life. As a kid, Saturday at the Movies included a double feature, newsreels, cartoons, and coming attractions (trailers). We spent entire Saturday afternoons glued to the big screen. All for a quarter. Imagine!

As a pre-teen, after seeing a fascinating ice skating movie, I imagined myself as a swirling, twirling, Sonja Henie, waiting to be discovered on the ice rink at our local firehouse. The fact that I couldn’t skate backwards, let alone twirl, didn’t diminish the dream one bit!
Then Esther Williams stole my heart, and the dreams went from the frigid skating rink to the sensuous movements of a lithe ballerina in the wet depths of an exotic swimming pool. I couldn’t figure out how to give my adoring audience a big smile, while continuing to breathe under water. The mere fact that I couldn’t swim very well didn’t begin to slow down those exciting fantasies.
I went on to dance with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly — giving Ginger Rogers a run for her money. Dressed in glamorous gowns, I pranced upon the stage in my mind. The movies were a wonderful weekly adventure, teaching me to aspire and to dream. Movies magically opened up beautiful new worlds, expanding horizons for a skinny, freckle-faced New Hampshire girl.

Now I seem to gravitate toward health related documentaries, yet I’m easily lured by any film about food. Food speaks volumes about nurturing, caring, and love. The joy with which we prepare foods for family, friends or simply for ourselves is a major component, adding to the total nourishment of the final dish, make no mistake about that. The sentiment that food and love go hand in hand is reflected in many a well-written film treatment.

For a comprehensive list of food films, check out Gastronomica. I was entranced by some of the titles, for instance: Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers, Killer Tomatoes and . Many of my favorite food films are listed: Big Night, Babette’s Feast, Like Water for Chocolate, and so many more, along with plenty of informative documentaries. Check out the list and find some grand food related films to watch. Don’t miss the recent release, Julie and Julia. Just because raw foodists choose not to cook, or vegans not to cook with butter, watching Julia Child (Meryl Streep) make culinary history is a pure delight.

Food — the center of attention.  What does that say about us as a society?

Today we each have the opportunity to make healthy food choices the center of attention. An opportunity to nurture, care and show love to our circle of influence by setting a good example, eating to nurture the body, mind and spirit. It will be interesting to see what impact we have on our immediate circle and watch the ripple effect on the world.

Maybe someday we’ll see a film entitled: Sunny with Chance of Kale!

Meanwhile, let’s each do our part to manifest . . .

Like fine wine, women grow better with thyme.

**Joyce Wiatroski is the wit and wisdom found on foodiefumblings blog. You can watch for her contributions on the Diva blog on Tuesdays.

Special Teleseminar Guest #9: Nick Orter Tries EFT On Everything!

Recently I connected with a friend of mine, Alex Ortner who produced the Raw in 30 DVD . Well, it turns out his brother Nick is like a super EFT wizard and produced what looks like an AMAZING DVD called “Try It On Everything!” (My copy is on its way to me and should be here any day!) I’ve referred a lot of people to this DVD and only heard great things about it.I love the people behind the projects, that much I can tell you for sure!

Now, when I found out a bit more about what Nick was up to, I couldn’t resist getting him to come and speak to us about this DVD. Destiny must have been on my side, because not only is he going to come and discuss that DVD with us, but he’s also very, very busily preparing right now for what has been called the EFT WORLD SUMMIT! And it’s going to be FREE! So all you have to do is sign up on this page here.

You’ll be able to get about 18 hours or more of interviews all about EFT by some of the best EFT wizards out there. I’m inviting Nick to talk about some of the different things he’s observed and the ways we can try it. Those of you who have taken our Body Enlightenment System or our program on How To Overcome Cravings and Emotional Eating know that we do recommend EFT and have seen some great benefits with its use.

There’s more to learn, but take the time to join me for tomorrow’s interview with Nick and find out yourself what it’s all about. If you have specific questions about how EFT can be used or its limitations, maybe some questions about the upcoming EFT World Summit, then go ahead and send them in here and I’ll ask Nick on tomorrow’s call.

Hope you’re having a great day! i look forward to connecting and hearing how your week is kicking off.

Love and good vibrations,

Tera

Special Teleseminar Guest #3: Tonya Kay: Take Wheatgrass, Not Ritalin!

Join us for a superb teleseminar with Tonya Kay tomorrow.

We’ve been talking a lot about the inspiring stories of others who are getting off of psychiatric drugs and other medications, simply by changing the food they eat! Tomorrow’s teleseminar with Tonya will inspire you all over again when you understand just what a DRASTIC difference it can make to get off drugs, or avoid them in the first place by eating a healthy diet.

You can access the information for this teleseminar by clicking HERE!

In this teleseminar with Tonya, we’re going to discuss the intensity of some of the things she was going through when she was referred to drugs in the first place.

We’ll also look at:

The different kinds of things she tried to cope with the situation.

How she felt on the drugs and how she felt coming off.

The tools and tricks that helped her the most to manage the difficulties.

How is life for her now, and what does she recommend to other people who are struggling with depression, anxiety or other behavioural “disorders”.

Remember, we do have a DVD that I highly recommend and keep in stock for educating people about the dangers of psychiatric drugs. It’s called, Making a Killing and my hero, Mike Adams, is featured in this enlightening film that will change the way you look at psychiatric drugs forever!

One of our dear divas is a psychiatrist and she recommended checking out these resources to get a bit more information about the truth behind psychiatric drugs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBBc3fEnwOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sstoa406Oa0

Again, if you, or something you care about, is currently taking medication, then do not pass go. Collect $25 and GO HERE and get a copy of Making a Killing DVD.

On TV with Yoga For Kids!

Last week Saturday, July 5, at about 8:27 a.m., I had the pleasure of being a guest on The Morning Show of WJXT — Jacksonville, Florida’s Channel 4.

Jax4Kids.com and Channel 4 are partners, and my part-time work role with Jax4Kids.com landed me a spot on The Morning Show to talk about Yoga for Kids. The opportunity fell in my lap when I least expected……It was an awesome experience (apart from looking like I was 10 pounds heavier on air). Hmmh?

There were so many angles of children’s yoga that could have been covered during the segment, and I initially pondered just what approach I would take during my 3.5 to 4 minutes of air time. Eventually, it all came together…….In a moment it was clear that I would definitely focus on Super Brain Yoga (the posture pictured with arms crossed).

Then, it was obvious to me that “Balancing The Cat 1,” another brain balancing exercise, would complement Super Brain Yoga. (In the above picture, we should be looking down to keep the neck long. My son, in red, is closest to the correct positioning in this picture.)

And, what’s a children’s yoga demonstration without the popular “Cat and Cow” exercise that warms up the spine? There were some other postures I had planned to cover, but time did not allow. However, I was fortunate to end up getting a total of about six minutes of air time, and I believe I was able to communicate valuable information to parents in that time.

In a note that Jinjee Talifero from TheGardenDiet.com wrote to me the night before my TV appearance, she said:

“…My friend Roe is a speaking teacher at Berkeley University and she says to draw an imaginary line in front of you, and when you step over it, you are stepping into ‘giving’. Do that right as you walk on stage or while you are there, just before the cameras roll.”

I truly did step into giving. I felt it, and, as we know, giving feels great! With passionate energy and a love of yoga, I gave all that I could give in those moments.

What made the time even more special was that my son, nephew and two of my son’s friends “gave” with me. They joined me on air to assist in demonstrating the postures. It was a thrill to have them there working along with me. It was a like a mini kids’ yoga class on TV. Fun! Fun!

That experience has now inspired me to turn a wonderful yoga idea of mine into a reality. I’ve had this idea circulating in my head for a while but have been holding back; it’s clear that the time has come to make it happen. You’ll have to stay tuned for those juicdy children’s yoga details and the connections that have been pieced together for me these past few days.

Perhaps my grand plans will be on the next episode of Yoga for Kids with Penny Powell — courtesy of Channel 4 and Jax4Kids.com.

In the meantime, here are some reviews I received about Saturday’s segment:

~ I caught you on TV this morning. Great job! You spoke eloquently and obviously knew your subject. The kids were great! Until later -Namaste, Vicky

~ My mother-in-law saw your skit on TV – she called to tell me all about it – said you did a wonderful job. Loved the ‘Brain Power’ thing!! Go, girl, go!! Bonnie Morgan, owner of Peaceful Yoga Studio

~ I just watched the recording of you and the boys from this weekend. What a great job you did!!!! You gave parents some very useful information and the boys did a wonderful job, too. The pose relevant to ADD was an excellent idea, Penny. I didn’t notice as much from the pictures, but Caleb looks like you! Such a handsome young man Thank you Penny! Well done!! Alison Peters-Carlson, Jax4Kids.com

Thank YOU, Alison, for the opportunity! As I’ve told you, you help make life extra fun! It’s a blessing to know you! The hightest in me honors the highest in you!

With Yoga Love,

Penny

Growing a Yoga Garden!

After many months of wanting to forage for edible plants to use in Green Smoothies, I’ve finally contacted a naturalist friend of mine who, in a few weeks, will guide me through a large natural area and teach me what’s what as far as edible plants go. I will take along some storage items and labels for storing our findings. I’m so excited about the journey that I almost can’t wait. I’m already “hearing” my blender that will turn these plants into a divine drink. Did I mention that I’m excited? If so, that’s an understatement. Slow down, Penny! Be in the moment!

According to www.EdiblePlants.com, “Wild edible plants are so rich in vitamins and minerals that they have been called a tonic rather than a food. Some of these plants are richer sources of nutrients than domestic plants.” Here are the other reasons EdiblePlants.com encourages readers to “study wild edible plants.”

My enthusiasm about edible plants got me to thinking about yoga postures with plant names. Then, before I knew it, I had come upon:

• Children’s Book of Yoga: Games & Exercises Mimic Plants & Animals & Objects
• Gardener’s Yoga: Bend & Stretch, Dig and Grow! by Veronica D’Orazio
• The Yoga Garden Game, whose objective is “to plant a flower garden before night falls,” and encourages children to “learn classic yoga poses” and “use their imaginations by exploring poses named after plants and animals.”

I plan to check them out and will review them at a later date.

In the meantime, we can certainly start creating our own Yoga Garden right here.

Wanna try the beautiful Lotus pose — “named so because the position puts the souls of the feet up, reminiscent of a lotus flower……the prime position for meditation, it is the most renowned of all Hatha Yoga postures,” explains MiMi.hu.

For Lotus pose (Podmasana), you can follow the instructions at YogaJournal.com. There, it says: “Padmasana is the sitting asana par excellence, but it’s not for everybody. Experienced students can use it as a seat for their daily pranayama or meditation, but beginners may need to use other suitable positions. In the beginning, only hold the pose for a few seconds and quickly release. Remember that Padmasana is a “two-sided pose,” so be sure to work with both leg crosses each time you practice. Gradually add a few seconds each week to your pose until you can sit comfortably for a minute or so. Ideally you should work with a teacher to monitor your progress.”

According to YogaForBeginners.com, the “Lotus Flower symbolizes our human spiritual evolution. The root in the soil represents our lowest nature. The stem, which develops from water, denotes our intuitive endeavors; and the flowering lotus blossom, which develops from the sun, represents self-realization.”

Interesting, huh?

Enjoy blossoming like a Lotus Flower!

Love,

Penny