San FranCelia

There are many reasons to be stressed, but none of them is more important than your health.  In my recent state of health flux, I have definitely felt this to the fullest extent, and decided that being healthy needs to encompass not just my body, but my mind, as well (I mean, we all know this, but what do we really do about it?).  All this being said, I’ve been trying to meditate and be super calm, but as you can imagine, this is always a hard prospect.  Determining that I could not do it alone, I decided to pull out the big guns in the form of a meditation class.  I found a great one near where I live in the Richmond District, and best of all, it’s free (donations encouraged, of course).  What a great way to bring everything back to center and create inner peace!  I am a San Franciscan, after all, and you know we’re about the peace.  The class I took is through Urban Dharma and is held at the Cultural Integration Fellowship center on Fulton Street.

As you walk into the center, a sense of calm washes over you.  The people attending are friendly and ready to relax their minds. Good vibes abound.  Once the instructor comes in (we had Gene, who was AMAZING.  What a comforting presence, and a cute smile, to boot…), you set straight to meditating.  It’s guided, so initially, Gene led our breathing.  Then you meditate on your own – take whatever thought comes in and reflect, observe.  An almost trans-like state comes over you as this occurs, and it’s truly empowering.  Taking 30 minutes to feel your body and feel your mind is incredible.  Why we never do this is now beyond me.

After the meditation ended, Gene led a discussion on participant questions, observations, etc.  Being a gifted orator, in my opinion, he brought humor, emotion, and comfort to all aspects of what he taught.  It was truly amazing to hear him clarify questions we all had on how and why to meditate.

This is one of those experiences that I feel blessed to have had.  Best part is, it’s every Friday at 7:30pm, and so I’m able to go back time and time again.  Definitely check it out if you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or if you need to find some clarity.  The calm that meditation brings to the mind is a true gift, and thankfully for me, I’ve now opened the box.

Peace and love Xo

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I know, I know… I haven’t posted in ages.  How could I leave the city of San Francisco alone for so long, you must be wondering, and it’s true; I’ve been away MUCH too long.  The health stuff mentioned in my last few posts has been keeping me away, but I’m hoping to be back in full force this New Year, with better and better haunts for everyone to try.

A place I’ve recently discovered will definitely be added to this list, I’m sure.  I’ve gone on a gluten and dairy-free diet as of late, and this is one of the places that has options galore for a high-maintenance gal like me.  Thai Spice, located on Polk Street in between

Clay and Washington serves up some of, if not the, best Thai I’ve had in the City.  With rice noodles and coconut milk being their staple ingredients, Thai has fast become one of the food options that I can still go out and eat with naught a worry.  Not only is their establishment located in the fun and hip location of Nob Hill, but everything from the tables to the décor to the amazing dishes you are served are presented like, well, presents.  Wonderful ambiance and feel then leads you in to some downright amazing Thai food.  Not only do they have the best Pad Thai I have ever eaten, but their other dishes are equally as remarkable and leave you wanting to try everything on the menu.  Dishes to definitely check out – the Pumpkin Curry with tofu or chicken and the Spinach Rolls appetizer.  Both are simply incredible, and I have no doubt from the ooh’s and ah’s from friends that the other dishes leave nothing to be desired – except maybe a second helping (portions aren’t small though, so you really won’t even have to worry about that).  There are plenty of wines, beers, teas, and Thai teas to pair with these dishes, as well, which make for a fun outing anytime.

Service is easy and relaxed, where they know what is in their food and also can suggest favorites.  It’s not a pretentious, overly expensive place though looks swanky from all aspects.  I don’t know how they do it, but that God they do.  It’s rare to find an affordable, delicious, and all around relaxing spot in such a posh neighborhood, but Thai Spice is breaking the mold and doing it night after night.  Definitely check out this healthy and delicious spot that will keep you craving it long after you leave.

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With all the buzz certain films get, it’s easy to pass on the ever-present hype and say, hey, I’ll just check it out on my big screen HD when it’s out on Blue Ray.  Avatar, however, is not one of these falsely hyped overblown Christmas blockbusters.  It’s a must see – I would even say, NEED to see.  It will forever change the way we as film lovers look at the film experience, all while being completely and utterly captivating in both scope and story.

Offered in innovative 3D – the film’s director James Cameron has used pioneering 3D cameras in all shots of the film – Avatar follows the story of an ex-Marine who travels to the distant planet of Pandora to assist the other humans there in the mining of a rare and very precious metal set to make them million.  In a desultory effort to be diplomatic, they have allowed scientists on the planet, not only to gain knowledge about their surroundings, but also to learn the ways of the native species, called the Na’vi.  The scientists have developed the ability to put the brain of a human into an alien body, which they call Avatars.  Soon, the greed and overwhelming entitlement of the human race acts as a catalyst in the attempted take-over of the planet, and hostilities between these two species comes to a head.  With a love story between Na’vi and human, action, and a not so secret political and environmental directorial subtext, it’s a modern day ‘Dances with Wolves’, but oh so much cooler.

You will literally be taken to another world for three hours as the enigmatic, sweeping shots are so beautiful and so flawlessly executed that you can’t help the escape – you are taken to Pandora and don’t want to come back.  Each shot takes its time, but is perfectly paced, so you finally feel like not just character development, but also setting development, becomes wonderfully apparent.  With sweeping landscapes and an entirely new language created for the film, Cameron spared no expense – lucky us.  The 3D element only adds to the escape, as well, as you actually do feel like you are flying, running, and in fact, among the indigenous group.  With color, music, and sensory overload at every turn, it just keeps getting better and better with each passing scene – what film have you seen recently can boast that?  With Cameron working on this project for the past 15 years, though, it’s hardly surprising.

Get ready to experience where movies are headed for in the future, as Avatar indeed shows us what we were previously missing in the theater experience.  With big screen HD televisions becoming more and more ubiquitous in the modern household, this finally gives us a reason to go to the theater.  This film is epic and, like Cameron’s film Titanic, will define a period in filmmaking, I have no doubt whatsoever.  I cannot rave enough, and in fact, would go see it again in a heartbeat (probably will).  Go… just go – you will certainly not regret this slide into another world.

Peace and love Xo

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