Mix It Up!

Podcast Suggestion: Hay House Radio

 

Hay House is a publishing house that publishes what I call books for the soul -- everything from astrology to practical health advice to inspirational stories.  Hay House Radio is where they host their authors' podcasts, and it's truly difficult to pick just one.  

The shows range from call-in shows with spiritual intuitives who can answer your life questions, to health and beauty regimens, to inspirational broadcasts about finding your authentic purpose.

I rarely listen to the same show every week, but instead pick and choose shows based on my need.  This one of the huge benefits of the Hay House Radio site because if I'm feeling depressed I can listen to Lauren Mackler's Life Keys, or if I'm interested in astrology that week I can hit Mark Husson's Power Peek Hour.  If you need a little spiritual boost in your life; you can't go wrong with picking any of the wonderful podcasts on Hay House Radio!

(As always, I have no affiliation with the people or companies I write about!) 

News Watch: Guerrilla Gardeners

(I'm having troubles of all kind today!  This was supposed to post at 12pm, not 12am.  Sorry about that!)

I found this news item on the Mother Nature Network to be totally wild and wonderful!

If you don't have the time to go read it; in brief the article describes how in London many people are sneaking out at night to plant tiny gardens in the city's roundabouts and meridians.  They plant everything from tulips to cabbages and feel that it's their duty to "liven up places that could really do with it."  

I LOVE the idea of "vandalizing" public spaces with beautiful flowers and vegetables!  If you are interested in their mission, head to the Guerrilla Gardening Homepage and share in the news from the "horticultural front lines"!

Mix It Up: Project Life

 

(This post was meant to go up on Friday, August 20th, but I messed up the queue and had set it to go up NEXT Friday instead!  So I fixed the update and you get a double today!)

Many people have a desire to preserve their precious memories.  Almost everyone takes pictures of vacations, birthdays, and holidays.  Some folks like me go a step further and capture the everyday events -- not just things like baby's first steps but also sweet moments with friends and new foods I've cooked.  

The problem comes when trying to figure out just how to display these pictures.  And just as importantly; how do you tell the story?  Who is that couple you're posing with?  Even when it is your own story you may find it hard to remember once a couple of decades have passed.  

I adore scrapbooking as an answer to this conundrum, but not everyone has the time to craft intricate layouts and story books for every occasion.  (Including me!)  Becky Higgins, a prominent scrapbooking "personality" has come up with a solution; a kit she named Project Life.  Project Life is a book with spaces to slip standard 4"x 6" pictures, and bunches of journaling cards that you can slip into associated spaces to note pertinent information or stories about the pictures.  It's a *fabulous* way to preserve beautiful memories with very little work -- just print (or have developed) your pictures, slip them into the plastic sleeves, and write a couple words about each on the cards!  I have one of these already, and will likely buy a second before too long.

If you're looking for a way to tell the story of what's going on in your life but keep it very simple, mix it up and try Project Life!

(Picture is from Amazon.com; and as usual I am not affiliated with Becky Higgins or Project Life.  I'm just a happy consumer!)

Quote of the Day: Joseph Campbell

 

The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.

(Photo taken by Mark Neal -- who has DEFINITELY said yes to his adventure!  Go Dad!)

Word of the Day: Cathect

cathect

PRONUNCIATION:

(kuh-THEKT)

MEANING:

verb tr.: To invest mental or emotional energy in an idea, object, or person. 

ETYMOLOGY:

Back-formation from Greek kathexis (the investment of emotional energy in something). Ultimately from the Indo-European root segh- (to hold) that is also the source of words such as victory (to hold in a battle), hectic, scheme, and scholar. 

USAGE:

"Mortimer divorced Jane Goodall's mother, Vanne, in 1950, consigning Jane to the fate of so many children who cathect with the animal kingdom to compensate for missing parents."

Judith Lewis; Observing the Observer: Jane Goodall, The Woman Who Redefined Man; Los Angeles Times; Nov 19, 2006. 

(From wordsmith.org)

Mix it Up: Foodportunity

On August 2nd I attended Keren Brown's Foodportunity event here in Seattle.  In her words, Foodportunity is "a networking event for food journalists, public relations professionals, restauranteurs, farmers, companies,and all food passionate people."  I recently did some work for local specialty food broker Murdock & White and they invited me to come down and check it out.  

If you work in the food industry then I think going to Foodportunity would be incredibly valuable.  But you don't have to work with food to attend -- all you have to do is love food and buy a ticket ($25 for the one I went to).  There you will find tens of local caterers, new restaurants, and other happy foodies sharing samples of their delicious wares and delightedly talking to you about what they do and why they do it.  What a great way to mix it up!

While Foodportunity is unique to the Pacific Northwest, there are tons of small industry events like this one all over the world.  I urge you to find a tiny convention -- be it for Legos, cupcakes, or romance novels -- and buy a ticket to attend!  Not only will you be supporting local people, but you'll also get to experience a world you might never have known about.  Mix it up, and find your foodportunity today!

(As usual, I'm not paid for anything I write about!  The photo above is of delicious gazpacho I had at the Taste booth at Foodportunity.)

Quote of the Day: Neale Donald Walsch

It is not a question of whether you "have what it takes," but of whether you take the gifts you have - they are plenteous - and share them with all the world.

Welcome Back!

And Mix it Up is back!  I apologize again for the lengthy hiatus -- I was ill for most of July, and I spent the first two weeks of August moving.  Now I'm back in action and excited to be writing and sharing my stories of mixing it up again!  

There will be a slight change in blog post frequency -- I'll now be updating Monday-Friday only.  Please follow my Twitter feed (mixierae) for updates over the weekends!

Thank you for your patience, and welcome back to Mix it Up!

Mix it Up on Hiatus!

 You may have noticed that Mix it Up has not been updating lately; for which I apologize!  I have been sick on and off for the last month, and now am trying to coordinate moving as well!  So Mix it Up will resume updating on August 15, 2010.  Enjoy the next three weeks of summer, and I'll see you again soon!

Mix it Up Back Home

 

I have safely returned from Oaxaca, land of the seven moles!  (That's the chocolate and chile sauce, not the burrowing animal.)  I had a wonderful time and I hope you enjoyed learning more about the food, culture, and craziness that is Mexico.  I apologize for the hiatus while I was recovering from my illness; I simply wasn't able to write during that time.  I'm feeling MUCH better now, however, and will now return you to your regularly scheduled mixing it up!