Thursday, November 10, 2016

Keitt Mango

Biggest Keitt Mango I've ever seen. Was so good.  Appreciate fruit.






















Photos by Lady J © Nov 2016

My 11/8/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/8/16 Tuesday
10:36am

I work in a psych hospital and one of the patients registered to vote! Don't know who they voted for, but it's exciting.

My 11/8/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/8/16
Tuesday
6:55pm

Nervous. Tired. Makes me emotional and unusually weird. I some how thought I'd be soothed by Whole Foods?  Nah, I just made a stop but not really knowing where I was wandering. In a haze.  So, there I am at the checkout with Pineapples, Purple Carrots, Cucumbers,  Rambutans, and Coconut Water. Um. Yeah. The cashier looks unfamiliar to me. I hear the guy telling the woman he's ringing up, that it's his second day working there. The woman says, "Congratulations! " This made me feel good inside to know a person would congratulate someone for starting a new job. I almost got a little teary. Told you.  Emotional. When it was my turn to pay, I saw a sign posted that said he is a new employee, so please be patient.  Does that make things better or worse for him?  It was as if he were in a cage, and we were all spectators,  looking at a sign that said "don't feed the bear."  Drove home, thinking about how grateful I am to have the right to vote. Thought about a person whom I convinced to vote for the first time. She's 32 and has never voted. She was kind of lax about it,  but she became increasingly excited about it as the day moved forward one foot after the other. She's going to earn that sticker that we all love so much.  The last thing she said to me was, " I'm going to wear that thing with pride!" THAT definitely prompted some tears. She didn't see them come so don't tell her. Time to take a shower,  turn on the telly, and clench.  Here we go.

My 11/8/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/8/16
Tuesday 10:26pm

He's a celebrity.  That is all he is.  That is all he is. He is not my president.  He is not mine.

My 11/8/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/8/16
Tuesday 10:26pm

He's a celebrity.  That is all he is.  That is all he is. He is not my president.  He is not mine.

My 11/9/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/9/16
Wednesday 7am

I don't know how to go into work today.  I would have called out, but how obvious the reason would be.  I can't stop crying. I can't show up to work crying. I can't show up to work looking as though I've been crying.  I can't show up to work looking as though I will cry. I will be crying.  I don't know how to do this.  What do we do?

My 11/9/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/9/16
Wednesday
7:20am

Dear, My President.  I can't imagine what it must feel like to hand the reins to trump. Every bit of that process. I'm sorry that this is another difficult task for you to take on.

My 11/9/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/9/16
Wednesday 7:46am

If I  had an American flag to put in front of my house,  I would have it at half mast.

My 11/9/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/9/16 Wednesday
8:07pm

To those who feel that today is just an "aaw" of a day,  or a "wow, that trump guy got it" To those who this early think "we just need to accept it", or ask why I'm still upset by the end of the week,  or who will judge me for not turning a new leaf on Monday, have some respect.

My 11/ 9/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win Posted on Facebook

11/9/16 Wednesday
8:56pm

I  remember when Obama won the first election. I believe it was TIME magazine that had a stoic and I believe humble photo of Barack Obama,  with only two words.
Mr. President.  Reflective moments are whizzing through my head. Is this happening to any of you?

My 11/ 9/ 16 Sentiments on Trump's Win, Posted on Facebook

Wednesday 11/9/16 7:47pm

I want to cling to our president.  Listening to the warmth and maturity in his voice as he tells us he's been having  conversations with trump gives me the image of a gentleman speaking to a wind-up toy. It's been a day of running to the restroom to hide tears, carrying tissues,  pretending I have allergies,  hating the voice of anyone  who seems unaffected,  hating the "water cooler chat" because an "ain't that sumthin'" tone means they weren't truly invested. I've been upset by "professionalism",  uncertain why there aren't more people who were bigger than I and had the guts to stay home,  and feeling that everyone around me is suspect.  Did you vote for him? Did you? You? What about you? Eventually, I'll be able to find comfort and maybe even feel fueled by the confident words that I've been scrolling through.  From friends, from activists, and speakers I admire. Opinions about future victories, and our ability to unite, and work harder. You are in a more evolved place than I .  Sometimes I can't hear what you're saying .  Sometimes such adamant, and eloquent words sound like "blah blah blah." It is however  nice to know that there are so many of you who have become my teachers. What I have come to see tonight is that I need to know the country better. I haven't seen enough of it. 50 states is a lot of ground, and there is a   climate that exists,  that I don't know of first hand.

My 11/9/16 Sentiments on Trump's Win, Posted on Facebook.


School teachers you are my heroes and sheros today. You have entered your classrooms with busy heads, all looking at you.

I DID NOT VOTE TRUMP

This still means something.



Friday, October 28, 2016

Raw Food Problems

Raw Food Problems:

When you show up at the cash register with 50 bananas, and the cashier says, "..LOTTA bananas" in a bothered tone, and looks at me like I'm a freak. Sure it's not what you're used to, but why the "I feel a fist coming your way", look? I almost said, "long shift?" 30% empathy, 70% passive aggressive. What sounds like a better excuse from poor little exhausted me, to condescending girl, who apparently gets set off by bananas, and feels like potassium is reason enough to shame someone? "Um..smoothies" or "pet monkey?"

Friday, October 14, 2016

Basil

Is there anything prettier than fresh basil? Say no.

Monday, October 10, 2016

MANGO



Can you believe that this is a mango? This is the largest Keitt Mango I've ever seen. Twas yummy. This is the stuff that has my gratitude. 




Photos by Lady J © 2016



Sunday, September 18, 2016

The Color of True and False

I have a photo collection that I have titled The Color of True and False.
I'm not sure how I feel about the name. 
Everything we see is subjective.  
So, I suppose the title is inclusive of us all
You get to decide what you feel, what you need.



















Photo by Lady J © Sept 2016

Sunday, September 11, 2016

LUSH

A few months ago, I dared myself to enter a mall. I hadn't been in one since 1999. I admit; I was a Hot Topic girl.

Prior to that, the last time I set foot into a mall was as a child.

I went to the mall because I decided I needed some real sunglasses.  For years I had been quite content with my $18.99 CVS sunglasses.  They didn't make me look like a bug, and they got the job done.

After I purchased my far too expensive,  grown-up sunglasses,  I noticed a sign that read, David's Tea. I power walked over there and bought Birthday Cake tea, which has real sprinkles in it.

It was on the second trip to David's Tea, that I spotted a store called LUSH, diagonally from my new favorite tea shop.

I saw a small studio sized store with young tattooed, and brightly colored haired girls . They were essentially, me in high school.

I was lured by the yummy fragrance,  and quickly came to find that I'd be spending a lt of cash.

LUSH Handmade Cosmetics is a place I now frequent. I don't wear makeup, and  surprisingly the vast majority of their products consists of shower, bath, hair, and skincare products.

What hooked me is that their products are made with a lot of organic fruits,  vegetables. Each product is indeed handmade,  and each container of whatever has a sticker with a characterized image of the person who made it, their name,  and the date it was made. The cutsey names of their products are often takes on songs, and  film.

I'm not a bath person, so I buy a lot of shower stuff.

 If you do want bath products,  they have bath bombs that offer pleasant fragrances,  and color.  I actually bought something that is supposed to create glittery gold bubbles.























Photos by Lady J ©  Sept 2016

The first item I bought at LUSH is called Happy Hippie. It's a shower gel that smells like grapefruit.  Refreshing pick me up. 

I went on to buy more shower gells, smoothies, and scrubs. Shampoos, conditioners, lotions,  masks, shaving fluff, and lip scrubs.

What the hell is a lip scrub? Something I find completely unnecessary, but so much fun. What you don't wash off, you can eat! 

Other products include hard soaps, hair repair treatment,  and henna. 

The things I buy are all a part of my "soothe yourself to bed" process. I read that somewhere.  It's an end of the day stress reliever. 

So shower fun, and pretty masks after.


















All photos by Lady J © Sept 2016
It's embarrassing that the girls in there recognize me now. They always say, "Welcome back! " Eeesh.

Give this place a try for yourself.  

BTW: I'm posting from my phone and it has caused several errors. Different letter sizes, and a white background behind text.

Raw Rainbow



















Photo by Lady J © Sept 2016

Well, hello tiny pistachios. You were expensive. 

Fingerlimes





















Photo by Lady J © Sept 2016

Oh, how I've missed you..
Break open and squeeeeeze!  Elegant pearls of tangy fruit spill out. 

Cotton Candy Grapes

Every year.  I never get sick of them. I grab 3-4 bags each week.



















Photo by Lady J  © 2016

Thank you,  Grapery for your genius creation.  These grapes are organic, and non-GMO. The cotten candy is a result of cross breeding. There is nothing artificial about these grapes that taste EXACTLY like cotten candy. When I actually allow myself to share a few, it's tickling to see the reactions on the faces of the very first bite.  The moment teeth sink in,  people are astonished,  and I like that I've shared something new, that is a lasting experience,  that will have them talking.  

I find mine at Sprouts and Whole Foods. They are in season from August 10th to September 20th. 

Grapery also sells other varieties.  
Moon Drops
Flavor Pops
Tear Drops
Flavor Promise 
Gum Drops

I've had them all, minus the Gum Drops, and Flavor Pops I hope they'll show themselves in my neck of the woods. 

To learn more,  go to the Grapery website. 

Monday, September 5, 2016

National Suicide Prevention Week 2016

Today marks the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week.

To learn more,  see https://afsp.org/

Suicide is not the easy way out
It is not for cowards
It is not shameful
It is a reflection of not knowing what else to do
THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO
TO BE
TO SEE
AND I SO VERY MUCH WANT YOU TO FEEL BETTER.
WITH ALL OF MY BEING I CAN TELL YOU
IT IS HERE FOR YOU
YOU CAN HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU WANT IT
BE PATIENT WITH THE WONDER THAT YOU ARE
WORTHY WORTHY WORTHY
STICK AROUND YOU WILL SEE IT

Suicide Hotline : 1 800 273 8255
24/7 connection to a trained counselor who is here for you.


http://youtu.be/NFZ58L0qLqo

Friday, July 29, 2016

Lycheeeeee!

I wish I could live in a Lychee Tree.  In Southern California , I had been unable to find Lychee that weren't brown.

I was and still am in great shock that I found the good stuff at my local Trader Joe's Market. I am beyond grateful.

Photos by Lady J © 2016



Cotton Candy Grapes

It's always so sad when they go. They come in the Summer, and last for a month to a month and a half.

These taste exactly like Cotton Candy.  I hope you have been able to experience them. The moment you pop one in your mouth,  there's a burst of flavor that is so unique.

Photo by Lady J © 2016


Pitaya Smoothie!

Although I much prefer Dragon Fruit with the white flesh, the color that comes from Pitaya aka Red Dragon Fruit is too good to be true. I consider the color to be magenta, not red.

Recipe :
1 Pitaya fruit
1 cup kale
1/2 - 1 cup frozen Mangoes
Almond Milk. Use your judgement and use as much as you are happy with.

All photos by Lady J © 2016






Saturday, July 23, 2016

Cotton Candy Smoothie






















Photo by Lady J © July 2016

 Candy Smoothie by Lady J.  My own creation.
Blended Frozen Bananas poured into a bowl and mixed with Beet Powder.
Blended Frozen Bananas poured into a separate bowl and mixed with Blue Spirulina.
Mixed contents of both bowls together.
Fresh Blueberries inside the mason jar.
Sipped through a designed glass straw.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

fun

Skipped rope today --and it was awesome

The doctors do their thing and I do mine

You know you're making a difference when you make a psych patient pinky swear that they'll continue to take their meds after they leave the hospital. Yep. My clinical skills in action, folks.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

I needed stamps..












 Copyright © 2016 by Lady J

Flowers in My Tea





























"I'm just sippin ' on camomile, watchin ' boys and girls and their sex appeal. "


Photo by Lady J © April 2016






Tuesday, March 22, 2016

HAPPY WORLD WATER DAY!

HAPPY WORLD WATER DAY!
Water is something that I cherish. I am incredibly grateful that I have such easy access. We need water daily to focus clearly,  lubricant our joints, detoxify, and it aids in weight loss for those who are trying to do that.

I drink 2 liters daily. The large water bottles you find in stores are 1.5.

Not only do we need to preserve water, we need to know the politics of water. It has become a commodity,  it is being privatized, activists and law makers are going head to head, and people are dying.

I recommend the book and documentaty, Blue Gold.


Below are photos of the my Vitamin Waters.
All photos by Lady J in Lotus Pose © March 2016



















Strawberries and my favorite water. AQUA.



















Cucumbers in AQUA Water.



















Blood Oranges and Cara Cara Oranges in AQUA Water.



















Tangelos and Blueberries in AQUA Water.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Has anyone ever thought of this?

Dragonfruit with VOSS Sparkling Water.
Dragonfruit is a sweet but subtle fruit. I tried using fresh spring water, but the flavor fell flat.  Using Sparkling water did the trick.

























Photo by Lady J in Lotus Pose © 2016

Fruit Water

AQUA Water with Blood Oranges, and Cara Cara Oranges. Letting this sit in the fridge over night. I'll be taking it to work tomorrow.

























Photo by Lady J in Lotus Pose © 2016

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Griffith Park Tea House Installation Comes to San Pedro

Opening ceremony for the Griffith Park Tea House installation took place last night. I was unable to attend so I visited the tea house, briefly, Friday afternoon.

The tea house sits atop Knoll Hill in San Pedro. It appears that this may be a travelling installation.  Pedro may not be its home.

Note all photos are by Lady J © March 2016. Photos are meant for this blog only.













Inside the house was a small bench, a bell, and wooden tablets to scribe upon. On these tablets wishes are written.  When I arrived,  I was greeted by a woman who had collected what looked to be about 100 wishes that had flown away due to high wind.











Some of the wishes were warming and others were just plain ridiculous.












My wish for Los Angeles:

A wish
A hope
A knowing
that inside our ribs
we carry the light that lives
and the light that dims











I'm so appreciative of this installation.  I love tea houses,  and I love Pedro, Los Angeles, and the powerful simplicity of a wish.


Saturday, March 5, 2016

Rainbow Salad

Tasting the rainbow.  Mangoes, Purple Cabbage, Broccolini, Strawberries, Beets, Persian Cucumbers, Blackberries, Heirloom Tomatoes, Avocado, and Carrots, on a bed of Red Lettuce.



















Photo by Lady J © 2016

Saturday, February 6, 2016

You'll See

Look up

Give Me Yellow Give Me Gold

Next to the almighty Fugi, I'd say Opal Apples are my favorite.

They're expensive,  which has always made me grumble, I nab a few apples any chance I get.



















Give me yellow
Give me gold



















Liquid beauty I behold..

Photos: Lady J in Lotus Pose © 2016


Warm Mulberry Milk

Warm Mulberry Milk

























photo by Lady J in Lotus Pose© 2016

From Rawlicious Superfoods  by Peter and Beryn Daniel.

2 cups hot or cold water
1/4 cup dried white mulberries
1/4 cup cashews
1 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tbsp honey