PFMs Healthy Living: New Year, New Me, New You

photo credits

i have taken a posting hiatus for quite a bit and there really isn't any particular reason other than life got hectic.  it brings to mind my previous post on 2012 and what the "end" really means in all the end of world prophecies.  i stick by my concept that it really meant hard endings and change specific to individuals (for my numerology folks - 2012 = 2+0+1+2 = 5 and 5 means change).  events like Hurricane Sandy and the Newtown tragedy only help prove my theory.  while there are many still dealing with how to move on from both the aforementioned events as well as other personal upheaval, the good thing is - we are still here!  this means that we have the chance, just like in the beginning of a new day, to start all over - fresh.  

the main message that i feel sums up 2012 is learning to be grateful for the things that truly matter - family, food, shelter, warmth.  it is hard to take any of these things for granted as we move into the new year.  in an age when we have access to so much, we are being forced to recognize we only need a little to make life bearable.  ...at least that's what i got and it's what i share with you.   my goal is to be happier.  instead of focusing on what i don't have or what i "need" to have to "be happy", i am focused on being happy right now, with everything exactly as it is.  achieving my goal will mean that i am living in the moment and making an effort to enjoy the roller coaster ride called life (which will remind me that that the ups and downs are all part of it).  i'm working on my outlook and, though i have a ways to go, i am enjoying the process of learning what really makes me happy.  it comes down to the above four things; they are the pillars to my foundation on which to build my true happiness. 

i challenge you to do the same; if you are unhappy, the only thing that you can change right now is you and your outlook on life.  if you can change that, be prepared for things to shift right before your eyes.  we have to "live our best life now".  to quote Rihanna's song Right Now- "tomorrow's way too far away, we can't get back yesterday, but we are young right now, we got right now, so get up right now." tomorrow isn't promised, yesterday is already gone and all we have is today - so love and live life right now.  

best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year and new you! xo sesheta

p.s. many thanks to all of our readers for visiting and reading our blog throughout 2012.  here's to hoping that we continue to inspire, encourage and provoke your best life as we strive for ours!

-the PFMs

PFMs in the Kitchen: Thanksgiving is Here!

Thanksgiving means more to me than ever this year. I've always loved this holiday for a couple of very specific reasons...my brother and I both have birthdays that happen to fall on or around this holiday (yay!) Next reason is the food: my mother serves up a few of her infamous (and my absolute fave) vegetarian Thanksgiving dishes. Ultimately, nothing can hold a candle to the real excitement behind the holiday- recognizing and being able to give thanks for what's important in life. To my husband, my in-laws, and my sweet sweet friends...I hope you feel the major vibes of gratitude that I'm sending your way. To my mother and brother...this will be the first Thanksgiving in (too) many years when we will be celebrating altogether under the same roof and I can't wait. Lastly to my incredible neighbors and friends in Long Beach with whom we will forever share a special bond...I'm grateful for all the support and help we've given each other over the last few weeks. For our readers that want to give back and help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, you can find one of the many options right here.

And as always, let's bring on the healthy living! Things have been too chaotic lately for me to post any of our actual Thanksgiving recipes, so I borrowed inspiration from the internet to give you a glimpse at some dishes that are similar to what we will be chowing down on tomorrow. Our Thanksgiving will be a non-traditional mix of vegetarian-vegan-deliciousness! Have a wonderful holiday! xoxo Becca

Poblano Cornbread Stuffing via loveandlemons

Spiced Tofu Katsu via The Cilantropist (Tofu Cutlets are the superstars of our Thanksgiving!)

Brussels Sprouts and Red Cabbage Slaw via The Yellow Table

Parsnip Puree Topped with Almond Parmesan via sb&gb

Gluten-Free Apple Cranberry Crisp via Two Peas & Their Pod

A Day in the Life: Fall Happenings

I recently upgraded from a total fossil phone (embarrassing) to the newest iPhone (yay!) and realized just how much fun it is when you (attempt to) capture life's moments on Instagram. Here's a quick roundup of what's been happening this past month...our Portland friends came to visit and we took them sightseeing in NYC, there was time well spent at home with sunsets+Stewie+chai lattes, we celebrated Sesheta's birthday, and I broke out the fall booties quite a few times. What can I say...it's been such a wonderful fall and it's only going to get better. My hubby and I are heading off to the Long Island vineyards this weekend and something tells me there will be plenty of wine, pumpkins, and antique shops in my near future. Stay in the loop and follow us here. xoxo Becca

Spiritual PFM: Little Reminders

it could have been really easy to slip into a bad mood because of the rain on my birthday (especially because that is not what the weather said yesterday, smh).  in fact, i was already on my way to that state when, one of my good friends stopped me in my tracks by saying, "you bring the sunshine, birthday girl!"  i was starting to commit to the funk but her little reminder helped to bring me back to seeing the lighter side, my silver lining.  as i sat and watched the rain subside and then witnessed the sky becoming brighter and lighter, i claimed it; i bring the sunshine!!  in one instant, my mood was lifted.  it really can be that simple - to choose to be one way or another, happy or funky.  i chose happy and i was reminded that i should be coming from a place of gratitude today and always.  ... so here goes:

Give thanks and praise for those little reminders

and for those beautiful beings that remind you.

give thanks for sunshine and rain, rainbows and clouds;

give thanks for all things sparkly, blingy, glittery, shiny; :)

give thanks for my family - blood and adopted;

give thanks for yarn, beads, crystals;

give thanks for color;

give thanks for life, for the blessing of another day of breath 

and the promise of a new year.

ashe!

xo Sesheta

Spiritual PFM: 2012 - the end of all life or life as we know it?

i hope that i am not the only one who has noticed that this year has been moving insanely fast.  it literally seems like only yesterday we were ringing in the new year.  i can't tell you the number of conversations i've had related to 2012 and the end of the world.  i, for one, have always been a big believer in the concept of "the end of days"...but as time progresses through this year, i have begun to re-evaluate my idea of what this "end" really means.  

my quest to understand may be related to the fact that i will be celebrating another birthday soon - which usually sparks reflection and contemplation.  then i start to think about the people i know and all the different situations they are going through.  2012 definitely seems to bring a trend of upheaval in many people's lives.  this has led me to start wondering if maybe "the end" is less like the catastrophic world demise we see in movies and more like personal catastrophes.  ...things occurring in everyday life that turn your world upside down and ends life as you know it.  unfortunately, for some, this may mean major loss and, for others, it could be minor.  nevertheless it all equals learning hard life lessons and it may force you to view life in a new way.  

 change is constant and inevitable and we may not always like the change that happens in our lives.  usually, the hardest changes are the ones we have no control over - unlike changing our diet or doing more exercise.  despite the chaos that change may bring, it can be a beautiful thing and it all depends on how we look at it.  caterpillars have to experience metamorphosis to become a butterfly.  well, since caterpillars can't speak to us, we have no idea if this process is painful or not.  regardless of the process though, they all become butterflies, complete with different colors and patterns depending on what they have been through.  i am learning to alter the way i view change and instead see it more like transformation.  the lessons and challenges that life brings will help my soul earn the stripes, colors and patterns it needs to get stronger, better so that i can become like a butterfly, flying free.  though it may be hard now, i am comforted to know that i will be a butterfly.

change has been on my mind lately, as you can tell from my recent posts.  this goes out to whoever is having a rough time due to the stresses and changes that life brings.  from one transforming soul to another - i get it.  xo Sesheta

Ask the PFMs: Making a Change - Step #2

now that you have established your goal (see step #1 here), the easiest thing you can do to start incorporating healthy eating is to think green.  this is Step #2.  adding more green foods (especially raw - like in salads) to your diet can help to literally bring more life into your lifestyle.  it is also the simplest way to make a change that won't leave you feeling like you are missing something, especially if the thought of eliminating foods makes you cringe and has kept you from making changes.  here are some quick ways of getting your daily dose of green foods:

1. adding a salad to every dinner - you can find salad fixings all cut-up or pre-washed in your local market, like the salads from Earthbound Farm Organics, for an easy way to throw together a yummy salad.  add your favorite dressing (we love Annie's Goddess dressing) and you are on your way! (hint - if you are trying to lose weight, eat salad first so there's less room for other stuff.)
2. veggie snacks - stick some broccoli, cucumbers or snap peas in a baggie with a side of some dressing as your dip (Goddess dressing is perfect for dipping!!). now your veggies are ready for on-the-go snacking.  
3. green food powder supplements - so you still aren't ready to eat more veggies.  start acclimating your taste-buds by mixing green food powder supplements such as Green Vibrance into a morning smoothie.  loaded with such super foods as spirulina and chlorella, this ensures you will get a dose of green energy without much effort.

as you start to get used to having more green foods in your everyday diet, you can slowly start to increase the amount of veggies (and fruits) and then begin to decrease what you are trying to eliminate.  for example, if you are trying to eliminate carbs, using salad as your "rice" to accompany protein and veggies is a stress-free way to jump start weight loss.  

questions?  remember to shoot us an email at any time if you have specific questions or need us to clarify anything you've seen here.  xo Sesheta

A Day in the Life: An End of Summer Hurrah

though i have had quite a few good times this summer, i have still felt like the season has flown by and that i haven't made the most of it.  i had hoped for more relaxation, more beach days, less work and more time with friends.  ...but, alas, we are at the end of August and (those of us with kiddies) school starts next week.  as the summer comes to an end, it is hard not to lament over how it could have been spent.  thankfully, there is still the possibility of a few more warm weekends.  i am definitely looking forward to this weekend.  i have taken a few days off from work to actually do what makes me happy (i hardly ever do that!!).  i have one more chance to fit in all of the things that will signify (to me) time well spent.  

i hope that you have an end of summer hurrah planned as well - bbqs, beach days and any thing you find fun and relaxing.  as for next week, it's back to the usual grind.  ...but that is a whole 5 days away! :) xo Sesheta

Mani Pedi via Instagram: Vanilla ice Cream with Sprinkles

i have to admit it... i almost bailed on posting today.  sometimes blogging about your life or what you are doing can be challenging.  i am trying to learn that i have to fight through the urge to just throw my hands up and say forget it.  instead, i am learning to use this as a platform to express what i am feeling/thinking - no matter what the feeling.  even more so because, believe it or not, i am actually a private person.  i also believe in just living life.  in an age when everything is documented (literally),  it can be hard to be a free flowing spirit.  i find myself thinking in terms of what i can post or tweet or snap a pic for my documented life.  sometimes, i'm all for it.  other days, i got nothing lol.  that doesn't even account for the fact that you may not even care. ...that's a whole other ball game lol.

i guess your wondering what this has to do with my topic for today lol.  i guess it doesn't but i love this pic nonetheless.  besides being my current mani, it rocks for a couple reasons: 1) it is from one of our posts on instagram (follow us @mavenfresh), 2) this nail polish is green beauty product (yay) and 3) it's got glitter!  what more do you need??! 

here's to just living life.  hope you have a great day! i sure plan to! xo sesheta

PFM Confessional: sesheta speaks - going with the flow

...time out of time

one with the sublime

Beauty of this place

time flows past

yet leaves not a trace...
poem & painting
©2005 Mara Berendt Friedman

today i was reminded of an important lesson:  though you have a plan for yourself in life, life sometimes has a different (sometimes conflicting) plan for you.  though the reminder was very minor (and not too traumatic), the message was still strong.  

i wear a lot of hats in my life - designer, mother, wife, daughter, employee, sister, friend (any of these roles sound familiar to you?).  i usually wear two or more hats at once.  then there are the occasional times when situations dictate what hat has to be worn  today the "Mom" hat took precedence.  i had my mind wrapped around getting through my day one way and then when i got that call, everything else had to be pushed aside.  the call about my son came in and because he wasn't ill (he just needed support from his mom), honestly, i was annoyed that i had to leave work to go tend to him.  leaving meant missing a fun event that was happening! do i wonder if that makes me a bad parent? no... because i know i did the right thing.  as i arrived at my son's school and had a chance to help him, he turned to me and said, "Thanks, Mom".  those are the words you drill in them so that children learn to be grateful but when the words come back at you with genuine earnest and appreciation... there is nothing better in the world.  

 my angst at changing up my routine to be by my son's side quickly subsided.  it definitely didn't hurt that he had melted any ounce of annoyance that may have been lingering by being grateful. either way, i had time for reflection and it only takes a little reevaluation to realize that being there for your loved ones is the only thing that life is really truly about.  i am thankful that i was able to be aware of that and able to get to him when he needed me.