Category Archives: Vivian Law

Order a small gelato (rule)

I would like to share that I enjoyed gelato most days last week in Italy and here in Toronto. I ordered a small gelato on every occasion, which I am certain is enough. It was a surprise to me when I got tough on my mom and told her the rules were small gelato only when she told me she had eaten a medium gelato the day before. We have been enjoying gelato from Il Gelatiere http://www.ilgelatiere.ca/, Dolce http://dolcegelato.net/and Hotel Gelato www.hotelgelato.com as a family taste test and have discovered delicious, interesting flavours at each spot.

It is funny that I reiterated the small gelato rule to my mom, the person responsible for developing my habit of ordering small icecream and gelato. I grew up having ‘kiddie scoops’ of icecream only and carried the habit into adulthood. Being accustomed to having a small gelato or icecream, I find it is quite satisfying, especially in a cup eaten with a small spoon.

Enjoying gelato or icecream on a warm day is a treat that most of us love. Making Life Good recommends enjoying a small gelato or icecream (one a day or less)- the small gelato rule.

Ps. This article has some interesting history of sugar consumption and mentions the importance of our attitude towards the food we eat: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/sugar-the-evolution-of-a-forbidden-fruit/article19969475/

 

 

 

 

A Chakra Meditation

Dr Blessyl www.drblessyl.com and I really enjoyed teaching a workshop at Lole www.lolewomen.com last week on colours in fashion and the chakras, the subtle energetic centres of our bodies. While I was going over our material to cover, I realized that a Maya Angelou quote that a client had shared a few weeks ago  ‘I approve of my right to be here’ would be the starting point to a chakra meditation I wanted to create. Bringing awareness to our subtle energetic body and our chakras helps us gain a wider perspective to ourselves and our relationship with the world around. This meditation is based on the 7 inalienable rights described in the book Eastern Body, Western Mind (Anodea Judith).

In a comfortable position, sitting, lying down, or in a restorative bridge position with a block under the sacrum to create a grounding energy:

Ground yourself with restorative bridge posture

feel grounded in restorative bridge posture

Begin by bringing awareness to the base of your spine and say to yourself:

I approve of my right to be here (1st chakra)

Moving your awareness to your pelvic area:

I approve of my right to feel (2nd chakra)

With awareness at your navel area:

I approve of my right to act (3rd chakra)

Notice your heart center:

I approve of my right to love and be loved (4th chakra)

Notice the seat of your voice, throat area:

I approve of my right to speak and hear the truth (5th chakra)

Concentrate on the area between your eyebrows, center of your forehead:

I approve of my right to see (6th chakra)

Bring your attention to the crown of your head:

I approve of my right to know (7th chakra)

These 7 phrases can also be used as mantras to meditate upon anytime and anywhere to connect with your inalienable birthrights and consider if anything is in the way of you being truly comfortable in your experience of each of these rights.

 

 

Let me take a selfie

A few weeks ago, I heard a 10 year old recite a few strange lines and promptly asked the source-the Selfie song. I must admit I live under a rock in some ways, and pop culture comes to my consciousness in interesting ways. I finally looked up and heard the Selfie song for the first time today. Perhaps I’m of a different generation, selfies are not my thing. I did notice last year my new iphone camera could reverse easily for a selfie. I tried a few times and could not create an image with the frame I wanted, so I abandoned taking self portraits with my phone.

The question of the meaning behind a selfie has always been in my mind. What is the message behind this image? (which is a question that can be applied to any art we experience). Is there a sense of validation when an image (especially of ourselves) is taken, shared and seen by others? Self-portraits are a longstanding form of art, and selfies can be an instantly gratifying self-portrait.

I love art and photography. As much I love capturing a frame of an amazing moment in life as a photo, I notice that if I spend too much time taking photos, I take away from enjoying the moment I am trying to capture. The vast majority of the photographs found here on this website are taken by myself or friends with some care and the intent of Making Life Good. Somehow, a selfie even to inspire people to exercise, eat or live well has not crossed my creative threshold, as I seem to prefer creating an image within a larger frame. Prior to ‘let me take a selfie’, I invite the questions: what am I trying to say? what is the frame of reference?

Famous or Infamous?

Through an interesting synchronicity of events, I was inadvertently photographed shopping with Dr. Blessyl Buan at lifestyle clothing retailer Lole recently. The article featured in the Globe and Mail is quite interesting: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/montreals-lole-takes-aim-at-struggling-lululemon-market/article18116318/ 

A close friend joked that I was famous and my response was I would prefer to be infamous with her for having ridiculously positive, kaleidoscopic vision to share expansive energy. Later that week I unknowingly met someone famous at a fundraiser and the question of famous and infamous came to me again. I feel that fame is what you are known for and infamy despite the negative connotation (perhaps a bit of mischief is good!) is the effect you create.  Would you prefer to be famous or infamous-is an interesting philosophical question to consider for what you may wish to create in your life.

Ps. It is possible to be famous and infamous at the same time, like the current mayor of Toronto, who is so notorious that there is no need to name him or his many spectacular deeds.

 

Cookie Monster-love him and cookies!

A friend had this on her facebook the other day shortly after the topic of memes came up in conversation around the dinner table (it was a nice surprise I knew what they are!)

Cookie Monster's Trainer

Who is Cookie Monster’s Trainer? Making Life Good recommends Vivian Law

I love this photo and I instantly realized that I would love to be Cookie Monster or Alistair Cookie’s trainer, happy to be at ‘fault’. Cookie Monster is a such a lovable and funny character-I fail to see how human weight ideals apply to him, as he is a furry blue monster! I would join him in shoveling vast quantities of cookies towards our faces and making a big mess in general-we could do lots of speed, endurance and clean up training specific to…cookies!!

When the question of Cookie Monster’s potential negative influence on the eating habits of children arises, I feel we are forgetting that children have inborn appetite regulation we can foster and the appeal of the character is his outrageousness. Apparently he has been changed to enjoy some healthy foods in addition to cookies-watch this hilarious interview where we learn much about his preferences: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssoSiZAqN98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssoSiZAqN98[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssoSiZAqN98″ title=”Cookie%20Monster%20interview%20″]

Cookie Monster has a singular love for cookies and we can learn from his enthusiasm. We are constantly around messages of ‘this or that food is bad’, ‘we should not be eating this or that’…and we end up eating the foods in judgement at some point anyway. Becoming aware and letting go of our internal conflict around our food choices creates a more harmonious relationship within ourselves and food. Let’s take a cue with a ‘C’ from Cookie Monster and eat delicious food we love with clarity and enthusiasm. ‘C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me’

Balanced Physical Activities

I often enter into conversations on what are the best forms of exercise and physical activities to engage in? The answer is individual to each person and their intents. An important consideration is always taking care of yourself and your body. At Making Life Good, we believe that a healthy lifestyle is being well and active to the best of your abilities while thoroughly enjoying life.

It is important to aim to be active on a daily basis, as your body is made for movement. Choose activities that you enjoy and encompass these elements of performance, movement, and well being:

1. Challenging-Your body is constantly adapting and needs physical activities that challenge your current capabilities to be fit. Long, steady state activity, higher intensity activity and sprint activity are all needed to challenge the energy systems of the body.

2.Strength-Your muscles are use it or lose it. Your strength needs to be challenged and trained on a regular basis to maintain a strong and lean body. Physical challenges such as chinups, step ups, lunges, squats, pushups and plank need to practiced on a regular, weekly basis.

3. Movement and flexibility-Once you challenge your cardiovascular system and strength on a regular basis, maintaining your movement and flexibility is important. This can be any form of co-ordinated movement and/or stretching you enjoy such as dance, yoga, pilates.

4. Novel-Trying new movements and sensations on a regular basis (at least once a week) keeps your physical activity routine fresh, so your body can create new connections and adaptations. This could mean listening to different music, exercising in a different locale, trying a movement you have never tried before, or getting moving if you’ve been inactive!

5. Attunement/Breathing/Introspection/Meditation/Reflection/Relaxation-A balance between doing and being is needed and taking time to tune into our breath, bodies and ourselves is important. A clear mind united with a relaxed body is optimal health, performance and well being.

Challenging, strength, movement/flexibility, novel and attunement

Challenging, strength, movement/flexibility, novel and attunement 

 

 

Greens at breakfast, lunch and dinner

Eating greens at breakfast, lunch and dinner is dietary advice I recently discussed at an all inclusive resort in Jamaica.  I believe that having the intent to put greens on your plate at breakfast, lunch and dinner helps to create the lifelong healthy habit of eating greens daily. I will admit that having greens for breakfast is not a daily habit I have, however, I have eggs and greens whenever I can. Callaloo and eggs are one of my favourites.

Eggs and callaloo with plaintain

Eggs and callaloo with plaintain

I have noticed that lots  of people do not like greens, and my suggestion is to keep trying until you find some green vegetables you like to eat. There are so many green vegetables to choose from that there must be some that you will like. Try to see eating greens as a culinary adventure-Making Life Good recommends to try a green vegetable you have not eaten in the past week, every week.

A most important posture

Easy pose, meditation

Easy pose, meditation

Sitting crossed legged is a posture that I choose often, on the ground, on a couch, in an office chair and for meditation. I find the position to be most comfortable for me to stay still for a period of time. I realize the posture is not available or comfortable for everyone (it does improve with practice, I promise), however, getting down, sitting on and getting up from the ground are movements we want to cultivate for healthy spine, hips, knees and ankles.

In addition, I have learned through my studies in yoga that siddhasana (essentially sitting crossed legged on the ground), as referenced in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Light on Yoga is one of the most important postures we can practice. The posture allows us to have a long spine with optimal relaxation throughout the rest of the body. Sitting tall gives us better awareness and alignment to our subtle energy, so we can be a meditative state. Taking a few minutes to sit cross legged on the ground, on a block, on cushions and bringing our attention to our breathing is a meditative break we can practice daily.

IMG_3782

Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts were not on my list of regular veggies for a long time. My mom served them boiled a few times during my upbringing, no one liked them and I stayed away for a long time. Even delicious versions of brussels sprouts at Campagnolo and Momofuku Daisho did not motivate me to cook them. We had roasted brussels sprouts with Christmas dinner and I discovered they were tasty!!

Brussels sprouts are of the cruciferous family of vegetables with sinigrin and sulforaphane as antioxidant, detoxifying nutrients in addition to vitamin A, C, E and lutein. Roasting (caramelization improves the flavour) and sauteing are the best ways to go with cooking brussels sprouts. Lemon juice, vinegar, and nuts are good accompaniments. Here is a super simple recipe:

1 pound brussels sprouts, washed, and cut into halves or quarters for even size pieces

1 tablespoon olive or grapeseed oil

1/4 cup dried cherries (optional)

salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss brussels sprouts in shallow baking dish with oil, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with dried cherries if using. Roast for 10-15 minutes until desired doneness. Season further with salt, pepper and lemon juice as desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Roasted brussels sprouts with dried cherries

Roasted brussels sprouts with dried cherries

An Indo Row inspired workout

I tried an Indo Row class for the first time summer 2010, really enjoyed the experience and brought a rower home thereafter. We have a water rower at our studio in Toronto and some challenging workouts can be created. Challenging workouts that energize you are part of making life good. Here is the my most recent workout on the water rower:

http://www.befiteveryday.com/a-water-rower-workout-only-500m-4-times/