Happy Anniversary to Me!

It has been one year since my heart procedure. I call it a procedure because operation sounds like it was cut into or something. Basically I received a electrophysiology study in which they found some extra circuits which the doctor thought was probably the cause of the arrhythmia I was having. They did some laser work and destroyed the circuits.

It took ten years to get a doctor to believe I was having an arrhythmia. They kept telling me I was anxious or having panic attacks, I almost believed them myself after a while. Even many of my family members didn't take it seriously. It was a relief to finally know what was wrong and get it fixed. I still have Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia. There are more risky operations for that. However the IST might be able to be fixed by conditioning my heart. It is scary to work out sometimes even though it should be safe. So now I am at another point in my life where I have to be brave.

I made many promises to myself to get in shape and take care of my heart. I did better but not as good as I want. I never give up though. I am going to keep on keeping on, as they say! I know we need to take responsibility for our health even if it is hard. So Happy Anniversary to me and onward I go.

Crazy Sexy Diet 21 Day Cleanse

I am finally going back to school in the fall to finish my degree in the Nutritional Sciences. It has been a long road, a story for another time, but I am so excited. Since there is only a month and a half before I start classes, my "Summer of Health" needs to speed up a bit. I have been doing baby steps all summer in all areas of my life from fitness, to home cleaning, to changing beauty products, to becoming more eco-loving, to reconnecting to my faith. I have been faltering a little here and there though as well such as giving into cravings for sugar, not working out consistently, and not really spending time with God like I wanted. However, I believe in giving yourself grace and so does the God I believe in. So it is okay that I am not perfect, I don't put that expectation on myself anymore. However, I am willing to up the anti at this point though which is why I am doing the Crazy Sexy Diet 21 day cleanse.

It is not the typical cleanse, it is not super structured. There is one to two pages a day in the book that ministers to many sides of you in the tasks you can complete. There are mini missions like the God-Pod task (which is our spiritual side), the workout, which is basically challenging you to move, and other things like super simple beauty regimens.  I think it is going to be the grace-filled consistency I need to get further along on my path of healing and health. Kris is also such a warm and loving person and it translates throughout her book. She reminds me of what Jesus would be like if he was my life coach. He is too but you know what I mean.

There are times to meditate also. I will be meditating on specific loving or health scriptures during this time as well. Ones that makes me feel loved, ones about health, etc. I will share them as I write about my experiences. I will also be adding time with God everyday which is my little "Christian" addition to the cleanse. I really feel in order to live my life healthy I need to connect to him.

Well I will keep you all updated. Oh, and I think I am going to do my first video this week as well! Super excited to share beauty products and healthy tips I have been learning. Okay well goodbye for now. Much love! Victoria

Urban Decay decides not to go to China

I just wanted to make sure to put an update on the Urban Decay article I wrote several weeks ago in light of there decision to sell in China.Urban Decay has decided not to go to China. They have heard their customers cries and listened. Here is their official statement Urban Decay Statement. They basically say they felt they could not sell there and risk harming animals because it would clash with their core values of cruelty free make-up.

Many people are not willing to buy their products still because of various reasons. One of those reasons are a breach of trust. People also may feel it is because of the money. Urban Decay would have suffered monetarily because of the volume of people boycotting. Everyone is entitled to live according to their individual convictions.I don't blame some of these people for feeling jaded.

Here is my opinion on the matter. I believe everyone deserves a second chance. We all needed forgiveness at one time or another. They are saying that they did not want to compromise. I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I will be buying and using Urban Decay's vegan products and eco-friendly brushes. I am proud of them for making the right decision.

Are you buying fish from slave owners? You might be.

Vannak Prum set out one day to find work. His wife would be giving birth in 2 months. He told her he would be back by then with provision for the medical bills. He came back nearly 5 years later. He was taken by a Thailand fishing boat to sea and did not see land for a 3 year duration. He worked 20 hour days filled with drugs to keep him awake and abuse and fear. He finally managed to escape. This is not a rare occurrence. The fishing industry in Thailand has human trafficking that is large enough to keep up with their fishing demands. Thailand is the world's third largest exporter of fish. The industry is also major supplier to the US as well.


The story was on NPR this morning. As I listened I thought about the lack of respect these pirate fishermen have for life. They disrespect the life of the slaves, the fishes, and the delicate ecology of the Ocean, more on the last two in a second. Thailand fishermen are not the only ones either. Over 3/4 of the fish consumed in America comes from other countries whose regulations are few and far between in keeping people and the environment safe. Yet we are a fuel for their disrespect and many of us do not know it. I want to help relay the message to people who I know wouldn't support this if they knew.

One of the major reasons I stopped eating fish is not because I feel bad for them although that has become a reason. It was because I found out that the industry world round is a large reason why many people are starving in fishing villages such as in the East African  Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya where famine killed between 50,000-100,000 people last year. Drought also had a major play there. However, there are many other countries where people are suffering starvation and death because of illegal overfishing. The large fishing boats with better equipment and more man power come and literally empty the water in some cases. The people are unable to get food due to this because there is no food left when they are done.

                                   
Over Fishing also upsets the balance of the Oceans eco-system and are killing off entire species that do not have the time to reproduce. This will effect larger fishes and continue up the food chain because there is no food for them as well. Fish farms also do not help the problem. Smaller fish are still caught in mass amounts to feed the fish on the farms still upsetting the eco-system. Fish farming is basically just another way to make money not protect the oceans.

Many people in the fitness industry teach that fish is very healthy for you. Shell fish has tons of cholesterol. Salmon, the holy grail of health, is filled with Mercury and chemicals from pollution or hormones from farms. Basically fish might have been healthier in the past but not anymore. Plus the omega vitamins that Salmon gives you are found in many other food sources and so is protein. Walnuts, Flax Seeds, Beans, and Squash are among some.

There are ways we can ensure at the least that we are not contributing to slavery. One way is to buy local and sustainably caught fish. For example if you live in NJ, buy from local fisherman who are following the rules and not harming the environment. You can go to Whole Foods and buy the fish with the Green label which insures that you are buying responsibly. You can cut out fish all together and find your nutrients in beans, nuts, rice, and many vegan products on the market. Trust me there are plenty of delicious recipes now. It is easier than ever to eat a plant based, vegan, and family friendly food.

You may say that buying fish in these ways is more expensive. It is. However, the bible says, "money is the root of all evil" It is because people let money dictate what is right and wrong. This is about respect for life. I would rather feed my family beans and rice from a local market than buy cheap fish. It just isn't worth contributing to the world problems that directly effect innocent people's lives. I do believe that the more people who know the less pirated fish will be bought though. The power is in our hands. We can stand up for the people, the fish, and the ocean and respect our World and our bodies or we can continue to trudge along putting it out of our minds because we are too busy to care.  
http://seafoodhealthfacts.org/seafood_choices/overview_industry.php

Q&A with Urban Decay

http://www.temptalia.com/qa-with-urban-decay-a-follow-up-on-animal-testing-and-entry-into-china

Urban Decay and others sell out to Animal Testing

Urban Decay has been a vegan's dream company for many years. They have everything from amazing vegan make-up to eco-friendly packaging. They always seemed to be a company that cared. They have two missions for their company. One is empowering women and the other is animal/Eco welfare. The other day though the company made a huge decision, to sell in China. This is a problem for many of the vegan and eco-minded customers including myself. Let me fill you in in case you don't know. China requires all cosmetics companies to allow them, if they deem so, to test the products on animals before selling to it's citizens. In other words Urban Decay has decided to risk allowing a round of animal testing at the hands of the Chinese government. 

Now at first I thought maybe the company is suffering like many companies in the United States. I thought maybe they have to move there for monetary reasons. Maybe they wanted to ensure their employees still have jobs by opening up to a whole country of customers. I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt even though I would rather sleep in my car than sell out. Still though...

They finally released a statement, which they have since taken off of their Facebook page. The link now leads to information about the online meeting to ask them questions. Basically the statement said they will not be making any money for awhile in the country. They said their main reason for going was to complete their mission of providing power to women there and making a difference in China. They also mentioned helping the Chinese people see there is great eco-friendly and animal free products.

Here's the thing. Basically, their intentions in and of themselves are good. They want to make a difference for good in another country. However, they are basically saying they are willing to sacrifice a round of animals to horrific suffering and death for "the greater good". There are already many people in China fighting against their animal testing regulations and also fighting for women's rights. I personally do not think it is okay to submit to this no matter how good the intentions. I don't believe in doing something wrong in order to ultimately gain something good. I believe animal testing is wrong and unnecessary in the beauty market. 

To be fair, Urban Decay is not the only company selling out these days. They are just being singled out more because they were loved so much by vegans and anti-testing customers. Smashbox, Avon, Estee Lauder, and Mary Kay are among the most popular that have recently made the same decision but for financial reasons. Mary Kay and Smashbox do try to work with the Chinese government to limit it but the tests are still happening. Mary Kay, Avon, and Estee Lauder also did not tell Peta or consumers their policy changed. At least Urban Decay put it all out there.

Urban Decay has angered and lost many customers. I feel more sad than anything because they were one of my favorite companies. However, hope prevails. Here are some of my other favorites that have amazing quality make-up:

                 

                  Stila: I absolutely LOVE their eyeshadow and brushes                        

                 Tarte: Foundations, Highlighters and Bronzers, and Mascara

     Josie Maran: http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/about-the-brand

                              Eco harvested and Organic Argan in every product and completely natural

I hope you continue to join me and many others in the boycott of companies that allow their products to be tested on animals. Let us also try to do what we can to tell the Chinese government our feelings. I am hoping one day they will change the way they treat their children, women, and animals. 

                                                               

Here is are some informational websites:

Leaping Bunny Certified Lists of Beauty Products

Animal Testing Facts, Learn the truth

Life got you down?

I was walking in the local State park here in PA the other day  when I had to stop to take this picture. It went so well with what I was talking about with my friend at the time. She had just quoted a verse to me, "cast all your cares on him because he cares for you" We were speaking about life adversities and how to handle them. This picture reminds me that God wants to be involved. He is in the distance glowing looking to give a warm embrace.

I have been reading tons of posts on Crazy Sexy Life.com. It was set up by an amazing cancer fighting, thriving being, Kris Karr. The beauty of her website is there are so many contributing writers and tons of topics to help you gain strength, inspiration, and ways of living well. It also has many articles on spirituality such as yoga. I love yoga and have gained so much strength in my practice as well, emotional and physical.

I have, however, been neglecting my own faith for sometime. I am a Christian, hence the blog title;). I was feeling really great and then recently the crap started hitting the fan. I started to realize that although those articles were helpful and I was feeling strong I was not as solid as I could be. I had put much stock in my self and my own strength. Hanging out with some of my girlfriends has reminded me I am missing God's strength in my life. This is the strength that does not have anything to do with me and everything to do with a powerful Lord that loves me. It is part of being a Christian, relying on God.

It is easy when things are going well to forget God. You become strong in yourself, your health, relationships, or material items. Then, when something strikes you realize these things might not be as reliable. These things themselves could be the source of the problems even. I am all for being strong, responsible, and put together in every way. However, adding the supernatural strength that can be found in God gives true security.

Matthew 7:24-27 says

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

I am being reminded of this lesson once more that although I am seeking after health in all areas of my life the most important is building that life on a solid foundation, which for me, is Jesus. I think we could all use a warm embrace once in a while.

Love and blessings,

Victoria