• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

It’s part of my job to test products (I won’t lie–I love it), and I realized that I want to bring my personal favorites into the blog more, because I want to share this unique exposure with you. I could never possibly fit it all into my two magazine pages every two months, and yet I walk around each day, making choices about what to eat, wear, buy, give as a gift, plain old use, that are informed by my direct experiences with the products that land on my desk (and some that I just encounter in life). These blog entries won’t be themed as a rule, but this one... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

Earlier this year, I mapped out my creativity intentions for 2010. (I prefer not to use the word “plan” – seems so flat. “Intentions” feels fused with both direction and moxy.) Much is swirling in my DNA. Three new books…maybe five. Concepts with roots. Roots growing concepts. Streams of coin, streams of giving… And white space. Mostly white space – can never seem to get enough of it. If I’m to realize my intentions, what I stop doing is just as important as what I start and continue to do. Stopping = the white space. Stopping = room to run free and create... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

It’s fall, and there is that crisp, fresh, anything is possible feeling in the air.  Fall feels like a commitment to me – a threshold – a time when I feel an immense freedom and sense of choice. At the same time I’ve just emerged from a busy summer full of health challenges.  The back to school transition has been smooth, but still a big adjustment as we learn all over again how to do the routine.  We still have a mountain of zucchini to preserve and haven’t even touched the apples yet.  My work to-do list is daunting at best. Even with the new hours of... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

My What’s Your Stop Doing List? yielded some cheers. And multiple poetic replies. So poetic that it raised my brow. My right eyebrow arches when I’m being scrutinizing in that really helpful keener (potentially annoying) way. All of the psycho-emotional lovely answers that poured in here and on Twitter and Facebook had me surmise that when it comes to literal to-do’s that should be converted into to-don’ts, we habitually resist. My poll was partly a bust. So I’m flagging the STOP SIGN. Because I want you to free up oodles of time to groove with the Great... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

I’ve been sick. Sick enough that I stumbled over to my neighbors door 2 days ago wearing a full balaclava over my head, a big scarf around my neck, and a sign with the following words scrawled in red ink: Please Call School – Need Rick Home – Doctor Now This, after a 5 minute episode in which I enjoyed (not) a croup-like episode alone in the house gasping for breath & certain I was going to die. Lucky for me my husband showed up from school drop-off just moments later and whisked me off, not to the doctor but to the Emergency Room. Apparently... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

by Sarah Juliusson of www.MamaRenew.ca – Find Mama Renew on Facebook & Twitter Daydream, by Chantey Dayal We’re one week into the Back to Self 30 day Challenge!   If you’re just joining us now, it’s not too late – simply “Like” our facebook page and join in the fun. While I hadn’t planned on doing theme weeks, our first week of the challenge seemed to focus on physical self-care. This emerged in part due to my need to care for myself during a miserable cold.  It also, however, is the aspect of self-care that is the most obvious.  ... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

“Authentic transformation is…not a matter of translating the world but of transforming the world; not a matter of finding solace but of finding infinity on the other side of death. The self is not made content; the self is made toast.” - Ken Wilber There have been a few ideas that rocked my world. Krishnamurit’s opinion of discipline {it’ll only stifle your true nature,} the possibility that Jim Morrison might still be alive {I believe, I believe!} and Ken Wilber’s description of authentic transformation. For much of our lives, we naturally dabble... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

by Sarah Juliusson of www.MamaRenew.ca – Find Mama Renew on Facebook & Twitter We’re one week into the Back to Self 30 day Challenge! If you’re just joining us now, it’s not too late – simply “Like” our facebook page and join in the fun. Yesterday I boldly declared: This week we’re going to find the time, create the time, make the time… Will you join us? But I don’t have time. You don’t know how busy I am. There are so many things on my to do list. I don’t have childcare. But I just had a baby. Not this week but... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

  We’re on day #10 of the Back to Self 30 day Challenge! If you’re just joining us now, it’s not too late – simply “Like” our facebook page and join in the fun. Today’s challenge?   It’s Mama Time. No kids, no chores, no work. Your goal: Schedule a 3 hour retreat for yourself within the next week. It must be scheduled, or it likely won’t happen! What will you do? by Chantey Dayal “The artist knows he must be alone to create; the writer to work out his thoughts; the musician to compose; the... read more

• Last updated 3/19/13 by mamazee

# Mel (a.k.a coworker and fellow production person Melyssa Holik): . . . and then do that with them; so what do you think? Laura: I’m sorry Mel; I just blitzed out. . . . Could you say that again? Mel: Oh, that’s OK. — Sorry, let me finish this Pringle. — It is ADHD Month, you know. Ha! I was just thinking how Pringles can look like ducks’ beaks if you try to talk with one hanging out of your mouth. . . .  So what did you need? Laura: Sorry, let me just finish this email to. . . Um. . . so. . . what? Mel: What did you... read more