Happy Anniversary

It is hard to believe that 5 years ago, on a beautiful, warm, sunny, Autumn day, Jay and I got married! It is also hard to believe that it has been 5 years - I guess when you have been on an adventure like us, time flies when you are having fun. So far in 5 short years, we have lived in 2 different states and 2 different countries! I look forward to the net 5 years and seeing where it takes us!

I know I don't tell you often, but thank you for all the sacrifices that you make for Arabella and me. Without you, we would not have the life that we do and we are both thankful for that. You have allowed me to stay home with our daughter and go back to school and those 2 things are so important to me and our family. I know that sometimes things are not easy and we have our ups and downs, but I would like to think there have been many more ups than downs. You are a great dad and you provide more than Arabella and I need. I am so lucky to have found you and I love you very much.


Happy 5th Anniversary Jay! Here is to many, many more years and adventures together!

I love you!

Wordless Wednesday

Arabella & Uncle Mike

Last weekend, Uncle Mike and Arabella had a fun time playing with her doll house. I loved watching them play and giggle the whole time. You are awesome Uncle Mike!

All Things Arabella

Just a few of my favorite recent shots of Arabella, for no real reason, other than she is AMAZING!

To Remember

Last weekend while in New York City, there was one thing I absolutely had to do. It wasn't about shopping or eating or really sight seeing, it was about paying my respects and remembering the events that shattered a beautiful September morning and forever changed the world.

When my conference broke for lunch on Sunday, I hurried outside and up a few blocks to catch a cab to make my 1:15 reservation to visit the 9/11 Memorial. (I am so happy that my mom told me that I need a reservation to get into the site and I was lucky enough to be able to get a reservation during my lunch break. Actually it was the only time open as most of the slots for the month of September had already been booked.) For more information if you are interested in visiting, please go to http://http//www.911memorial.org/

As we drove down the West Side Highway, I was unsure of how I was going to feel when I actually entered the site. I was nervous, anxious and excited all at once. I was not sure what to expect. The cabbie let me out a few blocks away as it is hard to get too close to Ground Zero - many streets are blocked off or one way and the area is still very much an active construction site.

The last time I had been at or near ground zero was in April of 2002, when myself and my then boyfriend took his son into New York for a Mets game and do some sight seeing. I recently found the pictures that I took on that trip and I have pictures of some of the same buildings that are standing today, only at that time the windows were blown out and the site was still being cleared of debris. As I wove my way through the crowds and followed the signs to the entrance, I passed the Brooks Brothers store that was turned into the temporary morgue right after the attacks -
and it was at that point that I realized this is more than a memorial, the area is hallowed ground where so many innocent people lost their lives and that day is something that we should never, ever forget.

To actually get into the site, you have to go through security - it was basically the same as the airport - everything metal off, no belts, nothing in your pockets and everything scanned and then you walk through a metal detector. After collecting my belongings, I went back outside and made my way to the actual entrance to the Memorial.
One thing that you can't help but notice are all the 9/11 Memorial volunteers and law enforcement around the area. Their presence was a very welcome sight.

I wish there was a way for me to put into words how I felt while there, but I can't. I am still overcome with emotion and I tear up, even cry when I think about all the innocent people who lost their lives and their families. I was able to hold it together until I saw this on the memorial:
It was at that point that I couldn't control my tears, I went and sat down called my Mom, to hear her familiar voice and to try and talk about what I was feeling. I am not sure what I said but I do remember telling her that it was beautiful and so quiet and calming.

I think that instead of trying to give words to the Memorial, I will let my pictures speak for themselves.











I am not sure if my visit brought me any closer to peace with what happened that day, but one thing that I do know is that I WILL NEVER FORGET.

IIN Fall Into Action Conference

While Arabella was having fun in Boston with Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff, and while Jay was attending back to back conferences in Peoria, I was attending my own conference in New York City.

I know I haven't posted too much about me going back to school. But what I can tell you, is that I LOVE IT! I am attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a certified Holistic Health & Wellness Coach. The mission of IIN is to play a crucial role in improving health and happiness and through that process create a ripple effect that transforms the world. I am currently about 25 weeks through the 40 week program where I am learning anything and everything about nutrition and wellness. IIN is the world's largest nutrition school and enrolls students from all around the globe. Through the IIN curriculum I am learning a wide array of skills in business, coaching, nutrition and lifestyle choices so that when I am done with my training, I will be able to coach people in all aspects of wellness. So of the concepts I am learning about include: bioindividuality, primary food, food energetics, super foods, over 100 dietary theories, nutritional science and much more. So much more that I can't name it all. I am also listening to lectures from experts at the forefront of health, nutrition & wellness. They include Andrew Weil MD, Barry Sears PhD, David Katz MD, David Wolfe, Deepak Chopra, Joel Fuhrman MD, and more. After each module I complete and each lecture I listen to, I am even more inspired. Even if I never coach clients individually, the changes that I am making in Arabella's life, as well as , mine and Jay's, are worth every penny we have spent on my tuition. I am learning so much and can't wait to share it with my family, friends and future clients. If I make a difference in just one person's life, my time at IIN will have been well spent. For those of you interested more in what I am doing, you can check out my website at http://www.balancedhealthwithshana.com/

So last weekend, I attended the Fall Into Action Conference. Over 3,500 fellow students and graduates from all over the world attended the 2 day event at the Javits Center in New York City. Not only was I able to meet fellow students in my March 2012 class - who by the way are AMAZING - but I learned so much. For 2 full days we heard from Joshua Rosenthal, MScED, the founder and director of IIN, but also from Deepak Chopra, Mark Hyman, MD, Dr David Katz, Dr Joel Fuhrman, Sally Fallon and we even had a surprise visit from Kathy Freston (author of the book entitled Veganist)!

My trip started Friday morning when I flew out of Boston and into JFK (remind me never to do that again)...the flight was easy...
(We flew right past Cape Cod...this is the tip) and I landed at JFK in no time. I had some time to kill while waiting for a fellow class mate to fly in from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan so I enjoyed a yummy Pumpkin Smash smoothie!

I had to trek from terminal 5 to terminal 3 at JFK to meet up with Twila and we were then on our way into the City! We ended up getting stuck in traffic...typical for NYC but also worse since we were going into the City from Long Island (it took us over an hour to get to our hotel and don't even get me started on going back to JFK on Sunday afternoon...1 1/2 hours to get there...good thing I had time!)
Twila had never been to NYC before so she was nervous and excited. It was great to be able to share the car ride in with her - we had a great time getting to know each other (even though it feels like we have known each other forever, we just met that day in person, otherwise it had just been over Facebook). We stayed at the Dream New York - which is a change from my usual stays at the Drake and the Melrose when I was working in the City. This is what I saw when I opened the door to my room:
And I was quickly reminded that NYC hotel rooms are tiny, hence the reason my bathroom wasn't much bigger than an airplane bathroom and only had a shower:

On the other hand, Twila had the best room ever...not too huge, but it had a terrace that overlooked Times Square!

I crashed in my room once I checked in and then decided to venture out to see what I could find to eat. I wasn't really hungry but it was 8:30 and I knew if I didn't eat something I would wake up at 2am ravenous! So I just started to walk and I found a great store, Westerly Natural Market, 2 blocks from the hotel. I was in heaven or so I thought...so much I wanted to try and it was all crammed into a tiny store. The aisles were floor to ceiling - filled with natural, organic, raw, vegan food!
Kombucha - so many to try, so little time!
I ended up having a wonderful tomato avocado salad and a quinoa salad. I also picked up some Kombucha (if you haven't tried it, you should) and a fun new drink (at least for me) called Mamma Chia - YUM!

I was so excited about the store, I took Twila back the next evening...we don't have places like this in Canada...at least not near either one of us. I also picked up some stuff to bring home - Fig & Hazelnut spread, Kale Chips, and some new nutrition bars for Jay & I to try. I hope I don't get hooked on anything I brought home since I am sure that either (1) I won't being able to get it here or (2) being able to get it but the cost will be double.

I was up early Saturday morning and ready to meet some new friends and get inspired. I met up with Twila, Dan and a few other people staying in our hotel for breakfast and then we jumped in a cab and headed to the Javits Center. As soon as we walked in the door, you could feel the energy and excitement. We were lucky enough to be close to the front of the room on both days. It was so inspiring to be so close to speakers who are changing the face of nutrition.

After listening and learning all day, we went back to the hotel to get ready to have dinner at Caravan of Dreams http://www.caravanofdreams.net/ an Organic Vegan Restaurant. It was out of this world. I had the Lovers Salad (avocado, olives, mango, pine nuts, vegetables, dried berries with balsamic shiitake dressing) and the Live Quesadillas (I can't find it on the menu to tell you what the ingredients were, but it was so good!)
We also enjoyed Blueberry Lavender Sangria - Twila was the designated pourer!
After our dinner, we went back to the hotel and relaxed. We enjoyed the view from Twila's terrace and then it was time to hit the hay for another busy day on Sunday!
The whole gang - Twila, Debbie, Dan, me, Nancy & Tracy.


Sunday was another great day! So many great speakers and so much information to take in. I was enthralled when Deepak Chopra took the stage.
I have never read any of his books or listened to his meditations, but after Sunday, I am a believer in his work. He led us through a short breathing & meditation exercise and I was so relaxed, I could feel my heart beating in a different way. I was intense. I can't wait to do more of his techniques but can't decide which meditation to download from iTunes.

The afternoon flew by and before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye. I didn't think it would be hard to say goodbye to people I just met, but it was - after hugs and tears - I hopped in a taxi with 2 other classmates for the 1 1/2 hour trek to JFK. By the time we got to the airport, I checked my bag (thanks to the Fig & Hazelnut spread I bought for Jay), got through security and bought a bottle of water, I had just enough time to get on the plane...they were about ready to give my seat to a stand-by passenger! I was sad to be leaving the City that I love so much but happy to be going back to Boston to see my Little Bean that I missed so much.
It was a wonderful weekend and I am so happy I had the opportunity to attend such a exciting conference. I learned so much in 2 days time but what resonated with me the most is that:

1. There are no coincidences;
2. I am changing and it is for the better; and
3. People who I just met, have inspired me and will always be a part of my life

Thanks for a great weekend IIN and NYC! I am IINspired!

Bean's "Boston" Weekend

All I have to say is that I have the best family EVER!! I know I am partial, but, it is true...whenever I/we need them, they are there to help out. Last weekend took some planning, but it worked out. Just when I thought that I was not going to be able to attend my Institute for Integrative Nutrition Conference in NYC because Jay was going to be away, I had a wild & crazy thought! What if some way, Arabella and I could get to Boston and then what if Uncle Mike & Uncle Jeff watched Arabella while I went to New York City?? I wasn't sure how it would work or if Mike & Jeff would even want to watch Arabella for 2 1/2 days...but when I asked, without any hesitation, the answer was YES!! So the planning started and before I knew it, it was time to head off on our adventure that involved planes, trains and automobiles for a wonderful weekend.

Uncle Mike & Uncle Jeff had a weekend of fun planned! I knew that Arabella was going to have a great time and was in good hands. On Friday morning, Arabella and Uncle Mike took me to Logan so I could catch my plane to NYC - as I was saying goodbye to her, I remembered that this would be the longest time she would be spending away from me (and Jay). You could tell she was excited and once again, in true Arabella fashion, when I was saying goodbye to her at security, she gave me a big hug and kiss and said "go Mom go" and turned back to stand with Uncle Mike. It made me sad and happy at the same time - sad that she is growing up so fast but happy to know that I am doing such a good job raising her to be confident and giving her as much love I possibly can. And because of this, she knew that I would be coming home.

Uncle Mike & Uncle Jeff took amazing care of Arabella. She had a ton of fun and loved being with Macy & Rocco too! One of her favorite things - that she is still talking about - is when they picked apples. They had the perfect weather for it and she loved being outside. They picked a ton of apples and they were so delicious!








They spent the rest of the weekend keeping busy and they wore Arabella out so much that on Sunday night when Mike came to get me at the airport, Arabella wasn't with him. She had fallen asleep on the couch because she was so tired! Talk about great babysitting!

Thank you so much Mike & Jeff. I can't tell you how much last weekend meant to me (and Jay & Arabella). You both are so important to us and I don't know what we would do without you. Arabella loves you both to death and can't wait to come back to Boston. And since you took such great care of her, you know what this means...there may be more weekend "babysitting" jobs in your futures!