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Ready For a Little Naked Cabaret Teaser with Shilly Nakedmoon?
We all Need a Little Dance To Brighten Our Days
Some of you may remember Shilly Nakedmoon from a prior blog post. Well fast forward to Pandemic 2020 and Shilly was able to sneak in a little performance in March (which I missed since she lives in UK and I live in USA but thanks to social media, I felt like I was there.)
Shilly has an eye for fashion and I really LOVED the costuming in her video. The Videographer gets a lot of credit for editing this captivating creation.
Sending love and sparkles, hope this lifts your heart
Much love Shillyxxx
Thank you to MiMiMedia for the videography
Shilly is a dance teacher at Dhakini Dance and due to pandemic she has taken her classes on line but For more information on classes with her click here.
This video here really knocked my socks off. Her mom is a fashion designer and I might be getting story wrong but she designed costumes in this video which were so beautiful.
If you Can’t Dance Then Watch Dance and Support Dancers
Dancing is very difficult and like other artists they often don’t get any encouragement, praise or money. But I just want to support other dancers because I know how much time and effort they put into this beautiful art form. And it’s just so beneficial for your whole life. And then for the people that actually want to teach others? They deserve a nobel peace prize because it is not easy to teach and especially teach dancers. Who are not the easiest to work with. We ask a lot of questions, don’t practice and then get mad at teacher for stupid reason and then quit going and then come back and then get jealous and then we end up appreciating them in the end. But let’s show a lot of love to UK from USA and the world to Shilly. Just for having courage to share this beautiful art form.
How’s This Pandemic Treating You?
“I Don’t Think There’s a Feeling You’re Having That I Can’t Validate.” Janice in Terms of Endearment
No matter who you are this pandemic is having an effect on you. From the children who are suddenly at home from school, to the workers who are suddenly out of a job to the people who have contracted coronavirus, this isn’t a joke. This is a historical moment in history and whatever you’re feeling, you are entitled to feel that way.
This is a dynamic situation that is very much changing moment to moment and day to day. For those of us that are given the great privilege to shelter in place, consider yourself among the most privileged. Nobody said privileged was easy. And however you choose to deal with it is definitely up to you. On social media you can get a feeling for how people are coping. There are people who are drinking alcohol to lots of comfort eating and lots of fear is undeniable.
I Got Accused of Spreading Panic
I didn’t publish anything on my website regarding my views because it wasn’t publish worthy. After all the leaders were saying this was a hoax. But I was posting on social media about washing hands and sounding the alarm because many of my friends were running around going to plays, using public transportation and just enjoying their life but there was the corona virus beginning to spread and I wanted my friends to know that it was coming and what they can do to protect themselves. It was a stress response for me to feel that I was doing something. I don’t regret doing this but now I feel that people are now taking this issue seriously for the most part so I’ve decided to let this go. I just didn’t want to see my friends get sick because I didn’t say something.
So How Are You Doing?
You really have to look at your behavior. I talk to many people and they act like they are so cool. Like nothing is bothering them. I’m like really? Do you realize what’s happening? Maybe they are numb. Maybe they don’t know how to cope so they just don’t feel anything. But in any case we are all entitled to our own feelings. And how other people are coping shouldn’t really be too much of your concern. Of course if your child is upset, you want to comfort them or if someone you love wants to talk about their feelings you can listen. But for the most part the only person you can really have any influence over is yourself.
What Are You Doing During This LockDown?
Well you really do have many options. You can eat whatever you want, you can watch whatever you want on TV, you can read whatever you want and so forth. But the actions you take can have very different effects on your life. If you stress eat while watching news and drinking alcohol, you might end up gaining alot of weight and maybe become an alcoholic which can have tragic consequences.
Or you can still be really concerned about what’s happening and maybe decide that you really can’t deal with this and you can give it over to your higher power. Just really ask God to take the burden and like a boss, he will. That’s what I chose to do because I was freaking out to be quite honest.
You’re Literally Not Alone
Everyone else in the whole world is coping with this situation. So there are many people you can talk to about this situation. If your friends and family aren’t encouraging, find a support group on line or get professional help. There are many resources available to assist you. This is an unusual time but we will get through this.
Ask Yourself What You Can Do
Since many people have to stay at home, the best thing to do is to establish a routine. Wake up around the same time (but don’t beat yourself up if you struggle with this.) Stay hydrated no matter what and start to make a list of some things you enjoy doing. Also a list of things that have to get done like laundry and dishes. Look around and see if there are any special projects that you can contemplate working on. Cleaning is an essential function as well as laundry and some sort of food preparation and or going out for food.
There’s Nothing Wrong With Prayer
Prayer is very powerful. It not only helps the people that are praying but it also helps the people you are praying for. So do me a favor and say a prayer for the your loved ones, for a vaccine and for all of the essential workers that are really taking care of us during this difficult time. If you are fortunate enough to shelter in place we really do owe them a lot of appreciation. Maybe reach out to one of your essential worker friends and family and let them know you care.
It’s OK to Have Fun
I’ve been called a party monkey back in the day. What can I say other than I like to have fun. So I choose to listen to great music and dance and sing. On March 31, 2020 it was JS Bach’s 335th Birthday. I did a video to celebrate. This is a great piece of music. This is what I do for fun but you can surely enjoy or do whatever you enjoy.
Warm Garlic Beverage
Warm Drinks Are Great For Throat
I was talking to my friend, Alice, and I was asking her if she had any healing remedies in her family. She told me her sister drinks the following. I tried it and I decided to publish it especially during this pandemic. We need to do everything we can to build our immune system and garlic has many benefits.
Drinking warm beverages in general is great and also consider gargling with salt water.
Alice’s Sister’s Garlic Brew
- 3 cups water
- 3 or 4 cloves garlic cut in half
- 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice
- honey
Place water and garlic in a pan and bring to a boil then turn it off add the lemon juice. After 15 minutes pour in a mug and add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon honey. Stir and drink warm.
Just know that Warm Beverages are great for keeping your throat healthy.
Ideas For Quarantine
Well I never thought I would say I was on lock down but that is where we find ourselves in March 2020. In Northern California we received a stay at home order and now we can only go out for essential functions such as grocery shopping or banking, Dr appointments. But this is putting a major damper on people who love to socialize with other humans.
A friend and I were laughing and said that we have been prepping for this type of lifestyle for years. I just started doing the stay at home thing during the summer of 2019 for financial reasons. But my friend had essentially been doing it for years. So here are a few of the things you can do at home or what I do.
Rebounder
You definitely need a rebounder for this one but you can definitely get your Doctor’s approval for something like this and also be uber careful because it is easy to fly off a rebounder. But it’s really great exercise. I like to put on cool music and bounce baby bounce.
You can Ride a Bike
You Can Color
You Can Sing
I sing karoke on Smule. It’s just for fun.
You Can Tap Dance
You Can Walk Your Dog
You Can Start a PodCast.
A Podcast is pretty fun. I recommend it for people to give a listen and see if it is something you might want to try.
Well take care and hope you can chill and relax during this time. This too shall pass. Oh yeah you can read the bible too because some good ol fashioned prayers would be much appreciated.
Benefits of Salt Water Gargle
Say What, why gargle with salt?
Some things are oldies but goodies and now more than ever we need to look at the benefits of gargling with warm salt water. Recently I was chatting with a friend who recently came down with good ol’ Mononucleosis. This moved on to the recent viruses that are pandemic and the topic of salt water gargling came up. He said, “Gargle with salt water.”
Those words set off a bunch of research and also prompted me to try gargling with warm salt water. Now recently I had been experiencing what could be seasonal allergies but I did gargle and I have to say I started to make this a daily habit. My throat felt so much smoother and as a singer, who wants a to hear a voice full of scratchy throat? Nobody!!
Per the Web MD article that is linked above, Segal-Maurer stated, “You’re creating a high-salt barrier and you’re pulling out a lot of fluids from the tissues in the throat area, so you’re washing the virus out. The salt functions as a magnet for water. It’s good for symptomatic relief.”
Mi Abuelita used it
My Grandmother, Guadalupe, used to have her children, My mom, gargle with salt water when they had a scratchy throat. My mother said she used to say, “Toman este vaso de aqua con sal y vas a sentir alivio en tu garganta.”
All in all, it has become a daily ritual and my throat feels all the better. And who doesn’t want to create a protective barrier in their throat? This is a great inexpensive old world remedy. Other alleged benefits of salt water rinse
- Maintains PH
- Clears Nasal Congestion
- Reduces Risk of Upper Tract Infection
- Gives relief from tonsillitis
- Eliminate Bad Breath
- Bleeding Gums and Toothache
- Relieves pain from Canker Sores
How do you Gargle with Salt Water?-
-Add half a teaspoon of table salt to a cup of warm water. Stir until it dissolves completely.
-Take a big sip of the salt and hold it in your mouth.
-Tilt your head back and gargle the salt water in your throat for about 30 seconds and then spit it out.
-Repeat the same process until you have finished the whole cup.
If you accidentally drink some, no big deal but if you have high blood pressure, consult with your physician.
Now more than ever it’s time to create some good habits.
Capirotada Mexican Bread Pudding
I was talking to my mom about Capirotada and how she wanted to give the recipe to my cousin who was asking how to make it. She told me how my Grandmother, Guadalupe, used to make it and I was thinking it sounded so good. She gave me the recipe she had and I haven’t made it.
I looked at the recipe and decided I needed to publish the recipe because it looked way to good and I really wanted to share it. It’s been said that this is a recipe that was invented to use up leftovers during Lent. As meat is not to be eaten on Friday’s during Lent. Apparently there is not a single recipe for Capirotada as every family has their own recipe. So don’t get too crazy if you don’t have all the ingredients. You can put your own spin on it.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 4.5 cups water
- 2 piloncillo cones
- 1- 4 inch stick cinnamon
- 3 whole cloves
- 6 stale bolillos (French bread)(about 9 cups) torn in 1/2 inch pieces toasted. You can add a little butter to the bread after it’s toasted)
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 1 cup Munster or cheddar cheese (you know what you like, use as much as you want
- 1 cup raisins
Directions
- 1)Heat over to 350 degrees F
- 2)Butter a 9″ x 13″ baking dish
- 3)In a medium saucepan, mix water, piloncillo, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil then simmer 5-10 minutes or until slightly thickened into a syrup. Strain to remove cinnamon sticks and cloves. Keep syrup warm.
- 4)In a buttered casserole dish, layer 1/3 of the bread pieces. Sprinkle with 1/3 each of nuts, cheese. Drizzle about 1/4 or less of the syrup over this layer letting it soak into the bread. Continue layering bread, nuts, raisins and cheese, sprinkling with with syrup and letting it soak. Finish with a layer of cheese. Pour the rest of the syrup over the whole dish.
- 5) Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top layer of cheese is bubbling and browned. Serve warm. Garnish with nonpareils.
Well that’s it. I hope you can give it a try and I really want to make it but I better have some company because it’s definitely heavy on the carbs. In memory of Mi Abuelita, Guadalupe.
Valeria is a Health and Wellness Coach living in Nor Cal. She’s following her passions and encourages everyone to do the same.
My First Podcast Called Courage To Grow
I created a podcast with a little encouragement from a friend. I started it a while back but I never recorded anything.
Then my friend, Farrah, published one and I was like, “Oh yeah, I forgot about mine.” Sometimes you just want to talk and not type. It’s only 9 minutes thanks to a phone call I received. I can be a Chatty Cathy. So there’s a bit of a cliff hanger.
Thanks so much for reading my blog. This is officially a labor of love and I hope everyone can find their passions and joy in life.
Singing is my passion. One of them.
Try not to worry too much about stuff. Wash your hands and chill. Drink some water and listen to my podcast or better start your own.
Rebounder Demo to Old School Music
Watching videos of people exercising to killer music is energizing. I really love this mix. I hope you enjoy the end of February 2020. Happy Leap Day 2020.
How To Communicate with Humans in 2020
Is it Just Me or Is Communication Changing and not in a good way?
In 2020 communication is much different from how it was just a short 15 years ago. Before if you wanted to connect with someone you would write them a letter, call them on the phone or you would knock on their door bell. Obviously things have changed because now you can: email, fax, text, Facetime and message in numerous applications.
While it’s great to be able to send a quick text to tell someone whatever, if you are trying to have an actual relationship with someone, modern forms of technology just don’t bring the connection that many people yearn for.
Talking is a Great Form of Communication
Throughout careers many people are required to talk to others. Teachers do it and lawyers, doctors, nurses and many professions talk during their career. How would you feel if your Doctor texted you instead of an actual physical exam and conversation? They just give you a thumbs up and end the appointment. Most people would probably feel brushed off and like they weren’t really listened to or understood.
With many people if their primary method of communication is via texting and messaging what happens to their verbal skills? Talking is a skill that requires practice just like anything else.
Sometimes you get tired of talking when you work. Then when you deal with your significant other all you get is a thumbs up or often times no response whatsoever to a text message. Is this because there’s just too much information and so they really cannot connect with you because they are too busy on social media or whatever other distraction. It can definitely harm relationships? Makes you wonder…
How To Improve Communication?
Often time people really do want to connect with other people. But often times it turns into a frustration game of cat and mouse. So how can you improve your communication? If it’s someone you really want to connect with a phone conversation of video chat is a great way to connect. You might have to schedule a time to talk. And here are some great conversation starters.
“Hello, how are you?” “How was your day?” “What have you been up to lately?” And then watch the conversation blossom as the dialog goes back and forth. It might start out simple and next thing you know your discussing Japanese fashion. If someone tells you, “I was watching a movie.” Don’t just say, “OK bye, you’re busy.” Ask this person, “Really? What movie are you watching? Is it good? I haven’t seen it.” Maybe they will say, “Come on Over.” Or maybe you might realize after you find out what kind of movies they watch that this person is a moron and you don’t want anything to do with them but if you didn’t talk to them, you would never know.
The main point is that conversation is a great way to connect with someone.
You Can’t Go Back
2020 is here and we can’t go back to the way things used to be. But if you find someone that you enjoy their conversation, don’t be afraid to call them up and say hi. Also if you find it difficult to talk to others, that just means you need to do it more. Reading will help you come up with words to say. But if you stop talking at some point you might become mute.
