tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17102446538340608162024-03-18T20:28:35.717-07:00Grenada Soul Adventurer Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-73898049571113224822018-03-16T19:06:00.001-07:002018-03-16T19:11:04.656-07:00New Moon Musings- Dancing with Your Darkness <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Arthur Daniel<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">"Flowers teach us that nothing is permanent: not their beauty, not even the fact that they will inevitable wilt, because they will still give new seeds. Remember this when you feel joy, pain, or even sadness. Everything passes, grows old, dies and is reborn. How many storms must I weather before I understand this?" </span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;">- Paulo Coelho , The Spy </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have this theory that all magic, especially our personal magic, is born out of darkness. Since it is almost New Moon I thought this post was timely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Think about it- babies are born out of their mother's womb where they grew and mature while nurtured in the darkness. When they are birthed earthside they are fully prepared, once healthy, to live in this world. The new moon is a time where powerful intentions are set for the next moon cycle because the darkness provides us with a blank canvas. Seeds are covered and nurtured while buried in complete darkness to bring forth new life and the stars are more mesmerizing when the sky is at its darkest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"If you are really brave your ass is chanting too"</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We find ourselves the era of new wave spirituality- where we talk, write, sing and spend a lot of time posting on social media about mindfulness, inner peace, emotional intelligence, meditation, channeling, intuition, new and full moon circles, creating safe spaces and yoga. It seems like everyone is experiencing a spiritual awakening or ascension of some type. We are all out here resonating and listening to our heart centre while balancing and unblocking our chakras, building altars, reading oracle cards, lighting candles, strapping lapis lazuli to our throat chakra and dancing around with sage and palo santo. If you are really brave your ass is chanting too, while holding your mala beads breathing in deeply and exhaling the the universal vibration of ommmmmmmmmmmm. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"In the flurry of all this light and goodness the darkness, the inappropriateness, the betrayal and betraying of trust...persists"</span></i></span></span></blockquote>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-1c1ee1d7-272d-e290-e01e-dfc305a48dec" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the flurry of all this light and goodness the darkness, the inappropriateness, the betrayal and betraying of trust, the petty, the jealousy, grief and the times we willingly stepped onto someone’s emotional roller coaster or even drag someone onto ours, persists? What about the icky, muddy, stickiness of life that does not seem to want to let up? The shame? Oh the guilt! What about the consequences? The fear of not being loved or even loveable. The loneliness and the crying into your pillow or holding back tears in public spaces? The meltdowns and the tantrums? Yes, grown ups tantrum too! The childhood wounds and the triggers that come along with them? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"The facade melts and all masks fall to the floor."</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Do we reject those dark parts of ourselves? Feel ashamed and buy into the illusion of comfort by ignoring them in the hope that one noticed or if they did that they won’t mention it? Silence is a mother fucker yall! If we did that we would be left with so little of ourselves because of the sheer magnanimous proportions of our denial (unless you are a saint). That is, until the day it all bubbles up and explodes in such a catastrophic way that there would be not hiding, sweeping under the rug or cleaning with baby wipes. The shit would have hit the proverbial fan and the world (well maybe not quite so dramatic) would see us in our imperfect fullness. The facade melts and all masks fall to the floor. Oh ohhhh. What then? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>...the conversation is slowly shifting to healing and integration of the “good” and “bad” in certain spaces.</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The uncomfortable truth is, all of it<i> is </i>us, and, the conversation is slowly shifting to healing and integration of the “good” and “bad” in certain spaces. How does this healing look and what happens when we relapse back into fear based actions and reactions? That is what these dark parts are - based in fear and the construct of seperation within ourselves and with others. Was all the loveingkindness meditation and self help reading for nothing? Have we lost our superpowers? </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am still searching for the answers but this is what I have learned thus far:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> "Sometimes it is a fire that builds so much strength within us that the only option seems to be to expel it through our mouths and burn everything within a 10 foot radius just to get some relief."</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the risk of sounding cliche I will proclaim (as many have before me) that this is a journey in which we will need to endure the ebbs of life until things flow again (I read that gem over on the gram). There will be a constant unfolding and discovering of long forgotten wounds that only come to the fore of our consciousness when touched. So significant are these touched wounds that we can physically feel the pain and discomfort. Sometimes it is a fire that builds so much strength within us that the only option <i>seems </i>to be to expel it through our mouths and burn everything within a 10 foot radius just to get some relief. I have been there. The relief is usually short lived and followed by negative self talk and shame that we did not have a more enlightened and emotionally intelligent reaction. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"At this point you find yourself surrounded by the ashes of your own making. Can things be salvaged?"</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I suppose that is where the introspection, the sitting our ass down to look at our shit can help. You know, for the future. At this point you find yourself surrounded by the ashes of your own making. Can things be salvaged? I (and many before me) propose an invitation of all your parts to the party. Couple the dark with the light and let them make love on the dance floor. Let their energies mingle playfully and rhythmically, embracing as they rise and fall without bounds, until eventually they evolve into something breathtaking. We are so profoundly human and complex and the shadows cast are just as valid that the blazing sun. Observe it all lovingly. Because, the greatest disservice you can do is abandon your own self in the process. Love yourselves beautiful Soul Adventurers and remember that you are magic. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Peace and Bliss </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sheba </span></span></div>
Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-56378195466232514512018-02-19T11:54:00.004-08:002018-02-19T11:54:35.862-08:00True Love Story <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLr9euFlYwt9j5mc1tLEExFKb-i0xby4QzwIwb28DrOfKoC1Et2q3UKWXBNAx441FjQmfcqZBUeu3txszkLJEVTVC3iavY84j7w9sACZXzmX-FBctzWb4Jlnx5edb2Ghmn5Ask3l-nWzO/s1600/b9e26a751da4da2d34e8d2cf0b042446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLr9euFlYwt9j5mc1tLEExFKb-i0xby4QzwIwb28DrOfKoC1Et2q3UKWXBNAx441FjQmfcqZBUeu3txszkLJEVTVC3iavY84j7w9sACZXzmX-FBctzWb4Jlnx5edb2Ghmn5Ask3l-nWzO/s1600/b9e26a751da4da2d34e8d2cf0b042446.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.20000000298023224px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Healing the Inner Child by Willow Arlenea</span></span></td></tr>
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And there I was, walking weary, with a bit of a gangster lean- having passed through the thickness of shadowy overgrown and wild terrain, not knowing how long the discomfort would last and when, if ever, the path would smoothen out. To my relief I came to a clearing. An almost blinding brightness shun in the distance . Feeling more motivated and quite curious I continued to walk, though weary, with more enthusiasm.<br />
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I began to feel the warmth of this light only to recognize that the luminous being bore my own likeness. Indeed it was me. A me filled with unconditional love patiently awaiting our sweet embrace. This love was here to stay. In my own presence I began to undress- removing the armor that encased my essence- an entanglement of the parts I was proud of and other I was not so proud of. I felt safe. I no longer judged my past transgressions against myself and others- I recognized it as a profound and inescapable part of my human journey, the very path that had lead me to this very glorious encounter. And I found compassion dwelling within the long forgotten depths of my own self- compassion <i>for </i>my own self. Here begins the healing...<br />
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<br />Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-35358237692713458372018-01-10T00:35:00.001-08:002018-01-15T08:59:54.418-08:0017 Amazing Things that Happened in 2017 Its a brand new year and many of us stand here bright eyed and bushy tailed firmly believing that this one will be the best yet. I stand here with you...I am one of those people!!! One of those new year, new man, new plan people...I am into the vision boards, the intention setting, the plots, the plans, the yearly themes the new bullet journal spread.<br />
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But...before I enthusiastically forge ahead onto unchartered territory I want to take this moment to reflect on 2017--on the victories, the lessons and the proverbial ah ha moments. This is the foundation on which I build for a whole new cycle of manifesting abundance (us melenials love us some manifesting abundance). <br />
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Last year I wrote a post called 16 Amazing Things that Happened in 2016 and many of you loved it...In fact is is my most popular post to date. I figured I could make it into a tradition of sorts (no promises though).<br />
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Here we go- The Top 17 things I loved about 2017<br />
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1. Tribe- Building Positive Communities and Networking</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">With two Spice Bloggers <a href="https://www.seasaltstyle.com/" target="_blank">Neisha</a> and <a href="https://www.thefablifestory.com/" target="_blank">Glenisha</a> </td></tr>
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In 2017 I found myself pulled to tribes of like minded people excited to co conspire a more intentional and fulfilling life. I met my fellow Spice Bloggers and it was as if once we joined forces opportunities were abundant. This taught me that there is so much power in forming a community of support and empowerment with people interested in the same thing. I love that in none of these spaces were we competing as though there is a limit to goodness to be had in the world. It is also much easier to get things done as a community, everyone has a special gift that can all contribute to the strength of the collective and make magic happen.<br />
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2. Action! </h4>
Oh my goodness. I remember reading a caption on instagram by my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/malaikabsl/" target="_blank">Malaika</a> saying something to the effect of people often overestimate how much can get done is a little bit of time and how much can get done with consistent steps over a longer period of time. I had to let that one marinate as I am the queen of trying to do a lot in a little bit of time- I am such a procrastinator!<br />
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This year I took things step by step and accomplished more meaningful things than ever before.<br />
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3. I finished Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert</h4>
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Alright fellow creatives, we all know how we can obsess about our creations before releasing them out into the world- sometimes they don't even make it out into the world because we are often too critical of our selves. Elizabeth Gilbert reminded me to just let it go. Although I don't second her belief that art is blessedly non-essential, I am convinced, as is she, that art and creativity have magical and otherworldly origins, and, that the creative is merely a chosen co-conspiritor to bring the work into this dimension.<br />
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4. I discovered an <a href="http://bookdepository.com/" target="_blank">online bookstore that ships for free worldwide</a></h4>
How many times have I said to friends this year..."I need to write a blog post about book depository"?. Well here is goes- This website sells almost every book you can think of and it ships free worldwide. The best part is that in Grenada we don't pay taxes to bring books into the country. I am a lover of books and have probably purchased in excess of 20 books over the last 12 months from this website alone!<br />
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5. I was an official participant in <a href="http://www.grenadachocolatefest.com/" target="_blank">Grenada Chocolate Fest</a> (yup...my picture is on the website!)</h4>
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Since 2016 I have been actively involved in planning, marketing, documenting and executing the annual Grenada Chocolate Fest. It is a festival that celebrates ethical organic tree to bar dark chocolate made from fine flavored cocoa. The festival is adored the worldwide ethical craft chocolate community. This year I went beyond planning and actually did a demonstration at the Healthy Benefits of Chocolate Beauty workshop on how to make my Whipped Cocoa Butter. It was one of those moments when saying "yes" that was one step in a larger plan, even if I did not know it at the time.<br />
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5. I launched my own all natural skin care business - Whipped Cocoa Butter by Grenada Soul Adventurer </h4>
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After showing everyone how to make the magic stuff, i.e, Whipped Cocoa Butter, I started getting enquires of people interesting in buying it. A friend suggested I do samples and give them away! Well I did just that (remember we were talking about steps)- I whipped up a batch and gave it to anyone who wanted it- in return they gave me honest feedback and I tweaked my formula until I was satisfied with its consistency and texture.<br />
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I then gave a bunch of samples to my friend Malaika, a <a href="http://www.malaikabsl.com/" target="_blank">Grenadian Yoga Therapist </a>and soon to be certified doula for the goodie bags of her Creative Healing Maroon Retreat- out of those 20 odd samples I got my first sale!<br />
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Fast forward to the end of the year-my homemade, small batch, all natural, all Grenadian and much beloved <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/p/whipped-cocoa-butter.html" target="_blank">whipped cocoa butters</a> can be purchased in 3 stores on the island and from me personally! They have made it to the UK, Europe, the USA and Canada. I have been warmly supported by friends, my social media community, family and strangers! I am so humbled and excited for the future of this business.<br />
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6. The concept of conscious consumerism hit home</h4>
Let us be clear- I am not a perfect consumer- purchasing only fair trade, organic, ethically made, fair wage, small business and fairy magic dusted things. I probably bought a fe or a lot of things this year that were made by unpaid and underpaid workers- some may have even been children. The truth is- capitalism has done some really ugly things to us as a human race. In the pursuit of the biggest profit margins companies cut corners wherever possible to compete for our dollars.<br />
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This results in more pollution of our environment and the exploitation of people. Although I am far from perfect in the things that I purchase the weight of the reality that I directly support some ugly business models has found its way closer to the front of my consciousness. In 2018 may we all support businesses that pay fair wages, ensure good working conditions and are environmentally friendly in their operations because ultimately the financial empowerment of people who give a shit is important.<br />
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7. I discovered podcasts</h4>
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I have heard this term floating around for the longest while, but, it never seemed like something I would be interested in. What was this podcast thing? It seems like in 2017 podcasts made a serious come back from its initial incarnation -everybody and their mama's cousin has a podcast now! I am a huge fan of the <a href="https://art19.com/shows/hey-girl" target="_blank">Hey, Girl Podcas</a>t by Alex Elle and <a href="http://www.blackgirlinom.com/podcast/" target="_blank">Black Girl in Om</a> with Deun Ivory and Lauren Ash. The conversations had have inspired me and sparked new ways of thinking and perceiving this world. What are some of your favorite pod casts? Leave a comment below<br />
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8. I embraced my Black Girl Magic</h4>
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I just love that term! To me black girl magic is self love- embracing myself wholeheartedly, building community and power with my fellow sisters through support and appreciation. It means recognizing my worth and worthiness, understanding that my talents and passions when embraced and nurtured contribute to the healing and amplification of the whole black community...and essentially all people. Wooo...now that is powerful. My super powers- creative entrepreneurship steeped in a love of nature based wellness and artistic expression through images and the written word. What are your super powers?<br />
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9. I began to acquaint myself with my purpose</h4>
After leaving the legal profession I began to feel a little lost as to how useful my daily activities were to the bigger picture- you know...not just my personal explorations in creativity. How many of us have a lot of ideas and think...oooooh I could do such and such...oooh...and that too and then you are left with a bunch of ideas wondering how it will all come together. What is the common thread? To what end has all this inspiration entered my consciousness?<br />
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A wise friend said- pick one and do it for a month- that is how the Whipped Cocoa Butters made their way into retreat goodie bags and lead to my first sale. From there things became more and more clear, the common thread become apparent and the "Why" behind my many ideas revealed itself. It is so much easier to move forward with purpose- it allows you to prune those ideas that just don't align.<br />
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10. N and I had a Soul Adventure in Europe</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Sky Garden in London</td></tr>
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This trip was somewhat of a last minute decision. I knew that I was burnt out from working non stop (with the exception of a week of semi vacation) and my head was spinning from balancing being a new mom and working full time and navigating life's more sticky situations without taking a moment to pause. I listened to my intuition and the encouragement of a few friends and in mid September we flew off to Hamburg and then London. You all know how how I love everything about travel! This trip was a spiritual journey of sorts that filled me up in so many ways. If you are interested in getting the <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/11/hamburg-travel-diary.html" target="_blank">whole scoop</a> I wrote a blogpost about it in November.<br />
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11. <a href="http://www.islandgirlsrock.com/" target="_blank">Island Girls Rock</a> Collaborations</h4>
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At the start of the year I connected with Chantal from the UK based collective of Caribbean women called Island Girls Rock. I had been following their Instagram account for some time and really vibed with their content. In May I did an instagram takeover covering Grenada Chocolate Fest for their travel account called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/igrtravel/" target="_blank">@igr_travel</a>.<br />
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In September when I was planning my travels I reached out to <a href="http://chantimedia.com/projects/" target="_blank">Chantal</a> again hoping we could meet up. September was a turbulent time for the Caribbean as many of you know- we were hit by catastrophic hurricanes Irma and Maria- by grace Grenada and other islands were spared. While I was in the UK I was lucky to be part of the Island Girls Rock meet up that raised funds for relief efforts in Dominica by selling and raffling Caribbean made artisan products- including my Whipped Cocoa Butter.<br />
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12. Vision Boards and Manifesting Magic</h4>
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Now- I know we love the throw around the word manifesting- and by we I mean - the crystal wearing, oracle card pulling, self- help book loving, yoga practicing, mindfully meditating, new wave spiritualism and ever grateful melenials- OH YES WE DO. One of the allies of this magical manifesting equation is the much beloved vision board.<br />
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I started 2017 by making my first vision board- 2016 was rough in many ways (and also very beautiful) and I needed to believe that 2017 would be less turbulent. For me- vision boards (yes I ended up making more than one) helped to clarify what I am trying to accomplish in this life and then remind me of it on a daily basis. When we look at our goals and dreams each day we start to make decisions based on them and draw ourselves closer to what we are trying to bring into our reality-like I said- step by step action.<br />
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13. Creative Collaborations </h4>
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This was actually on my vision board that I knew I wanted to bring to this platform in 2017. I felt ready to put Grenada Soul Adventurer out there as a platform that was excited to welcome new things and collaborate with other bloggers, businesses and creative entrepreneurs. Once I opened myself up to that possibility- things like the Island Girls Rock instagram takeover happened. I covered the Maroon Retreat on <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/10/creative-healing-retreat.html" target="_blank">Creative Healing</a>, decided to rediscover scuba diving and my whipped cocoa butters were part of an amazing Christmas Wellness Gift Box made by local jewellry maker <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eyeriie/" target="_blank">Eyeriie</a> . I participated in pop up shops and did a few instagram giveaways. I also had to choose to reject some opportunities that were not mutually beneficial or aligned with what we are trying to do here- it was all part of the learning process. All in all it was a good time and I am looking forward to more of this in 2018.<br />
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If you think we could make some creative magic happen with me in 2018 shoot me an e-mail: gndadventurer@gmail.com.<br />
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13. N and I ended our breast feeding relationship</h4>
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We made it to just shy of 2 years of breast feeding! Breast feeding a toddler is no joke and towards the end I felt it was best for both of us that we ended that aspect of our relationship...two words- SLEEP DEPRIVATION. I am a firm believer in the benefits of breast feeding beyond just 6 months for nutrition, strengthening a child's immune system and bonding. However, towards the end it become more like torture for me than anything else.<br />
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14. The realization that I don't need to do it all</h4>
Have you noticed how busy things can get- how many things make their way onto our to do list and how much we think we can and need to take on? I am one of those "sure I will do it" people. Towards the end of the 2017 I came to the stark realisation that in 2018 some things just need to get axed . I want to do things with love, passion and intention without feeling burned out. Towards that end- I hereby banish the rigid blog schedule and promise that my content will not be created through the pressure of a schedule but will be fueled by my inspiration.<br />
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15. Healing through Self Care </h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Pausing to take in the view on the hike to Mt. Qua Qua</td></tr>
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I feel like often self care can come across as self indulgent because we are told that taking care of other's needs first is a more valuable way to spend our time. However, how can we give of ourselves when we have little left to give? Just today I noticed just how impatient and easily triggered I was because I felt so depleted. I had not had a meaningful moment to myself for a while--it was eating away at me.<br />
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What does self care look like for me? Washing my hair, taking a long shower, tidying my space, listening to an inspiring podcast, yoga, a healthy meal, drinking water, moisturizing my hair and body with products safe enough to eat, going to the beach, taking a hike, good conversations, belly laughs writing and reading. Doing these things consistently makes me glow! How do you take care of yourself?<br />
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16. Giveaways! </h4>
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This was the year I began to host giveaways on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/" target="_blank">instagram</a> account. I always thought these were reserved for people with huge followings who had things sponsored to them by big companies. Who made that rule? Is that even a rule? Probably not. It was so much fun and felt great to give some things I loved in hopes that you too would love them. Turns out you do!<br />
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17. Chronixx released his album "Chronology" and healed the world </h4>
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Has Chronixx even ever released a bad song? I swear everything this man touches is pure gold. Spitting lyrics like<br />
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"Black eye, black hair, black skin,<br />
Black Queen stand majestic with the Black King<br />
Today I'll sing you a black song, you need to hear about beautiful black things...."<br />
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What was even more amazing is that he came to Grenada has part of his Chronology Tour. Unlucky for me I was relieving myself of the entire content of my body (organs and blood exempt) and was literally too weak to leave my bed. I was an emotional wreck but I chalked it up to "nothing is co-incidence" and made my peace with it.<br />
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<h4>
Bonus- Grenada Soul Adventurer hit 1, 600 followers on Instagram before 2018 </h4>
I have to admit that my vision board for 2017 did say 10, 000 followers and even until the last few days of the year I remained positive that such astounding growth could happen overnight. That being said... I am more than pleased with the existing GSA community! You guys give me nothing but love over there. I have not had a single negative comment...strictly positive vibes. Thank you for remaining with me on this rollercoaster journey as we align more and more with our purpose.<br />
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So there we have it, my list of 17 lit things that happened in my life in 2017. Writing this post was a beautiful exercise in gratitude and I feel ready to get cracking on my 2018 intentions. What are some of the beautiful things that happened in your life in 2017? Leave me a comment below--I love hearing from you all.<br />
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Peace and Bliss,<br />
Grenada Soul Adventurer<br />
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<br />Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-40112107114587188862017-11-07T17:04:00.001-08:002017-11-09T18:05:44.643-08:00Hamburg Travel Diary <br />
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Dear Soul Adventurers,<br />
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The truth is that this blog post has had many incarnations both as typed drafts and floating ideas plucked from the universe then released once again. I am finding it hard to stick to my schedule but I know it is important to be disciplined because many of you actually look forward to my content-and I appreciate the good thing we have going on. </div>
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For those who follow along on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/" target="_blank">the gram</a>, you know that I recently travelled to Hamburg and London with N. She is such a great travel companion- of course...she is my daughter after all. This trip meant lots of days on the move, I hate to stagnate when I am in a different city or country- the wanderlust adrenaline relentlessly urges me to explore. One of the hallmarks of this trip was a strong feeling of connection to a loving and guiding unseen force- call it what you may. I think all the time I spent moving around in primarily nature filled spaces had a lot to do with that. I usually feel most connected and present in nature. </div>
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I read <i>The Celestine Prophesy</i> last year and it articulated something that many of us feel but may not absolutely trust 100% of the time - nothing is by chance, each encounter, each conversation , each time you make prolonged eye contact, even reading this blog post at this exact moment- it is all significant and it is all happening in perfect timing. </div>
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James Redfield who wrote <i>The</i> <i>Celestine Prophesy</i> articulates it like this:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">“...whenever people cross our paths, there is always a message for us. Chance encounters do not exist. But how we respond to these encounters determines whether we’re able to receive the message. If we have a conversation with someone who crosses our path and we do not see a message pertaining to our current questions, it does not mean there was no message. It only means we missed it for some reason.” </span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">When Redfield refers to "our particular question" he means that thing that occupies our mind- that should I or should't I? The whys and hows. </span></span></span></div>
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Many moments of the trip felt like "a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life" as author Paulo Coelho calls it- a reconnection to my intuition and the sensing of a presence that is beyond the seen. To be less cryptic about the whole situation I will share a personal story. </div>
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For those of you who don't know- I was born Hamburg Germany and lived there until I was 7. Many of my childhood memories included spending time with my Omi- my maternal Grandmother. Omi and I would take a lot of walks in parks and forests. The walks that stand out most in my memory are those during the Autumn- the scents of the damp earth mixed with fallen leaves, the yellow, orange, red and brown color pallet and the feeling of the crisp air against my face and fingers. As a child I looked forward to this time of year because it was when the chestnuts fell to the ground. I was obsessed with collecting them- I still feel pure joy when I see them to this day and it really hard for me to pass them without picking one up. We collected bags upon bags of these chestnuts and invented a game only the two of us knew the rules to. </div>
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Each time I see a chestnut I think of my Omi. She passed away the year I started University and I was not able to attend her funeral. I think in some ways I never felt that I ever fully experienced the closure I needed- until this trip. </div>
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This year when I saw the chessnuts I felt as though Omi was with us. N and I took many walks in gardens, parks, tropical green houses and forests. On our last day I felt guided to visit a butterfly garden on the outskirts of the city. I made the decision to heed my whim after paying my grandmother's old neighborhood a visit. </div>
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The last leg of our journey to the gardens included a 20 minute walk through a lonely forest (somehow that detail escaped me when I was reading the directions on google maps). The walk intimidated me but it was as though I was compelled to go, after all we had already come so far- I felt pulled by the universal current of life and I surrendered. <br />
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Being at Butterfly Gardens and observing these gently fluttering creatures playfully exploring their environment allowed my mind to rise above the debris of daily distractions of life. That was the very first day of our trip where no one was expecting us to meet with them- no one to apologize to for wandering off or reco-ordinating time and place of meeting...we simply floated freely. </div>
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This year especially I have felt as though my journey into spirituality has taken leaps. I have returned to this feeling that each encounter and experience revealed something to me- as though I am in constant communication with a loving a supportive force of nature- call it what you may. It is like an exciting treasure hunt.<br />
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This story, about my journey to Butterfly Gardens, it is less about what happened and more about the feeling of being guided and having trust in that feeling. It was a space that made me feel at peace and gave both N and I plentiful opportunities to marvel- we were absolutely fascinated. At the end of the day I think those moments are the ones that truly energize us, reset and balance us. </div>
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At this stage I am not sure how this whole blog post will come accross to you all, or if it make any sense but I felt inspired to share it- if for no other reason than to possibly spark some magical tingles and whimsical curiosities about the infinite possibilities of life inside of you.<br />
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How does travel energize you? Do you feel like it gives you the space to see things with greater clarity? Do you become more open minded? I would love to hear from you in the comments.<br />
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For more of my regular musings on life and some good vibes content check me out on the gram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/" target="_blank">@grenadasouladventurer</a> </div>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-6220539905280801562017-10-08T19:28:00.000-07:002017-10-12T10:16:41.519-07:00Creative Healing- A Retreat <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I once watched this movie called </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7A810duHvw" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About Time</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It is a lovely romance (well atleast in my opinion) with a quirky twist: the main male character had the ability to travel in time- it was a gift that each male member of his family had. When he was first told by his father about this gift he asked what he did with it. His father said he read all the books that he could...and he read them several times. The other gem his father shared was that he relived life’s more challenging moment with a less tense approach knowing that in the end things usually worked out. You know those times where we are so wrapped up in what is happening that we forget that you have a choice in how you experience that time...this is what the father was talking about.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UptC2W0Z_rCONxvxliNC-va2Zp_Y2YuNrUXrIKlCltb1KD5QvPb7rFKeJf1eYyPOthYrryzU70tiH0fEfWWoRvfSnEyBnSaM9pwP6pXEvP1sBiOtV4QUOXfRiqGDcUhfM5XxxKjljVc1/s1600/eda0f5c69affbbafe1400e4367bf9c2f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UptC2W0Z_rCONxvxliNC-va2Zp_Y2YuNrUXrIKlCltb1KD5QvPb7rFKeJf1eYyPOthYrryzU70tiH0fEfWWoRvfSnEyBnSaM9pwP6pXEvP1sBiOtV4QUOXfRiqGDcUhfM5XxxKjljVc1/s640/eda0f5c69affbbafe1400e4367bf9c2f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art by <a href="http://www.briannamccarthy.com/" target="_blank">Brianna Mc Carthy </a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, as a mom (my go to example as we all know), there are lots of times where I feel I need to brace myself for challenges. There is the daily challenge of getting out of the house and being punctual- something usually goes awry- especially when attempting to potty train a toddler. Always those cleanups that rob you of those few moments you need to be out of the house at a reasonable time. I can wake up anticipating all of this and feel a stifling plastic tarp of tension envelope me. Any small snag in the morning will make me feel more and more claustrophobic and impatient until we leave the house...at least one of us in tears. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alternatively, and a more attractive proposition, is to decide ahead of time that you will be more playful with all that life throws at you...and it will throw some crazy <strike>things</strike> shit at you. A few weeks ago I attended a retreat organised by fellow Soul Adventurers </span><a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/08/grenada-soul-adventurer-favourites.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Malaika Brook- Smith-Lowe</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (yoga therapist, creative and doula in training), </span><a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/05/how-to-live-your-dream-life-in-5.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stacey Byer</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Artist and Illustrator) and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://chiqhaven.com/" target="_blank">Melissa Riddelle </a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Massage Therapist and Juice cleanse expert). It was the fourth installment of their Maroon Retreat with a focus on Creative Healing through yoga, meditation, mudras, mandala rock painting, detox juicing and intentional listening. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEHQ61gJmq5D66T2ags-s9itVWWKL8Rkw3jdzdweWNCtEQ4Tu30ffI75iNtIpnYL7Vjc1FiUUJdW7PVmAN1qnDseShuPBD3Hdrp6T-iNWrBICV1SdDEGlSNV9aw86taaeiqinHv97UgKq/s1600/20507567_1604706482929180_5509937050722033948_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEHQ61gJmq5D66T2ags-s9itVWWKL8Rkw3jdzdweWNCtEQ4Tu30ffI75iNtIpnYL7Vjc1FiUUJdW7PVmAN1qnDseShuPBD3Hdrp6T-iNWrBICV1SdDEGlSNV9aw86taaeiqinHv97UgKq/s640/20507567_1604706482929180_5509937050722033948_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Spice Harmony Yoga Studio</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know that is a mouth full so I will break it down. But! before I go into the substance of all that we did on that glorious day at Petite Anse let us talk about the goodie bags!! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Uj5eJfjlyMU6YVp4n-DPNhh2yZVCvVvyBIsVHvtXVKD21_hfPv0K11zTEDu1yGyzRxapOCykt2vUEHz3DjcOgtDeJak2bRh7Gx-A2vzcIstlDIlYOQkCN3U5p0B6ogiVFlpZ2irZ5Vce/s1600/IMG_0589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Uj5eJfjlyMU6YVp4n-DPNhh2yZVCvVvyBIsVHvtXVKD21_hfPv0K11zTEDu1yGyzRxapOCykt2vUEHz3DjcOgtDeJak2bRh7Gx-A2vzcIstlDIlYOQkCN3U5p0B6ogiVFlpZ2irZ5Vce/s640/IMG_0589.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPew82tTSeq_iPElIDdYSPtIz4m79rNIlmupqTsjc9NWxKrAh1BPxcWAyuXS1pXFwpxi_vBXDVMqDhjFsiQqAzyg6bHbJrGBP5vpXsr8VzP-RDQefvzQFtcBpLDzq31nSTb27DTsBfDQZg/s1600/IMG_0529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPew82tTSeq_iPElIDdYSPtIz4m79rNIlmupqTsjc9NWxKrAh1BPxcWAyuXS1pXFwpxi_vBXDVMqDhjFsiQqAzyg6bHbJrGBP5vpXsr8VzP-RDQefvzQFtcBpLDzq31nSTb27DTsBfDQZg/s640/IMG_0529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a long drive (which became longer because of the mountainous detour we had to take due to construction on the main road) we arrived in </span><a href="http://www.petiteanse.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Petite Anse Boutique Hotel</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the northernmost parish of St. Patrick with an all consuming view of the dramatic and powerful Atlantic Ocean. We were greeted with fresh seasonal fruits, warm embraces and goodie bags. The goodie bags contained a little lavender bundle, yogi detox tea, an orange carnelian crystal*, a mini journal, a hand painted card of the map of Grenada and sample sized </span><a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/p/whipped-cocoa-butter.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whipped Cocoa Butter </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by yours truly. Everyone loves a goodie bag and I was over the moon to be included as a contributor. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9kRcoVb-ufhDtybW7FzstHpPI2MtJaMVdTBBs2mRJKDN4PCh8jrxKy_BKsTaSt-mTNKBYdOB0QpHqnpKN8nQQHape_rc4CIIZovGRZfqN3kgDvaRhxyotOVK6YC2UjwuV3eojtDzUivh/s1600/IMG_0609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9kRcoVb-ufhDtybW7FzstHpPI2MtJaMVdTBBs2mRJKDN4PCh8jrxKy_BKsTaSt-mTNKBYdOB0QpHqnpKN8nQQHape_rc4CIIZovGRZfqN3kgDvaRhxyotOVK6YC2UjwuV3eojtDzUivh/s640/IMG_0609.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So back to the activities! We started the day with a beautiful yoga and meditation practice lead by </span><a href="http://www.malaikabsl.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Malaika</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. She introduced us to a mudras or </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">intentional hand gesture to activate and focus on our sacral chakra- the seat of our creativity, fertility and sexuality. Before we began our practice she asked us which areas of our life we felt we needed to add more playfulness. What a question...weeks later I am still marinating on it. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA1DV13tappx7_kewOA-0HhZ11lGSe5bljxArfyl-nzg_Vr7DkO0BCBvVvTyBq9T73kiO8EEs5HGLytLiOLsLw9mRTZwjDlu0a66GW1iOedhtRPRMzBY6Plsl7nOVpuahKdqKtTq0n1q2/s1600/20507068_1605529532846875_6425836636377933516_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTA1DV13tappx7_kewOA-0HhZ11lGSe5bljxArfyl-nzg_Vr7DkO0BCBvVvTyBq9T73kiO8EEs5HGLytLiOLsLw9mRTZwjDlu0a66GW1iOedhtRPRMzBY6Plsl7nOVpuahKdqKtTq0n1q2/s640/20507068_1605529532846875_6425836636377933516_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Spice Harmony Yoga Studio</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">f you have been following me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/" target="_blank">the gram</a> you know that I have been </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">traveling</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> with N through Hamburg and London. Travelling with a toddler adds a new element to the madness that traveling can be. There are diaper changes, outfit changes, tantrums on trains, running away in huge terminals, food spills, taking off shoes and socks...it’s madness I tell you! But also really nice...you know...playgrounds, nature walk and seeing your little one marvel at this beautiful and dynamic world...and making friends on planes, busses, trams and trains. I could navigate those scenarios with intentional playfulness or I could be dragged through them clutching onto the the idea of what travel looked like before I became a mom. You know that quote from G. K Chesterton ““An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”...well if you didn’t now you do...you may thank me later. It rings quite true, life can be filled with inconveniences but it is your gift of free will to pick up the pieces of the shattered imagined perfect image and redesign something uniquely unexpected yet magical. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBZdQMuDMeL4PKjJz9cazPtG6ATIbnNqx9yBD19Tf4uwZbKG3rIF-s_x6V680jfDOpcmuhW8nWNfen2ptsjh6KwKcoHMw0e3FURQrg8iXJHwlcpVXOvzEx0bv1_OjqXMVR3GMB5y8d4tp/s1600/IMG_0592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBZdQMuDMeL4PKjJz9cazPtG6ATIbnNqx9yBD19Tf4uwZbKG3rIF-s_x6V680jfDOpcmuhW8nWNfen2ptsjh6KwKcoHMw0e3FURQrg8iXJHwlcpVXOvzEx0bv1_OjqXMVR3GMB5y8d4tp/s640/IMG_0592.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a break for journaling and reflection Melissa taught us all about making green smoothies and how we can incorporate them into our daily diets to remove built up toxins from our bodies. Many of us had lots of questions- the idea of replacing a meal with a smoothie is a bit daunting. Luckily Melissa gave us a game plan patterned on her personal experiences of green smoothie detoxing and transition into the vegan lifestyle. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt5IjFSQgWXGw1bzEdPuLgwCyoR5p11abhfwkExKn873L_Iy9yXOuJMcGWuqHu-Y-l0aaQzEqFg5wPWAxuNdvTWMl1PMvMiMJpZ05C5uzd_mcErgQ3DQhrErhZb9A_uys6qFtZ8Y026Qs/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt5IjFSQgWXGw1bzEdPuLgwCyoR5p11abhfwkExKn873L_Iy9yXOuJMcGWuqHu-Y-l0aaQzEqFg5wPWAxuNdvTWMl1PMvMiMJpZ05C5uzd_mcErgQ3DQhrErhZb9A_uys6qFtZ8Y026Qs/s640/IMG_0536.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Grenadian Style Sunday Lunch was served on the patio- fresh local juice, good conversation and a view of the ocean and islands just off our northern coast accompanied the delicious meal. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_LnMAFbtt7wUbIGuBaUYb95JjMlvfEz_Zx4tJPO_eIYeuM1u03Ibsqp4LnqE9TCLk6p9F3Lb0k1XHAdH6_uMTWz7_Ley3D6uH9KpKd3U1Vjbvu47RTI-Uv52iUNA0_UbHelYNL8Wc4G5/s1600/IMG_0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_LnMAFbtt7wUbIGuBaUYb95JjMlvfEz_Zx4tJPO_eIYeuM1u03Ibsqp4LnqE9TCLk6p9F3Lb0k1XHAdH6_uMTWz7_Ley3D6uH9KpKd3U1Vjbvu47RTI-Uv52iUNA0_UbHelYNL8Wc4G5/s640/IMG_0558.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We then sat down to paint mandalas onto rocks. Admittedly this was the part of the retreat I looked forward to the most as I never make the time to paint anymore. Creating with my hands has been neglected in this mish mash of being a online marketing professional and blogger. Stacey guided us to practice our mandala designs in isolation first and then to sketch out a draft of what we wanted to paint onto our rocks. We painted our rocks white and then began to add coloured designs, eventually outlining our colours with a black sharpie and adding white dots. I loved the process of the rock attaining more and more personality through my efforts and the inspiration oozed out of me. It was so much fun! Making beautiful things with your hands in a playful and non judgmental way (being open to however it may turn out) gives you mental space. It almost felt like those days in art and craft class in kindergarden. Art and craft was my favourite subject. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCutuaJGwbBlh3HeCfbtHmYGT46NMhyw7aTGr7ipMpDOQOCWE394g0veLrkSrfmxojsokh4K8-WtO38a0JT4C1EBaIPZ45eUkZyhnnRxKJv9Z4jj7l9vg1hlR85JqxaGBEoXKMNKSPeJ6/s1600/IMG_0583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCutuaJGwbBlh3HeCfbtHmYGT46NMhyw7aTGr7ipMpDOQOCWE394g0veLrkSrfmxojsokh4K8-WtO38a0JT4C1EBaIPZ45eUkZyhnnRxKJv9Z4jj7l9vg1hlR85JqxaGBEoXKMNKSPeJ6/s640/IMG_0583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The retreat closed with drinking bush tea, noshing homemade baked goods a yoga practice and an intentional listening exercise. Now listen (intentionally) that exercise was such a beautiful experience. We sat in clusters of 3 and recounted our experiences throughout the day and what we learned. Each person had 3 minutes to speak while the others had to listen in silence or give affirming gestures and sounds (but not interrupting the speaker). How many times do we interupt someone to clarify something they say or to interject without our own thoughts on what was just said? This space to listen and to speak exclusively really created an awareness in me that these interruptions (although well intentioned and seemingly urgent) are not always needed. Sometimes an intention must be set to simply listen. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are in Grenada or are planning to visit and want to immerse yourself into our wellness and creative scene definitely check out Malaika and Stacey. </span><a href="http://www.malaikabsl.com/classes" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Malaika</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> teaches weekly yoga classes at her Family owned and run yoga studio- Spice Harmony Yoga and around the island and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://staceybyer.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Stacey</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hosts fun creative workshops like vision board making. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malaika- Image by Spice Harmony Yoga Studio</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK9G_MOvvBQMx1xwBg5_0RCpaqOiY3IEu9_J-6HPbDnRGvOdUgJX-8nlYpUMkOdBoTMO2EQYfdYhUHuJXmFOPZ5vNUnBRsRtWULUhbC-0HFHqehT4m3YpaiYjb9F4CWH-Tb2h5DZ_4DOJ/s1600/20507780_1604705789595916_7176246385018883820_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK9G_MOvvBQMx1xwBg5_0RCpaqOiY3IEu9_J-6HPbDnRGvOdUgJX-8nlYpUMkOdBoTMO2EQYfdYhUHuJXmFOPZ5vNUnBRsRtWULUhbC-0HFHqehT4m3YpaiYjb9F4CWH-Tb2h5DZ_4DOJ/s640/20507780_1604705789595916_7176246385018883820_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa - Image by Spice Harmony Yoga Studio</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Melissa is a Grenadian woman based in the UK running a business called </span><a href="https://chiqhaven.com/about/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chiq Haven</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that focuses on a three dymensional lifestyle in addition to eco-friendly products and services. She aims to offer and share inspirational, healthy , stylish yet luxurious natural way of life.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Carnelian is the life of the party. Creative and confient, the energy of a Carnelian stone motivates a rush of vibrancy within the sacred chakra to bring forth your inner star. Tapping into its properties will lend a sense of power that can prove especially beneficial for anyone needing to break through creativity blocks or those embarking on new projects and ambitions.</span></div>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-79571043039037498692017-09-07T20:15:00.000-07:002017-09-07T20:27:20.501-07:00 Rediscovering Scuba Diving - A Healing Journey <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLIcCdCP_sMpKhOq2ksMUKuafmSKr-C10KN8Ce3QJf5uDvBt1TS6W9FLn8yd8VCK6U472wkhMw377lup44A9eyh5elhCawRRD8VfOAYxnCB1S0KmqGbOAwZ6Dg_ZdjshVl4TtZg2IIJwK/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLIcCdCP_sMpKhOq2ksMUKuafmSKr-C10KN8Ce3QJf5uDvBt1TS6W9FLn8yd8VCK6U472wkhMw377lup44A9eyh5elhCawRRD8VfOAYxnCB1S0KmqGbOAwZ6Dg_ZdjshVl4TtZg2IIJwK/s1600/1.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The truth is I am tired and am suffering from serious writers block. I am struggling with expressing myself- I feel disconnected from myself and it sucks. However, I have a schedule to keep here on the blog and forming the habit of being more consistent is more important than my ego. Elizabeth Gilbert , Author of Eat Prey Love and Big Magic says "Done is better than perfect". I am allowing that to give me permission to press on. Luckily, blogging allows me to be human and just put the truth out there with the hope that my human experience resonates with my readers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here we go...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I discovered the all consuming bliss of floating under the sea only hearing the sound of bubbles and observing colourful and interesting aquatic life the summer after I turned 16. That was the year I learned to scuba dive. Some say that diving is the closest you can come to flying.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS3WNyiGePUUxCUlSkjWWYRxjZHZ7249rcyoNiG46T77j_o5oND0wXnBycHpH1__pvPv2Sz7atfvzmJl-kvUaW3_dZK1n5ZQzOc3NNa6bV3GEYgDO1j8kf39EbqhFbMRxPPFZIdmia7Vz/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS3WNyiGePUUxCUlSkjWWYRxjZHZ7249rcyoNiG46T77j_o5oND0wXnBycHpH1__pvPv2Sz7atfvzmJl-kvUaW3_dZK1n5ZQzOc3NNa6bV3GEYgDO1j8kf39EbqhFbMRxPPFZIdmia7Vz/s1600/3.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fast forward to now, 13 years later, a time where we are constantly connected, answering messages, updating and consuming social media, checking stats, it is truly a challenge to disconnect and connect with yourself. Personally I constantly feel tugged and in a state of unrest for the majority of my waking hours. One of the ways I ground and become present is on the mat when I practice yoga, or listen to a guided meditation (which does not happen as often as it should). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an article I recently read (admittedly only partially) entitled </span><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activity-and-adventure/best-holidays-for-solitude/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Splendid isolation: 50 amazing holidays to escape the modern world</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I was reminded of why I first fell in love with scuba diving . Sarah Baxter, the author of the article ever so eloquently penned </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Solitude is the state of being alone, but not of loneliness; that luxury of time and space spent free from external pressures, to just think or be. Solitude is the positive side of isolation; a restorative break from our busy, bustling, overloaded world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As fate would have my friend Robin, a dive instructor at <a href="http://www.aquanautsgrenada.com/" target="_blank">Aquanauts Grenada</a>, who knows I have not been diving for over a decade asked whether I would like to rediscover scuba diving and document my experience. I eagerly agreed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why has it taken me 13 years to get below the surface again? Well, several reasons...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Scuba diving is not exactly cheap for a teenager or a uni student on a skin tight student budget </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Even when I could afford it I genuinely forgot how much I loved it </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. I once dove and forgot to open my tank properly- resulting in me being unable to breath while 15 feet underwater. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let's explore reason number 3- the most dramatic of the lot. In my teenage mind opening a gas tank fully and then turning it back half a wrist turn equated to opening a gas tank half way. Kids...don't do that! It is not the same- please perform the 2 step process as you are told by your instructor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So there I was underwater- gauge showing a full tank but my lungs and mind slowly catching up to the fact that I had very limited air. I was able to communicate to my dive buddy that I needed to use of of her air and we came up to the surface. Mysteriously my gage showed a full tank so back down we went and like dejavu the whole scenario repeated itself. We finally got to the bottom of it. That was my last dive. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGBearnWvyrykcpC3Zfp-FgHR2IpNsMFr6Q1ge5Ss845Q5Z-KH4JtFpxR1f7xjjDcQwm1fFtvH6yYC5EEw8VNYBd_PPGsWRQGbTl2C5kkepYlzFPdW13eAxKKmrVsTJS4PzMRNdpavVOz/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGBearnWvyrykcpC3Zfp-FgHR2IpNsMFr6Q1ge5Ss845Q5Z-KH4JtFpxR1f7xjjDcQwm1fFtvH6yYC5EEw8VNYBd_PPGsWRQGbTl2C5kkepYlzFPdW13eAxKKmrVsTJS4PzMRNdpavVOz/s1600/4.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In all honesty I told myself for years that the first two reasons were why I stopped diving. Fast forward to a few weeks ago I excitedly sat on the <a href="http://www.aquanautsgrenada.com/en" target="_blank">Aquanauts</a> boat on my way to rediscover scuba diving. I check my gear, put on my suit and jumped into the emerald waters at Flamingo Bay. I felt a little nervous that the heavy gear would sink me to the bottom of the ocean but I moved past the fear. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we began our descent into the inviting ocean I felt pangs of panic- I was afraid that I could not breath. I was not equalizing properly and felt some pressure in my head. I now know what people mean when they say they feel claustrophobic when diving. Even in the wide and wild expanse sometimes you can't get out of your own head. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I signaled to Robin that I needed to come back to the surface and explained my fear to him. He check my gauge and tank and reassured me that the gear was fine. As we went down he stayed right in front of me and motioned deep breaths by opening and closing his arms slowly. It worked. We made our way down and explored Flamingo bay with our dive buddy. We observed the enchanting life under the ocean with curious eyes. I saw fishes going about their lives darting in and out of the colourful reef and touched sea bush (I don't know the actual name but it felt really nice to stroke it gently). </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Diving is an amazing way to simply be. I am the queen of starting a million things and attempting to divide my energy between several tasks at once. It is mentally exhausting and it is not a very effective way to do life. When you dive you are forced to mono task- a rarity in these times. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I received some healing under the ocean that day. I confronted a mental and emotional personal wound I never properly </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">acknowledged. When we don't acknowledged our wounds we neglect to tend to them. A neglected wound we can't truly heal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you discovered any neglected wounds? How have you tended to your healing? Leave a comment or send me a message. I would love to hear your story. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You can find out about Aquanauts and all their dive programs over on their website: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">www.aqaunautsgrenada.com</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AquanautsGrenada/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aquanautsgrenada/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> to see what they get up to! </span><br />
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-22404590992245662772017-08-23T04:50:00.000-07:002017-08-24T10:20:41.561-07:00New Moon Ritual <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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Image from http://www.lunarabundance.com</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Just over a month ago I announced "<a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Challenge</a>" that a group of friends and I have committed to. I decided to let this story unfold in a series of blog posts so that each aspect gets the space it deserves. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our second challenge activity was to gather for a New Moon Circle. This specific new moon held the energy big dreams! As women especially we are intimately connected to the moon as we are cyclical beings. It felt as though that specific new moon amplified my feelings 10 fold and it showed. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVm6mnU6_c0QOkUCY0gbjOW7Yk-0w0L8Q7u8EquUS4QJ8AEMhx3odLkeinkolp5ViR6Gd0iPzw29CR3Mkd6lXRDhO-TNmsJDdt2HktdCP6l7Cg6bONOWNkibuXz-s076k_jCIRxjDVPzv/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVm6mnU6_c0QOkUCY0gbjOW7Yk-0w0L8Q7u8EquUS4QJ8AEMhx3odLkeinkolp5ViR6Gd0iPzw29CR3Mkd6lXRDhO-TNmsJDdt2HktdCP6l7Cg6bONOWNkibuXz-s076k_jCIRxjDVPzv/s640/IMG_3522.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I needed that tissue<br />
Photo by Arthur Daniel </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWjjMmCyH8mDJP9dFpXaDUIZHLSFDhpYSJNUWh5XtC10Oq9BFul0YIjAf3YD3FIerLSdtZval22TkbSNsMJvxfjppH4H5M_38Gbx_TghYn8vGeWPgNrX4wX1SaI69Yrd9meo7fmwF0YZe/s1600/IMG_3521+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWjjMmCyH8mDJP9dFpXaDUIZHLSFDhpYSJNUWh5XtC10Oq9BFul0YIjAf3YD3FIerLSdtZval22TkbSNsMJvxfjppH4H5M_38Gbx_TghYn8vGeWPgNrX4wX1SaI69Yrd9meo7fmwF0YZe/s640/IMG_3521+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adele guided our circle<br />
Photo by Arthur Daniel </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.adelefsmith.com/" target="_blank">Adele</a> took the reins and lead our merry band during the New Moon Ritual. New Moon is a time for new beginning- the moon is completely in darkness and thus represents a clean slate. It is fertile ground for planting new seeds that will blossom with the full moon. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> All we had to bring was our yoga mats, a journal and a source of light. Of course, being the little family we have become everyone brought something to munch on and drink. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all arrived together at our chosen location just before sunset. The circle was held on a rooftop terrace overlooking the south of the island and the airstrip of our international airport. Sidenote: I love roof tops. When I was studying my halls of residence dorms had this amazing rooftop space that overlooked the ocean. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSOtxGspdpcbfls5jggA-QfIa2ZI0P_xhNj7Zdk3PXgkwiZyT_5ymI_WyOssLwIgSfFhGMvvwhXqQXfF7tkT-9ABdmzMXssrQsTI7YckaG6jQjNbDwjLdHV0-6xt91-KmxFYxLIeg9thh/s1600/IMG_3525+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSOtxGspdpcbfls5jggA-QfIa2ZI0P_xhNj7Zdk3PXgkwiZyT_5ymI_WyOssLwIgSfFhGMvvwhXqQXfF7tkT-9ABdmzMXssrQsTI7YckaG6jQjNbDwjLdHV0-6xt91-KmxFYxLIeg9thh/s640/IMG_3525+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Arthur Daniel </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We began the New Moon Circle by becoming present in our bodies and the space we were in- breathing consciously and making ourselves comfortable.Everyone opened up about some of our self limiting beliefs. It was freeing to be so vulnerable about our insecurities or things we hide from the world in order to protect ourselves. The more we shared the lighter we felt and the more connected we became-grounded in our humanity. It was beautiful! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drafted letters of gratitude to the universe and shared what we were truly thankful for, even those unpleasant moments we sometimes wish to avoid- even those hold sacred and important lessons to guide our evolution. Finally we wrote about and shared our biggest dreams- broken down into a statements of: gratitude, actionable steps to achieve our dreams and an affirmation of our worthiness of living our fullest lives. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wvIUB_FbzvbYSNX5QRdzYzSL5JT82hVZfJSKNjvrklzeJRGQ3e7827b1xbX0Mj4uX7jKnmXUORqzvsQEK_UE8_ll8IZXUYrD3DEPPMez5CjgktEjM77cxCVf0x2KAv9SOMPjxan_VOT3/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wvIUB_FbzvbYSNX5QRdzYzSL5JT82hVZfJSKNjvrklzeJRGQ3e7827b1xbX0Mj4uX7jKnmXUORqzvsQEK_UE8_ll8IZXUYrD3DEPPMez5CjgktEjM77cxCVf0x2KAv9SOMPjxan_VOT3/s640/IMG_3518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Arthur Daniel </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is my first time participating in such an organised moon cycle ritual. Does the new moon give off energy to help us bring our deepest desires into the physical world? I am not sure. However, the exercise of going through the steps- letting go of the baggage, coming to clarity about what we want out of life, making a plan on how we can achieve it and affirming that it is possible- is a step in the right direction. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYCc6D68fMsF5KUdkdoTVBL4BZu-ZYJwesfwZ3LWetHu2U7oivCk0OkGeDoACJJt_P6bSyWXfuIPeikqc592uP0lS5ZHNiemwkbjEWoPSVmNtc_rM81ho6p2O2buyrXi771QWmAyYT5-4/s1600/IMG_3519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYCc6D68fMsF5KUdkdoTVBL4BZu-ZYJwesfwZ3LWetHu2U7oivCk0OkGeDoACJJt_P6bSyWXfuIPeikqc592uP0lS5ZHNiemwkbjEWoPSVmNtc_rM81ho6p2O2buyrXi771QWmAyYT5-4/s640/IMG_3519.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Arthur Daniel</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me the magic is in what happens next. Since the circle I have felt more conviction. I have taken more action and I have be more consistent with my efforts- all the time keeping my eye on the dream. My Gemini nature means that I have a tendency to be fickle and jump from one idea to the next. Coming up with a plan I can stick to and always remembering the desired outcome does not evaporate out of thin air and fairy dust but consistent effort has sunk in. Hence the launch of my <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/p/whipped-cocoa-butter.html" target="_blank">Whipped Cocoa Butter</a> in recent weeks (shameless plug).</span></div>
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<br />Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-64420563097683516152017-08-07T03:59:00.000-07:002017-08-13T05:51:01.512-07:00Grenada Soul Adventurer Favourites, Social Media Milestones and Giveaway <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Sly4VBlFzhadApA04D6s27zA2XMkbgcz8kjRQ05nwvPTBHLNpOHiR3efAI1a_iXwuRFlBekI5xDh6KIcQcCHRwOsJPyLA22sDhVpg10Nvx01M4XjE-mvMOKRMmOjugEtPq4DTnApBPN/s1600/23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Sly4VBlFzhadApA04D6s27zA2XMkbgcz8kjRQ05nwvPTBHLNpOHiR3efAI1a_iXwuRFlBekI5xDh6KIcQcCHRwOsJPyLA22sDhVpg10Nvx01M4XjE-mvMOKRMmOjugEtPq4DTnApBPN/s1600/23.png" /></a></div>
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I recently hit the 1,500 followers mark on Instagram and wanted to pause and thank everyone who has been with me on this journey. Throughout the years my readership and engagement has grown. I have learned a whole lot on this Soul Adventure and I look forward to the future and sharing it with all of you.<br />
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Youtube creators and bloggers often do monthly or current favorites and I have gained a lot of inspiration from them. Therefore in celebration of this milestone I am doing my part and putting my 2 cents into the inter webs about things I have thoroughly enjoyed and continue to enjoy and would recommend without a second thought. I am also announcing two giveaways in this post- one international (which includes Grenada) and one exclusively for my Grenadian audience. Without further ado my favorites...<br />
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1. <b>Book</b><br />
<i>The Alchemist</i> by Paulo Coelho<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqKNDjKqzeonqGV4ewJmwOc6T1tKE2ibjWfcG3lamLCCOP7XPy9hSbVjyBr64xcKxfzjvD4_WOVkN3_rJaFGzcqCuTQJSsWZO0d3aPp5H8Ly8p91Mil-M-lQtMhVvzn6zW032Ys9qnahM/s1600/28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqKNDjKqzeonqGV4ewJmwOc6T1tKE2ibjWfcG3lamLCCOP7XPy9hSbVjyBr64xcKxfzjvD4_WOVkN3_rJaFGzcqCuTQJSsWZO0d3aPp5H8Ly8p91Mil-M-lQtMhVvzn6zW032Ys9qnahM/s1600/28.png" /></a>Ugh! If you follow me on instagram you know the love affair I have with books. Just check out my daily stories, chances are I have posted an excerpt that spoke to me that day. I am a lover of the kind of books that make your realize things about your existence here on earth that will forever change your perspective on life...I crave that wisdom and insight.</div>
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The first book that truly did this for me was "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. A lot of people credit this book as being life changing. It inspires bravery and self awareness like no other book I had read before it. It is the magical tale of a shepherd called Santiago who sells his sheep and travels in the pursuit of what Paulo Coelho called his "personal legend" after having repeated dreams of finding a treasure. <br />
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He travels from Adulecia, Spain through Morocco to Egypt in search of the pyramids learning how to read what Coehlo calls the "language of things" along the way.<br />
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"I learned that the world has a soul, and that whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of things."</blockquote>
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Each experience Santiago has is the currency that helps him to advance each step of the way. I love this book so much that I have bought quite a few copies as gifts for close friends and family over the years, and, it was the first book I did an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWx1jK0AWRo/?taken-by=grenadasouladventurer" target="_blank">instagram giveaway</a> for. Congrats Cemal from @cacstagram on winning the first ever Grenada Soul Adventurer giveaway.<br />
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2. <b>Art</b><br />
Art by Asher Mains<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nQbOcAHF04eG7mi6nchpm99qIIAt-ynUz7kPRXPn35Hcs6u30QQf1_yqfyLeKtyLRxnOm2vG-UVHuHxKaqVzHBlgGLgA9HWvogbDRLbUzxpRqmKCtvMY5u1II928cBAtfLBQThVL23Xo/s1600/27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nQbOcAHF04eG7mi6nchpm99qIIAt-ynUz7kPRXPn35Hcs6u30QQf1_yqfyLeKtyLRxnOm2vG-UVHuHxKaqVzHBlgGLgA9HWvogbDRLbUzxpRqmKCtvMY5u1II928cBAtfLBQThVL23Xo/s1600/27.png" /></a></div>
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If you have been reading this blog for a while you would I have noticed that I have dabbled in art writing. Like books art can function like a springboard into new ideas and ultimately into a new way of being. Great art has a way of awakening its audience by shining a light onto something overlooked, even when its existence is glaring.<br />
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I was first attracted to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashermains/" target="_blank">Asher's</a> work because he painted <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashermainsportraits/" target="_blank">portraits</a> of Bob Marley. It is no secret (incase you have not noticed my blog's name is an homage to his song Soul Rebel) that I am a fan of the late Robert Nesta Marley. In fact, Asher graciously allowed me to <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2014/11/grenada-soul-adventurer-asher-mains.html" target="_blank">interview him back in 2013</a> when GSA was just a newly hatched blogling on tumblr.<br />
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Since then he has made huge strides in his career as an artist including exhibiting in Grenada's official pavilion at <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">La Biennale de Venezia</span> (which is pretty big deal in the art world). His latest collection is an installation called Sea Lungs (read more about it <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/04/sea-lungs-installation-by-asher-mains.html" target="_blank">here</a>)- it addresses the issue of the region's dyeing reefs and how intimately our lives, as people living on islands, is connected to the health of the ocean.<br />
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You can find Asher's work at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Mains-Gallery-140994399247806/" target="_blank">Susan Mains Gallery</a> in the Spiceland Mall. <br />
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Stay tuned to the end for a cheeky giveaway of one of his pieces.<br />
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3. <b>Yoga Teachers</b><br />
Dawnelle Clyne and Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRDznNlmxbqUxZZAS2Op3gIk56QkLZqCaDGk4tcdoXPTBfNWEJLKm1AxILKmRhHoMhej8k1lnrWj0UIZFtf_QQWxd8phFNuh4DILXZ7gM1Mi1kGgPBICGwaOskAA1PYmuCAC5ZVlPXNXC/s1600/Spice+Bloggers-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRDznNlmxbqUxZZAS2Op3gIk56QkLZqCaDGk4tcdoXPTBfNWEJLKm1AxILKmRhHoMhej8k1lnrWj0UIZFtf_QQWxd8phFNuh4DILXZ7gM1Mi1kGgPBICGwaOskAA1PYmuCAC5ZVlPXNXC/s1600/Spice+Bloggers-5.png" /></a></div>
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Yes I have favourite yoga teachers! Don't you? Yoga has been a part of my life since I was in my late teens. Back then I did not know it was yoga, I just knew that intentional stretching and breathing calmed me and helped me to deal with stressful situations. In fact my conscious yoga journey began in reaction to a quite stressful and intense period of my life: law school final year exams.<br />
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It was my friend Dawnelle (check out her N<a href="https://www.instagram.com/dawnelleclyneyoga/" target="_blank">Z Adventures on IG</a>) who was that first person I could vibe with about the practice. A lot of our bonding was over yoga, nature adventures, tea and hanging out at the beach. She was the person who spotted my first ever headstand and convinced me that I would not break my neck! Ahhh I miss you girl.<br />
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<a href="http://www.malaikabsl.com/" target="_blank">Malaika Brooks-Smith-Lowe</a> has one of the most gentle and compassionate approached to teaching the practice. I always feel supported in honoring where I am at that day, and, empowered to embrace my more energetic days. She has been my yoga guide throughout my pregnancy with N (we went to her MaterniTea Yoga series) and after when I was just getting back into the practice. Pregnancy changes a lot in your body, not just its appearance but also being able to access and communicate with your core muscles...but that is a whole other blog post.<br />
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4. <b>My Tribe</b><br />
#SpiceBloggers<br />
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When I was told to find my tribe of support I had no idea it was already in the making! Being a blogger on a small island can feel lonely. We watch on our screens as the world of blogging evolves from a hobby into a sustainable business that actually employs people other than the blogger. That is AMAZING! Once we formed our community, <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/03/finding-your-tribe-spice-bloggers-meetup.html" target="_blank">the Spice Bloggers</a>, and started exchanging ideas, encouraging each other, inspiring each other and just being there for one another the magic began to brew. Being part of a community with similar interests reignited my burning passion for content creation. If you want to check out some other Grenadian bloggers check out my girl Istra's blog- <a href="http://islepreneur.com/islepreneur/grenadian-bloggers-to-follow/" target="_blank">Islepreneur</a>.<br />
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5. <b>Beach</b><br />
La Saggesse Bay in St. David<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbnM7SBYDjhgAUxqs86lPiH87sbPOpar5rBaJzmOA5tz3DyrAxWOndMcMlPhMXSSBabiyWUZ-dVtACFkXA8bQebK9j5clD_FR4l8eh8gjPAmGoHRg9Am9UK6_mFw4II3lGB_iS1SMwkhC/s1600/25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbnM7SBYDjhgAUxqs86lPiH87sbPOpar5rBaJzmOA5tz3DyrAxWOndMcMlPhMXSSBabiyWUZ-dVtACFkXA8bQebK9j5clD_FR4l8eh8gjPAmGoHRg9Am9UK6_mFw4II3lGB_iS1SMwkhC/s1600/25.png" /></a></div>
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One of my favourite things to do on the weekend with Toddler N is go to the beach. When it comes to the ocean ( and most things really) this toddler has no fear! She runs towards the crashing waves as if they were a long lost friend. Glee filled eyes, a huge silly grin, squealing and making a host of other exciting noises accompany our time at the beach. She takes after her mom and grandmother in that regard. Beach equals Happy Place.<br />
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We have been loving La Saggesse Bay, a grey sand beach in St. David, with its wide and flat shore and shallow water. You can literally walk about 15 feet away from the shore line and still stand up. That means that even when the waves lick down (the term for throw down in the Caribbean) my overly zealous miniature beach bum I am not completely dyeing of fear on the inside (just partially).<br />
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I love that for the most part there are not that many people at this beach. A few groups, usually families with young children, are spread along the beach in small clusters. Although there is quite a lot of beach it feels intimate. Does that make sense? I hope it does.<br />
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6. <b>Hike</b><br />
Mt. Qua Qua, St. Andrew<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO4XAOe2WqOPchrJg8g_VNnLt0mA2_NkDE2lSCA9PkOqcV9Yo3WcgTgcvnkFu0YS0BdiRQWcKiWpHUrfRG1OQfeNPZZpWWlhPBsci3rsHRIrlt_DZqkegFuBm9ETV7bl0T6uOr6khPX1j/s1600/26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO4XAOe2WqOPchrJg8g_VNnLt0mA2_NkDE2lSCA9PkOqcV9Yo3WcgTgcvnkFu0YS0BdiRQWcKiWpHUrfRG1OQfeNPZZpWWlhPBsci3rsHRIrlt_DZqkegFuBm9ETV7bl0T6uOr6khPX1j/s1600/26.png" /></a></div>
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In my post on<a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/06/grenada-for-highly-sensitive-person.html" target="_blank"> Grenada for the Highly Sensitive Person </a>I spoke about my rediscovery of the ever popular Mt. Qua Qua Hike. Paulo Coelho's <i>The Valkeries</i> explains the feeling I have when looking out at the vast lush verdant expanse best when his character Chris says:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It seems as if...I don't know...I can't explain it....as if my soul has grown..my soul seems to have eyes that it uses to touch things [ the mountains, clouds, the sky]."</blockquote>
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7. <b>Creating and Entrepreneurship</b><br />
Whipped Cocoa Butter<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitksb4Mq5C-TtQbPsCcU6ARqQmXC_Add-FDKcRhGujj2mluho97meo2rRi4N_pmwkGMpHI2HuteAGD8oJZ-bZix5GRGfgOvwQTVUWPYhxs8hUGh2xRBgPUhj65AFtZecyiaO3M48LD5Nh_/s1600/24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitksb4Mq5C-TtQbPsCcU6ARqQmXC_Add-FDKcRhGujj2mluho97meo2rRi4N_pmwkGMpHI2HuteAGD8oJZ-bZix5GRGfgOvwQTVUWPYhxs8hUGh2xRBgPUhj65AFtZecyiaO3M48LD5Nh_/s1600/24.png" /></a></div>
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I have already shared my <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/06/homemade-whipped-cocoa-butter-and-why-i.html" target="_blank">whipped cocoa butter demonstration shenanigans</a> for the Healthy Benefits of Chocolate Beauty Workshop during the <a href="http://www.grenadachocolatefest.com/" target="_blank">Grenada Chocolate Fest</a>. Since then I have made several batches to perfect my formula. Working with things that can melt is quite tricky when you are so close to the equator. So much of my work is mental that it is truly grounding to work with my hands, my sense of smell and touch.<br />
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Entrepreneurship is not something that is second nature to me although I love the idea of it. I have to work on being a business woman. That being said, I get a high from selling second hand things online. Therefore as my first project of venturing into the world of business I have decided to sell my Whipped Cocoa Butter. Feel free to slide in my IG DMs or send me an e-mail gndadventurer@gmail.com to cop yourself the latest freshly whipped all natural, all Grenadian goodness.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">!!GIVEAWAY ALERT!!</span></b></div>
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You know those Oprah shows when she gives away her favorites at Christmas. Big fan! Well, this is the second best thing to being on the receiving end of "You get one, you get one...everybody gets on!". I recently hit 1, 500 followers on IG and I want to celebrate by giving something special away.<br />
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I don't have that Oprah mulah *yet* so only one person can win. Well, there are two separate giveaways...so really...two people can win.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjDN_Z08cPOeGGak2w3RpoGzk220UXnTaffbeYwo2xWWIdNexX0iRqJs9B9pG92dyCCv3yCXZUR6-Mkh_W96ZrObO9O8-6v526YDsbmkSx4xas5KcyHJTPvGAMWQlEqPuR_LBYZ_nQRE2/s1600/IMG_0651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjDN_Z08cPOeGGak2w3RpoGzk220UXnTaffbeYwo2xWWIdNexX0iRqJs9B9pG92dyCCv3yCXZUR6-Mkh_W96ZrObO9O8-6v526YDsbmkSx4xas5KcyHJTPvGAMWQlEqPuR_LBYZ_nQRE2/s640/IMG_0651.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">One Original Cocoa Ink Bob Marley Portrait by Asher Mains </span></td></tr>
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The rules are simply as follows:<br />
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1. Comment on this blog post sharing one of your favorite things- it can be anything.<br />
2. Follow @grenadasouladventurer on Intagram, like the giveaway image, comment "done" and tag two friends (on said image).<br />
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This giveaway closes on Thursday August 31st at midnight and the winner will be announced on Sunday September 3rd.<br />
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Even more exciting is that this giveaway in <b>international</b><br />
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Also check out my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/" target="_blank">instagram</a> for <b>the second cheeky local (Grenada) giveaway</b> of one of the favourites mentioned here.<br />
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I hope you have enjoyed this type of blog post. Let me know if you enjoy this type of content and what you would love to hear about next.<br />
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Peace and Bliss,<br />
Grenada Soul Adventurer<br />
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<br />Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-7765709518497027622017-07-20T09:19:00.000-07:002017-07-25T08:03:59.312-07:00The Challenge! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0qF9JZiWxVPJKExAg-dntubl_oCWa0dhgO1YgJAPhO5PWHH03W2mLwulmcjcGOx30wE_diLvNLH6qsVQtcoMt_BoYSxQEDlTBl8r-H3O4CvJCjbBxX_u2TisGGLalU1VdUNS6ZFxyluM/s1600/2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0qF9JZiWxVPJKExAg-dntubl_oCWa0dhgO1YgJAPhO5PWHH03W2mLwulmcjcGOx30wE_diLvNLH6qsVQtcoMt_BoYSxQEDlTBl8r-H3O4CvJCjbBxX_u2TisGGLalU1VdUNS6ZFxyluM/s1600/2017.png" /></a></div>
Last week some new friends and I met up for a sundowner at The Edge. I say new because we all started having somewhat regular contact with each other over the last 6-8 months due to similar interests. I got to the lime late, but, apparently just in time for the others to have conversations very specific to their sub group. As the sun almost kissed the ocean's horizon we all stood up to see whether we could catch the green flash. As the sun leaned in closer and closer, Adele, one of our group, invited us to release- release any expectations of what we thought we needed to be...just then...there it was...the green flash. I can't remember ever seeing it before. It was pure magic.<br />
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A lack of vegan menu options and a remark about seaweed salad helped us make the decision to take our lime to the island's first sushi restaurant- Carib Sushi. As the night progressed we we delighted in our sushi and indulged in inspiring conversation about the lessons of life's twisted journeys- romance, veganism, tantrums, manifesting business class tickets and meditation. The kind of talk that fills you up.<br />
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The end of our lime was signaled by Carib Sushi taking of the lights as it was time for them to close. This is not the first time interesting conversations have kept my butt glued to the seats of this particular restaurant lonnnnng past their opening hours. Before we said our goodbyes we decided that an outing of this particular group had to happen again soon- we all had ideas of what we wanted to do. Like the democratic bunch we are- we decided to write down our chosen group activity and draw them from a takeaway bag to determine the order.<br />
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Here is the result!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz_iFe5Zg9tjTkoaqYXLv1usmTAGt5OvkYBqRvRehV0OfPhx4OVnpYsoKhfoBY-Vq3N_t_v0yB0EMGCPm738KzV6P3OJfUst78wERC56OVOhWjyUReAtAl8c1UMCYuzyhT2y3-LKpUgCf/s1600/IMG_3159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz_iFe5Zg9tjTkoaqYXLv1usmTAGt5OvkYBqRvRehV0OfPhx4OVnpYsoKhfoBY-Vq3N_t_v0yB0EMGCPm738KzV6P3OJfUst78wERC56OVOhWjyUReAtAl8c1UMCYuzyhT2y3-LKpUgCf/s640/IMG_3159.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Incase you cannot read our beautiful penmanship on the original manifesto here is the millennial friendly translation:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L9CIYFyWUWxXSACKmx4HsotaXiMMb8ufU4Zd3KsldTGIjzKYDGMuw8U8H-nIJ5nhr9NsjnyktgrxSDFaVXbzmrNFy7jyHLDkhelUgCsCtm5ZdDJRKtcZZr2aH332u4aaEn47AKseHsse/s1600/Spice+Bloggers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L9CIYFyWUWxXSACKmx4HsotaXiMMb8ufU4Zd3KsldTGIjzKYDGMuw8U8H-nIJ5nhr9NsjnyktgrxSDFaVXbzmrNFy7jyHLDkhelUgCsCtm5ZdDJRKtcZZr2aH332u4aaEn47AKseHsse/s1600/Spice+Bloggers.png" /></a>Thus the challenge was born. I call it a challenge because it has become so hard for me to commit to doing things with friends lately- things I know are good for me. So here we have it. I have created this blog post and I am letting it out into the universe. You can hold us accountable and I will update you as we progress.</div>
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First Stop- a 5:30 pm Beach Run- uhhh can I even run? We shall find out.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8g2dGeAyME4QU2XqfNvkD2DYUZTd26fUDBnaoFg6jZu91RTf0VCDPebaPvW36fcma1YzNwqw5GQhs-dhztWFlO4-aWzMVl6S-cxg1lNhw82nOqwkvG9qQ7p34mVguQtX4xpPc4F-TE1f/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8g2dGeAyME4QU2XqfNvkD2DYUZTd26fUDBnaoFg6jZu91RTf0VCDPebaPvW36fcma1YzNwqw5GQhs-dhztWFlO4-aWzMVl6S-cxg1lNhw82nOqwkvG9qQ7p34mVguQtX4xpPc4F-TE1f/s640/IMG_3216.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Challenge Gang </td></tr>
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We made it! Albeit slightly late. With Toddler N in tow we took our group shot and began the journey down 3 mile long Grand Anse Beach just before sunset. Everyone went at their own pace- some ran, some walked, it was cool as long as we were all doing it.<br />
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At first I kept Toddler N in the ergobaby carrier but eventually she wanted out! That little kiddo surprised me! She walked a good bit of the way ( she refused to let anyone pick her up) and only attempted one run away into the ocean fully clothed (I held her giggly giddy self back just at the waters edge). At the end of the walk The Unicorn (formerly known as Adele) , Toddler N and I splashed around in the ocean as a reward.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Up Next- A New Moon Circle </span></h3>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-76300555500491679982017-06-21T20:57:00.002-07:002017-11-02T20:55:28.813-07:00Homemade Whipped Cocoa Butter and why I love it <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENfNuLJUgQAUgRMu4kPnLaDNjowa4GQ399JPS8hp00ls3S9hCsafHbYCpdQfOOk-M8xx8S-3VvVSsqaRUIUOIdBs7n4QT_j50aRLLozENIlrS602c1R0Z3alYbDZNTJq8rIVFCLH4Dw-N/s1600/Screenshot+2017-06-21+23.16.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1228" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENfNuLJUgQAUgRMu4kPnLaDNjowa4GQ399JPS8hp00ls3S9hCsafHbYCpdQfOOk-M8xx8S-3VvVSsqaRUIUOIdBs7n4QT_j50aRLLozENIlrS602c1R0Z3alYbDZNTJq8rIVFCLH4Dw-N/s640/Screenshot+2017-06-21+23.16.46.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u><b>The Story </b></u></div>
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Making natural, simple and effective skincare and haircare in my kitchen predates my Grenada Soul Adventurer days. Who remembers the start of natural hair revolution circa 2008-2010 among women and men of African descent? Apart from putting me well on the path of self acceptance and love (gotta love that unruly free mane of kinks and curls) it also introduced me to home made natural ingredient products. I made everything from from hair treatments with aloe vera grown in my front yard to flax seed hair gel and whipped butters for my skin and hair.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeZOH4eCYuU1jBpjXQ89MYLldtcCT_RDmhspjAlRjWjyQTTyiDHRkxp5oJfEBPz4asOPWj7l1row61NVK6nr75owVVgq2FOcbtmKa12jfRE_mpIbtGMZFcKEPTUGoljB5Nojtk6G7-GsV/s1600/Screenshot+2017-06-21+23.25.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1049" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeZOH4eCYuU1jBpjXQ89MYLldtcCT_RDmhspjAlRjWjyQTTyiDHRkxp5oJfEBPz4asOPWj7l1row61NVK6nr75owVVgq2FOcbtmKa12jfRE_mpIbtGMZFcKEPTUGoljB5Nojtk6G7-GsV/s640/Screenshot+2017-06-21+23.25.46.png" width="640" /></a>Years went by and I had less time to spare. As you do- adulating is real! I found my holy grail hair product on a shelf and creamed my skin with pure shea butter, cocoa butter or coconut oil- less fuss and no worries. </div>
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Last Christmas I decided to curate little "Me Time" gift sets for some of my friends. I was inspired to make a whipped cocoa butter and a mocha sugar scrub. I packaged them in mason jars and labeled them with cute Christmas themed tags which included the quirky names I had come up with for the products and an ingredient list. I was quite proud of my delicious smelling creations. </div>
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On Christmas Eve I delivered my little packages...everyone loved the treatments- including <a href="http://www.grenadachocolatefest.com/" target="_blank">Grenada Chocolate Fest</a> founder Magdalena Fielden who tried some that I gifted her daughter. </div>
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Fast forward to this year's Grenada Chocolate Fest... I had the opportunity to demonstrate how to make my whipped cocoa butter at the Healthy Benefits of Chocolate Beauty Workshop.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSkk3_7XArhR5jhn016kqb-oS_5GMYDiZQE5a6nRxq6HFXluqOx519teE0oqYZiBiQC5KMRYmLlCXwdVypqRMhNEuF-ec6jUM7auyls9PsU_pdCSucP1jVB9hNd-CNieHBBeHDbozGJqq/s1600/34609426370_e3ab487bc5_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSkk3_7XArhR5jhn016kqb-oS_5GMYDiZQE5a6nRxq6HFXluqOx519teE0oqYZiBiQC5KMRYmLlCXwdVypqRMhNEuF-ec6jUM7auyls9PsU_pdCSucP1jVB9hNd-CNieHBBeHDbozGJqq/s640/34609426370_e3ab487bc5_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesy Smiles for the Photog<br />
Photo cred: Grenada Chocolate Fest </td></tr>
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The day of the workshop arrived and I was excited yet nervous. Luckily I was in good company: Chocolate expert and educator from Montreal Karine "Miss Choco" Guillemette clued us in about all the healthy benefits of cocoa, entrepreneur Zoe LeighSmith from <a href="http://maida.co/" target="_blank">Maida</a> guided a hands on cacao body scrub workshop and Kisha from Blue Haven Spa taught us how to make a chocolate face mask.<br />
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We had three people to each table and everyone got involved- mixing, smelling, touching, oohing, aahing and tasting! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOzA6IbN2EaS3Vd7I5_nRxjnG_3SkfzkWNSHwiiOhc1g12SdBof_Rl7C2RvVtLr8nsPZf2UBXXRFOwSzacjtPZyUkqCPVIR_8zMfBBpk76b5CG8v2AEHMJUBTA_ej8VxYcC-PGvYp9s26/s1600/34833581532_86ca76d13c_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOzA6IbN2EaS3Vd7I5_nRxjnG_3SkfzkWNSHwiiOhc1g12SdBof_Rl7C2RvVtLr8nsPZf2UBXXRFOwSzacjtPZyUkqCPVIR_8zMfBBpk76b5CG8v2AEHMJUBTA_ej8VxYcC-PGvYp9s26/s640/34833581532_86ca76d13c_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoe from Maida<br />
Photo cred: Grenada Chocolate Fest </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbSEoy3B82kwf1yqFakJfie6J6-qLTN9WjE-PiBAI4zr29K0YNwlruGAT5Y77WbQsMW03Kx-m6ccYLerWDHDs2Almvmbsiy94F0C0P0e1ypvP9PzClHczj2sG7avJPYzv8pMbtWMLIGxz/s1600/34865072621_ab9c007573_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbSEoy3B82kwf1yqFakJfie6J6-qLTN9WjE-PiBAI4zr29K0YNwlruGAT5Y77WbQsMW03Kx-m6ccYLerWDHDs2Almvmbsiy94F0C0P0e1ypvP9PzClHczj2sG7avJPYzv8pMbtWMLIGxz/s640/34865072621_ab9c007573_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants getting hands on whipping up their chocolate potions<br />
Photo cred: Grenada Chocolate Fest </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC40_cUzp2SQrx_npcBcpotNeRWbSOhPAofEZUMVB_q-cy0HPSKE_W3UO3SdAqOq9YCnZZL7l8bV72DDxBjJ4QFgVgLQJZNq1zB9BqYazTVWTjzFoTmKYItbi2bIV1b5MtkWSmoitp2lHh/s1600/34186386663_dc959b8fe3_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC40_cUzp2SQrx_npcBcpotNeRWbSOhPAofEZUMVB_q-cy0HPSKE_W3UO3SdAqOq9YCnZZL7l8bV72DDxBjJ4QFgVgLQJZNq1zB9BqYazTVWTjzFoTmKYItbi2bIV1b5MtkWSmoitp2lHh/s640/34186386663_dc959b8fe3_k.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisha from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bluehavenspagrenada/" target="_blank">Blue Haven Spa</a><br />
Photo cred: Grenada Chocolate Fest </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uPe6Iw5ywBO1-TFlqpk82AhkVniTEMCeys8oiOl3ZouyKaeeCKQ-HaEyM1zfpqTlRXeIVNeddB-tUpYY3TEwqPoOhbY3TwTIrVkmOqh_zMjNuftyjlWYpjzsgFko1EBdbtEYW653KDGA/s1600/34154062984_87da9425ce_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uPe6Iw5ywBO1-TFlqpk82AhkVniTEMCeys8oiOl3ZouyKaeeCKQ-HaEyM1zfpqTlRXeIVNeddB-tUpYY3TEwqPoOhbY3TwTIrVkmOqh_zMjNuftyjlWYpjzsgFko1EBdbtEYW653KDGA/s640/34154062984_87da9425ce_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://theadventuresofellecoco.com/" target="_blank">Elle Coco</a> having a cheeky taste of the Chocolate Face Mask<br />
Photo cred: Grenada Chocolate Fest </td></tr>
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The energy and enthusiasm from all of our participants gave the afternoon a light atmosphere and everyone left in a cheerful mood- with new friends and paper goodie bags containing their handmade beauty potions. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3F8CYbfcnoHz-k5JAD2TZRAxB5fLvkUcer3xW1m_dpTCXvDySl7L9g7b2bGv-HUlyMF0MCjaCLXAE5igjszTqCVetuGyBm76x3S1d_RSmm9Ae_GI77lOvwSrktQey_jrmV_YQ9cL5WKp/s1600/34154060014_8df6a0aca2_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3F8CYbfcnoHz-k5JAD2TZRAxB5fLvkUcer3xW1m_dpTCXvDySl7L9g7b2bGv-HUlyMF0MCjaCLXAE5igjszTqCVetuGyBm76x3S1d_RSmm9Ae_GI77lOvwSrktQey_jrmV_YQ9cL5WKp/s640/34154060014_8df6a0aca2_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> With my fellow #SpiceBloggers <a href="https://amarnanixo.com/" target="_blank">Divya</a> and <a href="http://tailoredbyterrieann.com/" target="_blank">Terrieann</a> and my trusty whipper (I swear my mother has owned this from before my birth)<br />
Photo cred: Grenada Chocolate Fest </td></tr>
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<b><u>Here are 4 Ways I love using Whipped Cocoa Butter</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOgseCcwVWreiGzpuBPS2CvK9fobEP3_RS2z834tVgZ8Iy3wWGxv1r3ChW0GYhTHzaHn8ZC1qkbzg5Orn0LULXo63ycgw986jS-5-QgfrvmnApN3FwJOfZyzAcr_wSUbcD6QrKOIU3a66/s1600/IMG_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOgseCcwVWreiGzpuBPS2CvK9fobEP3_RS2z834tVgZ8Iy3wWGxv1r3ChW0GYhTHzaHn8ZC1qkbzg5Orn0LULXo63ycgw986jS-5-QgfrvmnApN3FwJOfZyzAcr_wSUbcD6QrKOIU3a66/s640/IMG_0297.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Daily Body Moisturizer </b></div>
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This luxurious whipped butter melts right into your skin. It does its job and you won't look greasy or feel hot. Living on a tropical humid island you tend to want to keep it light. Who else has experienced feeling trapped in your own skin and sweaty after using store bought creams with long ingredient lists? Chances are there are some pour blocking ingredients. I had not used them in so long I almost forgot that feeling.</div>
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<b>To lighten scars and stretch marks </b></div>
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In case you did not know, I am a mama- infer into that what you like from the heading. My daughter started walking just shy of a year and falls down ever so often and get little scrapes. Every night after her shower- or shah-wah as she calls it we sit down in bed and cream---keem. Before making the whipped butter I used the solid block of cocoa butter. Without fail she would take a bite. I don't blame her- it smells soooooo good...but I digress. I have noticed that when I use the butter straight away, paying special attention to her scrapes, the skin hardly discolors and with consistent use marks fade away. It is amazing! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViQjNd0_4IfhBbz12O-inWxQunLI4uwVFLOzHDp-py-F420ZDUv3s1acOSoWtmOLbJr8eYu75_dhyphenhyphenyM-tZ76AYPJ195kZ78YZF05_lP0l_zsIq7MjKpmFT0otqsaG2NqbSgSj24UsQxgs/s1600/IMG_0279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViQjNd0_4IfhBbz12O-inWxQunLI4uwVFLOzHDp-py-F420ZDUv3s1acOSoWtmOLbJr8eYu75_dhyphenhyphenyM-tZ76AYPJ195kZ78YZF05_lP0l_zsIq7MjKpmFT0otqsaG2NqbSgSj24UsQxgs/s640/IMG_0279.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<b>Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser</b></div>
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Once you scoop the butter out it does not take long for it to melt into a rich oily consistency. Both cocoa butter and coconut oil melt at body temperature. It makes an excellent oil cleaner and leaves your skin feeling buttery soft. Water proof mascara...no worries...it gently escorts it off your eye lashes leaving your lashes firmly attached to your eye lid. We all know there are often casualties in the war between our makeup remover and our waterproof mascara.</div>
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<b>Facial Moisturiser </b></div>
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For the longest while I neglected moisturizing my face because I was afraid it would make my t -zone more oily than it already was. It is not a sexy glow. I have also had tiny bumps in that area since my early teens. Fellow spice blogger <a href="https://amarnanixo.com/" target="_blank">Divya</a> had recommended I use an exfoliant and start moisturising. Again, what I love about the whipped cocoa butter is that my skin can breath and the butter absorbs without leaving me shining like honey glazed cake. I find I have best results when I apply it to an almost dry face (not dripping wet and not completely dry).<br />
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<b>***Bonus*** </b><br />
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This just in, Divya from the blog <a href="http://amarananixo.com/">amarananixo.com</a> says it is great for men's beards too! Great from growing, moisturizing and taming. As a long time supporter of beards I am proud to hear men are putting this to great use.<br />
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What products are you loving lately? Are you a fan of plant based self care rituals? I would love to hear from you in the comments below. </div>
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You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrenadaSoulAdventurer/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for more day to day updates- I am loving instragram stories lately.</div>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-48056305228912016322017-06-09T13:13:00.000-07:002017-06-11T19:18:43.856-07:00Grenada for the Highly Sensitive Person "...But highly sensitive people are far from being weak. On the contrary, they are strong, perceptive, intuitive, and exceptionally artistic individuals who have a wonderful gift of insight to offer."<br />
- Madisyn Taylor , Daily OM<br />
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Earlier this year I watched a video on youtube by a creator Shir Levi called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYc0yo9XkDw&t=3s" target="_blank">Life as a Highly Sensitive Person</a>. A lot of the things she spoke about resonated with me and I started to wonder whether I could be considered a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). In the video she mentioned an online quiz . I took it and affirmed my suspicion- I am a highly sensitive person.<br />
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Reflecting on all the characteristic traits of HSPs (included at the end of the post) I can make more sense of the way I experience the world and navigate in a way which I can I thrive instead of feeling drained and disconnected. I am also a Gemini- which means I spend a lot of time overthinking things and living in my head. This can cause confusion and make it hard to tap into calm wisdom if I am overstimulated or overwhelmed.<br />
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If you identify as a HSP or consider yourself an introvert (not exactly the same- though there are some overlaps) then here is the Grenada Soul Adventurer Guide to you refueling and tending lovingly to your soul so you can feel great.<br />
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<b>Hike Mout Qua Qua</b><br />
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I would rate this a 4 out of 10 on the challenging scale of hikes. There is a clear path but quite a bit of uphill. Not recommended for young toddlers. I love being in nature, incase you did not know this. It is a place where I feel completely at ease. I have space contemplate things with a clear head. The further away I get from the daily distractions that can leave me drained and the further I get to a place where only the present moment matters- I am at ease.<br />
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For me being in nature simplifies this complicated life. I am free to appreciate the lush verdant mountains without thinking about my giant to do list or what I am even doing with my life. It will take you about an hour to get to the lookout if you take the leisurely approach to climbing mountains (lots of photo stops, lots of sighing in gratitude). This is a fun hike and all you need is some good company that is interested in more than small talk. I have found that I do better one on one or in a small intimate group than with a whole bunch of people- where I can feel overwhelmed and withdrawn.<br />
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<b>Go to a Yoga Class or Develop Your Personal Practice </b></div>
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(Photo by Arthur Daniel from Grenada Chocolate Fest)</div>
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If you are a yogi or are curious about the practice Grenada is a great place to start. There are a few studios on the island and you can find their schedules and information in a Facebook group called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/pureyogagrenada/" target="_blank">Pure Yoga Grenada</a>. My favourite classes are with <a href="http://www.malaikabsl.com/" target="_blank">Malaika</a> from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/spiceharmony/" target="_blank">Spice Harmony Yoga</a> and Dawnelle from <a href="http://www.yoga.gd/" target="_blank">Fountain of Youth Yoga</a> (unfortunately Dawnelle is currently off island). These two teachers have a balanced approach to guiding a class- it is both physical and spiritual- which is a big deal for me personally. I always leave their classes feeling rejuvenated and centered. My Gemini mind is usually going a mile a minute and I need to take very intentional steps to quite it. I also enjoy practicing on my own at home or a beautiful tree top ocean view space called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sankalpayogagrenada/" target="_blank">Sankalpa Yoga Studio</a> (pictured above) at <a href="http://www.truebluebay.com/" target="_blank">True Blue Bay Boutique Resort</a>. Last summer they offered free studio space- hopefully they will again this year. (Check out the time lapses of my personal practice on my IG)<br />
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<b>Visit Tropical Gardens </b></div>
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Grenada has several beautiful gardens blossoming with a myriad of tropical plants. They are a serene and glowing world of flowers and crops. Plants have such a magical and calming effect. Marveling at their beauty will give you energy. I also enjoy going to plant nurseries, mainly for food seedlings for my own garden. Although I am not the best (consistent) gardener out there I do enjoy tending to my crop for a few months. Who remembers my kale and sorrel harvest on the IG stories last Christmas and Kwanaza. It was very comforting to know where my food came from, and, that atleast I was not using harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides (whoops I wondered off a bit there). <br />
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<b>Have a Sole Adventure Off the Beaten Track </b><br />
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I give this advice to my fellow Grenadians and travelers alike. Move out of the routine and into a place where you feel like you can just reset away from superficial distractions, crowds and demands- and go alone! Last October I took a 24 hour sanity break at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crayfishbaygrenada/" target="_blank">Crayfish Bay Organic Cocoa Estate </a>which runs two air BNB cottages. The cottages are tucked into the mountain sides of Non-Pariel in St. Mark and have a beautiful ocean view. Estate owners Kim and Lylette will leave you up to your own devices and you can explore their grounds safely, marvel at beautiful cocoa pods and just chill out. This a great place unplug for social media to do reading, creating, uninterrupted thinking and contemplating the state of things. Life can be quite overwhelming, especially for the HSP. Taking time to yourself in a calming, safe and peaceful environment can help put things into perspective.<br />
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<b>6 am at the Beach</b><br />
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I know the idea of strolling along a secluded beach sounds heavenly. However, you can have the same feeling on one of the more popular beaches in the early morning hours. I feel like most people who go to the beach in the early morning are cultivating a healthy self care practice. While I was preggers with N I would go to the beach in the early morning hours and just sit in solitude, sometimes I would journal and sometimes I would just enjoy the negative ions charging up my feel good vibes. You will see a few people having their morning soak or walk and for the most part you know they are there just to do something good for their soul and it feels great to be in the company of others from a distance.<br />
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Do you identify as a highly sensitive person? (take the <a href="http://bit.ly/1EAV2An" target="_blank">quiz</a> if you are unsure)<br />
How have you taken care of yourself and what are some of your favorite places in Grenada to explore?<br />
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What are some of the <a href="http://www.sensitiveperson.com/attribts.htm" target="_blank">attributes of Highly Sensitive People</a>? </div>
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sensitiveperson.com describes HSPs (and I paraphrase) as follows: </div>
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Emotionally- mainly seen as shy, introverted and socially inhibited (or can be socially extroverted). They are often acutely aware of other's emotions.<br />
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Physically- Low tolerance to noise, glaring lights, strong orders, clutter and/or chaos. They tend to have more body awareness of themselves and know instinctually when the environment they are in is not working for them.<br />
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Socially-Introverted HSP may feel like misfits. They actually enjoy their own company and are totally comfortable being alone. Bother introverted and socially extroverted HSP often find they need alone time to recover after social interactions.<br />
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Psychologically- HSPs compensate for their sensitivity by either protecting themselves by being alone too much, or, by trying to be "normal" or sociable which then over-stimulates them into stress.<br />
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Relationships- can be difficult. In relationships they may be confronted with their unresolved personal issues. They can however, offer their partner the gifts of their intuitive insights.<br />
Childhood Wounds have a more devastating effect on HSPs. It is important for them to heal their past hurts because they cannot just forget them and go on in denial.<br />
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Spiritually- sensitive people have a greater capacity for inner searching. This is one of their greatest blessings<br />
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Nutritionally- HSPs may need more more simplicity in their diet. They may be vitally aware of the effects of food on the health of their body and their emotional stability.<br />
<br />Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-41281593943074506892017-05-21T18:31:00.000-07:002017-05-23T08:54:58.327-07:00How to Live your Dream Life in 5 Steps:Vision Board Workshop <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOmyu6fp18h5QviWXiazjvsHs_d7KhneY1xKCV3bqAzaZCI9S1av2tfdW1DvY41hqIE-WFjtB43FhEfG3oIeYISatkre2eZNem0pp50Z8k4lUAL8mMBMsKCSSMDuCx8qDMfH5W3SVo7ec/s1600/18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOmyu6fp18h5QviWXiazjvsHs_d7KhneY1xKCV3bqAzaZCI9S1av2tfdW1DvY41hqIE-WFjtB43FhEfG3oIeYISatkre2eZNem0pp50Z8k4lUAL8mMBMsKCSSMDuCx8qDMfH5W3SVo7ec/s1600/18.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photographer: Arthur Daniel) </span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting"</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">-Paulo </span><span style="color: #222222;">Coelho, The Alchemist </span></span></blockquote>
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The fact that I am even writing this blog post is the result of believing in the power of manifestation , and, the audacity that I deserve to live a fulfilled and happy life in an authentic way...breaking the rules and finding my own path. </div>
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About a month ago local artist and illustrator <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StaceyByerArt/?pnref=lhc" target="_blank">Stacey Byer</a> invited me to an introductory vision board making workshop at the Connection* on Lagoon Road. I was excited to attend the workshop since she sent me the invitation (about 3 weeks out)! I remember sending her the glitter throwing GIF on Facebook messenger and saying I felt like I won a prize. I do love me some intentional crafting! I have been making vision boards since I was pregnant with Baby N (now Toddler N). It is a wonderful way to articulate your hopes and dreams in a very tangible and visual way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjWhxzIKKrlZTuSksXs4u-soXBb94J_VrEDznYMf7sS015TgAhR1Rr6wG0LDWTYkiBGEjWBVowgRExiq6oXQty2svmCbY_f_bkYMyMB9y4-IFUd4g3rzP064486nMcbukWtmzC6-uB267/s1600/14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjWhxzIKKrlZTuSksXs4u-soXBb94J_VrEDznYMf7sS015TgAhR1Rr6wG0LDWTYkiBGEjWBVowgRExiq6oXQty2svmCbY_f_bkYMyMB9y4-IFUd4g3rzP064486nMcbukWtmzC6-uB267/s1600/14.png" /></a></div>
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Upon arriving at the workshop I was greeted by familiar faces- old school friends, Stacey and the mastermind behind The Connection, a shared workspace. Stacey started the workshop by explaining the philosophy behind making vision boards. I loved the perspective of the sceptic as she she explained what vision boards are and how they work. Almost like...I didn't think this ish could work...but it does and now I am sharing the good news!</div>
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Vision Boards are a visual representation of your hopes, dream and desires. They comprise images, words and diagrams cut from magazines that visually express all that you want for yourself in a very tangible (or sometimes not so tangible) way. Here is how it works:</div>
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Step 1 </div>
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Write a list of your hopes and dreams...how your life would look if you could have whatever you wanted and needed to feel great. A simple guide...what does a happy healthy and whole life look like to you? I like listing by theme or catergory for example: family, home, career, spirituality/ wellness and travel. </div>
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Step 2 </div>
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Sort through copious amounts of magazines and pick the images, phrases or words that correspond with the list you made in step 1. </div>
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Step 3<br />
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Stick your cuttings onto the board (mine was yellow I have been feeling very attracted to this colour recently) in a way <b>that feels best to you</b>. Personally, I like to fill the centre of my board with what is most important to mine and my families sense of wellbeing. I take this from the </div>
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Feng Shui philosophy- where the centre of your space must be tended to most lovingly. It is from this place that you feel healthy and fulfilled enough to enjoy all other aspects of your life. Then, I stick the rest of my cuttings in a way that can tell a story with images and words that compliment each other and make sense near each other. </div>
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Step 4 </div>
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Look at your board and see whether you need anything else to complete your good vibes life vision. For me...I needed some glitter and stickers to just make that bad boy shine and sparkle like the piece of magic it is. </div>
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Step 5 </div>
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Hang or place your vision board in a space where you can look at it often. Some people feel like even if it is rolled up in a closet it will still work (and have supported this with evidence). However, I enjoy looking at it often to remind myself of my priorities, hopes and dreams. The magic is in the reminder, the reminder that now what is left is to remain positive, centered, trusting and to take action to achieve what you desire. </div>
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I thoroughly enjoyed doing this is the company of a positive and fun group of people. We drank wine, ate cheese and pineapple screwers and helped each other find the images that best suited our vision. Some people wanted pictures of happy families, others a statement door, gardens and dream travel destinations. We worked together to make rock star vision boards and left happy and excited....much like how I arrived. </div>
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I think vision board making would can be a great group activity. I could imagine it working well if several people contributed to one vision board -for example a partners in a start up, a couple, family or team members. Discussing their interpretation of success and/or happiness, reconciling inconsistencies and searching for the ideal visual representations. It is something that can be done periodically. I made one in January on a cork board with the idea that I wanted to be able to add or takeaway as I evolved mentally and spiritually. </div>
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How has vision board making affected my life? I have taken action to move my life from where it was to where it is today...a positive direction if I do say so myself. My dreams were (and still are) at the forefront of my mind because I constantly looked at them. One example is a phrase from my first ever vision board being "Artist in Residence". At the time I was a full time practicing attorney just over a year out of law school. That has very little to do with art and I could not have began to figure out how I would get from there to being an "Artist in residence". I was blogging and taking photographs on the side for Grenada Soul Adventurer but the bulk of my energy was invested in a legal practice. </div>
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Today I am an artist in residence...sort of...I work full time as part of a creative team, honing my craft in graphic design, writing and social media marketing. I have seen my creative and artistic work make strides much like an artist in residence would through concentrated work. This in turn has improved my content on my personal blog and has affirmed that a creative career is viable and fulfilling. For example, I spent the last 9 days attending, organising, documenting and promoting the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrenadaChocolatFest/" target="_blank">Grenada Chocolate Fest</a> with fellow team members and fellow the Spice Bloggers That is right...a CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photographer Arthur Daniel)</span> </div>
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This was work</div>
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Through my work I have attracted more opportunities and the right people who share my passions, curiosities and aspirations. The tribe that just gets me! We have inspired each other and have worked as a group for the empowerment of each of us. </div>
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How does your happy, healthy and whole life look? Have you ever made a vision board before? How has it worked out for you? I would love to hear from you in the comments below and on social media. </div>
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For more Grenada Soul Adventurer goodness subscribe to receive notifications of all my new content or follow me over on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrenadaSoulAdventurer/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. I am loving IG stories lately. </div>
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*The Connection is a shared workspace comprising: a work room with desks and all the things you need at an office that can be shared by several people at once and a private meeting room. I have seen other bloggers, vloggers and independent creatives in the US and UK speak and show these kind of collective work spaces and hoped something like this would soon be available to us- especially since more and more people are putting their time into their passions and business ideas and often need a space where they can have the office experience without renting a space on their own.</div>
Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-45329904485030368652017-04-23T19:50:00.000-07:002017-04-27T08:21:23.324-07:00Sea Lungs: An Installation by Asher Mains <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photographer<a href="http://www.kenroygeorge.com/" target="_blank"> Kenroy George</a>) </span></div>
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I love art. I love what art does. I love that art takes you from an unsuspecting cursory glance to a space of full engagement with some thought about our existence here on this earth. If you entertain these thoughts long enough art has the power to send you on an exploration of one of life's truths, as transient and beautiful as it gets- one could call it a Soul Adventure. </div>
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Earlier this month I was invited to the preview of Grenadian artist <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2014/11/grenada-soul-adventurer-asher-mains.html" target="_blank">Asher Main's</a> installation entitled <b><i>Sea Lungs</i></b> at Susan Mains Art Gallery. As I type the pieces are likely on their way to the official Grenada National Pavilion themed "The Bridge" at the La Biennale de Venezia- 57th International Art Exhibition, one of the most esteemed international art exhibits. This is the second consecutive year that Grenada has had an official pavilion and also the second time Asher has exhibited at said pavilion- the first time with his Cocoa Farmers in 2015 (La Biennale de Venezia occurs every other year) . </div>
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This year his contemporaries at Grenada's pavilion include: <a href="https://grenadavenice.org/jason-decaires-taylor/" target="_blank">Jason de Caires Taylor</a> (creator of the world's first underwater sea sculpture park which can be found just off Grenada's west coast, <a href="https://grenadavenice.org/milton-williams/" target="_blank">Milton Williams</a>, <a href="https://grenadavenice.org/artist-statement-alexandre-murucci/" target="_blank">Alexandre Murucci</a>, <a href="https://grenadavenice.org/artist-statement-alexandre-murucci/" target="_blank">Zena Assi</a>, <a href="https://grenadavenice.org/artist-statement-rashid-al-kahlifa/" target="_blank">Rashid al Kahlifa</a>, <a href="https://grenadavenice.org/artist-statment-khaled-hafez/" target="_blank">Khaled Hafez</a> and <a href="https://grenadavenice.org/artist-statement-mahmoud-obaidi/" target="_blank">Mahmoud Obaidi</a>. </div>
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As I approached the gallery's entrance an estimated three times larger than life stencil portrait on sail cloth greeted me. A light illuminated it from behind revealing the shadow of a dangling sea fan, an object that through its appearance and movement resembled a breathing lung (as I would imagine them). </div>
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Before the preview I had the privilege of exploring with Asher what he intended to communicate with his pieces and the process that went into creating them. Each portrait has more dimensions and layers than those apparent at first blush. </div>
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The Message <span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></h3>
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For those who are oblivious to the state of our oceans and reefs in the Caribbean and worldwide- there is <strike>a bit of</strike> a crisis happening. Reefs are dying rapidly due to overfishing, pollution and people literally taking bits of the reef away as souvenirs . All many of us have ever known of the reef- the only interaction we have had has been with the evidence of its demise washed up on our shores. It is accepted as normal, it is all we expect- without realizing what the ocean is telling us. We cherish these sea gift, we use the brain coral to exfoliate feet or create jewelry with smaller more delicate pieces. We use sea fans as decoration. In my home they make excellent earring holders. </div>
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But what if these beautiful other worldly gifts are like pieces of ourselves, dying and detaching from our whole. How would we feel then? Asher endeavours to personify the reef's emotional reaction it's own demise. The faces of the subjects appear somber, contemplative, accepting, anguished and sometimes frustrated. The faces were were of people I knew: my colleague, his cousin, my friend, my friend's little sister. I allowed their faces to render me vulnerable, completely relaxing into the current of empathy for their grief- grieving with the ocean-grieving with the reef. I was pushed and pulled the way the sea has often pushed and pulled me when I sit where the waves meet the shore. Grief can be all consuming- it textures our existence--we are completely immersed. </div>
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This installation, which you enter and are then surrounded by, has the ability to put it's audience in a simulated state of grieving. It allows it's audience to reconsider the privilege of it's ignorance to this ongoing tragedy. It is genius (in my humble opinion). Have you ever felt that gravitational sensation of emotional pain just considering a close family member of friend dying. </div>
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Poet Khalil Gibran tells us "Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding". Through the vulnerable state this installation has the power to evoke- one can start to understand the severity of the state of our reefs- and that it does matter to each of our lives-no matter how little we think it does.</div>
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The Process </h3>
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I thoroughly enjoyed observing how Asher created one of these pieces. I typically envision an artist painting portraits standing at their canvas glancing forward at a person or picture creating stroke after stroke until the portrait is complete. I fully acknowledge that this is a very reductionist and stereotypical view. Materials (in my imagination) usually used include oil paint or any other traditional media of choice, stretched canvas, paint brushes and a pallet.</div>
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The reality of how these pieces were created is less like the scene from Titanic. It could be perceived as quite technical if each process is observed in isolation. However, if strung together in a time lapse, I imagine, it is all quite magical.</div>
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Asher asked friends to do a photoshoot at the beach. The creative emotional direction: imagine the stages of grief- denial, anger, bargaining, depressing and acceptance. He then reduced these digital images into threshold (into the shadows and light), projected them into bristol board stuck onto the wall of his studio and carved out each shade variation with an exacto knife (I hope I articulated this clear enough) to create stencils. </div>
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Each stencil was then held to a large sail cloth and spray paint was sprayed against sea fans creating a somewhat scaly texture. Even the way he referred some element of a subjects hair as "island of hair" was very indigenous and ocean like. Once each layer was completed it was attached by its top edge to a piece of wood so as to eventually install it. At the chest of each subject Asher dangled a lung like sea fan and used light from behind the sail cloth to create the shadow and illusion of <b><i>Sea Lungs</i></b>. </div>
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He was deliberate, for this installation in particular, to use things that are easily and affordably sourced locally- sail cloth from marine stores or old used sails, sea fans washed up on our beaches, spray paint from the hardware, bristol board from Brydens ( everyone in Grenada knows Brydens is synonymous with stationary). Asher does this so as to debunk the idea that creating art is only for the few who can afford the expensive supplies- if one had a concept in mind, he believes, this particular style of creating is accessible. </div>
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If you would like to see more of Asher follow his amazing instagram account: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashermains/" target="_blank">@ashermains</a> </div>
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Visit his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ashermainspaints/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page or his <a href="https://ashermains.com/" target="_blank">website</a> or watch out for him in Venice! </div>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-32974848608805838882017-04-07T17:40:00.000-07:002017-04-07T17:40:49.422-07:00Toddler Friendly Adventures in Grenada: Palm Tree Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Soul Adventurers,</div>
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I am back with another mama blog post: A Toddler Friendly Adventure in Grenada. As promised, content will be uploaded twice a month on the <b>7th and the 21st</b>. Last month I posted about the meaning of the phrase <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/03/guest-blogger-meaning-of-love.html" target="_blank">"I love you"</a>. This was written by a secret guest blogger. If you are interested check it out.</div>
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#BabyN is now an undeniable toddler ( she will always be my baby). I love this stage of her life. She is starting to talk and it is so stinking cute! I am in love with her personality. She is an independent minded, wild, loud, loving, sassy and innocent force of nature. She is at the stage where she needs time to run around and release her energy in a natural environment regularly (a girl after my own heart). She loves the ocean and approaches the crashing waves without even a shred of hesitation. I love it and it also makes me nervous. 😰</div>
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Last weekend I decided to take her to Palm Tree Gardens in Laura, St. David (about 25 minute drive from Grand Anse or St. George's town). It came highly recommended by a mama from my Mama Tribe (a tribe of 3 is still a tribe...shout out to Marie and Amber). We called Laurence Lambert, the owner, ahead of time to let him know we were on our way. He gives the guided tour himself so I don't recommend just showing up unannounced. We were the only ones there and had the privilege of a private tour free of charge.</div>
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The gardens are exactly what I had hoped for. At the entrance there is a grassy area perfect for running around barefoot. The parameter - blossoming with tropical fragrant flowers, ferns, shrubs and of course...you guessed it, palms. Laurence took his time explaining each plant. Luckily Omi (German for Granny) Soul Adventurer was there to be a good guest because I spent a fair amount of time making sure #ToddlerN was not ingesting anything that she discovered on the ground (the joys of motherhood) and taking pictures.</div>
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What I loved most was the way we explored the garden- down stairs, small hills, narrow passage ways -all fringed with brightly coulored tropical plants. My favorite was a spot just at the end of the tour- after walking past what used to be pig pens, now filled with plants, there was a lone bench in a small grassy area. As I sat on the bench I became absolutely present, nature has a way of doing that. There was an enchanting view of different colorful orchids, palms, magenta bourganvillia and cocoa trees with their sunset coloured pods in the distance.</div>
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If you are ever looking for a toddler friendly adventure in Grenada, or, if you are just a lover of nature I would definitely recommend this spot.</div>
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Palm Tree Gardens gets a Grenada Soul Adventurer...and Mama Bear stamp of approval! </div>
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<br />Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-56033476013746093072017-03-20T10:40:00.001-07:002017-03-20T10:48:20.434-07:00Guest Blogger: Meaning of Love <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello my Dear Soul Adventurers, </div>
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An anonymous guest blogger has allowed me to share this intimate piece in our community- our safe space. What it means to love is a pretty tricky concept. How do we know what someone means when they say " I love you"? What do you mean when you say "I love you"? Love as a noun and how we communicate it as a verb can often get lost in translation. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>What I mean by "I love you"</i></span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"> by Anonymous </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">People don’t explore and define what it means to say, “I love you” to someone enough. For most people it is a sequence of language that follows, “I like you”. For others it’s a way of getting what you want. Some people don’t think about it at all and say it all their lives. Not defining our terms is almost as bad as the tendency people have to categorize all of their relationships.</span></div>
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When I say I love you, it means that I am interested and invested in you becoming the best version of yourself. I want you to have a full life, to be happy and healthy (physically, emotionally, mentally, etc), I want to help you do what you say you want to do, and I am willing to give you parts of me, time and energy so that you can have those things. When I say I love you it means I am going to be thinking about how I can give and contribute to your life more than what I can get from you. I think one of the things that people gloss over is to take the time to understand how someone needs to be loved. There are some people that need to be loved in a certain way as far as their journey to a fuller life. Some people may have some needs met but not others and so the best way I can love them is to contribute what I can give or what they are missing if I am able to give that. There are a lot of things that I think people really don’t need when it comes to love. For the most part, people don’t need/want to be controlled. People don’t need/want to be dominated (unless you’re into that sort of thing). For me, part of love is to affirm the individuality of the other person, that they are on their own track and going through their own things and again, they don’t fit into a box or a category. There have been times where I realise that loving someone just means listening and accepting them and that’s what they need to feel loved. I can’t think of a situation where my being jealous helps contribute to someone’s life. I guess the one exception would be if I felt jealousy because I didn’t think that the other person had the person’s best interests at heart and then it’s an issue of wanting the person I love to be healthy and have healthy relationships. Cultivate love in yourself and recognise it in others. Surround yourself with people who understand what it means to love.<br />
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What do you mean by "I love you" leave your thoughts in the comment section below</div>
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<b><i>Grenada Soul Adventurer Note</i></b></div>
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<b>1. Call for contributions</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">It is your turn! If you want Grenada Soul Adventurer to feature your writings about your personal Soul Adventures send your contributions to souladventurergnd@gmail.com.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><b>2. Follow me on Instagram</b> </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Follow Grenada Soul Adventurer on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for a look into my world. I post regularly </span></div>
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<b>3. Blogging Schedule </b><br />
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Oh this is a scary one. An actual schedule! I will post Blogs twice monthly- 7th of every month and 21st of every month (I know, this one is early). See you back here on the 7th! </div>
Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-88287712740528374872017-03-07T12:55:00.000-08:002017-03-07T12:55:15.614-08:00Finding Your Tribe: Spice Bloggers Meetup <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have to be honest about something that has occupied my thoughts recently- my growth as a blogger and writer. I started the year feeling very excited and enthusiastic about Grenada Soul Adventurer and my personal growth in 2017. I made plans to have 24 blog posts (2 per month). I knew my blog posts needed to be more consistent and frequent. I psyched myself up with big ideas and the task began to feel impossible. I made it too complicated and grand...too far beyond my mortal-mama-of-a-one-year-old-and-working-a-full-time-job reach. Thus far the number of blogs upload right here have been 2 in 2017. Half of what I set out to do! All big dreams and no big action.<br />
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Just before Christmas last year I met with Intuitive Health and Happiness Coach Adele from the amazing youtube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAU232gpuaEX96eihYsuAAA" target="_blank">Adele Smith</a> to interview her for you guys. She does weekly card readings and motivational videos on her channel. After our first in person meet up...which was a two hour conversation (more on that to come soon) I felt strongly that I should have a personal card reading done by her. That card reading revealed positive career shifts and an exciting spiritual journey was in my future. I was given somewhat of a prescription. Part of the prescription, which was revealed on the angel board, was to find a support group-aka-my tribe. <br />
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As you may have known from one of my previous blog post (<a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2017/01/16-amazing-things-that-happened-in-2016.html" target="_blank">16 Amazing Things that Happened in 2016</a>) I was featured as one of the Grenadian Blogs to follow in 2017 on <a href="http://islepreneur.com/" target="_blank">Istra Bell's Blog</a> Islepreneur. After its publication there was a bit of buzz about blogging in Grenada (there are quite a few of us). Kindred spirit and fellow Grenadian blogger and youtuber Divya from amarnanixo.com was inspired to start a private Facebook group called "Spice Bloggers" in late January. She invited everyone she knew to blog and be Grenadian to join, including yours truly. <br />
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This group has given me life as a blogger! We share our posts, check in on each other, discuss things like consistency in uploading content and just about anything under the bright and warm Caribbean sun. It has become a safe and supportive sounding board to share those blog posts we percieved to be on less popular topics. These blog posts have stimulated meaningful, open and enlightening discussions. This is more than just a group to promote our work, it feels like a close knit tribe.<br />
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On Saturday 4th March we finally met up at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theEDGEbarandrestaurant/?fref=ts" target="_blank">The Edge Bar and Restaurant</a> on Grand Anse Beach just in time witness the beautiful sunset . I was excited for the meet up...to be honest I was giddy. By the time I was dressed and ready to head out of the door I almost did one of those comical skips where you jump into the air and touch your heals (you know what I am talking about).</div>
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<i>Yuh gyul</i> was scared to even be late (inevitably I was) just incase I missed out on introductions and exciting conversations. I arrived 20 minutes late and met almost everyone there. Many of us knew each other from school or through common friends (we live on a tiny island). We talked about all things from religion (in the most sincere and open of ways), spirituality, life philosophy, growing up as young women in Grenada, building websites, e-commerce, blogging as a business, skincare, healthy diet, self love...the list goes on.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"> "I have a feeling that the bright future of blogging as people from small islands is no longer a hazy distant dream"</span></i></b></blockquote>
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Now that we have consolidated and mobilized I have a feeling that the bright future of blogging as people from small islands is no longer a hazy distant dream. Already we have joined accountability support groups and starting to do the work to take our individual platforms to the next level. Meeting these wonderful souls has not been an accident, the universe aligned it in this way to give us all the affirmation that we are not in it alone and that we are celebrated by our peers.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Have you found your tribe?</span></i></b></blockquote>
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Tribes are important! You need positive people in your circle. Have you found your tribe? People who support your growth in a meaningful way?<br />
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If you are a Blogger in Grenada and have not yet been inducted into our group send me a message either here or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GrenadaSoulAdventurer/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. If you would like to reach out to us as Grenadian Bloggers to spread the word about exciting things happening here on the island we are completely open to that too. We have been doing it for years. Each blogger has a unique voice and combined the topics we cover are almost limitless.<br />
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Follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for regular updates. I am also a big fan of instagram story and sometimes share healthy recipes and my daily thoughts over there. </div>
Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-63111127002362693922017-02-08T12:26:00.000-08:002017-02-08T12:26:34.412-08:00Practice Self Love: 24 Hours at Crayfish Bay Organic Estate <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Self love and Self care have been huge buzz words recently. Valentines Day is just around the corner and so I thought this post would be relevant at this time of year. With so many things happening in our personal lives and in the world we often feel drained. It is important to take time to refill ourselves. For me it is very important to spend time alone with nature.</div>
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Sometime last year Baby N had a horrible week of teething which took a tole on both of us. I decided that when she was alright again that I would take a 24 hour mom-cation, our first 24 hours apart. As a mom, you rarely get time to yourself. You do a lot of taking care of others and often come up short. </div>
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During the internet age pockets of time where you are not necessarily doing mom and family things are swallowed up with mindless internet browsing in an attempt to unwind (not effective in my experience). This is true for a lot of people, not just parents. There is constantly something that takes your attention and not enough moments to be.</div>
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To unplug from it all I spent a night at Crayfish Bay Organic Estate all by myself. I had visited this place during the Grenada Chocolate Fest and with <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2016/06/motherhood-woman-in-transition.html" target="_blank">friends before</a>. I always knew that one day I would return to spend a night. The energy there is soul soothing. </div>
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Crayfish Bay Organic Estate mainly grows cocoa. It is owned by couple Kim and Lylette. Kim is a feisty man who loves making things and figuring out how it can be done on a budget . Lylette is a calm soul. They balance each other. Together they make Organic 75% Tree-to-Bar Chocolate. </div>
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The estate is located towards the north of the island in a village called Non Pariel, St. Mark. It Is tucked into the lush verdant mountainside and has a stunning ocean view. My two bedroom cabin had an outdoor kitchen on a huge verandah. The luxury of the cabin lies in its simplicity and the good vibes is provides. </div>
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Here is how I chose to spend my 24 Hour Self Love Momcation.</div>
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6 pm </div>
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Depart from home - first stop: IGA Supermarket to purchase some food provisions for the next 24 hours. </div>
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8 pm </div>
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Arrival at Crayfish Bay Organic Estate </div>
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When I arrived it was already dark. In my bag I packed my read at the time "The Celestine Prophesy", a change of clothes and a swimsuit (just incase), my Canon, Bullet Journal, toiletries and a little craft project I had been working on. </div>
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I did not want to do much and I did not want to talk much. I just wanted to sleep for a full night and operate on my own time (I also really wanted to paint my nails and wash my hair without feeling nervous). </div>
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The Next Morning </div>
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After a full nights rest (oh it was glorious) I awoke at dawn to this view from my bedroom window. </div>
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I took a walk through the estate meeting farmers and their friendly dogs returning home from their morning's work </div>
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The Cabin has a generously sized verandah. Whichever way you look you feel at ease- from the calm Caribbean Sea to lush green mountainsides. </div>
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When I returned to my cabin I had some delicious lemon grass tea and ate breakfast </div>
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For lunch I took my time decorating my breakfast bowl with fruits, nuts and raisins. I topped it with cinnamon and local honey. It was important for me to infuse each meal with love and care and not to feel rushed in the least.</div>
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I made my way down the west coast just in time to catch golden hour over the fishing capital of Grenada- Gouyave St. John</div>
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It had been almost one year since I spent 24 hours on my own. I am a woman who needs these moment to just exist without any demands and without the influence other people's energy. It is how I recharge. That is what self love/self care means to me. Unapologetically spending time exclusively tending to my needs and wants. How can we care for others if you don't take care of ourselves first? </div>
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What do you do to show love to yourself? How do you recalibrate? Is it a daily practice or something that does not happen enough? I would love to hear from you.</div>
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Peace and Bliss </div>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer </div>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-59830360957431014302017-01-01T23:29:00.001-08:002017-01-01T23:29:18.130-08:0016 Amazing Things that Happened in 2016 <br />
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Early on new years day I posted my feelings about 2016 on Instagram. It was a tough year for me in many ways but it was also very good to me in many more ways. Instead of dwelling on the disappointments I am celebrating all the amazing things accomplished or that happened in 2016.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooteMACwrKVtw_2-l4R_LcbWTawMS1ffLJCIjyY2Fxtkt-Uqm0JJefJkNuQlnVbhyZYXmXwuQwAlKauO9NhtG_VwQMqxddC17nguepzFqZaFJhfT5jaB74vAQUzqFYq082y0njAXaEkWx/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-02+at+1.14.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooteMACwrKVtw_2-l4R_LcbWTawMS1ffLJCIjyY2Fxtkt-Uqm0JJefJkNuQlnVbhyZYXmXwuQwAlKauO9NhtG_VwQMqxddC17nguepzFqZaFJhfT5jaB74vAQUzqFYq082y0njAXaEkWx/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-01-02+at+1.14.36+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some things may not feel like news to some of you because I have been actively posting on Instagram. So here are the stories behind some of the pictures. </div>
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1. <b>I visited Hamburg, the city of my birth and where I lived until I was 7</b>. </div>
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Baby N and I took trains and planes in early January to get to our freezing destination. It was our first mama daughter trip. That trip allowed me to reconnect with some amazing people with whom I share so much love. I had been gone for so long that I almost forgot the love that resided in Hamburg. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd5iKgjFmfoGXJj-cmyZoeum9nxpkakfOR2dmGlZif5vjcW5SpmaL9KlgY_x2S1V8ewCny9nnt0VRZytUJYDiWLcg-gTpCAAeb8nZ6z5_7IhqvOWLwXshMX7UDrL0yyxZKSDBvgc0-yWe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-02+at+1.47.11+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd5iKgjFmfoGXJj-cmyZoeum9nxpkakfOR2dmGlZif5vjcW5SpmaL9KlgY_x2S1V8ewCny9nnt0VRZytUJYDiWLcg-gTpCAAeb8nZ6z5_7IhqvOWLwXshMX7UDrL0yyxZKSDBvgc0-yWe/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-01-02+at+1.47.11+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Traveling alone with a 2 month old also showed me how willing strangers are to help and connect in public spaces. For some moments they let their guard down and they smile at a baby...and then chatted for hours on a train with her mom. Those encounters reminded me to trust the goodness of people. </div>
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2. <b>I plucked up the courage to leave my legal career behind.</b> </div>
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I have consciously worked towards being a lawyer since I was just 17 and actually practiced law for two years. I left because wanted to give my creativity a serious chance to blossom. The law gave me a lot of what I needed to get to where I am at today and I thank it and release it with gratitude. It was scary at first and I kept looking back wondering whether I had made the right decision. Wondering how long it would take before I felt competent and confident in my new field. Almost 9 months later I stand knowing that I made the right choice, proud that I took and chance and excited for creative growth in the new year. Check out some of my handy work on the <a href="https://truebluebaygrenada.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/meet-the-true-blue-personalities-chef-cardine/" target="_blank">True Blue Bay Boutique Resort Blog</a>. </div>
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3. <b>Alicia Keys dropped her album Here and it gave me LIFE!</b> </div>
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I rediscovered why I fell in love with her music and her essence back in 2001(as I do with all of her albums). In this new album she dropped any facade that may have been there and just blew my mind. Favorite song on the album remains: Girl can't be herself. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQqdXEfiL23VWhuWGZg1_UySeLyPGXyuOd_ljUPjpjRJZIs5TklpDrGyFYiXBVq36JwNVpNSHyDlfdn_wR5Fzn-DQ0ZFjhLCNFwYxcQMfEV49KVy5XzyQmrQk6c9BHus8mdGmIOrpeWHg/s1600/1475818300_eff4a5bd919bb63397645c8b6db52e45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQqdXEfiL23VWhuWGZg1_UySeLyPGXyuOd_ljUPjpjRJZIs5TklpDrGyFYiXBVq36JwNVpNSHyDlfdn_wR5Fzn-DQ0ZFjhLCNFwYxcQMfEV49KVy5XzyQmrQk6c9BHus8mdGmIOrpeWHg/s320/1475818300_eff4a5bd919bb63397645c8b6db52e45.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4.<b> I discovered my love for interviewing people</b>. </div>
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I always enjoyed hearing people's stories . I had a chance to interview fellow creative <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2016/04/grenada-soul-adventurer-christina_26.html" target="_blank">Christina Cornier</a> (that was a really long interview). I got to hear about how she found her way back to a creative lifestyle after many years of struggling against her nature. </div>
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5. <b>I began experimenting with <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-bridge-journey-and-connection_11.html" target="_blank">art writing</a></b>. </div>
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This is fairly new but I know its going to be exciting. I found a way to weave art, and what it does to its audience into my personal reflections. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RZy1tXnbFX8iHbOKJkb4Wc-L5-1qQSbX1bPugFG7RsBnIdu-IemGBZpxzCiLoZ7PcexH9pWceeiQWbG9JO7C1Guex2LgLIUxVgxUBmaqF7I4AtBrA5qYQCrHvwfjL5_3duuYvr9FHL5J/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-02+at+1.26.17+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RZy1tXnbFX8iHbOKJkb4Wc-L5-1qQSbX1bPugFG7RsBnIdu-IemGBZpxzCiLoZ7PcexH9pWceeiQWbG9JO7C1Guex2LgLIUxVgxUBmaqF7I4AtBrA5qYQCrHvwfjL5_3duuYvr9FHL5J/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-01-02+at+1.26.17+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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6. <b>I was one of the organizers of the Grenada Chocolate Fest</b>. </div>
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That was an exciting and intense time. I tasted a lot of chocolate (real chocolate...), wrote a lot of tweets, <a href="http://grenadachocolatefest.com/blog/" target="_blank">blogged</a>, instagrammed and met some pretty interesting people. My favorite part was probably the people and the organic dark chocolate. In just under 2 weeks an international chocolate enthusiast gang was formed and it was glorious. I am excited and slightly intimated (by the workload) for <a href="http://www.grenadachocolatefest.com/" target="_blank">Chocolate Fest 2017</a> (Starting May 12th). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRU_U6JRwxvVDfdsa1FveJcqG05VWliuX5lQ9-p8nvIuoR7QHzzdOxnGfSKwQoLCbvAEQ6hqAIRuDW3Xs1Cx5mnvmWWKmz0yBu3gSh_aCi98TfyeE2B_QtxKv6jRP4txssqYATtD7Achw/s1600/IMG_0936.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRU_U6JRwxvVDfdsa1FveJcqG05VWliuX5lQ9-p8nvIuoR7QHzzdOxnGfSKwQoLCbvAEQ6hqAIRuDW3Xs1Cx5mnvmWWKmz0yBu3gSh_aCi98TfyeE2B_QtxKv6jRP4txssqYATtD7Achw/s640/IMG_0936.PNG" width="448" /></a></div>
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7. <b>I met new soul sisters</b>. </div>
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I don't know if I would describe myself as a woman's woman ,but, the emotional struggles that 2016 brought with it connected me with other women who were on the journey to healing. I met soul traveler Carly from <a href="http://www.cherish-the-day.com/index.html" target="_blank">Cherish the Day Blog</a>. We have an amazing bond and I will miss her a lot this year. This woman does not believe in small talk and we had many heavy heart to heart conversations. She is a soul traveler and I am a soul adventurer....and we are both soul warriors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1gwnaAQMb3vyJ7mPd1pgxbCiCGOog1VxjcdbLZkbvZxTRfymX68SmvvYDCIEcyiOh_OcCcSfYRTkhTkzObZ-KO8m_BJRBee588ZC3sn1zFg5EM1oOADLyi5w0ltY9ZICILFXcmE6SY8/s1600/IMG_0928.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1gwnaAQMb3vyJ7mPd1pgxbCiCGOog1VxjcdbLZkbvZxTRfymX68SmvvYDCIEcyiOh_OcCcSfYRTkhTkzObZ-KO8m_BJRBee588ZC3sn1zFg5EM1oOADLyi5w0ltY9ZICILFXcmE6SY8/s640/IMG_0928.PNG" width="444" /></a></div>
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I also connected with powerhouse writer, blogger, artist, lawyer, PHD candidate and new mom Roopa. Oh my, when I read Roopa's bio before signing up for new parenthood yoga I knew I had to meet this lady. We talked...deep down real talk about becoming first time moms, balancing that with who we were before and trying to keep that transition healthy. We practiced Yoga, we cooked delicious Indian food until 10 pm (sorry for everyone who was waiting on that spread). Baby N and her son also bonded a bit, it was magical. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8YERv81t5SOszGO5lOow68bLziZAeqnFoxue5ETKFIm0nugCr6IfkYFoLZjnAfaVRPcFjoFGxgASlidTJyhINCI2NMZYgsWUsBv7V4z4s9IKeVADI_7nBbAUY9eLfk1ysZGGFgtQOOJ9/s1600/016A9977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8YERv81t5SOszGO5lOow68bLziZAeqnFoxue5ETKFIm0nugCr6IfkYFoLZjnAfaVRPcFjoFGxgASlidTJyhINCI2NMZYgsWUsBv7V4z4s9IKeVADI_7nBbAUY9eLfk1ysZGGFgtQOOJ9/s640/016A9977.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photocred: Arthur Daniel</td></tr>
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8. <b>I watched Cowspiracy and Food Matters</b>. </div>
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Thanks to those documentaries I am now super paranoid about food. Super paranoid but also super aware. It has made me feel an urgent push towards taking more responsibility for the food my family consumes. I always knew that we need more veggies and less sugar ( we all know that). But, what about pesticide and GMO free foods. Foods that are real and not slowly poisoning us. I am not even close to where I want my food game to be at but I am aware and working towards it. </div>
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9. <b>I grew my own kale and sorrel!</b> </div>
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This is connected to my new food safety awareness. I always considered myself to have a brown thumb. I once killed a cactus! This time around our makeshift compost (i.e the place where I dumped the produce waste) and lots of rain was on my side. From my kale I was able to make two salads so far and two yummy pasta dishes (if you follow my IG story and snapchat you would see how much I go on about my kale and sorrel) </div>
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10.<b> I joined the Green Team at work.</b> </div>
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Thanks to the Green Team I woke up a lot about environmental issues. We joke that our meetings are generally depressing because of the state of the environment. Global warming threatens our very existence on small islands, the food industry in large part only cares about the bottom line, our reefs are dieing and creatures are going extinct. Fortunately, being on the green team also made me more aware. I use less plastic, less disposable diapers, grew my own food, and sometimes even talk to restaurants about the dangers of styrofoam and the fact that cardboard food boxes are just as cheap.<br />
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11. <b>One full year of breast feeding!</b> </div>
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Yay! We made it to one year and are still going strong. There is all sort of politics about breast feeding in public and they are coming up again now that Baby N is officially Toddler N. However, I am determined to keep it up for a while still wherever we may be. It is the perfect food and a sacred bonding experience between mother and child! She has been on solids since about 4 months but mannn that girl still loves her boobie. </div>
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12. <b>Baby N walks! </b></div>
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Just shy of one year she started taking her first steps. It is amazing how many changes happen in just one year and walking is a huge milestone. I have been warned that now the work really starts. </div>
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13. <b>Baby N Talks!</b> </div>
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She is not stringing sentences together just yet but she can communicate in her own way. I can't wait to be able to have little conversations with her. Although I have heard from many moms that I <b><i>can</i></b> wait...and not to tell her my private business! </div>
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14. <b>I had a personal card reading done and believe in magic a little bit more</b>.</div>
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I met Adele: an amazing Grenadian woman. She is a Card Reader and Intuitive Health and Happiness Coach who lived in Australia for many years and recently moved to Dubai. Adele and I have been crossing paths on IG for a good while. Maybe even years. </div>
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In the middle of this year out of the blue a friend of mine mentioned her account. In November or December our paths crossed in real time. I felt a pull to connect with her. A few IG messages...then an exchange of numbers and finally the universe aligned for us to meet and talk over tea and coffee. I interviewed her for a blog post (which is coming to you soon). Our conversation was intense and amazing. Meeting with women like Adele, Roopa and Carly was inspiring on many levels </div>
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After watching her weekly F.A.B Card readings on youtube and connecting with her in real time I had the urge to have a personal card reading done. I was slightly worried, slightly sceptic but also very excited to find out what it would reveal. </div>
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I am now a believer. It was a very positive and very specific experience. It left me energized and excited to step further into my truth. Thanks Adele </div>
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15. <b>Grenada Soul Adventurer made it into two blogs</b>. </div>
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I was interviewed for women's history month by fellow Blogger Danielle. It felt really good to be picked as one of the interviewees for her #BlackGirlMagic series and to be on the other end of an <a href="http://laviedesoleil.com/2016/03/" target="_blank">interview</a>. </div>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer was also names one of the Grenadian blogs to follow by <a href="http://islepreneur.com/islepreneur/grenadian-bloggers-to-follow/" target="_blank">Islepreneur</a>. </div>
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16. <b>Books and Audio Books!</b> 2016 was a year of great reads. Not many books but books that have changed me. I read Veronica Decides to die by Paulho Coehlo, Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, and The Celestine Prophesy by James Redfield (in that order) . I also started Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. </div>
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💕💖💗Bonus! Because I have more than 16 things to be grateful for in 2016<br />
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😁I celebrated Kwanzaa for the first time and documented it on snapchat and instagram<br />
👻I joined snapchat and sort of kind of understand it now (follow gndadventurer)<br />
👍I am a volunteer at the<a href="https://grenadalibrary.org/" target="_blank"> Grenada Community Library</a> (PR Team)<br />
👏The Grenada Community Library found a permanent home<br />
👏The Grenada Community Library published its first book; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Grenada-Chocolate-Family-LeSedi-Story/dp/1532747748/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483341701&sr=8-1&keywords=the+grenada+chocolate+family" target="_blank">"The Grenada Chocolate Family"</a> the narrative of which was dreamed up by the children of the creative writing program.<br />
🙏My friend Carly Introduced me to Spray Bay in Westerhall and I screamed at the ocean<br />
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💃I wore turbans and felt fabulous <br />
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Writing this blog affirmed that 2016 was not as rough as I made it out to be. There were dark moments, but they only served to bring out the light.<br />
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In 2017 I have one rule : "Find what feels good and everything else will take care of itself."<br />
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I would love to hear from you in the comments<br />
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What are you grateful for 2016?<br />
What are your intentions/resolutions/ rules for 2017?<br />
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Follow me on IG @GrenadaSoulAdventurer , Facebook: Grenada Soul Adventurer and Snapchat: gndadventurer for more behind the scenes daily content.<br />
<br />Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-54592609669952322532016-12-29T16:08:00.002-08:002016-12-29T16:16:45.846-08:00Pressure from within: Life Springs forth <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the egg never cracks open from within, or, is cracked open by external force it will just decay and rot perfectly intact. And what would the point of its fucking existence then? There you have it, my first two lines...complete with profanity and existential wondering. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last week I was invited to an exclusive artsy soiree at La Luna Resort. I was told that I was especially invited to write and take pictures of Rene Froehlich's latest fiberglass sculpture exhibit: "Inside out". In local parlance " Ah did feel nice!". No promises were made that there would be a resulting blog post. I had recently learned from Stacy Byer ( Grenadian artist and illustrator) that if work commissioned does not work for her, it will not be forced, she believes in great work...and she said so unapologetically. I took note. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I got to the gate of the Resort I let the security guard know I was there for the exhibit, he replied "Oh the party...go straight down". Party? He must not have understood...it was an exhibit. Or was it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sun had just disappeared beneath the horizon as I walked down the steep path to the ocean front yoga pavilion. I saw a small bar set up in the distance (yes! The free wine I was hoping for), some sculptures in the area surrounding the yoga pavilion, and yes, there was music (it was quite party like). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was intriguing. I walked around the pavilion discovering illuminated female fiberglass figures, incomplete or maybe broken (i.e missing arms and legs or parts thereof) in the bushes. This was unlike any exhibit I had seen before. There were sculptures and installations in the garden of the art school next to my law school back in Trinidad but none that were so gracefully placed "in the bush" almost as if they simply belonged. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I saw <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2014/11/grenada-soul-adventurer-asher-mains.html" target="_blank">Asher Mains</a> (as I usually do at these things) and we got to talking about the work. Asher explained that when Renee was in art school his teacher said " If an egg is cracked from the outside, it means death, but if it cracks from pressure from within that means life"...or something to that effect. What an amazing spring board to leap from into my internal journey into making sense of this exhibit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the centre of the pavilion was a female figure, from just beneath crotch to neck, glowing from within, burst open at the sides. Liberation!!! </span><b> </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many of us spend a large portion of our lives distracted by the task of holding our shit together. There is so much internal chatter and external pressure. Pressure that has become our truth, and the benchmarks to which we hold the validity of our existence. The biggest lie is that allowing ourselves to be molded by this pressure will make us good and worthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The figure, the centerpiece and conversation piece of this exhibit spoke to my soul. If we just ripped, from the pressure of our essence, it would be revealed that we glow from the inside . If we break from the pressure from anything else we are ruined...for nothing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Liberation, self determination and glowing from within and owning my magic have been the themes that have returned to me throughout this year's journey over and over...just as I suspected <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2015/12/make-it-happen-2016_26.html" target="_blank">at the end of last year</a>. As I continued to explore the gardens (almost trampling the Resort's Kitchen garden to get an interesting perspective from behind the lens) the theme jumped out at me again and again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Zipping us up by the backside as we come undone, but the delightful truth remains; that the light which shines from within must be allowed to illuminate the darkness.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is an urgency guided by our almost mystified intuition to push against the boundaries. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfox7t-mIRZ2qjeuMZIuSN6QJWEN2Qcwx_8dGr7NHdxi3G7FlCWRFv7ATN3Q1rjOfr0HhWL60EXR7rP3k-8OygbVmqONGzRPxKwGHm39XqhLBESNo781JyQ9QPdU6XDnXKTEX9md4mIi6l/s1600/IMG_9706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfox7t-mIRZ2qjeuMZIuSN6QJWEN2Qcwx_8dGr7NHdxi3G7FlCWRFv7ATN3Q1rjOfr0HhWL60EXR7rP3k-8OygbVmqONGzRPxKwGHm39XqhLBESNo781JyQ9QPdU6XDnXKTEX9md4mIi6l/s640/IMG_9706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Incase the messages from the exhibit could not speak to me any more categorically there she was, ripping the box open as she emerged. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Earlier this year I read (and listened to) The Celestine Prophesy by James Redfield. A Passage that stood out most to me was: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ' <i>She hesitated for a moment, still looking at me intensely. " </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>He said "the Manuscript dates back to about 600 BC. It predicts a massive transformation in human society." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Beginning when" I asked </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"In the last decades of the twentieth century." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Now?!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> "Yes now" </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> "What kind of transformation is it supposed to be?" I asked. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>She looked embarrassed for a moment, then with force said, "The priest told me it's a kind of rennaisance of consciousness, occurring very slowly. It's not religious in nature, but spiritual. We are discovering something new about human life on this planet, about what our existence means, and according to the priest, this knowledge will alter human culture dramatica</i>lly."'</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaQXHQZjLhOAeBVinCSk5wHBxeGzUoAkB29Brk2Lk99IjLtgRz9D1XWwiJ-KrTLMVUEhqshNChRdLiE-50Ad-zVqPJUSUHu9Qbhp2dM6CelsvksTAdnuAUDn08dDq6bRuqjnahnhqqvZ6/s1600/IMG_9721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaQXHQZjLhOAeBVinCSk5wHBxeGzUoAkB29Brk2Lk99IjLtgRz9D1XWwiJ-KrTLMVUEhqshNChRdLiE-50Ad-zVqPJUSUHu9Qbhp2dM6CelsvksTAdnuAUDn08dDq6bRuqjnahnhqqvZ6/s640/IMG_9721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soul Adventures and the courage to return to authenticity vs crowd pleasing, and, being honest about my desires this year has set me on a path to a tingly magical space. I slowly awaken from the delusions and distractions...I have cracked. The pressure from within was too great, something was determined to be released, it was life longing for itself. The belief in a harmonious existence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life was never about pristine uncracked egg in the first place. It is useless. This appearance must be shattered and the essence....life...must spring forth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank You Rene, for the timely reminder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The exhibit is open to the public until January 25th at La Luna Resort in Morne Rouge, St. George. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can follow Rene on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/renegrenada/" target="_blank"> Instagram</a> for some behind the scenes images of his work and life. </span>Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-4670244262596758062016-10-11T07:14:00.000-07:002016-10-11T07:14:09.473-07:00The Bridge: Journey and Connection <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5TNzQ-6vEEKS7B-GPZ69k06EDkBOQ4JT9inHsuwg4Lwm7hW4e3HP0jv7f0HRGZqTX8lKBwoWFvShnqxcLkUgWFANmX1QoBIl8gOGtsrrwJ2DCI_ZQaz8011JH9mMwTzO_-HPI5tTf9EO/s1600/14543700_1490588677621698_3529111223117205280_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5TNzQ-6vEEKS7B-GPZ69k06EDkBOQ4JT9inHsuwg4Lwm7hW4e3HP0jv7f0HRGZqTX8lKBwoWFvShnqxcLkUgWFANmX1QoBIl8gOGtsrrwJ2DCI_ZQaz8011JH9mMwTzO_-HPI5tTf9EO/s640/14543700_1490588677621698_3529111223117205280_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/140994399247806/photos/a.1490586720955227.1073741867.140994399247806/1490588677621698/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Jason deCaires Taylor</a></td></tr>
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A few weeks ago my friend and fellow creative <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2014/11/grenada-soul-adventurer-asher-mains.html" target="_blank">Asher Mains</a> invited me to a preview event on Facebook (as one does) for Grenada Contemporary 3 <a href="https://artandsoulgallery.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/grenada-contemporary-3-the-bridge/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true" target="_blank">The Bridge</a>; an exhibit that will open on Tuesday 11th Oct, 2016 at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Mains-Gallery-140994399247806/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Susan Mains Art Gallery </a>at Spiceland Mall . I had forgotten all about the event until I dropped by the gallery on Friday to see whether I would by chance bump into Asher who had returned from exhibiting in Columbia a few weeks ago with Susan Mains and <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2016/04/grenada-soul-adventurer-christina_26.html" target="_blank">Christina Cornier</a>(he rolls deep in the international art scene that Asher). I missed him, but, Daniella (also a creative that works and exhibits at the gallery) reminded me of the event. </div>
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On Saturday evening at 5:10 I was in the valley of decisions (oh the drama). I was at torn between whether I should go to the preview at 6:00 or veg out with netflix during my mummy's alone time evening. I managed to tear myself away from binge watching gossip girl starting with SE 1 Ep1. </div>
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I did not quite know what to expect from my evening. I thought it would be the usual exhibit set up (with free wine and nibbles) but with the artist being available for a chat. After all, it was called "Conversations with Artists". As I approached the gallery, the glass doors were closed and I could see the small group, a panel and audience, already engaged in conversation. I slipped in and spotted one available seat, as I settled I began to get a feel for what this night was all about. </div>
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The Bridge; a connection facilitating the journey from one to place to another, from the known to the unknown (as Susan so aptly put it), or maybe back to a familiar place. As the exhibiting artists present reflected on the concept of a bridge and how it was interpreted and represented in their work I zoned out. I had a vision of myself journeying from my self to my self on a bridge of my body which seemed to have become one with nature, overgrown with vine and moss suspended, hovering over a large body of water. A question was thrown out; who is the hero of your piece? I zoned out again and the concept of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey" target="_blank">hero's journey</a> came to mind. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/140994399247806/photos/a.1490586720955227.1073741867.140994399247806/1490590417621524/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">The Rick Field piece </a></td></tr>
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As the discussion progressed, Lilo, co owner of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/artfabrik07?fref=ts" target="_blank">Art Fabrik</a> (Grenada's only home grown batik boutique and studio) made a comment about artists in general and their defining trait being their ability to view their everyday surroundings and find the art. Artist Rick Field had just talked about his coral sunglasses iPhone photography piece. Lilo made a very valid point when she said that thousands of people go snorkelling everyday, and there must be millions of sunglasses that have become part of coral reefs all over the world. However, it takes an artist to pull from our surroundings, highlight and communicate something out of the ordinary and seemingly mundane. To find beauty and meaning and proactivity that is the mark of an artist. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0np88jbxIrFsaNikdc5ImKWv0fPcsSr-eJ70HJRtZCTh9VghgoJpdm1EVrcIjjEuDNb5x8z9jb1axG_7Psv_M_SaAzjyAyJ69CcVnhovz4GqK8rKGt4k_3aNI-vNHcXrSKEejRVz3q1Q/s1600/14633334_1490590777621488_7878490487253053045_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0np88jbxIrFsaNikdc5ImKWv0fPcsSr-eJ70HJRtZCTh9VghgoJpdm1EVrcIjjEuDNb5x8z9jb1axG_7Psv_M_SaAzjyAyJ69CcVnhovz4GqK8rKGt4k_3aNI-vNHcXrSKEejRVz3q1Q/s640/14633334_1490590777621488_7878490487253053045_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/140994399247806/photos/a.1490586720955227.1073741867.140994399247806/1490590777621488/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Lilo and Chris ( someone wearing their piece chatting with Teddy Frederick in the background )</a></td></tr>
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As the conversation continued artist <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-chance-encounter-with-teddy.html" target="_blank">Teddy Frederick</a> walked in with a woman. She was wearing one of Chris and Lilo's Art Fabrik creations. It was a one size batik shift dress. I have a similar dress that I made when I worked at the studio. It was the one time I was allowed to batik during my 6 month stint before I went to (The University of the West Indies (UWI). I still own this dress, in fact it is the dress I wore when I gave birth to Baby N, the exact moment I transitioned from maiden to <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2016/06/motherhood-woman-in-transition.html" target="_blank">mama</a> in the most intense and transformative experience of my life. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3DMx8XfUROWViTOZTs0MjyojoF-ic1BmjpdW0pEbz40YQUkERxdbyJqqPtswwUwYF6ahG7CgoUqaCzcEFnQY6G8JF5D4AbsUElt3zzbSrkkJJo7Vzspck_eLmt-8STA3coxbRSA8lWEi/s1600/14566490_1490590684288164_2962091922587614635_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3DMx8XfUROWViTOZTs0MjyojoF-ic1BmjpdW0pEbz40YQUkERxdbyJqqPtswwUwYF6ahG7CgoUqaCzcEFnQY6G8JF5D4AbsUElt3zzbSrkkJJo7Vzspck_eLmt-8STA3coxbRSA8lWEi/s640/14566490_1490590684288164_2962091922587614635_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me (in the red dress) a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/140994399247806/photos/a.1490586720955227.1073741867.140994399247806/1490590684288164/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">t the snack and wine table next to the lady in the dress that was the bridge </a></td></tr>
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I decided to work at Art Fabrik after I had applied to study law back in 2008. At the time I thought it would be my last chance to work in a creative field before real life started. After I gave birth to Baby N I quit my job at the firm and started working on a creative marketing team that has allowed me to explore my creativity once more. It was a difficult decision leaving the field that I had spent 5 years studying and 2 years practicing in to write blogs and create Facebook, twitter and instagram content. It took a lot of courage for me to leave something so solid and respected for something so new (a real millennial profession...professional blogger!). I knew that I had to release myself into the current of life and that the opportunity to leave came into my life at just the right moment. The connection, the organic fibres of nature's bridge had already started to grow into the direction of my purpose while baby N was the size of a julie mango in my womb.</div>
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The birth of my daughter <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2015/12/make-it-happen-2016_26.html" target="_blank">made me bold</a>. It gave me the courage to be authentic and to not spend life holding on to the edge of the pool with clenched fingers afraid to let go. Life is for swimming in the limitless and vast expanse! I had been battling internally, disappointed that I did not remain true to my creative roots which I abandoned when it was time to "grow up". Her birth, and my rebirth, in the dress I made while having my fun being creative is a symbol of my connection back to creativity as a lifestyle, as something valid that deserves energy and attention beyond one project every 10 years. This is a journey of myself to myself and through myself. It facilitated the journey back home, yet to the unknown. The two are not mutually exclusive. I will not go into explaining that 7 years invested into a legal eduction and experience was by no stretch a waste of my time (that is another post). </div>
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Recently I have been reading/listening to "The Celestine Prophesy" The second insight speaks about noticing the coincidence and seeing them as more. It is the way the universe communicates to the keen observer. It is about viewing life; history and present from a birds eye perspective, viewing the progression of events and seeing where we are at in relation to where we have been and possibly where we may go and all that we discover in between. Life is a continuum and perspective allows us to make the bridges and seeing all of life as one harmonious piece of literature. </div>
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What is your bridge? Have you experienced something similar? A moment or event that makes that connection that sets you on an adventure...a soul adventure?<br />
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-13990352176991907362016-06-16T08:29:00.001-07:002016-06-16T09:22:11.712-07:00Motherhood: Woman in Transition <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Walking the land at Crayfish Bay Organic Cocoa Estate with Baby N</div>
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Life has changed. My brain is slowly catching up with reality and it only feels right that I pause here. </div>
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Just after my daughter was born I was in new mom survival mode, learning to breast feed, accepting (still accepting) that my time was no longer my own and all the other things that come along with those first few months of motherhood. Luckily I had time off from work to concentrate fully on mom duties. I felt so competent at about 1.5 months in that I travelled to Hamburg Germany from Grenada on my own with Baby N for three weeks to visit family. There I learned to take a train, bus and plane on my own with her. I learned how to pair down the usual diaper bag mountain of things to a few essentials: diapers, wipes and change of clothes, so that it would fit in my handbag. I managed to travel with her and too many bags than I could carry at once, relying on the kindness of strangers to assist me when getting on and off of trains and planes on international travels. </div>
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That was the first transition, learning that my life is not my own exclusively anymore, and, that with every decision I make an innocent being who is my responsibility will be affected. That is not a light load to carry and it only makes sense that it will take some time, experience and and a serious mental overhaul for that to become second nature (at least for me).</div>
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Now I have started to work again and am at another transition phase. Presantly it feels like a test. Working is not foreign to me. However, working and balancing that with the very real responsibility of motherhood and partnership is a whole different ball game. I was accustomed to being able to stay late in the office if that was my most productive time without thinking of anyone else. Now I am very conscious of the limitations of time, and that feels strange, this is where the looking back has happened the most, while trying to come back to something that was before, but which I now view so differently. Often my train of thought is "before..." or "when I was not a mom.....". I have only recently articulated that I am mourning the loss of my old life.<br />
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This mourning of the old me ushers in feelings of guilt. It makes me feel as though I am ungrateful for the very rewarding and amazing present. Having a cuddly smiling Baby N to wake up to each day has been my greatest blessing. To watch as she learns to do the basic everyday things I can't remember life without like: rolling over, sitting up and eating food is fascinating. I am such a proud mom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapa8L1gYUZurw-wFTt_9eSxrDvHfSsLmHe6mtsFPQ6ywWcEo-p3tfLXzB1AqcbYepZz2cewf2O9ZiJ6pCATqbFvbO2T_0OUxIXiHKAPemYQ0COaG7SNCy1_7Rtbdz1VUQn8ulnYPV9wHt/s1600/IMG_8216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapa8L1gYUZurw-wFTt_9eSxrDvHfSsLmHe6mtsFPQ6ywWcEo-p3tfLXzB1AqcbYepZz2cewf2O9ZiJ6pCATqbFvbO2T_0OUxIXiHKAPemYQ0COaG7SNCy1_7Rtbdz1VUQn8ulnYPV9wHt/s640/IMG_8216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am not alone in this state of transition and mourning and it has been beautiful to connect with other women about this strange and awkward yet beautiful time. Finding our "selves" in this changed reality, becoming mothers, wives, partners and single ladies. It must be a natural reaction. </div>
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It is amazing how much compassion and awareness I have for the other women in transition and with that same consciousness I can be so hard on myself. A friend recently reminded me that I must treat myself like I would a friend that I loved, with as much positivity, compassion and warmth as I can muster. Things that I held as truths about myself have changed, they no longer fit, they don't feel relevant and I am in the process making sense of that. Maybe life's changes, trials and transitions are a way of stripping away the superficial layers that do not serve the best version of ourselves. Perhaps we are not changing, we are our same selves, evolved.</div>
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Nature helps. It always does...<br />
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This weekend we visited a place where I have found a lot of peace (with the exception of the unreasonable amount of sand fly bites I get): Crayfish Bay Organic Cocoa Estate in the north western parish of St. Mark. I was introduced to it by going around the island with the Grenada Chocolate Fest team to meet with the festival's participants. There I met the estate owners: the very opinionated Kim and the soothing force that is Lylette. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carly and Lylette </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyelette</td></tr>
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I love standing under the shade of the cocoa trees and feeling the gentle breeze as the tiny cocoa blossoms floating through the air like fluffy snow flakes tickle my skin . I love the conversations, the honesty and nakedness that this unpretentious environment draws out of me. I love having that moment of bearing my soul in the topsy turvy state that it is in, wondering whether anything I said makes sense, and being met with the understanding, nonjudgmental and genuine eyes of another woman in transition.<br />
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<br />Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-40595755287467490402016-05-10T07:01:00.001-07:002016-05-10T07:01:42.606-07:00Raw Vegan Grenada Chocolate Nice Cream My Dear Soul Adventurers,<br />
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You know how I am always on the lookout for those healthy desserts that I won't have to feel any guilt about eating. Well, when I add our local chocolate into the mix it pretty much just turns to magic. This year I joined the Grenada Chocolate Fest team and I am almost jumping out of my skin with excitement for 10 days (May 13th to 22nd) of celebrating our Grenadian first class cocoa. To do the ultimate writer "no no" I am about to go right ahead and say...I feel like a kid in a candy shop. Want to read more about the festival? Stay tuned as I blog over at www.grenadachocolatefest.com and follow Grenada Chocolate Fest on Facebook, instagram and twitter. </div>
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Now on to the Nice Cream I have been whipping up in my kitchen. If you have been following me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grenadasouladventurer/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (you should if you are not already) you would have seen me post a picture and rave about this delicious creation a few weeks ago. The best part is that it contains no sugar and is made from all local ingredients. Ok that is not completely accurate, the cocoa crunch which I topped it with contains some sugar (but you can leave it out). Nice cream has been making its rounds on the internet, I have tried making it in different ways but the chocolate version is the winner in my books.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><u>Ingredients</u></span><br />
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6 Bananas<br />
4 Tbl Spoons Grenadian Cocoa Powder<br />
Vanilla Essence<br />
Almond Essence<br />
Cinnamon<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><u>Method</u></span><br />
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<li>Cut bananas into slices and freeze overnight ( I say over night, but really just keep them in the freezer until they are frozen)</li>
<li>Blend Frozen Banana Slices with all the other ingredients until it forms a smooth paste</li>
<li>Top with Caribbean Naturals Cocoa Crunch (optional, really you can top it with whatever you like) </li>
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It is that simple and oh so delicious. </div>
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Have you been experimenting with delicious yet healthy alternatives? Drop me some recipes below so I can try them out. The post pregnancy body struggle is real out here!! </div>
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-28883828957259836152016-04-28T18:23:00.000-07:002016-04-28T18:23:33.361-07:00Grenada Soul Adventurer: Christina Cornier PART 2 <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a continuation of my interview with Christina, a 33 year old artist from Chicago who followed her bliss in Grenada and became the woman and artist she always knew she was. Click <a href="http://www.grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2016/04/grenada-soul-adventurer-christina_26.html" target="_blank">here</a> for part 1.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What was most frustrating about that time when you were not really making art? Can you articulate it, were there specific thoughts or were you just angry and did not know why?</span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">I knew it was because I was not making enough art. But I got trapped in this cycle of feeling that I couldn't quite because of the financial stability it afforded me. So I knew I could pay the bills but I was miserable. Painting is like therapy for me. I need it. I start feeling really agitated when I have not worked on anything in a while.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know that feeling. You start to resent yourself for not making it a priority. When we are angry at ourselves we get angry at other people too. </span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Ha! Yes!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">I try to be kind to myself these days though and not beat myself up or let myself get angry if I didn't use my time wisely for making art.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is a healthy practice</span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">I try, it's hard though!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can’t get to where you want to be while resisting where you are at…I have another quote! Wait for it!!</span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm excited for it!</span></span></div>
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<b style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When did you come to Grenada?</span></b><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">January 2014</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you start on your art straight away? Did you know you wanted to dedicate your time to it while you were here…was that the plan? </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">That was the plan. For years I had been planning how to leave my job and leap into painting full-time but never had the courage to do it because of the financial security thing I mentioned earlier. I mostly supported David and I when we were first married, and I had so much debt. When David told me he wanted to go to SGU</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">we planned together that this would be the perfect time for me to take that leap into full-time artist. We blew through all of our savings during the two years we were there, but, it was completely worth it because it changed our lives for the better.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think it is amazing that you both supported each other like that, in the end you both got what you desired in Grenada, that is a partnership. </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">t's true. I went to Grenada for David but discovered myself there and found in it (Grenada) a new home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apart from having the time in Grenada how did you approach your art differently?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I learned to schedule my week in advance. I like the idea of being moved by inspiration and working when the mood hits, but for me that doesn't work. I have to have dedicated time set out to be in my studio/workspace. Once I'm there in the space and have time to create, the inspiration comes and I'm super productive.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes! There is this idea out there that artists work when inspiration hits and that it is all very romantic</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe that works for some people but not me</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is good to hear that it can be approached in a structured way like other work.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I learned how to work that way watching David study for medical school. He had to be so structured with his time and got so much done. </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once you start the work do you get into the “zone”?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can usually always find the zone. Even on days that are not as productive I still feel good just have worked at least a little</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How did you and David end up choosing Grenada?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He (David) had a friend that went to SGU and had a really positive experience. I really wanted to live somewhere warm and beautiful where I could be near the ocean and nature so when I did my research on Grenada I fell in love with it. It was the only school he applied to.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aside from the intention to dedicate most of your time to your art before you came to Grenada, what else about being here inspired you, and, ultimately caused you to flourish as an artist? I am a firm believer that environment has a huge role to play in success.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like I mentioned earlier being near the sea was a HUGE deal. And green mountains and colorful houses and the sun shining everyday. I felt like crying out of joy everyday when I looked around me. That kind of beauty, that feeling, played a huge role in my art-making.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have, in part, credited your evolution into a full time artist to finding like minded people. Can you tell me a bit more about that?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeah, I get really inspired by other people. So finding others who live their lives passionately is like fuel for me. I love talking to interesting people. It was tough right when I moved to Grenada because David was in school and I knew NO ONE. I ended up spending a lot of time and energy with people that I met though the school, other SOs (Significant Others), who were miserable in Grenada and that really brought me down. I had to make the decision to break from them and seek out people that would make me feel inspired.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes! It is all about the energy you surround yourself with. Who did you find and how did you find them?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found Jamie and Amber (owners of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ConservationKayak/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Conservation Kayak</a>) because I went on a kayak trip and later reached out to them and I met <a href="http://www.cherish-the-day.com/" target="_blank">Carly</a> through volunteering at the Queen Elizabeth Orphanage</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You also mentioned you met Asher and Susan Mains, when did you meet them?</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went to Asher's art opening in July 2014 and introduced myself to them. I was awe-struck by them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What about Susan and Asher had you awe-struck?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had done research about what was going on in the art community in Grenada prior to moving there and had discovered both of them. I loved their work and had been following them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Mains-Gallery-140994399247806/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and had it as a goal to meet them. Their work was different but very complimentary. I loved how they both used color and texture in their paintings. I visited Art and Soul several times to see their work and to hopefully meet Susan but it wasn't until Asher's solo show about seven months later that our paths finally crossed.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is so interesting, you literally planned to meet them in pursuit of your dream to make being an artist the focus in your day to day.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeah! Mostly I wanted to learn from them and surround myself around other artists to build a community. I intended on participating in some of the open call group shows that the Arts Council and Art and Soul regularly put together but I had no idea that my relationship with Susan would lead to two solo shows and representation in her gallery. It was beyond what I had imagined.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00fnyHwhfm2qXIFM5agKapg4EMUnsvgo-gVCmPpVZLjonj67EoxsGUorWvY13_cMan_4-5klomOKVDyGKU0fZJKoy1QZfJItaEIIykRsiZ4_BP6CjlVM8LkvnlIqYYCrWbcbpfCSdnKCD/s1600/1456656_10155158204605322_2651427290949598811_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00fnyHwhfm2qXIFM5agKapg4EMUnsvgo-gVCmPpVZLjonj67EoxsGUorWvY13_cMan_4-5klomOKVDyGKU0fZJKoy1QZfJItaEIIykRsiZ4_BP6CjlVM8LkvnlIqYYCrWbcbpfCSdnKCD/s640/1456656_10155158204605322_2651427290949598811_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your story is giving me life!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so glad! It's funny that now looking back on it, it is really amazing how it all happened. It was a lot of work though. The structure we talked about before in my art making was also due to my feeling that I had to keep producing work in order to prove myself. Sort of like I wanted to be taken seriously and play with the big kids so I worked harder than I ever had before.</span></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How did you feel once you committed to art full time?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I felt like I was finally living the life I was meant to live. I can get up in the morning and work on a painting all day without feeling the same exhaustion after working an 8 hour day at a desk job. I've been the happiest I have ever been since making the switch to full time artist.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHNgXH07Lj__uj4eRDe1beWhL30tJZytdGre6Rw1C2IvEQtvqnWjDapvPdSVTxezqJuisRY610OiEBzKXoC10R_gq5aysilxDbPkCfRrRJj2kTuXm3c3DcjqCSquavW6Z-IAVONllfM7B/s1600/IMG_34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHNgXH07Lj__uj4eRDe1beWhL30tJZytdGre6Rw1C2IvEQtvqnWjDapvPdSVTxezqJuisRY610OiEBzKXoC10R_gq5aysilxDbPkCfRrRJj2kTuXm3c3DcjqCSquavW6Z-IAVONllfM7B/s640/IMG_34.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What started happening in your life? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once I made the switch my stress level went down. I had always thought that I was an anxious person but really I was just unhappy. I would have panic attacks all the time and would feel incredibly emotionally unstable, especially when I was working too much. About a year into living in Grenada I commented to David how I hadn't had a single panic attack since moving there and quickly made the connection to it being since I had made the transition to full time artist.</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you participate in exhibits before you came to Grenada?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I participated in a number of shows right after finishing college in 2007. I was part of group shows in several galleries around Chicago and even had a solo show at an alternative artist live/work/show space called the Flat Iron in Chicago. After a couple years of doing these shows I realized I was just showing the same work over and over again to the same supportive people so it was time for me to take a break from exhibiting until I made new work. Then I got so busy with my desk job that the new work was never made... until I moved to Grenada.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What did it feel like doing your first solo exhibit in Grenada?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It felt like a dream come true. I had done so much research, prior to moving to Grenada, on what was happening in the art scene with the Arts Council and Susan and Asher and Susan Mains Gallery and I wanted so badly to be part of it. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be recognized by Susan and given the opportunity to show in her gallery made me feel like what I was doing had value. I also had such an outpouring of support from the rest of the art community in Grenada, from Daniela and Rene and Chris and Lilo from Art Fabrik. So many people showed up for the opening filled with positive energy and love and support, it was really wonderful. </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you feel nervous? If so, why or why not?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Definitely. Exhibiting my paintings can feel like posting pages from my diary on the wall for everyone to see. It makes me feel so vulnerable. But people respond positively to that because they can relate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">I am learning to have more confidence with what I want to say in my work.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">I can also have a hard time talking about my paintings. Having an exhibit I knew I would have to make a speech and be involved in conversations with many people about the subject of my work which can be hard to talk about. When I was younger I used to say "I paint because I don't know how to talk about what I am feeling". But talking about work is really important and when you don't you can isolate people who want to engage.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">I was so nervous about making a speech that for my first opening at Susan Mains Gallery I asked Susan if I could not make a speech. She laughed and said no, this would be good practice for something that was important and I needed to become comfortable doing it. I now try to do a lot of writing about what I am thinking about when I paint and when I know I need to make a speech I practice first with David at home.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that you have had these experiences, and you have returned home, what has changed for you? </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know for sure that I want to keep the momentum going that I created in Grenada of committing 100% to my art. I had contemplated going back into the spa industry so that I would have guaranteed income every month, but I feel like that would potentially be closing the door on this thing that is working and that I love. Currently I have been making money by painting portraits for people and I have been working on illustrations and cover art for several children's books. I would like to continue using my art skills to make a living. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Any plans for the future with art ?</b> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: justify;">I am keeping up my relationship with Susan and the gallery and I plan on returning to Grenada at least once a year to bring more work and hopefully participate in more shows. I would also really love to hook up with another gallery once I have settled in New York. The ultimate goal is to be self-supporting through my art and to surround myself within a community of like-minded individuals who keep me engaged and participating in the art world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: justify;">Find Christina on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/christinacornier" target="_blank">instagram</a> or check out her website www.christinacornier.com. Shoot her an <a href="mailto:christina@christinacornier.com" target="_blank">e-mail</a> if you want to commission a piece or are interested in buying any of her pieces.</span>Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-42151261802161263612016-04-26T16:09:00.002-07:002016-04-26T17:44:42.290-07:00Grenada Soul Adventurer: Christina Cornier PART 1 <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked "Because, wherever your heart is. that is where you will find your treasure" </i></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho</span></span></h2>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>PROFILE</u></span></span></h3>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christina Cornier </span></span></h3>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">33.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> Artist.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Chicago</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I met Christina in December of 2015. I was walking past Art and Soul gallery in the Spiceland Mall with Baby N and a friend when I saw <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2014/11/grenada-soul-adventurer-asher-mains.html" target="_blank">Asher Mains</a> and some other artists sitting in the dimly lit gallery, it looked like they were having a meeting. I waved eagerly so as to catch his attention so that he could meet the <a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/2015/12/new-mom-personal-reflection-lessons-and.html" target="_blank">freshly hatched Baby N</a>. I was let into the gallery and greeted warmly by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Mains-Artist-311931808853637/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Susan</a> (the gallery owner and Asher's mom), who introduced me to to Christina. They were meeting over cocoa tea to discuss her upcoming solo exhibit "Gaze". I took Christina's card intiuitively knowing that one day I would interview her, I was feeling her vibe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As fate would have it Christina and I met again at the going away dinner of mutual friends. At that dinner we planned to have dinner with her and her husband when her father, one of the drummers of eclectic international band: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHtT2bgnhY" target="_blank">Funkadesi</a>, and her step mom, the ever inspiring Michelle, were in Grenada. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over sushi we discussed the journey of how she blossomed into the person and artist she knew she was when she came to Grenada. For 11 years, the university educated artist worked as a spa manager in Chicago. That conversation at dinner solidified my first instinct, this woman had a story that I wanted to hear and I think the Grenada Soul Adventurer community would enjoy it too. I know you guys are suckers for a good hero's tale. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately an in person interview was not in the cards as I was going to Germany the next day and she was returning to the United States for good during my three week travels. Fortunately we live in the age of instant communication. I approached her online and asked whether she wanted to do the interview through the inter-webs, she agreed and this is what we chatted about. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When did you start making art? </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">My parents say it was when I was really little, like 2. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: justify;">My dad had a job as a graphic designer, so I saw him working at a drafting table and insisted they buy me one too</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did they buy it? </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Yeah! They set up a tiny yellow plastic art desk next to his for me to draw on.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh that is so sweet! Did you end up sitting side by side drawing?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think so... I'm pretty sure a photo of that exists somewhere.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="color: #141923; letter-spacing: 0px;">Do you identify as an artist…like when people ask “what do you do”? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes. But it took me a really long time to say that with confidence because I wasn't making money at it. I managed a spa in Chicago for 11 years so I used to tell people that... and then I would pause and say "oh but what I really want to do is paint”. It took a really long time to feel able to have "I'm an artist" be the first thing I say. Like even when I have to fill out on paperwork what my occupation is I have to remind myself that it's ok to write that.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you remember when you started actually owning the title "Artist"? Was it in Grenada? </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was definitely in Grenada. Grenada gave me confidence and I had the space to create my art there without the distraction of the full time job that had tied me down. Also, being represented by Susan Mains' gallery and having people buy my work gave it a value that I knew it had, but, apparently was seeking from others as well.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do you create? What is your Art?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel I make art as a feminist statement. I'm really interested in representing women in ways that challenge how they are traditionally depicted in art and in the media.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just like in your last exhibit “Gaze” at Susan Mains’ Gallery</span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Exactly. When I look back at my paintings, even as far back as high school, women and representation have always been my main themes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you had an obvious feminist influence from friends, family or teachers or did it happen organically? </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">My mom is a feminist and was definitely a strong influence on me. I also have a huge network of "aunts" who are not blood relatives but friends of my parents who helped raise me... all smart, creative women. My mom worked at the Art Institute of Chicago when I was really little and taught me about feminist arts like Judy Chicago and the Guerilla Girls who I thought were so cool, ”feminist artists".</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is amazing, I want my daughter to have that sort of strong feminine (whatever that means to the relevant individual) tribe of women that she can look up to. I think it is important to consciously build confidence in young girls. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Absolutely. I hope for that too if I have a daughter one day</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What inspires you? </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">I'm inspired by people, seeing different people's unique beauty. I also get really inspired watching different styles of dance. Several of my friends are dancers so I grew up going to lots of different styles of dance shows. I always get amazing ideas for paintings after watching people dance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ykJLWL0C7agM88bbh5Gk7Qfz5e_t1zOotV8Bhi-MFX87dbDa-YrUBWY5fano6iMY7hYYCFkU8xyms2wwRxCbq0t9Wk3RQCJy_SyIOd8OqeBbGnnxi169UO-ImzTjc8I17u7GrZQpqEg7/s1600/Gaze_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ykJLWL0C7agM88bbh5Gk7Qfz5e_t1zOotV8Bhi-MFX87dbDa-YrUBWY5fano6iMY7hYYCFkU8xyms2wwRxCbq0t9Wk3RQCJy_SyIOd8OqeBbGnnxi169UO-ImzTjc8I17u7GrZQpqEg7/s640/Gaze_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is interesting, inspiration from different creative disciplines, but I totally get it.</span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Totally! That's why I thought the art program </span><a href="http://grenadasouladventurer.blogspot.com/search/label/Interviews" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Asher</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> did recently was so interesting... there were all different sorts of artist working together and critiquing and inspiring one another.I believe it was a Master of Fine Arts program that is open to artists of all disciplines. I remember him talking about a dj and a tight-rope-walker were also in his program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Are you working now that you are back in the states?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Yeah, I'm actually back at the spa that I used to manage!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>BUT</i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">just until the end of April</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You said that you did that for 11 years and identified as the manager of a spa, is art still primary in you life like how it was in Grenada?</span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Art is definitely primary. The way I felt in Grenada was the way I had always wanted to feel. Like I was finally able to be the person I was meant to be. I used to be angry all the time and resentful of the job for taking up all my time. A year into living in Grenada David (my husband) even mentioned that he noticed I was never angry anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is this Gandhi quote, let me google it… “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”</span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Ah! That's so good! I love it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Watch out for Part 2 of this interview!</u></b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime f<span style="text-align: justify;">ind Christina on</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/christinacornier" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">instagram</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">or check out her website www.christinacornier.com. Shoot her an</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="mailto:christina@christinacornier.com" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">e-mail</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> if you want to commission a piece or are interested in buying any of her existing pieces.</span></span>Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1710244653834060816.post-9028125279034323332016-04-06T09:21:00.000-07:002016-04-06T09:21:12.891-07:00Grenada Soul Adventurer Kitchen: No Bake Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnmR4AbTNAPhd7ZvUurYeahtMIgRUc6nDzkcFCBtnzl7nA7qON5VyMxin0nf8FkP5IVHe3d_9W34sWZOs4GKIKGWZy-eCKZwV5H0vBczSA9ua7OispYUFhz6K9FEms15p8JDR-Q8D4MdX/s1600/IMG_6696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnmR4AbTNAPhd7ZvUurYeahtMIgRUc6nDzkcFCBtnzl7nA7qON5VyMxin0nf8FkP5IVHe3d_9W34sWZOs4GKIKGWZy-eCKZwV5H0vBczSA9ua7OispYUFhz6K9FEms15p8JDR-Q8D4MdX/s640/IMG_6696.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you have been following me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dawnelleclyneyoga/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (if you don't you should go do that now....welcome back) you would have seen me posting pictures of one of my latest culinary obsessions, raw vegan sweet treats. I have experimented with brownies and now I have graduated to raw (for the most part) vegan cheesecake cake. </div>
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It all started one Sunday when my friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dawnelleclyneyoga/" target="_blank">Dawnelle</a> and I wanted to make a raw vegan cheesecake that did not include cashews. Neither of us have nut allergies, but, the price of cashews in Grenada is almost prohibitive. I refused to buy them! There we were with two cans of coconut milk, some bananas and dates and google hoping to make raw vegan magic. We chanced upon this <a href="http://www.veganfamilyrecipes.com/2014/10/vegan-coconut-banana-cheesecake.html" target="_blank">recipe</a> which I ended up modifying to suit my chocolaty needs. </div>
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These vegan and for the most part raw desserts are very trendy but also slightly mysterious.<br />
How to make a raw cheesecake without eggs?<br />
How to sweeten without sugar?<br />
What is this sorcery and why have we not been doing it all along?<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: large;">Ingredients </span></h4>
1 cup Peanuts or Almonds (raw or roasted)<br />
1 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil<br />
1 cup Coconut Cream<br />
1 Banana<br />
2 Large Pitted Dates<br />
2-3 tbsp Cocoa Powder<br />
Sprinkle of Course Sea Salt<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><u>Crust</u></span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">To make the crust blend peanuts or almonds in a food processor with coconut oil. I found adding dates when using strictly almonds helped to make the crust more sticky.</span></h4>
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<span style="color: purple;"><u>Cheesecake Filling</u></span> </h4>
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Blend coconut cream*, pitted dates, banana and cocoa powered together and pour over crust and chill in the freezer overnight or until the filling stiffens to the point where the cake can be cut. Sprinkle some corse sea salt over the top for that yummy contrast in flavours (if you are into it).</div>
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That is it. It was that easy!</div>
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I was very pleased with the outcome, it was pretty much guilt free and I did not miss any of the processed ingredients we usually use for traditional cheesecakes. Yes the flavour is not the same but I cannot complain one bit about the result.<br />
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Let me know if you tried this recipe and whether the raw vegan dessert trend is all it is cracked up to be over on Intagram and Pinterest. Tag me in your pictures on Instagram! Let us keep this beautiful Grenada Soul Adventurer community blooming!<br />
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* To get coconut cream let your can(s) of coconut milk chill overnight without being moved. The next day you just scoop the cream which has separated and floated to the top into your blender (You are welcome...I just save you a google search).<br />
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Grenada Soul Adventurer http://www.blogger.com/profile/12207951596640732494noreply@blogger.com2