I spent a couple of evenings reorganizing our bookshelves at home to be colour coordinated and organized by genre. Apparently so did crazedadman (read that one more time craze dad man). Not only did he organize his own shelves, he then thought to get his wife and a ton of volunteers involved in making this stop-motion video of animated books.
What do you think of when I say “Restricted Cougar”?
Was your first thought of the restricted cougar icon formerly used as a symbol of movie and entertainment designations?
I have no recollection of these animated videos or the restricted cougar icon, but they are certainly recognized in BC. Rest of Canada, do you recognize this made-in-Canada cat?
Here’s what I learned today about the Restricted Cougar of movie designations. The restricted cougar was designed in Canada (in BC actually) over 50 years ago and used in newspapers and on movie posters to warn of audience age restrictions. There were also little bumpers—or short videos—like the one above that were played before a restricted movie.
The roaring cat was known internationally, appearing in newspapers and posters and in theatres as far flung as South Africa. This kitty entered its ninth life in 1997 when classification categories were revised and the “18A” rating was used instead of the “Restricted” ranking. (Although R is still used as a rare class of adult films of artistic, education, scientific, historic or political merit. You know, not porn, but “restricted.”)
Want to revisit the “R” rated films? Play peekaboo with this Prezi timeline. http://bit.ly/v1agHt
If you’re like me and have no recollection of this pussy cat, then fret not! As the song goes, The cat came back. They thought he was a gonner, but the cat came back. He just couldn’t stay away. Meeeeee-ow.
Consumer Protection BC—who is responsible for the classification of the movies seen in BC and Saskatchewan theaters—has brought the restricted cougar back—at least as shorts on YouTube.
Six of the Restricted Cougar R-rated film designation bumpers are available on the Consumer Protection BC YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ConsumerProBC
I don’t remember this cat. You? Tell me what you remember.
Raul is an interesting and provocative person. There are many causes that he supports and lobbies his friends to support. I like that kind of tenacity.
Raul is also constantly challenging himself, whether that’s with physical fitness or mental alertness. He has an idea of perfection that he strives towards and I like a friend who puts their mind to something. The man has a manifesto.
Raul’s gratitude and recognition for his friends, colleagues and mentors is an inspiration, which is why I thought today would be a good day to take a page from Raul’s book and say thank you for being that crazy guy who loves perfume and blogs a mile a minute. I wish you another year of enthusiasm for all things.
I always enjoy celebrating my birthday, and I especially appreciate that James facilitates the birthday-ing beyond the single day. This year, I’ve had a really great time!
November 16, my friend and perfumer Ayala Moriel launched her chocolate bar line with Cocoa Nymph. My friend Anita, who shares a birthday with me and a passion for perfume, was also in town. Partners in tow (in toe?) we went to the Cocoa Nymph shop, listened to James (not mine) play some lovely piano. Then we tasted each of the 3 chocolate bars with wine pairings.
Guilt (orange + dark chocolate, really smooth)
I don’t normally like orange and chocolate but what I discovered is that I don’t like synthetic orange and chocolate. The orange in this bar, along with orange blossom, is absolutely beautiful. The chocolate just melts in your mouth.
Espionage (smokey salt + dark chocolate)
Wow! My favourite. This chocolate is a journey in your mouth. The smokey salt creates little bursts of flavour that are intensely wonderful.
Roses et chocolat
Rose in desserts is a very Middle Eastern flavour and I love it. The darkest of the bars, this rose essence is one of the best in the world. To have it in a chocolate bar would be sinful if the Cocoa Nymph wasn’t such a great chocolatier.
Chocolate and wine done, James and I carried on to Bao Bei for some late night cocktails (the John Wein and a smoky plum bourbon high ball). One of my favourite spots. We also indulged in some late night snacks. So tasty!
Shao Bing
Crunchy sesame flatbread with braised pork butt, Asian pear, pickled onion
and mustard greens – 10
Mantou
Steamed buns with braised beef shortrib, hoisin, scallions, pickled cucumber,
and roasted peanuts – 9
Steamed prawn and chive dumplings – 7.50
The next day was my buddy Jay Grandin’s birthday, which brought us to the Alibi Room for merriment.
Then Friday, James and I popped down to Seattle to hang with the awesome duo of Common Craft—Lee and Sachi LeFever. I can’t imagine more wonderful hosts for our Seattle visit.
Lee just returned Friday night from Toronto so it was another late evening meal, this time at an amazing Basque restaurant, whose name escapes me.
Duck confit, rabbit, squid, croquettes, brussel sprouts — ice cream, almond cake, roasted pear with fig ganache. Need I go on? It was delicious.
On Saturday, James and I started with some shopping at Nordstroms. I love the sales people there. Then we took the monorail to Pacific Science Center for the Harry Potter Exhibition.
After we walked back to Pike Market and had one of Seattle’s best crab cakes, 5 oz of crab moulded into a delightful mound of yumminess. Bit of shoe shopping. It was MY birthday so no feeling sorry for James. Then we drove up to Capitol Hill and Quinn’s Pub, where we had an amazing Painted Hills beef burger and fries (James) and a rabbit sausage with roast squash, frisée, chestnuts and a maple bourbon homemade marshmallow (me), oh yes!
The late night component included going back to Science Center to watch the Harry Potter movie on the IMAX screen. It was a big day.
This morning we (James, Lee, Sachi and I) joined Jay and Anatasia at Luc, a great French bistro that has just recently opened for brunch. Mushroom omelette, homemade doughnuts, coffee and friends.
My artist friend Rachael Ashe (who does the awesome altered books) is participating in Vancouver’s Eastside Culture Crawl from Friday, November 26 to Sunday, November 28!
The Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual free 3-day visual arts event that involves more than 10,000 people visiting over 375 artists in their studios. The studios are all in the Eastside, the area bounded by Main Street, Victoria Drive, First Avenue to the waterfront.
Please come visit Rachael’s Studio and buy some beautiful artwork. It’s her first year in the Eastside Culture Crawl.
Although the altered books are my favourite, they may not be yours. That’s ok! Rachael also does wonder collages and metal prints. There will also be a large-scale paper craft tree and the series of encyclopedias most recently on display at the Container Art show at the PNE.
WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Despite knowing that the foundations of health are preventative measures, we live with a health care system that deals with us only when there is disease or infirmity. We are left on our own to figure out nutrition, exercise and the mind-body connection.
In the last year, I’ve learned a surprising amount about how much breathing is related to general health, in particular to levels of stress. (Thank you internet, Lucy Miller, Rubina Kirji, Debra Gibson and the Westcoast Women’s Clinic.) I’m astounded at how long it has taken me to piece together some of these basic tenets of good health. Now I want to share, especially with all the women in my life who are suffering from fatigue, digestion issues, and other work-life imbalances. (Oh the boys should read this too.)
Here’s what I know and what your GP doesn’t tell you (or doesn’t know).
There’s a critical link between meditation, deep breaths and health.
Let’s start with some body basics and definitions. (Come with me back to grade 10 biology. It’s time to fill in the blanks.)
Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the blood and enter tissues. They turn on genetic switches that regulate everything from reproduction to emotions, general health to well being. Different glands and organs produce different hormones.
Pituitary: Master gland in your brain that controls how much of certain hormones are released
Adrenals: Little walnut-shaped glands on top of your kidneys that secrete hormones like Cortisol, Adrenaline, DHEA, Aldosterone
Pancreas: Glandular organ that produces digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar.
Thyroid: Butterfly-shaped gland located on the front part of the neck below the Adam’s apple that produces thyroid hormones, which regulate body energy, the body’s use of other hormones and vitamins, and the growth and maturation of body tissues.
The Adrenals Hold the Key
The hormones produced by the Adrenals play a special role in stress reduction.
DHEA: stamina, vitality, muscles
Cortisol and Adrenaline: stress, fight/flight
Aldosterone: fluid and electrolyte balance
If we are stressed out all the time, we tap out the adrenals. Why?
When you’re stressed, cortisol is released into the bloodstream. The positive effect is the quick burst of energy that lets you run away from a tiger or fight off a predator. The problem is that we aren’t often stressed because of tigers and predators. We are usually desk bound and stressing about our job, our family, or the to-do list and the lack of time.
That fight/flight cortisol triggers a set of physiological changes, such as increases in heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and blood glucose (blood sugar). It’s your sympathetic nervous system kicking in to mobilize your body in response to stress. (Stress Health and Cortisol)
Cortisol is released > sugar in the blood increases
This is the ALARM phase where we are stressed but productive. We’re wired. We have a little energy high because of this panic mode.
If we burn off the sugar running away from that tiger (or exercising), insulin takes whatever sugar is left and typically puts it back into the tissue cells (muscle, kidney, fat) to use for energy.
But when we don’t burn off the sugar in the blood, insulin stores the excess in the liver by making glycogen, long chains of glucose, and it stimulates fat cells to form fats from fatty acids and glycerol.
Since the tissue cells are depleted of sugar (energy), we crave carbs, which are an immediate source of sugar. But because the body still thinks it’s stressed, insulin continues putting the sugar into the liver, making more glycogen and stimulating more fat.
If you’re stressed, and hardly eating, but still gaining weight. This is why.
If that cycle repeats because we’re in a constant, low-level state of stress, tissue cells don’t get the energy from glucose and their sugar levels crash. We crash. We are exhausted. We’re stressed and have no energy. We can’t relax. We are wired but tired.
This is the MALADAPTIVE stage.
If the stress continues for prolonged periods, your cortisol and adrenaline levels are low. You have no energy. “I just can’t do it anymore.” You need 4-5 days of vacation before you even feel a little release and relaxation. You are burned out. Feeling burned out is adrenal burnout, or the FATIGUE phase.
Insulin resistance can take place, which is when insulin becomes less effective at lowering blood sugars.Your body either does not produce or does not respond to insulin, your cells do not absorb glucose from your bloodstream, which causes you to have high blood-glucose levels. (This is the basics of How Diabetes Works.)
You don’t want to get here!
Adrenal dysfunction can be avoided with good nutrition, reframing our stress response, minimizing environmental stressors (toxins), meditation (especially creating a relaxation response vs. fight/flight response) and exercise.
Deep meditation (purposeful, deep breathing for 20 minutes) can right your cortisol levels for 24 hours. You want that. Do it.
Can’t sleep at night? It’s likely because your cortisol levels are high. You can’t sleep because your brain and body is in a fight/fight response vs. a relaxation response.
Go to bed before 10 pm so that you don’t get that second wind that keeps you up. It’s a cortisol peak that is keeping you up.
When you have nice functional adrenal glands, your cortisol peaks around 6 am. You do not wake up tired. You do not wake up in the middle of the night. You are not overwhelmed. You are not sick all the time. And you should not have allergies and sensitivities.
Now good nutrition is tricky because very few of us understand nutrition. You know the basics:
* Do not skip meals
* Anticipate hunger and eat before (no crashes)
* Slow down and chew your food
* Don’t eat on the run
The sympathetic nervous system that creates the stress response inhibits salivation and digestive activity. When we eat on the run, the first stage of digestion (salivation) is not working. Nor is the digestive system. Sluggish? Bloated? This is why.
You want to initiate the parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates salivation and digestive activity. Eating bad food while relaxed is better for you than eating good food when you’re stressed out. When you’re relaxed, the body can extract the nutrients and convert them into energy properly. When you’re stressed, your whole system is under stress and underperforming.
If you’re stressed, take 10 deep breaths. Pause right now and do it. I’ll wait.
Now, of course, you have to eat but you need to choose low GI foods, foods low on the glycemic index that don’t convert to sugar quickly:
* whole grains (whole wheat is not the same as whole grain)
* brown rice
* quinoa
* beans, lentils
These foods stabilize insulin.
Avoid white flour, white rice, white sugar.
Go for protein—pasture-fed (free range) meats, wild fish, eggs—dairy, which all stabilize blood sugar.
Choose good fats (from plant sources vs. animal sources). Eat 6 almonds.
Plus, pay attention to how you combine foods in a meal. Certain things go better together and make for easier digestion (for example, combine fruit with protein or good fat).
Avoid fruit juice (we give this to diabetics when their sugar drops). You don’t need the sugar spike.
Chocolate, caffeine and alcohol are all incredibly difficult for your body to process if it’s in a state of adrenal fatigue. Just don’t do it. If you’re trying to correct poor health or stress, you’re only cheating yourself by indulging. Help your body out. Supplements, exercise and medication alone can’t do it.
Exercise
Go for a combination of weights, cardio and flexibility. And if you are in adrenal fatigue, make sure that you’re not over exercising. If you are exercising, and feel good for a shot time but then crash, you need less exercise until your adrenals recover.
Meditation
Take a deep breath. Just breathe. Keep breathing.
Breathe with your whole body. Let your stomach inflate. Feel your diaphragm fill to capacity. If you’re taking shallow breaths, or not letting the lower part of your diaphragm do it’s job, your brain takes this as a cue that you’re under stress. Short breaths. Panic. Sugar energy. Run. You have to break this cycle. At least for 20 minutes a day.
Can’t do 20 minutes? Find time for 10 deep breaths a day. While you’re waiting for the bus. Getting in and out of the car. Waiting for the photocopier. What do you do throughout the day that could act as a trigger to take a small pause? Find it. Do it.
20 minutes a day resets your cortisol levels for 24 hours. You’re going to like that and sleep better.
Neuroscientists are only beginning to understand the powers of the brain. We now know that the meditating brain is a brain with increased capacity for positive emotion. Just what we need to fight stress.
It’s been a trying week but I have enjoyed the following:
“Adversity is just change that we haven’t adapted ourselves to yet.” —Aimee Mullins
I’m reading Nicolas Carr’s The Shallows about how the internet is changing our brains.
“The secret of life…is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” —Paulo Coelho, from The Alchemist
I’m cheering for James’ grandpa who is recovering from a stroke.
“Each moment of our life, we either invoke or destroy our dreams.” —Stuart Wilde
Always good to remind yourself of this one.
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” —Antoine De Saint Exupery
Important thought as I consider how and what to teach in my new SFU course this fall: Online Marketing for Publishers.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” —Margaret Mead
Hope is light.
“I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in.” —Virginia Woolf
I will not compare myself to others. The grass on this side is lovely, thank you.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou
Be a good buddy.
“Don’t hire a dog, then bark yourself” —David Ogilvy
Man, was he right.
“Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” —Martha Graham
Yes, this is my own interpretive dance.
“Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
Amen.
“I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.” –Diane Ackerman
Going out on a school night!
“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.” —J. K. Rowling
Courage is a valuable asset. (And all my friends are lovely, thank you for being so.)
One of the great things about having creative friends is pimping their stuff.
Rachael Ashe is a photographer, mixed-media collage, and altered book artist. She does amazing things to old books and this summer her work is displayed at the Pacific National Exhibition (the PNE) in Vancouver in the Container Art show.
Container Art is an ambling exhibition. The containers travel the world and are then filled with beauty at every stop.
So don’t just ride the rollercoaster, check out cutting edge contemporary art from Vancouverites.
Rachael Ashe’s container includes amazing book art that floats along the side and back walls. I particularly love the accompanying paper flowers that hang from the ceiling.
Her series is called Forgotten Knowledge and uses a set of twenty-five Funk & Wagnall’s encyclopedias combined with found objects from nature.
Visit Rachael Ashe’s Container Art from August 21st to September 6th at the PNE
Can’t get to the PNE, that’s ok. Just purchase her stuff on Etsy. Ya! Do it, Rachael’s art is cool. I own two altered books already.
Add 1 cup granola, 1.5 cups of rolled oats, 1/4 cup wheat germ and a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Yumminess. They might look too moist, but they’re not.
Roll into 1-inch balls. Do not press down.
Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes.
They might not looked cooked when they’re done, but don’t overbake. You want yummy, gooey cookies because they harden nicely after you take them out of the oven.
Plain Words, Uncommon Sense A blog on books, writing, tap dancing, technology, and the other amusements of Monique Sherrett (or Monique Trottier in unmarried form).
Monique Sherrett lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada and is a litblogger, among other things. Find out more ...
"So misguided." A comment often uttered in my eclectic salon.
Contact
Send me book galleys, ARCs or review copies. Contact me at monique at somisguided dot com Contact me at Boxcar Marketing
Sunday is your last chance to see Sarah Ruhl’s oddball comedy that confronts two of life’s inevitabilities: death and cellphones.
