Monthly Archives: April 2012

Stretching Into Spring

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Winter proves to be long and cold, providing just the excuse we need to let cobwebs collect on our outdoor gear. Yet the arrival of spring tends to draw many of us outdoors again. We finally escape the retreat of our winter nests, rousing to celebrate a new vitality, born of this season, awakening our hibernating spirit of enthusiasm.

Many of us will find ourselves spending increasing amounts of time walking, running, hiking, swimming, or perhaps playing team sports or smartening up our gardens. No matter what our occupation, leisure interests or personal endeavours, every spring stirs an unrestrained longing for open aired ventures.

No more recess–it’s time to drag those runners out of dusty closet, brush them off, and tie them to our feet. But how do we launch our bodies sensibly into action, without the usual limitation of throbbing muscles, or the dreaded possibility of injury?

The remedy: a proper warm up…

Undemanding motion and light dynamic stretching, involving the gentle movement of various parts of our body, will decrease the risk of injury or muscle strain as we launch into outdoor pursuits. A dynamic stretching plan will warm muscles, and in doing so, will prepare our joints for action and facilitate muscular co-ordination.

Other benefits of stretching include improved circulation, enhanced posture, better balance, and of course, increased flexibility.

Let’s review some straightforward tips:

1. Stretch slow and controlled. Dynamic stretching does not include bouncing or jerking.
2. Breathe! Be careful not to hold our breath while stretching.
3. Hold each stretch for 30 – 60 seconds (holding a stretch for a long period of time can cause the muscle to retract).
4. Avoid uncomfortable stretches; stretching should not cause pain. Overstretching can strain the surrounding ligaments and tendons.
5. Do not stretch cold muscles. Stretching is most effective after a brief warm up. Try walking at an easy pace for 10 minutes before stretching. Or stretch after a warm shower or bath.

Beyond the physical payback of stretching, or its benefit in injury prevention, stretching boosts our mind and mood. The increased oxygen supply not only nourishes our muscles, but it stimulates our brain, often leaving us feeling more awake and energized. This also provides us a channel to relieve tensions opposing both mind and body, and occasion to de-stress, de-fuse and reflect.

It is paramount that we stretch our muscles again post-activity, ending workouts or challenging activities with passive or static stretches. These are stretches that allow our body temperature to cool down, and involve holding a position to elongate muscles after they have been tightened and shortened. Doing so effectively minimizes restriction, stiffness or muscle tenderness that often hangs on after an otherwise rewarding work out.

A final pointer for muscular wellbeing: drink ample amounts of water. Hydrated muscles are happy muscles.
We stretch to prime and protect our muscles, tone our body, and most of all to feel alert and vibrant! Now we’re ready to kickoff spring with a twist added to our daily routine, remembering that summer is just around the next bend.

 

Photo Credit:

weheartit.com

fithealthyandhappy.tumblr.com

Truth and Fantasy: The Mind-Shaping Stories of Our Youth

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It’s interesting that some of the scifi and fantasy-fiction that used to be marginalized, is now completely mainstream. I mean, 15 years ago, you would not have imagined a book series about a wizard-boy would be a completely mainstream cash cow. But some of us have been burying our noses in fantastical wizard worlds for a while now. Yet it’s the gentle allegorical wisdom in the pages of these young adult novels that has undoubtedly shaped us as the grown-ups we have become. Take a look at these titles and quotes and allow them to take you back to that impressionable place…

 George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin & The Princess and Curdie

George MacDonald is a terribly underrated author. He was a passionate Scottish minister and writer who was a great influence on Tolkien, Lewis, and L’Engle. The Princess and the Goblin and its sequel are gorgeous stories about a very young princess in very serious danger. Here are some quotes of his many valuable lessons:

“There is this difference between the growth of some human beings and that of others: in the one case it is a continuous dying, in the other a continuous resurrection.” - George MacDonald, The Princess and Curdie

“We are all very anxious to be understood, and it is very hard not to be. But there is one thing much more necessary.’ 

What is that, grandmother?’

To understand other people.’

Yes, grandmother. I must be fair – for if I’m not fair to other people, I’m not worth being understood myself. I see.” - George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin

 

C.S. Lewis – The Chronicles of Narnia & Out of a Silent Planet Trilogy

It’s hard to overemphasize the talent of C.S. Lewis. He dazzles you with the mastery he has over words, and never in a wasteful way. The words and phrases he spills out are never wasted on a frivolous thought, but always something beautiful that ought to be considered.

I wanted to mention his underrated and little-known scifi trilogy here, even though I only ever got around to the first of the three–Out of a Silent Planet–but I must have read The Chronicles of Narnia a dozen times during my teen and pre-teen years. The seven books that were written over 5 years of Lewis’ life have sold over 100 million copies worldwide, in 47 different languages in the last 60 years.

“You come from the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve”, said Aslan. “And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth; Be content.” – C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian

“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” - C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew

“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back everything is different….” - C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian

Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle In Time Series

A Wrinkle in Time and the sequels A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time were life-changing for me. The fantasy elements sat on top of pseudo-scientific explanation in a way that was new to me (I guess you call that science fiction). L’Engle was a fascinating women who lived through most of the 20th century. She loved the Bible, and she loved modern science; she saw no dichotomy between the two.

“But you see, Meg, just because we don’t understand doesn’t mean that the explanation doesn’t exist.” -A Wrinkle In Time

“Life, with its rules, its obligations, and its freedoms, is like a sonnet: You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself.” – Mrs. Whatsit, A Wrinkle in Time

The Neverending Story

Some people don’t know that this classic 80s film was first a novel written by the ironically named author, Michael Ende. If you think the movie is crazy, the novel will blow your mind. The film barely covers the first half of the novel. It is a brilliant homage to the limitlessness of the imagination of every human.

“The Nothing is spreading,” groaned the first. “It’s growing and growing, there’s more of it every day, if it’s possible to speak of more nothing. All the others fled from Howling Forest in time, but we didn’t want to leave our home. The Nothing caught us in our sleep and this is what it did to us.”

“Is it very painful?” Atreyu asked.

“No,” said the second bark troll, the one with the hole in his chest. “You don’t feel a thing. There’s just something missing. And once it gets hold of you, something more is missing every day. Soon there won’t be anything left of us.” – Michael Ende

Greek Mythology

Is it just me, or does everyone go through a phase where you are super into Greek mythology? It’s odd when you think that this cannon of fantastical stories was the religious foundation for a real ancient culture. But from a literary standpoint, the pantheon of gods and goddesses are fascinating archetypes for human character. These “gods” were exaggeratedly human in their passions, desires, and flaws, which makes them a great mirror for our oft-childish hearts. Recommended reading: Homer’s The Iliad and The Odessey, of course, and D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths.

Also suggested, C.S. Lewis’ novel based on the mythical romance of Cupid and Psyche, Till We Have Faces, where the author writes, “The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing…to find the place where all the beauty came from.”

So maybe you’ve been day-dreaming about magical worlds since you learned the alphabet, or maybe fantasy literature has never been your thing… Either way, take a second to think back on stories that stimulated your imagination as a child. We all remember strange things that make a deep impression on us as children, and it’s so often the adventures we’re told about that make the clearest mark, and inspire us in one direction or another. What fantasy world inspired you?

 

 

Photo Credits:

frivolousdistinction.deviantart.com, booksshouldbefree.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk, live.hollywoodjesus.com, e-booksdirectory.com

Throw Pillows: Re-thrown!

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Picture this: you’re walking through your living room midday. The sun is high in the sky, streams of light falling through the window. And something catches your eye. From the corner of the sofa something screams: ugly.

I know you’ve thought it at least once; we all have. “Why is my sofa haunted by hideous throw pillows?”

Unfortunately, the throw pillow, while an almost essential decorating tool, can be an eyesore or, at best, an expensive bother. With the right tools, though, you can learn to reinvent your pillows as whimsy finds you. Change them often to give your living room a refreshing facelift.

Below, I will guide you through the process of recovering old throw pillows using cloth placemats–we can call it the Placemat Pillow Makeover:

Step 1: You need to gear up. The key to success is choosing the proper placemat: it should be made of fabric and have two separate layers.

Next, select your pillow victim, keeping in mind that it needs to fit snugly within the placemat–which means only fairly small pillows will work. Or, you can buy 100% Polyester Fiberfill from a craft or fabric store and stuff it inside of the placemat, making your own “pillow.”

Additionally, you’ll need a seam ripper, pins, coordinating thread, and the good ol’ Singer. For those of you who are sewing dysfunctional (I’ll kindly refer to you as the S.D.) I recommend fusible tape (like Stitch Witchery), and an iron and ironing board, instead of thread.

Step 2: Choose one side of the placemat and use the seam ripper to tear open the seam along the middle two-thirds of that side, avoiding both corners. Carefully stuff the pillow into the opened placemat, making sure to push the cushiony goodness fully into the corners for a snug fit.

Step 3: This is where we diverge. If you’re a member of the S.D., place the fusible tape along the seam and pin every few inches. Follow the directions on the package to iron your layers together. For you who are sewbugs, the next step is to tuck your seams under and pin them together. Your finishing stitch can be done by hand or machine.

Eh Voila! You are officially empowered, and your sofa is happier as well!

 

Photo Credits:

blog.pawlingprintstudio.com

anthopologie.com

thenester.com

Westminster Palace and the Lovely Victorians

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Now I’m sure you’re thinking: why would “The Stylist” write about old stone palace and archaic fashion? Well, Darling believes that education about architecture and historical eras can broaden our perspective on “style” and “design.” Everything we see has an effect on the way we express our own style, so it’s always beneficial to take in architecture and interior design, past and present trends, colors, shapes, and textures of our world. Plus, learning more about history always makes you a more interesting person! Keeping this in mind, read on and be educated by Kassandra, a stylist who appreciates historical design:

When I think of England a few things come to mind–tea, rainy weather, and Kate Middleton. But two images that stick out most in my mind are Big Ben and the Queen of England–majestic architecture and regal people.

The Palace of Westminster, with the clock tower nicknamed Big Ben, is one of the most famous buildings in England, and also the meeting place of Parliament (the House of Lords and the House of Commons). Consisting of two sections, the Old Palace and the New Palace, it is located on the north bank of the River Thames in the London borough of the City of Westminster.

This historic structure has certainly shown perseverance, surviving many accidents and horrific events throughout its lifetime: fires, bombings, and the collapse of stonework. Most of the Old Palace was burnt down in a tally-stack fire in 1834. Now I know what you are thinking–what on earth are tally-stacks?

Split tallies were wooden tokens used as a form of currency, acting like a 19th century credit card. A stick would be marked distinctively and split in half lengthwise. One piece would than be given to the vendor and one to the debtor, so both individuals would have record of the exchange. The tallies over time lost their function, and thus, were ordered to be burned in the Old Palace. However, the stove fire quickly got out of hand, as you can see depicted below in the painting “The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons” (1835) by J.M.W. Turner.

A few years into the planning stages of the re-building of the Palace marked the Victorian Era. This era, ranging from 1837-1901, was named after Queen Victoria and her reign in power. One of the most notable things from this time period was the distinct fashion, often dictated by the Queen herself. Fashion in this era is such a drastic contrast to how we dress today–who doesn’t enjoy wearing a comfy pair of jeans? Yet prior to 1835, women donned great hats. Not long after, these hats went out the window and in came bonnets. Whenever I think of bonnets, I imagine children wearing them, not women. How shocking it would it be if women walked around wearing bonnets in this day and age!

Women’s dresses of the Victorian era were made in two pieces, a bodice and a skirt. The bodice was tight fitting and designed to emphasize small waists. Sleeve styles and lengths were constantly changing; as time went on the bodice turned into a deeper V shape, and the seam lines on sleeves were dropped lower, making it harder for women to move their arms. Crinoline, a beehive shaped support, was introduced during this time to hold up extra petticoats. It is certainly a stretch trying to imagine wearing crinoline or petticoats every day! I believe it would have been a bit of a workout, carrying all that extra weight around. One of the most interesting things to note is that during this era a right and left shoe started to be produced–prior to this time shoes were interchangeable!

Accessories in the Victorian era were certainly fanciful. Parasols were widely popular, and women wore brooches at the collar, small earrings, shawls, gloves and little aprons. How interesting it would have been to live in a time that had specific trends you were required to follow to fit in with society!

It is fascinating to note the history behind the buildings and fashion we have come to love and know today. The gorgeous style of the Palace of Westminster and the Victorian era were rich with excitement and change. So next time you are standing under Big Ben, I hope you recall this history lesson and remember to look for style in more than likely places!

 

Photo Credits:

ishniche.wordpress.com

J.M.W. Turner, “The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons (1835)”

vam.ac.uk

betteridge.com

More than Bunnies and Eggs: The Origins of Easter

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So friends, I’m going to ask you for a favor. For the first time in the history of our relationship, I, “The Why Kid,” am going to ask you to give me a chance.

Given the topic of this article, I already know there are going to be some of you out there that will roll your eyes and be eager to click on the next intriguing Darling article that awaits you. But just think, we’ve been through so much together already! To this date, we’ve walked through the Christmas season, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day together; so we’re practically family! And as family, I’m asking you to hear me out in regards to Easter, which can be complicated! I want to talk about everything from Passover and crucifixions, to the lambs, bunnies and colored eggs in between.

Alright, hang on as we grasp for some historical context from some ancient texts…

Easter begins with the account of Passover found in the second book of the Bible, Exodus. Passover commemorates the time in which God led the people of Israel (the Jews) out of slavery in Egypt by inflicting ten horrendous plagues upon the country.

During the cruel and oppressive authority of Pharaoh, God sent His messenger Moses (think: 10 Commandments) to demand that Pharaoh let the people of Israel go free. When Pharaoh refused, due to his hard and prideful heart, God sent a series of plagues to demonstrate His authority over Pharoah and to give him 10 chances to change his mind, preventing further destruction of his kingdom.

Before the tenth and final plague–the death of each family’s first-born child–God instructed the Israelites to slaughter a spotless lamb (without blemish) and paint the tops of their doorposts with the blood. When the Angel of Death then passed over Egypt with the tenth plague, every house with a scarlet doorpost was actually “passed over,” and their first-born child was spared.

Despite the massive amounts of warning, Egypt awoke to find many of their children dead, including the first-born son of the embittered, unbelieving Pharaoh. It was at this that Pharaoh finally agreed to release the Israelites, and they fled so abruptly that the dough of their bread didn’t have time to rise (and trust me, this was a big deal). Thus, unleavened bread called Matzo became a symbol of remembrance for the Jewish holiday Passover. The time of Passover begins this year on April 6th, extending through to the 14th, and as Jewish congregations begin their traditional celebration, Christians also join to celebrate Easter as a three-day weekend event.

Now, let’s fast forward to the New Testament scriptures, which contain the origins of the Christian beliefs on Easter…

Jesus, God’s Son, has now come on the scene and is in the midst of His public ministry—healing the sick and teaching truths of God to thousands. As He enters Jerusalem, the entire city greets Him with praise and adoration by laying down palm leaves in His path. This is where the celebration of Palm Sunday comes from.

Who knew so much would change by the end of that week? On the following Friday (now known as Good Friday) Jesus, who was Jewish, was sharing in the Passover meal. In front of his disciples, (his 12 followers) he pauses to explain something radical. On that very night, Jesus lays bare why the Passover in Egypt was actually a foreshadowing of his coming death and resurrection (rising from the dead). Taking the unleavened bread in one hand and the cup of wine in the other, Jesus blesses both and then turns to His disciples to say:

“Take, eat; this is my body.” Speaking of the bread. And with the cup of wine He said, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26)

Within a matter of hours, Jesus was dragged away by soldiers to be tried before the Sanhedrin, (a Jewish judicial body). He was then mocked, beaten, and condemned for making the claim of being the Son of God. They believed this was the ultimate blasphemy (sacrilegious speech about God), deserving death. The Jewish leaders then took Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Roman Judea, and asked for the death sentence.

Although Pilate found him to be innocent of a crime deserving death, he gave Jesus to the Jews to do as they wished. With many of His followers mourning and confused, he was hung on a cross, died a terrible death, and was buried in a tomb.

Yet, on the third day, the scriptures say Jesus rose from the dead, and appeared to many. This “resurrection” is the event celebrated in Christian churches on Easter Sunday.

So why is this so important to Christians? Well, the belief is that just as the Israelites needed the blood over their door to gain the favor of God, all humanity needs the covering of Christ’s blood over the wrongs they have done against God and others. The Passover lamb foreshadows Christ in that the Bible says he was “without sin,” something no being had ever attained, therefore making him the “spotless” sacrifice for mankind. In this context, believing in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection makes one “washed clean” or “forgiven” before God, able to abide in His presence forever. But it doesn’t stop there; many Christians also engage in a  daily relationship or “friendship” with Christ through prayer and reading of the Bible, where they find continued forgiveness, freedom from guilt, and strength to live more like Christ, which is the goal of their faith.

Wow, that’s a lot of history, and by this point, you may be wondering how bunnies and eggs fit into all of this bloodiness, so let me quickly tell you.

Many believe that Easter is a celebration of the spring solstice. Bunnies are supposed to represent fertility and new birth (hence the phrase concerning rabbits…).Many ancient cultures such as the Egyptians believed the world began with an enormous egg, thus making the egg a symbol of new life. Historically, eggs were colored by dyes made from edible flowers, fruits, coffee, tea, bark, roots, and vegetables, with the art progressing over the years across different cultures that also evolved into games using the eggs.

While these commercialized traditions are fun and fluffy, this Easter let’s look beyond the bunnies, eggs, and chocolate…into a deeper place where we can find renewed hope, faith, and new life this year.

Always,

The Why Kid

 

Photo Credits:

babyfotomamma.blogspot.com

youngfoundations.org

theinspirational.wordpress.com

 

Spring Greening

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It’s been an early spring in much of the country. Landscapes are already in full bloom, flaunting their array of leaves, buds and blossoms. After any winter, no matter how mild, spring makes us a little more thankful for the beauty of nature. With Earth Day approaching, society, too, will remind us to appreciate our planet.

In addition to highlighting the splendor of nature, many pleas for environmental action invoke a fear of the future. However, our care for the natural environment should not be motivated primarily by fear. It’s not fear of the unknown that should motivate us to make changes in life. Rather, we should be compelled by love. Attempting to make change because of fear becomes quickly overwhelming. But acting out of love is, well, a labor of love. Love should sprout gratitude for the beauty and the resources around us. Love should also sprout action. When acting out of love, the thought that, “my small contribution won’t make a difference,” fades into the background. Because efforts, large or small, are a joy and not a burden. All the effort and the unknown effects become secondary.

I recently heard a great example of this type of motivation put into action. It started with picking up trash. One day, Mark Covington noticed how much trash was on the street in his Detroit neighborhood. He loved his street. He had lived there his entire life. So, Mark began to pick up the trash. Noticing a vacant lot, he thought it would be a great place for a garden. So, he cleaned up the lot. Others joined in. They planted sunflowers to remove contamination from the soil. They planted vegetables to provide fresh produce for neighborhood, where fresh food was hard to come by. Now, they show outdoor movies on that lot to bring the neighbors together. The progression continues. And it started so small.

Mark was motivated by his love for his street. He wasn’t sitting at home watching documentaries on global warming or on the demise of the auto industry. He was motivated not by what he feared, but by what he saw. He had no grand master plan. And yet, his small steps have turned into something significant.

For more inspiration, you can hear Mark tell his story here.

Now that it’s warm enough to get outside and do something, where will you start?

 

Photo Credit: http://bestgardendesign.net

Being Kept

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Have you ever been devastated?  I mean really, really heartbroken? Deep in a valley?

I have. Its scary. It’s dark. It’s lonely. It’s terrifying, really.

And each time I’ve been there, in that scary, heartbroken place, I always wonder: Why me? Why on earth would this happen to me?

I’m in a similar valley now; a very foreign and confusing place. As I sit in this uncomfortable place so many questions start to form in my head. I tend to immediately run to friends and family looking for answers and advice. But in the end I always find myself in a conversation with God, asking Him endless questions, hoping He will answer. And as I ask God to start to reveal what He is doing in my life through this hard time, I begin to feel a peace in the midst of my confusion and a comfort in my soul that reminds me I’m not alone. It’s feeling I can’t explain other than the still small voice of God saying: “Hana, I am keeping you from something you cannot see and you do not understand right now, but I am also keeping you for something. Something amazing. Something I have equipped and designed you for.  Something better than anything you could come up with on your own. Trust me.”

We as women will walk dark roads. Rough roads full of questions, fears, and confusions, but in the midst of those roads I truly believe we need to remember and find hope that we are being kept and guarded. Kept from things we don’t quite understand or things we are just not ready to see. Things that we may not be ready to handle at this point in our lives. Not only should we remember that we are being kept and guarded from the unseen, but we are also being kept for something. Something wonderful. Something HUGE. And that’s exciting! It may not look the way we think it will, but through faith, we can trust that as we walk these bumpy roads that there are unseen arms guiding us, holding us, and carrying us through. If we hold this posture of trust, on the other side of heartbreak there will be restoration and mending; on the other side of darkness and confusion there will be peace and light.

I’ve always been told when things like job opportunities fall through, or relationships don’t turn out the way you thought they should, or when hard things happen in my family life that it “just wasn’t the right timing,”or “better luck next time!” But I have always felt like there was more to what was going on in those situations than these surface explanations.

In these tough times I begin to think about the idea of being guarded, or “kept.” The idea that maybe the dream job that you thought you were perfect for was really a nightmare job, and it would have sucked the life right out of you. Or the boy you were convinced you were suppose to marry was not at all what was going to be good or right for you.

It doesn’t take away the initial hurt or sadness, but I promise, if you hold onto the idea of being “kept,” you will see that through the confusion of being held FROM something you can not see, you are also being kept and held FOR something. And this “something” is so much greater than anything you could even think up.  Believe me, I’ve thought up some pretty great scenarios for my life. But nothing compared to what I am being shaped and kept for by a God who sees all and knows all. A God who’s love runs deep. This I know to be true.

 

Photo Credit: Natalia Klimova Photography

Quick, Whisked Beauty

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The incredible, edible egg can do much more that nourish your body, it can also be used to tighten and brighten your skin. Inexpensive and easily accessible, an egg can be a wonderful alternative to department store beauty products if you’re on a budget or just looking to try something new. Not to mention it’s entirely natural, so no worries about possible irritants in this one ingredient wonder.

Eggs contains natural vitamin A in the yolk that works to repair scarring and brightens redness while the egg white tightens and shrinks pores. As with all skin care, repeated use will produce more noticeable results, but any little bit helps!

Here’s what you do: Simply, whisk one entire egg until the yolk and white are well blended. Then using your fingers (or if you’re squeamish a cotton pad) apply the egg to your clean face in gentle circular motions. Continue layering the egg until you feel you have enough then allow it to dry and tighten, about 10 minutes or so. Rinse and go on your merry way!

 

Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sjuarezm/6219719016/in/photostream