Time flys...

I just realized that its been an entire month, exactly, since I last posted. I have been side-tracked by numerous projects- starting up my Etsy store, working out, cleaning, and most recently beginning Hatha Yoga Teacher Training. 

I am going to get back to new postings. My posts will most likely be back to focusing on health, self-care, and self-fulfillment.


Have a wonderful day :)

Amazing Underwater Creatures

Check out this awesome article from Yahoo news - Scientists are working to identify creatures throughout the world's oceans and they have some great pictures to go along with their findings.

Free YOGA!

Free Yoga tomorrow, Monday Oct. 4th from 5:30-6:45 at Reflections Yoga Center in Homewood, IL. enjoy!

How to get Lucky

Check out this great article that breaks down why some people are lucky and some are not- and how you can become lucky.

* BTW- I fall into the lucky category ;)

New ETSY Store!

Im proud to announce that I recently started my own Etsy shop- Love In Nature- My store will be selling a mix of vintage and hand made goods inspired by the beauty around us- Let me know what you think! :)

Most Isolated Man

Slate.com has a great article, The Most Isolated Man on the Planet, that is really worth the 5 minutes it takes to read...

Brazilian government officials have been aware of a man who appears to be the last remaining member of his tribe living in the Amazon. Govt. officials have done the right thing and have opted against trying to contact the man, and have legally protected him by declaring a 31-square-mile area around him off-limits to trespassing and development.

Check out the article for more about what scientists know regarding tribes in that area of the Amazon. This article will definitely make you re-think our society's obsession with technology and our constant communication with family, friends,& strangers alike.

Another reason to love August

Besides being one of our last chances to enjoy summer and being the month of my birth...August is also the time of the Perseid Meteor Shower- Watch the skies on the evenings of the 12th & 13th to catch a glimpse of these beautiful shooting stars.

Any cats in your walls???

Apparently its good luck to stuff a cat in your walls in England. This mummy cat here is about 400 years old. My house is about 110-115 years old and I really don't want to find out what may be buried in my walls ;)

Top 5 Time Killers Today...

1. Sing along to songs on YouTube
2. Push-ups
3. Watch Arrested Development on Hulu
4. Mentally note all the things I'm going to buy when I have money
5. I guess Im really lazy today cause thats all I've got

Good News Everyone!

I love Futurama- so, eventhough I'm not into most of today's wedding traditions (including the wedding cake and, even more ridiculous in my eyes - grooms cakes) I think its hands down fantastic that someone had a Futurama cake made for their wedding- so great :)

Vacation!

I just returned from an amazing vacation and have plenty to post... right after I feel a little better from this sickness that I caught and start catching up on all my other chores...

More Sciencey Stuff

The New York Times has a great article about a new telescope to be sent into space in the near future (2014) - A model of this telescope is currently on display in Battery Park.

This high powered telescope will be sent one million miles from Earth to look deeper than ever out into the universe. The images collected should show us what the very beginning of the universe looked like, adding to what we have learned from the images previously collected by the Hubble telescope- I can't wait!

And for good measure...

Here is your daily dose of cuteness from the good people at dailysquee.com

Free Acupuncture!

This doesn't seem to happen often so if you are interested in receiving an acupuncture treatment you are in luck...Bodyscapes, through Seeking Balance (3033 Chicago Rd. Steger, Il) is offering FREE community acupuncture on June 2nd. They do ask that you call and make an appointment- Check out their website as well: http://www.bodyscape.biz/

SPACE!

Yahoo.com has a great short article gathered from space.com regarding the discussion over matter versus anti-matter. While I don't completely understand the physics, I am always excited to read about what the newest theory is or what findings may point to... I think the whole debate about matter versus anti-matter really helps remind us that we really shouldn't take our existence here for granted-

The Power of Breath

Yogajournal.com recently posted a great article about the importance of our breath. Whether in a yoga class or just going about your daily activities, our breath affects every aspect of our being. 

Most of us don't even pay attention to our breath until we are forced to- losing our breath running up a flight of stairs, quickly inhaling when we are frightened by something, or noticing when we have trouble breathing due to illness or disease.

Check this article out for ways to be more mindful of our breath and the benefits of full deep breathing. 

Reflections Yoga Studio (ryogacenter.com) in Homewood is offering a Pranayama (Breath) workshop this Sunday, May 2. Contact them for further details if interested.
 

More Free Classes!

Holistic Happenings is offering a free Tai Chi/Qigong workshop on Tues April 27th from 7-8pm. They are located at 7925 W. 171st St in Tinley Park and they ask that you call and register at 708-429-3052 if you plan on attending. Enjoy :)

Belly Class is Back

Beginner Bellydance with the Blue Island Park District starts again tomorrow night and runs every Tuesday for the next 8 weeks from 7-8pm. It will be a good time while keeping us all in shape for the beautiful weather we are finally getting.

Perspectives.

A friend recently passed this website my way

www.dailyom.com

Its a great site full of words of wisdom. Recently they posted an article titled Messengers from the Wilderness which everyone could benefit from reading. 

"A plant is a weed only within a certain context; one person’s weed is another person’s wildflower." 


Whether taken literally or figuratively, it reminds us to look a little deeper. We are surrounded by beauty and its up to us to stop and take it in.

On The Same Note...

If you miss free yoga on Saturday, check out Beverly Yoga Center's free Community Yoga Class this Sunday Mar. 14th at 2pm. They only ask that you bring in a canned food item for donation to Southwest PADS. 

Thanks!

* This class usually fills up pretty quickly so make sure to get there early to get a spot :)

Free Yoga!

This Sat. Mar 13, from 10-11a, Sunshine Yoga in Orland Park is holding their Free Community Yoga Class- This is a good chance to practice yoga and check out their yoga studio and teachers. 

They do ask that you register for this class at 708-873-6030.

Another Beautiful Moment...

brought to us by Daily Squee...

The Beautiful Giant Sinkholes

Recently I have found myself doing a bit of reading online about sinkholes all over the Earth- Their incredible size and the unexpectedness of their occurence simply amazes me.

Check out webecoist.com for more information and pictures of these giant sinkholes.

Can't Wait for Spring

Just wanted to take a quick moment to point out that Spring is almost here and another winter is almost gone--- Waking up early isn't so bad when the sun is shining and the birds are singing...

Hope you all are getting a little relief like I am to see these small signs of the seasons changing :)

New Website!

Check out my new massage website:

http://www.amtamembers.com/cfennessey

This site includes information regarding my background in massage therapy and various treatments that I offer-


Thanks!

Everyday Aromatherapy

Massage Mag.com's article "Aromatherapy for Self-Care" is a great short article about ways to use aromatherapy to help get you through your day. 

Some of their suggestions:
- Use an aromatherapy mist in the room around you or use an aromatherapy diffuser
-  Put a drop of aromatherapy in your hands, rub them together, and inhale the scent
-  Soak in a bath oil that contains essential oils


Suggested blends:
- Energizing blends during the day: peppermint, spearmint, basil, sage, fennel, eucalyptus, orange, lemon, grapefruit... 
- Relaxing blends at night: lavender, marjoram, cedarwood, ylang ylang, chamomile, mandarin... 

Find more info through Massage Mag.com. While not mentioned in the article, tea tree oil is also a valuable oil to work with and mix with other scents such as lavendar. 

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Hope everyone enjoys some New Orleans inspired food and drinks tonight :)

Free Yoga This Sunday

Its that time again- Free community yoga at Beverly Yoga Center this Sunday at 2pm. They only ask that you bring a canned food item which will be donated to Southwest PADS. This is a great class- Check out their website for further details.

Lapse

Its been a while since I last posted- I have been quite busy massaging, bellydancing, and trying
to get a little rest in between. While February looks like its going to continue to be a busy month
I am going to try to get back up to speed with posting good stuff... thanks for checking up on the
blog :)

The Last Waltz

I have been talking about this movie quite a bit lately and I try to share it with everyone I know. Its a wonderful documentary about The Bands last show- which included performances with a number of other legendary singers and musicians. Check out this movie- One of the best parts is The Band and The Staples Singers performing The Weight together- it is amazing.

Make Yourself Happy

Having a bad day? Buried in debt? In a bad mood?
Surrounded by people who are bringing you down?

Well- even if you are not dealing with any of the above- You should do yourself a favor and check out Daily Squee-

Its filled with the goodness of sweetheart animals, fuzzy baby critters, and boatloads of overwhelming cuteness. Try not to love what Daily Squee has to offer...

Bellydance Class Registration

Hi everyone-

The first session of beginner bellydance at the Blue Island Park District is wrapping up and now is the time to register for February's session which runs from 02/02/10 - 02/25/10. Class is alot of fun and a great workout- Contact the Blue Island Park District or stop into the Memorial Park Fieldhouse to register or get further details.

Please spread the word if you know of anyone who may be interested...

Thanks!

Cleaning for a Reason

If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning- 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.

All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.

cleaningforareason.org

Please pass this information on... This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women.

Jersey Shore Finger Puppets

Show your friends and family that you only watch the finest that tv has to offer- Jersey Shore of course. Check out the Jersey Shore Finger Puppet website and order your very own commemorative hand made finger puppets and magnets. Christmas may be over but what sweetheart wouldn't love one of these fist-bumpin spikey haired guidos or orange glow hair bump short shorts wearing guidettes for valentines day...

And the money goes towards a good cause- everyday local women are working their fingers to the bone making these collectors items in hopes that they can raise enough funds to make a pilgrimage to where the magic happens--- the real Jersey Shore-

Good Reading

If you are looking for a great novel check out Kathryn Stockett's "The Help". This novel focuses on three women in the early 1900s in Mississippi. This book looks at the relationship between the black domestic help and the white women they work for and puts it into context with the political climate of the day.