In an era of narrow viewpoints, wannabee Paris Hilton's and The Jersey Shore, where the most popular singers talk about "brushing your teeth with a bottle of jack," where we have more degrees, but less sense of life, where we've forgotten how to laugh, but know how to send a text message, we've lost the real shit in life that reminds us how to breathe. I had to keep my sanity somewhere, so here it is: The Real Shit. A blog with REAL music, inspiration, and advice.
One of the things I love best about going home to California is all the fresh produce and farmers markets that are available. You're not considered a "hippy freak" if you like to juice like you are here in Texas. While I was home over winter break, my mom had gotten really into juicing. We would juice every morning and night. I felt such an amazing difference in my body, that I couldn't stop. I felt so much more energized and I no longer needed coffee or tea to get me through the day. I ended up getting my own juicer for Christmas, so I brought my new passion for juicing back to Texas. Thankfully, Fort Worth does have organic food options. I get all my produce at Central Market where they have a really large selection of fresh all organic produce. Today while I was grocery shopping, the most amazing thing happened. I saw an old man with a huge cart that was filled with bulk bags of fruits and vegetables. He had an enormous bag of carrots that looked like he had special ordered. As soon as I saw him I knew he was a fellow juicer. We both were reaching for some ginger, when I asked him if he was juicing. He told me that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago and they decided not to do chemo. Instead, they decided to completely change their diet. They juice several times a day, cut out all red meats, dairy, and processed foods. Want to know what the most amazing part is? Her cancer has shrunk significantly within just 3 months!! I got teary eyed and continued to watch him stalkerishly as he continued to shop. The passion and love he had in his eyes as he was picking out his all organic produce for his wife was really touching. I immediately called my mom and told her. I've always been a strong believer that what you put in your body can directly effect your body more than anything else can. My boyfriend who used to make fun of me for juicing and only wanting to eat all organic, actually is starting to consider the legitimacy and benefits of juicing. I urge all of you, take a look at what you're feeding your body. Juicing has changed my life, and it can change yours too.
Morning Rejuvenation Recipe:
4 large organic carrots
4 organic celery sticks
1 large piece of organic cucumber
1 organic beet
1 organic apple
1 organic grapefruit
1 organic orange
1 small piece of organic ginger
-Enjoy over ice. Serves 2 people or extra for yourself!
Alright, I usually cringe at people who post quotes about "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" or spill their intimate life details to the social media world. I'm not here to blab and reassure myself that I'm "strong" by writing on my blog. I'm just here to share a few words of wisdom that I had lost sight of for awhile until this past week. We live in a world of insecure people and expectations we are supposed to live up to. No matter where you go, or what you do, you will constantly be judged and criticized. That is just life. What you wear, what you say, what you do, you will never be completely free of judgements unless you allow yourself to be. An experience happened to me this past week that made me more frustrated than I had been in a long time. A picture was sent out by an unknown suspect and that person claimed that the picture was me. Anyone who knows me, knows I have too much self pride and dignity to send a picture like that. If you send a nude picture of yourself to someone in 2013 and don't expect it to be seen by the world, you're an idiot. While growing up, I have constantly been watching what I have on Facebook and any social media sites. You are your own PR, so you better make it good. When I found that someone sent this picture out, and put MY name on it, I was livid. Not only was I livid, but I felt pretty helpless. To be accused of something you didn't do, may be more frustrating than getting accused of something you actually did do. At least if you did it, you can accept it and try to move on from it. But for me, I wasn't going to let this happen. I have worked too hard to get where I am, and I was not about to let some immature guys who can't control their hormones tarnish my name. Long story short, I think I handled it and that rumor is pretty much squashed. But now here I am. Left with a lot of frustration and a whole lot of anger. A part of me is glad that this happened, because it reminded me of who I am. It is so easy to lose yourself and fall into working so hard to create this "image" of yourself. Everyone wants to have the best body, and look their best and I've felt that pressure my whole life. What I realized after this incident though, is no matter what you do, you will be criticized. If you're ugly you'll be criticized for not being pretty enough, if you're blessed with beauty you'll be constantly scrutinized and judged, and if you're cursed with a larger chest like myself, you'll have guys sending out fake pictures of you. It's a loose loose people. That is why you need to realize that the only approval you need in life is your own. You're the best friend you will ever have, and it's time I start remembering that. I have people who I know will always be there for me, but if you can't look in the mirror in the morning and smile at that person looking back at you, then what do you have? Nothing. Accept yourself, and once you do you'll realize none of this bullshit ever really mattered.
Jay Z vs Lana Del Ray- Dirt Off Your Shoulders/Born To Die Remix
Alabama Shakes everyone. If you haven't heard their music already, then you need to get to listenin'. This rock band originates from Athens, Alabama, where their funk and rock and roll music seems to collide together seamlessly. Lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard is my idol. Straight up girl power at it's finest. This girl has soul. Get them on your radar. I love when I come across bands like this, it gives me hope for our generation of music.
Hold on- Alabama Shakes " Bless my heart, bless my soul. I didn't think I'd make it to 22 years old."
-This song is perfect for this time in my life. A lot of stress and a lot of bullshit, but you just got to "hold on."
Always Alright- Alabama Shakes This song + this movie= pure greatness
The Melker Project has put together some amazing remixes. You usually don't even mess with Stevie Nicks, but this remix has blown my mind. The song isn't on YouTube or iTunes but you can download this whole album for free here on sound cloud.
This is real hip-hop. Seattle based artist Sol already won me over with his song "Stage Dive," but now he has done it again. His new song "Old Him"is hip hop in it's purest form. If you ask me, he's a breath of fresh air in the regurgitated genre of music we call hip-hop today.
