February is all about “the heart”! We have Valentines Day and Heart month with the Heart & Stroke Foundation, not to mention our ‘far out & fab fan contest’ for February!

As some of you know, I had a heart “attack” in September. My heart attack occurred after receiving a serious health diagnosis for my husband and after meditating on opening the heart and “walking right into the sharp point of the pain”. There could be numerous discussions about the timing of all of this, however, today, I want to tell you more about the type of heart attack I had, as many women I talk to have never heard about this kind.

A “heart attack” or myocardial infarction (MI) by definition, occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is cut off because of an “occlusion or obstruction”. Most of us know about coronary artery disease and about “fatty plaques” that can block or occlude blood vessels in the heart and lead to a heart attack. This is the only type of a heart attack I knew about, even after being in “health care” for over 20 years in a “previous life”.

The type of heart attack I had; occurs predominantly in women, is likely under-reported, is not very common (thankfully) and seems to be associated with hormone levels. I want to tell you about it so you will have personal awareness and be attentive to your body, even if you are healthy and do not have heart disease! I had what is called a “spontaneous coronary artery dissection” (SCAD) and what happens is that a few layers of the artery wall pull away or self dissect, creating a “flap” which then pulls away from the artery wall and stops the blood flow. Upon investigation, my arteries were completely clear of “plaques” and I do not have “heart disease” in the way most people think of it. The symptoms of both types of heart attack are the same though.

Here are the symptoms I experienced; for about 2 days prior, I felt a tightness in my chest, which felt like I was developing bronchitis; I felt abit light headed, during the “heart attack”, I felt like a 50- 200 lb dog was sitting on my chest and I had difficulty breathing, this sensation would ease for a while and then it would resume. I had the “heavy dog sitting on my chest” sensation, three times or so and it lasted about 20 minutes each time. I had very little pain! My reference for physical pain is childbirth and relatively speaking, I had virtually no pain, just a slight discomfort in the right (not left) side of my neck, shoulder and arm. I felt pretty calm and relaxed until I googled “symptoms of a heart attack for women” and found I had about 8 out of 10. At this point, I decided I should go to the hospital, still thinking I was being very silly and melodramatic. Very sensibly, I did not drive myself to emerg, I had my daughter drive me. When I arrived in emerg and told them I was having chest tightness & heaviness and difficulty breathing, I was whisked right in. My blood pressure was “sky high”.

My story has a very happy ending; I am healthy, happy and alive. I did not need a stent or bypass. I received incredible medical care and attention. In my recuperation, I was exhausted for about a month and then my energy started to return, although I could resume my walking program almost right away (with my Dr’s OK). I had “critical illness” insurance, so could relax and not worry about finances. I have since talked to another woman who had a very similar experience and apparently there is a North American research study going on about SCAD, let me know if you want more info.

Here is my big “surprise”; I really didn’t experience significant pain, it was more discomfort, heaviness and chest tightness!

Here is my learning: trust my body’s wisdom, listen to the messages of my heart, do not minimize intuitive concerns, know what a “healthy body” and organs feel like, understand the mind/body connection (I was feeling pretty stressed about my husband), know the symptoms of a heart attack, understand that a heart attack doesn’t always contain a lot of “pain” as I was used to thinking of pain, ask for help and don’t drive if I think I am having another heart attack! This experience also re-validated the importance of self-care, a healthy lifestyle, loving relationships and the importance of living each moment fully present and in the now.

Please share this information with your women friends!

peace, namaste & hippy love for generations,

Zoey – founding hippy & ceo at hippy grandma

Are you a heart centered and soul filled shopper? Through your purchases, you help local artisans, hand-crafting grandmas on a pension, women’s fair trade co-ops and programs designed to support vulnerable mamas & babies. Please share Hippy Grandma widely and wildly with your soul brothers & sisters.
www.hippygrandma.com

Christmas Morning 2009 in Hippy Heaven, Yelapa, Mexico

Hotel Lagunita, Yelapa

By Zoey Ryan

The gentle waves muffle the Mexican “rancho polka music” which has started again after a brief respite. The music plays all night on Christmas Eve and for me is a strange blend of irritating and slightly hypnotizing. Earplugs simply take the edge off. Earplugs plus pillows, with my head sandwiched, seem the most effective method of muffling, which I successfully utilized at 4:17 am.

I sip my coffee, wishing it were organic Chiapas blend but enjoying what we brought from home. The roosters interject an occasional crow, although their additions are less frequent since sunrise.

I hear a water taxi leaving, a dog barking. The tiny hummingbird hovers at the brilliant red flower spindle. I hear the slap slap of flip flops on the stone stairs. I would have said ‘thongs’ a few years back but my daughters have trained me otherwise.

The temperature rises and a black and yellow striped butterfly glides in front of the tiled patio. The musky wet smell of the jungle intermingles with wood smoke, sea water smells, manure, diesel, fragrant flowers and a waft of laundry detergent. The air is wet and each breath seems to bath individual bronchioli.

I saw a furry little mouse this morning, hiding behind the dish soap (bright orange “Salvo- mi Salva Detergente Liquido Concentrado para Platos”). I startled it and so fast I wasn’t sure I had actually seen it, the tiny thing squeezed under the brown and gold Osterizer blender we use to make fresh fruit smoothies (our favorite is a papaya, banana, coconut, yogurt blend). Or, maybe, what I saw was a gecko.

The mama grey whale and her calf are quiet this morning. Perhaps they too are exhausted after the marathon night of music.

The ‘gang of teenagers’, my phrase to describe the flock of wild canaries who swoop and chatter in the morning, following the sun along the trees, scream by. They are quite unruly.

I notice a new flower has opened, yellow with saffron orange streaks and a fragrance that is mildly spicy. A lime plops to the ground. A velvety brown bird comes for a visit, perching on the iron railing at eye level. I hear chacalacas in the distance. Their sound is identical to their name. I am waiting for the pair of military macaws to cross high overhead in their daily fly by. It is said that there is a tree up river where many macaws roost and if you get there by 5 am you can see them. I’m not up that early here.

My mosquito bite itches, even with a thick pink coating of calamine lotion, glop, glop. The smell of the lotion transports me to my childhood on the Prairies and hot, lazy summer days playing in the fields and flushing out gopher holes. I wonder if I will get Dengue fever and am mildly concerned. Would it be gopher karma?

The church bells rang early this morning, calling the community to mass. I counted 16 bells, with a pause and then another bell. I may have miscounted.

The ants are busy this morning, scavenging the crumbs from the banana bread we ate out on the patio yesterday. A bright orange butterfly floats by and another magical Yelapa Christmas Day begins.

Our family in Yelapa (minus one)!

I hope you enjoyed my “Yelapa day” as much as we enjoyed our holiday. I’m back now, excited about 2010 and doing some great values based business planning.

peace & namaste,

Zoey – founding hippy & ceo at hippy grandma

Are you a heart centered and soul filled shopper? Through your purchases, you help local artisans, hand-crafting grandmas on a pension, women’s fair trade co-ops and programs designed to support vulnerable mamas & babies. Please share Hippy Grandma widely and wildly with your soul brothers & sisters.
www.hippygrandma.com

The 13 Days of Green & Groovy Holiday Shopping: Hippy Love For Generations – Gifts From the Heart from our Hippy Grandma Eco-Boutique!

1. On the first day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Holiday, hippy grandma said to me:
*The Mystic Masala Botanical Oils, using Ayurvedic Aromatherapy makes a wonderful gift for a tired gram or mommy!
Learn more

2. On the second day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Holiday, hippy grandma reminded me:

* A natural cotton hippy grandma BYOB shopping bag needs to be next on your list to bring home all the organic and natural holiday yummies! Learn more

3. On the third day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

* Surprise some little ones with the “Bobs & Lolo” DVD. Add in 2 CD’s for the car and make it a groovy gift of three!
Learn more

4. On the fourth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

* The “Hippy Love Welcome to the World” Bundle, makes an adorable gift for a new addition to the family and her mommy!
Learn more

5. On the fifth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

*Five sets of in-laws, mom & dad, hippy sister & baby! Bamboo towels from Shoo-Foo bundled into “spa combos” are wonderful gifts for the extended family! Learn more

6. On the sixth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

*Ayurvedic aromatherapy assorted dosha tea lights from the Mystic Masala would make luscious and fragrant hostess gifts don’t you see? Learn more

7. On the seventh day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

*handknit by a real hippy grandma, these bamboo hippy baby socks will keep baby’s toes warm, cozy and happy!
Learn more

8. On the eighth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:


*The “oh so soft and cuddly” bamboo baby blanket from shoo foo makes a wonderful gift for a little baby!
Learn more

9. Day 9

On the ninth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

*Do you have travelers on your gift list?  The delicious “spice bliss” ayurvedic aromatherapy travel candle from the Mystic Masala will add exotic fragrances to the travel adventure for your gypsy hippy. ”
Learn more

10. Day 10

*On the tenth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma absolutely fell in love with the amazing homecrafted vintage chenille baby jackets and sent these exquisite heirloom gifts to all the little darlings in her life and guess what, you can too! Groovy!
Learn more

11. On the eleventh day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

* The “Mama Spice Love Bundle” with the Mystic Masala natural source massage oil and soap from a women’s fair trade co-op in Nepal and ayurvedic aromatherapy soy tea light candles would be a lovely gift for a hippy mama who wants to feel pampered and lively!

12. On the twelfth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

* For an amazing personalized gift for your grandbaby or special angel, commission a piece of original, an angel heart art doll by cdgood and leave a legacy! Learn more

13. On the thirteenth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma reminded me:

* Wise women of all ages love a lunar based calendar and the 13 Moon Natural Time Calendar makes a groovy gift for any type of hippy!

This calendar is lunar based and like the farmer’s almanac incorporates celestial, biological, agricultural, mythological and chronological processes. Women, who are naturally cyclical beings tend to love re-calibrating to natural time. The new year in the 13 moon calendar starts at the end of July. Learn more

Enjoy your heart centered and soul filled shopping! Through your purchases, you help local artisans, hand-crafting grandmas on a pension, women’s fair trade co-ops and programs designed to support vulnerable mamas & babies. Please share Hippy Grandma widely and wildly with your soul brothers & sisters. www.hippygrandma.com

peace & namaste,

Zoey – CEO & founding hippy at hippy grandma

Zoey Ryan
life, business & leadership coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul and the heart & soul of your business”

Our prices are in Canadian dollars. We ship internationally. For orders placed after Dec 2nd, to ensure a before Christmas arrival, expedited shipping will be used. For your on-line security, we use 2checkout a secure e-commerce system. 2CheckOut.com Inc.(Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Hippy Grandma.

The 13 Days of Green & Groovy Christmas Shopping From Hippy Grandma: A Fair Trade Earth Friendly Eco-Boutique. Hippy Love for generations- gifts from the heart!

Day 13

On the thirteenth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma reminded me:

* Wise women of all ages love a lunar based calendar, it taps into ancient wisdom and cycles and The 13 Moon Calendar makes a groovy gift for any type of hippy!

This calendar is lunar based and like the farmer’s almanac incorporates celestial, biological, agricultural, mythological and chronological processes. Women, who are naturally cyclical beings tend to love re-calibrating to natural time. The new year in the 13 moon calendar starts at the end of July. Regular price: $20

Blow out price for final 6 months (7 moons) : $10

Learn more

Enjoy your heart centered and soul filled shopping! Through your purchases, you help local artisans, hand-crafting grandmas on a pension, women’s fair trade co-ops and programs designed to support vulnerable mamas & babies. Please share Hippy Grandma widely and wildly with your soul brothers & sisters. www.hippygrandma.com

peace & namaste,

Zoey – CEO & founding hippy at hippy grandma

Zoey Ryan
life, business & leadership coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul and the heart & soul of your business”

Prices are in Canadian dollars. We ship internationally, order before Dec 4th to ensure a “before Christmas” arrival. For your on-line security, we use 2checkout a secure e-commerce system. 2CheckOut.com Inc.(Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Hippy Grandma.

The 13 Days of Green & Groovy Holiday Shopping at our Hippy Grandma Eco-Boutique. Peace & Hippy Love for Generations!

On the Twelfth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

* For an amazing personalized gift for your grandbaby or special angel, commission a piece of original art, an angel heart art doll by cdgood and leave a legacy!

Carolyn Dawn starts with a rose quartz rock for the heart. And then builds the Angel from there with pure intentions and respect, from natural objects, antique lace and embroidery, buttons, dove feathers. Beeswax then saturates the figure. Each knot, each stitch is a blessing of Purest Intent.

Each individual 8- 10″ angel come with a packet of sage and wrapped in cedar boughs. A numerology reading of the name and astrology readings are included as well as a short blessing of angel cards indicating what divine gifts are being brought to the child. These unique angel heart art dolls will last forever and be a family heirloom.

Learn More

Enjoy your heart centered and soul filled shopping! Through your purchases, you help local artisans, hand-crafting grandmas on a pension, women’s fair trade co-ops and programs designed to support vulnerable mamas & babies. Please share Hippy Grandma widely and wildly with your soul brothers & sisters. www.hippygrandma.com

peace & namaste,

Zoey – founding hippy at hippy grandma

Zoey Ryan
life, business & leadership coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul and the heart & soul of your business”

Prices are in Canadian dollars. We ship internationally, order before Dec 4th to ensure a “before Christmas” arrival. For your on-line security, we use 2checkout a secure e-commerce system. 2CheckOut.com Inc.(Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Hippy Grandma.

The 13 Days of Green & Groovy Christmas Shopping From Hippy Grandma: A Fair Trade, Earth Friendly Eco-Boutique. Hippy Love for generations!

Day 11

On the eleventh day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

* The “Mama Spice Love Bundle” with the Mystic Masala natural source massage oil and soap from a women’s fair trade co-op in Nepal and ayurvedic aromatherapy soy tea light candles would be a lovely gift for a hippy mama who wants to feel pampered and lively!

Learn more

Enjoy your heart centered and soul filled shopping! Through your purchases, you help local artisans, hand-crafting grandmas on a pension, women’s fair trade co-ops and programs designed to support vulnerable mamas & babies. Please share Hippy Grandma widely and wildly with your soul brothers & sisters. www.hippygrandma.com

peace & namaste,

Zoey – founding hippy at hippy grandma

Zoey Ryan
life, business & leadership coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul and the heart & soul of your business”

Prices are in Canadian dollars. We ship internationally, order before Dec 4th to ensure a “before Christmas” arrival. For your on-line security, we use 2checkout a secure e-commerce system. 2CheckOut.com Inc.(Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Hippy Grandma.

The 13 Days of Green & Groovy Christmas Shopping From Hippy Grandma: A Fair Trade, Earth Friendly Eco- Boutique! Hippy Love for generations!

Day 10

*On the tenth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma absolutely fell in love with the amazing homecrafted vintage chenille baby jackets and sent these exquisite heirloom gifts to all the little darlings in her life and guess what, you can too! Groovy!

Learn More!

Enjoy your heart centered and soul filled shopping! Through your purchases, you help local artisans, hand-crafting grandmas on a pension, women’s fair trade co-ops and programs designed to support vulnerable mamas & babies. Please share Hippy Grandma widely and wildly with your soul brothers & sisters. www.hippygrandma.com

peace & namaste,

Zoey – founding hippy at hippy grandma

Zoey Ryan
life, business & leadership coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul and the heart & soul of your business”

Prices are in Canadian dollars. We ship internationally, order before Dec 4th to ensure a “before Christmas” arrival. For your on-line security, we use 2checkout a secure e-commerce system. 2CheckOut.com Inc.(Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Hippy Grandma.

The 13 Days of Green & Groovy Christmas Shopping From Hippy Grandma: Hippy Love for generations!

Day 9

On the ninth day of on-line shopping for a green & groovy Christmas, hippy grandma said to me:

*Do you have travelers on your gift list? The delicious “spice bliss” ayurvedic aromatherapy travel candle from the Mystic Masala will add exotic fragrances to the travel adventure for your gypsy hippy.”

The Mystic Masala’s new spicebliss candle is made of pure soy wax and 100% cotton wicks and is packaged in a convenient light travel tin. Why don’t you order the vaso size for yourself and experience the exotic fragrances as well! An exotic blend of herb, flower and spice oils in these candles, balance the male and female energies and awaken the fire within. Patchouli, vetiver, geranium, cinnamon, coriander and ginger meld together in an earthy and spicy love candle. A sensual embrace of divine love!

Travel Tins: $16.50

Vaso Size: $27.50

Learn more!

Enjoy your heart centered and soul filled shopping! Through your purchases, you help local artisans, hand-crafting grandmas on a pension, women’s fair trade co-ops and programs designed to support vulnerable mamas & babies. Please share Hippy Grandma widely and wildly with your soul brothers & sisters. www.hippygrandma.com

peace & namaste,

Zoey – founding hippy at hippy grandma

Zoey Ryan
life, business & leadership coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul and the heart & soul of your business”

Prices are in Canadian dollars. We ship internationally, order before Dec 4th to ensure a “before Christmas” arrival. For your on-line security, we use 2checkout a secure e-commerce system. 2CheckOut.com Inc.(Ohio, USA) is an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Hippy Grandma.

Children learn kindness by our examples

With less than a week till the holidays I’ve been thinking about the meaning of Christmas. Two things that matter the most to me at Christmas time are being with family and friends and helping others. As a mother of two boys, Jeremy, 14 and Aiden, 8 months, I really try to teach them family values and traditions, and the good feeling that comes from giving to others. Of course Aiden is too young yet to understand, but he’ll learn as he grows by watching us.

I love finding that perfect gift for someone. More and more I am trying to give socially-conscious gifts and teach my children to do the same. This year my favourite gift ideas are candles and soaps from Vancouver based company, The Mystic Masala. I love that the candles are pure soy wax (they burn far longer than regular candles) and made in BC. I especially love that the soaps are hand-made by Wild Earth, a women’s fair trade cooperative in Nepal. Not only do they smell good, but they are helping women earn money to take care of their families.

This time of year I see so many stressed out, angry people and it makes me wonder why they get so caught up in the gift-buying stress of Christmas and forget what really matters. When my little niece was born she was very sick, and had to get a pacemaker. She would not be here today if it weren’t for the amazing doctor’s and nurses at the BC Children’s Hospital. Now she is 2 years old healthy and active. Christmas reminds me how important the people in my life are to me. Sometimes, instead of gifts, I’ll make a donation to a charity like the BC Children’s Hospital for Christmas, so that they can help other families like they helped us.

Kindness is something that the world needs more of, especially this time of year and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. There is an older gentleman who lives down the street from me. He is very friendly, always says hello when he sees us, but dirt poor. His house is run down and in bad need of repairs. The other day I saw his next door neighbor bring him a plate of food. I assume he made his family supper and cooked a little bit extra to give to him. Such a simple thing to do, but it probably made the gentleman’s day. What a difference one act of kindness can make.

This Christmas I challenge you to embody the true meaning of Christmas and give of yourself to others. Remember that kindness is contagious! From my family to yours, Merry Christmas.

Written for Hippy Grandma

by Megan Chatry, Hippy Mommy Extraordinaire

Our Hippy Grandma Mystic Masala new Ayurvedic Aromatherapy “spicebliss” candle makes the perfect gift anytime of the year!

This delicious candle is made locally in British Columbia, of pure soy wax and 100% cotton wicks. It is a sensual blend of herb, flower and spice oils that balance the male and female energies and awaken the fire within. Patchouli, vetiver, geranium, cinnamon, coriander and ginger meld together in an earthy and spicy love candle. A sensual embrace of divine love!

We also feature organic baby clothes and unique earth friendly baby gifts!

Learn more!