Happiness is an inside job!

Rarely do I awaken with "fire in my belly", which begs me to write.  This morning is one of those mornings! I've been wrestling with letting go of people, place, things and habits that no longer serve any purpose in my life.   Wrestling is the key word in that sentence.  My ego has been working overtime replaying its favorite re-frames and tempting me to look outside for my happiness.

This morning it became crystal clear to me, that my true happiness will never be found outside myself. No amount of substances, friends, lovers or work will fill the void that I often feel when I become disconnected to my inner voice/self. And so, I surrendered this morning to my higher self that knows all.  Most of all that knows what is right for me, today in this moment.

Today, is a day of discernment for me and for you.  I encourage you to begin to look within, to listen to that small still voice that implores you to stop "trying" and begin to do.  To forgive and to let go of your struggling, wondering and worrying. You always have everything you need to know if you allow yourself to quiet your mind and open your heart.

I say farewell to the people, places and things that I have known all along serve no purpose but, somehow for some reason I gave my power to them.  Now, I let go and LISTEN!

Just for today, I trust my inner wisdom.  I listen with love to my inner voice and when I do, I hear all the answers to all the questions I shall ever ask.

I move through life knowing I am divinely guided, protected and loved.  And so it is.

A day for forgiveness

Today is a day for forgiveness! My numerology friends tell me that 4-18-18, holds double 18 energy and the number 18 is considered the most sacred number in the Kabbalah. It's a number that denotes tuning into your soul and letting go of whatever ego fears you have. I can't think of a better way of spending a day than by releasing everything that is keeping my life small! I can't think of a better way to spend my day forgiving everyone for everything, including myself for all past perceived wrongs and in the process freeing myself!

So,  I  started my day asking myself "what or who are you still holding onto because you perceive that you’ve been wronged?" And, you know what, it seems as if I've been holding onto people, places and things from my way past and some from my more recent past.

I work on letting go on a routine basis. So, it took me by surprise how much resentment that still remains within me.  It showed me again how important it is to forgive!  To forgive because no matter how justified I feel I am in my righteous indignation, no matter what “they” did, if I insist on holding on to the past, then I will never be free. Ironically, what I am actually forgiving is that those people, places and things just weren't what I wanted them to be.  That was a major revelation.  I created the illusions and then my illusions let me down! With that revelation, I was able to easily let go and I now feel so free.

I encourage you to join me and free yourself by consciously forgiving yourself and everyone else, who surely taught you some very valuable lessons.  Lessons that have helped you grow and change in an absolutely perfect way.

Through forgiveness, you and I will be able to let go of whatever ego fears and resentments, which in reality are weighing us down and keeping us stuck in the past.  Forgive and set yourself free! 

Clearing up the confusion about Cannabis, Cannabinoids, CBD's & THC?

If you haven't heard yet, my new gig is selling CBD products manufactured by a local, San Diego company, called Pure Ratios.  And, before I go any further, it's important that you know the difference between Hemp and Marijuana. 

Although Hemp and Marijuana come from the same species of plant, Cannabis sativa, their effects and medical conditions that they treat are very different.  Cannabis sativa  can contain a wide spectrum of cannabinoid concentrations, including wide ranging compositions of THC and CBD.  However, there are many practical differences between hemp and marijuana, and clear lines drawn between the two.

Difference between hemp vs Marijuana

In practical use, “hemp” is the term used to describe the food and fiber variety of the cannabis plant, and “marijuana” is cannabis that’s grown to enhance the chemicals that make you feel high or stoned.

Cannabis Sativa has both male and female plants. When growing marijuana, male plants are removed and only female plants are cultivated. This is because when cannabis is fertilized, it lowers the concentration of THC–the main chemical that gets you high. Thanks to selective breeding over many years, ideal concentrations of THC in marijuana range from 10% to as much as 30%. 

Marijuana is usually grown indoors so that conditions can be monitored very closely. Marijuana is encouraged to become short and bushy and grow lots of flowers. That’s because THC is concentrated mostly in the trichomes — little resin-filled glands — on the flowers of the plant. Although you can find THC throughout cannabis, it is the flowers or “buds” that are harvested for recreational marijuana.

Hemp, on the other hand, is as close as you can get to how cannabis grows naturally. Hemp is grown all over the world for food, oil, and fiber — so, the whole plant can be used, not just the flowers. With the hemp type of cannabis, male and female plants are sown very closely together, allowing for easy wind pollination and easily crowding out weeds. This results in very tall, hardy plants with less branching that look very different from the short, bushy marijuana plants.

Another key difference between hemp and marijuana is that hemp naturally has almost no THC. Its flowers must contain just 0.3% THC — which is 33 times less than the least potent marijuana. Meaning, it’s impossible to get high from hemp, although many people have tried! Hemp also has more CBD than THC naturally, making it an ideal source of CBD from cannabis and one of the reasons why hemp oil is the preferred source of natural CBD for thousands of people.

Cannabinoids

CBD and THC are the two most abundant of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis. They both interact with the endocannabinoid system but elicit different natural effects.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most prominent cannabinoids found in Cannabis, the plant genus that includes both hemp and marijuana. While there are over 100 different cannabinoids so far identified in cannabis by scientists, CBD and THC are by far the most extensively studied and best understood.

CBD and THC both interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system, a vital signaling system responsible for regulating a wide array of functions, some of which include:

• Pain
• Appetite
• Mood
• Memory
• Immune response
• Sleep
• Cycles of cellular life and death

Their chemical makeups are similar to the body’s own endocannabinoids, which allows them to interact with the endocannabinoid system’s cannabinoid receptors to alter the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.

 Major Differences between THC and CBD: 

Despite their similarities, CBD and THC have distinct differences that influence how they interact with the endocannabinoid system and subsequently the natural effects they elicit.

Psychoactive Vs. Non-Psychoactive:  One of the key differences between CBD and THC is whether the cannabinoid will cause a euphoric effect, or “high,” when consumed.

THC is the cannabinoid people think of when they think of marijuana. It is a direct agonist of the endocannabinoid system’s cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1), found primarily in the brain and the central nervous system. The psychoactive effect that most associate with recreational or medical marijuana use is exclusively brought about by activating CB1receptors.

CBD doesn’t bind with CB1 receptors and is actually is considered an antagonist of CB1agonists. This not only means that CBD can never cause a high, no matter how much is consumed, but that it also acts to suppress the CB1-activating qualities of compounds like THC.

Now that I've cleared up all the confusion, you can now share your new found clarity and knowledge with your friends and family.  For it is only through education will we be able to start to incorporate the magical and medical properties of Cannabis and let go of all the fear and ignorance that currently surrounds it.   It's time that we all change, heal and move forward! 

 

Up in smoke...

If you've been keeping up with my adventures then you may have noticed that smoke has figured  heavily into many aspects of my life. Today, it's once again all about the smoke. However, this time it's all about the stuff that has gone up in smoke!

Mercury retrograde began a couple of days ago and I'm feeling the cosmic effects.  Mercury retrograde energy slows us down and helps us re-evaluate every aspect of our lives.  It also causes computers to crash, people to show their true selves and communication mix-ups.  That all being said, the retrograde energies have awakened to people, places and things again that truly were not serving me in any way, even if I made up reasons why they somehow serve some purpose. 

Once again, I awoken to things that I KNEW were not in alignment with my purpose.  In fact, sucked up my energies and exposed me to negativity and drama which I no longer allow in my life.  So, as quickly as I awoke, so did my illusions go up in smoke.  Again and again, I am given experiences that are intended to teach me how to trust my intuition.  At the risk of sounding repetitive,  I am always guided and protected, all I need to do is actually listen and act. 

I think that perhaps life is about the repetitiveness and whether you repeat love and joy or repeat fear, anger and disillusionment.  If you repeat the latter then that's exactly what you will find in your life.  I plan to replace disappointment, anger and fear with the joy of knowing that I have learned so many lessons from all my frolics with smoke, which have all gone up in smoke. 

Today, I let go of all the people, places and things that taught me so much-the main lesson being that you always have everything within yourself-all knowledge, understanding and love.  Listen, act and trust.  Know that you are always divinely protected, guided and loved, just like me!

Wishing that this retrograde helps you to re-evaluate, revision and reboot your life.  You always have the power to recreate your life, take the leap and the net will appear!

Marchin' Orders

Once in a Blue Moon, you get to meet your cannabis farmer for coffee!  Today, both of those scenarios came true.

Tonight is a Full Moon in Virgo.  This full moon will be the first of two full moons in one month, in this case the month of March, also known as a Blue Moon month.  And, this morning I had coffee with a cannabis farmer, who grows his cannabis indoors and after many years, has mastered, in my opinion, his growing process.  He, like many other local small cannabis growers, is currently unable to sell his cannabis to licensed retails shops because he does not have a cultivation license.

A cultivation license is complicated to get for many reasons, including cost, geographic location, zoning laws and a list of other ordinances which now govern the cannabis industry.  He, again like the majority of small growers, is weighing their options for the future. 

One thing is for sure is that his cannabis cultivation operation will have to change drastically and perhaps, geographically.  Legal cannabis has put many cultivators, manufacturers and distributors out of business. Many small growers had to shutdown after January 1st.  They will have to remain closed until they find some way to obtain a cultivation license. A process which could include joining forces with another bigger farmer that already has a license;  purchasing one from a big business guy, who bought up all the licenses for lots of money before January 2018 and is now selling them for big bucks; or he could find his own legal space determined through ordinance, hire many attorneys, pay large licensing fees and make his way through the SD cannabis licensing lottery system.  None of the options will be cheap or easy!

It's all so complicated and some of it is beyond my comprehension.  So, I'll focus on what I do understand!  What I do understand is that life is a teacher and I am a student.  And, last month taught me a lot. Taught me a lot about trust, courage and self love by testing my faith.

Tonight by the light of the full moon, I will focus on all the good things in my life!  I will be grateful for each and every one.  I will gladly give away all the thoughts, beliefs, jobs, people and places that no longer serve me to make way for new ones.  This process will bring so much joy into my life.  And so it is.  Let go and be grateful!

Once in a Blue Moon

You probably have used the idiom "once in a blue moon" to describe something that happens only rarely. You might have even hummed along with the song "Blue Moon" by Billie Holiday or taken a sip of the Belgian-style beer called "Blue Moon." We've all heard about this mysterious blue moon all the time, but do you know what it really means?  Luckily, the meaning of a blue moon does not disappoint; it's just as enchanting as it sounds.

There are several definitions of a blue moon, but the most commonly known is two full moons in one calendar month.  On average, this cosmically coincidental event happens roughly every 2.7 years, so it's not exactly what you'd call "common," but it's certainly not so rare that we won't experience several of them during our lifetime. And we got to see one this morning!

This morning's Blue Moon was also a blood moon and a super moon. Talk about a trinity of "spacial glory", a trifecta of lunar love! To have all three lunar phenomenons happening at once is something to behold and it'll be the first super blue blood moon in 150 years. Now THAT'S what I call "once in a blue moon!"

So, you're wandering what all this "lunacy" has to do with you and your life, right? Why should I care? Well, that's a loaded question but, the energies of the moon impact your life whether you believe it or not. So,  if you've been focusing on something for many "moons" now, then NOW is the time you can see those hopes and dreams come true in the form of awakenings or physical manifestations. Things will come full circle for you if you let go of what no longer serves any purpose in your present life to make room for new and exciting opportunities.

Today, be very conscious about moving forward!  Stop looking longingly at your past, it is done! Move forward and make sure you're letting your heart lead you in all you do!  Celebrate the new and remember the center of your power is heart.  Follow it!! Happy Full Moon!

What you missed!

Here's what you missed at the very first legal cannabis paired, not infused dinner held last Thursday by Lego Optimo.  You'll have another chance to experience life in a whole new way on February 22nd.  Tickets go on sale tomorrow!

Sunday serenity...

Today was supposed to be a day of serenity, according to my numerology friends. They explained that "this 21st day of the year brings a Pisces Moon with some pleasant connections with other water signs. It should make for a relaxing Sunday! Additionally, they wrote that "21 is the number of The World in the Tarot. It represents the emotional and material satisfaction you can receive when you bring together your spiritual and physical selves."  That was the way today was "supposed" to be.  It was anything but serene for me.

I frequently write about and speak about illusion and the power of illusion over our minds.  What I mean by illusion is a situation or a belief that is completely not substantiated by reality but is seen and felt by us as "reality". It is our minds that create the stories around people, places and things in our life.  None of them in reality have any meaning except what we give them.  Those stories and that reality is temporary because we made it up.  The stories and the power we gave to those stories vanish when we are awakened back into reality.   I work at staying present which usually keeps me out of illusion.  But somehow this Sunday, I allowed myself to venture into illusion and then spent the rest of the day wrestling back to an awakened state. 

I am awake now and have returned back to the beauty, peace and serenity of my present life. I write this in hopes that if you are wrestling with illusion that this blog helps you to awakened to the beauty in your life, even if illusion has been blocking out the light.  All is truly well in your world.  If not, make it so!

Break out of your comfort zone, today!

This year is all about breaking out of your comfort zone and experiencing your life in a whole new way.   It is all about dropping all the limitations that you have put on your life so that you can feel safe and secure!  It is time to drop all your beliefs on "who you are" and try something new.  It is time to let go, leap and know that the net will appear! 

Here's your chance to try something new, as you travel on your path to becoming more of who you are! Please by your tickets today! https://legooptimacannbisdinners.bpt.me

Cannabis 101

It dawned on me today that if I'm (Lego Optimo) hosting San Diego's first legal recreational cannabis paired dinner, that I better give some basic facts to those attending this historic dining experience.  So, here are some of the basics of cannabis that will make your experience even more meaningful and memorable.

Cannabis and Cannabinoids:  Cannabinoids of which there are hundreds of them, are the chemical compounds that give the plant it's magical powers!

Here's what cannabinoids do:

• Cannabinoids react with our body’s own endocannibinoid system.
• Cannabinoids bind to either the CB1 or CB2 receptor in our brain.
• The two most well known cannabinoids are THC and CBD.
• THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid.
• CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid.
• High CBD products are a great option for people who do not want to get ‘high’.
• CBD counteracts psycho-activity created by THC.
• THC and CBD work together synergistically to treat illness, this is called the ‘entourage’ effect.

Types of cannabis strains: Cannabis is a plant. Like any plant, it comes in different strains (varieties) and each strain has its own flavor/smell profile and effects. The three main groups are sativa, indica, and hybrid.

• Sativas are mentally stimulating and good for daytime use. Their euphoric effects make them useful for treating depression. In general, sativas maintain functionality while expanding self awareness. Many people use sativa strains to help them with creative endeavors.
• Indicas provide more of a “body high”. Patients suffering from insomnia, PTSD or cancer find relief with indica strains due to their tendency to stimulate appetite and provide serious relaxation along with opiate-like pain relief.
• Hybrids are a cross between an indica and a sativa. They have some characteristics of each plant.
• A useful way to remember the differences in medicinal effects between Sativa and Indica types of Cannabis are the phrases “Sunny Sativa” and “In the couch Indica”.

Outdoor Grown vs. Indoor
Marijuana is either grown outside under the sun or it is grown inside, often in a more industrial setting.

• Outdoor grow operations often work with organic practices and avoid the use of heavy, industrial chemicals.
• Indoor growers use artificial light and may use a variety of chemicals to keep the crop healthy.
• In either case, before you buy marijuana, the end product should be lab tested for chemicals and bacterial growth that may be hazardous to your health.

THC vs. CBD: The active ingredient in most cannabis is THC or tetrahydracannabinol.

• THC is in a family of compounds known as cannabinoids, which are closely related to pain relieving molecules in our own bodies. This relationship is what makes THC an effective medicine because it mimics what your body already does to help itself with various symptoms. THC is a clinically proven sleep aid and pain killer and can reduce vomiting and nausea, suppress muscle spasms, and stimulate appetite. It also releases dopamine in the brain resulting in euphoria for the user. This side effect is what makes the user feel “high”.
• CBD, or cannabidiol, is another cannabinoid found in cannabis. CBD is nonpsychoactive (it won’t make you feel “high”). Like THC, CBD works with systems your body already has in place to provide relief for various symptoms. However, CBD’s effects are more wide ranging. It has been known to help with pain relief, killing or slowing bacterial growth, reducing blood sugar levels, reducing vomiting/nausea, reducing seizures/convulsions, reducing inflammation, reducing risk of arterial blockage, inhibiting cancer/tumor cell growth, treating psoriasis, managing psychosis, suppressing muscle spasms, reducing anxiety, promoting bone growth, modulating immune fluctuations, reducing intestinal contractions, and protecting nervous system degeneration.

Note:  Reactions to Cannabis Differ
Every person is unique when it comes to marijuana and how you react may be different to your friend.

• Reactions differ to not only the main cannabinoids, but to different products as well as dosages.
• Before you begin, know if you are comfortable with the feeling of getting ‘high’.
• Start small! If you smoke, take a half second puff and wait ten minutes to see how your body reacts.
• If you buy a product, such as an edible, read the label carefully and take a quarter, to half the recommended dose the first time.
• Always wait to see how your body reacts before ingesting more marijuana.
• Different products take longer to take effect, be patient!
• Micro dosing is important - start small and work your way up to the recommended dosage.

Smoking is NOT required!  Ways to consume cannabis have come a long way, baby and there are a wide array of products. You don’t have to smoke your medicine anymore!

• Flowers, or strains, refer to the unprocessed green marijuana flower you can buy at the dispensary.
• Pre rolls are joints made from different strains.
• Edibles encompass all foods and technically drinks that can be taken orally.
• Concentrates are cartridges for vape pens, resins, oils, waxes, hash and rosin.
• Capsules are pills that can be taken; these are often high in CBD.
• Vape pens allow you to ingest marijuana from an oil cartridge with a discreet pen.
• Elixirs or tinctures are often taken directly under the tongue and can be very mild to intense.
• Sublingual sprays are sprayed under the tongue and as with elixirs, take effect quite quickly.

Now that you are armed with the knowledge, go ahead and buy your tickets to San Diego's first legal recreational cannabis paired dining experience.  And come experience the new world of legal cannabis!

Be a part of San Diego's first sophisticated dining experience for the cannabis connoisseur !

Happy New Year my friends! As most of you know, recreational cannabis is now legal! What you may not know is that I have started a new company with a seasoned Cannabis Sommelier called Lego Optimo.

Lego Optimo is a fine dining and entertainment event company that offers access to educational information and spirited cannabis culinary experiences. It is our mission to educate San Diegans about cannabis and how to responsibly incorporate it into their lives, including their culinary experiences. 

All that being said, I would love to invite you and your nearest and dearest friends to attend our very first dinner on January 25th at 6pm to 9 pm at an undisclosed location.

Here are the details:

This fine dining experience will include a private tour of one of San Diego’s most premier recreational cannabis retail shops, followed by a four course locally sourced dinner created by Flor Franco of Franco’s on Fifth and Benito Molina, celebrity chef and one of the three judges for MasterChef Latino on Telemundo.  The four courses will be paired with four strains of cannabis, chosen by a cannabis sommelier in collaboration with the chefs.  This is NOT an infused dinner and cannabis consumption is optional. The unique evening will also include cannabis education from local cannabis growers and vendors, music from local artists and will be an event that will be unforgettable. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit the event website at https://legooptimacannbisdinners.bpt.me or contact the organizers at 619-846-9886.

This dinner is the first of a series of six dinners.  Each dinner will provide attendees with a completely unique dining experience. Flor Franco and six different well-known chefs, including Javier Plascencia, will create the cuisine for each dinner. The cannabis strains paired with each dinner will reflect a broad range of growing styles, locales, flavors and effects.  And, all dinners will include a private dispensary tour, local music and education on a wide range of cannabis 

If this dining experience doesn't interest you, I would be most grateful if you can pass it along to other folks who might be interested.  There are only 25 tickets available so please act today! 

Reflecting and looking forward

As this year comes to a close, I reflect on how much I've learned, let go of and how much I still need to learn.  I spent this holiday with a childhood friend, who has been suffering from depression and despair since her husband died four years ago.  For many reasons, I thought that her visit to San Diego would perhaps give her a new, fresh perspective on her seemingly hopeless life.  I however was quite wrong!  Despite all my best attempts she could never surrender enough to see the love and light that was right in front of her.

Now that she is on her way back home, I am left feeling truly sad, wiped out and really tired.  I also feel enlightened by the experience.  For you see, over twenty years ago, I too suffered from what seemed to be intractable depression.  Watching her struggle and fume about how life has "screwed" her over, made me realize how incredibly blessed I am to have healed myself.  The only difference between my friend and I is that I was willing to do anything to heal myself. I was willing to let go of the people, places and things that served no purpose in my life.  I was willing to learn new things every day and be open to new experiences.  I was willing to change.

My friend's visit during these holidays ends a year of awakenings.  A year of awakening to many of the illusions that I chose to give my power to and that I now choose to release to the universe.  I now choose to let go of all the illusions that made me feel powerless and less than.  I let go of all the beliefs that made me feel less than enough.

New year's day is a Super Full Moon, which is the perfect time to let go of all your old limitations.  It is time to shine a light on all the illusions that no longer serve you any purpose.  It is time to forgive everyone, including self. It is time to dream a new dream for an incredibly blessed and abundant new year.  It is time for you to become more of who you are!  Be open to the limitless possibilities that await you in the New Year. Let go and let the new come in! Let go and let life love you!!

The times they are a changin'

In November of 2016, the citizens of California voted to approve Proposition 64, which mandates that recreational use of marijuana be legal. Voters passed the bill by a margin of 56%, and California became the fifth state in the nation to legalize recreational marijuana. On January 1st, if you are over the age of 21, you can legally walk into a licensed dispensary and purchase recreational marijuana.

Although the exact details regulating the recreational use, production and distribution still need to be reviewed and adjusted by  state regulatory agencies and local municipalities, what is clear is that Californians want to consume cannabis and that the opportunities to fill their need to learn about and to help them incorporate cannabis into their daily lives are limitless.

And here's where we come in! Recognizing the limitless possibilities of the new recreational cannabis industry, we have joined forces with a savvy seasoned cannabis industry expert, Joshua Timmerman, to form a new company called Lego Optimo. Lego Optimo is a fine dining and entertainment event company that offers access to educational information and spirited cannabis culinary experiences. It is our mission to educate San Diegans about cannabis and how to responsibly incorporate it into their lives, including their culinary experiences.

It is our goal to be among the first companies who blaze the trail of the new cannabis frontier. To that end, we will be holding our first sophisticated dining experience in January. Please follow us as we take the road less traveled, again.  This time we create history!

The science of mind wandering

Last week, I watched a documentary on NHK World TV that focused on stress and how it is literally and figuratively "killing us". I couldn't stop thinking about it!  The documentary highlighted several studies being performed around the world researching why some people are able to handle stressful situations and others have great difficulties overcoming challenges, even becoming depressed and despondent. It scientifically documented the effects of  "Mind Wandering" and how it is blocking happiness in our lives.  It made me think how much time I am spending away from the present moment, the only moment that is real and what's it's doing to my happiness quotient. I'm hoping that it will do the same to you!

First, let's start with the anatomy of the fight and flight response.  From the days of the "caveman", mankind was gifted by the "fight or flight" response.  It gave prehistoric man the ability to escape from predators through the stimulation of the adrenal glands which secretes adrenaline and cortisol.  Those hormones, secreted in response to a threat like a big animal, caused the caveman's pulse to quicken, brain to focus and blood sugar to rise, giving him the strength and agility to flee the threat to his life.

Although we have evolved enormously since the days of caveman, our bodies still secrete adrenaline and cortisol in response to a "perceived" threat.  However, the threats to our well being today don't usually require us to run, flee or to gain physical strength.  In fact, most of our stress is created by a term called "wandering mind", a termed coined by a group of scientists that were studying the causes and the effects of stress.

The study showed that unlike other animals, human beings spend a lot of time thinking about what is not going on around them, contemplating events that happened in the past, might happen in the future, or will never happen at all. In fact the study show that “mind wandering” appears to be the human brain’s default mode of operation. 

Put more simply, we all spend more time in this present moment thinking about past events or worrying about future ones than experiencing what is going on right in front or around us. 

Furthermore, the study also found that even when we are thinking about positive or neutral past or future events, our brain senses these wandering thoughts as "stress" and subsequently releases the stress  hormones, even though there is no "real" danger.  The result of this constant release of stress hormones is a myriad of physical diseases, heart disease, diabetes and some believe even cancer.   Mainly, mind wandering leads to unhappiness and an dis-ease state.

The study concluded that "a human mind is a wandering mind and a wandering mind is an unhappy mind.  You and I however now have been enlightened by the studies' findings.  We can now choose to find happiness in this present moment.

I now encourage you to enjoy, relish and focus on the present moment.  It is where your true power resides and now according to many scientific studies, is where your true happiness lies.  Don't miss the beauty, love, peace and the happiness happening right in front of you, right now.  Namaste...love your life 'cause it is flying by!

It's your lucky day!

Today, according to astrologers is the luckiest day of the year! It is the day that Jupiter, the planet of luck and abundance, meets up with the Sun and shines favor upon all actions and intentions. It is a time for expansion and manifestation.     

Although I say I feel "lucky" every day, I'm not certain I really believe in the concept of "luck".   The dictionary defines luck as 'believing that whatever happens, either good or bad, to a person in the course of events is due to chance, fate or fortune'.   I am not completely convinced that things just happen by fate.  In fact, I believe that we create our own luck by our beliefs, thoughts, words and sometimes by our actions.   As I began to research "luck", I found my beliefs are quite closely aligned with those contained in Buddhism.  Buddhism teaches that "everything that happens has a specific cause or causes and there must be some relationships between the cause and the effect".  I believe that each thing that happens is intended to teach us some sort of lessons, if we are open to learning.    Louise Hay said it best: " We all have chosen to come here to learn particular lessons that will advance us on our spiritual and evolutionary pathways."  So, everything we do or say is actually bringing us good luck in the form of personal and spiritual growth.                      

Today, join me in creating your own luck by focusing on what you truly want to experience in your life and then,  send that message out into the Universe.  Send a clear to message that you desire and deserve more in your life. The Universe will respond to your messages, you will feel really luck and you will find luck wherever you go!

Hottest new tokin' trends happening in the Cannabis Industry

It’s 2017 and medical cannabis is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia.  As the number of states in which cannabis is legal has grown exponentially, so has the industry grown by leaps and bounds.  Here are some of the biggest trends happening today in the cannabis industry:

Science: A report from Salar Media Group and cannabis lifestyle website Civilized  identified key trends that have evolved from the industry and what they mean for future markets. The first and most important is that cannabis legalization has pushed the frontiers of science. The report noted that as of 2015, there are roughly 22,000 published studies on cannabis. “The trend here is that cannabis is now being treated as a medicine with specific benefits and applications to specific diseases. This research will only continue to expand in the years ahead.”

Craft Cannabis:  Craft cannabis, like its cousin craft beer, is created for the picky cannabis connoisseur. Farms and cultivators are honing in on special strains in limited batches and releasing them with great fanfare, much like a microbrew’s special beer. Celebrity-branded weed is expected to grow, with Leaf’s by Snoop, Willie’s Reserve and Chong’s Choice already reaping commercial success.

High End Highs: The final trend is luxury cannabis brands, high-end dispensaries and 420 lounges. The Salar report states that cannabis brands “are replicating what happened in liquor brands with the introduction of high-end, more expensive tequilas, dark liquors, vodkas and sake."  Of course, those “high” end brands will also be able to command higher prices.

The cannabis industry has come a long way baby.  It is no longer your mama’s marijuana.  It’s a new day in which cannabis is legal and the sky is the limit!  

It's all about the terps!

As I venture into my new venue, the legal cannabis industry, I realize that there is so much that I don't know about cannabis and how it really works.  So,  as I learn new facts that I think that you might find interesting, I'll blog about them.  This blog is all about the "terps" or also known as terpenes/terpenoids.

There's something about the aroma of cannabis that just soothes the mind, body and soul.  Whether it's the sweet fruity taste of Pineapple Trainwreck of that skunky smell of Sour Diesel, it really all about the terpenes! Terpenes are the unsung hero of the cannabis plant.  While most people know about THC and CBD, terpenes are the compounds that actually give the flower its unique aromas and taste. Terpenes are by no means unique to cannabis. They can also be found in many other herbs, fruits and plants as well.  They are the reason why Durban Poison smells like a fresh squeezed lemon or why Peaches and Diesel smells like a juicy peach that has been dipped in gasoline (MedicalJane.com).

However, terpenes just don’t determine the taste and smell of your favorite bud, they actually help modulate the medicinal effects of cannabinoids.  In addition to defining everything about the smell and flavor of a particular strain, terpenes also contribute to the strain's euphoric effects and medicinal benefits. This happens when they combine with other cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD.  This synergistic relationship has been called the“Entourage Effect”,   For instance, the terpene aromas such as lemon and citrus have been shown to have medicinal properties which increase mood and attitude, while piney aromas promote mental clarity and memory retention. 

As I begin to learn more about the wonder plant cannabis, I'm finding that it is so much more than just THC!  Now that we know all about the power of terps,  we can break free of limiting ourselves to the high THC strains and begin to focus on its terpenes. Knowledge and terpenes are very powerful things to waste! Go ahead and use this knowledge to get wasted! 

This is the future...of cannabis!

The wait is over.  My new full time gig is bringing the next generation of cannabis products to Medicinal and recreational cannabis establishments.  This gig is all about the money.  No struggling, no suffering, just selling.

Here's a preview of the first product that is almost ready to be launched.  Hit me up if you want a sample!

This is the future...of cannabis. Soon to be available at a San Diego Cannabis Dispensary near you!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year and yes, it is a new year indeed.  I just finished a month filled with challenges, uncertainty and profound life lessons. A month of healing very old wounds and allowing myself to let go of so much of the past. 

Fueling that process of letting go and re-visioning my life was the six days that I spent whitewater rafting down the Colorado River.  It was a life changing experience!  An experience that taught me how very small my life and my perceived problems truly are in the scheme of the vastness of our planet and the universe. It showed me where I was physically and emotionally "weak". It showed me how I give up my power to others and it showed me how very strong I really am.  It showed me how I needed to move on and let go of all the people, places and things that no longer serve any purpose in my life.  It helped me to surrender and let go of who I was to become who I was supposed to be. 

So, on this Rosh Hashana, Jewish New Year, I say goodbye to it all of it-Your Product Hub, to the food industry and to all of it's cast of characters who never understood me nor could they ever destroy me.  I see them now and realize they were only illusions to teach me my own self worth and to value myself! I say goodbye, close to door to Your Product Hub and step into my future. 

Thank you for reading my blog(s).  I am hoping that you have come to realize that you are worthy of all that is good in this life, just like I have.  I wish you all a happy healthy new year. 

Stay tuned for my next adventure as I become the "queen of cannabis" !

Birthing new programs on my birthday!

Happy Birthday to me!  On this momentous occasion, I decided to give birth to a whole new series of services that I am offering as part of my business.  I invite you to celebrate my birthday and the birth of a whole new set of business service offerings. Please check out my new page that describes all the new development.