Inspirational Woman #1 - Cynthia Cook

Every year as Thanksgiving passes I take some time to reflect, even if only fleetingly, on what I'm thankful for.

I have to say that even though an occasional vacation comes up high on that list - I always come back to being thankful for the wonderful people in my life.

One of my goals for the Spirit for Living blog was to highlight women who I find to be truly inspiring. There are women around us who are doing really amazing things and I want to take this opportunity to shine a light on what they are doing, in the hopes that their stories will provide some inspiration to others. We all have special qualities, great achievements and inspirational stories - my goal is to feature these - one great woman at a time!

Sometimes I do get wrapped up in work, work and more work and realize many of us don't have to look far to get a little pick me up - a little inspiration from the women who surround us.

The first Inspirational Woman that I'd like to "introduce" you to is Cynthia Cook from Philadelphia, PA. Cynthia, 29, is a poet, artist, business woman, and student, who is passionate about spirituality and service to others. Cynthia manages to blend all of her interests into a well balanced and inspiring life. She also my sister - a huge part of my life and immensely inspiring to me. I am happy to be able to share her with you!

What do you do in a typical weekday? I try to live my life by a ‘simple is better’ motto. It keeps me grounded. I am a business professional with a penchant for marketing. So the majority of my day is spent in an office. After work, I love to unwind by cooking a nice, fresh, home cooked dinner. I also unwind by working out and try to do so about three times a week.. I use to run a great deal and I am trying to get back into it.

I know you are active in your community, what kinds of things do you do? I keep myself as immersed in the community and serving others as much as possible. I am the co-chair of my company’s Employee Activity Committee, which involves coordinating various service activities throughout the year. I helped coordinate several drives this year including a coat drive, clothing drive, blood drive, United Way Day of Service, Philadelphia Cares Day, and a back-to-school collection drive. I enjoyed every minute of it.

What do you do to unwind on the weekends?
As an MBA student, studying is a big part of my life right now and I am trying to stay focused and absorb as much as possible. I am really enjoying what I am learning and am excited about how I can use it both currently and in the future.

I also spend some of my weekend time on occasional freelance writing. I enjoy writing poetry when possible.

I am active with my alumni association, currently serving as the Treasurer. I am very passionate about education, particularly because it can eradicate social and economic barriers. It can empower. I am very involved with my undergraduate university’s local alumni chapter.

I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, working out, going out to a relaxing late brunch at a local café. I enjoy staying home and curling up in bed to watch a movie on Friday nights, or go to a familiar favorite restaurant Saturday night. Absolutely, anything chill – my brain is tired!!

What are you two or three passions in life?
It's hard to narrow it down to just a few, I am passionate about so many things!

One of my strongest passions is spirituality and building a stronger relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I am a very spiritual person and aspire to be a better Christian every day. I am constantly on a quest for self-improvement. I am currently trying to be a better student of the Bible and study scripture to uncover even greater truth.

I also love helping and mentoring others, particular those who truly need help. I have been very involved in various not-for-profit organizations over the past few years.

Art is another of my loves - I have always been very artistic. I love the visual arts - going to plays, to see the orchestra, as well as fine arts. I love to go to the museum, my favorite artists is Gustav Klimt and I love Degas’ sculptures. I am hoping to do some painting and mosaics once I finish my graduate studies next May. I am trying to create my own art to decorate my house and have recently made some wall art for my bedroom and will do more soon.

What do you feel have been your two major achievements to date?
Education is so important to me, I am proud that I have an undergraduate degree and I am almost finished my MBA.

Finding ways to balance career, family, personal interests, and philanthropy can be truly challenging so I consider it an accomplishment that I feel I am doing a good job keeping all of these areas nurtured and present in my life.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
My favorite quote is, “Expect nothing and everything you receive is a gift.” This encouragement to be grateful has been extremely valuable in my life.

Who inspires you? What improves your 'spirit'?
Jesus, the Bible, my family and close positive friends inspire me. I have a few women role models outside of my family that I admire and respect. Good people inspire me. I am always trying to grow and learn how to be a better person.

Listening to music, being with my best friend, being silly and just having fun improve my spirit.

How did you get into writing poetry? I have been writing for over 15 years.. I used to write a lot of short stories when I was young - like 10 or 12. I have been writing every since. I enjoy expressing myself through writing and art

What advice do you have for other women?
Respect those that came before you - they are a source of wisdom. Help those that come after you - they represent the future.

Be thankful, be positive, be humble, be respectful, be simple, be a role model.

Enjoy a good laugh often...enjoy the adventure of your life!

Autumn Fun and Local Farms

Fall is in the air, and part of the autumn tradition for many of us includes a visit to the local pumpkin patch including a hay ride, some fresh pressed apple cider and, if you are lucky, home-baked pies and cider donuts!

But pumpkin picking isn’t the only reason to head to the local farm. Organics, community agriculture and fresh foods are all trends that continue to pop up all over magazines, news programs, and the internet. And lest you think that it is all made-up hype, be assured that there are real benefits that come from buying local.

First off, local food is generally fresher, has not been damaged in transport, and is likely to be more nutritious. Locally grown produce also offers better value as you are paying for fresh-picked taste and not packaging and transportation.

But the goodness doesn’t stop with the quality and freshness of the food itself – local farms mean local jobs for the people in your community. The economic “multiplier effect” of money being recirculated within your community is higher, so when you spend your money on locally grown food, you are supporting the community as a whole. Buying directly from farmers also ensures that the farm families receive more of the food dollars that you spend, rather than only a small percentage that comes from selling to food processors at bulk rates.

The benefits don’t stop with your health and the economic impact on your community. The environment is also a winner when more people decide to buy local. Local farms contribute to biological diversity, a cleaner environment, and a beautiful rural landscape. Local farms also preserve wildlife habitats and open space, reduce water run-off, and improve air quality. And when the food is consumed near where it is harvested, fuel consumption is lower and the air we breathe stays cleaner!

I could go on and on about the benefits of supporting local, family-owned farms, but I think you get the idea.

But at this time of year, those hayrides and pumpkin patches and apple orchards are the most compelling reason to take a day and pack up family and friends and get out and visit a local farm!

Other fun activities that are offered by local farms can include (depending on the region):

• workshops and talks (cheese making, cider pressing…)
• tours of farm and meeting/feeding the animals
• crafts
• kids inflatables
• fruit, vegetable and even wine tasting

So now that you are ready to get out there and take advantage of everything that your local farms have to offer, how do you find one?

1. My favorite resource is Local Harvest - Great for locating farms, viewing farm event and activities details, and even snagging some good recipes.
2. Try a search engine such as Google or Yahoo and enter your state’s name or your zip code and “local farms” For example: New York State has this directory.
3. Check out your state’s State department of agriculture For example: New York
4. Of course you can always ask around in your community – ask neighbors and friends where they like to go and what activities are offered. A good farm usually has a fan base in the community!
   

So whatever you do, find a way to support your local farmers. Visit the farm market or farm stand. Join your local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) to take advantage of the bounty offered. Have fun attending their events. Take the kids along so they can see where food really comes from and appreciate what is involved in getting it on the table. They may even be more willing to eat their veggies!

Natural Fabrics make Spirit of Living's Fall 2010 Line Amazing!

I can't even tell you how excited I am that today (finally!) Spirit of Living is launching our Fall 2010 line - active wear that you can move in and will want to live in, made of amazing natural fabrics including bamboo viscose, hemp and a fabulous soy blend.

You may be wondering why we took the effort to use these exotic fabrics rather than using something more common - there are two reasons. Not only are these natural fabrics eco-friendly, there are also health benefits of placing only natural fibers against your skin. These plant-based fibers offer superior durability, breathability, and even antimicrobial properties!

Did you know that the low breathability, suboptimal temperature regulation and absorbency of synthetic fabrics can disrupt the normal function of your body? Wearing these fabrics can cause your body to overheat, even increasing the likelihood of heat stroke or hypothermia!

Your skin can even react to synthetic fabrics, due to a "greenhouse effect" which creates conditions that encourage bacterial growth and can exacerbate skin disorders and allergic reactions.

Yuck! Wouldn't it be better to put your body and your skin in an optimal environment? Of course it would!

Why Bamboo?

Bamboo creates one of the softest fabrics imaginable, with a texture similar to silk and an amazing drape that makes it extremely flattering to wear. With excellent wicking properties, this light, strong fabric is breathable and keeps you cooler in the heat and warmer in the cold than most fabrics. Bamboo fabric even offers some antibacterial properties that can help to maintain the health of your skin and even inhibit body odor. Fabrics made from bamboo are even anti-static so clothing won't stick to your skin (or hair, or socks)! Many people who are prone to sensitivities with other natural fabrics are able to wear bamboo without issues.

In addition to the benefits to the wearer, the use of bamboo fabric also offers abundant benefits to the environment. Because bamboo grows so quickly and is self-replenishing, it is a sustainable and renewable resource. Bamboo is grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides and requires very little water, so the production of bamboo fabric and clothing has a lower impact on the environment than conventional cotton farming methods. And, as if all that wasn't enough, bamboo plants release more oxygen into the atmosphere than trees and can help reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the air as well as reducing soil erosion.

Bamboo fabric is created from bamboo pulp. The fabric is bleached without the use of chlorine. Bamboo fabric is easy to dye without the use of harsh chemicals and uses methods requiring less water than conventional dyeing methods.

Want to see what bamboo is all about? Check out our gorgeous Scoop Necked Top!

Why Hemp?

Clothing made of hemp fiber is lightweight, absorbent, strong and long-lasting - in fact hemp fibers are three times stronger than cotton! Hemp fabrics are also weather resistant, mold-resistant and excellent for outdoor wear. Hemp is frequently blended with other fibers to offer different benefits. Hemp/silk and hemp/cotton garments are now available.

Hemp makes an amazingly strong, long-lasting fabric that is easily machine washable and handles extreme water temperatures well. Over time, investing in hemp clothing can lead to cost-saving benefits as the fabric has a much longer lifespan than most natural fabrics. In fact, hemp becomes softer with each washing and improves over time!

Hemp is another fiber than offers benefits to the environment as it is less expensive to farm because of its minimal growth requirements. Similar to bamboo, hemp requires very little water to grow, does not require the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and is a readily renewable resource. Nothing is wasted in the production process: seeds are used to make oil and food supplements, while the stalks are used for fiber. Hemp also produces more fiber per acre than trees, and can be renewed two to three times per year!

Sound like something you'd like to try? Our Tunic Style Top is made of an amazing blend of hemp and cotton. You can feel the difference right away and it will get better and better over time!

Why Soy?

Fabrics made from soy have many properties similar to bamboo fabrics - they dry more quickly than linen or cotton, they are biodegradable, allow perspiration to evaporate and are cool and comfortable during hot weather. Soy fabrics are made using the by-products left over from processing tofu, soybean oil, and other soy foods and they are generally manufactured in China. Our soy-blend fabrics are made using organic soybeans, reducing the wearer's exposure to unnecessary chemicals.

All of our bottoms are made from a soy/cotton blend that you will want to live in. Try the Signature Active Tank and Full Length Yoga Pants for a go-to outfit that you will pull out time and time again!

Natural is Better

We hope you will join us on this exciting journey! Clothing that brings the best of nature together with never-want-to-take-it-off style is what we are all about. Let us know what you think and stay tuned for more exciting styles and developments!

Unlock your spirit.
Spirit for Living -- clothes for your life.

Welcome to Spirit for Living!

Thank you for joining us! Spirit for Living is an exclusive line of women’s daily and active wear that is made just for you, and we want to use this forum to talk to you about things that matter to you!

Everything we do at Spirit for Living is based on a few key principals:

• Bodies are best when living an active life.
• Clothes should be designed for comfort without sacrificing style.
• Natural fabrics are best for your body and the environment.
• Love for the earth and for each other are keys to happiness.
• Lives of women around the globe can be improved by supporting healthy lifestyles and philanthropic efforts.

Spirit for Living specializes in bringing you clothes that will become your favorites. Things that you can wear anywhere - the office, the gym, playing with your children (or acting as their chauffeur!) or even a casual night out.

Affordable and beautiful clothes to highlight your SPIRIT.

But beyond the clothes that you wear, we want to support you in the life that you lead.

So here on our blog we will offer up tips for healthy living and ways to juggle and balance your busy lives. We will talk about the benefits of natural fabrics for your skin, the environment, industry, farmers and agriculture. We will talk about the charitable organizations that we support and we will highlight women who are doing things that inspire and amaze us.

We will post something here every month and we look forward to interacting with you on our Facebook page as well.

Our fall line is complete and filled with naturals and organics – cozy fabrics perfect for the cool weather that is just around the corner. We will be open for ordering on our website in August 2010 so stay tuned for our website launch and special promotions for our first customers!

Keep checking back, we look forward to an exciting future with you!