Happy Six Years of Us

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6 years, anniversary, candy, Cara Reynolds, iron, Jah Cure, Maria Emilia Borja, Mushpa + Mensa, Never Find, our next house

That’s right.

– Mushpa

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Viva Menstruation!

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blood, connection, female, Feminism, God, Goddess, magic, menstruation, moon cycles, new moon, period, spirituality, taboo, teal swan, women

Cheers to those 3,500 days of our lives that we bleed!

 

In honor of the upcoming new moon on Thursday, here is a little love from Teal Swan.

And in honor of all the women that have this magic energy inside us.

We have it, so let’s tap it and lets make miracles with our blood!

Much love,

Mensa

 

Get Up Get Down

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Amelia Meath, Bob Boilen, Cara Reynolds, Colin Marshall, Come Down, Dine Alone, Electropop, Emma Breg, Flock of Dimes, H.S.K.T., Happiness, Hey Mami, indie pop, Kevin Wait, Loma Vista, Made of Oak, Maggie Starbar, Maggie Starbard, Megafaun, Morgan McCloy, Morgan McCloy/NPR, Mountain Man, Mushpa + Mensa, Mushpa Y Mensa, music video, Nick Sanborn, NPR, NPR Tiny Desk Concert, Partisan, Sylvan Esso, tiny desk, Trekky

Today’s music brought to you by Sylvan Esso.

Hey Mami…

They are a local band from Durham, NC who made it big! :] North Carolina has so many great things! Watch out NYC, we have nerdy hillbilly coolness AND nature! We’ll call ourselves the Big Tobacco, the City that Sometimes Sleeps. Okay, that’s not so cool.

-Mushpa

 

 

She’s Looking Through The Wrong End Of The Telescope

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Andrew Burri, Berklee School of Music, Berklee School of Music alumni, Bob Boilen, Brooklyn, Brooklyn NY, Cara Reynolds, Chic Band, Christopher Parks, Danny Molad, Denise DeBelius, Don't Just Sit There, female music, Genevieve, Go Home, Holly Laessig, Jess Wolfe, Kevin Wait, Lauren Rock, Lucius, Mushpa + Mensa, Mushpa Y Mensa, music video, New York City, NPR Tiny Desk, Peter Lalish, Ryan Smith, Turn It Around

Turn it around.

Feels like a curse.

Sounds likes a dream.

Don’t know what it means.

But it means everything.

Two of us on the run.

I can be the one who’s going insane.

A bike ride from our place in Brooklyn. We ate here so many times.

I love ya girl.

Took me 5 years to find them…but I did.

-Mushpa

Jump

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2017, 2017 Sundance Film Festival, AXEL DANIELSON, Brave, humans in doubt, independent filmmakers, Jump, MAXIMILIEN VAN AERTRYCK, Mushpa + Mensa, New York Times, Op-Docs, Sundance Film Festival, Sweden, Ten Meter Tower

Mushpa + Mensa talks quite a bit about the stuff you see out there on the World Wide Web and TV that isn’t always super positive. We want to make Mushpa + Mensa’s blog mad positive. We want to show humans at their best and/or most beautifully vulnerable. We want to build up, not tear down, unite not divide.

Now that we’ve said all that, here is something to start us off, the “Ten Meter Tower“.

Like I always say, it’s about the jumping, as long as you jump, you may not end up where you expect, but you’ll always end up somewhere better than where you were.

Love it.

– Mushpa

Welcome Summer

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calvin harris, love, music, queer, rihanna, sledgehammer, Star Trek, Stevvie Nicks, Summer Jams, summer solstice, summertime, this is what you came for, you da one

I can’t believe 2 things I love found each other.

Summer’s Goddess.

You da one. :]

-Mushpa

The Four Agreements: Personal Growth Tips

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books to read, deepak chopra, don miguel ruiz, God, how to be happy, how to improve your life, inspiration, magic, Mushpa + Mensa, new york times best seller list, personal growth, self care, self help, self love, source, the four agreements, tips for self care, toltec tradition, turth, universe, wayne dyer, wisdom book

A few years ago, my father gave me this little book called The Four Agreements. It is a type of “self help” book, although self help sounds so…clinical? I like to refer to books of this nature as food for the soul, brain food, and also good advice for life. Some of these writers in this genre that I like include Dr Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, and author of The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz.

Essentially this book gives you four different “rules” that you should live by. In return, he argues, you will gain insight and live a more peaceful and happy life. These rules are nothing extraordinary, and have been said one way or another by many people before him. The nice thing about his presentation though, is that these agreements are useful to check back in with yourself…. “Am I following this agreement? Or am I acting in a way that doesn’t align with these agreements?”.

I highly recommend you READ THIS BOOK. He talks about concepts based on ancient Toltec wisdom that give you a Toltec perspective of the story of life, the Source of all, and where it is our souls stand against everything else.

But I would like to just give you the bullet points of the four agreements as even just that can give you a boost of understanding everyday.

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First Agreement:

“Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”

Your words are powerful, and the thoughts behind those words are even more powerful. When we express ourselves we should speak from the heart and only truth. For me, being impeccable with my words means being honest with myself, God/the Universe, and speaking truth and beauty only. Everything else is static.

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Second Agreement:

“Don’t take anything personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.”

It’s true. What others say it is just a reflection of their reality, and my reality in the end is what affects me. Others perspectives and options are their own. If i judge myself on others perspectives, I am not being honest and true to my perspective. I try to assess what others say, absorb it, and apply my own experience instead. This one is very hard for me, but I have seen the difference it makes when I do not take things personally. I am honestly happier.

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Third Agreement:

“Don’t make assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.”

You know how the saying goes…When you assume, you make and ass out of you and me. It is a universal truth. We are not Vulcans last time I checked, so we cannot read each other’s minds, and thinking that “we know” certain truths can get us in a lot of trouble. Yes, sometimes gut feelings are on point, but communicating avoids the drama on every point…I should know!

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Fourth Agreement:

“Always do your best: Your  best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret.”

This seems like something your teacher tells you in grade school…But what happens when we don’t? I personally end up feeling gloomy, disappointed and even physically drained. My best today, is not the same as my best tomorrow. We are ever-evolving beings. As long as we work hard towards our dreams, our reality will reflect the results of our very best. When I try my best, my life feels like the best!

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There it is then! The Four Agreements. Simple but true. Write them in a notebook, or on a piece of paper and stick them on your wall. They have helped me get a better grip on my feelings, my happiness and my reality.

I hope sharing these with you will do the same!

Happy day to you,

-Mensa

Listen To Some Music While Doing Some Good #LessWasteChallenge

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#LessWasteChallenge, A Prairie Home Companion, Alejandro Jodorosky, Banjo, Baritone Ukulele, Blank Tape Records, Cara Reynolds, Chandler Pratt, Colorado, Concertina, eco-friendly, Fiddle, guitar, Guitar Mike Clark, Harmonica, Haunted Wind Chimes, Inaiah Lujan, Kazoo, magical mobile art machine, Mandolin, Mandolin Desirae Garcia, Maria Emilia Borja, Melodica Chela Lujan, Mushpa + Mensa, Mushpa Y Mensa, OpenAir 1340 Colorado Public Radio, psychedelic, Pueblo, Rattle Your Bones, recycle, recycle toys, recycled, Sarah Megyesy, Sun Shining Bright, TerraCycle, The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Tom's of Maine, Vocals

Take the #LessWasteChallenge and recycle your old toys!

TerraCycle and Tom’s of Maine have partnered to create a free recycling program for used/loved toys from now through April 30!!!

You can send those old or broken toys to TerraCycle for free, courtesy of Tom’s of Maine. Here is how easy it is!

1. Request your free shipping label

2. Fill a box with toys (10 pounds per box)

3. Send TerraCycla your toys to be recycled

Free shipping labels are available until April 30th and your toys may be in any condition!

Broken toys. Used toys. Forgotten toys. Instead of bagging them up and putting them on the curb, try recycling.

This year, Tom’s of Maine challenges you to reduce 1 lb of waste per week through the #LessWasteChallenge. And they want to help you meet this goal by providing a free recycling program for your old toys.

Toy Condition: Your toys may be in any condition. Instead of being thrown away, these old toys will be sorted and recycled into cool, new creations.

Less to the dump, R6 it!

– Mushpa

How To Tie A Bowline Knot For Hanging A Hammock

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anchor boat, anchor ship, Bowline Knot, burn ends of rope, camping, Cara Reynolds, diy, dock boat, hammock, hanging a hammock, hero, hero knot, heroine, heroine knot, how to hang a hammock, How to tie a bowline knot, How To Try A Bowline Knot For Hanging A Hammock, Maria Emilia Borja, mountain climbing, Outdoor, spring, summer, survival, survival knot, yogi bear

Mushpa + Mensa got a hammock in Ecuador last Christmas, but had not hung up said hammock as we had no idea how to do it! Me, I am from NYC and we are not in the business of hanging hammocks, so I delved into the world wide web for some answers. I even used my own mystery solving brain and incorporated this new knowledge of knots towards hanging this hammock in a way we would never crack our skulls on the pavement. I am here now to share this wisdom with you via the video above.

The bowline knot is a pretty amazing knot. It is real simple to tie and will make it so not only can you hang your hammock using 4 knots and 2 pieces of rope, but you can also tie your boat to the dock and not worry about it floating away, you can tie your horse outside the saloon, climb the Appalachian Mountains, tie your camping treats up in a tree out of Yogi bear’s greedy little paws and last but not least, rescue damsels in distress out of wells. It’s a hero’s knot really.

Mensa and I have both sat in the hammock together for some time now and it held us perfectly, swinging and all! I am the heroine of hammock hanging, here to save the day!

Enjoy.

– Mushpa

Sidenote – I did not show it in the video, but I burned the 4 ends of the pieces of rope to make sure they did not fray. Better safe than sorry.

Vegan Arepas con Curtido Fusion Recipe

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arepa recipe, arepas, cabbage, coleslaw, colombia, corn meal, curtido, Food, fusion, harina de maiz, latin american food, latin american recipes, Latinas cooking, Mushpa + Mensa, pupusas, recipe, traditional food, Vegan, vegan cheese, venezuela

Arepas, Pupusas, Gorditas. Different maize (or corn meal) patties made slightly different in many Latin American countries. Delicious either way you eat them. A food that is economical, and so versatile it can be stuffed with literally anything you could imagine, from eggs and avocados, to meats and of course, the classic, cheese…ohh quesito!

I decided to make Arepas once we started reaching the back row products in our kitchen cabinet. Somehow, we always end up getting the most creative when we have less resources. But I cannot complain. Even when we are low on food in the cabinets we often feel like our life is full of richness. Cheesy, I know, but true. And Cheesy is always good… as the recipe below will show you.

These Arepas were a simple recipe. Basic. Paired with cabbage salad, usually accompanying Salvadorean Pupusas. Here is the recipe. Go make them. Delicious. I used corn meal called P.A.N. This is what my mother gave me, and it is what I have read, the most commonly used corn meal.

For the Arepas:

2 1/2 cups of water                                                                                                                                            2 cups of PAN – Harina de maiz (pre-cooked corn meal)                                                                   1 teaspoon of salt.                                                                                                                                             Oil                                                                                                                                                                         vegan cheese for stuffing

Pour water and salt into a container. Mix well. Start pouring the corn meal slowly, while mixing. Make sure you don’t get any lumps! When all is mixed, knead the dough until it is smooth, and let rest for a few minutes (3-5 minutes).

Oil your pan, or griddle  a little bit on medium to low heat. Place patties and fry them until they brown in one side, and then the next. About 5 minutes each side. The lower the heat, the better, as you want the water inside to dry out a bit. Ideally when you knock on one with a knife, it should sound hollow or like an echo. The lower the heat, the longer they will be on the pan.

Place them in an oven at 325 degrees and let them cook for about 10 more minutes.

Cut them open in half, and stuff with a small palm full of cheese. Veggies and Protein are also an option!

For the Curtido:

1/2 head cabbage, a carrot, and a yellow onion thinly sliced
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar/ maple syrup/ honey
1 teaspoon dried oregano, or Italian seasoning
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

You can use a bag of ready coleslaw as I did this time (excluded the onions). Mix all vegetables in a bowl. Mix all other ingredients in a separate bowl, and then pour over cabbage mix. You can let it rest for a few minutes, while you season the arepas, but 2 hours or evnn the day after rest will absorb the flavors the best.

Serve along side the arepas and ENJOY!

Buen provecho,

Mensa