Spanista » Self Care Rituals, Reflections & Resources for Joyful Living by Ginny Shiverdecker

  • Spa Style & Self Care Reflections, Rituals and Resources for Joyful Living

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  • About Spanista

    Ginny Shiverdecker, Creator of Spanista is Spa Wellness Enthusiast, Adventurer Seeker and Brand Builder.
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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Tampa Reflection Walk Welcomes Nature’s Colorful Beauty in an ever so stunning way. One of the things Spanista treasures is returning to local Reflection Walks along stunning Bayshore Boulevard and the Hyde Park neighborhood, no matter how long I am away. Things here just seem to be getting more and more vibrant – life affirming signs are everywhere.

This morning I started out early before the sun intensifies with a short calm period to set my intentions for today’s reflection. Spanista finds when I do not take time for ‘setting my mind right’ at the start of the day, it is easy to veer off into directions I hand not intended with my thoughts and actions. When looking back on the day, it simply does not turn out as peaceful or productive. Right now I have am facing a major change – I am reckoning with the fact that the days in Tampa, a place I loved spending time maybe coming to an end. So my intention is to absorb metal videos of its beauty to memory so that I can call up anytime and enjoy them.

Thought you might enjoy the visual feast – this morning an embarrassment of riches:

1. A delicate dragonfly enjoying morning breakfast ( I can hardly believe I got this shot of him – he waited for me to click and then jetted away.)

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2. Mini white gardenias are a Spanista favorite for so many wellness reasons.

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3.  Bold coral, fuschia and yellow please the eye and lift the spirit. See if you can find the squirrel in the pic with the yellow lilies.

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There is a new adventure ahead as we look to move from Florida’s west coast where I have hung my wide brimmed hat for some time to the east coast. This is a time full of goodbye’s to treasured friends and experiences, but they will always remain in my heart as I hope they will for my friends. Spanista knows after many relocation moves this is a time when Self Care Rituals should be in honored – that it is especially important to honor ones feelings during a time of change.

So honor these feelings I will….

How have you dealt with change when you have relocated your home? Would love to hear from you with your words of wisdom from experience.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Spanista Suggests Personal Green Space Brings Everyday Joy is a means of enriching our souls in a simple yet rewarding way that lasts.

I came upon a stimulating review of Green Space Ideas to create personal ways to bring spring to life both indoors and outs. Spanista loves the idea of having a green thumb but unfortunately I did not inherit my Mother’s master gardener’s talents. But even if you do have a green thumb, with so many of us living such complicated life styles, it can prevent the opportunity to enjoy loads of time gardening. Yet Spanista believes we need this vital connection to nature that is so essential to our wellbeing. Why? Because tending to something from fragile seedling as it grows to maturity brings you out of yourself and into the gentle rhythm of life. This devoted time can help reengage the soul with the miracle of living things in a world heavily concentrated on virtual abstractions on technical aps.

These Green Space Ideas are a happy discovery in the NYTimes Sunday Styles Section as an article titled “Green Space” by Marianne Rohrlich. She shares 8 ideas that appeal to the heart of all types of gardeners. Here are my favorites:

1. Terrariums are micro worlds of green joy. This succulent garden has been made out of  a repurposed wine bottle. If you are not adventuresome enough to create it yourself, the Museum of Modern Art Design has a kit ready to go. You can find find it at momastore.org.

2. Strawberry Patch Tower with saucer accommodates 28 Mara des Bois strawberry plants from White Flower Farm. Tower can be found at Home Grown Gourmet Products.

3. For the people who would rather enjoy splendor of the garden without getting their hands dirty, or for relaxing after gardening to enjoy the fruits of your labor there is a large woven-cotton Grand Caribbean Nicaraguan hammock that holds two people – for a perfect afternoon cuddle nap. It comes from Hayneedle. Love the luscious sage green hue.

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Spanista Suggests Personal Green Space Brings Everyday Joy can be a very personal garden.  It can have a home in your office, your kitchen or a table top anywhere in your home that you will see frequently. But of course they make wonderful gifts too – Mother’s Day, weddings or birthdays.

Remember surrounding yourself with fresh green colors has tremendous positive impact. These colors soothes and relaxes you mentally, as well as physically; Helps alleviate depression, nervousness, and anxiety; and Offers a sense of renewal, self-control, and harmony. A perfect self care anitodote. No wonder we crave it. Read more at: http://www.sensationalcolor.com/color-meaning/color-meaning-symbolism-psychology/all-about-the-color-green-4309#.VUgGECh-Gc8

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

New Whitney Museum’s American Art Experience Amazes the lucky New Yorkers who are privledged to attend the 10 days of events leading up to the public opening this weekend. Every report I have read indicates the total experience is nothing less than world class – exceeding expectations. That makes it the topic of choice for this Good News Monday.

I have always held The Whitney close to my heart. It was the first New York Art Museum I ever stepped into on my first trip to Manhattan in my early twenties. It was intimate and thoughtfully curated featuring celebrated American Artists. I saw my first Andy Warhol close up. My first champagne Sunday brunch New York style, drinking my first French Press coffee feeling so sophisticated as we read the New York Times while enjoying my first spinach and tomato benedict.

The famed Italian architect Renzo Piano and his Building Workshop has become the go to source for museum transformations, created one of his finest works here based on the early reviews. The new location is in the Meat Packing District which has become deeply entrenched in the modern and monied cutting edge. Renzo seems to have struck the right chord – the open spacial dimensions of the area inspired by The Skyline and The Standard Hotel as both give the area its definitive flavor.

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The Witney Museum website describes it – “The dramatically cantilevered entrance along Gansevoort Street shelters an 8,500-square-foot outdoor plaza or “largo,” a public gathering space steps away from the southern entrance to the High Line. The building also includes an education center offering state-of-the-art classrooms; a multi-use black box theater for film, video, and performance with an adjacent outdoor gallery; a 170-seat theater with stunning views of the Hudson River; and a Works on Paper Study Center, Conservation Lab, and Library Reading Room. The classrooms, theater, and study center are all firsts for the Whitney.”

Mr. Piano’s design takes a strong and strikingly asymmetrical form—one that responds to the industrial character of the neighboring loft buildings and overhead railway while asserting a contemporary, sculptural presence. The upper stories of the building overlook the Hudson River on its west, and step back gracefully from the elevated High Line Park to its east.

Adding the richness of a total experience is accessible retail shop on the ground-floor level contributes to the busy street life of the area. A ground-floor restaurant and top-floor cafe are operated by renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer and his Union Square Hospitality Group. ( I would follow Danny Meyer cuisine anywhere after dinning at my favorites in his Group – The Gramercy Tavern, Blue Smoke and The Modern in MOMA many times.)

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New Whitney Museum’s American Art Experience Amazes makes Spanista crave being at the heart of this exciting scene on my next trip to New York. Spansita Self Care Rituals include escaping to creatively infused spaces of any fashion. Art experiences expand the mind and feed the soul. If you wish to see more, Spanista recommends Huffington Post’s article ’10 Things to Find at the Brand New Whitney Museum‘  or in the New York Times see Bill Cunningham’s article and video ‘Fashion and Art at the New Whitney Museum” where in he boasts about the expansive and creative expressive of personal style that adorns the guests in attendance – explosive fashion sensibilities abound and he suggests the fashion industry turn to artists for a fresh infusion of ideas. Given Spanista’s works with many such wonderful people she could not agree more. See Bill’s article for the wonderful pictures that show exactly what he means. Enjoy!

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Friday Wellness Tip: Throw Knockout Kentucky Derby Party is the a fun way to escape from the madness of the everyday routine. This once a year event is a wonderful excuse to indulge in some southern charm while taking advantage of the 141st Kentucky Derby’s special brand of excitement. The Derby traditions run deep. This is a fun way to pull some of your favorite people together for a late Saturday afternoon Spring Soiree that celebrates the most original roots of this wonderful place in our country. My roots reveal a great uncle was a jockey and ran in the Derby years ago – it has always been a time for our family to salute him in a classy yet casual sort of way. I have also attended the Melbourne Cup in Australia which harkens to its own traditions heavily influenced by its English heritage. It runs over days of events leading up to it. So Spanista loves throwing these kinds of parties because they engage everyone around an exciting theme that brings southern fun, fashion, food and fantastic sport together. Especially love the hats!

Why not enjoy this Saturday surrounded in country bluegrass ways? Here is Spanista’s 5 Easy Home Derby Party Steps:

1. Set the timing around the running of the race which is late afternoon – check your local TV listings but usually around 6 pm EST.

2. Make it casual but tell everyone they must come wearing a creatively adorned hat that aligns with the Derby tradition. Perhaps you can give who is voted the best hat, a bottle of fine Kentucky Burbon Black Label?

3. Fix a simple but traditional Derby menu. I found the perfect one online at Garden & Gun.com Magazine. They are the best source because after all, they are ‘The Soul of the South’.  This includes: Southern sweet pecans, mint juleps,  ham sweet biscuit sandwiches and green beans almandine. But save desert to commiserate the winners and losers after the race.

4. Pick your favorite horse to bet on and enjoy the pre race full of anticipation as well as the race. Half the fun is the anticipation of race time so have your big screen TV on in the background and engage in watching fashion and the foles. They make for great conversation topics.

5. Enjoy Southern Style desert after the race as well as post race cocktails. Make sure there is some great rock music of the south on right after the race. Maybe someone in your party group already has a great playlist for your i Pod doc.

For more inspiration go to Garden & Gun.com and search Kentucky Derby. These beautiful picture are by this wonderful Garden & Gun photographer – Haskell Harris posted online on  in several artcile. My favorite is – “Throw A Knockout Kentucky Derby Party” by Haskell Harris which inspired this blog.

You can find their favored desert in the luscious article.

Friday Wellness Tip: Throw Knockout Kentucky Derby Party is about being spontaneous! This is a wonderful and memorable self care experience to share with your favorite people. Spanista wants you to enjoy the fun  and the race.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Fresh Kitchen SoHo District’s Healthy & Heavenly Bowl Full of deliciousness has become a very popular eatery for those seeking wiser alternatives to conventional restaurants. Spanista loves the focus on living a healthy lifestyle in South Tampa. Perhaps it is because the locals love to be active outdoors as the plentiful good weather and water lifestyle offers playtime year round, or perhaps it is the influence of major leagues sports whose athletes range from hockey, to baseball, to football, to soccer – all residing in or close proximity of SoHo. These athletes need to be lean and mean and properly fueled. No matter the reason everyone seems to seek access to better food choices using organic ingredients that are prepared cleanly.

Fresh Kitchen, (FK) the brain child of James Lanza tapped this market a few years ago with its concept of protein bowls offered at Ciccio’s/Water also in So Ho. This concept restaurant brought together the California Fare trend in healthy eating and the need for protein infusions for people really into intense weight training and work outs – Those who desire high energy natural fuel in the right combinations. This innovation was born out of need as Mr. Lanza is a serious weight lifter who after moving to Tampa from New York City, could not find the type of meals he needed to sustain his dedicated fitness lifestyle. So he took it upon himself to fill the gap as he recognized others in South Tampa wanted the same thing. In spite of the fact this style of protein bowls are created for a specific type of person, the word soon spread to a wider audience who came love the flavorful combinations and their health benefits even if they were not into heavy weight training. Fresh Kitchen is successfully serving focused fast fresh food, juices and snacks for brunch lunch and dinner. (The early morning are reserved for intense workouts.)

James Lanza, owner of Ciccio’s Restaurant Group, created a hugely popular concept that appeals to all ages and all types of people but what maybe most satisfying is he is supporting a community of people that are passionate about training to feel and look fit. Not to mention that Mr. Lanza and his talented staff have crafted very tasty combinations. Plus, if you feel adventuresome or are particular about tastes, you can create your own. He also carries juice blends that are energy boosters and protein infusions. Everything here is curated with an informed experienced eye toward the fitness minded. Mr. Lanza has the magic touch when it comes to providing us with several appealing eatery concepts up and down South Howard – The Lodge, Green Lemon, Daily Eats, along with Ciccio’s Cali/Water and now Fresh Kitchen. A great collection of casual and yummy eating and drinking establishments all within walking distance for a great night of street crawling.

Spanista Takeaway: Fresh Kitchen SoHo District’s Healthy & Heavenly Bowl Full is a powerful little concept that could go national. Spanista Lifestyle agrees this approach to eating improves the quality of life overall. You just feel better after eating a FK bowl. Fortunately for Spanista we live just a short walk away from Fresh Kitchen. It’s a gem in Tampa healthy eating.  It is designed to offer takeaway and delivery – Love the FK Smart Car as it is so right for our neighborhoods. If you want to give this healthy alternative a try reach out and ask anyone you know who is into weight training – odds are they will know where protein bowls are offered in your town. This tight knit group is in the know when it comes to healthy eating. Trust me, this is healthy eating taken to the next level – if bowls are prepared right they are so flavorful, filling  you could become addicted in a good way. I know I am as Spanista’s favorite is the Piranha – guilt free.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

 

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