Zen Girl's Guide to Cuba

Wow. What an experience! We've been back from Cuba for 3 weeks now and whenever people ask me what the country was like, the word interesting always tumbles out of my mouth. Havana was the most visually and intellectually stimulating place I've traveled to in a long time. People often describe Cuba as frozen in time and for the most part, it definitely had that museum-like vibe. 

For a quick history lesson: Relations with the US were crumbing towards the end of the 1950s, we stopped providing financial aid to Cuba in 1961 and the official embargo prohibiting all US imports was fully in effect by 1962. 

Meaning that any "American" items you see in Cuba (up until just a few years ago when relations started to normalize) are literally relics, carefully and lovingly preserved for the past 50+ YEARS! That blew my mind! Which explains all the cool, old-school cars. Most of the taxis and personal cars of locals are the 1955 and 1956 Cheverolet Bel Airs. Can you imagine still having your Grandfather's car in the family (using it as your primary vehicle) and bartering for leftover parts from other cars and even tractors to keep it running?! And these cars were pristine. Fresh paint jobs, new upholstery.... you could feel the love they put into their belongings there because there was literally no other option. Amazing. I'm totally not a car person by nature, but what it symbolized spoke volumes to me. 

With its multi-layered, complicated history and relationship with the United States, I was of course curious about how they would treat us "Americans". Surprisingly, the locals were not even phased. Cuba has been closed off to the US (and vice versa) for almost 60 years now, but has kept normal relations with almost every other country in the world. In downtown Havana, there were huge plazas and cathedrals that had a very European influence. Restaurants had infusions of flavors from neighboring Caribbean islands. African culture is evident in the music and roots of most Cubans. While we Americans have this idea of it being a closed-off bubble, it actually felt very much like a global melting pot. The architecture, building and roads are where it feels frozen in time. Crumbling, yet sufficient. 

There's an over-arching joy and kindness that surprised me about the Cuban people. Always smiling and welcoming, despite knowing that they are at a turning point in history, where once the flood gates from America truly open up, they will be inundated with visitors. Even with this knowledge, there was a general warmth and gratitude for our presence. Definitely no bad vibes against Americans that we experienced, at all! 

Luckily, we had the expert tour guide in our corner. "Havana Lana" aka my Auntie Lana from Halifax Canada who has spent a few months a year in Cuba for the last 10+ years invited us down for a visit. My husband's parents had Cuba on their travel bucket list as well, so we all joined forced and met for a week of exploring this forbidden country.

A few girlfriends have since asked me if it's safe for a girls trip. Yes, absolutely! A few things that amazed me were how safe, clean, and healthy the country felt. I think a girls trip is totally OK and would be an awesome adventure! We traveled with my baby girl Luna in tow, who was only 7 months old at the time. The Cuban people absolutely adored her!

For the ideal Cuban experience, if you want to cover all bases of educational, relaxing, and adventurous, I would spend 5 days in Old Havana and 4 or 5 days enjoying the beaches of Varadero, Cienfuegos, and Cayo Coco. And if you're into it, there's also a really cool countryside area called Valle de Vinales where you can go horseback riding through tobacco farms and learn the art of rolling their famous cigars.

Here are my favorite photos from our Cuban Adventure, and be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for a list of my favorite restaurants and not-to-miss places in Havana!

Havana Vieja ~ Old Havana

• Classic Car Convertible Tour: yes, it’s touristy but it was so much fun and such a highlight – also a great way to see the city. We did the four hour option with an English speaking guide and it was worth every penny. If you do 4 hours you go to Fusterlandia Art Gallery located out of town – it was fun and funky art space.
  
• Night out at Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC): Located in Vedado neighborhood of Havana. A huge multi-purpose art space with galleries, stage for performances, DJs, theater, and bars. Open only Thursday - Sunday.
  
• Dinner at El Cocinero: right next to FAC in Vedado, must have a reservation. Get a table on the rooftop terrace. Best plan is to make a dinner reso here for 7 or 8pm, then head next door to FAC for drinks after.
  
• La Guarida: a classic fancy dinner spot, nice if you want to splurge. Very popular, for a reason! Must have a reservation.
  
• Castro Pol: restaurant on the famous malecon as you leave/enter downtown Havana. Perfect location for a long lazy siesta or dinner with a sunset view.
  
• 1830 Bar (Mil Ocho in Vedado): Gorgeous restaurant, literally ocean front! Open-air Salsa bar with a live band and then DJ some nights. Not to be missed!
  
• 304 O’Reilly: My husband, baby Luna and I stopped in here for tapas and mojitos in the middle of a long day walking around Old Havana. Perfect location in the middle of everything. Tightly packed restaurant resembling an English pub. Definitely no room for a stroller or baby gear but the staff was so nice and made room for us :)

Other great spots that came highly recommended to us 

Shout out to Christine Seisun and Lis Meyers for these super helpful lists! Gracias chicas! 

• Habana Mia 7 (restaurant in Vedado)
• Museo del Chocolate
• Sia Kara for cocktails
• Museum of the Revolution
• Clandestina: boutique and art store
• Havana Club store in Old Havana: do a tour of how they make rum and taste test!
• Casa Del Musica: classic Cuban salsa and live music spot, not to be missed! Ask a taxi driver to take you to the one in Miramar.
• Sunset stroll on the Malecon! Lots of Cubans come out to enjoy the sunset. Also a fun nighttime walk. People will be drinking and playing music – an unforgettable experience. 

If you need help planning your Cuba Adventure

Especially if traveling in a group from the US, contact my Aunt Lana via her website.

She specializes in corporate training and team-building, and sustainable Edu-tourism in Cuba, and can assist you with the proper government forms needed and/or help you book out your itinerary. 

New Years Yoga Retreat 2016 Recap

What happens when you invite 16 women to meet you in the jungle for 5 days of self-work, reflection, movement, breath and release, all during the sacred time when one year ends and the next begins? You get fireworks for the soul!

 Our second annual New Years Yoga Retreat in Sayulita, Mexico just wrapped up and it is hard to put into words what this experience meant to me. So much deep, truly healing work happened here. Years of unresolved inner conflict and pain was allowed to be brought to the surface and given permission to be let go. Sometimes, more than anything else, that is simply exactly what we need. Permission. An invitation to show up as your true, authentic self. Without judgement or expectations. 

When is the last time you sat in a room with 18 faces staring back at you with nothing but pure love and acceptance? Where you felt 100% safe to speak your truth and be received with warm hugs and understanding . . . 

Let's face it -- life is hard. It knocks us down and very rarely gives us the tools to know how to properly get back up. As women in this westernized, modern world, we are not taught rituals or traditions, nor do we grow up with ceremonies marking important female milestones in our lives. We are taught to grow up fast, dislike our bodies, be inconvenienced by our menstrual cycles, aggressively pursue our careers and push our emotions aside. When we are not taught how to appropriately tap into our emotions, we silence an important part of our female power -- our intuition. 

Our intuitive minds guide us in life, through challenges, away from danger, towards our truth and highest self. Now more than ever, it is beyond important - it has become imperative to our growth as women that we take pauses from life every now and then to unplug from the pressure and reconnect with our intuitive selves. The mind, the body, the soul, the heart. When properly taken care of, nurtured, supported, and nourished, it can give us all the answers we need to know. No more looking on the outside. For once, we can finally hear our own voice and know the right path to take. 

I am beyond proud of the 16 women who showed up to do this important work.  With the powerful Jade Alectra and inspiring Jenny Niezgoda as my fellow teachers on this yoga retreat, we were able to hold space for and witness some truly major breakthroughs. The Temazcal (tribal sweat lodge) ceremony on December 31st was the spiritual catalyst that allowed us all to look our fears right in the face and push through. The jungle hike on New Years Day gave us important moments of silence, and equally important moments of divine connection with each other. All in all, my heart feels fuller than before, my purpose is so much more clearly defined, and my commitment to helping all the women in my life (including myself + my daughter) shine has never been stronger.

Here is a video re-cap of one of the most powerful weeks of my life. #WomanPoetryRetreat
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Wild + Free Retreat

Welcome to the Wild + Free Retreat! A one day, all inclusive experience designed to stimulate creativity and connection on all levels -- mind, body, and soul.

SUNDAY MAY 29.  1 - 8 PM.   ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA

Hosted by:   Mandy Burstein //  Jade Alectra //  Jenny Niezgoda

This mini-retreat is lovingly designed to help busy women harness the healing power of ancient wisdom within their modern lives. Through movement, creative expression, sound and food healing, this will be an educational, inspirational day of activation of all your senses. You will be radiating at the highest frequency by the culmination of our time together. Due to the intimate nature of this gathering, it is limited to only 20 women who are ready to escape, collaborate, and spark a new fire in their lives.

Get your ticket here: https://guestlistapp.com/events/417081

We've selected 3 ultra-inspiring locations in Encinitas, California to create a well-rounded, holistic experience. Here's the retreat itinerary of what you can expect:  

1 - 3pm:  Yoga, meditation, sound healing and goddess circle at Sea Vibes Yoga, guided by Mandy Burstein and Jade Alectra in their signature "Woman Poetry" teaching style. Expect a deeply cleansing and healing journey into yourself to help reveal the most beautiful version of you.

3 -  4pm:  Post-yoga kombucha toast, meet-and-greet, and raffle of some of our favorite items from local artisans in the SeaVibes boutique.  

4 -  5pm:  Walk over to the Meditations Gardens at Swami's Self Realization Fellowship. At this world-famous sanctuary space overlooking the ocean, we will guide you through a journaling exercise building on the themes from the yoga class.

5 - 8pm: Gourmet picnic dinner on the beach. Inspired food healer Jenny Niezgoda will indulge you with a gorgeous locally-sourced, organic feast, in collaboration with Farm to Fork Catering. During our time on the beach, we will cultivate conversation to allow you to flow into deeper connection with your new friends while learning even more about yourself in the process. As the sun goes down and our taste buds are fully satisfied, we will transition into a sunset bonfire ceremony, once and for all releasing into the flames what needs to be released, and enjoy a final celebratory toast to a beautiful, divinely feminine day together.

don't miss out on this chance to unplug, tap into your inner goddess, and connect with other women! 

get your ticket here: https://guestlistapp.com/events/417081

Why Sunday Picnics are Good for your Soul

They say the way you spend your Sundays is the way you spend your life. 

Growing up in Europe, Sundays were a big deal. No work, no obligations, no distractions, just pure unfiltered downtime with your loved ones. I always envisioned my adult life centered around this magical day-long pause where the hours seem to linger a little bit longer and you really take the time to be present before Monday comes rushing in.

Living close to the beach here in San Diego gives us the opportunity to gather with friends out in nature and watch the waves crash while we prepare meals together. As the sun goes down and the stars begin to peak out one by one, we light a bonfire and put the finishing touches on the feast. Sometimes, our gatherings are quite large with 20 - 30 friends. Other times, like last night, we threw it together last minute with an intimate group of 6 of us. For larger gatherings, I typically pre-make a Paella and bring it down to the beach, that's a perfect way to feed a hungry crowd. (and side note: fun fact paella rice "bomba rice" is gluten-free)

Last night, we went with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses to snack on, then grilled a locally-caught whole octopus and roasted potatoes + veggies over an open flame. We sipped on a special elixir of fresh squeezed grapefruit, beet, and lemon juice with a splash of Pellegrino.  I woke up this Monday morning with so much peace, love, and gratitude in my heart. So much so that I'm convinced this will make our world a better place. Less separation, less distractions, more human connections.

Summer is nearly here and the weather is starting to get perfect for dining al fresco. Here's my challenge to you: choose a Sunday, gather all your friends, set a theme, pick an awesome outdoor location, have everyone contribute a dish, and make it happen! You will get addicted to these gatherings like me and my friends are, I promise!

Sunday Picnic Checklist 

long table // 8 big blankets // outdoor throw pillows // bottles of wine and sparkling water // mason jars // serving ladle // cutting board // good knives with blade covers // lemons // guacamole // tongs for the bbq // big serving spoons // biodegradable plates // forks + knives // bonfire pit // charcoal // lighter fluid // starter log // firewood // extra sweaters and socks to stay cozy after sunset

All photography taken by our beautiful creative friend Rozy, aka Rozanne Edwards Media.