W HEMRE AO LG D AM ZE E IT SN N EE W
SPRING 2017
Founder’s Note I was three seconds into downward dog, wishing I had taken the time to shave or put on longer pants. My hamstrings felt like cranky tin men when my yoga teacher asked the class how everyone was doing. A few shy responses echoed around the room.Everyone responded according to protocol with, “I’m good.” But I kept quiet. I did not say anything because I was not good that day. I was dealing with a negative situation and purposing not to think about it during class. The instructor went on to ask how many times we respond that we’re “good” when we are actually having a bad day. I imagined him asking again how we are all doing again and me saying, “It’s actually a tough day. I’m emotionally drained and could use a hug instead of hip openers.” Can you imagine if I’d said that and you had been in the class? A few of you would probably help me form a hug circle while others would be extremely uncomfortable.
The message conveyed was simple. Society has trained us to portray a strong exterior, while inside we often feel like shifting sand. Guilty! And so began the most introspective year of my life. When I dreamed up WOMN, I promised to strengthen my inner self and be honest. I’ve realized in this industry, some of the people most portrayed as enlightened and soul cleansed are actually the ones struggling the most internally. I wanted the whole package, but mainly because I believed I could truly reach people if I could turn the shifting sand into solid ground. This spring issue is dedicated to that purpose. I hope you find encouragement to look inward when you dedicate time to yourself this year.~
Joanna Heitz, Founder | Creator
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HEAL FROM THE INSIDE OUT
had the pleasure of meeting Megan Roosevelt (a.k.a., Healthy Grocery Girl) at Nicole Richie’s Pearl Exchange event last year and became an instant admirer. It was obvious, based on her perfect skin and healthy glow, that vegetables were her thing (very much like chocolate
is my thing.) Her aura exuded with such grace and ease as I learned more about her extensive dietician background. Little did I know, this beautiful soul held the key to a healthy gut remedy. Megan generously shared her recipe with WOMN readers. ~ 3
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon turmeric (fresh: peeled and chopped) 1 teaspoon ginger (fresh: peeled and chopped) 1 teaspoon of real honey (or maple syrup) 1 teaspoon of unrefined coconut oil Pinch of black pepper
Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy Pour over ice to enjoy cold or heat on the stovetop to enjoy hot! Suggestion: Choose organic ingredients when possible
Written By Joanna Heitz Photos By Healthy Grocery Girl 4
HIGHS AND LOWS: JOSH HALVERSON
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ne of our guilty pleasures is The Voice, a singing competition where four celebrity judges blindly listen to singers’ voices then make a selection
for their teams. There are a bevy of undeniably great voices, then there are the rare artists who step on stage and bare their souls. The instant Josh Halverson started singing “Forever 5
Young,” we were hooked. There was something deeper to this artist than an amazing voice, and we wanted to know about the journey that led up to his new album, Year of the Thunderbird.
moment? Would you say your journey started then, or during the moments leading up to it?
We love that your journey was inspired by Al Green’s transparency on stage. We think everyone longs for that big “Aha!” moment. What felt different for you in that
That epiphany to play music took place, and within three months I had written my first song. This country boy was on a roll! Haha! So I packed my bags and headed for Hollywood.
I’ve always had a special love for music, ever since I begged my parents for piano lessons at the age of five. Congratulations on your success When I was a teenager, I became diswith The Voice! We were blown tracted from that love of music and away by your blind audition. How wanted to be outside and not pracdid you calm your nerves before tice. So in a way, Al Green reminded such a big moment? me of my inner child’s love of music, but also showed me the release that Thank you! The blind audition was is given when you lay your heart and one of the most high-pressure performances I have ever been a part of. soul on the table for the audience to It may sound redundant, but remind- see. As a young man, it was a release ing myself to breathe was one of the through transparency that I despermost effective techniques for calming ately needed. my nerves. With that being said, the What would you consider the bigreal adrenaline didn’t kick in until I gest low of your journey? took that first step on the stage.
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By this time, I had written an album, started playing little house concerts, and acquired a very ambitious manager. Soon after, I released my first record, and instantly was playing at places like The Troubadour, The Viper Room, and Knitting Factory. People were really liking it, but that success can be pretty hard on an individual who is inexperienced in the world. Especially when you’re in a bar every night of the week. I slowly began to lose my focus and direction with every show I played and every drink I consumed. I think in order to respect your individuality, you must appreciate your individuality. With that being said, the lowest parts of my journey were the moments I lost myself.
am and what it is I love to do. Music has a special way of breaking down the walls of the listener, getting them to feel, and re-sensitizing them to their inner child. So I guess my greatest highs are in my art. They are the songs in my mind, the sounds of my heart, and a great release for me as much as it is for the listener. In everything I do, I will always try to be a hard counterbalance of love and positivity to all the hate and negativity. There is no greater high than this. What does WOMN mean to you?
I kissed this girl one time, and in the middle of it I opened my eyes. For a split second, it was like we went back in time. She was no longer a girl, but rather this beautiful old woman. That Such an important reminder! How kiss transcended us back to a time our grandparents lived in. A time would you define the highs of where love and each other was all we your journey? had. That is Where Old Meets New. I think as I grow, I’ve learned to not It was her love that dug me out of the lowest part of my journey and put so much pressure on the highs became the highest. She is now my and lows. Not that I’m trying to dewife, and we have a beautiful little sensitize myself from appreciating boy named Thunderbird.~ these moments; I just know who I 8
THREE STROKES FOR ALL FOLKS 9
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opefully you don’t have a friend in whom you confide personal secrets with only to have them used against you. I have had a few of those friends in my time. And in my less mature days, I was that friend at times, too. Often when personal, traumatic details are thrown back at you, they are really hurting your Amy, not you.
my first havening experience. Things started to come together once I understood the technique.
Anxiety took center stage when I waited to start my first havening session. I was already guaranteed no poking, prodding or being hooked up to wires. It had been a challenging year, which I am very used to, but for the first time ever, distracting myself wasn’t working. Avoidance wasn’t Trauma creates a graph over the entire span of our lives. The way we respond to working. Nothing would work to get my life circumstances stems from the map our mind off of the various things that were brains drew up after each traumatic event. bothering me throughout the year. I didn’t know at the time, but this was my brain How do you remap the brain? Take care freaking out after being exposed to variof your “Amy”, which in the scientific ous traumas. And it was extremely normal term is your amygdala. to feel this way, especially for those in I’ll lay this out as simply as possible. Your their late twenties and early thirties, depending on when the trauma took place. amygdala processes things in black and white while your prefrontal vortex helps you process the kaleidoscope of colors we Dr. Katie Truitt guided me through a process where I was taken back to a traumatic live in. When Amy (amygdala) is hurt, it needs to be cared for in the way you might event and then distracted through a series of techniques, such as counting, humming care for a small child. How do you do this? A process called havening. Scientists and various imaginative actions. While all of this was happening, Dr. Truitt perresearched ways to manipulate chemical formed the three techniquea that release messages through the brain and the nervous system. This helps disconnect mem- the healing waves: Rub hands, brush ory from emotion. It sounds too good to fingers under and above the eyes, and stroke arms from shoulders to elbows. be true, but it absolutely works. I’m here to tell you a little bit about my journey and After the process took place, I felt a
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release of enegery. Dr. Truitt then guided my through more distraction techniques to get from a feeling of trauma to a zero rating of negative feelings. I became a believer in the process and started my journey to complete healing. The process itself can be challenging, but the overall technique is simple and transferrable. You can perform the techniques anywhere. Dr. Truitt recommends starting each day identifying what might be agitating you , then havening through the agitation before starting your day. This
is a great technique to take on a flight, while traveling, before a meeting, during a disagreement and so on. If you are interested in learning more about havening, or if would like to discuss my experience with me directly, we will be hosting a Q&A. Please send all questions to info@womnmag.com You can also reach out directly to Dr. Katie Truitt for medical questions and scheduling.~
Written By Joanna Heitz
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THE VINTAGES
ome people say you can’t relive the past. We discovered vintage campers in the heart of Oregon’s wine country that are proving everyone wrong.
streamline design reveal its roots in aviation. Every trailer flaunts a theme unique to the era.
Take a step inside the breadbox-shaped 1958 Ideal and you’ll think you stumbled Clustered on fourteen acres of Willamette upon an episode of “I Love Lucy.” Featuring original chrome countertops and RV Park, The Vintages Trailer Resort offers 31 fully restored trailers with a retro bubblegum pink appliances, offset by vibe. Aluminum coated exteriors and sleek cheery flower print curtains.
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If a more subtle motif appeals to you, a must-see is the 1947 Spartan Manor. Handcrafted wooden cabinets and naturethemed accent pieces recall the western craze.
After touring one of the 300 local vineyards in Willamette Valley, spend a relaxing evening around the campfire making s’mores and chatting with fellow campers.
Each trailer lavishes guests with hotel style amenities, including comfy bedding, plush robes, L’Occitane bath products, and gourmet coffee. Outdoor patios provide the perfect setting for a low key barbecue paired with a glass of Pinot Noir, the region’s specialty.
The staff at The Vintages Trailer Resort lovingly shines a spotlight on a time when life moved at a slower pace, presenting an authentic experience. More than a nostalgia spot, The Vintages is first class in time travel. And you won’t even need the DeLorean to get you there. ~
Written by Lauren Lanier Photos by The Vintages 14
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here is a company liberating women from their baggage, and we want you to know about it. Hipsters for Sisters, the makers behind hand-free bags, are killing the accessory game. Of course, we also love that their new line incorporates upcycled, vintage denim.
Park. Having a cute statement piece gave us a little pep in our thousands upon thousands of steps. When you accidentally hike thirteen miles, it’s important to give your shoulders a rest.
It was fun looking at the various styles, materials, and colors before selecting the perfect bags for our journey. We opted for the olive and These beauties came in handy (or embroidered skull bags for a chic, should we say handless) when we wandered through Yosemite National nature-inpsired look that gave us 15
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an edgy yet casual feel. While designed to fit around the waist, the crossbody option was nice during moments when we felt ourselves sliding more than stepping. Both styles made us feel empowered during a few treacherous parts of the hike. The reward came when we reached the trail’s peak overlooking
Nevada Falls. We could take in the moment, liberate ourselves from baggage and garments, and absorb the power of nature flowing around us. We wish we knew about Hipsters for Sisters when we lived in a commuter town. These are definitely are go-to bags for less baggage and more freedom.
Written by Joanna Heitz Photos by Andy Heitz Photography 17
Follow Jo: Arizona Road Trip
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ravel is a big part of my life. Whether it’s curating pieces for WOMN Closet, traveling for a shoot or taking a break from digital life, I want to start bringing you along on my journeys. I need to catch you up first, as several of you have asked about a road trip I took last fall. I had the pleasure of meeting locals on my journey who really brought new light to a common loop for Southwest dwellers. We set out from L.A. and started our 18
journey to Sedona. We normally opt for an Airbnb, but we liked the location of the Hyatt in the heart of town. This was a great spot to start adventure mode as we hiked through the Red Rocks. We stopped by a local winery and chatted with the owners, learning more from them about the town. The local myth is that Sedona will “spit you out” if you have internal unfinished business that needs attention. However, the locals we spoke with seemed to connect more with their hometown’s intimate vibe, and less with the folklore.
After our second night, we ventured to my favorite spot, Monument Valley. We did a sunrise tour with a Navajo native who was more keen on the folklore of the land. We learned about Navajo dwelling and why traditional hogan homes have one door. Navajos used to believe that a part of your spirit would leave if you did not exit a dwelling the same way you entered. The native we spoke with grew up being taught to stay inside at night because of the “evil chasers” who would paint themselves in black and wander out into the valley to catch evil spirits. Children are also given a brew called iowaska as a form of punishment, due to the bitter taste. Our guide was seven years old when he encountered his first, memorable sip. Our guide also had a run-in with a witch doctor who was hitchhiking one night. The man asked him if he knew of a particular person. Later, our guide would discover that same man died many years ago. He dropped the hitchhiker off at his desired destination and pulled up to his mom’s house. His grandmother grew up in the community revered as a Hand Trembler, which is essentially a diagnostician in Navajo culture. (His mother also had this gift, but rarely practiced.) Our guide’s grandmother heard the sound of drums when he pulled up to the house,
and she asked if he had encountered any strangers. He told her of the hitchhiker and she immediately started her hand trembling ritual over her grandson. She claimed the hitchhiker had practiced a ritual in which he rubbed the bones of the dead man together, thus transferring his spirit to her son. Whether you believe this or not, it made for an interesting sunrise tour through the Navajo native lands. Our guide brought the mood back to a less terrifying tone by playing one of their traditional instruments, the Navajo flute. We were in an ancient hogan at the time and had a brief moment when we were transported back to a time when dwellings were naturebuilt. It was an experience we will never forget. We headed to Antelope Valley where we learned about the respect of the Navajo. A flood had killed families still dwelling in the bottom of the valley, so they closed off the area out of respect to the families. I thought that was a rare and beautiful gesture, maybe because I’ve been exposed to the media’s habit of exploiting tragedy. There is a reason this place is the most overgrammed location. Everywhere you turn, the canyon’s walls are a different 19
color. This trip started our chase for sunrises and sunsets, as the rocks at both Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley come alive during those moments. We ventured back for a quick stop at the Grand Canyon where we enjoyed wildlife and changing, colorful shadows in the canyon, along with a sunset picnic on the
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rim of the Canyon. I will never forget such an amazing experience. The whole trip lasted six days, and inspired us to plan another trip through the northwest.
Written by Joanna Heitz
I AM BECAUSE WE ARE
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o you ever ask yourself who you would be if stripped of everything? Success is defined as an accomplishment of an aim or purpose. Often, we are trained to focus on external success. How many “likes” can we get? Or maybe we wish our homes were nicer. At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced the thought, “If only I had what they had, then I would
be happy.” We’re bombarded by the message that if we don’t have the latest trends, we’re less than. True, there is importance in setting goals and aiming high. But if your only goals are acquiring external things, you will be perpetually dissatisfied. Deep and meaningful connections are what tie us together. Internal success is limitless. 21
Someone recently told me that some people think they have to be cold-blooded to get ahead. This is a common sentiment learned by interactions within our society. It makes me feel sad and defeated. What if I don’t want to be cold-blooded? Does that mean I have to give up success? False. The difference between the many paths to success lies in who we are at the end of it all, the fabric of our character when everything external is stripped away. The African philosophy of Ubuntu includes the saying “I am because we are”, a belief that values the essential human virtues. It is also the name of a brand focused on internal success, using their expertise to connect you with the world. 22
It’s crazy to think we live in a time when we can click a button and have a curated box of goods from all over the world delivered to our doorstep. Opening the box to find “wisdom earrings” made by a woman in China, or healing lip balm and candles from Africa, holds a joy that transcends material items. Ubuntu Goods is a company making this possible. “A good diet doesn’t start with elimination, it starts with adding in nutrients.” This mindset can be applied to all aspects of life, even the choices we make about internal goal setting and the companies and artisans we invite into our homes. Written By Joanna Heitz