On Religion

 I've already talked about growing up in a multicultural family, but I haven't much touched on religion-- part because it can be a very heavy, controversial topic, but mainly because, until recently, I haven't had much to say about it.

As a child, I was mostly exposed to Judaism. Both of my parents were Jewish, and my father's side of the family (I didn't yet know my mom's) was, too. We had Passover seders, celebrated Rosh Hashanah, and I went to Hebrew school on Sunday mornings.

Around my twelfth birthday, I developed great interest in religious traditions and values. I started having Shabbat dinners at my Bubby's house, demanded that we celebrate Purim (the holiday from which my name, Esther, comes), and begged my parents to let me have a Bat Mitzvah.

My Bat Mitzvah was one of the best days of my life.

Around my fifteenth birthday, I experienced two huge changes: my parents separated and I developed a chronic illness.

I sought solace in (among other things) spirituality. I discovered Paganism (Wicca, in particular), and dove in, reading everything I could get my hands on, saying spells, invoking the Goddess Bastet and learning about sabbats, runes and deities.

Since then, my religious views have become even more ecelectic; in addition to Judaism and Paganism, I have been reading about Native religions and Christianity. I'm happy to be multidenominational.

In short, I believe no one religion is right, necessarily, and there's no need to subscribe to just one. If many aspects from many religions resonate with you, that's wonderful. Believe! Celebrate! Observe! 

To me, religion is something to strengthen and celebrate who you are and what you believe in. What ever that is, embrace it.

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Goodbye, "Occupy"!

Lake Superior State University's annual List of Banished Words is out. Since 1976, the university has compiled a list of the most overused, misused and generally useless words in the English language, garnering press for their college & thrilling logophiles everywhere.

Here are this 2011's most terrible words:

-Amazing
-Baby Bump
-Shared Sacrifice
-Occupy
-Blowback
-Man Cave
-The New Normal
-Pet Parent
-Win The Future
-Trickeration
-Ginormous
-Thank You In Advance

What would you add?

Check out all 37 lists (1 for each year since '76!) here.

A Year of Books + Films

When I turned 19, I decided to record every book I read and film I watched for a year. The whole project made me more mindful of the media I consume every day + what interests me. I discovered a lot more about myself in the process, than I thought I would.

You'll find the lists below. I highly suggest that you try this too!

20th Year Books
Consolation by Michael Redhill
Tuesdays With Morrie
Bound to Please: A History of the Victorian Corset
Water For Elephants
Chocolat
The Story of O
Justine
The Poison Eaters by Holly Black
Truth Dare or Promise by Paula Boock
Holding Still For As Long As Possible by Zoe Whittall
It Gets Better
Bossypants
The Stream Runs Fast by Nellie McClung
A Taste of Honey
Bottle Rocket Hearts by Zoe Whittall
Kingdom Hearts volume 3
Kingdom Hearts volume 4
Fuck This Book
Kingdom Hearts volume 1
Rage by Julie Anne Peters
Moominvalley in November
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
Define "Normal" by Julie Anne Peters

20th Year Movies
Chloe
Salt (x3)
The Runaways (x3)
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Life As We Know It
Nine
Madama Butterfly
Dear John
Mamma Mia
Four Christmases
Ramona and Beezus
Elf (x2)
Leap Year
The September Issue
Rent on Broadway
Toy Story 3 (x5)
Eat Pray Love
Alice In Wonderland (2010)
Adventureland (x3)
Despicable Me (x4)
500 Days of Summer (x3)
Remember Me
The Tourist
Easy A (x5)
Julie and Julia
Pride and Prejudice
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Toy Story
Toy Story 2 (x3)
Monsters Inc
Ratatouille
Definitely, Maybe (x13)
A Bill of Divorcement
The Dilemma
Paperman (x3)
Buried
The Princess and The Frog (x3)
Valentine's Day
Wuthering Heights
The Seven Year Itch
The Perfect Vagina
Laughing With Hitler
The Big Lift (x5)
Judgement At Nuremberg
Laurel and Hardy Highlights
Les Miserables (Concert)
Benny and Joon
Some Like It Hot
Phoebe in Wonderland
Let the Right One In (x3)
The Trotsky (x2)
Killers
The Great Dictator
Sweeney Todd
Freaky Friday
Black Swan (x3)
You Me and Dupree
An Education
Water For Elephants
Bridesmaids
How To Train Your Dragon
Vampires Suck
Zombieland
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2
Pocahontas
Mulan
Titanic
Juno

I Stopped Reading "Health" Magazines + You Should Too!

April Flores for Bizarre Magazine

I used to pore over women's health magazines, certain that reading them would inspire me to be healthier. Recently, though, I learned that so-called health magazines aren't so good for us afterall: They perpetuate negative body image ideals and insist that a woman will never be good enough until she's thin, inspiring crash diets and self-loathing.

Now, I do indulge in magazines (what girl doesn't?) but I'm far more discerning than I used to be. In place of reaching for Self or Shape, I explore the Health at Every Size community online or read feminist publications like Bitch and Bust. Better quality material and it makes me feel good about myself. I love fashion magazines too, but take their "health" tips with a grain of salt.

Rather than reading about ways to be skinny, I actively work at being healthy by going for walks, preparing nutritious snacks or practicing yoga.

I recognize that skinny is not necessarily healthy and healthy is not necessarily skinny, just like fat is not necessarily unhealthy and unhealthy is not necessarily fat.

I acknowledge that my body type (voluptuous, full-figured) was highly sought-after throughout history-- a larger figure meant a woman was well-off enough to eat lavishly and her curves were considered beautiful. In the past 60 years or so, slender has been considered most attractive. Society's tastes change in cycles. One day curvy will be in again and thin will be out. We just have to ignore trends and embrace the body we have.

Lastly, I remind myself over and over again that I am beautiful and I deserve to be healthy-- emotionally and physically.

And so do you.

Happy Passover!

One of my favourite Passover treats! Photo by sugar-bliss gnome on Flickr.

Passover was always a warm, happy time, for me as a child, full of good food and lots of time spent with family and friends. We dressed our best, set the table and filled my Bubby's house with flowers, homemade art and yummy treats.

This year, it's just my Maman and I for Passover, and we already have some big plans (Kosher wine, matzah ball soup and a movie marathon!). I'm here to help you celebrate, whether you're new to the holiday and looking for a fun foray into Jewish traditions, a seasoned celebrant or somewhere in-between.

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What is matzah? and Why is it customary to eat matzah on Passover?

Vegetarian Times offers some yummy ideas for your seder.

A yummy, Pesach-friendly, fruit-filled cake from Canadian Living.

This is a very creative use for matzah!

More matzah! This time, it's Chocolate Toffee Matzo Crack. Sounds so good that I will definitely be making a batch sometime this week.

I loved the description of a seder in this article from College Candy.

How are you celebrating Passover this year?

The Artist Project 2011

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending The Artist Project Toronto, a four-day show featuring "200 of the best independent contemporary artists".

Got my tickets!!

Discovering art thrills me, so strolling down aisle after aisle and meeting the men and women behind the masterpieces was an incredible way to spend an afternoon.

A lovely display.

Did you attend The Artist Project Toronto 2011? What did you think? I definitely recommend going next year, and you'll be sure to see me there!!

Not "Gay Suicide"

Of late, we've been bombarded with the tragic news of countless young men and women who could no longer cope, ending their lives. But the prevalence of so-called"gay suicides" hasn't risen. Only media attention has.

How do we as a society prevent such horrors? Perhaps a start would be removing the stigma. Let's begin by referring to  the tragedies not as Gay Suicide, but as suicide.

People are people, regardless of sexual orientation. Suicide is suicide, regardless of the sexuality of the person driven to it.

Instead of coming up with ways to segregate gay teens from straight teens, let's put our energy into creating mental health programs and open-minded forums where people of all types feel safe, no matter what's in their pants or on their minds.