Bethany Hamilton's Blog, page 64

As you may recall from my last newsletter, the month of October started off, for me, in Southern California with a few sponsor obligations and visiting friends. It was one of my best friends’ birthday and a few of us girls got together to go surf Lower Trestles “Lowers”, which is one of my favorite waves in S. California! The waves had been fun all week and I was really stoked to be surfing, especially with friends! After catching my third wave I was paddling back out and another surfer ran me over. It was an accident. His fin placed a deep laceration in my right calf. I looked down and saw that it was a gnarly wound. I was pretty upset. I feel as though I’m very accident-prone lately — three summers in a row now, I have had bad injuries.

I went in and made my way to the hospital. Thankfully, my friends were with me, which was very comforting! I received 24 stitches on the outside and several in the inside…

Little did I know I wouldn’t be surfing for 24 days! It took forever to heal… But, I made the best of my remaining time in California. I went to hang with my Grandma — who is awesome! She lives in So.Cal. My grandma is classic, she always has me laughing! She is a musician and a great artist. I love being in her house and analyzing all her paintings! She even played a round of Jenga at one point. It’s an intense game… props to Grams! I love her!

I hung out in CA until the Natural High 2012 Sunset Splash Gala, which you can read about in the last newsletter. I mention it again, cause I’m really stoked on what Natural High is doing, and the approach they have to encouraging the youth of America to live drug free! My Natural High is surfing, laughing, Jesus, love, and so much more! What’s yours?

[Read more in the heartfelt November Newsletter: Drama, excitement, reality, Stumpy's bday, etc...]

October 25-28, 2012 • Quito, Ecuador: International Environmental Summit for Kids (CIMA 2012)

Bethany was a special guest speaker at this biennial event for boys and girls (from 5 to 17) to learn about the environment. Al Gore was last year’s speaker. More info, visit cimakids.com

CIMA Kids is a very sensory and experiential expo where, at stations and stands, children are taught dynamically, key messages about the importance of: protecting the environment, water, energy, recycling, nature, afforestation, and also healthy eating, sports and recreation, and social responsibility.

“I had the pleasure of speaking at several of the events and to the kids about my story and protecting our environment,” Bethany states, “Through CIMA Kids I learned about the issues Ecuador is facing of Yasuni preservation.” (click link to learn more). #SaveYasuní

Has it ever occurred to you that our environment is irreplaceable? I’ve decided to better educate myself on the various environmental issues and to be more proactive. Also, to encourage others in this as well.

Start by changing the way we see things and find the value in our environment and our natural resources. We as a whole can put more effort into sustainable living, which is to conserve the ecological balance by avoiding depletion of our natural resources. Take advantage of the many great renewable resources so that in 20-50 years from now, the people that really do care aren’t drowning in our mess of poor stewardship.

In 2009, Kauai, Hawaii outlawed the use of plastic bags in grocery stores and all businesses. Even if plastic bags are legal in your area, I recommend you invest in a few reusable grocery bags and get in the habit of using them! Soon enough it becomes the norm!

With your kids or friends, a fun activity is to do a beach, river, nature or neighborhood clean up! It’s a great way to educate them and have fun spending time together!

You and I are the example for the whole world and the future generations! Lets be good stewards of what we have been given!

#SaveYasuní

Yasuni ITT

[ Yasuní Ishpingo Tambococha Tiputini ]

Yasuní, (Yah-soo-nee) one of the most bio diverse spots on the earth, is located in South America at the intersection of the Amazon, the Andean Mountains and the Equator. It is home to South American’s amphibian, bird, mammal and vascular plant diversity all reaching their maximum levels. One single hectare (or 10,000 square meters) in Yasuní contains more tree-species than are native to the whole of North America. Yasuní is home of two indigenous cultures living in voluntary isolation. And a number of other indigenous groups such as Kichwa and Naporuna also live in the area.

In all it’s beauty and uniqueness, Yasuní is in threat of oil and logging industries.

Ecuador aims to leave an extractive economy behind and advance towards an alternative, equitable and sustainable development process supported by a sustainable energy matrix. In preserving Yasuni, avoidance of approximately 407 million metric tons of CO2 emissions due to non-extraction and burning of oil and Avoidance of 800 million metric tons of CO2 from avoided deforestation.

Economically it is a sacrifice for Ecuador. But is it really a sacrifice in preserving creation? Somewhere so beautiful and precious, I don’t believe we can fully comprehend the depths of the damage if destroyed. This is an ongoing battle to save Yasuní!

Yasuní Initiative’s mission is to contribute to the protection of life, peace and sustainable development. It aims to create a set of conditions that emerge from the specific values of the Yasuní area and foster the protection of the life of present and future generations. The Yasuní Initiative’s main objectives are: To protect of Biodiversity; To support the livelihood and culture of the indigenous communities living in voluntary isolation; and to ensure net avoided emissions of greenhouse gases.

A forest is irreplaceable once destroyed.

In support of Saving Yasuní, please check out- www.yasunisupport.org

[Continue Reading about Bethany's visit to Ecuador, where she spoke at the CIMA Kids Environmental Summit, which is published on the November 2012 issue of "The Coconut Wire," Bethany's monthly e-newsletter.]

Puree’d veggie soup made in my VitaMix blender!

This past month, I made a delicious veggie soup for my mom & I. Here’s how…

• Steam or boil fresh broccoli and an onion

• In a blender, add: fresh garlic, basil, and ginger (if you like)

• A fresh zucchini.

• Cup or two of chicken or veggie broth.

• A handful of pumpkin seeds, almond or cashews.

• Blend in blender.

• Sea salt to taste.

You are what you eat… eat good!

A verse from the song “Ooh Ahh” by Grits

“The fear of never fallin’ in love

And the tears after losin’ the feelings of what you thought love was

Like the dirt still up under the rug (My life be like)

Bad characteristics covered in Christs blood

The joy of new birth and the pain of growin’ up

The bliss between givin’ my all and givin’ up

The highs and lows

Paths and roads I chose

In the cold I froze

Tryin’ to ease my woes

In this world of sin

Clothes to thin to fend

So to God I send

Words of help to win

In grumblings so deep letters could never express

So the sound of Ooh Aah beneath my breath projects”

I’ve known this song for a while but this morning the verse above stuck out to me.

Not forgetting the good and beauty in this life, but we all go through various trials, mistakes, struggles, pains. Life is rough. Our culture and way of living has become unreasonable. We often live in complete selfishness.

Life is a constant lesson. We have choices.

I’ve learned that in all adversity, whether I’ve felt like my life was falling apart, or when I have made unwise choices, or someone has hurt me, there is aways way out. A hope, help and a healing.

I’ve chosen to live my life for Jesus Christ!

Jesus is astounding and He is here for you and I with undying love, He wants to help, hope and heal!

I’m stoked I have Jesus in my life!

Much LOVE,

Bethany

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

At the end of August, my brother Noah and I visited Sendai, Japan and many of the surrounding towns that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. I’m sure most of you heard about this; it was a huge devastation to Japan. Over 20,000 people were killed and many of the survivors lost everything they had. Imagine that happening to you? Crazy! Loosing the life you had, maybe family and friends too. The destruction was incredible, houses, cars, shops, fishing boats, road ways all destroyed. Radiation is still a problem as well. Leaving the survivors with a huge mess and heartbreak. Now, a over a year and a half later, the area is still recovering. Teaming up with Samaritans Purse, Hope Japan and the local churches, I had the privilege to share my story with many people who are hurting and in need of hope. I believe when you loose all that you have, and you feel hopeless, your eyes and heart may be open to hear what others have to share. It was amazing to be a part of. To God be the glory. Please visit Samaritan.org.

“God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in time of need. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

After spending a month at home, getting quite refreshed and seeing one of my best friends get married, I had to leave my lovely home behind for an adventurous month in Indonesia. Outside of the US and maybe Australia, I’ve spent more time in Indonesia than any other country. Indonesia (“Indo”) has some of the best waves in the world so it draws a lot of surfers!

I love Indo; it’s beautiful and the waves are really fun! Since I was fifteen, Rip Curl has been taking me on Search surf trips throughout Indo. I’ve always liked coming here for fun waves, warm water, good weather, and usually an escape from internet/cell service–which I like!

Rip Curl, my surf clothing sponsor since I was ten years old, gave me a wild card into the 2012 Rip Curl Cup at Padang Padang–a beautiful wave with a great barrel. It was an honor! The Rip Curl Cup is a specialty event that you have to be invited to – it is all about getting barreled. I was the only female in the event, which consisted of 16 international surfers and 16 local surfers! The contest has over a month to wait for a good swell to hold the event in. So it makes for a great contest! Being the only girl in the event and the first girl ever to compete in it, I was very nervous yet at the same time kinda relaxed, just hoping to get some good barrels! Plus I got to hang in Bali and surf while waiting for the Rip Curl Cup to run. I had many good days in the “office!”

After two weeks of waiting for a decent swell to hold the competition, a good swell showed up. My goal going into the contest was to get a good barrel and maybe make a heat! I surfed in round one, heat four with Mustofa Jeksen, I Wayan Suyadnya, & Ryan Hipwood. I got a good barrel–best wave of the heat–and I ended up winning the heat! It felt amazing to reach my goal (which honestly I wasn’t too confident that I would, surfing against pro guys)!

Well, in the next heat I had Jamie O’Brien (one of the best barrel riders in the world and an incredible surfer), Ry Craike (he’s crazy good), and Bobby Hansen. Intimidation to the max. I did not advance that heat. But it was fun none-the-less! Stoked overall with my performance! Thank you Rip Curl Asia for putting on a great event and for having me a part of it!

After the Rip Curl Cup, I met up with Lakey Peterson to hang and surf for a couple of weeks. She is a great surfer out of Southern California and she’s RAD! Lakey, 17 years old, recently won the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. It was her first WCT win and the biggest win of her career! I’m really stoked for her! We had a handful of fun days surfing and a lot of time to relax. Surf, cruise, massage, food, navy seal work out sessions (designed by us), girl talk, and lots of laughs; that pretty much sums up our time together! Before we met up, Lakey was working with Hands for Others (H4O) an organization that she supports. H4O’s mission is to inspire, empower & equip a movement of young people to change the world one person, one family, one village at a time by providing sustainable access to safe, drinkable water for those in need. They focus on bringing life-lasting water well & purification systems to villages around the world, like those on Rote, Indonesia. Check out Hands4Others.org! It’s really cool to see a young guys & girls, like Lakey, making a difference in the world and having a positive impact on others lives! To follow Lakey, her career and adventures check out LakeyPeterson.com.

Green tea is arguably one of the most health beneficial drinks on the planet! The highest quality and grades of green tea are said to come from Japan, or grow in this part of the world. Since I just visited Japan, I figured green tea would be a good topic for this month’s health tip!

In my previous post on my favorite types of tea, I briefly mentioned green tea, it’s benefits, and a fun way to drink it. But today I want to share a bit more of what I’ve learned about green tea and a few insights on the various ways I like to drink it!

WHY IS GREEN TEA GREEN?

Simple! The tea leaves are picked and “processed” (Steamed) immediately so that they undergo very little oxidation.

Green tea is natural, so little-to-no side effects. It has been claimed to help lessen, prevent or decrease the risk of all kinds of diseases and health conditions – from cancer & heart disease to preventing tooth decay and reducing bad breath! It even can help your body’s immune system! Who would have thought? God sure is amazing to create plants like this and allow us humans to discover the process of extracting the benefits from them!

HOW DO I LIKE TO DRINK GREEN TEA? A bunch of different ways:

• chilled & mixed with organic apple juice

• hot & steamy, maybe adding a drop of local raw honey

• green tea powder blended into a smoothie with almond milk & bananas

BenefitsofGreenTea.org is a great resource to learn more about how good Green Tea is for our health!

Hosted by Damon System Braces, the live chat will take place on Girls Life’s Facebook page on Thursday, Sept 6, 2012 at 6:00PM EDT.