Visiting The Dominican Republic For Surf, Smiles, And Self-Reflection

Before The Summer Season Begins We Head To The Dominican Republic

A few weeks ago, my family and I set off for the Dominican Republic. We were greeted by amazing people and found ourselves very much at home with surf, sand, smiles, and Moringa everywhere. everywhere! The trip was one that allowed me to truly reconnect with my creative intuition and to break away from the fear I’d been lugging around with me for a while. I also found that, like so many who have gone to the Dominican Republic before, I’ve fallen in love with the place and the feeling I have when I’m there. If you’re ready to fall in love too, read on to learn more about my trip.

A Home For Many Expats And A Culture That Reflects That Beautifully

One thing you’ll probably notice about the Dominican Republic when you first arrive is the vast number of expats who this place their home. People from Scandinavia Haiti, Spain, the US and everywhere in between have come to add their influence to this gorgeous oceanside paradise. The climate is fantastic, the ocean is a kaleidoscope of different blue shades washing over one another with the tide, and with every wave crash you become all the more certain that you belong there. Sampling local produce like papaya or turmeric was (which you’ll soon find is used in everything and is an awesome addition for sure!) gave us that tropical feeling from the start. The food in the DR is very influenced by Spanish, French, and multicultural Caribbean style so there are plenty of empanadas, braised meats, and veggies,  

The Dominican Republic Loves Moringa As Much As Wave Of Balance Does!

We loved the papaya and empanadas, and we were also struck by how the Dominican Republic is culturally aware of the benefits of moringa. Moringa and the Dominican Republic, much like our Wave of Balance Moringa and Our hometown of Asbury Park, are a delicious and dynamic duo.  From smoothies to food toppings, Moringa is everywhere in the DR and so is hospitality! Lina, who works at the gorgeous El Encuentro Surf Lodge was amazing. While we weren’t staying at the Lodge itself, we were nearby and Lina made us feel so comfortable. She was truly welcoming and helped us to find anything (from yoga to great surf breaks to excellent meals at local joints) and we just couldn’t be more grateful. In fact, we even left some of our Wave of Balance Moringa for the amazing folks at El Encuentro Surf Lodge. So, they’ll be using our Moringa to ride their own waves in the Dominican Republic. If you want to learn more about the Surf Lodge check them out here and if you’re ready to try our Wave Of Balance Moringa line, you can find those products here. Ready to plan your own trip to El Encuentro? Check them out here.

The Work and Impact of Mariposa On The  Women Of The Dominican Republic And DR Surf Culture

While we certainly loved visiting Lina and the team at El Encuentro (and eating our way through the amazing local eateries in the area), I’d be crazy not to mention Mariposa and my own experience of clarity from this adventure.

If you’ve read my travel blogs before, you definitely know that I don’t leave my humanitarian hat behind when I travel and Mariposa is one of the organizations I’ve fallen head over heels for in the Dominican Republic. The organization (You can learn more about them here.)

) works with women and children on everything from education, to health, to sustainability, to recycling. In fact, Mariposa makes the most of the Dominican Republic’s tourism draw for kitesurfing, especially in the Kite Surfing Capital Of the World in Cabarete. They repurpose the sail fabric to make travel bags and all sort of purses and backpacks. Mariposa cares for the environment by working on reef replenishment as well.

As I reflect on my own personal experience on this trip I found that surf culture is growing in the Dominican Republic. I visited the Encuentro Surf Break about 28 years ago, and I was the only one of my friends in the water. On this trip I found that about 50% of the surfers were women, and many were young women. I could see Mariposa’s influence, as they work to get kids on the coast involved in water sports, they focus on women and girls. They work to get young girls exposed to the resources around them.

A Guided Meditation That Unblocked Creativity And Found Me Profoundly Grateful.

I also had the chance to push the pause button on my trip and took full advantage of that opportunity. I was lucky enough to be led through a meditation with a woman named Lola (onajourneyinwards  on Instagram). She had instructed a yoga class for us and we hired her to do guided meditation and yin class.

Before the meditation I was finding my intuition and creativity fairly blocked, or at least very challenged for the past year. Lola’s meditation opened me up and allowed me to see an eye in my visualizations that I can still see to this day whenever I need it. It was a simple drawing but helped me to see and unblock what was feeling so stuck for so long. Lola’s work helped me to take the anxiety and fear out of my mental state and over the course of that hour I found my mental block released. I felt more connected to myself and so grateful for that place and even, for a place I was beginning to miss.

This trip made me appreciate our restaurant pavilion by the sea even more. Lola’s mediation, Lina’s welcome, and finding myself in a place that understands the true meaning of hospitality all reminded me of our places in Asbury Park. The people of the Dominican Republic allowed us to feel like we were the only people they were taking care of, and that is the heart of hospitality that others should truly strive for and live out each day. Lina, El Encurentro, Lola, and the other amazing people we met on the island (including Myran Lindblom who took photos of us enjoying the surf and sand) understood and lived this idea fully.

Home Is Where The Beach Is: Come Visit Us At Ours!

The welcome and true hospitality we experienced in the Dominican Republic allowed me to come back to this table by the window at Langosta and to feel as though there is no need to leave it right now. I find myself all the more committed to our work, to this beautiful ocean view, to my amazing team, and my phenomenal family. I’m glad to have new friends in the Dominican Republic and am so glad we got to visit. I’m sure we’ll be back sooner than we think.

But for now, it’s summer at the New Jersey Shore. And that means it’s time to make some amazing food, surf our hometown waves, enjoy the weather at our pavilion by the sea, and welcome our own visitors with the heart of hospitality that is rare by remarkable.

I hope you’ll come visit us at Langosta, Pop’s Garage, or the Asbury Park Yacht Club this summer and I can’t wait to meet you!

Marilyn's May Preview

Is It Really May Already?

May, from where I sit, seems like such an amazing month.

There’s so much going on and so much good that will come of it all. From our Vehicle For Change Program, to volunteer opportunities with the Boys and Girls Club, To my Cook Book, Mushrooms, and Moringa Supplement Line, I’m giving you the rundown on everything that’s going on for my partners and I this May.

Paint Beach-Bound Trash Cans with The Boys And Girls Club

This month you’ll find me spending my Tuesdays getting messy with the kids and crew over at the Boys and Girls Club. Bring some clothes you’re ready to  paint in and get creative with us from 4:30 til 6 at the Boys and Girls Club in Asbury Park. You don’t need to be Picasso or Monet to paint with us and the trashcans we’re designing will be used on the beach this summer!

2 River Mushroom Company and Wave Of Balance Are In Full Swing

Ready to taste the most delicious organic mushrooms of your life? Be sure to check out 2 River Mushroom Company where my partners and I are working to bring you some out-of-this-world delicious, hyper-local, organic, and gourmet mushrooms. Check out our instagram page to feast your eyes on the beautiful colors and shapes our mushrooms take, and feast on the real thing the next time you stop into Langosta.

Ready to bring your body into better balance? Not sure where to start? Check out my Moringa Supplement line, Wave Of Balance. Moringa is the tree of life and whether you top your smoothie with our powder or take the supplements each morning and afternoon, you’ll know why once you try it out for yourself.

Food And Drinks By The Water. What Else Is Spring For?

From live music to dining outside on the boardwalk, the pavilion restaurants have what you’re looking for as the weather warms up. Grab a taco and a margarita at Pop’s, see your favorite local band play at Asbury Park Yacht Club (APYC) or grab everything from sushi, to lobster to curry  at Langosta Lounge .

Have You Heard About Our Food Truck?

If you haven’t heard of our Food For Thought Food Truck, you can learn more here. The best way I can explain it is that we’re building a vehicle for change. Staffed with locals, able to provide just about any type of menu you can imagine, and with all proceeds going to a charity of your choice, we’re going to be rolling in to your next event to make a real difference in the community. We’re so excited to bring this literal vehicle for change to you soon.

But we can’t do it without you.

To learn more and to donate please visit the Food For Thought By The Sea page here.

One Last Thing…

Whether you’re ready to get serious about your wellness with my Wave of Balance products or want to give back to your community by donating your time with the Boys and Girls Club,  I’d love to have you get involved and make things happen with me this May!

Martha Beck Reflection

5 Rules for Lasting Joy (A Reflection On Martha Beck's Guidance For A Joyful Life)

“1. Honesty is the Best Policy

When we speak honestly we need not remember a story, make one up, or feel guilt for not showing up authentically. Nothing’s coming back to bite us because we are being truthful, kind, and real.

2. Give up on Toxic People

It pays to look at the relationships, friendships, and partnerships we’re in right now. Are people dimming our light, taxing our will, hurting our feelings, helping us grow, or showing us new ways to shine? The answers can be difficult to define at times, but chances are, when we truly reflect, we know the truth.

3. Let It Go!

Whether it’s being cut off in traffic or being criticized by a partner who’s in a bad mood, are there things we are carrying through our day that we don’t need to put on our shoulders or carry around? Where can we let go? What can we do today to let go of things, people, thoughts, and feelings that are not serving us?

4. Trust your Gut

We can sometimes ignore the signals our heart and our body might be sending us because we feel we’re being impulsive or silly. However, the strength to trust our gut can lead us to great joys and away from trouble or hardship that comes with “forcing” rather than “allowing”.

5. Your More Powerful than You Know 

What is your super power? What gift do you have to bring into the world? Where do you doubt yourself? What if you allowed yourself to be more fully aware of the ways in which you have the ability to grow, thrive, help others, and light up the world around you? Where have you survived and endured only to find a way to thrive later on? The truth is that our joyful life is not in the future, it is now and it is a direct result of acknowledging the power we have to change our lives, the lives of others, and to change our mind and actions as often as we need to in order to live in joyful service, community, kindness, creativity, and light.
-Martha Beck

Haiti

Fulll Moon Over Haiti

When disaster struck Haiti, our local community came together.  

Our dear friend and Haitian Methodist Pastor, Sony Augustine formed a strong relationship with myself as well as the Ministry of Pastors for Haiti, a collective of Haitian ministers in the area (Asbury, Neptune City, Ocean Grove) of diverse religious backgrounds. Asbury Park is home to one of the five largest Haitian populations in U.S. and so it was important to assess what was happening there. This would allow the pastors to report back to congregations, to make connections, and to get relief and aid into country. 

As the token Buddhist, I was grateful for the welcome I received as I entered this particular group. I was infinitely grateful to be a part of these efforts, which would eventually be endorsed by Asbury Park itself.  I made the trip with the Sonny Augustine and Marc Steiner (a photographer and videographer who documented the trip.) You can see more photos here.

In Haiti, there are no institutional safety nets, no governmental safety nets. And so, non-profits become the safety nets. There are religious non-profits, orphanages, missions, and the like. As with anything else, some are great and others … well, not so much. When we went to Haiti, we were filming and touring on the ground to bring back stories: some uplifting some sad. We’re hoping to further the awareness of the good that is being done and all the hard work ahead of us.

We began with a tour of Port Au Prince and the outlying area. There we met with e so many people doing so much good there. One of those people, Elizabeth, ran an orphanage to which we would continue to send aid and support after our trip. Through our interactions with people like Elizabeth, we found ourselves profoundly heartened by the strong thread of family in Haitian communities, and by the enduring hope and resilience they exemplify in spite of, or perhaps because of, the decades of political and financial strife in the country.

The food was minimal but the spirit overflowed. The people in their time of need were so generous and welcoming with their hearts. Our trip was full of warmth, connection, community, and love. We returned to our home state feeling exhausted, inspired, renewed. We arranged to send containers of goods, as well as money through outreach agencies in Asbury and across New Jersey. We raised over $40,000 and used the money to ship containers of goods to the people of Haiti, to those whom we considered to be the newest members of our community family.

While it was our efforts to report back to the Haitian communities in New Jersey that brought us to Port Au Prince, we could not help but be caught up in the culture of the island.

On this particular trip we met Charlotte Charles, a local artist who empowers women in her community. Charlotte takes women who are trying to support their families, teachers them art, and helps them to work to earn a living wage. These women create art items for tourists that are sold in gift shops. Charlotte herself is known for intricate and beautiful masks and has developed an artist community of mostly women to support one another.  

Haiti also has a strong Jazz community and the outlet that the arts provide give the people of Haiti a mode of self-expression, a way to get feelings out, and a way to heal and grow. There’s an active artist and creative community there but it can be difficult for these gifted artists to get their pieces to an American audience. Clothing Designer Donna Karan has created Papillion Enterprise Haiti to support local women artisans by providing meaningful work, training, and a living wage. Customers can shop online from this socially conscious collective, knowing they’re supporting women in the process.

The efforts of Charlotte Charles, Donna Karan, and the volunteers and community members we met in Haiti are helping to make a difference on the island. These efforts are serving to send ripples of support, empowerment, and change that will no doubt impact the future of Haiti and the preservation of its artistic and beautiful culture.

When you come back from a place like that so many things become visible in different ways. The truth is that most people may not travel to places like Haiti. But it is place where you could retreat, eat lobster on the beach, and sleep in a clean loving guest house provided by an owner who wants you to have an awesome experience in the place they call home.

I saw many, many, powerful and moving things when I visited Haiti but one visual remains with me as I write this. Every day of my trip I watched people in the place we were staying. I saw that they’d rise in the morning get dressed in fine clothes, and head off to work. Dirt roads or not. Long treks or not. The children would rise early, don well-kept uniforms for school and head off, seemingly unfettered by the utter poverty in which they lived.

 There’s a part of me that becomes strangely envious for a moment when I think of those well-dressed children, men, and women heading out on those early mornings. Here in the U.S. we tend to take simple things for granted (clean clothes, water, bed, electricity, ability to cook our food, flush toilet, remove garbage). The people of Haiti lack a great many of those things in general. Even so, they may very well be stronger, more vibrant, and more creative because they do not have the resources that we do. When I think of those people waking and walking unencumbered by the weight of a “lacking” mentality, I find them to be people trying to do good things with limited resources. I find that this inspires me to do the same. Join us on March 7th at 5pm for the final cut of the documentary from our trip

Thank you!