I've been really conscious to stay 100% raw the past couple weeks. I hadn't realized how far I'd strayed until I tried to stay raw for an entire day. Then I knew: I'd fallen off the wagon pretty damn hard. It kinda crept up on me, if that's possible. A choice here, a choice there, to have something cooked, or vegetarian. You know how it goes: you're out with friends, the only raw foodie in the group... They decide to go for fish n chips and you choose the veggie burger n fries instead of a salad, because you ALWAYS have the salad when you're out. You'd be so much happier at that raw food place down the road but none of them want to eat there. And so it goes. And before you know it you're wearing sweat pants all day (because not even your yoga pants fit anymore - wtf?!) and eating whatever is around.
At least that's how it happened for me.
Ad so here we are, starting anew. Dust yourself off, wherever you find yourself (in that proverbial ditch), take a deep breath, and start fresh. And so for two weeks now I've been 100% raw. I am feeling good,realizing how much wheat/gluten negatively affects my body, as well as refined sugar. Putting more thought into my food, making sure I have a plan in my head for meals, making sure to take a snack with me when I'm out, going out of my way to get a shot of fresh wheatgrass when I'm out rather than an iced Capp... Realizing how wonderful a supportive community of raw foodies is. I just realize that it is very important, being the only raw foodie in a house of mixed eaters (1 vegetarian, 2 omnivores)... How important support is. vERY important.
And it's going great. I am definitely feeling cleaner, lighter, more at peace. Filled with gratitude for the abundance of fresh organic raw food available to me,and for the choices I have, for all the opportunities.
Namaste
19 September 2012
17 September 2012
pffffbbbttt
Welcome back. I took a hiatus from blogging over the summer. dd had surgery, had her leg in a cast, and I was very busy teaching tai chi. Now that it's September it's time to get back into the routine, so here I am. Not sure if you're still here, but hope you are!
dd sailed through surgery and is doing great. dh has had a couple interviews for jobs closer to home, so hopefully something works out soon. ds is doing just fine; growing lots. i'm happy my beginner tai chi class is over, as much as I enjoyed it. It was a little too much teaching 5 hrs a week.
Besides I have enough on the go: tai chi 3 hrs/wk, maintaining the water system and doing administration, cleaning the community hall, homeschooling (takes up a *lot* of time), and general housekeeping and yardwork and decluttering.
I am so ready to move on from this house. Love it to bits because its our first home, but so ready to move forward. The neighbourhood is just too far from amenities; 20+ kms each way every day (sometimes 3x/day) is a lot of driving. And the house has been unfinished for more than a decade (14+ yrs, but who's counting). The community is great, though. Sure it has its eccentrics, but every community has those. Mostly I can really count on my neighbours to be there for me in an emergency, and I really appreciate that. I hope we have that in the next house (whenever that materializes). :)
I'm cranky tonight and don't have much else to share. Best to sleep off the crankiness and start anew tomorrow.
Namaste'
dd sailed through surgery and is doing great. dh has had a couple interviews for jobs closer to home, so hopefully something works out soon. ds is doing just fine; growing lots. i'm happy my beginner tai chi class is over, as much as I enjoyed it. It was a little too much teaching 5 hrs a week.
Besides I have enough on the go: tai chi 3 hrs/wk, maintaining the water system and doing administration, cleaning the community hall, homeschooling (takes up a *lot* of time), and general housekeeping and yardwork and decluttering.
I am so ready to move on from this house. Love it to bits because its our first home, but so ready to move forward. The neighbourhood is just too far from amenities; 20+ kms each way every day (sometimes 3x/day) is a lot of driving. And the house has been unfinished for more than a decade (14+ yrs, but who's counting). The community is great, though. Sure it has its eccentrics, but every community has those. Mostly I can really count on my neighbours to be there for me in an emergency, and I really appreciate that. I hope we have that in the next house (whenever that materializes). :)
I'm cranky tonight and don't have much else to share. Best to sleep off the crankiness and start anew tomorrow.
Namaste'
08 June 2012
Friday
I had just been getting back into regular exercise, rowing a couple times a week, slowly building up my running a couple times a week, when I appear to have badly sprained my ankle. It is swollen and tender, and no, I haven't gone to the doctor. I've been icing it, and rubbing an herbal salve on it, and I'm going to make a comfrey pack to put on it as well. It is actually fine, imo, but I can't stay off it all day like I probably ought to. So I've stopped running (& rowing) for the time being, which bothers me, because I want to be out there doing it this time of year, enjoying the fresh air.
That being said, the weather has sucked lately. Even today it is cloudy and overcast, not sunny as one would expect on a June day. Saving grace is that dd gets her cast on next week and will be in a cast until mid-August, so hopefully it's not too nice out; spending yet another summer with a leg cast on is LOUSY. But hopefully this will be the end of it. *fingers crossed*
Have to get going; have tai chi this morning. Finding it a lot, teaching 5 hrs a week and being there 8 hrs a week for classes. I opted out of class last night; we get such little time together as a family that when dh is home it's nice just to hang out all together.
Things are busy (slightly overwhelmingly so) but good. One of my gf's is coming to visit next week, and another the week after. The house is badly in need of cleaning and I was hoping to get a door on ds's bedroom this week (which hasn't yet happened). I confess I've been playing "hay day" on the iPad instead of tackling the much-needed house cleaning. Not setting the best example for the kids, lol.
Generally, although things are good, I'm feeling slightly 'meh'. I haven't been eating completely raw lately; finding it hard to make complete meals for the rest of the family and then make myself something. So I then opt for smoothie or whatever they're eating. *sigh* I'm not feeling a lot of support for eating a raw food diet in this house.
I can hear it in my words: I'm struggling right now to feel vibrantly and fully alive, to love everything the way it is, to feel at peace. I think of when I've felt most alive and it was when I'm fully raw and exercising regularly - then life just flows and I feel so radiant. And these are things only I can choose for myself. Today's mantra: I am deserving.
Namaste'
That being said, the weather has sucked lately. Even today it is cloudy and overcast, not sunny as one would expect on a June day. Saving grace is that dd gets her cast on next week and will be in a cast until mid-August, so hopefully it's not too nice out; spending yet another summer with a leg cast on is LOUSY. But hopefully this will be the end of it. *fingers crossed*
Have to get going; have tai chi this morning. Finding it a lot, teaching 5 hrs a week and being there 8 hrs a week for classes. I opted out of class last night; we get such little time together as a family that when dh is home it's nice just to hang out all together.
Things are busy (slightly overwhelmingly so) but good. One of my gf's is coming to visit next week, and another the week after. The house is badly in need of cleaning and I was hoping to get a door on ds's bedroom this week (which hasn't yet happened). I confess I've been playing "hay day" on the iPad instead of tackling the much-needed house cleaning. Not setting the best example for the kids, lol.
Generally, although things are good, I'm feeling slightly 'meh'. I haven't been eating completely raw lately; finding it hard to make complete meals for the rest of the family and then make myself something. So I then opt for smoothie or whatever they're eating. *sigh* I'm not feeling a lot of support for eating a raw food diet in this house.
I can hear it in my words: I'm struggling right now to feel vibrantly and fully alive, to love everything the way it is, to feel at peace. I think of when I've felt most alive and it was when I'm fully raw and exercising regularly - then life just flows and I feel so radiant. And these are things only I can choose for myself. Today's mantra: I am deserving.
Namaste'
25 May 2012
end-of-month?!?
Must be getting older; time seems to be flying by faster and faster! :P
I have felt very busy lately, despite wrapping up our official homeschooling year. There's just been a lot going on: instructing tai chi, ds joined cadets, the kids got an iPad, the weather's been nicer and we've been trying to get out in the garden and outside more, working on the farm, the chicks are now pullets and actually just started laying in the past few days, ds is gearing up for his next belt test in aikido, dd is wrapping up dance & yoga classes, and heading in for surgery within a month, raw food business is continuing to grow (*so grateful*), dd started selling Regal, and dh's office is being relocated and the impact of that will be huge on our family. *lots going on*
it's all good. :)
up to 20 mins of running several times a week - 4' intervals with 1' walking in-between. Slowly working up to 20 mins continuous. Not as easy as it sounds. :( Rowing is going well but it's very hard to motivate yourself to do it. At least the running is outdoors and you can take different routes. The rowing machine refuses to move around the room or change scenery. Still, I do feel the effort put into exercising more often is paying off. The first week I felt awesome; the second week I must've been overtired all week - I was dragging myself around. This week's alright; just need to buckle down and get it done each day.
Yep, life is grand. Hope yours is, too. :)
~namaste~
I have felt very busy lately, despite wrapping up our official homeschooling year. There's just been a lot going on: instructing tai chi, ds joined cadets, the kids got an iPad, the weather's been nicer and we've been trying to get out in the garden and outside more, working on the farm, the chicks are now pullets and actually just started laying in the past few days, ds is gearing up for his next belt test in aikido, dd is wrapping up dance & yoga classes, and heading in for surgery within a month, raw food business is continuing to grow (*so grateful*), dd started selling Regal, and dh's office is being relocated and the impact of that will be huge on our family. *lots going on*
it's all good. :)
up to 20 mins of running several times a week - 4' intervals with 1' walking in-between. Slowly working up to 20 mins continuous. Not as easy as it sounds. :( Rowing is going well but it's very hard to motivate yourself to do it. At least the running is outdoors and you can take different routes. The rowing machine refuses to move around the room or change scenery. Still, I do feel the effort put into exercising more often is paying off. The first week I felt awesome; the second week I must've been overtired all week - I was dragging myself around. This week's alright; just need to buckle down and get it done each day.
Yep, life is grand. Hope yours is, too. :)
~namaste~
15 May 2012
*blink*
Oops, I must've blinked. It's the 15th already?!? LOL Things are good here; I 'smoothied' for the first week this month; was an easy-peasy walk in the park. Ideally I'll be *juicing* that first week and not relying on smoothies, but they are so filling!! :)
Belated happy mother's day to all! I picked up a walnut tree sapling at the farmer's market and will plant at the new property. Looking forward to the day we can pick walnuts off it!!!
Have had absolutely beautiful weather here the past week. Been hard to be inside at all.
Tai chi beginner class is going well; 8 students, and we're into week 3 now and onto move 15 (out of 108). I'm doing 1/2 hr loh kup ba fa, 1 1/2 hrs continuing class & 1 hr beginner class (so 3 hrs) twice a week, as well as another 90 min continuing class and 30 min loh kup another day, so about 8 hrs of tai chi a week right now, which is a lot, admittedly.
Started running last week! (EEKS! I KNOW!!!) Actually doing alright with it. Last week was very manageable - run 1 min, walk 2, repeat 6x, run 1 min. So only 7 mins of running out of 20-30 (with warm up/cool down). This week it's 10 mins of running, which is still manageable - but with only 1 min walking in-between sets. The day after I'm slightly stiff but nothing a little tai chi isn't helping to work out. I'm also back on the erg/Concept2. I always forget how smooth that thing glides. It's awesome. I did 2 x 4k workouts and 1 x 5k last week, and 2 x 5k this week so far. It's about 20-25 mins and seems just right. I used to do 10-12k, 5-6x/wk and while i was getting in great shape, the lack of cross training and repetitiveness (and sheer distance) was just too much to be consistent long-term. I am definitely enjoying being active once again though and hope I can stick to this whole training thing. I'm hoping to run the 8k in October when dh runs his marathon. should be able to do that!
Namaste!
Belated happy mother's day to all! I picked up a walnut tree sapling at the farmer's market and will plant at the new property. Looking forward to the day we can pick walnuts off it!!!
Have had absolutely beautiful weather here the past week. Been hard to be inside at all.
Tai chi beginner class is going well; 8 students, and we're into week 3 now and onto move 15 (out of 108). I'm doing 1/2 hr loh kup ba fa, 1 1/2 hrs continuing class & 1 hr beginner class (so 3 hrs) twice a week, as well as another 90 min continuing class and 30 min loh kup another day, so about 8 hrs of tai chi a week right now, which is a lot, admittedly.
Started running last week! (EEKS! I KNOW!!!) Actually doing alright with it. Last week was very manageable - run 1 min, walk 2, repeat 6x, run 1 min. So only 7 mins of running out of 20-30 (with warm up/cool down). This week it's 10 mins of running, which is still manageable - but with only 1 min walking in-between sets. The day after I'm slightly stiff but nothing a little tai chi isn't helping to work out. I'm also back on the erg/Concept2. I always forget how smooth that thing glides. It's awesome. I did 2 x 4k workouts and 1 x 5k last week, and 2 x 5k this week so far. It's about 20-25 mins and seems just right. I used to do 10-12k, 5-6x/wk and while i was getting in great shape, the lack of cross training and repetitiveness (and sheer distance) was just too much to be consistent long-term. I am definitely enjoying being active once again though and hope I can stick to this whole training thing. I'm hoping to run the 8k in October when dh runs his marathon. should be able to do that!
Namaste!
06 May 2012
sunny sunday
had a bizarre dream last night my bottom left incisor tooth was completely falling out. it was horrifying. dream analysis says that it means i'm fearful of losing control over something, something i have no control over. well, sure, i must be a control freak; thanks for that. lol
smoothies are going well... it's the 6th already, but i had a few tamari almonds this morning and had a salad and some veggies yesterday while i was out... but generally feeling *really* good on the smoothies.
it's beautiful and sunny here today and i want to get out there and enjoy it, so we'll see you later.
thanks!
~n~
smoothies are going well... it's the 6th already, but i had a few tamari almonds this morning and had a salad and some veggies yesterday while i was out... but generally feeling *really* good on the smoothies.
it's beautiful and sunny here today and i want to get out there and enjoy it, so we'll see you later.
thanks!
~n~
02 May 2012
Day 2 (23, actually) - 2012 juice/smoothie-feast
Day 2, Month 5 - I didn't juice/smoothie last month, so it's been 2 months now. I was ready to go into this week. Day 1 was a breeze. Day 2 as well. I had 2L of smoothie and then a cup of herbal tea with stevia, and another 500 ml of smoothie (parsley/banana/berry/hemp protein/agave). Not hungry at all. Bored sometimes, but that's no reason to eat.
The 2L of smoothie was:
1T spirulina
1T maca powder
3T hemp protein powder
1T bee pollen
3 bananas
1/4 tsp kelp flakes
1/2 tsp camu camu berry powder
a handful of goji berries
4c of frozen berries (guessing as i never measure; i'm probably underestimating)
probably 1/3c agave (again, i don't measure - it's 2 or 3 good squeezes)
water
It's a pretty packed smoothie. Sometimes I'll put fresh greens in, but the salad mix from the farm doesn't go well in a smoothie. *LOVE* parsley or cilantro in a smoothie, or spinach. There are sooooooooo many different leafy greens out there, it's good to rotate through them all.
Namaste'
The 2L of smoothie was:
1T spirulina
1T maca powder
3T hemp protein powder
1T bee pollen
3 bananas
1/4 tsp kelp flakes
1/2 tsp camu camu berry powder
a handful of goji berries
4c of frozen berries (guessing as i never measure; i'm probably underestimating)
probably 1/3c agave (again, i don't measure - it's 2 or 3 good squeezes)
water
It's a pretty packed smoothie. Sometimes I'll put fresh greens in, but the salad mix from the farm doesn't go well in a smoothie. *LOVE* parsley or cilantro in a smoothie, or spinach. There are sooooooooo many different leafy greens out there, it's good to rotate through them all.
Namaste'
27 April 2012
dreams
had a bizarre (okay, several) dream last night about this baby... i was holding the baby and the mother was high on something and we were in this back alley somewhere, and i tackled her to the ground (while holding the baby) so the police could come... they arrived, i got up off the mother so i could explain to them what had happened and of course the mother runs off, but took another female hostage in the back of the police car and was pinning her elbows behind her when we suddenly realized what was going on. the police did end up arresting the mother but then the baby started getting violently ill and then we realized the mother had slipped the baby something (heroin? refined sugar?) at some point?! i think in the end i was fostering the baby or adopted it? not sure. but it sure felt good to get a snuggle from a baby, even if only in a dream. ;)
hey, i told you it was weird.
hey, i told you it was weird.
Work much?!
Never mind I should be writing notes as I actually have to do some public speaking at the event - talking a little about the history of the society, a little about the health benefits, names of some of the moves, that kinda thing. I've only spoken once during a demo, and that was a couple years ago, and my speaking was peppered with "uhhhs".
For what it's worth, I did get *something* done today: magazine article. Confession: I actually wrote the majority of it a couple weeks ago in anticipation of said deadline. So really it was a quick edit and off it went. Maybe I just expect to get too much done in one day. Unrealistic expectations, me?! LOL I just keep telling myself if you want something done, ask someone who's busy. And that *must* be me, because I feel busy. So I *must* be able to get all this done, without dropping any balls, all within the deadlines. *must*
24 April 2012
happy birth-day, Bunny!
12 years ago, on a sunny spring Easter Monday morning, my son arrived into this world. The details of his arrival remain vividly with me to this day. Motherhood has changed and challenged me on so many levels - forcing me to deal with the parts of me I was uncomfortable with, allowing me to learn to love and be loved completely... I wouldn't change it for anything in the world! I am *so blessed* to have my son in my life and consider it an honour and privilege to be a part of his. Happy Birth-day, my boy!! :)
22 April 2012
Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day! The kids and I are going to pick up garbage later today along the road near here... in an area that is used by a lot of ATVers and dirt bikers... a lot of garbage gets left behind.
It's also 6 yrs to the day that I went vegan, and 4 yrs to the day I went high-raw. It's been quite the journey! :)
And it was also 6 yrs ago today that our friend Bdr Myles Mansell died in Afghanistan - never forgotten. Love and hugs to the family.
Peace.
It's also 6 yrs to the day that I went vegan, and 4 yrs to the day I went high-raw. It's been quite the journey! :)
And it was also 6 yrs ago today that our friend Bdr Myles Mansell died in Afghanistan - never forgotten. Love and hugs to the family.
Peace.
18 April 2012
mid-week check-in
had an *awesome* weekend in the big city, learning loh kup. it was really... wonderful, intense, overwhelming, emotional, and so much more besides. it brought me right back to beginner mind, which will be very useful when i start teaching the next beginner class in a couple weeks.
as lovely as it was to travel the city by bike & bus, it was equally wonderful to get home to the sanctuary of the forest and ocean. palpable release of stress being out here.
have a very nasty upper respiratory infection; thankfully it's not in the sinuses, but all weekend i was on fisherman's friends and buckley's suppressant. what i really needed was an expectorant but otoh didn't want to be coughing up green phlegm in the middle of the workshop. :(
a little overwhelmed this week with administrative household things, and just a lot going on. i'll get done what i get done. my shoulder is still not 100% and i am thinking of heading for massage as it's been 4 wks like this.
tomorrow i'd really like to ride or row (feeling the need to boost the cardio), as well as go visit the farm, do a little yardwork around here, and practice more tai chi/loh kup.
blessings
as lovely as it was to travel the city by bike & bus, it was equally wonderful to get home to the sanctuary of the forest and ocean. palpable release of stress being out here.
have a very nasty upper respiratory infection; thankfully it's not in the sinuses, but all weekend i was on fisherman's friends and buckley's suppressant. what i really needed was an expectorant but otoh didn't want to be coughing up green phlegm in the middle of the workshop. :(
a little overwhelmed this week with administrative household things, and just a lot going on. i'll get done what i get done. my shoulder is still not 100% and i am thinking of heading for massage as it's been 4 wks like this.
tomorrow i'd really like to ride or row (feeling the need to boost the cardio), as well as go visit the farm, do a little yardwork around here, and practice more tai chi/loh kup.
blessings
12 April 2012
lifelong learning
this weekend i will be learning Loh Kup, a Taoist art *similar* to tai chi. i don't know much going into the weekend, but i'll check in on monday and let you know.
:)
enjoy!
:)
enjoy!
10 April 2012
Accident-Prone
With two accidents along our road yesterday, one a fatal collision, the road was closed for *many* hours and we were detoured around. The news polls are asking if the road needs improvements, if it's unsafe, and yes, while we do have our fair share of accidents along the road, I have driven that road near-daily for 14 years and have never once had an MVA. It *can* be a safe, beautiful, ocean-side drive, if driving *carefully*, but that's the key - as a driver, you must remain absolutely focused on the road. No texting, no reaching for something that's just on the other seat, no taking your eyes off the road. Is that too much to ask?
02 April 2012
animal totems
had a (brief) dream about a meerkat last night. it was in the chicken pen chasing the chickens around and i managed to grab hold of it and it bit me on the right forearm. keep in mind i have never actually *seen* a meerkat in real life, i just know in the dream, i looked at it directly in the face and said, wow, a meerkat, weird. so even though i've never seen one, i did recognize it.so i went looking up animal totems online and here's what a few say about the meerkat:
Meerkat: Watchfulness, Group Dynamics. A meerkat totem teaches how to live within the dynamics of a group, even to sacrifice oneself for the good of the group. It teaches how to be alert and watchful. Meerkats are a female dominate society; therefore the female is very
important. If you are a female, Meerkat will show how to find your strength; if you are a man, this totem will show you how to honor your female partner and support her endeavors for the good of the family.
important. If you are a female, Meerkat will show how to find your strength; if you are a man, this totem will show you how to honor your female partner and support her endeavors for the good of the family.
Meerkat - Unity, Hierarchy, Like-Mindedness.
Meerkat - make sure you turn to your friends for support.
Meerkat - higher knowledge, alertness, watchful, discreet, generosity.
The meerkat (from the mongoose family) is famous for its upright posture, for this reason, as a totem the meerkat represents higher learning. Meerkat will often visit when a person needs to learn awareness (interesting because this was one of the invokations I read before going to sleep last night - to invite awareness into my life with gratitude). From heightened poses they stand guard for eagles and hawks. When the meerkat shows up as a totem it can indicate the need to be watchful and keep yourself on alert for potential danger. They teach us not to let our guard down.
During the night meerkats return to underground burrows for warmth and safety. Animals that reside underground generally represent a a reminder for us to return to the earth's energies for respite and rejuvenation.
Picture from here.
28 March 2012
Hungry For Change
www.HungryForChange.tv
There's a free online movie premiere, *only until March 31st*. I think this is a must-see movie. The kids and I watched it last night and I think it was really eye-opening, or reaffirming in so many ways.
Blessings,
~n~
There's a free online movie premiere, *only until March 31st*. I think this is a must-see movie. The kids and I watched it last night and I think it was really eye-opening, or reaffirming in so many ways.
Blessings,
~n~
27 March 2012
what a pain in the neck!
i woke up friday morning with a sore shoulder/neck and figured i slept on it funny. it got progressively worse over the weekend until i finally went to the chiropractor yesterday where i cracked a *lot*, much more than i normally do. however there's still a lot of pain as the muscles are very inflamed. i realized yesterday in an intuitive hunch that it was brought on by the emotional stress of the dog in the chicken pen on wednesday night. there was no physical jarring of the body at all in the past week, despite some yardwork here and there. it's made me conscious (and more appreciative!) that i live a relatively stress-free or low-stress lifestyle much of the time. *very* appreciative!!
trying to relax and take it easy, but wishing this pain in the neck would go away!!
~namaste~
trying to relax and take it easy, but wishing this pain in the neck would go away!!
~namaste~
23 March 2012
TGIF
OOPS! The tooth fairy neglected to visit overnight; dd went to bed at 10:30 and was up at 5 a.m. to check on the status of her silvery capped tooth, sitting alone in its little tooth fairy box. By 6:30 it was *still* there. No tooth fairy. So she phoned Dad on the nightshift to complain! LOL But that mysterious tooth fairy turned up in the daylight while we were out this morning!! ;) I think we can all agree that little girls should go to bed *much earlier* than their tired mamas and wake up *after* them.
Tai chi class was well-attended and everyone worked hard. Things are really coming along. Ran several errands afterwards as the kids spent the morning at friends'... Spent the afternoon cleaning the community hall in anticipation of the spring craft fair this weekend. And tried to get some loose ends around here all finished afterwards. Beautiful sunny day, still a little on the cool side, but lovely in the direct sunshine. I've been meaning to take & share some photos with you, but haven't quite got around to that just yet, Aquarian that I am. ;)
I've picked up a copy of James Redfield's The Twelfth Insight which just came out last month. Like the Celestine Prophecy and his other books, I'm reading this one aloud with my kids, although I'm sure at some point I'll have to skip over some things or just leave them out. My son in particular easily comprehends the spiritual philosophies in this series, and loves the adventures the unnamed Hero and his friend Wil have. We'll see how the book continues; we've only read the first chapter. ;)
Namaste
Tai chi class was well-attended and everyone worked hard. Things are really coming along. Ran several errands afterwards as the kids spent the morning at friends'... Spent the afternoon cleaning the community hall in anticipation of the spring craft fair this weekend. And tried to get some loose ends around here all finished afterwards. Beautiful sunny day, still a little on the cool side, but lovely in the direct sunshine. I've been meaning to take & share some photos with you, but haven't quite got around to that just yet, Aquarian that I am. ;)
I've picked up a copy of James Redfield's The Twelfth Insight which just came out last month. Like the Celestine Prophecy and his other books, I'm reading this one aloud with my kids, although I'm sure at some point I'll have to skip over some things or just leave them out. My son in particular easily comprehends the spiritual philosophies in this series, and loves the adventures the unnamed Hero and his friend Wil have. We'll see how the book continues; we've only read the first chapter. ;)
Namaste
22 March 2012
Fields of Plenty
Just finished reading local author Michael Ableman's Fields of Plenty: a farmer's journey in search of real food and the people who grow it (Chronicle Books, USA/Raincoast Books, Canada 2005). It was a great book, easy to read, like Michael was having a conversation with me. I enjoyed the tour of farms throughout the various regions of the United States. One thing that I also enjoyed was the different descriptions of the farms and the farmers, that despite their differences they all remained committed to producing food for those who do not farm. I loved reading about how each farm was set up, some neat and tidy, others seemingly haphazard yet successful.
I think my favourite quote from the book was on page 74, the insert that Tom Willey of T&D Willey Farms in California included in the CSA box: "We must consider it a scientific fact that you are what you eat. The same molecules that make up the food we consume become the molecules of our minds and bodies. So, unless you are your own farmer, you should choose one as carefully as you would choose your doctor or your pastor. Therefore, it is fitting that farmers, like doctors, lawyers, professors, and pastors, should command a high level of respect and income, commensurate with this level of responsibility. I consider it an honor and a privilege that you have chosen me to be your farmer."
I love that quote because I think it's true. Western society denigrates its farmers and farm workers. I hope that changes within my lifetime.
I think my favourite quote from the book was on page 74, the insert that Tom Willey of T&D Willey Farms in California included in the CSA box: "We must consider it a scientific fact that you are what you eat. The same molecules that make up the food we consume become the molecules of our minds and bodies. So, unless you are your own farmer, you should choose one as carefully as you would choose your doctor or your pastor. Therefore, it is fitting that farmers, like doctors, lawyers, professors, and pastors, should command a high level of respect and income, commensurate with this level of responsibility. I consider it an honor and a privilege that you have chosen me to be your farmer."
I love that quote because I think it's true. Western society denigrates its farmers and farm workers. I hope that changes within my lifetime.
update
YAY! Missing hen returned at 10 this morning! No idea where she hid overnight, and although she looks a little worse for wear, she's back, safe and sound! I honestly had written her off, what with raccoons around at night. Gave everyone extra wheatgrass sprouts this morning. Seems the chicks are a little freaked out still and staying mostly inside their coop, but all in all, everything's back to "normal".
I have to admit, it's moments like yesterday that make me rethink the whole farming/gardening/sustainable living thing. Who needs that kinda stress?!
I'm tempted to ask the dog owner to pay for new fencing material. That's not unreasonable, is it? I feel like his dog shouldn't have been at large in the first place.
I have to admit, it's moments like yesterday that make me rethink the whole farming/gardening/sustainable living thing. Who needs that kinda stress?!
I'm tempted to ask the dog owner to pay for new fencing material. That's not unreasonable, is it? I feel like his dog shouldn't have been at large in the first place.
21 March 2012
Untitled
So we were having a lovely sunny spring day - went to the local organic farm and weeded carrots (just kept telling myself how lovely the carrots are when we harvest them because that is one tedious, monotonous, fine-motor skilled job!). But enjoyed being on the farm, even if weeding carrots isn't high on my list of awesome things to do. :P Read the newspaper on the sunny front deck, was enjoying the day... Came home and worked in the covered garden, putting in a new board for the edge of the raised bed and putting cedar strips on top of the poly outside to keep it from blowing all over. Also planted peas and radish seeds. All good. :)
Was inside making dinner with the kids shortly after 6 when there was a commotion outside at the chicken pen. A *massive* St. Bernard was loose and running around the pen trying to get in at the 38 chickens!! I ran outside and left the kids (& our dog) inside. The dog's owner was trying to catch the dog, but alas, the dog was so big and not well behaved at all (and apparently fixated on eating my chickens!). And on top of that the owner was fairly clearly inebriated, which did not help. There was pure chaos for about ten minutes while his dog tore holes into the wire fence of the outside pen where 14 laying hens were, and the dog proceeded to attack a white leghorn and then a sussex, much to my horror. I opened the gate into the coop so they could escape to the safety of the covered pens and coop, but in the chaos I did not notice that the attacked white leghorn disappeared (I have no idea where). Three hens went out the gate and took off across the yard, so my son came out to help me get them back into the coop before the dog got loose again and ran after them, too. Meanwhile the dog owner is very apologetic, yelling out his email and saying he'll pay for any damages. I was not in a position to write down his email, so asked for a phone number instead.
We did get the three loose hens back into the pen and tonight everyone (minus the one leghorn) is safe and locked inside. The outside pen with numerous holes in the wire will need serious repair before we can use it again. We looked for about an hour around the property for the missing leghorn but saw no sign of her anywhere. No peeps, no trail of feathers, nothing.
My daughter was inside, watching from windows as things transpired. She was crying hysterically, and is clearly upset by what happened. Thankfully my son had the sense to turn off the oven where we were making dinner, to come out and help get those three loose hens back in. He also observed the owner's behaviour and agrees he was drunk. He doesn't seem as bothered as his sister was, but I think we're all reeling.
I know I am still in shock (which is why I'm writing this - need to unload it all). I can't believe that the dog was so poorly behaved (did not respond to his name and was not easy to handle at all - was literally *dragging* his owner behind him afterwards), not to mention the level of intoxication of the owner. I'm left shaking my head, trying to make sense of it all. I'm glad I was home when it happened; I can't imagine what the outcome would've been if I hadn't been here. And I'm glad 37 birds are safe tonight.
Oh, and on another note, my daughter and I found three piles of bear poop about 150m down the road tonight, so looks like hibernation's over.
Was inside making dinner with the kids shortly after 6 when there was a commotion outside at the chicken pen. A *massive* St. Bernard was loose and running around the pen trying to get in at the 38 chickens!! I ran outside and left the kids (& our dog) inside. The dog's owner was trying to catch the dog, but alas, the dog was so big and not well behaved at all (and apparently fixated on eating my chickens!). And on top of that the owner was fairly clearly inebriated, which did not help. There was pure chaos for about ten minutes while his dog tore holes into the wire fence of the outside pen where 14 laying hens were, and the dog proceeded to attack a white leghorn and then a sussex, much to my horror. I opened the gate into the coop so they could escape to the safety of the covered pens and coop, but in the chaos I did not notice that the attacked white leghorn disappeared (I have no idea where). Three hens went out the gate and took off across the yard, so my son came out to help me get them back into the coop before the dog got loose again and ran after them, too. Meanwhile the dog owner is very apologetic, yelling out his email and saying he'll pay for any damages. I was not in a position to write down his email, so asked for a phone number instead.
We did get the three loose hens back into the pen and tonight everyone (minus the one leghorn) is safe and locked inside. The outside pen with numerous holes in the wire will need serious repair before we can use it again. We looked for about an hour around the property for the missing leghorn but saw no sign of her anywhere. No peeps, no trail of feathers, nothing.
My daughter was inside, watching from windows as things transpired. She was crying hysterically, and is clearly upset by what happened. Thankfully my son had the sense to turn off the oven where we were making dinner, to come out and help get those three loose hens back in. He also observed the owner's behaviour and agrees he was drunk. He doesn't seem as bothered as his sister was, but I think we're all reeling.
I know I am still in shock (which is why I'm writing this - need to unload it all). I can't believe that the dog was so poorly behaved (did not respond to his name and was not easy to handle at all - was literally *dragging* his owner behind him afterwards), not to mention the level of intoxication of the owner. I'm left shaking my head, trying to make sense of it all. I'm glad I was home when it happened; I can't imagine what the outcome would've been if I hadn't been here. And I'm glad 37 birds are safe tonight.
Oh, and on another note, my daughter and I found three piles of bear poop about 150m down the road tonight, so looks like hibernation's over.
20 March 2012
Happy Spring!
Oh, Equinox, how I love thee! I am sooooo happy it is officially spring. Not that I don't appreciate winter; I do. But I do love Spring. Fresh greens, more daylight, the sense of renewal and invigoration. It's awesome!
I pulled broom for a few hours on Sunday. It was beautiful and sunny (and a little bit chilly) and my son drove the tractor around the field, removing fence posts and piling them neatly in a corner (so we don't knock them over when we plow), and moving the piles of broom I'd pulled out into two big bonfire piles. He also helped me pull out three extra-large broom plants that I just couldn't pull out by hand myself. I've now removed about half the broom in four afternoons, so another 4 or 5 and I should have it cleared (edges notwithstanding). Another day for those. I am hoping, at the pace I am going, to have it done by the May long weekend. At which point we will hopefully plow and till within a month of that and then seed a cover crop for summer. YAY for progress!
At the farm, I transplanted spinach last week, probably 300 plants inside one of the greenhouses. The weather has been sketchy today (too much hail) so I'm hoping there's more work to do inside the greenhouses this week. Not too keen on spending an afternoon on my knees weeding and cutting back strawberries outside.
Around here the rainbarrel is working fantastically. I need to set up an overflow barrel next to it, it fills up so quickly. *SO* happy it's finally working. I use that water to wash out and refill the hen's five water buckets daily (yes, I really ought to set up an automatic top-up thing on the hen's water as it's something I have to check every day right now.)
The covered garden here is doing well. I spent a day in it last week and transplanted raspberries, which are adjusting to their new raised beds. Also reinforced the edge of the raised beds with lumber; previously I didn't have anything holding the edge of the bed back from the path. Looks much tidier with a proper wood edging. Haven't planted anything in the one empty bed yet, although I am planning on getting lettuce and peas in pretty quick. Would like to put a little remay over them to keep them from freezing. Picked up some cedar lath today to fix the poly 'walls' which are flapping everywhere in the wind.
A nice quiet spring week here; hopefully the weather warms up soon and the sun comes out so we can get outside and enjoy it more! :)
Namaste
I pulled broom for a few hours on Sunday. It was beautiful and sunny (and a little bit chilly) and my son drove the tractor around the field, removing fence posts and piling them neatly in a corner (so we don't knock them over when we plow), and moving the piles of broom I'd pulled out into two big bonfire piles. He also helped me pull out three extra-large broom plants that I just couldn't pull out by hand myself. I've now removed about half the broom in four afternoons, so another 4 or 5 and I should have it cleared (edges notwithstanding). Another day for those. I am hoping, at the pace I am going, to have it done by the May long weekend. At which point we will hopefully plow and till within a month of that and then seed a cover crop for summer. YAY for progress!
At the farm, I transplanted spinach last week, probably 300 plants inside one of the greenhouses. The weather has been sketchy today (too much hail) so I'm hoping there's more work to do inside the greenhouses this week. Not too keen on spending an afternoon on my knees weeding and cutting back strawberries outside.
Around here the rainbarrel is working fantastically. I need to set up an overflow barrel next to it, it fills up so quickly. *SO* happy it's finally working. I use that water to wash out and refill the hen's five water buckets daily (yes, I really ought to set up an automatic top-up thing on the hen's water as it's something I have to check every day right now.)
The covered garden here is doing well. I spent a day in it last week and transplanted raspberries, which are adjusting to their new raised beds. Also reinforced the edge of the raised beds with lumber; previously I didn't have anything holding the edge of the bed back from the path. Looks much tidier with a proper wood edging. Haven't planted anything in the one empty bed yet, although I am planning on getting lettuce and peas in pretty quick. Would like to put a little remay over them to keep them from freezing. Picked up some cedar lath today to fix the poly 'walls' which are flapping everywhere in the wind.
A nice quiet spring week here; hopefully the weather warms up soon and the sun comes out so we can get outside and enjoy it more! :)
Namaste
18 March 2012
Gardening & Growing Independent Kids
Yesterday I spent many blissful hours in the garden... I weeded the raised beds (happy chickens eating dandelions!) and moved about 50 raspberry canes from where they had decided to grow back into where I wanted them to grow. Hopefully they'll adjust well to their new home.
I didn't quite get around to getting any seeds planted; want to stir in some compost/sea soil and lime before I do that, but I've got some peas, lettuce, and radishes waiting to go in.
The kids planted a packet of watercress seeds out back by the creek and are hopeful they will grow back there.
The herb garden near the house still needs some TLC but I see that things are starting to grow already:
sorrel
chamomile
chives
marjoram
oregano
lemon balm
thyme
rosemary
bunching onions
and more...
Today I'm hoping to pull out more broom in the farm's field. It's overcast and still a little cold, but sunny. *LOVE* the sunshine!
It is amazing to me how therapeutic gardening is. My son often remarks when playing/working by the creek how much energy the water seems to give him, that hours can go by and he doesn't get as hungry or as tired. He says he is renewed and revitalized playing around the natural water course. I agree. I think that's what being in Nature does for us, even though we may not be as articulate (or aware) as my son about it.
I packed the kids a picnic lunch yesterday and sent them off on their bikes to the nearby campground. They were a little trepid going off like that, but went on their way with a little encouragement. They found an empty campsite and had lunch on the picnic table and came straight back afterwards. I'm hoping by summer they'll feel comfortable riding down to the beach and playing down there for a while. I think it's an important step in their growing independence to allow them time out of my sight, but still safe and in the community. Do I have fears with them going off alone? Well, of course, but I think it's important for them to have the opportunity to explore without me putting my fears on them. The reality is they are safe, they stick together, and they're only 400m from the house, for crying out loud! Maybe I've watched a little too much Bubble Wrap Kids, LOL, but I know when I was a kid I used to ride my bike unsupervised around our neighbourhood regularly. This neighbourhood is a safe place for them to ride and there are many other neighbours who would all look out for them. I think it's difficult parenting today, because I might be called neglectful or a bad mother for letting them out of my sight like that, but I think it's an important part of their growing up, to be allowed increasing independence as they are ready for it.
Namaste
14 March 2012
It's been quite a productive day, although not everything on my to-do list is getting done. I got in to see the Naturopath this morning as he had a last-minute cancellation. After having the Vega testing done, it seems that things are actually in pretty good order internally: slight viral thing going on, some dysfunction in the digestive tract, and the thyroid, which I knew about already. Nothing that can't be tweaked with a few remedies over the next few months. He is super pleased that I'm open to good nutrition and exercise - I think many people come in for appointments looking for a quick fix, not wanting to have to change the way they eat or not wanting to make changes in their lifestyle, and it's not that easy. There is no remedy to replace exercising, he said. :) So true. So here I've already done a lot of the harder work over the past 6 years since going vegan, and over the past 4 going raw. Things are looking pretty darn good, and that's awesome. :)
Other than that, sicky chicken is in isolation with Blindy. I should take a photo of the two of them side by side and you'd notice the difference right away, especially given they are the exact same age (from the same brood). Hopefully sicky chicken gets healthy; I've been giving her wheatgrass today in the hopes that it will help heal whatever it is ailing her. *fingers crossed*
We had a dusting of snow yesterday, and yet another windstorm is set to sweep the island in the next day (hopefully not interrupting ferry travel). It hasn't been windy here; in fact, at this moment I really ought to be outside doing yardwork - it's overcast (and cold) but not raining. I am planning on going to the farm in the morning for a few hours - trim some more strawberries probably. :)
That is all. If anyone knows of a lab stud (black, brown, tan, doesn't matter) in the Victoria area, let me know. I'm on the hunt for a mate for our 3 yr old chocolate lab, who's due to go into heat in the next couple months. *looking forward to the cutest little puppies!*
Other than that, sicky chicken is in isolation with Blindy. I should take a photo of the two of them side by side and you'd notice the difference right away, especially given they are the exact same age (from the same brood). Hopefully sicky chicken gets healthy; I've been giving her wheatgrass today in the hopes that it will help heal whatever it is ailing her. *fingers crossed*
We had a dusting of snow yesterday, and yet another windstorm is set to sweep the island in the next day (hopefully not interrupting ferry travel). It hasn't been windy here; in fact, at this moment I really ought to be outside doing yardwork - it's overcast (and cold) but not raining. I am planning on going to the farm in the morning for a few hours - trim some more strawberries probably. :)
That is all. If anyone knows of a lab stud (black, brown, tan, doesn't matter) in the Victoria area, let me know. I'm on the hunt for a mate for our 3 yr old chocolate lab, who's due to go into heat in the next couple months. *looking forward to the cutest little puppies!*
12 March 2012
Hen Party
Yesterday we gave three of our three-year old red Sussex hens to a local Landscaper to use in a chicken tractor for his company. His plan is to move the tractor from site to site, allowing the hens fresh grass and allowing them to fertilize the area. It looks like a good set-up, secure from predators and will hopefully make a nice new home for the girls.Still, there is definitely a little sadness at splitting up our hens, especdially some of the first ones we ever raised (2009). And anyone who asserts chickens have tiny brains is only partly correct; their brain might be small but they certainly knew what was going on yesterday when the three hens were being moved out. I'm just glad they're not going to someone's soup pot; glad they will enjoy their new digs together while they live out their lives.
We still have 23 chicks (8 or 9 week old Rhode Island Reds), 7 white Leghorns, 2 "Miller's brown" (both the leghorns and miller's brown we raised in 2010), 4 red Sussex (including Broody and Blindy), Rosebud and Buddy, our hen and rooster we hatched out two years ago from a Sussex and Auricana/? cross. A total of 38; more than enough for a hen party!
11 March 2012
nightmares
Having nightmares about pulling out salmonberries and scotch broom! LOL jk but i have certainly pulled my fair share of them out the past couple weeks. Our creek out back gets so overgrown with salmonberries that you can't even see the creek by mid-summer. I didn't cut it back last year at all. this is the time of year to do it, too - before they bud and leaves grow. So we've been back there a lot lately, cutting them back. oh, they'll grow back, don't worry. i'm more like "pruning" them severely. I'm actually thinking of throwing some wildflower seed mix down there to hopefully hamper the salmonberries from coming back so fully. We have plenty of salmonberries elsewhere. ;)
And the scotch broom, well, the field (future farm) has 1/3 covered with MASSIVE scotch broom bushes. i have one of those "pullerbear" scotch broom pullers that works SOOOOOOO well, but it's still time-consuming. it pulls the plants out, roots and all. I now have three big piles to burn and i still have an amazing amount left to pull out. I figure getting over there for one afternoon a week I'll have it cleared by the end of april or mid-may. Just in time to plow and plant a cover crop for summer, hopefully.
But like I said on my fb status, I'm an aquarian. we'll just see what i accomplish. LMAO
And the scotch broom, well, the field (future farm) has 1/3 covered with MASSIVE scotch broom bushes. i have one of those "pullerbear" scotch broom pullers that works SOOOOOOO well, but it's still time-consuming. it pulls the plants out, roots and all. I now have three big piles to burn and i still have an amazing amount left to pull out. I figure getting over there for one afternoon a week I'll have it cleared by the end of april or mid-may. Just in time to plow and plant a cover crop for summer, hopefully.
But like I said on my fb status, I'm an aquarian. we'll just see what i accomplish. LMAO
10 March 2012
Learning to Tango...
I think it's really interesting, having been in a relationship for more than a decade and a half now, how much growth there is. It's not stagnant at all. Learning to communicate, to be in relationship, is amazing, hard, ongoing work. It takes two, and it feels like we're learning to dance. I step on his toes so often (or my own, hampering my own progress) that it feels like I haven't a clue how to do it, but somehow, fumbling along, it works. It's blissful to be in relationship, to dance the dance of two. I so appreciate the growth I've experienced as a result and am so grateful for the opportunity for everything it brings. That we have diverse interests and yet still come together and enjoy each other's company. That we support each other as best we can, failing at times, succeeding at other times. I love when he makes me laugh. I appreciate that his is the shoulder I can always cry on. I love that he continues to love me, continues to share his life with me. Such is the dance of relationship. Sharing life together, learning to remain open to Love.
Thank-you, dh! I love you!
Thank-you, dh! I love you!
07 March 2012
Health
I don't know if I mentioned that not long ago I had some blood work done, just to see where things were at; things like B12, iron, that kinda thing. I've been vegan for about 6 years and don't keep a food diary/log or keep good track of my food consumption, generally. Everything is good, except a have "lowish" thyroid levels.
A friend lent me the Louise Hay book "Heal Your Body A-Z", so I looked up thyroid/hypothyroid, and interestingly (says me) it reads:
Thyroid - Probable Cause: humiliation... "I never get to do what I want to do. When is it going to be my turn?"
New thought pattern - "I move beyond old limitations and now allow myself to express freely and creatively."
Hypothyroidism - Probable Cause: giving up, feeling hopelessly stifled.
New thought pattern - "I create a new life with new rules that totally support me."
How very interesting...
A friend lent me the Louise Hay book "Heal Your Body A-Z", so I looked up thyroid/hypothyroid, and interestingly (says me) it reads:
Thyroid - Probable Cause: humiliation... "I never get to do what I want to do. When is it going to be my turn?"
New thought pattern - "I move beyond old limitations and now allow myself to express freely and creatively."
Hypothyroidism - Probable Cause: giving up, feeling hopelessly stifled.
New thought pattern - "I create a new life with new rules that totally support me."
How very interesting...
06 March 2012
month 3, day 6 - 2012 fast
It's been gorgeously sunny here the past couple days, so ds & I have been 'playing' in the creek out back. He building dams across the creek, me pruning back salmon berry bushes. Many people I tell about these activities want to know why I would cut down an edible plant, but it's not practical if I can't get in to harvest the berries! They just get so completely overgrown. It's been so much fun being back there, messing about.
Tomorrow I'm heading to the farm to work for a few hours. Looking forward to that, too.
And hopefully if the sun prevails for a few more days, I'll get back to the field and pull some more broom.
I *had* been planning on cleaning carpets this week, but alas, the sunny weather is too good to pass up. :)
Fasting is going well; I'm having about 3L of smoothie a day and usually a cup of herbal tea as well. Need to remember to drink more water. Haven't had any kombucha in a while either. Tomorrow is the last day for the month and then it's easing back to food. Honestly looking forward to it, especially after looking at others' raw food pics on various blogs. I'm amazed at the time people put into preparing food! LOL (although dd's friend said to me the other day, why are you always having smoothies?! don't you ever make anything else?!)
Tai chi was awesome this morning; everyone did such a great job and I'm loving the practice. Learning so much and relaxing into openness.
*Bliss*
Tomorrow I'm heading to the farm to work for a few hours. Looking forward to that, too.
And hopefully if the sun prevails for a few more days, I'll get back to the field and pull some more broom.
I *had* been planning on cleaning carpets this week, but alas, the sunny weather is too good to pass up. :)
Fasting is going well; I'm having about 3L of smoothie a day and usually a cup of herbal tea as well. Need to remember to drink more water. Haven't had any kombucha in a while either. Tomorrow is the last day for the month and then it's easing back to food. Honestly looking forward to it, especially after looking at others' raw food pics on various blogs. I'm amazed at the time people put into preparing food! LOL (although dd's friend said to me the other day, why are you always having smoothies?! don't you ever make anything else?!)
Tai chi was awesome this morning; everyone did such a great job and I'm loving the practice. Learning so much and relaxing into openness.
*Bliss*
02 March 2012
month 3, day 2 - 2012 fast
Here we are, March 2nd: a new month, so another week of simplifying my food intake...
Yesterday I enjoyed:
3L of smoothie*
a cup of peppermint tea
a cup of nettle tea
a small glass of o.j.
Today I've been blessed with:
2L of smoothie*
a cup of miso broth
a cup of nettle tea
a glass of orange/banana smoothie
*My favourite Smoothie:
2 or 3 bananas
a handful of goji berries
1T of maca powder
a dash of kelp flakes
2T-3T of hemp hearts
1-2T of spirulina
1T of bee pollen
frozen berry blend
some agave nectar
and water to blend
Yesterday I worked in the field for an hour, walked for 45 mins, and did a 90 min tai chi class. Today I did a 90 min tai chi class, but not much else for exercise.
Yesterday I enjoyed:
3L of smoothie*
a cup of peppermint tea
a cup of nettle tea
a small glass of o.j.
Today I've been blessed with:
2L of smoothie*
a cup of miso broth
a cup of nettle tea
a glass of orange/banana smoothie
*My favourite Smoothie:
2 or 3 bananas
a handful of goji berries
1T of maca powder
a dash of kelp flakes
2T-3T of hemp hearts
1-2T of spirulina
1T of bee pollen
frozen berry blend
some agave nectar
and water to blend
Yesterday I worked in the field for an hour, walked for 45 mins, and did a 90 min tai chi class. Today I did a 90 min tai chi class, but not much else for exercise.
28 February 2012
who's got their head in the sand?!
sunday was so weird, weather-wise: sun, snow, hail, sleet, rain, wind... everything in the course of one day. one minute it was sunny, five minutes later it's snowing. still, dd enjoyed her bday party and we managed to pick dh up from the airport (much) later that night.
i'm going to get some bloodwork done soon; nothing concerning, just that having been vegan for 5, almost 6 years now, i haven't had any done routinely and am rather curious if my B12 levels are low, iron stores, that kind of thing. So we'll see. I asked for a urinary MMA test but was given a requisition for a serum B12 instead. I guess I need to better educate myself on *why* I want a certain test over another, and I also need to put my foot down a little more heavily if it's something I feel strongly about. As it is, I feel a little trampled that I was dismissed on the urinary MMA. I'd be willing to pay for it out of pocket, if need be.
struggling with food issues lately. i know it's not about the food, or the weight I've gained, or the not-exercising right now. it's a deeper issue that keeps resurfacing and food/not-exercising/weight gain is a coping mechanism (albeit a non-helpful one), an avoidance of that-which-is-really-bothering-me-deeply. it's been suggested from several directions that i seek counselling to assist in resolving this issue, and yes, i'm warming up to the idea. sometimes it's a mental hurdle to open one's mind to actually dealing with something head-on. i guess sweeping things under the carpet is delusional, right? and yet so many of us do it. ;)
so i'm trying to sit with the idea of actually taking action to resolve this issue that, for me, looms heavily like a dark cloud throughout my days... a dark cloud that, because it's always there, i often forget is there and think it's sunny and things are great when in fact i'm a little oblivious...
i think i'm just feeling a little "off my game" these days. i know i feel so much better when i exercise (hard) each day and yet actually buckling down and doing it is just not a priority (and it needs to be). self-care is just a little low on the priority list lately, and that's definitely not a good thing.
i'm feeling really grateful for many things in my life right now, not the least of which is the support of my loving family and close friends. *feeling loved*
Namaste'
i'm going to get some bloodwork done soon; nothing concerning, just that having been vegan for 5, almost 6 years now, i haven't had any done routinely and am rather curious if my B12 levels are low, iron stores, that kind of thing. So we'll see. I asked for a urinary MMA test but was given a requisition for a serum B12 instead. I guess I need to better educate myself on *why* I want a certain test over another, and I also need to put my foot down a little more heavily if it's something I feel strongly about. As it is, I feel a little trampled that I was dismissed on the urinary MMA. I'd be willing to pay for it out of pocket, if need be.
struggling with food issues lately. i know it's not about the food, or the weight I've gained, or the not-exercising right now. it's a deeper issue that keeps resurfacing and food/not-exercising/weight gain is a coping mechanism (albeit a non-helpful one), an avoidance of that-which-is-really-bothering-me-deeply. it's been suggested from several directions that i seek counselling to assist in resolving this issue, and yes, i'm warming up to the idea. sometimes it's a mental hurdle to open one's mind to actually dealing with something head-on. i guess sweeping things under the carpet is delusional, right? and yet so many of us do it. ;)
so i'm trying to sit with the idea of actually taking action to resolve this issue that, for me, looms heavily like a dark cloud throughout my days... a dark cloud that, because it's always there, i often forget is there and think it's sunny and things are great when in fact i'm a little oblivious...
i think i'm just feeling a little "off my game" these days. i know i feel so much better when i exercise (hard) each day and yet actually buckling down and doing it is just not a priority (and it needs to be). self-care is just a little low on the priority list lately, and that's definitely not a good thing.
i'm feeling really grateful for many things in my life right now, not the least of which is the support of my loving family and close friends. *feeling loved*
Namaste'
25 February 2012
hidden opportunities...
It has been an interesting week. I've been under the weather with (yet another) sinus infection... seriously, what is going on on the psychic level that my sinuses and ear tubes get plugged with every bug that goes around?! My third eye is blocked. LMAO There must be *some* connection. My neighbour who works with essential oils says it is just the cold damp climate we live in that leaves people prone to these types of infections here. I believe that to be true, to an extent. But I also think there's something going on for me, too... hard to know what the lesson is for me behind the recurring head colds... two last winter, two this winter...
So I took it easy teaching tai chi this week; didn't push myself too hard. It was hard teaching, because my brain was so foggy and just not thinking straight. This weekend there's a national workshop going on which I'm not attending, partly because of my cold, partly because I am solo-parenting this month, and partly because I do not have the money saved up to go. I am missing not being there, but I am hoping to attend the next one.
I pulled Scotch broom in the 'farm field' for a couple hours one day (some of the plants were about 7' high! massive overgrown things!!); the fresh air felt sooooo good. And the sunshine. The next day I walked about 45 minutes at dusk, and again, the fresh air did me lots of good. And then I cleaned the weir down at the pumphouse the following day. I think maybe I just spend too much time indoors and perhaps (just perhaps) our indoor air quality isn't awesome, because when I'm outside I just feel so much better! (at least when it's nice out; I'm not terribly keen on hanging outside when it's pouring)
dd is having her bday party tomorrow, so there's lots to be done (in terms of cleaning and preparations) tonight... dh was meant to be home, but his flight was cancelled due to poor weather, so now he's not flying in until after the party, which he & dd are both mighty upset about. It's too bad; it's the first time he's missed one of her bday parties. At least he'll be home late tomorrow (fingers crossed).
In the meantime, I have a cake to bake! Hope I remember to take a pic of it before they devour it all! ;)
Namaste'
So I took it easy teaching tai chi this week; didn't push myself too hard. It was hard teaching, because my brain was so foggy and just not thinking straight. This weekend there's a national workshop going on which I'm not attending, partly because of my cold, partly because I am solo-parenting this month, and partly because I do not have the money saved up to go. I am missing not being there, but I am hoping to attend the next one.
I pulled Scotch broom in the 'farm field' for a couple hours one day (some of the plants were about 7' high! massive overgrown things!!); the fresh air felt sooooo good. And the sunshine. The next day I walked about 45 minutes at dusk, and again, the fresh air did me lots of good. And then I cleaned the weir down at the pumphouse the following day. I think maybe I just spend too much time indoors and perhaps (just perhaps) our indoor air quality isn't awesome, because when I'm outside I just feel so much better! (at least when it's nice out; I'm not terribly keen on hanging outside when it's pouring)
dd is having her bday party tomorrow, so there's lots to be done (in terms of cleaning and preparations) tonight... dh was meant to be home, but his flight was cancelled due to poor weather, so now he's not flying in until after the party, which he & dd are both mighty upset about. It's too bad; it's the first time he's missed one of her bday parties. At least he'll be home late tomorrow (fingers crossed).
In the meantime, I have a cake to bake! Hope I remember to take a pic of it before they devour it all! ;)
Namaste'
19 February 2012
the slow life
it has been a quiet weekend around here... yesterday dd had a friend over for the afternoon. it was overcast, but not rainy, so the kids played outside for a while and also inside. today dd went over to her friend's house, so ds & i took down the christmas tree (yes, it was a cut tree that we put up around dec 6th and you know what, it was still in good shape. i could've left it up another couple weeks probably, as it had very few needles falling off. i think this must be a record.) and i cleaned the house a little - under the microwave, the kitchen floors, vacuuming, dusting, laundry, dishes, etc. there's always too much housework to do, in my opinion. no one ever laments not keeping their house tidier when their children are growing up, but many lament not "having enough time" to spend with their kids, but their houses are spic-and-span clean. me, i'd rather have a little dust but contented children. that being said, ds and i played the board game Careers. i felt bad for him b/c he had to declare bankruptcy *twice* in the game, while i sailed through without any difficulties at all to take the win. lol i told him he should go on 'Til Debt Do Us Part and get some financial advice from Gail Vaz-Oxlade. We watch the show regularly and I have to say my kids have certainly picked up some good financial acumen from watching it. more than what i knew going out on my own as a young adult, anyways! it's taken many many years to finally learn some financial basics!
This week I'll be making two batches of homemade (dairy) ice cream for dd's upcoming bday party. I think we've opted for chocolate chip mint and skor-caramel. I haven't tried dairy ice creams yet; I always make non-dairy (raw vegan) ice creams instead. i'm sure the dairy ice creams will be a big hit.
Last night there was a horrific sound around 10:30 pm in the neighbour's yard. Keep in mind we live very rurally, but it was really quite scary. The dog didn't even go running towards it to chase whatever it was away. Tonight I youtube'd it and turns out it was a raccoon fight, which is much less frightening than the cougar I *thought* it might be. Let the raccoons fight it out amongst themselves!!
I suppose that's all. LOL, my dd is writing out a dinner menu for her wedding!!! Keep in mind her age is still a single digit, and you'll see why it's so funny! If you're lucky enough to be one of the "80 or so" people she's planning on inviting, you'll enjoy your choice of four appetizers (apple scorch tart, pitas, triangle sandwiches, and phyllo pastry with vegetables inside), two entrees (penne with cheese on top, or lighthearted fettuccine alfredo) and four desserts (including cheesecake, royal cupcakes, chocolate dipped fruit, and cotton candy dessert). Yes, she's keen on being a chef when she grows up. LOL
This week I'll be making two batches of homemade (dairy) ice cream for dd's upcoming bday party. I think we've opted for chocolate chip mint and skor-caramel. I haven't tried dairy ice creams yet; I always make non-dairy (raw vegan) ice creams instead. i'm sure the dairy ice creams will be a big hit.
Last night there was a horrific sound around 10:30 pm in the neighbour's yard. Keep in mind we live very rurally, but it was really quite scary. The dog didn't even go running towards it to chase whatever it was away. Tonight I youtube'd it and turns out it was a raccoon fight, which is much less frightening than the cougar I *thought* it might be. Let the raccoons fight it out amongst themselves!!
I suppose that's all. LOL, my dd is writing out a dinner menu for her wedding!!! Keep in mind her age is still a single digit, and you'll see why it's so funny! If you're lucky enough to be one of the "80 or so" people she's planning on inviting, you'll enjoy your choice of four appetizers (apple scorch tart, pitas, triangle sandwiches, and phyllo pastry with vegetables inside), two entrees (penne with cheese on top, or lighthearted fettuccine alfredo) and four desserts (including cheesecake, royal cupcakes, chocolate dipped fruit, and cotton candy dessert). Yes, she's keen on being a chef when she grows up. LOL
16 February 2012
bday horoscope
there's another birthday in the family tomorrow! here's what georgia nicols had to say about it:
Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (1981) shares your birthday today. You want to make a name for yourself. Because of your ambition to succeed, nothing will stop you. You know what it takes and you're prepared to work for what you want. Because you're ambition is internal as well as external, you strive to become a better person. A lovely, social year ahead awaits you. In particular, all relationships are blessed.
Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (1981) shares your birthday today. You want to make a name for yourself. Because of your ambition to succeed, nothing will stop you. You know what it takes and you're prepared to work for what you want. Because you're ambition is internal as well as external, you strive to become a better person. A lovely, social year ahead awaits you. In particular, all relationships are blessed.
Raw Food order going in Tuesday
Bulk Raw Food Order going in over at RawFoodSooke On Tuesday Feb 21st @ Noon.
Check out the dried bee pollen, delicious organic dried pineapple, new sprouting mix, seaweeds, supergreens like chlorella and spirulina, and herbs and spices, among other items.
Enjoy vibrant radiant health with living raw food!
Check out the dried bee pollen, delicious organic dried pineapple, new sprouting mix, seaweeds, supergreens like chlorella and spirulina, and herbs and spices, among other items.
Enjoy vibrant radiant health with living raw food!
08 February 2012
month 2, day 7 - 2012 fast
Glad this week is over. Not that it's been stressful or anything, I just want to eat again! LOL Every so often I have a fleeting thought that I might want to fast longer - 14 or even 21 days - but I don't want to push it too much. 7 days a month is plenty over the course of the year. I still haven't been able to get my head around juicing so much as having smoothies. Maybe when it's further into spring/summer. Winter is a hard time to fast; even smoothies leave me sooooooo cold (I usually end up going to bed with a hot water bottle, or having a hot shower or bath each day, or wearing extra layers of clothes, lol). Warm liquids are needed when fasting in winter on the 'wet' coast.
I *am* enjoying how clear I feel by the end of the week; heck, by mid-week I feel great. I'm enjoying the clarity of mind, the lightness physically, and really, I'm not preoccupied with food all week. It's a nice break. LOL jk
My smoothie today was:
2 tbsps wheatgrass powder
4 bananas
3c frozen berry blend
1 tbsp maca powder
sprinkling of kelp flakes
chia seeds
sesame seeds
pumpkin seeds (about 1 tbsp of each)
a couple tbsps of agave nectar
a bit of camu camu berry powder
water
Yep, they're packed. It made 2.5L, which was enough for the entire day, along with a few glasses of water.
One thing this week-of-fasting-every-month is showing me is a lesson in portion control. By the end of the week I'm aware that I don't actually need a whole lot of food each day, but that I usually end up making myself a *big* salad (because it's raw, after all!)... and just because it's raw doesn't mean I need a bowl full. Of course, a week or two after coming off the fast I've nearly forgotten this lesson, which is why I'm wondering how many months it's going to take me to figure it out every day of the month, not just while I'm fasting. I am grateful for the week of fasting every month, though; the repetition is helpful. :)
Signing off,
Slow Learner :)
I *am* enjoying how clear I feel by the end of the week; heck, by mid-week I feel great. I'm enjoying the clarity of mind, the lightness physically, and really, I'm not preoccupied with food all week. It's a nice break. LOL jk
My smoothie today was:
2 tbsps wheatgrass powder
4 bananas
3c frozen berry blend
1 tbsp maca powder
sprinkling of kelp flakes
chia seeds
sesame seeds
pumpkin seeds (about 1 tbsp of each)
a couple tbsps of agave nectar
a bit of camu camu berry powder
water
Yep, they're packed. It made 2.5L, which was enough for the entire day, along with a few glasses of water.
One thing this week-of-fasting-every-month is showing me is a lesson in portion control. By the end of the week I'm aware that I don't actually need a whole lot of food each day, but that I usually end up making myself a *big* salad (because it's raw, after all!)... and just because it's raw doesn't mean I need a bowl full. Of course, a week or two after coming off the fast I've nearly forgotten this lesson, which is why I'm wondering how many months it's going to take me to figure it out every day of the month, not just while I'm fasting. I am grateful for the week of fasting every month, though; the repetition is helpful. :)
Signing off,
Slow Learner :)
07 February 2012
I *love* my Maui Jim sunglasses!
13, maybe 14 years ago, I bought a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. They were expensive (~$250) but well worth it. When ds was very small, I broke the arm off, so I took them back to the place where I bought them, and they sent them back to the company (they were still under warranty). The company repaired them (I swear they were new glasses entirely, but I can't be sure) and couriered them back to me. About a year and half ago I broke the arm off again... I took them back to the place I bought them and was told they were no longer making that model and I'd have to buy a new pair. Not having the money to buy a new pair just then, I bought a couple pairs of dollar store sunglasses to get me through the summer. As I was cleaning off the desk recently I found the old pair of Maui Jim'sand thought, what the heck, I'll mail them back and see what happens. So I looked up the company's contact info online and sent them back - total cost about $12. Today in the mail I received my sunglasses back, good as new - totally repaired ("new frame and new lenses" said the repair sheet), with a new hardcover case and cleaning cloth! I am ASTOUNDED at the customer service from Maui Jim. These things had a 2 yr warranty, not a 13+ year warranty. They weren't under any obligation to fix them this time, but they did!
I'm SOOOOOOOOO happy to have my Maui Jim's fixed! YAYYYYYYYYYY!!!
I'm reading a book called The New Frugality (can't recall the author off-hand) which is really great. One thing that resonated with me was the idea of buying quality items (not necessarily expensive, but high-QUALITY)... things like my Vitamix blender, which yes, cost several hundred dollars (for a blender! you're thinking) but it is sooooooo worth it. I know a family who has had theirs for over 3 DECADES with only minor repairs. My Maui Jim sunglasses are another "investment" in my mind. With customer service like this, who needs dollar store sunglasses. Buy Quality. Buy from a company that cares. Being frugal doesn't mean being cheap; no, frugality reflects an economy on the use of resources. One pair of Maui Jim sunglasses has replaced many many pairs of cheaper sunglasses throughout the years. *THAT* is what I mean by frugal.
I'm SOOOOOOOOO happy to have my Maui Jim's fixed! YAYYYYYYYYYY!!!
I'm reading a book called The New Frugality (can't recall the author off-hand) which is really great. One thing that resonated with me was the idea of buying quality items (not necessarily expensive, but high-QUALITY)... things like my Vitamix blender, which yes, cost several hundred dollars (for a blender! you're thinking) but it is sooooooo worth it. I know a family who has had theirs for over 3 DECADES with only minor repairs. My Maui Jim sunglasses are another "investment" in my mind. With customer service like this, who needs dollar store sunglasses. Buy Quality. Buy from a company that cares. Being frugal doesn't mean being cheap; no, frugality reflects an economy on the use of resources. One pair of Maui Jim sunglasses has replaced many many pairs of cheaper sunglasses throughout the years. *THAT* is what I mean by frugal.
06 February 2012
month 2, day 5 - 2012 fast
Wow, I've been pretty productive already today, and the day's only half-done! I gathered up all the recycling (6 blue bags and one bin!) and put it out - it was more than usual because I also broke down all the cardboard boxes that were piling up in the laundry room (funny how that kinda thing creeps up on you and next thing you know your laundry room looks like something off of Hoarders: Buried Alive, LMAO).
I fixed the outer chicken pen fence, which has had a couple holes in it for about 4 months now. The hens (& rooster) were sooooooo happy to get back into that pen! So funny how an animal that some people insist has a tiny brain really does communicate happiness. Makes me happy to be a vegan. ;)
Went up to the neighbour's (while she was out taking dd to dance class along with her own dd), took the chainsaw and bucked up a tree that had fallen across her driveway in the wind a couple weeks ago. Took less than half an hour and ds & I cleared away all the branches. I'm always nervous using the chainsaw (especially alone which is why I dragged ds along) but took along the first aid kit (just in case, LOL, b/c you know if you have it you won't need it, but if you DON'T have it handy, you'll inevitably need it)... So got that done...
Did some computer errands and also some light housework (more to do, of course). Got a parcel all packed up and ready to mail, so will send that off shortly.
Very productive. Not sure if it's because the sun is shining (feels very spring-like outside!) or because I'm fasting. Who cares; I'm getting things done! LOL
Enjoy your day!!
I fixed the outer chicken pen fence, which has had a couple holes in it for about 4 months now. The hens (& rooster) were sooooooo happy to get back into that pen! So funny how an animal that some people insist has a tiny brain really does communicate happiness. Makes me happy to be a vegan. ;)
Went up to the neighbour's (while she was out taking dd to dance class along with her own dd), took the chainsaw and bucked up a tree that had fallen across her driveway in the wind a couple weeks ago. Took less than half an hour and ds & I cleared away all the branches. I'm always nervous using the chainsaw (especially alone which is why I dragged ds along) but took along the first aid kit (just in case, LOL, b/c you know if you have it you won't need it, but if you DON'T have it handy, you'll inevitably need it)... So got that done...
Did some computer errands and also some light housework (more to do, of course). Got a parcel all packed up and ready to mail, so will send that off shortly.
Very productive. Not sure if it's because the sun is shining (feels very spring-like outside!) or because I'm fasting. Who cares; I'm getting things done! LOL
Enjoy your day!!
05 February 2012
month 2, day 4 - 2012 fast
Wow, what a week. Yesterday was the peak of it all, emotionally, with the funeral service. It was a nice service, lots of friends and family - the church was full - and lots of socializing afterwards. So nice to see all the family & friends (especially those who travelled *long* distances to be there), despite the circumstances. It was a gorgeous sunny day, too. Beautiful.
I *so* needed a good night's sleep after a week of emotionally holding it together. Finally home at 10:40 last night, a hot bath and a super-comfy bed were calling my name.
Today is day 4 already of fasting. Hump day. Doing well so far; it's a pretty intense experience fasting during a time of emotional upheaval as well. Good grief. My husband's aunt went vegan 3 wks ago and said I was her inspiration. I'm honoured that she would say that and wish her well as she gains a higher level of health.
Today the house smells of (vegan) baked beans that are cooking in a low oven all day, and later the kids and I are making a batch (~3 dz) cinnamon buns. Most will go in the freezer for another day; it's been a VERY long time since we've baked cinnamon buns, so it's definitely not an 'all the time' thing around here. The chicks are doing very well outside under the heat lamp, but I haven't yet let them out into their adjoining pen; I figure another 2 weeks before that happens! We'll see. Still too cold (& damp), February on the 'wet' coast.
Life is really, super awesomely good. Happy kids, happy pets, good solid intimate relationship, supportive family and friends, roof over our heads, clothes on our bodies and food in our bellies. Life is grand!
I *so* needed a good night's sleep after a week of emotionally holding it together. Finally home at 10:40 last night, a hot bath and a super-comfy bed were calling my name.
Today is day 4 already of fasting. Hump day. Doing well so far; it's a pretty intense experience fasting during a time of emotional upheaval as well. Good grief. My husband's aunt went vegan 3 wks ago and said I was her inspiration. I'm honoured that she would say that and wish her well as she gains a higher level of health.
Today the house smells of (vegan) baked beans that are cooking in a low oven all day, and later the kids and I are making a batch (~3 dz) cinnamon buns. Most will go in the freezer for another day; it's been a VERY long time since we've baked cinnamon buns, so it's definitely not an 'all the time' thing around here. The chicks are doing very well outside under the heat lamp, but I haven't yet let them out into their adjoining pen; I figure another 2 weeks before that happens! We'll see. Still too cold (& damp), February on the 'wet' coast.
Life is really, super awesomely good. Happy kids, happy pets, good solid intimate relationship, supportive family and friends, roof over our heads, clothes on our bodies and food in our bellies. Life is grand!
03 February 2012
month 2, day 2 - 2012 fast
I started this month's juice/smoothie fast a day late because of my birthday. I had hoped to go downtown to the raw food cafe and have a meal down there (on my birthday), but there was a death in the family (the day before) so unfortunately the whole week has been subdued with grieving (and sleeplessness for some).
but we soldier on, as it were... So yesterday I started this month's fast. I didn't have any bananas at home, so no smoothies (boo!) but instead made do with kombucha, herbal (nettle) tea, and a couple glasses of fresh orange and grapefruit juice (soooooooo good!). Today, once again having bananas around, I had 2.5L of green smoothie, another 1c of spirulina/sprout smoothie and a glass of orange juice as well.
Today I moved the baby chicks outside (well, they're more than 3 wks old now and nearly fully-feathered). They're still under their heat lamp but are out in the chicken pen now, in their makeshift coop. I will be checking on them often overnight to make sure they're warm enough; I'm sure they'll be fine. :) I guess you can say we're truly empty-nesters now that we don't have chicks in the kitchen anymore! LOL
but we soldier on, as it were... So yesterday I started this month's fast. I didn't have any bananas at home, so no smoothies (boo!) but instead made do with kombucha, herbal (nettle) tea, and a couple glasses of fresh orange and grapefruit juice (soooooooo good!). Today, once again having bananas around, I had 2.5L of green smoothie, another 1c of spirulina/sprout smoothie and a glass of orange juice as well.
Today I moved the baby chicks outside (well, they're more than 3 wks old now and nearly fully-feathered). They're still under their heat lamp but are out in the chicken pen now, in their makeshift coop. I will be checking on them often overnight to make sure they're warm enough; I'm sure they'll be fine. :) I guess you can say we're truly empty-nesters now that we don't have chicks in the kitchen anymore! LOL
02 February 2012
second bday horoscope
from georgianicols.com:
Princess Stephanie of Monaco (1965) shares your birthday today. People are attracted to you. You exude confidence and determination because you are extremely goal oriented. You go after what you want. You have a youthful flair and a way of appearing in control of things (whether you are or not). In the year ahead, your primary focus will be on partnerships and close friendships. Give these relationships your attention.
Again, pretty accurate in that I do feel really goal-oriented at this time, and certainly, my stubbornness and strong-will means I am pretty focused. Youthful = immature?!? LOL jk I certainly do enjoy hanging out with my kids, though. ;)
Should be a great year or two ahead. Yahoo!
Princess Stephanie of Monaco (1965) shares your birthday today. People are attracted to you. You exude confidence and determination because you are extremely goal oriented. You go after what you want. You have a youthful flair and a way of appearing in control of things (whether you are or not). In the year ahead, your primary focus will be on partnerships and close friendships. Give these relationships your attention.
Again, pretty accurate in that I do feel really goal-oriented at this time, and certainly, my stubbornness and strong-will means I am pretty focused. Youthful = immature?!? LOL jk I certainly do enjoy hanging out with my kids, though. ;)
Should be a great year or two ahead. Yahoo!
01 February 2012
it's my birthday!
from cafeastrology.com:
You are strong-minded and often quite stubborn when it comes to sticking to your point of view. You are a highly original person who can be impulsive and self-willed. You are also very magnetic and easy to look up to. You love to start new things, but don't always have the follow through to complete them! However, you are very strong at coming up with new ideas and having the courage to act upon them. You are artistic and creative, and you remain youthful throughout life. Famous people born today: Lisa Marie Presley, Rick James, Brandon Lee, Langston Hughes, Clark Gable.
Your Birthday Year Forecast:
When a Quarter Moon occurs in your Return chart, as it does this year, you are at some sort of a turning point in your life, in terms of personal growth. Events that occur this year act as catalysts that get you in touch with some important issues in your emotional life. Your emotions run high, and mood swings or identity crises are possible. There may be some kind of conflict in your life arising from a great urge to do something different. The year ahead promises to be a busy, dynamic, and significant period in your life.
You have a lot to do this year. At times, you may feel like the pace of your life is running ahead of you. You can be especially productive, however, in all types of communications--writing, speaking, learning, teaching, and so forth.
You are likely to form new relationships or connections that further your spiritual growth this year, or to enhance existing relationships with a spirit of camaraderie. People in authority tend to regard you favorably. Events take place in which you feel like you are moving forward and growing into a new phase of your life.
You are also likely to make connections with people through similar interests and learning endeavors this year.
Genuineness and sincerity are most important to you when it comes to love relationships this year. You are extremely dedicated to your partner, friends, and loved ones. Your affections are strongly stimulated, and you are more acutely aware of your powers of attraction. Romance, love, and sexuality occupy your mind more than usual. You can enjoy an increase in personal magnetism (as well as libido!), but be wary of competitiveness or tension in existing love relationships, as a Venus-Mars aspect ignites your passions in general, whether they're feelings of love or anger! Your open heart is likely to attract friendships and love opportunities into your life.
Making new contacts and/or improving existing connections figures strongly this year. You feel that you are moving forward with your life. You more readily commit yourself to relationships this year, although you may need to tame impulsiveness. Try to avoid overly emotional decision making.
2012 is a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It's generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice - take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.
2013 will be a Number Nine year for you. Ruled by Mars. This is a year of completion and transition. It is a time when we need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. It can be a time when a burden has been taken off your shoulders, and it can be a year of giving of yourself. Advice - let go of things that are holding you back, give of yourself and express your sympathetic, compassionate side.
You are strong-minded and often quite stubborn when it comes to sticking to your point of view. You are a highly original person who can be impulsive and self-willed. You are also very magnetic and easy to look up to. You love to start new things, but don't always have the follow through to complete them! However, you are very strong at coming up with new ideas and having the courage to act upon them. You are artistic and creative, and you remain youthful throughout life. Famous people born today: Lisa Marie Presley, Rick James, Brandon Lee, Langston Hughes, Clark Gable.
Your Birthday Year Forecast:
When a Quarter Moon occurs in your Return chart, as it does this year, you are at some sort of a turning point in your life, in terms of personal growth. Events that occur this year act as catalysts that get you in touch with some important issues in your emotional life. Your emotions run high, and mood swings or identity crises are possible. There may be some kind of conflict in your life arising from a great urge to do something different. The year ahead promises to be a busy, dynamic, and significant period in your life.
You have a lot to do this year. At times, you may feel like the pace of your life is running ahead of you. You can be especially productive, however, in all types of communications--writing, speaking, learning, teaching, and so forth.
You are likely to form new relationships or connections that further your spiritual growth this year, or to enhance existing relationships with a spirit of camaraderie. People in authority tend to regard you favorably. Events take place in which you feel like you are moving forward and growing into a new phase of your life.
You are also likely to make connections with people through similar interests and learning endeavors this year.
Genuineness and sincerity are most important to you when it comes to love relationships this year. You are extremely dedicated to your partner, friends, and loved ones. Your affections are strongly stimulated, and you are more acutely aware of your powers of attraction. Romance, love, and sexuality occupy your mind more than usual. You can enjoy an increase in personal magnetism (as well as libido!), but be wary of competitiveness or tension in existing love relationships, as a Venus-Mars aspect ignites your passions in general, whether they're feelings of love or anger! Your open heart is likely to attract friendships and love opportunities into your life.
Making new contacts and/or improving existing connections figures strongly this year. You feel that you are moving forward with your life. You more readily commit yourself to relationships this year, although you may need to tame impulsiveness. Try to avoid overly emotional decision making.
2012 is a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It's generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice - take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.
2013 will be a Number Nine year for you. Ruled by Mars. This is a year of completion and transition. It is a time when we need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. It can be a time when a burden has been taken off your shoulders, and it can be a year of giving of yourself. Advice - let go of things that are holding you back, give of yourself and express your sympathetic, compassionate side.
29 January 2012
good day to you!
Well, hello there! It is yet another Sunday. It's pouring rain and pretty much an inside day (which is driving me a little bonkers in some respects; ever since getting cable in the house it's all the kids can think of to entertain themselves; either that, or having couch-pillow fights, which is *not* peaceful, imho)...
It feels like it has been such a sloooooooow day/couple of days that there's really nothing terribly exciting to report... more mundane kinda things like i cleaned the fridge out, cleaned dd's room yesterday, and am regretting not cleaning out the eavestroughs sooner as they all appear to be overflowing... and could somebody PLEASE take the Christmas tree down already?!?
Here's to a vibrant, joyful future...
*cheers*
It feels like it has been such a sloooooooow day/couple of days that there's really nothing terribly exciting to report... more mundane kinda things like i cleaned the fridge out, cleaned dd's room yesterday, and am regretting not cleaning out the eavestroughs sooner as they all appear to be overflowing... and could somebody PLEASE take the Christmas tree down already?!?
Here's to a vibrant, joyful future...
*cheers*
22 January 2012
Life is goooooooood. we went to a public skate today at the ice rink; had so much fun; i skated for nearly probably 3/4 of an hour. considering how infrequently i go out on the ice, i was pretty pleased with that. ;) AND i didn't even fall. not once. LOL
yesterday i tidied up the desk the computer's on. it was... overgrown. it is greatly improved and less cluttered.
the 23 chicks are doing great; they're very friendly and enjoy being held and carried around. it's only been 10 days with them in the house, and they're still under the heat lamp. i'm VERY grateful with the strong winds we've had the past few days that we haven't lost power once. i've been considering various back-up plans without the heat lamp in case it does happen in the next 3 weeks.
been reading Scott & Helen Nearing's The Good Life. am really enjoying the book, with its take of homesteading in the US in the 30's, 40's & 50's. very interesting perspective. I also have another 8 books on the go at the moment, not including e-books, so I'm slowly working through them all. ;)
Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy year of the water dragon! :D
yesterday i tidied up the desk the computer's on. it was... overgrown. it is greatly improved and less cluttered.
the 23 chicks are doing great; they're very friendly and enjoy being held and carried around. it's only been 10 days with them in the house, and they're still under the heat lamp. i'm VERY grateful with the strong winds we've had the past few days that we haven't lost power once. i've been considering various back-up plans without the heat lamp in case it does happen in the next 3 weeks.
been reading Scott & Helen Nearing's The Good Life. am really enjoying the book, with its take of homesteading in the US in the 30's, 40's & 50's. very interesting perspective. I also have another 8 books on the go at the moment, not including e-books, so I'm slowly working through them all. ;)
Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy year of the water dragon! :D
19 January 2012
you've GOT to check these out!
a 6 minute film trailer about smart meters: www.smartmeterfilm.com
the BEST music video on youtube EVER: Totally EPIC.
oh, there's more. but this'll get you started. :)
..i'm back. here's more. :)
California single mother builds shipping container home for less than $4,000.
a 14 x 14 simple solar cabin. i'm in love with the idea of no mortgage payment, can you tell?! ;)
okay, that's all i got. :)
peace, out.
the BEST music video on youtube EVER: Totally EPIC.
oh, there's more. but this'll get you started. :)
..i'm back. here's more. :)
California single mother builds shipping container home for less than $4,000.
a 14 x 14 simple solar cabin. i'm in love with the idea of no mortgage payment, can you tell?! ;)
okay, that's all i got. :)
peace, out.
13 January 2012
Sick!!
Our entire household has been sick for 6 days now, and it's not letting up easily! Poor dd has had a fever of 103F/39C+ for more than 2 days, and then it dropped to just over 100F/37.8C for the next few days. Me, it is a wicked sinus infection (which has gone into my eustachian tubes a little). I seem to remember having had a sinus infection last year, too. So I'm rinsing my sinuses with warm salt water, trying to open up the airways with eucalyptus oil, and ingesting diluted oil of oregano regularly, as well as using the vaporizer. Naturally, I'm having a tough time resting throughout the day because apart from the sinuses, I feel alright - Wednesday ds and I managed to build a new chick pen for the day-olds that we picked up Thursday (25 Rhode Island Red chicks have joined our home!), and today I worked for the local water system. So every day there seems to be something that just *absolutely* needs doing, in my warped mind, anyways.
slow learner, i am. ;)
Best of health to you!
slow learner, i am. ;)
Best of health to you!
10 January 2012
Raw Food Bulk Order going in Monday 16th
Over at my other blog, RawFoodSooke, we're gathering our first bulk raw food order of 2012. If you're interested in anything and live in the lower Vancouver Island area (Greater Victoria area), please email me through the rawfoodsooke site. We have raw organic nuts, seeds, cacao, coconut, supergreens, dried fruit, teas, spices, books, and a whole lot more. Check it out!
Other than that, the kids returned home from their weekend away ill. dd had a fever of 103 for the past two days, now that hers has broken, ds has it. I'm definitely fighting it off; I took 10 drops of oil of oregano last night before bed and that has helped. I also ate raw garlic and ginger last night which I believe also assisted. Grammy & Grampa are both coming down with it; I only hope it passes quickly for everyone and we all return to optimal health soon.
dd has the boardgame Wildcraft, which is a cooperative "herbal adventure game". We love playing it, and their website has a lot more information than you can imagine: www.learningherbs.com
The sun is shining and it's a glorious day, so I'm going to go enjoy the sunshine now!
Blessings!
Other than that, the kids returned home from their weekend away ill. dd had a fever of 103 for the past two days, now that hers has broken, ds has it. I'm definitely fighting it off; I took 10 drops of oil of oregano last night before bed and that has helped. I also ate raw garlic and ginger last night which I believe also assisted. Grammy & Grampa are both coming down with it; I only hope it passes quickly for everyone and we all return to optimal health soon.
dd has the boardgame Wildcraft, which is a cooperative "herbal adventure game". We love playing it, and their website has a lot more information than you can imagine: www.learningherbs.com
The sun is shining and it's a glorious day, so I'm going to go enjoy the sunshine now!
Blessings!
08 January 2012
Back onto solid food...
Well, here we are, Month 1, Day 8. I feel very successful with the fasting this past week, and I am intending to ease back onto solids with as much success. Today I've had a glass of kombucha and 1/2L of green smoothie, a couple pieces of fresh pineapple (maybe 3/4c) and a small piece of watermelon (1/4c). I have another 2L of smoothie; likely I will drink 1L and save the other L for tomorrow. I also have a small green salad prepped but am hoping to hold off until tomorrow for that.
I broke my bathroom scale the other day; it unfortunately got water damaged (I was careless). It's not recovering at all. I was hoping once it dried out it would come back, but alas. I've had it for nearly 6 years, though. But I'm missing obsessively weighing myself throughout the day, LOL. Yep, I admit it; chalk it up to having an unbalanced past with food. I find it fascinating how my weight fluctuates throughout the day: lightest in the mornings, heaviest in the evening. Why does this happen? Does gravity pull our weight down throughout the day or something? There doesn't seem a logical explanation, imo.
Tai chi class yesterday was great. It was my fourth class of the week, as well as practicing twice at home alone, so by the end of the week I was feeling nice and limber. It was an instructor intensive, so there were about 50 instructors participating. At one point I was asked to demonstrate the moves we were working on in front of everyone, and the introverted side of me just shrieks in horror at such a request, but I also see a great deal of value in pushing through my own insecurities. The opportunity for personal growth when putting yourself in safe, but unfamiliar situations is huge; I'm not about to let my ego's fears run my life.
I think there has been huge benefit in fasting this past week. Not focusing on food has reminded me that when I am eating, I tend to eat for comfort, tend to eat too much. So portion control is something I must be conscious of moving forward. Also, just eating mindfully and not unconsciously, not just reaching for whatever's in front of me. Making conscious food choices that support my health. Also, I think fasting has allowed me to go deeper, for greater introspection and self-reflection. When not distracted by the digestion of food, my mind is less cluttered and it offers a chance to consider more esoteric and philosophical things, to really focus on where one is headed in life, on what one wants out of life, and the purpose of one's life, and so on.
Fasting has been a very healing experience this week. I've enjoyed some great conversations with my husband and we've been able to work further on resolving some lingering concerns in our relationship. It's a slow process, but we are growing so close and our relationship is soooooo much more than it was before I went raw, before I went vegan. We're both pretty blissed out at this turn of events. I really think that fasting has allowed me such amazing personal growth. I'm very grateful, and I'm really looking forward to fasting the first week of next month, and every month in 2012.
Namaste'
I broke my bathroom scale the other day; it unfortunately got water damaged (I was careless). It's not recovering at all. I was hoping once it dried out it would come back, but alas. I've had it for nearly 6 years, though. But I'm missing obsessively weighing myself throughout the day, LOL. Yep, I admit it; chalk it up to having an unbalanced past with food. I find it fascinating how my weight fluctuates throughout the day: lightest in the mornings, heaviest in the evening. Why does this happen? Does gravity pull our weight down throughout the day or something? There doesn't seem a logical explanation, imo.
Tai chi class yesterday was great. It was my fourth class of the week, as well as practicing twice at home alone, so by the end of the week I was feeling nice and limber. It was an instructor intensive, so there were about 50 instructors participating. At one point I was asked to demonstrate the moves we were working on in front of everyone, and the introverted side of me just shrieks in horror at such a request, but I also see a great deal of value in pushing through my own insecurities. The opportunity for personal growth when putting yourself in safe, but unfamiliar situations is huge; I'm not about to let my ego's fears run my life.
I think there has been huge benefit in fasting this past week. Not focusing on food has reminded me that when I am eating, I tend to eat for comfort, tend to eat too much. So portion control is something I must be conscious of moving forward. Also, just eating mindfully and not unconsciously, not just reaching for whatever's in front of me. Making conscious food choices that support my health. Also, I think fasting has allowed me to go deeper, for greater introspection and self-reflection. When not distracted by the digestion of food, my mind is less cluttered and it offers a chance to consider more esoteric and philosophical things, to really focus on where one is headed in life, on what one wants out of life, and the purpose of one's life, and so on.
Fasting has been a very healing experience this week. I've enjoyed some great conversations with my husband and we've been able to work further on resolving some lingering concerns in our relationship. It's a slow process, but we are growing so close and our relationship is soooooo much more than it was before I went raw, before I went vegan. We're both pretty blissed out at this turn of events. I really think that fasting has allowed me such amazing personal growth. I'm very grateful, and I'm really looking forward to fasting the first week of next month, and every month in 2012.
Namaste'
07 January 2012
Day 7!!!
I'm doin' it! I'm doin' it! Wheeeeeee!!!! Okay, this week wasn't super super easy, but it certainly wasn't that challenging, either. Lots of herbal tea, lots of kombucha, lots of green smoothies, and water. And here we are, Day 7 already.
So far this year (LOL being that we're only 7 days into it), I'm reading my resolutions/goals/affirmations twice a day pretty faithfully, manifesting them daily, and so far, this year is going fantastically well. Super happy with it all.
Nothing much else to share at this time.
Namaste
So far this year (LOL being that we're only 7 days into it), I'm reading my resolutions/goals/affirmations twice a day pretty faithfully, manifesting them daily, and so far, this year is going fantastically well. Super happy with it all.
Nothing much else to share at this time.
Namaste
04 January 2012
Day 3 complete, now onto Day 4 - *hump day*
This week is really going by quickly... The fasting is going very well - I'm managing to just *be* with my hunger, which is new. ;) I also realize how *much* I eat when I'm not fasting. 2 or 2.5L of smoothie is not an entire day's worth of sustenance when I'm eating, but I'm managing quite well on only the smoothie, a little herbal tea, some kombucha, and water. So I guess normally I tend to overeat.
[I'm working into juice fasting, in case you're wondering; in the past I've jumped into juicing, but I find smoothies are great when life continues around me and I need to be away from home (we have no juice bar in our town) and I find juicing quite time-consuming to prepare a day's worth of juices in the morning - like, an hour or more; and smoothies are about 10 minutes to prepare a day's worth... hopefully over the course of 2012, since I'll be fasting the first 7 days of EVERY month, I'll be on juices soon enough. I don't consider this week's fast a "non-fast" because it's smoothies rather than juices. Smoothies are liquid, and are also one way of slowing detox down a little, and I am fully aware that my weight crept up (shockingly) on me in 2012, I didn't exercise regularly all year (tai chi notwithstanding). So smoothies are my choice of fuel this week; we'll see next month if I'm ready to take on juicing.]
Overeating: It's a gradual thing - something that builds up over weeks and months, and before you know it, I'm eating for the sensory experience that eating brings, and not because my body is actually needing nourishment/fuel. (good grief! how many of us are like that!!) Learning appropriate portion sizes will be one thing I master in 2012. :)
It's interesting, I've read my intentions/resolutions every morning and every night for, well, 4 days now I guess, and I'm starting to really *feel* them. It's not just a rush-through read; I read them slowly, aloud, and try to be fully present while reading them. It takes about 5 minutes. I envision my life at the end of this year, so changed - especially moving house after nearly 15 years, dh moving job locations, and my renewed commitment to raw foods and health.
I've been vegan for nearly 6 years now (and a raw vegan for nearly 4 years) - an overnight change from eating an omnivorous standard american diet to becoming a whole foods vegan - and that first year of exercising... ohhhh, those first few months were really challenging, as I attempted to exercise with so much extra weight on my body - the chaffing, the sweat, the struggle to be active when you're carrying extra weight around. I *truly* understand what that's like. The embarassment you feel, the disappointment in your Self. How could I have let this happen?! Being surrounded by family or roommates who continue to eat SAD foods. Feeling like a social misfit, when you go out with friends or family and no longer choose to consume alcohol, or meat, or dairy. Oh yes, I've been there. I've worked through it all.
But being active, healthy, and a raw vegan is not about deprivation. Nor is fasting. It is about choosing to be healthy. I am worthy. I deserve to be healthy. It is my body's optimal condition, and my body will heal itself if I just give it the time, the opportunity, to do so. So that's what 2012 is: an opportunity to heal.
I am sooooooooooo looking forward to this year - to this very moment! CARPE DIEM!!!! SEIZE THE DAY!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
[I'm working into juice fasting, in case you're wondering; in the past I've jumped into juicing, but I find smoothies are great when life continues around me and I need to be away from home (we have no juice bar in our town) and I find juicing quite time-consuming to prepare a day's worth of juices in the morning - like, an hour or more; and smoothies are about 10 minutes to prepare a day's worth... hopefully over the course of 2012, since I'll be fasting the first 7 days of EVERY month, I'll be on juices soon enough. I don't consider this week's fast a "non-fast" because it's smoothies rather than juices. Smoothies are liquid, and are also one way of slowing detox down a little, and I am fully aware that my weight crept up (shockingly) on me in 2012, I didn't exercise regularly all year (tai chi notwithstanding). So smoothies are my choice of fuel this week; we'll see next month if I'm ready to take on juicing.]
Overeating: It's a gradual thing - something that builds up over weeks and months, and before you know it, I'm eating for the sensory experience that eating brings, and not because my body is actually needing nourishment/fuel. (good grief! how many of us are like that!!) Learning appropriate portion sizes will be one thing I master in 2012. :)
It's interesting, I've read my intentions/resolutions every morning and every night for, well, 4 days now I guess, and I'm starting to really *feel* them. It's not just a rush-through read; I read them slowly, aloud, and try to be fully present while reading them. It takes about 5 minutes. I envision my life at the end of this year, so changed - especially moving house after nearly 15 years, dh moving job locations, and my renewed commitment to raw foods and health.
I've been vegan for nearly 6 years now (and a raw vegan for nearly 4 years) - an overnight change from eating an omnivorous standard american diet to becoming a whole foods vegan - and that first year of exercising... ohhhh, those first few months were really challenging, as I attempted to exercise with so much extra weight on my body - the chaffing, the sweat, the struggle to be active when you're carrying extra weight around. I *truly* understand what that's like. The embarassment you feel, the disappointment in your Self. How could I have let this happen?! Being surrounded by family or roommates who continue to eat SAD foods. Feeling like a social misfit, when you go out with friends or family and no longer choose to consume alcohol, or meat, or dairy. Oh yes, I've been there. I've worked through it all.
But being active, healthy, and a raw vegan is not about deprivation. Nor is fasting. It is about choosing to be healthy. I am worthy. I deserve to be healthy. It is my body's optimal condition, and my body will heal itself if I just give it the time, the opportunity, to do so. So that's what 2012 is: an opportunity to heal.
I am sooooooooooo looking forward to this year - to this very moment! CARPE DIEM!!!! SEIZE THE DAY!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
02 January 2012
Day 2, 2012 fast
The first day of fasting is always... challenging. I'm usually fine, but at some point, start to feel hungry, and that's usually mid to late afternoon/early evening, and often a point where I'm most tempted to just EAT something! LOL it's especially hard when surrounded by others who are eating. :P
BUT I'm pleased to say yesterday was good: I had a cup of herbal tea, 2.5L of smoothie, and a glass of water.
I'm hoping to have time to make some juice today, but if not, smoothie is great, too.
My smoothies are packed with nutrition:
3 bananas
1-2 tbsp soaked goji berries
1 tbsp soaked maqui berries
3c of frozen berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries or raspberries)
1 tbsp maca powder
1/4 tsp kelp flakes
2-3 tbsp hemp hearts
1 tbsp spirulina powder (or chlorella or wheatgrass powders)
1 tbsp agave nectar
either almond milk (1/2c soaked almonds to 2L water) or water
and sometimes I add fresh greens (kale, chard, lettuce, spinach, chickweed, dandelion, parsley, etc)
I wrote out what I am creating and manifesting in 2012 (I've edited out the personal details). I wrote it out, and am reading it before bed and upon waking each day to help center my intentions for the day:
Each day for the next 366 days:
- I am inviting and receiving AWARENESS into my life with gratitude.
- I am inviting and receiving ABUNDANCE into my life with gratitude.
- This year, we are DECLUTTERING the house.
- We are SELLING our home and subdividing the new property. We are setting up suitable temporary living accomodation and are MOVING there. I am grateful to be working hard to create the farm there.
- DH is moving his employment to here.
- I am grateful to be working hard at the local organic farm.
- I am creating and experiencing JOY in my life with gratitude.
- I am blessed to be creating OPTIMAL HEALTH in my being.
- I am inviting, creating, and receiving PROSPERITY into my life with gratitude.
- I am inviting, creating, and receiving FRIENDSHIP into my life with gratitude.
- For the first seven days of every month in 2012, I am abstaining from solid food and FASTING for greater health and cleansing.
- I am choosing RAW FOOD to fuel and nourish my body. I choose appropriate portion sizes with awareness and gratitude.
- I am committed to my continued tai chi practice.
- Our family is implementing and maintaining a BALANCED FINANCIAL BUDGET. We communicate openly and calmly about financial matters and are actively paying off all debts as well as creating savings and emergency funds. We are joyfully living below our means and by doing so are decreasing stress in our lives.
- I am realistic with my expectations and time management and I get done as much as is REASONABLE in each day – enough rest, enough nourishment, enough exercise, enough work, enough play, and more.
- I am supportive of my family's goals and commitments and handle stressful situations with ease and joy.
- I am ACTIVE and committed to moving my body and exercising through a variety of enjoyable activities.
- HOMESCHOOLING continues to be a great fit for our family and we all continue to enjoy being together and we communicate openly.
- I am HEALING from my past and moving forward positively and with awareness and gratitude. I seek support as needed to assist with my healing.
- I am committing to inviting and receiving with gratitude the loving, healing light energy of REIKI into my life and sharing it with others for the greatest good of all.
Yes, there's a lot there. ;)
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