It's getting colder around here... autumn turning into winter... so I've begun regularly (as opposed to occasionally) using organic coconut oil as moisturizer for my skin - especially on my hands and face, as they are most often exposed to the elements. It is *amazing* what a difference this makes. I just keep a small jar of it in the car and when I'm out and about I reach over for it and rub some on... because I'm not one for having a 'beauty routine' at home at all. More the spontaneous type when it comes to that. ;) My neighbour last week said she was amazed at how youthful I look... I smile and there's laugh lines beginning to crease, but as soon as I stop smiling, the lines go away and my face is smooth, smooth, smooth. (not to toot my own horn, LOL)
The other amazing thing I've noticed lately is the roseacea on my face is all but gone. There's the odd moment where it flares up, but really, it's NOTHING like it was. I'm so overjoyed at this development. I keep reminding myself what a naturopath once told me - that our skin is a reflection of our internal organ (especially our liver's) health - so healthy, clear skin means healthy, optimal-functioning organs. My high-raw mostly-organic diet is soooooooo transformational!!!
OH! And in a few short weeks I go to the dentist to begin the process of replacing my very old amalgam fillings. They are literally disintegrating as some have been in there so long - we're talking 20 years!!! I'm so very very excited. Over a couple months I'll get them all replaced.
yesterday afternoon i felt like i was beginning to come down with something... ever-so-slight hoarse voice... i intended to gargle with salt water but never did. still, lo and behold, today i felt great. i don't know... i hardly ever get sick since going vegan, especially so since going raw. as soon as i feel the slightest thing, i simply get more rest, water, and up the greens in my diet and generally, if i actually do get something, it doesn't last for long and it's not severe. i LOVE raw!!!
01 December 2009
life's about options.
i was chatting with my dad today, and he at one point (more tactfully than i'll say here) told me that (in his opinion) it's time for me to rejoin the workforce, to get a job, to make something of myself. i'm a stay-at-home mom of two school-aged children whom I homeschool. i have been out of the full-time workforce since the birth of my son nearly 10 years ago, although i have worked part-time during the past ten years periodically, casually.
on one hand, i hear him. i understand what he's saying. "you're educated" yes, yes, i am. i could one day return to grad school and finish a degree, and get a profession. but there's time, lots of time for that. time that i just can't get back if i sacrifice it now with the kids. i thought long and hard about it today as i was decluttering, and i realized that it's either a matter of cutting back on expenses, like groceries (i admit i'm fairly extravagant when it comes to groceries, LOL), and the kids' classes, gas for the car, things like that, or bring in more income (dh already works two jobs and overtime at one of them, it's unrealistic to expect him to work any more than that, and i am currently unemployed, by choice). there's a lot i can cut back on in the budget, if i'm willing to live very restrictively/frugally... but the alternative is getting a job, and i cannot FATHOM going job-hunting, or even returning to grad school at this point in my life. my heart is not in it.
thankfully i have a very supportive partner who sees the VALUE in the children being raised by a stay-at-home parent, and i think our shared view on that is quite rare these days. not many families are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to have a parent stay at home full-time. okay, okay, some of you are going to give me flak for that opinion, saying that you know families where both parents simply have to work just to get by. to each their own, i say. but in my case, i'm simply not willing to sacrifice my children's youth for a few bucks, or for the self-gratification a job might give me.
so it's back to the budget, seeing where more can be trimmed. snip snip snip
decluttering really helped today. i realized that just like our budget, there's a lot of excess, of variable stuff that can be given away... that needs to be sorted through. it was like therapy. the children pulled out the 5 boxes of Christmas decorations and put up their tree in their room (it's a little 24" fake tree that dh's grandmother sent him when he was overseas and away from family one year, long before we met), and behind the decorations were 5 boxes of photos and newspaper clippings and... stuff. Memorabilia. I went through those boxes today, not thoroughly, but enough that I filled a recycling bag with paper... old Christmas cards, letters from boys in highschool, from friends at university, old photos, just STUFF that i'm no longer attached to. I'm even at a point where the wedding dress can go. I need to move into the present with gusto... and that means letting go of the past. I still have wedding photos, but I'm not planning on needing that dress ever again, so maybe someone else can use it...
things like that. Like the two boxes of kids books that have been sitting by the front door for 7 months waiting for a new home (if only i'd advertise them). Like the kids' clothes that they've outgrown. Like the old stove/oven sitting in the middle of our kitchen (it's only been there a month, LOL). Like the houseplant that's more than dead, sitting in the corner of the living room, waiting to join the compost and begin anew. there's just SOOOOOOOOO much that can move on. I'm feeling pretty ruthless when it comes to the clutter today. Out with the old, in with the new! :) Because I *know* that moving these things out of my life, things I no longer need or use or want, will invite new, fresh energy, positiveness, new options, new doors will open... all this from letting go of the past. And that's exactly what I want to invite into my life right now - new possibilities.
Anyone need a 1991 GMC Astro van?!
on one hand, i hear him. i understand what he's saying. "you're educated" yes, yes, i am. i could one day return to grad school and finish a degree, and get a profession. but there's time, lots of time for that. time that i just can't get back if i sacrifice it now with the kids. i thought long and hard about it today as i was decluttering, and i realized that it's either a matter of cutting back on expenses, like groceries (i admit i'm fairly extravagant when it comes to groceries, LOL), and the kids' classes, gas for the car, things like that, or bring in more income (dh already works two jobs and overtime at one of them, it's unrealistic to expect him to work any more than that, and i am currently unemployed, by choice). there's a lot i can cut back on in the budget, if i'm willing to live very restrictively/frugally... but the alternative is getting a job, and i cannot FATHOM going job-hunting, or even returning to grad school at this point in my life. my heart is not in it.
thankfully i have a very supportive partner who sees the VALUE in the children being raised by a stay-at-home parent, and i think our shared view on that is quite rare these days. not many families are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to have a parent stay at home full-time. okay, okay, some of you are going to give me flak for that opinion, saying that you know families where both parents simply have to work just to get by. to each their own, i say. but in my case, i'm simply not willing to sacrifice my children's youth for a few bucks, or for the self-gratification a job might give me.
so it's back to the budget, seeing where more can be trimmed. snip snip snip
decluttering really helped today. i realized that just like our budget, there's a lot of excess, of variable stuff that can be given away... that needs to be sorted through. it was like therapy. the children pulled out the 5 boxes of Christmas decorations and put up their tree in their room (it's a little 24" fake tree that dh's grandmother sent him when he was overseas and away from family one year, long before we met), and behind the decorations were 5 boxes of photos and newspaper clippings and... stuff. Memorabilia. I went through those boxes today, not thoroughly, but enough that I filled a recycling bag with paper... old Christmas cards, letters from boys in highschool, from friends at university, old photos, just STUFF that i'm no longer attached to. I'm even at a point where the wedding dress can go. I need to move into the present with gusto... and that means letting go of the past. I still have wedding photos, but I'm not planning on needing that dress ever again, so maybe someone else can use it...
things like that. Like the two boxes of kids books that have been sitting by the front door for 7 months waiting for a new home (if only i'd advertise them). Like the kids' clothes that they've outgrown. Like the old stove/oven sitting in the middle of our kitchen (it's only been there a month, LOL). Like the houseplant that's more than dead, sitting in the corner of the living room, waiting to join the compost and begin anew. there's just SOOOOOOOOO much that can move on. I'm feeling pretty ruthless when it comes to the clutter today. Out with the old, in with the new! :) Because I *know* that moving these things out of my life, things I no longer need or use or want, will invite new, fresh energy, positiveness, new options, new doors will open... all this from letting go of the past. And that's exactly what I want to invite into my life right now - new possibilities.
Anyone need a 1991 GMC Astro van?!
30 November 2009
Belts & stuff.
I had a thought the other day: how does wearing a belt affect our subtle energies? Do you think it does, I guess is the first question, and then if so, how... I think it does. it's like it cuts my energy in half at the waist. haven't heard or read anything about this... do you know?
Today I was still eating emotionally; it was all over the place. Trying to have some self-compassion (especially given the stress of the weekend). I realize when I'm feeling emotional and reach for cooked food that I feel like crap, and it reminds me how gooooooood I feel when I choose raw. I love raw. ;)
I listened to matt monarch of the raw food world interview victoria boutenko last night. fascinating interview. not sure if you can find it on this-here-internet-web-thingy any longer but if you do, check it out. Very interesting. (had a great conversation with my 9 yr old about thermo-self-regulation and 'tempering the body' today.)
Today I was still eating emotionally; it was all over the place. Trying to have some self-compassion (especially given the stress of the weekend). I realize when I'm feeling emotional and reach for cooked food that I feel like crap, and it reminds me how gooooooood I feel when I choose raw. I love raw. ;)
I listened to matt monarch of the raw food world interview victoria boutenko last night. fascinating interview. not sure if you can find it on this-here-internet-web-thingy any longer but if you do, check it out. Very interesting. (had a great conversation with my 9 yr old about thermo-self-regulation and 'tempering the body' today.)
29 November 2009
weekend horoscope
my horoscope for the weekend said something to the effect that i'd receive some unexpected news that could be interpreted two ways: initially, it might appear shocking or negative, but really, it's a blessing in disguise. um, ya, great.
well, so you're wondering what the 'bad' news with the silver lining was, eh. well, at first i was drawn to playing around with an online financial budget tool and was hit with the rather harsh reality that we spend more than we make. (oops) so i was trying to come up with a (hopefully) sustainable, balanced budget. which was all fine and dandy, except that i then found myself emotionally eating because of the stress (why are emotional attachments to food so gosh-darn STRONG?!?!) Then, rather unexpectedly, some of my emotional baggage that i had stuffed way down deep started to surface. why, i have no idea. all of a sudden my thoughts were drawn to it and bubble-bubble-burp up it comes and whoa nelly, NOT ENJOYABLE. you see, isn't that why we all stuff our emotional crap so deep?! because it SUCKS to have it in our faces?!? ha ha ha yep, that's why. everyone (whether you're willing to admit it or not) has emotional baggage, imo... we stuff it down, or deal with it in damaging ways like through addictions (drugs, alcohol, food, porn, etc.) for example... we've all got it, though - while i've met plenty of people in denial, i've yet to meet anyone without any.
now me, having a decent amount of both counselling experience and training (LOL) is determined to face the music. this *stuff* has been bubbling up more and more often and that, for me, is always a sign that I guess it's time to deal with it. otherwise it'll just keep coming up at inopportune moments and wreak havoc with my otherwise-orderly life. i also know that generally as of late, my life is getting a little (dare I say) mundane and well, lacking fizzle... and I *know* that personal growth usually happens through times of upheaval and chaos, so I was actually kind of aware that something might soon arise.
so i spent most of the weekend trying to sort through it. nothing has really resolved itself yet, but just journalling and talking to supportive people has helped tremendously, and I know it's the right thing to be doing in this moment. i started the day with reiki, and ended with a himalayan crystal salt & baking soda lavender bath. but as i'm sure you well know, this type of work is VERY exhausting. so right now, I need to keep it short and honour my body by getting the rest it needs.
in light and love,
~n~
well, so you're wondering what the 'bad' news with the silver lining was, eh. well, at first i was drawn to playing around with an online financial budget tool and was hit with the rather harsh reality that we spend more than we make. (oops) so i was trying to come up with a (hopefully) sustainable, balanced budget. which was all fine and dandy, except that i then found myself emotionally eating because of the stress (why are emotional attachments to food so gosh-darn STRONG?!?!) Then, rather unexpectedly, some of my emotional baggage that i had stuffed way down deep started to surface. why, i have no idea. all of a sudden my thoughts were drawn to it and bubble-bubble-burp up it comes and whoa nelly, NOT ENJOYABLE. you see, isn't that why we all stuff our emotional crap so deep?! because it SUCKS to have it in our faces?!? ha ha ha yep, that's why. everyone (whether you're willing to admit it or not) has emotional baggage, imo... we stuff it down, or deal with it in damaging ways like through addictions (drugs, alcohol, food, porn, etc.) for example... we've all got it, though - while i've met plenty of people in denial, i've yet to meet anyone without any.
now me, having a decent amount of both counselling experience and training (LOL) is determined to face the music. this *stuff* has been bubbling up more and more often and that, for me, is always a sign that I guess it's time to deal with it. otherwise it'll just keep coming up at inopportune moments and wreak havoc with my otherwise-orderly life. i also know that generally as of late, my life is getting a little (dare I say) mundane and well, lacking fizzle... and I *know* that personal growth usually happens through times of upheaval and chaos, so I was actually kind of aware that something might soon arise.
so i spent most of the weekend trying to sort through it. nothing has really resolved itself yet, but just journalling and talking to supportive people has helped tremendously, and I know it's the right thing to be doing in this moment. i started the day with reiki, and ended with a himalayan crystal salt & baking soda lavender bath. but as i'm sure you well know, this type of work is VERY exhausting. so right now, I need to keep it short and honour my body by getting the rest it needs.
in light and love,
~n~
27 November 2009
Fa-fa-fa-Friday!!
Holy crow we're all so exhausted tonight; we went with three other local mamas and their broods (& mutts) for a 7 km walk this afternoon!! (If you want to know how to wear out puppies and 5 yr old girls, take them for looooooonnnnnnggggg walks, LOL... but make sure you have lots of kids to entertain each other!)
I'd made vegetable barley stew in the crock pot this morning for everyone else for dinner, so when we got home from our afternoon trek, all I did was whip up some baking soda biscuits and voila, dinner on the table! I was so grateful I'd made the stew this morning, before going to tai chi class...
Today I've had:
I'd made vegetable barley stew in the crock pot this morning for everyone else for dinner, so when we got home from our afternoon trek, all I did was whip up some baking soda biscuits and voila, dinner on the table! I was so grateful I'd made the stew this morning, before going to tai chi class...
Today I've had:
- 2+L of green smoothie (~5 oz of salad mix, 3 bananas, about 4c (combined) of frozen raspberries, strawberries & blueberries, 1T of Vitamineral Greens, 1T of Chlorella powder, 1T of maca powder, 1T of raw agave, 2T of Vega Oil, and enough water to blend)
- 2 bananas (or was that 3?)
- a mini-mandarin orange
- a couple handfuls of raw trail mix
- a couple raw oatmeal cookies (recipe from rawmazing.com; omG these were soooooo yummy)
- 1/2 a Caramilk bar
- zucchini wrap with squash, sage cream sauce & cranberries (from rawmazing.com; simply INCREDIBLE).
- 2 baking soda biscuits
- a piece of raw apple-cranberry cheesecake (also from rawmazing. Funny, it's so filling I don't gorge on it like I thought I would.)
Still, I seriously eat too much.
26 November 2009
Madrona Farm
I wanted to share with you a story about a local organic farm... there are many people in our community who are fundraising to protect this property in perpetuity from development... and all it's going to take from you is a little click of the mouse...
Here's the information I received from Guy Dauncey, a local author who sends out an "econews" newsletter each month:
Madrona Farm is a wonderful example of sustainable organic farming in the middle of a city, which is working to raise $2.5 million to secure the land under The Land Conservancy ownership, for ever.
Here's the information I received from Guy Dauncey, a local author who sends out an "econews" newsletter each month:
Madrona Farm is a wonderful example of sustainable organic farming in the middle of a city, which is working to raise $2.5 million to secure the land under The Land Conservancy ownership, for ever.
They're doing amazingly, but still have $830,000 to raise by the end of January- and there's a very easy way in which you can help.
They have entered The Aviva Community Fund Contest, and could win between $50,000 and $250,000, if they get enough votes.
The Round 3 voting ends in 4 days, at 7pm on Sunday night - and we need to gather 5,000 new votes by then to get them into the final Round 4. If not, they're out.
Can you please vote for them? And ask all your friends and your Facebook friends to vote too?
Once you have signed in, you can VOTE EVERY DAY.
This is completely achievable, if we all vote, and ask our friends to vote too.
25 November 2009
Mark your calendars: Nov 29th!
"To Your Health": International Day of Juice Feasting, Sunday Nov 29th...
I haven't mentioned food lately (how unlike me, LOL)... but came across a mention of celebrating International Day of Juice Feasting this upcoming Sunday, Nov 29th, and I think it's a lovely idea. Last year I juiced for 45 consecutive days, this year for 30... and there's the odd day in there as well... by "juiced" I mean I consumed nothing but raw, organic, fresh juices the entire day (usually 4-7 liters over the course of a day). And I'd like to add that the 45 day feast was using a Vitamix and nut milk bags as strainers... for 45 days, peeps. So even if you don't have a juicer, it can be done. And heck, if you`re not into an entire day of juices, why not run out to Booster Juice or your local juice bar and just have one on Sunday. Just TRY IT. It's very healing and delicious, and I, for one, will set aside my fork and knife on Sunday and join others around the world in celebrating the benefits of juicing.
Read more about it here.
So what have I been eating lately? hmm, 2L of green smoothie daily, generally... I had some salad mix tonight (right from the bag, LOL; i'd only just picked it up in our farm box) and a couple cherry tomatoes (also from the farm box)... earlier in the day I enjoyed a bowl of muesli with raw almond milk (Jennifer Cornbleet's recipes)... and I had a couple pieces of raw chocolate from the freezer... and a banana and an orange, and some herbal tea with stevia. Yep, I've been eating LOTS lately (and not exercising, and boy, am I ever feeling that!).
I've been surfing for raw recipes tonight and found a veritable treasure trove (yes, I really do talk like that) of recipes over at www.rawmazing.com I can't wait to try them... all. LOL
I haven't mentioned food lately (how unlike me, LOL)... but came across a mention of celebrating International Day of Juice Feasting this upcoming Sunday, Nov 29th, and I think it's a lovely idea. Last year I juiced for 45 consecutive days, this year for 30... and there's the odd day in there as well... by "juiced" I mean I consumed nothing but raw, organic, fresh juices the entire day (usually 4-7 liters over the course of a day). And I'd like to add that the 45 day feast was using a Vitamix and nut milk bags as strainers... for 45 days, peeps. So even if you don't have a juicer, it can be done. And heck, if you`re not into an entire day of juices, why not run out to Booster Juice or your local juice bar and just have one on Sunday. Just TRY IT. It's very healing and delicious, and I, for one, will set aside my fork and knife on Sunday and join others around the world in celebrating the benefits of juicing.
Read more about it here.
So what have I been eating lately? hmm, 2L of green smoothie daily, generally... I had some salad mix tonight (right from the bag, LOL; i'd only just picked it up in our farm box) and a couple cherry tomatoes (also from the farm box)... earlier in the day I enjoyed a bowl of muesli with raw almond milk (Jennifer Cornbleet's recipes)... and I had a couple pieces of raw chocolate from the freezer... and a banana and an orange, and some herbal tea with stevia. Yep, I've been eating LOTS lately (and not exercising, and boy, am I ever feeling that!).
I've been surfing for raw recipes tonight and found a veritable treasure trove (yes, I really do talk like that) of recipes over at www.rawmazing.com I can't wait to try them... all. LOL
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