Here's what my smoothies have evolved into. I will generally make 2L of smoothie at a time and put 1L in the fridge and drink 1L for breakfast. It's *very* filling.
4c of dark leafy greens (spinach being my favourite, but I'll use kale, chard, salad microgreens, sprouts, any kind of lettuce, dandelion greens, or whatever I have on hand)
Blend with ~1c of water, so it's completely liquified.
Add:
2 or 3 bananas
1T bee pollen
1T chlorella powder
1/2T spirulina powder
1T or more of hemp hearts
2T or so of flax oil or freshly ground flax seeds
1t acai powder
1T maca powder
a smallish handful of goji berries
1/4t kelp flakes
a squirt or two of raw agave
probably 4c of frozen local berry blend (blackberries, blueberries & raspberries)
Blended well, this makes a generous 2L of smoothie. I add enough water to make it a consistency I'm happy with. I usually start out with just 2 bananas and then add the 3d if necessary at the end (if I've added too much water, for example).
In the new year I'll post about each of these ingredients and *why* I'm including them in my smoothies. I'm not having smoothies every day, probably 3 days a week lately.
I'm curious to hear what you put in your smoothies; send me a comment. :)
30 December 2010
New Year's Eve Eve...
It's the eve of New Year's Eve... and the children are all nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of staying up 'til midnight fade in their heads.... zzzzzzzz..... well, okay, they're not asleep yet, but perhaps soon? I have to say, though, that my kids will quite easily stay up 'til midnight tomorrow night. They don't usually have a problem with that. ;)
Being that Dad's working OT tomorrow night and Grammy & Grampa are off vacationing somewhere warm, it's just the three of us holding the fort down as the new year rolls in. Well, one adult, two children, one dog, three cats, one rooster and twenty-three hens. ;) Since the animals could care less about the New Year, the three humans are planning on going over to a hs'ing friend's soiree and ringing in the new year there.
I went to my last tai chi class of 2010 tonight. It was *blissful*. I hadn't been to a class in 9 days and in all honesty, I was feeling it - tightness in my lower back, an achy sore elbow and shoulder and one knee. And around 5:00 I really didn't even want to go. It was already dark out and I just wanted to snuggle in front of the woodstove with the kids and play video games on the DS. But dh called and suggested I go to tai chi, and I'm really glad I did (always glad I did in retrospect, LOL). It was a great class, wonderful chi... I was able to get still and be there. :D
I'm sorry I haven't posted much lately. I just haven't had much that I felt like sharing. Most of the time I feel like I'm rambling and as I was just commenting on a friend's blog, earlier in the year I met someone who had taken a vow of silence, and that has stayed with me, and I'm really thinking lately about how we have an opportunity to choose our words with care and meaning... with respect and intention. So I'm hesitant to blog just to hear the sound of my own voice. I want to share words that are chosen with care... and I just haven't had the time or inclination to do that lately.
I have been thinking the past few days about new years resolutions... I haven't come up with anything concrete or clear yet, but if I do, I'll be sure to share.
If I don't blog again until 2011, Happy New Year to you!
*Blessings*
~n~
Being that Dad's working OT tomorrow night and Grammy & Grampa are off vacationing somewhere warm, it's just the three of us holding the fort down as the new year rolls in. Well, one adult, two children, one dog, three cats, one rooster and twenty-three hens. ;) Since the animals could care less about the New Year, the three humans are planning on going over to a hs'ing friend's soiree and ringing in the new year there.
I went to my last tai chi class of 2010 tonight. It was *blissful*. I hadn't been to a class in 9 days and in all honesty, I was feeling it - tightness in my lower back, an achy sore elbow and shoulder and one knee. And around 5:00 I really didn't even want to go. It was already dark out and I just wanted to snuggle in front of the woodstove with the kids and play video games on the DS. But dh called and suggested I go to tai chi, and I'm really glad I did (always glad I did in retrospect, LOL). It was a great class, wonderful chi... I was able to get still and be there. :D
I'm sorry I haven't posted much lately. I just haven't had much that I felt like sharing. Most of the time I feel like I'm rambling and as I was just commenting on a friend's blog, earlier in the year I met someone who had taken a vow of silence, and that has stayed with me, and I'm really thinking lately about how we have an opportunity to choose our words with care and meaning... with respect and intention. So I'm hesitant to blog just to hear the sound of my own voice. I want to share words that are chosen with care... and I just haven't had the time or inclination to do that lately.
I have been thinking the past few days about new years resolutions... I haven't come up with anything concrete or clear yet, but if I do, I'll be sure to share.
If I don't blog again until 2011, Happy New Year to you!
*Blessings*
~n~
09 December 2010
kombucha
this is today's 2nd post...
Our local supermarket is now carrying Synergy brand kombucha, and there's a bit of a fad going on around here locally to make your own... I've just inherited a kombucha "baby" from a friend of mine, so over the next little while I'm going to learn how to make my own... I've been drinking probably one 16-oz bottle of Synergy every other day the past several weeks. I don't become "loopy" like Sarma says some people experience, rather, I find it's like drinking a pop, gives me great burps (LOL) and it just plain tastes good. It's like a nice fizzy treat.
In "Living Raw Food", Sarma Melngailis writes:
"Kombucha is an ancient home remedy form east Asia that infilitrated the west via Russia at the turn of the century, but only int he last few years has the friendly tea-fungus with the funny name really made its mark in the world of health food. Kombucha is essentially a sweet fermented tea, containing good bacteria and yeast cultures. Organic acids, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, and polyphenols abound in this naturally fizzy brew.
The acetic acid in kombucha combats bad bacteria, and the butyric acid that is produced by the yeasts can actually help halt the onset of yeast infections like candida. Your itnestines need beneficial flora (bacteria) to digest and process nutrients for you and to defend your body against harmful bacteria; drinking kombucha leaves your belly populated with a good dose of this flora. For vegans, the B vitamins alone are a great reason to bring some kombucha into your life. It also is a formidable oppounent to constipation. Most devotees regard it as an all-around, overall-condition booster.
Although teh FDA has not weighed in on kombucha (and there have not been many scientific documentations or trials done with kombucha), many researchers are finally talking up the loftier claims of its immune-boosting properties.
Some people report feeling slightly drunk or high from drinking kombucha, even though it contains only trace amounts of alcohol (0.5% to 1.7% usually). A psychoactive amino-acid, L-theanine, is naturally present in the tea, which may be part of what provides the kombucha happy high. L-theanine has been shown in studies to increase the alpha-wave function of the human brain, which has been compared to being in a peaceful or meditative state or reading a good book. Alpha-wave states are said to be healing and calming. You may not want to drink kombucha and drive- at least try it yourself and see how you feel. it seems to affect people differently. Some drink it first thing int he morning and all day long. if I drink a bottle on an empty stomach, I feel entirely loopy. I tend to have it only at night before bed, then stumble off to bed in a relaxed and happy kombucha stupor.
In any case, the fermented beverage is growing more and more mainstream each day. The Google cafeteria in Mountain View, California, serves about 100 glasses daily! GT's Raw Organic Kombucha (100% kombucha tea) and Synergy Organic & Raw (95% kombucha tea and 5% fruit juice) are popular brands, and you can find them in stores all over."
*IF* you like to have an occasional glass of wine, you might like to try Sarma's Kombucha Cooler recipe. It serves 4.
4c or two 16 oz bottles of fruit flavoured Synergy kombucha
a few drops liquid stevia or 2T agave nectar
1 bottle chilled, dry, fruity white wine, like a NZ Sauvignon Blanc
Fill four tall glasses with ice. Divide the wine and sweetener among the glasses and stir to combine. Top off each glass with the kombucha and very gently stir to combine.
Our local supermarket is now carrying Synergy brand kombucha, and there's a bit of a fad going on around here locally to make your own... I've just inherited a kombucha "baby" from a friend of mine, so over the next little while I'm going to learn how to make my own... I've been drinking probably one 16-oz bottle of Synergy every other day the past several weeks. I don't become "loopy" like Sarma says some people experience, rather, I find it's like drinking a pop, gives me great burps (LOL) and it just plain tastes good. It's like a nice fizzy treat.
In "Living Raw Food", Sarma Melngailis writes:
"Kombucha is an ancient home remedy form east Asia that infilitrated the west via Russia at the turn of the century, but only int he last few years has the friendly tea-fungus with the funny name really made its mark in the world of health food. Kombucha is essentially a sweet fermented tea, containing good bacteria and yeast cultures. Organic acids, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, and polyphenols abound in this naturally fizzy brew.
The acetic acid in kombucha combats bad bacteria, and the butyric acid that is produced by the yeasts can actually help halt the onset of yeast infections like candida. Your itnestines need beneficial flora (bacteria) to digest and process nutrients for you and to defend your body against harmful bacteria; drinking kombucha leaves your belly populated with a good dose of this flora. For vegans, the B vitamins alone are a great reason to bring some kombucha into your life. It also is a formidable oppounent to constipation. Most devotees regard it as an all-around, overall-condition booster.
Although teh FDA has not weighed in on kombucha (and there have not been many scientific documentations or trials done with kombucha), many researchers are finally talking up the loftier claims of its immune-boosting properties.
Some people report feeling slightly drunk or high from drinking kombucha, even though it contains only trace amounts of alcohol (0.5% to 1.7% usually). A psychoactive amino-acid, L-theanine, is naturally present in the tea, which may be part of what provides the kombucha happy high. L-theanine has been shown in studies to increase the alpha-wave function of the human brain, which has been compared to being in a peaceful or meditative state or reading a good book. Alpha-wave states are said to be healing and calming. You may not want to drink kombucha and drive- at least try it yourself and see how you feel. it seems to affect people differently. Some drink it first thing int he morning and all day long. if I drink a bottle on an empty stomach, I feel entirely loopy. I tend to have it only at night before bed, then stumble off to bed in a relaxed and happy kombucha stupor.
In any case, the fermented beverage is growing more and more mainstream each day. The Google cafeteria in Mountain View, California, serves about 100 glasses daily! GT's Raw Organic Kombucha (100% kombucha tea) and Synergy Organic & Raw (95% kombucha tea and 5% fruit juice) are popular brands, and you can find them in stores all over."
*IF* you like to have an occasional glass of wine, you might like to try Sarma's Kombucha Cooler recipe. It serves 4.
4c or two 16 oz bottles of fruit flavoured Synergy kombucha
a few drops liquid stevia or 2T agave nectar
1 bottle chilled, dry, fruity white wine, like a NZ Sauvignon Blanc
Fill four tall glasses with ice. Divide the wine and sweetener among the glasses and stir to combine. Top off each glass with the kombucha and very gently stir to combine.
Greetings!
i've been busy. (she says as she lies in bed in her pajamas at nearly 11 a.m.) ha ha ha ha ha ha okay, but seriously, i've got things i should be doing... (like getting dressed, LMAO) so this is the shortest post ever, just to say, um, hey, how's it goin'... i'm doin' great an' i'll be back when i have a chance.
(I ******LOVE****** MY LIFE!!!!!)
happy holidays!!!
(I ******LOVE****** MY LIFE!!!!!)
happy holidays!!!
02 December 2010
December, Day 2
We made a beautiful Solstice snowflake this morning... it's all 'edgy' and sharp. ;) It joined yesterday's on the window and it's already starting to feel festive in the house. We started the morning simmering mulled apple juice which REALLY made the house smell lovely. (dd has made mulling spices in little meslun bags and is selling them at the end of the driveway at the egg stand)
Although the morning and early afternoon was spent at home, there was lots to do. And when it was time to go out, wow, did the pace ever pick up! zip zip zip here and there, sooooo many errands... concurrent timings for the kids - one needed to be here while the other needs to be there at the same time... it made for a slightly hectic afternoon, 'though i stayed sane and calm throughout and actually it was pleasant. i realized, as i rushed down the front garden path, that even if i *felt* rushed inside, that was a choice i was making. i could simply choose to just go calmly from one timing to the next without exhibiting any 'rush-ness' on the outside. so that's what i did, and it made for a very pleasant afternoon.
we had our holiday tai chi potluck tonight and it was loads of fun. the kids ate lots, ds entertained us on the piano and we did a couple sets of tai chi, which was the perfect way to end a busy day.
when i came home, i had a rose petal bath. i got a lb of organic rose petals today in an order and wanted to soak in them. it was... sublime. To soak in a tub of floating rose petals was to feel pampered, made me feel like royalty. It was really, really nice.
Other things I got on the order: chlorella powder, spirulina, white and purple mulberries, borage oil, golden/incaberries, acai berry powder, dried nettles... i'm looking forward to enjoying it all over the next while...
I feel very blessed. I'm grateful for the wonderful day I enjoyed, for the hugs and snuggles with my children, to the companionship of friends, for laughter, for Open Mind, for my health, for love.
Although the morning and early afternoon was spent at home, there was lots to do. And when it was time to go out, wow, did the pace ever pick up! zip zip zip here and there, sooooo many errands... concurrent timings for the kids - one needed to be here while the other needs to be there at the same time... it made for a slightly hectic afternoon, 'though i stayed sane and calm throughout and actually it was pleasant. i realized, as i rushed down the front garden path, that even if i *felt* rushed inside, that was a choice i was making. i could simply choose to just go calmly from one timing to the next without exhibiting any 'rush-ness' on the outside. so that's what i did, and it made for a very pleasant afternoon.
we had our holiday tai chi potluck tonight and it was loads of fun. the kids ate lots, ds entertained us on the piano and we did a couple sets of tai chi, which was the perfect way to end a busy day.
when i came home, i had a rose petal bath. i got a lb of organic rose petals today in an order and wanted to soak in them. it was... sublime. To soak in a tub of floating rose petals was to feel pampered, made me feel like royalty. It was really, really nice.
Other things I got on the order: chlorella powder, spirulina, white and purple mulberries, borage oil, golden/incaberries, acai berry powder, dried nettles... i'm looking forward to enjoying it all over the next while...
I feel very blessed. I'm grateful for the wonderful day I enjoyed, for the hugs and snuggles with my children, to the companionship of friends, for laughter, for Open Mind, for my health, for love.
let the festivities begin!!!
my kids *LOVE* december! They were *SO* excited about today, they even woke up early... and quickly. Which is saying something about dd, who usually takes well over an hour between the eyelids fluttering and her actually being fully awake. ;) Not this morn; she hopped up and reminded me it was time to make our first Solstice snowflake!!
So our first Solstice snowflake was cut. The first one is never as intricate as the later ones, but still, this year she offered to help cut and it turned out great! One big one and three tiny ones up on the window, awaiting more to join them on days to come. It's just a great way to count down to Solstice, to remember December's not JUST about Christmas.
After the snowflake was done and up, however, it was onto the Advent Calendars. ds has his 'usual' - the Lego City calendar and dd has a 'Playmobil' calendar. They're both cute calendars - today he got the pieces for a snowman (with carrot nose!) and she got a horse.
Little House on the Prairie, season 8, arrived at the library. We've skipped Seasons 3 and 7 (we're on the waitlist for them through the library system)... so we started watching season 8 tonight and laughed as things have obviously happened in Season 7 that we're unaware of, so we spent a bit of time trying to figure everything out. I *LOVE* that my kids enjoy this show. To me, it's just a good, wholesome show. And ya, I realize it's not REALISTIC in terms of what life was like 125 or more years ago in N America. I *know* there was a lot more hardship than what is portrayed. (Like the few stories I've heard of my great grandparents who apparently lived in a 'soddie' (earthen 'cave' is how it was described) with their many children on the Canadian prairies, through harsh winters... I know so few details, but i can imagine how it must've been)...
I've really enjoyed the show PioneerQuest that was on Cdn tv a long while back - it was a reality tv series where 2 couples attempted to live as pioneers in manitoba for a year, and they couldn't've picked a worse year - harsh mosquitoes (well, HELLO, it's manitoba, DUH!), drought, then the worst winter of the century... eeks. After the show ended one couple toured schools across the country sharing their message of life as a pioneer (check out their B&B page!). I think that's an awesome way to further the learning opportunity around the show.
alas, i find myself lost in webpages of pioneer life... ;) where was i?!?
it was a pretty leisurely day, 'though i got lots accomplished (what *IS* it with me getting things done?!?)... i'm not even going to TELL you all i got done. i'm just gonna let it go! okay, well, how was I *BEING* today? well, actually, the day was perfect! i remained centered and calm and just full of love and peace and happiness today. i remembered that it was 'Pay it Forward' day and didn't get terribly disgruntled at grumpy people, instead remembered to send them a little compassionate prayer that their grumpiness subside and happiness and love prevail in their hearts (did i just hear you sneeze 'sappy'?!? ha ha ha) ah, yep, today was great.
i loved driving with the dog sitting in the passenger seat (the back was FULL to the ceiling with animal feed and straw and bedding)... she totally knows it's not her usual place in the car and soaks up all the love while she's up in front. ha ha ha chocolate labs. they can look so pathetically adorable.
i loved cleaning out the chicken coop today. strange? not really. i've come to learn to speak 'chicken' and i know that these sentient beings really do appreciate having clean wood shavings on the floor of their coop. they appreciate having growing green pasture to scratch around in and they appreciate my affections. they cluck happily away as i clean their coop. it's nice to feel appreciated. :D
i loved watching LHOTP with the kids tonight.
i loved chatting with dh on the phone. yep, it sucks that he works out of town, but i'm grateful he has a job he loves, a job that allows me the bliss of being a stay-at-home mom (dream come true) and that he's able to call and chat from work. ;)
i love playing duets with dd on the piano. we kick ass at "Alley Cat Choir"!!! and i love listening to ds play. he is *SO* enjoying the songs he's learned, like the Flinstones' theme song, and Edelweiss, and the Star Wars theme song.
and i love the hugs my kids give me. they are the absolute bestest. ever.
and i'm very very grateful for the conversation and friendship of the other hs'ing mamas today at swimming. i just loved chatting with them.
i loved picking up our organic farm box today and chatting with the farmer. i learned that it's cut worms that are devastating my kale crop at home and i also got the most beautiful food in that box. her carrots taste SO much better than a grocery store carrot, even an organic supermarket carrot. fresh *IS* best!!! i loved eating the jerusalem artichokes tonight, munching away on the crunchiness... mmmmm.
i'm really just feelin' the love, feelin' full of gratitude for the many blessings i enjoy - my friends and family, the security i enjoy in my life, so much to be thankful for... gratitude is empowering!!
So our first Solstice snowflake was cut. The first one is never as intricate as the later ones, but still, this year she offered to help cut and it turned out great! One big one and three tiny ones up on the window, awaiting more to join them on days to come. It's just a great way to count down to Solstice, to remember December's not JUST about Christmas.
After the snowflake was done and up, however, it was onto the Advent Calendars. ds has his 'usual' - the Lego City calendar and dd has a 'Playmobil' calendar. They're both cute calendars - today he got the pieces for a snowman (with carrot nose!) and she got a horse.
Little House on the Prairie, season 8, arrived at the library. We've skipped Seasons 3 and 7 (we're on the waitlist for them through the library system)... so we started watching season 8 tonight and laughed as things have obviously happened in Season 7 that we're unaware of, so we spent a bit of time trying to figure everything out. I *LOVE* that my kids enjoy this show. To me, it's just a good, wholesome show. And ya, I realize it's not REALISTIC in terms of what life was like 125 or more years ago in N America. I *know* there was a lot more hardship than what is portrayed. (Like the few stories I've heard of my great grandparents who apparently lived in a 'soddie' (earthen 'cave' is how it was described) with their many children on the Canadian prairies, through harsh winters... I know so few details, but i can imagine how it must've been)...
I've really enjoyed the show PioneerQuest that was on Cdn tv a long while back - it was a reality tv series where 2 couples attempted to live as pioneers in manitoba for a year, and they couldn't've picked a worse year - harsh mosquitoes (well, HELLO, it's manitoba, DUH!), drought, then the worst winter of the century... eeks. After the show ended one couple toured schools across the country sharing their message of life as a pioneer (check out their B&B page!). I think that's an awesome way to further the learning opportunity around the show.
alas, i find myself lost in webpages of pioneer life... ;) where was i?!?
it was a pretty leisurely day, 'though i got lots accomplished (what *IS* it with me getting things done?!?)... i'm not even going to TELL you all i got done. i'm just gonna let it go! okay, well, how was I *BEING* today? well, actually, the day was perfect! i remained centered and calm and just full of love and peace and happiness today. i remembered that it was 'Pay it Forward' day and didn't get terribly disgruntled at grumpy people, instead remembered to send them a little compassionate prayer that their grumpiness subside and happiness and love prevail in their hearts (did i just hear you sneeze 'sappy'?!? ha ha ha) ah, yep, today was great.
i loved driving with the dog sitting in the passenger seat (the back was FULL to the ceiling with animal feed and straw and bedding)... she totally knows it's not her usual place in the car and soaks up all the love while she's up in front. ha ha ha chocolate labs. they can look so pathetically adorable.
i loved cleaning out the chicken coop today. strange? not really. i've come to learn to speak 'chicken' and i know that these sentient beings really do appreciate having clean wood shavings on the floor of their coop. they appreciate having growing green pasture to scratch around in and they appreciate my affections. they cluck happily away as i clean their coop. it's nice to feel appreciated. :D
i loved watching LHOTP with the kids tonight.
i loved chatting with dh on the phone. yep, it sucks that he works out of town, but i'm grateful he has a job he loves, a job that allows me the bliss of being a stay-at-home mom (dream come true) and that he's able to call and chat from work. ;)
i love playing duets with dd on the piano. we kick ass at "Alley Cat Choir"!!! and i love listening to ds play. he is *SO* enjoying the songs he's learned, like the Flinstones' theme song, and Edelweiss, and the Star Wars theme song.
and i love the hugs my kids give me. they are the absolute bestest. ever.
and i'm very very grateful for the conversation and friendship of the other hs'ing mamas today at swimming. i just loved chatting with them.
i loved picking up our organic farm box today and chatting with the farmer. i learned that it's cut worms that are devastating my kale crop at home and i also got the most beautiful food in that box. her carrots taste SO much better than a grocery store carrot, even an organic supermarket carrot. fresh *IS* best!!! i loved eating the jerusalem artichokes tonight, munching away on the crunchiness... mmmmm.
i'm really just feelin' the love, feelin' full of gratitude for the many blessings i enjoy - my friends and family, the security i enjoy in my life, so much to be thankful for... gratitude is empowering!!
24 November 2010
It's beginning to look a lot like...
We've had below normal temperatures (below freezing) the past several days... and snow! Probably 4" in all; apparently we're supposed to get another 2" overnight. The kids *LOVE* playing in the snow.
I'm trying to coordinate a community project to put up LED Christmas lights in the Golden Beola tree in the park adjacent to the community hall. It's getting there; I need to go out and locate another 5 (empty) strands as I have the lightbulbs, but no strands. I have 9 strands ready to go. The fire department has said they will place them on the tree, which is great.
Got our holiday letter copied today and re-reading it, it looks a bit like an "accomplishment" list, LMAO (if only you knew my parents, LOL)... I just laugh because the accomplishments or events of the past year are not the be-all-end-all, I know that what truly matters is the person we are developing into... are we living the values we say we hold dear? Are we cultivating compassion in our daily lives? How are our relationships, our interactions with others? How do we handle stress - are we reactive or centered during times of stress? These, to me, are the markers of... of... well, suffice to say I ought to write about this kinda stuff, the stuff that really matters in life, in the holiday letter, rather than a list of 'things that happened this year.' i'll put that on my to-do list for the new year ("let go of attachment to achievement"). ha ha ha
Have a great evening!
I'm trying to coordinate a community project to put up LED Christmas lights in the Golden Beola tree in the park adjacent to the community hall. It's getting there; I need to go out and locate another 5 (empty) strands as I have the lightbulbs, but no strands. I have 9 strands ready to go. The fire department has said they will place them on the tree, which is great.
Got our holiday letter copied today and re-reading it, it looks a bit like an "accomplishment" list, LMAO (if only you knew my parents, LOL)... I just laugh because the accomplishments or events of the past year are not the be-all-end-all, I know that what truly matters is the person we are developing into... are we living the values we say we hold dear? Are we cultivating compassion in our daily lives? How are our relationships, our interactions with others? How do we handle stress - are we reactive or centered during times of stress? These, to me, are the markers of... of... well, suffice to say I ought to write about this kinda stuff, the stuff that really matters in life, in the holiday letter, rather than a list of 'things that happened this year.' i'll put that on my to-do list for the new year ("let go of attachment to achievement"). ha ha ha
Have a great evening!
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