Welcome! This is a way for me to share about my experiences as they relate to myself, family, health, compassionate cooking, baking and yoga. Enjoy!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Kick It Off Right


It's been a few weeks, but I'm back and ready to discuss the anticipated New Years resolutions.  The New Year brings about dread for some and joyful smiles for others. While celebrating the Holiday's is typically pleasing to our taste buds, it may not be so pleasing for the rest of our body.  This would be where the dread comes in for most. The gloom and guilt of all those tasty foods and drinks begins to play tricks on the mind as we desperately search for those outfits that are forgiving.  Then we trudge to the couch, dive under the safety of blankets and turn on the tube.  We soon realize that this is not making us feel better, as show after show talks about diet and exercise.  So, we turn off the tube and head to the kitchen, promising to figure out our resolutions tomorrow, and so the vicious cycle continues.

Knowing all-to-well how this cycle goes, I figured it was time to put a smile on my face as I look forward to a New Year with logical resolutions that will be long lasting. Gone are the days of strict resolutions that get broken and then make me feel even worse.  This time, I decided to kick it off right and make lifestyle changes instead. The goal of these resolutions is to make my mind, body and spirit feel better long term.

To start, on January 2nd I will begin a three day cleanse.  This will allow my body to gently flush out toxins from all the over indulging.  Of course, there are all kinds of cleanses, but I figured this way I am being kind to my body instead of sending it into shock.  If I want to later do a longer, more stringent cleanse then I can.  On the cleanse I will avoid refined sugars, flours, caffeine and high carb foods.  The basis for this cleanse will be lots of pure juice and greens.

Cleanse...

1.  Each morning, right after rising, I will do gentle stretching to get things moving, 5-10 minutes is all.
2.  I will follow this up with a large glass of tepid water with 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice mixed in (be ready for the sour pucker).
3.  While drinking the water, I will start prepping the ingredients for a large glass of fresh juice.  If you don't have a juicer or high speed blender, you can buy ready made juice from Costco or your local grocer (just make sure there is no added sweeteners or anything artificial and opt for more veggie juice then fruit juice).  If you don't have to prep your juice while you drink the lemon water, then use this as time for yourself (read a few pages from a book or magazine).
4.  Once ready, prepare yourself a large glass of juice (more veggies than anything else).  Drink the juice then head to the shower.  You should wait at least 30 minutes after drinking the juice before eating anything else.
5.  After I'm dressed and ready for the day, I'll make myself a fruit salad or a warm bowl of quinoa with some cinnamon and chopped dates or 1/2 tablespoon of pure maple syrup.
6.  Between breakfast and lunch I'll have a cup or two of herbal tea and do some yoga.  This will help to heal the body, mind and spirit.  Yoga doesn't have to be hours long, even just 20 minutes a day will do wonders.  Check out http://www.yogajournal.com for some ideas.
7.  For lunch, I will be having a large spinach and romaine salad.  This can be huge and I will add in all kinds of fresh veggies (organic carrots, organic bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.).  I will also be cooking up a large pot of quinoa and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge.  This way I can scoop out 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup anytime I want.  Quinoa is great with any meal, especially on top of salads.  Do not go over board with dressing.  Fresh, raw dressing is best and limit it to 1-2 tablespoons.  Check out http://healthyblenderrecipes.com for some great tasting dressing ideas.
8.  Between lunch and dinner, some more herbal tea and 2-3 stuffed dates (push one almond into each date and viola, stuffed dates).
9.  Dinner will be 2 large green leaves filled with chopped veggies and each leaf drizzled with 1 tablespoon of high grade balsamic vinegar, roll up the leaf and I'll have myself a wrap.  Optionally, I may have a bowl of quinoa and chopped veggies, drizzled with the balsamic vinegar.
10.  After dinner and once all the kiddos are tucked into bed, I will taking some me time by grabbing my latest read, The Mindful Child, by Susan Kaiser Greenland and head to the tub for an Epsom salt soak.

... and so, I'll continue these steps for at least 3 days and then gradually begin to add in other foods such as brown rice, gluten free pasta and beans.  With this type of cleanse I will be able to use this anytime I feel out of balance or I've over indulged, my goal will be accomplished and I'll have put a smile on my face.





Thursday, December 6, 2012

'Tis The Season



Of course you don't need me to tell you that the holiday is all around us.  Although I love seeing all the festive lights and decorations, I find the whole shopping situation a little overwhelming.  Signs hanging in store windows, commercials on the radio and television, ads in magazines and newspapers, even when on the computer, I am bombarded with sales and deals of all the latest items.

At times I find myself engulfed in all the potential gifts I think I need to purchase.  I admit I enjoy seeing the smiles on my children's faces come Christmas morning as they run to the tree to open presents.  However, more and more I am realizing that I, as many of us do, am missing the point.  Whatever your spiritual practice may be, we need to awaken to the true meaning of gifts.  It doesn't have to be all about material items and "must haves".

I won't pretend that I'm not going to buy any gifts this season, but I am pausing to pay more attention to how I feel when I'm shopping.  Instead of feeling this person "needs" this particular item, I am realizing that I am making the purchase because I "want" to. In this practice I am using more self control not to go overboard on gifts that I will be sorting through in six months to give away.  At the same time, I am encouraging my children to not feel they need everything they see.  It's hard for adults, let alone children, to acknowledge and understand the difference in wanting and needing things. I remind my children that they are fortunate to have all of their actual needs fulfilled on a daily basis.   Love, food, shelter and clothing are things they need and should feel blessed that they have.  All the other things are just wants.  I am trying to teach my children, and myself, that material items are not necessarily the best deal.

Giving and receiving gifts is always exciting, but I have noticed I feel even more excitement when I give of my time in ways that actually benefit other beings (human and animal).  Going to shelters to help, volunteering at food banks, donating to charities or giving towards the angel tree are all gifts that have far more reward than anyone can imagine.  Through activities like these, my children and I are seeing that true gifts may not always have a price tag.