Transformation Through Celery Juice?

*(10 minute or less read)

In my opinion, I would say I am pretty healthy, actually way healthier than I was 20 years ago that's for sure!  The last decade has been riddled with lifestyle adjustments for me.  One of the biggest changes health-wise was when my family and I decided to become plant-based.  I won't go into all the reasons in this post why we chose this.  Anyway, I thought I ate fairly healthy before that, you know, several servings of produce a day, only organic animal products, and I limited refined sugar.

Oh lordy, the first 3 months of being completely plant-based was horrible.  I seriously felt like I had a flu that would never end, but I had done my research and had mentors that prepared me for that.  So I stuck it out.  I mean, why the heck not?  I was putting good stuff in my body, unless I had an allergy, how in the world could it not be good for me?  I knew my body felt awful because it was literally pulling out all the garage from three decades worth of choices and toxin exposure.  Did I honestly think that I was going to feel amazing overnight?

Fast forward eight years, since then, over time, we've eliminated chemicals and processed items that make us feel like the stuff in a baby's diaper if ya' know what I mean (chemical cleaners and body care items, white sugar, white flour, gluten, highly processed, highly fried, zero nutrient foods).  I really feel so much better in my 40's than I ever did in my 20's or 30's. With all these changes I've managed to quiet my system from not so pleasant symptoms of Lupus, RA, Celiac and Sjogrens.  Believe me, this doesn't mean we are deprived, or that we only eat things that taste like cardboard.  Far from that, in fact, I think what we consume now has even more flavor because my taste buds can actually taste the food, spices and herbs since they are no longer being duped by all the chemicals that manipulate our taste buds.  Crazy, right?

I honestly feel so much better now, this doesn't mean we don't get the occasional cold, or have emergency room visits (broken bones, wasp stings, etc, you know, life), but we can generally recover much quicker. With this being said, there was one auto-immune disorder that, although better, was still hanging around like an annoying swarm of gnats.  Also, I've had this lump on my head for a really long time, like over a decade.

No, I don't know what it is, no, I don't plan on knowing what it is.  Why? Because I have no intention of taking medications or having surgery at this point, that's just my choice and preference.  Even those that choose allopathic means, adding in alternative methods can be a complimentary healing protocol.  I'm not a doctor, but I do highly recommend allowing the two methods to walk hand in hand if choosing traditional medicine.

Through the several life-style changes I've made over the past eight years I did manage to keep this mystery lump from growing for many years.  But, alas, life and stress creep in.  No matter how much yoga, meditation, or fruits and veggeis I ate, the stress trumped the positives and started creating havoc... the lump started to grow.

Okay, so I got a tad nervous.  I thought what else can I do?  Here's the thing, even though I'd been doing healthy things which helped, I learned that stress can trigger all sorts of ickiness in the body and mind.  I don't care what others think about this, stress impacts every part of your life, no matter how healthy you try to be.  We can stick our heads in a hole and pretend it doesn't, we can convince ourselves that people who think it does are cuckoo cuckoo, but what good is that?  It only makes the naysayers feel better for their choice not to put the work into dealing with life in a healthy way.  By making fun of those who continue to learn, grow and use tools to try and better themselves I guess maybe if offers the naysayers a false sense of security behind their walls?

If we choose to let ourselves experience stress without numbing through unhealthy means, there still is the question of how do we heal it?  While it's true we share similar stories and experiences, we are also different, come from different backgrounds, and have different situations and relationships. This is why there are literally hundreds of tools available for us to try!!! How amazing is that!  But back to the stress and what it was doing to my health.  I was at a conundrum.  I already ate pretty healthy, exercised, and dabbled in meditation.  What was this stress triggering in me, and more important, what else could I do about it?

Well, this is where Anthony William, Medical Medium, comes in.  A few years ago, thankfully, somehow I came across his information (and I have no qualms about saying I'm certain the Angels or Spirit had something to do with it).  Again, this is a whole other post, but lets just say at this point, even after being educated in the catholic system, I really wasn't all woohoo about Angels, God and Spirit.  Nevertheless, I got his first book and began reading, and I decided I would gingerly ask my ego to step aside while I read.  I was blown away.  So many things made sense, especially the part about heavy metals, I mean we're talking about fighting sjogrens for 20 years now, my mouth was full of mercury.  Not to mention all the other exposure to metals through environment - air pollution, soil pollution, food pollution, etc.

Okay, so now what?  The most incredible thing happened, he gave me hope.  Instead of living in a world of fear, of dead ends, of no cures, of no healing, he gave me a glimmer of hope.  How?  One of the ways was to have even more awareness of my food choices.  No this doesn't mean that NOW I have to eat everything that tastes like cardboard.  What it means is that yes, fruits and veggies are healthy, but there are specific ones that can dig deep into the layers and grooves of our body to pull out the crud, and there are foods that can heal, repair and fill in those spaces.  Crazy?  Does it matter?  If I or others choose to do things that are healthy, AND if I or others begin to see and feel the difference in OUR bodies - again, I ask, does it matter if you or someone else thinks it's crazy?  In the words of Rhett Butler - "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn".

Fine and dandy, but what's all this have to do with a celery juice transformation right? Among other things I've added, the celery juice protocol comes from Anthony William.  Now I like celery, but juicing with straight celery juice doesn't especially get me looking forward to my morning.  Celery juice has what I can only describe as a mouth feel (similar to the post I did on Sole).  The natural salts in celery, which are incredibly healing by the way, give it a sort of heaviness in the mouth, which may or may not equate to a gag reflex for some (myself included 😜).  But you know what?  You have sjogrens destroying your teeth, drying your eyes out so that they look like your high as kite most days, and a lump growing on the back of your head, and we'll see what you're ready to give a go at.  I figured, at least this is healthy, so I'll try it for at least a month.

Now, Anthony suggests 16 oz. at least once, if not twice, a day.  Listen Anthony, baby steps here, baby steps.  If I didn't want this juice coming back up to say good morning, I'll be starting with 8 oz, once per day.  I don't know him personally, but I'm going to guess he would say it's better than nothing.  So on March 7th, I began my celery juice experiment.  My mom and one of my daughters did it with me (I'm grateful to have such loving support💖).  The thing is, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. This helps it get to work ASAP, clearing out the junk and creating homeostasis.  We would wait about 30 minutes, taking care of the pups, preparing our coffee, and/or getting our breakfast ready.  Day one?  My daughter thought she was going to vomit, my mom and I drank ours like we were in a beer chugging competition, all the while not breathing through our noses.  All in all, not too bad.

We kept this up, day after day.  My mom travels so she had to continue on her own when she could.  My daughter and I kept going, with me sneakily increasing the amount - she called me out on it.  One month down and I was feeling lighter - literally and figuratively.  The lump?  The same, but not bigger.  We had travel plans coming up and I did not want to stop because who knew where this may go if I continue?  We made sure we would be able to continue even during our travels.  Worked like a charm, and now my sister is doing it too!

I won't lie, there are some mornings the child in me comes out and says "I don't wanna".  Sometimes I just want to take the dogs out, feed them and then have my cup of coffee.  Why?  It's not a lot of work, and now that I'm doing the blender method, it's even quicker.  I figure on those mornings it's the instant gratification part of me wanting my old ways back.  I still get to have my cup of coffee, it's just after I have my celery juice.  To make it even easier for myself, I've adopted a practice my mom taught me, which is to chop the celery (organic is the best option), put it in a [glass] bowl, cover with a lid and place it in the fridge for the morning.  This way it's even easier in the morning, quite helpful in the days "I don't wanna" kicks in.

After two months of celery juice every single morning where do I stand?  I feel good, physically, mentally and emotionally.  I actually feel like I'm handling stressful situations waaaaaay better.  And what about the lump?  It has decreased!!!!!! It's now a smaller, smooth bump, and just to be sure I wasn't trying to convince myself, I had my girls feel it to see what they thought - definitely smaller!  Woohoo!  Anthony William I could kiss you!

Going into month three I am proud of my persistence.  I am proud of my determination.  Are there still days of "I don't wanna"?  Yes, but now my hand instinctively goes to the back of my head, and you know what? That's all the reminder I need.

Do You Supplement?

Supplements or no supplements? This is one of the MANY topics we debate about. Who's right? Who determines who is right? And maybe more importantly, why does there have to be a right or wrong? *Note - if taking things as fact it's a good idea to begin learning who funds/backs "research" or articles that are disparaging towards certain products or companies.  

Although I'm talking about supplements here, I think it's safe to say these questions could be applied to just about everything. So long as we aren't harming ourselves or others, why can't we just have a difference of opinion without someone needing to be right or wrong, winner or loser?  

Why do I feel this way? Because in most cases there is no one size fits all to anything - supplements, religion, spirituality, politics, diet, etc. What works for one person may not work for another - and that's okay. What works one day for someone may not work another day - and that's okay too.  

So back to the original question - supplements or no supplements? For me, my answer is some days I don't take any supplements, but some days I add supplements. Why? Lots of reasons - just to be safe, to bridge any gaps I may have missed recently, to boost all the nutrients I already get through my food choices, to boost my immune system, to stay ahead of my auto-immune disorders. The list goes on and on.  

Of course eating a variety of whole foods is best, and for those who do choose to add supplements, the next question would be which supplements? My goodness the barrage of health crazes, not to mention the companies that jump on the band wagon to create more "miracles" is utterly confusing. Which supplements is a good question, and again, one that won't have a one size fits all answer because it will depend on lots of things - what is wrong in the body, what are we lacking, how do we react to certain supplements, are there side effects, how is the product made, is the product ethically sources, are there unnecessarily added ingredients, what's our budget, how many supplements are too many? 

Personally I believe that we shouldn't rely solely on a supplement(s) for our wellness. We need to be active in our health. From my own journey I've learned that I can't sit back and put unhealthy things into or onto my body day in and day out, not be physically active, and then pop some supplements/medications and think all is well.  

Our bodies are incredible machines, they try like heck to keep us balanced. When we notice things going astray, they didn't just happen overnight - this was years, probably even decades, in the making. This is why it only stands to reason that getting well will take some time, patience and persistence.

So once again, I'm back to the question - to supplement or not? If your answer right now is not - then you're done, but don't think you can't ever come back to this question in the future if you want. For those of us who decide to supplement, with so much confusing information and competing brands we need to go back to the bottom line of... what am I looking to help (fatigue, inflammation, headaches, etc)? Okay, next? Asking ourselves some simple questions may help in leading us to what we are looking for, without wanting to rip our hair out in frustration:

1. What monthly budget am I comfortable with?

2. What am I physically comfortable with (swallowing pills, using sublingual - under the tongue, adding powders to smoothie or other drink)?

3. How many do I want to keep track of?

4. How often do I want to take them (daily, twice a week, monthly, etc.)?

5. What do I want in a brand?

Let's take an example case here of a narrowed down list...

Bottom line = I want to reduce inflammation

1. My monthly budget = $40

2. I am physically comfortable with = sublingual or power added to smoothie

3. I am okay with keeping track of = up to three supplements

4. I am good with = daily, otherwise I'll forget

5. I want = simple ingredients, free of added chemicals, ethically sourced 

Products I love that fit my list and combat inflammation and, as a bonus, fatigue...

A.) Pure Hawaiian Spirulina Powder - 16 oz. bottle lasts about 5 months (based on one person)/average cost is $30.99 = $6.20 per month

B.) Spectrums Vegan Omega - 60 ct. bottle lasts about two months (for one person)/average cost is $19.99 = $10 per month (*if interested in why not fish oil you can email me - brightfromtheheart@gmail.com)

C.) Gaia's Mushrooms + Herbs Everyday Immune - 60 ct. bottle lasts about two months (for one person)/average cost is $20.89 = $10.50 per month (I open the capsule, add the powder to my smoothie and discard the capsule)

Considering the serving size of these three supplements that I consider my go-to's, they fit well within my monthly budget. Some days I don't add any supplements, and sometimes I'll throw in other supplements here and there if I've gotten them on sale or had a coupon, but these are my favorites that I find help to support me.  

The important thing to remember when doing anything new is to pay attention to YOU! Do you notice something is offering healing to you in a positive way physically, mentally and emotionally? We don't want to take something that hides symptoms because the symptoms are our body's way of saying "hey! something is wrong here!" When we mask symptoms with medications the problem is still there, we need to focus on getting to the source of the symptom(s) and healing it. The other factor to consider is that we don't want to take something that makes one symptom better, while making something else worse (that's the revolving door of taking endless amounts of medicines, whether they be conventional or holistic).

I know it's hard not to feel overwhelmed with information out there. I know it's scary to decide where to begin. So just begin with your bottom line question... what am I looking to help in my body today? In addition to increasing the daily amount of whole foods, and being active, supplements can have a place in your life to help get to the root of what you want to heal.  

As always, good luck in whatever you decide is right for you.

Jack What?

When our family was transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, almost a decade ago, the options were just beginning to expand.  As more and more people are recognizing the importance of food, and how 80% of our health is directly linked to how and what we are eating, the exploration of plant-based meals has exploded.  People are getting more creative in finding ways to make, not just delicious, but healthy, meals that remind us of foods we had growing up.

For me, with all of the auto-immune disorders impacting us it's important to feed my family and myself things that will heal us from the inside out.  This isn't to say we don't have treats or some grab-n-go items.  What it means is that it is done in moderation, and with healthier ingredients.  We've learned along the way that just because someone looks fit on the outside, that is no guarantee as to what is happening inside.

I completely understand how overwhelming incorporating more plant-based meals can seem, especially when we are bombarded with myths, commercials, and well intentioned - but often greatly uneducated when it comes to nutrition - family, friends, or family doctors.  So what is someone to do who is considering transitioning from an omnivore lifestyle to a more herbivore lifestyle?

Well, let's start with just a few...

• You do not have to do it all at once, take it one step at a time.  
• You do not have to "give things up".  Instead, think of it as swapping things out.  Like yogurt?  Great, keep eating yogurt, only swap out the cow or goat based for coconut, almond, cashew or soy based brands.  Like ice cream?  Me too!  Swap out your favorite Breyer's cow based flavor for the almond milk based Breyer's Oreo or vanilla peanut butter flavors.  *There are lots of substitutions for just about everything, so if you don't like the first one you try, try another brand.  
• You do not have to do it alone.  Find a Certified Health Coach that specialized in plant-based health (like me!) to support, encourage, hold you accountable, and give you recommendations.  
• You do not have to eat faux meats that are so processed it's just as unhealthy as eating a TV dinner.  Try using more brands that use whole ingredients such as Dr. Praeger's or Carla Lee's, or create your own "meats" using a mixture of lentils, nuts, seeds, veggies, beans, etc.  And this leads me to my latest experiment... jackfruit.  

Jack what?  Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that when young has the ability to shred, much like pork.  It doesn't really have much flavor on it's own, but then again, meats don't either ;).  Just as is done with most meals, spices or sauces come in to assist in adding wonderful flavors to the textures we're creating.

I've used pre-made bbq jackfruit in the past, but it was too spicy for me (because I'm a wimp when it comes to spice).   I was super excited to see Trader Joe's had green jackfruit in brine.  Yay!  Now I could experiment without the hassle of buying the ginormous jackfruit from the grocery store.  Maybe one day I'll experiment with a whole jackfruit, but that day isn't today, so I'll stick to the young green jackfruit in a can.  

I wasn't really sure what to do, and I thought I would just wing it and see what the family thinks.  I also wanted to amp up the filling factor so I decided I would add beans to the experiment as well.  The result = happy faces, tastebuds and bellies.  

30 Minutes or less BBQ Jackfruit

Ingredients:
3 c. (approximately) veggie broth (I like Imagine or Rapunzel brand)
1 small onion, chopped
1 organic yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced
2 - 14 oz. cans green jackfruit in brine (not in syrup) (BPA free can - my favorite is Native Forest)
16 oz. can organic tri-colored beans  (BPA free can - I used Kroger's Simple Truth Brand)
12 oz. jar Annie's Naturals Organic Original BBQ sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste (optional)

Directions:
1.  Preheat large skillet over medium high heat.
2.  Drain bean, rinse, place in bowl and coarsely mash - set aside.
3.  Drain jackfruit, rinse, cut into smaller pieces length wise - set aside.
4.  Add 1/2 c. broth to skillet then add onion, pepper and garlic, saute about 5 minutes, or until tender - add another 1/2 c. broth if needed.
5.  Add jackfruit and remaining broth, cover, cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until jackfruit is becoming very tender.
6.  Add beans, using a potato masher, mash mixture so jackfruit starts to shred.
7.  Once all jackfruit is shredded, add BBQ sauce, turn burner to medium or medium low, cover and simmer 5-10 minutes - making sure the sauce doesn't start to burn.

*Serve on a bun, as a dip, in a wrap, or mixed with noodles - the possibilities are endless, and delicious!

Peachy Pink Smoothie

I really enjoy green smoothies, but I also like to play with color so sometimes I'll create purple, cream, or orange smoothies.  This day I decided on my favorite color...pink.

Now I don't always use supplements in my smoothies, but they are such an easy way to boost the nutrition value of a smoothie, so if I have them on hand I use them.  It's important to note that I do not in any way recommend using supplements in place of whole foods, but rather as way to compliment all the healthy foods and things already in place.

mise en place = everything in place

My favorite supplements are Spirulina Powder by Pure Hawaiian (Spirulina greatly boosts the overall vitamin, mineral and amino acid intake to the body, seriously - it contains so many you'll need to look it up), but since I was aiming for pink this one got left out today, Chaga by Mushroom Science (Chaga is an immune booster and one of the highest anti-oxidant containing foods, BIG cancer fighter), Astragalus by Solaray (Astragalus is an adaptogen, meaning it adapts to support the body wherever it is needed, slows tumor growth, supports heart health, boosts immune system, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, regulates/prevents diabetes), and Maca Powder by Navitas (Maca is a butterscotch tasting root that increases physical and mental endurance, increases libido, improves skin health, balances hormones, helps mood).  *The chaga and astragalus come in capsules so I just pull it apart, pour in the powder and throw away the capsule.  

A great prep step to create thick, creamy, and beautifully colored smoothies anytime you like is to make fresh juice ice cubes.  Pick a day to set up the juicer.  Have several ice cube trays with lids ready (or use plastic wrap and freezer bags to put them in once full).  You can use one cup and rinse out between colors, or use several small jars to catch the fresh juice in.  Pick vibrant fruit and veggies, doing one whole batch at a time.  Once the jar is full, pour liquid into ice cube trays, cover tightly and place into the freezer until you're ready to use them.  *This also makes for great natural dyes when baking.  If using for baking you would allow an ice cube to thaw - voila! - you have your pretty dyes ready to color frostings, cakes, muffins or cookies.  Some of my favorite juice cubes to have on hand for making colorful creations are beets = reds and pink, blueberries or red cabbage = purples, carrots = orange,  etc.  This really doesn't take much time, it all depends on how much produce you want to juice, and how many different colors you're doing.  

I also like to keep homemade almond milk on hand for smoothies, overnight oats, chia pudding, etc.  This is not necessary, I just prefer the taste so much more than store bought milks.  If interested you can find the recipe here.  

On to the recipe...

Peachy Pink Smoothie: (Serves 1, approx. 16-20 oz.)

Ingredients 

1 cup homemade almond milk (or any nondairy regular or unsweetened milk of choice)

1 astragalus capsule (discard capsule)

2 chaga capsules (discard capsule)

1 tsp. maca powder

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 

Pinch of ground vanilla (or dash of pure vanilla extract)

1 Tbsp. organic peanut butter (or any nut or seed butter of choice)

1-2 beet juice cubes (keep frozen, do not thaw)

1 frozen banana (should already have been peeled prior to freezing)

1 cup organic peach slices

Directions:

1.  Place ingredients into high speed blender in order listed.  

2.  Blend until smooth and creamy (depending on blender strength, you may have to stop and scrape down sides, then blend again).  

3.  Place in nice glass, bowl or jar to serve.  

Optional - sprinkle with extra cinnamon, hemp seeds, chopped nuts, etc.  

108 Sun Salutations... My Way

For years I have seen events pop up around New Years or the change of season for "New You" events, in particular - 108 Sun Salutations, honestly the thought of it has always intriqued me.  I am in fairly good health, but I am in my 40's, and through being more aware of my body notice when I may have overdone things.  It's for this very reason why I have never actually attempted it.  I know, I'm sure these events most likely allow people to go at their own pace, do their own salutation version, and even suggest people stop when needed, but I still just wasn't ready to give it a go.

This year was no different, as New Years rolled around I was getting all kinds of notifications for "New You" kind of events, I think I may even have used that wording myself in the past.  While I, and others, who may have used the "New You" language meant no harm or judgement, that wording got me thinking.  I have taken a long time, utilized many tools, and am still learning to love...me, as I am.  Sure, there are adjustments that I can make to improve my health and relationships, but the me I am is good, and I don't want to be new, I'll save new for my next life ;).   Just because I've come to the realization that I like me, doesn't mean I should sit back and not be an active participant in my life, that just doesn't feel healthy or positive for where I am in my life.  Alright, so what can I do to keep working on creating a more positive me?  You know, pushing myself when needed, but also being wise enough to know when that is enough.

Well, this brings me back to the idea of 108 Sun Salutations.  First, let me say that salutations can just simply be a way to move the body.  Getting the heart pumping, blood flowing, lymph moving, muscles awakening is urgently important to do on a consistent basis.   Personally, I use salutations on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.  For me, the sun should be honored, not as a god, but as the energetic entity that it is. When I think about how important the sun is for my and my family's health, happiness, and the planet, how can I not feel immense gratitude towards it?  Sun and/or moon salutations are a movement of action that conveys connection between that energy and myself.  Reaching my arms up towards the sky is liberating for my soul, it's like reaching out to another and saying hi, or giving them a hug.  By allowing my body to then flow downwards doesn't mean I'm worshipping, rather it's a way to show a tremendous amount of gratitude.  Let's face it, if the sun and moon didn't exist, neither would we.  Life is sustained on this planet because of them, so I don't want to belittle their significance.

The thought of doing so many salutations in a row is also appealing to me because it means that I am committing to something.  Commitment, and the follow through of commitment, can be powerful driving forces in personal shifts.  However, that same thought of doing that many in a row left me wondering - would I feel bad if I didn't finish? would I force myself to the end in spite of what my body might be saying?  would I cause physical suffering in order to avoid mental/emotional suffering?  While I contemplated these thoughts, I knew one thing for sure, that this year I really felt drawn to committing to 108 Sun Salutations.  The more I thought about, and how I have been working so hard at being authentic to myself and others, I knew my 108 Sun Salutations weren't going to be like I've seen on social media.  And I felt super okay with this, the problem was that I still wasn't quiet sure what it would look like.

At times I like to push myself, as this is helpful in my growth, but I knew darn well that if I attempted 108 at once there was no way I would be getting out of bed for the next few days.  I didn't want that, I didn't want to feel such an accomplishment to then only feel horrible afterwards, my body didn't deserve that!  So, Tiffany, what was the plan?  And why 108?  The number 108 has a ton of references, from astrology to physiology to religion/faith (Hindu, Buddhism, Christian) to subtle anatomy, and I can't remember exactly where I read this version, but it's by far my favorite...
1 = Higher Power, something greater than ourselves
0 = Unity, connection to all things
8 = Infinity, we are eternal

Now that we have the significance of 108 mentally noted, what did my 108 Sun Salutations look like?  I came up with a plan that allowed me to make a commitment AND honor my physical body.  Here's what it looked like...

• Beginning on a Sunday, I started my 108 Sun Salutation journey.
• Each day, for six days, I did 18 rounds of Sun Salutation A.  
• Each day, before I began, I would center and warm up/stretch.
• Each day, while I was practicing my 18 rounds, I would stay present in each movement.
• Each day, after I completed my 18 rounds, I would pause/center/meditate, gently stretch.
• Each day, after I was done, I would rub, or soak, my body in rosemary essential oil.  

By the end of the sixth day, I felt thrilled that I reached my goal, got to practice something I had been thinking about for awhile, and that I took care of myself doing it.  This was my plan, there are many options for how to accomplish 108 Sun Salutations if it's something you might want to try, and there are many versions of salutations that can be utilized.  If doing 108 at once works for you then go for it, but if it doesn't, allow the opportunity to still experience it, just going about it a different way.  

So What The $#%& Am I?

I feel like I've always been someone who asks lots of questions, deep in thought provoking ideas - just ask those close to me, they are all too familiar with my relentlessness in questioning things.  As the years keep ticking by I find myself continuously veering this way and that in many areas, but I hear that's good, it's okay, and part of "the process".  What does that even mean?

Sometimes I am completely overwhelmed with all of the areas I have to be concerned with throughout my life.  I mean, physical health, emotional health, mental health, and spiritual health.  Geesh!  And if that isn't enough, then I have to worry about offending someone if my way isn't their way, I find this particularly true in the spiritual health arena.  Then there are moments where I may have been living one way, decide to re-adjust that, and choose another way instead.  Stop the presses when that happens, those that were on "your side" in one set of views will throw you to the wolves if you decide to change.

Again, here come my questions.  Why?  For example, why care if I was raised Catholic, then followed Buddhism, then Wicca, but still reference the bibles teachings?

Wait, pause, let's rewind.  I was raised Catholic since infancy, baptized in the Catholic church, went to private catholic schools my entire life (up until college that is, then I opted for public education), continuing - married in the Catholic church, all our children also baptized Catholic, went to service every single Sunday, and on all those special holidays, even once married we hulled the kiddos with us each weekend. This continued well into my 30's.  Then, for some reason, I get an epiphany.  Somehow, I get a glimpse of something else, another way of thinking.  I start observing my own life, and those around me.  I see how we all go to church each weekend, but then live abhorrently throughout the week, as if that one day in church magically removes all the bad behavoir the other six days?!  Uh oh, I feel walls being built, anger building, resentment towards the church, and those who played the part only one day a week.  No more uttering the word God, or Angels, I opted for a more general term - Universe.  Oh my stars, I don't know what I believe anymore!

So, I started exploring Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism.  Whoa!  This is different, but has some familiar grounds.  Like, we should treat each other with respect, dispense more love and compassion, realize there is something greater than ourselves, etc.  Huh!  There are other beliefs that may align with how I feel.  Then walks in this Wicca thing.  What?! I thought all that was devil, and evilness, we better not talk about this in public or people will think we're Satan worshippers.  Oh, Wicca is about using nature to heal?  What the ---, but I was sure I was taught to fear other ways.  Here we go again, why?  Why twist things into something they're not?  Why does it matter if I want to use essential oils, like the ancient "witches", to heal myself and my family?  Doesn't everything essentially come back to having origins from nature?  I mean, where does everything we eat, drink, wear, etc. come from - thin air?  I don't understand....

See, my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts.  How can I process all of this, and what the hell do I put on those damn papers as to what my religious belief is?  Goodness gracious, the pressure!  I decided that I would continue learning, in all areas, trying to keep an open mind and heart, particularly if it was something unfamiliar.  

What I now understand is that I don't have to box myself into one way of anything.  I now see that I don't have to try to please everyone, and at times I will certainly disappoint some, myself included.  However, I no longer have to fear what others may think, that's their own process.  Oh, and about that... I get it, process really equals journey.  Our journey in this life is never-ending and I'm okay with that because it means I'm still here! And, as long as I am here, I'll keep exploring, learning, and hopefully positively growing.  As I journey you can be darn sure that I will share what I'm learning, because that's how it works - we share, sharing = opening the door for others who may not have known that door existed, or who were too fearful to try and open it.  Sharing doesn't mean you have to follow what I do, just as I don't have to follow what you share or do, but it means putting down the walls we build around our safe little worlds, and truly opening ourselves to new possibilities of growth.  

It was through my own shift that I was able to release those walls, anger and resentment towards others that I felt weren't "living the talk".  All those walls, anger and resentment did was cause me to act like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum, and I was taking it out on God and the Angels, when I was really angered by the people around me, and with myself.  I went years without saying those two very important words - God and Angels.  Thankfully, through my determination to continue learning, I crossed paths with information about Anthony William (Medical Medium). With an open mind and heart I ordered his first book, more curious than anything to see what he was about.  I mean, he's only trying to offer positive things, so what do I have to lose?  Wow!  I was blown away, and since I already recognized how healing or harmful foods can be, I knew there was something to this Anthony William.  At first some things felt uncomfortable, like talking to specific Angels, you know those walls can feel deceivingly comfortable at times.  The thing is, the more I did it, the more it just felt right.  Not trying to sound cliche, but there was this warmth, like a hug.  I am truly grateful for Antony's sharing, but for me it's not just about the words that Anthony, or anyone for that matter, say.  It's more about how things make me feel, and I mean how I feel on every level - physically, mentally, emotionally, and definitely spiritually.  

I completely get it now, that spirituality doesn't have to be linked to any one religion, or any religion at all.  I know this because words don't define spirituality, it's something that has to be experienced, and that has to happen within, and it's a unique occurrence for everyone.  Spirituality belongs to each and every one of us, how we go about it doesn't need to be the focus.   I also have grown to see that spirituality can be linked to everything, from the foods we eat to the thoughts we think, therefore affecting our physical, mental, and emotional journey as well.  Through this past decade of my life it has become clear that my learning will never stop. I will continue to grow, shift, and change.  I may not believe in what you believe or follow, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends, or that we can't learn from each other, or that we can't respect and love one another.   

So, the real question now is - what will I mark on papers that ask for religious preference?  I guess it would have to be ALL, because there are bits from each that have taught me valuable lessons.  

Tiny Living Experiment Update

Just how tiny can a family go?  I guess that's an individual question, with lots of factors that could determine numerous answers.  For our family + several animals (and I mean MANY), after 44 days of our tiny living experiment, we now have a better understanding of how much downsizing works for us at this time.

Where we stood at the 30 day mark...

• Ken - never actually moved into the studio space with all of us, he would come visit us daily though - I guess we knew where he stood with it from the beginning.   
• Our middle child - lasted about 21 days, then she decided 500 sq. ft. is just too small for this many bodies, and moved back into the main house with her dad.  
• Our eldest - has her own place (and thanking her lucky starts for that!), visited seldom, and would pretty much start to have an anxiety attack when in the small studio space.
• Our youngest - content with the whole process, and mad at big sis for moving back into the main house.  
• Me - fine with continuing the experiment with our youngest.  
• Kitties - still loving it!
• Pups - still wanted more space.

My younger two and I were leaving soon to visit family, so I made the executive decision to move all three pups back over to the main house. The cats were even more thrilled with the pups gone, and loved having my little one and I all to themselves to cuddle with.   I may have shell shocked my husband though, because I'm pretty sure he was getting quite comfortable with his quiet house and ample leg room in the bed.  With wide eyes he asked what was going on, I assured him it was best and would make it easier for him to care for the pups while we were out of town ;).  After 21 years of marriage, I don't think he was buying it.  

This left just my youngest, three cats, and myself at the studio.  During the day we were all at the main house (minus the cats), and in the evening our youngest and I slept at the studio.  The time came for our trip, while we were gone Ken and our oldest cared for all the fur babies.  Our middle decided to stay with family for a month (homeschooling perks), and it was back home for Gigi and I.  Once we returned home, I felt we needed to be back in the main house with the pups, who are generally glued to me 24/7.  

Where we stand today...

• The pups - absolutely happier in more space.
• Kitties  - love tiny living, but want to be where we are.  
• Ken - wishing we would all move back over to the studio, particularly when Ohio State is on TV :).  
• Me - realize tiny living has its positives and negatives, and that 500 sq. ft. is challenging when there is more than 2 beings involved.  
• The girls - in general I think they're happy we tried it, and now understand there's more to tiny living to consider if you want to remain sane.  
• Our oldest - since being back from our trip, has already been over more than she was during the entire experiment.  

In conclusion...

• Our house is still for sale (hint, hint).  
• We are willing to downsize to about 1600 sq. ft.
• We MUST have outdoor living space.  
• The kitties will be moved back to the main house after Thanksgiving.  

Tiny Living Update

Well, it has been 16 days since the beginning of our tiny living experiment. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, considering there would be so many bodies in such a small space, 500 sq. feet to be exact.

So, what's the verdict now after 2 full weeks?  

Cat's happy hangout

Cats = still EXTREMELY happy, they're enjoying hanging out with each other, bird and squirrel watching, and seem to move around more, which is good since before they would steer clear of the dogs for the most part.  

Pups chillin' outdoors

Pups =  adjusting, and they are happy with their new toys to keep them entertained.  They are also enjoying that this has offered them more time outdoors, with us of course, there is no sense in having the honor of homing dogs if they are left outside 24/7.  Anyway, moving on.  

The Girls =  they really are getting along well, and there have only been a few very minor instances, which is to be expected for many reasons: 1. they are human 2.  they are figuring out their hormones, which most adults still haven't been able to do ;) 3.  we are in 500 sq. ft. and 4.  they are siblings, who love each other, but, you know...

Me = I actually like it, and now when I do go to the main house I look around at how much wasted space there is, and I feel like we can get rid of even more unnecessary "stuff".  Although, tiny living = mom freaks out a bit if the litter boxes are not cleaned immediately after use, I have a sensitive nose, but in all fairness to me there are three of them, and it's poop, so come on, it needs cleaned pronto!

Ken = "visits" us daily in our tiny home.  He refers to the main house as his house, the studio as our house, he is still cracking me up, even if we are only neighbors now :).

Katie (our oldest) = hmmm, haven't seen much of her since our little experiment began.  Remember, there are lots of bodies in one space, plus she has misophonia, it's a real thing, look it up.  So this is how that equation would go: Katie+small space+several bodies+misophonia = CATASTROPHIC DISASTER! Let's just say, the Universe did good with her having her own place.  She'll visit us one day, right? Katie? Hello?

All in all, I would say so far this has been a wonderful experience of bonding.  We are learning a lot about what works, and what we would want to adjust in our planned downsizing.  We have been outside more, riding bikes, playing games, siting with the pups, having s'mores around a fire, carving pumpkins.  As cliche as it may sound, we are finding greater appreciation in time together and creating more memories, because in reality, that's all we end up taking with us anyway.

Tea/Coffee bar + food pantry

Tiny Master Bedroom

Tiny Bathroom

Tiny Bathroom

Tiny Reading Area

Tiny Girls Bedroom

Tiny Kitchenette

Tiny Living Room

Tiny Hall/Entry to other Bedroom & Bathroom                   

Tiny Living Experiment

With our family going from six to four, and the reality that the years seem to tick by very quickly, it won't be long before my husband and I find it's just the two of us. Weeeelllll, sort of, since we also share our home with 12 animals.  This last bit of information is what makes the post title so humorous, or interesting to say the least.

If you've followed this blog, then you know that we have been working on reducing and simplifying for the last two years.  With family members moving on to their own next adventure, and the fact that I'm obsessed with HGTV's Tiny Living, I kept thinking about how much unused space there was in our home.  With almost 3000 sq. feet of living space, Ken and I sat down to figure out how much we actually "lived" in.  We figure the number is right around 1200 sq. ft.  The other element to consider is the last few years we have homeschooled, so being in the ideal school district, which happens to NOT be within any walkable town, leaves us in an area that no longer makes sense for our family.  This also plays into our reducing aspect, and since we have to drive everywhere, it's wasteful to what we are striving for.

So, you see where this is going, right?  Ken has come around to the prospect of putting the house up for sale and downsizing.  We love our home, the bungalow style, the quiet neighborhood and, of course, our amazing neighbors, but we are ready for change, and by change I mean drastically downsizing.  The yoga studio right next to the house is about 500 sq. ft., and public yoga classes are coming to an end, so it led to an "aha" moment for me.  That is, to test out just how tiny we could go by ALL of us living in the studio space, and leaving the main house easier to keep clean.

The girls and I were super excited to test this out, making things nice and homey.  Before you think we are crazy, well we are, but anyway, our oldest took three of the fur babies to live with her so that helped.   Are you wondering about Ken?  When we told Ken our great idea he gave the blank, expressionless, stare.  I asked him didn't he think it was a great plan?!  His words?... "we agreed on reducing, you didn't say anything about any fucking tiny living!"  I couldn't help but chuckle a little at his response.

Needless to say, Ken will be spending most of his time in the main house, that's okay, with this many bodies in 500 sq. ft. I can't say that I blame him, and I don't want him to end up losing his mind (well, that may have already happened).

Yesterday the girls and I spent the entire day moving things over to the smaller space, making it functional.  So far, here is the verdict...

• We still have way too much stuff!
• Come nighttime, the girls were still excited and had a hard time falling asleep.
• I was tired and slept fairly well (*see lower bullet point to understand the word fairly).  
• While exploring the new grounds, one of the cats jumped on the kitchenette area, slid across it, knocking off the coaster and breaking it - apparently they are helping us with reducing.
• The cats adjusted quickly, and happily slept through the night on their kitty condos - expect for when they decided they all needed to use their kitty bathroom, which in 500 sq. ft. needs to be taken care of immediately, even if it's a 3am and again at 4 am.  I guess I should be grateful they use their litter boxes...right?
• The dogs are kind of thinking "what the hell?" - they'll be happier with the extra walks.
• Our oldest has said she won't be visiting, oh that one, she is so much like her dad :).
• We haven't seen Ken since yesterday - this actually may be working out in his favor at this point.
• The girls have realized they can't sleep in, smaller space means you hear everything, so when mom and the dogs wake up at 6:30am, so do you ;).  

This was just Day 1.  I will be sure to keep sharing our experience, maybe I'll even be able to get a video or two.  Wish us well, as we'll either bond from this, or their may be casualties.  

Is Yoga Hereditary?

My first exposure to yoga was about 26 years ago, when my mom brought some videos home, and I decided to give it a try.  I didn't know why, but I really enjoyed it.  My practice over the following decades would be hit or miss, but I always knew I felt better after a yoga practice.  I explored different studios, teachers and videos.  As with anything, some I liked, others not so much.  It wasn't until my late 30's, when my mom encouraged me to look into a yoga teacher training program, that I finally got it, realizing just how good it felt when I was diligent in practicing yoga more regularly.  This doesn't mean I'm on my mat doing hour long practices every day, but it does mean I'm doing something, even if it's ten minutes.  I've noticed if I skip a day, I feel off.  I can't even fully describe it, but I just do not have that same lasting inner calm that daily practice brings to me.

I've made a commitment to myself to do some sort of practice every single day.  I've also made a commitment to myself to do some form of breathing/meditation every day, again, even if it's only five minutes. Doing this brings me more balance and healing on all levels (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual), and has prevented me from some possible jail time when it comes to dealing with my family :).

Through my yoga journey, it's only natural that it has trickled into my family's life as well.  Because yoga is such an integral part for me, my children and husband have been exposed to yoga too.  Whether it was because they really wanted to, or maybe it was just to appease me at first, they have been on their own yoga journey as well over the years.  Each of us has our own process, our own experiences from day to day, and only the Self can truly know what something is doing to all levels of our being, so I can't speak for them and say that yoga does this or that.  What I can say is what I notice in their interactions with others, and how they treat themselves when they commit to a regular practice, which is that I see and feel a positive shift in them.

Knowing all the benefits yoga offers, both on and off the mat, my family has gone deeper into yoga than I could have ever imagined.  Although my kiddos have been practicing yoga for years, my older two children completed a 200HR yoga teacher training program this year.  My youngest, not even a teen yet, has not gone through the training, but she can tell you all about the postures, and teach you a thing or two about the Chakras!

So, this brings me to my question, do I think yoga is hereditary?  Well, I can't say for sure, but it would certainly make for an interesting study. What I can say is that the quest for yoga knowledge, and the positive experience that yoga brings, seems to alter DNA and negative habit patterns.  I've seen this first hand for myself and my children, which is why I became a certified Y12SR leader a few years ago.  Studies show that repetitive practices, whether positive or negative, create grooves in the brain.  This groove then becomes our habit, which makes things either harder or easier for ourselves.  If you're looking to adjust a negative habit then you first need to realize that, just as it took time to create the groove of that habit, it will take time, patience and persistence to alter it to a new, positive, groove pattern.

I've found that when working on adjusting a not-so-wonderful groove pattern, this is where some genetics, environment and support come into play.  I am not a doctor, this is solely based on my own experience and observation of others.  While it's true that some are predisposed to certain disease or illness, it is equally as true to be an active participant in whether or not those genes get flipped on (as we've learned through The China Study).  I believe yoga plays a vital role in helping us keep ineffective genes off.  Why?  Well, beyond the physical, yoga creates healthy behaviors that extend off the mat and into our daily lives.   Being mindful, living compassionately towards ourself and others, being aware of our impact in the world, being more present instead of living totally in the past or future, and connecting with others are just a few of those benefits extending off the mat and into daily routines.  All of this translates to increased health, immunity, inner strength, supportive nature, self love, love for others, and awareness in how we act, speak and eat.  

All these new grooves start forming, erasing the negative patterns, shutting down the destructive genes, and forming a more meaningful life.  The quest for yoga knowledge may come into our lives for varying reasons. For my family it feels almost as if it were a genetic trait, beginning at least as far back as three generations ago with my mom, and who knows what drew her to purchase that first yoga video.  Whether it was ancestry imprint, Divine intervention, or a random act, I know that yoga has brought healing to my life in more ways than I can describe, and I'm grateful for the chance to pass that on to my children, and hope that one day they will do the same.  

No Boring Salads Please, 3 Ingredient Ice Cream, and Pupcakes

Today is catch up day to share some recipes that I promised.  Most of you know that I love food, but I have to be honest and tell you that, for some reason, I really have had no desire to spend lots of time in the kitchen. What?!!  So, what is the solution to continue eating healthy, but not spending too much time cooking AND, more importantly, not blowing tons of money eating out all the time?

Well, lots of whole foods for one thing.  Things like smoothies, smoothie bowls, and fresh juice.  Also, I think because it's summer, salads have been a top priority, but not just any salad.  I'm talking gigantic salads that you have to use a mixing bowl for (and that's just for me, not the whole family, lol).  Please DO NOT just give us lettuce and call it a salad.  Our salads are true meals people!

Easy steps to a great, but not boring, salad:

1. Add lots of veggies and live a little by mixing up your greens - romaine lettuce, baby spinach, baby kale, arugula, or a combination of them all - bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, summer squash, artichoke, cauliflower, etc.

2. Get that plant-based protein in there, and I might add that by making it warm offers an even more wondrous flavor and meal experience.  Need some protein suggestions? Lentils, many varieties and colors to choose from (and a HUGE protein and iron source), baked tofu or tempeh, roasted potatoes, chopped and slightly warmed raw nuts/seeds, quinoa, rice, cooked beans, or the occasional Gardein "Chicken" Scallopini (which is also gluten free).

4. DO NOT drown the salad in dressing.  Why cancel out all the good nutrients with mounds of unhealthy dressing?  Again, lots of options, but our favorite and most simple dressing is to coarsely mash half an avocado, add himalayan pink salt, dash of turmeric and pepper.  Mix avocado throughout the salad to coat well, lightly sprinkle some high quality balsamic vinegar (seriously, sometimes it is worth paying a little extra for things) over the entire salad, and lightly toss to mix. This is enough for one serving, maybe two, but if you're like me, it's one.

5.  To top it off, and not to mention that we are addicted to it, sprinkle nutritional yeast over the salad.

*This whole process takes 30 minutes or less.  If you prep by precooking or roasting a larger quantity at the beginning of the week, and chop extra veggies and store in baggies, you'll make it even quicker through the remainder of the week.  Don't forget, you can change up the combinations of items you use to keep things interesting.  

Now, while your food digests, go make yourself some healthy ice cream to enjoy later...

Healthy Creamy Ice Cream Base (w/o using bananas!)
Approx. 1 pint (2-4 servings, depending on who you are ;)).

We love us some raw ice cream made from bananas and/or avocados. Not only is it super healthy, but it is also super easy, and makes a creamy treat.  Sometime, however, we want an ice cream that doesn't have the banana flavor.  So here is an extremely simple ice cream base.  It tastes delicious as is, but adding in other flavors or natural coloring makes it fun too.

1 c. organic canned coconut milk (if you really like coconut use one full can, but omit the 1 c. nondairy milk of choice)
1 c. nondairy milk of choice (we like soy, but you can use flax, rice, walnut, hemp, etc).
1/4 c. pure maple syrup or light colored agave

Directions:
1. Shake canned coconut milk to ensure cream and water are mixed, then place all ingredients into blender, mix well.
2.  Transfer to an ice cream maker, 20 minutes later, you have homemade soft serve, it's that easy :).  IF there is any leftovers, or you want it a little firmer, place in a freezer proof container, store in the freezer.  To serve from frozen, allow to sit out for about 15 minutes to thaw, stir and enjoy.

Base w/ Blue Majik

*Try adding in other flavors/colors to change it up.  If adding other flavors, add them in once there is only about 5 minutes left in the ice cream making cycle.  If adding spices or natural color, mix in the blender at the time of mixing all the base ingredients.  Try one, or several, of the following to create different ice creams...

Spice/Herb/Color suggestions:  2 tsp. ground cinnamon - 1 tsp. ground cardamom - Tbsp. Blue Majik (amazing blue color that can be used to make Superman ice cream) - 1-2 tsp. ground turmeric (pretty yellow, again for Superman) - 1/2 Tbsp. spirulina (for green) - 1 Tbsp. matcha green tea powder (pale green) - 2 Tbsp. beet juice or powder (the "red" needed for the final color in Superman) - 1 Tbsp. Maqui powder (purple/pink) - 3 Tbsp. cacao powder (for brown, but also chocolate flavor) - 1 Tbsp. Acai powder (purple) - 1 Tbsp. 1/4 c. chopped fresh mint leaves - 1/2 tsp. pure mint extract - 1/2 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract, and there are many more, too many to list.

Flavor suggestions - 1/4 c. nut/seed butter (melting it slightly prior to adding to ice cream allows it to get incorporated better before the cold firms it back up) - mini chocolate chips - coarsely broken cookies (Mary's Gone Crackers would be a better option, and there are several different flavors - chocolate chip, ginger, double chocolate) - chopped fresh fruit - chopped nuts/seeds - coconut shreds - chopped dried fruit, etc.

Okay, that takes care of us humans, but what about our beloved fur babies?  Well, one of ours just celebrated her 3rd birthday.  In this house, the animals who have so graciously permitted us in their lives, get a yummy treat for their special day too.  In the past I have made things or have taken them to the local puppy bakery (which is amazing), but remember two things here - 1.  I don't want to be in the kitchen long, and 2. I don't want to spend lots of money ordering out.  So, again, I was in a quandary, but I found the perfect solution that I will share with you for your precious darlings.

That nose could not be any closer!

Easy Peasy Pupcakes w/ Easy Peasy Frosting
Serves approx. 15 mini cupcakes

For Pupcakes:
1 c. Gluten Free Bisquick mix
1 c. Organic soy or coconut milk
2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (alcohol free and GF)
1 Flax Egg (1 Tbsp. ground flax meal w/ 3 Tbsp. warm water - whisk really well)

Directions:
1.  Place liners in mini cupcake pan, preheat oven to 350.
2.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl, whisk or use spatula to fully incorporate.
3.  Fill liner almost to the top, bake for 10-15 minutes.
4.  Allow to cool completely.  Serve as is or proceed to frosting recipe.  If not using immediately, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 1 month.

For Frosting:
1/2 c. Organic or Natural Peanut Butter or Sun Butter

Directions:
1.  In a small pan or microwave, melt PB or SB to soften even further.
2.  Using a teaspoon measurer, drop a tsp. full over cupcake, use the back of the teaspoon to spread it.  Repeat until all cakes are frosted.
3.  Place in fridge for 15 minutes to set the PB or SB, then celebrate your babies birthday or adoptaversary.

You could technically eat them too, but they are pretty bland since you want to limit using sweetener for your babies, plus they may not appreciate you eating their goodies.  If they are anything like our angels, they may not have a problem sharing the love they have for you, but when it comes to food... that's another story.

Some 4th of July Fun

NOT a news flash, I adore food.  With this time of year I particularly enjoy making smoothies, creating all sorts of different flavors and colors.  There are some pretty amazing people out there making all kinds of artwork, using none other than some of my favorite things... FOOD!  And not just any food, but healthy, whole foods.  Foods that make me feel good, causing me to use ALL of the senses I've been blessed with, instead of taking them for granted.

For my latest food adventure I was prompted to create a layered smoothie. Okay, so the possibility of winning a new Vitamix helped.  Yes I already have one, but my thought was if I win a new one I can give my current one to my oldest, so she too can enjoy all the benefits Vitamix has to offer.   Geez, the things we do for our kids ;).  I really like making smoothies, but to be honest, I wasn't sure about this layering thing.  I thought, wow, they look really pretty, but do I want to be spending that much time creating totally different smoothies at once?  Isn't it a pain to keep cleaning out the blender?  How many ingredients is this going to be? Pretty much I was psyching myself out.  Finally I thought, my goodness don't be a baby, try it once, if you don't like then just stick to one from here on out.

I realize preparing foods isn't for everyone, but when I experiment with whole foods it's visually pleasing for me, you know, eye candy.  It gets my juices flowing (don't go dirty on me).  With greater appreciation, I find that seeing all the amazing natural colors makes me want to create something that will nourish me from the inside out.  My sense of vision gets activated first with all the colors.  Then I get to add my sense of touch by being mindful while I am preparing the food, noticing if it's cold, if it's textured, does it have seeds or pits? My senses start to do a sort of dance, moving sinuously from one to the other, and back again.  Now my sense of smell gets to join in as I peel, chop or dice up rainbows of joy.  Even my sense of sound is included as I pay attention to the sound of the peel, or the blend of perfection.  Of course, all of this has literally been setting my sense of taste up for the grand finale.  With my mouth already watering, I experience the satisfaction of my, I mean my blenders, hard work.  Once again, all of my senses swirling in synchronicity as each one is sent back into action by that first sip or bite of whatever I've created.  As I think about all of this I become eager to finally create a layered smoothie recipe, if nothing else, at least it will be pretty, I hoped.

As I decided on what my first attempt at a layered smoothie might be, there were some ground rules I set for myself.  One, make it simple, and two, tie in the upcoming holiday.  So this has led me to a 4th of July Smoothie concoction.

4th of July Layered Smoothie (serves 2)

Ingredients:

Red Layer -
1 cup unsweetened coconut water
1 1/4 cup frozen strawberries

White Layer - (coconut cream)
1 can coconut milk (full fat) placed in the fridge the night before
1 Tbsp. lucuma powder (or pure maple syrup if you want it sweeter)

Blue Layer -
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut water
1 packet Blue Majik
1 large frozen banana

Directions:
1.  Combine red layer ingredients, blend until smooth.
2.  Pour into bottom of two cups, rinse blender (don't bother washing or drying it).
3.  Open the coconut milk, pour out coconut water (save for later or use in next layer).
4.  Scrap the thick cream into blender, add lucuma or sweeter of choice, blend until smooth.
5.  Pour some onto red layer, you will have some left over, store in an airtight container in the fridge (use on pancakes, waffles, etc. or freeze to use later)
6.  DO NOT rinse blender this time, the little bit of cream will add a nice flavor to the blue layer.
7.  Place blue layer ingredients into blender, blend until smooth.
8.  Pour onto white layer, top with chopped strawberries, blueberries and coconut shreds.

This literally took me about 5 minutes to make.  I wasn't sure how long each layer would stay thick enough to hold the next layer put on top, so I put the cups back in the freezer between each layer.  I'll have to work on my layering skills, but my goodness this smoothie is rich, creamy, and most definitely satisfying! I hope you enjoy.

Is Circadian Rhythm A Real Thing?

I do not know why, but I woke up one morning last week and had a strong urge that I needed to rebalance my body somehow.  I eat fairly healthy, practice yoga and mediation, so what else was there?  Then the words circadian rhythm began to echo somewhere deep within the reserves of my brain.

Huh, circadian rhythm. I remember vaguely learning about circadian rhythm and reading articles about how it affects your sleep in the past, but what exactly is circadian rhythm, and how would it help me to feel the overall rebalance that I was looking for?

A little scientific refresher was in order.  Thanks to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, I was quickly reminded about the perfectly planned connections between the exquisite human body and our amazing natural world.  Beyond regulating sleep, I was surprised to find out how our circadian rhythm can affect us in other areas as well..."Abnormal circadian rhythms have also been associated with obesity, diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder -NIH".  This last part was interesting because I have experienced seasonal affective disorder before, particularly in the winter, so this was nice to learn.    

Now that I had my refresher, and knew how crucial circadian rhythm is to my health, I needed to conduct a personal experience.  When I say personal, I mean family (they are so lucky to have me ;)).  How would I go about this experiment in a way that made sense for our life today?  We don't live on a deserted island far from civilization, so becoming hermits was not an option.  We needed to continue interacting with the world, and I needed to continue running our family business.  

Talking with the kids, we decided this experiment would last four days, Monday through Thursday.  There would be limited electronics in the morning to allow for our experiment check in, social media check in, and business updates.  This would be on the computer, should last no more than about an hour, and there would be no phone use.  The remainder of the day there would be no electronics, and all day/night there would be no lights, only candlelight.  

Watching the girls interact with each other and nature during those four days was beautiful.  We had sincere interest in each other's words, played more games with each other, went outside more, read, colored, got some much needed cleaning accomplished, practiced yoga outside, meditated more, and the quality of sleep was incredible.  Every evening we would go outside and watch the brilliant show the fireflies put on.   While we may have enjoyed fireflies before, this experiment gave us a greater appreciation for their beauty.  We can't stand human created fireworks because of the environmental and health damage they cause (cue eye rolling from many of you, but that's how we feel).  Realizing fireflies truly are natures fireworks was amazing, there were 100's of them, and Gracie would name them as they landed on her (she is the cutest!).  

For us our circadian rhythm rebalance was fun, but more importantly it allowed us to reconnect with each other by taking our faces out of mind numbing technology, honoring the person in front of us instead of half listening. It provided time for self reflection, tuning in through silence and gratitude.  It allowed us to realize that circadian rhythm can help with other disorders beyond sleep, which is an important piece that can offer hope and healing to many.  

We decided we liked how this felt, and we will practice being more mindful to our interactions with each other, and use electronics less.  Sometimes pictures or videos just cannot do justice to the beauty that is the people and nature we are surrounded by, you have to go out, turn off the television, put down the phones, close the computers, and immerse yourself in it.