My cycle is perfectly attuned with the moon this month! I have just started to bleed, and the moon is at 100% full (i think, or pretty close). It's been a helluva build up! I'm relieved to be on the other side now, releasing and letting go......
The sunflower greens always look particularly happy when the moon is full, too. I have not yet figured out exactly when the best times are for planting them are, according to the moon phases....but i seem to recall they are particularly perky over full moons, which would mean a good time to start them is after the new moon?
I've become fascinated by moon phases and biodynamics this year. Sometimes I feel like ditching the gregorian calendar altogether.......it would make it difficult to continue living in this particular way.....maybe that's a good thing ultimately?
Last year i picked up a mayan 'Dreamspell Diary' containing very interesting information about the way Mayans lived with and counted time:
" ....the Mayans were connected with the natural biological cycle of the planet and lived in harmony with the natural environment around them....In essence, Time is a frequency expressed as a mathematical ratio constant, 13:20. This constant defines a whole new realm of reality- the synchronic order. By means of this constant it can be demonstrated that the present civilisation is not coordinated by the universal frequency of synchronization, but by an artificial timing frequency which is a major factor contributing to the present global crisis.......a calendar is a programming device and is being actively manipulated by human Being who benefit from our dislocation from the Gaian Intelligence to whom we Belong. The 13 moon calendar is a perfection of Harmony. It is intrinsically Peaceful."
-Written by Paradox in the 13 Moon Dreamspell Diary, Year of the Yellow Cosmic Seed
So, the Gregorian calendar is both illogical and unnatural!
It makes sense to me....attuning consciousness to natural cycles tunes us in to a more 'synchronistic' way of being...more in tune with the workings of the universe.....rather than separate from....
We're off to Cornwall tomorrow for a week. I'm helping out with the catering for a Yoga retreat. There'll be plenty of opportunity to join the classes, so Happy Birthday to me (bday on Monday..).....A whole week of blissful yoga, chi gung, walking, nature, good food, and no parenting responsibilities! It couldn't have come at a better time. As a mother, time out to 'reset' to my own rhythm is priceless.
I asked J how old i was going to be, and he said 'zero'
I like that. I honour the past for bringing me to this moment, but from here on, everything starts anew. In every moment, the choice is mine, to be empowered, to consciously create my experience...zero...
Perfect
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Green Juice....again!
So you may have gathered i like green juice!
I do actually love the taste....even really 'green' juices without sweetener like apple....
Green juice is medicine.
The perfect healer, normaliser, energiser
The centre.
Being at the centre of the rainbow, and the centre of our energetic bodies (our heart chakra), it represents a state of balance, calm, peace and love
Green trees, lungs of the planet...cleaning up and oxygenating the atmosphere, oxygen=life
I'd like to feed the world green juice!
It's the medicine of the times......the perfect remedy for toxic city/planet living.
Green = Renewal
I have this vision of trays of wheatgrass growing on every window sill in the city .... The Green Rawvolution! : ) ....What would happen if city dwellers everywhere started to grow wheatgrass and drink green juice? Would they be able to stand living in the city any more??
***Favourite Ingredients for Chlorophyllic Elixirs (in various combinations)***
-Celery-Cucumber-Coriander/Cilantro-Barleygrass-Wheatgrass-Sunflower greens-Lemon-Ginger-Kale-Fennel-Apple-Alfalfa and broccoli sprouts-Spinach-Cayenne-Nettles-Pear-Watermelon rind and seeds-Parsley-a splash of hemp milk-crystal manna-coconut water
I do actually love the taste....even really 'green' juices without sweetener like apple....
Green juice is medicine.
The perfect healer, normaliser, energiser
The centre.
Being at the centre of the rainbow, and the centre of our energetic bodies (our heart chakra), it represents a state of balance, calm, peace and love
Green trees, lungs of the planet...cleaning up and oxygenating the atmosphere, oxygen=life
I'd like to feed the world green juice!
It's the medicine of the times......the perfect remedy for toxic city/planet living.
Green = Renewal
I have this vision of trays of wheatgrass growing on every window sill in the city .... The Green Rawvolution! : ) ....What would happen if city dwellers everywhere started to grow wheatgrass and drink green juice? Would they be able to stand living in the city any more??
***Favourite Ingredients for Chlorophyllic Elixirs (in various combinations)***
-Celery-Cucumber-Coriander/Cilantro-Barleygrass-Wheatgrass-Sunflower greens-Lemon-Ginger-Kale-Fennel-Apple-Alfalfa and broccoli sprouts-Spinach-Cayenne-Nettles-Pear-Watermelon rind and seeds-Parsley-a splash of hemp milk-crystal manna-coconut water
Monday, 28 May 2007
The Spleen: Nourishing Ourselves on Every Level
I read this brilliant little book a while ago called Helping Ourselves: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Food Energetics by Daverick Leggett.
The book begins with a chapter entitled 'Introducing the Spleen.'
All the information in this chapter makes so much sense to me. Like jewels of rainwater falling on the desert, so welcome, refreshing, and resonating so deeply with my own experience.
So, the Spleen in Chinese medicine is the central organ of digestion (organs in Chinese medicine representing a set of functions expressed in various ways through the bodymind, rather than being a specific location of our anatomy)
The functions of the Spleen are adaptation, nourishment and support, and these functions are expressed at physiological, anatomical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.
On the physiological level, the Spleen function is expressed as digestion. A strong Spleen function therefore equates to being better able to absorb and put to use the food we eat.
Many Raw Foodists struggle with raw food because of weak Spleen function, so my acupuncturist friend tells me. Indeed, cooking food, especially into soups, helps the digestive process by breaking down food, mimicking the action of the spleen, and therefore making lighter work for it.
So how can we strengthen and maintain the Spleen, so that we can be sure that all the good food we are eating is being converted into usable substances within our bodies and being sent to where it's needed? Legget explains how when we eat, the question is not so much whether a particular food is good for us, but rather how strong and skilled our Spleen is at extracting nourishment from it.
This is where it gets juicy. We can take a look at how the spleen function is expressed at other levels of the body.mind complex.
Mentally the Spleen is expressed as the thinking process, it is the ability to process information. So we would do well to train our minds, whilst being mindful not to overuse our minds (i.e. too much concentration or study)
Emotionally the spleen is expressed through our ability to meet our needs for both giving and obtaining emotional nourishment and support (both from ourselves and others). Interestingly, in a recent ezine article, Raw Food coach Karen Knowler talks about "creating and evolving the vital web that is your very own Raw Support Matrix." We need support in order to ensure and maintain success on our Raw journeys! And when we are networking...tapping into the available social network of like minded-individuals, this is an expression of our Spleens! We are literally feeding ourselves, on many levels, since "change at one level will resonate throughout the Spleens whole sphere of influence." The Spleen is described as 'an internal mother and and internal home which we carry around inside ourselves as a constant source of nourishment and support'
Anatomically the spleen is expressed through the fascia and soft tissue.
"When our fascia are relaxed without consctriction, all the subtle and larger movements of the body are soft and easy. Our limbs have a full range of supple movement and our organs are supported in their functions. Our fascia contort and tense, or relax and spread, in direct response to our deepest held emotions. When the fascia are free we feel toned and comfortable in our bodies, supported from inside. We are 'at home' in our bodies, comfortable with who we are in the flesh. Being at home in our bodies is an expression of strong Spleen energy"
Well, my intuitive feeling was that Yoga and Raw Foods enhance each other .....and this is the energetic explanation to back up my experience!
"The Spleen likes to stretch, it brings relaxation and tone to our bodies. All exercise will help the spleen provided it is balanced by stretching and relaxation. Massage also helps by releasing toxins and encouraging deep softening. The spleen likes nourishing physical contact."
It's not surprising then that some of the softest, most nurturing hugs I've ever received have come from my raw yogi(ni) friends!
Spiritually
"It is through our connectedness to the Earth and to the Divine Mother that the Spleen finds it's spiritual expression. We can do a great deal to support our Spleen by attending to our relationship with the Earth......this may mean becoming more grounded, simply giving more attention to the ground beneath our feet, both physically and metaphorically. When done with awareness, all activity which connects us deeply with the Earth, whether it be gardening, working with clay or simply being outdoors with the soil, the plants, the seasons, all these can help ground us in our bodies and in the natural environment. In these ways too we can support and strengthen our Spleen"
Leggett goes on to give guidelines for Eating Well, which he claims 'are more valuable even than the detailed understanding of food to be found later in this booklet.' These include; eating with joy, having a positive attitude, being relaxed, proper chewing, not overeating, and eating foods with a strong lifeforce (as much locally grown and organic food as poss).
I can't recommend this booklet enough. It's extremely clear and concise, and although not written from a Raw Foods perspective, contains information valuable to anybody undertaking a journey of dietary change and healing.
It's certainly valuable to remind ourselves what incredibly complex, multidimensional creatures we are.....keeping a wide perspective helps us not to become obsessed with the little details. We can start to value even the smallest changes we make, reassured that "any changes will resonate throughout the Spleen's whole sphere of influence"
I can now see how the Holistic Raw journey that I am on, is an expression of my wanting to 'come home' to myself, in the sense of feeling fully at home in my own skin, fully supported by both myself and the universe at large. As part of my spiritual journey, this 'coming home' is facilitated by the many ways the Spleen expresses itself, allowing the body.mind.soul the opportunity to become fully nourished, healed, whole and strong.
Wishing you nourishment on every level
Warm Hugs
Shell
x
The book begins with a chapter entitled 'Introducing the Spleen.'
All the information in this chapter makes so much sense to me. Like jewels of rainwater falling on the desert, so welcome, refreshing, and resonating so deeply with my own experience.
So, the Spleen in Chinese medicine is the central organ of digestion (organs in Chinese medicine representing a set of functions expressed in various ways through the bodymind, rather than being a specific location of our anatomy)
The functions of the Spleen are adaptation, nourishment and support, and these functions are expressed at physiological, anatomical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.
On the physiological level, the Spleen function is expressed as digestion. A strong Spleen function therefore equates to being better able to absorb and put to use the food we eat.
Many Raw Foodists struggle with raw food because of weak Spleen function, so my acupuncturist friend tells me. Indeed, cooking food, especially into soups, helps the digestive process by breaking down food, mimicking the action of the spleen, and therefore making lighter work for it.
So how can we strengthen and maintain the Spleen, so that we can be sure that all the good food we are eating is being converted into usable substances within our bodies and being sent to where it's needed? Legget explains how when we eat, the question is not so much whether a particular food is good for us, but rather how strong and skilled our Spleen is at extracting nourishment from it.
This is where it gets juicy. We can take a look at how the spleen function is expressed at other levels of the body.mind complex.
Mentally the Spleen is expressed as the thinking process, it is the ability to process information. So we would do well to train our minds, whilst being mindful not to overuse our minds (i.e. too much concentration or study)
Emotionally the spleen is expressed through our ability to meet our needs for both giving and obtaining emotional nourishment and support (both from ourselves and others). Interestingly, in a recent ezine article, Raw Food coach Karen Knowler talks about "creating and evolving the vital web that is your very own Raw Support Matrix." We need support in order to ensure and maintain success on our Raw journeys! And when we are networking...tapping into the available social network of like minded-individuals, this is an expression of our Spleens! We are literally feeding ourselves, on many levels, since "change at one level will resonate throughout the Spleens whole sphere of influence." The Spleen is described as 'an internal mother and and internal home which we carry around inside ourselves as a constant source of nourishment and support'
Anatomically the spleen is expressed through the fascia and soft tissue.
"When our fascia are relaxed without consctriction, all the subtle and larger movements of the body are soft and easy. Our limbs have a full range of supple movement and our organs are supported in their functions. Our fascia contort and tense, or relax and spread, in direct response to our deepest held emotions. When the fascia are free we feel toned and comfortable in our bodies, supported from inside. We are 'at home' in our bodies, comfortable with who we are in the flesh. Being at home in our bodies is an expression of strong Spleen energy"
Well, my intuitive feeling was that Yoga and Raw Foods enhance each other .....and this is the energetic explanation to back up my experience!
"The Spleen likes to stretch, it brings relaxation and tone to our bodies. All exercise will help the spleen provided it is balanced by stretching and relaxation. Massage also helps by releasing toxins and encouraging deep softening. The spleen likes nourishing physical contact."
It's not surprising then that some of the softest, most nurturing hugs I've ever received have come from my raw yogi(ni) friends!
Spiritually
"It is through our connectedness to the Earth and to the Divine Mother that the Spleen finds it's spiritual expression. We can do a great deal to support our Spleen by attending to our relationship with the Earth......this may mean becoming more grounded, simply giving more attention to the ground beneath our feet, both physically and metaphorically. When done with awareness, all activity which connects us deeply with the Earth, whether it be gardening, working with clay or simply being outdoors with the soil, the plants, the seasons, all these can help ground us in our bodies and in the natural environment. In these ways too we can support and strengthen our Spleen"
Leggett goes on to give guidelines for Eating Well, which he claims 'are more valuable even than the detailed understanding of food to be found later in this booklet.' These include; eating with joy, having a positive attitude, being relaxed, proper chewing, not overeating, and eating foods with a strong lifeforce (as much locally grown and organic food as poss).
I can't recommend this booklet enough. It's extremely clear and concise, and although not written from a Raw Foods perspective, contains information valuable to anybody undertaking a journey of dietary change and healing.
It's certainly valuable to remind ourselves what incredibly complex, multidimensional creatures we are.....keeping a wide perspective helps us not to become obsessed with the little details. We can start to value even the smallest changes we make, reassured that "any changes will resonate throughout the Spleen's whole sphere of influence"
I can now see how the Holistic Raw journey that I am on, is an expression of my wanting to 'come home' to myself, in the sense of feeling fully at home in my own skin, fully supported by both myself and the universe at large. As part of my spiritual journey, this 'coming home' is facilitated by the many ways the Spleen expresses itself, allowing the body.mind.soul the opportunity to become fully nourished, healed, whole and strong.
Wishing you nourishment on every level
Warm Hugs
Shell
x
emotional processing.....
I've had the strangest week. Nothing has felt 'normal.' Having a cold didn't help, but my sleeping patterns have become really erratic, and i'm premenstrual too. As the moon grows full, i feel myself becoming rounder too, tides of deeper emotions are pulled to the surface and colour my experience....with a little sadness at the moment. Forgive me, i am feeling sorry for myself!
I am reminded of something i heard recently......that there are two ways to approach life. You can either resist love, or embrace it. I can't remember where i heard this, it's a pretty common theme....but i get the point, which is that i do have a choice to make a movement towards embracing love in any given moment.
I choose to embrace this sadness....to allow these feelings to flow, without labelling them as 'negative.' That's self-love, right?
I cannot force the feelings themselves to change, but i can accept them unconditionally. They are welcome to stay as long as they want. I'm not going to fight them any more.
This is one of those moments when thinking of how i 'want' things to be, just doesn't work! So i have to take a step back. Give myself space. Give myself what i need (i mean, it's kinda crazy to expect it from anyone else!)
I want space....i can give it to myself.
I want understanding.....i can give it to myself.
And gratitude....that's a good one! Gratitude is such a great way to tap into an upward spiral.
So much to be grateful for!
And walking! Partly I am feeling a bit cabin feverish, lamenting the turn of the beautiful summer weather we were having (it feels like it's been raining for days, i'm losing track!!)...a good walk out on the downs sounds like a good plan.
ok, i'm feeling much better now, already, thank-you for hearing me (and i thank me, for hearing myself, too!) xxx
I am reminded of something i heard recently......that there are two ways to approach life. You can either resist love, or embrace it. I can't remember where i heard this, it's a pretty common theme....but i get the point, which is that i do have a choice to make a movement towards embracing love in any given moment.
I choose to embrace this sadness....to allow these feelings to flow, without labelling them as 'negative.' That's self-love, right?
I cannot force the feelings themselves to change, but i can accept them unconditionally. They are welcome to stay as long as they want. I'm not going to fight them any more.
This is one of those moments when thinking of how i 'want' things to be, just doesn't work! So i have to take a step back. Give myself space. Give myself what i need (i mean, it's kinda crazy to expect it from anyone else!)
I want space....i can give it to myself.
I want understanding.....i can give it to myself.
And gratitude....that's a good one! Gratitude is such a great way to tap into an upward spiral.
So much to be grateful for!
And walking! Partly I am feeling a bit cabin feverish, lamenting the turn of the beautiful summer weather we were having (it feels like it's been raining for days, i'm losing track!!)...a good walk out on the downs sounds like a good plan.
ok, i'm feeling much better now, already, thank-you for hearing me (and i thank me, for hearing myself, too!) xxx
Friday, 25 May 2007
Raw Cakes
I found the USB lead for my camera! Hooray.....now I can put pictures up of the raw cakes i've been making recently....
This is a chocolate zucchini superfood cake i made for Ellens birthday
This is the remainder of a blueberry cake that took about 10 minutes to make and was all gone in less than 12 hrs! It was an amazing deep purple colour
.
This is a chocolate zucchini superfood cake i made for Ellens birthday
This is the remainder of a blueberry cake that took about 10 minutes to make and was all gone in less than 12 hrs! It was an amazing deep purple colour
.
journey to wholeness
So I changed the name of this blog....it's now my holistic raw blog....to take into account the fact that i will not always just be talking about what i eat.
Any raw journey will be accompanied by shifts and changes on many levels of being. So i'll blog about it all, with a commitment to speaking my truth.
I have been reflecting recently on my reasons for going raw in the first place.
Here is a list of some of the reasons:
to have more energy
to be calmer/ less susceptible to stress
to feel more spiritually connected
because I love food!
it's environmentally friendly
to feel more comfortable in my own skin
to look and feel younger than i am
it's an outlet for creative expression
to feel happier/ more joyful/ less susceptible to negative moods and thoughts
to feel light and energetic
I enjoy the challenging of moving out of my comfort zone
to feel more 'in tune' generally
My reasons for staying raw now are:
I want to feel awake! and alive! in these exciting times we are living in
Eating raw helps me stay focused and positive
I feel clear....physical.mental.emotional.spiritual clarity
i can help others to go through the transition by sharing what i have learned
love love love
Any raw journey will be accompanied by shifts and changes on many levels of being. So i'll blog about it all, with a commitment to speaking my truth.
I have been reflecting recently on my reasons for going raw in the first place.
Here is a list of some of the reasons:
to have more energy
to be calmer/ less susceptible to stress
to feel more spiritually connected
because I love food!
it's environmentally friendly
to feel more comfortable in my own skin
to look and feel younger than i am
it's an outlet for creative expression
to feel happier/ more joyful/ less susceptible to negative moods and thoughts
to feel light and energetic
I enjoy the challenging of moving out of my comfort zone
to feel more 'in tune' generally
My reasons for staying raw now are:
I want to feel awake! and alive! in these exciting times we are living in
Eating raw helps me stay focused and positive
I feel clear....physical.mental.emotional.spiritual clarity
i can help others to go through the transition by sharing what i have learned
love love love
Delicious Green Juice Recipe and Gorgeous Raw Cake!
Still snuffley......
The juices concocted yesterday were sublime.
So good I just have to share:
1 head celery
2 large granny smith apples
1 cucumber
1 big handful barleygrass
1 big handful broccoli and alfalfa sprouts
1" fresh ginger
1/2 lemon with the zest peeled off but pith left on (for a bioflavonoid hit)
all through the juicer, with an optional dash of cayenne (cayenne is extremely high in vit. C so a really good cold remedy)
I've stopped with the Ashwagandha tincture for a while, since it is a building tonic, i believe, and during the acute phase of any illness when the body is clearing out, it's best to take remedies that help the body release pathogens.
It's Al's birthday today. I was busy in the kitchen last night making the base of the cake- a chocolate layer, and this morning added the fruit and (coconut and sesame) cream layers. It looks very pretty, layers of dark chocolate, pink and purple cream layers, and strawberries on top.
The juices concocted yesterday were sublime.
So good I just have to share:
1 head celery
2 large granny smith apples
1 cucumber
1 big handful barleygrass
1 big handful broccoli and alfalfa sprouts
1" fresh ginger
1/2 lemon with the zest peeled off but pith left on (for a bioflavonoid hit)
all through the juicer, with an optional dash of cayenne (cayenne is extremely high in vit. C so a really good cold remedy)
I've stopped with the Ashwagandha tincture for a while, since it is a building tonic, i believe, and during the acute phase of any illness when the body is clearing out, it's best to take remedies that help the body release pathogens.
It's Al's birthday today. I was busy in the kitchen last night making the base of the cake- a chocolate layer, and this morning added the fruit and (coconut and sesame) cream layers. It looks very pretty, layers of dark chocolate, pink and purple cream layers, and strawberries on top. I'm going to see (the?) Mahabharata tomorrow.....said housemate scored 2 free tickets in the directors box, and since it's my birthday in just over a week, it's a double birthday treat. Am very excited!
love
xoxo
Thursday, 24 May 2007
sunny day snuffles
I have a cold...blech
Can't remember the last time i had a snotty cold. I've been stepping up the raw element of my diet quite significantly recently, and cut out a lot of little 'cheats'.....so perhaps this is detox? Who knows.....it's all speculation!
I'm going to go back to bed now....have just had a pint of lemon water to drink. It's veggie delivery day today, and i've concocted a remedy in my head for when it arrives:
Apple, Ginger, Celery and Lemon juice with a good dash of cayenne.
Oh, and it's a beautiful day today.....
Can't remember the last time i had a snotty cold. I've been stepping up the raw element of my diet quite significantly recently, and cut out a lot of little 'cheats'.....so perhaps this is detox? Who knows.....it's all speculation!
I'm going to go back to bed now....have just had a pint of lemon water to drink. It's veggie delivery day today, and i've concocted a remedy in my head for when it arrives:
Apple, Ginger, Celery and Lemon juice with a good dash of cayenne.
Oh, and it's a beautiful day today.....
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Yoga and Raw Food
Yoga and Raw foods are a marriage made in heaven. Really, I can't imagine one without the other. I initially got into raw foods at a time when my physical Yoga practice dwindled (after the birth of my son). Even though I was no longer spending much time on the mat, it was as if I had taken the essence of my yoga practice off the mat, and into the kitchen. Raw Foods are an integral part of my yoga practice! There is no separating them. 'On the mat' yoga practice enhances and enriches my experience of this body on raw and living foods, and vice versa.
I've been settling into my 'on the mat' yoga practice again, and am enjoying the dialogue that comes from taking that time to meet myself, in the moment, without judgement.
So how do I then take this viewpoint off the mat and into the more 'everyday' setting of the kitchen? Coming to food preparation with consciousness is an art and skill that develops over time. The beauty is, consuming living foods and lightening the digestive burden naturally increases sensitivity and intuition. Eating then becomes a sensual and aesthetic experience, a way of connecting energetically to the source of our existence (physically taking in the sunlight)
More often, I am becoming aware of the way I eat. Mostly, i tend to nibble through the day. Eating on the run, drinking juice at the computer, that sort of thing. I feel I'd like to bring a little more consciousness to the act of eating itself.....if only just for one meal a day. I've gotten into the habit of eating too quickly, not chewing properly, being easily distracted.
So, just for today, i intend to be more conscious while i eat, to savour all the flavours, textures, colours of my food. I will tune into the enormous gratitude I feel at being able to feast so joyfully and bountifully from natures plate!
I've been settling into my 'on the mat' yoga practice again, and am enjoying the dialogue that comes from taking that time to meet myself, in the moment, without judgement.
So how do I then take this viewpoint off the mat and into the more 'everyday' setting of the kitchen? Coming to food preparation with consciousness is an art and skill that develops over time. The beauty is, consuming living foods and lightening the digestive burden naturally increases sensitivity and intuition. Eating then becomes a sensual and aesthetic experience, a way of connecting energetically to the source of our existence (physically taking in the sunlight)
More often, I am becoming aware of the way I eat. Mostly, i tend to nibble through the day. Eating on the run, drinking juice at the computer, that sort of thing. I feel I'd like to bring a little more consciousness to the act of eating itself.....if only just for one meal a day. I've gotten into the habit of eating too quickly, not chewing properly, being easily distracted.
So, just for today, i intend to be more conscious while i eat, to savour all the flavours, textures, colours of my food. I will tune into the enormous gratitude I feel at being able to feast so joyfully and bountifully from natures plate!
Sunday, 20 May 2007
Courgettes/ Zucchinis are fab!
In our weekly fruit and veg delivery this week, we got 3kg of courgettes. So I've been experimenting.....amazing what you can do with them. They are so versatile.
So far this week I have made cream of courgette soup, courgette hummus, courgette flax crackers, chocolate courgette cake....!
And that's just the beginning, I have loads of recipe ideas sprouting in my head at random moments during the day.
Buying in bulk is definitely conducive to experimentation. I could experiment with a different staple ingredient each week. Now there's a great idea!
So far this week I have made cream of courgette soup, courgette hummus, courgette flax crackers, chocolate courgette cake....!
And that's just the beginning, I have loads of recipe ideas sprouting in my head at random moments during the day.
Buying in bulk is definitely conducive to experimentation. I could experiment with a different staple ingredient each week. Now there's a great idea!
Friday, 18 May 2007
Community
Lots has been happening in my Raw World.....spent a whole day with Anne making food. We made so much food, and it was all delicious! Nori Wraps, Goji Pudding, Almond Hummus, Walnut Chilli, Granola, Flax Crackers, and Chocolate Cake, to be precise! Will post some recipes from that day soon.
Today I made a soup inspired by a recipe that came to me by email from Jinjee of www.thegardendiet.com.
It's a cream of zucchini (courgette) soup.
My version went as follows:
3 courgettes
1 avocado
2T Flax oil
1t honey
pinch salt
pepper
juice of 1 1/2 lemons
Blended in vitamix
Then stirred in chopped avocado, tomato, red onion, chopped parsley and radish.
Delicious!
Have been thinking a lot about what community means to me. Living as a small family unit really didn't do it for me.....especially when there's a small child involved. It was easy to feel isolated, trapped in the home, and burdened by all the daily chores. Now we live in a shared house, where the original intention was to make a 'home,' rather than a house we all live in. Communal living has certainly been eye opening.
However, most of the time, living in our house does not feel like a communal experience.
A metaphor I have been thinking of is this: imagine having a communal meal, where everybody does part of the work. Someone chops, someone lays the table, someone stirs, someone clears up, someone does the washing up. Each person only does a part of the work, but everybody gets to share in the richness of a meal prepared with love.....it's a bonding experience as well as serving basic needs of the member, as well as being energy efficient. Now, if everyone made their own meal, and each person does everything for themselves, they might begin to feel like they only want to be responsible for their own food shopping, and dish washing etc. This breeds an attitude of 'what's mine is mine.' Definitely not an attitude conducive to harmonious communal living.
In this regard, I am finding myself increasing looking towards my wider community, to fill my need to be part of something, and to make life a more efficient, joyful, shared experience......
It's all embryonic at the moment, but I will reveal all about my ideas when they start to feel a bit more real.
Am really appreciating this blog as a place to express myself....it serves as a focus....when I sit down to write an entry, I think about what is currently important to me, and then piece it all together so it makes some sense (hopefully). It's a nice thing to do for oneself, I recommend it!
love xoxox
It's a cream of zucchini (courgette) soup.
My version went as follows:3 courgettes
1 avocado
2T Flax oil
1t honey
pinch salt
pepper
juice of 1 1/2 lemons
Blended in vitamix
Then stirred in chopped avocado, tomato, red onion, chopped parsley and radish.
Delicious!
Have been thinking a lot about what community means to me. Living as a small family unit really didn't do it for me.....especially when there's a small child involved. It was easy to feel isolated, trapped in the home, and burdened by all the daily chores. Now we live in a shared house, where the original intention was to make a 'home,' rather than a house we all live in. Communal living has certainly been eye opening.
However, most of the time, living in our house does not feel like a communal experience.
A metaphor I have been thinking of is this: imagine having a communal meal, where everybody does part of the work. Someone chops, someone lays the table, someone stirs, someone clears up, someone does the washing up. Each person only does a part of the work, but everybody gets to share in the richness of a meal prepared with love.....it's a bonding experience as well as serving basic needs of the member, as well as being energy efficient. Now, if everyone made their own meal, and each person does everything for themselves, they might begin to feel like they only want to be responsible for their own food shopping, and dish washing etc. This breeds an attitude of 'what's mine is mine.' Definitely not an attitude conducive to harmonious communal living.
In this regard, I am finding myself increasing looking towards my wider community, to fill my need to be part of something, and to make life a more efficient, joyful, shared experience......
It's all embryonic at the moment, but I will reveal all about my ideas when they start to feel a bit more real.
Am really appreciating this blog as a place to express myself....it serves as a focus....when I sit down to write an entry, I think about what is currently important to me, and then piece it all together so it makes some sense (hopefully). It's a nice thing to do for oneself, I recommend it!
love xoxox
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Ashwagandha
I have a new tincture to try ~ Ashwagandha. I bought some of the root a while back from Organic Shamanic in Brighton, but that disappeared into the vortex of our kitchen....so I decided to get some tincture to try....since taking tinctures is so convenient.....just drop them into warm water or tea to evaporate off the alcohol.
This is the blurb about it from www.pukkaherbs.com:
"The perfect treatment for many of the health problems caused by the frenetic pace of modern living, Ashwagandha root is renowned for 'imparting the strength of a stallion'. In Ayurveda, it is considered to be an amphoteric herb that helps the body attain the correct balance. It's used as a tonic that both strengthens and calms. Its Latin name somnifera implies its calming properties, while helping the body and mind to adapt to the stresses of modern living. It grows all over India as a biennial root that burrows deeply into the earth, and although it is known as 'Indian Ginseng' because of its similar resemblance and tonifying properties, it is not stimulating."
I've also found information suggesting that it enhances cognitive abilities and memory, and is rich in antioxidants.
I'll keep you posted!
xoxox
This is the blurb about it from www.pukkaherbs.com:
"The perfect treatment for many of the health problems caused by the frenetic pace of modern living, Ashwagandha root is renowned for 'imparting the strength of a stallion'. In Ayurveda, it is considered to be an amphoteric herb that helps the body attain the correct balance. It's used as a tonic that both strengthens and calms. Its Latin name somnifera implies its calming properties, while helping the body and mind to adapt to the stresses of modern living. It grows all over India as a biennial root that burrows deeply into the earth, and although it is known as 'Indian Ginseng' because of its similar resemblance and tonifying properties, it is not stimulating."
I've also found information suggesting that it enhances cognitive abilities and memory, and is rich in antioxidants.
I'll keep you posted!
xoxox
Monday, 14 May 2007
struggle
There is so much 'stuff' coming to the surface right now. My issues are rising up from the depths to meet me quite frequently recently.
Oh for the peaceful life!
I am in warrioress mode. Standing strong. Taking action. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Quaking in my boots, yet all the while maintaining a deep, calm centre. Being able to connect with that is really keeping me on the path.
Found this interesting snippet from americanyogini.com
"We are at the very end of the astrological age of Pisces. Soon, in the year 2012, the age of Aquarius begins. I am not an expert astrologer nor was I always much of a believer in astrology until my deepening yoga practice drew my connection to not only one another and earthly nature but soon enough to cosmic nature as well. I have experienced from on the mat yoga practice, that with all change comes struggle. Struggle to let go of our attachment to what is known and familiar even if those things no longer serve our growth. If we find ourselves struggling to breath fully and calmly in a pose, we can never fully form this new pose--or shape--with our body. This is what is happening now in the world. These years in between the Piscean age, and the Aquarian age are a struggle. An often violent struggle, bringing us all the restriction in breath, and the pain and suffering that accompanies change during a period of shifting and adjusting from one reality to another. As we become present and aware, we will surely find ourselves in a higher place of light, ease and peace: in the whole world just as on our little yoga mats."
I was talking with a friend this morning, and we were reflecting on the seeming chaotic nature of life at the moment. There is nothing that feels predictable, stable or certain about life. The necessity to take things one cup of juice at a time is apparent. And also the feeling that there is something taking place at a cosmic level that is beyond comprehension.
My feeling is to take one step at a time, keep focused, present and aware. Be with loved ones, do what I love, maintain my home as a safe and sacred place. Hoever, my actions and reactions are at times very basic/unconscious, coming from quite a reactive, fearful place still. But the awareness is following behind, trying to catch up and shift the behaviour up a notch, to a place of greater integrity and impeccability.
And what of ego? Self-importance pops up to say hello whenever I feel offended, or small, or proud. It is painful seeing how much the ego is present in daily life. And yes, it is a struggle to let go of my attachment to these ego-generated feelings that do not serve. Thankfully, letting go of attachment to feelings is different from actually having to banish the feelings themselves. I see my attachment to painful feelings as addiction, or habit. Reprogramming is possible once I recognise and identify the unconstructive feelings/behaviour, and then commit to positive change.
As part of my dedication to change, I have decided to try 'The Work' (Byron Katie), since I have read so much about it, seen it in action, and it really resonates. Funny how I am resistant to actually getting my own issues down on paper. What am I afraid of, I wonder?......
Oh for the peaceful life!
I am in warrioress mode. Standing strong. Taking action. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Quaking in my boots, yet all the while maintaining a deep, calm centre. Being able to connect with that is really keeping me on the path.
Found this interesting snippet from americanyogini.com
"We are at the very end of the astrological age of Pisces. Soon, in the year 2012, the age of Aquarius begins. I am not an expert astrologer nor was I always much of a believer in astrology until my deepening yoga practice drew my connection to not only one another and earthly nature but soon enough to cosmic nature as well. I have experienced from on the mat yoga practice, that with all change comes struggle. Struggle to let go of our attachment to what is known and familiar even if those things no longer serve our growth. If we find ourselves struggling to breath fully and calmly in a pose, we can never fully form this new pose--or shape--with our body. This is what is happening now in the world. These years in between the Piscean age, and the Aquarian age are a struggle. An often violent struggle, bringing us all the restriction in breath, and the pain and suffering that accompanies change during a period of shifting and adjusting from one reality to another. As we become present and aware, we will surely find ourselves in a higher place of light, ease and peace: in the whole world just as on our little yoga mats."
I was talking with a friend this morning, and we were reflecting on the seeming chaotic nature of life at the moment. There is nothing that feels predictable, stable or certain about life. The necessity to take things one cup of juice at a time is apparent. And also the feeling that there is something taking place at a cosmic level that is beyond comprehension.
My feeling is to take one step at a time, keep focused, present and aware. Be with loved ones, do what I love, maintain my home as a safe and sacred place. Hoever, my actions and reactions are at times very basic/unconscious, coming from quite a reactive, fearful place still. But the awareness is following behind, trying to catch up and shift the behaviour up a notch, to a place of greater integrity and impeccability.
And what of ego? Self-importance pops up to say hello whenever I feel offended, or small, or proud. It is painful seeing how much the ego is present in daily life. And yes, it is a struggle to let go of my attachment to these ego-generated feelings that do not serve. Thankfully, letting go of attachment to feelings is different from actually having to banish the feelings themselves. I see my attachment to painful feelings as addiction, or habit. Reprogramming is possible once I recognise and identify the unconstructive feelings/behaviour, and then commit to positive change.
As part of my dedication to change, I have decided to try 'The Work' (Byron Katie), since I have read so much about it, seen it in action, and it really resonates. Funny how I am resistant to actually getting my own issues down on paper. What am I afraid of, I wonder?......
Sunday, 13 May 2007
Is it enough?
to just be me?
Doing nothing but sitting here on a rainy day
looking out the window
Into space
Is it enough to be content with this breath
That seems to be breathing me
in this moment
Going nowhere
Being still
Is it enough?
This place where there are no Grand Visions
No fancy bells or whistles
No great revelations
No great anything
Is it enough?
What takes away from this moment,
is that question itself
So relax
and know
that
it is enough
Doing nothing but sitting here on a rainy day
looking out the window
Into space
Is it enough to be content with this breath
That seems to be breathing me
in this moment
Going nowhere
Being still
Is it enough?
This place where there are no Grand Visions
No fancy bells or whistles
No great revelations
No great anything
Is it enough?
What takes away from this moment,
is that question itself
So relax
and know
that
it is enough
Saturday, 12 May 2007
Being in the Moment vs. Plans and Goals
These two things seem like a total dichotomy. I mean, how can you be in the moment if you're head is full of plans and goals for the future? This is something I've been sitting with for a while, playing with a bit, questioning....
I am generally a 'go with the flow' sort of person. I go wherever the wind blows me, and never had any burning ambitions. I was always successful academically, but just knew I didn't want to get trapped doing something I didn't love. So I avoided working full time, kept learning and travelling as much as I could, and engaging in my favourite pastime of all, ~being~
When I met Sky Dancer in 1999 his words resonated deeply~ "be careful of working for someone else for money, if you work, you will have no time to live"....or something very similar.
I knew this was true.
Fast forward to 2007. Everyone is talking about 'the secret'......It's all well and good if you're feeling good to begin with. When you're in that energised, flowing state, with focus, yes, manifestation happens. Magic happens.
But what about when it's not feeling great? When everything feels heavy? When gratitude is hard to feel? When brain chemistry has gone haywire?
In this state, focusing on those elusive goals just increases the sense of separation and stuckness.....by taking us out of the moment, and into the future. We cannot connect with what we want, because we are failing to connect with where we are.
So then I heard about Byron Katie. She is totally about being in the moment, being happy with where we are, wherever that may be. Living is harmony with the way life is.
To me, it feels like a less stressful, kinder approach to finding happiness. It is not about attracting material 'things' into your life that will bring you happiness. (Well, actually, the secret is not really about that either.....because you have to be happy before the secret will work!) It is about accepting things as they are, making peace with yourself and the world. Allowing what is, to just be as it is. In this way, judgement and blame is transcended, and we align ourselves with the truth, which is that everything is exactly as it is meant to be, and life is unfolding perfectly.
Here are some comments by Stephen Mitchell (Katies husband) about the difference between The Work and The Secret (from www.byronkatie.com):
I am generally a 'go with the flow' sort of person. I go wherever the wind blows me, and never had any burning ambitions. I was always successful academically, but just knew I didn't want to get trapped doing something I didn't love. So I avoided working full time, kept learning and travelling as much as I could, and engaging in my favourite pastime of all, ~being~
When I met Sky Dancer in 1999 his words resonated deeply~ "be careful of working for someone else for money, if you work, you will have no time to live"....or something very similar.
I knew this was true.
Fast forward to 2007. Everyone is talking about 'the secret'......It's all well and good if you're feeling good to begin with. When you're in that energised, flowing state, with focus, yes, manifestation happens. Magic happens.
But what about when it's not feeling great? When everything feels heavy? When gratitude is hard to feel? When brain chemistry has gone haywire?
In this state, focusing on those elusive goals just increases the sense of separation and stuckness.....by taking us out of the moment, and into the future. We cannot connect with what we want, because we are failing to connect with where we are.
So then I heard about Byron Katie. She is totally about being in the moment, being happy with where we are, wherever that may be. Living is harmony with the way life is.
To me, it feels like a less stressful, kinder approach to finding happiness. It is not about attracting material 'things' into your life that will bring you happiness. (Well, actually, the secret is not really about that either.....because you have to be happy before the secret will work!) It is about accepting things as they are, making peace with yourself and the world. Allowing what is, to just be as it is. In this way, judgement and blame is transcended, and we align ourselves with the truth, which is that everything is exactly as it is meant to be, and life is unfolding perfectly.
Here are some comments by Stephen Mitchell (Katies husband) about the difference between The Work and The Secret (from www.byronkatie.com):
*The Secret: “You can have whatever you want.”
*The Work: “You can want whatever you have.”
*The Secret: “My will be done. I know what’s best for me.”
*The Work: “Thy will be done (=Thy will is done). What’s best for me is what actually happens.” (In A Thousand Names for Joy, Katie says, “God’s will and your will are the same, whether you notice it or not.”)
*The Secret: “You can control your thoughts.”
*The Work: “You are not the thinker. It’s not possible to suppress your stressful thoughts. But when you question them, they let go of you.”
The Secret: “You can manifest your positive thoughts as reality.”
The Work: “Reality already is the best thing that could be manifested. When you realize this, you’re home free.”
My opinion is that there is truth in both The Work, and The Secret. They needn't be mutually exclusive. I watched a clip last night with David Wolfe talking about Goals and Intentions, and he hit the nail on the head when he said that it's useful to have goals, but to leave the details to the universe, to provide what is best for you.
So you can have goals and intentions (stated as affirmations in the present tense) such as "I eat the best food ever" " I drive the best possible car" " I am the best person I can possibly be"
The goals are written, and then you can get on with being in the moment, leaving the rest up to the universe. Who are we to think we know what is best for us? By trusting in the basic benevolence of the universe, and working with these present tense affirmations, we begin to see how everything in our lives now, is the best it can be! So, even tho I drive an old banger, it is the best car for me now! There's no reason to stress about not having that BMW, or whatever!
It's all good, and it's all one.
One of my favourite quotes from Katies A Thousand Names For Joy is:
"All I know is that God is everything and God is good. That's my story and I'm sticking to it"
On that note, I'd like to wish you a perfect day....but whether I wish it or not, I know you will have it!
Much Love xox
Friday, 11 May 2007
raw food fun
Potluck last night was small, but lovely. The food was amazing! We shared a very beautiful, very tasty meal. There were lots of different dishes, and they went together really well.
I threw together a carrot cake and a grated carrot/apple/fennel/spring onion salad, oh and some little pumpkin seed/sundried tomato/spring onion balls.
Steve delighted us all with his creative pilaf, and gorgeous basil dip.....the almond cookies were amazing too. We had a bit of a workshop feel going in the beginning getting Eloises crackers into the dehydrator, and playing 'guess the ingredients.' Oh the fun you can have with food!
It's always interesting to see what other people are doing with Raw....gives a bit of inspiration for trying new things.
I am definitely going to make more of an effort writing down recipes.
Anne came round this morning to look at recipes in preparation for next week when i'll be going round to make some food with her. We've got a list of things to make in the day.....crackers, almond hummus, chilli, nori rolls with parsnip rice, cookies.... can't wait!
Must remember my camera.....would like to start posting some pictures with my entries.....
It's so true that we eat with our eyes. What is a recipe without a picture?
I threw together a carrot cake and a grated carrot/apple/fennel/spring onion salad, oh and some little pumpkin seed/sundried tomato/spring onion balls.
Steve delighted us all with his creative pilaf, and gorgeous basil dip.....the almond cookies were amazing too. We had a bit of a workshop feel going in the beginning getting Eloises crackers into the dehydrator, and playing 'guess the ingredients.' Oh the fun you can have with food!
It's always interesting to see what other people are doing with Raw....gives a bit of inspiration for trying new things.
I am definitely going to make more of an effort writing down recipes.
Anne came round this morning to look at recipes in preparation for next week when i'll be going round to make some food with her. We've got a list of things to make in the day.....crackers, almond hummus, chilli, nori rolls with parsnip rice, cookies.... can't wait!
Must remember my camera.....would like to start posting some pictures with my entries.....
It's so true that we eat with our eyes. What is a recipe without a picture?
Monday, 7 May 2007
I love GREEN.....
In so many ways!
Have noticed recently that many of my meals are very green! That's just the way it seems to be, it's not a conscious thing. I just don't seem to be as drawn to other colours right now.
I've been drinking the most delicious green juices daily, packed full of sunflower greens, alfalfa sprouts and barley grass, all home grown, plus celery, cuke, coriander (mmmmmm) and apple to sweeten. Oh my great green goddess. I am truly in green heaven.
Made an amazing salad this evening.
It was courgette noodles (made with julienne peeler), with kombu noodles (soaked and cut into strips) cauliflower and spring onion, dressed in a splash of brown rice vinegar and himalayan salt, with chunks of avo. Very simple, green and delicious.
Also made a banana cake, of which there is a tiny piece remaining in the fridge! It was made with bananas, lime juice, sesame seeds, coconut, coconut butter, mesquite and lucuma, vanilla, buckwheaties and currants.
I really should have written down measurements. It was a good one. Just wasn't in a measuring sort of mood!
Have noticed recently that many of my meals are very green! That's just the way it seems to be, it's not a conscious thing. I just don't seem to be as drawn to other colours right now.
I've been drinking the most delicious green juices daily, packed full of sunflower greens, alfalfa sprouts and barley grass, all home grown, plus celery, cuke, coriander (mmmmmm) and apple to sweeten. Oh my great green goddess. I am truly in green heaven.
Made an amazing salad this evening.
It was courgette noodles (made with julienne peeler), with kombu noodles (soaked and cut into strips) cauliflower and spring onion, dressed in a splash of brown rice vinegar and himalayan salt, with chunks of avo. Very simple, green and delicious.
Also made a banana cake, of which there is a tiny piece remaining in the fridge! It was made with bananas, lime juice, sesame seeds, coconut, coconut butter, mesquite and lucuma, vanilla, buckwheaties and currants.
I really should have written down measurements. It was a good one. Just wasn't in a measuring sort of mood!
Saturday, 5 May 2007
a sense of wonder
I've been browsing some other raw blogs today, and am filled with a sense of amazement and wonder at the technology that allows us to connect and share with people everywhere. Sometimes, my lifestyle feels so different from most of the people i know IRL, it can feel sort of lonely at times. Yet i can log on to my computer and connect with others who are just as excited as me about growing sprouts and greens, and making happy messes in their kitchen in the name of raw-creativity! It's a strange sort of feeling, finding these other peeps that think like me.....strange and wonderful......
I'm quite shy tho, i'd like to reach out a bit more, connect with others, and make it a bit more real.
It all feels very new to me. Sometimes the vastness of cyberspace is overwhelming......there's just so much out there!
Well, here i go *dips little toe in water tentatively* ...................................
I'm quite shy tho, i'd like to reach out a bit more, connect with others, and make it a bit more real.
It all feels very new to me. Sometimes the vastness of cyberspace is overwhelming......there's just so much out there!
Well, here i go *dips little toe in water tentatively* ...................................
Friday, 4 May 2007
the mystery of life
It's all so mysterious. It astounds me sometimes how much energy i have put into trying to figure everything out using my head! And there are no answers that satisfy! It's just a continual exploration. Increasingly, it's about surrendering, surrendering, surrendering to what is happening, that which i have no control over, and can't seem to make sense of logically. The feelings of uncomfortable-ness, the un-explainability of it all, these things just are.
When the story is seen for what it is, it falls away. For example, when i feel uncomfortable, the story remains, but i see it is a story, i see that this too will pass, my attention turns to my body, to breath, to softening.....and in these small ways i am kind to myself. Slowly, i am remembering this ~ That the greatest gift i can give to the world, is to love myself, unconditionally. Because when i love me, the love can't help but spill over into the world, that is the nature of love......................
When the story is seen for what it is, it falls away. For example, when i feel uncomfortable, the story remains, but i see it is a story, i see that this too will pass, my attention turns to my body, to breath, to softening.....and in these small ways i am kind to myself. Slowly, i am remembering this ~ That the greatest gift i can give to the world, is to love myself, unconditionally. Because when i love me, the love can't help but spill over into the world, that is the nature of love......................
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Moving blog and crafting cakes....
I have moved my all my blog posts onto this site, I like the new look and feel, plus it feels like more of a community...
I have a cake commission, which is exciting....I have thought of a new way to describe the way I make cakes ~ Cake Crafting!
I am thinking along the lines of a white chocolate and raspberry layered cake with chocolate on top. We'll see. I'll take some pictures which I'll post.
I'm really hungry today. Craving something which food won't satisfy. Maybe it's emotional detox......after the cleanse......and I'm looking for the easiest way to avoid having to deal with it?
The approach I'm taking is to remain aware through all my choices, and not being hard on myself. I'm just a human bean doing the best I know how!
I have a cake commission, which is exciting....I have thought of a new way to describe the way I make cakes ~ Cake Crafting!
I am thinking along the lines of a white chocolate and raspberry layered cake with chocolate on top. We'll see. I'll take some pictures which I'll post.
I'm really hungry today. Craving something which food won't satisfy. Maybe it's emotional detox......after the cleanse......and I'm looking for the easiest way to avoid having to deal with it?
The approach I'm taking is to remain aware through all my choices, and not being hard on myself. I'm just a human bean doing the best I know how!
Day 6
02/05/2007 by shell.
It’s nearing the end of day 6. And I guess the end of this cleanse, since I had slice of avocado with dinner, and some dried fig with tahini afferwards. I’m feeling so much better now, almost as if I’ve been fasting, but in a gentler, less dramatic way. Words that spring to mind to describe how i’m feeling: light, clean, calm
It’s not been too difficult to leave out fat…..I’ve not felt like i’ve been missing out, particularly, although towards the end I was beginning to crave ’something’ heavier….I have been really hungry in the afternoons these last two days…..to the extent where i’ve finished all the fruit in the house! I don’t think i’ve ever eaten so many bananas before! ; )
It’s nearing the end of day 6. And I guess the end of this cleanse, since I had slice of avocado with dinner, and some dried fig with tahini afferwards. I’m feeling so much better now, almost as if I’ve been fasting, but in a gentler, less dramatic way. Words that spring to mind to describe how i’m feeling: light, clean, calm
It’s not been too difficult to leave out fat…..I’ve not felt like i’ve been missing out, particularly, although towards the end I was beginning to crave ’something’ heavier….I have been really hungry in the afternoons these last two days…..to the extent where i’ve finished all the fruit in the house! I don’t think i’ve ever eaten so many bananas before! ; )
Day 4 ~ Yoga
30/04/2007 by shell.
Woke up this morning feeling lighter than I have done in a long time. Dropped J off and school and then hit the yoga mat.
Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve checked in on the yoga mat. I spent a long while listening, dropping away tension, breathing and undoing.
Breathing into the pain between my shoulders, I meet myself in the moment. Ok, this is where I am at now. A body that feels achy here and there, resistant in places. Breathe, aaah just staying with the breath softly for a while invites a spontaneous undoing in the sacrum. Feet! There you are. Connected to everything else, so strong, organising the form the body will take as weight meets gravity meets breath meets ground.
Stretching up through the right side, digestive system gurgles into action. Twisting through the spine, the nervous system awakens.
Here I am, in this moment, meeting myself and showing a kindness in accepting where I am, listening, softening the armour, letting something mysterious yet familiar emerge.
Woke up this morning feeling lighter than I have done in a long time. Dropped J off and school and then hit the yoga mat.
Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve checked in on the yoga mat. I spent a long while listening, dropping away tension, breathing and undoing.
Breathing into the pain between my shoulders, I meet myself in the moment. Ok, this is where I am at now. A body that feels achy here and there, resistant in places. Breathe, aaah just staying with the breath softly for a while invites a spontaneous undoing in the sacrum. Feet! There you are. Connected to everything else, so strong, organising the form the body will take as weight meets gravity meets breath meets ground.
Stretching up through the right side, digestive system gurgles into action. Twisting through the spine, the nervous system awakens.
Here I am, in this moment, meeting myself and showing a kindness in accepting where I am, listening, softening the armour, letting something mysterious yet familiar emerge.
Days 3&4, Up and Down
Day 2- Saturday
We ended up going to London, to see the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, since J has been asking questions about dinosaurs recently. It was a lovely spontaneous trip, and a great day. My energy levels were high all day, and negotiating London on a busy Saturday seemed a breeze. I had a green smoothie in the morning (lettuce, sunnies,orange,banana), and snacked on fruit throughout the day (grapes, bananas, oranges, apples). After the museum, we went to Vita Organic where I had a blue smoothie (blueberries/pear/blue-green-algae), and then we visited China Town to sniff durians. I bought some mangosteens, to try for the first time!
Fell into bed way past 10 exhausted but happy.
Day 3
My energy levels plummeted on Sunday. That familiar tension between my shoulder blades returned, bringing with it a general ’stressed out and tense’ feeling. I sat down to do some work on my website, which made me feel worse, because I ended up getting frustrated trying to set up email accounts and manage domains. It’s all new to me!
The day began with a green smoothie for breakfast, then a small salad for lunch, and fruit for snacks. I couldn’t face any more raw food so I had a plate of steamed vegetables with a baked potato for dinner.
We ended up going to London, to see the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, since J has been asking questions about dinosaurs recently. It was a lovely spontaneous trip, and a great day. My energy levels were high all day, and negotiating London on a busy Saturday seemed a breeze. I had a green smoothie in the morning (lettuce, sunnies,orange,banana), and snacked on fruit throughout the day (grapes, bananas, oranges, apples). After the museum, we went to Vita Organic where I had a blue smoothie (blueberries/pear/blue-green-algae), and then we visited China Town to sniff durians. I bought some mangosteens, to try for the first time!
Fell into bed way past 10 exhausted but happy.
Day 3
My energy levels plummeted on Sunday. That familiar tension between my shoulder blades returned, bringing with it a general ’stressed out and tense’ feeling. I sat down to do some work on my website, which made me feel worse, because I ended up getting frustrated trying to set up email accounts and manage domains. It’s all new to me!
The day began with a green smoothie for breakfast, then a small salad for lunch, and fruit for snacks. I couldn’t face any more raw food so I had a plate of steamed vegetables with a baked potato for dinner.
Day 1
I wanted to write a little more about this cleanse, and the reasons behind my decision to embark on it.
For a few months now, my energy levels have been really erratic. I’ve been finding it a struggle to get out of bed and begin my day. My moods have been generally quite low. I have been more emotionally reactive than usual. My stamina and fitness levels have been steadily decreasing. I have been experiencing tension between my shoulder blades in my upper back (which I believe could be connected to liver/gall bladder distress).
Winter is not an easy time for me food-wise. My body-mind-soul loves warmth, and light water rich foods…….so in winter I find myself having to adapt….I started eating more cooked veggies and grains, and even rekindled my affair with an old flame- bread! Oh, and cheese…..all these little things add up, no wonder I find myself in a less than wonderful place!
Because I had been eating a really energising, balanced mostly raw vegan diet for quite a long time prior to winter (2yrs), my body felt very clean and strong. Hence, the difference between where I was then, and where I am now (physically/mentally/emotionally), feels quite dramatic.
The time has come to get a little clarity, get back on track, revitalise and energise!
It’s not all been so gloomy…..I have continued to drink green juice almost daily, and am still growing sunflower greens and barley grass continuously. Other positive habits I’d like to implement are:
1. Exercise!!! Daily stretching, walking and a dynamic yoga practice.
2. Meditation/ Stillness/ Breathing practice. Not necessarily sitting….possibly incorporated into mealtimes (preparation/ eating as meditation)
Ok…..so….
I’m actually quite looking forward to this. At the market today I took my time, really listened to my body…..and now the kitchen is feeling abundant with fruit and greens!
I bought the following organic produce:
3 heads of green batavia lettuce-5 fat courgettes-2 red bell peppers-5kg blood oranges-2 hands bananas-7 tomatoes-
Today I’ve eaten:
2 pints worth of Green smoothies (banana/mango/orange/lettuce/sunflower greens)- 2 apples- 2 pears-2 bananas- 1 bowl mixed veg/herb/lettuce salad
current mood- light, a little tired : )
For a few months now, my energy levels have been really erratic. I’ve been finding it a struggle to get out of bed and begin my day. My moods have been generally quite low. I have been more emotionally reactive than usual. My stamina and fitness levels have been steadily decreasing. I have been experiencing tension between my shoulder blades in my upper back (which I believe could be connected to liver/gall bladder distress).
Winter is not an easy time for me food-wise. My body-mind-soul loves warmth, and light water rich foods…….so in winter I find myself having to adapt….I started eating more cooked veggies and grains, and even rekindled my affair with an old flame- bread! Oh, and cheese…..all these little things add up, no wonder I find myself in a less than wonderful place!
Because I had been eating a really energising, balanced mostly raw vegan diet for quite a long time prior to winter (2yrs), my body felt very clean and strong. Hence, the difference between where I was then, and where I am now (physically/mentally/emotionally), feels quite dramatic.
The time has come to get a little clarity, get back on track, revitalise and energise!
It’s not all been so gloomy…..I have continued to drink green juice almost daily, and am still growing sunflower greens and barley grass continuously. Other positive habits I’d like to implement are:
1. Exercise!!! Daily stretching, walking and a dynamic yoga practice.
2. Meditation/ Stillness/ Breathing practice. Not necessarily sitting….possibly incorporated into mealtimes (preparation/ eating as meditation)
Ok…..so….
I’m actually quite looking forward to this. At the market today I took my time, really listened to my body…..and now the kitchen is feeling abundant with fruit and greens!
I bought the following organic produce:
3 heads of green batavia lettuce-5 fat courgettes-2 red bell peppers-5kg blood oranges-2 hands bananas-7 tomatoes-
Today I’ve eaten:
2 pints worth of Green smoothies (banana/mango/orange/lettuce/sunflower greens)- 2 apples- 2 pears-2 bananas- 1 bowl mixed veg/herb/lettuce salad
current mood- light, a little tired : )
time for a cleanse.....
I’ve been working around Raw Chocolate for the last couple of weeks. It’s difficult not to eat chocolate when you’re surrounded by it all day. So I surrendered…..anyway, I’m not feeling that great after the indulgence, and could do with a bit of a cleanse. I’ve never felt that great when fat has been a major part of my diet. So I’ve decided to embark on a 5-7 day fat free cleanse, to wean myself off the fat addiction, and boost my energy levels.
I guess this means loads of green smoothies, juices, fruit, and salads. Wow, lucky me!!
I get to indulge in all my favourite fruits and veggies all week long!
I’ve finished all the fruit in the house already, so I’m off to the market to stock up. There are plenty of sunflower greens ready, and a couple of trays of barleygrass.
I’ll try to keep a day to day account here of what I’m eating, and how I’m feeling.
bye for now! : )
I guess this means loads of green smoothies, juices, fruit, and salads. Wow, lucky me!!
I get to indulge in all my favourite fruits and veggies all week long!
I’ve finished all the fruit in the house already, so I’m off to the market to stock up. There are plenty of sunflower greens ready, and a couple of trays of barleygrass.
I’ll try to keep a day to day account here of what I’m eating, and how I’m feeling.
bye for now! : )
Nourishment.....
…..is not just about the food we eat! Although that’s a large part of it. This weekend has been just magical. It flowed beautifully from beginning to end, spontaneously, joyfully, full of shared love and laughter with beautiful friends. It felt like the longest weekend ever, so there you go, time doesn’t always fly by too fast when you’re having fun! I am feeling so well nourished, on all levels!
The last few days have been marked by several gorgeous meals, prepared with loved and shared in friendship. Sitting together to share a meal is a sacred bonding experience and I am full of gratitude for all the magical food sharing experiences of this last weekend. Thankyouthankyouthankyou
Nettles are seasonally abundant, and I’m loving them! They are featuring prominently on the menu at the moment, although, I am preferring them slightly steamed to raw (blended or juiced). Much of the joy is in the picking…..out in the sunshine and fresh air…mmmm….being in nature nourishes my soul!
The last few days have been marked by several gorgeous meals, prepared with loved and shared in friendship. Sitting together to share a meal is a sacred bonding experience and I am full of gratitude for all the magical food sharing experiences of this last weekend. Thankyouthankyouthankyou
Nettles are seasonally abundant, and I’m loving them! They are featuring prominently on the menu at the moment, although, I am preferring them slightly steamed to raw (blended or juiced). Much of the joy is in the picking…..out in the sunshine and fresh air…mmmm….being in nature nourishes my soul!
simplicity
This week I am free of parental responsibilities since my 4yr old is having adventures in America with his Daddy. So I feel like keeping it all very simple where food is concerned. Also this lovely weather has added a spring to my step, and feeling lighter all the time, I find myself losing interest in heavier food.
I am enjoying the extra time and space and the opportunity to go at my own pace. Spending time tending to the seedlings…..(this is my first experiment with growing veggies) and indoor greens, is nurturing my connection to the source of life and food, rather than tending directly to my appetite!
I have been experimenting with flax crackers for the past few weeks. Getting near to perfect now, learning how to get them not too thick, not too thin. I love how they make snacking so simple and delicious; bit of avo, tomato, sunflower greens on a cracker= instant contentment!
I have a batch of frozen white and black sesame seeds in the freezer waiting to be made into tahini (they have been presoaked and dehydrated). A big jar of home-made tahini in the fridge always lends itself to simple yet satistisfying meals for me…….simple salads dressed with tahini/lemon/orange mmmmm. Not forgetting how great it is in cakes too……..speaking of which, i think i feel another cake creation coming on this week, got dinner with friends on Friday………..
I am enjoying the extra time and space and the opportunity to go at my own pace. Spending time tending to the seedlings…..(this is my first experiment with growing veggies) and indoor greens, is nurturing my connection to the source of life and food, rather than tending directly to my appetite!
I have been experimenting with flax crackers for the past few weeks. Getting near to perfect now, learning how to get them not too thick, not too thin. I love how they make snacking so simple and delicious; bit of avo, tomato, sunflower greens on a cracker= instant contentment!
I have a batch of frozen white and black sesame seeds in the freezer waiting to be made into tahini (they have been presoaked and dehydrated). A big jar of home-made tahini in the fridge always lends itself to simple yet satistisfying meals for me…….simple salads dressed with tahini/lemon/orange mmmmm. Not forgetting how great it is in cakes too……..speaking of which, i think i feel another cake creation coming on this week, got dinner with friends on Friday………..
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