The Leap Day - Day 24

How wonderful that we get the opportunity to celebrate another leap year. In my life I have seen six leap years and never gave any of them much thought but I am enjoying the thoughtfulness of today which gives me chance to think back to all of my four year segments, where I was, what I was doing, how I felt, etc. I am feeling so good right now, just over half way through my fast. Last week, I welcomed some energies from the waters and brought some fish meat into my diet. I have never seen my skin and hair look so nice! I feel good this way and have determined to keep this up for an entire year! There is nothing better than taking the time to appreciate your own body and your own health. Last weekend I was at the annual IWIN
Pink Pajama party for breast cancer which is just the most beautiful and full hearted experience ever. Yesterday I took the girls to their local pediatrician for a check-up and as I was filling out the form and checking "no" under the illnesses and conditions history for the girls, I realized how very very blessed we are to have such great health and strength. What a heart warming week. I feel more and more every day how I need to reach out into the community and put my heart into service and motion. We must give and we must move. When we are stagnant, we rot and fester and become toxic. It is so interesting to me that I have felt so drawn to water spirit. I have always been so earth/metal/fire centered. I am welcoming this natural balance and the way it has served my wellbeing. My temper certainly needs it as well! I have been so snappy and sharp, the water needs to bring that down and it is, slowly - surely and beautifully.

Day Three

Today has been wonderful. Last night, I lay there listening to the twists and turns of my digestive tract completely convinced that it was in revolt against me, but I awoke this morning feeling light and calm. Being Friday, I have committed my self to to only one whole meal today and so enjoyed a homemade roll with almond butter and concord jam for both breakfast and lunch with some loose earl grey tea. It has been so rewarding and liberating not to have to worry about eating meals. I know it is not a great thing to do on a regular basis, but this temporary abstinence has been so so nice. I think for dinner we will have udon noodles with a chinese vegetable "sauce" in honor of the first full day of the chinese new year. the year of the rat! oh how i hope all those savvy and cunning traits help me this year. there is so much to learn and share!

Food of the Day: Bergamont
Bergamont is more of an herb than a food and it is found in most Earl Grey teas. It has a slightly fragrant citrus tone and has been shown to be an effective aromatherapy for quitting smoking.

Intention for the day: Greatfulness
My spirit is full of gratitude and grace. My life is a gift.

40 days to Wellness

Since the middle of the second century, Romans participated in a season of great feasts and parties leading up to 40 days of fasting and renewal to greet the coming spring. Today the tradition carries on as cities all over the world celebrate the time from Christmas to the Epiphany to Carnival to Easter. In fact, the actual latin derivative of the word carne vale translates to "farewell to the flesh" and it invites us after such feast and merrymaking to seek balance and renewal in body and spirit - to move from outward behaviours to inward reflection.

I invite you to join me during these next 40 days, the deepest dog days of winter, to seek a lengthening and renewal of your spirit by chosing better habits daily. Yes this time can be challenging, but growth is always a challenging undertaking, even a small seed must push through a deep dark earth before it meets the sun. In the same way, our spirit climbs toward a great light and warmth through obstacles and darkness.

I will be journaling daily through my experience and I invite you to journal as well and share your experiences, trials and growth with us all. Before I begin though, I want to leave you with this wonderful quote from Oscar Wilde. May it be an inspiration to you at this time and always:

Keep love in your heart. A life without

it is like a sunless garden when

the flowers are dead.

The consciousness of loving and being loved

brings a warmth and richness to life

that nothing else can bring.

Day one/two

The last 32 hours have been challenging. The weather, though warm, has been gray and wet between a drizzle and a drop but never quite a rain. I have spent the last two mornings waking up with the self-same feeling reflected in my own heart. It seems as though this drab weather invites melancholy and it takes every bit of sunshine in me to rise against it and bring energy into my day. Whew, what work it is but always made so much easier by the beautiful faces of my children!

Yesterday morning as I warmed up my body to the new day I contemplated what the day could possibly bring. Perhaps it would be nice to start each day with an intention and keep it in mind all day, like a goal to constantly be working toward. I thought I would try that out later though because my first line of business was feeding my body; finding ways without the aid of animal flesh to supply myself with the greatest amount of energy possible.

Well, in the heart of winter this fresh start seemed to be a little challenging but I easily found my way into a warm bowl of oatmeal accented with cinnamon, gogi berries and ground flax seeds. Although this was nice, it didn't hold me over too long and before I knew it I needed a mid-morning pistacio boost. For lunch I had avocado rolls, dijon/balsamic braised greens and a vegan butternut squash croquet inspired by a recipe from Libya. Mid afternoon snack included baby carrots and a handful of green grapes and I ended with a late dinner of a tofu vegetable stirfry. This morning I tried the oatmeal again to no avail and ended up two hours later with a hemp milk latte and a homeade roll with almond butter... much better. Lunch will be more of the veggie fried rice from last night and dinner will be a pasta fagioli made with whole grain gobbetti and white beans topped with nutritional yeast (as a tasty cheese flavored substitute and B vitamin extravaganza!). Seems like a good start so far!

As for my spiritual health, I have made a commitment to meditate and pray daily and I feel renewed already at the thought of such a venture. Although I spent the first 11 years of my life in Catholic school, I don't feel I ever properly learned to pray. What is this art that some seem to fall so easily into and others not at all? To me it doesn't seem quite right to treat prayer as a conversation with God or a bargaining session. Nor does it seem right to simply ask for things or just say thank you. Prayer is a process of becoming closer in your relationship to God and I don't know what that means for me or truly even what it is like. How do I start, where do I begin, what do I say or think or do. Where is this God and how do I know I am authentic in my own presence of mind, body and soul? This I hope to gain insight into and in this insight gain the steadfastness of spirit to grow.

Food of the day: Nutritional Yeast

This food is a deactivated yeast often used to supplement the diet of vegans or health conscious individuals because of it's vitamin and nutrient rich qualities. It is especially high in the B-complex vitamins and protein both of which help regulate moods and stress. The flavor is often described as nutty and cheesy and makes a great snack on top of popcorn. Try it!

Affirmation of the day: Love

My heart is full of love and light and I am filled with joy.

Love Your Self

With the coming of Valentine's day, I thought it would be wonderful to post a challenge to all of the members of this blog. Love your self without limits this month. Think of your self as your own most coveted lover. Write love letters and send them in the mail or leave them out for your self every morning for you to see. Get a massage and take one night to eat chocolates and drink champagne with fresh strawberries. Treat your skin to a decadant lotion or body oil, buy a new perfume, fill your house with flowers. Each day bring home a gift to your self, a nice fruit or a beautifully baked cake. Be glorious with your self, honor, protect, nourish and love unconditionally. Be blind in your love. Smile for no reason at all and keep it up all day. Work those subtle smile muscles at the edge of your mouth, work that inner Mona Lisa! Listen to great music and dance freely. Jump on your bed and have a pillow fight. Treat your self to a nice dinner out at a fancy restaurant and be sure to order dessert! Watch a movie or go ice skating. Get out and show the world this new love of your life. Show your self off with pride! Glow from inside! Bring it all out this month, that is what I challenge!!!!!