Memories and Mom Smells

My daughters love the smell of the inside of my purse, and have since they were little. A timeless fascination—they say it smells like chewing gum and lipstick. It’s a mom smell, I think. For as long as I can remember, I am never without a pack of Wrigley’s Doublemint gum, an ancient tube of lipstick and Kleenex. My mom had Kleenex, too. Always in the interior zip, covered in blots of her lipstick and offered at every sneeze or sniffle, and you know what? It ever smelled like lipstick and gum.

Learning. Growing. Changing.

This glass container used to be my treat jar. Any given day it might be filled with chocolate candy, Little Debbie snack cakes, cookies...and now, as you can see, it holds my collection of teas. I start and end my day with a cup of hot tea. While I sip, I take time to quiet my mind and express my gratitude to the Creator for all that I am, and all that I have, humble as it may be.

I have learned that growing the soul, like growing a bountiful crop requires good, nutrient rich soil, lots of sunshine and plenty of clean water. What’s the phrase—you’re basically a house plant with more complicated emotions? There’s a lot of truth in that. Since trading processed junk food and soda for a more healthy, balanced way of living, I can feel the difference taking root in my body, mind and spirit. Deep breaths.

Peace y’all. Be blessed.

Mindful Eating, Seeking Balance

Change is hard, especially, it seems, when it comes to our health. I have spent too many years mired down by apathy and depression. Too many years spent fat and out of shape, emotional eating controlling my life. Then I read an article about balance. Those words, reaching through the muck and resonating with me in such a way—it made me unafraid to go ahead and make that change.

It’s early in the journey, just twelve days. Twelve days of clean, living, healthy food. No processed anything. No sugar. No red meat. Mindful eating, not subscribing to any diet or way of life and I feel fantastic! Maybe, finally, this is something I can stick with—that will stick with me. Delicious, organic, natural, healthy foods that nourish both body and soul...finding myself, finding balance.

Peace.

Dave’s Killer Bread, organic tomato, pasture raised organic eggs and organic arugula.

Italian Chopped Salad: romaine, radicchio, great northern beans, sun dried tomatoes, oil & vinegar, salt & pepper, red pepper flakes—HELLA GOOD!!

Blueberry banana smoothie—frozen organic blueberries, 1/2 banana, a dollop of good honey & Greek honey yogurt, unsweetened almond milk

This is my new organic superfood powder: turmeric, ashwagandha, ginger, cinnamon, lucuma and pepper powder. Good for de-stressing, inflammation and sleep.

Taco bowls—organic romaine, organic tomatoes, fresh jalapeños, lime juice, corn, black beans, shredded chicken, a sprinkle of shredded jack and a dollop of salsa. *chef’s kiss*

Did you know that quinoa will keep up to seven days in the fridge in an airtight container? Quinoa is chocked full of nutrients & antioxidants, it’s high in fiber and a good source of plant protein. I used it as the base of my salad today along with cucumber, red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion and homemade vinaigrette. May not sound like much, but it was delicious!!

Breakfast bowl: apples, bananas, dates, a dollop of honey yogurt, granola, chia seeds, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey—such a huge departure from what I used to eat in the morning. So delicious, filling and so much better for me. This year is all about mindful eating, no diets, just living food to nourish body and soul.

A Perfect Moment

A male house finch perched in a winter’s tree, atop the highest whisper thin branch. I could see his puffed up chest glowing red in the waning light of golden hour and I stilled in the moment. His solo song, heavenly and sweet broke the silence—a concert just for me, but then, a female joined him. He continued his song, me an accidental witness, watching the pair until they both took flight into that setting sun. My attempt at prose does it no justice. It was a perfect moment.

Peace.

“He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” -Einstein

Chasing Rabbits

You can get lost chasing rabbits. I’ve done my time down the rabbit hole these many months seeking answers, seeking Truth. I have a curious mind. I ask questions. I listen to my gut—it’s never been wrong. I call it my Godspeak.

The rabbit hole is deep, deeper than you can imagine. What you seek, you will find. It’s a mad trip, enlightening and terrifying because some things resonate with that Godspeak so strong, it’s impossible to ignore.

Climbing out of that darkness and back into the light, I have found the only Truth that matters—to deepen the connection to Spirit, to seek the Divine within, the only thing that gives life meaning.

I’m letting go of negativity and things that no longer serve me. I choose to focus, always, on the eternal moment of now, mindful of every sacred breath of prana and the overwhelming gratitude I feel just to be here.

Peace and love to you, whoever, and wherever you are this moment. Be blessed.