{ this moment }

a friday ritual - a single photo - no words - a moment I want to pause - savor - and remember

inspired by soulemama

Doing Daddy's hair.

Horchata.

After seeing this horchata recipe on Pinterest (and promptly pinning it) I knew I had to try it.

It's kind of a new spin on horchata, actually.

Less sugar.

High in protein, vitamins, minerals, 

and good fats.

Delicious.

It's my new favorite post-workout drink!

Here are my adaptations for the above recipe.

For the rice I used a very good quality Jasmine rice. 

Why not?

I also mixed in some of my homemade almond milk which is infused with dates and vanilla bean.

It gave it a real creaminess.

Instead of using sugar I used just a touch (about a tbsp. per quart) of maple syrup.

If you're using maple syrup, use 100% pure maple syrup.

I whirled it all together in a blender,

strained it as directed, placed it in a mason jar with a cinnamon stick in it, and stuck it in the fridge overnight to infuse further.

When it was ready, I shook it furiously, grated some fresh nutmeg over the top, and enjoyed.

What a refreshing beverage!

I think we'll be enjoying this one for months to come.

Set in motion.

It was silent here last week. 

Mostly due to a sick little monkey who passed it on to me.

Ahhhh motherhood.

It was also a kind of transformative week as well.

My fast officially ended on Friday the 16th.

Part of that fast, as I mentioned before, is not only clearing our bodies of waste but our spaces too.

I had already had a few bags going.

One for Goodwill.

One for this friend and one for that friend.

#7 on my 2012 TDL can be checked off too.

My goal was to empty 2 of the nugget's clothes bins...I emptied all of them.

I cherry picked the items that were in excellent to new condition and gave them to friends and family who are expecting new little ones very soon.

Of course, I do have one box that I keep for very special items that I want to keep. Only to be passed on to my sister, Danielle, or Iris herself.

This is what the back of my car looked like the day of 

the "big drop".

I have to tell you, I have not stopped.

I already have two or three more bags going, for various distribution.

Now, back to the physical aspect of the fast.

I felt amazing.

I looked ....

how do I say this without sounding like a jerk...AWESOME!

The bloat.

Gone.

The bags under my eyes.

Gone.

Eyes.

Bright.

 Mood.

Bright.

Here's proof.

This fast gave me tools that I will use for the rest of my life.

More than the fast itself.

I recommend it to anyone looking to make a shift in there life.

I believe Laura Emily will be doing another guided fast in August.

We celebrated the end of the fast by trying a new restaurant. 

So me.

I had heard great things, and as it is a Mediterranean restaurant,

 I new I would be able to make healthy choices.

Falafel.

Babaganoush.

Zatter bread.

Oh my!

This little one loved it as well.

My adventurous little eater.

Spring cleaning is, and has been, under way around these parts.

I hope to keep it going.

{ this moment }

a friday ritual - a single photo - no words - a moment I want to pause - savor - and remember

inspired by soulemama

Sick little nugget. :(

We've been nursing a little 

spring fever around here.
We'll be back next week!
Happy spring to you all!

{ this moment }

a friday ritual - a single photo - no words - a moment I want to pause - savor - and remember

inspired by soulemama

Snugglin' on mama's yoga mat.

Day 9.

It's day 9 of my 10 day fast.

I'm beginning to think about what meals I will make for my three day acclimation back to food.

What have I learned from this fast?

What will my relationship with food look like?

Emotionally and physically, it has been a roller coaster ride.

I never knew what the day was going to bring.

Clarity?

Headache?

At times it was frustrating as I'm sure you can well imagine.

Most of all, it has been a wonderful learning experience and a blessing.

I have learned things that I will take with me through the rest of my life.

Connected with people that I hope to stay connected to.

An added bonus are the external physical changes.

I'm surprised when I walk past a mirror.

What happened to that stressed out mom with the bags under her eyes?

Who is this well rested person with the rosey cheeks?

I didn't track my weight loss because it really wasn't about that.

But I can tell you, I'm happy with it.

I don't know that I will ever do another 10 day fast. But it's not out of the realm of possibility.

I do plan on incorporating fasting into my yearly routine, however.

3 to 5 five days could suit me just fine.

Breakfast.

Dinner.

{ this moment }

a friday ritual - a single photo - no words - a moment I want to pause - savor - and remember

inspired by soulemama

Day 4

We've talked a little in our group (fasting group that is) about not only cleaning out our bodies but our spaces as well.

It got me thinking about my 2012TDL.

1. Chalkboard paint and frame out the bulkhead in the kitchen.

2. Reorganize my Pinterest boards.

3. New curtains in the dining room.

4. New hummingbird feeders.

5. Laundry room renovation

6. iPhoto overhaul. Delete/Albums/Save

7. Empty at least 2 of Iris's "old clothes" containers.

8. Grow some of our own food.

9. Update/Reorganize some blog stuff.

10. Tap the maple trees

Incidentally, I made some serious headway on #7 on Day 1.

I needed major distraction and it offered the perfect opportunity.

Now I have bags separated into different people and a giant one for Goodwill.

I need to make one day a drop off day. Very soon.

Dry cleaning.

Goodwill.

Replay (a second hand toy store).

Glass milk bottles.

Etc.

You should see the back of my car. 

It's chaos. 

Organized chaos

Another thing I can check off my list is #10.

And there's sap to collect!!!

Today's forecast is supposed to be positively perfect for just such activities.

Back to fasting.

Yesterday started off pretty good but by late morning I was starting to feel some serious detox effects.

Oooooooo was I cranky and tired.

I took a nap during nugget's nap which I've been doing everyday, but that didn't help much.

Plus, she's got lots of new teeth busting through so she wasn't in the best of moods either.

It was rough.

I'm leaving it behind.

Today is a new day.

Day 4.

Some physical changes... obviously some weight loss.

My skin looks nicer and my hair is sooooooo soft.

I'm still partaking in a small raw/vegan meal at dinner time.

This was last night's creation.

Avocado, tomatoes, blueberries, hempseeds, cucumbers tossed in a little pumpkin seed oil and a drop of balsamic vinegar on leaves of butterhead lettuce and topped with some micro-greens.

I ate them like a little taco.

I have to go to the grocery store today to restock some supplies for my fast (which seems like an oxymoron) and for G.'s dinners.

That ought to be torture.

I'll be sure to have my daily smoothie before we go.

Fasting.

You might be wondering how it's going since I only mentioned it a gajillion times.

Let's start from the beginning.

It started with a couple days of prep.

You know, cutting out sugar, caffeine, alcohol, etc.

Since I have a lot of experience with raw foods it was more fun than challenge.

Though you know I love a good challenge.

There was alot of avocado snacking to curb other cravings.

I just cut it half, pour a little balsamic vinegar in the pit, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

It even comes in it's own dish.

I even made my own fruit leather.

Amazing!

I just blended some strawberries and dehydrated them.

The first time I dried it too long. 

It still tasted great but it was a little crispy.

The second batch came out much better.

Since we were getting all raw foodie up in here I also made some raw chocolate pudding (not for me though I did lick the spoon a few times).

Let's just say it was a hit.

Recipe from here.

Anyhoo, the first day was bit difficult. 

You don't realize how connected to solid food you are until you cut it out.

I have been having a very small all raw vegan meal in the evenings.

It's the only way I can make it through. 

The first night was a salad of romaine, cucumber, tomato, and blueberries.

The second night was guacamole in romaine wraps with tomatoes, a few chopped scallions, a light sprinkle of hemp seeds, and I couldn't resist more blueberries.

Other than that it's been water, fresh veggie juice, 

a small smoothie (about 6 oz.), and coconut water.

My hope is that I can cut out the evening meal at some point but if I don't I won't beat myself up about it.

I'm still detoxing and feeling awesome.

I'm also still participating in the 30 day Yoga challenge as well.

I've been pretty good at getting to a class or getting on my mat at home.

Yes, I have missed a few days.

I'm only human after all.

Life happens.

Day 3 and only 7 more to go.

Oy.

Also wanted to share this little gem that I found through Soulemama.

It's a great way to start a new day.

{ this moment }

a friday ritual - a single photo - no words - a moment I want to pause - savor - and remember

inspired by soulemama

Bubbles!

Random Things.

 Brace yourself for pictures!

We (and by "we" I mean my dear friends Jamie and Danielle) took the girls (BFF's Iris and Vivian) to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia.

What a neat place.

I remember my Dad taking me there when I was a kid. Though, it was in another location back then.

Now it's in a grand old building in the Fairmont section of the city.

I didn't get any pics of it from the outside as I was towing a 

radio flyer with two little munchkins and carrying a diaper bag.

Maybe next time.

Sorry for the blurriness.

These little ones move fast.

I love this picture!

Her Daddy would be so proud.

Weeeeeeeeeeee!

What a croc.

Iris and Vivian gettin' there jam on.

This was my favorite room!

You better believe she took that little girls binky and put it right in her mouth.
Cringe.

On another note, today is Day 1 (1 of 3) of prepping for my fast.

I did a big food shop to gather all my juice ingredients, herbal teas, lemons and cucumbers for my drinking water, etc.

I'm also going to make strawberry fruit leather and kale chips in case I feel I need a little nibble.

Plus, the Nugget loves both.

Oh, and funny story, I bought this little journal to keep track of my fasting adventures. I just saw the goddessy looking woman on the cover and thought...perfect. What I didn't notice until I got home were all the Iris at the bottom.

That happens to me alot.

Anyway, today I'm just going to keep the sugar to a minimum/none at all.

No meat.

Maybe an egg.

Lots of veggies and water.

Wish me luck!

One more thing.

Iris and I have watched this video about a dozen times.

Even if you don't have kids it's hilarious.