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.

2012 TO DO LIST!!!!

I finally sat down and wrote a few things in my notebook. 

Things I'd like to accomplish this year no matter how small or silly they may seem. A couple of them are carried over from last year.

Here is last year's list if you missed it the first time.

It keeps me focused.

This is what I have so far.

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

Much shorter than last years.
I may add a thing or two, but then again, I may not.
I've got a jump on some of these things.


#2. I've started juggling some things around, deleting some pics, and generally just trying to make it make more sense ...
 to me at least. 
I even added a new board. 
I'm one of those Pinterest users who actually uses it the way it was intended, to remember ideas, recipes, products, fashion, and the occasional visual and verbal inspiration.
I've noticed with it's growing popularity that some people post total nonsense. No one that I follow, just stuff I see on the "Everything" page.
It's just one of my peeves.
Done ranting.


#8. I pulled out my seeds and some containers. We live in the woods but our back deck gets lots of full sun so it's an ideal spot for container gardening. I have a small herb garden in the front yard. G. (who is a stone mason) built it for me some years ago. 
I even called my local Borough Hall to contact the manager of the community gardens in our town.
Danielle and I belonged when we were in our early twenties and it was a blast. We grew some outrageously good tomatoes amongst other stuff.


Here's Nuggie watching Daddy move a small tree that was about to shade out my herb garden.
Don't you just love that sweater. 
It was hand made by her Aunty Allison!

If you look behind her you can see my herb plot.

A little worse for ware at the moment.

#10. Well, I got my supplies so I just have to tap.

That needs to happen soon.

So there it is. As promised.

The 2012 TDL.

What's on your list this year? I'd love to know!

{ this moment }

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

inspired by soulemama

Nugget and Uncle Richie in the play teepee!

Day 8-9

Thought I'd add a little... challenge to my home practice.

She sure had a good time.

So did I.

Giggling away as I moved through asanas...

I finally made it off the floor.

I was grateful that G was there to snap these shots.

I know when she's all grown up we'll look back at these pictures and giggle together!