{ 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