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The Food Revolution

April 12th, 2010

Long time no see!!

I meant to keep up with my blog while I was in Colorado, but it turns out that when you’re sitting across a table from your main reason for being online, ya lose the need to BE online. I barely touched my laptop the whole time but for checking email. I’ll be posting pictures soon!

Last night I was lounging in bed watching my favorite shows that recorded on my DVR while we were gone. I LOVE my DVR! I had 2 episodes of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution to watch and I love getting to watch episodes back to back like that.

I watched the first 2 episodes of this new program and had remained unsure of my interest in it. I love the concept. I mean, better, healthier, unprocessed lunches offered from schools. That’s the most fantastic thing I’ve ever heard! Our lunch programs in public schools is deplorable. As Jamie learned this week, french fries are classified as vegetables in the school lunch line. It’s disgusting in my opinion. I wasn’t sure if I was terribly impressed with the show as a whole to begin with though. It kept my attention enough that I kept recording it.

We’re up to episode 4 now and I’m hooked. Jamie took the local radio DJ to the mortuary to see the XXXL caskets and talk disease. Then he introduced him to all these kids whose lives have been touched by obesity in some way and the loss they’ve had to experience because of it and he turned that guy around. You could see it dawning on him that he’d had no idea how bad it really is.

Anyway, I really love this show. I truly hope that he really HAS begun a food revolution. I believe that he has. During one of his interviews during the show he talks about how he started cooking because he just wasn’t good at anything else… And it made him feel alive and it made him light up inside when he did it. THAT is the reason I believe he could change the way America sees it’s food. It will be fantastic!!

Go check out his site http://www.jamieoliver.com/ and see his show on ABC Fridays at 9pm EST.

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Stand Out!

March 25th, 2010

Over the last 2.5 years, I’ve changed the way my family eats. I began to buy only whole grains and more fresh fruits and veggies. I was changing my life and they were along for the ride. All the changes being implemented were healthy, positive life changes, so no one was complaining.

One of the big changes is that I stopped buying processed snack foods so much. Yes, you WILL find Ho-Hos in my cupboard once in a while, but you’re looking at maybe twice a year.

Does that mean we eat less sugar? Heck yeah!
Does that mean we don’t eat snacks or that our snacks are less satisfying to the sweet tooth? NOT A CHANCE!

By avoiding prepackaged snack foods, we cut out a TON of white sugar, white flour, preservatives, chemicals, & unpronounceable things from our lives.

Ive learned that, the trick to ditching all that garbage is to replace it. That’s when I started stretching my baking muscle.

I’ve never been much of a baker and I never really liked it. I love to cook. Cooking is an impulsive thing, as am I. Baking is much more precise. One cup means exactly ONE CUP. In cooking, one cup means, one cup… and a little more if you’re a fan of that flavor or a little less if you’re not… and a little more if you want a runnier consistency and a little less if you like it thicker…. I think my personality is more of a cook than a baker. I’m not precise or exacting. I like to wing it and go with the flow and see what happens. This is NOT the way to bake! LOL That was a fast lesson learned.

Positive changes are best made in baby steps. When we make too many changes at once, even when they’re positive in nature, we can burn out fast. Making a change in your life is a marathon, not a sprint! Small changes, one at a time, over a period of time so they have a better chance of becoming habits. This is again where one month resolutions are very useful!

Here’s a great replacement for the prepackaged, processed, imitation food gunk they call snacks. I made a batch for my family yesterday and they are fantastic! Enjoy!

El’s “Yay Peanut Butter Cookies!”

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter (I use a butter/olive oil mix)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk (I used vanilla almond milk)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (Yes it’s a lot. We like vanilla. Feel free to use less.)
1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (Or reg WW flour or put your WW flour in the food processor)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in egg, milk, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sorry Ash, I don’t know what it would be for high altitude.

~ Today, Thursday (3-25-10) @ 12:39am EST, the Moon v/c until 5:39am this morning ~

I spent the moon in Cancer focused on my home and my emotional connection to the Universe at large. Wow! I changed these three days. My perspective on some things changed. I’m just seeing things in a way that make my life a little bit easier and a little more enjoyable. And I was already a considerably happy person :) I WILL be posting about the experience in the near future. Watch for *A House Full of Spirit*

~ When She righted her course @ 5:39am EST, She moved into LEO where She’ll remain, from Thursday morning until 3:04am EST on Saturday morning (3-27-10) ~

My almanac says: “Leo draws emphasis to the self, to central ideas or institutions, away from connections with others and emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.”

The Moon in Leo speaks to our “inner child”. It’s a completely warm, generous, and whole-heartedly loving position. This is a time when we seek attention. When we want to stand out for our special qualities. Be appreciated for our uniqueness. It’s a great time for romance and any creative activities also.

The Moon in Leo favors: Creative activities, activities involving children, undertakings in which personal recognition is desired, and risk-taking.

Some positive key words for Leo are: generous, honest, warm-hearted, broad minded, expansive, loving, pride, enthusiasm, creative, dramatic

Some negative key words for Leo are: pompous, patronizing, arrogant, bossy, interfering, intolerant, bully, conceit, snobbish, power crazy

~ Moon Manifestation Tarot Card ~

* The World *
Another great draw for me :) I believe that this is a sign for me to know that I am on the right track. I am really finding my place and my joy these days. The past few months have been amazing for me, but I’ve really begun to find my focus over the past month and it feels wonderful.

~ My Plan: Thursday through Saturday morning ~

I’m going to sit down here and type out my experience from the past couple of days in Cancer. “The World” is encouraging me to do so, as is Leo. My experience is all about who I am and my individuality in this sea of souls. It’s all I really have to offer this world. I do so in the hope that my contribution will make a difference for someone else.

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WOW! I really appreciate that!*

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∞

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Conscious Living, green living, Law of Attraction, LOA, Manifestation, Meditation

Morning Magic

March 23rd, 2010

I’m learning that as a kitchen witch, everything is a spell waiting to happen. Embracing that little witch in me has brought so much more awareness into my life. I love it.

Here’s a little spell for a charmed day that you make with your morning coffee OR tea. It’s something most people do anyway. Why not bring a little awareness and intention to it.

Your morning coffee/tea ritual already contains all the elements you need.

* Water

* Fire (whatever you’re heating the water with… even if it’s electricity)

* Air (steam)

* Earth (your mug! Cups are of the water element, but clay is Earthen. Ceramic is clay.)

All you need to do is be out of your head, into the moment, and focused upon your intention. Why not brew yourself a cup of GREAT DAY! It’s all just a matter of intention.

Any magic you speak is best spoken in your own words, from your own heart. It is always more effective. However, when something resonates with you, use it. That’s what’s most important. You must feel those words.

What do I say?

Greetings to this blessed day
Bringing joy in every way
Magical elements I combine
A happy day, to make it mine.
Stirred clockwise through the hours come
From rising til the setting sun
A joyous, fruitful day for me
With love that I may share with thee.

With fire from the south, I call forth passion, desire, and Spirituality.
(Turns on Stove)
With water from the west, I call forth centeredness, love, and healing.
(Spoken as I set the kettle upon the hot burner)
With earth from the north, I call forth the grounding energies of my Mother that she may keep my feet firm.
(Holding ceramic mug firmly against the counter top)
With air from the east, I call forth the powers of communication that I may be well understood.
(Pulling steam from the warming water with my hands and releasing it into the atmosphere around me)

(Then, with finished product steaming, hot mug held between both hands before face)
God bless this magical brew that it may serve my intentions and allow me to bring forth into the world, the happiest and most joy filled sides of me. Allow it to alight my path that I may walk with least resistance and always find my way home.
Amen.

It seems long, I know. But really, it’s not. I go through the opening portion, then call forth the elements as I prepare the brew. Once everything is set in motion, I walk away and go open my journal on my laptop. I list out a 10 count of things I’m grateful for and by the time I’m done, so is my coffee.

I go add my cream and sugar and come back and sit down, and then before I drink, I say my closing prayer.

It changes your day. For me, coffee used to be about trying to get my eyes open so I could labor through the day. Now coffee is the key I turn to open the door to a wonderful day. Why not have a great day! The only thing that keeps you from it is you.

~ Last night, Monday (3-22-10) @ 9:49pm, the Moon v/c until 2:16am this morning ~

I had a heck of a time sleeping last night. Weird dreams and waking regularly. It occurs to me that there is a LOT of “half way” going on right now… half light, half moon…. It seems I’m adding half asleep and half awake to the list.

~ When She righted her course @ 2:16am EST, She moved into Cancer where She’ll remain, from Tuesday morning until 12:39am EST on Thursday morning (3-26-10) ~

My almanac says: “Cancer stimulates emotional rapport between people. Pinpoints needs, supports growth and nurturance. Tend to domestic concerns.”

Cancer gives us an instinctive need for peace and quiet. Feelings of belonging and safety is what motivates us under the influence of this sign. The Moon feels right at home in the sign of Cancer because it IS at home. It rules the sign. Cancer holds great healing potential. Although insular by nature, our feelings run deep, making it an ideal time to get in touch with ourselves and those we love.

The Moon in Cancer loves domestic activities . Especially those that involve awareness of personal needs. Decorate your home or better, focus on creating flow and good energy in your sacred spaces. Nurture yourself.

~ Moon Manifestation Tarot Card ~

* Two of Staffs *
All about the personal power. Going your own way and doing your own thing. Bringing down the great creative powers from “out there” and allowing them to flow through you to reach your goals and aspirations.

Boy, if that isn’t exactly the point of the little charm up top of this post, I don’t know what is!

~ My Plan: Tuesday through Wednesday bedtime ~

There is a great balancing that’s happening in nature right now. There is also a great balance that I’m finding within myself. Having a Moon in Cancer to focus upon myself and my home and being in touch with others emotionally… but then the Two of Staffs.

I think I will focus on my personal power these couple days. Myself, my security, my home and my creativity. I will focus upon my emotional connection, not to other people, but to the Universe itself. I will allow it to flow through me to create my world and I will do so consciously.

After all, we create from our emotions. That’s where all manifestation begins. In your emotional connection. Seems like a wonderful time to focus upon fine tuning it.