Time Matters!

Today Jamie's prompt is "How do you wish to spend your time?"

Yesterday I spent the morning with my 9 month old grandson (so adorable!) & received a massage from a co-worker in the afternoon. Later I gave another friend a massage (GC from her hubby)
I had lunch with my daughter, & treated a friend to my new Reishi Mushroom Tea* in the afternoon ... all nice ways to spend my time!

I do like 'adventures,' I'd enjoy spending some time in the mountains again, & some at the ocean. Mostly, the ways I do spend my time match what I like to do.

As a self-employed person, who is a bit of a grasshopper, I don't have a lot salted away for 'retirement,' so though many around me are retiring, or have already done so, that's not in my immediate future!! I do enjoy massage, think at times of shifting foci, but to what? Nutritional counseling tweeks my interest, especially as I learn more about going Gluten Free in todays world ... art, dance, reading, .... these I do in fits & spurts, as the mood strikes!

Time, such a precious gift .... how do you wish to spend yours?

* Reishi Mushroom is one of the Longevity Herbs of Chinese Medicine
Recently, a FB friend commented on drinking her "healthy coffee," which is formulated with an extract of Reishi. Hmm - I'm NOT a fan of multi-level marketing (her product is sold that way), so I asked my herbalist LAc friend Ethan his favorite form - & received a lovely 'care pack' in the mail last week which included "Ling Zhi" or Reishi mushroom mycelium in powdered form "Current clinical studies reveal this impressive mushroom to be a highly effective therapy for nearly all major disease states and to confer "nonspecific immunity" through longterm regular use. Just a few of the disorders Reishi has proven itself beneficial for include allergies, cancer, liver disease, Alzheimer's, heart disease, AIDS, radiation exposure, external wound healing and chronic bronchitis."

The company warns: "The mushroom mycelium powders have a mild malty, chocolate-like aroma and flavor due to the caramelization of the polysaccharides during the drying process. This is normal, we have not sent you cacao powder by mistake!"
So I made some into 'chai' with ginseng, schizandra, chicory, cardamom, fresh ginger, licorice, ginkgo leaves, carob powder & a few other herbs & spices - simmered it on the stove for ~ 20 minutes, & poured a cup - yummy!!! Especially with some coconut or chocolate hemp milk for cooling! I simmer each batch several times, & have been drinking several cups daily.

Law of Attraction

Energy flows where our thinking goes - Jamie asks what do I wish to attract?

The little bi-line that flows into my mind is to be 'healthy, wealthy & wise!'

Health - that's a constant theme, here! Working on healthy balance of wonderful, nutritious food (complemented by things like my daughter's DELIGHTFUL & decadent GF/Vegan Chocolate BD cake that she made for herself!), movement, fresh air, good water.

Wealthy - I think more of sufficiency - having enough 'food, shelter & warmth' - & being able to enjoy time off & adventures. Wealth of spirit, wealth of living on this lovely blue-green planet, & being able to buy heritage seeds, eat OG food, live in a less toxic world. I am still in process with rearranging & clearing clutter - more rich surfaces & abundantly beautiful rooms!! (this one is 'borrowed' - isn't the colour yummy!?)

Wise .... hmm, what do I want to study? I have been drawn more to nutrition, esp as I learn more about how many non-organically raised crops are sprayed with round-up just before harvest 'dessication,' to make it EASIER to harvest .... sheesh!! So, I buy OG ... but if I eat out, besides the danger of cross contamination from gluten, what other dangers lurk?

I lean toward completing training in Soaring Crane Qigong, so I can teach this form! I love doing it myself, & would like to share it with more folks!

What do YOU wish to attract?

Well-Being

Jamie's prompt this week on Wishcrafting Wed - "what do you wish for your health & wellness?"

Quite timely, at the beginning of a new year - double, as this week we left Rabbit & entered the Year of the Water Dragon!

My first thoughts are more movement, healthy food, clearer home & serenity!
Yesterday I picked up my first Veggie share from my CSA. I've eaten mostly local OG veggies & fruit, & try to keep the rest of my food as close to home as possible, for most of my adult life - 40 years!

Our little family (daughter, her family & myself) have eaten Gluten Free for 2 1/2 years, & added mostly dairy free last fall. I experience more energy, healthy weight (weigh about 5# more than I did in my 201-40s), clearer sight, .... it's been great! & contrary to some folks experience, I see 'glue-y' items & am just happy they're not on MY plate!!

Movement - as a kid, I HATED PE - mostly ball sports with guys or 'jock' women teachers. Blagh!! Then in my late 20s, we went to see my oldest niece in Nutcracker - wow!! The next week I began taking classes (from a world class, Russian method teacher, whose 26 year old daughter is now the principle teacher) .... Here's my son Josh as 'Mother Ginger,' from the 2011 Nutcracker, with one of the principle dancers peeking out from under the skirt (my 6 year old grandson LOVES Nora!) Miss Emma insisted Josh keep his beard, tho the red hair isn't his :)

A few years later, I began taking (& later teaching) Tai Chi & Qigong, along with becoming a Massage Therapist.
The last few years I've taken occasional classes, along with my more regular ballroom & square dance, & have been going weekly this winter - so I plan to continue that. AND next week, am teaching my own Chi Based movement class - 'Dragon Dance,' at a local workshop centre. Stay tuned :)

I'm still at work clearing & cleaning my home! Was actually challenging on Monday (1st day of the Chinese New Year) NOT to sweep or clean much (just put the dishes in the sink, & swabbed a counter! - here's a sweet link for activites of each day)
I'm making headway, & it gets easier. Yesterday I cleared off the little shelves beside the kitchen sink (the house I grew up in had these, & my mom always kept ivy on one) .... & put up teapots & various blue & white cups & containers.
Now I need to deal with the stuff that was there!

My daughter said she feels this year of the Dragon is the year I'll 'get your little Breitenbush house back!' when I live with less 'stuff' around me, it's much easier to keep it neat! I have 6 or so bags in my car to take to Good Will, & a few bags for garage sales ....

What do YOU wish for health & well being in this year of the Water Dragon?

Reclaiming

Wishcasting Wednesday, & Jamie's prompt is "What do you wish to Reclaim?"

I'm working on reclaiming my home!!

At almost 8 months old, Baby Z is getting more mobile, so it's time for baby-proofing - & beyond that, time to go through those piles that seem to accumulate & build up, over time! I spent Monday working on getting the dining 'nook' in order, & the center of the kitchen floor CLEAR for him to play in! And I took 4 bags to Goodwill, only brought one home! (some new clothes, so purging more of my closet as well)

Success! Today I want to clean out the fridge (he's at the other grandma's), & begin on my little pantry - to the Rt of the colourful pile (boxes I hadn't gotten to, draped to keep Mr Curious at bay ... I had it set up as a computer room, but have been using the laptop for more than a year now .... so it's time to get the equipment & desk out, & some shelves up.

As I reclaim my home, I will free up time & energy ...
I love Karen Kingston's book "Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui" Karen suggests asking yourself:
1) Does (an object) lift my energy when I look at or think about it?
2) Do I absolutely LOVE it?
3) Is it generally useful?

As I reclaim my space, I make room for creativity, guests, that lovely grandson ....

So off to the kitchen, to continue pulling stuff out of that pantry, clearing the counters, .....

What do YOU wish to reclaim?

Winter Chili

I watch my 7 month old grandson 4 mornings a week, & cook lunch for my daughter & myself - & for her hubby, if we're at their house. It's been fun being creative with recipes & thinking up 'what to have!'

My friend Sheila King has produced a very sweet cookbook, "Sheila's Kitchen" & the format is 8 1/2 x 11", spiral bound & printed on one side - so there's plenty of room to jot down some of my new GF recipes! If you think ahead, you can bring the beans to a boil & soak overnight! I just decided to do chili in the morning, so used OG canned beans (all items are OG when possible!)

My nursing grandson had a diaper rash which we traced to tomatoes, so I left those out of the chili - you could certainly add canned tomatoes or paste, or my favorite, dried tomatoes! I dry them in a food dehydrator, & chop some & cover with olive oil, to toss into things toward the end of cooking.

This is a vegan recipe, you could use any meat you had on hand!

Here's a Chili for Fall or Winter days

2 Tbsp coconut or olive oil

2 medium onions, chopped

3-5 cloves of garlic, chopped

* saute onions & garlic in oil

1 Can OG black beans

1 Can OG pinto beans

1/2 C OG lentils (uncooked)

1/4 C cacao nibs

2 quarts soup stock (I simmer veggie trimmings in water while I'm chopping other ingredients)

** add beans, hot stock to onion/garlic & add spices:

1 T paprica

3 T chili powder

1 T gharam masala or pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp fresh oregano

2 tsp fresh savory

1 Bay leaf

2 Tbsp kombu or other kelp

** chop veggies & add: I used

1 medium golden or red beet,

1 medium carrot,

1/2 a black radish or turnip, 2 handfuls lovage (could be several celery stalks)

** bring to a boil, then turn heat to low & simmer ~ 3 hours.

Serve with cornbread or quinoa/amaranth & a big green salad

Winter Wishcasting

Jamie asks 'what's your WINTER wish?'

Hmmm - on Solstice, (9:30 PM Wed the 21st, Pacific time) my wish is appreciation for the dark
"The dark half of the year
Suits me just fine
An incubation,
A percolation.
Winter time. The Dream Time.
Worms & calligraphy.
A quiet turning under,
the underbelly
A rich velvet basket,
Stars & frogs tucked around
the edges.
The Dark, my love, is a
Sweet loamy
Pocket for
Change-lings" Shae Savoy - We'moon 2011 calendar

It seems like we should be in ~ mid - November, & here we are at Winter Solstice!!

So my Mid-Winter's wish is for some slowing down, taking a breath, BEING here, at the longest night, the shortest day; appreciating as the wheel turns yet again toward spring & light return!

O Sada - it is good!

What is YOUR winter's wish??

WW - What's your DEEPEST Wish?

Jamie's prompt this week - What is your deepest wish?
To be my authentic Self, & by my presence to bring inspiration, peace, and calm.

When I lived at the coast, about 15 years ago, one friend/student asked about studying to become a Reiki Master with me, as she wished personal MASTERY, & felt Reiki Mastery would 'fit' that for her, if I felt comfortable with that as her 'burning desire.' She had lived for a time down the hill from Findhorn Garden, & was already a very authentic, focused person. I love our work together, as I learned a lot from HER!

My time at Breitenbush also facilitated being 'real,' awareness of the phases of the moon, of the change of seasons, of the ebb & flow of guests & focus of workshops. It was easy to teach Tai Chi & Reiki, easy to gather with others in celebration & joy, sadness & quiet ...

As we approach Winter Solstice, a time of going within & quieting down, we are also caught up in the busi-ness of Christmas parties, celebrations, performances ... and time with family & friends ... I wish to be true to myself & shine ...

What Deep Wishes & fine dreams call you?