The 5 C's for Life

Hi and Good Afternoon!

Lately I feel that my mind gets distracted or I lose my focus.  I've had something on my mind for a while now and I think it's time for a change.  In the past when I get this feeling where I need to create excitement in my life, I would up and move to a new city!  No better way than completely removing all comfort from my life and putting myself into a whole new scene.  Right?

Well I've been trying to change that with fulfilling my life with other exciting hobbies and adventures.  I love to travel and have been doing plenty these last few years.  But the time when I'm not traveling I still get this urge to create and change.  So I need to focus and maybe do the thing that I've been fearing the most...  Can you guess it?

I was turned on to this site Zap Oracle from a friend of mine and here was something we should all try and do and especially, ME!
 
"The Complex Personality knows how to integrate a variety of experiences into its overall experience, making the dullest moments interesting.  Being in Flow leads to Complexity for when you experience Flow, you want to experience more of it and construct you world to pull you irresistibly towards experiences within the Flow.  Focus on these to craft you world:

1) Clarity - Know what you want to do in you life every day.  Have clarity of goals, listen to feedback and adjust yourself to the feedback you receive from the world.

2) Center - You are in Balance.  Your goal is to focus, to know how to avoid distractions, to become at one with what you're doing, with all of your attention under your control.

3) Choice - Knowing there are a variety of possibilities around you that you're not determined by outside events but have choice and can move within it.  Whatever you do, you do "at Choice".

4) Commitment - Care for what you're doing at all times.  Remain conscious of what you care about.  Commit to it.

5) Challenge - Keep upping you challenges as you master a certain level.  Always make life more challenging."

I'll leave you with that for the day and I hope you are challenging yourselves every day!  

                                      

                                              (Me at summit of awesome hike!)

I almost vanished! 3 Months Recap

I will start with Italy.  I have to say that "I Love Italy"!  Everything was amazing and I will return someday.  Highlights will be short since this post is overdue.  The history and the culture will blow your mind.  I loved the architecture and all of the churches and little towns, some with walls around them!

 Of coarse the food, coffee, and the Vino!  Never had a bad espresso or coffee anywhere!  Even the gas stations or cheap hotels had amazing coffee.  The food is divine and I loved getting a carafe of wine for $5 euro!

And, of coarse, the people and culture!  So fun and sweet and charming.  I love Italy!!

Next couple months were kind of a blur thinking back..  May and June.  I may have to come back to them and also do a more dedicated post of travels.

July started with a spontaneous trip to my favorite...  MEXICO!

I finally went back to Playa Del Carmen to kick start my summer!  It was filled with sunshine and amazing beach time and beautiful friends.  I love you Playa!

So this is a very short and sweet recap of the last few months.  How has your summer been so far?  Unfortunately I failed on my goal for my blogging, however I will start over again and try to catch up and succeed for next year.

Happy rest of summer to you!

ITALY!

In just two short days I will be off to ITALY for the first time in my life!  I'm very excited and still have a lot to do so even though I have been slacking and I still need to update after my return from Iceland, I promise I will recap both wonders of the world when I return.

I'm looking forward to seeing my brother and his family and enjoying the history, culture, WINE, espresso, GELATO, and Pasta a'more!  

Bon Voyage!

Have you been?  Where is your favorite place and memory?  

Saturday Bliss

Saturday, today, was a lovely day.  Do you ever have one of those weeks where it's literally a painful start and ends pleasantly blissful?  That was my week this week and as I write this I feel so calm, loved, beautiful, and accepted.

I don't want to bore you or complain about my life so let's just leave it as my week started with terribly painful tooth issues.  Only thing I will elaborate on is that I threw away my peppercorn.  No more fresh ground pepper for this lady!

So as the week ends with a full work day and an appointment with my tax accountant needlessly to say I did not expect it to end so pleasantly.  Work was awesome, with a little help from the sunshine bursting through the windows!  And my taxes are done and I'm still happy!  Yay!

Now I get to look forward to this...  

Next Sunday I will be off to an island that most people don't think twice about.

As it is now only a week away I am getting quite excited for my little adventure!  Iceland is one of the volcanically active places in the world that offers a ton of natural beauty from glaciers and geysers to the awaiting mineral rich, geo-thermally heated BLUE LAGOON!

So this might be the last post possibly till I return but who knows maybe I will say Bon Voyage in my next one:)

How was everyone else's week?  Anything exciting for your last couple weeks of winter?  And don't forget next weekend is DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!  Yay!!  Longer days await:)

Loss for words

Not sure what to post to end this week because it hasn't been the greatest of weeks and I'm not one to promote negativity so I will end with FOOD.  It can bring you down or Cheer you Up so here are a couple sauces I made today.

Last night I made an oil free pesto sauce  and put over steamed broccoli.  It was delicious and light.  Unfortunately I may have chipped a tooth on the first bite on a peppercorn.. yikes!  But was still yummy.

Oil-Free Vegan Pesto
makes about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

1 cup diced zucchini
1 handful fresh basil leaves (about 3/4 oz.)
4 garlic cloves (I love garlic, but feel free to use less)
½ cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Directions:

Throw all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender, and blend away!

Tonight I made cilantro garlic sauce and had on top of steamed brussels sprouts.  Yum again!

Here’s the recipe:

• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 small/medium cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp tamari (soy sauce)
• juice of 1 fresh lemon (about 1/4 cup)
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
• Pinch of cayenne (optional)

Put all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Pour over your favorite dish – brown rice, lentils, beans, veggies, tempeh, tofu, meat, eggs, whatever you want!!  Enjoy!

And don't waste the left over sauce.  Simply put into ice cube trays and freeze for later!  Add a couple cubes to your favorite dish when ever you are in a crunch for time.  Brilliant!

So enjoy these easy healthy sauces and share with friends.  I'm winding down tonight with a glass of wine and the end of the Oscars.  Did you guys watch??  

Music to listen to!!! Check it out.  Her voice is mesmerizing! xoxo

FIRST TIMES

This last weekend was jam packed with lots of first times!  Starting off with an interesting night going to see "Cold Cave" at the "Electric Tea Garden".  It was the first time I'd ever been to this place and a great excuse to check it out was to go see "Cold Cave" perform live for the second time.  The place was small and intimate which I loved and very close to my home.

Also went to a new place on Saturday night called "Primo".  Little spot on 1st hill in the bottom of an apartment complex.  Old style charm equals pretty chill little hidden spot.  I did not try the food but would return for drinks sometime.

Third, went to see a silent movie at the "Harvard Exit".  First time at the theater and first time seeing a silent movie at the movies.  All was a great experience and I really liked the Harvard Exit.  Can't wait to return.

So it was a happy firsts this last weekend.  Let's keep it going!  Have a good weekend everyone and have you been able to cross any firsts off your list yet this year?  I'd love to hear about them!

February Starts off like Spring!

So it feels like spring in Seattle and it's been awesome!  People are out enjoying the weather and always hoping that it will last  As we all know who live here though know that it won't, we enjoy it while we can. I have come down with a nasty little cold however that is trying to slow me down but I'm fighting it with two fists up!  POW take that!

I am happy to say I will have a couple things I can mark off my list! 

FIRST off is I went to the Hot House, a bath house spa for women only, on Capital Hill.  I loved it!  I wasn't sure how I would feel with the all nude in a public place but it was fine.  Everyone is in their own little world and it's a very cozy and relaxing vibe.  I went back and forth from the steam room, sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub.  Ahhhhh I can get used to that and I Will go back!  Two thumbs up for the Hot House!

SECOND off is I'm am proud to announce I am going to ICELAND!  I got an amazing deal and will be heading off to the mysterious wonderland in March.  Can't wait!

So to conclude this week I hope you all are enjoying your February so far and do you have anything to cross off your list yet?  Or some exciting news you want to share??  

Listening to New Model Army

Juicing and Juicers

So I have been juicing a ton lately and loving it!  My big question of the day though is...  Which juicer produces the most juice?  I feel like from reading other blogs and books that I may want to invest in a new juicer but then I think well I have one already and it works fine so do I really NEED another juicer?  I have a Jack Lalanne and really have no major problem with it other than yes it can be a pain to clean sometimes, I don't have a dishwasher, and if it produces the most bang for the buck?  As you know juicing can get expensive at times with buying fresh fruits and vegetables but trust me..  It is worth it!  Juicing is so healthy for you and if I had more time right now I would babble on and on and tell you why.  Or you can watch Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.

So for all of you juicers, cleansers, and anyone with an opinion...  What is your favorite juicer and why and what is your favorite juice recipe?

Happy Juicing!

Snow = Stay warm inside = movies and teatime

Well the predictions came true.  We have snow in Seattle.  Some might be excited, others not so much, and I am perfectly content looking outside how pretty and white it looks while I stay inside keeping dry, warm, and cozy.

Things I like when I'm stuck inside.. Movies, Tea, cuddles, and if I had a fireplace I'd be in heaven but I don't so I pretend with candles.  So for those of you who are possibly cleansing or dieting for a new years resolution I HIGHLY recommend watch this excellent documentary http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/.  Of coarse I had to make me some juice about half way through because I know already how tasty it is!  So watch Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on a cold winter day.

What else should I watch today?  Any recommendations?  Well I'm off to make some tea:)

Monday Inspiration

As Monday is nearly over I feel the need to share a couple of sites that have inspired me recently.  This time of year it seems that we all want to start fresh and cleanse our bodies, mind, and souls.  I came across a way of eating recently through some of the following blogs and decided to do the Detox for women for 30 days.  Natalia Rose - Books - Detox 4 Women  Are any of you cleansing or feeling the same after the holidays?  Share your comments or ideas please:)

So I came across the rose cleanse above through another new favorite and local blogista...  The Vegetable Centric Kitchen | For the Love of Veggies

Do any of you currently use or have heard of Stevia? I want to share with you my new favorite site to order vitamins and herbs from.  It's called iHerb and it's the cheapest I have found for all.  Cheaper than amazon or local vitamin or co-ops or grocery stores.  Something I highly recommend for all of you to start using is Stevia.  The species Stevia rebaudiana, commonly known as sweetleaf, sweet leaf, sugarleaf, or simply stevia, is widely grown for its sweet leaves.  Use it as a sweetener or sugar substitute and is all natural derived from a plant.

NuNaturals, Pure Liquid, Alcohol Free Stevia, 2 fl oz (59 ml) - iHerb.com

So order stevia or vanilla stevia and all your health products from here and enter my coupon code BEM483  to receive $5.00 off your first order!

Another lady I want to mention who led me to a new favorite dish of healthy roasted vegetables is http://lindawagner.net/blog/  Super easy and so good in the winter you must try!

So please check them out and be inspired!  And fall in love with Stevia for a healthier sweet tooth!!

To close I am on Day 3 of my cleanse and feel great!  I will try and post some pics and more posts on that subject next.  

35 Things to do this Year

Thirty Five Goals for 2012

1. Travel to a new foreign country
2. Travel to San Juan Islands or new WA town
3. Travel to a new U.S. state
4. Read a book a month or more
5. Write in journal daily or once a week minimum
6. Learn to sew
7. Study a foreign language
8. Do buckram yoga 30 day challenge
9. Create new art
10. Go on a hike somewhere new
11. Go to the hot springs
12. Cook a favorite Thai or Indonesian dish
13. Bake something new
14. Go to the bath house spa
15. Paint kitchen shelf
16. Run a half marathon
17. Blog once a week
18. Read at a coffee shop
19. Paint the living room
20. Paint footboard/headboard of bed
21. Decorate bedroom
22. Make a new friend
23. Eat a new fruit/vegetable
24. Travel somewhere solo for a vacation
25. Practice and play guitar
26. Create a Facebook page for work
27. Take a class on a hobby
28. Meet with an advisor at Seattle central about enrolling
29. Take an educational class
30. Play a new sport or activity
31. Go to the top of the Space Needle
32. Get a new camera and take lots of photos
33. Volunteer at a shelter
34. Reupholster 2nd chair
35. Go to a new museum 

Thirty Four Goals for 2011

1. Travel somewhere new in US.  √ Austin, TX
2. Travel somewhere new abroad.  √ Thailand and Indonesia
3. Learn to sew
4. Paint on canvas.. 1/2√ for this one
5. Practice spanish.  1/2√
6. Buy running shoes and run more√
7. Ride bike√
8. Cook something with cactus
9. Make business flyers self promotion
10. Go to bath house spa
11. Get massage√√  (got this one extra.. In Thailand!)
12. Practice guitar
13. Plan trip to Europe 1/2√
14. Plan trip to Thailand√√√
15. Make space in apartment for art projects 1/2√
16. Paint shelf in kitchen
17. Reupholster kitchen chairs 1/2√.. (Finished 1)
18. Reupholster headboard/footboard 
19. Read more books on crafting√
20. Cook a thai dish.. (did not do but ate plenty:))
21. Make something for Aunt Lori and send care package.. sadly she passed
22. Write in journal√
23. Finish Harry Potter series√
24. Set more goals for work√
25. Go hiking somewhere new in summer√  Cabin in Leavonworth
26. Go to San Juan Islands
27. Go to new museum√
28. Go to top of Space Needle
29. Get wood floors in living room√
30. Go to coffee shop to read
31. Go to remedy teas
32. Plan trip for parents to visit√
33. Bake healthy cookies√ (vegan brownies and macaroons!)
34. Go to Vancouver and visit friends

15 COMPLETED!

5 HALF COMPLETED

MUY BIEN!!!!!!

Happy New Year!

Well we made it through another year.  There were some hard times and plenty of good times.  As I am working on my 35 goals for turning 35 list, one of the goals is to blog once a week or as I'm hoping to do even a wee bit more!  To start off the very first post of 2012, I will share a couple of holiday pictures to recap the end of the year.

The 1st is a picture of a dinner party for winter solstice with the ladies and burning of the old to start off the new.  Next I am proud to say that I baked my first homemade vegan brownies which were a hit at the party to follow for us orphan children.  And finally a lovely cocktail to celebrate my Birthday on New Years Day... Cheers!

So to sign off I'm hoping to live up to some of my goals and to fill you all in as I check them off my list.  Next blog is hopefully a top 12 list to highlight 2011....

Happy New Year to All and may 2012 be full of happiness in life to be shared with the ones you love!!