So much has happened since last I wrote. My husband and I have had many adventures; we have hiked the Eastn Bay, celebrating our fourth wedding anniversary, and we have boondocked up north in the redwoods. It's been a bit stressful (battening down the hatches in the motorhome is a full-day affair), but filled with love.
I'm just enjoying the clouds this morning, it's a cool morning. The Indian Summer has been stretched out long this year, and we've had a string of warm, mostly cloudless days. So this morning's overcast is welcome beyond belief. Last night was the full moon, it was a clear night and I could see it clearly. Gorgeous. I should have taken a picture, but the picture wouldn't have done it justice.
One big blessing I received yesterday was finding out that my Social Security Disability claim has been approved, and I received back pay to the first time I applied. This is my second attempt. We have debts to pay, and this came just in time. Thank goodness.
This morning's tea is sencha and nettle leaf. Nettle leaf is very nutritious, containing abundant chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium, zinc and any vitamins. What a healing, delicious tea. It's said to be an herb of protection, and for good reason. I am grateful to the workers who brave the stinging part of the plant (they probably wear gloves) to pluck the leaves for us. I am really enjoying the sencha as well, I've read that it is one of the most popular teas drunk in Japan, an everyday tea.
Thanks for joining me over this delicious cup of tea to catch up and enjoy each other's company. Today is just laundry day and mopping (we tracked in a lot of dirt when out boondocking). Have a great early weekend everyone. Peace and love.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Fresh Choices
My husband and I went out to eat at a Chipotle restaurant for our anniversary today, and I got to thinking about choices in food. It is better to make food at home rather than to eat out at say a McDonald's or a Burger King. But what choices do we have when we want to eat out and choose a reputable company?
I know that Chipotle is a responsible company that treats its workers well and does its best to provide responsibly raised food. In 2015, they went no-GMO. That in itself is quite an accomplishment considering how many GMOs are in our food supply. Another company that is on my list is In-N-Out Burger. I don't have data on whether or not they choose non-GMO ingredients or pasture-raised meats, but they make their food fresh on site and treat their workers well.
When it comes to drink choices, it's tricky. I am guilty of consuming Coca-Cola against my own counsel, simply because I love the taste of it, but in theory, I hold that we should only be drinking four beverages: coconut water, water, tea, and kombucha. Juices are all right, but they are high in natural sugars and good luck finding 100% juice at a restaurant. Most of the time you'll find juice-flavored beverages with minimal actual juice content.
It's not always easy to make the best choice, but it is possible. It just takes a little research to find the freshest choices that you can.
I know that Chipotle is a responsible company that treats its workers well and does its best to provide responsibly raised food. In 2015, they went no-GMO. That in itself is quite an accomplishment considering how many GMOs are in our food supply. Another company that is on my list is In-N-Out Burger. I don't have data on whether or not they choose non-GMO ingredients or pasture-raised meats, but they make their food fresh on site and treat their workers well.
When it comes to drink choices, it's tricky. I am guilty of consuming Coca-Cola against my own counsel, simply because I love the taste of it, but in theory, I hold that we should only be drinking four beverages: coconut water, water, tea, and kombucha. Juices are all right, but they are high in natural sugars and good luck finding 100% juice at a restaurant. Most of the time you'll find juice-flavored beverages with minimal actual juice content.
It's not always easy to make the best choice, but it is possible. It just takes a little research to find the freshest choices that you can.
New Moon
Today, spiritually speaking, is the New Moon. It is a time for new beginnings and fresh perspectives. The first light of the new crescent moon will be visible tonight. I realize that astronomically, the New Moon was yesterday, the moon that is not visible. I am speaking purely from a spiritual standpoint here.
This morning I held a private New Moon ritual. I set some intentions for the next cycle of the moon (month). Hopefully I will be able to achieve them. Some of them are vague so as to be achievable. I also said a prayer for unconditional love. I anointed myself with lavender oil, and anointed my space with camphor. Camphor is a good oil for purification.
The New Moon is said to be the spark of creativity, at the first light. I sure hope so, my creativity has been severely lacking these days. Well, everything has been lacking, as my depression has been so severe. This morning's tea is a healthful brew of nettle leaf and milk thistle seed. Symbolically, they are curse-breakers, and I sure feel like that applies to me. This has been a terrible year. I can't wait for the new year. But at least I have a new month/moon cycle ahead of me. The next Full Moon will be in 14 days.
Today, auspiciously, is my wedding anniversary. My husband has to work today, but he took off Friday and Saturday for us to have some time together. I can't believe it has been four years of marriage. We're just going to go out for ice cream. We're on a budget. A very tight budget. In any event, it's a blessed day and I'm grateful for it.
This morning I held a private New Moon ritual. I set some intentions for the next cycle of the moon (month). Hopefully I will be able to achieve them. Some of them are vague so as to be achievable. I also said a prayer for unconditional love. I anointed myself with lavender oil, and anointed my space with camphor. Camphor is a good oil for purification.
The New Moon is said to be the spark of creativity, at the first light. I sure hope so, my creativity has been severely lacking these days. Well, everything has been lacking, as my depression has been so severe. This morning's tea is a healthful brew of nettle leaf and milk thistle seed. Symbolically, they are curse-breakers, and I sure feel like that applies to me. This has been a terrible year. I can't wait for the new year. But at least I have a new month/moon cycle ahead of me. The next Full Moon will be in 14 days.
Today, auspiciously, is my wedding anniversary. My husband has to work today, but he took off Friday and Saturday for us to have some time together. I can't believe it has been four years of marriage. We're just going to go out for ice cream. We're on a budget. A very tight budget. In any event, it's a blessed day and I'm grateful for it.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
The Dark of the Moon
Today we celebrate the dark of the moon. In astronomy, it is called the new moon, but I like to differentiate between the dark moon, when the moon is invisible, and the new moon, when the first crescent of light is visible. The dark of the moon is a time to honor your ancestors, and to cleanse oneself of negative energies. I left a small offering to my ancestors on my altar, just a bit of garlic and mint. I will add some rosemary later today after I've gone outside.
I performed a dark moon ritual today, anointing myself with camphor oil for purification. I find this to be an introspective time, to go inside yourself and meditate on all that this past month has brought. I have been following and timing my spiritual practice according to the phases of the moon for about a month now, and I have found it to be very helpful.
I don't really believe that there is any power in the moon itself, I just consider it symbolic. The moon is simply a heavenly body reflecting the light of the sun. There is no special power in the moon's light, or any nonsense like that. It's just a way to symbolically align one's spiritual practice. The dark moon is introspective, the waxing moon is for drawing good things to oneself, and the waning moon is for getting rid of that which does not serve us, or is negative. The full moon is for gratitude and abundance.
I am not a Witch. I just wanted to make that clear. I know that Witches also go by the phases of the moon in their magical workings. I don't believe in a Goddess or their Horned God. I think that's all creepy and wrong, to be frank. I just like using the moon as a friendly guide for spirituality. It's a beautiful way to honor the turning of the months, and its symbolism is meaningful to me.
I performed a dark moon ritual today, anointing myself with camphor oil for purification. I find this to be an introspective time, to go inside yourself and meditate on all that this past month has brought. I have been following and timing my spiritual practice according to the phases of the moon for about a month now, and I have found it to be very helpful.
I don't really believe that there is any power in the moon itself, I just consider it symbolic. The moon is simply a heavenly body reflecting the light of the sun. There is no special power in the moon's light, or any nonsense like that. It's just a way to symbolically align one's spiritual practice. The dark moon is introspective, the waxing moon is for drawing good things to oneself, and the waning moon is for getting rid of that which does not serve us, or is negative. The full moon is for gratitude and abundance.
I am not a Witch. I just wanted to make that clear. I know that Witches also go by the phases of the moon in their magical workings. I don't believe in a Goddess or their Horned God. I think that's all creepy and wrong, to be frank. I just like using the moon as a friendly guide for spirituality. It's a beautiful way to honor the turning of the months, and its symbolism is meaningful to me.
Saturday, October 6, 2018
ACV and other ramblings
I like to start my day with a little cup of warm ACV drink. I just pour in a capful of apple cider vinegar, a half cup of hot water and a half cup of cold water. Sometimes I add honey, but it's not necessary. ACV is known to detox the system, give your digestive tract a warm up, and help to flatten the belly. I don't know how that last one works, but I'm looking forward to seeing if it's true.
ACV has a million and one uses, but my second favorite use is as a hair conditioner. I don't always use shampoo and conditioner. Sometimes I simply wash my hair with warm-to-hot water, scrubbing vigorously with my fingers, and rinse with a diluted solution of ACV. Instantly I can feel how soft my hair feels. And once your hair is dry, there is no odor.
I don't know about other people, but ACV helps me get rid of itchy scalp. I have noticed less dandruff since I started using it. I don't use it every time, maybe every other shower. And, *gasp!* I only shower once or twice a week. I just don't get that dirty. I like to let my hair's natural oils build up and then I brush them down the hair shaft.With this method, my hair doesn't look greasy at all.
So anyway, after my morning ACV drink I'll have my tea and breakfast. Lately the only thing I've been having for breakfast is a smoothie. Banana, frozen blueberries, egg, and milk or yogurt. I haven't had much of an appetite for anything else, but I believe this is one of the healthiest ways to start the day.
Today's tea is rose gunpowder. I purchased it from the Chinese market down the street. I am only guessing that it's gunpowder by the pellet shape of the leaves; I can't read the Chinese writing on the jar. I love to watch leaves unfurl in the hot water.
The only errand I need to run today is to return my library books. I just may renew them, they're quite interesting. One is a book on opening our wild hearts to the herbs (she's rather a pagan kind of author), and the other is also about herbal medicine. The first author talks about finding our herbal ally. I'm not exactly sure what she means; is it like finding your spirit animal?
In any event, if I were to have an herbal ally I believe it would be rosemary. It helps with remembrance, which is good for my poor memory, and it smells divine. Not to mention we have an abundance of it on our property. I wonder if tea leaves would count as an herbal ally. I'm all about health these days, and am interested in as much natural alternative health information as I can get my hands on.
It turns out, according to the second book on herbal medicine, that the ashwagandha I've been taking really does have an effect on psychotic symptoms. I just chose it at random, really, hoping it would help. Lucky for me, I guess. So here is my morning routine:
Wake up
Drink ACV
Make tea and smoothie
Stretch
Make bed
Put dishes away
Sweep floors
Start laundry
Sounds like a good start to the day, doesn't it?
ACV has a million and one uses, but my second favorite use is as a hair conditioner. I don't always use shampoo and conditioner. Sometimes I simply wash my hair with warm-to-hot water, scrubbing vigorously with my fingers, and rinse with a diluted solution of ACV. Instantly I can feel how soft my hair feels. And once your hair is dry, there is no odor.
I don't know about other people, but ACV helps me get rid of itchy scalp. I have noticed less dandruff since I started using it. I don't use it every time, maybe every other shower. And, *gasp!* I only shower once or twice a week. I just don't get that dirty. I like to let my hair's natural oils build up and then I brush them down the hair shaft.With this method, my hair doesn't look greasy at all.
So anyway, after my morning ACV drink I'll have my tea and breakfast. Lately the only thing I've been having for breakfast is a smoothie. Banana, frozen blueberries, egg, and milk or yogurt. I haven't had much of an appetite for anything else, but I believe this is one of the healthiest ways to start the day.
Today's tea is rose gunpowder. I purchased it from the Chinese market down the street. I am only guessing that it's gunpowder by the pellet shape of the leaves; I can't read the Chinese writing on the jar. I love to watch leaves unfurl in the hot water.
The only errand I need to run today is to return my library books. I just may renew them, they're quite interesting. One is a book on opening our wild hearts to the herbs (she's rather a pagan kind of author), and the other is also about herbal medicine. The first author talks about finding our herbal ally. I'm not exactly sure what she means; is it like finding your spirit animal?
In any event, if I were to have an herbal ally I believe it would be rosemary. It helps with remembrance, which is good for my poor memory, and it smells divine. Not to mention we have an abundance of it on our property. I wonder if tea leaves would count as an herbal ally. I'm all about health these days, and am interested in as much natural alternative health information as I can get my hands on.
It turns out, according to the second book on herbal medicine, that the ashwagandha I've been taking really does have an effect on psychotic symptoms. I just chose it at random, really, hoping it would help. Lucky for me, I guess. So here is my morning routine:
Wake up
Drink ACV
Make tea and smoothie
Stretch
Make bed
Put dishes away
Sweep floors
Start laundry
Sounds like a good start to the day, doesn't it?
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Rain!
It rained! It didn't last long, but a storm blew through and there was a downpour. I knew my prayers would be answered. I'm not going to stop, though, because we need more rain. This little storm wasn't enough. I will continue to pray for more and more rain, until this drought is kicked to the curb. I tried to include a photo of our cloudy sky, but the email never went through.
I am feeling much better since my last psychotic episode. My anxiety is still fairly high, but I have been able to function somewhat normally in the last couple of days. For me, it is enough to be able to perform simple household chores and be able to walk to the store or the park.
This morning I am going to have a banana-blueberry smoothie with egg. I'm not afraid of getting salmonella poisoning; I've been using raw egg in smoothies for over a year and never had a problem. I don't like the taste of cooked eggs very much, so this is a way for me to get my Omega-3's in.
Today's tea is white Himalayan, second steeping. Loose leaf teas can usually be steeped twice or three times before they lose flavor. Well, the storm looks like it's past us, and the sky is clearing. It's too bad, because we need as much rain as we can get. "Clouds gather round from far and near, angels kindly shed your tears."
I am feeling much better since my last psychotic episode. My anxiety is still fairly high, but I have been able to function somewhat normally in the last couple of days. For me, it is enough to be able to perform simple household chores and be able to walk to the store or the park.
This morning I am going to have a banana-blueberry smoothie with egg. I'm not afraid of getting salmonella poisoning; I've been using raw egg in smoothies for over a year and never had a problem. I don't like the taste of cooked eggs very much, so this is a way for me to get my Omega-3's in.
Today's tea is white Himalayan, second steeping. Loose leaf teas can usually be steeped twice or three times before they lose flavor. Well, the storm looks like it's past us, and the sky is clearing. It's too bad, because we need as much rain as we can get. "Clouds gather round from far and near, angels kindly shed your tears."
Monday, October 1, 2018
Natural Moisturizers
A thought just came to me as I was reaching for my lip balm. Using a petroleum-based lip balm, such as Chapstick, is like drinking Coca-Cola to quench thirst. It may feel good in the moment, but it's only going to dry you out more. I have a petroleum-based lip balm from a hospital I was at two years ago, and I feel silly that I haven't yet thrown it away.
Petroleum jelly, or white petrolatum, is terrible for your skin in the long run, and its purchase supports the oil industry, which harms the environment and contributes to global warming. Mineral oil is also a byproduct of petroleum processing, and should be avoided at all costs. I wonder if it was so named just to convince people that it is healthy. I can't imagine there are any beneficial minerals in it.
I have preferred to use natural lip balms such as shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil. I haven't made a concoction with essential oils, I just use the butter or coconut oil straight. Of the three, shea butter is definitely the best. Shea butter also works as a natural sunscreen. Olive or coconut oil as a lip balm (and general moisturizer) definitely work, but they end up just making me hungry. Shea butter has more staying power, as it is thicker. Cocoa butter is also a good moisturizer, but I haven't found a brand that doesn't pollute it with other unnatural ingredients, such as parabens which are carcinogenic and disodium-EDTA which is harmful to the reproductive system.
Vegetable glycerine is also a good moisturizer, but I prefer to keep it in stock for making herbal tinctures. It's so good to just buy these items in bulk and use them for multiple purposes. You don't need to buy a foot cream, hand cream, lotion, and lip balm. One tub of shea butter or coconut oil supplies all those needs. Coconut oil even works well as a shaving cream. I really just use soap and water or hair conditioner for that, anyway.
Another good thing about using these items is that you can reuse their containers for storing leftovers or other things. Shea butter comes in a plastic tub and coconut oil in a glass jar. And the vegetable glycerine and olive oil bottles are recyclable. I bet you'll end up saving money just by using these few items in your beauty care routine. A little bit goes a long way, and with how successful they are at moisturizing, over time you'll not need to use them so frequently because your skin will have improved.
Petroleum jelly, or white petrolatum, is terrible for your skin in the long run, and its purchase supports the oil industry, which harms the environment and contributes to global warming. Mineral oil is also a byproduct of petroleum processing, and should be avoided at all costs. I wonder if it was so named just to convince people that it is healthy. I can't imagine there are any beneficial minerals in it.
I have preferred to use natural lip balms such as shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil. I haven't made a concoction with essential oils, I just use the butter or coconut oil straight. Of the three, shea butter is definitely the best. Shea butter also works as a natural sunscreen. Olive or coconut oil as a lip balm (and general moisturizer) definitely work, but they end up just making me hungry. Shea butter has more staying power, as it is thicker. Cocoa butter is also a good moisturizer, but I haven't found a brand that doesn't pollute it with other unnatural ingredients, such as parabens which are carcinogenic and disodium-EDTA which is harmful to the reproductive system.
Vegetable glycerine is also a good moisturizer, but I prefer to keep it in stock for making herbal tinctures. It's so good to just buy these items in bulk and use them for multiple purposes. You don't need to buy a foot cream, hand cream, lotion, and lip balm. One tub of shea butter or coconut oil supplies all those needs. Coconut oil even works well as a shaving cream. I really just use soap and water or hair conditioner for that, anyway.
Another good thing about using these items is that you can reuse their containers for storing leftovers or other things. Shea butter comes in a plastic tub and coconut oil in a glass jar. And the vegetable glycerine and olive oil bottles are recyclable. I bet you'll end up saving money just by using these few items in your beauty care routine. A little bit goes a long way, and with how successful they are at moisturizing, over time you'll not need to use them so frequently because your skin will have improved.
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