The End of May

Well, today is the last day of May! And what a stunning way to finish the month off - it was another gorgeous Sunday that drove people outdoors, unable to resist the urge to soak up the sun, splash around in the ocean, and eat an ice cream cone :) It's amazing how much the weather can effect us, I think I've said this ten billion times already, but it's so true! All we need is a burst of sunshine, some blue sky, and we're good to go.

I just started reading a book called 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' by Barbara Kingsolver and even just a few pages in it's already fantastic! So far it reminds me a bit of 'The 100 Mile Diet', another eye-opening, informative, and fun read. I love that the desire to feel connected to our food and to the land we live on is becoming such a powerful force now. So many people are wanting to eat local, organic, and to grow some of their own food. I love it! Not only is industrial farming not sustainable, but I think we have such a strong need inside of us to feel that sense of connection and to have a relationship with our land and the beautiful plants that come from it. When you nurture and care for that land, putting effort, sweat, and love into the relationship, it's impossible not to appreciate, enjoy, and feel grateful for the deliciousness and sustenance that come out of it. The land needs us, and we need it too. And we ourselves come from it as well, dirt and all :) I can't wait to see what the future will bring, and to get some hands on farming experience myself too! 

The Return

Wow, June is almost here! What a beautiful Spring we're having - when the world is bathed in sunshine like this it's almost like being in Fairy-land :) 

I got to experience the more practical rather than theoretical side of stress due to an end of year oral exam at school, but of course all turned out well and good. It reminded me again of how stress is all about perception - we build things up in our minds and worry, but when the time comes for action, we always turn out just fine...maybe even a little bit stronger and more capable because of the experience. Here are some of the things me and my classmates tried to get through the exams calmly and smartly :)

- Aromatherapy: sniffing on fresh rosemary and lavender, or using the essential oils

- Bach Rescue Remedy: the drops can be taken internally, it is great for stress and works very well for animals (pets) also

- Meditation: as much as possible leading up to the event, and especially the evening before and/or the morning of - this is great for getting grounded, centered, focused, energized, and relaxed

- Deep Breathing: this is the easiest and the most important one - breathing deeply activates the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby stopping and reversing the stress (fight/flight) response of the sympathetic nervous system. Basically, it makes you feel cool, calm, capable and ready to face anything!

Sinking into the moment

Now that the sunshine and summery warmth are here, time seems to be flying by extra quickly. At the same time though, sunny days are my favourite for slowing down, relaxing, reading a good book outside, and just lounging about, reconnecting to the world and to yourself. 

It's as though the light is meant to wake us up, motivate, and inspire us to rekindle our passions and joys in life so that we can pursue them fully, even if the winter was extra long and dark, taking us farther from our dreams. 

Spending time outside, with the sunlight glowing all around you, birds singing, a gentle breeze lapping around..."clutter" type thoughts cannot help but melt away, leaving room for deep tranquility and contentment. It makes you realize how perfect everything already is - there is no struggle, just the resistance we create for ourselves. Life in the world unfolds, seemingly without great effort, in every moment. Flowers bloom without worrying about the future or past. They bask in the glory of Now, and the birds sing along. All this life around us is like a gorgeous symphony, and we have the choice to join in and feel the bliss of life as it is right now, or to escape the magic of this moment and retreat to the familiarity of struggle and resistance. On beautiful days like this though, it is nearly impossible not to sink fully into the loveliness of the moment, and bask in the light like a singing bird :)

No such thing as a guilty pleasure :)

If it makes you happy, just go for it :)

Tonight I'm reporting to say that not only will I be watching a good two hours of television, but out of all available shows my choice will be none other than American Idol (gasp! the horror!). My name is Lucy and I am a proud Glambert - as soon as I accidentally stumbled upon one of ever glamourous Adam Lambert's performances, I could not tear my eyes and ears away. 

Adam has transcended the show's boxy constraints and blandness, bringing passion, charisma, thrilling theatricality, and extraordinary singing abilities into the game. His performances have been more like stunning mini-concerts, and it is wonderfully refreshing to see someone fearlessly expressing themselves for all to see, without trying to fit into a safe, restrained mold. 

I think that's partly why Adam has become so popular and celebrated even by non-Idol fans - not only does he let his beautiful voice loose, but he also captures people's imaginations by being so free and earnest and creative. He puts on a show, but the theatricality and visual perks are always grounded in sincerity and a kind of innocence. I always love it when people embrace their inner natures and bring them into the world to flourish. Being yourself is the most inspiring and glorious thing that you can ever do. 

Whether he wins or not, I cannot wait to see more of Adam singing his soul out and sharing his passion with the world :) 

Visiting a bird sanctuary

Over the glorious long weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Reifel Bird Sanctuary for the very first time. The scenery along the drive there was very quaint and relaxing just by itself; once we got to the sanctuary I felt like I was in paradise. There were birds to be seen even while standing in the parking lot. Greenery, water, beautiful views surrounded us on all sides and I was very eager to get on the path and enjoy a bird-watching + hiking adventure :) It's amazing how different the world feels when you're immersed in natural beauty, listening to a symphony of birdsong. 

At first it was hard to see any birds, even though their pretty voices were all around us. Besides ducks and geese, the first bird I saw was the lovely, elegant swallow. They were flying in all directions, basking in the sun :) After hearing the distinctive sound of a blackbird, I saw a big red-winged one for the first time - beautiful! I also saw a sweet, cute wren (like a puffy ball with wings!) and some other birds the names of which I cannot keep straight in my head :) There were several types of ducks, adorable baby geese, graceful blue herons, and last but not least, a Sandhill Crane. This extraordinary creature was having a meal right on the footpath so everyone got to see it very close up - it's huge! And so unlike any bird I've ever seen, I loved it! There were signs saying to be very careful around them as they can become aggressive when protecting their young or their territory; however, this glorious being was just peacefully snacking at the time. 

I absolutely loved this place from the second we got there, and will definitely be going back! We walked for over two hours but it felt very short and I would have been happy to stay and nap in the fresh air and beautiful surroundings...with the birds :) Their singing was incredible and quite soothing :) 

It would be nice if we had even more natural sanctuaries for all living creatures, including humans. Sometimes after a busy day in the city, I feel such a yearning to retreat into peaceful, lovely nature to rejuvenate and feel connected with life again. Somehow, being in nature makes me feel more like myself, more grounded, free, uplifted, and inspired :) Hooray for Mother Nature! And birds!

Power Up with B-12!

A wholesome diet based on natural, whole, fresh foods should provide plenty of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals; however, we are all very unique and there may be times when we need extra amounts of some specific nutrients. Stress, in particular, puts extra demands on our bodies. Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet also means paying special attention and taking care to get a good balance of all the fantastic nutrients we require for vitality and optimal health. 

One important vitamin that people commonly become deficient in because of low stomach acid, stress, and/or a diet low in animal products is vitamin B-12, which unfortunately is not found in any plants. We need this vitamin for cell division and the production of red blood cells. Insufficient amounts can result in fatigue and anemia. Besides helping to keep our blood nice and healthy, it is also crucial for a well-functioning nervous system AND for happy moods :) A vitamin that helps give us energy and makes us happier is definitely one to appreciate :) 

Where does B-12 like to live? In most animal products, such as liver, beef, pork, white fish, eggs, and milk. I always recommend eating organic foods that are free from antibiotics, growth hormones, stress hormones, etc. Meat from small, local farms is usually tastier, more ethical, and more affordable than buying organic from a supermarket. 

For those who do not eat too many animal foods, a B-12 supplement may be a good option. For strict vegans, it is usually absolutely essential. The best way to take B-12 is in a sublingual tablet that dissolves under the tongue. It should be in the methylcobolamin form, which is the one that is active in the body. 

Summertime is just around the corner, and what better time to reconnect with our bodies and take extra care to nourish and nurture ourselves so that we can frolic outdoors and fully appreciate every breath of fresh summery air!

Fruit Crumble Update :)

And now for a bit of a lighter, fruit-based post :) I have to report that the rhubarb-strawberry crumble/crisp was a big success. We used plenty of strawberries and rhubarb, about 1/4 cup brown sugar, whole wheat flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, and butter and it was absolutely delicious! The fruit was moist and tender and the topping was crisp and flavourful. Having crumble fresh out of the oven has to be one of the best things in life :) And the kitchen smelled like cinnamon for at least 24hrs, yummy :) 

I would post a picture, but the crumble was eaten before I had a chance to capture its beauty for the rest of time :)