Food Surfing

Forget buying cookbooks, I am all about the Internet cookbooks out there. There are sooooo many great recipes sites out there. I really StumbleUpon because it shows me so many different blogs and compilation site. Here are some I found today.

This one has great links to other cookings sites - AMAZING recipes :)

most favorited all-time | foodgawker - StumbleUpon:

'via Blog this'

Yep, not pretty, but very necessary...

Well, some of you may know that I've been suffering from terrible symptoms due to a large fibroid that grew in my uterus. It was a nasty couple months but thankfully I am over the worst part now.

I had my angels really looking after me the last few months. I had a doctor to take care of me in France, my co-workers were super empathetic and supportive, and  I got fast effective health care from a system that is extremely congested.

I am also very fortunate to work for a government that allows me to sick time with pay and covers medical expenses - thank-you!

So from the time I found out about my lovely little fiby ( as I affectionately called it) to the time it left my body - I was relieved and miserable at the same time. I had little downtime from it's notorious symptoms and I was upset about much it could ruin your good times. I am a girl on the go and absolutely have no appreciation for lally-gagging about all day. However, with a fibroid this problematic I had no choice, I was confined.

A funny thing that happened during all of this that made me realize something - I really need to keep listening to my intuition. When I was told about my surgery I was not the least bit afraid, instead, I was ecstatic. Others thought  me crazy, however, I knew this is exactly what my body needed to have in order to heal and be well. The other amazing thing was that I knew the date of the surgery that the scheduling assistant gave me was not the correct date. When she said the 26th of September, September 1 immediately jumped into my head.  I kept telling everyone that I would get in sooner than that and I was right. when September 1, 2011 arrived I got a call from the OR scheduling officer to ask me if I could come in the next day. I was bouncing off the walls, I was that excited.

Fortunately for me I had an exceptionally talented gynaecologist, superb NAET nurse, powerful laser specialist, amazing naturopath, and incredible surgery and nursing teams to look after me. I was in my surgery for about 2 hours and woke up on the way to the recovery room. I was in a lot of pain, but my terrific anaesthetist jokingly told me that everything went really well and that I really DID need that surgery. Thanks Dr. Fitzpatrick!

the nurses in Unit 4 were incredible. I felt like I was at a Spa with friends. Everyone treated me like I was special and took care of me like I was a baby. I wasn't sure I wanted to leave after three days. I was so happy, relaxed and well taken care of I thought I would be happy there for a while longer.... but alas my hubby and kitties were pulling at my heartstrings and I decided I could make it on my own.

The best part of being home is having all my creature comforts, but the worst is the urge to clean and do things I am not suppose to do...like move furniture or pick up heavy items. Like other peoples' kids - bad idea!

My life has changed dramatically since the fiby has been removed (btw  the tumour was the size of my fist and was asking my body for a lot of estrogen - nasty). I am not anaemic any more. I can go out and not worry about flooding my clothes. My pain is only in my lower abdominal region rather than tons of cramps and pains in my left leg and groin.

I can't wait to be fully recovered so I can do everything I am meant to do.

Fibroid Fun - NOT!

So it's been ages since I've posted anything on here. I feel like I lost part of myself to be honest.
While overseas on a work assignment I developed a terrible problem with my period - it's called Menorrhoea - and it sucks. I was placed on bed rest and then stupidly went back to work even though when I look back in hind sight I was probably on death's doorstep.

Upon returning home to Canada, I discovered I had developed anaemia and have a lovely large fibroid that never lets me forget that it is there. I am constantly have my period and in the mornings it is hellish. I've been to specialist and naturalist and luckily they are all doing their very best to help me with the situation. I even have a surgery date -September 26th, 2011 - which oddly enough is my wedding anniversary. Funny isn't it? Haha. to be honest I am not afraid of surgery. I am only afraid that my Gynaecologist, who is a very good one from what I hear, will need to take more that the fibroid. She warned me of this possibility so I appreciate her honesty. I am doing everything I can to help cut off the blood supply to that sucker so it can't get any more oestrogen  to grow.

I truly believe everything happens for a reason so I am trying to dissect the one behind this health issue. Perhaps it is time for a career switch? Maybe I need to stop taking on my family and friend's personal problems as my own to solve. I also believe I need to find a satisfying creative outlet. So I am on the move and will be attempting to help the Universe make this happen.
Any helpful tips, sites or books on all these issues would be greatly appreciated.

Namaste

Lucky to have ...everything

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. 
 ~Meister Eckhar


Sometimes things like grocery stores, gas stations, shopping centres, jobs and money overwhelm me. I think, "How spoiled are we? We have all this money, food, clothing, housing and THINGS at our disposal and yet we rarely think about those who have nothing." 
Last year I met an Anglican minister originally from Africa who moved to Canada in his 30s. He was born in a refugee camp and spent years moving across that great continent to come to the land of the free.When he came through US immigration  they asked him for the colour of his eyes but he could not tell them. He could not tell them because he had never seen himself in a mirror. He had no idea what he looked like or what colour his eyes were. This story shook me.


To this day I think of all the people who live without electricity, running water, heat, the Internet, phones, jobs, transportation, money, FOOD, safety, love, clothes, and family. How tough can the human race be?How weak we can be> In North America we have everything at our finger tips, yet we are rarely thankful and we rarely use them to their full potential. I feel that if we gave thanks more often for all these miracle we take for granted we would help ourselves and in turn help others.


Here is a list of things along with a video of things I am thankful for in my life. What about you?

My fridge, my bed, weekends and evenings, yoga classes every day, shampoo, make-up, coconut milk, coffee, cook books, sushi, sneakers, jeans, my car, veggie chips, Facebook, vacuums, the beach, the desert, work friends, old friends, flying, lines of credit, credit cards, and bank accounts.

Do You Listen?

I came across this poem yesterday on my computer. I had forgotten all about it like most of the other files on there. This poem came to me during another time of awakening and often made me cry tears of thanks for the gift of change, which is so vital in our lives.

I also felt it was important to share it now as Spring has somewhat arrived to those of us on the East Coast.  It only takes about  5 minutes for a smile to show up on your face when you allow yourself to be outside and experience nature.

Dr. Charles Roper wrote this poem in 1992 during his experience with "Outward Bound," a wilderness training intensive for therapists. Dr. Roper writes recovery related books. A big Namaste and Thank-you to him for this amazing poem.

I Listen
by Chuck Roper

I Listen to the trees, and they say:

"Stand tall and yield.
Be tolerant and flexible.
Be true to yourself.
Stand alone, and stand together.
Be brave.
Be patient.
With time, you will grow."

I Listen to the wind, and it says:

"Breathe.
Take care of yourself --
body, mind, and spirit.
Take time.
Be quiet.
Listen from your heart.
Forgive."

I Listen to the sun, and it says:

"Nurture others.
Let your warmth radiate for others to feel.
Give yourself without expectations."

I Listen to the creek, and it says:

"Relax; go with the flow.
Tend to what's really important,
and let the rest go by.
Keep moving -- don't be hesitant or afraid.
Lighten up -- laugh, giggle."

I Listen to the mountains, and they say:

"Be there.
Be honest.
Be trustworthy.
Do what you say you're going to do.
Be true, genuine, and real.
Speak from the heart.
Don't cheat."

I Listen to the birds, and they say:

"Set yourself free.
Sing."

I Listen to the clouds, and they say:

"Be creative.

Be expressive.
Let your spirit run free.
Let yourself be light and gay,
but let yourself be heavy and sad.
Cry when you feel like it."

I Listen to the sky, and it says:

"Open up. Let go of the boundaries and barriers                                                                                                        which you have created to protect yourself.                                                                                                                          Experience change.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Fly."

I Listen to the flowers and small plants, and they say:

"Be humble.
Be simple.
Respect the beauty of small things.
Respect the beauty of humility and truth.
Let go of perfectionism.
Love yourself as you are; it opens the door to change.
Practice acceptance."

I Listen to the bugs and flying insects, and they say:

"Work.
Be productive.
Use your hands.
Focus on what's in front of you.
Ignore the past; there is only the present."

I Listen to the moon, and it says:
"Love.

Share love.
Make love.
Be romantic -- touch and caress.
Allow yourself to be loved.
Be gentle, kind, and understanding.
Use candles."

I Listen to the stars, and they wink and say:

"Play.
Dance, be silly, have fun."

I Listen to the earth, and it says:

"I am your mother.
I give you life.
Respect all that is around you.
Find beauty in all things -- living and not -- including
yourself; for we are all one -- not separate.
Be especially respectful to the very young and the very old,
for they are both very near God.
Give up the belief that you are a higher form of life;
there is no higher form of life.
We are equal because we are the same.
When you return to me, I will welcome you,
and I will set your spirit free.
Love and nurture your children; cook good food for them,
and hold them very close to you often.
Hold me close to you often as well,
and I will hold you in return; I will support you.
Have faith.

Looking younger....

So, I haven't been blogging lately due to some other family commitments but I am back with a little update on life.
Lately, I've been feeling like I LOOK old. Not FEEL old, but merely look it. And even though I HATE that I notice it, I can't help it but I want to do something about it.

I am not one for manicures, facials, creams, wraps and such. I am more of a - work from the inside out kind of girl.. I like my vitamins, juices, good food, meditation and yoga! They along with good books, funny movies, great meals, hanging out with friends and watching my kitties.However, lately this is not totally cutting it.

So I've decided to take a look online for some advice on how to LOOK younger.

Here are some of the best tips I found:

1.Prevention Magazine - great tips here that are very helpful like - take 1,00mg of omega 3 a day, wear V-necks instead of scoop necks, avoid refined flour and pasta to avoid acne and eat honey to keep your lips plump and soft.

2. Shine -Lots of links to great site with fabulous tips like: soften your hairstyles and add highlights, wear less make-up, whiten your teeth,  and use navy instead of black eyeliner to whiten your eyes.


3.Telegraph - The Brits have always been known for their honesty and I really like a few of their gems such as: cut sugar from your diet, get more sleep, sleep on a silk pillow case, shape your eyebrows,  wear the right colour blush, and my favorite, try facial acupuncture.

4.Makeupgeek - I am not a big make-up person but I do know it's value when it comes to looking younger. This site offers advice such as : use a tinted moisturiser instead of powder, curl your lashes, wear light shimmer powder and wing your lines!

Okay to be honest I am getting caught up with these superficial tips. Can't wait to try some out soon.

Let me know your best youthful tips!

Namaste:0)