Last Day of Detox

Well I did it. Today is my final day on the Wild Rose Detox programme. In summary, the first few days left me with zero energy and all I wanted to do was sleep. The remainder of the first week was challenging in places as I regained my energy and my belly adjusted to the high quantities of vegetables and fruit and the herbs. This week however, has been much easier. I have actually quite enjoyed eating so healthily, it feels good, I feel good! My energy levels are back and are better than they were before I began the detox. I haven't had the afternoon slump and it has been easier to get out of bed in the morning. I have been more focused on projects. More things have got done this week. I have procrastinated a little less.

The next challenge is to maintain and sustain a healthy balance. I have some new healthy recipes now that DO taste good and are filling AND my husband also likes them! He did not do the detox but he willingly ate some the evening meals I served up and enjoyed them...he didn't tolerate them, he enjoyed them :-)

So, I'm supposed to gradually re-introduce those "forbidden" foods back into my life...slowly...one at a time. I actually don't think it will be as difficult as I thought it might be because I feel good on this...I don't want it to end!  On the other hand, I am off to Montreal this weekend....so we'll see....

Detox Day 7 out of 12

I'm officially past the half way mark. Now at the end of Day 7.  The last 3 days have been much easier and felt more natural. My energy levels have increased too, thankfully. I think my body is over the initial shock now and has almost settled in to the way things are at the moment. I still find it hard to believe I have not craved coffee! There have been moments when I have thought it might be nice...but more to fill me up than for the taste of coffee. And out of habit. Habit is so strong! And there was me thinking I "needed" it, when I really don't. Fascinating. That is not to say I won't be drinking coffee in the future, because I will, but not purely out of habit, if I can help it.

I did find myself really fancying a glass of wine this evening, I must confess. And yesterday I did have quite a chocolate craving, but I told myself it's only another week to go. I will appreciate it all the more when the craving comes on a day when chocolate is back on the menu...it will be sooo delicious! 

I've lost a few pounds too. That's always a bonus, especially after 3 sets of visitors in 3 months. I've had a few more treats than usual recently, it has to be said. It feels good to feel good in my jeans again.

So, the countdown is on. I'm on the downhill slope...5 days of careful diet/meal planning remain and overall, I'm feeling good on it.

Life in Detox

So, Day 2 & 3 had their challenges but they weren't the challenges I was expecting. I had expected to crave and long for coffee and tea, but so far, that has not happened. I have been hungry, which needn't really happen on this detox because I can eat as much as I want, of certain foods that is, it just so happens there is only so much of those certain foods that I actually want to eat. I do need to get more creative, but I also think it has something to do with the fact that I am eating the same size portions that I normally eat, just cleaner food, which it seems does not fill me up for quite as long...and I cannot snack on sweet stuff. I don't eat a lot of sweet stuff...but I do definitely eat sweet stuff. A little square of chocolate here and there goes a long way I find to satisfy a need. This week and next however...no chocolate for me. That is what I am missing most so far. I guess that is not exactly a huge revelation though!

Energy has been low and challenged also. I found myself dancing level 1 in Nia class on Tuesday evening....I think I actually checked the clock during class...that never happens! And yesterday, was the worst day so far. I crashed in the afternoon. I actually fell asleep in a yoga pose. A Backbend of all poses...I was trying to restore some energy in a yin practice but I was simply too tired, so my next pose was restorative...and the next pose after that was sleep-asana, in the middle of the afternoon. Most unusual for me. I wondered if I was sickening for something...but today I awoke feeling OK. Not exactly bouncing out of bed yet but it was an improvement and today has been easier. I've been able to focus on writing and working on some things I have simply not felt up to since I started this thing. I am looking forward to tomorrow...hopefully Day 5 will bring a little more energy into my life....

Day 1 of My First Ever Detox

Moving in some of the circles I do these days, I'm kind of surprised I have never done a detox before. I've never wanted to. Never had the urge to. I like my food and I like what I like...I know what works for me, after years of intolerances and discomfort and I have a routine. I like my morning coffee. My afternoon tea. Life is good. However, I've had a few minor health concerns this year and I've started to look at my diet a bit differently in recent months. Nothing radical, just a few cutbacks and changes to see what difference they make and for some reason the time feels right to detox. My body feels...ready...I won't delve any deeper than that right now.

So. I got the kit, I got the downloadable recipe book. All a little bit last minute and I find myself not quite as well prepared as I would have liked but I've made a start. This is day 1. By some amazing miracle I did not wake up "needing" coffee or even tea this morning, so that was really helpful. I expect that need to surface at some point soon though. I attempted an oatmeal recipe from the book and I really tried to like it...I really did...I persisted with about a quarter of the serving but had to give up and do it again, my way. That was still a bit bland for my liking but it was edible so Yay...Success! Lunch on Mondays needs to be very early or light as I teach at 2pm, so today rather than a healthy portion of scrambled eggs and ezekiel toast I settled for a solitary boiled egg. I returned from class rather peckish though and all I could find to snack on (from the allowed list) was almonds. Truth be told, I have never liked almonds. However, it is amazing what one will do for hunger and I sense a need to develop a deep love of almonds and quick, as on this particular detox I can eat unlimited amounts of them.

Since mid afternoon I've been feeling a bit "odd". My body aches, especially my neck. I don't know if this is detox-related or not - it seems a bit soon, but I guess the herbs I am taking as part of this could be kicking in by now...

It felt like dinner time would never arrive. I was looking forward to it...nothing nasty about this meal. It turns out for some meals at least, I get to eat the sort of thing I love to eat, just minus the condiments and sauces. A nice piece of salmon, spinach and butternut squash. I piled my plate as high as is reasonable and savoured every bite. For a while I forgot about my aches and pains.

Now, at just 9pm I feel my bed is calling. I appear to be resisting though. It seems too early. I think I must go though....hopefully I will feel better in the morning. I'm hoping this is detox-related and nothing else...no flu bugs thank you!

And so to bed.

Reflexologist in the House!

This week I got some great news. I finally got official notification that I am now a certified Reflexologist! It feels so good to be complete! I passed my practicum in early August and passed my written exam in early September....and finally the last piece of the jigsaw has fallen into place and now I await my certificate in the mail! Today I ordered my first batch of business cards. Ever. That's pretty exciting for me. It's a symbol of independence...it's official...I have the qualification, now I have to find the clients to treat! Here begins a whole new challenge and adventure. This is something completely new for me. I've been teaching yoga on and off for 5 years now. Hardly seems possible, but it's true. It takes time to build up a following and a reputation and I am still working on it but this is a step further. I intend to work from my home space and that requires some marketing.  My house is not a spa with a regular influx of clients....no...I shall need to advertise and explore new avenues that right now feel very unfamiliar and just a little daunting. But I'm excited. I feel passionately about the benefits reflexology can offer and I am looking forward to sharing my new skill!

Now....where is that Marketing Hat....

Summer Schedule

Hmmm. Another huge gap in blog posts. I blame the Summer! It's been wonderful! I've been busy finishing my reflexology case studies, taking my exams, spending time at the cottage and entertaining guests! The Summer has flown by and yet I'm perfectly satisfied with my Summer this year and I'm ready for Autumn. It is in the air, I can feel it. Crisp, cool mornings that give way to warm sunny days. I love this time of year. I love the transition from one season to the next. The trees are starting to change colour, in fact they started the last week of August while the sun was still very hot. Just a sign to let us know Autumn or Fall, is just around the corner.

So much to look forward to in the coming months. The beginning of a new business venture which feels exciting and naturally a little intimidating, but I'm working on that.

We've had our first visitors this year and when they booked in, they were to be our only visitors this year and yet now, just weeks later, we still have 2 more bookings! Say what you like, but I think it's the cottage...I think it is luring them over from the UK....and rightly so, it really is a little piece of paradise. I'm getting withdrawal symptoms this week and our schedule does not take us back this weekend either...such a simple luxury. I am so grateful for it and for the impact on our lives in this short time. Being in nature truly does nourish my soul and I cannot wait to witness another season from my Adirondack chair....

Connecting with Nature

I haven't felt like sharing my life with my blog audience lately. It's been too personal. Too raw. A time to go within and retreat or at least journal rather than blog. I can be fairly open on these pages, I have shared more on a blog than I ever thought I would, and yet there are times when it just won't do. It's not the time or the place.

Talking of places, The Cottage has been The Place this month. I knew it would fun and a great place to Be but really....within just 3 weeks it has proved to be a complete gift! It has exceeded my high expectations already. Perhaps it's just the honeymoon period. Maybe I'll get bored. Maybe, but I doubt it. What I find when I arrive at this beautiful, simple, yet comfortable retreat is oh-so-valuable. It's like my stress-o-meter re-sets to zero. It's almost instant upon arrival. I couldn't have predicted that. It feels great!

We arrived late on Friday, after a busy week, in our respective ways. The drive is straight forward in this weather, so we begin to relax on the journey and the promise of what's at the end of the road assists with that relaxation.

We don't notice how clear the night sky is when we are driving and when we arrive, the temperature feels perfect for sitting out on the deck with a welcome beverage. The air is cool, there does not appear to be a feeling of bugs in the air, just beautiful lake air, so we sit. As soon as our eyes adjust to the darkness, the night sky hits us. The sky is FULL of stars! Oh my....we don't exactly live in The City but I haven't seen a sky like this since I was in South Africa! Or at least that is what springs to mind. I saw my first shooting star! Can you  believe that? At my age, never seen one until now? It's true...but now I have and it was incredible. Such pure and simple joy! Inspired by nature.

Nature continued to inspire me all weekend. I've always said it feels great to be out in nature and that it nourishes my soul....but at the same time, I'd forgotten that lately. I have not been in nature enough. I  have not been feeling inspired...could the two be related? Surely just a "co-incidence".

The next morning I was encouraged to try the new kayak on the lake. I am quite sure there are not many people out there, especially living in Canada, who need to be encouraged or asked twice to go kayaking on the lake. Well, in my defense I'm neither Canadian nor a water-lover, so it was a fairly significant Moment for me. Getting in was a bit tricky but with some patient assistance I managed to remain calm and Step in...and....relax! Well, almost....once out on the water, it was so still and peaceful, it was a lot easier than I imagined, to let my guard down, let go of my well conditioned fear! I even found I could pretty much operate the paddle and head in the direction I intended to! It wasn't perfect of course, it was my first time (yes, another first!) but I was rather impressed and rather pleased with myself I have to tell you.  So there I was out kayaking on the lake....taking in the nature surrounding me. I saw my first Bullfrog! We have been hearing these little chaps for weeks now. At first wondering what on earth the noise was...it is quite distinctive and Very Loud! Anyway....there he was just sitting on the edge of the shore and he let me take a good look at him without leaping at me and causing me to topple the kayak. Oh so grateful for that!

I returned to shore to feel smug and pleased with myself and to read a little to take some photographs of other people kayaking. I was busy aiming my camera when I heard something else, very distinctive....it was a Hummingbird! He swooped in front of me....hovered....so I could get a good look and say Hi...but unfortunately he didn't stick around long enough for me to get a good shot, he was gone as quick as he appeared, but what beauty! Truly....I feel like I am gushing about nature here....OK, Yes, I admit it, I AM gushing about nature! So many of us take it for granted. We live on a stunning planet, full of beauty and wonder and yet so much of our time is spent completely blinkered to this beauty...the beauty that can trigger Joy, if you stay still just long enough.

I can't wait to return for another dose of inspiration!

Checking In

Earlier today, I tried to remember the last time I posted a blog entry. I couldn't remember off the top of my head and didn't bother to check. I was just aware it had been a while. I thought about giving myself a hard time about that, but caught myself. It's been a mad few months here, one way or another and blogging has not been foremost on my mind. This evening however, I received notification of a comment left on my site...someone who didn't leave their name...pointed out it had been a while since my last post. It's probably somebody I know well...but then again it may not be. Whoever you are though...thank you. Timing was perfect, as it usually is. More so than you may realise! Thank you for pulling my attention back to the blog. I think it could be part of what I need right now. We'll see.

Stagnation

Apparently, stagnation can be a part of the process of change. Seems a bit contradictory to me but I also get it. Sometimes when change is occurring, the Universe intervenes by putting certain blocks in our path. We can try to manoeuvre around them and may be successful for a while, but in my experience, eventually, you'll come across a block that stops you in your tracks. It can take different forms. It can be an emotional block that we need to work through, or perhaps a physical block where our body gives us a few signs that we need to ease up a bit...perhaps we get consistently tired but fail to rest or slow down. Some of us may have the strength to "power through" at least for a while but ultimately, our body is in control. If we don't listen to those early warning signals, along comes that piece of 2x4 (2 by 4...ie a very big stick!) to whack us over the head and into reality, often insisting that we stop what we are doing. Depending on what it is we are trying to do, the sign will vary.

I teach a bit of yoga, just part time and when I'm low, I often lose my voice. Not very useful when trying to teach. I have to stop. I am currently learning the wonderful art of reflexology where I use my hands to help heal others. Right now for reasons I can't quite fully comprehend and that seem quite "unfair", whilst doing something I love and being in the midst of learning something truly amazing and inspiring...I develop a problem with my hand and my arm which means I cannot practice or continue with my case studies for now.

Once the frustration subsided (OK, it still comes and goes but mainly it has passed now) I realised I had no choice but to rest. After all, I've been without my right hand before. Memories of last summer come flooding back. It's not the same, but the impact is very similar. Food for thought. What is it about my right hand? What am I not hearing or seeing, or doing? Seriously...if you have any suggestions, answers on a postcard please!

So I have taken a week to rest. To be as still. To meditate, To do yoga. To dance. To read. In fact to realise all the things that I can do at the moment rather than focus on the things that I can't do. And to accept that. Fighting this cause will not help me...but I believe acceptance will.

Now is The Time!

I've been a fan of Jonathan Cainer for many years now. His accuracy often astounds me. So when I read this today, following my first post in a while yesterday, I had to smile. It seems NOW, IS a good time to start afresh!

www.jonathancainer.com

Jonathan's Thought For The Day

New Start In early January, I explained that New Year is rarely the right time for a new start. There are many other dates which might be more suitable for dropping old habits. If you've been following your forecast since then, you will have already seen me point out such times. More good opportunities are due in the next few weeks. I'm particularly excited about the rare transit of Venus on June 6. But while Mars is just picking up momentum after a long retrograde phase, right now is a fine time for anyone who seeks to summon more self-discipline!

Just Blog!

Like most things, the longer I leave it, the more difficult it becomes. Blogging included. I'm out of the habit. I've had stuff going on. Emotions. Thoughts. Feelings. Questions. Not to mention overseas travel, family visits and a new nephew. All part of life, the full spectrum. Writing and blogging got put to one side. Nothing really wrong with that in essence, apart from the fact that I really do love to write. It serves many purposes for me. Blogging is a kind of journaling but less personal, less intimate. At least that has always been my intention. And yet, I don't think it hurts a blog to be a bit personal. It makes it interesting. We feel we are getting more when we get emotions too. Or is that just me?

I haven't blogged in 2 months. All my potential blog entries felt too personal. Too private to share. Maybe there is just some stuff I haven't quite come to terms with yet and that is why if all feels too intimate, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure. What I did realise today though is that I just need to DO IT! Write. Blog. Journal. Whatever form it takes is not really important, but the process is.

So it may be April 16th....hardly a popular day for resolutions of any kind as far as I know, but today I re-commit to writing. To Just Doing It. To stop thinking too much about it, to stop analysing every word that I  may want to share. To be brave and to be free. It is no co-incidence that I decided to log on to my blog today to remind myself what my last post actually was...and I found myself reading the very words that have been playing over in my mind today.....

You must learn one thing:
the world was made to be free in.

 

Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.

 

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

 

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

 

is too small for you.

 

~ David Whyte ~

What do You Love and what brings You alive?

Sweet Darkness

 

When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.

 

When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.

 

Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.

 

There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.

 

The dark will be your womb
tonight.

 

The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.

 

You must learn one thing:
the world was made to be free in.

 

Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.

 

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

 

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

 

is too small for you.

 

~ David Whyte ~

 

 

(House of Belonging)

 

What's Normal Anyway?

This weekend I'm wrestling a little with the fact that Alan is in the UK without me. It feels a bit odd. Him being there, in the Homeland and me here. Especially when there is a Big family occasion being celebrated. I should be there, I'd like to be there.....but I'm not. For practical reasons. It could be worse though, after all, I will get a chance to see my immediate family and some of my friends next month when it's my turn to fly. I can't wait. Aunt status is due to kick in any day now and I am very excited about that. I'm sure it will be another pull in the direction of the UK, a bit of tug on the heart strings but I must learn to be a good Aunt from afar. That's just the way it is right  now. I've had to learn to be a daughter, a sister and a friend from afar...I'll just add Aunt to the pile.

Sometimes this life we lead feels quite frustrating. A little bit sad, to be away from family and old friends. I sometimes wonder why our life has to be so different...so "not normal". Why don't we live close to our family...have loads of friends on our doorstep... and be nearby for loved ones when they need us unexpectedly? The obvious answer is because we chose to move to Canada of course but that does not always feel like a reasonable explanation. Most days Ottawa feels like home these days. It's where we live, it's where our home is. Where our life is. That all sounds very normal...and so the rest falls into place around it...most days...until a special day or a sad day pops up then the distance is highlighted and the questions arise.

At times like these, I remind myself that I have many friends...and many of those friends are living a very similar life to us. Far away from their families...and old friends. Then it doesn't feel so odd any more. It's a life style. Most of the time it's wonderful to be an explorer...to challenge yourself  by living in a country that is not strictly speaking yours. What is Normal anyway?

Goodbye 2011

Well where did that month go?

Looking back over the last month of 2011, I think it's fair to say that it was a month of ups and downs.  Highs and Lows. The first half had some rough patches as I struggled to get back to full health after my run in with laryngitis and the things that accompanied it. My month was a bit light on the teaching front because of it...well that, and the reduced Christmas schedule, which definitely turned out to be a blessing, giving me a little more time to rest and do all those pre-holiday jobs that need doing, no matter how simple you try to keep things.

As the Christmas week approached however, it was time for some fun. Another road trip! We enjoy road trips and we have taken 2 in the last 2 weeks! The first destination was Muskoka, our new favourite place to visit with a pit stop in Toronto first for a spot of business and pleasure. Just pleasure for me :-) I got to dance some Nia with my Toronto Nia teacher, Martha Randall and reconnect with some of my fellow white belt graduates for the first time since July...that was special and I almost got to connect with another friend too, but not quite. Next time hopefully. We took in a show...well, you have to when in the city, especially at Christmas time....

Muskoka was perfect for my birthday. A wonderful place to relax and get pampered. The only thing that would have made it more perfect would have been to see it snow...or to see some snow there! But alas, despite the -12 temperatures there was no snow in sight between December 22 & 24. Oh well. It made for a much easier journey, on the plus side. Beautiful weather in both directions for a road trip. Bright blue skies, sunshine and even some snow-topped evergreens as we made our way through the lake-ridden landscape, on our way home on Christmas Eve. Beautiful!

Christmas was quiet. Quiet is good but I did miss my family this year, and I'm looking forward to March.

Then came NewYear and road trip number 2, taking us to Massachusetts, over the border. It's never my favourite time of year and has always been a slightly tricky time for me, not really sure why but I suspect I'm not the only one. It is a time when we can't help but review the year that has passed and maybe even judge it just a little. Our achievements, or if we feel like being especially hard on ourselves, the lack there of. The sad bits, the losses. If we're lucky however, we don't forget to remember the best bits. The friends we've made, the love we've given and received. The simple pleasures. The life lessons.

I was happy to retreat this year, spiritually retreat....for the first time. It was wonderful to immerse ourselves into such a nurturing environment and let everything else go. To roll out of bed at some unearthly hour and roll onto our mats for a morning yoga class. To eat a healthy breakfast and to study with an inspiring teacher. To meditate. To meet some like minded people and to be surrounded by beautiful countryside. To welcome 2012 in with some fabulous and joyful music... and to not have a hangover on New Years Day. I enjoyed the simplicity of this NewYear's Eve. The shift to this new year was more about the letting go of last year and any challenges it presented and moving joyfully and positively into the year ahead. I think it can be very easy to forget the significance of this sometimes with all the hype around the celebrations...the parties and the alcohol. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.