Inspired

Transformation and Refocusing (on wellness)...end of May check-in

Morning Light

(the book lying on the bed was one I picked up at the community center's recycling/resale shop in San Pancho.  Here's To You Jesusa! is a fascinating read based on the true story of a Mexican woman (Jesusa) who followed both her father and husband into war during the Mexican revolution and then later found herself alone and impoverished in Mexico city where she lived until her death in the 1960's)

 

End of May Wellness update

I realized that while I was numbering off the changes that I’ve made in the last year towards a healthier life, I forgot a major one…

Change #5…Last April I began a daily practice of EFT (emotional freedom technique) or “tapping”.  I’ve gone into detail about this here in a separate page so I’ll just quickly say again…it’s been a lifesaver for a chronic-but-reforming worrier like moi. 

As promised I’m reporting back with the results of my May wellness changes.  It’s been a great month and I'm sure the Mexican sunshine helped!

I continued to do the Milk Thistle cleanse while I was away and one change has been very visible.  I had several lipoma’s…two smallish ones and one that was fairly large.  The smaller one has completely disappeared and the larger one has shrunk considerably since I started taking the milk thistle.  I was scheduled to have one removed surgically, but it’s no longer necessary and I’m confident the larger one will also continue to shrink.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading into why this might have happened and what it might mean for other areas of my health. Although there hasn’t been a lot of research into it yet, (there’s no money for drug companies in herbs so as a result there's little research done), milk thistle cleanses the liver which is essential in the healthy functioning of almost every other system in the body.  It's been used for many years in Europe (specifically Germany) and there's been research done there on Milk Thistle, which confirms the benefits that have been known for centuries.

As for the effects it might be having on blood sugar levels and cholesterol, I’m going to give it another month or two and have those both checked out.

 

Putting Out Roots

I also continued to drink chlorophyll infused water but often found it a challenge to get the 6 glasses in every day.  I didn’t take the chlorophyll to Mexico ((I’m always a bit nervous about taking supplements and liquids both a) in my suitcase and b) through not one, but two borders, as we have to change planes in the US.) but I did continue drinking lots of water and I will say it's much easier to do the six glasses...and more...in a hot climate! 

This one is harder to evaluate but I know that both water and chlorophyll are beneficial so I’m going to continue on with it.

 

A Perfect End To Another Perfect Day

So…one month into it and I’m pleased with the results.  I’ll be back in a few days with my wellness changes for June.  Thank you so much for stopping by!

(all of the above photo's were taken in San Pancho, Mx....I haven't been out much with my camera since I returned home so I dug back into the San Pancho archives!)

 

 

Everything Will Be All Right In The End

watercolor with digital text

quote from the The Eagle and The Hawk by John Denver

...a page for my art journal

We’re back home and fully into catching up in the garden…lots of weeding,  pruning and planting going on here.  It makes us both very happy to nurture and cultivate our small plot of land.  There was lots of oohing and aaahing over what had come up while we were away.  We planted so many things in our new garden last year that honestly, we’d forgotten half of what was there.  It’s like Christmas in the spring!

Yesterday we saw The Best Exotic New Marigold Hotel and loved it!  It may be that I related to it because I'm at the age of retirement...so I’d be interested to hear how people younger than myself felt about it…but we LOVED it.  It was just so upbeat and positive.

It’s about a group of British retirees who decide to "outsource" their retirement to a less expensive and seemingly exotic India.  Running through it was the quote by the young hotel owner “Everything will be all right in the end, so if it’s not all right, then it’s not yet the end”…what beautiful wisdom! 

I haven't looked at the reviews at all but I would recommend this movie…it's not "great cinema" but it has wonderful talent (Judy Dench and Maggie Smith to name a few) and watching it felt like being in a lovely oasis of joy and happiness...not the usual gloom, doom and despair that the media normally feeds us.  The rest of the audience in the theatre must have agreed, because there was a round of applause at the end…not something that happens at many movies.  In fact, I think the last time that happened was at the end of The Kings Speach.

Sending hugs and blowing kisses to all of you around this big, beautiful and amazing world of ours,

May Mood Board…San Pancho

I’ve been enjoying the “mood boards” that I’ve found around the internet in the last few months so thought I might try one myself!  I’ve been picking up odds and ends on my walks since I’ve been here and today I layed them out together on my bed and took a few pictures.  I just brought my point and shoot with me so they’re not macro detailed but they hold some lovely memories of my wanderings through the streets and on the beaches of both San Pancho and La Penita.

On the left…a small ginger blossom left on my pillow this morning by the maid…a dried leaf picked up from the street, some odd “wingy” looking dried things, purple hibiscus blossoms, an almost dead plant whose lovely tendrils tantalized me (see below), a seed pod from a banyan tree (I think), a pink hibiscus from the neighbourhood, an oyster shell and various feathers.

 

…oh, I fell hard for this tiny and almost dead, branch of dusty tendrils!

 

...and my small collection of bird feathers gathered for the most part, from the beach.  I love the bottom part of feathers where they loose their smooth symmetry and fluff themselves out a bit wildly.

I haven’t had much access to the internet here, so it’s been ages since Ive been able to visit and check in with everyone.  By the time this is posted, we will be winging our way home…rejuivinated and refreshed.  (Lets see if we can hold on to a bit of this magic!)

Thank you all for your visits and comments…it always means so much.  Sending hugs and blowing kisses to all,

 

A Little More San Pancho

Our San Pancho home away from home

 

…and who do we meet doing volunteer dental work for the children of San Pancho?  Six generous and hardworking dental assistant students from our home town of Victoria.  They’re here working 10 hours a day, bent over their patients in plastic chairs…my back hurts just thinking of it!  This picture was taken while they were working in the local community center…what an amazing place it is! The mural on the wall says (roughly translated)…

and song of the bird and the singing of the people
and the song of life are singing of peace

 

San Pancho has it’s own polo club and dinner is served THIS close to the action.  What a fun Saturday night! (polo: think hockey on horseback)

 

The bamboo fencing is filled with plants and voila…a planter fence! So resourceful.

 

…this sign greets me every morning when I have breakfast in the courtyard

 

…and walking uphill in the heat and humidity was (almost) enjoyable on these beautiful steps…

 

…but when I saw this smart kitty, I knew it was time to head home for my own siesta. (yes, there’s been one of those happening every day).  Hoping your days are also sunny and bright...at least in your mind, if no where else!

San Pancho Moments

 

We’re enjoying the moments. 

...the beach moments

 

...the evening sunset moments.

 

...each and every moment.

 

The heat and humidity are much higher than when we normally visit in January and February, but that’s OK…it makes it easier to stop and lie down for siesta. 

...it’s also quieter. 

...less touristas

...more locals to chat with.

Feeling sleepy.

...must lie down.

Back soon.

 

your amigo,

 

 

(San Pancho is officially, San Francisco, Nyarit, Mx., but around here no one knows what you’re talking about if its called anything but San Pancho.)

Creative Spaces and Missed Connections

via Instagram

…my “temporary” (and definitely not tidied or staged for this photo) creative space

As many of you know, two years ago we downsized into a much smaller home…much, much smaller!

The plan was…and still is…to build a studio for me, separate but close to the house.  Seperate, only because we’re on a small lot and had already maxed out the allowable space within the footprint of the actual home (which we built).  My studio space at the moment is a corner of our den/TV room. 

It’s had a cascading effect in our lives in that Mr. I’s office which is currently in the mudroom (ack!), will be moved here.  Until the studio is built, our coats, shoes, boots, umbrella's etc. don’t have a permanent home and are crammed into other spaces.  In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a problem...just an inconvenience. The studio is scheduled to be built this summer…yes!!! 

Because my current studio space is temporary, it really looks and feels temporary.  The artwork on the wall is compliments of two of my artistically inclined grandchildren...and (she admit's sheepishly) a roll of masking tape.  There’s stuff jammed everywhere and no matter how much I try to organize it, it’s just not.  Ah well, perhaps “organized” and “creative” are the antithesis of each other and don’t belong in the same sentence!  That's what I'm telling myself anyway.

 

And speaking of creative, I love the whimsical, creative illustrations of Sophie Blackall.  If you’re not familiar with her work, I have some links here that are worth checking out.

In her book “Missed Connections”, she illustrates her favourite Craigslist ad’s for people trying to reconnect.  Her illustrations, together with the ads that inspired them, tell such sweet, funny and poignant story’s.  Sophie says on her blog, “every day hundreds of strangers reach out to other strangers on the strength of a glance, a smile or a blue hat. Their messages have the lifespan of a butterfly. I'm trying to pin a few of them down.” 

 

Sophie Blackall, Robot Dance

you hooked me in with your sweet robot moves and cat shirt. none of that grinding stuff, just natural robotic talent. you said ‘‘hey, you’re cute.’’ and i said, ‘‘you, too’’ and then i elbowed you in the ribs because i’m not very smooth when it comes to romance. i thought this exchange meant we agreed on a sloppy bar makeout? whenever i busted out the robot arms, your robotic arms chopped mine in half. kept looking at your cat shirt thinking, ‘‘yesssss, i can see us marrying and having lots of cats.’’ went to dance on stage with friends and then lost you?!?myfriend said you got shy, which makes you and your cat shirt even more cute!!! spent a ridiculous amount of time searching for your pussy shirt, but alas, i lost both you and my heart on the dance floor. find me cat shirt guy, find me. p.s. i also put up ‘‘LOST: cat shirt guy’’ signs for you.
ana s., brookline

 

She was also commissioned to create a piece for the NY Metro subway system which is filled with “people and their stories”.

 

Enjoy,

Refocusing (on well being)...May

Sweet scented Lemon Balm growing in my garden.  A member of the mint family, Lemonbalm has a beautiful lemon scent and flavour.  I like to put a few leaves in my water or tea.  It's medicinal properties have a soothing effect and reduces stress and anxiety, headache, depression, and exhaustion. Researchers have found that a mixture of lemon balm and valerian is as effective as some tranquilizers, but without the side effects. It's lovely to just pick a leaf, crush it in my hands and smell it's fresh scent for hours.

This month is the beginning of a year of refocusing on my health and well being.  Each month I'll be introducing one or two proactive changes and choices to benefit my health and wellness, as I move forward in life.

I mentioned in a previous post that I've already begun making a few changes in my lifestyle and surprised myself that they're still with me and fully integrated into my life.   The changes so far have been:

Change #1...was made about a year and half ago when I eliminated gluten from my diet.  At the time I wasn’t sure I could go through with this as bread and wheat products were my #1 comfort food.  I told myself I would just do it for a month and could return to wheat if I wanted…but at the end of the month I felt so good that returning to wheat wasn't an option. 

To be completely honest, I went through a mourning for wheat that lasted almost a year!  Wheat products were my psychological/emotional blankie.  Bored?  Grab a cookie.  Anxious? Let’s go out for coffee and a “goodie”.  Happy?  Let’s celebrate with dessert! 

Those days are gone and I’ll never go back.  It took a long time to come to terms with it but I did, and feel SO MUCH better!  I don’t care for most “gluten free” breads or baked goods so I’m not even tempted by them (except, as I've mentioned before, Melinda's yummy GF biscotti!).  If we’re having company I might make a gluten free brownie/ganashie thing which is yummy scrummy but my normal “go to” for a sweet is either fresh fruit, a few raisons, or a  mushy date, rolled in crushed almonds.  If you’re interested in the benefits of being gluten free or if you’re wondering whether it might benefit you, check out the Wheat Belly website or read the book Wheat Belly by Dr. Davis.

 

Change #2...I’ve written many times about the beginning of a regular walking schedule…about 6 kl. (4 mi.) three times a week. It’s a beginning and for me, a good one. I’ve been at it since mid October and I’m still enthused.

 

So what changes are up for May?

 

Change #3...drink more water...green water.

As Kermit the Frog said, it’s good to be green and this seems to be truer that we ever realized.  My 1st change for May is to begin drinking six glasses of water a day.  I know the recommended is eight but I've always found it difficult to keep that up.  Anything will be an improvement, as I don’t normally drink much water and I know it’s really important for flushing toxins from the body.

I'm adding liquid chlorophyll to the water...an easy way to add additional vitamins and minerals to the body as well as an antioxidant. It has a slightly earthy taste but is easily drinkable (it also comes in a mint flavour).

The benefit’s of chlorophyll are many…

• Anti Carcinogenic
• Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: containing high levels of the vitamins A, C and E,
• Chelation of Heavy Metals
• Antiseptic 
• Treats Bad Breath
• Rapid Delivery of Magnesium
• Contains vitamin K, C, folic acid, iron, calcium, protein

You can read more about these benefits here if you’re interested. 

 

Change #4...adding Milk Thistle as a supplement.  The active ingredient in the herb Milk Thistle is Silymarin and it improves the liver’s ability to eliminate toxins from the body.  As well as it's well known properties of cleansing the liver in cases of hepatitis and cirrhosis, Milk Thistle is also known to...

• Lower cholesterol levels, which benefits the heart
• Reduce the growth of cancer cells in breast, lung, colon, prostate, cervical and renal cancers
• Function as a therapeutic agent for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease
• Improve blood sugar levels
• Contain numerous anti-aging properties
• Reduce cell damage caused by radiation and chemotherapy treatments
• Supplement sunscreen protection and may be useful against multiple types of skin disease
• Work as a free radical scavenger and powerful antioxidant
• Reduce hot flashes and other related menopausal symptoms
• Help with intestinal / indigestion issues
• Reduce the effects of deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) poisoning

My cholesterol level is slightly elevated, my blood sugar levels are also slightly elevated and I've had a gallstone for years, so Milkthistle will be a beneficial addition for me!

These are my two wellness changes for May.  I'll post again towards the end of the month to let you know how it went!

 

 Happy May Day my friends!

 

 

 

 

 

refocusing (on well being)

I'm obsessed fascinated by photo's of stems in glass vases...It seems I like to focus on the not-so-obvious and delve deeper than the surface!

Sometimes change seems to happen overnight but usually there's been a lot of “behind the scene’s” prep work going on before the first shovel hits the ground. And so it has been here with me…lot’s of thinking, researching, percolating and nurturing for such a long time.

Personal change can be difficult.  We’re such creatures of habit and find a sometimes guilty comfort in our habits…especially the ones that aren’t serving us well. The good news is that although change may not be comfortable, without it there would be no change!  And without change there’s no possibility of transformation.

So what's changing for me?  I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about aging and how I want to age well.  I want to feel strong and fit and I know this will take not only change, but commitment.  This isn’t so much about weight loss and dieting (although losing fifteen or twenty pounds would go a long way to better health), but more about feeling healthy and vibrant…about moving with greater ease and grace and having the energy and enthusiasm to enjoy life.

 


spring raindrops on the euphorbia

The older I get, the more I'm realizing I need to be a lot more pro-active about my health.  Things that I could ignore or let slide 10 or 20 years ago, are now zooming downhill ahead of me!  For the past two years I've embraced a few positive changes here and there...but I'm feeling inspired to commit to even more. 

I’ve made a lot of half-hearted) attempts to incorporate healthy changes into my day to day life. (I think nutritional brewers yeast was the quickest to come and go! I still shudder at the memory of it, 30 years later.)  and I know from past experience that if, in my enthusiasm, I attempt to make sweeping changes, I get overwhelmed and throw in the towel before a month is out. This time I’m going to do it s...l...o...w...l...y.  I’m focusing on moderation and on a monthly basis I’ll incorporate one or two new nutritional and/or activity oriented changes.  Over the course of a year, my intention is to create a healthier lifestyle in the process.

 

Art Journal Doodles

I’ll be posting twice monthly to document the changes that I’ve decided to make (and why) and what results I’m getting, based on how I feel...increased energy, healthier skin/hair, better sleep patterns, decreased pain, increased strength and flexibility, etc. and yes, weight loss, if it worked...or even if the month totally and completley bombed!  (I'm hoping not to have many of those).

If anyone else is ready to make some healthy lifestyle changes, I invite you to join me!  The changes that you make, will most likely be different from the changes I make, but we can inspire and support each other and share our findings on our own blogs, or leave a comment here if you don't have one (although this just might be the inspiration you need to start one!).  You can join the party anytime.  This is completely informal and no, there will be no blog buttons (lol) but leave a comment to let me know if you do decide you’d like to do this along with me. My intention is to post about the changes/s I'm going to make at the beginning of each month and then post again near the end of the month with an update as to how it all went...the good, the bad and the ugly!  

I'll begin on May 1st with my first "refocusing" post.  I think my biggest challenge will be narrowing down what I want to start with! 

 

There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth...not going all the way and not starting.

Buddha

Let the fun begin!

Wrapping up April in 12 (words)

Saying farewell to April (and hello to the day) with a Lavender Latte (mmmm) at Medina Cafe in Vancouver.  Instagram by Mr. I

 

walking: still at it!  Not as fast or as often as I would like, as my knee is still a bit of an issue but like all of life, it’s about balance.  Right now I’m in Vancouver, walking the city streets with family.

 

determined:  to become healthier and “fitter”…is that a word? 

and…

addicted: to supporting a healthy lifestyle (last months addiction to caramel pudding seems to have disappeared…thank goodness!). More on healthy lifestyle changes to come.

 

loving:  that I was able to share time with my son and his girl friend in Vancouver.  I love living on a (slower and much quieter) island but occasionally the vibrancy of the city is enticing…and spending time with my son on his birthday is time that's treasured.

 

creating: “green” smoothies

 

noticing: how sunshine affects my outlook (going up!)

 

thankful:  for friends…both near and well known, and for those living much further away and known only through the internet…but known for their beautiful hearts. Interesting isn’t it, how that shines through. (y’all know who you are!)  

 

The last of my ranunculus…the beauty of this flower has left me a bit weak in the knees.

watching: the weather forecast for San Pancho, MX (muy calor!)

 

happy:  to finally be unpacking my spring/summer clothes (and wearing them!)...and for meeting so many lovely people on our walks...and to be walking along streets where the petals from the cherry trees fall like soft pink snowflakes.

 

working:  hmmm, I’m retired from work so my work is already most people’s idea of fun.  Creatively, I still seem to have more “stone stories” coming forth but I’m also seeing feathers fluttering and falling into my art journal.

 

marvelling: at how much our garden has “filled in” since last year.  It’s a new garden and most things were only planted last summer.

 

wondering:  what kind of tree we’ll replace the dead Arbutus in the front garden with…sadly it didn’t survive the disruption of construction.  A flowering cherry seems to be leading in the popularity polls at the moment. (it’s a poll of two)

 

changing: my blog design again…not sure that I like it or that it will stay like this for very long but I have a “thing” about needing to change things up every so often.

 

And on we go into May!  My wish for everyone is that this month will bring many peaceful sunny days that begin with warm smiles and end in great sighs of contentment.  Blowing kisses!

 

“It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
-  Mark Twain

Beginnings

Just a quick post today…I wanted to share this video.

 

Invocation For Beginnings

I love this…I think I need to listen to it every morning when I wake up!  Enjoy.   

Happy Earth Day…love and blessings to Gaia.  And happy 7th birthday to our grandson E and happy anniversary to Mr. I and me…11 years ago, standing at the edge of the ocean, we made the commitment to take on the world together and what a perfectly wonderful decision that was and continues to be.

The sun is shining and I have a birthday party to attend...it’s shaping up to be a good day…