Waiting for Spring

Wheweeee! This winter sure has been a doozy....like no other. Lately everyone I talk to is so over the top eager for Spring and why not after all this snow and wind and cold. The good news is Spring is coming it's already here except for the temperatures and the snow that is slooooowly melting. The Lunar calendar ushered in the Spring in early February despite the fact that we were having a very large snow here in Virginia. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to notice the change in the birdsong and their change in behavior. While I was out there hefting the snow shovel the birds truly were singing in that Spring- like tone. I finally saw a few of my bulbs poking through the snow yesterday.....another sure sign. And of course the robins have returned......it's only a matter of time before we have some warmer temperatures.

On February 14th the Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year coincided with Valentine's Day....how auspicious! And this New Year is the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger being very strong ,unpredictable and courageous....many people have forecasted this year to be one of turmoil, unpredictability and social upheaval....evidence for this already abounds and likewise challenges us to have more patience, calm and adaptability to ride the tiger to a place of equilibrium. Success is assured if we adapt, adjust and accommodate, and continue to strive for yet more inner peace. If you want to read more about the Year of the Tiger go to the following links:

https://www.fengshuishopper.com/astrology.php?pid=5

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/23890/2010-forecast-year-of-the-tiger/

So the challenge as always is maintaining peace under all circumstances.....a somewhat tall order, especially when we're tired and weary. I'm just trying to be patient and hold on until the energy truly shifts and I feel my own sap rising....I know I will have greater energy to carry out all of the new ideas that have been percolating within me and coming to me through my winter dreaming. But for now I will continue to do my best and try to eat well, rest well, exercise as much as possible and nurture myself as I want to be ready when the rest of Spring arrives. I am also trying to get clear on just when to do my Spring Detox....I am so looking forward to getting lighter in body mind and spirit. More on Detoxing in another post.

While the weather is still wintery.....Soups and stews continue to be very satisfying even though I do find myself craving lighter flavors. Tonite in my hurried preparation of dinner I made some Awesome Roasted Veggies (recipe in bold) along with baked sweet potatoes and roasted chicken. I first decided I would roast some chunks of red onion, and decided to throw in some sliced brussel sprouts and then my tastebuds wanted something light and sweet so I threw in some sliced apple, stirred it all up ..... the olive oil got drizzled on and then the salt and pepper and it went into the 400 degree oven and baked for about 40 minutes, stirring every so often. It was yummy and delicious and not much fuss at all!

Remember the Handbook 2010? Here is the third installment, it has to do with how we can relate to society and it seems even more fitting considering the Year of the Tiger!

SOCIETY:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least 3 people smile everyday.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Stay warm, Stay peaceful, Be easeful and useful, Blessings on us one and all,

All Ways, Lisa

Let it Be

Lovely day .....the gentle breezes are blowing... the peonies are in bloom and there is a feeling inside of me that all is well with my world.  That is progress for me considering that just a few days ago I was so down that that didn't feel like a viable choice but today it does.  This journey through my dismal parts has been an important process of learning as it allows me to see how much I want to feel good in body mind and spirit.....and in my striving I'm given the opportunity to  examine the stories I tell myself daily....I find myself living in a box of who I think I am based on my past....and there are stories that I keep telling that simply aren't serving me.   So....I'm trying to look at this and tell myself new stories.

  

I've been extra tired lately.....I tell myself something is wrong that I'm so tired....I'm eating well, 

I'm exercising....I'm sleeping well....so why am I so tired?  Could it be my hormones yes for sure but not this tired..... so I fight with myself a little until I realize that I just need to rest....forget all the things I still haven't done and go rest.  This is important....just to give into the way I feel and go rest.   It's so easy to push past being tired until I'm an emotional basket case and unable to function at all.  The biggest lesson for me here is to just stop resisting not feeling well, resisting the sad parts, the scary parts, and use them as a springboard for growth.  Be sad, embrace it then move on after I've processed it.  The next part I struggle with is having patience to wait it out...and trust in the fact that the tide always turns...the more I fight this ultimately the longer it takes.

I think my inner ponderings speak to anyone who has set a goal and that goal may be taking more time to achieve than planned on....Why all the obstacles and twists and turns?  There is much to be learned along the way while changing habits......some of these negative habits we've been living with for many years...we've trained ourselves to think a certain way and act a certain way and more often than not things take time.  If you are truly committed to making change happen then rest assured that you're halfway there... become aware of why this change is important....what you'll gain from this change and then become aware of messages along the way that seem to trip you up or carry you forward....try something new....change things up....just don't give up....sometimes things just feel stagnant....and we lose patience...and give in but time is doing wonderful things all that we want is on its way to us...sometimes we just need to let go and not try so hard....awareness is a key to success.  Being aware of an old habit, a trigger, a conditioned response is necessary to make change.  For example, you may always turn to sweets and food when you're tired or upset....so becoming aware of this response may help you replace that habit with another healthier response.  It's not easy....it takes practice but any habit can be changed.

In summing all of this up....the three things I've been trying to remember when I hit a wall in my process of change are awareness, acceptance and patience.  This is age old wisdom that has been said many times before but somehow I seem to forget this and need to be reminded often.

The garden has been a great source of relaxation for me....The other day while weeding I came across my overgrown garlic chive bed....well there are just too many of these plants so I started to cut some back and since I had an overabundance I decided to use them up and made myself a chive omelette.  It came out so incredibly good I thought I'd share the recipe as well as some tips and facts about chives.

Chives are: 

• Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Sodium
• High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, C, K, B6, Riboflavin, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium,Copper, Manganese, Thiamine, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Phosphorus, and Zinc
  

The  nutritional value and health benefits of chives makes them ideal for

• Maintaining optimum health
• Weight loss

Chive Omelette   (serves 1)

2 eggs, whisked

salt & pepper

olive oil

1 small bunch chives, I used garlic chives, but any chives will do

Whisk the eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl.   Chop chives.  Prepare seasoned pan by turning on to medium low heat.  Drizzle olive oil in bottom of pan to coat.  Add chives to the pan and give a quick stir. Pour the egg mixture in pan count to ten then swirl pan around and push back the edges of cooked egg in typical omelette making fashion.   When egg has set, fold over, remove to plate and serve warm!

So from the cards on my desk and  in the words of Paul McCartney.............Let it Be!

All my best,

Lisa