08|52

 

 08|52

Loukas:  sitting for a posed shot.  Too big, favorite monster truck slip-on shoes and favorite shirt
Jasper:  miss-matched 'mammas and C3PO everything.

Slices of Life

Just a few little slices I've collected over the past month.
 
1| The early morning moonset of the Full Leo Moon 2| My wedding ring and a favorite tweed coat in the foggy afternoon light preceding that last snow storm 3| Valentine's Glitter Feathers 4| Rising sourdough loaf 5| Awkward tired mom self portrait through the looking glass  6| Maxine's with a Girlfriend  7| Full Moon/Full Heart  8| Vintage Liz Claiborne Wool Silk blend skirt  9| Streamers in the wind  10|  Sunset Heart  11| Wood Blackbird

28 Days of Play

***

Late last year, just after Thanksgiving, Rachel Cedar (a social worker/parenting expert in NYC, founder of You Plus Two Parenting) commented on my Instagram asking for my email to contact me about a Blogger series she had in the works.  Of course I was certain she was mistaking me for someone else, but I went along. When I received an email from her a few hours later, I was blown away by the fact that she wanted me to contribute to 28 Days of Play.  The idea was/is that parents, bloggers, and writers come together to create a conversation about the challenges we all face sometimes just simply engaging with our children in PLAY.  One of the most beautiful results of writing my piece, which "aired" today, is that it felt like getting something heavy off of my chest and since sending it in to Rachel and as I've read the other contributions- not only do I feel validated and connected to the thoughts I wrote about, I feel better about my relationship with play.  I've lightened up, and am catching myself really enjoying my fellas.

Of all the things I love about the internet and publishing words of my own and getting feedback, what I love the very most is the amount I seem to learn from just Putting Myself Out There.  Often times (like I mentioned in my previous post) I contradict my words almost immediately in real life- which could end up begin very uncomfortable and embarrassing but instead I find it stimulating and grounding all at once. 

If you read my essay on Rachel's site, and you feel so compelled- leave a comment, pass it along, share it on social media, and continue to read the series.  It's such a wonderful conversation to be having.  I've found myself in tears and laughter so far, shaking my head yes, and shaking my head no.  Rachel has worked so hard and has been so wonderfully positive and graceful in putting the thing together- and hey!  This series was even on Australia's Morning Sunrise Show, featured on Today and msnbc.com, and various other outlets!!!  So, Yay!  

I could go on and on about this but I have some home-made fish sticks eat and some Star Wars to enjoy with my family, so I'll just leave you with a link to the piece I contributed to beautiful Rachel's website:  HERE

Happy Reading. 

Possibly the first and last times I'll be asked for a headshot.
Thanks to my friend, Bryan Hembree for taking this snap on a whim
 one Sunday afternoon after Brunch.  Cheers!

07|52

07|52

Jasper: Loves Puppies

Loukas:  is a Snazzy Dresser

I am a Blogger

Before I get to my post today, I want to make a little proclamation:  I.  Am a Blogger.  A few posts back I went on a little rant about how I don't consider myself a Blogger per se, and as I am coming to find in this little venture of posting my words and photos, ideas and thoughts on the internet- I'm going to, at one time or another, contradict myself.  I have found that instead of trying to hold myself to statements that I make- here, and in life in general- remaining flexible about how I approach my inevitable crow eating is going to serve me best.  And that goes for holding others to statements they make, as well.  We All deserve a little room for working it out as we go.  There's nothing worse than a "But You Said" quip quipped in your direction.  I'm going to Golden Rule the crap out of that one- starting with myself.

Probably no one reading here even remembers that statement and my rescinding those words is more for myself than for anyone, but what I mean to really say is that- Yes.  I Blog, therefore I am Blogger.  I think that what I was really doing back then, a few posts ago, was leaving room for error (e.g. so the I don't look bad or like a poser or a fake.)  Because, really, I am just learning as I go and I wouldn't say I have a plethora of resources as far as making a really Pro Blog happen goes, but maybe if I keep at it and keep posting and learning and contradicting myself, something magic will happen... we'll see.  There have been more than one occasion where I have regretted "playing it cool" and not being forthright with my Truth, and the truth this time is that I do want to write and blog and share and so Blogger I am.

Onto Blender Juicing…

***a note:  a nice person took time to read this over and leave a really useful editing tip- I originally spelled the word rescind, resend. I am grateful to now know the correct usage!  Thanks anonymous!"***

No Juicer Juice

My Father in Law gave us a juicer a few years back and we loved it.  We had many an episode of morning carrot juice blends for breakfast- the juicing phases came and went like most little kicks folks get on.  When we grew weary of the routine assembly, disassembly and cleaning of the super fine metal mesh pieces and moved out of one of those kicks, our juicer tended to hide in the cupboard and collect dust.  Those really Good habits we try to form are usually the ones that are harder to stick.  So we returned the machine to Jerrmy's Dad.  

Everything was honky-dory until a month or so ago when I was feeling a little crumby and had a fierce craving for ginger juice.  We had no juicer for to juice but, alas, there sat a vitamix blender on my counter and a hand of ginger in the basket- so I got creative.  

Now, I've since Googled 'Blender Juicing' and have come to find that it's actually a "thing."  I didn't know that this was the case when I trial and error'd my way to a glass of health, and I've still yet to read any of the how-to's on Google- there are many offerings here in Internet Land, folks, and I'm going to go ahead and add my little post to the mix.  

It's pretty simple:  pick ingredients, add water, blend, and strain. 

For this juicing photo series, I used 

• about 8g of raw, peeled ginger
• a handful of cilantro leaves (coriander/chinese parsley)
• 2 pink lady apples (cored and sliced)
• juice of one lemon (squeeze juice in separate ramekin to spare yourself fishing for seeds)
• an ounce or two of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (totally optional, adds a little twang/ it's healthy)
• raw honey (I put a tablespoon or two)
• 3 cups of water
• a sprinkle of turmeric and cayenne or paprika (also optional, but also super healthy)

Read about the Health benefits of Ginger HERE

Read about the Health Benefits of Cilantro HERE

I had a Very "Helpful" assistant:

Read about the Health Benefits of the powerful antioxidant, Turmeric HERE

Guess what?  Cayenne is super HEALTHY TOO

Once you've peeled and chopped your goodies, add a few cups of water- let process in your blender for a minute or two, then pour through whatever strainer you like best.  My first few attempts were filtered with the nut milk bag I use when making almond milk, but after trying my wire mesh strainer I haven't gone back.  

You can add more or less water to taste.   You can add more or less of any of it to taste, really.  I happen to like more water because I feel it adds a little pizazz to meeting my water quota for the day, and I feel it is easier on my system.  One thing that I have trouble with when juicing is it kind of messing with my blood sugar.  I don't identify with any allopathic diagnosis for blood sugar disorders but I have always struggled with crashing after intaking juices or smoothies.  This is not an area of health that I am educated on, and am only sharing my experience.  The watery blender juice is my friend, that's all I'm saying.  Also, Apple Cider Vinegar?  If you are not an already seasoned drinker of the stuff, I'd steer clear until you've tempered yourself.  Jerrmy and I used to take shots of ACV in the kitchen at Greenhouse Grille for kicks like little crazy health-nutty party animals.  That was pretty silly of us, but we are now super tolerant.

At last, I arrive at my favorite part of blender juicing: the clean up is super easy.  Simply rinsing the blender and strainer and carrying on.  No disassembly.  No magnetic keys that are easily misplaced.  And One Less Hunk of Machine to store.  I like it, folks.

***

Just as I began my little Blender Juicing kick, the guys around here started dropping off like flies to winter viruses.  First Jerrmy had the flu, followed by Jasper (who I nursed and slept next and got coughed on... in my mouth) and I never fell ill, swilling these hippy waters daily.  Then I let up and skipped a few days last week and caught a cold (which I think was part slacking and part repercussion of my bragging to anyone who would listen about my ginger drinks and said flu avoidance.)  Yesterday, I was feeling pretty crumby, but after a strong Ginger/Lime/Honey/Turmeric booster I'm about 95% back to good health.  Guys!  I'm a believer!  And I hope this little Vita-Juice Kick sticks!  

06 | 52

06/52

Loukas:  A nightly ritual, pajama party on the bed asking Dad to throw him high in the air

Jasper:  2nd Birthday Prince

Jasper is 2!

The anniversary of Jasper's Birth ended up being much like his arrival two years ago:  it came sooner than we were ready, was fast pace, and didn't look exactly how we imagined it would.  

Since our little Bear fell ill with the flu three weeks ago, he hasn't quite made it back to full health.  Pesky second molars, a lingering cough and resurgence of cold symptoms, along with clingy sleep times in addition to our basic house bound status; not wanting to further expose the kid to more germs since he's so susceptible at this point, have made for quite an interesting end to our baby's second year!  While there've been many smiles and laughs and fun times all around, things have been a bit "clunky" as my husband likes to describe.  Fortunately, though, we were able to make good with what we had to work with-  delirium, cabin fever, a touch of SADS, and all.

Here's what was Good 

Thrifted Creatures

 

Bear's Day

 Snow Suits + Mittens

Brothers

Sled Rides

 

Holding Hands (I first typed Holding Hearts, which also works)

 THis:

Sending Mr.2 down on his own

 

Angel Faces 

Drips

Balloons

Birthday Crowns 

  

 It's a miracle we got him to even wear that adorable head piece for the short time we did!

Stroke of Genius Cast Iron Griddled Pancake Tower with Vegan Maple Butter Cream, made by Mommy  

 We hadn't planned a birthday party, but instead had a low key evening at home with just our closest friends and family.  The morning started super early, and we felt behind all day.  Eventually things came together, we went back and forth about whether or not to make a dessert to stick candles in and sing our boy his Happy Birthday since he's been so under the weather and the sugar would not help those matters.  At the last minute, I went for it and whipped up the pancake tower cake that I had dreamed up a few days ago- incorporating our favorite breakfast treat.  I used a box mix by Cherry Brooks Farms Gluten Free Dairy Free Egg Free Nut Free Pancake and Waffle Mix and jazzed it up with a little shredded coconut, orange zest, and flax seed meal.  The pancakes were griddled in our cast iron with coconut oil and I layered them with a Soy Free Earth Balance, Maple Syrup, and Coconut Sugar Vegan Butter Cream that I winged.  A definite Fun, Easy dessert solution and pretty tasty!

I had planned to spend a bit of time tapping away in reflection about what the past two years of have been like for us, what Jasper has brought- how it's been harder than I imagined but how he is more than I ever dreamed.   I think I'll save all the grit and get to the gleam- these are our best days, even on the hardest of them.  Our little family is EVERYTHING and especially when things don't turn out the way we imagined or visualized, they are are even better in real time.  Jasper's Birthday was just like his Birth- nothing fancy, at home, surrounded by Love and Perfect in an unexpected way.

We are so lucky to have had such a sweet little mid-winter Boy to CELEBRATE- Happy Birthday, little Bear.