Sunday, April 7, 2013
April 7 2013
wow!!!
We went out last night to a friends birthday house party, and we had a mini jam..shaun was on the drums, and we all took turns on the mic-what an awesome night!
I woke up this morning with a bit of a headache, since I haven't been drinking much lately..but nothing that a teacup of delicious coffee made in my french press can't fix!!! My gramma gave me this french press, and it belonged to her mother!!! There's something magical about teacups, especially ones handed down to you from your grandmother. We've become accustomed to guzzling these huge cups of coffee, and it's nice to have a tiny beautiful teacup to sip from- so elegant!
We went out last night to a friends birthday house party, and we had a mini jam..shaun was on the drums, and we all took turns on the mic-what an awesome night!
I woke up this morning with a bit of a headache, since I haven't been drinking much lately..but nothing that a teacup of delicious coffee made in my french press can't fix!!! My gramma gave me this french press, and it belonged to her mother!!! There's something magical about teacups, especially ones handed down to you from your grandmother. We've become accustomed to guzzling these huge cups of coffee, and it's nice to have a tiny beautiful teacup to sip from- so elegant!
Monday, April 1, 2013
An excerpt from my journal (aka: my cellphone)
I wrote this on March 25
"Wow do I feel alive today!! I'm at the lake..I am laying on my coat in the snow..feeling the wonderful warmth from the sun! The sky is clear, and there is a slight breeze, that comes in waves rustling through the pines..It's so nice to just lay out here in the woods and listen to the silence..
I am just feeling SO alive and connected!! I haven't felt like this for a lonng time..genuine connection..is it all because of becoming a vegetarian? I think it's also getting interested in Superfoods and Superherbs and really feeling interested in something real..I've been searching for so long.."
I wrote some more words on that day, but will choose to keep them to myself, just as a wish is to be kept to ones' self when a birthday candle is blown out. I don't want to jinx it!
This brings me to the next topic of conversation..I was reading my fave blog ever "Gala Darling" the other day, and she linked to a bunch of other blogs on various topics, and there was one post that talked about what I call "Projection." This is a tool for aligning ones' self with the universe, the laws of attraction, the source energy etc..to get the desired result. She also posted a video of Will Smith talking about how you can be whoever you want to be, the power of Alchemy, and creating your destiny etc..and I realized that I frequently engage in this type of activity, and did just that on March 25th at the lake.
I often will reflect on my life as if I was at the end, or already gone, which really puts things into perspective pretty quickly. (Gala also posted a Ted Talks relating to this subject: Rethinking the Bucket List) But my favourite thing to do is the visualization of imagining the person you want to be, the job you have, the way your home looks, the way it smells, your daily life, the city you live in, the way you feel, the food you eat etc..and really really feel it, live it for those moments in your mind, see it, taste it, BELIEVE IT. I honestly believe that I will reach the place that I want to be, and not necessarily a physical place, but a true connection to my purpose, my source energy (the Laws of Attraction) if I visualize, if I focus my energy on this path, the Universe will guide me in the right direction!
"Wow do I feel alive today!! I'm at the lake..I am laying on my coat in the snow..feeling the wonderful warmth from the sun! The sky is clear, and there is a slight breeze, that comes in waves rustling through the pines..It's so nice to just lay out here in the woods and listen to the silence..
I am just feeling SO alive and connected!! I haven't felt like this for a lonng time..genuine connection..is it all because of becoming a vegetarian? I think it's also getting interested in Superfoods and Superherbs and really feeling interested in something real..I've been searching for so long.."
I wrote some more words on that day, but will choose to keep them to myself, just as a wish is to be kept to ones' self when a birthday candle is blown out. I don't want to jinx it!
This brings me to the next topic of conversation..I was reading my fave blog ever "Gala Darling" the other day, and she linked to a bunch of other blogs on various topics, and there was one post that talked about what I call "Projection." This is a tool for aligning ones' self with the universe, the laws of attraction, the source energy etc..to get the desired result. She also posted a video of Will Smith talking about how you can be whoever you want to be, the power of Alchemy, and creating your destiny etc..and I realized that I frequently engage in this type of activity, and did just that on March 25th at the lake.
I often will reflect on my life as if I was at the end, or already gone, which really puts things into perspective pretty quickly. (Gala also posted a Ted Talks relating to this subject: Rethinking the Bucket List) But my favourite thing to do is the visualization of imagining the person you want to be, the job you have, the way your home looks, the way it smells, your daily life, the city you live in, the way you feel, the food you eat etc..and really really feel it, live it for those moments in your mind, see it, taste it, BELIEVE IT. I honestly believe that I will reach the place that I want to be, and not necessarily a physical place, but a true connection to my purpose, my source energy (the Laws of Attraction) if I visualize, if I focus my energy on this path, the Universe will guide me in the right direction!
Day 15 Vegetarian
Well it's been 12 days since my last post, and that is wayyy too long! I have been insanely busy with work, and when not working I am sleeping!
Here's what I have noticed in the last 15 days without meat:
1. I am eating WAY more bread then I did before. I'm guessing that I am trying to replace the meat with something "hearty" and bread is the easiest most affordable "filler" that I have access too.
2. I feel slimmer in the stomach area.
3. I am running out of things to eat! I have def. reached a point where I need to invest in a vegetarian cookbook, or just hit up some online recipes and get a little more creative.
What have I been eating?
We tried out a variety of faux meat processed products, which I am sort of on the fence about. I am beginning to feel guilty about eating them because they are processed. We decided to try them out because we went out to the cabin, and wanted some easy go-to meals that required little preparation. So we bought a vegan italian "sausage" with roasted red pepper by Tofurky brand, and "meatless" burgers by Gardein. We ate the sausages initially in buns with ketchup and mustard and cheddar cheese and they were phenomenal, then we had them the next night cut up in a tomato sauce with whole wheat pasta. The meatless burgers were fantastic and we ate those on a whole wheat bun with all the fixings..When we got home we bought some breaded "chicken" cutlets, and have been eating those in BUNS. SOOOOO ALL I'M EATING IS BREAD BREAD BREAD. I also feel weird about the chicken burgers, because they really really taste like chicken, and I don't want to eat chicken!!! so why am I eating them?!!!! I think it's been fun to try these products out, but after out current stock depletes, I won't be making these products constants on my grocery list. I will keep them reserved for summer BBQ's.
I have also been eating:
1.Stir fried veggies with basmati rice
2.Stir fried veggies with rice noodles
3.Grilled cheese and soup
4.Veggie burgers (homemade) out of kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, garlic, cinnamon (initially a mistake thinking it was curry but turned out well) curry, siracha sauce, egg whites, and chopped up kale, chard and spinach. They turned out to be pretty tasty, but I literally had to bake them for an hour to get that burger consistency- other wise they would have fallen apart. So the result was over cooked- especially when re-heating in the microwave at work! I ate a few with bun, but now am eating them by themselves, they or OK, but due to the dryness need a dipping sauce, which adds calories and fat I don't want in my diet.
5.Kale/Chard/Spinach greens with tomato, green peppers, onion, hemp hearts, and store bought balsamic vinegarette.
6.TOAST for breakfast
I have been trying to cut down on my coffee, sugar, and cheese consumption. I have been mildly successful in each category. The sugar being the hardest vice to cut out.
My goals for the next 17 days:
1.ADD IN Tofu (cube and put in stir fries) to phase out processed meatless products
2.ADD IN superfood smoothies to phase out boring toast for breakfast (get blender)
3.ADD IN Tea (no milk, no sugar) to phase out coffee from my daily regime
4.ADD IN Fruit!! Fresh!! like mango, strawberries, blueberries, apples, oranges, peaches, papaya to phase out candy, chocolate, cookies
5.ADD IN Goji Berries (to tea)
6.ADD IN vegan butter spread phase out margarine, and mayonais
7.ADD IN Water. This is so difficult for me at work and not having a water bottle, I may need to bute the bullet and buy one this week. FOR REAL?!!!!!
My main obstacle right now is that we are leaving on our trip to Thailand in 17 days, and we are on spending lockdown. Meaning- NO SPENDING MONEY on anything but absolute necessity (gas, tampons, bills, basic food requirements) This doesn't include throwing out the margarine I already have and purchasing Vegan spread, or throwing out the loaves of bread in the freezer. So I am going to have to make do with Shaun bringing home trays of veggies from work so we can make stir fries. I can def. honour the majority of goals on my list though :)
Here's what I have noticed in the last 15 days without meat:
1. I am eating WAY more bread then I did before. I'm guessing that I am trying to replace the meat with something "hearty" and bread is the easiest most affordable "filler" that I have access too.
2. I feel slimmer in the stomach area.
3. I am running out of things to eat! I have def. reached a point where I need to invest in a vegetarian cookbook, or just hit up some online recipes and get a little more creative.
What have I been eating?
We tried out a variety of faux meat processed products, which I am sort of on the fence about. I am beginning to feel guilty about eating them because they are processed. We decided to try them out because we went out to the cabin, and wanted some easy go-to meals that required little preparation. So we bought a vegan italian "sausage" with roasted red pepper by Tofurky brand, and "meatless" burgers by Gardein. We ate the sausages initially in buns with ketchup and mustard and cheddar cheese and they were phenomenal, then we had them the next night cut up in a tomato sauce with whole wheat pasta. The meatless burgers were fantastic and we ate those on a whole wheat bun with all the fixings..When we got home we bought some breaded "chicken" cutlets, and have been eating those in BUNS. SOOOOO ALL I'M EATING IS BREAD BREAD BREAD. I also feel weird about the chicken burgers, because they really really taste like chicken, and I don't want to eat chicken!!! so why am I eating them?!!!! I think it's been fun to try these products out, but after out current stock depletes, I won't be making these products constants on my grocery list. I will keep them reserved for summer BBQ's.
I have also been eating:
1.Stir fried veggies with basmati rice
2.Stir fried veggies with rice noodles
3.Grilled cheese and soup
4.Veggie burgers (homemade) out of kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, garlic, cinnamon (initially a mistake thinking it was curry but turned out well) curry, siracha sauce, egg whites, and chopped up kale, chard and spinach. They turned out to be pretty tasty, but I literally had to bake them for an hour to get that burger consistency- other wise they would have fallen apart. So the result was over cooked- especially when re-heating in the microwave at work! I ate a few with bun, but now am eating them by themselves, they or OK, but due to the dryness need a dipping sauce, which adds calories and fat I don't want in my diet.
5.Kale/Chard/Spinach greens with tomato, green peppers, onion, hemp hearts, and store bought balsamic vinegarette.
6.TOAST for breakfast
I have been trying to cut down on my coffee, sugar, and cheese consumption. I have been mildly successful in each category. The sugar being the hardest vice to cut out.
My goals for the next 17 days:
1.ADD IN Tofu (cube and put in stir fries) to phase out processed meatless products
2.ADD IN superfood smoothies to phase out boring toast for breakfast (get blender)
3.ADD IN Tea (no milk, no sugar) to phase out coffee from my daily regime
4.ADD IN Fruit!! Fresh!! like mango, strawberries, blueberries, apples, oranges, peaches, papaya to phase out candy, chocolate, cookies
5.ADD IN Goji Berries (to tea)
6.ADD IN vegan butter spread phase out margarine, and mayonais
7.ADD IN Water. This is so difficult for me at work and not having a water bottle, I may need to bute the bullet and buy one this week. FOR REAL?!!!!!
My main obstacle right now is that we are leaving on our trip to Thailand in 17 days, and we are on spending lockdown. Meaning- NO SPENDING MONEY on anything but absolute necessity (gas, tampons, bills, basic food requirements) This doesn't include throwing out the margarine I already have and purchasing Vegan spread, or throwing out the loaves of bread in the freezer. So I am going to have to make do with Shaun bringing home trays of veggies from work so we can make stir fries. I can def. honour the majority of goals on my list though :)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
day 3 vegetarian
Well it's the 3rd day of being a vegetarian.. and not eating meat feels great, but this sneaky sore throat and swollen glands sure don't!!!
I've been thinking about what foods and vitamins I'm going to need to insert into my regime, to make sure I replace the nutrients I would have consumed from meat. I want to explore options with tofu, try new vegetables such as kale and chard..and do more nuts and seeds..I REALLY need to get on eating more fruit, that is probably the one thing missing from my diet completely. I can't wait for summer when I can get delicious in season produce!
I'm also excited because I've been researching herbalism quite a bit- and really want to take a course or two when I have some extra money. For now I'm gonna hit up some used bookstores to try and find some old relics on traditional chinese medicine, Ayurvedic methods, acupuncture, aromatherapy etc. I'd really like to become a Master Herbalist, and have my own dispensory/superfood/superherb store/clinic...that would be AWESOME.
I've been thinking about what foods and vitamins I'm going to need to insert into my regime, to make sure I replace the nutrients I would have consumed from meat. I want to explore options with tofu, try new vegetables such as kale and chard..and do more nuts and seeds..I REALLY need to get on eating more fruit, that is probably the one thing missing from my diet completely. I can't wait for summer when I can get delicious in season produce!
I'm also excited because I've been researching herbalism quite a bit- and really want to take a course or two when I have some extra money. For now I'm gonna hit up some used bookstores to try and find some old relics on traditional chinese medicine, Ayurvedic methods, acupuncture, aromatherapy etc. I'd really like to become a Master Herbalist, and have my own dispensory/superfood/superherb store/clinic...that would be AWESOME.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A BRAND NEW DAY
Well this is the launch of a NEW PRETTY CREATURE. This is the renewal of a blog I created in 2010, that nobody but maybe 3 friends have even seen. (or so they told me)
The reason I have never really told anyone to check out my blog, was because it was a very premature endeavour; I knew I wanted to have a blog, but I had NO IDEA what I should write about- what is my niche?
I then decided that it would be a place where I showcased the street style of my fellow Winnipeger's..except for one small problem- I had no camera!!!! So I just copy pasted photos I found online that I admired, to jump start the blog and to show my "readers" my taste and style..and give them something to look forward to when I eventually got my own camera. Well I did get a camera 1.5 years later, but had a different endeavour planned- enter "powderxroom pinups." This was a boudoir/pinup photography business I really wanted to start. I did a number of boudoir style photo shoots, and even a baby and maternity shoot! I started a business plan, and was very excited to tell everyone about my plans. Well, working 40 hours a week at my soul sucking retail job, and trying to schedule unpaid "portfolio" shoots before and after work with willing friends became more difficult then I anticipated. So I gradually stopped writing the business plan, and decided to pursue a more stable direction....towards Graphic Design. I love photographing people, the process of planning the theme, hair and makeup, outfits, location.....and then seeing the finished photographs. BUT I realized that I need a LOT more training in lighting, and an empty space where I can effectively photograph my models. I was using my moms place, which is great because it's full of vintage furniture, but I found I was spending a lot of time moving furniture and other items out of the view of my lens, that I could have been using to get more images.
So, next came the decision between going to Photography school or doing something else; well I looked into a number of programs and decided that the risk was too great financially and that Graphic Design would be more economically viable, yet would still allow me to learn Digital Photography, have access to facilities, and to make good money afterwards doing a creative career.
I'm still interested in doing boudoir, creative and family photography- but more as a fun hobby then a career. It is March 17 2013, and I am scheduled to start my 2 year GD program in September..But I'm not going to wait around until then. For many years I have felt like I was searching for meaning (sounds cliche but it's true) in my life, searching for a career that can bring me fulfillment, just damn searching non stop. I think I found an avenue to explore..I have found something that MAKES ME FEEL PASSIONATELY ABOUT. Something that is outside of my search for a career, outside my yearning for more money to travel, and eat gourmet food; it is REAL, and it is something I can start TODAY. It is vegetarianism.
I've seen all the food documentaries making us aware of the horrific conditions of the factory farms, and they have resonated with me; but there was always a barrier to becoming veggie. Money- I always felt like I needed to have more money to eat purely vegetarian, because I'd need to prepare meals in advance for work- because grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza left over from last night isn't gonna cut it. Also, my fiance is an avid meat eater, and came from a home that was all about MEAT + STARCH + SMALL SIDE OF VEGETABLES (optional) = I'm taking care of my family and living the Canadian Dream. Well Well Well, try eating veggie in a house stocked with every kind of sausage imaginable? And he's a cook to boot! But I think that is just a cop out.
I need to take RESPONSIBILITY for what I choose to put in my body. I need to make it my #1 priority to feel better on a daily basis for the rest of my life. This cannot be an option, this is my life. This is my physical and mental health. This is the life of other creatures that I share this planet with. This is the health of the planet, and everybody on it. This is fucking basic! This isn't a complex concept. It just feels right. SO my interest in this lifestyle has began, my interest in Super Foods like Spirulina and Goji berries, with organic locally grown produce..and with this I have a newfound clarity that I can't easily describe. I have taken my control back. Control of my life in the form of controlling what I feed my body. I am tired of feeling heavy and unhealthy, of needing coffee loaded with sugar to get through my day with some pep. I am tired of feeling guilt from eating processed foods just because they are available and I need to fill the void. I am tired of over drinking in an attempt to let loose and forget about my shitty job. In this revolving door of fatigue I notice that I am surrounding myself with people that also a)have crap jobs they don't enjoy b)Eat processed foods c)Over drink d)are generally feeling blase about their current life situation
IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND AND CHANGE MY LIFE!!!!!
I have all the tools I need to flip the switch and start fresh. I have all the ambition and big ideas inside of me, I have the knowledge and the hunger for MORE. So in an afternoon I have discovered my "niche," what is Pretty Creature about? So although this post was inspired by Vegetarianism and reclaiming my personal power through controlling what food I put in my body..that is directly related to how I perceive my ability to drop the fear and uncertainty and live life now- on MY TERMS. This is something I always believed, but after a few years spent working the 40 hour grind with no higher education I was feeling eroded. That life was eating away at me, at my zest for life, at my flame, and draining me of inspiration.
-Branching out from the expected path, to live a free life where I can make money blogging, working freelance as a Graphic Designer, developing a clothing line (1st crushh) and singing in a band and taking pictures for FUN!!!! OH, and travelling to all the countries on my wish list.
-My journey from a toxic lifestyle to a clean one
I debated whether or not I wanted to come across as "having it all together" and just start a new blog, and erase the uncertainty...but I decided that I'd rather be honest and document my journey as I evolve into the person I want to be. I feel like maybe my story will resonate with some of you out there, and that you may be inspired to live your life on your terms as well!!!!
The reason I have never really told anyone to check out my blog, was because it was a very premature endeavour; I knew I wanted to have a blog, but I had NO IDEA what I should write about- what is my niche?
I then decided that it would be a place where I showcased the street style of my fellow Winnipeger's..except for one small problem- I had no camera!!!! So I just copy pasted photos I found online that I admired, to jump start the blog and to show my "readers" my taste and style..and give them something to look forward to when I eventually got my own camera. Well I did get a camera 1.5 years later, but had a different endeavour planned- enter "powderxroom pinups." This was a boudoir/pinup photography business I really wanted to start. I did a number of boudoir style photo shoots, and even a baby and maternity shoot! I started a business plan, and was very excited to tell everyone about my plans. Well, working 40 hours a week at my soul sucking retail job, and trying to schedule unpaid "portfolio" shoots before and after work with willing friends became more difficult then I anticipated. So I gradually stopped writing the business plan, and decided to pursue a more stable direction....towards Graphic Design. I love photographing people, the process of planning the theme, hair and makeup, outfits, location.....and then seeing the finished photographs. BUT I realized that I need a LOT more training in lighting, and an empty space where I can effectively photograph my models. I was using my moms place, which is great because it's full of vintage furniture, but I found I was spending a lot of time moving furniture and other items out of the view of my lens, that I could have been using to get more images.
So, next came the decision between going to Photography school or doing something else; well I looked into a number of programs and decided that the risk was too great financially and that Graphic Design would be more economically viable, yet would still allow me to learn Digital Photography, have access to facilities, and to make good money afterwards doing a creative career.
I'm still interested in doing boudoir, creative and family photography- but more as a fun hobby then a career. It is March 17 2013, and I am scheduled to start my 2 year GD program in September..But I'm not going to wait around until then. For many years I have felt like I was searching for meaning (sounds cliche but it's true) in my life, searching for a career that can bring me fulfillment, just damn searching non stop. I think I found an avenue to explore..I have found something that MAKES ME FEEL PASSIONATELY ABOUT. Something that is outside of my search for a career, outside my yearning for more money to travel, and eat gourmet food; it is REAL, and it is something I can start TODAY. It is vegetarianism.
I've seen all the food documentaries making us aware of the horrific conditions of the factory farms, and they have resonated with me; but there was always a barrier to becoming veggie. Money- I always felt like I needed to have more money to eat purely vegetarian, because I'd need to prepare meals in advance for work- because grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza left over from last night isn't gonna cut it. Also, my fiance is an avid meat eater, and came from a home that was all about MEAT + STARCH + SMALL SIDE OF VEGETABLES (optional) = I'm taking care of my family and living the Canadian Dream. Well Well Well, try eating veggie in a house stocked with every kind of sausage imaginable? And he's a cook to boot! But I think that is just a cop out.
I need to take RESPONSIBILITY for what I choose to put in my body. I need to make it my #1 priority to feel better on a daily basis for the rest of my life. This cannot be an option, this is my life. This is my physical and mental health. This is the life of other creatures that I share this planet with. This is the health of the planet, and everybody on it. This is fucking basic! This isn't a complex concept. It just feels right. SO my interest in this lifestyle has began, my interest in Super Foods like Spirulina and Goji berries, with organic locally grown produce..and with this I have a newfound clarity that I can't easily describe. I have taken my control back. Control of my life in the form of controlling what I feed my body. I am tired of feeling heavy and unhealthy, of needing coffee loaded with sugar to get through my day with some pep. I am tired of feeling guilt from eating processed foods just because they are available and I need to fill the void. I am tired of over drinking in an attempt to let loose and forget about my shitty job. In this revolving door of fatigue I notice that I am surrounding myself with people that also a)have crap jobs they don't enjoy b)Eat processed foods c)Over drink d)are generally feeling blase about their current life situation
IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND AND CHANGE MY LIFE!!!!!
I have all the tools I need to flip the switch and start fresh. I have all the ambition and big ideas inside of me, I have the knowledge and the hunger for MORE. So in an afternoon I have discovered my "niche," what is Pretty Creature about? So although this post was inspired by Vegetarianism and reclaiming my personal power through controlling what food I put in my body..that is directly related to how I perceive my ability to drop the fear and uncertainty and live life now- on MY TERMS. This is something I always believed, but after a few years spent working the 40 hour grind with no higher education I was feeling eroded. That life was eating away at me, at my zest for life, at my flame, and draining me of inspiration.
-Branching out from the expected path, to live a free life where I can make money blogging, working freelance as a Graphic Designer, developing a clothing line (1st crushh) and singing in a band and taking pictures for FUN!!!! OH, and travelling to all the countries on my wish list.
-My journey from a toxic lifestyle to a clean one
I debated whether or not I wanted to come across as "having it all together" and just start a new blog, and erase the uncertainty...but I decided that I'd rather be honest and document my journey as I evolve into the person I want to be. I feel like maybe my story will resonate with some of you out there, and that you may be inspired to live your life on your terms as well!!!!
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