The Magic Onions giveaway

Just been visiting over at The Magic Onions blog.She has a beautiful blog with great inspirational things to make.There is a lovely guest post about nature and children with stunning pictures{here}...and a fantastic puzzle giveaway to enter! {here}



please visit and enjoy........

a bit of this and that

I started making something!!...It's so much harder than I thought.I take my hat off to all you makers of lovely things! It's a first of many {I hope} and what is it you ask??
mmmmmmm....
a felt lavender bag.....not finished yet and oh so not perfect....


and whats this ,I hear you say?


started stocking up for my challenge: oatmeal,sprouted ground flaxseed...and sardines in olive oil!.....not to have together I must add!
much to say about flaxseed but that's for another day.....and the sardines? love or hate them they are good for your bones, skin, brain and a quick protein fix when the bread tin is beckoning.I dress them up with lemon or apple cider vinegar,chopped red onion and red pepper!

housework is calling

Thought for the day.....

As long as a man stands in his own way, everything seems to be in his way.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

ps: I am so happy some of you are joining me on the challenge,and others are already on the journey,may we have good health,souls and minds....inshallah

on a mission

Here are the statistics:
weight-72 kg
height- 163 cm

ideal weight for height= between 60 & 63 kilos

So 10 kilos need to go,along with the bloating,fluid retention.....and tiredness!
How am I going to do it?......this is my plan......because I don't do .....diet pills ,calorie counting, slimming bars/shakes........I want real, nourishing food I can enjoy until my belly is satisfied!

So the sugar has to go......

and the wheat........

and exercise at least 5 times a week.......


and yes that is a baby on my step because the reality is ...that every 5 mins or so I have to drag him off the step so I can do my dvd!....yes the joys of trying to be a fit mummy!

Why the wheat,well from previous experiments,cutting out wheat does amazing things for my body,the weight melts off, the water retention disappears, my mind clears, energy soars and bloated tummy is no more.My conclusion is my body can't handle wheat, I have researched and to confirm I'm going to do a one month elimination.

So from Monday the 27th January....

• sugar is out
• wheat is out
• exercise is in

all for 1 month...now, I like food , I will be eating normal meals ,normal portions,snacks....just without the above...
would love it if anyone wanted to join me on my challenge but I understand it's quite hard , I'm on a mission though.....hope you will enjoy my journey!

Thoughts for the day:

Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.
B.K.S Iyengar

"Do not cast yourselves into destruction by your own hands." (2:195)

I am the only one that can help myself.....in mind ,body and soul......

A day in pictures

I attempted baking......have you ever seen a cake so thin!


and these coconut macaroons....well I didn't have grease proof paper and they stuck and they are way too sweet!


I won't pass the recipes on...I am a hopeless baker...all the more reason to go sugar free....which I have yet to set a date for!


These arrived in the post today....hoping to make some pretty goodies........


and this is how far I am with my knitting!....getting there slowly....veeeerrry slowly

and I'm drinking nettle tea.....loose ,brewed for 20 mins,covered.....and drunk through a straw to stop my teeth from staining!



Why nettle tea?

• Nettle tea is a great overall healthy tonic, helping your blood cells build, function and circulates properly

• Because of its iron content, it helps with anemia.

• healing benefit of nettle tea is helping the body heal itself of hemorrhoids

• offers relief from seasonal allergies, strengthens the bones, hair and nails and nurtures the lungs, nervous, hormonal and immune systems
• 
  
• Nettles are especially rich in chlorophyll

• A cup of this rich, green, velvety nettle infusion per day is deeply nourishing for women at any stage of life

The taste is grassy ,so might not appeal to everyone...I like it and I think I need it....
the only problem is I'm the queen of procrastination and inconsistency!

Inconsistency with ourselves is the great weakness of human nature.

-- Joseph Addison

sugarholic mama

What a week.....this is what I did and didn't achieve.....
I didn't

• sleep
• oil pull
• exercise
• drink ginger tea
• have time for me
• eat soaked almonds
  

I did

• look after a sick{again!!} family while being sick myself {stomach bugs}
• knitted
• decluttered kids cupboards
• be thankful
• comfort eat........and eat and eat.......{mmmmmm}
  

I am praying we've been through the worst of the winter viruses and can start to fall into a good rhythm.
I am so grateful that my children do not have serious illnesses.....and I highly respect any mother that dedicates her life to caring for a sick child.....after 1 week I was nearing my exhaustion level.

'Hardship should make one grateful for having been saved from that which is greater than the hardship with which he was afflicted.'

So not quite the start to a new year that I hoped for........
I have come to the conclusion that I am a sugarholic mama......and it's something that needs to be overcome if I want to move on from where I am now! I have the sugar blues.....I am addicted and it's taking it's toll....I need to act now,and kick sugar out the door.
Did you know that sugar is more addictive than heroin ?
It's also a non-nutritive empty calorie that robs the body of vitamins and minerals.It creates an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Mental and emotional disorders are often linked to sugar in the diet.Sugar has been proven to destroy the germ-killing ability of white blood cells for up to five hours after ingestion.Many people believe that sugar is only bad for you when ingested in enormous amounts, when actually "normal" amounts are damaging to the body.And sugar is in everything,..even bread. Interesting book to read is...Sugar Blues, by William Dufty.
I have researched on the net and from books,there is so much info to relay to you ,it would take pages and pages ...try to research yourself and see if its affecting you too....I sincerely think it's affecting my life. I'll keep you informed on how I get on....and how this sugarholic mama is no more! here are another 146 reasons to give sugar the boot.

Now onto a little eye candy treats from the good old second hand shop! A little plate for used tea bags and a lovely wooden calender ornament for my daughter....


You change the date and month by turning the blocks around! I love great charity finds!



I love wooden toys too....I found this walker and rocking horse at the second hand shop...little one is very happy!!



Leave you with this.....

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve themselves."
Anne Frank

The power to overcome addiction lies in the belief that it is possible, combined with a consistent strength of spirit.

The right attitude.....

My two other online treats arrived!They are so pretty .....especially lit up at night.



Think I need to slow down on the treats now and maybe reward myself if I keep up with my exercise ,soul feeding and nourishing regime!
New dvd to try out today......this year I'm going to be a fit nourished mama! yummy mummy here I come.......exercise took a back seat while we were all sick....and I can feel it....this is on the 'must do ' list.


Lovely hat knitted by my mum.......doesn't he look cute!.....hope I can make him one too....when I do eventually finish my first scarf! Moto this year....do do do.........not I'm going to!
If you are truthful with yourself and have a firm, solid resolve, you will undoubtedly convince yourself of the following: Today is my last day to live. When you achieve this attitude, you will profit from every moment of your day, by developing your personality, expanding your abilities, and purifying your deeds.
`Today is my only day' is one of the most important statements in the dictionary of happiness, for those who desire to live life in its fullest splendor and brilliance.
TAKEN FROM 'DON'T BE SAD'


Today I wanted to talk about oil pulling...I bought this book a while ago


I tried it for less than a week quite a long time ago......I did notice an improvement in my teeth.....I just didn't keep it up......here's a bit of info from the net.....

Oil Pulling was discovered by world renowned Physician Dr. F. Karach, M.D.

In the morning before breakfast on an empty stomach you take one tablespoon in the mouth but do not swallow it. Move Oil Slowly in the mouth as rinsing or swishing and Dr Karach puts it as ' sip, suck and pull through the teeth' for fifteen to twenty minutes. This process makes oil thoroughly mixed with saliva. Swishing activates the enzymes and the enzymes draw toxins out of the blood. The oil must not be swallowed, for it has become toxic. As the process continues, the oil gets thinner and white. If the oil is still yellow, it has not been pulled long enough. It is then spit from the mouth , the oral cavity must be thoroughly rinsed and mouth must be washed thoroughly. Just use normal tap water and good old fingers to clean.

Clean the sink properly, you can use some antibacterial soap to clean the sink. Because the spittle contains harmful bacteria and toxic bodily waste. If one were to see one drop of this liquid magnified 600 times under a microscope, one would see microbes in their first stage of development.

It is important to understand that during the oilpulling / oilswishing process one's metabolism is intensified. This leads to improved health. One of the most striking results of this process is the fastening of loose teeth, the elimination of bleeding gums and the visible whitening of the teeth.

The oil pulling /swishing is done best before breakfast. To accelerate the healing process, it can be repeated three times a day, but always before meals on an empty stomach.

Some believe it's a load of nonsense....I am going to experiment for a month starting tomorrow!

If it works I will have whiter,stronger teeth.....increased metabolism,fresher breath......if not,at least I tried and it costs next to nothing!
read more about it here

Thoughts for the day.....

A year from now you may wish you had started today. ~
Karen Lamb

"If and When were planted, and Nothing grew."
Proverb

Golden wonder

Taken internally, turmeric is a friendly healer to the liver and stomach, promoting healthy mucus membranes and skin.

It is also used as a digestive aid. There is also some evidence that it is even helpful in lowering cholesterol. Turmeric also has a drawing quality, to draw out toxins, dry up secretions, and to heal.
One way of including turmeric in your diet is to make golden yogurt.....make sure you use good quality organic turmeric......
first you need to make the.......

Turmeric paste
3 Tbsp. turmeric
3 cups water
Bring turmeric and water to a boil. Let it boil until it forms a thick paste. It must boil at least 8 minutes. If necessary, add more water. Once it starts to thicken slightly, you must stir it constantly to prevent scorching. Store in a glass jar (it will stain a plastic storage container) in the fridge.
1 cup of yogurt to 1tsp or 1 tbsp ......according to what you can tolerate taste wise!

whats it good for?

Stomach & Digestive Problems: eat at least 1 cup a day of the yogurt turmeric combo. This is also good for intestinal candidiasis; the yogurt brings in the good bacteria for healthy intestinal flora and, since turmeric is a natural anti-fungal, it helps to counter the yeast overgrowth.

It's good for the skin too......and stops bleeding when applied to cuts and grazes.I have sliced my fingers many times in the kitchen and it helps to slow down the bleeding.
here's a .....

Simple Skin-Brightening Mask
Ingredients:

Turmeric powder

Plain yogurt

This is an ideal face mask because it only requires two ingredients, both of which are found in the home and are inexpensive. Milk nourishes and hydrates the skin while calming redness and irritation. Turmeric, derived from a plant native to South Asia, has antioxidant and skin-lightening properties.
Mix 1-2 spoonfuls of yogurt with 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder.....apply to face ,leave for 10-15 mins...rinse well and moisturize. Be careful of staining!!!!

I will be having my golden yogurt with my soaked oats tomorrow morning......why soaked oats? why lemon? read about it here

Sadly I don't live in the beautiful countryside but in a busy city, the only nature being found in the parks......we went to the park today ,me with my knitting...kids and baby in tow. It was so cold.....I managed 2 rows before kids asked to go home!! At least we were in nature for 10 minutes!!.....oh how I long for more!


Thoughts for day.......

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling.

~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields

If ye would count up the favours of Allah, never would ye be able to number them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. AN-NAHL (THE BEE)