26/11/2013

The Big Fat BLAH!!!

Blah! Ugh! SIGH

The accumulated half empty shampoo bottles that clutter your shower and bath. The  pumpkins, from last Halloween, that are rotting on your front porch and strewn all over your lawn from a little soccer moment by the kids. The garbage from "that reno", sitting in your car port for everyone to see, that still is waiting to be driven to the dump. The dead bees from last summer that died on your window ledge are still there. The tightness of your clothes that discourage you and create self loathing. The hungry kids who want food now, and your kitchen surfaces that are full of piles of random things and papers that need organizing. BLAH! UGH! AAAAAAARGH!!!! The feeling of seeing your tidy home sanctum, become a messy-crummy-bitty-mess in matter of minutes and you get a unexpected visit at that very same moment. 

I have blogged about decluttering before. Many times. Today, I'm going to blog about de-itemizing your life. I think I just came up with that word. Yes, de-itemizing.

I have decluttered my home so many times, that I am beginning to realize that the problem lies in something else. How on earth, after decluttering a zillion times, do I feel like my head is still caving in, and my anxiety is still ticking within? What's bothering me? Why can't my soul rest? Each item that I have decide to keep I can really make use of. I'm seriously not a hoarder (denial kicking in!!), so I know whether I need it or don't. Usually my mottos are, "if in doubt, throw it out" and "if I have not used it within 12 months, I won't", and "if I need one, I'll just borrow one, or buy one then" etc. So, I know (think) that the stuff I have in my home is there to serve us. Yes, true.

So what if I really can find use for them, which would impact us in a positive way or impact someone else in a positive way. I'm sure these are great things, good things and practical things. We "need" them. 

However, if our house burnt down tomorrow, I wouldn't remember 80% of the things that we have in our home. I'd probably not remember 80% of the kids books, the stack of "tape and fix" kids books, half of our seasonal candle holders, half of our clothes, 75% of the things that are in our bathroom cabinet, probably all of the sheets tucked in a cupboard... all of those wires and gadgets, craft ribbon, baskets, jewellery,  nicknacks, bits and bobs.. and so on....sigh.

But why is it so hard to give these items up? Because my brain has been coded in a certain way.

I see a potential gift. I see a good opportunity for a family activity. I see a good homeschooling class. I see visitors. I see future recipes. I see quality time. I see a great sewing project, a rejuvenated living room. I see a hand written letter. I see a picture collage, a scrapbooking event. I see hospitality, a dinner party. I see a birthday. I see time to enjoy my family. But my time is limited. I don't have the time to experience these desires and ideas. I am a mom of small kids and my time is so sparse. 

I see rotting pumpkins and dirty skirting boards because I am too busy to do anything about them. I have decluttered yes, but I have not simplified my life truly. I am not talking about the other blogs that encourage a "10 steps to a simplified life", I'm talking about a complete freedom from the grasp of the way of the world. Is it possible?

There are so many beautiful things out there. There are so many inspiring and motivating craft ideas, clothing trends, sewing projects, bathroom ideas, books-books-books, party ideas, recipes, new gadgets, and lots of incredible and intriguing things. I cannot seem to walk into Walmart without buying something "which happens to be the coolest thing that day" and another addition to my "fun things to do" list. These beautiful things are actually robbing me, they are robbing my family and the time I have with my Lord. I can't fully create, I can't fully be present for my family, and I can't fully do a thorough job at home. Even though I have not done any of the 3 previously mentioned, I feel torn between them all and I freeze. I choose nothing. I watch my house become a mess, I see the dishes pile on top of an empty dishwasher, I did the minimal in teaching science lesson today, I see the organized craft projects on the shelf that I don't know how long it'll be before I can make them (maybe years?!). I basically freeze. My mind races, my ideas accumulate, I day dream. The home gets messy, my mind gets messy, the bathroom is messy, I trip on a toy and it sets me off. I'm shouting at the kids, I am yelling at the top of my lungs "GOD HELP ME!!!! I NEED YOU NOW, I CAN'T DO IT!" I don't want to be an angry mom that just drones on. On top of that, my nick name to myself had become "Comet".. I give a 100% on every project and new idea, diets, tradition etc..and it fades away in 2 weeks or so... on to the next new thing....and again, I go up and I go down....-Comet.

On top of managing the basics of the day, and as a homeschooling mom, I really don't have much time to tackle my ideas listed above or the time do bigger (and needed) clean ups or maintenance of the home. It's either tackle that sewing project I've been planning for 2 years or make dinner. Have a conversation with my kids or read the news online. Sit down with my hubby after the kids have gone to sleep, or organize the shed. I choose poorly and then I suffer. My home suffers and I feel anxious and uneasy. Because, I live in chaos. Decluttered chaos. Organized chaos. It's chaos.

I'm on a mission. I am going to de-itemize my home. I am going to give away, throw away, or sell a LOT! I don't know how much exactly, but all I know is that I will know, when I know, it is enough :)

I am going to get rid of things I love, I like and I probably will miss. It will hurt but I am determined.
I'm looking around now, and I see things I would hate to part from, but I have already made my decision to do it. A lot of energy is tied to items. Whether they are useful or not, they burden us. 

I encourage you to join me in de-itemizing-IN-December! Letting go, beyond the decluttering, beyond the organizing and labeling, letting go of the things around you. Become less, so He can become more in our lives. Lessen the things around you, even the beautiful things around you, so He can become more beautiful in your life.

More on De-Itemizing and De-cluttering HERE and HERE

Join me, this July 2014, on a 30 day de-itemizing challenge! Please share your experiences with me, I would love to hear!!!

My Top 10 #2

  1. Shellac nail polish. I really like this stuff! I can't really afford or manage acrylic nails, so this technique really gives me a lasting polish, SHINE and it keeps my nails strong.
  2. Frozen Cherries (COSTCO). I love eating these sweet delicious cherries, especially when I start craving for sweeties at night, or late in the evening.
  3. Woolly socks. It's autumn, rainy, cold...
  4. Juicer. After watching THIS with my hubby, we both went on a two weeks cleanse. We took this time to fast and break the unhealthy eating habits we had created. This was a great way to "kick start" our liver and kidneys and clean our tubes. We give our cars a good service once a year, why not our bodies?
  5. The Shelter of God's Promises, Bible Study by Sheila Walsh
  6. Hemp Hearts, the nutty omegas! On my salads, in my porridge, on my fruit and veg, in my smoothies...
  7. Liver Sausage. Reminiscing my childhood and Finland. I'm home sick.
  8. Herbal Medicine and Remedies, from my kitchen! I have been a busy bee, in my kitchen making "arthritis"salves, lip balms, herbal body scrubs, fruity body scrubs, "tummy-soothing" tea, nursing tea, "hot flushes and night sweats" tea, varicose vein gels, and cold feet oil. I am attending Christmas markets to sell.
  9. Genesis 1:29 and 2:9 " Through a testimony of life change and challenges, Nutritional Therapist and mother of 3, Cathy Rose will talk about how to improve your health and vitality through better food choices, and deeper nutritional knowledge. In addition, Cathy will help you build a tool box of recipes, ideas and tips in order to expand your understanding and enhance your health for not only you, but for your children and whole family.
    Cathy will discuss topics such as:
    - raw food and other remedies
    - benefits of organic
    - vitamins and enzymes in food
    - food choices today
    "                                                                                                                            I gave a talk on this and I'm looking forward to many more coming my way. All glory to God!
  10. Women's Ministry. I'm really enjoying this season of life right now, where I am able to attend a few Bible studies and ladies events at church. It's soul food. I'm blessed! 
Click here to see my Top 10 #1

23/11/2013

Chocolate Chia and Flax Raw Cookies



Ingredients

16 medjool dates, pitted
1C raw almonds
1/2- 1C of ground chia seed and flax mix (pref.freshly grinded)
2/3 C small dark cocoa chips
hemp hearts for garnish

In a food processor, grind almonds and dates until they form a sticky paste, add in the chia and flax mixture, a tblsp at a time, until it forms into a firm ball. Hand mix in half the coco chips.

Roll into balls or spread onto a cookie sheet, half inch thick firm square. Garnish with left over chips and hemp hearts. Press them down well.

Chill for 1-2h before cutting into squares.

Oh delish!

20/11/2013

Mango Paradise Raw Food Cookies



Ingredients

1C dried mango slices, soaked for 20minutes. (discard water afterwards)
1C raw almonds
1C millet puffs
shredded coconut for garnish

In a food processor with an S blade, chop up mango slices and almonds until they form a firm ball, still sticky. If you find your dough doesn't form into a ball, keep adding more almonds until it's just right.
Hand mix in the puffs.

Roll into balls and roll in a bowl of shredded coconut, or spread onto a cookie sheet, pressing down into a half inch square. Garnish and press down with shredded coconut.

Chill for 1-2h before cutting into pieces.

YUMMMMM!!!!!

Savour the Christmas Season -Snow Paint

Today we savoured the xmas season by painting the snow. Fantastic! I just mixed up water and food colouring and filled up the empty icing bottles.




17/11/2013

Homemade Remedies and Cosmetics for Christmas 2013 (Tri-City Area, BC)



Papaya-Pineapple Bliss Raw Cookies


Ingredients

2/3C of dried pineapple chunks, soaked for 20 minutes
2/3C of dried papaya chunk, soaked for 20minutes
(discard water from fruit!)
1/2C -1C of hemp hearts
1C raw almonds
almond flour to garnish

In a food processor, grind almonds and fruit until they form a sticky paste, add in the hemp heart mixture, 1T at a time, until it forms into a firm ball.

Roll into balls or spread onto a cookie sheet, half inch thick firm square. Garnish with almond flour or hemp hearts. Press them down well.

Chill for 1-2h before cutting into squares.

Oh yum!

14/11/2013

Weight Loss #3 Part 9

I was 205 lbs
I am 172 lbs
I have lost -33 lbs !!

Before

After


I'm a loser!!!

See, I'm back on track!!!

I haven't stressed about it too much and the loss is slow-ish, but I'm still losing...

So what do I do? I don't use the WW method anymore, but rather eating more raw and natural.


  • For example, I snack on apples, sugar free organic peanut butter and hemp hearts.
  • I try having 50% of my plate raw, each meal.
  • I put cucumber on everything.
  • My bread is rye, usually rye crackers.
  • I drink herbal tea.
  • I have my coffee black.
  • I eat frozen cherries when I crave for a late evening snack.
  • I try to stay away from sugar and wheat, but don't beat myself up for having some.
  • I've juiced: cleansed my system and "kick started" my liver and kidneys. 
  • I've said "no" to treats. Not because I can't have them, but because I know I can, but I choose not to.
  • I've weekly menu planned.
  • I've eaten  sushi on a regular basis.
  • I've enjoyed Korean Hot Pot, on a regular basis.
What are your favourite healthy snacks?
You can read more about my weight loss here.
You can read more about healthy recipes here.