food & foto

as many of you probably know, i prefer to eat seasonally… it gives me things to look forward to, and it’s also good for the body. now that we are in the prime of summer, i am switching up my diet to include things that are currently in season. which is exciting because my garden is poppin’ right now and i’ll soon have more seasonal produce to enjoy {and share!}

the flip side of eating seasonal is letting go of some of the foods that stop producing as the months progress. for example – peas, arugula, radishes, asparagus, and in the case of this blog – artichokes.

i just love love love artichokes and i do miss them when they are not in season… but i also do get my fill of them during the spring and early summer months. i like to serve them with an aioli or melted butter… nom nom!

aren’t they just so interesting looking? i love vegetable guts, and i have always been fascinated by the insides of certain veggies like artichokes, cabbage, lettuce, etc.

look at that color! and that devine design! ❤

happy new year, y’all!

it’s a numerology 6 year, and i feel good about that. i like things in triples and/or threes. 😀 also, the number 6 represents love, unity, creativity, health, consciousness, empathy, and completion. and we totally need more of all of those things in our world, don’t we?!

how’s the weather been where you are? here in the northeast, it’s been up and down and back and forth. we had some 60-degree days in december, and then we just recently had our first snowfall shortly after the holiday. admittedly, snow is still not my favourite, but i’m cool with the “hibernation mode” that winter offers.

at least once or sometimes twice a year, i try to do a little “cleanse” – as in intermittent fasting and eating predominately raw or steamed veggies and fruits, along with plenty of liquids, lots of yummy homemade soups and broths, little-to-no sweets, and zero caffeine or alcohol. i started doing this in 2012, and you can read all about my first experience here.

i have been saying to myself for months that i wanted to do a cleanse, but i simply wasn’t feeling motivated. around the holidays, people are always giving out cookies and candy and drinks and snacks and all the things. perhaps it’s a comfort thing, but it’s hard to deny myself much of anything during the holidays. although at one point {in 2012} i cleansed for like 27 days right in the middle of christmas. i honestly have no idea how i persevered through that – haha! anyway, i knew from experience that a big part of sticking with a cleanse is totally mental. i knew i had to have the right mindset, and i knew at some point i would get there, so i didn’t pressure myself too much. i just kept sort of waiting for the right moment when i just knew i was ready.

that moment arrived in unison with the new year, and i suddenly felt super inspired and motivated… and above all, ready to do it! honouring the new year and new beginnings, etc. seemed like a good collaboration and it just feels appropriate and synchronistic for me.

i usually try to cleanse for about 6 days. sometimes more, sometimes less… again, i try not to put a lot of pressure or stress into it because that will basically negate any other positive benefits. i tend to feel better overall and my head is clearer, etc. my skin looks better, my body trims down, and i tend to have a lot more energy in general when detoxing. one thing that was different for me this time around is that i didn’t have to give up coffee {mostly because i don’t drink it regularly anymore}, and so there has been less of a “detox” feeling {fatigue, headaches, etc.} that i have experienced in the past when doing this type of cleanse.

so, here is a little glimpse into what I’ve been experiencing this week.

thanks for reading 😉

i start each morning with warm lemon water and a green smoothie… usually with tons of fruit and spinach and healthy herbs…

in lei of coffee, i drink this stuff now… it’s super yummy and extra good for your liver and kidneys…

tons of fresh and steamed veggies… Continue reading →