April 2018 - Cindy Goes Beyond

April 30, 2018

Magical Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

As I have been working through the Better Late Than Never workbook, writing as I answer memoir questions, it’s been interesting what snippets from my childhood have risen from my memories. Because of fond recollections about a favorite book from my early childhood, I located the picture book A Penny for Candy and purchased it.

Recently a series of books from my elementary school days has called to me as more memories surfaced. I loved the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books, written between 1947 and 1957, by Betty MacDonald. I was a voracious reader as a child, beginning on chapter books and classics at age five. However if I had to choose a favorite book, this enchanting series wins, hands down.

I’ve thought about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle for days, curious about what drew me to her character and the collection of stories about her. I decided to find out by checking out two of the books, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic, from the children’s department in the Joplin Public Library.

Reading through these books, I’ve been charmed again by this lively ageless lady who lived in an upside down house with her dog Wag, and her cat, Lightfoot.

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, whose first name is never given, lives alone in her unconventional house, except for her pets. It’s established in the first chapter of the first book that Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle once had a husband, a pirate she claimed, who buried treasure in the backyard before he died.

Feeling a bit lonely one afternoon, as she sits down to tea, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle spies a neighbor girl walking down the street, carrying a suitcase and crying. Mary Lou is running away because her mother makes her wash dishes every day, and she hates washing dishes. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle invites Mary Lou in for tea. She teaches Mary Lou to use her imagination to create a fun game out of washing dishes, and the problem is solved. Mary Lou goes home and returns to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house for tea the next day, bringing a friend.

Soon Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house and yard are filled with happy children who learn how to transform their least favorite chores into fun games. Parents begin to seek out Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle for help when their children misbehave. Never one to scold a child, this dear lady concocts magical potions or offers sage advice as cures. The four books in the series are the stories about those children and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s interesting, funny cures, which by the way, always work.

There’s the Answer-Backer Cure, the Won’t-Pick-Up-Toys Cure, the Tattletale Cure and the Bad-Table-Manners Cure, to name a few. In all the cases, the children sort through their own misdeeds or bad habits, and decide to change. The stories, and illustrations by Hilary Knight, are indeed magical, to a child or an adult, and I smiled as I re-read the books.

As a child, my imagination was engaged by these stories. I appreciated Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s cleverness, her positive spirit and the playful way she interacted with kids and with life.

As an adult, I realize as I read through the books that Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle inadvertently became a role model for me. Even when I was a child, I couldn’t wait to grow up and have children of my own. I’ve always loved kids and find I can be more myself with them than with anyone else…more playful, more spontaneous, more imaginative.

In the second book in the series, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s Magic, chapter one begins, “Of course the reason that all the children in our town like Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is because Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle likes them. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle likes children, she enjoys talking to them and best of all they do not irritate her.”

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle doesn’t have a lot of rules in her house. She doesn’t berate or scold. She reframes everything in a positive way so that children are never shamed or ridiculed. And her cures are designed as paths of self discovery and self correction.

No wonder this fun woman was adored by children, including me. And no wonder I grew up to be a bit like Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. I see children as beautiful amazing beings who possess imagination, creativity and a profound wisdom that they are very willing to share if we will just listen. I love how open children are, and how connected to spirit and themselves they are. They learn by playing and exploring and following curiosity. Children…my own, other people’s, my grandchildren…have been and continue to be my greatest teachers in life.

I appreciate these stories at a deeper level as I read. I view Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle from a different perspective, recognizing that she has had as great an influence on my life as she did on the children in her town. Yes, she is a fictional character. That doesn’t matter. I have been influenced by many incredible people who never literally walked the earth, but their journeys have had an impact on mine.

“So you can see that loving children the way she does, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle just naturally understands them, even when they are being very difficult.”

Thank you Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. May I continue to learn from you and carry on your legacy, loving children and understanding them.

April 29, 2018

Rx in the Park

What an incredibly beautiful day to be outside, and what better place to experience nature this afternoon than at George Washington Carver National Park, in Diamond, Missouri. I was excited to attend their Rx in the Park Day for the first time. Daughter Elissa accompanied Greg and me on this fun outing.

The free Prescription Park Program is designed in collaboration among public land agencies, healthcare providers, and community partners to encourage people to utilize parks, trails, and open spaces for the purpose of improving individual and community health. It has been many years since I walked at George Washington Carver Park, named for the botanist and inventor who, among other major achievements, discovered many uses for peanuts and sweet potatoes. He was born in Diamond in the 1860s.

On the agenda today were three health related activities.

1) Walk the trails with a doctor.

Our group walked the trail that winds through the woods, criss-crossing over creeks and looping around the pond on the property. We were led by Randall, the park ranger, and accompanied by a doctor from Freeman Health Systems.

We paused often to admire the natural beauty that surrounded us and ask the doctor health related questions. Randall also told us stories about George Washington Carver, who was born into slavery. He and his older brother James were raised by Moses and Susan Carver, as their own children, after slavery was abolished in 1865. The park was once their homestead.

2) Yoga in the park.

Sandy, from FourStates Yoga in downtown Joplin, gathered us onto the lawn near the park’s community building, for an hour of gentle yoga. I have never practiced yoga outside before. How amazing to feel the grass covered ground beneath my mat, and gaze up through the tree overhead, to the bright blue sky above.

Yoga is something I practice sporadically. I enjoy it when I do, especially when it becomes a part of my daily routine. However, I too easily allow other activities to crowd yoga out of my day. As I moved, and held poses, and breathed mindfully this afternoon, I realized how important it is to incorporate yoga back into my life. I loved having Elissa beside me, on her mat, and being part of this special group activity.

3) Nutrition Class with Chef Robin Jeep

After yoga the group moved indoors, into the large community building, for a cooking demonstration by plant based chef, Robin Jeep. I so appreciate Robin. She shared her wealth of knowledge about the healing benefits of a plant based diet, while preparing a mouth watering meal for us to sample.

In honor of George Washington Carver, her recipes featured peanuts and sweet potatoes. On the menu today were freshly chopped veggies, greens and beans, prepared as a one dish meal in an electric skillet, a chopped salad served with Thai style peanut sauce, and sweet potato-chocolate chip-peanut mighty muffins. Sweet potatoes were included in the veggie dish and the chopped salad.

Robin demonstrated how easy it is to prepare wholesome, nutritious, antioxidant rich meals without meat, dairy, eggs, oil or sugar. I am always inspired by her classes. Elissa and I left excited to try the recipes we learned today.

Rx in the Park was an amazing experience and I’m grateful to all those who contributed. I am thrilled about all of the activities in my area that are promoting a healthier lifestyle. This is what it takes to create change, people who care about making life better…people who offer their gifts and knowledge to others.

I left George Washington Carver Park feeling refreshed and cared for and full of good health.

April 28, 2018

Business Review: Empire Market

I was thrilled to attend the opening day of a fresh new business in Joplin. The Empire Market, located at 931 E 4th Street, celebrates all things locally grown and made. Housed in a repurposed historical building, Empire Market provides a space for regional growers, artists and artisans to offer their produce and wares.

I love seeing an old building rehabbed and used in a new way. This full brick warehouse style building was built in 1907 and originally housed The Joplin Casket Company. Empire Electric Company took it over in 1916. They graciously donated the building to the Downtown Joplin Alliance in 2016, who came up with the idea of creating a four season market.

The Downtown Joplin Alliance has this vision for the market posted on their website:

The Empire Market will be an economic and community centerpiece that strengthens and engages the entire city. A vibrant four-season market where you can find the best of what this area has to offer; produce, meats, cheeses, wine, beer, crafters, artisans and any number of other vendors, set up in a collection of permanent and rotating stalls. In conjunction with that, we will become a basecamp for entrepreneurs and makers of all types. This will be the place to find affordable workspaces, meaningful resources, and a diverse community of passionate individuals who are focused on creating long-lasting, impactful businesses for Joplin. This is truly a game changer for the next generation of entrepreneurs and creatives in Joplin.

I love that grand vision!

Opening day appeared to be a huge success, judging by the filled parking lot and the number of people inside the market. It was a lively, friendly atmosphere that greeted me as I entered the wide door.

I was at Empire Market an hour after the doors opened and some vendors were already sold out or low on product. That’s a good sign! The market features a variety of booths with a wide assortment of products including farm raised meat and eggs, crafts, art, clothing, vegetable and herb plants, coffees, sauces and salts, and bakeries featuring traditional goodies, cute iced cookies and health conscious gluten free treats without added sugar. Fresh produce will be available in the Market beginning in May.

Today, the Mayor of Joplin was present at the opening, giving an official proclamation. Young trees were being given away by the Missouri Department of Conservation and live music was offered. I enjoyed the energy within the space and look forward to the inclusion of produce in the near future.

Empire Market invites Joplin to “grow with us!” I’m excited to watch them grow and be a part of that growth.

April 27, 2018

Signs of Life

I mentioned in another post that the cold spring we’ve had in the Midwest has greatly delayed my garden. I’ve had to make peace with that fact, more than once! This is my backyard garden’s fifth season, and never have I watched it so closely, for signs of life.

Freeze warnings and temps that dipped into the low 20s continues to plague us this month. I lost plants that I potted, even though I had them on a protected, covered front porch. Perennials that bravely pushed through the mulch, expecting spring, got bitten by the frost and disappeared. My garden has remained empty long past what I considered normal, and I had to release, over and over, a tendency to fret about it.

It didn’t help that on Facebook I was getting notifications about previous posts. Those photos of the garden, in my Memories Feed, reminded me just how far behind my garden really was. It wasn’t my imagination. Plants, flowers and herbs were lagging weeks behind.

April 2016.

April 2018.

Finally, we have the promise of a gorgeous, and warm, weekend ahead. I spent time in the garden this afternoon, pulling the weeds that are popping up, and welcoming that task because at least the earth is stirring. I noted what I have lost: one clematis vine, that did not return after a cold snap, and I have a large bare patch in the border garden that should be full of primroses. A few more minuscule plants are peeking at the sky. I know I can replant that section if I need to.

Signs of life are present though and I am grateful. The herbal garden is filling in. The mint I thought I had lost is reappearing, its tiny leaves fragrant when I brush them with my fingers. Perennials are slowly pushing through the ground, a fraction of their usual size this time of year, but they are alive. The containers are all still empty, but I believe it is safe to plant in them again.

As it always does, the garden teaches me about life. I’ve learned this season about trust and acceptance. The garden is what it is. It changes every year, and this year is no exception, even if I don’t particularly like the changes. I must accept the reality of what is.

I’ve learned to believe more deeply in the unseen. It was tempting, more than once, to dig up a plant to see if the roots had survived the cold. How counterproductive that would have been! There was life beneath the surface, and things happening that I could not see. I learned patience watching a garden that did not appear to be doing anything.

I learned about loss. A few plants did not survive. The majority did, however, and I practiced more acceptance and gratitude as I puttered in the garden this afternoon, observing the changes that have occurred in the last few days. All of these lessons apply to life. Part of my journey the last few years has been learning acceptance, patience and trust, and expressing genuine gratitude.

And I can compare the life sustaining work going on in the plants, beneath the surface and out of sight, with my body’s healing process. Although I have many visible signs of improved health, the deepest healing is happening at a cellular level. As health is restored there, it manifests outwardly. I love the mystery of that process of rebirth, in my body and in my garden.

Tomorrow I am buying annuals to fill containers and veggies for the raised bed garden. I’ll purchase a few new herbs. Before planting more perennials, I’ll continue to watch the bare places, for signs of life there.

All is well, my garden assures me. All is well, my soul agrees.

April 26, 2018

Willing to Embark

I thought I knew what I was going to write about tonight. However, the idea never quite settled in, or locked into place as the day progressed. I stayed open, and early in the evening, just as I was about to prepare dinner, I suddenly thought about my altered book, the one I am using as an art journal. I have not created a new page in it for several months.

As potatoes roasted in the oven, I flipped through my journal, waiting for the tap of inspiration that whispered here…create on this page. The book is called Captivating…Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul by Stasi Eldredge. This is a duplicate copy of the book that I have read several times. I stopped on page 19, captured by these words mid page :

You can find that life—if you are willing to embark on a great adventure.

I had found my inspiration.

Before that sentence, Stasi writes that most women end up living two lives. Outwardly we are busy, efficient, professional, getting by. Inwardly, we lose ourselves in a fantasy world or give ourselves over to food or other addictions to numb the aches of our hearts. But our hearts are still there, longing to be set free, to find the life our desires are hinting at.

You can find that life—if you are willing to embark on a great adventure.

As soon as I read those words, an image popped into my mind. Two years ago my word for the year was Surrender, and my symbol was the River. I learned much that year about surrendering to the flow of life, and going where that flow took me. I could easily compare Life to a Great River, and imagine myself in a canoe, being swept along from adventure to adventure. I didn’t try to resist the River’s current, or take up an oar to navigate. I trusted in Divine guidance, knowing the Dream Giver was just around the River Bend, calling to me.

I knew what to create on this journal page.

I used a sketching pencil to quickly outline a rising sun, full of promise, and a canoe being carried down a river. I am riding in the canoe. Those lessons in the manga workbook are paying off! The sketch came together easily, and drawing from my imagination used to be difficult for me.

A black gel pen with a fine tip defined the components of the drawing. I was ready to color. This is the part of art journaling that I most enjoy. I gathered 100 colored pencils, Crayola and Prismacolor brands, and created a color palette that relied on blues for the river and yellows, golds and pinks for the sunrise.

Coloring is meditative for me, soothing and relaxing. As I colored and shaded, I thought about my journey. I have lived as two people…the quiet, correct, do-what-others-expect woman…and the wild spirit who kept her desires hidden deep within her heart. I reached the point of being willing to embark on a great adventure, which first involved an inward journey, to rescue and free my heart.

The outward expression of who I have become has been, and continues to be, the greatest of adventures! It truly is about living as the woman I am and embarking wholeheartedly on that journey called Life.

I just looked up the word embark. It originates from the French word embarque, literally meaning in a ship. My illustration is amazing, in light of that definition. And the unexpected connection between the word and the image that came to me is itself symbolic of my magical journey. Yes, I was so willing. I have embarked.

April 25, 2018April 25, 2018

National Telephone Day 2018

I needed to be able to do a quick blog post tonight. I spent the evening at the local AT&T store, replacing my 2 1/2 year old phone. Prior to that appointment, I spent a good portion of the afternoon copying down passwords and important info from my old phone, making sure photos were backed up on Google Photos, and clearing my phone. The latter was carried out because I intended to trade in my iPhone 6 Plus.

It takes time to purchase a new phone, especially when three of us did so at the same time! As I was waiting for my turn to deactivate the old phone and activate the new, I was wondering what quick story I could write tonight. On a whim, I typed into Google What is today? searching for holidays celebrated on this date.

Would you believe…today happens to be National Telephone Day!

I absolutely love the way things work out. What a perfect holiday to celebrate…by purchasing a new phone. Alexander Graham Bell, who applied for a patent for his invention on February 14, 1876, is credited with creating the telephone. His attorney rushed into the patent office that morning to file. Incredibly, later that same day, another man applied for a patent for a similar device. Because Bell filed first, he was awarded the patent.

His device allowed people to connect and talk across great distances. I wonder what he would think of today’s cell phones, that not only allow us to speak to each other from across the country, but allow us to instantly connect with the world in myriad ways?

I work from my phone, write my blog posts on my phone, listen to music, get weather alerts and catch up with friends and family on social media. My phone can function as a camera, video recorder, television screen, book, computer, dictionary and game player. It guides me on trips, brings me the latest news, speaks to me if I ask a question and provides any information that I need in the quickest of flashes.

I think Alexander would be amazed at what our phones can do now. I appreciate this Scotsman for his creative mind and his invention that changed the way people communicate.

And now, I have much to do to set up my new phone. I chose an iPhone 8 Plus, in bright red, and a clear, protective case.

Happy National Telephone Day…to me!

April 24, 2018April 24, 2018

When We Grow Up…

A common question that adults ask children, often as an ice breaker or an attempt at polite conversation, is “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’ve asked that questions many times, and answered it as many, when I was a child. There’s nothing wrong with that question. However, a few days ago, I saw a quote that greatly intrigued me. It suggested a different question.

Yesterday, I got to pick up three of my grandchildren from school and spend a couple of hours with them. The perfect opportunity arose to ask them this new question.

I saw the quote on Instagram. Jaime Casap wrote, “Don’t ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. Ask them what problems they want to solve. This changes the conversation from who do I want to work for, to what do I need to learn to be able to do that.”

Isn’t that an amazing shift in thought and perspective? I love it. I wondered how kids would respond. Would the question about solving problems be too difficult? Would they come up with outrageous answers? Would I get a shrug of shoulders and a “I dunno” answer?

I was about to find out.

After snacks and playing outside in the bright sunshine, catching up on school news and much laughter, the kids settled into playing Minecraft while I watched. I asked them if I could ask each of them a question while they created elaborate houses on a tv screen split three ways.

They were immediately attentive as I asked…What problems would you like to solve, as you get older? And then they were thoughtful. Here are their answers:

Joey, age 11: I want to help people live longer and be healthier. This answer led to a lively discussion about how long people could live, if they ate differently and didn’t have the environmental toxins that we currently do. Joey thought way outside the box, wondering if people could attain the extraordinary age of 200, if they took really good care of themselves. Joey has reached an age where he realizes people can and do die, and sometimes at a young age. Underneath his answer is the desire that his family members and friends live long and healthy lives. I loved his answer.

Aubrey, age 9: I don’t want animals to suffer and get sick. I want to take care of them. Aubrey has a tender heart toward all creatures, great and small. In my family there seems to be a genetic disposition toward taking care of and protecting animals. Aubrey has that strong tendency as well. This led to a discussion about what she would need to learn, and do, to solve this problem. I loved her answer.

Oliver, age 10: I want to help animals too. He discussed how he and Aubrey could partner in this endeavor, solving the problems of animal cruelty or healing sick animals, together. Then he said something that brought tears to my eyes. Yaya, I’d like to end world hunger. Is that too big of a problem to solve? Wow. No, I assured him, it’s a big problem, for sure. But we need big thinkers and doers, like you, to solve big problems. We all discussed what could be done, to make sure everyone has enough to eat. Oliver had wonderful ideas. I loved his answer.

I didn’t know how the kids would respond to this different kind of question, and chose to stay open. I was amazed at their sincere and thoughtful answers. I realize these were their answers today. Next week, they might have different problems they want to solve, but what a great launching place for deep discussions about their hearts’ desires.

Oh, how I love those kids and their precious hearts. How blessed I am to journey with them. I will ask them this question periodically, so that I can continue to hear what’s on their hearts and minds. I’ll be asking grandsons Jonathan and Dayan this question as well, and I look forward to their answers.

In fact, any child I am chatting with will get this question from me…what problems do you want to solve as you get older? Join me, in asking the kids in your lives the question, and really listen to their responses. And then look out world, cause here they come, a generation of problem solvers.

April 23, 2018

Series Review: Lost in Space

I was seven years old when the original sci-fi series Lost in Space premiered. A year later, Star Trek beamed into our televisions as well. Although as a teen, Star Trek, in syndication by then, became my favorite show, as a child it scared me. Lost in Space was more child friendly and in spite of the weekly warning from the robot…Danger, Will Robinson…it seemed to present a safer future ahead.

Netflix just released a reboot of Lost in Space, as an original series on its network. All 10 episodes of season one are available to watch. I viewed the first two episodes over the weekend.

Lost in Space stars Toby Stephens, Molly Parker, Maxwell Jenkins, Taylor Russell, Mina Sundwall, Ignacio Serricchio, Parker Posey and Brian Steel. The series carries a PG-13 rating, for adult themes and intense actions scenes, and each episode has a run time of 1 hour.

John (Stephens) and Maureen (Parker) Robinson have left Earth behind in the hopes of colonizing a new world with a group of scientists and military personnel. Their three children, Judy (Russell), Penny (Sundwall) and Will (Jenkins) are accompanying them, making it a family adventure.

But in the expanse of deep space, far from Earth and not yet within range of the colony, disaster strikes. The ship transporting the colonists comes under alien attack. Families jettison from the collapsing carrier in smaller Jupiter class ships. The Robinsons crash land on an unknown planet, under harsh conditions.

They aren’t alone. Two other survivors, Major Don West (Serricchio) and Dr. Smith (Posey) are also searching for colonists who crashed on the planet. And a synthetic robotic creature (body work done by Brian Steel) crawled out of his downed ship as well. He appears to be the one who caused the mother ship’s destruction, but his circuitry is scrambled, wiping his memory banks. When he encounters young Will Robinson, the two form an alliance and the robot joins the Robinsons.

The first priority is survival on the hostile planet as the Robinsons get their small ship operational again. Danger is everywhere, from the unpredictable weather to unstable terrain, and within the lies of some of the survivors, who aren’t who they pretend to be. Even Will’s robotic friend carries secrets that could ultimately threaten them all. Being lost is the least of the Robinsons’ concerns.

In spite of some low reviews that I read, I like this reboot. The original series was fun, although a bit cheesy. This retelling of the story is darker, with more intensity and much, MUCH higher quality special effects. The Robinsons are a more typical family, meaning dysfunctional. Mom and Dad vie for control of their children, creating a great deal of tension between them. There’s the smart med student daughter, the younger daughter who hasn’t discovered her place in the world yet, and the son who feels inadequate for this mission.

Being only two episodes in, Don hasn’t had much character development yet. And he hasn’t actually connected with the Robinsons, having been abandoned by Dr. Smith, who is female in this newest version. She is a mix of contradictions and manipulations. Sometimes sinister, sometimes pitiable, it will be interesting to watch her work her way into the Robinsons’ favor, while carrying out her own agenda.

I like that Netflix makes all the episodes of a season available at once. I rarely binge watch a show, preferring to draw out the experience by viewing one or two episodes at a time. I’ll savor Lost in Space as it transports me back nostalgically to the 60s, and takes me on an exciting new futuristic adventure.

April 22, 2018April 23, 2018

Let’s Go Get Her

I’ve decided a good name for these posts on self care days is Sunday Shorts. The title reminds me to keep it brief, although I’m still working on brevity! I am enjoying unpacking a few thoughts around quotes or memes that catch my attention during the week and inspire me.

I smiled when I saw a meme that featured a young girl playing in the water. It had these words written across the photo.

Remember her? She’s still there…inside you…waiting. Let’s go get her.

I’ve thought about the truth of those words all week. I was inspired to pull out photos from my childhood and look at the little girl I used to be. I used the quote and one of my own pictures to create a new meme, which is included below.

When did I disconnect from that adventurous child who climbed trees and created stories and marvelously quirky artwork? As I pondered that question, I realized that while I was a creative and imaginative kid, I was also extremely fearful of my intuitive abilities and connection to spirit. Unable to understand my gifts, I tried to contain them, even if I couldn’t block them.

The older I got, the less I wanted to associate with my odd little self. I kept her gifts and her fears secreted away, losing her and important parts of myself.

I am grateful that part of my healing journey the last few years involved facing my fears and embracing all of me, quirks and gifts, sorrows and joys. Little Me had much to teach me. Moving past my fears opened the door in my deepest heart, and there that little girl sat, waiting patiently for me.

Three years ago, on my birthday, my granddaughter Aubrey and I discussed time travel. She was six years old at the time. When I asked her where she would go, if she could travel anywhere, forward or backward in time, her answer surprised me and brought tears to my eyes. “I’d go back to your childhood, Yaya, and be with you when you were a little girl. I’d want you to know I was with you and that you didn’t have to be afraid.”

I was so moved by Aubrey’s answer. And then I took her words to heart. I could go back and be with my younger self, and help us both understand what was going on. I could help my inner child release her fears. Through Julia Campbell’s The Artist’s Way series, I have done much writing about my childhood to help me return to my past. And I’ve spent hours and hours meditating, praying and thinking and ultimately embraced who I was and who I grew to be.

In return, my inner child has offered to me gifts of renewed creativity in all areas of my life, fresh perspectives, the ability to play at a deeper level and that adventurous spirit. I’m still learning from her, and she’s still accepting love and courage from me.

I deeply appreciate that little girl who waited and waited for me to come and get her. What wholeness she brings into my life.

April 21, 2018

National Tea Day 2018

Today celebrates a tradition that I dearly love. Afternoon tea has been a regular part of my day since my first trip to Scotland in 2014. I cherish this pause to savor a cup of tea and relax. It allows me to center myself and reflect on the day, before thinking about dinner prep and evening activities.

My afternoon teas used to feature a variety of Scottish or black teas and the typical fare: finger sandwiches, sweet treats and a Scottish shortbread cookie. None of those foods are part of my diet now. Tea time usually includes an herbal tea or a Scottish heather or thistle blend and fresh fruits and veggies.

In honor of this special day, I tried out a new recipe for a healthy treat, with a surprising ingredient.

I found this recipe, from Joyfully Healthy Eats, on Pinterest. It is egg, dairy and gluten free.

Who would have guessed chickpeas could be so versatile and the base for a dough? Instead of rubbing the chickpeas with a paper towel, I picked them up and squeezed lightly, popping them into the strainer. This action left the skins behind. It only took a few minutes and my dough was smooth and creamy. I became proficient at using both hands to pop out the chickpeas simultaneously.

I used all organic ingredients and a peanut butter without added sugar. The chips were 70% cacao. Before combining the ingredients in the blender I started a cup of tea steeping. I used dried rose hips for today’s celebratory drink.

The vitamin C in rose hips is the most bioavailable form in existence. Rose hips are anti-inflammatory, increases the blood’s white count and boosts the immune system. They also dissolve biofilm, a jelly like substance caused by the Epstein Barr virus. This biofilm can gunk up vital organs, including the heart, causing palpitations, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia. Plus, rose hips help to alleviate all types of infections. On this chilly, rainy Saturday, rose hips tea sounded perfect.

As the herbal tea steeped, I completed the vegan cookie dough and sliced up fresh organic strawberries. I was ready for tea time, in honor of National Tea Day.

The Chickpeas Cookie Dough was amazing. It wasn’t too sweet, which is ideal for me. I don’t care for sweets anymore. The texture was smooth and creamy and I couldn’t taste the chickpeas at all. The tart strawberries created a wonderful contrast to the dough.

I enjoyed this special tea time this afternoon. I will fix the Chickpeas Cookie Dough again, although it will be an infrequent treat. I prefer to stick with whole foods primarily.

Catherine Douzel says, “Each cup of tea represents an imaginary journey.”

I love that. Where shall I journey to today?