Falling For Meditation

Hi, yogi!

As the vibrant hues of summer gradually fade, the cool nights of fall usher in a season of reflection and renewal. The air becomes crisp, carrying with it the earthy scents of fallen leaves and the promise of winter’s approach. It’s during these serene evenings that many find themselves yearning for a moment of pause, a chance to digest not just the remnants of summer fun but also the experiences that have shaped their lives.

Summer brings an abundance of activity, filled with laughter, adventures, and a whirlwind of social gatherings. From lake outings to late-night barbecues, the season is a tapestry of joyful moments. However, as the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, there’s an inherent call to slow down and internalize those experiences. This is where meditation can play a transformative role.

My loving, intentional time to be with my thoughts💞

Meditation offers a sanctuary amid the hustle and bustle of life. It invites us to sit with our thoughts and emotions, allowing us to process the joys and lessons summer has imparted. As the world outside shifts into a calmer rhythm, meditation encourages a similar stillness within. The act of focusing on the breath or visualizing the changing leaves can ground us, helping to clear the mental clutter accumulated during the frenetic pace of summer.

I love slow days under the tree canopy💖

Moreover, fall is a time of transition, not just in nature but in our personal lives as well. Just as trees shed their leaves, we too can let go of what no longer serves us. Meditation fosters this release, promoting a sense of peace as we acknowledge our experiences and intentions moving forward. It creates a space for gratitude, allowing us to appreciate the warmth of summer while embracing the beauty of change.

Just a daily meeting with Mr. 🌞

As the nights grow colder, wrapping ourselves in a cozy blanket and finding a quiet spot becomes an inviting ritual. With each inhale, we can draw in the crisp air, and with each exhale, we can release the remnants of summer’s heat, creating balance within. In this way, meditation helps us digest not only the fun we had but also the emotions tied to it—joy, nostalgia, and perhaps a hint of melancholy.

Staying warm✌🏽

In conclusion, the cooler nights of fall provide an ideal backdrop for introspection. By engaging in meditation, we can harmonize our experiences, allowing the vibrancy of summer to settle into a deeper understanding of ourselves. As we embrace the change of seasons, let us also embrace the opportunity for inner growth, finding solace in the quiet moments that autumn brings.

We are all enjoying this change🥰

Namastè!

Inner Peace Achieved

Hello, fellow yogi!

Today, my house is no longer mine and belongs to a new family to create new memories. I will miss that house, but now I am in a new chapter. My immediate future is unknown but fascinating. I find myself becoming curious in my new environment, and I enjoy making new plans and stamping my ever-loving impression on all my new spaces. I am digesting new experiences as they come up. I may sit with a feeling to discover the path I need to grow. It’s so easy to look at new difficulties with zero hope, but how does it feel to sit in it and learn to be ok? In the beginning of my spiritual awakening, I was always sitting next to the water. I would meditate and be entranced with the offerings of the water and wet earth. The smell, the sound, the water spilling onto the land, and receding as wildlife created ripples. I saw so many fish feed early in the morning. I was home. I finally learned peace and to be content with where I am now.

A meditative walk in nature with my sweet Alex💝

I had to be alone to understand my why and to heal. I had a lot of garbage from my past I lugged around. Thoughts, experiences, life that needed to be sorted. What did I need to get rid of and drop off at the lake? I spoke my truths to rocks and buried them deep to be cleansed by the earth. I knew I was getting better because I felt better. My yoga poses became unhinged. My hips were awakened. I was fluid and thriving in my new environment.

Yoga with Mr. Baby🥰

I remember so vividly how light I became. I wanted to be safe sitting at the water’s edge all the time. I was protected and thriving for the first time in my adult life. First thing in the morning, at 5:20 a.m., I rolled out my mat and began my ritual. My spiritual ritual and all the things that brought me joy. All the things people told me to stay away from cause its “devil” stuff. Well, those people and their opinions weren’t very prevalent in my life because I was able to find my truth through all the haze. I became unscared and unglued. I was freed from chains I was born into. Generational curses, traumas, living my life to please others, depression, alcoholism, it all began to speak to me to guide me away from the pain I didn’t have to stay in. I was my own abusive partner for so long, but I found out how much I loved myself. I thank nature for that. I didn’t heal myself, and I’d like to think I played a part in helping heal nature too.

Well, there is a beautiful painting that reflects my healing process. It brought me to recollect my inner peace and write this blog. I am hanging this in my living room over my fireplace to bring peace in my new chapter. It will serve as a reminder how far I came. It will give me healing vibrations from memory of the water washing me clean. I am still here thriving in the midst of life.

My new painting, Silent River by Mishea Obiji💝

Namaste!

All pictures by Self-Diagnosed Yogi💞

Summer cool down begins

Hi, to my fellow yogi!

The fire of summer is beginning to lessen on this side of the world. It is a nice transition to all the yogis who do not enjoy sweating in summer’s fire. I do! I thrive in the heat of summer and find ways to stay outside. I keep cool and hydrated with summer’s gifts of fruit and juicy, cooling veggies, and mint 🙂 I also feel like it’s go, go, go the whole season. I love being busy but I have to learn to sit and digest everything I’ve seen, heard, lived through, etc. How do you digest things you see or hear? Well, from my experience, mediation is my digestive power to process my senses.

I have had summers full of awesome experiences every day. I had no idea how to process and digest. I still remembered it but how can I incorporate it into my life or handle my future if I’m not fully sure what happened? Now, I sit. I cleanse my area and my body with sage or santo palo. The scent initiates the beginning of my ritual. I can sit outside in my hammock swing for hours. I listen to the sound of nature surround me and let myself know I am safe. Thoughts invade but I put them to bed by acknowledging them and letting go. I try to think of nothing. I concentrate on my breath….4 seconds in…..4 seconds out.

Can I just share that living in the moment is the most freeing choice I have ever made. I don’t think of past experiences or future ones. I just look around and concentrate on what surrounds me. The joy of the four inch grasshopper happily jumping through the grass. The butterfly that is so sure of it’s journey from flower to flower. The bees that fly around me without a care. I am amongst friends. Can you even think of the last time you sat with no worry or hankering to be busy? You can just sit and admire. I love summer and how alive it is! Do you agree?

I feel the communication my body gives me. I know how to nourish myself even though I’m super busy. I have to be sure I am shedding other peoples energies. I get bogged down with feelings that are not mine. I can very easily pick up energies from a room and they pester my brain and thoughts. No thank you! Not my cup of tea. I like to clear the channels daily and the best way is to journal and meditate. Maybe try the next time you feel clogged up. Try 1 minute. I highly suggest finding a meditation group or consultant.

My favorite meditation spot in Kauai, HI.

If you are in Lawrence, KS, try my friend, Jamelle with Bare Roots Energy. She specialized in reiki, mediation, chakras, and sooooo much more!! I also have her mediation handbook that is incredible! Let’s start our journey to better selves now, together!

Namaste!

Self-Realization

Hè, friend!

Spring is really showing out this season. We had wet, rainy days, cold days, blustery windy days, hot, sunny days, and chilly nights. My spring reset is officially fully integrated, and I am excited to see the sights with my fully functional senses. I would agree that April is flying by! I made an intention of posting every day, but I found it wasn’t beneficial to my life. I do want to share every day, but some days I get so busy, I forget. I also find myself in a repeating thought process. It’s where I am sometimes. I found myself in a familiar pattern of not finishing things. I will have big ideas and big plans, but I fall short and completely stop. I then move on to the next thing to partially build.

4/20 plant potting party!

I noticed this huge pattern in my life. A huge hindrance and an elephant in the room I called ‘normal’. Now that I see it, what am I going to do about it, you ask? Well, I am taking big plans into action by building my lemonade business up. I began my week of research and writing and planning. I’m quiet on the internet, but things are manifesting over here! I want to see this out and invest my best in myself. If the business fails, I will take what I need and build it better the next time. If I thrive, I will share my knowledge as seeds for the next person. I am not a gatekeeper, I share. Knowledge is power, and I feel it in my soul that I am on the right path no matter the outcome.

Whatever I say now are my plans will change. I will change as a person as my business grows. This is the natural progression in life. I know what it feels like to be wanting more and have no idea how to get there. I just left an outgrown garden bed and found one with companion plants that will ensure my survival and show me how to thrive. One day, I will need to change out of this garden bed but for now, it’s home. My roots are getting stronger as I learn to navigate through these unknown times. My feet will not fail me now.

Namastè!

All pictures by Self-Diagnosed Yogi.

What’s Crack-a-lacking?

He, friend!

The tide of troubles is receding. I feel like I’m back in my familiar bubble. What a human experience that this has been, and it’s crazy to believe all of this is in my head. I mean, the facts are the facts, and my experience is basically my reaction to what is. I felt all kinds of things, and all I wanted to do was go back home and find my safety embrace from my husband so I could recharge. I think I tended to my wounds, and now it’s time to get back to my purpose. Not before acknowledging what I learned, though. Let’s get crack-a-lacking!

Practice Patience

I want to start off by saying that I find my patience comes and goes. Somedays I have it and others I don’t. I’m sure deeper delves into my meditations and thought process can unravel some of this, but until then, I will be a bit like Kansas weather, unpredictable. Let’s just say that last week taught me to have patience on a busy life day or lose control. Naturally, I didn’t want to be patient because I had other things to do than to tend to this issue. I mean, what was my option? Pull my hair out and stress about something out of my control? Hell no! I’ll take a side of patience with my peace. Thank you. I guess I can accept change pretty quickly and not feel like I lost. This brings me to my next learning…

Accepting this will be enough to nourish my body❤️

Acceptance

If I could design my life the way I wanted it, I’m about 1,000% sure I’d be dead by now. Yup, me in my teens was pretty reckless. So, there is my point. I don’t believe I have the mind capacity to fully understand that every move I make creates a ripple in the way life happens for all. Even the things we can not see. I have no idea how to protect what I can not see; therefore, I can not be in charge. I accept what is and do my part in making sure we as humans can keep living and loving on earth. I take in so much peace just letting go of control. Brain tingles.

Mantra

This one is very new to me. I mean, I have heard of them and participated in many opportunities to hear people’s daily mantras to themselves. I am in awe of people highly respecting themselves and having these deep, love infested words that I want to steal. I always felt intimidated to size up that mantra. When in yoga, I mind my mat. That means I do not invest time or thoughts in what the person next to me is doing. It’s the teachers cues, me, my mind, body, soul. So, here I am being sized up by wise words. By someone who found who they are. I admire that wisdom. I know that when I start speaking to myself more often in front of the mirror, I cry. I cry because I believe what I am saying, and they are very kind words. I want to represent those words; I hope I do.

Yogi Outro

Everyone knows love lives in the heart. It is felt in the heart the most for me as well as heartbreak. It all makes sense. When I need more love in my heart I like to connect with really red foods. I like to believe it helps and if it doesn’t oh well, I love beets, steak, and raspberries all the same 🙂 Life is crazy and full of surprises. I know Cry Fest 2024 is a continuation and I feel better prepared to weather a storm when I am fully present in myself. I used to carry all of my worries, traumas, fears in my body and buried them deep. I work out my issues as soon as I can. I just don’t want to be back in that headspace. I’m still watching the seeds planted two years ago flourish. This is an amazing life and I’ll take the bad with the good cause there is nothing like living.

Namastè!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Lessons of Unpacking My Sh*t

Hè!

I had a great sleep last night and woke up full of energy and light on my feet. That is really odd considering I ate way less than I have, ever in my days. Unless I was sick. I am feeling pretty good today. It’s only 5am but who am I to block this productivity? I guess a fast-mimicking cleanse brings good medicine for me. I only have 2 more days to go. I feel the natural flow of cleansing to be rhythmic as it invades my body, space, and mind. Today I will share the lessons of unpacking my shit.

Lesson #1: Clean, Tidy Spaces

We have been upgrading our carpet and with new changes we have to get into the deep corners that are not touched to clean house. This has been wonderful to get rid of things in our bedroom. I have so much space and do not plan on putting something else in its place. It will just be an empty space now. Beautiful and purposeful. I want my bedroom to be a decompression tank for me and my husband. No piles of junk and extra stuff with no home to share my space with. Everything has a home and if it does not. Do I need it? Stay tuned on our upgrades sometime this summer.

Lesson #2: Light Dinner

I am not one to know what a “light” dinner is before Ayurveda came into my life. It took me even a few years after to fully understand what a light dinner does for me. Even cutting a regular meal in half is considered lighter. I am waking up feeling light and energized even more. I feel my body wringing out from all the processed foods and gunk I have exposed myself to. This is exhilarating to say the least! This is my only body and I have goals to live a long time and hug my family.

Lesson #3: Adequate Sleep

For me, I need to be in bed by 9:30 PM. No exceptions! If I want to wake refreshed and full of purpose, then bedtime is important. I spent many, many nights up at 11pm. Shoot, we used to eat dinner around 8 pm! That is crazy to me now! LOL! Me and my husband agree, going to bed early and waking early is a huge part of who we have become. I love getting older with this man! We sync up as we age. I can suggest a good, solid night routine. What are 3 things you absolutely love to do to care for you? I start with a decompressing bath with candles and an amazing book. The warm ambiance sets the tone. I oil myself up with my herby potions and get me a hot nightcap drink going. I will settle in bed with my journal and/or book in my peaceful space.

Lesson #4: Connecting Mind, Body, Soul

I am a sucker for yoga! It gets my mind off its usual role of survival, and I can connect my mind to my body and breath. Seriously, how often do you consider your breath? Do you notice how fast it can be when you are stressed? It’s not fully expressional and short. Imagine breathing like that all the time. You don’t use it, you lose it. I notice as my loved one’s ages their breath becomes shallower. I practice my full yogic breathing daily. That is a deep loving inhale in three parts: chest, diaphragm, and belly. It is a practice and accepting where we are with it now is love. Love yourself and keep going! Whatever the flavor, being mindful to moving the body daily is key to a healthy mindset.

Lesson #5: Community

There are people just like me, that are curious with change. I am attracting people to me just by being me. I love to engage with people and share stories. There are so many groups I become a part of and I am gifted new friendships. I am always busy but most of my time is spent alone. I am changing this and getting involved daily. If I have extra time, I will volunteer and get my face out in public. I notice a lot of the same faces in my community activities. I love being with people and being around the right people is healing for me.

Yogi Outro:

I am finding my space to be less confusing and more welcoming. I have thinned out my bookshelf even and donated some good reads. I love this season because it forces me to look at things I have neglected. Spring cleaning is epic! Last year, in my garden, I didn’t take the time to properly add nutrients back into the soil. My garden paid for my decision and I had a small harvest because of it. Lesson learned! I am just like my garden. If I take my time before growing season to ensure my body is detoxed and ready for work, then I will be MVP. I will be unstoppable with hitting my goals!

Namastè!

Life Update

He, friend!

It’s been a lot these past few months. I lost my sweet Alex the day after my last post. I lost a whole best friend that day, and it tore open all my wounds. I felt so lost and hurt that she died alone. I never thought it would get better. Grief is a bitch! You never know how it will hurt until you are there. I decided to get a new dog and I really feel Alex sent me that message to my brain right after she died. I cried all the time for the first few days with my new dog, Max. I bet he was so confused to the emotions I carried. Plus, he was so new to me. He keeps me busy, and I love him so much! I love learning how our relationship grows, together, as a new family.

Alex smiling and Aiko chillin vibes✌🏽

I lost my job and still haven’t found a new one, but I am keeping myself so busy. I am building a new herbal adaptogenic drink business from the ground up. I have no idea what I am doing, but I am going to try. I am really enjoying this process. It is making me vulnerable, but I am building new relationships and getting excellent advice from the messages that visit me. I have reached out to my business friends to get some answers to my worries, and everyone says, “Just do it!” I have an army of support and I cannot believe that this former alcoholic, lost to the bottle, has people rooting me on. I really love, love, love my friends and family! Theeee best!

Does anybody else bathe their dogs in the sink? He’s so cute🤩

I do not have all the answers, and I have been straying from my usual grounding exercises, like yoga and meditating. I have been bringing back my morning saging and meditation because I find myself floating around like a leaf with no purpose! For real! I brought myself back with my own knowledge about me and found myself way ahead this week than I was last week! It is mind-blowing why I stray from it. I mean, quieting my brain when I have a million and one things to get done? No way! But, yes way is the WAY!! I am shouting from the top of my meditating yoga mouth. LOL!

This guy keeps me on my toes!! Maximilian💝

My body craves movement every day. If I ignore it, I get pretty stiff and way sorer than my heaviest lifting day. I find myself spending at least 100 steps to work out the kink in my right knee. My back takes some side to side and front to back stretches and hopefully, me and my back are on the same network, and I do not end up with another ailment from stretching the wrong way😂 That is why I am working on getting to yoga class. I find a lot of reasons why I can not get up and go….like, right now but “I’m writing this blog.” It is on my radar and may make an entrance next week or even tomorrow. All I need is the seed and the nurturing I give takes care of my growing 🙂 I am in seed stage after being hacked up from a weed whacker, I will get back to me soon enough.

Forever my sidekicks 💖

I enjoy planning future fun with my non-furry friends. I just had a friend come over and organize my pantry last week. She is beginning her business adventure too, so we have so much to learn from each other and she has been my best friend since 9! I have a pottery painting date and lunch dates over the next few weeks, and I enjoy spending time creating relationships and trust. I love learning from my friends and getting different perspectives. Plus, we are getting into a “giving” season, so people are just seasonally very nice. Take advantage! Make a new friend, and who knows, they may just be what you need in this crazy place called LIFE!

This was Alex when we first met😍

I am finding my path in the dark. I was intimidated to act on my dreams and now I am living my dreams. I have freedom and space and that is the recipe I needed to come out of my shell. I guess where this road leads, I have no idea. I do know I want to keep going because this might just be the road that will bring me to my next chapter. I also found out I am going to be a grandma! Not just once…but twice:)

Wanishi! (Thank you)

All pictures are a tribute to my furry friends that impact my life daily💝

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Learning to Love the Pauses

Hè, friend!

My days are filling with lots of movement. The longer days energize me with stamina and curiosity. I am in my third week of 5:30 am bootcamp. Just two weeks ago, I was so sore that all I could do was move slowly and awkwardly. All that came out of my mouth was,  “I’m so sore.” Well, good thing my body did what it does to repair the brokenness. I trust the process and understand that after boot camp and 12,000 steps a day, I’m allowed rest. My body needs restoration and salty tub soaks, slower evenings with abhyanga or self-massage, and loving massages from my husband. I’m learning to love the pauses because then healing will take place.

The rain carries so much more than water. The sound is the most mesmerizing to me.

Listen with Intent

More is more. We don’t always need more, we need to learn to listen to our bodies. I find slowing down to meditate gets all my senses in line with what is really going on. It’s my time to gather knowledge and truths. I don’t need to read a magazine or listen to a podcast to know what’s going on in me. Right? So, what feels good to stretch after a grueling workout? Do I need to practice yin yoga? Am I listening to my body’s need or just going through mindless motions? Listening is key to a healthy body mindset.

Yoga and nature create my peace.

Yoga Asanas

I love yoga! Yoga brought me to my core. My purpose in life. How? I know, it’s crazy! Yoga began as a workout, but being in my mind on my mat, reflecting on my day, life, and worldly views, entranced me. I became the next victim to the power of yoga. My curiosity kept me coming back to my mat. What will I find out today? How will my body adjust to these new fruitations? My mind is a sponge, and I want all of it! I’m starting to read about yoga philosophy, and this old knowledge feels alive inside of me. I carry it in all my conversations with myself and others. Even my yoga studio offers conversations on Thursdays.  Heart love💝

I get up and move every morning, rain or shine.

Start My Day Right

Oh, gotta love that morning routine! I am  lazy to get out of my bed. I like to play my day in my head while my husband takes up space in our bathroom. Anything to enjoy being in my haven. I get up and kiss him good morning as I make my way into the bathroom. I brush my teeth, scrape my tongue, wash my face, use my homemade Chamomile toner, massage my homemade calendula shea butter into my face utilizing gua sha, and salt rinse and oil my nose. I get dressed for my workout and get to stepping. When I get home, I eliminate, shower, and abhyanga my poor muscles. Depending on my hunger, I will eat or get away with a hot tea to begin my next session of my day.

Anything can be nourishing if you can be mindful.

Mindful Movement

I love my body so much. It took some time for me to say it, let alone write about it. My body was home to my three babies. My body endured pain, life, regrets, and abuse. It was me who blocked it out. If I can love others, I sure as hell can love myself. If I’m moving with purpose I can tend to my body’s needs and get into my day helping others.

Yogi Outro

I am enjoying the longer days, and the heat is welcoming to my cooler body temps. I find the line so very thin between moving my body all day and rest. Am I being lazy by resting? Am I lazy because I want to read in my hammock and enjoy the cool morning breeze? Maybe, but I have to be ok with it. I love to cut corners so I can have my lazy, restorative practices. It’s a balance and going, going, going will lead to burn out. I am learning to enjoy the pauses and enjoy watching my seeds grow.

Namastè!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Inner Wisdom✔️

Hè, friend!

I think it’s safe to say we are all going through shit. We all have over commitments and piles of people with needs from us. We also have our needs, but where do they go? Oh yeah, on the back burner or straight into the dark realms of “someday”.  I find myself disengaged and overwhelmed in these distractions of daily life. I can’t help the world if my world is heavy. So, now what? Well, after I identify the problem, a solution will slowly work its way into my life. No one is responsible for me and how I feel. I  believe that my desires change due to what shows up in my life. I accept what I have and what I can change. If I cannot have it or change myself to get it, then I do not need it. You feel me?

I recharge outside so I can radiate positivity💖

Know What You Are Digesting

I don’t feed into the hype that doesn’t define who I truly am. I am not an angry person naturally; I cannot listen to the news without the biased news feed pissing me off. So, guess what, I don’t listen. I listen to music and podcasts that shine life into me. I dance instead of fight. I invest in my higher self by feeding myself good nourishment. We digest everything that comes into contact with us. Sights, events, negative self-talk, pollution, SPF, bug spray, toenail polish: you get the point. So, if you are constantly not feeding yourself things that are lighter (comedies, friends that you enjoy, meditation) or brighter (sunshine, standing up for yourself, self-care) you will fall victim to all the heaviness. More is more so that can spill into your relationships with others, work, food, all corners of life. I am just sharing my experience so far. Life is super crazy! One day at a time though…

Thanking God for these 24🕰

Processing Memories

I remember as a kid, I spent a lot of time by myself. I loved to explore nature and found myself at the local nature park every morning. Early! I would wake up and get on my bike and explore. Back then, I was not required to update my parents before I left. I actually had more freedom at that age than when I was a teenager. Another story, though. I remember the smells of Spring, Winter, Fall, Summer. They sing to me in my memory as I stroll through the same area in my 40’s. Memories don’t fade in time. They sit and wait for a chance to shine. I love my memories, even the bad. I spent thousands of dollars to work through the bad ones and changed my perspective. I am no longer a victim. I am a survivor and damn good at my life. CEO **pop that collar**

If you really want to party with me…meet me at the lake:)

Forgive

I will not pretend that forgiveness is easy. I lived with pain, and the pain would make me sad, and I wore a heavy mask of anger. Anger is my secondary emotion. I lost a lot of self-respect due to my anger. It put me in a constant but familiar cycle, and I didn’t know how to pull the brakes and get control of my life. My only life. I learned to be ok with how I turned out. I found beauty in my pain and slowly rebirthed my thoughts. My thoughts had new meaning because they had a goal, an end. I sit with my thoughts a lot. A thought is just a thought until you act, right? I acted my whole life, so why not try something new. Just because someone/something took my trust and shattered boundaries doesn’t mean they/it has to take my power, too. I forgive and move forward. With my newfound knowledge, I steer clear of reoccurance and thrive. Knowledge is power.

Nourishment😍

Yogi Outro

I am so at peace with my weekend plans. No market due to the rain. No swimming due to the rain. No food truck with my bestie due to the rain. I refuse to let things outside of myself set my mood. I can do fun things in the rain. I learned to like new experiences. I find I really like to be rained on and run through puddles unexpectedly! This is fucking life! Nothing is going to ever go the way I want it to go. I learn to live in the chaos and enjoy myself. I will be fine dancing in the rain and cuddling my sweet girl, Alex, when the thunder is a bit too loud. I bring comfort to myself so I can share my love with my loves. I am powerful and in control.

Wanishi!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Spring Detox

He, friend!

I am enjoying the last few weeks of Spring and I wanted to share my detox plan that works for me to get my body boosted with fresh spring nutrients and slowly challenge my digestive system to digest fresh nettles and dandelion greens. I love all the spring herbs green onion, cilantro, parsley, garlic mustard. The best morning juice is green and spicy and gets my digestion fired up and ready to digest lunch. I also get to re-evaluate what I’ve been doing the past season and analyze what needs to go and what can stay or be tweaked. I include things I’m reading, listening to, and watching on TV. I absolutely adore my much-needed Spring detox.

Alëmatae- flower beginning to bloom🤩

Morning Routine

I find the morning time to be the best time for me to get my heart rate up and my body moved. I also get my daily steps completed before 8am. For my morning nutrition, I get the kettle going and make a big 32 oz hot tea with lemon and ginger. I will sip on this throughout the morning. I typically make 2 big batches of juice, one is a green juice with cucumber, celery, green apple, spinach, kale, ginger, lemon. The 2nd juice is beets, oranges, turmeric, ginger. I will choose either juice for my breakfast while I work and get through my morning. I make sure I get moving during my morning break if I’m working. Or get outside and water my garden.

Fresh green juice beams me up with nutritional power and gets my tummy grumbling💝

Lunch

I love a green lunch! My body craves the bitter greens and I even allow a small, sweet dessert when my digestion is at its peak. I have been loving a good buddha bowl. The Sunday before my work week, I will cook lentils or beans that have been soaked for 24 hours. I roast a mix of veggies I am craving that week. I love a good lemony tahini sauce and/or a pesto (garlic mustard, mustard greens, or beet greens). I will see what herbs I have ready in my garden and place them in my fridge in a plastic bag covered jar. This is the quickest throw together lunch that keeps me in check and temptation to eat processed foods at bay. I even make big batches of Spring soup with nettles and freeze leftovers in individual bags I can defrost in a pinch.

I make sure when it’s time to eat that I am centered and focused on me eating and tasting every bite and fully chew, chew, chew. Mindful eating is amazing. I mean, when is the last time you ate in silence and ate intentionally? Try it on and see what changes for you.

This is not my typical meal, but I sat under this oak tree and ate in silence, enjoying the view🥹 mindful eating wins every time!

Dinner

I like to make sure I am eating while it’s still daylight. I also make sure I am eating small. I know, I know. It’s so different how Americans are taught to eat. We have a huge dinner meal and make sure everyone is seated to eat at the table. Iced drinks, wine, beer, too much water. We get stuffed and watch TV or find something to run to instead of allowing our body time to digest. I get it, I have so much I love to do but I have to honor myself. What isn’t completed by dinner time can wait, if not, see what you can do before the sun goes down and eat dinner outside while watching the sun disappear. I enjoy a salad or soup or both! I just limit the portion and eat until I’m content. I like to eat around 5pm. I used to run straight to yoga but since my yoga is done in the morning recently, I have time to slow down.

I like to connect with my plants I water at night. I love to enjoy my backyard and read in my hammock swing. I find nature to cure me from my typical boredom of not doing anything. I allow myself this time to do nothing. I schedule it and find comfort in my backyard.

Yogi Outro

I feel the heat of the summer getting closer. I will be busy moving my body and keeping my mind in check. Digesting thoughts and experiences of the day are crucial to keeping me open and flowing in a flourishing state. I have fell off my daily journalling and I plan on getting my habit back in motion. I find as the seasons change, so does my digestion and what I need to eat. It’s always best to eat in season and that is exactly what my body craves. I feel my digestion kick start and I can feel when the food leaves my stomach! It’s amazing to be so intune with my body and learn what happens when I slow down and digest. Happy Spring cleaning!

Namastè!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.