Advocate for Change

I haven't had much time to be on this space. We've been enjoying a visit from out of town friends. Unfortunately the weather has been rainy and wet but it hasn't stopped us from exploring the outdoors. We walked along an easy trail and saw puffy ponderosa pine and nibbled on sumac berries. I have this bad habit of forgetting my camera memory card in my computer. Of course I only realize it the moment I take out my camera to capture some pictures. You'd think I'd have learned my lessons after the umptienth time but apparently not.

Also, I've been planning our local March Against Monsanto. There are around 400 marches being planned worldwide for this coming Saturday, May 25th. One of the purposes of the march is to raise awareness on how genetically modified food (GMOs) can negatively impact the environment and our health and to bring forward solutions. In Canada our four main GMO crops are corn, soy, canola and sugar beets and these four crops are in so many processed items at the grocery store. Products by General Mills, Campbells, Coca Cola, Heinz, Kelloggs, Kraft, Minute Maid, Nature Valley (and many more)... have been contaminated by GMOs. We blindly eat this stuff and feed it to our children. So join us this Saturday by checking if there is an event happing near you (monsantomarch.org) and advocate for change!

To the Beat of a Drum

The sound of a beating drum strikes a primal cord within me. My body wants to move to the rhythm and my mind finds comfort in the repetitious sounds. There is something about drumming that soothes and heals. Perhaps at some level drumming reminds me of my very beginning when I was lulled by the sounds of my mother's beating heart. I have always loved rhythm and beat.

At our farmers' market this past Saturday we had the opportunity to listen to some great drummers and participate in a drumming circle. If you've never tried this I highly recommend seeking out an opportunity. You don't need any musical experience and you will surprised by how fun and liberating it is.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Once every few months I have a surplus of avocados. It's a great problem to have, one that I wish happened more often. Since I hate wasting food I have devised an easy way for using up lots of avocado very quickly: chocolate avocado mousse. This mousse is chocolatey creamy goodness that even the most discerning eater will enjoy. My kids think it's the ultimate treat and apparently it makes an effective body mask.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Adapted from Vanilla Garlic.

2 to 5 avocados, peeled and seeded
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup honey
splash of vanilla (optional)
pinch of cinnamon (optional)
pinch of sea salt (optional)

Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend. Scrap down the sides and taste. Adjust seasoning as desired.

Linking to Real Food Wednesday and Whole Food Wednesday.

After a Rain Storm

There's nothing quite as refreshing as a big rain storms after a week of hot sunny weather. You can feel the earth sigh in relief as water seeps down into the ground. As I walk around my backyard the fresh smell of damp earth and cedar hang in the air. The soft mud and weedy grass stick to me feet. As much as I love hot sunny days a rain storm revitalizes me.

Seven Quick Takes Friday

 - 1 -

March Against Monsanto is happening worldwide on May 25th. There wasn't a march happening here so after some encouragement I started a Facebook event page. I didn't know what to expect since I'm fairly new to the area, don't have extensive local connections and have never organized anything like this before. Thankfully someone with passion and lots of experience has jumped on board. While the whole experience has been somewhat challenging, I am excited that there will be a MAM in our area.

- 2 -

I'm learning to be comfortable with confrontation. The ability to move through confrontation in a healthy manner is an important skill. So often we shirk from confrontation fearing that we'll be less liked, but if confrontation is done in such a way that the dignity and respect of all parties involved is upheld then it can be a very good thing. Being a peacemaker at heart I find confrontation difficult but as my view of confrontation shifts I am finding it easier to do.

- 3 -

Be the change you wish to see in your children. I received this bumper sticker from a fellow blogger from Australia. She is a nomadic mama with four lovely girls. I finally put the sticker on my car. Or more precisely, I put the sticker on a magnetic sheet which I put on my car. This way I can move the sticker around at my whim and take it off when I wash the car... which happens once a year.

- 4 -

"The Holy Spirit helps us to view others with fresh eyes, seeing them always as brothers and sisters in Jesus, to be respected and loved." We are so quick to judge each other. I think Pope Francis (twitter's @Pontifex) reminds us in today's tweet that we must move away from being self-absorbed and truly see others the way Jesus sees them. In light of the last few days I felt like he was speaking to me.

- 5 -

On a lighter note I am making this cake for myself this weekend. I figure since it's my birthday  I get to choose (and make) the cake.

- 6 -

I love the smell of clothes hung to dry outside. With the nice weather and my new laundry line I almost look forward to tackling the laundry.

- 7 -

To all mothers, both physical and spiritual, I wish you a happy mother's day and hope that on this weekend you will feel blessed.

Linking up to Seven Quick Takes.

Celebrating Spring with the Maypole

Flowers and willow branches were gathered for making flower crowns. The flowers were sorted by colour and the sweet scent of lilacs hung in the air. The children worked carefully as they weaved flowers and ribbons into their willow circlets. My eldest needed a little prompting to make his flower circlet, he would have rather been climbing a tree, but after watching the other children working on their circlets he choose to make his own out of parsley, kale and dandelions. With great ceremony the children carried the maypole out into the field. The maypole was staked and a ribbon was handed out to each child. To the sound of music the children moved around the maypole and eventually it was wrapped in an array of colourful ribbons. The warm weather which felt more like summer than spring, forced us to seek shade soon after and then we sought out the beach and cool waters. It was a wonderful way to celebrate spring.

Garden Journal (vol. 4)

It's the beginning of May and we are experiencing the fullness of spring. It feels more like summer with temperatures reaching close to 30C (86F) during the day. I have been meandering around my yard in Thai fishermen pants and bare feet willing my recently planted seeds to pushed through the soil. Over the weekend I planted carrots, parsnips, lettuce, kale, swiss chard, radishes, beans and some raspberries. Three of the four beds are filled leaving one for the tomatoes and peppers which I've been hardening off the last few days. Soon everything will be planted.

Planting my own seeds and watching them grow is a magical experience. The mystery of new life and the goodness that it brings simply amazes me. It might seem silly but in some way I have connected with the seeds that I've planted. I find joy in their tender shoots and sadness when they don't grow. I've noticed that this connection comes easily to my children. They rejoice at the sight of a new bud and rush to give water to wilting stalk. I think that simplicity and attentiveness allows a child to be more aware of these special connections, something that we adults should strive to rediscover.

Joining the Barn Hop.