juice it up!

I never thought I would be someone to own a juicer.  No way, no how.  I rarely ate vegetables, never mind drink them!  But that all changed when I was inspired by so many stunning photographs of colorful juices and plates full of different veggies and fruits.  

I first stepped into the arena with smoothies.  Mixing different berries, and a banana together with things like kale and spinach.  I was buying kale!  How did that happen.  I had to look it up on the internet to see what it looked like prior to purchasing.  I had no idea.  Thank goodness for google.  

I thought that all the talk about how good a smoothie and juice makes you feel was hype.  Oh sure it is some type of magical potion, right!?!  Yet after mixing together my first concoction I was a believer.  

First I was shocked that I actually didn't mind the taste.  I wouldn't say I loved it, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  Banana is the secret ingredient.  It is amazing what one banana can do to a smoothie.  

After a while of blending together smoothies I got brave and purchased a Breville Juicer. I did a lot of research, asked many questions, and took the plunge.  I wasn't sure how to use it but I jumped on in anyway and pushed through different fruits and veggies.

My first juice consisted of:  lemon, green apple, spinach, carrots, and cucumber.  

It was pretty good.  What amazed me was that I normally do not eat cucumber yet once it went through the juicer I drank it without a problem.  This was the beginning of a whole new love affair.  

Some of the juices I make do not have a pretty color but they are filled with so much goodness.  Beets have become a fan favorite.  They are an instant pick me up and infuse me with energy!  

My favorite combination is:  beets, lemon, ginger, green apple, carrots, romaine, and celery

What I love about juicing is the process.  The time it takes to cut the veggies.  The manual process of pushing each item through the machine.  Pulling apart the juicer and cleaning each piece.  It takes time to juice and during that time I really feel that I am tending to myself.  

Green juice makes me happy.  It nourishes my body and fuels my mind.  I am so glad that I discovered green juice and took the plunge.  How about you?  Do you juice?  If so, what is your favorite combination?

"Nature itself is the best physician." ~ Hippocrates

(P.S. For full disclosure the link to the juicer is an affiliate link)

taking action

I love to dream and scheme.  To list out ideas, write down my biggest hopes, collage how I want to feel.  Yes, these pieces are a deep part of my self care practice.  They ignite the spark within me.  

I enjoy sitting down and wildly letting go.  It is in these moments that I identify what I am craving and unearth my deepest desires.  There is color and light.  Excitement and hope.  It is fantastically fun and freeing.   

This is the beginning phase and it is easy because there are no rules or expectations.   I can safely reach for the stars.  I can put down what is deep in my heart with out fear, embarrassment or risk because all I am doing it getting it out.  In this phase there is no thought about action or how to.  It is all dreaming and acknowledging what it is you truly want.  

The hard part comes in when you choose to say yes.  When you hold yourself accountable every single day to taking the steps towards making it happen.  This is when fear creeps in.  Fear that you don't deserve it.  Fear that you aren't good enough.  Fear that you can't make it happen.  

You stand on the edge embodied with uncomfortable feelings.  You want to give up, throw in the towel.  You don't like standing deep in this uncomfortableness.  Taking risk's is hard.  It comes with loss, fear, and the unknown.  You don't like not knowing where you are going to end up.  

But the only way to make something happen is to go after it.  To dream about it but to also take actionable steps towards it.  To choose the frightening yes over staying closed in.  It is not easy.  Oh my goodness it is not easy.  In fact it is terrifying and uncomfortable.  It doesn't feel good when you are deep in that middle ground working through the muck, risking your heart, and taking the chance.  

There will be times, many times when it will not go the way you wanted.  You will be disappointed, hearts will be broken, and many tears will be shed.  But through the hurt you will also be a little bit stronger, grown a little bit taller, and learned just a little bit more about yourself.  New tools will be added to your toolkit and the next time you risk you will be armed with different options, prepared to take on the uphill battle.  

We must risk.  We must take action.  When we stay small, cocooned in our own nest we never grown our wings and we never learn to fly.  And as Deb Talan says in her song Big Strong Girl:

"anything worth anything takes more than a few days and a long long night.  

postcard from the road

shake and groove

Some weeks aren't as easy as others
There are some weeks that are full to the brim
Your head is spinning and
You don't know which was is up and which way is down
Running from one thing to the next just looking for a bit of air to breathe

Yes, there are weeks like this
But then there is also some things to get you out of the funk like:
*  A good dance tune that can lift your sprits
*  A walk around the block
*  A chat with a good friend
*  A quiet moment alone at home 
*  A good old fashion girl movie
*  A nice hot shower

Go ahead give one a try!  It is never to late to change your mood.  
 

Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp

The above photograph shares precisely what New York Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp feels like ---JOY!  Yes, total and utter joy.  

This was my fifth year returning as a spectator and it feels like returning home.  Knowing my way around the airport, the feel of the hotel as I walk in, curling up into the most comfortable bed, seeing familiar faces and falling back in as if we had just seen each other yesterday.  It is good, so very good.  

Five years ago when I boarded the plane I had no idea what to expect.  This was my aunts dream and I was just along for the ride.  There were a bit of nerves about the unexpected and an excitement around what was to come.  

Never in a million years did I think that my heart would open up to an incredible family.  Yet it did.  There was this amazing Bomber Family that melded together so well.  It has grown and expanded and is still so strong.  For this I am grateful!  

These women inspire me.  They push me further than I thought I could go. They remind me that through laughter we can get through anything and that we have to show up and tell the truth.  They don't let failure stand in their way.  They keep on showing up and and always remember to have a good time.  

Yankees Camp has taught me that there will be moments when we will not be sure what what the situation will hold, but we have to take the risk anyway.  With no expectations and an open heart a whole new world has the possibility of opening up.  And that is exactly what has happened.    

I am forever changed from the individuals I have met at camp.  The kindness I have been shown.  The stories that have been shared.  The laughter, the goodness, and the beauty of being able to be wholly and unapologetically who you are.  

Yes, Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp is where dreams come true.  Where you put on the pinstripes and meet the legends. But it is also so much more than that.  It is friendship and love!  

Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp :: going back!

I am heading back to Yankees Women's Fantasy Camp for the fifth year in a row.  I do not play in the camp but love going each year to cheer on my three Aunts and the entire Bomber Team.  They suit up in the pinstripes and step out onto the field with so much happiness.  

It is inspiring to see these women show up year after year.  Fun is had and friendships have been formed. The love of the NY Yankees brought us together, but there is something so much more that keeps us connected.  I love going back each year and seeing these inspiring women.  It feels like home and they feel like family. 

I sit on the sidelines with the other amazing fans but I still feel so much apart of the experience.  There are some who will not be making it back this year and they will be missed!  

I am so grateful that my aunts took the chance and showed up to this experience.  I look forward to it each year.  It is like art camp for baseballs fans.  You show up initially for the baseball . . . but then the experience and friendships become so much more.  

It is going to be good, so very good!  Looking forward to some warm sunshine, lots of laughter, and plenty of cheers  . . .

Let's go Bombers!!!