Me Want! Me Want! Me Want!

Yes, this is all about wants! There's a lot floating around inside my head so I'm putting it down here to create some more space 'up there'. hehee!

A Hubby - well, a hire-a-hubby to be exact. None of this permanent biz, just someone to come by, fix things and leave. Ha!
Fly screens for my new home! (seriously, why aren't there any?!)
Washing Machine - that fits into my little washing machine spot. And that doesn't leak.
New showerhead! That has really strong pressure. Is that a showerhead thing? Or water pressue? Hmm...
Photo frames - ikea, here I come.
Hair Straightner - Hair cut & Colour
Massage
Physio
PT sessions
New jeans
New winter clothes & a pair of shoes

But mostly, I want to be debt free.
Let me tell you, a lot of this stuff is actually pretty necessary - well, stuff that I deem necessary. It's interesting putting it down in writing though because you see just what you don't really need. The bolded items are the ones I'm getting first up, the rest will have to wait a little.

Here we go! x

New Home, New Season

I love that just as Autumn has settled firmly into the atmosphere, so it is that I have settled firmly into my lovely new home.

I love autumn - it's a close 2nd to Spring. The temperature is dropping, there aren't so many bugs around, hayfever is non-existant... it's a wonderful transition time - and change is my middle name right now.

I spend the whole of Saturday moving - I got the keys to my new house that morning, and moved in immediately. It was a good move - all things considered - I was really organised, everything was in boxes, the removalists were fabulous. Then they left and I was surrounded by a mountain of boxes, so what did I do? I did what any new home-occupier in their right mind should do... I went shopping. ha!

I had a ball, I purchased some practical goodies - food and flowers : ) Then it was time for the real work to kick in, and I must say I was surprised at how far I've come in just a couple of days. I have worked my butt off and I'm very smiley at how things are coming along. I even made it to a yoga class yesterday afternoon (after much debating) to stretch out this sore and tired body of mine - and how grateful that I didn't listen to my head and stay home. Sometimes I really just need to get out of my own way! I also have today off work (phew) to settle some more.

The only thing not so fabulous in this whole move is the $$$ going out. Double rent, connection fees, removalists, ugh! But it's probably a good thing in that it will make me tighten my belts - let's see how little it is possible to live on this month!

Till next time with photos,
shiny xx

Hello, you GORGEOUS people!

Just curious, friends, when was the last time you looked into a mirror and addressed yourself as "Gorgeous," "Magnificent," or "Sublime"?
Friends, it matters.

Isn't that a beautiful sentiment? Dear friends, remind yourself daily of these ideas by signing up to Notes from the Universe. They'll make you smile!

Baking.. Throwing.. Baking

So tonight I'm off to a first birthday celebration and I'm on babycakes cupcake duty. I bought 3 packets (not quite up to the making from scratch stage yet) and got up bright and early to start baking. So homely! But alas, one batch done and only when I got to baking the 2nd batch did I realise I forgot to add the oil - hence my babycakes were more like baby ROCKS.
Throw!

Batch 2 is in the oven now, let's see how they go (fingers crossed!)

I've been a bit sick lately with a funky virus going round - it comes in waves, I feel good and then like death warmed up. Part of the reason I was also up so early this morning was because I wanted to go to Body Mind Life for a Power Yoga class - but it's just not going to happen, I feel my belly is going to explode. Blah. Not pretty, this funky sickness.

Felt pretty average yesterday too (came home sick from work on friday, when it all started) but did manage to pick up my special order from Phoenix Rising Books - my Voice of Knowledge audio cd's. Don Miguel Ruiz is someone you have to check out if you're not across him. We heard some of this CD in my recent yoga training and it was phenomenal - I just had to track it down! Whilst in the store, I also came across a fab collection of Pema Chodron cd's (a 3 set!) for meditation. Lucky I hadn't transferred $$ into my debit card account or I would have also purchased What About Me, the dvd. All good purchases - not so good for the debt payoff plan though.

However, I've commenced my mentoring course in yoga and need to up my personal practice, and timewise, meditation looks like the only practice I can fully commit to daily. So the cd's are great : )

Now.. off to ice some cupcakes. Much love x

I forgot my computer password

...and it feels GOOD!

I've been away on a yoga teacher training retreat with Baron Baptiste for the last week and I feel so wonderful, strong and powerful! I did a Jivamukti class this morning and did a jumpback from Bakasana to Chatarunga (one of my first!) and also side bakasana with extended legs - first time! Not only did I do them but I felt stable and strong, it was amazing!!!

The training meant a week without a computer, email, tv, mobile phone or newspapers (or coffee!)... and it was bliss. So when I jumped onto my computer just a moment ago to prepare some notes for the partner yoga workshop I'm teaching tomorrow, I had to think for a few moments to remember my password. Not that is a true sign of getting away from it all!

It was a little scary coming home and putting the tv on for the first time - one, because of the noise (what an assault!) but two, because of the devastation of the Victorian bushfires. Hundreds of people have lost their lives, and thousands of people have been affected. On the day prior to Love Day, pls be generous and give in any way you can - it doesn't just have to be $$. Some wonderful ideas are here.

Namaste x

29 Gifts Challenge

I recently discovered the most beautiful movement - a worldwide giving movement called 29 Gifts. What's it about? Well, as the title suggests, it's positive community helping to create a revival of the giving spirit in the world. I'm giving a gift to someone each day for the next 29 days. Simple!

There are already more than 2,000 people taking part from 37 countries and the goal is to grow the movement to 20,000 givers as soon as possible. Think you'd be keen to join in? Just sign up at 29 Gifts and commit to give away 29 gifts in 29 days. You can start your personal challenge any time, and your 29 Gifts can be anything... money, food, old clothes, smiles, your time, kind words or positive thoughts.
WHY SHOULD YOU DO THIS? To inspire more generosity on our planet. Because to see our world change, we have to do something to change our world. Plus, the best way to attract abundance into your own life is to be in a perpetual state of giving and gratitude.

x

the power of a good cry

Last night I heard a friend talking about how he has just been crying so much lately - his dog died, his relationship with his partner ended, and lots of personal issues are cropping up.

He has balled on his own, he's balled on the phone, he's balled to his friends, he's balled in the car, he's balled to a therapist. It's been a festival of balling. But in that sorrow, he's found such release.

He talked about how he could never cry - on his own or in front of people; That he'd just hold it all up inside. But that in allowing himself to cry now, he's feeling as though he is processing his feelings - he's feeling his feelings.

I would say that most of us probably don't sit with our feelings all too often. I can confidently say that regarding myself, I am a master of not feeling - either by drinking too much (things are bad, I'll drink. Things are good, I'll have a drink. Things are whatever, I'll have a drink....), or by being constantly busy (full time job, plus part time work, for the last 10 years!!). But over the last couple of months with all my health issues and personal work (therapy) I am really starting to feel and man, is it hard! No wonder I don't like feeling!

The tears that have been released from my body are INSANE - I think between my pal above and I, we could have fixed the drought problem Australia is facing ;) But after the initial shock of allowing yourself to let go and just try to get in touch with your emotions (happiness, guilt, anger, rage, sadness, depression...), it's such a glorious feeling - to be ALIVE.

So yeh.. have been working really hard lately on getting my health up to scratch (vitamins have not been absorbed in my body for a LONG time) with some medications, some injections, many doctors visits, many therapists visits, and also lots of SLEEP. I have not stepped on a yoga mat for a couple of weeks, but I've done loads of meditation instead. That in itself is a big thing - just stopping : ) And today I actually feel like I could go and practice yoga again, in fact, I'm itching for it. That is a god sign!

I've also given up on the alcohol, so that in combination with actually living - wow, things are full on for me but also really exciting.

And for that, I am grateful : )

Meditation

When I did my teacher training I got the hang of meditation. We did it so often that I really came to enjoy the practice - and found it not at all impossible to still my mind. Practice really did make (near) perfect!

But then life came along, and I stopped meditating so much.. and it's something I've been meaning to rectify.

I did go along to a phenomenal Yin Yoga & Meditation class a couple of weeks ago but since then that timing hasn't worked out for me. I'm definitely going to go back but in the meantime I've needed something to get me going.

Over the last couple of weeks I've started having panic attacks again - I used to get them years ago so went on a specific med that helped with anxiety as well as my depression.. and clearly they've stopped working! All in all I am going through a lot of personal stuff right now and with the rise of the panic attacks, what better time to find some peace wherever I can?

So this weekend I got up on a sunny Sunday and set my alarm for 5 minutes.. slow and small to start with. And WOW - what a pleasant surprise to find that it wasn't all that difficult after all? I did it again on Sunday night, and tonight - Monday, I did 10 minutes and nearly jumped out of my skin when my alarm went off (I really need to find a nice soothing alarm sound!)

I had to laugh when I heard a meditation teacher say once that people perceive the practice of meditation to be so hard, that they'll spend hours reading books on it and studying it.. all this time thinking about it - but no time practicing it. It's so true! So I'm hoping to continue with the practice - and fill my life with some much needed peace, in body and mind.

Need some help yourself? There are so many different types of meditation - from guided podcasts on the net, to classes in your area, to simply sitting down and focussing on a candle flame, or counting yr breath. I've learnt a few techniques in acupuncture that have been helpful to me - why not read up on some other ideas here, here or here?

xx

Yoga Retreat :: Celebrating Goddesses

There is nothing like getting away on a yoga retreat to get oh so excited and rejuvenated about yoga again!

clockwise from top left: decorations from nature!, prayer flags at the entrance of the gathering room with the fire, toe socks and thongs - practical and warm, the yoga room

I made it to my first yoga retreat in over a year (oops) this past weekend and honestly feel like a different person! Friday night we headed to Vijayaloka Retreat Centre in Minto Heights (under an hour out of Sydney) for a whole weekend of yoga, yoga and more yoga, and what a glorious time it was.clockwise from top left: shoes outside the rooms, the beautiful alter in the practice room, greenery outside the dining room, i found a spot of sunshine to write all my thoughts in my journal!

Friday night was a welcome, dinner (yummy vegan ayurvedic food supported our practice throughout the weekend) and meditation + chanting practice. We got to meet everyone (there were about 16 of us) and then quickly settled into bed for the night. It was freezing but oh so cosy with wood fires and many cups of tea.

Saturday morning we continued with the chant we learnt on Friday night as we commenced out 7.30am practice. The weekend was all about Celebrating the Goddesses, so many of the chants were about calling them to mind. Singing together as a group is really lovely – especially when it just doesn’t matter how in tune (or out!) you are. Closing your eyes and singing along is a forgotten art, I think! Seriously – when did you last sing with others??

The morning class led by Katie (director of Samadhi Yoga) was so glorious and just what I needed after a sick day off work on Friday with the never ending cold. We followed that class up with yummy porridge, fruit and more cups of tea, before having some free time to explore, go on bushwalks or read… me, it was all about settling in front of the fire to read! Shortly after we all came together again to have a lecture and workshop on Ayurvedic principles and to discover our very own Dosha (I’m a strong pitta/vata girl). (Want to find your own dosha? Check out this site - but note that this is a guide only!)

buddhas, buddhas everywhere! all around the gardens, as well in pot plants : )

Next up it was lunch – and let me tell you, after three days of brown rice, yummy vegie and bean dishes, salads and fruit, I have never felt so bright and clean. My skin is glowing – my eyes are getting comments! – and then more free time (what else to do but have a great nap?!). A Jivamukti class with chanting in the afternoon was up on the cards next, and then more free time. It was so great to be surrounded by like-minded friends, who were all excited to try new poses and meditations, to talk about our own yoga practice and just find things in common with.

After dinner that evening there was a chanting workshop but whether it was the fresh air or emotions brought up during the days of practice, I instead had a hot shower and snuggled up in bed with my journal and a book.

Sunday morning rolled around WAY too fast and again it was beautiful brekky, then another class with Katie. This time, it was a restorative practice – so lots of Yin Yoga, holding poses, meditation and a phenomenal savasana. I definitely had ‘yoga brain’ after this – I was all blessed out and on another planet! But sure enough it was time to come back to the land of the living, and enjoy our last meal together as a group. Lunch again was yummy and wholesome, and then it was time to go home.

Driving just 40 mins back home was an experience in itself! We weren’t too far from the ‘city’ at all but the I think it all took us time to adjust. We were very noise-sensitive, as you would be after a weekend of no phones, no radio, no tv and no traffic! Sunday night it was more journal writing for me and planning all the classes I want to go to this week! I am also completely hooked again on the study of yoga.. and am looking forward to getting online for a few moments to explore these options.

Have you ever done a yoga retreat? Whether it’s a simple day (Body Mind Life have a few day retreats that look interesting) or a week, taking some time to dedicate solely to this life-altering practice is so worthwhile. It gives you time to STOP and to BE PRESENT, which is something in our technologically advanced age that we rarely find time to do. So how about you make a commitment to yourself to do a retreat over the next couple of months? You won’t regret it – and I look forward to hearing your stories : )

**Want to go on one? There are many available, ranging in price and length. Head to http://www.findyoga.com.au/ and look at just some of the upcoming events & retreats.

I’m also holding a yoga workshop in about a month’s time, encorporating many elements I experienced this weekend. So stay tuned!

ENJOY xx

Eating Local

I have just finished reading “The 100 Mile Diet” by Alissa Smith & JB MacKinnon, and it was so interesting.

While eating local may not be the answer to everything (yes, it may be closer, but costwise it may not be sensible as just one fact) it raises the point that we really have become so far removed from our food. Not just physically – but on so many levels. I have no idea where my food comes from – whether in Australia or overseas. I have no idea how many pesticides it has been sprayed with, or how old it is!

Over the last 2 months my flatmate and I have been getting an Organic Fruit & Veg box deliverd (by The Organic Grocer) and the quality is amazing. See? Fruit really isn’t meant to go off and soggy within 2 days of purchase!! haha..

So I'm making a promise to myself to eat more local foods - and while I am not sure how things will go with this goal, I am interested in just finding out where my food comes from. How far it travels. Where it originates from.

It will be interesting : )

Has anyone else got any tips or does anyone know about this stuff? If so, please help this city gal out!!!

Fun posts:
Organic news and small family farms

ABC Local Challenge

The 100-Mile Diet – the book & site

Slow Food

Where the hell is Matt? You will love it!

>>>Where the Hell is Matt??<<<

This will make your heart smile : )

Food, glorious food!

My new housemate follows a gluten free diet, and it's interesting. I followed a gluten/wheat/dairy/sugar/red meat free diet for 3 months a couple of years ago for depression and it was amazing. I felt so full of beans and energy and my skin was so clear, it was phenomenal... and very hard to follow hah!

But it's not a 'choice' for my housemate, she medically has to follow this diet - her body don't like gluten!!!!

And while I follow a very heavy vegetarian based diet (with some fish thrown in) and love my lentils, brown rice and vegies, and feel that I eat quite well, well... looking seriously at ingredients in diets is fabulous.

I recently found Green Bean Dreams and it has made me really explore diet and sustainable living. This book has also excited my interest in food. And this blog.

Now.. I'm off, and I'm hungry ;)

Till next time.. x

Colour Week Mash-Up

You should never be somewhere and just say "Fuck it."

It should be a calculated, scheduled, premeditated choice. (Skinny Bitch)

Lucy at Nourish Me had this fun exercise where you turn to page 123 of your current read (for me, Skinny Bitch), count in 5 sentences, write the next 3. But for me, the next 2 just summed up a lot of where I am right now.. and where would that be? Sitting in the living area of my brand new home! Yes, I finally moved house on Thursday and while I am exhausted and want to cry from tiredness, I am so happy and somewhat all rosy inside.

I am now a Summer Hill resident, the furthest I've lived away from my 'hood since moving to Sydney nearly a decade ago, but it's gorgeous. AND... a lot cheaper.

So while this move is definitely calculated and premeditated, I have to say there's been a bit of universe involvement. I was looking for months, then decided to share house and came across a gorgeous old friend I went to uni with. This couldn't have been easier. The world really listens when you ask. : )

So apart from having a weekend at home unpacking and cleaning and purging (oh, and going to have a massage as I pulled a muscle in my neck lifting boxes, yow!), I have also been very still in myself and really loving life away from the busy-ness of N-Town. I've had numerous cups of tea. I've read and re-read the new issue of Yoga Journal without interuption. I've meditated (!!!). I've gone on a wander around the local streets and discovered the fabulous organic store (aka heaven!) just 2 streets away from 'home'. And I've even cooked.

I did however, miss out on the yoga course this weekend, which I'm pretty upset about. Spending the whole weekend with Simon Borg-Olivier is my idea of heaven - that guy is a modern day guru, or as close to one as I've ever met, seriously! - but I had to get the last few things from my old house, and really needed the time to settle. I've got a band in town this week from the UK so I know I'll have a busy busy one, so home time, when and where I can grab it, is good : )

So I'm very excited and inspired on the home front, obviously, but also on the blog front. Hula Seventy has given us the challenge of a Colour Week and I've been longing for a photo challenge for a while, so here goes. Tomorrow, it's all about green! Oh, and Hula Seventy gave me the inspiration from the official hostess - Curious Bird. Need some ideas? Check out all her links from participants!!

monday: green
tuesday: yellow
wednesday: orange
thursday: pink/red
friday: blue

In other news.. well, there's not heaps of other news. Moving takes up a lot of energy haha! So I'll leave you with that.. oh, and a big welcome back to Kachtus who brightened up my day when I saw her email.

Stay rosy guys xx

More inspiration to shake Pahootis

“Meryl Tankard… astonishing, superb, disconcerting.” Le Figaro Magazine

Internationally acclaimed for the emotional punch packed into her inventive choreography, Meryl Tankard is one of Australia’s finest contemporary artists. She continues to work around the world, with recent projects ranging from a sell-out Sydney Festival collaboration titled KAIDAN with Taiko drummers, to the new Broadway musical Tarzan.

I won 2 tix to see the amazing INUK2 at the Theatre Royal last week, and took Miss Em along with me for a night of fun. It was FABULOUS - but how can one describe the lightness of the dancers? The phenomenal choreography? The strength of the cast? It is a near impossible task to describe it all as eloquently as it deserves, but hopefully I've made a start.

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to see MONSTERS with Sylvie Guillam at the Opera House - where it was literally Sylvie and one other dancer on a blank white stage. So coming to Inuk2 and seeing a cast of 17 dancers all doing different things was a completely different experience - but both left me speechless! At time in both I laughed aloud, I gasped and had a sore mouth and jaw from smiling so much tehee

What a fabulous night!

31 things to do before I turn 31

1. go to a dance class here
2. go for a bike ride in centennial park
3. have $1000 in savings
4. pay off my credit card
5. have a private yoga lesson
6. have a kiss DONE
7. cook a new dish
8. join the food co-op
9. volunteer
10. meet M
11. watch a local theatre production DONE
12. take more photos
13. go on a date
14. watch 3 classic movies
15. read a classic novel
16. participate in woyopracmo DONE
17. go on a yoga retreat
18. go to the farmers markets
19. travel interstate DONE
20. go to a kickboxing class or women's self defence class
21. go swingdancing
22. go to the movies at least 6 times
23. buy at least 4 new bras & nickers
24. do a chanting class
25. go to a meditation class
26. go on a yoga retreat
27. teach a yoga workshop
28. live with more creativity (do the artists way?)
29. run a 5k
30.
31.

New Years Resolutions to make 08 my Best Year Yet

There was this cool little program that I was told about, and so I got stuck into it over the holidays and not only came up with some new years resolutions, but ways how to achieve them and timelines to make magic happen by. 2 weeks into the year/half way through the first month of this newness, I thought it was time to look at the list again.

Some things were good, but some things had slipped my mind.

One of them was more ME time.. including a 'me date', or as Julia Cameron calls them – artist dates. Same thing really – some time out of my schedule that I carve just for myself, to inspire creativity or more personally, happiness. I wanted to do simple stuff – perhaps do a home facial, full body moisturise, go to a park, have a cup of tea in a café while reading a book on my own, going to an art gallery… nothing too outrageous, but why then have I not done it yet? Well – tonight I am remedying that!

One of my bad habits is that I don't give myself enough 'me time' – I spend a lot of time on my own, but that's just chilling or reading or vegging out at home. So tonight I'm exciting my senses and catching up with a dear friend. We are heading to the gorgeous Old Fitzroy in Woolloomooloo (gee, it's been years since I've been there!) and we're checking out a show. Not even sure what the show is – but how much fun will it be to see some local actors strut their stuff and have a fun (free!) night out?

Really looking forward to it and then tomorrow is Friday – the end of the week has hit us! Hoorah! Work has been pretty intense this week – I'm in festival schedule hell, but slowly working through it. Good news too – I made it to yoga a few times this week, have been eating ok, not drinking (just can't when it's so busy at work) and feeling pretty dandy all round.

Hope you are all well x

Blame, Responsibility and Growing Up

People can tell you things over and over, but when you're ready, that's when you'll really 'hear'. With the new year I've been thinking a lot and doing a lot of introspection, and have battled with some of my habits and thoughts. Yes, I have depression - but what can I do about it? I've got to stop using it (and other things!) as an excuse, and start where I am, and move forwards.

Just tonight I was reading this fab blog, The Art of Manifesting, and I was ready to 'hear' one post in particular. I just had to share it - enjoy.

Blame vs. Responsibility
We need to take responsibility for all in our life. It is not blame. Blame involves shame and negativity and responsibility indicates spiritual maturity. With responsibility, you can look at your situation and say, “Hmmm…I created this situation. What am I suppose to learn from it? What is the belief behind it? What is the fear? How can I feel love here?” With blame all we feel is judgment and shame. With judgment we further block the flow of energy.

xx shiny

Seriously…

When did it become ok for me to let my house become so darn messy? I have papers strewn here, there and everywhere. I have clothes piled onto the lounge. The unmade bed is looking at me and it’s gotten to the stage where I have to create a pathway to get from one side of my house to the other.

Ok, so I live in a studio (ie. a room!) so it’s not like I can shut the door on the mess and have one clean room etc. But this is a joke. Living alone has its benefits – you can be as neat/anal or as messy/crazy as you want to, but it’s time for even me to have the spring clean happen. And gee, must say I’ve been inspired in part by Yublocka who is going hell for leather on this task!!

Other things on the radar – cooking! I have been pulling out some of my delish cookbooks and finding new yummy treats to make and create. You know when Spring arrives, warm weather beckons and salads are the order of the day? Well, that’s me. I also went on a full on detox for the first couple of weeks of August and was amazed at how great I felt, so I’m looking forward to doing a lot more of that. I am loving this book - so stay tuned for reviews of my culinary expertise ;)

I’ve also gotten a new job, with a new car (yay!) so anything new is a good time to set up some new habits. I’m all for fresh starts and habits in case you’d not picked that up ; ) The new car means I’ll be able to do big grocery shops at the farmers markets and also enjoy picnics, sunshine and road trips without the hassle of public transport. I’m excited : )

Hope yr all well! Oh - and a massive THANK YOU for all of you who have donated to my Yoga Aid Challenge. I'm trying to raise $250 for Barnardos by doing 108 Sun Salutes this October, and I'm happy to say I've only got just over $80 left to make. Care to donate a dollar or 2? Then click on the link and I am sending smiles your way : )

x

PS - for those who were asking what a Sun Salute is, check out www.shinyyoga.com and read all about it! x

to date or not to (speed) date

So my pals have been talking about speed dating lately, and you know, I think I might just be up for it. I think the problem with dating is that you get stuck in a whole date thing when really, you can tell whether you at least like a person a bit in the first few minutes of meeting them.

Stay tuned on that front - and hey, anyone have any stories?

Pedometre - OMG I can't believe how INactive I really am. I always thought I've been pretty active and yep, I do yoga, but I need to increase the incidental walking! Yep, definitely do.

Food & Alcohol - I've been going really well this past week (partly due to budget, mostly due to realising I need to be much healthier to improve the D). Lots of fruit, lighter feeling in the belly, more energy, no alcohol. This fresh food thing really is good - have you even noticed that Weight Watchers have now got Core Plan too?? (so no counting, but just fresh, whole unprocessed foods)

Courses - I enrolled to do a Body Cleansing Through Food workshop at the Buddha Bar up the road, and was so excited! However, it got cancelled due to weather - but my name is still on the list and they'll let me know when it is rescheduled for. I have realised that I need to have more things to look forward to - sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the day to day, so I'm looking forward to this. And speaking of the Buddha Bar, I got a massage there the other week with the wonderful Elaine, and I'm having another one next pay. Sure, it's a great treat to have a massage, but the benefits of touch and moving toxins through the body are amazing too, so I'm going to work on this.

Accupuncture - I am giving it a go next weekend. I am using it mainly for D but also for a few other reasons. I know that many times, a massage, a yoga class, a hair cut and an accupuncture session depends on the practitioner, so I am going to be patient, but I'm very excited.

Have any of you tried it? I am really looking forward to hearing from others!

Have a good week friends : )
x

To market... to market...

...to buy a fat pig. Home again, home again, jig a jig jig...

Whenever I head to the library I feel like I'm off to the markets on a little excursion - it really reminds me of when I used to be so so excited to go to the library as a kid, where I'd literally devour them. I couldn't get enough!

Then I started earning some cash and got into a horrid habit of living in bookstores and spending way too much money on the goods! It is one habit that I don't find too bad - I love having a library of books, but seriously, libraries are a much better (and cheaper) option!

So I went to Paddo Library today and literally walked out with a huge armful of books! I am loving trying new cookbooks as well, and um, although I did purchase this one, perhaps

you can check it out of your local library? It's GREAT!! Reviews and home photos coming soon :)

La Dolce Vegan - by Sarah Kramer

This is Sarah's 3rd book, and is focussed on vegan meals you can whip together in limited time... eg. after a long day at work and you don't want to be cooking for half an hour!

I have some seafood in my diet, but most of my meals are vego, and one thing I find really frustrating in vego/vegan cookbooks is that they include lots (+ lots, + lots) of ingredients that you need a teaspoon of or some such quantity, that can make a difference to the final taste, but it's not something I have in my cupboard. It's not something you can find unless you go looking (and asking) in a health food store... but not here in La Dolce Vegan.

Seriously - this book is great! Quick, simple, and I promise you you can just look in your cupboard (a half empty one at that!) and be able to make a most delish and healthy meal!


Stay tuned :)

ps - Oh Oh Oh! best part yet? The majority of the meals make 2 big servings, or 4 small ones. Do you know how GREAT this is for a single gal who lives alone? Sarah, I love you! I love you!!!