.SOMETIMES RAW.

You are a great friend and the best sister I could ask for. Today you are 31 years old! Wow. Time just flew by! Do you remember when we played outside in the snow and were so tiny? [Almost as tiny as my eyes? :)] I am proud of you, my dear. Proud of you, that you still keep your marbles with TWO kids while I am losing mine with one. How you always try something new and keep your eyes and ears open to everything and anything. You are very loving, GOOD LOOKING, sexy, smart and just awesome! 

Happy Birthday again! I love you! And you know what I mean with this song. <3

Hello and Happy Saturday! 

The last couple of days were filled with this blooming, warm spring feeling even though it was actually pretty cold outside. Today was gorgeous however. Spring is my favorite season of the year. For me it means new life. I already see birds building their little nests and buds on trees that try to seek some sun. This season screams for something new, fresh and changes. I don’t have to tell you that I am a lover of spring cleaning. I just like it when things are clean and in order. Always did and maybe always will. I am working on cleaning my soul too which is quite some work but so worth it.

We did some work in my parent’s garden today which feels to me like meditation. Being in nature is wonderful and cleansing by itself. While we walked through the garden, inspected and decided what places need a bit of clean-up I also thought about myself and what I need to sort out and organize in my life. Where does it feel messy and where do I need to cut some branches, you know. This beautiful garden that even though it seems perfect the way it is needs some de-cluttering and so do I. 

I have to admit that I never looked at myself this way before I started meditation. And I am by far not where I would love to be but when I sit quietly in a room for example, I am able to see things within myself that are pretty amazing, calm and quiet. So what does spring mean to me? Sorting out things basically. All deadlines, my personal goals, my health and organizing and cleaning my house.

The entire world has read this book and even though I am not a big fan of it, I have to say that there are some great tips on how to clean and organize things in one’s life. Maybe to read it now it is more inspiring or makes more sense.  Spring cleaning is great for letting go and looking through stuff that is lying around all over the place.

Deep breathing and fresh air feel so much different in spring than in winter I reckon. Today I enjoyed that we could open windows and doors and just let in some fresh April-air and the air was warm. I also want to open doors within myself and welcome new opportunities and challenges. In a way I learned again  to deal with whatever comes my way and make the best out of any situation. Whatever life throws at me! While I am typing this, my son is sick in bed with a cold. Poor little guy. Life is not always smooth sailing. And when you think you have it all figured out, life gives you another task or challenge to work on. Just breathe. 

The days grow longer and lighter (yay, sunset at 7.15 pm today!) and it feels that my heart just follows along. People are happier and more content it seems and they smile more often. Haven’t you noticed? Finally, the cold, snow and the winter are not on people’s minds anymore but rather BBQ’s. While I sat outside and listened to birds I tried to figure out what grows and changes in my personal life’s garden. What type of attitudes do I still struggle with or what bad habits am I willing to finally break? My mom always says that there are no weeds in nature; everything has a reason why it grows usually at a spot where you don’t want it to. However, I do want to get rid of some weeds of negativity that are seemingly popping out of nowhere in my head and try to replace them with positive seeds that will eventually inspire and encourage me to learn and see something new. 

Do you love spring as much as I do? I would love to hear from you. 

Hello and Happy Wednesday! 

A couple of weeks ago I asked my mom about this huge plant in my son’s bedroom and that I have no clue what it was. My mom gave me the side-eye and told me that it is one of her Aloe Vera plants. “Aloe Vera”, I thought. Yes, I have heard about the health benefits of this plant but I don’t know too much about it actually.  So I read a bunch about it and how good this plant actually is for us. Aloe Vera is known as the “plant of immortality”  and can be found in India, Africa or even Southern California. Aloe Vera has a plethora of great skin benefits as well.  Wednesday I plan a post on two new face creams I made with real aloe vera in it so stay tuned for that. 

First things first however. Aloe Vera has a very high level of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The plant has so many benefits for the body, health, hair and skin. I bought an Aloe Vera drink the other day and it was delicious and refreshing. Then again, making my own is so much better because no preservatives are added and I know 100% what is in my smoothie. 

Some health benefits of the Aloe Vera Plant: Simply cut the leaves and squeeze out the aloe gel. When I had problems with acne or pimples I put some of this gel on my face and the pimples were a lot better the next day. Sunburn or minor burns? I had lots of sunburns as a child and my mom used to say that Aloe Vera helps when putting it on the burned skin. It did help and it was also a huge pain relief. The gel has a moisturizing consistency while being anti- inflammatory. Insect bites? Same thing! I read that Aloe Gel is also good for damaged hair or split ends but I have not tried any recipes yet. Do you have any recipes or ideas? Please do share!

I did make my own Aloe/Cucumber Smoothie the other day and it was yummy. 

How to: (serves 2)

 2 cups Coconut water

1 medium size Cucumber

1/2 lemon

2 medium aloe vera leaves

a bit of honey

1 avocado (for a creamier texture) 

You need to cut the aloe leaves lengthwise into halves. Then scoop out the gel with a spoon and add with all the other ingredients to the blender. Enjoy! 

Have you ever used Aloe Vera straight from the plant? Do you have any recipes you want to share? I would love to hear from you.