How Green Is My....Smoothie

Very very green in fact...
In a new set of posts I'll be investigating my own lifestyle changes and choices related to 'Going Green'. Join me as I discuss my personal observations of the benefits and pitfalls of accessing this way of living.

So first up...the inspiration...my VERY Green Smoothie, just made, now...*sip* which looked so surprisingly irridescent GREEEEEEN, that it made me stare...

The Recipe for VERY Green Smoothie

Home-grown Organic Oregano, Parsley and Mint...about a handful of leaf of each
A stalk of Organic Celery chopped into 'bits'
A 'slosh' of Organic Cloudy Apple Juice
A 'slosh' of home-made fermented Raw Honey and grated Ginger drink (I'll put that recipe up soon...)
Pulse the mixture in a blender to break up the larger leaves and celery bits.
Whizz on high for 30seconds to really break up the celery strings, then down to low setting for about 20 seconds.
Voila! A VERY Green Smoothie.
(yes, you will find crunchy things to chew whilst you sip)

So I bet you're wondering why I do this. Perhaps you're not, but I'm going to tell you anyway.
Going Green has become a catch phrase for some companies to make money out of guilting the public into 'doing their bit for the environment', by purchasing some stuff in a plastic bottle that says it is 'green'. "Well yeah? Prove it...", I say. I need companies to explain the ingredients are produced with a conscience. I know I can't get all my modern conveniences with this integrity of manufacture, but I want the majority of what I consume to be ethically produced. If I, one person, makes this a priority, and help other people to see this as a priority, then it continues the swell in trend and in turn influences the manufacture of goods, propagation techniques of agriculture, and ingredients within consumables. Thats how I can get ethically produced and manufactured goods now of course ;) People demanded it and so it is available for purchase.

In that train of thought then, how is my VERY Green Smoothie so green? 50% of the ingredients were grown organically on my property, needing no transportation to my house at all. The soil to grow my herbs came from my worm farm compost, comprised of broken down green waste from my house, and again, no transportation needed. The juice is organically grown from SE Queensland (where I live), as was the celery, both obtained from a local shop which I walked to.

Here in my VERY Green Smoothie, I've been able to use a naturally sweet raw ferment, (more about ferments in an upcoming post) and it works well with the dash of apple juice and the celery to balance. The *Zzzzing* comes from the Ginger! The herbs are powerful anit-bacterial, anti-viral, digestive aides and packed with Chlorophyll to help it all get into the blood easily.

So, in honour of the recently passed St Patricks Day, "Slainte!" And in tune with Earth Hour Day...or whatever its called... Happy green moustaches to all... :)

Jannette
xxx

Tuning into Love 026 - 'Its the simple things in life that make you Happy'

GratitudeToday, my children are arguing over what to play before we leave the house to visit family.
Today, I have changed the sheets on my bed and am looking forward to sliding into bed tonight with that 'clean sheet sensation' I remember from childhood.
Today, I've had a celery, apple, pomegranate, flaxseed oil and superfood powder smoothie for breakfast.
Today, the dining table is tidied, with a new white tablecloth and doiley.

There's not much to this Gratitude mindset. Its as easy as looking around to find that I live in a country with no war. To see that my home is comfortable, secure, pleasing and provides my family with a sense of place.

The simplest things in my life bring me the greatest joys, and the most significant expressions of progression (some of you may know these as 'challenges' ;] ). My home is a constant source of expression, solution-finding exercises, and sanctuary.

What's your simple joy?

"I embrace my child's unique expression"

"I gather the Love and Joy, Safety and Happiness, that my Home offers me"

"I am Grateful for the Peace around Me"

Love and Blessings
Jannette
xxx

PS: I love the idea of a Gratitude Book, but think that it would be a marvellous expression of a life's appreciation to assemble over a period of time. Wouldn't you love to receive a Gratitude Book about YOU from birth to adulthood that your parents put together? or one about the first year of marriage/partnership compiled by you and your partner? There are any number of ways you could 'time frame' your Gratitude Book, ... good project huh?

Forecast for March - Flying Stars

How does Time manage to ZOOOOOOOoooooom on by so quickly?!

This taken from the Annual Influences Guide 2011...

"Double Up months mean you shore up the most vulnerable areas of the East and South this year, making sure you have the Annual Influence Remedy or Cure in place.

Capitalise on the double up of the Wealth Star influence in the NW, NE and West, which indicates great energy from Creation, Progression and Contemplation.

Not a month to ask for promotion or to solicit help from your Family...as these matters are compromised by the double up of Star 2 and 5. Competitiveness in business is heightened with the 3 Star in the Vocation sector North."

NB: the remedies and or tips mentioned here are to be implemented in the sector being interpreted...

There is a potential this month for all who have an open Centre Palace in their homes and workspaces, to bring attention to what is real Joy and find Pleasure in Life beyond sensory stimulation. What is your heart's one wish? What would you do with today if there were no perceived limits?
Remedy: Bring brilliant Blue into the centre area of your building this month, ignite it with representations of Peace and Harmony.

In the East there will be a need to implement Metal in Shape and Colour and Sound too. Double up months mean you 'up the dosage' to your building. Avoidance is nicest when it comes to The Emperor Star. Quieten this space down if you can, use another door, sleep or work in another area of the building.
Remedy: Implement Silver, Gold, Pearl, White etc and Round or Globular shapes, play Piano or temple 'bell and gong' music regularly or have a metal Wind Chime in place.

Same goes for the South with the Star 2, however, double ups of Star 2 energy usually increase in clientele for businesses involved in any kind of healing, as people are attracted to the 'health' vibe of Mother energy that Star 2 emits.
Remedy: Salt Water Cure in rooms, and Sound of Metal outside in the form of a metal wind chime or bells. Add Kuan Yin, Mother Mary, Bridgit, Gaia, or similar, to bedrooms for connection to the highest vibrations of Mother energy.

The North has a infusion of 'get up and go' ambitious energy from Star 3, this is powerful stuff folks, but keep a rein on the Conflict potential.
Remedy: If in a family home I would suggest to implement Pale Fire colour, or brilliantly soft textures of Red colour. If a home office or study is in this area of the family home bring words like Peace, Fairness, Integrity, Kindness, Purpose, etc into the room with artwork. I would suggest the same for a workplace office, but perhaps just adding a red rug to the office or a red cushion for furniture there can suffice.

In the West that gorgeous Star 9 is doubling up its high energy. Expect to be Inspired towards being CREATIVE in any fashion this month!
Tip: Feed this energy with Wood representations. Lucky Bamboo in beautiful vases, leafy ferns, even 'mother in laws tongue' plants will work with this due to their Fire & Wood form. I'd leave a pad and pencil or similar in a room here,...no doubt you will be struck by insight and need to write it or draw it immediately :)

The NW has the Annual Wealth Star doubling up! I do hope you took advice and cleaned up this area in preparation for this double up. I have, for symbolism's sake, repaired 'gaps' in tiling in this area, and planted new seedlings outside ;) All in time to welcome in the mojo...
TIP!: Clean up and add some clean running water this month to this area of the property. If it is the front door be especially observant of opportunities coming your way as you activate this influence with thoughts and Human Chi...powerful stuff also.

The Authority Star 6 in the SE area may prove to hinder or help your plans for any kind of wealth. If it has high quality energy to interact with you may see a 'governing body' or 'authority' within your life help you with wealth issues, however, if there is low level energy here in your property then you can expect to have plans thwarted with 'red tape' or other kinds of bureaucracy.
Tip: Give this energy a balance of Blue and Black for Water which may keep it 'moving forwards' and also Metal colours to support it. This makes me think of a night time sky, the cosmos, outer space, the infinite beyond...representations of galactic potential spring to mind as being helpful this month for Star 6.

The SW is going to get pretty Romantic with the Passionate Star 4 visiting this year and month.  This is the Connections sector and the arrival of Star 4 here intimates that those in relationships will find deeper meaning and deeper connection, while platonic relationships or friendships, will also benefit from the alignment with real loves...after all, that's what our Passions are.
Tip: Imbue the space with soft and touchable Pale Fire colours. Peach and Cherry blossom aplenty :) A float bowl of candles in pale pinks and reds will also provide the atmospheric touch to this influence.

The NE and the quality of Insight it can achieve this month is limitless.
Tip: What a great and perfect month to find that daydreaming place in the NE of your property somewhere. A gazing window, a picnic bench, a soft bit of turf outside on the lawn at sunset, an early morning pad around a courtyard in this area...all will bring you a reward of insight if you but spend the time. Star 1 is Wisdom and Ideas and its doubled up on the usual home of Contemplation...

The Autumnal Equinox is here for us in the Southern Hemisphere on the 20th, along with the Full Moon, mojo rising already ;) Cooler weather, blue blue skies and the ability to wear clothes with sleeves... ;D yay!
** Mercury Retrograde from just after the Equinox in March to approximately 22nd April may bring delays or issues with travel and technology...stay calm, plan extra time for all tasks, trust that delays are sent to slow you down for a good reason ;) **

SPECIAL OFFERS
During March purchase the AIG 2011 and you'll receive a free bottle of the 2011 Bach Flower Remedy 'Patience, Tolerance, Intuition' to help you get on track this month. If you've already purchased the AIG 2011 take advantage of 10% off the entire range of Bach Flower Remedies from www.HolisticTherapyConnections.com. Need a bit of help choosing? Just email me with a few of your questions and I can suggest a suitable blend from there. Bach Flower Remedies are all natural, non-toxic and do not interact with pharmaceutical medications.

Blessings
Jannette