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5 Tips to Create More Consume Less in 2015

2014 included a lot of down time. Which meant lot's of reading, Pinning, subscribing to newsletters, following blogs, adding podcasts to my Stitcher list, audiobooks from the library (who loves free?!), and general consumption of incredible amounts of information. So much good! And then there comes that moment when it's all spinning around in your brain and it's just. too. much.

When my brain is * all jazz hands * all the time * there is no quiet space.  

No room for that one big idea to be born. No space for that quiet whisper that has led me to so many greater places than I could have planned myself.

Lately, I'm reading more about how to blog than I'm blogging. Swallowing more ideas on ways to heal than I'm actively making time to heal. Somethin's out of whack here. Yes there is a time to learn and boy howdy do I love Google and YouTube for a quick how to. It just seems that far more learning comes from the doing. You know what I mean?

2015 is going to be so freakin' amazing! I'm planning it well: Plan A, Plan B and the one the Universe actually delivers. I will be ready.

Here are 5 ways I plan to consume less and create more in 2015:


1. Take Scheduled & Unscheduled Information Breaks

• Every Sunday will be screen free. Even Instagram. Gasp!
• We don't have a TV (or watch on a laptop) and plan to keep it that way.
• I listen to radio news only (local and national) and not everyday.
• Once a month I'm scheduling a three day information break. All books, audio, radio, screens (accept necessary email), newsletters, magazines- all information. I'll use that time for a mix of creating stuff like writing, and creating quiet through more yoga and tiny hikes.
• When I start to feel that spinning feeling, I'll know it's time for an unscheduled break.

2. Unsubscribe Ruthlessly 

• When I get all excited about something (green smoothies, anyone?), I can go a little overboard subscribing to newsletters, adding blogs to follow, and generally signing up for way too much information. After the dust settles (7 days or a few months), unsubscribe ruthlessly. If you find yourself deleting without reading, just unsubscribe. You can find it in a hot second if and when you really need the info.
• When money blocks were a big growth area I was focusing on, I subscribed to over a dozen money manifesters, money block coaches, and the like. I got a feel for each, how our style worked together or didn't- then unsubscribed ruthlessly. 

 My new rule is follow 3 people for each focused subject if I want to dig deep, stay focused, and learn. 

• Same goes for junk mail and sales calls. Take the extra minute and ask to be removed or call and request it. Worth it.

 3. Schedule time for blog and newsletter reading.

• 2 hours a week (1 hour 2x a week)- 8-9am Thursdays and 2-3 Tuesdays are on my calendar to read newsletters and blogs. If it takes more time than that, it's time to unsubscribe and make tough choices. Staying focused is helping me do more with my time and energy. Workshops and self paced classes are different and scheduled in as I can manage them. Thanks to Courtney Carver for the 2 hour max idea!
•   Create a filter in your gmail so newsletters automatically are filed in their own special folder. No wasted time moving them as they come in or tempted to get off task and down the rabbit hole!

Tutorial on Turnstone to create filters and another from Google.

4. Set a daily goal for creating. No consuming until you have created.

• My starter goal is 100 words a day. No email, blog reads, or even instagram until that is done.

 5. Fill your self up so there is more of you to give! 

• More staring at the sunset. 
• More standing under trees. 
• Sitting by the sea side. 
• Pausing in the middle of anything for a few needed long, filling breaths.

What moves you? What fills you up? What feeds your creativity?

Leave me a comment below. I'd love to hear!

xo,

Amy

30 Day Plank Challenge ~ Free Pretty Printable!

One of one hundred things I love about my sweet yoga practice, is coming to the mat and just accepting where ever I'm at today. Yesterday I may have been able to go further in a pose. Maybe today one side is looser than the other or I feel more stable- or less. Paying attention and taking in that information with love is helping me grow in so many ways.

With a lower energy these last few months, both my stamina and physical strength are low. That's okay. It makes sense and I am celebrating all that I've been investing in healing.

Now I'm ready to start building back up so I can increase my stamina and hang in there longer. Whether it's at Mommy and Me class, finishing up the dishes after dinner (instead of in the morning), being able to say yes to a friend date that happens after 11am when my energy is fading. Yes. I said 11am. I'm ready to start building back up what has had to be torn down in fighting this dis ease.

Not with crazy goals of hittin' the gym every day or crazy cardio I'm not ready for.
I'm showing up on my mat.
I'm taking long walks.
And giving myself this plank challenge to start building strength to create even more in my life.

If it speaks to you- please join me!
I have a blue, orange, and light orange for you to choose.
Just print it out.
Do it.
And tick the box- done!

To download 30 Day Plank Challenge in blue click here

To download in orange click here

and in a lighter orange click here 

I have a blue, orange, and light orange for you to choose.
Just print it out.
Do it.
And tick the box- done!

Yoga Journal pointers for a strong plank.
Ready to step it up? Mix in some side planks. 
Let me know how it goes for you with a comment below. I'd really love to hear!

xo,
Amy

Easy Cinnamon Sauteed Persimmons

Almost 500 persimmons were gleaned off the happiest little tree a couple of weeks ago by the Mister, Em, and me. Fuju Persimmons are the kind that you can eat right off the tree, like an apple. Throw them in a pan for a few minutes and they get softer- and sweeter.

Sauteed Cinnamon Persimmons

2 TB ghee (or other quality fat: coconut oil, butter, bacon drippings, etc)

6-8 persimmons, sliced and seeds removed (I do not peel)

1-2 tsp cinnamon (I like to go big with cinnamon)

pinch of Himalayan pink salt

* a few slices of apples add quite a bit of sweetness and deliciousness

Heat pan first. 

Add fat until melted.

Toss in just the persimmons and other fruits if using.

When beginning to brown, turn off heat.

 Toss with cinnamon and pinch of salt.

Enjoy!

You might enjoy:

Nourished Kitchen has a full post on why her family, like ours, keeps a good stock of ghee. I trust her recipes and information as a valued source to nourish my family with food.

I keep track of recipes I've tried- and want to try- on Pinterest. Join me there and let's share!

This would be sooo good in Baked Oatmeal with extra chopped apples thrown in the pan.

Random joy: Bill Murray "You're awesome" bath mat. Because you are. And you have to shower anyway so why not be reminded?

xo,

Amy

10 Pick Me Ups for the 3pm Slump

My mind and my soul embrace the day between 7am and 10am. Some days I have more energy than others. Like most people, I hit a wall somewhere around 3pm. Can't go over it, can't go under it, we'll just have to go through it. Here are 10 little pick me ups I sometimes pull out to get me through with greater joy. Or least I'm far less b*tchy.

1. 10 jumping jacks. Or 2. It depends.

2. Plank! 10 seconds...sometimes 60. Yes, just one.

3. Go outside, feel the sun (or fog...) and breathe. Long and slow. 

4. Walk up our hill and back down again. Sometimes around the block. Sometimes for an hour. But for a quick pick me, up and down the block with pep do the trick.

5. Make Dandelion Root Tea and pretend it's coffee. It's pretty darn close!

6. Powder my nose. Brush my teeth, fluff my hair, put on some fresh balm and let the world know I'm ready to make my entrance! Again. Or least back to the kitchen with a more shine. I swear this actually works.

7. Drink a big glass of lemon water. Preferably with a few cucumber slices.

8. One slow, thoughtful Sun Salutation. It helps that I wear leggings with or without stretchy skirts pretty much every day.

9. Pop off a love note. Text my kids something I love about them (the big grown ones, that is), a card that just says hi to someone near and dear, or just text a friend I'm thinking of them.

10 Sit by the sea. This has been my draw since I can remember. The ocean. It helps that I have always lived minutes from the beach. Did you know the salt in the sea (and the Earth) contain negative ions that help zap out all the positive ions bombarding us from technology and even dis-ease? I thought I was just a beach girl. Turns out, my heart has known all along where I need to be. 

Bonus:

11. Dance! Sometimes I can go forever, sometimes I finish the song dancing on the floor down with Em but the rule is I have to finish the song. This is Emily's favorite little trick!

What gets you out of the 3 o'clock slump and ready for the rest of your day? Leave me a note below and maybe I can add a new trick to my bag, too.

xo,

Amy

Saturday. Billy Bragg, Vermicomposting, Yoga Workshop. And Breakfast.

Happy Saturday! Breakfast from the garden (mostly). Love pulling out our home dried tomatoes from summer farmers markets. Tomato plants are not happy growers in our foggy little garden. Kale and greens thrive and we are so very glad.

Today I'm listening to some old Billy Bragg songs.

Headed to a yoga workshop at mBody on Energy Management using holistic health tools by Malia of namasteslo. Yes, please.

Tidying up the worm bins. Have I mentioned we are vermicomposters? 

Yes, it's going to be a lovely day.

How about your Saturday? Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear!

xo,

Amy

Leaving Space for Miracles

You know the one about the guy who is waiting for a miracle on top of his house during a flood? It goes something like this...

As the flood waters begin to lap at his rooftop where he waits for a miracle, his neighbor comes by in a rowboat. "Hop in!" says the neighbor.
"No thanks, God will save me."

Shortly  after, a speedboat appears and he waves it on.

A helicopter hovers overhead. "Grab the rope!"
"No thanks, God will save me."

Not surprisingly, the man has his chance to meet God in the hereafter and asks, "God, I had faith. Why didn't you save me?"
God replied, "I sent a rowboat, a speedboat, and a helicopter. What more did you expect?"

I like that guy. I want to be his neighbor. To wave everyday to someone with such an open, trusting heart that the Universe/God will provide.
I feel I've been doing the opposite these last many months. I've been working hard at this healing thing. Taking my medicine, tinctures, teas...doin' my yoga thing. Forgiving. Both myself and others. Meditating, manifesting, and keepin' it positive.

But I forgot one thing the guy on the roof has been doing this whole time.

Leave space for a complete and profound miracle that can happen in a single breath.

Maybe my next one. Maybe yours.
Because they happen every day.

Maybe my miracle is this long, hard, beautiful road of healing dis ease. Of peeling back the layers. Taking a good look and cleaning house. In every way. That is a mighty fine gift. I'm grateful for it.
But I'm going to remember- complete healing through the body, mind, and soul can also happen in that breath.

Let's leave space for that.

xo,
Amy

You might enjoy:

Just Breathe. Willie Nelson's version of a beautiful song.

Gabrielle Bernstein. Author. Miracle maker. Likes to keep it real.

Comfy tee for miracles makers like you.

PS I had a chance to connect with an old acquaintance who quickly became a Soul Sister to me in about 5 minutes flat. When talking about different healing treatments it was she who first said to me "It may not lead to your complete remission and healing in one go...but let's leave space for that." Be smart. Do the work that needs doing. And always leave space for miracles!

PSS by the way...