Category Archives: motherhood

Om. Rinse. Repeat.

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What an emotional day around here… Thank goodness my little one always can make me laugh.

Finally, after hours of stress, I sat down in the living room, looking out over the back yard and said (half aloud) “I need to sit.”

I sat with my cup of Koni Radiant Beauty white tea and took a deep breath. Out of nowhere, Ella said, “oh! SIT as in meditate!? I have just the thing. Stay there, don’t start.”

She ran to her room to retreive her Zune and plugged it into the amplifier for the main house speakers. Ella selected one of her favorite albums: Mike Cohen’s Om Dattatreya and proceeded to sit with her back to mine.

She sat still(ish) for an entire song, and it was enough to give both of us a fresh start for the day.

Meditating briefly with the little one.

Tell me, how do you start over on a stressful day?

Weekend Hikes make Happy Girls

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Last Sunday, Ella and I spent some alone time together in nature.  We live so close to Maybury State Park, and have not spent nearly enough time there since she’s been born.

My friend John Colver was in town (riding his bike from Seattle to get here for the Five healthy towns party in Chelsea) a couple weeks ago.  I was fortunate to spend some time with him before he continued East, so I had the chance to see the area we live in through his eyes, which reinvigorated my enthusiasm for this beautiful state of Michigan!

Inspired by the beautiful weather, Ella and I headed for Maybury.  She is serious about her hiking.  She’s training to climb a mountain, since she overheard me asking Peter if he’d like to climb again with me.

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We did a 4 mile hike in just under 2 hours. It was so lovely to spend time together, talking, breathing, answering her questions and rescuing wildlife:

staying hydrated:

and loving on each other:

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It was the best bonding experience she and I have had in a long time.  We felt so much closer after time together outside, being “in the moment” and making plans for further adventures.

Cooking, Together

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I love cooking with my little girl.  She’s so interested in helping with everything.  It’s really an excellent investment of our time, and we love to spend time together in the kitchen.

I love having those extra hands but even more than her skilled cutting and washing, I love to listen to her talk about each step as she does it.

“Mommy, I’m trimming the ends.  Look, these little leaves are falling off.  Mommy, I’m putting the leaves in the pan.  Should we put all the leaves in the pan?”  Without a breath, of course.

Breakfast Chef

We used some fabulous Isa Chandra Moskowicz recipes, as usual.  We are spending a lot more time cooking and experimenting with new recipes.  I’m so happy with Appetite for Reduction and Veganomicon, and Vegan with a Vengeance, that I don’t know why I even own any other cookbooks. 

 

What’s your go-to cookbook? Do you cook with your children?  What’s your favorite part?  I’d love to know!