Catchin' Up to Lady December

So, I've done it again. Fallen off the consistency bloghorse and let it slide for a full two months.  No sense beating myself up I suppose, just gona pick it back up again with enthusiasm and the will to keep on forging forwards. As long as some sort of creation is happening here I'm happy. Some better than none...as they say, or at least I do. That 'get back on' mentality conveniently applies to so many things doesn't it? Keep on working keep trying keep writing keep lovin deep keep on eating right because it feels so darn good to be moving in good directions.

Two months. Round and even, but not gaping. Two months...I can work with that, try and give a quick recap without glossing over too many details. Perhaps it's best to start with the present.

100% Raw Dinner at 50 South in Ballston Spa, NY

Currently happy. All things a go. I feel loved and that I love others dearly. Friends wonderful. Josh wonderful. House and people in it wonderful. Family far away but not distant. Writing not enough but some. Picking up the guitar again. Desire to craft. Eating healthy. Being friendly. Walking lots. Helping out and learning everyday. It's not all ra ra love and sunshine stuff but it's amazing what a little effort and a lot of gratitude can do.

Food is becoming quite the passion, proving to be a pretty major guiding force in my life. It has widened my perspective on the world as a whole and the way we interact with it, inside of it, as a part of it. I've got an overall eat well feel well be well attitude and a whole community of folks out there bursting at the seams to share what they know and that are passionate about educating others. It's pretty cool all the resources that are out there and how accessible it all is. Really what a difference it makes. People can be pretty darn smart and helpful when they want to be! Since September I've become pretty well transitioned into the vegan way of life, aside from the occasional egg and small amounts of trace-milk chocolate mistakes (guilt free and just get back on that horse baby);) small steps to liberation as a wise friend once said. Anyway, I'm having a good time with it, learning tons by doing, and am all the more happy and healthy for it. I feel lighter and more clear and  aware of what's going inside my body. More aware in general, really. Having fun getting creative with dishes and dressings and drinks and "harvesting" my baby sprouts from home (Perhaps unleashing my most carnivorous mother eat baby moments at this time...nom nom nom)

I'm also getting really into essential oils and learning about healing with 100% natural alternatives to prescriptions, pills and other forms of the pharmaceutical based healthcare we've got going on now. It never ceases to amaze me all that mother earth provides. Just as with the food, learning and experiencing the oils-- noticing the definite differences they make in my life, has opened me up into another realm of natural self healing exploration. I feel blessed to have had them enter my life, and truly believe in all they can do. I'm enjoying learning as well as sharing what I know with others, and am training to co-teach my first class on Wednesday!

As far as money goes, since that's a biggie people ask me, it's tight but not a dire issue. Not letting it stress me out while also constantly looking to generate some mo'. I'm working some hours at Anna's store  www.MalikaInternationalBoutique.com, which more or less ends up as an exchange for rent as well as some other necessities. Johanna (a different woman, who I assist sometimes) is hopefully getting more funding for her raw product line and will be able to continue to pay me for help with production. We did a whirlwind overnight session last Wednesday where we churned out burger bites, cracker dough, and truffles (all raw, organic, and delicious!) at a health food store in Oneanta. Her book, also something I'm helping with is *fingers crossed* going to be coming out soon and will be filled with recipes and explantations to help people (you?) creatively incorporate more raw foods into their diet.

Team Johanna's Real Foods-- Action Shots to Come

Now I'll backtrack a bit through November. I was so happy to be able to take a trip back to Minnesota to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family, catch up with some friends, and grab a couple of things to make my move a little cozier, not to mention warmer. (I was definitely lacking on the winter gear). It was so great to enjoy MN and to reconnect with the familiar: Got down on some Legion bingo, caught Rockin' for Damo at the Eagles, tried and failed to "learn" that reoccurring lesson about beer and whiskey sours, gave a presentation about South America to Mrs. Bowhall's 8th grade class (man, when did 8 graders get so small??) held baby Elsie (and baby Lucie;)), was asked to be in girlfriend's wedding, volunteered at the Kaddatz Art Gallery, went shopping in my closet, played lots of cards with family, slept in with the cat, cuddled with our dog, and slapped my bro on the back a time or two. It was the perfect amount of time to spend there and I'm so thankful that we were able to make it happen. 

And a little further back yet...
Early in November I did a 10-day Silent Vipassana meditation course in eastern Canada. I was almost unable to go because of the mass transit shutdowns in NYC due to Hurricane Sandy, but my lovely awesome Anna graciously let me borrow her car. The people in my life, I swear. Anyways, the meditation experience deserves a blog all to itself so I won't divulge too much here, although there is indeed much to share. The 10 days serve as a 'crash course' introduction into the Vipassana technique of meditation. Eradicating old stores of suffering, and learning how to avoid creating more suffering by realizing the truth of anitcha-the fact that all arises and passes away--experiencing it at a personal level--through the framework of your body, and applying that into your daily life. Like I said, I'll write more about it at a later date--much to say and it's easy to caught up in it's intellectualization. I can say that the experience was a very positive one, and that I would recommend it to anyone serious about working and uncovering greater truth. I am very grateful I had the opportunity to take 10 days out of my life to devote to such intense meditation and introspection, to really live on the charity of others and experience life as a non religious nun, I realize this is certainly not something everyone is able to do. I by no means emerged 'enlightened' but the seed of dhamma was planted in my heart and in those 10 days I took myself a couple of tiny steps on the path towards truth. Somes better than none, right? 

The gears are slowing, eye sockets burning...how are you feeling? As a matter of fact, How was your day? Your life? Your last two months? It'd be impossible to cover it all wouldn't it? as theres always something more. Fast slow and constant with big small invisible happenings happening always. What oh what shall December bring us?

Thank you for your time and attention, for reading my words and playing catch up with me and what's going on from my end. I appreciate it greatly and look forward to gettin back into the swing and continuing to share with whoever cares to listen. Big thumbs up to you. If you ever feel compelled to comment you just have to click the title of the post.

Until next time
Love and Bless

Kaitlin 

*If you are interested in learning more about the uses of essential oils there is a great website called www.everythingessential.me  It's not put out by any specific company and has a TON of information, advice, and testimonials. I do order wholesale from a company called doTerra and so if at some point down the road you decide you want to look into trying out some oils for yourself, definitely contact me directly (kaitmoen@gmail.com or facebook) and I can help you order the best of the best for less, or consult with you on a specific issue and do my best to help you out.