Hello!

My dear pal Kelly sent me this talk by one of my favorite Buddhist teachers last night, so I spent the morning absorbing it with my knitting and some chai tea and rice milk. (Side note: My computer chair is 100x better when you pile a quilt in it.) Allow me to present my favorite quote:

‎“What’s it mean if we have the power to end suffering in ourselves, but we’re too lazy to do the work? To me it means that the stream of greed and hatred and ignorance is strong. And that in this world, very very few people are willing to do the work to go against the stream, to go against greed and against hatred; against their own delusions and the delusions of these false promises of happiness through material gain. It’s so fucking disappointing when you get everything that you want, and it doesn’t work. It’s so great to get everything you want, and not be attached to it — and just enjoy it, knowing that everything is impermanent, subject to change.”

This is where the idea for my against the stream tattoo originated.

Noah has written two books, Dharma Punx: A Memoir, and Against the Steam: A Buddhist Manual for Spiritual Revolutionaries, and I highly recommend both. Dharma Punx was the first I read and the story is fantastic. He has a third book coming out on April 5^th (which I’m preordering today!!) and will be in Seattle on a book tour April 26^th. I couldn’t be more excited

Spring is alive in my heart, despite the November-y weather. Colleen and I bought green things earlier this year: strawberries en masse, spinach, Emerald Oakleaf lettuce (looks delicious), and peppermint in plant form, and snap peas, beets with good leaves for salads, slicing cucumbers, green leaf lettuce, cilantro, green onions, and cherry and heirloom rainbow blend tomatoes in seed form. For now, the plants are adjusting on the kitchen table and two huge bags of soil are thawing on towels near the heater. I’m anxious to get some fresh soil to our poor houseplants, who seem to be just as tired of the grey as we are.

Journaling and meditative-type activities have taken over some of my creative playtime, but I do have some simple knitting to share with you:

Likely a dishcloth. My goal for the year is still 52 Projects, which means that I’ll have a few weeks of multiple projects.

I’ve finished five books so far this year, some of them quite good. I’ve posted reviews on Facebook along the way. I have Ina May Gaskin’s newest being delivered this week, which I’ll likely devour in a night – hers were among the treasured few I held sacred when I handed off my massive midwifery library. I can’t wait!

BIRTHDAY PLANS: Tickets to see DEF LEPPARD and HEART at the White River Amphitheater in September have been purchased. Squealing and jealousy may commence.

XoXo, Brandi

PS: Don’t forget, everything in my Etsy shop is 20% off until midnight with code STPADDY11! :]

 

A Rant, and Updates.

I started reading Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart: A Midwife’s Saga last night, and the first chapter that opens with her personal birth story brought me to tears. Not more than 30 years ago, this woman who ached to birth in a way that honored her body and connected her to her child was left isolated, hot, and dehydrated; forced enemas, unnecessary shaving and cutting, and had her arms strapped down while she pushed (after she’d had the audacity to reach between her legs and feel her baby’s head coming down, helping to visualize the work she was doing and thus, ruining the “sterile field”); was wheeled down a hospital hallway on display while her baby was crowning, and finally suffered through her doctor’s comments about giving her the ol’ “husband’s stitch” (which left her numb in that spot for the rest of her life — thanks!) and calling her a breeder…so much ridiculousness that she signed herself and her infant out AMA a few hours after delivery and went on to become a wonderful homebirth midwife. And while my heart swells with pride and love remembering the births I had the supreme honor of attending, it aches with heaviness when I hear about the unnecessary interventions and brutal mistreatment that continue in hospitals even today. Birthing women are such a miraculous, powerful life force…it would just figure that the patriarchal society would have to figure out away to get that business “under control” somehow.

Once again, I’m reminded that I should go back through my journals and start putting together birth stories from my apprenticeship before the memories grow fuzzier than they already are…

Aside from my frustration over our country’s embarrassing infant mortality rate, and on a lighter note, I have actual updates for you! As usual, I find a comfortable niche and blog about it as if life has a set course for the next year or so, and the next time we meet everything has changed. Let’s start with projects, shall we?

First on the list – Project365. I got three solid weeks in of taking a daily photo and started having difficulty with my smart phone’s SD card, which which was also my primary photography tool. So, even though I have a perfectly lovely camera, albeit less convenient, I chose to flake out on the project. So there. But, T-Mobile being the awesome entity that they are, I not only got a brand spanking new phone free of charge, I got an upgrade! And the camera seems to be a bit better as well. Alas, out of excuses. I may start again when I have a nice beginning date to do so, say – perhaps March 1^st. But don’t quote me.

Next, 52 Projects. I set a goal of completing at least one creative endeavor each week, give or take, meeting or exceeding a total of 52 by 2012. This project is going well. I have completed five projects to date and have another three or so that can be finished up relatively quickly.

1. Upcycled gift tags: I recycled holiday cards into fancy gift tags for next year. Easy.
2. Knitted red fingerless gloves: a set for myself from a mottled red-orange autumny yum yarn.
3. Knitted yellow fingerless gloves: amazing mustard yellow. I experimented with the pattern a bit and made these elbow length. They didn’t turn out wholly as I intended, but playing with the design was good practice and I’ll wear them regardless.
4. Tin shrine: I made a tiny shrine from a mint tin with 50′s ladies and sequins. Actually, I still feel like I want to add something to it, so I’m not sure whether I should list it as completed, yet…
5. Knitted lavender fingerless gloves: same waffle-stitch pattern, lovely lavender yarn, for my pal Heather. (They’re in an envelope H, I just haven’t ventured out to the PO yet!)

Click me for pictures of said projects!

I have another dark purple pair of the fingerless gloves that just need the seam stitched up to be added to the list and also which indicate that I need to get my knitting books out and advance my skill set. I’ve made at least 5 pairs of these in the past two months. I did cast on a simple a scarf last night to work on in front of the TV as needed. And as instructed by a spiritual mentor friend, I’m working on a writing project – a letter to myself from six months into the future. ‘Tis fun.

My goal to read 50 books rolled over from last year (I made it to 20-something in 2010). I’ve finished two: The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, and The Confession, by John Grisham. The Help was great; highly, highly recommend. Can I just say how much I adore my Kindle? The absolute best part is sampling! If you want to try a book you’re not sure about, you can read the first few chapters for free and just click ‘Buy’ if you want to continue after that…so awesome!! The highlighting feature is handy as well. But, I digress. I started the midwifery book I mentioned at the beginning of the post, and am dabbling in subjects to improve my massage – Ayurveda, structural integration, and chronic pain relief. There’s a Buddhist book in there somewhere, too.

Now, for the fun news – I found and accepted a new and improved job! :] Although I really did enjoy working for both the school and chiropractic clinic, this is a single job focused solely on massage, which is what I went to school for and love to do. And the compensation is higher. And I’ll still have health benefits. And they have 401K matching. And vacation and sick pay. And I can trade or use my discount for a myriad of services. And it’s a super upscale and ritzy and FUN northwest spa!

Thanks for reading, kiss kiss kiss, more very soon, I promise!

 

Thanks!!

A big thank you to fellow Etsyrain member DrapesofWrath for featuring my “60′s Sunshine” pattern in her Housewife Collection treasury on Etsy!  Deliciously retro!

 

2011: Neatly Structured Creative Abandon

2010: Powerful.  Revealing.  Restorative.

I feel a peaceful satisfaction reflecting on the past year.  When I imagine stepping into a new year, I have a vision of slowly opening my palms to reveal a smoky curl lifting all that is unresolved over my shoulders and behind me.  Into the past.  I like it :]

If we let go, 2010 will fall behind us.  But some discoveries are worth saving for future reference.

Truths I’ll be tucking into my pockets for next year are:

Love.

When I eat simply and well, I feel calm, balanced, and nourished.

You will never regret taking a few minutes to spend time with your pets.

Massage is me, after all.  I had my doubts in those first six months post-grad.

Also on massage: after nearly two years of anatomy, ethics, countless technique classes, a 16-page business plan and hundreds of massage hours under your belt, you start to relax.  This is because you have no idea that the Universe is about to bring you a knee swollen to more than four times its original size, two women who recently lost their mothers and the mother of one-year-old who just became a widow (all of whom will cry on your table), your first very thin HIV-positive client, a sweet man who has inexplicable and worsening numbness in all of his limbs (and his doctors can’t tell him why), women who are unable to relax due to past trauma, and an uber-creepy (and stinky) guy you end up having to fire because you feel unsafe.  It has been humbling, to say the least.  But I’m learning how to embrace this very raw, human aspect of giving touch and I’m going to stick with it.

Anytime I’ve worked 40 or more hours a week, I’ve hated it.  I feel like a zombie, my immune system goes to shit, and I’m just generally unpleasant to be around.  So I’m not doing it anymore.  The school provides a cool 23 hours each week (plus benefits) and I have eight one-hour massage slots available at my clinic.  That’s enough.  My financial needs are met and I have ample time to play, which is important because…

My astoundingly imaginative, perceptive, and creative little child-soul thrives on the nourishment of my presence.  I’ll be lavishing attention on my artist this year.  She needs a lot of love and encouragement.

So that’s what I learned.  And because so often creative time comes last, when I’m tired enough to carry it over until the next day, and the next, and then the weekend, I’m going to schedule it this year. So today, January 1^st, is Day 1 of two new endeavors: Project365 and 52 Crafts.

Project365 is a one photo a day for one year project. I attempted this last year and started slacking halfway through February. This year, I’m determined: I took eight photos before noon today (I’ll select just one to represent the day). I’ll create a folder on my Flickr account and post there, and possibly on Facebook and here as well, though not every day.

52 Crafts is a wonderful experiment in creative productivity that several forum pals are taking on as well. We’ll complete something creative every week for a year. Larger projects may be broken down into smaller ones. Writing counts for me, but blog entries won’t. I’ll have to post a short story or a few little poems to feel that it constitutes an honest completed project. If I do enough experimental cooking during a week, I may let that squeak by as well. But the real heart of this undertaking is keeping at it despite anything that may come your way this year. I, being ever-industrious, cheated a bit and started a few works this week…but they’ll be completed in 2011 :]

My reading count also started over today, and my goal is the same as last year — 50 books.  My new Kindle should help :]

Ok…I’m off to sip a hot rice milk latte from a handmade pottery mug and attempt the first closet clean-out of 2011. Happy New Year lovelies — thanks for reading!

 

Writing & Food

I’ve never actually finished NaNoWriMo, but that didn’t prevent me from signing up (year five) again last night.  I find that at the very least, it gets my brain working differently, and I’m far more inclined to keep up with my journaling and blogging in the aftermath.  And, I like the feeling of having some pressure to keep at something.  Last year’s November was spent hogging the good spot next to the fireplace at Tully’s, writing and rewriting my business plan (and sometimes playing Scrabble).

I’m also putting together some writing of a different kind – a vegan cookbook :]  Actually, the finished product will probably be more of a ‘zine, but I’m excited nonetheless.  I’m coming up on my fourth (fifth? I’ve lost track!) vegan-anniversary and my third month of a diet free from white flour and sugar.  With that come many questions.  The most common is “What do you eat?” which is quite silly unless your main food groups are meat, dairy, flour, and sugar.  There are plenty of other whole foods, herbs, and seasonings available to take on many delicious combinations :]  I hope to share some of these in my compilation, but for now, I’ll share some basics.  I eat three meals a day, every single day.  I sometimes include a small snack if I’m doing a lot of massages or I eat dinner earlier than usual.  My breakfast always includes fruit and protein: a banana or apple with some natural peanut butter, a smoothie (usually banana, frozen mango and pineapple, a little rice milk and a ¼ cup almonds), whole or sprouted grain toast with natural applesauce and cinnamon sprinkled on top, and sometimes oatmeal or a LaraBar.  Lunch and dinner vary depending on my mood and what’s leftover from the night before, and one such example is below.  It makes an excellent, easy dinner, doubles well, and keeps for several days, making it wonderful for leftovers and lunches.

Black Bean & Salsa Soup

4 cans of black beans (or soaked equivalent)

1 can of corn, drained

2 cups chunky salsa (mild to medium)

1 cup vegetable stock

1 each red, yellow, and green bell peppers, chopped

¼ cup finely chopped red onion

3-4 garlic cloves, minced

Sauté onion and garlic over medium heat until lightly browned/softened.  Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot/crock pot.  Once mixed, pour ½ the soup into a blender or food processor and blend thoroughly.  Return to pot and simmer over medium heat until ready to serve.  Serve with vegan cheese and sour cream, chives, jalapeños, black olives, diced tomatoes, and a slice of chunky whole grain bread for dipping.  Serves 6.

I typically pair a bowl of soup with a large salad of raw spinach, romaine, red and green leaf lettuces, and herbs.  The “toppings” depend on what I’m serving, but frequently include a combo of the following: artichokes, bell peppers, broccoli carrots, celery, cucumbers, green beans, legumes, olives, pickles, quinoa, seeds or nuts, sprouts, tomatoes, and other deliciousness.

I’ll post some pictures of my newly organized creative space after I’m finished tonight! :]

 

Fall

October!  Autumn!  Halloween!  Ahh, my very most favorite time of year :]  I am nearly giddy with excitement when October first rolls ‘round.  This year has had a very hectic feel to it and finally, the pace has begun to slow.  The days are shorter/cooler/darker, and I too, am slowing – putting myself to bed earlier, reading more, knitting again.  I’m listening to meditative talks to and from work, walking more, reflecting, quietly.  Embracing the fall.

Even the two-job juggle (which had the potential to be a mighty challenge) has fallen into an easy rhythm, and more often than not, I am quite content.  I began offering massage at a Magnolia neighborhood wellness center in Mid-July, and added administrative work for the massage school I graduated from in August.  They compliment one another beautifully, each posing unique challenges and keeping me on my toes.  I’m continually surprised at how bodywork feeds me creatively, essentially wiping the slate clean and leaving me rejuvenated and ready to look at projects with refreshed perspective.

And speaking of projects, there are many!!  I’m knitting my way through two fall scarves; a bold pumpkin orange n’ mossy green lady that needs only the ends woven in, and a simple gray fellow that I’ll add some fringe to (about half-finished).

Yes, my knitted things have genders and personalities.

I’m growing my inventory of reusable coffee sleeves, which now includes a supercute *mushroom* design, complete with vintage button polka-dots!  The Day of the Dead sleeves wiped out my stash of recycled sequins and reignited my love of sparkly things :]  I love working on these because once I have a picture in my mind’s eye, I pour through needlework books and look for different stitches to play with, and I end up learning something new on each one.  It’s astonishing what you can create with a needle and a piece of thread.  I’d like to branch out this weekend and create something similar on a larger scale, maybe a 4”x6” stitched design.

I have a small stack of skirts lined up at the sewing machine for repurposing and/or taking in, and I’m working on some spooky little zipper bags for my sisters that I hope to have finished and shipped in time for Halloween.  And by the way, how freaking easy is it to put a zipper in something?!  Why did I remember that being so darn miserable?  Now I just need to figure out how to use up another half yard of sparkly skull fabric.

And of course, there’s the Glitter Secret Snowflake swap!  My first year!!  My giftee has really fun interests and I think we’re similar in a lot of ways, so it shouldn’t be too difficult putting together a nice gift assortment for this person.  I have several ideas, one that involves branching out into arm warmers or fingerless gloves with my knitting, but I won’t post too much here.  I must conceal my identity until after the package has been received :]  However, there will be photos of whatever I conjure up come December!

Some of these (mainly coffee sleeves) are headed for Etsy, which is now my one and only venue for hawking vintage and handmade lovelies.  In keeping with my slowed and simplified fall theme, I’ve decided that one venue is enough to focus on, and quite frankly I prefer Etsy.  Ebay is just so crowded and ugly and overpriced these days, and I’ve had to do some re-prioritizing due to the new jobs.  So Etsy won.  Yay Etsy! :]  I’ve also decided to bring my attention to additional massage certifications and clinical experience, and give less energy to a private practice at this time.  I’ve got an abundance of work hours coming my way, projects galore, and likely, a move to a bigger space after the first of the year.  So a private practice (for now) has mostly fallen off my radar.  I’m still doing outcalls for friends and I’m sure one day this will be a goal again, but for now I’m really content where I’m at.  I’d like to sit here and breathe for a while :]

In other news, I cut my hair and starting reorganizing my creative space over the weekend.  Photos coming this week!

 

Vintage

June was a month of transition, and it seems July intends to carry on in similar spirit :]  Busy busy busy!

First, the interviews continue!  I’m probably being pickier than necessary, but I want a REALLY good fit.  Cheers to new experiences and new friends!

Now, allow me to draw your attention to the small green badge depicting a sewing machine to the right. It signifies my two month Wardrobe Refashion pledge that began on the 1st.  In short, I’ll be abstaining from the purchase of new, manufactured clothing for 60 days (perhaps longer). I have some pretty fabrics and older clothes that need attention and in addition, I’ll tell you a little secret…

I, my friends, have been a thrifting maniac as of late. It’s true. My pledge couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. Most recently, I came across this:

I spent a good hour pouring over this little gem a night ago. I already have the Complete Guide To Needlework and after years of constant reference it has become invaluable, so I was delighted to add another of these beauties to my bookshelf. I also found this AMAZING quilting text that I am reluctantly listing in my eBay Store…I have to limit the number of books that make themselves cozy around here, otherwise they get out of hand! :]

Isn’t it great? I love vintage quilts – each piece always has an amazing story behind it.  My hope is that another creative soul will put this treasure to good use!

I picked up this daisies pot (among others) at a sale a few weeks back and found the perfect companion for it at a plant sale yesterday: Sedum Oregon Stonecrop.

The woman holding the plant sale had one of the most beautiful yards I have ever seen.  There were literally hundreds of different plants represented, it smelled amazing, and there were bees and butterflies everywhere (thinking they were in heaven, I’m sure).  Memories of playing in my Great-Grandma’s yard as a young girl flooded me.  Next time I’ll get permission to take a few photos.  I did some research on Stonecrop, as this is my first of this kind, and I learned a few things. She is a member of the Crassulacea family, and like many succulents, will flower in summer – yellow! Her leaves are edible (in moderation) and Makah women often used them for medicinal purposes. I also picked up a Creeping Jenny, which is typically an outdoor plant.  It doesn’t require full sun though, so I think it will do just lovely in my kitchen.  I do so enjoy welcoming new plants into the home – I can count 14 from where I’m sitting now alone :]

During my recent thrifting adventures, I also uncovered a stack of 50 or so old (and I mean old) postcards, loads of ’60s sewing patterns, a Frida poster, a like-new laptop bag for $7 (all of the new ones I’ve priced have been $60 and up), and yesterday, an original, working NES system with two controllers, a gun, The Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link (both gold cartridges) and three other games in original boxes with instructions and sleeves…for $20.  The hunt is 90% of the fun! :]

With all of the new treasures and in the spirit of balance, I’m destashing some of the old on both Etsy and eBay. Beads and jewelry findings are next – my collection is growing out of hand, and I’m ready to trade in for some new pretties :] For now, I’m off to spend a few hours with Lucille (my cherished vintage sewing machine).  I’ll return over the next few days with pictures of whatever I sew up with during my pledge!

Hugs!

-Brandi (veganfairy)

 

Solstice

Alas, it comes to this: the neglected blog. Rest assured dear readers, I am alive and well! Let’s have an update, shall we?

Summer Solstice is upon us! In Seattle, this means two things: the high is around 68 degrees, and the Fremont Solstice Parade is tomorrow. I tend to enjoy our many gray days, but I must admit that to wake and throw the blinds and windows open is an immediate mood lift. Unfortunately mine is not an apartment with a balcony, but my windowsills are growing grape tomatoes, strawberries, catnip, lavender, basil, oregano, sage, and rosemary quite well. I try to bring them outdoors to soak up an extra bit of sun on occasion. Some of my herbs are ready to have cuttings dried, but I’m not sure how well tying and drying the old-fashioned way will do with our recent high humidity…perhaps sending off my dehydrator in a fit of purging was ill-timed. Anyway, here are some of my babies, along with my fridge, all stocked with veggies:

You can tell an awful lot about a person by taking a peek inside their refrigerator, can’t you?

I have been a bit down as of late, what with the continued job search and some frustrating low back/hip pain. The latter started during massage school and only cropped up here and there, but has recently been more frequent and intense, creeping into my daily activities. Right now, my back is pretty much out. I felt really worked up over it yesterday, but I do know that stress only exacerbates these kind of things so I gave myself a good talking to. After my errands this morning I’m now typing this with a chilled lavender pack on the ol’ hip :]

As for the job search, I have offers! Now if only I could make up my mind… Some of you may remember that I accepted a position with a small day spa a couple of months back that turned out to be, well, a nightmare. Sadly, I had been interviewing for weeks and it was the choice spot I had narrowed down – the location was a ten-minute walk from home, the staff was amazing, and I loved the space. But, the company was going through a huge transition and they were confused (or getting poor advice) on issues such as independent contractor versus employee status and state employment laws. While there are no hard feelings, I must say it was not a good fit. However, by the time I next update I am sure to have loads of stories about my wonderful new career in massage/energy work and general woo-wooness to share!

Creatively I’ve slowed down a bit as well. Sometimes that’s just the way it flows! Project 365 lasted only through February, but I plan to start anew in the next few weeks. I may flip through The Artist’s Way over the weekend to give the mojo a little nudge. I did discover a lovely bead shop in Fremont a few weekends ago. The owner is super nice and helpful, even letting us bring the Pug into the store while I browsed and feeding him treats. I bought a half-dozen or so baggies of beads and findings for around $2 each, and signed up for a free discount program that took 10% off my total. Highly recommend – they have classes, too! I made up some simple drop earrings and a necklace from the beautiful blue Indian glass pieces I found there:

Green is my all-time favorite color, but I’m feeling inspired by this sapphire blue shade as of late. You often find this color in vintage glass bottles; the darkness is good for tinctures and potions that need to be protected from sunlight. Of course, any combination of greens and blues conjures imagery of glistening seas and mermaids full of whimsy and mysteriousness in my mind :]

Last night, I sewed up a simple wrap skirt from a tutorial I found on this completely charming little blog.

I made the ties long so they make an apron-style bow in the back. I think I’ll make the next one just a bit shorter and widen the bottom a tad for more of an A-line fit. I’m quite happy with the finished product! It has a perfectly summery, hippie feel to it. My sewing machine has had her cover on for far too long – having my foot on that little pedal felt really good. I finally finished this coffee sleeve I’ve been working on as well.

The button is from my great-grandmother’s stash :] And lately, I’m obsessed with making a tissue paper garden.

I’ve been drawing some as well but nothing is finished or photographed yet to share. Next time!

Here’s a flick from a hike through Discovery Park last weekend.  I took dozens and dozens of pictures on the approximately three-mile trek down to the beach and back.  Daisies everywhere!  I was in heaven :]

Lastly…isn’t this doorknob great?! I think of Alice and Wonderland, of vintage houses with creaky floors and basements, of skeleton keys and secrets. I found it a restaurant bathroom and had to dig out my camera to preserve it.

There’s an updated picture on my About page also, and a Touch page coming soon – all about massage and Reiki and what I love to do!

Hugs!

-Brandi (veganfairy)



 

The Wisdoms That Come With Age…

So, for a myriad of reasons, I haven’t had enough insurance coverage to have thorough dental work in about 7 years. I cut my hours to part-time in order to focus on school, and then in November of 2008, I was one of several employees laid off due to the economy :\ At first I was devastated, imagining it would be difficult to find another employer flexible enough to work around my class schedule. I was ready to throw in the towel with school after I blew through my savings trying to stay afloat, and then unemployment came through in a glorious nick-of-time fashion.

In truth, and despite my initial anxieties, it couldn’t have worked out better. Graduating on time was challenging beyond anything I anticipated; working simultaneously through the entire program would have been too much for me.

Last week, I received my long-awaited license in the mail, signifying that I am legally allowed to work in my chosen field. In the same spirit of my lay off, this milestone coincided with my wisdom teeth setting off into migration – one in particular that has wedged itself down and out sideways, scraping up the tissue at the back of my mouth and causing constant muscle soreness :\

While I continue to explore every possible option, my intuition is telling me that these babies need to come out now – my jaws ache constantly, and eating is painful. I have decided to pay in cash, believing that in retrospect, this situation will look much like my lay off – initially anxiety-inducing, but in the end, well-timed and for the best. After all, there is no guarantee that I’ll receive health benefits (including dental) as a part-time LMP, and should I be so lucky, there is usually a delay following initial employment, and of course, the issue of taking a week off shortly after being hired. I also abhor the idea of having to go through this more than once, which is why I think it best to just take them all out with one shot.

I have found a wonderful oral surgeon, gotten the x-rays, gone through the oh-so-fun initial exam. We set a tentative surgery date for March 11^th, and while I am researching every financial possibility I can think of, there is no getting around that this is going to be expensive – around $2500 once all is said and done. Colleen’s father suggested I ask every friend I have for $5 each to help offset some of the hardship, as he did for some of the soldiers while he was in the service. I felt weird about that at first; asking for help and for money, no less. But then I realized I would have no problem asking my friends for a latte if I was short on cash, nor would I sweat buying anyone a fancy coffee myself on occasion. So if you have an extra mocha in your wallet and you’re willing, I would so very much appreciate your kind donation, dear readers. And if you find yourself without anything to spare, I ask for positive thoughts and brave vibes to help me along my journey :]  Anything at all is very gratefully received.

Love and hugs (and thanks!),

Brandi (veganfairy)

DONATE via PayPal! :]

PS: I am also offering massage at a discounted rate until May 1st – check out my website or give me a call to schedule an appointment.

UPDATE: My surgery date has come and gone, and I am healing well :]  I have received nearly $600 in generous donations, but there is still a debt to pay yet!  Please consider donating a virtual coffee or scheduling a blissful discount massage session with me :]  Many, many thanks! ~Brandi :]

 

Just Juice!

In my early twenties, I apprenticed with a wonderful homebirth midwife in central California. We traveled together from Long Beach to Fresno, usually at night, and often staying with families for up to a week while labor’s natural tide ebbed and flowed magically, preparing both mother and baby. I was usually able to find something to keep myself busy when the family didn’t require our immediate attention – very pregnant women often have a sink full of dishes or a basket of laundry that needs folding. During down times, between rushes, I made labor notes for my studies, refilled mom’s water glass and fetched cool rags, and observed. I listened. And I learned.

Over the course of 100 prenatal check-ins and 25 homebirths, I learned a lot. Not only from the birthing women, but from their families and guests as well. I delighted in the reactions of siblings, grandparents, and friends to the emergence of tiny life in a familiar space. Some of my fondest memories are of time spent with a Seventh Day Adventist pastor’s wife, serving at several congregation family births. To this day, she remains one of the most charming, enthusiastic, and selfless women I have ever known.

Not only did she provide refreshing cheerfulness, she catered many a long labor and energized all involved with her tasty cooking. Through her, I received basic lessons in vegan nutrition (I was an ovo-lacto vegetarian at the time) and encouragement to select my first juicer. She successfully eliminated her dysmenorrhea and reversed her brother’s Type 2 Diabetes symptoms through a diet chock full of wholesome vegan meals, and her enthusiasm for good healthy food was entirely contagious. Now, I find myself remembering her stories and laughter every time I chop my way through a big pile of arugula for salad or put together a pot of a beans to simmer.

I didn’t craft much this week, but I did care for myself in other ways: an afternoon of reading, a sunny walk with the dog, yoga poses, and two versions of quinoa salad wrapped in tasty flat breads with hummus for lunches.

And I juiced! That very first juicer (a Juiceman Jr.) has moved four times and pulverized pounds and pounds of savory produce, leaving nothing but raw, delectable goodness. I threw everything pictured below together this morning and it turned out quite lovely. I peeled the rind of the lemon carefully to leave most of the white pith in tact, which is loaded with fiber.

The pastor’s wife recommended drinking fresh juice every day, along with these other simple guidelines: enjoy only fruits before noon, and never eat after 6pm. She firmly believed that a lengthy period of rest was crucial for the digestive system, and that the naturally appropriate time for that to happen was during a good night’s sleep. Honestly, dear readers, I must confess that I do enjoy a bowl of popcorn (with nutritional yeast!) at 8pm, but I wholeheartedly love my juice! There are countless juicer and recipe varieties available and I find it difficult to make anything so icky it can’t be fixed by adding some some apple juice or an extra carrot, so give it a try! It can be a great way to get your recommended fruits and veggies for the day, and there are no added sugars or preservatives to worry over.