*Ok so working on an old laptop, and a trigger happy pinky finger, this post just got published about 12 hours before I actually wanted it to…nothing like a little surprise publishing on a Monday morning, but hey, it’s all good. Enjoy the “early” post. Anyone else ever done this? I know Deb has, anyone else?
How are you doing today? What’s shaking sweetie pies? I’m doing great and thanks for the awesome feedback on Diana of Soap & Chocolate’s Guest Post Yesterday which featured her take on Raw Vegan Peppermint Patties! If you missed that one, check it out!
And again, Thanks a Million, Diana! Your creativity inspires me to stay inspired and I can’t wait to whip up some goodies when I return home from my trip!!!
A couple quick food highlights ’round here included a Kale Salad with Cukes, Brock, Sugar Snap Peas, and Cauli…
…dressed with my Homemade Vegan Slaw Dressing. Sweet-n-Tangy goodness!
A Garden Salad for Scott with carrots, arugula (I love the peppery, spicy, bite of arugula!), sun-dried tomatoes (another girl I know has been using the Sun Dried Tomatoes lately, too), & cukes dressed with my homemade CreamyVegan Cesar-Inspired Tahini Dressing
and a Baked Potato on the Side. That I nuked.
Are microwaves safe? Probably not but I use it anyway. There’s a time and place for convenience and sometimes, you just gotta say, what the heck, I need to. I try not to over-use it, but I also try not to overthink things and drive myself nutty!
And Skylar has been enjoying her Advent Calendar.
Scott’s Jewish. I’m not. Anyone else raised in a split-religion house? The Advent Calendar for us isn’t even Jesus’s Birth. It’s about The Mouthful of Chocolate…
…And opening the cute little doors.
I have such fond memories of Advent Calendars from my own childhood and she loves it, too!
And she’s had lots of fun on Slides
And we’ve been to the Beach
Where we’ve made lots of sand castles
And we’ve dug sand holes
And laughed & loved alot
Yoga Today is 108 Sun Salutations.
You’re thinking what???!!! Why??!!!
Don’t know what a Sun Salutation is? Here’s the flow of one salutation.
Or here’s another.
What is the significance of the Winter Solstice?
Well the Winter Solstice, which occurs between Dec 20 & 21 every year, is today. Meaning, it’s the shortest day of the year and the sun’s position in the sky is the lowest. The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice means that until the Vernal Equinox, the days will begin to lengthen and nights will begin to shorten. Many people celebrate Winter Solstice as a time of rebirth, a new beginning and a chance to marvel at the power of transition from darkness into light.
It’s customary in yoga traditions to mark the Solstices with 108 Sun Salutations.
Why 108 Sun Salutations?
I found this info which gives a succinct and clear explanation:
There is a special significance to 108 in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. For instance, there are 108 beads in the mala of both traditions; there are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet and each has masculine and feminine, totaling 108; 1 stands for Higher Truth, 0 stands for Emptiness and 8 stands for Infinity. As we reflect on the significance of the sun, we are reminded that the sun is the illuminator of our world, that it is our primary source of heat and the giver of life. So come, honor the sun!
Or here’s Yoga Journal’s take on it.
You don’t have to do all 108 Sun Salutations; do as many as you feel is appropriate. Heck, just do one! Just be mindful and present, joyfully aware, that the days will now get longer and notice how this effects you in your daily life.
Questions!
If you’re religious, do you feel connected to the winter holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, in a meaningful way? Or do you feel that the December Holidays have morphed into a time of retail gluttony and commercialism? Or, do you feel a bit of both? Or, do you view this season as a time to simply connect with friends, family, and loved ones independent of everything else?
I am of the opinion that it’s wonderful to celebrate the holidays with my immediate family and although we don’t get caught up in gifts (I mentioned before that we don’t do gifts for any holidays anymore, which is very freeing and a gift in and of itself!), but I also have to stop and remind myself of the Christian significance of this time because, I admit, it does get a bit buried and lost for me otherwise. But what’s your take on this time of year? What does it mean for you?
As I asked in the post, too, did you grow up in a religious household? Were your parents the same religion? Did this or does that matter to you? I know some of my friends, VeggieGirl, Katie of Faith Food & Fitness, and many more of you too, have strong faiths and I applaud people who believe in something and stand up for it, not only religious choices, but in general.
Next Question…do you feel connected enough to yoga to even contemplate 108 Sun Salutations? Is there a physical exercise or something you do that once upon a time you thought it was crazy but now you’ve accomplished it? Marathon running or Century Bike Rides come to mind for me! How about for you?
Stay Tuned For More Guest Posties in the House and less Deep Thoughts. It’s a Food Blog after all. Haha!…
Thank you for the award my love! I will do this after the holidays :)
Your food makes my mouth water! I need to come stay with you for a while :)
Merry Christmas doll!
Love Kris
congrats on your award my dear!
hope you are enjoying your time and having a merry xmas eve! I am sure there is fun filled activites where you are!
hmm I guess when talking about myself it depends WHAT I am talking about, I dont like to brag about myself in the least! but I love telling people interesting facts about myself!
hmm something random about me…I am such a sappy romantic! I love girly things, flowers, candles, roses anything that you would call 'romantic' I am SUCH a sucker…it doesnt really work in my favor bc my BF is the opposite! lol but I am working on him!
xoxo
merry christmas my dear!!! and thanks for the award…i hope you and your fam are having a blast. i love reading those things about others. and im sorry people leave negative comments, but just remember thats their own insecurities coming through and has very little (if anything) to do with you. smooches my dear, and heres to a happy healthy 2010!
Happy Holidays! Thanks for sharing!
My illness has really helped me evolve in sooooo many ways at only 25 years of age. I love and respect myself now, so it is easy to talk about my strengths and accomplishments. Nothing wrong with it!
Oh Averie, thank you so much for this beautiful award! You totally deserve to brag all about your own awards… you are SUCH a wonderful, passionate, loving, woman, and I admire you so much!!! You have given me so much strength with your words, thoughts and prayers lately. I feel so grateful to have you in my life.
Ok, can I just say that your Om tattoo is amazing??? So much significance in such a small symbol. :)
Merry Christmas Averie!!!
xxoo
Heather
This post is a case "MUCH TOO MUCH TOO COMMENT ON" haha – I'm dissapointed I'm not included – haha – no! Love it! Great eats…have yourself a beautiful Xmas girl – you deserve it :)
Great post!! Love your honesty. Congrats on the Beautiful Blogger award. You truly deserve it. Your hard work, sincerity and effort show in all your posts! I enjoy reading about your positive, high energy lifestyle. I find it is so much more beneficial to ourselves and those around us to be mindful and approachable. Mean doesn't work, positive and inspirational does!!
xxoo HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and your family :)
Hey girly! Our Christmas eve is pretty low key this year. I had to work, Josh and I went to the gym, now we're relaxing and planning on going out to eat later. How good do those raw chocolate cupcakes look? I'd like a few of those along with your Muesli bread! Which of your tattoos is your favorite and why? I have moved around quite a bit too: NJ, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina :) Its fun to experience new places!! Merry (almost) Christmas!!
Averie!! girl you are SO sweet, thank you for the shoutout. you def are such a beautiful blogger-i love how your soul shines through your posts and you seriously are so beautiful!! you are such a great blogger friend and your comments always make me smile!!
i hope you and your family have such a blessed christmas! i cant WAIT to hear about it! lots of love your way!
I took some of my time and voted for you…despite spending nearly 30min to do this because I had some internet connection problems and had to do it all over 3x, haha. But you deserve it :)
I wonder why you arent in the 'funniest raw vegan woman' though. ;)
And I'll definately be freezing my 'overnight' oats (swiss oats)from now on. You can check out my recipes : https://babyvanilla.wordpress.com/recipes/
Merry Xmas Eve to you too! :)
Vanilla
Not going to vote for you…
…because I already did! ;)
Merry Christmas, Averie dearest!
My Christmas Eve has been busy! I'm definitely hoping the "family time and relaxation" is to come tonight and tomorrow.
I hope santa finds skylar well :-)
Averie, you and your daughter are beautiful! You look so incredibly happy and at peace in that photo! Merry Christmas!!!!
I made some peppermint patties yesterday using your Creme de Menthe brownie recipe (the middle layer) and just posted some photos on my blog.
https://makingfoodandotherstuff.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/sugar-overload-never/
My entire family loves them; they are almost gone in less than 24 hours! I am already thinking about making more. Thanks for the recipe!
what a gorgeous little girl you have! such a sweet smile!
hmmm….random facts…well, I've been riding horses since I was 3 and I attended the same school from ages 3-18. Also, I'm an ecology & evolutionary biology major.
Aww thanks so much for the awards! your too sweet!! And that's so awesome you graduated that young.. I got my LPN when I was 18! We have a lot in common :)
And I don't have thick skin either. I've been fortunate not to receive any mean comments on my blog.. yet.. but when I do I know it'll hurt my feelings!
Have a wonderful Christmas eve with your beautiful family!!
Serioulsy Averie…THANK YOU.
I am so touched!
I love your 7 random facts! I could tell you were tall but 5"11? I am 5'6"…I would love to be another inch or two taller!
and a BA by 20…That is AMAZING Lady! I gave up on higher edu! life is what it is.
I know you are sensitive too! I am very thin skinned!
What are we doing tonight and tomorrow? not much. Dada has JJ's jeep put together and charging so we are going to have fun with a few gifts for him. Late tomorrow my Pops will be in town and my sis and little brother will spend the night and we are having some family time Saturday afternoon. I am looking forward to that but Xmas eve and day is just us. It feels odd for me but it's also very peaceful. I think next year will go easier. I will already be used to these changes.
well, enjoy the warm Aruba air and the beach. build some sand snowmen and a big big hug to you and your family!
I'll post my 7 facts maybe in tonight's post!
xoxoxo