Thank you...

...to all those who have emailed, texted, phoned and spoken such kind kind words, I wouldn't have had the courage to do this without your support, so thank you.

I cant wait to share more in the New Year and see where else this blog will take us.

Merry Christmas and have a safe and happy New Year.

Love J x

The Lovely Listening Ears

To the lovely listening ears, the little heart spoke. Singing its tale of woe. Its all a little sad. A little raw. Hold it together little heart, just for a moment more. Not long now little heart. The soft words will make sense. You will hear them little heart. You are just a little tense. You will see the truth little heart. Sit comfortable within the embrace. Nod your head little heart. No need for that worst case. A shift in perspective and once more all is well. The little heart is light and those lovely listening ears can tell.

Love J x

You and I.

We are not separate, you and I.

Einstein discovered that everything is made up of energy. Or vibration.

Everything vibrates at a frequency, and generally you draw things of your own frequency to yourself. Hence why those bad days... they always seem to get worse and the good days, they just keep getting better!

So if everything is made of vibration, even if we are not touching physically, we are not separate. We are a part of a mass wave of vibrating energy that makes up the entire universe. And we are not separate, you and I.

This concept made me smile today when a lone moth took shelter from the rain in my home. On first sighting, its brown self didn't appear particularly intriguing, however a closer inspection revealed an incredibly complex and equally stunning design upon her wings. It was in that moment of appreciation that I remembered we are not separate.

So next time that you see a sunset or a full moon or something that stops you in your boots, know that you are its reflection and you are something beautiful.

Love J x

I wish for...

I wrote this when I was pregnant.

Endless summers and delicate evening rain. Spring time spent in our forest, whisper fairy tales until they become so real we can see them. Watch the sunset upon this day and sip warm tea. Listen to the music of life and lay down each night to feel your heart flutter so close to mine. Contented bliss always with us. I wake in anticipation of our next adventure. You reveal perfection and joy and the key to my mind.
Lets remain like this forever.  

Love J x

The singing man

Tempting my mind from its thoughts came a song from a stranger. I glanced sideways.


Photography by Nirrimi
www.nirrimi.com

A man. Singing. Walking towards me grinning. He began a vocal guitar solo and rather than smile politely and carry on...I opted to dance!

Evoking childish play, void of social barriers, we both rocked out. 

He finished his solo and said with gusty passion; "You are a radiant being filled with love and light." And on that note continued along his way. Walking and singing.

I reflected upon this lively hiatus and the freedom I had just experienced.

Like the freedom found when expressing an original thought, or when breaking the mould with a delicious, rebellious moment, or claiming creativity with an authentic smile.

I saw that man at his full potential. I didn't know what baggage he carried or what story he had to tell, I didnt know his secret vice or bad habit(s). I just enjoyed the person he was in that moment.

Dancing to a strangers song felt like freedom to me.

Love J x

Under the Oak

An old house nestled under the leaves of an oak. My eyes are drawn along the terracotta pathway to the entrance. I want to touch that door, feel the grains and cracks and open the black rusty lock.

I picture the inside. The walls would whisper to me and the floor would creak and moan.


Photography by Nirrimi
http://www.nirrimi.com/

I imagine lounging on the deck. Dinner parties under fairy lights and lanterns. Chasing knee highs along the fence line. We would have a claw foot bath in the garden and when summer stung our skin we would fill it and sit, singing merrily. We would camp under the canopy,  collect her leaves, watch her change season and love her more each time. Our hair would grow long, your beard too and we would dance often.

In winter we would rush from the steaming hot water to the open fire. Standing until our back and bottom glow warm red. We would sleep in that big old bed and dream of secrets from another land. Safe and sleepy, our sanctuary under the Oak.

Love J x

Our Children

We lay our hot restless skin down and drift into slumber, this moment I capture, and when I feel big, absorbed and scared, you remind me that I am still small. 


Photography by Nirrimi
www.nirrimi.com

For this I am always thankful.

Love J x

Endless Love

I passed a sipping man sitting with an old bicycle outside a little cafe. His long beard and eye brows, coarse and white. His tanned skin creased from the harsh sun.

He smiled a brilliant white smile and winked. Had I not been myself, cursed with curiosity-ruled by shyness, I would have stopped for a chat.

So inspired by that twinkle in his eye, I have written his story for him...

He can't help himself, he falls in love so easily, slipping into the depths of that awful joyful roller coaster, the clash of his head and his heart. He has never stayed in one place for long enough for him to know what could become of this love, he leaves, sadly but with a relief that the love will never end. Left suspended in an eternity of what-ifs and who knows.

His Mama always said he would meet his match, a wild and free woman would capture his heart and he would have to chase her rather than run. He laughed at this. His Mama, his only constant woman.

From a family of 8 children, he grew up in a small terrace in the centre of town, the home sprawled onto the street and into the back alley, everywhere was a dirty bruised knee and a shiny wide smile, everywhere was music and song. His Papa an artist, his Mama worked at a local grocery. Everyday she would bring home fruit and vegetables, eggs and bread left over from the days sales, his Papa would be gone sometimes for weeks at a time, but would always return with pockets full of notes and exciting tales.

His childhood was happy, if not exhausting. He left home young, running from his first love and this led to his life of travelling the world, he suited his chosen lifestyle, happy to fit into whatever situation he found himself in. Happy to leave when he felt the pressure to stay.

He was home for Christmas, the first time in 18 years, his Mama didn't know he was coming and he was sitting here, collecting his thoughts before he went to the small terrace in the centre of town, to the home that sprawled on to the front path and back alley, where he would no doubt find his Mama, Papa, Brothers and Sisters and some number of his Nephews and Nieces. He pondered for another moment and smiled again, that white smile. He stood up, winked and rode his old bike away.

Love J x

A tea party with Ghosts

I arrive spontaneously into her loving clutch. A legacy of the inward eye. My place.

Sheltered by her embrace and the familiar scent. The warm cushion of velvet moss beneath my feet. A light breeze brushes my cheek and I listen to the soft lull of ancient leaves. Dusk lights my way.

I come here for a tea party with Ghosts.

Body still and mind intense. I collect their memories. They offer threads of my past self. Guide me to a place I will see and a time I will feel. To someone I will Be.  

Clarity ebbs beneath my skin. I honour this moment, this wistful encounter. Thank you for my place.

Love J x

Reap the seeds you sow

"Next year, I shall sow the seeds of longevity."

My inner student alert, sat cross-legged-back-straight and patiently awaited.

"...instant gratification is now redundant, it's about the long term..."

I silently thanked her for imparting this wisdom. Her words blossomed into my own thoughts.

First and foremost my son. A future citizen of this world. Every sliver of my mothering instinct is driven to helping him grow into a kind, generous, moral, useful member of society. My actions as a mother reverberate far beyond this moment. The future is in the hands of the youth. I am currently in this category, but as we fade our children will become the caretakers of this planet.

My nutritional medicine studies. With this I am destined to help others. I need to do this. The bare bones of a book. Local produce. Seasonal eating. Growing food. Combination eating. Superfoods. More. I cant wait to share it!

Community. This is also something that she spoke about. Connecting with others. The community at my own back door. This blog has served as a gateway into a community I previously did not know. This bustle, I now feel a part of, is nurturing my growth. And so I give back.

And creativity. The ability to express myself. This space is for infinite creativity. Nourish a mind, a body. Nurture a thought.

These are the seeds I sow.

Love J x

Crash-Bash... Burn

Christmas parties. Booze-fuelled long lunches. Work functions. Music festivals. Weddings. Crash-bash...burn!

Want to start 2011 with a bang and survive the silly season?

Get your beauty sleep beautiful.

Keep sip-sip-sipping! A big water bottle will do the trick since it only has to be filled a few times, a glass means frequent refill visits - easily forgotten.

Eating delicious food is a part of the fun, but setting some boundaries will mean that you still get the fuel your body needs for all that late night booty shaking. Maybe limit 'treats' to after lunch - this means you get two healthy meals in - or only eat treats at lunch time, or only between certain times, or only every second day; whatever suits your lifestyle.

Have fun, let you hair down, but respect your body at the same time.

Get out and about, exercise will energise you. Perhaps go somewhere you haven't been before - a picnic in a park, a walk on a secluded beach, a day trip up the coast. 

Throw in a few booze free nights for good measure and voila!

Love J x

With Dusty Feet

Everyone welcome.

Stunning photography, internationally inspired music, refreshments & delicious tasting plates.

See you there.

Love J x

Be kind to a stranger.

Putting pen to paper has always been something to solidify my thoughts, giving them life. It brings clarity when my mind storms with fragments and shards.
So many notebooks filled with dreams, prayers, ideas, goals, quotes, a scrap of paper or a picture collected from various locations and times. All mean nothing and something.

It's lovely to look back and witness my journey and the different things that captured my attention. Some ideas are fleeting. And some have been floating around for years. What is important to me, is that certain ideas become a reality. 

I have found that the practice of writing, cultivates a (flexible) pledge from myself to the universe. This pledge gives my words a place from which to be born. And so I would love you to share your 'lust list'.
These lust lists are endlessly changing and void of a timeframe, they can be whatever you want them to be. In this very moment what would yours say?

Some fragments from my notebook...

Be present. Surrender.
Find contentment in what I have.
Look for answers from within, or realise that I have no more questions
Om Namah Shivaya - I honour the divinity that resides within me.
Always strive to be the best version of myself.

And this one has been around for a while, it brings me so much happiness... Be kind to a stranger, everyday.

Please share your lists, they can be as simple or complex as you like :)

Love J x

Dharma.

A friend, whom I feel so fortunate to have in my life, taught me about Dharma.

Dharma is our unique gift. No other person possesses this talent, or more accurately our expression of it. Furthermore the law of giving and receiving -Karma- means by giving ourselves, giving our gift, with pure intention, brings about our ultimate happiness.

Deepak Chopra describes it as, "Dharma implies more than seeking work that we love, it implies our unique destiny, our place in the cosmic plan. It implies a shift in consciousness that begins when we align ourselves with our highest vision, and then become the manifestation of that vision."

It is of the highest importance to seek and fulfil this purpose. However in order for Dharma to be expressed as it should be, there are many lessons that must first be learnt. So as we are today, is exactly as we are supposed to be. We learn now what will enable us to overcome challenges in the future. This can be a long, painful journey as some truth can hurt. It can also be a simple, pleasant journey - this is our own decision!

As the Christmas season approaches and giving and receiving is all around us. I hope that everyone receives the gift of consciousness, whatever that may be to the individual and gives the gift of love with pure intention. I hope that Dharma reveals itself to each individual and that everyone has the courage and freedom to follow their own destiny.

Love J x

Oh what mischief!

For fun, I decided to remove the TV from our house. Just to see what mischief could be born.

Its been a week. Oh my!

Singing. Dancing. Gardening. Drawing. Playing music. Writing.  Laughter. Reminiscing. Talking. Talking. Talking. Smile.

It was never meant to be a huge part of our household, however television had managed to escape us and dominate our precious evening hours.

A friend commented of our experiment; that its probably one of the greatest things a modern family can do. I have to say I agree.

Our evenings are well and truly reclaimed. Permanently.

Love J x

A love story

Her lips were as red as blood, her skin so white it was translucent. Her eyes closed.
Absorbing energy from the noise surrounding her. Dancing. Lost.

A smile guarding that heart. That battle-wounded fortress.

Breath in. Breath out.

She pushed away the days, avoiding their reminder of what she missed. Her eyes began to look hollow, as if nothing else mattered.

The winter was cold but she found comfort in that, tasting the pain. When the howling winds peaked, deafening her, threatening to take it all, he stepped into the room.

She opened one eye, the warmth of his gaze illuminated him and she stretched her fragile neck to drink from that glow. It saturated her. The world became motionless and time entwined itself around them.

They began to move, elaborate but cautious. Courteous of one another. Each not missing a beat. As the movement became a dance, they crawled underneath each others skin. Opening each others mind to read the contents. Sifting through the thoughts and memories that made up their whole.

Breath in. Breath out.

Her skin began to glow and those hollow eyes filled with his love. She didn't know if she would survive a moment without him. Songs about the future became stories of today and memories of yesterday.

She smiled once again. This time he was guarding her heart.

Love J x

A luscious moment

Child birth was one of the most poignant experiences in my life. Utter joy. Serene, calm and exquisite.

I meditated. Bathed. Connected with my body and breath, working together with my unborn child. The experience changed me, instantly and forever. My loving husband, by my side through every luscious moment was changed, instantly and forever.

We were destined to meet Lynne Davidson during our pregnancy, as our friendship developed we knew that she was meant to be at our birth. Her guidance, support and loving nature gave us the stamina we needed to make it through.

She massaged (us both), provided kind words of encouragement, performed reflexology to bring on my contractions when they slowed, even made scones and offered to clean our home! This woman is SuperWoman!

I feel that Lynne and my family will always have a special bond.

After all she was there when everything changed.

Lynne Davidson - Doula, Birth Mentor & SuperWoman doulabirthhands@gmail.com 

Love J x

Va-Va-Voom

Busy friends chasing children. Studying. Working. Doing all the above at once,(!) need more energy. So some ideas for those of us with less than adequate va-va-voom!

Start the day on lemon water. (See previous post)

Please please eat Breakfast. Please.

Oats are a fabulous choice for breaky. Rolled oats are my pick, the quick cooking variety have undergone partial cooking processes which reduces nutrient levels. Also to decrease cooking time the outer shell is removed/broken which also depletes nutritional value. The low GI impact of oats means you get a slow release of energy, so you feel full for longer. Oats are a perfect start for your perfect day.

Snack. Feed your body, it's important to maintain energy.

Great snacks are nuts and seeds. Whole, raw almonds are delicious.

Fruit such as avocados, bananas, apples are all fantastic energy boosters. Apples actually affect you the same way a caffeine fuelled coffee would!

Vitamin C is found in a lot of fruit, particularly citrus, and is a great source of energy. I would recommend eating fruit rather than drinking juice because you miss out on so many nutrients from the flesh of the fruit. The process to make juice also diminishes nutrient levels and often juices have added sugar which will zap your energy.

Stop for lunch. Now. Right Now.  

Skipping a meal is another no-no. For those monitoring their weight... skipping meals will slow your metabolism as your body tries to preserve energy, then when you eat next your body will store the energy, resulting in weight gain. So eat lovely's.

Lunch ideas - vegetables – all of them are fabulous at providing our body with exactly what it needs. In particular sprouts, asparagus, broccoli and spinach are excellent energy boosters.

Eggs, tuna, chicken are all high sources of protein which will sustain your levels of energy.

Legumes are great energy foods, kidney beans, tuna and salad in a wrap = delicious. Also baked beans on wholemeal bread are a simple and easy lunch choice.

Thirsty?

H2O – I know health experts can really get pushy about water consumption, but there is a reason. Water is Mother Nature's miracle nectar.
So sip-sip-sip.

Ideally 1-2 litres a day, more if you are active or in hot weather. With practice you will polish off 3 litres easily. I notice on days that I don’t get enough... Sluggish. Headaches. Pimples. Blah.

What to avoid…

Now I apologise to all the sugar fiends out there, but refined sugar, found in chocolate, biscuits, cakes etc will cause fatigue. While you will get an initial boost from consuming these delights your body will experience an insulin spike and once you come down from this high you will feel deflated, tired and crave more sugar, so the journey continues.
I am no saint when it comes to sugar but I am making changes to wean myself from its clutches. (Honey is my saviour, and it has trace levels of nutrients...so it has health benefits) Everything in small doses. 

A good night sleep wouldnt go astray in boosting energy, however this is sometimes impossible. Teething. Yikes. So do what you can in that department.

I hope this helps…

Love J x

Wisdom in those words.

Photography by Lisa Löwenborg

"I just follow the path of least resistance." He laughed casually.
The words danced over me and I smiled at their wisdom.

How many times we struggle. Stubbornly. Sheer determination.

Teeth-grit-lips-pursed. Why? Why make it so hard?

Allow a new approach, accept a new outcome. Maintain an open mind, or heart. A simpler, happier, more fluid life...

Yes please.

Love J x

Friends. Lovers. Soul Mates.

While journeying through life we cross paths with many people. With some, the purpose of our union is clear, other times not so.
And mostly the purpose is an endless evolution.
Our connection may be brief. At the bus stop, or waiting for a coffee. We may become friends. Lovers. Soul mates. 

 



You may not ever think of that person again. However once in a while you will meet someone who will leave an everlasting imprint.

Embellishing your being.

I have been lucky enough to meet so many people that bless my life with their presence. Some are old friends, some are new. But they all bring something unique and precious into my world. They all teach me something new, something that I value. They allow my heart to grow bigger.

Thank goodness for these people.

Love J x

Thank you Lisa, for allowing me to share your beautiful photography.

Let nature energise you!

Everyone knows that water hydration is good for the body, so here is an old favourite that will kick start your day...

Lemon water.

The practice of drinking lemon water originated from traditional Chinese medicine. And they were on to something.

This citrus is bursting with nutrients: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium... to name a few.

These essential nutrients work to boost your immune system, promote and support digestive systems and promote healthy clear skin.

Lemon water can be drunk at any time of the day, but I definitely feel the benefits first thing in the morning. I drink it in warm water first thing and chilled in the steamy summer afternoons. It is the ultimate refreshment!

So let nature energise you!

Love J x

Those inspired folk

No matter what it is you do; clean, cook, prune or... run a country, if you do a good job, with passion and integrity, the guts of it make it all the same.

I love being around these inspired folk, no matter what tickles their fancy. It's contagious.

So if you want some eye candy check out NFE Design, Renee's photography is delicious, her passion infectious. She captures moments that remain impermeable from time. Love it!

Have a peek at her blog, I promise it will bring you a smile.

www.nfedesign.com.au/blog

Love J x

Our Solider Still Stands.

A lone Soldier, a lone battle field, a lone journey. He stands tall, strong and reflective, aligning himself, his spine, his being. He looks to the distance and notes the light. Notes his path.

Eye to eye, nose to nose, his soul bare. A life flickers for a brief moment.  Holding in the breath, time stands still, making the world seem busier. Hearts sink, brows heavy, bleeding sweat. Whispering sweet desperate prayers. Please. Please.

And now the moment. Relief. Thanks. Tears. Smiles.

Our Soldier still stands.

For Grandad.

Love J x

Treasures

Today I got knee deep in family photo albums, digging out all the treasures of days gone by.
I was particularly drawn to photos of my Mother. Staring into her smiley shiny eyes and wide joyful mouth, I felt so lucky to have her.

I had a wonderful childhood, my most precious memories from the years we spent on Apple Tree Farm.

I remember bare foot, freckled skin, running wild and free late into the summer nights, playing in the long grass with my brother and climbing the apple trees to scavenge for fruit.



Christmas



It got me thinking, some people do not have many happy memories and others have none at all. But to respect what we have, whatever that may be and always remember our past makes us who we are today, that's what counts the most.

I love you M & D.  

   

Hiking at the Lake District

  

M & D



Moi

 

My Brother x

Love J x

Salawi.

Nourish. Your. Soul. Salawi embodies nourishment. An earthy relaxed space.

Sip, nibble, splurge & feel good.

Supporting Fair Trade.



Our scrumptious snack!



Sal - Director.

Salawi is hosting a special evening to showcase their conscious Christmas gift ideas.

Wed 17th Nov from 6 - 7.30pm.
462 Hunter Street, Newcastle
All welcome so spread the word amongst your family & friends.

It will be a great opportunity to grab a special Christmas gift that will give joy twice over!!

www.salawi.com.au

Love J x

Be. Brave.

Walking past the gates of a primary school, a mother bends down to her child and in an almost inaudible voice says, “Its ok, be brave”.

Be brave. Brave. How often am I brave?
How often are words left unsaid, hanging silently because we fear them? Be brave.
How often do we turn away or shield our eyes because it’s too hard to look at the truth?
Today. Today I will do and say and look and see. Regret leaves a bitter taste. So today I am Brave.

Love J x

Delicious. Healthy. Perfection.

My current obsession...

1-2 Bananas

400ml coconut milk

Tbsp Honey

Ice

Whiz together and indulge. Heavenly.

Coconut milk is considered by some nutritional experts as a ‘Super Food’, I certainly support this. Others have likened it to 'Mothers Milk'. Uniquely perfect.

Coconut milk is loaded with many powerful fatty acids. These little guys have a very important role within our body. The balancing properties can assist with regulating blood pressure, hormonal imbalances and stabilising blood sugar levels. It also boosts cellular healing processes, including immune and inflammation responses to illness and injury.

Coconut milk also stimulates the metabolism and therefore can assist with weight loss.

Convinced yet...? Go on, get into it!

Love J x

This is Summer.

Tonight we packed up our dinner and relocated to the beach.

The scent of seaweed, the roar of the ocean and the crunch of sand in our teeth.

This is Summer.

Love J x

Where is your inner child?

It was my babies 1st Birthday, 3 hours, 50 cupcakes, 12 children and a lot of sunshine and laughter later and a happy Mr Birthday Pants is snoring in his cot!

While eating the kiddie inspired finger food someone commented how great it was to feel childish again eating jelly and fairy bread, it got us thinking about the childish innocence that we are all blessed to be born with. As adults the reality of responsibility can sweep our childish innocence well away.

With this in mind I challenge everyone to embrace their inner child and choose to be childishly innocent, go for a walk in the rain, climb a tree or kick the autumn leaves! We may not be connected to this little person anymore but we can  change that. Fake it until you make it!

Love J x

Welcome

Hello, I am Jen.

I am studying Nutritional Medicine. Health, Wellbeing & Happiness are my passion and so I have started this blog to share what I learn and hopefully inspire others.

I am a Mother. I am a Wife. I am Silly. Fun. I find inspiration in the smallest details to the biggest displays. Mother Nature inspires me.

Welcome. I hope that you find something here that you like. Enough that you come back...

Love J x