Day 360: 12/27/13- Heyday App

Day 360: 12/27/13- Heyday App
New Thing:  Heyday App 
Inspiration: iphone, journaling        
Time: Very little time.
Bottom Line: Helps me take away the sting from failing at journaling.  

Reflection: Today, I found a new app to try out: Heyday. Here is the discription: 

Effortless Journaling - Heyday transforms the photos and videos on your iPhone into a beautiful journal, presenting you with a delightful way to rediscover your most important memories. And since life happens when you least expect it, Heyday automatically chronicles the places you go and the things you see so you’ll never forget a meaningful place or moment again.

So far, I like it and it does help me to see everything in a great timeline. Journal failure no more! 

Day 326: 11/23/13- Ahava Liquid Dead Sea Salt Detox Bath

Day 326: 11/23/13- Ahava Liquid Dead Sea Salt Detox Bath
New Thing: Dead Sea Detox Bath      
Inspiration: The Holy Land Pilgrimage           
Time: About an hour             
Bottom Line: Just what the doctor ordered 

Reflection: One of the gifts that I brought back to Ken was liquid Dead Sea salt from the world famous Ahava factory that we visited while there. I used a little bit of that (which his permission of course!) for a detox bath and it was just what I needed to reset from the trip.  

Day 298: 10/26/13- Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas

Day 298: 10/26/13- Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas 
New Thing: Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas
Inspiration: National Pizza Month      
Time: 45 mins.         
Bottom Line: Yummy. 

Reflection: National Pizza Month! These are totally worth making with the recipe from Martha Stewart: 

That muffin pan is not just for cupcakes. Make these mini deep-dish pizzas using homemade or store-bought dough and your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

• Olive oil, for muffin pan
• All-purpose flour, for rolling
• 1/2 pound homemade or store-bought pizza dough, in 6 pieces
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (4 ounces)
• 1 large tomato, coarsely chopped
• Desired toppings, such as cooked vegetables, pineapple and ham, or pepperoni

Directions

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly brush 6 standard muffin cups with oil. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out each dough piece to a 6-inch round. Fill each cup with 1 round, gently pressing dough into bottom and sides of cup. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Step 2

   Sprinkle each dough cup with 1 tablespoon each cheese and tomato. Add desired toppings and another tablespoon each cheese and tomato. Bake until dough is golden brown and crisp, 12 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes before removing from cups.

Day 294: 10/22/13- Diamond Oil

Day 294: 10/22/13- Diamond Oil   
New Thing: Diamond Oil    
Inspiration: My Hairdresser     
Time: A second     
Bottom Line: Very nice and pretty smell

Reflection: New hair product! Very nice.

Day 289: 10/17/13- New Running App

Day 289: 10/17/13- New Running App  New Thing: New Running App
Inspiration: New phone
Time: 45 mins.         
Bottom Line: Hey guys, did you know there are these things called "app" that are applications that you can put on your phone and use them to do things. Check them out. I have a feeling these things might have a chance to stick around. 

Running: For real. I like this.

Day 288: 10/16/13- Get a Smart Phone

Day 288: 10/16/13- Get a Smart Phone 
New Thing: Get a smart phone   
Inspiration: Ken, my old Fred Flintstone phone   
Time: A life time       Bottom Line: Wait, you can check your e-mail on these things???!!!

Reflection: Well, it's happened. I have finally joined my fellow humans by getting one of these "smart phones" of which you all speak. Did you know that you can go on the inter-webs with one of these things? whoa. 

Day 273: 10/1/13- Rescue Gum

Day 273: 10/1/13- Rescue Gum
New Thing: Chew Rescue Gum  
Inspiration: Whole Foods         
Time: A few mins.  
Bottom Line: Nice taste, same stress. 

Reflection: Today I tried Rescue Gum. Here is the product discription: 

Dr. Bach formulated Rescue™ Remedy nearly a hundred years ago, yet never before has it been more relevant with millions of people relying on Rescue™ Remedy throughout the world to get themselves through the complications and shocks of life. Relax with soothing Bach Rescue Chewing Gum, with zesty orange and elder-flower flavor. The liquid center contains 4 drops of Rescue the famous combination, of Five Bach Flower Remedies discovered by Dr. Edward Bach and used by millions around the world. Star of Bethlehem: For trauma and shock. Clematis: For the tendency to “pass out”, and unconsciousness, being ‘far away’ and not present mentally. Cherry Plum: Fear of mind giving way, verge of breakdown, anger. Impatiens: For irritability, tension and fidgety. Rock Rose: For frozen terror and panic.

While it was delicious, I don't know that I felt less stressed.

Day 235: 8/23/13- Get up really early, take a early morning flight with the family and get home in time to do a wedding rehearsal all without incident. Oh yeah, and wear the new dress Ken bought me.

Day 235: 8/23/13-  Get up really early, take a early morning flight with the family and get home in time to do a wedding rehearsal all without incident. Oh yeah, and wear the new dress Ken bought me.
New Thing: New dress   
Inspiration: Ken     
Time: Several Hours       
Bottom Line: Phew.

Reflection: We took a 6am flight home from Maine today after spending a rocky nice in the hotel room with D. and I sharing a bed and her kicking me all night long once she FINALLY got to sleep. But, when we got home, Ken had a new dress waiting for me! How sweet is that? A few hours later, it was right back into the swing of things with a wedding rehearsal. Exhausted.

Day 220: 8/8/13- Meditation Cushion

Day 220: 8/8/13- Meditation Cushion   
New Thing- Meditation Cushion                    
Inspiration: Prayer, Yoga                                
Time: Half Hour
Bottom Line: Comfy Prayers 

Like this but in green

Reflection:  One of my favorite prayer postures to do during a yoga session is at the end when we enter into seated mediation. However, I normally do not stay in that posture for very long because it is not all together comfortable for extended periods and I love the posture that comes after it (shvasana- corpse pose) so much that I normally rush to get to that. But today I tried a new seated meditation with a cushion made from sustainable green materials and hand made by Himalayan monks and sold by a fair trade company. So, good mojo right off the bat there. It helped to make the seated  posture much more comfortable so it could be held longer and allowed me to sink deeper in prayer. very cool prayer session!!

Day 218: 8/6/13- The Feast of the Transfiguration

Day 218: 8/6/13- The Feast of the Transfiguration  
New Thing- Celtic Transfiguration                  
Inspiration: The Feast of the Transfiguration                              
Time: All Day   
Bottom Line: Transfigured 

Reflection:  Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration- one of my favorites! Here is the wiki description:

The Transfiguration of Jesus is an episode in the New Testament narrative in which Jesus is transfigured (or metamorphosed) and becomes radiant upon a mountain. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1–9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28–36) describe it, and 2 Peter 1:16–18 refers to it. In these accounts, Jesus and three of his apostles go to a mountain (the Mount of Transfiguration). On the mountain, Jesus begins to shine with bright rays of light. Then the prophets Moses and Elijah appear next to him and he speaks with them. Jesus is then called "Son" by a voice in the sky, assumed to be God the Father, as in the Baptism of Jesus. The Transfiguration is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. This miracle is unique among others that appear in the Canonical gospels, in that the miracle happens to Jesus himself. Thomas Aquinas considered the Transfiguration "the greatest miracle" in that it complemented baptism and showed the perfection of life in Heaven. The Transfiguration is one of the five major milestones in the gospel narrative of the life of Jesus, the others being Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. In Christian teachings, the Transfiguration is a pivotal moment, and the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God: the meeting place for the temporal and the eternal, with Jesus himself as the connecting point, acting as the bridge between heaven and earth.

 

Trinity Tattoo

Since Jesus himself is miraculously transfigured in his body and appearance, I decided to try a new twist on my tradition to "transfigure" myself on this feast day (see this post from two years ago) by using a different kind of temporary tattoo ink. This ink works like henna, but comes out black and I found it easier to work with. I chose a Celtic trinity knot design since I am Irish and put it on my arm where I could see it for the two weeks the directions tell me it will be with me. When I look at it, I will ask the Trinity to transform my heart into one of peace and joy alone. 

Day 214: 8/2/13- Leslie's Tomato Pie

Day 214: 8/2/13- Leslie's Tomato Pie   
New Thing- Leslie's Tomato Pie                
Inspiration: The lovely hospitality of Leslie                          
Time: A few hours for dinner and fire side conversation    

The ghost cows that watched us sit around the fire.

Reflection: Tonight, the book club headed over to Leslie's house (which is beautiful!) and had an outdoor picnic dinner complete with tomato pie (which I had never had before), a fire pit, cows and awesome company. I loved the pie and the wonderful company. Awesome!

Day 213: 8/1/13- Gluten Free Bread for First Loaves Day

Day 213: 8/1/13- Gluten Free Bread for First Loaves Day  
New Thing- Make Gluten Free Bread                
Inspiration: First Loaves Day                         
Time: About an hour         

Bottom Line: There is a tradition that goes back to pre-Christian Anglo-Saxon Briton that the first day of August is the day that the first loaf of bread of the new wheat harvest is made. Once Christianity came to the British Isles, people would bring their bread to church for a blessing. So, today, I made a new kind of bread--gluten free. It was very good.

Day 212: 7/31/13- 21 Day Yoga Challenge

Day 212: 7/31/13- 21 Day Yoga Challenge 
New Thing- Start the Yoga Journal's 21 Day Yoga Day Challenge               
Inspiration: Yoga                        
Time: About 30 mins.       
Bottom Line: Day one-Check

Reflection: Today I started Yoga Journal's 21Day Yoga Day Challenge. Each day, a different yoga video is send to my email box. The first one was a little slow for my likening, but we will see what comes next. 

Day 209: 7/28/13- Start Growing a Bonsai Tree

Day 209: 7/28/13- Start Growing a Bonsai Tree
New Thing- Start Growing a Bonsai Tree            
Inspiration: Just thinking that they are cool                        
Time: A few mins.     
Bottom Line: Slow and steady

Reflection: I have always thought that bonsai trees are really beautiful. So, today I spend some time researching their care, history and artistry and planted the seeds for a little Jack Pine tree. Lets hope I don't kill it before it leads me to peace and wisdom! 

Day 204: 7/23/13- Sky Lanterns

Day 204: 7/23/13- Sky Lanterns        
New Thing- Set off Sky Lanterns          
Inspiration: Longport                      
Time: About a half an hour   
Bottom Line: Magical

These are bigger then they look-almost as large as D.

Reflection: In honor of our last night at the beach, we set off sky lanterns over the ocean. Our first 3 attempts were less than perfect. But the last two were wonderful. D. said a prayer to send to God on each one and it was magical to watch them float out to sea. And no worries, they are 100% biodegradable. Ah, making memories. 

Day 203: 7/22/13- The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on the Beach

Day 203: 7/22/13- The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on the Beach        
New Thing- DIY Green-Tea Mist on the Beach         
Inspiration: Longport, St. Mary Magdalene                       
Time: A few seconds to make and hours of enjoyment  
Bottom Line: Refreshing

 

Mary covered in her trademark red curly hair- the mark of a prostitute. Yes, I chose the weirdest picture I could find!

Reflection: Today is the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene who is known as the Myrrh bearer because she is traditionally described as one who annointed Our Lord's feet with ointment from an alabaster box and then wiped His feet with her hair (John 11:1-45, c.f. Luke 7:36-50) and that she anointed them again (with ointment made of spikenard, kept in an alabaster box) in Bethany, just before the Last Supper, an act about which Our Lord said, "...she is come beforehand to anoint my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memorial of her." (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:1-9, John 12:1-8) Also because she, the "other Mary," and Salome went to annoint Our Lord's Body on the morning of the Resurrection, found the tomb empty, and met the risen Christ Who said to her, "Do not touch me ("Noli me tangere"), for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to My brethren, and say to them: I ascend to My Father and to your Father, to My God and your God. " This mission given to her by Christ thereby made her an "Apostle to the Apostles." (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-10, John 20:1-18). 

 

Thus, one of the traditions associated with Mary's Feast is to make fragrant ointments which I tried to do, but the local natural food store didn't have what I needed. So, moving on to Plan B, I made something as equally good for the skin: green tea cooling spray. 

 

Here are the details found here:

  DIY Green Tea mist for beach + pool

• 1-2 green tea bags
• 1-2 cups cold, cold water
• steep green tea in cold water for 2 hours
• add ice
• put in spray bottle
• keep cool

This DIY mist will do a few great things:

• spray antioxidants straight onto your face, take that oxidants!
• cool you off
• refresh you
• repair sun damage
• make you look smart

D. and I loved this on the beach! Definitely a win. 

Day 202: 7/21/13- Sunprint Kit

Day 202: 7/21/13- Sunprint Kit        
New Thing- Sunprint Kit         
Inspiration: Longport!                       
Time: We had fun with this for about 30 mins. before we had to move inside. 
Bottom Line: Art from the Sun

 

"Beachcomber Pilgrim" 

 

Reflection: Today, D. and I made sun art using "Sunprints" and found objects we collected on the beach. We loved this and made several. I think we got the hang of it at the end and will make more tomorrow. The above piece, entitled Beachcomber Pilgrim was made with two pieces of calcified coral, several shells, sea glass, and the cross from my pilgrims necklace that I wore to Wales. I had never used this before, but it really captivating.  

 

Here is a little about Sunprints from their website:

Since 1975, the Sunprint Kit has provided fun, learning and creative stimulation for the curious of all ages. Originally developed as a teaching tool by educators at the Lawrence Hall of Science on the UC Berkeley campus, all proceeds from the sale of Sunprint Kits continue to aid our mission to inspire and foster the learning of science and mathematics for all. When placed in the sun, two crucial molecules in the paper are interacting, forming a new molecule. Their interaction is initiated by specific wavelengths of ultra-violet light. The new molecule is colorless so that as the blue molecules are converted, the white of the paper base begins to show through. Areas of the paper covered by your objects still contain the original blue molecule, so they remain blue. When this step is complete, the paper is submerged in water. There are two exciting things happening to the paper while it is underwater. First, the original blue compound is water soluble, so that when you immerse it in the bath, the water carries it away, leaving only the white paper base in those areas. Second, the colorless compound whose formation was caused by the sun’s energy is not water soluble, so it cannot wash away in the water bath. It is sensitive to the water in another way. Just as the Sun’s light stimulated a chemical change in the previous step, the water stimulates another chemical change in this one. The water causes an oxidation reaction that turns the colorless compound into the deep blue of a finished Sunprint.

Day 184: 7/3/13- Eat a Green Japanese KitKat

Day 184: 7/3/13- Eat a Green Japanese KitKat  
New Thing- Eat a Green Japanese KitKat             
Inspiration: Toshi                     
Time: A few seconds        
Bottom Line: Very....unexpected. 

Reflection: When I bit into this, I didn't even know what flavor it was supposed to be. The taste was like chocolate crossed with fish. So....seaweed? Is that a thing?

Day 171: 6/20/13- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Ice Cream

Day 171: 6/20/13- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Ice Cream        
New Thing- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Ice Cream             
Inspiration: Eagles Mere           
Time: A delicious few mins.                 
Bottom Line: More please. 

Reflection: New ice cream. Perfect start to vacation. 'Nuff said.

Day 161: 6/10/13- Insanity “The Asylum” Workout

Day 161: 6/10/13- --> Insanity “The Asylum” Workout
New Thing- New Workout   
Inspiration: The last Insanity workout    
Time: About 50 mins    
Bottom Line: Hard

-->Reflection: You may remember that earlier this year, I tried out the “Insanity” workout and really liked it. So, I decided to try out the sequel “The Asylum” which promises even harder workouts. It is as least as hard as the first one, so I am happy about that. And sore.