My body

This morning I took a long walk.  With my arm in a sling it took me a while and I was very aware of my balance and not tripping over my own feet ( which has been happening far too much lately) 

The walk was lovely and the best thing that I did for myself all week -good music , great weather , desert views and one good strongvstep one after another.

Since breaking my arm I have been thinking alot about my body. I think that I might have a bit of a block.  It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I don't think about it at all really.
( Maybe sticking my head in the sand .. hmm ) 

This is what I do know :

Since breaking my arm I have a deep appreciation of movement and how my body moves and how important it well.

I realise that I do not really have an awareness of my body and what it needs. The only times that I was really aware of my body over the last few years was when I was pregnant.  I feel like I never really gained possession afterwards.

I need to lose weight - maybe 12 kgs yikes.

I feel that I need to find more ways to move and keep my body strong and flexible.  Here's a confession  instead of bending down to look for my shoes under the sofa I get my son to do it.

My body needs me to cut down on coffee and feed it more of the things that will increase my energy and feel lighter and more better.

I need to do more for myself so I can give to all the lovelies in my life,

I am too young to feel like this.

I want to have more fun with my body ....

Things I'm loving

Inspired by Paisley Jade

Spring is almost over and summer is around the corner.  I am loving seeing the bursts of colour in unexpected places.  ( everything is relative in the desert every flower is a wonder ) .

Fantastic hot pink Bougainvillea

I fell last week and broke my arm , bright adored bright orange jandals were probably partly to blame so i bought myself new Teva Naot sandals... ugly as sin but the most comfortbale ( and stable) sandals ever.

Ugly as sin but love them

Love the view from our backyard... the perfect place to sit for that late afternoon cup of coffee

I , like usual, having been thinking alot about how to work on the house and particularly about how bright cheerful colours can make you feel so good.  We have also had reruns of Friends every night and I remembered how much I loved Monica's and Rachels apartment. Don' t know if I am brave enough to have purple walls ... but love it.

Lastly ..... still loving the blogs of Paisley Jade who reminds

 me regularly on her posts to be grateful for the amazing gifts that I have in my life.http://www.paisleyjade.com/

Recipe for labneh

Recipe for Labneh :Inspired by thinking back about our picnic yesterday, I thought that I would share a recipe for labneh. It definitely was not around in supermarkets when I was growing up in New Zealand although now I am sure that it is available. Anyway it's more fun to make your own ( and you can be sure of what goes into it. We like to make it into balls and cover with olive oil , but you can also arrange it like a dip.

Labneh is a strained yogurt and has a cheese like consistency. It makes a great alternative for sour cream or cream cheese and a lot healthier. Spread it on bread, pita or bagels. It is popular for breakfast in the Middle East.

Ingredients :

3 cups of yogurt

1 teaspoon of salt

Preparation

In a medium bowl combine salt and yogurt.

Place mixture in a large cheesecloth. Bring the sides together, making a pouch. Tie the pouch with string or a twist tie.

Hang in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours with a bowl underneath to catch the whey. You can tie the pouch to a rack in the fridge and place a bowl on the shelf below.

EnjoY !

Perfect way to end a day

Last night after work , we took the kids to the beach for a picnic and snorkling. It really is the best time of the day for the beach, the sun is going down , it's not so crowded and the stress of the day rolls off you.

We had a really simple picnic, fresh soft ( and still warm ) pita bread, eggplant spread and labane. The labane was home made and beautiful.

Summer blues

I am in denial. Although I am packing the swim bag I am dreading taking the kids to the pool in 40 degree heat. Once I get there I know the water will be amazing and I won't want to get out. Now the airconditioning, a good book, quiet and a nice cool drink sounds more appealing. But with the kids home that isn't likely to happen so i should surrender to the thought and chnage my energy.
Gratitude, gratitude , gratitude.. heres my list

1. Lovely kids and husband


2. Just had two week off work


3. Husband cleaning the floor as I type


4. Mum is coming over next month


5. Managed most of my task list for jobs around the house during my holiday


6. I am now walking straight again - back much better

Today I went to the wool shop and bought 8 brightly coloured skeins of wool, purple, turquoise and pink. Wool is so expensive here - trying not to let that put a damper on the enthusisam. Excited about moving from single colour grannys to trying some of those beautiful , multi coloured granny squares below. Doesn't look like it will happen tonight.. maybe tomorrow ! Looking at Better World Books for a copy of Stich'n' Bitch crochet book. Looks like fun.

Beautful things I love that inspired me today

Random things I love

The night before christmas

When I was growing up the night before christmas was such an exciting time , it was always so hard to sleep and I always tried to stay awake as long to see if I could hear Father Christmas arrival. It's such a funny thing - Christmas is such an integral part of my childhood memorie and is such a foreign concept for my kids. Last year celebrating Christmas in NZ with my family was such a delight they still talk about it, although Maia did ask me today why no one said " Ho ho ho". So I closed my self away tonight , put on some Christmas music , a glass of wine , and thought about christmas old. Anyway , shabbath shalom and a lovely christmas to all !