Excess...

We live in a society defined by excess. We eat in excess. We soak up media in excess. We spend money in excess. We even lead schedules of excess - an excess of things to do, places to be, people to see. 

This is what I was so acutely aware of this week. As I hemorrhaged money, time, and everything else, I couldn't help but think of the intention I had set for myself for this week - simplicity. 

The end of the 20th century was most certainly a time of excess and now, without repeating the broken record that has been playing over and over and over and over again, we are paying for it. Excess spending. Excess polluting. Excess weight on an excess of tummies. All of this excess has left us a little lost. And yet, despite this evident failure of all things excess, 'simple' seems to carry a hefty burden. Simple people are boring. Simple foods are unpalatable. Simple is old-fashioned. Simple is bad.

However, after a week of exploring simple, I beg to differ with these negative connotations. Simple is challenging, probably because we aren't accustomed to it, but there is incredible reward in the challenge. We have hid from simplicity as though it would reveal something about ourselves that we really didn't want to face. But undeniably, the world of excess has exhausted itself and it's time to venture into simplicity's dark corners. 

This is my challenge to you for the next week: do less, eat less, talk less, watch less, read less, and stare at the screen less. I suspect that after the initial shock, you will learn to relish in the silence. Simple is not bad, it is nuevo chic.

On a final note, if after a few days of contemplating all things simple, you find yourself wanting to shed your life of things you really no longer need, please look into these organizations. 

http://sistering.org/donate/

http://www.conccommunity.org/index.php/pages/wish_list/

They transform your clutter into a treasure for someone in need. Thanks to Amanda for this awesome suggestion!

mxo

Living with less...

First, the cleanse - 

So technically it's been about three weeks since I started my cleanse BUT, let's be real, my cleanse ended about 30 minutes after it began. I learned something interesting about myself - the second I tell myself I have to do something, I don't want to do it; as soon as I tell myself I can't have something, regardless of how little I actually used or ate it before, I suddenly crave it. So, all in all, the non-doctor-recommended cleanse was a bad idea. I'm not saying cleanses are a bad idea, but apparently they are for me... especially when I'm accountable to no one but myself.

And then I realized... This was never meant to be such work. The only way a lifestyle change will stick is if it's somewhat enjoyable. I go to the gym eight million times a week because I enjoy it. Food likewise should be about pleasure. So yesterday, after three weeks, I finally let myself off the hook. Ironically, all I have wanted and had today is uber healthy food. Go figure.

So what's the next step? Like clockwork, my life magic has kicked in again. Every time I find my interest weening, boredom encroaching, or just the need for something new, life hands it to me. I'll admit, I have been feeling rather glum these last few days, a little bit of "what direction does poor little maya head in now?", and right on time, Oprah provided the answer (that's right, I proudly watch Oprah). Today's show was all about the things we can learn to live without in order to live a healthier, more fulfilling life. From this premise of unpeeling the layers in order to get at the substance, comes my next set of goals:

For one week starting tomorrow (Thursday):

• Absolutely zero TV. Matt will be very happy about this one.
• No computer after I leave work at 5. If you need me desperately, text or call.
• Give away ten things that I can truly live without.
• Live on a budget - $100 for the week (major grocery shop excluded).
• Brown bag lunch everyday (except tomorrow because I already have lovely lunch plans).
• More mindfulness about simplifying every part of my life.

Wish me luck... and feel free to join me in my ventures (I'll need things to talk about if I can't peruse the net all night long)!

mxo

Uggg....

We humans are funny, funny creatures. We defy ourselves even when we know better. We do things that we know aren't good for us, that will even harm us. But we truck on anyways down the road of oh-so-stupid.

Today was my blip on the road to something better. The day started out decent but the second I got off the streetcar and headed for S-bucks, I knew I was in trouble. I tried to justify the tall, soy, extra hot goodness but really, who was I kidding? The day got progressively more stressful and I fed my discomfort - dinner was a pint with sweet potato fries, then chips and salsa for dessert. Awesome child, just awesome. 

So now it's 9:24 and I sit here with a stomach full of rot and no one to blame but my stupid, silly little self. I have a glutton hangover. It rocks. But perhaps this was meant to be yet another lesson - it's soooooo not worth it.

Ugg.

Honey Maple Salmon on Roasted Greens...

Preheat oven to 400.

Mix honey, maple syrup, dijon mustard, and tamari soy sauce to taste.

Pour marinade over salmon fillets and let sit for 20 minutes. 

Cut up asparagus, green beans, zucchini and any other tasty veggie. Add a few chopped onions or garlic cloves for flavour. 

Line baking dish with cabbage, spinach or leek leaves. This step is optional but it helps to protect the salmon from burning.

Place veggies in baking dish.

Layer salmon fillets, skin down, on veggies. 

Pour remaining marinade over salmon and veggies. 

Pour a little olive oil over entire dish and add a dash of salt and pepper.

Cover and bake for 25-30 mins, until salmon is flaky but still moist.

Layer veggies and salmon on spinach salad.

Spinach salad: toss baby spinach leaves in dressing of organic flax seed oil, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice and tamari. Sprinkle with sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

Mmm, mmm good. 

Time for a cleanse...

Three nights of thai take-out later, I am oh-so ready to get back on the uber healthy horse (although, it's debatable whether or not I actually fell off). According to all sorts of wise nutrition gurus, the body needs a "cleanse" at least twice a year - just when the trees start to bud, and when they begin to lose their leaves. The trees outside look gorgeously green and I think it's time for my own cleanse! 

Because supposedly it takes 21 days to make or break a habit, I will be partaking in this new adventure for the next 21 days starting tomorrow (Wednesday, May 5). So here's the deal - until May 26, these are my rules:

• No dairy. No problem.
• No wheat. Yeah, yeah.
• No meat, except fish. Fishy, fishy, fishy.
• No alcohol. Yes, wine constitutes alcohol.
• No processed food. Easy peasy.
• No caffeine. Dear god, no S-bucks tall, soy, extra hot latte. :(
• No sugar. Honey, maple syrup, molasses, etc are allowed.
• No corn, tomatoes, mushrooms or canned veggies. No citrus, strawberries, or melons. No peanuts, pistachios, or cashews. These are the restrictions my naturopath tailor-made for me, based on my constitution. Do as you please with these. For me - no excuses.

Stayed tuned for all of the glorious things I can eat - picture here the "after" table on What Not to Eat, chalk-full of beautiful vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits, seeds, nuts, etc.