Self Care … In the Kitchen

I came back from my trip knowing there were a couple of areas in 

my life

that I wanted to clean up

and

 put more directed energy into them

to make them an on going priority.

The top one

My Health.

By the end of the trip I realized I was pretty proud 

and

 content  with the strides I have been making in

mind and soul

but I realized

I had not been putting much energy

into the 

body part if the equation.

I had for too long

put 

'getting things done'

ahead of 

invested time in 

my body and health

On my trip

I really realized

I need to make friends 

with my own body

and

 showher more respect.

But this time 

it's not about 

oh I wish I was thinner

I don't think I'm good enough

so I want to change thought process.

This time it's quite the opposite.

It's rather

I like who I am becoming

and 

I want to travel this life

in a body that is fit and healthy

to ensure the active lifestyle I pursue

and

 the good I want to accomplish.

I realize I am not young enough to ignore

my own health.

This year at 55 I have begun to notice 

physical changes

that I can no longer ignore.

So 

I have realized 

a shift in priorities is necessary.

This week after a trip to the farmers market

we have invested time into 

good nutrition

and

 health.

A much needed investment in ongoing

Self Care.

After our trip to the market

with lists in hand

we came home and prepped it all

storing the bounty in jars!

They ended up so beautiful 

and were a joy to use!

Even the refrigerator was beautiful!

I must say

making the produce pretty

was a huge success!

It was the first week 

that everything has been used up in our house!

I was happily surprised 

how fresh everything stayed in the airtight containers!

I can't wait to go back to the market tomorrow!

Making nutrition a priority

means  allocating more time

to meal preparation.

I have to continually remind myself

that making time for this

is a good thing!

Figs were made with goat cheese

drizzled with honey and broiled.

I can't believe we have never used these 

sweet treats before!

Heirloom tomatoes with burata  cheese,  basil and balsamic vinegar

made it to our weekly family dinner.

I must say making healthy foods a priority

takes some true effort on our part.

My daughter has been totally on board

so it makes it so much more fun and doable.

I think true changes happen slowly

with intent and grace.

I still love the adage

Small steps

plus

intention

equal 

success.

I began my blog and business

with this 

chalked onto my studio board

and it has served me well.

Any positive change has to be gentle

in the beginnings

for it to really catch hold

in your heart

and

to become a new habit.

Self care intent

must be gentle and kind

otherwise

it can end up feeling like just one more 

unaccomplished defeat.

Trust me 

I know.

I have been on both sides of the journey

enough to know now that 

 true self care

begins with a gentle hand

and 

nurturing self talk.

One calm step at a time.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life