Full Moon In Virgo

Today is the first full moon in the Chinese New Year (year of the Metal Tiger). The full moon is in Virgo which highlights acts of service - if you have the opportunity to help someone or volunteer take it. The Moon in Virgo also reminds us of the importance of letting go - in the Buddhist sense - to stop clinging to negative patterns, or to people or thoughts that don't serve you. If you have been feeling like a pot about to boil over relax - breathe and just let go of whatever it was that is getting you so steamed. On the lighter side of things decisions you make today about spending money are likely to be good ones - so if you need to shop today is a good day to do it. Astrogrrl has this to say about it.

"Full moons signify the completion, culmination of what may have been initiated during the previous New Moon in Aquarius which encouraged us to break away, get unstuck and establish a new "norm". During the New Moon phase Neptune and Chiron finally perfected their long awaited conjunction. Their conjunction remain strong and influential for this Full Moon in Virgo.

This full moon occurs at 10 degrees of Virgo and opposes Jupiter while the Sun blends energies with Jupiter. The heart (Moon) may still be meticulously processing (Virgo) what might have transpired over the past two weeks, but the soul (Sun) has begun to hope and dream of the possibilities(Jupiter). In light of the healing/release (Neptune-Chiron conjunction) that's occurred and continuing to work with us, there is now a "newer", improved (or on the mend to become an improved) version of the self with room to rebuild and continue becoming. Elsewhere in the sky, Venus(love/money) grows closer to giving Uranus (surprises/unconventional) a great, big kiss. Expect the unexpected, especially with regards to relationships or finances. Be open to applying unique solutions to common issues or finding just what you need in the most unlikely places."

Read more: http://www.astrogrrl.com/2010/02

Climb Mountains Daily - little reminders

A repost from an email I received this am - it has reshaped the way I'm looking at my day and wanted to share...

Occasionally life requires us to step it up, rise to the occasion, push the envelope.

During these times we mobilize our forces and give our all. And because these kinds of circumstances are usually few and far between, we manage. We succeed and hit the mark.

We climb the huge mountain.

But what about the rest of the time? What about the daily, mundane routines in which we spend 90% of our lives?

Our goal must be to perfect the everyday. We’ve got to find ways to energize and feel inspired during the unexciting times. And it starts with a recognition of perfection in the norm. Taking our regular work, our day-to-day commitments and doing our best, is an even bigger win than climbing that huge mountain.

Imagine - one year of work is poured into the Super Bowl. The entire game lasts four hours, but hundreds, perhaps thousands of people are working toward that one afternoon. The paradox is, what determines the greatness of the Super Bowl is how extraordinary the other 364 days of the year are for everyone involved in the game.

Don’t let life be regular. Make it extraordinary. Our lives are measured not by how we handle burning fires. They are measured by how we do when there are no fires to extinguish - when there’s no drama.

This week, look at your daily life. Find ways to make the ordinary extraordinary, be it with your kids, workplace, personal transformation - anything and everything. These are the moments that count. This moment. And the next…

All the best,

Yehuda

http://www.kabbalah.com

More fresh juice - Turkey

I was also able to find fresh juice in Turkey. This time at a stand on Mt. Koressos at the House of the Virgin Mary Site. 1 Euro bought me a large glass of fresh orange/ pomegranate juice that was made using an old fashioned metal orange press - delicious. Smiling I Snoopy danced all the way to the stand :)

Before finding the juice stand I wrote down my wishes and placed them in the prayer wall. I drank from the three fountains that are said to have healing properties - I know what you are thinking but, sometimes you just need to go with it - it is mountain spring water - cold, clean, clear and it was honestly the best water I've ever tried. Turkey was a magical place I can't wait to go back someday.

Inspired by the pomegranate juice in Turkey - I bought a metal press when I got home. I think using one of these is the best way to quickly juice pomegranates/oranges/lemons/limes... much less fuss when you want a quick juice than starting up and cleaning an electric juicer.

More things I love - Orange Juice Machine

I had never seen one of these until Spain - they were everywhere. I looked up the manufacturer and the machine hails from California - I don't remember seeing them the last time I was there. The oranges are split in half then squished as they roll through the machine. Now on my wish list - an orange tree and an orange juice machine! Yum.

Happy Chinese New Year/Valentine's Day!

I'm back from an amazing vacation and getting ready to post some of what I saw discovered food wise in the next few days.

The long blogging absence... I've been in a strange place food wise and wasn't sure exactly what I should write about it here as I mentioned in a previous posting. I'll just start with bread/cheese on my vacation - ugh. I had such good intentions and I did really well the first few days. Anyone who knows me or has been following my blog knows I have an allergy to dairy and am sensitive to gluten. I'm not sure exactly why I spiraled back into eating more cooked food and introducing two big don't eats. But, it happened and to be totally truthful I'd been having what I've come to call "gluten fest Fridays" for about 3 weeks before I left. Usually wine and pita with hummus or bread with oil/vinegar with friends after work. The Cheese started while in Europe - it all looked so amazing - a nibble here a nibble there.

So spiraling - which you hear a lot of people in the raw food community talk about - thank goodness for people who share - I've been feeling much better about it all knowing it is pretty common to go on a food bender now and again for the first few years as you work on changing your habits and triggers. I've been trying to remind myself that a few years ago bread and cheese wouldn't have registered for me as no nos - I've come a long way in understanding how my body reacts to cooked/processed foods and thankfully I know what to do to get myself back on track. So there it is. Here we go again :) I feel cruddy but, I know exactly what to do about it and it begins with juice :)...