Gearing up for Spring & Moving Forward

Hello Lovelies,

It is already April can you believe it? I found March was still really cold here, we didn't start seeing the sidewalks again until the last week of the month, as we had had so much ice and snow this winter.
This is an actual pic of an area in town from the beginning of March! Yikes!!!

I was quiet the last 3 months as I accidentally got glutened several times. Definitely was not feeling well, nor was I a happy camper.

As my immune system weakened, I got super sick,  was feeling truly awful, even ended up missing work, and so I decided it would be best to do another detox fast during my week's vacay.
I managed 7 days fasting; had intended to do 10, but there were some factors in having to cut my fast short but that's a story for another day.
I have 3 specialist appointments this month for the mold and my thyroid, so am still taking things slowly. I don't really have much of a say in the matter, my health dictates the rules and I listen.

I will say that I am healing and growing in wonderful places in my life and I am very grateful to God for how far I have come. My life is looking so very different from the same time last year, I know there is still further to go but it is important to recognize and celebrate the positive health milestones.

2018 was a very difficult, turbulent, sickly, painful, loss-filled, and intense year.
2019 is all about the next stages, re-focusing, being kinder and gentler with myself, honouring where I am at and respecting where I want/need to go.

As I gain strength and renewed purpose, I find myself needing to lean on God's word and wisdom all the more. Preparing for the next chapter in my life is something that I am feeling excited about and have been slowly working on getting my ducks in a row, so to speak.

After church recently, I enjoyed a lovely girl's day out with a dear friend. We found ourselves at Winner's/Homesense, somehow we managed to do Urban Barn and Marshall's within 2.5 hours, after dawdling over a scrumptious lunch.
Little side note, what a wonder to be able to make plans, be well enough to stick to them and follow through with the whole day.
It is a testament to God's goodness and Grace, that I have come so far in such a short time. Around this time last year I was almost taken to emergency in an ambulance. I was at the emergency clinic repeatedly, having numerouas blood tests, I was on so many meds, was in horrendous pain, and fighting for my life, thanks to mycotoxin poisoning. Less than a year later, out of the toxic mold environment, and I am beginning to thrive!
Taking time out and being able to enjoy moments with friends and family is huge, and I do not take any of it for granted.

Okay, back to girlie time, so, I bee-lined for the garden and kitchen sections, and got some pots for my herbs. I landed two pots that really work with the minimalist vibe I am aiming for when I move, and they were not expensive. (Will take pics and post another day.)
Normally, I prefer to use what I have, however, when we quickly had to vacate the previous mold infested rental, much of my clay pots and containers were damaged and I was told by my specialist that it is better to leave behind as much as possible, to avoid contamination in the new abode.
Kind of left me feeling like this pic below when I considered trying to save some of the stuff I thought was too important to be without.

No touchie!
Having been in the planning stages of prepping for my new home, during the worst of winter these past 3 months, Pinterest has been my trusty companion. These are the kind of pics that have been inspiring me to declutter, decrease my belongings, and simplify in a charming and unfussy way.

I adore the clean lines, the warm wood tones against soft whites, grounding black and metallic elements, with pops of green from plants.

Baskets and potted plants, cleared counters and spaces, nothing trailing about.

             Gather, why thank you, I believe I will.

       I find the organization to be super sexy!

                            Clean, clean, clean!!!
And of course, I need a wee bit of pink. My bubble gum, bubble filled heart, overfloweth with pinky joy!

The wood with sunlight and these tall plants is calling me.

 Yeah, I am on a wood and simplicity kick.

Another thing I likey is that I have been seeing so many minimalist idea's to incorporate flowers and plants, in a way that uses a lot of what you have at home. I have a bit of a thing for Mason jars and will admit to those being my favourite's whenever I am scrolling through decor idea's.

I borrowed Marie Kondo's  The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, from our Library, which I discovered is literally down the street from my house! The library being so near has been a God-send during these recovery and blustery cold months. Books,  books, books galore!!!

I am taken by the whole simplify, detox, declutter, and Marie Kondo method movement.

I have yet to watch her on Netflix but that will be step 2. I have decided to really take my time and read this book very slowly, while writing down the goals and answering the questions honestly, that are in this little gem of a book. It is important to eliminate the clutter and sorrow-filled things that we stubbornly cling to. I came across a quote about needing to empty our hands to make room for the blessings that God wants to fill them with.
Jesus, take the wheel and let's clear house!

I have some happy news, I am taking a small course on-line this month! Yay me!!! I know it may seem like a small thing but believe me, it's a big deal. Mold had caused serious cognitive issues and I was legitimately frightened and noticeably concerned that I may not be able to continue with my education, let alone take any simple courses. This is a big step forward in my healing journey and my life as a whole. I feel like a bit of a serious, womanly, get her did, bad-ass!

I have been slowly but surely continuing work on my cookbook, and this course is going to help with the goal of completing it. So grateful to God for bringing me to this next chapter, I know he is guiding me at every stage.
Whenever I am unsure or seem to be floundering, something shows up at the perfect moment and works for my good. I am trusting Him and it is manifesting in the most wonderful and unexpected ways. This is God's gift for my life and I am moving my wounded heart into a healing and growing one.
April promises to be a busy month, for now I am goaling it up while remembering to self-care as needed.

April Goal's:
-Continuing my walk with Jesus
-Working on my book.
-Beginning and completing a new, short-term course.
-Making a gift for a colleague's baby shower.
-Attending all my doctors appointments and doing specialized tests, while respecting my doctor's order's.
-Stepping away from what is not healthy for me, respecting my new reality with regards to my health, and embracing the positives.
-Continuing to clear out clutter.
-Focused on self-care.
-Starting my seeds with my homemade organic fertilizer. Hey, it's April, gotta think about gardening fun!

Thanks for reading, let me know what your goals are, in the comments below. I love to hear from yah!

God bless!

Hygge as a Good Part of Self-care & Christian Living

Bonjour mes amours!

Today is a day for Hygge and all things Hygge related.
As we have hit the after holidays slump and we have realized that now the winter long-haul is upon us, it is Hygge time!

Excuse moi, but what is this Hygge of which thou speakest fair maiden?
What a good question grasshopper, let us begin the journey to answering said question.

In case you have been living under a rock, maybe in a cave with bedouins, volunterring in some isolated jungle, or just out of the loop, Hygge has become all the rage and is one of the more healthy trends of late. It is a gift to the world from the Danes, and is purportedly one of the main reasons so many in that part of the world report high levels of happiness.

What is so appealing about this trend is that it can be practiced alone, as a couple, or in a group with family and or friends.

It can be as simple as enjoying a cupcake by yourself with some pretty flowers and your favourite hot beverage.

Warming up your footsies by the fireplace in the wee hours of the morning, in your favourite pyjamas or comfy pants.

Gathered at the table, with comfort foods galore, inviting and relaxed lighting, good people to appreciate it all with while laughing and telling tales. It can also be moments you spend outdoors, as long as you are chillaxing, cosy, well prepared, and content.

Hygge goes well with the new buzz word self-care, and as I have struggled of late with much, Hygge has really resonated.

I adore the simplistic beauty and security that is nurtured by this movement.

Which is why my 2019 is truly, a journey in self-care, respect, and calm. I am actively seeking moments like what Hygge offers, and have been asking God to bring me to more moments, enlightenment, and people that nurture said actions.

There have been books written on this nordic tradition and they make for relaxing, inspiring, and lovely reading. I curated a few here for you, which I have found everywhere from my bookstore, the interweb, to Pinterest. I am not going to link these because I feel part of getting into the Hygge spirit is doing for you, at your own pace, investing in your well-being by finding out more for yourself.

There were some lovely recipes that I came across and wanted to share. I love that it is family, couples, or singles friendly, and it is healthy, comfort food, with a new yet familiar appeal.

I woke up this Sunday morning and remebered I had forgotten to contact my church buddy for a lift the night before, but I realized that the -27 degree weather we have been hit with this week in Quebec has been the perfect opportunity to get my Hygge on; while incorporating some Jesus time.

This was what my day started as and it has led to this delightful sense of reassuring, soothing, calm, that has been an elusive struggle this past week.
For some reason I wanted hot cocoa, not tea, which was a surprisingly nice change of pace. I made myself some eggs with my kimchee, gluten-free bagel thin, and a wonderful Asian apple pear. I made sure to set up a candle and have the Hygge cosies at the ready. I listened to the sermon and took note in my Bible of passages that were important during the sermon. It was all very calm.

It is important to approach the moment in a simple, healthful and inviting way. 

Food that is comforting and sustaining with a bit of colourful whimsy is encouraged.

I like this slow movement and am committed to nurturing more of it in my life.

The foods that we are encouraged to eat come from the Nordic diet staples, I sub out anything that has gluten for non-gluten, healthy alternatives. I won't lie though, man do I evah miss barley; but I digress.

Hygge is not only for during the cold winter months but is seen as a year round practice to enjoy and embrace .

The idea of self-care and Hygge may seem a bit strange and foreign to some, but it is a timely and Christian approach to the life that God has blessed us with. And when I think of Jesus, who is known as the Prince of Peace, Light of this World, I recall that he and his apostles gathered and broke bread. I am sure this happened many times before the last supper, and that there was always a sense of renewal, safety, and soulful love permeating every one of those shared moments. To me Hygge is part of fulfilling God's desire for our lives. Putting away the distractions, casting off the world weariness, stillling ourselves and coming back to center. What a glorious and healing gift that is pure simplicity, based on what we need as people, and dropping what we believe we must have.

Have a lovely and blessed day and try to Hygge away those winter blues with comfort and care!

Take care, be well, God bless...

Chef Kiki