Change it's everywhere, but are you ready?

Podcast to ease anxiety and open our hearts to change:

(audio by Nirinjan kaur purchase here)

So this weekend my mom looked at me and said:
 Lets go on one of our adventures. Somewhere we haven't gone before.

See when my mom says adventure, that means we are looking to go somewhere really new and different. We are really busy people my mom and I, so these adventures are a wonderful way to break out and relax.  

The last adventure we went on though, had been almost 6 months ago and we had seen most of the areas around us; so planning this adventure was becoming a bit of a puzzle. 

I searched around for "Things to do in Boston" and "Events this Weekend in Massachusetts" but even though I did find out some random and interesting things, nothing seemed right. Where were we going to go? I didn't want to just stay home and cook, work or watch a movie, but as the morning wound on it seemed like I was becoming more and more comfortable with just chucking the whole plan. 

You see when I get frustrated I tend to just through my hands up in the air and go 

FINE Universe.  I don't need to go anywhere special or do anything I'm tired any way. 

And then proceed to pout or pretend like I didn't care to begin with.

Luckily I had given my mom a few options the day before and when I arrived back home from a long walk with the pup, she announced: Let's go to "The Butterfly Place". I wasn't sure what to expect as I had resigned myself to just staying at home and watching TV, but off we went following the GPS into the far out reaches of MA. After about 45 min up route 3 to what seemed to be the middle of no where, we arrived!!

The Butterfly Place

We got our tickets and walked through a very informative section about the life cycle of the butterfly and a collection of caterpillars from all different species. It was cool but no where near the level I was about to experience. 

We walked through this doubled door section and then Voila! It was a whole different world. 

Butterflies of all different shapes, sizes and colors where just flying around in this gorgeous garden. 

I was in awe. 

These frail creatures who have such a dramatic life cycle where so gorgeous and more importantly seemed so free, even in this confined area. 

It got me to thinking about what butterflies represent in life: Change.

In many cultures through out the world, Butterflies represent Growth, Transition, Resurrection, Expansion just to mention a few and some cultures even connect the symbol of a butterfly with our soul. Wow big stuff but when you look at these creatures it makes you stop and think doesn't it?

Change is ever present in our life. I know especially now I am on the verge of massive changes, of growth, in my life and I get really scared. To move forward can be rather scary. We know the now, it is safe and comfortable. The doubts of what if he won't want to stay with me if we move in together, what if I take that job offer and leave what I've know behind, what if my attempts at running my own business or doing what I've always dreamed of fails, what if I can't keep up in school or for me Teacher Training come fall? Lots of what ifs...

But, if a caterpillar didn't go into its chrysalis to become something completely new there would be no beautiful butterflies.

So I realized something walking around on that gorgeous and life filled path today, that sometimes we have to go into our scary chrysalis and change. But, when we come out, oh when we come out a new and glorious butterfly will greet the dawn. 

To work on bringing change into your life here is mantra and kriya to look at. Spirit voyage has a good article on change.

Mantra: Ant Na Siftee:

The 24th Pauri of Japji, written by Guru Nanak, the first guru of the Sikhs.  "Ant Na Siftee" or "Ant Na Siphatee" is a powerful mantra of change and transformation for you and your whole family. 

Ant Na Siftee Kehn na antAnt na karnai dayn na antAnt na vaykhan sunan na antAnt na jaapai kiaa man mantAnt na jaapai keetaa aakaarAnt na jaapai paaraaavaarAnt kaaran kaytay bilalaa-heTaa kay ant na paa-ay jaa-ayAyho ant na jaanai ko-iBahutaa keheeai Bahutaa ho-iVadaa saahib oochaa thaaoOochay oopar oochaa naaoAyvad oochaa hovai ko-iTis Oochay kau jaanai so-iJayvad aap jaanai aap aapNaanak nadaree karamee daat

Chant or recite these words 11 times (optimally for 40 days), or just leave playing in the environment to shift the energy of a space. 

-Mantra for Family Karma from Spirit Voyage

I love music and Gurunam Singh has a cool version you can purchase:

and here is a version of him singing the Ant Na Siftee live.

Kriya:

When facing change it is good to keep your heart open to the positive and growth that is forming around you.

Kriya to open the Heart Center

As always, listen to your body and intuition for what is right for you :)
May you accept and celebrate the change in your life emerging as the beautiful butterfly you were meant to be.
Bright Blessings,
Jenna/ Param Sevak

Spring is almost here!! You know what that means... Gardens!!!

So as I've had a bit of down time today I figured I write a baby blog entry. I know, I know I said I wouldn't be writing but it is gorgeous outside so I figured why not??
The next question you maybe asking yourself then is "well what has inspired you so?" and the answer my friends is SPRING!!!!
Yes, that season we thought might never come back here in cold New England is popping it's head up and giving us a shy wave. I make it a habit to walk my dog around 6am (as I have found my body functions best with a 5:30am -8:30pm schedule) and I have been delighted to be greeted by the chirping of birds and the budding of my crocuses and daffodils.
Ahhh yes finally the birds, flowers, temperature above 30 degrees means one thing!!!

It's time to get back to the garden!!!!

Yep, I love my garden it starts so empty every year and I spend a few hours pulling out dead plants and turning dirty to get a nice blank canvas:

And then the magic begins to happen :) The babies begin to grow! Yep if you have a garden you know what I  mean: these little plants who feed you become your children. I may take that a step too far sometimes and sing and play music for them while I am weeding, but hey if I like music why wouldn't they. Plus they did do a study that plans respond positively to classical music, so I figure my new age music will be a favorite of theirs. 

Now I'm not going to lie and say I am out there every week tending and watering my garden. I have a community plot so have to drive out to it, so life gets  in the way. But for me just having that garden there can be the escape from the crazy around me I need. 

Seeing sites like butterflies, birds flowers swaying gently in the breeze are some of the most relaxing things that are FREE!! Yep I'm a poor muscian and am always trying to find ways to not to make my already small bank account any smaller. And hey 20 min out in a garden is free and just as stress re-leaving as going to the gym or yoga studio for me, so hey why not save the few bucks, get some food for the week and take a few deep breaths. 

Now for those of you who are like "hey but I don't have a garden and don't even know where to start", I feel you. I was there and still get overwhelmed sometimes and I've been gardening for a few years now. Start small. You can plant some herbs and go outside and take walks or see if you can find any open Community Gardens: in Boston many of the towns have them you just have to look.

They the next step is what do I plant and when?

I have a small medium raised plot and can normally get a full spring to fall rotation of different veggies and herbs going. I have a few basic regulars such as lettuce, tomatoes, spinach and herbs such as basil, thyme and lavender that are always some where in my plot. I tend to plant mid april my hardier plants such as the herbs, broccoli and leafy greens and then into may the family of tomato plants.

If you want a more "specific" (i use quotes as even the expects have to guess to a certain extend when it comes to weather and planting) you can look to the almanacs or local gardening predicting sites around now. Currently my sites are saying last frost (which is the big date for gardeners) is going to be April 11th.  So it's time to go into full planning mode.

Now one of the veggie that is always a staple in my garden is Kale. I love kale and have found it is one of the healthiest and hearties plants I can have in my garden. It has always survived the Boston summers, cold snaps in spring and fall and lets not forget having me as a mom. So you know its a hearty little bugger. 

Kale is so great for you. It's a great source of Vitamin A, C and K, not to mention a slew of other minerals. Now if you are new to kale and can't imagine having to eat this queen of greens don't worry you can start small and work the kale into your diet slowly ;)

My favorite summer dish is sauteed kale with bacon, onions and what ever other veggies and or fish I have around with scrambled eggs. It's Paleo, healthy and wicked fast and easy.

Easy Egg Scramble:

3 leaves of kale chopped

1-2 pieces of bacon chopped up

1/4 of a tomato diced

1/2 a carrot thinly sliced

2 eggs 

1 pinch of salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme

splash of unsweetened original almond milk

1/2 tbs of olive or coconut oil (coconut gives everything a slightly sweeter flavor)

Heat up the olive oil in you skillet then add your bacon. Once that gets going but before it is brown add your chopped kale and carrot and let them begin to cook. 

You will notice the kale will become a darker green and the carrots will become a bit softer then add in your tomato.Make sure to periodically move the veggies around so they don't burn.

Now grab your eggs crack them into a bowl and add you splash of almond milk and wisk that around till it is all combined.

* Note: I am a Paleo girl not to mention also very dairy and gluten intolerant so I never use anything containing those ingredients but shift as your body asks.  

Now pour your egg mixture on top and let it cook. Make sure to use your spatula to move the eggs around as over cooking is a problem. 

Once there is no more liquid from the eggs you are ready to go.

So plate up and enjoy and shift what you use around as you find other in-season veggies or items from your garden!

Well that is all for now ya'll. It's lunch time and my stomach is demanding my honey, garlic chicken wings so off to the kitchen!!

<3 ya

Jenn

 Make sure to comment and let me know whats on your mind! I love hearing your thoughts and input :)