Some times I'm scared of myself

So I'll be frank with you all.
Some times I am absolutely terrified of myself, of taking a look inside of myself.

Why you ask?

You know I don't even really know the answer. Some people say it is because we are scared of our own greatness. Others say it is because we are scared of our own darkness. All I truly know is that when I am true, real and honest with myself, and try to take a look in there are times when I feel such a vastness inside that it scares me.


Now really it is not a "bad" vastness no, it is just simply vast. Full of all the darkest of nights and brightest of days. Full of endless gorgeous possibilities and a wasteland of despairs.

And that vastness, as large as this entire universe, completely and utterly terrifies me. Some days when the band aid of "my reality" is ripped off (the world I have create in my mind that is contained and "simple") and I am asked to embrace the infinite potential and totality of myself, I just want to curl in a tiny ball and cry.

Seeing that vast void within is like watching at a star 'explode'. 

It is truly terrifying and yet at the same immensely beautiful.

Maybe it is because I have created this concept of what it is to be a light being and that there is no place for the darkness that I hold inside of me. Maybe I have been told, and lead to believe, by myself and others that you can not have darkness with light?

But I know some where deep inside of me this is false. There is not light with out darkness and vice versus. So how the hell does a "holy" light being experience the dark within with out judgement or restriction?

Many different belief cultures have darkness balanced with the light. (I am just pointing out some of the feminine archetypes I have personally been drawn to there are many more)

Some in the judeo/ christian faith, look to the Black Madonna as well as her pure virgin counter point. Also, some see Eve and Lilith as a balanced aspect. There is also Persephone and Mother Kali just to name a few other.

So why is it that we as humans feel we must be one way or the other. That this great vastness must be placed into our little box so we can 'understand' how we relate to it?

Maybe this is the biggest question for ourselves? What happens when we stop trying to BE something? The sun does not decide to shine each day, the tree does not decide to lose it's leaves in the fall. They just ARE. 

But do we even know what and who we are... 

We become so wrapped up in what we should be that we forget who we already are.  And I guess that really is what comes to scare us. We are not afraid of our greatness or of our darkness, but the fact that we are it all and we do not know how to deal with that. 

All Light is not good and all Darkness is not bad and that makes the world and ourselves more complicated to deal with. 

It means we see ourselves in everything, because we are everything and that is HUGE!!! So maybe that is why I am scared to look at myself. I am scared that I am a big infinite ball of Gray. A creator and destroyer. That I am more amazing and more terrible that I could ever imagine. And that that is exactly as I was made and therefore I have an immense responsibility in this world to honor and acknowledge EVERYTHING. Because, if this vast darkness and light are inside me, and I was made this way, then that amazing beauty and horrible destruction all has a purpose and we are all part of it. 

So maybe when I go to take a look inside, I will look from a place of wonder instead of a place of judgement. And then when I look into the sparkling terrifying vastness inside myself I will no longer be scared, but amazing and grateful.

*Added meditation

In response to everything I thought about, wrote about, and posted yesterday, it seems the universe decided to give me a helping hand. Here is a Meditation that deal exactly with what I posted about :)

To make peace with the shadow try reciting the 18th Pauri of Japji Sahib 11 times a day. 

At 40 or more days you "clear yourself of attachment to good or bad, to overcome deep feelings of inferiority, to break self-destructive behavior patterns, and to surrender in complete acceptance of what is-both in yourself and in others".
From I am a woman p 83

18th Pauri of Japji

Asankh murakh andh ghor.  Asankh chor haraam-khor. 

Countless fools, blinded by ignorance. Countless thieves and cheaters. 

Asankh amar kar jaahe jor. Asankh gal vadh hatiaa kamaahe.

 Countless impose their will by force. Countless cut-throats and gather sins.

Asank paapi paa kar jaah. Asankh kuriar kure phiraah.

 Countless sinners who keep on sinning. Countless liars, wander lost in their lies

Asankh malechh mal bhakhi khaah. Asankh nindak sir karah bhaar.

Countless wretches, eat filth for food. Countless slanders, make their heads heavy 

Naanak nich kahai vichaar. Vaariaa na jaavaa ek vaar.

Lowly Nanak, gives this explanation. I cannot even begin to describe You. 

Jo tudh bhaavai saai bhali kaar. Tu sadaa salaamat Nirankar.

Whatever pleases You, All will be blessed, You always protect us, Formless One!

To help me keep track of my 40 days. I color in a petal each day I mediate, so when I finish I have a beautiful lotus to remember my journey:

Love to all

PSK

Listen to Your Soul and Move Forward with Your Life

I know I am a bit behind with this post, but there is still some full moon energy that hangs around after the actual full moon. So, HA!

This past New Years, I talked about allowing yourself to mourn the past so that you can let it go with grace. With the Wolf Moon that just occurred (the First Full Moon of January) we have that chance to continue this work and release, cleanse and move forward from things that no longer serve us with a clear intuition and focus.

Every full moon has it's own energy that it gives off that then is layered upon by it's current astrological positions and events. I am just going to look at the base energy here but take a look at what astrologically is happening for a deeper understanding of what is going on around you.

So.... The Wolf Moon ...

I don't know about ya'll but it seems to me lately like everyone has been dealing with some pesky issue of their past lately. It could be an actual event or just a mental/emotional pattern that they are now looking at and asking "Do you serve me any longer?"

In my previous post I dealt with the first step of really letting go and that is honoring what is no longer serving you. Now we are ready to get down and dirty for the work ahead. The Wolf moon comes in one of the coldest and hardest times of the year in the northern hemisphere. This is the time when food is scarce and life can seem some what bleak in the wilderness but this is also the time when the Wolf is heard howling as a beacon in the night. 

She says now is not the time to meander around, picking and choosing what you think you need.  That luxury is reserved for warmed times, when the food is plentiful and the earth is awake. No! It is the heart of winter. Now is the time to cast aside all that is not serving you. Now is the time listen to your instinct. Now is the time to ACT so you may survive and thrive!

So sit down and think. Have I actually let go of what no longer serves me? It is all well and good to give honor and mourn parts of yourself, but it does you no good if you continue to cling to something you no longer need. 

If you are still clinging. 

LET IT GO!!!!

There are all kinds of ways to help yourself release things:

• One of my favorite ways to release  is to write down a word or phrase that represents some thing you wish to let go and then bury it or, if you wish, burn it! It can be very cathartic to physically "give up" that representation of what you want to let go.

• You can work on opening your heart center  with different Kriyas or Meditations

• You can cup your hands together and image blowing out, into your hands for a few minutes, the idea or feeling you want to release. 

There are just a few ideas to get you started. 

After you let go of the past, it is time to begin focusing forward onto the future. 

Remember it is the time of the Wolf Moon so as you move forward trust your deep intuition. Deep down in your soul you always know what is the right path for you. So if you are unsure where you should focus you new Wolf energy, try these two exercises:

Visual Collage

Sit down with a large selections of magazine with all sorts of images and articles, a pair of scissors, some glue and a piece of card stalk. 

Now flip through the magazines and see what images and words stand out at you. DO NOT try to second guess or make the images fit what you think they should be. Just pick images and words that appeal to you. It can be you liked the color or the sentiment of the image or the word/ words just jumped out at you. When you have gathered a small collection take a moment and see what you have and play with arrange it (with out glue) on your paper. You probably notice a theme starts to form. When I did my collage I found that most of my images where of nature and my words happen to all be about shining on your new path/ journey. For me, this collage is reminder of my desire to reconnect with myself and the beauty all around me. What does yours say to you?

Writing Exercises

Sit down with a piece of paper, a pen or pencil and a timer. Now write out 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year and place only three lines under each heading. Like so:

1 month

1._____________

2._____________

3._____________

3 months

1._____________

2._____________

3._____________

ect. 

Take your timer and set it for 45 minutes and begin to write out your goals for the next year. Remember you can only put three goals under each heading so really think about what you want to put on this sheet. I know when I began my goal sheet last year, there was a project I felt 'I had to be a part of' yet, when I sat to write down my goals for the year that project didn't make the cut. I ended up realizing that I didn't actually want to be a part of the project and had stayed as long as I did only out of a sense of misplaced responsibility. 

As you write your goals, word them positively and with a sense of affirmation. Here are some examples:

I will love myself more when I look into the mirror.

I will be working as a contributing writer for Mantra + Yoga.

I will be working on my art more than I ever have and it will fill me with a sense of joy. 

When the time goes off put your pencil down. Your list is done! Take a look at where YOU want to head in the coming year and now make it happen. Believe in what you have written! 

This is your time to listen to yourself, focus and thrive. Hear the wolf's call and Live your Life. 

May the knowledge in your heart guide you to survive and thrive even in the harshest conditions!

Bright Blessings

<3 PSK

How to eat Healthy and Safe this New Years without sacrificing the Yum factor

So in my frantic prep for the last push of the holidays, I was trying to find ways to still eat healthy while not missing out in the Yum Department. So here are a few receipts that are great, easy (if I can do it so can you!!!) and not hard on your budget. *Remember I'm a struggling musician/ artist here the budget is not huge.

Note: 

There are a few things I keep on hand when able, in my house. 

1) Namaste Perfect Flour Blend and/or their Biscuit Flour - I have tried a lot of Gluten free flours in my time and I have to say hands down. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST! This flour blend is ready to go binding agents (those vile but necessary creatures of all gluten free baking) included. I also find when backing for non Gluten free people the response tends to be 

"There is NO WAY this is gluten free. This is so good."

This year thanks to these Guys, my mother and I perfected our Vegan/ Gluten Free Perogies. Take that you doubters!

2)Veggie Broth

I do a lot of Vegan style cooking and Vegetable Broth is a staple for me.

3)Tomato paste/ tomato sauce 

Because Spaghetti is one of the most flexible poor persons food and is so much better for you than Ramen. 

4)Earth Balance's Soy Free Buttery Spread

If I can I try to use coconut spread but for baking this stuff is some of the best I can find. Plus it is Casein and Soy free. I try to keep down my soy in take as much as is possible. 

Okay so lets get to it!

Here are a few of my favorite treats from some of my favorite Bloggers out there. Enjoy!!

Meals:

Crock Pot Indian Spiced Lentils 

By the Diva Dish 

*note as I can't eat Nan I make the Biscuits listed here to go with it. YUM

~~~~

Great for the Cold Season is the wonderful

Siri Bani Kaur's Version of Saag Soup

~~~~

Vegan/(Gluten*) Free Pot Pies- by Minimalist Baker

*Note I use the Namaste flour (biscuit style) as well as the Californian Style Veggie mix + frozen green peppers to avoid corn. I also cook it in a simple clear baking dish instead of ramekins

~~~~

Biscuits:

The Best Vegan Biscuits - By the Minimalist Baker

Desserts:

No Bake Organic Coconut Balls- By Siri Bani Kaur 

of Kundalini Yoga Boston

*Note if you can't eat Oats like me try Quinoa Flakes you may have to add a little bit of extra liquid check as you go

~~~~

And for those of you Really craving something Chocolatey

The Yogi's Ultimate "Chocolate" Cake by By Siri Bani Kaur 

of Kundalini Yoga Boston

"Here is my most recent treat (and, it only took five minutes to make):

16 ounces firm tofu (drain it first)

2 ripe bananas

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup raw cacao

1/4 cup molasses

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut

*maple or agave to taste

*optional: cinnamon, chili powder to taste.

Makes a GREAT mousse or frosting too!

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend to combine.

Scrape down the sides of the food processor and blend again to make sure everything is incorporated.

Serve immediately or chill for later!"

Hope this gives you all some tasty ideas for this holiday season! Hmmm you know I'm getting really hungry just typing this all up.... I think I shall go have some lentils, a biscuit and some Yogi Chocolate cake!!! To the Kitchen!!!

Bright Blessings

P.S.K

So you say you want to be happy? Here is some advise from a friend:

Everyone wants to be happy.
It's in our soul in our very being! We may have covered it up, walled it away, or masked it with substances, but everyone on this planet wants to be happy. We are beings of light and joy, yet walk down a busy city street, or ride the subway during the morning commute and see how many smiles you get.

SO ....

What do we do? Hmm? We crave this happiness sometimes to the point of harmfully "self-medicating" ourselves. 

These are the questions that have been swimming around in my mind these past few months. I work at a stressful job, have mood swings, have family members who are dealing with some big things, even issues of loved ones, who self medicate quite frequently.
I mean its easy enough to say "Let it Go" and pretend your in the movie frozen or just think positive, but when life keeps coming at you what do you do?????

To be honest I'm just a person trying to figure things out like everyone else out there. But, I figure I should share the actions I've been using these last 3 weeks and if they help you smile then it is all worth it.  I'm not going to call them Tips, because I'm no Guru but just a friend who is trying to share my thoughts so lets call them Ideas instead.

So Idea #1 Color me crazy
Wear light and/ or bright colors, crazy fun shirts, your too cool for school boots. Lavenders, yellow, blues... hell Sparkles even. Ahhh Bling it ya'll, weres my glue gun!!!  *cough*  Ehh. You get the idea...

Color is rather connected to our minds and moods, so it makes sense that changing what you wear can change your mood. Personally I find that if I wear all black (which is a work color for me) I am more prone to being negative, where as if I wear a white shirt I can tend to stay a little more positive.
There is an interesting article here about healing with colors but look around and try it out yourself.
I have a friend who puts on bright yellow and feels great, but for me, too much yellow washes out my skin and makes me feel anxious. I prefer more light blues, greens, purples, white and shimmers.

Idea #2 Keep a log
"The place to be happy is here, the time to be happy is now."
Robert Ingersoll

So I play this game with myself. I have an app called Collect that allows me to take images and save them with little notes everyday!

I then look for things that make me happy. What is my picture/ or pictures going to be today? I'm actively open and looking for the joy and happiness that is happening RIGHT NOW in my life. And as a person who is constantly looking forward and back and loosing sight of what I have bringing me joy daily this has been amazing. My whole mood changes and then my mind starts changing. Try it for just a week. See what happens, what do you have to loose? I bet you will love it and actively look at things that inspire you, make you smile or lift you up. Don't just say okay universe you can bring me happiness now. It's there, it is up to you to open your eyes to see it.


Idea #3: Share and be with others!!
After talking about happiness and such with the owner and a teacher at my studio KYB we created the #40daysmile challenge. We invited our community (local and internet based) to join us in being positive.

Let's face it, you might have shitty days. When your over tired, didn't eat enough, are hormonal (guys you have this too no lie), or just had some not cool things happen.
Were human life gets hard and that is why we have each other.
This community I found has really helped me with feedback, posts and just support. If you wish to join #40daysmile or social media or even find us on facebook. But, you don't need to join our group to have a happiness support system. Talk to your friends and family they are a great tool to use when things get tough. Not to fix anything, per say, just to remind you about your happiness and to share theirs.

Idea #4 Accept where you are and that sometimes negative thoughts sneak in
Everyone is in a different place. Some people seem to just ooze happiness and peace, others struggle every single day to find any ray of sunshine in their lives. It is OK!!!
You are you on your own journey. Embrace it and walk your own path.
This one is the hardest for me, I know. I want to be perfect and the best at everything I try. Even the best at being happy, but that begins to lead to frustration and negativity inside as I start scolding myself for "bad" thoughts and outbursts.
Here is some advice I was given:

• "Be gentle with yourself and don't worry about being perfectly positive all the time. When you aren't feeling positive, gently work your way back one positive thought at a time until your starting to feel better."
• "Just watch your mind, listen to your thoughts and see what they are telling you. If you are not afraid of them or do not have aversion, then you can be the nonjudgmental observer. "
•  "Be thankful for the "bad" stuff. I knew about counting my blessings, but being thankful for what I didn't like/ didn't want to go through/ was resisting??? This was new to me..., but then a true shift happened, and I found myself being truly thankful even for the "bad" stuff."

From the #40daysmilegroup

A meditation from 3ho.org and taught by Yogi Bhajan

Kundalini Yoga: Finding Happiness & Peace Within

Originally taught by Yogi Bhajan on September 26, 1974

Sit in Easy Pose with your spine straight, chin in, and chest out. Warm up first by chanting Ong in the long form so that it takes approximately 10 seconds to chant Ong one time. Chant through the conch, with the mouth slightly open and the breath coming only out of the nostrils. Chant in this manner 5 times, and then gradually begin to chant Ong faster so that you are chanting one Ong every 3-5 seconds. Start with 1 minute of rapid Ong and gradually work up to 2 minutes.

Comments:
“Practice it; it will set your brain, if you do it correctly. If you start to cough, allow it, because it is just your thyroid adjusting to the pressure. The thyroid is responsible for beauty and for keeping you young. Chanting this sound correctly gives power, beauty, and youth.

“There is no word `Om.’ Neither ‘Aum.’ Actually the sound ‘Om’ is the sound of the conch, which can only be created. It cannot be written and it cannot be expressed. It is the sound of Infinity (in formlessness). When this starts working, even the loincloth is lost. It frees the man of all possessions.

“Ong is never chanted through the mouth, it comes through the central nerve channel, the Shushmana, which is the tip of the nose. It brings out from you the breath like fire. Ong is the sound that man found out of the conch where he put in the breath of life. Sound of the conch is only expanded Ong. When a disciple or seeker practices at the center of the nose, his entire brain gets a very specific vibration and then the nectar starts coming.

“Through time man started writing about the chanting of Ong and reading about it, but not practicing it. The result was that he eventually forgot what the sound is and then he became a shopper. He went from one place to another, to another, to another. He went from one person to another person to another person, asking, begging for happiness. He went from one religion to another, from one place to another, from one house to another, just asking for peace. He forgot that what he is asking for is within himself.”

-Yogi Bhajan

This meditation can be found in the manual Praana, Praanee, Praanayam, available at www.SpiritVoyage.com, and www.a-healing.com.

© The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan

~~~~~~

So these are just a few thoughts from my path I am walking. Take it as you will :) See you guys around and Stay happy ;p


May the Blessings that the universe shares, be always in your heart and mind.

Jenna/ Param Sevak Kaur

Some times you just want a little sweet treat

Well Since I finished the post already once, published it and even shared it with ya'll and then poof it disappeared. No trace of it anywhere... *enter twightlight zone music* here goes take two :<

Hey Guys!
So this week I was really craving something sweet and with all the posts up and about for easter I knew I just had to try something.
When searching the different recipes out there though I notices there was a a bit more sugar than I wanted, but what was I going to do?

Enter Coconut Sugar!!

Now as there is a debate on Coconut sugar  and weither or not you should use it.

 The arguments against it can be seen here

Argument for it's use here

Personally I like using it, but use it sparingly, making my 16oz bag last for over 6 months so far.

So what on earth was I going to make this weekend for that bit of sweet, with out dosing my body with soy, gluten, dairy, large amounts of cane sugar and preservatives ???

And then I saw it: Paleo Peanut Butter Eggs :) My guy of 4 years now adores Reese's Peanut Butter everything and I have been on a mission to find him healthier/ paleo alternatives for what he eats. It can be hard sometimes as he says "hun I love you, but some times I can't trust you when you say something tastes good. You just don't taste things like normal people" but I have a pretty good batting average per say. The times he says "wow this is good for me??? It can't be it taste to good" are climbing up and out weighing the "hun thats just too weird". 

Being a professional mover and living with four other 20 something year old men the things that I find at that house amaze me. Boxes and Boxes of Jack and ramen are just to name a few ;) So I took this as a challenge. I would take one of my old favorites and present him with my first attempt at a paleo sweet treat!. 

I am please to say it has more than passed my Man's test. Even receiving the coveted "Oh my god this tastes better than Reese's!" 

So here it is:

                    

Peanut Butter Chocolate Delights

Ingredients: 

Peanut Butter Insides

1 Cup no sugar added Creamy Peanut butter

1 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp coconut sugar

2 tbsp coconut flour

Chocolate Coating/ Drizzle

1 Cup Enjoy life Chocolate Chips

2 Tsp Coconut oil

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, coconut sugar, honey, and coconut flour.
2. Mix on low until all of the batter is combined. 
3. Use your hands or scoop out with a spoon, the batter into the shapes you wish. *Eggs, balls or you can make peanut butter cups by first lining your mold with a thin layer of chocolate, freeze it briefly and then place a small center piece of chocolate.
4. Place the peanut butter shapes on a plate lined with parchment paper.
5. Place the peanut butter in the freezer for a min or so, to allow for the centers to set
6. While the centers are setting, melt your chips and coconut oil in a double boiler.
7. When the chocolate is melted, dip your peanut butter centers in and then place back on your pate and into the freezer. * if you are making the cups gently pour the melted chocolate to completely cover the peanut butter center  
8. Leave your eggs in the freezer for 15-20 min to allow them to completely freeze. 

If you want a lower sugar treat, instead of completely covering your eggs instead drizzle them.

There you go! I hope you love them as much as my entire family does.

<3 Jenn

Morning Breakfast Casserole

Hey guys!!
I know look at me being all motivated and writing a double post again! Maybe this will be a tradition now? who knows ;)

So life in my house is crazy and normally we are lucky to be able to just grab something to go, if we eat at all. Yeah not so good. Because normally that yield starving moments, the crazy hungry monster and then panic at trying to find something anything that is at least not going to kill you and if your lucky is somewhat paleo friendly. So that means when I can I try to cook easy to grab food ahead of time. It makes it easy to deal out the morning of or night before and run out the door. So this past weekend, I found this great recipe from Spicey Paleo and just had to try it!!! But its me and I like extra flavor and veggies, so I did a few modification. It is a great way to have a full breakfast ready without the cooking and I am always short on time so Crockpots are my friend. 

Note:

I use a quart and a half crockpot to make smaller portions, but you can double everything if you want a larger portion.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 lb sweet sausage innards and 1/4 lb hot sausage innards (you can by the one with the casings just make sure to remove them be cooking) 
• 1/2 purple onion diced
• 3 mushrooms diced
• 1/2 green pepper diced
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup precooked frozen mashed pumpkin/ or canned pumpkin
• 1 1/2 handfuls of Diaya pepperjack cheese (optional it does have pea protein so depending on your view on paleo may not be acceptable)
• oil for greasing the crockpot (optional)

Directions:

1. In a skillet, start to cook the sausage.  Meanwhile, dice the onion, mushroom and pepper.
2. Once the sausage begins to brown, add the veggies, cooking just until the onion is soft (it doesn't have to finish cooking as you will be finishing it in the crock pot)
   
3. Mix the eggs, milk and a T of your cheese and set it aside.
4. Thaw out your pumpkin unless you are using canned
   
5. Layer your pumpkin, sausage/veggie mixture, and top off with the  egg mixture.  Stir making sure the egg has spread throughout the other layers.
   
6. Top with remaining cheese
   
7. Turn crock pot on low for 8-10 hours 

Enjoy!

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 :)