Asparagus

As I was getting out of the car, this caught my eye.  Amazing!!  God is so awesome.  I remember just last fall cutting the fern like plants back and covering with lots of leaves so they could rest for the winter.  Over time the leaves began to break down and compost so I added more periodically.  I had begun to wonder when the first spear would appear.  Had I cut back the ferns too soon and too low?  Just lots of questions.  And then to my surprise this beautiful spear was saying hello!  Last year the spears that came up were much thinner and frail looking.  They were sweet and scrumptious (the couple I picked and ate).  I will be tasting this one very soon...I'll keep you posted on how it tastes. 


Tasha

Garden 2013 wk 1

It's hard to believe it's that time again, but I'm very excited that it is.
Spring is in the air!  I know it isn't official yet, but it sure feels like it.

pea seedlings

This is actually wk 2 for my 2013 garden.  A week ago I planted several seeds and this week they have sprouted.  Tomato seeds and peas are going strong.  It's amazing each time I plant a seed, to see how God brings it forth.

tomato seedlings

Last week I also ordered some seeds and they arrived today...  

seeds from Gurney's and Baker Heirloom seeds

pepper seeds, more tomato seeds, borage, carrots, okra, mesclun, leaf lettuce, echinacea, stevia, mustard seeds, cress, parsnip, and cantaloup.  I'm still waiting for my plants: kiwi, grapes, raspberries, goji berries, lemon grass, strawberries, and an olive tree.

Since we are still living with a friend, I am still having to think and garden with transporting my garden in mind.  I've planted 4 raspberry bushes already, a strawberry/lettuce pallet, and I planted a few herbs and Swiss Chard.

rosemary, oregano, parsley

Swiss Chard

rosemary, thyme, cilantro

strawberry/lettuce pallet

I'll be doing another strawberry pallet since I'm awaiting 25 more strawberry plants.  I actually have 3 more pallets and I am trying to figure out what to do with the other 2.  I know I'll figure it out, but right now my mind is blank.  I've got a ton of pots and I've laid out 2 cinder block gardens that I plan to dismantle because they are temporary and I don't feel like breaking them down to move them later, plus where they are will be completely shaded in a couple of months and there isn't much I am growing that will grow in full shade..  So I'll arrange everything to be in pots.  I also purchased 2 55 gallon barrels that I'll cut in half and turn into 4 separate garden beds.  I'll get pics of those later.

I have access to the most amazing compost and some year old wood chip mulch.  I'll be gardening in pots using the Back to Eden method.  The movie is a must see and really makes you change your perspective on gardening.  I wish someone had shown me this method 12 years ago, but I'm thankful to know it now.  It's also because of this method that I know God does not have it in mind for me to take Master gardener classes.

When I'm blessed once again with land, I'll be using the Back to Eden and Square Foot gardening methods simultaneously. 


A couple of weeks ago I went to a friends and helped her get her garden prepped....

Rich black compost

wood chip mulch added on top of compost

When I look at her first garden plot (she's planning several more beds on their 2 acres), I see what I am hoping for.  The only difference will be that my beds will consists of many, many square foot garden beds using the Back to Eden method for growing in.
 
I'm excited and anticipating great things!!!

What are you planning for your spring planting?  I do want to encourage those with small spaces, living in apartments or renting homes that won't allow them large plots of land for gardening.  You can ALWAYS use pots.  You may only be able to grow one or two things, but that is one more thing you are growing and one less thing you are buying.  So plant away!!!!

Tasha

WHEW...

I'm not sure where the time is going.  I don't have much time to do anything it seems.  School is seriously back in full swing and it's keeping me busy far beyond what I thought.  I have one day a week to just relax and with preparing my garden on that day, I don't do much else.  I get online check email and that's about it.  I was watching YouTube videos daily, but not anymore.  I'm not complaining, just really ready to get school over.

So, I'm trying to get ready for spring by planting seeds and looking to move my garden beds.  I have 4 beds that range in size from 4x2 - 4x8.  I filled them partly with compost and then covered them completely in leaves.  I also have several pots as well that have various things in them and I covered them with leaves for the winter as well.

I've planted a slew of seeds, tomatoes, lettuces, spinach, peas, green beans, swiss chard, carrots, greens, onions, leeks, garlic, etc.  I'm hoping to be able to order some more seeds in the next week, as well as some strawberries, berry bushes, and prayerfully a couple of fruit trees.
Since we are still not in our own home, I'm having to put 90% of my things in pots or totes.  I plan to put my fruit trees and bushes in the totes, my strawberries will be in pallets.  My asparagus are still in pots and I'll leave them their, though I think I will add more compost to them.  I'm still not sure where to put my garden beds, the area is mostly shaded.

I can't wait to get back into my own place.  It really is frustrating and a great patience training.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is temporary and when it's all said and done and I've pushed through, I will have accomplished so much for myself and my kids.

So what's your greatest frustration and greatest accomplishment? 

Tasha

Day 7

I feel so bad, I've really been slacking.  However, I have a good reason.  I've been busy studying and doing homework.  I've not had time to do much else.

So here is how things are going.  I feel GREAT!!!!  I've had moments here and there where I ask myself, Now Why am I doing this again?  And then I go down the list of why and I'm ok.  It actually hasn't been too difficult.  I'm enjoying it for the most part.  Enjoying juicing different things and finding out how they taste in a tall glass with ice.  I've had the couple of juices that were just overwhelming or down right horrible.  But for the most part it's been delicious.  Tonight I'm drinking a glass of beets, cucumbers, carrots, ginger.  I'm also having a glass of cucumbers, apples, oranges.  In the morning I'll add pineapple to the cucumber, apple, orange juice.
As long as I stay hydrated I'm fine.

Oh, I've got to do some research about the beet juice I drank last night.  It had me feeling a bit weird.  It also gave me a headache.  So I've got to find out what that's all about.

I've not weighed myself and don't plan to until day 10.  I've been watching lots of videos and getting ideas of how I want to go forward after exclusive juicing.  I know I will incorporate juicing as a meal re-placer for breakfast and lunch, with the occasional smoothie for breakfast.  I tend to skip breakfast and lunch and that's not always the best.  For supper I will incorporate salads with every meal, if that isn't what most of my meals consist of entirely.

My next bit of research is to find out how to ease out of juicing.  Any ideas, pass them along.

I'll definitely have a video for my final day!  

Tasha

DAY 3

The Beginning:  I find it hard to drink water the first thing when I get up.  I am just not fond of the taste of water at that particular time.  However, I finally got a 20 oz bottle of water down along with a coffee cup of ice to munch on and felt pretty good.  I then got busy completing an open book test I had.

Day 3 Recap:  Feeling very tired and sluggish.  I have a slight headache that is annoying, but not too painful.  My body aches at times but not too bad.  I can't seem to focus and I have to finish an open book exam and complete reading 7 chapters for classes this week.
I've spent no real valuable time with God the last 2 days and I'm trying to work on my schedule to rectify that.  I need somewhat rigid schedules to function whether I'm fasting or not.  It's a bit hard however when I can't totally focus on one thing right now.  Going to finish my open book exam and leave the reading for tomorrow.  I'll spend the rest of the day in bed vegging out on videos and movies.  

Tasha

Day 2

Day 2 Recap:  I began to feel a bit lethargic and foggy brained towards the end of the day.  I just wanted to lay down and relax, however we had to attend my nieces birthday party and so there was no rest in sight for several hours.  It did help with my energy being around all my little nieces and nephews and playing chase with them and such.  By the time we made it home I was totally exhausted and was sleep before my head hit the pillow.
I am experiencing a lot of urination, but not much else.
I'm craving salads.  I am not surprised by this at all.  Before going the vegan route or even juicing, I was always a HUGE fan of fruits and vegetables.  As a little kid, my mother would cook dinner and I'd take a bite of meat and eat at least 3 servings of salad and vegetables.  This was the norm for me then.  Becoming a vegan hasn't been too difficult, because I can really do without the meat, no big deal.  We "trained" our children to love their veggies as well and they would get excited over broccoli or salad nights.  So for me to crave a salad is nothing new.  What is new is that I'm craving specific things such as kale, cucumbers, and celery.
I'm not drinking nearly as much water as I should so I'll be working on that the remainder of the feast.    

Tasha

DAY 1

It FINALLY arrived!!!  I did the water fast up until the very moment the UPS woman arrived with my juicer. 


Then it came...I opened the box and pure awesomeness.  I set everything out and just looked things over.  

 

All the parts were there and I could not wait to get my fruits and veggies out and get started.  

I made Joe Cross' Mean Green Juice.  I took the advice of so many others that had juiced and put a plastic bag in the pulp cup for easier clean up.  And I began to juice.

 

I had approximately 78 oz of juice, and aside from 2 oz I gave to my daughter, I drank all 76 oz.  The initial taste of it was a bit green at first.  After about the third sip all was well and I was really enjoying the taste.  I could taste things individually and yet I could taste it all combined.  I can't really explain what I felt after the first 16 oz. My skin began to tingle and feel alive. 

Earlier in the day I began to think about what I heard one person say, that they just really missed chewing.  I like to eat ice (I know I shouldn't, but I do).  That is what I will munch on if I feel the need to chew.  

As for my weekend plans, I hope and plan to stay near home for the first few days should I need to be close to the restroom or I begin to get fatigued and such.  I'll be able to just take it easy.

I'll try to do a video tomorrow of the Carrot, Apple, Ginger Juice.  Until then, Juice On!!!!

Tasha

Fasting For Weight Loss and Detox

I've talked about doing a juice fast for some time now.  I've fasted for spiritual reasons before, but this fast is specifically for losing weight and detoxing.  However, I know that spiritual things will happen, simply because I will have to pray my way through this and seek God's strength to maintain when I want to give in and eat some food.

My juicer should arrive tomorrow, so today I went out and purchased all the necessary produce I'll be using.  I'm going to stick with 3 different juice recipes for this 10 day fast.  Though the juice fast officially starts tomorrow, I'm actually starting it today with a water fast.

I'm pretty pumped for what this will mean for me...a jump start to a more raw vegan lifestyle I hope!

My biggest goal for this fast is of course to detox and lose some pounds.  Then as I come off the fast I'm aiming at going more raw vegan vs just vegan.  As I've transitioned, I've noticed that I've opted for more vegan processed foods and I want to steer away from that as much as possible.  The raw vegan phase is another milestone for me and I'm sure it will take some transitioning as going vegan has.  I'm a bit clueless as to what I'll be able to eat on a more raw vegan lifestyle.  Salads, fruits, and veggies I know, but how do you make complete meals out of that and will I get tired of salads?  Hmmmmm, so much more research to be done.

I have been watching more videos and gathering more recipes for things I'd like to try.  There are a few kitchen items I don't have that I would like to acquire to make this transition and journey a bit smoother and easier for me.  So I won't get into raw as much as I'd like.  I'll seriously be taking it very slow.

I'll document with videos along my 10 day fast (11 days actually) and hopefully inspire someone else to give this a try as well.  For now, I'll leave you with a picture of my bounty that I purchased today.  It all looks so beautiful to me!!  I love fruits and veggies......I can do without the meat (except in a few choice meals such as gumbo) ;-D

Tasha

First Days...

Today was the first day of classes for me.  I'm really not feeling this professor, but I came away with a few things to keep me going.....This is temporary, it's only a semester (ends May 6).  I don't have to like him, just learn from him.  I CAN do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.

When it's all said and done, I'll be a Medical Assistant and that will increase my chances of better employment and better pay.  So as long as this class is taking me towards my goal, I CAN & WILL do this!!!!

Tomorrow I meet another professor.  I already know my professors from my other 3 classes and they are really good.  So I'm taking 3 hard classes and 2 fairly easy classes.  
Now I'm off to bed because I am thoroughly exhausted!!!!

Tasha

B U S Y.....

I really had good intentions of blogging more regularly this new year and well, I got busy.  Busy getting ready for school.  I thought school would start back up for me on the 16th, only to find out that I actually start Monday the 14th!!!

That meant I had to put things into high gear to get ready!!!  All supplies are purchased, books rented and/or purchased, I have my class schedule and things are looking good. I've got to work on my daily schedule so I can plan homework, study time, and also my menu. 

Making my menu this go round shouldn't be too difficult.  I'll need to purchase food for my kids, but as for me, my Omega VRT350HD is on its way and I will be having some awesome juices soon. 

 

I've been researching juicers for a long time it seems as well as various juices to try out.  I'm going to start out with a 10 day juice feast.  My goal is to work my way up to a 60 day juice feast, but I'll take baby steps.  After each feast I will basically continue to juice for breakfast and lunch and then my dinner will consist of either a cooked vegan meal or a raw vegan meal. I'm super excited!!!  

I'll post later on the few juices I will be making to get me started.  

What are you doing this new year to be healthier?

Tasha

Health Wellnes and Weight Loss Journey...It Begins

 And so it begins.  I did so well over the last summer losing so much weight, but then I gained it all back. UGHHHHHH That's what happens when you don't keep up the work that you began to get it off in the first place.
Now here I am about to embark on the journey once again, only this time for the long haul.  I will take it one day at a time.  I will not make goals that are too big and set myself up for failure.  I'm eating healthily, but now I'm going to take it a step further and add juicing to my lifestyle and get some movement going on.  You can eat healthy all day long, but if you're not moving, it's doing you very little good.

So here I am at the beginning of this journey...I won't say how often I will update, but I will update as often as I can.  My schedule's about to get pretty hectic and I don't want to make promises I may not be able to keep, yet I will update regularly.

Thigh: 22"
Waist:40"
Hips: 41"
Breast: 42"
Weight: 186 lbs

New Year, New Beginnings!

I am so pumped and excited about 2013!!!  Oops Sorry....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  I know I'm 4 days late, but life happened.

2012 was HELL for me and I'm not going to sugar coat that.

 However, God!!!!!

He kept me, held my hand, sometimes held me period, and brought me through to 2013.  I am believing God for an amazing year.  I feel this urgency of expectation and there really are no words to describe it except for electrifying!  It's in the atmosphere all around me and yet it's within me.
I'm about to begin reading some great books*.  Some have been sitting on my shelf and I've just looked at them and one I just got for Christmas.  I'll also be joining a Good Morning Girls group and doing a Bible Study on Luke 1-8 with them!  I'm ready!!!!!!  To add more to my life, school starts full swing on the 16th.  4 full months of classes and it's propelling me towards my future employment.  I'm ready to get back on my feet.  I hope to be getting my juicer in the next week or so and I will begin my journey into juicing.  I've got a huge goal of losing 50 lbs, but I'm aiming for smaller goals to start with.  A pound a week to start with and I'll go from there.  Plus I'm trying to vlog more about my hair journey, health/weight journey, and Walk with Christ.....It's starting to overwhelm me just putting it all down to see before my eyes!  LOL  Yet I know I won't be doing EVERYTHING EVERYDAY so it's not as much as it seems.

At any rate, I'm ready!!!

Prayer Request:  I need a reliable vehicle for no more than $2000 right now.
                          Immediate employment after school is over and mad savings after that.
                          My goal for moving into my own place by mid July.  So rent that is reasonable and    someone that will overlook my credit issues.  This may mean I have to move beyond where I wanted to move to...regardless God's will prevail!!!
                          Last, but not least, that God will meet me where I am and take me on the ride of my life!!!

Come along for the journey! I pray I bless you in some way!!!


*Books I'll be reading
Begin Again, Believe Again - Sharon A Hersh
Stronger Than You Think - Kim Gaines Eckert
When Pigs Move In - Don Dickerman


Tasha