Raw Food

Summer Lunch with WSM Noah and Goddess at the Ark

WSM Noah and I have shifted again.

In March, he went to Israel for 10 days. He returned from Israel and I left for Tennessee, to the Farm for 10 days. I came back and he was juicing. Carrots and celery and beets and greens and apples. Really healthy and yummy stuff. Full of iron and antioxidants - just what a Goddess needs to have a strong body.

In fact, we developed a routine of juicing twice a day. Earthy juice first thing in the morning. This summer, lunch is luscious avocado, golden beet and heirloom tomato slices topped off with a big fat leaf of basil. Dinnertime is a sweeter juice - more carrots, less greens.

Food, as we once knew it, became a thing of the past. Which was amazing because I've had so many issues with food. And wonderful how much more time and energy I have now that I'm not in the kitchen. We also lost a lot of weight - the fat melted off as we let go of dairy products (ice cream and yogurt and fine Italian cheese, sorry Mimi's) and went RAW.

In fact, we had the pleasure of dining at Chef Roxanne's restaurant in Old Mill Valley many years ago before it closed. However, we were just at the beginning of our nutritional journey - eating vegetarian but not particularly healthy.

By taking little baby step forwards, we find the Universe always rewards us. This time, two girlfriends simultaneously share with me a soon to be hot spot, GreenWave Cafe. Thank you Queen Goddess YogaMommy and Mamma Goddess Donna Madonna for being the trendsetters that you are. Oh my Goddess!!! So yummy.

We've become regulars - stocking up on Onion Bread and Nori Snacks and Sprouted Hummus and Snap Happy Crackers. In fact, I even ate a Mushroom Cheeseburger there once - no cheese, no burger and marinated mushrooms -yes, me!!! - it was so delicious - I brought Noah and my Mom and his Mom - my SoulMama - and all of my open minded and mouthed girlfriends. Tee hee!!

We head over there Friday afternoon to stock up for the weekend. Goddess Lisa is all out of her signature Onion Bread. WSM Raoul asks us if we're signed up for the Italian Gourmet Raw Dinner on Saturday night. I look over the menu - Salad, Minestrone Soup, Calzone, Cheesecake - and my mind immediately computes to my previous reality of Italian dinners - heavy, doughy, cheesy .... this whole movie plays out in my head before I take a breath and get back into my present reality - Italian RAW gourmet dinner Saturday night. No cooking. Night out on the town. A nice change of pace. Of course we sign up.

Next evening we're back. The cafe has candles lit and the air smells fresh and juicy. We are seated and served a wonderful salad with Apple Balsamic dressing. Tart and thick. So yummy and filling with sprouts and avocado and greens and cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas. Every bite so tasty and fresh.

Our plates got whisked away and Goddess Lisa's gorgeous dishes came out with a teacup of minestrone soup, big fat basil leaves topping it off. Room temperature, this delicious soup of tiny vegetable crunches in an aromatic tomato ambrosia tingled the tongue. Dipping the spoon for just a little more to satisfy the palate, I couldn't get enough.

Sitting alongside on these gorgeous happy looking plate, lays a calzone - a beautifully shaped turnover. And some tasty marinara for dipping. I couldn't help myself - I pulled the dough apart to peek in before I tasted. Creamy white something layered with baby spinach leaves and moistened sun dried tomatoes. I bit into it. Delicious. It felt like pizza. White stuff turned out to be almond ricotta cheese. The "dough" - some sort of flax seed bread. Who would have known? It was so delicious. I thought I gave up raving about food when we went raw. However, here I go again.

Tonight, we are being served by beautiful Goddesses whose appreciation and love for the food and its Creatrix is felt. They share with us the ingredients of each concoction as we let the tastes linger on our tongues just for a final moment of gratitude.

And Dessert - Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake - I didn't even have any room left and I still managed to leave my imprint on the nice sized slab that was placed in front of me. I was by then too stuffed for the Almond Milk Cappuccino which WSM Noah told me was delicioso. Enough said.

I was so satifsfied with the fresh ingredients, the creative presentation and the yumminess and healthiness of it all. I could feel the love and healing coming right through the food. And for that I am deeply blessed and grateful.

Thank you Mama Goddess Chef Lisa and all the wonderful crew at the GreenWave Cafe for a most delicious experience.

Fearless Feminine TRUTH

It's raining again....
I am preparing to flow...
the egg IN-side me is losing her grip
tearing off the wall, tumbling along and down through the uterus
shedding, cleansing, clearing
I am waiting for the blood
Looking forward to it really

I feel bloated and uncomfortable
Sensations of stress
In my pelvis, low back and hips.
A shift, a shift.
I so get it NOW.

I stopped HER progress -
I got in my own WAY
I hindered the movement
And I am feeling it meow.

I knew this was going to happen
I 've seen the signs before
mind & BODY out of alignment
I stopped showing up
Keeping my WORD

BREATHE .... Life
BREATHE .... Love
BREATHE .... Laugh

Learning to laugh at myself for this OVERsight
Grateful for my flash of INsight.
Slowly learning what is true for ME in my body
and ME in my community and ME on this planet

That's me up there doing Lion Laughter
Loose lips means loose vulva
I'm all for that at this moment

Ready to CELEBRATE my flow
So grateful for the GIFTS of my FEmale BODY
And blessed for all the lessons she teaches me

AwoMEN!!!

Michael Jackson & the Rain

Saturday night - we're sitting out on the patio watching the rain listening to Michael Jackson songs on the radio - 

I Said You Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

You Got To Be Startin' Somethin'

.... and we're moving our hips and singing along.  The words imprinted into our hearts when we were young roll off the tongue as the heart opens and shares FEELINGS.    The tears start flowing like the rain.... 

You've Been Hit By ... You've Been Struck By... A Smooth Criminal

The World lost a prophet - a BROTHER from another mother - ISH BESH KENA as the BriBris say.    His genius - his sharing - baring his divinity through the music - the melodies that shook me up, the words that stirred my intellect, the easy beat to it all.  I had forgotten what an integral part Michael Jackson played in my childhood and teens and 20s and 30s, tee hee!!!

Songs I heard on the radio which vibrated into my soul - my heart, my hips.    I felt and moved thanks to Michael's voice and the radios that pumped the air with him.  His music touched me DEEPly.  Me and millions of people just like me, all around the world, still swinging our hips and clapping our hands and singing ALOUD ...

Ma ma se ma ma sa ma ma coo sa

The tears help release layers of stale, stubborn and stuck - cell memories and dormant muscles (like pushing through sludge) as the cells slowly reveal their secrets to you.  My hands heat up as I place them together to pray.   To celebrate the gift of MICHAEL and the legacy he left behind.  The music - the memories - the melting.

A B C

It's easy as, 1 2 3

As simple as, do re mi

A B C, 1 2 3

So many changes.  So much grief.  So much wisdom he left behind for us to feel and hear and EMbrace.

No message could be any clearer

If you want to make the world a better place

Take a Look at yourself then make the change

Gotta get it right while you got the time .....

This grief - so cleansing - so healing - so many layers sloughing off.  Connecting deeper into the body where I FEEL the music.  Thank you BROTHER Michael.  I am so grateful for all that you gave in your lifetime - every song, every dance, every connection with my soul, OUR SOUL.  I am so blessed & INspired.  

There comes a time when we hear a certain call

When the world must come together as one

We are all a part of God's great big family

And the truth, you know,

Love is all we need

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

it's true we'll make a better day

Just you and me.  

(Paraphrased for emphasis & KISS)

Singing & crying with Mama Earth in Hollywood, Florida.  At least La Luna is back out to play.  Very good.  Very good. Yay!!!

Wishing you,

Peace & Love, Just Because,

Goddess Diana

Dad & Me

Saturday at Dad's - woke up at 5:30 a.m. Opened my eyes, found myself nose to nose with Sammy. We stared at one another. And then he began to purr. We got to know one another better and I gave him a massage. I got up and improvised a yoga studio on Dad's rooftop patio. 30 minutes of Kundalini Yoga for Kids and I was grounded and peaceful.

Dad got up shortly thereafter. We toasted some Montreal bagels. According to Wikipedia - these are hand-made and wood-fired baked bagels. Smaller, sweeter and denser, with a larger hole, than its American counterparts - biting into one takes me right back to my childhood. Dad bought yummy white cheese called Tumi. We cut up some cucumbers and tomatoes and sprinkled them with Montreal spices. I was in childhood heaven. We ate as we sat on the rooftop patio, enjoying the clouds.

Dad changed his weekly routine of going to the synagogue to be with me. And for that, I am deeply grateful.  We connected with my brother and his kids on Skype. I think this opened up a whole new way for us to communicate as a family.  We called my cousin and planned a visit. I wanted to meet his son - the next generation. We bought some goodies and headed over to see WSM Lior & Mama Goddess Valerie and meet their one creation W. We also met the Dog-God, protector of the house, Snoopy.

W & Snoopy have an AWEsome relationship. Bestfriends and buds, Snoopy plays and protects and engages W. They horse around with a ball. So much love Snoopy has for W as he keeps him active and smiling and happy.

From there, we went to my Mom's favoritest dollar store. My Mom loves to shop for deals - the more shelves and materials, the more treasures she finds. Tee hee!!! Dad took me there to buy lava lamp night lights. So tres cool.  Dad then took me to a great shoe store which carries NAOT brand from Israel. Great looking shoes and comfy - LO NORMALI . Tee hee!!! I bought two pairs and some fabulous sandals for Dad.   And then we went home for a nap. Dad laid down with Sammy.   

I went for a walk in the neighborhood. Picked up the pace. Listened to all the languages. Observed how people dressed and behaved. Very nice to be somewhere where no one knows your name. Allows me to be a silent witness. I stood under some yummy trees and feasted my eyes on lovely flowers. It's good to walk.

Went back home - assessed Dad's computer for webcam hookup. A quick scenic drive to Marche Central (huge megamall megacentre that didn't exist when I was growing up here)and Future Shop (the local Best Buy) and we were all set to go. Dad took me through some very green and lush neighborhoods with cute boutiques and outdoor cafes (Outremont and NDG). We stopped to eat something and then headed home.

 

We hooked up the webcam. Created a Skype account for Dad.  And voila!!!  Dad connected with his grandkids. I could feel his depression lift as he could actually see, IN THE MOMENT, and BE with his loved ones. It was way cool. For him and for them. Tee hee!!!

We settled ourselves for the evening. Made some Morrocan Mint tea - pulled out some KAAK biscuits and yummy Romanian cookies and watched And the Band Played On [VHS].  Thank you Goddess Lucia for telling me about this film. We learned and cried and shared a deep emotional moment - Dad and I.

Dad and me - this is very nice. I might have to do this more often. 

Thanks Dad!!!

Weekend with Dad

On Tuesday, I called Dad to see how he was doing. He sounded really down. Mom is in Texas with the grandchildren and Dad is alone in Montreal with Sammy Meow. I decided to spend Father's Day weekend with Dad. Found some awesome priced round trip tickets to Montreal. And away we go!!!

On Friday morning, I had my morning beach walk and swim with Goddess Leslie. Stopped by the chiropractor for an adjustment. Came home, walked GingerMama, showered and headed to the airport. Five hours later I was in Montreal.

Dad picked me up at the airport. He had groceries in the car - half a dozen fresh Montreal Bagels, strawberries, blueberries, rasberries and some beautiful Halibut steaks. I couldn't help myself. I dug into a bagel before we even left the airport. Dad showed some expert driving skills as he got us out of rush hour traffic and safely home.

We went home to cook up a feast. We washed the fish steaks and cut up some tomatoes, put it all in a pan to simmer with some cumin and Montreal spices. The aromas that wafted from the kitchen were intense. Twenty minutes later, we sat down outside on the terrace to eat.

Dad built a beautiful patio/terrace outside his apartment where he has a great view of the sun setting in the West. Sammy showed off his jumping and climbing skills as we sat and talked and enjoyed the evening sun.


The nice thing about mid June in Montreal is that the sun does not set until about 9:00 p.m. We had a lovely sunset and enjoyed the evening breeze. The neighbors stopped over for a glass of wine. It was really nice.

It's funny. I haven't really had any Daughter-Father time with my Dad, especially with me as an adult. It was really nice to spend one-on-one time with him. And we have such adventures planned for tomorrow!!

Goddess Ruby Meow

On Monday, my Ruby Meow died. She took her last breath in the cool shade of the palm tree as she lay facing the house. We found her Tuesday morning and disposed of her body. We cried and yelled a little as we dealt with the reality of a dead body in June in Florida.

I cried as I brushed my teeth. I cried as I braided my hair. I cried as I hugged Noah. And then I took a deep breath and composed myself. We got into the car and drove off to Laughter Yoga. I didn't feel like going or leading the Circle or being out in the beautiful Sun.

We got to the Park and I took in the trees and the leaves. I breathed in their aromas. I absorbed the pureness and stillness of nature. I greeted two squirrels who were kind enough to share the picnic table with my purse and sign-in sheet. I sat on the table facing the lake and put my thumb and Jupiter fingers together and took a deep breath. And let go and surrendered to my feelings of abandon and love and grief and hurt and fear and sadness. I took another deep breath and I found the gratitude.

Images and feelings flitted through my head and heart as I remembered the wonderful naps Crone Goddess Ruby Meow and I shared. She taught me about shiatsu and the power of touch. She initiated me into the language of the soul and the signs to focus on. She reminded me of the gifts of YOGA and putting ME as first priority. She held onto my chest and put her heart next to mine as we exchanged energy and purred together. She was my sensitive One.

Laughter Yoga really helped. Laughing - the other side of crying - and deep breathing and shaking my body. My wonderful community of Laughter yogis and yoginis - sharing their energy and getting and giving hugs. That alleviated so much of the sadness - helped me focus on what truly matters. In the healing circle, I placed Crone Goddess Ruby Meow - knowing and feeling her freedom and happiness.

I am overflowing with emotion and it is so RAW.

Maybe It's Time

Goddess Patti shared these words on her blog.  It was what I needed to crack my shell.

Maybe it's time to take care of yourself.
maybe it's time to scream out loud
that you don't have the answers
and you just plain can't figure out what
it's all about...

maybe it's time to stop doin' the half ride.
maybe it's time to step into it all.
to weep your guts out.
to hurt all the way to your core.
to allow the hurt to be there.

....TERRI ST.CLOUD

Two paragraphs from Goddess Terri that touched my soul today as I prepared to OPEN and share my inner world. Everything is so RAW right meow. Hurting all the way to the CORE. Sitting with it. Accepting it. Surrendering to it.

Raw and messy world of FEELINGS - sensations in the bones and the belly - sadness in my stomach - feeling yucky - clenching stomach muscles and fists as I resist. Allowing the hurt to be there.

Breathing .......... Breathing ........ Breathing....

On the yoga mat as I stretch and breath, I feel her under my arm, her tail swishing by my skin, her fur rubbing up to mine, caressing me with her gentle touch. A deep breath. Giving in to the Moment and entering my body.

She died with such grace. A queen sprawled out on Mama Earth shaded by a luscious frond of leaves from the palm trees. She had a view to the ArtRoom and the pool and ME. In the hammock. Feeling sick. Feeling her. Not knowing. KNOWING. Hurting. Healing.

Breathing......... Breathing........... Breathing

Allowing the hurt to be there. Huge cell memory release. Shifting. Letting Go. Surrendering. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

Breathing......... Breathing........... Breathing

I am so blessed for the eight OM-mazing years of my life that I spent in the Divine presence of Goddess Ruby Moew.

I am so grateful.

Wishing you,
Peace & Love, Just Because,
Goddess Diana