Messenger Bag

Check out my latest Etsy listing.  This one in particular was custom made for a friend's sister.

The front flap is hand-embroidered using a traditional Japanese quilting technique called Sashiko.  Sashiko is centuries old and was used to reinforce points of wear on clothing.  I am in love with this stitch.  It looks complex but is quite simple to do,  I actually find it very soothing.

I also embroidered a cat on one of the inside pockets.  Turned out pretty cute.  These bags are being sold as custom made (you can choose the fabric and colors, etc..) on my Etsy shop, DaffodilHut.  You'll find more detailed information there.

Enjoy!

Amber H.

This and That

Here are a couple shots from the WSU Master Gardener’s plant sale that I attended a couple of weeks ago.  I brought home a couple lovely Aster’s and Oregon Grapes to fill in some holes around the yard.  I also thought this was a cool idea for an herb garden.  I think I see a tea garden in my future…

 

As for my detox, well, it ended a bit shorter than the three weeks I had planned. I guess the timing just wasn’t right. Regardless I felt that I got a lot out of my ten days and know I will do it again. 

In other news, we are now eating salads almost every day right out of the garden.  Pretty awesome.  I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to eat a bowl of greens that you just picked minutes before.  I am also harvesting spring onions, broccoli rabe and radishes right now.  Soon I will post a recipe of my vegan radish tartines.  So yummy!

Everything is growing like mad and amazingly nothing is getting eaten by the deer.  They have mysteriously not appeared this year.  Hopefully they just found a new home.  I’m not dwelling on it and instead am enjoying the beauty that is my yard.

Be Well.

Amber H.

Green Juice

I introduce to you one of my favorite things ever. This beautiful green juice is, in my opinion, one of the best tools towards wellness. I try to drink this liquid goodness at least 4-5 times every week. When I go without, I notice. It just makes you feel good. Really good.

After reading "Crazy Sexy Life" by Kris Carr I was inspired. This is her juice recipe and it is truly delicious. Try to use organic veg as much as possible!

The Almighty Green
1-2 organic cucumbers cut in half (I use one during the winter when they are so expensive and then 2 during the summer. Also if you can't get organic just peel it before you juice it.)

4-5 romaine leaves (You can use any green, but I really like romaine.)
4-5 leaves of kale
3-4 celery stalks
1 inch long piece of fresh ginger (Careful here. This is one powerful root.)
1/2 a lemon
1 apple quartered

Broccoli stems can also be used, this is optional. See tip below.

Run all of the veggies through your juicer and presto your on your way to feeling fabulous. Makes a little less than 32 ounces. If you use 2 cucumbers it makes a little over 32 ounces.

*Cool Tip: When I buy broccoli, I don't very often eat the stem (although you can). So instead of just throwing it in the compost, I juice it. They last a long time in the fridge ( I always have some lying around) so you can use them over several weeks.

Now Juice!!!

After juicing regularly for a couple of years now, I can honestly say that I LOVE my juicer. It is a very worthwhile investment and your entire being will thank you. 

Happy juicing everyone!!

Amber H.

Awesome Custom Made Bag

I present you with my first custom made bag sold on my etsy shop DaffodilHut. I'm really proud of this one so please feel free to admire.

 

This bag is fully lined and hand embroidered. I am in love with it.

Check out my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaffodilHut to see the details!

Peace.
Amber H.

Detox Day 7 & First Greens

Oh the joys of gardening! Sunday I spent all day outside, planting, weeding and soaking up the rays. At the end of the day I harvested arugula, lettuce, some broccoli rabe sprouts and then made our first salad from the garden. After baking some marinated tempeh and sweet potato fries, dinner was served. Another detoxifying meal and a great way to wind up detox day 7.

Here are some more fabulous shots from around the yard and in the garden.

Week one of my Spring detox has come to an end. How do I feel? I feel good. Coffee no longer controls my life.  You understand that first cup of coffee in the morning, need I say more? And I am sleeping like a baby every night. Now I drink a delicious mug of hot water with a slice of lemon when I wake up. Don't knock it till you try it people. It's hydrating and alkalizing and actually really delicious.

Enjoy this lovely weather this week, eat some brown rice and guzzle some H2O!

Peace.

Amber H.

Spring Detox Day 4

Hello to you all! Today is day four of my Spring detox and so far I'd say things are going pretty good. The coffee as predicted has been the most difficult to kick. It is truly amazing how addicting the stuff is. As with most things we are our own worst enemies and even though I know I feel better when I don't drink it, I still want it. Badly.

And so it goes.

What did I do to ease my coffee woes?? I picked some lilacs. Aren't they lovely?


Amber H.

Spring Detox Day 1

 Welcome to day 1 of my Spring detox!

Detoxing or cleansing to me really means returning to a simpler way of eating and taking some time to evaluate things. Examining how your body feels on a daily basis is important and helps us to be more in tune with ourselves. We should be doing these things everyday, but life has a way of butting in on our best intentions.

 I also don't believe in deprivation. That is not what this detox is about. Here is a really great article on one of my favorite blogs "My New Roots" http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/2009/01/simple-detox-for-all.html. Although she is writing this for a New Year detox for the Winter months, I still think it applies here. I have decided not to do any fasting. Instead I will be loading up on tons of fresh veggies, greens, green juice, green smoothies etc...

The first couple days of a detox can be the hardest, especially if you are addicted to caffeine. A good tip is to wean yourself from the caffeine to help prevent those dreaded caffeine withdrawal headaches. To do this you can mix half regular and half decaf and then gradually decrease the amount of regular. Or have a cup of green tea. Soon you won't even notice.

 If you are like me and you actually like the taste of coffee a really great product to buy is called "Teeccino." It is a ground up blend of herbs, grains, fruits and nuts. Sounds weird, but it is actually quite delicious and it has absolutely no caffeine. You can drink it at night or whenever. I like to mix it with some regular coffee beans in the morning, grind it all together and then brew it up in your coffee pot. It does have some gluten in it, so beware if you have any gluten sensitivities.

Also make sure you are getting enough sleep.

And lastly, breathe.

Amber H.

Awesome Toiletry Bag

Just added this very cool toiletry bag to my etsy shop. Enjoy!



Amber H.

Spring Detox

During this time of year it seems we all have the itch to do some Spring cleaning. Most of us take this to mean cleaning out closets, scrubbing nooks and crannies and clearing the cobwebs in our homes. Well, I have decided to take this tradition and apply it to myself. Don't get me wrong, I love my morning coffee and a glass (or two) of wine in the evenings, but seriously sometimes our livers need a break.

So for the next three weeks I will live as a saint. No coffee, alcohol, animal products of any kind and little to no sugar (fruit will be ok as well as the occasional piece of dark chocolate. I am only human after all.). For me the most difficult part will be giving up coffee and wine. Isn't that the most difficult for everyone!!

I will be posting my progress as well as recipes and helpful tips. Feel free to join me and follow along!

Peace Out,

Amber H.

Procession Of The Species

 Today marked yet another Spring Art Walk in Olympia, WA. Every year people come out in droves to see local artists showcasing their work. This my friends, is Art Walk. It includes an event called the Procession of the Species, wherein costumes are worn representing all aspects of nature. You are sure to see many children dressed as flowers, bees and possibly lions. You are also sure to see many adults dancing, rollerskating and bicycling while wearing animal and nature costumes.  There are giant paper mache creations and every one is happy and frolicking about. It is an event well worth seeing, and I always come away feeling immensely pleased in this small yet big city I live in. These shots don't do this happening justice, but please enjoy all the same.

Here is a very cute little jumper I spotted in a fairly new thrift store called Psychic Sister in downtown Oly.

Maybe just maybe I will recreate it. I will keep you posted.

Amber H.

The Greenest Green Smoothie

 I present you with your daily dose of health. I'm not kidding, this smoothie really packs a punch. I have been drinking it a lot for the last couple of weeks and I can truly say I feel amazing when I do. It is chock full of nutrients and it tastes delicious. Seriously, it really does. Not only is this smoothie super alkalizing, it also has a ton of fiber.  The avocado provides you with some good for you fats and the hemp seeds add great protein and omega 3's to help keep you full for hours. My recipe is loosely based off of the "Alkalizing Green Smoothie" at alkalinesisters.com.

 Ok so here is the recipe. Don't be afraid to change amounts or ingredients. Smoothies are meant to be experimented with. Add different fruit, use romaine instead of kale, whatever. Play around with it until you find something you want to drink everyday! You won't regret it!

The Greenest Green Smoothie
Makes about 36 ounces

About 1/2 a banana
1/2 a large ripe avocado
1/2 a cucumber cut into chunks (if you can't get organic peel it first.)
1 inch long piece of fresh ginger root
Several sprigs of fresh parsley
2 Tbsp of hemp seeds (I grind mine with a coffee grinder)
Juice from 1/2 of a large lemon or lime
3 to 4 large lacinato kale leaves de-ribbed
1 cup of coconut water
stevia or agave to taste
water to reach desired consistency

Add all ingredients to high speed blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and add water or sweetener.

 

Notice that it almost matches my kitchen counter. Pour into your favorite glass and give yourself a pat on the back.

Now drink up!! The great thing about this smoothie is that it is great at room temperature and seems to get better as it sits, so you can sip on it all day if you want. Enjoy!

Amber H.

Spring Has Sprung!

Hello and welcome to DaffodilHut! It seems fitting that today be the day I write my very first post. After 6 months of Pacific Northwest rain, the sun is out! I spent the entire day working in my garden and yard wearing flip flops and a tank top. My skin feels slightly warm and sun kissed and I am exceptionally pleased about this.

 Fiddle heads anyone?

 The mini orchard is blossoming. We are keeping our fingers crossed that this year will bring a good apple harvest. We were not so lucky last year. So it goes...

The garden is coming along nicely. Already we have snap and shelling peas, radishes, arugula and various lettuces coming up.  I also have carrots, beets, kale, swiss chard, onions, spring onions, leeks and broccoli rabe in. My goal is to have an extremely productive garden throughout the summer, fall and winter months. Just as Spring kicks off, so does this blog of mine! Here I will post about gardening, crafting, cooking and any healthy tidbits I come upon. These hobbies of mine have helped to shape and form who I am and they continually do so. The purpose of this blog is to inspire creativity and well being. To encourage getting your hands dirty and watching something grow. I hope you enjoy.

Amber H.