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.