Posted on September 7, 2020
MONDAY MUSINGS: DO YOU!
Somebody recently said “Ignore me if I’m talking to myself. I’m self-employed and just having a meeting!” It made me laugh out loud. I love to talk to myself and yes, I’m self-employed too. I think talking to yourself is a really important exercise. Did you know, it’s really your Angel you are talking to? The same one who walks beside you from the cradle to the grave.
If you stopped and really listened to yourself, there is a lot of wisdom to be gained. There is far too much noise around us. Far too many distractions and not a bit of sense or stability in any of the din. We all know that what somebody thinks about you is none of your business so why not focus on what is your business.
Covid-19 has been all of our business for most of this past year. It’s petering out now — we hope! Or let’s just say the novelty of it is wearing out. Before it goes, and we return once again to the noise and mayhem of life, have you learnt anything from the experience? What good has come from it? This is a question I ask all my friends. Some answer with all the bad that has come from it. Really?
As we now head into the final quarter of the year, let’s aim to do something really amazing so that when you look back on 2020, you can have a really invigorating board meeting with yourself. “Oh yes, that was the year I wrote that book I always wanted to write, learned that new skill, made some new friends, became a better parent to myself, got fitter, read all those incredible books, watched all those fascinating movies, etc.”
Let’s look back on 2020 with a smile of gratitude on our faces and love in our hearts.
Peace & Love!
Patricia and Coco xxx
Updated on August 31, 2020
MONDAY MUSINGS: ASTROLOGY FOR THE LAST QUARTER – TIME TO RENEW YOUR HOPE!
Yesterday, I had a crazy ‘senior moment’. I was applying faux tan to the upper part of my body. Bubbles of frothy chocolate brown cream transforming me into a sun kissed beauty. Below the waist I was wearing my favourite Gucci inspired pants. Suddenly, to my dismay, I noticed a brown blob had got on to my pants. Enoooo!!! Heaven forbid! I love those pants! Immediately, I ran for the magic stain remover and an old toothbrush and scrubbed the hind legs off the pants! Still no go. The stain was there to stay. After 30 minutes of failed stain removing, I realized my stupidity! That brown stain was part of the pattern! LOL!! Do you have moments like that? And being unable to find your glasses because you have 3 of them sitting on your head. Aagh…
Maybe it’s not a senior moment after all. Maybe it’s just those lazy hazy days of retrograde planets that’s making us all go GAA GAA! There really hasn’t been much for us to do these past few months but to go with the flow. One day at a time as we watch the Solar System support the change that is going to help the world to re-boot its ideals. And by golly — it will!!
I mean C’mon guys! A Pluto Saturn Alignment in Capricorn for the first time in 500 years is a BIG DEAL!! As is Jupiter conjuncting Pluto in Capricorn with Saturn the Planet of Karma orbiting them in a tight threesome for most of the year. Two’s company but hell to the yes when Saturn joins the party — it’s no longer a party! As you’ve discovered now after that less than wholesome Summer. Right?
So, how do we handle the last quarter of the year? And what’s happening ‘Up Above?’ Things are shaking up a bit as thank goodness we get nearer to Christmas. Christmas YAY!! Here’s what’s cooking in the solar pot: By the way Jupiter going direct in two weeks is very positive! It will help keep us up-beat! Mars going retro might make some of us (those with Mars prominent in their charts) a bit impatient and frustrated with the slowness of life. Stay grounded and calm.
Mars going retro: September 9th – 13th November.
Mercury Retro: October 13 – November 3rd.
Neptune Retro until 29th November.
Uranus: currently direct.
Saturn Retro until 29th September.
Jupiter Retro until 13th September.
Pluto/Jupiter last conjunction on November 12th.
Saturn/Jupiter conjunction in Aquarius on 21st December.
Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius:14th December
Here’s how I plan to deal with the solar system and all their antics for the remaining months of 2020.
Rule 1: Remember it’s FOR OUR OWN GOOD ULTIMATELY!
Rule 2: Keep wearing the masks, hand washing, etc. don’t get too lax just yet!
Rule 3: Keep hope in your heart.
Rule 4: Don’t get frustrated and impatient with life.( Mars Retro)
Rule 5: Remember, nothing stays the same — Happy Days are coming!
Rule 6: Prepare for a brave new world!
Rule 7: Hang in there — and continue to spread love and compassion…
Start Planning an amazing POST COVID-19 Party I’m doing it on St. Patrick’s Day 2021 D.V. You’re all invited — Virtually lol! By then the Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius of 14th December will have heralded a NEW BEGINNING!! As will the Saturn/Jupiter conjunction in Aquarius on the 21st December.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — THIS IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF AQUARIUS… A time when we will see a paradigm shift in power. A time when we no longer can expect others to create our world for us — politically or socially. A time when we take matters into our own hands and create our own world. Self-sufficiency, independence, and resilience. What’s wrong with that? Nothing. As a Mother, I know a thing or two about labour pains. In 2020, you’ve learnt that too. Right?
Peace & Love,
Hugs Galore,
Patricia and Coco xxx
Posted on August 24, 2020
MONDAY MUSINGS: GOING BANANAS IN THE KITCHEN!
Last week when I was out shopping, I saw bunches of bananas on a shelf begging to be brought home — nobody wanted them. Such a sad state of affairs. I mean, who wouldn’t want a banana? Off they trotted home with me. When we arrived home, I was suddenly overcome with a charge of energy, took out my colourful mixing bowls and decided to try a new banana bread recipe. My oven kept churning out banana bread and muffins like I was feeding an army! The heavenly aroma in the kitchen had even Coco on a high!
After they had cooled down, I brought some muffins over to a neighbour who tragically lost her husband during a cruise in March. He died suddenly, a fit and healthy man of 72 who went to the gym 3 times a week. Carpe diem! They were joyfully received. Next on my banana bread mission was another friend going through a difficult time. It was such a sweet surprise for her that she began inviting in people to share it. And so the banana bread party had begun! I gave another half dozen to an elderly friend who loves her sweet treats. She too was overjoyed! Another one to my neighbour who has been very helpful and cheerful over the past few months. Covid-19 has inspired us all to smile more. We’re all into Carpe Diem! PEACE UP MAN!
My neighbour’s beloved dog died on Saturday. She was overcome with sadness as she never had children. Her dog was her life to her for the past 12 years. As luck would have it, I had a banana bread ready to give to somebody else. I went to visit her and offer my condolences on the loss of her dog. She was delighted when I gave her the loaf of banana bread. Something really comforting about a homemade loaf just warm from the oven…and a cuppa tea.
Now, I was short one for my other friend I had promised a loaf to!! By this time, all the bananas had gone — all gone! I had to return to the shop and buy more. I dropped off the loaf to my friend visiting from Ireland before she returns. She too was delighted.
Who would have thought those bunches of speckled bananas could bring so much joy — or another thought, who would have thought how lonely our lives can be if we just dwell on our own problems…I’ll leave you with this thought — Who can you be a Sally Sunshine to today?
Happy New Week!
Hugs from Coco and me xxx
Posted on August 17, 2020
MONDAY MUSINGS: NO NUTS, BUTS, OR COCONUTS!
O.K. Guys, it’s a week into my Vegan Challenge, and unlike my NMS Challenge, this one I’ll admit is harder! I’m going a bit nutty! Not that I wasn’t nutty before — but this time I’m more nutty than ever — Coconutty!! My heart hasn’t been really into it. Realistically, with my lifestyle, my preferences, and my love for rich, decadent culinary experiences, it’s not going to work! Sorry Vegan lifestyle, but it does not work for me. I tried — I really did! I was eating coconut butter in everything from desserts to ice cream. I tried every kind of Vegan alternative but I did not find it EGGciting enuff for me.
Visions of going to Ireland and not being able to have my McCambridge’s brown bread lathered with good Irish creamery butter made me depressed. Dairy is in my Irish DNA! As is fresh seafood and fish! What was I thinking? The thought of not being able to enjoy smoked Irish salmon ever again… Yum! I like it too much. I don’t eat animals but I do like my fish ‘n chips, my salmon, and my seafood chowder.
I also love the Beacon Hill ice cream cones and those exciting little ice cream trucks that jingle along the streets and stop to bring you pleasure by way of a smile and a creamy cone sprinkled with sprinkles of joy and strawberry syrup. I wasn’t ready to let those pleasures pass me by! Enooo! But I tried. I really did!
There are some great vegan foods out there and I will continue to enjoy them. My diet is 80% vegetarian. Some months 100%. When life returns to normal, I don’t want eating out to be another challenge. I like it too much. I enjoy visits to cafes, cappuccinos made from dairy as opposed to soy. Accidently one day at Starbucks they gave me a soy cappuccino. I took a sip and realized I could never enjoy! Food for me is a pleasure and a stroll down memory lane.
When I’m eating my McCambridge’s brown bread with egg mayonnaise, I think of my parents. They always had it for me when I returned for holidays. I still have it, though sadly, no longer them! Just the memory which I re-live through food!
So, this Vegan Challenge has ended shortly and abruptly! I realize it’s not for me. The Pescatarian Lifestyle with 80% vegetarian works for me.
So if it’s not broken — why fix it?
On that happy note, have a GREAT week ahead! Do what you love and love what you do!!
Hugs,
Patricia and Coco xxx
Updated on August 14, 2020
FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: VEGAN ADVENTURE!
I will not lie — it’s been a roller coaster of emotions for the past few days! I decided to take the 30 day Vegan Challenge last Sunday and yeah! I’m still standing!!
Sunday Day 1 – Easy Peasy – no sweat. I’ve got this!
After Friday and Saturday’s feasting, I wasn’t very hungry today. That made for an easy start. I began to plan my campaign. First breakfast —what to eat? It had to be quick, easy, and satisfying — Vegan and gluten-free. I opted for a smoothie and what better than Vega’s vanilla flavour protein powder. It’s packed with healthy ingredients and a whopping 30 gms. of protein per scoop! To dress it up and make it taste yummy I added 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, a quarter cup water, 1 banana chopped, 1 cup mixed berries (half fresh, half frozen), 1 tsp maple syrup, half tsp cinnamon, two ice cubes and off it went into the blender. It emerged as a blue concoction (the blueberries of course!) and it tasted delicious. It was so filling I didn’t feel any hunger pangs until supper. Supper ended up being a regular favourite of mine, felafel wraps — except this time without the bread! As well as going Vegan, I’m also experimenting with gluten-free food. I wrapped them in lettuce leaves, filled them with chopped onion, peppers, cucumber and delicious vegan dressing. I gave today’s effort 10/10!
Monday Day 2 — Frustration in the kitchen!
Same delicious smoothie for b/fast. Why fix perfection? Did my power walk and later, armed with the zeal of a convert, I headed to the swanky Whole Foods Emporium. I was on a mission! I loaded my cart with all sorts of new vegan food to try, plus a few familiar favourites. I was excited to try some vegan chocolate coconut ice cream bars, cauliflower crumble snacks, (an Indian veg curry one, and a Moroccan Harissa flavour), corn tortillas (for gf), Yves Mediterranean Harissa Veggie sausages, Daiya plant-based deluxe cheezy mac, various Daiya cheeses, hummus, guacamole and felafels.
Later for supper, it was one disappointment after another! Some of those cheeses were like rubber!! OMG! Wtf have I got myself into moment! All that waste of money in that pricey emporium!! And the expression on my poor husband’s face as he heard the expletives raging in the kitchen! He thought COVID-19 was difficult enough to cope with, but now this? His wife becoming a Vegan. (He likes his meat!). I told him “Don’t worry honey, it’s only a 30 day trial!”
First I tried the cauliflower crumble curry flavoured snack. It said ready-to-go with a folding fork, so I assumed you could eat it cold, I tried that, yuck! Heated it, a little better, but still yuck! I ditched it. Next, the Daiya luxury gluten free mac and cheese. I cooked it with immense love, even added in some chopped organic broccoli for added flavour. It looked great as you can see from the photo. But alas, it tasted alien and yucky! Vile, disgusting, horrible! I hate to throw food away but into the compost this went, along with the cauliflower crumble joke! Who are they kidding?
Next…and by this time I was getting hangrier and hangrier… I tried the Yves harissa flavoured veggie sausages. I’ve done similar ones before, but usually dressed them up with buns, cheese, spices, etc. to make them palatable. This time I could not disguise the rubber duck sensation! I fried the sausages in oil, a liberal dose of tamari sauce, chopped onions and mushrooms to try and squeeze some flavour into them. No go! I offered one to Kevin — Definitely NO GO!! They still looked and tasted like rubber and almost bounced off the ground. Sorry, but no can do! They followed the cauli crumble and vegan mess and cheese into the compost. The worms weren’t loving it either!! The pile of discarded disappointments was mounting, as was my frustration. The waste of money!!! Aagh!! But I’m not a garbage can. If something doesn’t taste good, I just can’t swallow it!
FINALLY!!! Yee Haw — persistence pays! I scored 100% with the Beyond Meat Veggie burger. I’ve had them before and love them! Fried it up with a little tamari sauce, onions and mushrooms. It was finger-licking toe-tingling delicious. A keeper for my list! Sadly, the coconut cream vegan chocolate ice cream bars were another disappointment. I think maybe it wasn’t such a good idea having the Haagen Daas chocolate ice cream bars so soon before! Comparisons are odious.
Tuesday: Day 3 — Persistence Pays!
Despite the moaning and groaning, my body was — if I’m being completely honest here — feeling a lot lighter and cleaner. No gluten, no dairy, no animals or fish. The weighing scales had dropped nearly 3 lbs. So that put me in a better frame of mind to tackle Day 3. I had been voraciously reading all the Vegan Success Stories and how lives had been changed dramatically by converting to a plant-based diet. One woman said she actually put on weight the first month because she was eating all the Vegan ‘junk food’ out there. I did not realize Vegan Cuisine can have junk food? Maybe all those rubber ducks have bizarre additives? Then something clicked. I think it is better to stick to what you know and make this transition as easy as possible. The old reliables. It has to be easy peasy for it to work — be it friendships or food!
Wednesday: Day 4 — Old Reliables
The boy next door food. Hummus, felafels, guacamole, peanut butter on rice cakes with sliced banana, veggie burgers, veggie lasagne, veggie chilli, lentil and chickpea curry, etc. The list was endless! Why did I not think of them before rushing in to buy pricey rubber duck food? Duh! My enthusiasm and confidence soared 100%. By the end of day four, I had worked out some meal ideas and even up-graded my Vegan Rescue Cookie! It is now even more delicious since I added chopped walnuts to it. I call it my Ooh La La cookie. What a difference a day makes!! Stick with it Delisha!
Thursday: Day 5 — Make a list
To make it last, I need a list. A list with only yummy, healthy and satisfying food allowed on it. Tried and tested — for now at least! Start small. Play safe. That’s my strategy for now. Later, I hope to get more adventurous and try a few new recipes per week. I’m really excited for the decadent desserts part! I also was thrilled to find a yummy vegan dish at the food court. It was from Thaigo, and was a vegetable stir fry with rice and tofu. Finger licking good — and I’m not easy to please!
Vegan Meal list:
Breakfast: Protein Smoothie, Oatmeal with almond milk, fruit, Ooh La La cookie.
Lunch: Felafel wrap, hummus and veggies, salad, soup.
Snacks: Rice cakes with nut butter and sliced banana and cinnamon. Guacamole with corn chips, hummus with veggies, fruit and nuts.
Dinner: Chickpea and lentil curry, veggie burgers, veggie lasagne, veggie chili, pizza on cauliflower crust, stuffed peppers — the list is endless!!
Friday: Day 6 — I’ve got this!
Yes, I’m still standing albeit a few pounds lighter! I’m excited to experiment with more recipes over the weekend!
Have a great weekend and be sure to do what you love and love what you do!
Hugs,
Patricia and Coco xxx
