Vegan Kitchen

I've been talking about my mission now for the past month. In my first post I explained that part of my motivation for writing a personal mission statement was because of the work I am starting to do beyond mothering - freelance writing, coaching, an e-book, etc.

I wanted a mission statement to use as a "measurement tool". So I could evaluate each opportunity that comes my way, to make sure I'm investing my time, resources, heart, head and hands into the work that is going to most sustain me, inspire me, contribute to our family, and fulfill God’s unique mission for my life.

I also needed a mission statement to help me with the insecurities I feel in this world of online entrepreneurship.

I know you're getting tired of hearing about my insecurities, me too! And if you're wondering what this has to do with 30 Day Vegan, hang tight, I'm getting there.

One of the things that came out of the soul-searching time of defining my mission is that I realized I needed to build a supportive community around my online work. To create an environment that would help me feel safe as I moved beyond the comfort of home.

I needed community. Specifically, a community of women that supported my work, believed in me and wanted to see me succeed.

I am willing to give that also, indeed I'm naturally drawn to encourage and support causes and people I believe in (aren't we all?). And so I've been slowly interacting with and contributing to an online group of women. This isn't a formal arrangement, it's relationships, and I don't think they even know the role they play in my life!

This has been a wonderful thing for me. Different from supporting my neighbor down the street but just as necessary for me in the kind of work I want to do in the world. Community is really important to me - in my real life and in my online life.

Heather is one of these women, part of my community. Heather and I have never met in person, though I keep scheming how I might swing that one of these days.

Heather was one of the first people (out there, in the online world) who said to me, "I love your work, I acknowledge that you have something to offer, can you contribute to the work I'm doing? (And, I'll pay you for it.)"

Heather saw potential in me where I hadn't. We all need someone like that in our lives.

That was the start of what has been a most lovely working relationship. A relationship based on shared values, trust and quality work.

Heather offers her knowledge to us all in her fabulous health courses, full of her signature style of gentle wisdom (I have a crush on her gentle wisdom) but packed full of life changing knowledge and hands-on applicable content. Ie: great recipes!

Heather's work is unique in that it's both full of great content and beautiful. And for a beauty seeker like myself, participating in her courses is a double dose of goodness. Knowledge and beauty. Ah...

You can see why I love working with her so much. This kind of work speaks my language. Not to mention she gives me creative freedom - something else hugely important to me.

I swear I feel good all over just talking about it!

I have been a participant in all of Heather's health courses to date. I have contributed writing and even one video to most of them also. She offers the world something I feel passionate about - instruction and inspiration for healthy living. Her work aligns with my personal mission and partnering with her is very gratifying for me.

If I could offer a health related e-course it would look a lot like 30 Day Vegan but of course without all of Heather's wonderfulness, which is why I'm happy that she's doing it and not me!

Heather is offering another 30 Day Vegan course this spring. And I'm thrilled to be contributing again.

You can read all the details here about this season's course.

In the course description Heather gives a short list of why you should consider joining 30 Day Vegan. Included on that list is this:

Because it feels good to be around kind, supportive, like-minded people on a similar journey.

Ah yes. I does feel good. Real good.

It feels good the way clean eating, mindful living, and taking care of yourself feels good.

Ready to feel good again? Do come join us.

Heather is offering a discount ($5 off the registration cost) to FIMBY readers. To take advantage of this deal use the code fimby2012 when you checkout.

I hope to see you over there. The course starts May 21st, in one week, and the discount code will expire at that time.

Everybody has their individual practices that ground them and bring their focus back to those most important things in life.

Yesterday I needed to reconnect with mine. I needed to come back to center. (I do love this phrase from the yoga world, though I don't practice yoga.)

Computers are a funny thing. It's the way we earn our living, communicate with friends and family, and is a great tool for learning and inspiration. I spend a lot of my time on the computer - writing, "connecting", and with tasks related to managing our home. But yesterday I had reached the point where I'd had enough. I didn't even want to write in the morning and I know that's a sign I need to pay attention to.

I have short feedback loops and that's not by accident. If we ignore our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical needs our loops will lengthen and we will find ourselves "at the end of our rope" long after the point we should have stopped to reassess and recalibrate.

I've been reading blogs now for over five years. I've watched mama bloggers launch books, start businesses, and grow networks working from home. I'm inspired by that.

I've also watched mama bloggers reach the end of their rope and struggle to find their way back to center - in their health and relationships. As I watched their empires and influence grow I asked myself the question, "how do they have the time?" Turns out they didn't and they ended up making compromises that I would not be comfortable making.

I have appreciated their honesty in sharing their journey but I also made a commitment to myself and my family to not walk that path of compromising what I value most.

And so I have short feedback loops. There is a constant "taking the temperature" in my home and in my heart. After years of building an intimate relationship with my children they communicate to me when I'm not tuned in enough.

My body also "talks to me", if I just listen. It tells me when to rest. When I need to get outdoors and exercise. When I need to clean up my diet a bit.

I am thankful for these messages and yesterday it was time to listen.

I started the day with my journal and reading the words of Solomon and Thoreau, then talking about what I read with my family. No writing. I can't draw from an empty well. The words of Thoreau of course drew me to the woods. And although I live in the woods I wanted to actually be in the trees. I needed a ski.

But first I had to attend to my kitchen. When I release the expectations that usually accompany my mornings (mornings are the workhorse of my day) I so enjoy cleaning my kitchen. Handwashing dishes is our normal routine but when I am in the right zone, and yesterday I was, it becomes a meditation of sorts, not a chore.

I organized the fridge and pantry (the day before was grocery shopping day and in our small kitchen everything must be put away rather tidy to fit). If you want to get organized - live in a small space, it will force your hand.

Then I skiied through the woods and fields around our home. And visited our neighbor's sugar bush to taste the sap. I'm so glad I got on my skis because today those same fields, that just yesterday were white with snow, are now brown with flood water. The warm summer temperatures we've had this week are doing a number on the snow and ice. Fast and furious is spring's arrival.

I spent the rest of the day mostly in the kitchen. Nothing says love and home and comfort for my family like a pot of vegetable bean soup for lunch.

The kids built fairy houses, searched for critters in the newly exposed and sodden earth, and played in the mud. Still a novelty after all our snow.

After a bit more reading at lunch (I've started the Hunger Games and now I can't put it down) I was back in the kitchen to make baked beans for supper. Double the recipe to share with our neighbors. Three young children and knee surgery - a homemade meal is the least I can do.

Throughout the afternoon the smell of sugar shack woodsmoke and the song of redwinged black birds drifted through our open windows. And I was overcome with gratitude.

Gratitude for all the support I've had this week in launching my little e-book and that I can use the computer to share my thoughts with the world. But that I also have the freedom to unplug for a day or morning.

I am grateful for short feedback loops. For the need to eat and connect around a table. And the need therefore to cook and clean the kitchen - the work of which is very grounding. I am grateful for living this life - at home together - with my family.

There is a hefty responsibility that comes with our days. We rely on no one else to provide a paycheck and educate our children (see my post at Simple Homeschool today where I talk about the burden of that responsibility). But there is freedom also. 

And in this freedom there is a lot of joy - when we choose to live it.

Sunday is our sabbath. Our one day a week to have a break from regular life responsibilities. A day to play and rest.

We do this is in the great outdoors. Although last week the girls and I stayed in pj's and watched a movie - we need those days too now and again.

Yesterday we headed to the local ski hill where the boys had telemark lessons in the morning (while the girls and I played games). We shared lunch and conversation with our friends/telemark instructors at their chalet close to the hill. Then I spent the afternoon spring skiing with my boy while the girls got time with their dad. We didn't budget for downhill skiing this season (you can bet we are for next winter though!) so we tag team.

I didn't touch my computer till after supper clean up, when I finally finished the launch page for Nurturing Creativity. Who knew these things would take so long!

I woke up this morning before 6 am rested and ready to go. Like the weight and dreariness of March had lifted. Maybe this feeling will stay all week! Wouldn't that be fantastic.

Yesterday's rest and the freshness I felt this morning reminded me, once again, why we do this. Why we make such an effort to have the gear (living small and budgeting carefully), get out the door and spend this time together. An effort and process that has been years in the making but that we still have to discipline ourselves to do each week - because we need it. I need it.

I have this little e-book I'm birthing and it's stretched and grown me in unexpected ways. Hence the feelings of losing control and unraveling a bit at the edges that I talked about in my last post.

It's so tempting when we feel that way to throw in the towel on our disciplines and practices.

And sometimes we do, temporarily. But those things are a priority in the first place because they are important. I'm not living with integrity if I neglect my life priorities, the things that keep me grounded and healthy, just so I can launch projects - that are supposed to be about creative and intentional living!

Take cooking for example. Part of my mission is to nourish my family. I also feel called to nourish others and do "food work" in my community. (A couple weeks ago I said I was going to write about my mission. Well I did and it's about 5 posts long so I'm still figuring out how and when to publish that.)

I know what my mission is.

The challenge then is to stay grounded in the things that really matter. To not just know my mission, but live it - in the midst of messy living. And I'm not just talking about how the floor gets messy after a day of crafting but the mess of life - family illness, budget shortfalls, and trying situations.

One of my saving graces this winter, and these past couple weeks especially as I've been finishing this e-book, has been simple suppers. I highly recommend them.

To eat this way involves a bit of teaching and training so your children really appreciate simple foods. This works best if you still have young ones but I recommend Hungry Planet if your kids are older. I have no advice for bringing reluctant husbands and partners on board to simple meals (smile). We have the attitude that if someone cooks for you, you're grateful. Period.

I'm thankful my family truly appreciates a bowl of roasted veggies.

Veggies that were farmed close to home (it seriously does add more meaning to your meals), prepared with intention and served with love.

This is what it's all about. The simple living gig. The family togetherness thing. It's about living our mission in the context of real life.

Creating a life of beauty and meaning. Serving each other. Growing relationships.

This morning I will be busy on my computer getting ready for tomorrow's launch. No homeschool today. I will cook lunch for my family. Loving on them in one of the most intimate ways I know.

I have a meeting this afternoon with someone to get the ball rolling on starting a food buying club in my community. Turns out there's a local group of people trying to get a buying club started and they need someone experienced and organized with this kind of thing to get it going.

Living my mission. It's what I choose to do this beautiful March day. And in the Sunday skiing and the simple suppers.