Life in Moncton

It's been a little over a week I moved into my new city.  I have gone trough all sorts of emotions. It is a much bigger life change than I anticipated.   Let me explain...

People are really nice here... and always ready to help you out...  We even had someone offering to help us empty the truck...  but there was so little stuff and I was so surprised by this offering that I said "no thanks, it's all good".  People on the street and bus drivers are always ready to offer you help when you seem lost...  We even had several people say "hi" to us for apparently no other reasons then we are human! THAT I am not use to... in Montreal, you can go by the same people day after day and NEVER you or they will say anything! I even had people stop me on the street to say they love the way I dress and asked me where I bought them! :-)

All this is really good, but also quite demanding to me... in the sense that I grew up in a city where you can go unnoticed for all your life if you wish to or if you don't make sufficient efforts not to!

I will give myself 21 days as one of my best friend suggested!

The other thing is Moncton is much smaller then Montreal.  No surprise there. The public transit system is actually much better then I anticipated but works very differently then what I am use to.  Instead of "streets", bus lines are by circuit. Using 2 of the main circuits you can actually go from one end of Moncton to the   other in about 30 minutes! That is great!  And there is air conditioning.  All greater Moncton is covered by public transit from early morning to late evening - but not night! Buses are actually ON TIME! Funny thing:  when you want to go out at a station, you ring the bell but you stay seated until the bus stop!  Not use to that.

Being such a small place, and my family being such great walkers, we can actually cover most places we need to go to by walking! Much cheaper then public transit in the long run and serve as exercise!

We can actually find all we need within no too long walking distance: groceries, pharmacy, health food store, vege/vegan restaurants, and even some vegan friendly restaurants! People here are NOT surprise when you say you are vegan and they actually know what you mean!  THIS was a shock to me.

I have walked, over  the last week, more then ever I think. I also realise that everything we really need is close but everything we want to avoid is further! Like shopping places! We either have to walk 10 minutes and take the bus for 15 min or walk 50 min to get to a shopping area! This is great for us who wish to cut down on time spent shopping! Way to go minimalism.

Another thing that surprised me in a good way is the Moncton Market.  It was much bigger then I expected and much more diversified then I assumed. I know where I will be spending my Saturday mornings for the next 51 weeks! ...at least...

Last but not least, the lake view is AMAZING! I love watching the sunset and the quiet water in the morning.  I also found where I will be doing my yoga outside without too much disturbance: but a few baby ducks and baby geese.

This week we are planning at having a look at the Centennial Park and the River front park.  Two huge green areas close by my apartment. Lots to do there apparently.

Also still looking for jobs...  but there has been some development there.

All in all, we are adapting quite well.  We still need to find other ways then walking downtown to spent time - as downtown takes about 1h to cover!

Up until now this is a positive experiment. We'll see what comes next! One day at a time!

thanks for reading!and please share if you like this blog!!!

love&peace,
nath
xox
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#108 days - 7 done/101 to go!

 

 

Hello!!!

Long time no « speak »…

I missed this blog… I love writing on it and having no internet connection beside my phone was not working well for me.  Now, everything is back to normal and therefore I will resume with my usual writing habit!

On Friday, this blog is dedicates to my #108 days project.  As you probably know, today marks the end of week one.

In terms of my challenge, it was not the busiest and scariest one and next week isn’t either.

I have used this first week to move to a new city and a new province. It has been challenging, not in terms of #108 days, but in terms of adaption to a completely new city… and a completely different one. Some parts have been going well other are a little more challenging but that’s OK.  I am taking what comes my way as it does.  Trying not to create expectations.  That was part of the reason for moving – to get out of my usual habit, expectations and deceptions.  To take on new things, challenges and create a new life.  You can’t create anything new when you’re stuck in old molds.

For every day life, I have grocery store right near by, walking distance. This is all we really need on a regular basis.  I also have a wonderful view with a park and a lake right across the street. There are plenty of ducks, gooses, a blue heron and many other birds.

For week end and special occasions, there is a Starbucks, 15 min walking distance.

And there is a vegetarian restaurant 20 min walking distance – a little pricey but I have yet 2 more to try.

I have been surprised that grocery is a little cheaper then in Montreal – this is good news.

I also have been surprised that for a city that is 3 times smaller then Montreal, everything is so well scattered that everything is close and far at the same time – I will need to plan my “trips” better in order to avoid walking useless steps. Not that I ming walking but wasting time because I did not plan well is NOT my favorite!

Last but not least of the surprise, even though I had never visited the apartment before renting it is in GREAT condition, everything was painted and clean AND it suits us perfectly! Having visited it, I would have chosen the exact same one!

What kept us busy this week:

1)      Setting up our new place – we’re all done!  Only need to get a dining table. The rest will stay as is. As per my rules, dining table needs to be used!  We already located a antique store and I will also be looking on Craiglist, kijiji and Freecycle. In a later post, I will share pictures of my new place with you guys. Pictures of my place will follow in another blog post...

2)      Setting up internet connection – this has been surprisingly difficult as there was some issues with the modem they sent me.

3)      Figuring out where to get what.  We walked countless number of hours to see what is within walking distance and what will need public transit.  And when I say countless numbers of hours, I am not exaggerating – for example, on one day we took 2 hours 30 minutes to make it to the area where there’s the mall, Chapters, movies and Bulk Barn. Of course we did a few stop on the road but still, we took the bus back home!

4)      Figured out how public transit work – surprisingly quite easy, efficient and cheaper then Montreal – and MUCH LESS crowded!

5)      Got our membership at the library and took out some books

6)      Started looking for jobs

Nonetheless, I have managed to follow most of my rule most of the time.

-          Did my daily journaling

-          Wrote in my “642 things to write about” every day but Wednesday

-          No processed crap except for a small bag of chips at Subway when we got to Moncton and were done unloading the truck – it was 3pm and we didn’t had lunch yet. I know it’s no excuse and I am not trying to find one.  I cheated. Period.

-          No eating something else then fruits after 7pm except for 5 dark chocolate coated almonds on Thursday night.

-          Posted daily pictures on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook of my journey with #108daystoanewlife

All in all it has been a good first week.  I am expecting week 2 to be similar…. A little disorganised and all over the place. But hey, that’s what happens when you decide upon making such a big move.

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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#108 days - the night before

My #108daystoanewlife will start tomorrow... yikes!

I am currently very tired as I have been working on getting everything ready for tomorrow... the big move to Moncton! We're all set now! 

It was a very long day!!! 

I can't wait to start this project!
I can't wait to start a new life in a new city!

I have had very good feedback up until now about the #108 days and I know some people have started their own summer challenge! This is amazing!

At this time, the 3 things I am more anxious about are:

1) getting my hair to their natural color
2) getting the tattoo
3) not eating any processed food (chips, cookies, crackers) for 108 days - not that I eat a lot but every now and then some chips are fun to eat!

the other thing I realise today when I was doing some last minute shopping is that today is the last day I can actually buy something non-essential... and even though I was really tempted, while at Old Navy, to just buy something because then I really can't for 108 days, I resisted because there really was nothing I needed! I had selected a few items and I was walking around in the store with them and I finally put them back and left...  I really no longer feel like buying just for buying...  it doesn't make me feel good anymore. Not even for a few minutes.

Ok so this is it for today... I am off to bed!!!  Finally!

Tomorrow is the start of a new adventure!

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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Green, Green, Quinoa

Hello!

Even though I am moving in less then 48h, I wanted to share with you 3 recipes... they are currently my favorite salads! I think they are great for potluck, BBQ season and long week end at the country house...  They can be made in big batches and served in quite a few different ways to avoid feeling like you're always eating the same thing over and over again!

In all cases, dressing is the same:  olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, pepper and salt.

1) Colorful green salad

I wanted this salad to have all the colors of the rainbows....  and it does... or almost!

There is cucumber, orange bell pepper, radishes, tomatoes, fresh parsley and fresh coriander.

Now you can serve this salad with : orzo, walnuts and chickpeas.  It is just delicious! And so nutritious!

Of course, you can use your imagination to add anything you'd like to it....  I am just giving you my preferences! Any nuts or seeds would do...  baked tofu cubes would be amazing...  even if they are still warm! You could add shredded vegan cheese or parmesan... do not hesitate!  This is why I love salads so much: you can almost never mess them up!

2) This one really is green... greens are so good for you!!!

It is made up of: cucumber, green bell pepper. celery, fennel, fresh parsley and coriander.

Of course you could add color... or protein...  can you imagine adding cubes of avocado?  or pumpkin seeds?  You keep the green color and add even more nutritional value! What about green olives???

I like to serve this with brown rice or on the side of veggie burgers: usually top with sunflower seeds. 

 

 

3) Quinoa salad

 

For this one, I will refer you to another blog on which I write every Thursday as a guest...  I have included all the alternative on there too... to be quite honest, this is my favorite one...  It's more fun to play with and it can also be served as is as the quinoa already does include loads of  proteins.

 

You can get recipe for this one here:  www.veganrestaurantfinder.com/blog

 

Any options/alternative you would make to those salads?  It could be interesting to share.... 

 

 

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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https://twitter.com/NathalieBriseb1
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The paradox of time

Today was my uncle funeral.  It was a very emotional day.  I cried... and laughed... and cried some more....  but I know he is much happier that way... He was not happy without his beloved wife with whom he spent some 55 years...

My uncle had told every one that when he died, he wanted a single white rose... as a result, he got dozens of them... and he shared with us.  The above picture is one of those rose.

The only thing I want to add, is that the poem below was read at the funeral and I know it resonated with him... and it does with me too. I want to share it with you guys and in turn hope you'll share too! 

I could not find who actually wrote it as the Internet attributes it to 3 different authors... but in any case, it is lovely and thank you to the author.


The paradox of time


The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Who will share? Who will hit delete?

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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https://twitter.com/NathalieBriseb1
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Mixed feelings

As I start writing this on Monday June 16th, the day is pretty much over...  therefore, there are 4 complete days left in Montreal for me.  The upcoming week is CRAZY!!!  And quite frankly, I do not know how I will pull this through...  and I wanted to not write on this blog until Friday to give me more time...  but I know this is not what I should do.  Why?

Because when I started this blog on January 2011, I told you guys, but most importantly, I promised myself, that I would always be honest here. I would tell things as they are. Good things and bad things.  Success and set back.  I think I have been doing a pretty good job at it and not writing this week would be a little white lie! I do not have much time to spare but I have things to share... things you guys want to hear about.

I am 4 days away from moving 1000km away from everyone and everything I know (except for my brother). ONLY 4 days!!!  This is bringing all sort of emotions.... and unlike any decision I have announced here or project I tried, moving to Moncton and starting the 108 days is by far the scariest and most challenging one EVER!   The only other things so challenging I may have done in my life were having a son and getting over MS. And even that was not as scary!

For that reason, I have all sorts of emotions...  one minute I feel like bouncing all over the place, the other I want to cry... and yet the other I burst of laughter! 

I am feeling anxious, stress, calm and at peace...  I am scared... and I am confident that this is the right thing for us...  I am happy and exited... and yet sad to leave some people behind... I want to cry and laugh... celebrate and avoid it!  I want to say good bye but not sure how to...  without crying...

I can't wait for this week to be all over and get going...  I think it may be easier once we actually are over in Moncton in the sense that I move on quickly... but this week feel like dragging... my home is a mess..... there is almost no food left...  and not much to do as almost everything is packed away.
And yet, I am so busy... with last minute errands to run...  a funeral... an appointment at the SPA (Christmas gift), 2 more friends meeting...  and tying some loose ends.... and NONE of that I want to cancel...  I NEED to do it!

This is basically my state of mind for today... and all I can write about. I have many things in my mind right now but I do not want to bore you with stupid "to do" lists...

One thing is for sure though, I would never have done this not being a minimalist.... just thinking about moving that far in an apartment I do not even know of what size with ALL my stuff from before would have been impossible for me to do! It would have driven me crazy. Minimalism ROCKS!!!  And it opens up many more doors I didn't even knew existed.

One last thing, as my 108 days challenge start at the end of this week, I have decided to be more organized with my posting on the blog.  Therefore here's the schedule starting this Friday.

Monday: anything about life - similar to what you're used to with me
Tuesday: something about minimalism - home, clothes, shopping, activities...
Thursday: still my Vegan day - minimalist vegan of course
Friday: my 108 days project - update of the week and plan for next one

If you want to follow the blog, you can do so by registering here, following me on Google+,  Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.  All blog post are announced in all those social medias. Links are below.

If you want to follow closely the 108 days challenge, you can do so on Instagram as every day I will post a picture of my 108 days there with #108daystoanewlife - if you do not have Instagram you can either get it or wait for the pictures on Fridays and an occasional one on Facebook.
If you started a similar project on your own, do not hesitate to use the hashtag so that I can be aware of it...  it would be fun to know that I am not alone on this crazy project!


thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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https://twitter.com/NathalieBriseb1
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#108days - The inspiration

Hello!

Friday means writing about my #108 days project!

I am really exited by this project and the feedback I am getting thus far. I didn't even start the 108 days and people are expressing their enthusiasm for it.

This is starting in 8 days!  On June 21st.  The day on which I am leaving Montreal and Quebec as a place to live.

I wanted to do this to get a good start to my new life in Moncton, New-Brunswick. There are quite a bit of challenges awaiting me there and I want this to be a positive experience.  I figured out that sharing the first 108 days with your guys would help me!

Last week I have shared my rules with you.  You can read them here if you missed it.

In that post I said that the rules, from now on could not change.  I really meant could not become less...  I can add if I want to!  ;-)
Therefore today, I want to share with you a new rule and a "maybe" rule... 

1) For 21 days, there will be no television - now I already do not have cable but I will not be allowed to watch Netflix either. Not even on my phone! Giving Netflix and the black box a break!
2) Currently thinking about doing a "raw till 4" period -most likely 7 days. Only need to figure out which 7 days it will be.

As for my inspiration for this challenge they are:

1) Liz Gilbert with Eat, Pray,Love.  What she did inspired me and I wish I could do that. Being realistic, I can't do it at this time of my life therefore I will play around with it.  However the goal is similar...  by turning in, and going out of my comfort zone, I hope I'll be able to answer a few more questions I have about my life.

2)Yasmin Yoga - my yoga teacher for 2 years.  She did a 108 sun salute for 108 days a few years back.  It changed her life. I am hoping for some changes.  I love my life as is but some spheres could be improved.  I will work on that.

3) Tasmanian minimalist - she decided to not buy anything for a whole year!  I will aim for 108 days.... and add more to it. Hopefully I will take care of the remaining issues I have with shopping.  I have already addressed most of it but in case of stress or negative emotions, this is still a "go to" activity for me. Moving to a new city and a new province will bring me lots of happy moments but I am not naive.... there will be stress and sadness.... and it will require adaptation.  I do not want to go back to my old shopping pattern because of those emotions.

4) #100happydays - On Instagram, a few people are posting picture of their happy moment for the day...  I think this will help me concentrate to the positive side of this big life change.

5) The happiness project - no need to add a lot to that. She took a year to be happier, I will try and do it in 108 days. It is not a competition... it is just the time period my schedule is allowing me!

6) The art of non-conformity - I will take some of his stuff to include in my life.  At 41, I still tend to care way to much what other people think of my life.  It's time I grow up and live my life... the way I want to...  the way I see it deep down inside of me.  Who cares about what such and such have to say?

So this is it... my inspiration for this 108 days...

Hopefully you will follow me in this adventure and give me feedback...  Honest feedback! 

thanks you, thank you, thank you!

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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https://twitter.com/NathalieBriseb1
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Vegan Thursday: Kid's party the vegan way!

Hello!

no Superfood today!!! I will be back with Superfood #6 next week!   I am really busy since I will be moving next week and on top of that a family emergency happened... This is taking up some of my time...

Nonetheless I didn't want to let my vegan readers down.... and every Thursday I have to write on www.veganrestaurantfinder.com/blog

Therefore today I will refer you to that post for tips and tricks on how to organize a kids party where most likely your kid will be the only vegan one...  and if you're anything like me, you won't tolerate meat in your home... but you do not want to have you kid feel left out and not be able to invite friends over! In that post I have a few non-vegan kids approve tricks for such events....  and they are so easy to do! 

And for the non-vegan readers, they are also easy to make if you have a kid that has a vegan/vegetarian friend and never know what to serve them beside pasta with tomato sauce! :-) Or plain green salad! ;-)

In here, I would like to "discuss" what do you do with your  kids.... as vegan parents... and as meat eaters with kids who want to be vegetarian/vegan...

1) Vegan parents and their kids

Now this may come as a chock but I do not believe in forcing your kids, or any one for that matter, to adopt your beliefs....  However, I do think that as parents you need to do what's best for your kids.  And I do think that you should tell them the truth about where the food they eat come from and what it does to their body.  After that it' up to them to make their own decision! (in the events of babies or small infants of course it's a completely different story)

For all the reason mentioned above there is not meat, fish, seafood, milk, eggs and cheese in my home. However, there are a few snacks that are not vegan that only my son eats (but less and less as I almost do everything from scratch) 

For the same reason, my son knows where the "meat" comes from and how it comes to his plate when and if he decides to eat it... he is also aware of the role meat and other animal products have on his health and on mine with MS.

He knows that he cannot have it in my home and he is also aware that I prefer he does not have any anywhere but that I will still respect and love him if he does. 

I know that when he has some he tells me...  and he knows that I do not agree...  but we have this agreement that we'd be honest... and respect each other.

In the long run, I hope this brings him to make the right decision.  (i.e. be vegan)
In the short run, I know it minimize the animal products he eats and I also know, because he told me, that there are some he can't have anymore without feeling sick.

I chose this approach because if I had acted like the meat police, I'm afraid he would have stop listening and ate as much of it has he could when I am not there. THAT would break my hearth even more!

Now I also know that some other vegan parents may have different approach.... and/or tricks to have their kids adopt a vegan diet more easily.... if you are one of them, would you mind sharing for the rest of us???  Thanks!

2) Non vegan parents with vegetarian/vegan wanna be kids

Now I have never been on that side of parenting... but I have been on that side of childhood.  As a kid I had episodes of wanting to become vegetarian.  My parents reaction was always that I needed meat to be healthy and that I would eat what was served to me.  I do not hold it against them.  This is how they were raised and being vegetarian or vegan back in those years was really popular...  In Canada anyway... However, if you have a stubborn kid like me, it's only a question of time before they become vegetarian and/or vegan. Now you know.

Now I'd like to think that as a parent in 2014, I would have the open mind to at least try and understand my child and seek out information...  but maybe I wouldn't.... I'll never know.

One thing I know for sure is that I never force my kid to eat anything. He has to eat fruits and veggies and legumes and whole grain but I let him choose what he likes and he has to at least try anything new I make and who knows... sometimes it's a real success and he really likes it!  Like kale chips and roasted broccoli for example. But if he doesn't, he has to look up the fridge and choose an alternative.

This is why I am asking you parents... are any of you in that situation???  How do you handle it???
Do you "force" you kid to eat what's on the table? Here again, thanks for sharing...

I find it interesting the dynamic between vegetarian - vegan - carnivore...  I think that to many are prone to judge others...  I find that the proper information is not easy to find and can seem conflicting.  I also think that stand alone and objective medical studies on a diet are rare... and there are actually not that many hold over a long period of time and on a significant number of people to be scientifically viable.  I actually know of only one:  The China study

One might argue, if it was proven once, how many more studies do we really need?  but still...

Is anyone else aware of any good, non-partial scientific studies on plant based diet?

I know a lot of people who healed themselves using a plant based diet...  including me...  and that to me is significant!  However, my scientific side is always looking for more...  I am a biochemist after all!

OK, well that is enough for today.... I have asked you guys a few questions... I would like your input...  I really appreciate it!

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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Update on no longer having a television service

It's been 2 months since I announced cancelling my television service.

Time for me to get back to you about it...

It is a known fact that I wish I could get rid of my television all together. However I do have a teenager and he likes to watch television and play video games.  He has a limited amount of time of them but it is still important for him, now anyway.  Because I am all about respecting other people decision, I will not take the television away without him being OK with it.  Would I let him watch it as much as he wants to? No... Never....  Would I let him play video games all day?  No... Never...

Respect is not about letting him do has he please and not teaching him that there are other options than watching television in life.

I still firmly believe that many people spend their life living someone's else life through television....  series, reality TV, movies and what not... 

I do believe that most people spend way to much time staring at that image box in their living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom...

I also firmly believe that television will and does dictate what you buy, do and eat...  that is the power of commercials!  Billions of $ are spent on that....  it has to work.

However, I think that there can be some value to watching some of the stuff on it, under one condition:  you understand that this is NOT necessarily real life, that all you see is somehow distorted and acted up AND you avoid commercials! Even the news...  I doubt all of it is actually precise...and what is REALLY happening.

I did take up a Netflix membership... and have been watching a few things:  mostly documentaries and a few movies over the week end.  I also watch Dr Who with my son and Being Erica on my spare time.

I was surprise that I actually do not miss all the police shows I was watching (this is what I was most scared of).  Watching these were actually making me more nervous then I realised... 

I also was surprised to realise that I "need" TV to relax at the end of a day  (more than I'd like to admit it)... and that having the television ready to be opened when I sit in my living room doesn't help.  I am trying to figure out a way to organize my living room in my new apartment without having the television as the center of everything.  I think I have an idea, once I am in my new place I will figure this out a post about it here....  sometimes early July.

Therefore television is not going for a while for 2 reasons:

1) my son
2) I need it more than I would love to (but less than I initially thought)

I will still work on that...  When my son will come back to Montreal this summer, to visit family, I will try to not open it at all for 21 days...  I should add that to my rules for the #108daystoanewlife project! Let me figure it out...

Conclusion of those 2 months:

1) I do not miss my usual shows
2) I am more relax not watching police stuff
3) I do not miss it as much as I thought
4) I need it more then I would like
5) I watch much less and do not use Netflix as much as I imagined
6) I want to continue finding other options then watching television before bedtime
7) I love following Dr Who with my son - this is our secret place
8) My son, to by big surprise, has decrease considerably the time spend on TV and playing video games - he even sometimes stops before the time limit is reached.

One question for you guys...  beside reading, because it makes me sleepy and yoga because it prevents me from sleeping, what can I do about an hour prior to bedtime to unwind?

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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Decluttering my "internet" life

On May 9th, I have written a post about my "internet" life.  How it had become so important for me that I felt I was missing on other stuff.  You can read it here.

I had challenge myself to follow these rules to help me out in decreasing my on line time and increase my presence here and now.

1) iPhone will not be constantly by my side. 
           a) when I am at home, it will stay plugged somewhere not in the same room as me.
           b) when I am out, I will bring it as a phone but will keep it in my bag - not hand
           c) once a week, I will go out with my son and husband leaving the phone home
           d) when I am out with friends, I will only use it to be reachable for emergencies
I have been pretty good at not looking at my phone when out with friends. I leave it there on "mute" just in case my son or husband would have an emergency.  I am also pretty good at leaving it in my bag and not holding it in my hand. In my home, I would say I did stay away from the phone roughly 50% of the time. I have however never gone out leaving my phone home.  This to me still is a huge challenge.

I will keep muting my phone when meeting my friend and keeping it in the bag when out and about. I will try and part from it even more when staying at home and I will definitely try leaving it home when going out with my husband and son.  However, I know if both of them are not with me I will not be able to do it. That's OK.  As long as I keep it in a pocket on in a bag, I don't constantly look at it.


 2) Computer will be closed and put away in my desk when not on my working hours
Computer has been closed and put away.  That was actually easy!!!  And I loved it! Will definitely keep doing this.

 3) When computer is open, it will be open ONLY on what I am working on.  emails, social medias and the like will be closed unless currently used - and only one at a time
I have been quite successful at that one too. When I am on the computer, I only have open the windows I need and it makes my time more efficient because I am not switching from one screen to another as soon as I see some activities!  This is staying too.

 4) I will assign 3x 30 minutes periods to social network and this blog - that should be enough to answer every one... 
          a) one in the morning (after breakfast)
          b) one right after lunch
          c) one mid-evening
The 3x30 minutes period were strict at first and then became more loose.  I still found myself checking all social medias and email prior to breakfast....  an extra time in the afternoon and an extra time in the evening before bed. Therefore I went from checking 3 times a day at the beginning of May to actually 6 or even 7 times a day by now.  I really am not happy about this!!!  I need to monitor more closely my actions.  I have been asking around and looking at what other people do and I will try this again!
However, the last month made me see that 30-45 minutes at a time is sufficient.  30 is not always...  Therefore what I am proposing now is 45 minutes after breakfast, 45 minutes mid afternoon and 45 minutes mid evening.  Never before 9 am and never after 9 pm.


 5) Sunday I will be completely off-line!  Will get back to you on the next Monday
Now it's time for me to see what really happens... see what I want to keep doing, what I want to change or just forget about.

Didn't have so much trouble doing that....  but towards the end, I was snooping more and more....  But I was using much less internet time on Saturday AND Sunday then before.  Therefore what I think works for me is a quick check up on Saturday and Sunday right before lunch.  And access to post stuff if I wish too. 

To summarize, I will keep doing most of what I decided to do last month and will try harder to leave the phone home when there's the 3 of us out together, leave the phone in another room when at home and stick to my 3x45 minutes of social media access for week days and my shortened time on the week ends.

We'll meet again on that subject in a month or so to see how I am doing now that I will be in another city and will have started my #108daystoanewlife project.

One last thing, when having lunch with a friend last week, he was really impressed at how very little stuff I actually have....  and he was asking me about the iPhone (who was resting on mute on the table beside me)...  Honestly, at this point, even though I really wish I could, I do not see how I could let go of it...

I use is as a camera, as a GPS, as access to social media (computer), as a stay in touch with my son and husband through textos and phone.... and as a phone to connect me with the rest of the world.  Once I am in Moncton, it will also be used to Skype with people back in Montreal...  For all those reasons, I do not see the way out of this but who knows??  Maybe one day...  And if not, if I use it diligently and it replaces many other gadgets I could have, I think it is still being minimalist.

I would like to know what you think of smart phone and minimalism...  I am curious!

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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#108 days - The rules

Today I am announcing the rule of my #108daystoanewlife project.


But first off, I want to say that those rules are mine.  I came up with them according to what I want to work on and discussed them with my lovely husband who is being supportive of this crazy experience I am getting on to.

The rules are NOT to be changed from now on.
Objectives cannot be deleted.
If I cannot succeed at one of a few of them, I guarantee you that I will be 100% honest with it.

The result is not a pass or fail.  I want to work on myself, go beyond certain limits I have created for myself and see what happens when I do.


I would also like to add that I can add stuff/challenges/rules as seem necessary as per my new environment.  Who knows what limitation or boundaries I will encounter in that new city.  I cannot know before I get there.

Rules are:

Project start:  June 21 2014
Project end: October 6th 2014

Daily:
- Post a picture on social medias
- Keep a journal - never did that for more then 3 days in a row!

Weekly:
-Every Friday there will be a blog post about the past week.

Objectives/Challenges:

1)Not buy anything that is not food or a vital necessity.  If I do, I have to post a picture and amount of money spent. This will not be easy for me - being in a new place, I will want to buy stuff...
  There are 2 exceptions to that rule:
    a) what my son needs for school
    b) missing furniture: couch, dinner table, coffee table, washer and dryer - but must be bought used

2) Complete a Treego obstacle - I am afraid of heights and I could never do one of those things where you go from one tree to another in the forest - it is ridiculous, there is absolutely no danger!

3) I will do a fruit/veggie cleanse for 7 days - on those days, I will be eating only fruits and veggies.  They can be raw or cooked.  A little oil/ herbs/spice are permitted. Smoothies are also permitted but with no "milk" or any protein added to it in the form of nuts and seeds. Juicing is OK of course. If all fails and I really cannot stand my hunger, I am allowing myself 2 handfuls of nuts per day - but I will have to mention it.

4) Do yoga in the park at least 7 times - always too shy to practice outside where people could see me

5) Let my hair go back to their natural color - by day 21, I will have to cut my hair and not dye it again at least until my 108 days are over. I will post picture of my natural color. After the 108 days are over I can choose to stay natural or dye again. This is one of the biggest objective for me.  I've been wanting to do that for 2 years now.  Now is the time!

6) Get an indoor plant and keep it alive!

7) For 21 consecutive days, I will do at least 1h yoga.  I do a regular practice but most time shorter than that and never did 21 consecutive days. - I rather practice 3-4 times a week

8) For 21 days I will wake up at 6am and go for an hour walk before breakfast.  Rain or shine.

9) For 21 consecutive days, I will try a new recipe.  Recipes are to be choose a little later and will be shared on my weekly post when I do chose them

10) I will have to read the books in the above picture at a minimum.  I will not list them here but as they are completed, I will share with you  on my weekly post - and if by the end I did not complete all the reading I wanted to do, I will mention which are left.

11) Do one writing exercise in my "642 things to write" about book per day

12) Get a tattoo - my first and only one - for 4 years now I wanted to get one - I finally chose which one - I will have to get over my fear of that.  The image I choose is very significant to me and I will explain it to you once I get it done.

13) No processed snack (chips, cookies, crackers...) for 108 days - if I cheat' I'll have to mention it

14) No eating after 7 pm for 108 days.  In the case where I would be really hungry, fruits would be permitted - If I cheat (meaning something else then fruits), I'll have to mention it

15) Organize a vegan potluck to meet new vegan friends in Moncton - this is not something I am comfortable with or ever did... but I want to try it and see what happens!

That's it!

This is my challenge... my adventure... as I have designed it.

Now I have 2 weeks to get it into my brain... and get ready.

This is addressing a few things that I still not making completely satisfy in my life.  I can't wait to get started and see how it goes.

Any new challenges that I did not think about and comes up will be shared.
The "agenda" will also be determined within the next two weeks and I will share with you in due time.

Wish me luck!

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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Vegan Thursday: Superfood #5: Hemp seeds

Hemp seeds come from a variety of Cannabis plant and no, they cannot be smoked...  :-)

However, they can be used in many different ways...  they add a nutty flavor when sprinkled on soup, salads or pasta.  You can also add them to smoothies and muffins! For an excellent recipe using hemp seeds, check out today's post on www.veganrestaurantfinder.com and you'll see that I posted a recipe for apple & hemp muffins!

The same plant can also be used to make paper and fibers that can be turned into clothes for example.  It grows fast... and with minimal maintenance. It can also have some medicinal use.  his variety I am talking about here is loaded with nutrient and hence this is why it is a superfood!  

This plant can grow mostly anywhere in no time and can supply so many nutrients all at once, it is a shame that it's illegal to grow in some countries because of a possible illegal use of it! I think we could feed so many people in underdeveloped countries...  but that is just my own opinion.

Let's look into more details at the nutritional benefit of hemp seeds as this is what this post is all about:

It is a complete plant protein. 33% of it's weight comes from protein.
I has the proper ratio of omega-3 and omega-6
It is high in fibers - actually even higher than kale!
It contains: vitamin A, B, D and E
It contains the following minerals: phosphorous, magnesium and potassium
It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

For all those reasons, they are good for you brain (help with memory),  they help build strong muscles, the regulate the immune system, help control cholesterol (if you do not have a vegan diet and have cholesterol issues), help with digestion, improve skin and increase energy!

And on top of all that, they also have very low carbs!  How can you ask for more???

So go on... try them...  They are amazing...  and even though they had a nutty flavor, their taste is not to strong....

p.s. hemps seeds, just like hemp oil can go rancid fast: they should be kept in a glass jar in the fridge ideally.

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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Preparing to move as a minimalist - and a trick to chose what to keep or not

In 17 days I will be moving almost 1000Km from where I am currently...  This is my biggest move ever in distance but thanks to being a minimalist, it will also be the simplest one.

Every time I've moved since 2007 I have let go of stuff... because I keep going from small to smaller! Because I realise that you really do not need that much furniture when you have nothing to put in it or on it! Because I realise that I like to move and that the less I own, the easier it is!

There is 3 of us and we're leaving in a 14' rented U-Haul truck. My smallest moving truck ever and there is not doing a few "boxes" by car a few days before. Which we always used to do!
(all our stuff could have actually fit in a 10' truck but we needed to sit 3!)

I did share with you before picture of where I live now, before we decided to move that far.  Ever since, we've let go of even more stuff.

Stuff we've let go of:

1) keyboard - because who am I kidding, will not learn that in the next couple of years for sure
2) a chair from Ikea
3) a small black cupboard in my living room to store DVDs and the like...
4) a huge piece of furniture to put books/decorative items etc...
5) kitchen islet
6) more dishes and kitchen stuff
7) more clothes
8) more books/DVD/CD
9) more toys
10) kitchen table - OK this one will need to be replaced - but we'll buy used and wood
11) couch - also will be replaced - it was not in very good shape- not sure yet to replace with what
12) appliances - fridge and stove are included in my new place and washer and drier will buy used

This is a lot of stuff... and as a result we can really pack up and leave in no time! Which is great!!

Also, the smaller the moving truck, the cheaper it is and the less gas it takes!  $$$ saved!

Personally, I do not see the point in owning appliances and moving them around with me.  But hey that's just me!

One question I get often is how do you chose what to keep and what to donate/toss? Sometimes it gets to a point where it seems like there is no more...  You're OK the way things are with the stuff you have. And then, you get this "itch" to get rid of more.... but you're not quite sure what? and why? and you wonder if you're making a mistake... or if you're just going overboard!

Well first of, there is no going overboard here! It's your stuff, you're free to choose what to do with it! Never mind what people say or think!  Are they the ones living in your home???

When you really think about it, all you absolutely need is a few pieces of clothes to cover your body, a toothbrush, a towel, something to eat in and with, something to drink in and stuff to prepare food! Along with a roof over your head.... all the rest really is optional!  I am not saying they are not nice things to have (and I could never be THAT minimalist).... but as long as you keep the bare minimum, you're not going overboard!  So no worries!

Over my 7 years of slowly becoming a minimalist, I have tried several method and I have read a lot about it!!!  I can tell you that they all work to some extent...  but of course, it also depends on the person using them.  You can always "cheat"...  but that's up to you.

One method I currently love, is assuming my home burns down...  completely.... what would I buy back???

Now do not think I am insensitive... it would make me sad... for a few pictures that would be lost forever... and 4 sentimental items I keep...  one from a good friend, one from my brother and 2 from my son...

However, if it all comes to that, the only thing I would actually buy over again are:

1) clothes - but much less then what I still have
2) 1 plate/bowl/ mug/mason jar per person in my home (along with cutlery)
3) stuff to cook and bake (along with food of course!)
4) 2 beds (one for my husband and I, one for my son)
5) 2 chest drawers (master bed room / kid room)
6) 2 night stands (master bed room / kid room)
7) 2 small bookcases (living room / kid room)
8) a few books I would definitely replace - definitely not all of them
9) one table
10) 3 chairs
11) one "couch"
12) maybe one television/PS4 - if my son would still live with us at that time
13) lap top for work

and most of that I would buy used....

This list is a good indication of what to me is a minimum...
For some it might comprise more items...
And yet, for others even less...

But that is not what matters more... what really does matter is that you are comfortable with what you own.... that you are free to pick up and leave anytime because who knows what opportunity may come along?

What matters to me is all the excess free time I have because I do no have so much to clean... this time can be spent with my husband and son... with friends...  doing yoga...  reading... writing....  stuff that in the end really does matter!!!

They say that when you die, your life flashes before your eyes....  If that is true, I know I'd rather see me doing those things mentioned above than cleaning/vacuuming/maintaining lifeless stuff!

Do you know what your absolute minimum is?  Have you thought about it?

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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You can be who you choose to be!

I've always loved bird.... even maybe envied them... they seem so free... can go anywhere whenever they want! They seem to have no boundaries or rules...  their only need it to eat and nest. 

In a way, we can be THAT free if we choose to!  In fact, you are free to be who you want to be! Sometimes it just doesn't feel that way. 

When we grew up, we learned a set a skills like to: walk, eat on our own, speak, tie shoe laces, write... and so on!  For many years we were told what to do and how to do it.  So we did. We were even thought what to think. So we did.

However, there comes a point where this is no longer satisfying to some of us.  We wish we could be someone else! Well good news is:  YOU CAN BE WHOEVER YOU WANT TO BE!

We all have freedom of choice - however, please realise that freedom for choices comes with consequences to accept - but you know what? Once you made up your mind, you know what you want, who you want to be, consequences won't seem so bad in the long run.

You can actually reinvent part or all of yourself! You can decide to tie your shoe laces differently then you learned! How?  Well in the first place, you learned to tie your shoe laces in a manner that an adult showed you. And you repeated it over and over again till you got it right!  If you want to tie it differently, you only have to repeat that new way of doing it over and over again and it will become your new way of doing it.

Now the shoe laces example may seem trivial... but replace shoe laces with more significant things or behavior and you can actually change your life! It just takes time and dedication.

For example, if you want to:

eat better - come up with a plan and stick to it for 21 days
exercise more - come up with schedule and stick to it for 21 days
learn music - register to a course and GO! Never skip a course.
learn to write - just write everyday as much as you can
minimalize your home - make an agenda and do each rooms one by one
wake up earlier - set your alarm clock 5 minutes earlier every week until you get to your ideal time

I am not saying that it is easy!  Depending on what you wish to change and on how long you've been doing it, it will take TIME... and DISCIPLINE...  but once you live the way you want to live, you'll be so happy and you will have forgotten all about that initial hardship!

Do any of you actually remember how learning to hold a fork was frustrating at first? How many tears you shed learning to ride a bike? Absolutely not...  you don't!  Because you were so happy once you got to actually do it that you forget how much effort  you put into it!

It will be the same for anything you wish to change in your life!

You'll make up your mind, work hard and then forget how it use to be! And even forget how much effort it required! And  you know what?  Sometimes it really is easier then we initially think it will be!

You'll have a feeling of happiness... a feeling of completeness... a feeling of being whole and having your inside in tune with your outside!  And this will be just so amazing! 

Once you succeed on one thing you wish to change, you'll get more confidence and try something else.

Start small and go from there.

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!


love&peace,
nath
xox
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