Back to status of my internet life

With a view like that, who really wants to be on the internet?  Not me!
But who feels like they need to be on the internet?  Me... 

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.
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.
On June 9th, I got back to this with how I'd been doing.  You can read it here. There was some improvement but I wanted some more...  and here's what happened.

Now let's look at one last time how I am doing and what will keep and what will go... Because as I wrote earlier, I do not really want to spend so much time on the net...  but I feel like I need to... 
For a few reason:
1) this blog - it takes time to write it but I love it!
2) I feel still somewhat connected to some friends not  that I live 1000km away from them...

However, I know I can make this work... I figured it out!


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

 b)d) Not an issue!
a) somewhat an issue.. as my husband and I have been looking for work I felt like I had to be by my phone 24/7... even if there is voice mail on it...  and now that my son is back to Montreal, I definitely want to be available... just in case...  it's a mommy thing...  However, once my son is back here and I have found a job too (husband already did), I will leave the phone alone...  AND will also start doing d)...  Sunday I will leave my phone at home in the kitchen to recharge and not be used to check on social media so often.

 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. - this is still true!  Most times computer is put away... desk looks cleans and it doesn't remind me of stuff to do on my relaxing times.

 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

 So much more efficient to work on one thing at a time... makes me question the ability I had developed to multi task!  Perhaps when you are well organized and concentrated, multi tasking is more of a nuisance than anything else!  I am enjoying solo tasking so much!  (not sure that is even a work but pretty sure you all get it!)

 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

 In June I was disappointed with my behavior regarding this... well it changed a little.... however on day when I am not as busy, I find it easier to grab the phone and check social media when I could grab a book and read instead! I find that I like to check my social media before breakfast, before supper and right around 9pm.  45 minutes each times is most of the times enough - as per what I decided in June.

 5) Sunday I will be completely off-line!  Will get back to you on the next Monday

I find that overall, on the week end, I am much less on the social medias and much more present with my husband and son!  This is great!  However, as long as my 108days are not over, I cannot be completely off on Sundays as I need to post a picture as per my rules.  What I am sure of, is that once the 108days are over, I will do social medias on the week end only once in the morning. That will be more then enough...

After thinking about it, the iPhone will stay... it does many tasks in one single device.   I do not have a camera, note pad, agenda, alarm clock, GPS, home phone and cell phone...  it's all in that one little thing! This, too me, is minimalism!

One thing I did is temporarily block internet access to my phone when I an not in a Wi-Fi zone... this has been working very well...  simply cannot check the social media and phone really is just a phone...  but in that case, it looses it's ability to be a GPS and some notes are lost when not connected to the internet.  Maybe I do it just long enough so that I get use to it?

Ok well, overall, I am pretty happy with that experiment.   Following rules have come out of it and are allowing me to have a better quality life.
1) iPhone, not always by my side or in my hand
2) Sundays, iPhone will always stay home (after 108days)
3) Computer stored and close when not in use
4) Social media time - 3 times 45 minutes per day
5) Social media not used on Sundays (after 108days)
6) Social media not use after 9pm
7) solo tasking - in social media and everything else!!!

What bout you guys?  do you have rule to minimize your social media/internet usage?  do you find yourself wasting time on those?  avoiding things to do to socialize?

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


love&peace,
nath
xox
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108 days : day 21 already!!! It goes so fast!

Warning:  this post may be long... so grab a pot of tea and make yourself comfortable!!!

This 3rd week started as both very good and very bad! Here's why... my son was going back to Montreal to spend 5 weeks with his dad...  and Arthur had his plane cancelled.... needless to say, I did not take the cancellation assurance on the plane (because I never do take those useless insurance)...  and I had to figure out another way to get him there on the same day because he was leaving for Wildwood really early Sunday morning and really didn't want to miss his trip!  Well my 2 options left were train on bus... relatively the same price but train being 2h extra and only leaving at 5pm from Moncton.... it would have been too late! Bus it was! My son had to do a 14 hours bus ride to Montreal.  He had to change bus 3 times...  and one of the bus broke down for 2hours! Which resulted in them not stopping for supper to make up the time!  Good thing I had plan a lunch for him! He got in Montreal bus terminal at 1:35 am Sunday morning.... needless to say, his dad was late to pick him up as always.... Also, needless to say that Saturday was the longest 14h of my whole life..... even seemed longer then the 24h labor to give birth!!! My son had a phone so we texted each other.... and I must say that I was really impressed at his mature behavior!   I am pretty sure he grew a lot from that experience!

And here's the very good part....  by hubby and I had our first date in Moncton! We went to Calactus a vegetarian restaurant that can also make any meal vegan and has only vegan desert!  Above picture was my husband's desert!  It was GREAT!!!  For sure we'll go back there!!!  I still managed to have a good time despite the storm and having my son somewhere in the middle of nowhere in a storm between Moncton and Montreal! Afterall, I was not in control so no point in over torturing myself... even though I did torture a little...

...told you it would be long... this is only day 1 of week 3! lol

On Sunday, I needed to go get a blouse for a job interview... I know I said no spending but I spent 20$ on a blouse from H&M which followed the dress code for the interview and that I will wear over and over again.  I really had nothing to wear to that interview. Because I knew I was going back to my natural silvering hair I chose an appropriate color for the blouse! What struck me on that day is that the mall opens only at 12 on Sundays...  however it closes at 10pm Saturday... this is new to us... since we got to the mall at 10:30, we decided to go to Chapters which is right beside to spare time... well guess what?  that too only opens at 12 on Sundays! So we waited... no point in walking back home to come back later...  the Starbucks at the mall opened at 11 so we stopped there! While I was at the mall, I decided to look for a hair dresser...  well no one cuts hair in the mall or in all Moncton, for that matter, on Sundays! Therefore I took my appointment for the next day.

Which brings us to Monday... THE day for this week... I got in there really nervous...  but it went really well!  The result was not as much of a shock as I expected... and I didn't even shed a tear! I guess I was really ready for that! I had looked at picture of women with really short silver hair... I had research wardrobe hint...  therefore on that day I wore a teal top which suits my skin and my new hair color really good!  I was anxious at people's reaction...then mine! But I realised that there was not so much... and the feedback I got was actually better then I expected!  In any case, I was doing this for myself and it was a good experience! I feel great this way... and it shows... and that's what comes out in other people's reaction! It is true that you get what you put out for!  It has been liberating... I feel more free...  and sexy!  I love it!!!!
I can say that this "rule" for my 108 days was successfully completed! I did it on time to.  And I know I won't dye it back before the 108 days is over... and most likely never will.  I really do feel great "au natural" and I feel truer to myself!

Another goal of my 108 days was for me to get a plant... and I did! Let's see how long this poor ivy will survive!

My 21 days of yoga are going well.  I did not skip a day yet...  although yesterday I was really exhausted and my practice resulted in some pranayama, asana and a LONG savasana!  Still I was on my mat! Today is my 7th day in a row and I had plan an 1h long meditation because my body needs it. So does my mind. All Fridays will be an 1h long meditation.

If you paid attention, you saw that I had a job interview... but unfortunately this is all I can say for now... I haven't received an answer yet!

Journaling is going well although I switched to morning instead of night... I am just to sleepy at night to write... I prefer to do it in the morning right before breakfast! Still works out....  I never specified what time of day I had to do it!

I did let go of writing every day in my "642 things to write about" book.  I don't have time... and it seems like too much right now.

Every day I am posting a picture of my day on Instagram with the #108daystoanewlife . Link to my Instagram profile is below.

I also cheated on my diet....  I had a handful of Nibs... right before writing this post...  they were just there...  calling me to feel more useful!  I gave in! Period. Nothing to add.

All in all I think I am doing pretty good. 

The transition to Moncton from a much much larger city is going smoothly.  I love it here. And I am keeping an open mind.... I am not saying "no" to what comes my way... as long as it is legal and within my values of course! I even had coffee with a homeless... I would have never done that in Montreal.

I think my aura is changed... as people are acting differently towards me... and I know how people act towards you really is a reflection of what you want (which they unconsciously perceive).  This is a positive experience so far...

One last thing: this intense yoga is working more then I realised at first... this morning I experience an unexpected moment of happiness.... this only happens when I practice my yoga regularly... it's like happiness from within.... for no apparent reason...  you are just free and happy... and in the moment... and you wouldn't change anything and nothing else matters!  It is absolutely amazing as a feeling!

OK... time for my hour of meditation!  So long... 

hope you are enjoying my posting about my 108 days!

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!love&peace,
nath
xox
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Vegan Thursday: berries and smoothies!

Who doesn't love berries????  I know I go crazy for them... all year round (out of season I get the frozen version which are more nutritional as they were picked ripped and frozen right away)!  But at this time, when I can get them local and fresh????  I go nuts!!!  or berries should I say...

On top of tasting great, they are very low in calories... for those of you who counts calories!  Great thing with being vegan is that in most cases we don't even need to count calories.... unless you eat a lot of processed vegan foods. This is why I did not post the calorie content... 

Here are some nutritional values of berries:
Percentage all being the percentage of DRV: daily recommended value

Strawberries:  1 cup portions has 1% fat, no cholesterol, no sodium, 5% carbs, 18% fibers, 3% proteins.  It is loaded with vitamin C - almost as much as a cup of fresh orange juice! It also contains calcium, magnesium, folate and potassium.

Blueberries: 1 cup portion has 0% fat, cholesterol or sodium, 6% carbs, 20% fibers and 2% proteins. It does not contain significant amount of vitamin C or vitamin E but it has so many other phytonutrients that it is highly anti-oxidant.

Raspberries: 10 raspberries (I know I could not get numbers for a cup portion!) has 0% fat, cholesterol, sodium and carbs, 4% fibers and 0% protein.  It also contains vitamin C and potassium. Because it is virtually fibers you're eating, raspberries typically have one calorie each... and therefore, why stop at 10???

In any case what you should remember is that berries are low in calories, loaded with fibers and being so colorful means they are good for you!  Remember that we should eat all the color of the rainbow and that highly colored fruits and veggies should be eaten in great quantities!

However, because they are part of the dirty dozen, they should be eaten organic preferably.... but if you can't afford the organic label, don't beat yourself up...  check with your local supplier, most times they can't afford the organic label but they pretty much are...  and if all else fails, rinsed them out and remember that the nutritional benefits surpasses the small residual pesticides you may ingest! 

Last week I made a great salad for lunch:  kale, celery, strawberries and pecans drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and very little salt and pepper! (Actually massage the oil and vinegar into kale, added salt and pepper, and then topped with other ingredients). This was delicious and see how beautiful it was:

And if you want more great options for your berries... or smoothies idea for very hot summer days, you can always check out my guest post on www.veganrestaurantfinder.com/blog

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!love&peace,
nath
xox
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More minimalist then I realised...

Going grey (or I was told to use silver) was something I have been thinking about doing for roughly 2 years! Yeah... THAT long! I kept asking people about it but they were telling me I would look 10 years older! This pushed me off.. but then I realise that I was often told that I looked 10 years younger then my age...  so this would actually bring me back to my real age!  And you know what, this was still worrying me... because who wants to look 40 something??? That is OLD...  That is what adults around me were when I was a teenager... well guess what?  I have a teenager...  and I am 41! You can try and hide it...  but it was becoming costly in so many ways:

1) I have this huge rash on my head... and it is itchy... and not fun... and because I use organic non allergenic shampoo and do not put any styling product for over a year now, I was told that this is probably due to an allergic reaction to the dying of my hair.

2)Because my hair grows so fast and has more and more silver in it, it required that I dyed it every 4 weeks max!  I started at 8 weeks, then down to 6... 5 and now 4???  What next? Every other week?  That didn't make sense to me...  it cost time... time spent with a hairdresser or alone in the bathroom with stinky toxic products rather then doing stuff I love. And how much of that product actually makes it to my bloodstream through my scalp? What effect will that have over time?

3) it costs a LOT of money... whether you opt for salon color or home coloring it adds up... I had already switch to home coloring a few years back but still...  it added up. 

For all those reason, health, time and money, it was the minimalistic thing to do.

I worked up the courage and for sure moving 1000 km away does help with the transition.  People here do not know me so they are not surprise by the change and they don't look at me differently.

Another thing that helped was to google pictures/blogs of women who did the same... for similar reasons!   Women that still looked good and not like grannys...  I sure didn't want to look older then my age!  I wanted to rock silver hair! 

What I realised the day before my appointment was that my clothes would probably have to change too.  Not in the style... I will still dress the same... but in color... around my face. I wondered if some color I owned in my wardrobe may no longer be appropriate!  After a few hours of surfing the internet and looking at color analysis pages, I came to the conclusion that with my skin, eye and new hair color, the following colors would no longer suit me:
grey ( pale to mid tone - really dark almost black grey would still be OK)
beige, tan, light brown (dark rich chocolate brown would still be OK)
olive
pastels (every color)

I also realised that I would be better off with:
white
black (although black around your face past 40 is not to be used to often)
navy
bright dark colors: red, royal blue, bright green, orange, pink, mustard, plum, purple, berries, teal...

as a result, I had to put away 20 some pieces of clothing (from all seasons).  Think about cleaning up your wardrobe!  I have no intention of replacing any of these right away. Maybe by fall I will need to had 2-3 pieces but not more than that!  Because pretty muck all my tops for fall and winter were beige and grey!
Forgot to add up all the remaining items but out of memory, I must not be over 60!  For all 4 seasons!  Isn't that great! Excluding coats and jackets...  just pants, skirt, dresses and tops.

Here's what needs to go:

This is why I was saying going silver may be even more minimalistic then I realise...  It will simplify my monthly routine (not having to go to the hairdresser or dye my hair at home) and spending.... as well as my options when shopping for new clothes.  Which I do not see in a near future since I already have enough!

What do you guys think? Would you try and go back to your natural color? Do you think of color coordinating your clothes with your hair, skin and eyes color? 

p.s. I actually am taking this with much more ease then I was expecting... probably because I was really ready for it!

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!love&peace,
nath
xox
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La riviere trouve toujours son chemin....

This is a river in Moncton called "Le Mascaret". Seeing it, as well as the sunset over Jones lake, every day since I've been here has been an eye opener or should I say a gentle reminder?

I came here with an open mind...  trying to be open to what comes my way.  Of course I had given myself goals and objectives with the #108daystoanewlife challenge. However, today's post is not about that... but rather about how amazing it is that life goes on no matter what...

In one of my favorite TV shows from years ago called "La vie La vie" they were always coming back to this saying: La riviere trouve toujours son chemin.   Which basically translate to "the river always find its way" and means that no matter what, life goes on... no matter what, it always works out in the end.  Because this is what life is all about.  Making it work out or letting it work out it's own way.

What I've realise it that when you let go, when you surrender...  life has nice surprises.  Most times nicer then what you may have thought about.  I came here with a plan... but things are evolving in another way... too early for me to mention anything but I am surprise at the turn of events I am seeing...

Basically what I am trying to say is that in learning to trust life...  in learning that everything happens for a reason... in believing that when a doors shuts down another one opens up...  magic happens...  your life gets filled with what makes you happy... with what you were meant to have/be.  It really does work... but you do have to completely let go and stay receptive to signals...  stay open minded to stuff you may not have thought was for you... 

You have to stop trying to direct the river...  because it will finds it's natural way with much less damages then you may have cause... with a greater ease...

Breathe
Let go
Wait
And see...

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!love&peace,
nath
xox
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108 days: and then it will really start...

This is me on Canada day...  walking by the Mascaret.   It was at high level at the time I passed by.  This river is influenced by the bay and experiences very significant tides twice a day. The base is clay...  water is not clear at all... it is a highly touristic attraction.

This week as been very high in emotions of all sorts!  There has been good days and bad days...  very good days and very bad days... and sometimes all on the same day!

We've discovered our new city a little more...
One thing that amuses me is that some bus routes do not have stops.  You need to call the bus like a cab when it passes by!
I've got back in my cooking and baking habits slowly but I am still not there 100% .  Having trouble getting organised.

We are still looking for jobs... in a way.  My husband found 2 jobs... and his currently working at both since one only has 20h/week and the other is quite far but may offer more hours.  He also has another interview for something closer and more in tune with what he was hoping for. We'll see how that goes.

On my side, I did a few applications for jobs... and waiting to hear from them.

Finding jobs here is not difficult... but finding jobs that are full time and very well paid is not has easy.  However, because we have decrease our cost of living, we do not need as much money and might be able to do work we love instead of work we need to do to pay bills. This was, after all, one of the reason we came here.   Did you know that doing a job you love is equivalent to getting 10k more on your pay check?  And working within walking distance from home is also worth 10k?  In the sense that not needing a car or public transit to go to work decreases your cost of living by about 10k a year... and it has been proven then when you are happy at work you spend less outside of work to compensate (like shopping, vacations, alcohol...).  Something to think about isn't?

My son is also adapting quite easily...  his English speaking skills have already improved. However, he will be back to Montreal for 5 weeks as of tomorrow hence the last 2 weeks felt more like a vacation to him.  The real test will be once he gets back and start school! I must say that I am nonetheless impressed with how this experience is turning him into a more mature and responsible young men!

As for the rest.... what struck me more this week:

1) The high traffic on my street due to a duck and her babies crossing the street.  And there was not one single honking by any cars!!!
2) The fact that veganism is not weird here even though there are meat and seafood everywhere. You can find that most places will know and accommodate vegans  without asking a zillion annoying questions!
3) The fact that almost every time you stop walking and look at the street all the cars stop in case you wish to cross the street.
4) The price of some vegan stuff I use to buy in Montreal is cheaper here: like Almond milk, St-Yves mocked meat, Vegenaise... these are a few examples.
5) The price of some non-vegan stuff is also cheaper: peanut butter is the one that struck me the most since I did not buy much of anything else but fruits and veggies yet.
6) And last but not least, all the easy going, smiling people!  And I think it is contagious... I am starting to talk and smile to everyone.  Very unlike me who is usually more of an introvert!  

As for my rules... went pretty well.  I did post a picture everyday. I did not buy anything. I wrote in my journal every night but one. I am however having trouble writing consistently in my book "642 things to write about".  I did not cheat on my diet this week - no process snacks and nothing to eat after 7pm but fruits.

Tomorrow starts my 21 days yoga challenge.  I am set in my mind to do that.  However my physical body may have troubles as I am pretty much let go of my practice in the last 3 weeks due to the move here in Moncton.  However, my yoga practice of several years will help me insure I do not hurt myself and get back on track.

thanks for reading!
and please share if you like this blog!!!love&peace,
nath
xox
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http://www.facebook.com/MinimalistVeganNath
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Vegan Thursday - muffins many ways...

Hello my friends!

Apparently my internet connection which I lost after Monday's post is now back... apparently for good now! I certainly do hope so!

In today's vegan post, I want to share with you a muffin recipe. You can actually get the whole recipe here (because I can't write the same article on both blogs I need to share this way):

www.veganrestaurantfinder.com/blog

What I really like about this recipe is that originally, it is not even vegan and I managed to make it vegan by replacing the egg with chia seeds and the milk with vanilla almond milk. Quite simple as a matter of fact.... and it turned out fine! It is also originally made to go with fresh blueberries... I used frozen and it worked out! Just cooked a little longer as frozen blueberries are more wet.

I also tried it with chocolate chip for one batch and cranberries for another instead of blueberries.  They were all amazing! At the time of writing this post, I wanted to try raisins... and one more batch with chopped walnuts. I'll get to my kitchen right after!

I also have many more ideas for using this recipe! I will share of course as I try them out!

I love it because it is so simple and requires very standard ingredients and seems to be accommodated quite well with different flavors!

The other lovely thing about this recipe is that you need only one bowl to make it!!!  Less dishes to clean and also it takes so little time that in a couple of hours you can literally make 4-5 batches!   You freeze them and there you are set with that for weeks!

Minimalist because requiring one bowl...
Vegan because I made them so...

How can you ask for more?

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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