Sunday, April 15, 2012

Journey to my Authentic Self

For as long as I can remember I have always believed in being true to myself (I thought) always learning about myself, always growing and not denying what is going on in my life. For the past few months I have been on a journey that is much deeper, more soul searching and even more healing than I ever thought I can imagine. Not only that but I never expected it not from the path I took. I never saw the path to follow coming though I am very grateful for it.

A little history, My sister wrote a few blog posts about buying new clothes and feeling better. Then she started sharing about her joining a program called Dressing Your Truth. I watched her for the past year as she learned how to accessorize, dress and look entirely amazing all the time even in her most comfortable clothing. Watched her feel better and gain confidence in herself. WOW! Well I wanted that too. She's been on this journey for over a year and well I wanted what my sister had.

I have also been looking to go back to work, and thought it would be helpful to get my wardrobe together. To know what to buy and how to go about putting outfits together, so I started to watch some videos on you tube, looking at others transformations and decided I wanted that too. However, I was not ready to make the financial commitment to it. I learned what I could without going through the course (which was a little but not much). Then one day, I got an email it was on sale. huge sale it was my time and I jumped in and bought the course. I haven't looked back for the past several months.

What little did I know was that I was going to discover a LOT more than what to wear. This was no makeover show. This is a complete journey to finding out who you are and dressing to accentuate your truest nature of who you are. I started the fabulous online course learning about Carol Tuttle's program dressing your truth and the 4 types of woman (and men, children etc). I kept identifying with Type 2 woman- soft and subtle. If you have known me for any amount of time you are probably laughing as I have and still do sometimes. That's OK. Deep inside it is the type I identify with most deeply.

Where the most surprise came is that I had no idea,  how much emotions come along with discovering and accepting who I am at the deepest in core of my being. Some days have been down right hard to get through, emotional and drudging up issues from my youth I had no idea existed. Hey, I thought I was going to learn how to dress nice! What's up with that? I didn't know that I was going to have to feel 'pain'. In all reality. I have grown so much inside and out.

There is a great support network surrounded around the program and each of the energy types. I will actually take photos of myself to document the journey. Before I started this program my hair was in a ponytail everyday, I never wore make up, and I most often wore jeans and tshirts, even though I had some great jewelry I never really wore any except my wedding rings. I didn't take the time. I didn't know how to put together anything and I am not even really sure that I it mattered to me all that much.

Most of the ladies and my sister say it takes about a year to really get it and understand and grow. I am amazed after just about 8 weeks how much I have changed already. I feel good, I have more confidence and I find I am a better parent because I understand myself and my kids better. This is all amazing stuff and I feel very grateful for this fabulous opportunity to better myself!

I am still a newbie to this journey but I am looking forward to bettering myself. Not to mention I really can't wait to do some shopping. Even after about 8 weeks I haven't really done that much shopping. I am cautious and careful about the money I have to spend. Some days are harder than others and some times I don't feel like I am do well with the 'dressing' part, however the feedback from the more experienced ladies is good. They call it a signature style and well I don't have one yet... I will let you know when I do.

I would love to chat all about it so check out the link on the side of my blog (the big box that says what's my energy profile) or within the post and let me know what you think. It's a journey I don't think anyone of you will ever regret taking. I know I for one will not.

Here is a recent photo of me since I started DYT.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Old and New Traditions...


Matzoh Ball Soup!
Cheesy Kale Chips
Being that it is Passover I wanted to share a traditional food with my kids. Matzoh Ball Soup seemed to fit the bill. So I set off to make matzoh balls for the first time since I really don't know when. I followed a basic recipe for the matzoh balls that you can find just about anywhere. Two of my 3 kids demolished them leaving nothing in their paths. Child number 3 the picky one took one bite and passed, I have to give him credit for at least trying.
The soup was not made from a recipe, I just sauteed onion, carrot, celery, zucchini and garlic


 with some other seasonings and then poured the
broth in. Not so exciting, but healthy and tasty for sure. On the other hand, I also wanted to try something new. I have heard my sister and others talk about Kale chips for a long time. I have some in the fridge and decided to give it a try. The 'cheesy' sauce is not cheese at all. Here's how I made the sauce:
1 cup of cashews soaked in water for a few hours
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
Juice from one lemon
minced garlic to taste
Blended it in the blender and then mixed with well with the Kale. I baked it in the oven at 200 degrees for a few hours. The site I saw it on said 45 minutes but that wasn't near enough time to make it crunchy. So I kept baking. The family (with exception of picky eater number 3) gobbled up both trays in a matter of minutes. I was happy to give them something crunchy and healthy for them. I will definitely be moving the dehydrator up the wish list for the near future. I do believe that the kale chips will turn out much better in the dehydrator.
I have been really busy with life and the family. I haven't had much time to write nor really have had thoughts about what to write either. I am hoping to do some more writing and fill you all in on what I have been doing and working on at home. Stay tuned~