Cultivating Gratitude

This morning I am giving thanks for this beautiful sunrise out my window.

And the fresh fallen snow that beautifully coats the trees in the last few quiet days of cuddling in front of the fire before the business of Spring.

They are just 2 of the (at least) 5 things I will jot in my journal this morning on my gratitude list. Tonight I will write 5 more. At every meal I will give thanks for the food I have, remember, and pray for those who have little or none. Tonight at dinner each member of my family will take a turn saying something for which they are grateful.

Cultivating gratitude is one of the tools to living simply. Focusing on gratitude for what I have allows me to take my focus after what I "want" and "need." More importantly though, it gives my family something we always have in common, frees my soul, and sets my feet on a happy path.

The Kind Cupcake

Some of you may know that I have been vegetarian for a while now (about 3 years). Lately my body has not been happy with me and I have had the feeling that it is time to step it up to being vegan (again). Because I don't do much without doing research first, I went to my local library and checked out "The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet" by Alicia Silverstone.

I love this book. I love it because she presents the information in a completely accessible way. I love it because it spoke to many of the health problems I have been experiencing. But today I love it most for the vegan cupcake recipe.

I am kicking refined sugar and hopefully desserts most of the time. And yet it's a journey and at this point in the journey, I still need sweets. Enter this cupcake sweetened with agave nectar. Yum!

It may not be a supermarket cupcake-but that's the point. It isn't so sugary sweet that I am going to get a headache and guilt-trip. In fact, it's just sweet enough to satisfy the urge and keep me happily marching down the vegan path.

Have you tried any great vegan recipes lately? Have you thought about going vegetarian or vegan?

P.S. For more information, Ms. Silverstone has set up a great resource for all things kind/green/vegan at The Kind Life.

Spring In My Step

To fight the winter doldrums, we pulled out the Spring decorations last night. We don't have many, just the few things that I picked up over last summer at garage sales. Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how such affordable little trinkets, bought second hand, could brings such joy (especially in the mucky winter/spring transition).

These eggs were .75 cents each. I only wish there were more.

This candle and wreath cost $3 together. The candle very closely resembles one I have seen in Pottery Barn if I do say so myself. I think that one runs a little more than $3.

Pottery Barn

Sometimes in the middle of the summer, it's hard to think about what might bring you joy at the end of winter. But if something sparks your fancy at a garage sale, chances are it will bring you a smile when the appropriate season arrives. Just make sure you have proper storage so you can easily access it when the time comes and look forward to seeing it again.

I think Elizabeth Gaskell had it right when she said, "Anticipation was the soul of enjoyment."

What is putting a spring in your step these days?