tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59408541421862992292024-03-13T08:13:37.374-07:00My Raw Pathanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-77823177166967440122016-01-11T06:58:00.000-08:002016-01-11T06:58:12.219-08:00I don't want you to love me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAlN4fzTImI/VpPC5UxBD9I/AAAAAAAAG1c/AAqtjd06BOg/s1600/bookkk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAlN4fzTImI/VpPC5UxBD9I/AAAAAAAAG1c/AAqtjd06BOg/s320/bookkk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I don't want you to love me because of my curves<br />
I want you to love me because I'm the woman for you <br />
I don't want you to love me because of my full lips<br />
I want you to love me because of my smart mouth <br />
I don't want you to love me because of my long long hair<br />
I want you to love me because you can rest so well beside me <br />
I don't want you to love me because I'm short<br />
I want you to love me because of how you feel me in your arms <br />
I don't want you to love me because I'm thin<br />
I want you to love me because you feel I need your protection <br />
I don't want you to love me because of the color of my eyes<br />
I want you to love me because of the sparks between us<br />
I don't want you to love me because of my job<br />
I want you to love me because of my wit<br />
I don't want you to love me because of my clothes<br />
I want you to love my naked vulnerable body<br />
I don't want you to love me because of my brains<br />
I want you to love me because of my kindness<br />
I don't want you to love me because of my money<br />
I want you to lve me because you see through me<br />
I don't want you to love me because of my age<br />
I want you to love me because you see me ageless<br />
I don't want you to love me for my cooking<br />
I want you to love me because of how good it is to eat together<br />
I don't want you to love me because I can take you places<br />
I want you to love me because next to me you feel real.<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-46672250542995198862014-10-20T06:34:00.000-07:002014-10-20T06:34:51.109-07:00As if I cared...People around me, who know me well already know that I am an optimistic person, and that I always try to be as optimistic as possible. I really do not like nervous people, jumpy people, pessimist or somber people; I feel like they are sucking the life out of me, and I hate it. There was a time when I managed to stay away from them, but lately I had to have more social interaction and unfortunately, once you put yourself out there, you most definitely fall upon one type or another.<br />
I thought that human stupidity and wrongness cannot surprise me anymore, but I was terribly wrong. I saw a thing I would not have wanted to see in my entire life, people promoted just because of their attitude and not their merits, people thinking that they are better than others just because they are more vile and violent. This type of people makes me want to never get my nose out of my books, at least the latter won't strut in my face puffing up their chests and trying to convince me that they are doing a good thing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAJBNCmH0c0/VEUOvxjMizI/AAAAAAAAGtY/43Wz-xpCgW0/s1600/do%2Bi%2Blook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAJBNCmH0c0/VEUOvxjMizI/AAAAAAAAGtY/43Wz-xpCgW0/s1600/do%2Bi%2Blook.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credits: Google images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was completely surprised to see that such a person felt the need to let me know that I should not say to others what I have witnessed, and even more surprised to find out that I was thought to judge. I do not have such right, nor do I want the right to judge people. We all are the sum of our actions, so I strongly believe that we should all mind our own business. I have so many things to think about that I don't even have the spare time to think about myself, let alone care about what others do. Especially people that I think are low and do not want to be associated with.<br />
And just to be clear, I do not judge people by their aspect, or their tastes in clothes, or their taste in music and books, I don't judge people if they read or not, if they can write correctly or not, and most of all I don't give a damn if they have money or not. My friends come from all places, have eclectic tastes, are airy and crazy, and the only connection is the respect we feel for each other. <br />
But I do judge people by their actions; and I find out that your heart is pitch-black, I want nothing to do with you. I won't go telling here and there that you're not worth it, I am a believer in the idea that we should all learn from our mistakes; but I will definitely cut all contact with you, and I would prefer to never see you again.<br />
Not believing that my method is best, I still do not want to have anything to do with people I don't like, and I'm keeping my friends' circle to a minimum, with people that make me a better person and people who make me smile and feel warm and safe. I like to believe that I'm doing the same for them, and I am forever grateful for the luminous persons in my life. These are the persons I care about, and only these. I do not pry into their personal lives, they do not invade my privacy, but we help each other as much as possible, without expecting something in return.<br />
With these being said, I conclude yet another chapter in my journal by saying that if a person is not my friend, they should know that I really really do not care about anything they're doing, because my life is much more interesting than theirs.<br />
Now, with a lighter heart, I humbly return to work.<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-44851260220536036722014-10-13T06:00:00.000-07:002014-10-13T06:00:05.810-07:00Speechless...Nothing left to say..just a warm suggestion: watch carefully and LISTEN!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WmVLcj-XKnM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rM6txLtoaoc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dor4XvjA8Wo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/fwV9OYeGN88?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jBqMJzv4Cs8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
...and my personal Favorite:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3e66bnuxV2A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>If TREES could talk...what would they whisper to us?</i></b></span>anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-50231858044490982452014-09-26T06:39:00.003-07:002014-09-26T06:39:38.815-07:00trials of a vegetarian.... As everybody visiting this site might have understood by now; I love being vegan. I feel better, physically and psychically; it helped me see which of my friends understand me and are ready to accept me with all my oddities, it widened my horizons, made me reach out and virtually meet extraordinary people, etc...<br />
If I'd start to write on all the pluses, I'd never end; then again every vegan had his or her own experiences; encouragements and disappointments, then who am I to insist on something everybody knows already? I'm writing this blog for me as well as for those who have not yet decided. I'd say to them that, if you're reading this, you're already on the right path. If you've acknowledged the fact that you could try to be vegan for the good of everybody, you've already made the decisive step; that of caring! That of refusing to look the other way, completely ignoring what's actually happening around you. <br />
What is it about autumn that makes me want to write more?I have so many creative activities during this season that I'm starting to think it must be the richness of it that inspires me. That and nature. I'm so lucky to have been born in October!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GbGydo4JVVo/VCUZWc0PoLI/AAAAAAAAGsY/hDet7zP0uA8/s1600/LakeButtermere_ROW10783939870_1366x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GbGydo4JVVo/VCUZWc0PoLI/AAAAAAAAGsY/hDet7zP0uA8/s1600/LakeButtermere_ROW10783939870_1366x768.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lake Buttermere, photo by Chris Warren on Bing</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thankfully, Autumn is the richest season; you have so many fruits and veggies, so it's the height of the year for vegans. Maybe not for all; since there are countries where you have these all year round; but here, in my darling Romania, since the beginning of time, people had to gather during autumn in order to have food during the cold season. Even before agriculture became industrialized, this was the law of nature, and it hasn't changed much. Except for imported food.<br />
As I've already said; becoming vegan has opened my horizon; I now no longer feel that being vegan is enough, as there is so much more to do on this planet! I love nature and that is the main reason I've done it; but let's be frank, it takes more than not eating meat to trully call yourself a nature lover!<br />
First of all, I'm thinking about my living space. I need to make it nature-respectful, so <b><i>recycling </i></b>is a must. As well as using as little plastic as possible. Here's a video on what the ordinary plastic does to our nature; if this doesn't convince you, I don't know right now what else will:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dtJFiIXp5Bo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Need I say that lights out while you're out of your home is not only saving you money, but the planet also?<br />
Then there's the matter of food. Because we're always returning to this; this is a food blog, right?<br />
Just like everybody else around me, I used to buy all my food from the supermarket. Let's be realistic, it's much easier to have it all there and just grab it and put it in your basket; all products from A to Z. Gradually, I became unsatisfied with the vegetables and fruits I found there; so I started buying less and less; except when I was really in a hurry and craved an apple, or an orange, or a banana.<br />
<br />
It's not just the fact that supermarket veggies are usually green-house produced; it's also the aspect of them being shipped for thousands of kilometers until they reach our stores; burning fuel along the way; so no matter how "eco" or "organic" they pretend to be, they are actually not, as long as they came from another country.<br />
If you look it up; or I will do it for you one day; the core of the "organic"/ "bio"/ "eco"concept is that it must respect nature in all aspects. And it applies to all foods, not just veggies and fruits..<br />
<br />
Then there's the problem of buying from corporations, rather than helping your local producers- what we call kilometer 0 products. Even if the product is made locally, wouldn't you help the producer more if you bought it directly from him rather than paying the supermarket for it? If possible, buy from source, and you'll have insured that next year you will still have km 0 products from that farmer you've helped directly...<br />
Even better-grow your own basic food if possible, like tomatoes, leafy greens, salad, kale, etc... and buy the rest from the farmer's market.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtc6fizWdGU/VCUweZRuXmI/AAAAAAAAGs4/_EfF8qEa_f4/s1600/kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qtc6fizWdGU/VCUweZRuXmI/AAAAAAAAGs4/_EfF8qEa_f4/s1600/kale.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>my balcony-grown kale, tomatoes & others</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like I said, we don't have fruits and veggies all year round, except in supermarkets, and they come from God knows where. But we've learned to store them over a long period of time. It's not fully vegan, in the literally sense of the word; but even though fruits and veggies are boiled or fried and then frozen, I dare to say it is still better than buying them fresh from the supermarket. Ok, moderate heat destroys part of the vitamins and nutrients; but it's way better than veggies and fruits pumped-up with fertilizers and picked-up while they are still green, sprayed with conservatives and shipped over thousands of km.<br />
I'm not saying I have the best idea; but it's still better than nothing, right? You could can almost anything, and other foods, like roots and squashes keep anyway; so why not buy them and store them while it's their season? I love nothing better than to have my kitchen well-stocked with as many ingredients as possible; in fact I was just telling my boyfriend the other day that if all markets closed for a month, we wouldn't starve... and I haven't even finished canning for this winter....<br />
I'm an advocate for cooking your own food as much as possible, and growing it also is my ideal of a plentiful life. <br />
If I'm not able to grow it, I buy it from people I know have grown it just as I would, no pesticides, chemicals of any sort, just sun, water and good earth.<br />
Now let's talk about fruits that don't grow here. I find this topic extremely interesting, and I wanted to attack it for some time now. I love bananas, oranges and lemons, avocado and ginger root. None of these grow in Romania, and many of others that can be found only for a short while. My favorite snack is a banana, whenever I'm hungry and need a quick bite. As easy to imagine, I'm not quite happy with the situation. If oranges and lemons can grow closer to us, the other fruits and root respectively don't. I still buy them, but in smaller quantities, and try to buy them by the bulk, so less plastic is wasted.<br />
I've been snooping the internet for a life with less waste, and <a href="http://zerowastehome.blogspot.ro/">Zero waste home</a> has become my muse. I'm learning so much from this site, that at times I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. I'll apply the "bring your own container" strategy when buying these tricky items, so at least some of the harm is reduced. But I will cut down my family's consumption of these items anyway.<br />
Even though it might not be generally agreed upon, it's really not that hard to be a vegetarian in Romania. We have the means, the prejudices make it harder though. Restaurants make it worse. But with the right determination, it is possible. It also depends on what lengths you are willing to go; and it also depends on what you understand by the concept. I am not just a vegan or vegetarian, or whatever you call it. (and yes, I know the difference between the two terms).<br />
I'm a person who cares; and that is why I'm doing everything. I care about the Earth and its inhabitants, I believe Nature is a Goddess and I worship Her, I believe that by not hurting others I can become a lighter soul, and I'm working on it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvumYIRQWNY/VCUae1rGfqI/AAAAAAAAGsg/8vabEaHNFUM/s1600/MotherEarth_Gaia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvumYIRQWNY/VCUae1rGfqI/AAAAAAAAGsg/8vabEaHNFUM/s1600/MotherEarth_Gaia.jpg" height="320" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mother Earth Gaia- Google Images</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i> </i> I strongly believe that, besides the earth itself, there is none greater, none more majestic or more complex organism that the majestic <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>Tree</i></b></span>....and I bow to It.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUuhIb2A9_g/VCUa2U_KsZI/AAAAAAAAGso/I8aSJnmqWZY/s1600/Yggdrasil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUuhIb2A9_g/VCUa2U_KsZI/AAAAAAAAGso/I8aSJnmqWZY/s1600/Yggdrasil.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yggdrasil - Wikipedia</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Does that make me a pantheist? partially, maybe, I have such a complex set of believes that I really have no idea what I am right now. But one thing I do know, and that is the fact that I was put on this earth with a purpose, and it could be that of compassion and love, and I'm spreading the word by my humble means...<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>If trees could speak, what would they whisper to us?</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-18765564102575920212014-09-22T06:47:00.001-07:002014-09-22T06:47:25.384-07:00how to measure one's success.......or better said when do you know that you've reached some level of satisfaction in your life...is the idea that nags me for some days now.<br />
Well I don't really know about others, but they all seem to measure their accomplishments in how much money they're making, how many super cars they have, how many women, how many pairs of shoes, etc. <br />
I, on the other hand, would like to measure my success in this life by how much I've left behind, especially on how many books I will have written, with my name on them. As I grew up in a home where books were the ultimate authority and were and still are sacred, you may imagine why I will feel like I've left something behind if I manage to write a few and publish them...<br />
There are so many talented people out there that we might think anyone can write a book, but in fact it takes more time, determination and strong will than I would like to admit. I have the skills to do it, but the rest of attributes are harder to find...especially when I'm being sidetracked by other activities.<br />
I'm getting there though, and one day my family and friends will be proud for all the support and encouragements they've given me through time.<br />
Speaking of family and friends, I think that much of one's accomplishment can be measured in that; and one's character is also measured in fiends; the more you have the more your compass points in the right direction.<br />
Now you might say that you only have few real friends, but I am here talking about the real ones, which help and will get help in return, the ones that are there with a shoulder to cry on and not the ones you meet every day for a coffee. Real friends are the ones you don't speak with for months in a row, and then, when you do meet, it's like you've never lost contact. They know you and you know them, they respect and love you and you respect and love them in return; without questioning, without rewards, no strings attached, except for those of two compatible hearts. <br />
I was surprised many times in my short life to see that there are people who don't really have friends, I wonder where do they get their support, their reassurance, their warmth? ok, Family is family, but don't you ever need another opinion, even if at times it contradicts everything you believed in?<br />
<br />
I feel accomplished with little things, like a new book on my shelf, a new funny face one of my nieces makes, the quiet and serenity my cats brings, the satisfaction of picking your own vegetables and knowing you planted, tended and will eat them too,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohqvh1xxJjE/VCAmaeVyMaI/AAAAAAAAGrw/NvD-1VdlC34/s1600/vegies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohqvh1xxJjE/VCAmaeVyMaI/AAAAAAAAGrw/NvD-1VdlC34/s1600/vegies.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
as well as the quiet and peace my motor gives me on times like this beautiful sunset...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kErxr5WqkRc/VCAmfZ56EkI/AAAAAAAAGr4/v7G354PLgyQ/s1600/sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kErxr5WqkRc/VCAmfZ56EkI/AAAAAAAAGr4/v7G354PLgyQ/s1600/sun.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
the way all falls into place on a quiet afternoon, the smell of good food<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--EKn-b63tyo/VCAm31fBwEI/AAAAAAAAGsI/TZldxiI8Eig/s1600/pumpk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--EKn-b63tyo/VCAm31fBwEI/AAAAAAAAGsI/TZldxiI8Eig/s1600/pumpk.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
and tomato soup in particular, the perfume of ripe fruit...the satisfaction of spending the money I made from writing, as little as they come, the 30 minutes of lunch break at work during a crazy work day... when I get to eat my goodies...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ek6LMBHOhpI/VCAml4Ej0EI/AAAAAAAAGsA/A9Rz-3AojqM/s1600/vegs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ek6LMBHOhpI/VCAml4Ej0EI/AAAAAAAAGsA/A9Rz-3AojqM/s1600/vegs.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
and read a few lines from a nice book... my friends' laughs around the table after a good dinner that I've cooked and they ate, thanking me for the food at the end...<br />
<br />
I know much of my accomplishments come from food, so there is one good reason why I started this blog-journal. Food is a crucial part of my life, my social compass, my health provider and my success measurement unit. <br />
Just thinking that there are so many persons out there who suffer from lack of food, whole countries who eat less in a month than my family does in a week; and that without thinking about water or any other simple needs; makes my skin crawl and makes me respect my food more, as it is a sacred and crucial aspect. <br />
<br />
Then I think of all the persons who are not well informed, get sick from their food and their doctors don't really tell them exactly what is good or bad, that it makes me angry, but there is so little you can do for a person who's been eating meat all his or her life and can't restrain from food that makes him or her sick...as habit is a nasty obstacle to overcome...and then there are the ones that pure and simply refuse to acknowledge the fact that much of the food we find in supermarkets is plastic, and not only kills them, but also the world around them....but the story about plastic is another one....which I will tell you about at another time....<br />
<br />
I have no idea how others really measure their success, but there it is, my simple and straightforward truth....my success comes from the acknowledgement that animal flesh is not the food I want to eat; and this so more since I will soon be 1 year old in my vegan diet...but most of all from the peace of mind I got once I took this decision.<br />
Being vegan is not a trend, not a pride matter and surely not something everyone will understand, being vegan is a way of life which implies many more steps, which gets you to the place where you realize that you're not yet there, that apart from not eating animals you have to protect them, protect the environment and leave a legacy to our future generations...and oh so much more! <br />
But again, that will be the subject of many posts to come.... as I'm still just at the beginning of the path...<br />
<br />
Still, there is a question always in my mind, nagging me, only made stronger by the studies I take....making me more and more scared every day...<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>If trees could talk, what would they whisper to us?</i></b></span><br />
anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-72324752363694304902014-09-11T02:11:00.003-07:002014-09-11T02:11:29.983-07:00Is there another world out there?Sometimes I feel like I belong somewhere else, sometimes I feel like I'm right where I am meant to be...but all the time I see and observe the people around me. Some are happy, some make me sad, some are stressed out and nervous, and some are serene and smile all the time. what do the ones smiling know that the others don't? Do some just immerse themselves in their every day problems and forget how to live? Amaizingly, I observe all these things because I recognize the feelings; the happy as well as the sad ones. Been there, done that, I could say it many many times...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QS6WnaQ1_3Q/VBFmbTbYMVI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/24X7SRXR27U/s1600/off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QS6WnaQ1_3Q/VBFmbTbYMVI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/24X7SRXR27U/s1600/off.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: bing images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I see all of these detached, from my own and personal bubble, where there are many problems, but where there are also many things to be grateful for, and these latter make all the hard work worth while.<br />
We've all got problems, but if we could just listen around us for a little bit, stop the misery train in its tracks, we could really see that many of them are actually just so big as we make them. But there's a catch, as always. Do not let yourself be wrongly influenced by the world outside, because it will only make you feel worse. Go, have a walk in the woods, listen to what the trees have to say, climb a mountain or a hill, stay on the grass by a stream and clearly think your problems through. The solution will come to you, because you already had it, but were too polluted by the noise around you to be able to grasp it.<br />
And yes, there are people out there, like from another world, who think everything is in their power, who care nothing for a stray dog or cat, who think sheep and cows and chickens are actually living for their sole role as our feeding material; and I mean material in its most cruel and de- personalizing kind of way. <br />
And then there's hobbits like me, who open their eyes more every day, break from the system, start growing things and decide to change every single day. That's why sometimes I feel like I'm in another world from many of the people I know. Slowly, timidly, I give them little bits of information, I let them see how I discovered this thing or that can be done in a more harmless way, and the people who matter to me start changing bit by bit.<br />
Those who mock my ways do not scare and do not hurt me, I do not envy them for any of their numerous possessions, I do not long to have what they have, I just keep on going my own way. And as through my way I respect everything around me, so do I respect them and their choices, do not judge them, as we are all free to choose.<br />
<br />
And yet again, I sit and wonder....<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>If trees could talk, what would they whisper to us?</i></b></span>anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-47740390575366082462014-09-09T08:07:00.001-07:002014-09-09T08:07:28.929-07:00As if I needed a reminder...I stumbled upon this interesting site today...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.weanimals.org/photographs">we animals</a><br />
<br />
... talk about a picture meaning more than a thousand words...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJydJkXO4L0/VA8Wxc-Gz5I/AAAAAAAAGrA/L8CSoQwQrc8/s1600/calf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJydJkXO4L0/VA8Wxc-Gz5I/AAAAAAAAGrA/L8CSoQwQrc8/s1600/calf.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.weanimals.org/">http://www.weanimals.org</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
good bye dairy products, eggs and zoos....<br />
<br />
And here's another site I love following...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.edgarsmission.org.au/">Edgar's Mission</a><br />
<br />
These are just a few of the reasons why I decided not to eat animals anymore...and this is the reason I state each and every time someone asks the inevitable question "Why don't you eat meat anymore?"...my answer, straight from the heart, is, "I decided to no longer eat animals, that's why."<br />
I understand that many don't see, and really don't want to see the ugly side of meat eating...I understand totally, it is disturbing, unnerving, sickening, so we all refuse to acknowledge things that hurt us and make us feel bad or uncomfortable. But I have an advantage: if I'm not consuming it any more, I feel like a better person and feel lighter, don't have so many health problems and feel good on the whole, like in a "Mens sana in corpore sano" kind of way..<br />
I also understand why people don't like recycling...it can be bothering, having all those extra recycling trash cans, and here in Romania you can choose to do it or not unfortunately, leaving it up to the individual's civic sense of duty so to speak. If recycling is hard, I imagine how reducing the impact on the environment can be; so speaking about carbon footprint is in vain. I'm just starting on this path, trying to reduce waste as much as possible. I guess this is the normal step after going on my vegetarian path...<br />
Even if I'm just at the beginning of this winding road, and so far I'm crazed by the sound of tap water running, eat local produce as much as possible for half a reason (my desire to find healthy food and help local producers) to which I need to add the impact made by transported/packed/belonging to international industry mammoths all sorts of products; I'm encouraged by the abundance of information I can find on the Internet about substitute solutions I never even dreamed existed.<br />
<br />
In another order of ideas, I've been wondering...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><i>If trees could speak, what would they whisper to us?</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-52039794401968539402014-08-11T03:57:00.001-07:002014-08-11T03:57:27.823-07:00let's enjoy the Sun......and everything it brings us. Let's dedicate this week to being grateful for everyone and everything we have in our lives, without thinking about our regrets! Let's each get out in the sun, let his warm rays caress our face, feel as our vision behind our eyelids turns red and stop only when we start seeing spots! Let it invade our face and our hearts!<br />
This is the sunflower I plated on my balcony, and I dedicate it to all of us sun lovers and happy dwellers of this beautiful Earth!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzv8hmOT7x8/U-igtxo0DfI/AAAAAAAAGqg/jZhkGm0VRZ4/s1600/sunflw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzv8hmOT7x8/U-igtxo0DfI/AAAAAAAAGqg/jZhkGm0VRZ4/s1600/sunflw.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
We are so blessed to be alive, to have people and beautiful places around us, to love and be loved! We have people, animals and plants around us that love to love and be loved! We are so much luckier than we ever will perceive!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmiegSHm6ZE/U-ig7K6mwUI/AAAAAAAAGqs/Hi-whkKeQz8/s1600/wild+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmiegSHm6ZE/U-ig7K6mwUI/AAAAAAAAGqs/Hi-whkKeQz8/s1600/wild+dress.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">credits: tumblr<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="color: #93c47d;">Let's just be grateful for all that was, all that is and all that will be!</span></b><br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-91490358896375377232014-08-08T03:43:00.004-07:002014-08-08T03:43:46.577-07:00an ordinary day in the life of a hobbit...While writing this, I'm at my desk in my office, so yes, hobbits do have desk jobs, suitable for their talkative, but less action-prone personalities...<br />
Just watched about six John Deere combines passing by our headquarters, and they are a joy to watch, although they are the symbol of industrialization of agriculture. I can't help it, I just love tractors, combines and all those green beautiful machines...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTrYWwsrFu8/U-R_96MuagI/AAAAAAAAGns/12uMI-8AbOw/s1600/jd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTrYWwsrFu8/U-R_96MuagI/AAAAAAAAGns/12uMI-8AbOw/s1600/jd.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">credits: www.deere.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...they all look like huge toys to me...It might be because my father used to own a tractor back in the days, and sometimes let me "drive" it...which means I would sit in his lap and take over the wheel (I was way too short to reach for the pedals...).<br />
Returning to our days, I'm saddened by some of my flowers...my bacony used to look like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ErImc4r6UII/U-ShmpdZJ3I/AAAAAAAAGn8/mMIQ4a8deI0/s1600/flw+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ErImc4r6UII/U-ShmpdZJ3I/AAAAAAAAGn8/mMIQ4a8deI0/s1600/flw+before.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
..but there was so much rain this past month that my beautiful petunias:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6kBe2xXNTU/U-SjtLyT78I/AAAAAAAAGoQ/Sbn4KGTsHkY/s1600/pet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6kBe2xXNTU/U-SjtLyT78I/AAAAAAAAGoQ/Sbn4KGTsHkY/s1600/pet.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
...look now like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K216O9bawhU/U-SjyWDrNtI/AAAAAAAAGoY/UiNokZzol14/s1600/sunflw++dry+flw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K216O9bawhU/U-SjyWDrNtI/AAAAAAAAGoY/UiNokZzol14/s1600/sunflw++dry+flw.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
they practically have no more leaves! some how now started to grow and the poor things still have most of their flowers, so I wonder how they survived...I even thought about giving them some growth chemicals...I'm desperate! especially since I have no other place to hang them, my balcony is full...<br />
That's a sunflower up front...I wonder if there will be some result from it...I actually have 2.<br />
Like a true witch, I've planted sage...although late enough...but my little grass has come to life:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9jAXdkfquI/U-SlfJzUUyI/AAAAAAAAGok/EvKfCOoVCNw/s1600/salvia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9jAXdkfquI/U-SlfJzUUyI/AAAAAAAAGok/EvKfCOoVCNw/s1600/salvia.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
and gets along with my producing tomato:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EGeH7Ts5TM/U-SluqF2CJI/AAAAAAAAGo8/CPs8T8pWrtc/s1600/green+tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2EGeH7Ts5TM/U-SluqF2CJI/AAAAAAAAGo8/CPs8T8pWrtc/s1600/green+tom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I already have ripe tomatoes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRb1-b8pk2g/U-SlqXqn-JI/AAAAAAAAGow/zQ5joFH8mGc/s1600/tmts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRb1-b8pk2g/U-SlqXqn-JI/AAAAAAAAGow/zQ5joFH8mGc/s1600/tmts.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpGuK-wRzWI/U-SlqZjPGZI/AAAAAAAAGos/k3q9hN_IAqw/s1600/tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpGuK-wRzWI/U-SlqZjPGZI/AAAAAAAAGos/k3q9hN_IAqw/s1600/tom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
which I will be eating this weekend.They are extremely scented, and I'm sure they'll taste heavenly.I've waited desperately for my rosemary to come to life, I've even planted them 2 times, but only got this shy result after a long time:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K44eMdawuHA/U-SmFjDo4YI/AAAAAAAAGpM/g9I8io6g6NQ/s1600/rosm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K44eMdawuHA/U-SmFjDo4YI/AAAAAAAAGpM/g9I8io6g6NQ/s1600/rosm.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />which led me to thinking that the seeds were bad. I have beautiful edible flowers which I didn'ty have the heart to eat:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_36L-zPvAA/U-SnLiI5vWI/AAAAAAAAGpY/AIGIsO0QocM/s1600/edible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_36L-zPvAA/U-SnLiI5vWI/AAAAAAAAGpY/AIGIsO0QocM/s1600/edible.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TmgQKEZWkw/U-Sh0ucumRI/AAAAAAAAGoE/s8dya3SVcW4/s1600/flw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TmgQKEZWkw/U-Sh0ucumRI/AAAAAAAAGoE/s8dya3SVcW4/s1600/flw.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
and I got some eggplants from my friend, wondering if I will see any produce, since they have flowered:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwJO3h13u9g/U-SnOxOGYdI/AAAAAAAAGpg/Xo_0IGsCW8E/s1600/egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwJO3h13u9g/U-SnOxOGYdI/AAAAAAAAGpg/Xo_0IGsCW8E/s1600/egg.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
before risking to bore you to death..I would like to add that my kale tastes delicious and I have planted little plants in every nook available:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXeHyel6nvY/U-Sn9-vC1KI/AAAAAAAAGpo/H0xLJlXxHDE/s1600/kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXeHyel6nvY/U-Sn9-vC1KI/AAAAAAAAGpo/H0xLJlXxHDE/s1600/kale.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
That being said, I dream myself away, in some forest high in the mountains, just me the trees and the birds, and maybe a good book...a hammock and some lemonade...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ifnm9fRACU/U-So_WuEaRI/AAAAAAAAGp4/eE1JjyGCiOU/s1600/forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ifnm9fRACU/U-So_WuEaRI/AAAAAAAAGp4/eE1JjyGCiOU/s1600/forest.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
So you an see what an ordinary day in my life looks like: dreaming away, dreaming about good food/drink, a good book and a lot of quiet, worrying about my crops and writing about every little thing...nothing very exciting or very brave...just an ordinary simple life....:)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><b><i>Wishing you a great green weekend!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-81545038485563180622014-07-06T06:49:00.001-07:002014-07-06T06:49:36.680-07:00Summer bliss...There's something abut Summer that just makes me want to lay down, slow down, appreciate life more and love myself more. It's not the heat, since I am lucky to live in a cool place, it's just the sweetness of the birds singing in the small wood next to my block, the sun that goes to sleep late, the moon that is so big and wonderful each night, the breezy nights and the nice afternoon motorcycle rides; all these make me love more. And not just love myself, but love in general. I feel the love from the sun, it calms me, makes me radiate it...<br />
I do believe that the most important aspect in our everyday life is nutrition. If we don't eat properly, we are grumpy and depressed, lifeless and exposed to disease. It's exactly for that reason that summer can heal us in and out, from the brain to the body, with its abundance of goodies. I strongly believe that a sun kissed fruit, freshly picked, can induce us a state of happiness and love. <br />
Although I haven't written here in a while, I bet you can already understand that my belief about food hasn't changed. Indeed, I'm still a vegan, if not a full raw-vegan, at least 80% of my diet is still made up of fresh fruit and greens, and all this due to the lovely summer which provides everything I need.<br />
And yes, I feel great, haven't lost or gained weight, it wasn't necessarily my intention; but as I've stated from the beginning, my energy level was low. Gradually, as my body started to cleanse from all those year of meat eating, my energy grew, just like so many before me stated it. My hair and nails are great, although I switched to almond, soya and rice milk without a sweat; as I've noticed for some years now that pasteurized milk gave me stomach aches. <br />
I've been making smoothies every morning and that kept me and my boyfriend flu free all winter, although he's not a vegan at all. With the fruit abundance this season I don't even bother to make juice out of them, especially if they are from trustworthy sources. A salad like this<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHv9cgX0NmI/U7lJY0NfatI/AAAAAAAAGhg/fV4wWNAARXk/s1600/WP_002111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHv9cgX0NmI/U7lJY0NfatI/AAAAAAAAGhg/fV4wWNAARXk/s1600/WP_002111.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
is also a rare and too fancy thing, as I like to bite from my fruit, but I do them for my boyfriend, trying to make him eat more fruits.<br />
I planted a lot of vegetables this year, I am proud to have had such activities, which I've missed for so many years, I even grow tomatoes on my balcony:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEysXNpTtjY/U7lKMIHPb1I/AAAAAAAAGhw/nFRNAD6tQVk/s1600/flori3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEysXNpTtjY/U7lKMIHPb1I/AAAAAAAAGhw/nFRNAD6tQVk/s1600/flori3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
with little to no expenses, as I've received the little plants from a friend and I've recycled plastic 5 liter water bottles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GT5SBBtUgs/U7lMYcS4rYI/AAAAAAAAGiE/8eNxwQ5CrZQ/s1600/WP_002103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GT5SBBtUgs/U7lMYcS4rYI/AAAAAAAAGiE/8eNxwQ5CrZQ/s1600/WP_002103.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
So I'm going to eat my own grown tomatoes, after such a long time...<br />
<br />
I read a lot on different subjects, love trees more than ever and love to go camping, which we've done a couple of times, and will do again, being the bikers that we are. My primary love remains reading on a blanket under a tree, my motor close.<br />
I've even taken my nieces on a small field trip on foot, climbed a few rocks and once we got to the top, we spread our blanket, read our books and eaten our sandwiches which we've made ourselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrSRzChZRwM/U7lMYU5Z8HI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/Cs5klha08f4/s1600/WP_001816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrSRzChZRwM/U7lMYU5Z8HI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/Cs5klha08f4/s1600/WP_001816.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We were pretty up out there, with cotton candy clouds, fresh crisp air, and it felt awesome!<br />
There's something about laying with your face towards the sky, knowing that for a good piece of earth around, you are the closest to the sky, yet with your back against the secure earth;<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIYXqTpv4ks/U7lQJwRo3ZI/AAAAAAAAGis/EISjHaYcqGo/s1600/WP_001815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIYXqTpv4ks/U7lQJwRo3ZI/AAAAAAAAGis/EISjHaYcqGo/s1600/WP_001815.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
it's some sort of happy dizziness you feel, that makes your head light. I wish to inspire more of the reading love to my sweet nieces; I want them to see how cool it is to read and love nature.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7GuKfXXaUY/U7lQgxtM6mI/AAAAAAAAGi0/kaSBLCMmk4I/s1600/WP_001942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T7GuKfXXaUY/U7lQgxtM6mI/AAAAAAAAGi0/kaSBLCMmk4I/s1600/WP_001942.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I'll also try to inspire my sister to give up meat and sweets, but it's hard to do that while we're in different cities. I'll make some raw cookies next Friday, when I'm going to visit them.<br />
Nature is so beautiful and I love having small pieces of wonder on my balcony, like this cucumber: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUJPDKvmPpw/U7lKMEcNlyI/AAAAAAAAGh4/N1zDXYz2PQg/s1600/flori2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUJPDKvmPpw/U7lKMEcNlyI/AAAAAAAAGh4/N1zDXYz2PQg/s1600/flori2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's amazing and beautifully strange that one little seed could give birth to such beauty. I'm stil at wonder of how complex nature is. Here are some other plant pots I've made from plastic bottles; I got the idea from a picture I saw on the Internet and then I've put one of these in every free corner of my little terrace facing the wonderful small wood.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ef6KBD777X4/U7lKL-GCMYI/AAAAAAAAGh0/1z1Rd8He4Vo/s1600/flori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ef6KBD777X4/U7lKL-GCMYI/AAAAAAAAGh0/1z1Rd8He4Vo/s1600/flori.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I really feel blessed to live in this place, even if it is in a big and noisy city, this living and breathing barrier keeps it all away from my little green sanctuary.<br />
These being said, I am proud to admit that I'm a vegan treehugger and grass worshiper, and all green inspires me to love:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a93X28gexm4/U7lRgL1fAdI/AAAAAAAAGjA/uu85GS4at98/s1600/cai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a93X28gexm4/U7lRgL1fAdI/AAAAAAAAGjA/uu85GS4at98/s1600/cai.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>May the green love which nature used to make all around us help us find the right path and heal all our wounds!</i></b></span><br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-54837707333189242392014-04-09T00:49:00.003-07:002014-04-09T00:49:59.717-07:00It's a fact!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAsGVQtZdSk/U0T4LiCDSjI/AAAAAAAAGgY/gKqhsL_ywMk/s1600/protein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAsGVQtZdSk/U0T4LiCDSjI/AAAAAAAAGgY/gKqhsL_ywMk/s1600/protein.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i>May we all have a wonderful week, full of green energy and sunshine, on the inside and out!</i></span></b><br /><br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-1671505245338211112014-03-31T07:28:00.000-07:002014-03-31T07:28:15.457-07:00I'm a treehugger.......and I'm mighty proud of it. I must admit I love plants alot, but most of all, I adore trees, of all shapes and sizes.<br />
It's strange how after a full week of work in an office, once the weekend comes, I am so tired that I don't want to budge an inch from my home; but there are a few times, like the last weekend, when getting out and walking around, reminds me why I love being surrounded by nature...<br />
I've visited a friend yesterday, in a wonderful village not very far from the city I live in, and this village proved out to be a dreamy place....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9AiaLylyxY/Uzl2ZyRLQKI/AAAAAAAAGec/GqhZ8RQPYSI/s1600/sat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u9AiaLylyxY/Uzl2ZyRLQKI/AAAAAAAAGec/GqhZ8RQPYSI/s1600/sat.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
...and in a large space like this, there were horses all around...I almost had a stroke at seeing so many horses, roaming in the center of the village, a village like no other I've ever visited...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3xu5rxHGSk0/Uzl2uKcUx2I/AAAAAAAAGew/VjpHCk1Ev_c/s1600/DSCN2058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3xu5rxHGSk0/Uzl2uKcUx2I/AAAAAAAAGew/VjpHCk1Ev_c/s1600/DSCN2058.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nS1E65X4YxU/Uzl2unp50PI/AAAAAAAAGfI/h4DO5Fp_xEI/s1600/DSCN2060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nS1E65X4YxU/Uzl2unp50PI/AAAAAAAAGfI/h4DO5Fp_xEI/s1600/DSCN2060.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cbhH0YnkfOY/Uzl2uPQ9FcI/AAAAAAAAGe0/Q8JfeiKvVAs/s1600/DSCN2059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cbhH0YnkfOY/Uzl2uPQ9FcI/AAAAAAAAGe0/Q8JfeiKvVAs/s1600/DSCN2059.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--n9t4wBBCoE/Uzl2wq5YsMI/AAAAAAAAGfk/q5duwaeUITw/s1600/DSCN2090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--n9t4wBBCoE/Uzl2wq5YsMI/AAAAAAAAGfk/q5duwaeUITw/s1600/DSCN2090.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq7_SGBNiTM/Uzl2xdjH6UI/AAAAAAAAGfw/eaa7rW8qK8w/s1600/DSCN2091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq7_SGBNiTM/Uzl2xdjH6UI/AAAAAAAAGfw/eaa7rW8qK8w/s1600/DSCN2091.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
...and I had an especially wonderful time, and a few hours of bliss just by roaming in the forest near the village...the entrance into being a spectacular site...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5VNRC4LvmY/Uzl5OECLYcI/AAAAAAAAGgE/BlHK01uv-xs/s1600/gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5VNRC4LvmY/Uzl5OECLYcI/AAAAAAAAGgE/BlHK01uv-xs/s1600/gate.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
...suitable for the beauty inside... <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfoYXN_ujfU/Uzl2vVSHIZI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/SWb--LPrK4Q/s1600/DSCN2070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfoYXN_ujfU/Uzl2vVSHIZI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/SWb--LPrK4Q/s1600/DSCN2070.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
...and admired beautiful creatures of our Mother Nature:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AfcohQe4LdM/Uzl3kDh0b9I/AAAAAAAAGf4/ksR1H8P6tgI/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AfcohQe4LdM/Uzl3kDh0b9I/AAAAAAAAGf4/ksR1H8P6tgI/s1600/tree.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm so in love with trees, that I couldn't stop touching them...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VB5tiqI_7lU/Uzl2v5ZAFcI/AAAAAAAAGfg/TGWr1DRwthw/s1600/DSCN2077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VB5tiqI_7lU/Uzl2v5ZAFcI/AAAAAAAAGfg/TGWr1DRwthw/s1600/DSCN2077.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Just being there, walking on the ground of the forest, hearing the birds chirp and seeing these beautiful creations filled my heart with such peace and love, that I felt my lungs were about to burst, together with my heart. One has no idea what it's like until going there, walking beneath the huge trees, feeling the quiet and feeling the majestic presence of this huge interlaced organism, which is the forest. <br />
How someone can cut down such creatures is quite hurtful to my mind right now, although I am aware of the fact that so many things I'm touching daily come from beautiful, majestic, old and wise trees...<br />
<br />
Thank God there are emails, computers, Kindle e-readers, mechanic pencils and so on...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><b>So let's recycle more paper and save a few trees!!! </b></i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-51590230282772480112014-03-19T06:43:00.002-07:002014-03-19T06:43:55.584-07:00rucola...I've mentioned before that one of my favorite greens is baby spinach, but only raw (I hate the cooked taste of it!!), in salads and smoothies alike, well here's another confession: rucola (arugula in the US) is my second choice. This is a leafy green plant growing especially in the Mediterranean areas, but which is easily found here in Romania throughout the year, and which kind of tastes like...well...meat! Or at least that's how I can describe it, and it is very satiating all the same. I love it in salads, but I cannot eat it alone, since it is a little too heavy for my taste buds. But combined with baby spinach and lamb lettuce (raiponce, douchette, etc)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_W_pRpBNBA/Uymd7tWpVhI/AAAAAAAAGd8/4Ch0KAIgQmo/s1600/WP_001649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q_W_pRpBNBA/Uymd7tWpVhI/AAAAAAAAGd8/4Ch0KAIgQmo/s1600/WP_001649.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
a dab of lemon, bell pepper, cucumber and maybe a little aceto balsamico it can be the perfect salad on the go when you're in a hurry. One advice though, never pour the aceto on your salad until the very moment you are going to eat it, otherwise it will attack the leaves and make them loose their crunchiness. A little olive oil is also a great idea, or whatever makes you happy. Easy as 1-2-3!<br />
Best lunch ever when I have much work to do and can't be parted with my office computer, as seen in the photo above.<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><i>Enjoy a beautiful green week!</i></b></span><br />
anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-29468235015995143732014-03-18T03:36:00.001-07:002014-03-18T03:36:54.567-07:00the little guilty pleasures of life...Personally, I don't know another person being a vegetarian, except my friend Tunde, who has adopted this lifestyle once she saw how good it was for me. Before she was "converted", I never personally knew another vegetarian, except the people whose blogs and sites I follow and read for the past few years.<br />
I tried to be a vegetarian two yeas back, but due to the wrong attitude, I couldn't make it. The impulse to become one does not come from sheer will, but from a need, the need to not harm other being by what you are putting on your plate. Two years back, my mouth watered whenever I saw a ham in a store, right now I feel shivers down my spine once I see a part of an animal, and I have to say I don't see it as food. I just wasn't prepared to give my old life up, but for a while now, I have seen I can, and don't even feel obligated to do it.<br />
Well, what I'm actually trying to say to all the people out there who understand and realize that the ethical thing to do is give meat up is that you have to be mentally prepared and able to give it up, apart from wanting to do it. You'll know you've reached that state, believe me, you'll feel it.....<br />
The food industry doesn't make it easier for us, because it is one thing to see a leg of an animal on the shelf, and almost another to see just slices of meat in a casserole; it's like the animal is no longer an animal, just simply food, the initial image can not easily be evoked once all you can see is some slices of meat.<br />
But since this post should be about guilty pleasures, I will confess that mine are good wine and better cheese. I am not a dairy product lover, but we all know how good a wine goes with the right cheese, green, blue, brie, etc... so I will admit to the fact that these types of cheese I enjoy once in a while....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUopAMxmys0/UygJMKdCAbI/AAAAAAAAGZw/6S5YaPR0C7w/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUopAMxmys0/UygJMKdCAbI/AAAAAAAAGZw/6S5YaPR0C7w/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
...and my palate is delighted.<br />
Not trying to excuse myself, but merely to explain my choice in eating cheese, I will state that I am not a purist, not by far, and I am not a fancy eater, not even close to that; but I do enjoy some good food once in a while. As cheese is not killing any animal, I indulge myself in it, and please do not tell me about the fact that you're depriving an innocent cow calf of it's mother's milk, as cows produce milk even after the calf has been weaned. So no harm done there, right?at least from my point of view. And as long as I am not eating it every day; even my body won't suffer from my enjoyment of a good evening dinner of grapes, nuts, cheese and wine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJoTVhpRVGY/UygLJln8a0I/AAAAAAAAGag/MjRBv2csCR0/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJoTVhpRVGY/UygLJln8a0I/AAAAAAAAGag/MjRBv2csCR0/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ShN0_Z4mzhA/UygLKWjZ-eI/AAAAAAAAGas/s3DJEzjtAUk/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ShN0_Z4mzhA/UygLKWjZ-eI/AAAAAAAAGas/s3DJEzjtAUk/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
One thing that I do admit and will have to correct and really give up is fish. I rarely eat anything other than tuna, but even that is wrong, and I have begun making research in the area of marine animals, so that I will be able to accept that even fish have a life (and I don't mean mammals like whales and dolphins!), but even clams and shrimps. I'm still working in this area, so that I will reach the same state as with usual meat from pigs, cows, or even chickens. I might even buy a fish tank...which I would really enjoy, btw!<br />
<br />
So I am admitting, as everyone can see, my really guilty pleasure, of enjoying fish meat, sometimes a little tuna in my salads:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y4MbJUtyCE/UygNq79CmgI/AAAAAAAAGbU/CHKSFJ3ZMrU/s1600/WP_001635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y4MbJUtyCE/UygNq79CmgI/AAAAAAAAGbU/CHKSFJ3ZMrU/s1600/WP_001635.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
but some other times, various sea fruit in my pasta sauce... but like I've said, I'm working on it!<br />
<br />
Another controversial subject would be eggs. Should we eat them? I mean, we know that these eggs will produce chicks only in a certain period of the year, but our chicken are laying eggs all year long, so it's not quite killing, right? Well, I am not a big fan of eggs, and never was, but I do eat some once in a while, in different ways. The one way I like least is boiled eggs, but if I need an energy boost, and if I have nothing more interesting to add to my salads, I choose this variant, even though not very often:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15ih32-_VTo/UygNq7WH7lI/AAAAAAAAGbs/F3FIbBEigyI/s1600/WP_001663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15ih32-_VTo/UygNq7WH7lI/AAAAAAAAGbs/F3FIbBEigyI/s1600/WP_001663.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LyDmUD8N5D4/UygNrhY7yYI/AAAAAAAAGbw/9t0C5p950Ko/s1600/WP_001666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LyDmUD8N5D4/UygNrhY7yYI/AAAAAAAAGbw/9t0C5p950Ko/s1600/WP_001666.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One last guilty pleasure, or at least I don't remember any other besides these ones, is this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrpBWoMRlcM/UygdR3SRXUI/AAAAAAAAGb8/ATV76fPeuV8/s1600/bere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrpBWoMRlcM/UygdR3SRXUI/AAAAAAAAGb8/ATV76fPeuV8/s1600/bere.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
...a cold cold beer once in a while, watching a good movie, or sharing it with friends at our clubhaus, especially during the off season, when we cannot ride our motorcycles. Now that summer is here, beers on our nights out will be scarce, since we like riding much better, and if we do drink one, it's alcohol free. I never ever ever would drink and drive, not my beautiful motorcycle, or even a car, I find it completely irresponsible and criminal to do so, and I encourage all my friends to leave their keys if they had one...<br />
<br />
These would be my pleasures and vices, and I am not ashamed to admit them, I do believe that my personality is the sum of these little defects and vices, sprinkled with a dab of crazy, a lot of daring and just a little bit of self trust, stirred up with an inquisitive mind and a love for all that's beautiful and out of the ordinary. You could call me anything but plain, that if I will let you know me better....:)<br />
<br />
Selfishness is what makes us who we are and I am not selfless, not one bit, so this post wasn't meant to show how humble I am; but it was shaped to explain a little bit of what it takes to be a vegetarian and a strange bird in a world saturated with stereotypes.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>I hope we will all find our own path, be it raw or not, be it easy or not, but we should all make it a hell of a ride!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-3039309929145381112014-03-11T02:19:00.002-07:002014-03-11T02:19:09.908-07:00Nature, my friend...It doesn't matter who the celebrity in the video below is, all that matters is the message that he's trying to send. And he is right, because he is addressing the right people. I just realized that now; that if we want a permanent change for the better, if we want our Planet to get better, and its inhabitants to live a better life together (animals and plants alike); we should address the young generation. They are tomorrow's travelers, and the actor saying this is absolutely right; they will decide what to do next; and if we teach them to be responsible and that <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>being friends with nature is the coolest thing on Earth</i></b></span>, then that's what they will be doing from now on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kXMlJDql6Is?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
So I really believe that addressing the young generation is the best idea; we would need such a personality here in Romania, someone who attracts the young public, to make them more responsible with regards to our environment. <br />
Our values need to change, need to make a shift and become much more realistic. We need to understand that we can never be accomplished as long as we hurt other beings while trying to get richer, or satisfied with our lives.<br />
We've been voluntarily cleaning the outskirts of our cities through Let's Do It Romania, and it was a great experience, but we need to make more, raise awareness about so many things that I become desperate just thinking about it all. Just like the clip says, there's no such one person to make a change, but we can do it together, and we can start making a difference. <br />
As our youth here in Romania has unfortunately lost much of the idea of real values, and I don't want to be unfair in stating this, but I am really worried that real values start to fade in their eyes in front of latest technology, cool cars, being the object of all envy and so on; and there's little to no space left to worry about the nature they inherit. This is of course happening because they don't have a role model like this actor is trying to be for youth all over the world, but once again I feel desperate that we, Romanians, are so isolated, that change comes hard and with a cost that few are willing to pay. <br />
If only adults would be more aware of the legacy they are passing on; but we've had nature at our feet for so long, and this beautiful country has given us so much to be proud about in this respect, that we literally take it for granted, and don't even realize what we are doing to it; or at least the average citizen, working from 8 to 18 everyday, isn't very preoccupied about it; least of all is he trying to lecture his sons and daughters in respecting and protecting nature.<br />
We are however, trying, shy steps towards a greener future; young adults trying to make a difference engaging our youth into becoming responsible; and I do hope that we stand a chance in leaving our beautiful land better after we'll pass on. In order to make a global change, we have to start locally, right? And how about starting in our own homes; and in our offices; is there something more local than that? <br />
<br />
That doesn't stop me from wishing our own younger celebrities got more involved and set an example... <br />
<br />
More on this subject to come...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3R7JWYomvg/Ux7UBNKLTQI/AAAAAAAAGZM/ACW5OwX0Q-U/s1600/ANEMONA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3R7JWYomvg/Ux7UBNKLTQI/AAAAAAAAGZM/ACW5OwX0Q-U/s1600/ANEMONA.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>Let's love GREEN!</i></b></span>anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-63358350797191002062014-03-04T09:33:00.002-08:002014-03-04T09:33:16.047-08:00Thank God it's Spring!I was so down...lower than since...well maybe since I really lost someone important...anyway, really down and lost...suffering on my own with no apparent reason other than exhaustion that I inflicted on myself without judging what the consequences might be...and it hurt...<br />
<br />
Hard to explain what a little bit of bad weather, little sleep, little movement and a lot of stress can do...except maybe for the lowest period in my last two years...nasty and unsatisfying, frustrating and nerve-wrecking... felt like going under...sinking below more and more...until you hit rock bottom.<br />
I was so terrified by this rock-bottom that I excruciatingly and desperately tried to keep my head up above the water, but it is extremly hard, especially if you don't have anybody to talk to about what you're going through...<br />
I'm not the easiest person, I seldom open up...the most of it is done here and on anasblogana.blogspot.ro; so everyone around me had to cope with my dark mood, and I am so sorry. I might tell them one day how it feels like for me...but not yet...<br />
<br />
Thank God Spring is finally here... I had a small trip on my bike,I started eating all the best goodies:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZTMjW4z4pk/UxYL7x6M-4I/AAAAAAAAGWY/BITq2S4sn6A/s1600/sal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZTMjW4z4pk/UxYL7x6M-4I/AAAAAAAAGWY/BITq2S4sn6A/s1600/sal.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXYdmbeMc3A/UxYL79UH7bI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/VvaE2pw_xCo/s1600/sal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXYdmbeMc3A/UxYL79UH7bI/AAAAAAAAGWQ/VvaE2pw_xCo/s1600/sal2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
...ad it is way better than canned or frosted veggies, which are still ok, especially now that I can combine them...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLM1Vyp2Q2c/UxYL7-AEoPI/AAAAAAAAGWg/AjfXGIoo604/s1600/sal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLM1Vyp2Q2c/UxYL7-AEoPI/AAAAAAAAGWg/AjfXGIoo604/s1600/sal3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
..and with a dab of <span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i>aceto balsamico</i></b></span>... and olive oil....everything gets a new dimension...the taste explodes in your mouth...yummmmm...<br /><br />
I'm still walking on eggshells....still wary and thoughtful, still concerned and melancholic....but way better...I am starting to connect with everything around me once more...I miss the Sun on the tip of my nose...<br />
<br />
My face twisted into a huge grin once I received this yesterday....I think it was the first sign that I'm getting over my dark period...I even admired the sunset while coming home from work yesterday....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQeTH2ZaPsM/UxYMvHH-Y7I/AAAAAAAAGWo/d795I_rkGJc/s1600/tul2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQeTH2ZaPsM/UxYMvHH-Y7I/AAAAAAAAGWo/d795I_rkGJc/s1600/tul2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><i> ....Happy Spring everyone!</i></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VhaLDKI5sR0/UxYM4EKEMrI/AAAAAAAAGWw/jSjF9EOtqs0/s1600/tul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VhaLDKI5sR0/UxYM4EKEMrI/AAAAAAAAGWw/jSjF9EOtqs0/s1600/tul.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-87779792071625026212014-01-21T07:42:00.000-08:002014-01-21T07:42:15.508-08:00nasty weather..It's not cold, but it's not warm, it's not rainy and it's not sunny, it's not winter yet it's not yet spring...and all these take their toll...I'm tired...extremely jumpy and I don't like anything...<br />
I've been however trying to eat healthy, but without green salads, fresh cauliflower and broccolli,spinach, fresh cilantro and basil, of all which I'm constantly dreaming about, it's very hard to like the winter foods.<br />
Smoothies are again my only real hope of vitamin intake:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy5ugWqenC8/Ut6UorDIDJI/AAAAAAAAGUc/qR9Sg1-5nY0/s1600/banana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy5ugWqenC8/Ut6UorDIDJI/AAAAAAAAGUc/qR9Sg1-5nY0/s1600/banana.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning kiwi&banana smoothie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and I don't know what I would do without them.<br />
I'm making a beans soup tonight, just some chopped onions and garlic, paprika and carrots, beans and water. maybe some tomato home-made juice?? yum....<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><i>Spring will come!</i></b></span><br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-11132210239432599122014-01-13T02:17:00.001-08:002014-01-13T02:21:48.483-08:00Verse of the Day <br />
<br />
<a class="VerseHeader" href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+43:19"></a><br />
<h3>
<a class="VerseHeader" href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+43:19">
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)</a></h3>
<a class="VerseHeader" href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+43:19">
</a><br />
<div class="VerseText">
"See,
I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am
making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."</div>
<br />
<br />
I like receiving these little links every day on my work email...they remind me of what is important in my life, much more important than jobs and money, my soul! <br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><b><i>Have a wonderful and happy week, full of green energy! </i></b></span>anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-49208869784876416172013-12-27T00:39:00.004-08:002013-12-27T00:39:48.813-08:00Merry Merry Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YETU6OdwEdY/Ur071R9chxI/AAAAAAAAGTs/Fha6gjuSJNk/s1600/photo+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YETU6OdwEdY/Ur071R9chxI/AAAAAAAAGTs/Fha6gjuSJNk/s320/photo+2.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="color: red;">lo</span><span style="color: #38761d;">ve!</span></i></b><br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-16487201040252574422013-12-17T23:39:00.001-08:002013-12-17T23:39:35.274-08:00slipping through...I've been still eating only veggies, rice, beans, nuts, etc, but every now and then I have to admit I really enjoyed some fish...<br />
I know...it's not a very good idea, but how could someone resist this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAaYLGpF5ug/UrFK-24jDyI/AAAAAAAAGRs/MT4PQIlmb7E/s1600/image-1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAaYLGpF5ug/UrFK-24jDyI/AAAAAAAAGRs/MT4PQIlmb7E/s320/image-1.bmp" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MxsAE3-0rQw/UrFK-wP-DBI/AAAAAAAAGRo/Q81ea5rzIxk/s1600/image-3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MxsAE3-0rQw/UrFK-wP-DBI/AAAAAAAAGRo/Q81ea5rzIxk/s320/image-3.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
well, I couldn't!<br />
And I have to admit that it tasted awesome, and although in the morning my stomach didn't quite agree with my rich dinner, at least I was happy for a few hours last night... well not really, and I won't really repeat this experience very soon, but I had to share the fact that it's ok to slip at some point...just don't do it to often...<br />
<br />
I was able to stop eating meat once I didn't stress myself out about the fact that I need to not eat meat; once that mental barrier was down, and I didn't exert any more pressure upon myself, I could let go easily. I just found out that in order to stay a vegetarian, you need to work with your mind, not against it, otherwise failure is in sight even from the beginning. And remember, I've been there, done that, that's how I know this! <br />
<br />
In another order of ideas, my friends intend to cook a duck for Christmas...and I am a little bit desperate, as I don't know what I'm going to eat...I'll have to dig up the internet for some ideas...and share them here..<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b><i>Have a great week, and may our determination help us in the hour of need!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-34995173987313339252013-12-06T00:57:00.001-08:002013-12-06T00:57:47.446-08:00Some explanations to give...Autumn, romanticism, Halloween, lots of work at work and at home, getting home each day by dark, all these won't help me feel much active, but rather on the romantic, contemplative side... which means I'm not really all that efficient...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1XpTOT65XSQ/UqF-kVwLLQI/AAAAAAAAGOw/qWMg2AEL2Go/s1600/the-ranch-tree-alley-hd-wallpaper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1XpTOT65XSQ/UqF-kVwLLQI/AAAAAAAAGOw/qWMg2AEL2Go/s320/the-ranch-tree-alley-hd-wallpaper.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>source: Google images</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the time when I would looove to stay in bed, cats curled up around me, sipping tea...or wine in the evening, and reading, reading, reading.... that's all I feel like doing these days, I read myself to exhaustion, I can't seem to get enough! as if time is running out and I won't be able to read all that I wish to read. It's like some strange clock is ticking and after it will have rang I won't be able to read anymore...strange...this is how I feel every year around Christmas..reading is actually my favorite occupation during the holidays...and writing also...but since writing has also become work (not in here of course!), I don't know how I will manage, I just hope I won't loose my enthusiasm for free and unconditioned writing, that is speaking my mind without being asked about anything!<br />
All in all, I am about to keep up with everything again, I intend to get in time with everything, and even if I have 10 hours at work, three writing clients and tutoring during the weekend, three cats, a lot of true friends I don't want to ignore, one sister, two nieces and a brother in law, one sister in law and my bf's parents, as well as my poor bf who has to share me with all of the above, to divide myself between, and not necessarily in that order, or disorder; I am determined to make it all work! and read in between, read alot!<br />
Oh, how I love my life!<br />
On the other hand, I'm kind of a a vegetarian since my birthday, so no more meat for me! I ate fish, which I might still include in my diet, even though not very often, as I don't like all types of fish... and since the cold is here upon us, I've been eating a lot of beans, peas, carrots, parsley, cilantro leaves, in fact any type of local leaves, and I have to say I miss spinach, green, crispy, alive spinach!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_GdhK7NcJY/UqGPKtRcXMI/AAAAAAAAGPA/zXnW0ELImY0/s1600/beans.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_GdhK7NcJY/UqGPKtRcXMI/AAAAAAAAGPA/zXnW0ELImY0/s320/beans.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Tomato soup is also high on my list, together with vegetables soup, which even though are not raw vegan, are still vegan and oh soooo good!<br />
<br />
This is the nasty part about winter and being raw vegan, it is harder to reach, but I try keeping a balance through nuts and fruits, which are easily found, and of the latter I have stashes all over my home. I also started munching on my frozen munition, green peas and spinach, peppers and eggplant, and although they need to be heat processed, they were from M's mom's garden, fried or cut by her and me, so I know what I'm putting on my plate.<br />
This is the most important aspect for me when it comes to what you're eating, knowing where it comes from, how it has been grown and harvested, and only in the last respect how you're cooking it. It might sound unpretentious and behind "purist" believes, but I didn't become vegan just for a fancy, and being one I personally believe means much more than just what you're eating, it's an attitude towards life itself. If I'm a bitch, it really doesn't matter what I'm eating, it won't do me any good, or the ones around me, but on that subject I'll develop much later. You must know what you're eating, since only plants that were cared for can be of a real help to our organism, you must have done at least one of the processes if not all in order to be able to call that plant your own, but on that aspect also I'll be speaking later. <br />
<br />
When it comes to fruits, apples are my best option, also local (I can't wait for my little apple trees to grow up and give me my own apples!), but I must admit my morning smoothie always has banana in it, since that will be filling enough for a breakfast, and thus I won't eat anything until lunch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K8QWxpDSR4/UqGPXUwmuVI/AAAAAAAAGPI/-xKCSiX8uc4/s1600/smoothie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K8QWxpDSR4/UqGPXUwmuVI/AAAAAAAAGPI/-xKCSiX8uc4/s320/smoothie.png" width="240" /></a></div>
I love it that now it's oranges and lemons season, even if they come from Greece and Italy, they are really tasty right now. I've started pillaging my pantry for jams also, much better than all the junk chocolate M likes to buy and eat from the supermarket! I'm really fighting with him on that account! I bought raw peanuts and sunflower seeds, I intend to make some yummy cookies this weekend. M tried to eat the raw peanuts and he didn't like them one bit, I laughed so hard!! I bought one kilo and his eyes went wide when he saw it, and he was so dissapointed when he realized that they have a much more different taste when raw...<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy winter to everyone out there who's experiencing this season!<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-87788757905607225082013-11-01T01:08:00.001-07:002013-11-01T01:08:38.168-07:00Autumn glory...I know I've been missing a little, but this beautiful autumn is distracting me a lot, I need to read a lot all the time during this season, I am dreaming with my eyes open a lot and feel great overall...so this is the season that does me good, in spite of what people say about feeling without energy and so on because they can't adapt to this sudden change. I on the other hand feel very much alive, my head is full of ideas and I feel the need to be good to everyone. This year more then ever. <br />
I've been visiting my sister last weekend in Resita, a city between a few relatively small mountains, with fresh crisp air and not very attractive in fact, with too much concrete to be to my liking, but that is probably only because I live on the "happy green side" of Timisoara, as you could see <a href="http://myrawpath.blogspot.ro/2013/06/i-had-salad-for-breakfast.html">here</a>...<br />
<br />
so when I was promenading with my little niece I was really stunned to find this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvfbILSlXgg/UnNVPtuZB8I/AAAAAAAAGFk/I5IPYXNEbK8/s1600/pod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvfbILSlXgg/UnNVPtuZB8I/AAAAAAAAGFk/I5IPYXNEbK8/s320/pod.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
somewhere near a business center, so we stayed there until it got dark. This little spot was so well hidden that I bet nobody really gives it any attention, behind a bus station and a wall of trees, and I guess it was made just for a bar terrace, but being deserted right now made it very attractive in my eyes. And that grass enchanted me...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjwiJ93vNWU/UnNVpqiSTTI/AAAAAAAAGFs/zavO2pTCZ3k/s1600/sqare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjwiJ93vNWU/UnNVpqiSTTI/AAAAAAAAGFs/zavO2pTCZ3k/s320/sqare.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
...looking kind of nice...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bvov2WWY4PA/UnNVxewzwRI/AAAAAAAAGF0/EPK01Z-hGqY/s1600/grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bvov2WWY4PA/UnNVxewzwRI/AAAAAAAAGF0/EPK01Z-hGqY/s320/grass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxnh3JtgHZw/UnNV4B3B6vI/AAAAAAAAGGQ/qq2l1K5WT2g/s1600/grass7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxnh3JtgHZw/UnNV4B3B6vI/AAAAAAAAGGQ/qq2l1K5WT2g/s320/grass7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
...and it seemed to me that this place was like an oasis in a city I really do not like. It's strange how nature can adapt to even concrete and gas pollution by cars, but most of all to the negligence of man. And these beautiful plants, dressed up for autumn, are the living and breathing proof to that:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GgwDOXcFTzQ/UnNV5GHxaBI/AAAAAAAAGGk/S4VwHe0RX8o/s1600/grass2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GgwDOXcFTzQ/UnNV5GHxaBI/AAAAAAAAGGk/S4VwHe0RX8o/s320/grass2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnpW7aaGoNY/UnNV2eCcLzI/AAAAAAAAGGM/IoMCbtkNzGw/s1600/grass3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnpW7aaGoNY/UnNV2eCcLzI/AAAAAAAAGGM/IoMCbtkNzGw/s320/grass3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxHmcGo42x4/UnNV2Y5zlFI/AAAAAAAAGGE/2_l5RqPrPOU/s1600/grass4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxHmcGo42x4/UnNV2Y5zlFI/AAAAAAAAGGE/2_l5RqPrPOU/s320/grass4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZknV-Vr41U/UnNV5g-BIqI/AAAAAAAAGGo/fEriU7uvmWQ/s1600/grass5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZknV-Vr41U/UnNV5g-BIqI/AAAAAAAAGGo/fEriU7uvmWQ/s320/grass5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rZThtIaO4s/UnNV3ikj0YI/AAAAAAAAGGU/zqhqVXssTrs/s1600/grass6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9rZThtIaO4s/UnNV3ikj0YI/AAAAAAAAGGU/zqhqVXssTrs/s320/grass6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Just by looking at those colors we wonder how gracious and glorious nature is, this explosion fills our eyes with pleasure and warmth:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_PHplqvW0Y/UnNbShu8OII/AAAAAAAAGIM/vQBryb0kyuI/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_PHplqvW0Y/UnNbShu8OII/AAAAAAAAGIM/vQBryb0kyuI/s320/rose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-_HHbcbYN0/UnNbUTarm3I/AAAAAAAAGIk/9fsofuAbrhs/s1600/trees2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-_HHbcbYN0/UnNbUTarm3I/AAAAAAAAGIk/9fsofuAbrhs/s320/trees2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
...and making us love and appreciate nature a little bit more:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1r7xMvP6fU/UnNbOs1cdfI/AAAAAAAAGHI/F5lEH47x0oU/s1600/flori2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1r7xMvP6fU/UnNbOs1cdfI/AAAAAAAAGHI/F5lEH47x0oU/s320/flori2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-7sPuv_2_w/UnNbOrAqoSI/AAAAAAAAGHA/qqqDZwVlh7Y/s1600/flori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-7sPuv_2_w/UnNbOrAqoSI/AAAAAAAAGHA/qqqDZwVlh7Y/s320/flori.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I ask you HOW can something be so beautiful at random? without someone arranging it all, designing and thinking it through? every tree is a work of art, every leaf is a wonder....<br />
On my third day of staying there I even decided to go out with the girls and play...and couldn't resist the beautiful grass on the football court...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxhZrvdfzR0/UnNbPZSgfWI/AAAAAAAAGHg/-Ih8XUpgivY/s1600/foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxhZrvdfzR0/UnNbPZSgfWI/AAAAAAAAGHg/-Ih8XUpgivY/s320/foot.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
it's strange how I forgot since I was little... how good it feels to be barefoot on grass...hmmmm...really strange what the big city can make of someone...and here's the beautiful view I had while walking on grass...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fX6c1pJ9yN4/UnNbT6dsKDI/AAAAAAAAGIg/iBQ7QbuqcSw/s1600/trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fX6c1pJ9yN4/UnNbT6dsKDI/AAAAAAAAGIg/iBQ7QbuqcSw/s320/trees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
...really nice..Oh what are men compared to trees and mountains?<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Have a wonderful rusty and orange, with little spots of brown and green weekend!</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-25155669959723493722013-10-02T00:04:00.001-07:002013-10-02T00:04:10.650-07:00so beautiful...In my constant wanderings through the virtual world, I come upon beautiful and meaningful things, just like this wonderful drawing, which I thought I would share further on:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xniWmxi9V0A/Uku8nt8QK5I/AAAAAAAAF4A/kJiliFLJxgM/s1600/food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xniWmxi9V0A/Uku8nt8QK5I/AAAAAAAAF4A/kJiliFLJxgM/s320/food.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">credits: <a href="http://the59thstreetbridge.tumblr.com/post/57250043325/brooke-weeber">Seashell eyes</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is wonderful, right? and we should all listen to it...So let's enjoy life, eat fruits and vegetables that are local, alive and fresh, but most of all...<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><b></b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><b>don't waste food!</b></i></span>anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-53007806926142491512013-09-30T02:32:00.001-07:002013-09-30T02:32:34.830-07:00The vitamin cure...We all know our immune system is challenged during fall...so what's your cure? Mine is...fruits...and more fruits....<br />
<br />
Been drinking kiwi smoothie all week long, I don't know how my life was before I've discovered these smoothies...and I'm glad M is asking me in the morning..."are you making a smoothie?". He always makes sure I have necessary ingredients like bananas, and this week...kiwis. And also carrots. I was insanely craving for carrot juice; and I like to listen to my body...it knows better than me what I need at a certain moment...<br />
I've re-started teaching... English, French and I'll be teaching Romanian also...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiVDXbXRWR0/Ukk6q6oFiII/AAAAAAAAF2c/KoUW_4kVfMg/s1600/francais.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiVDXbXRWR0/Ukk6q6oFiII/AAAAAAAAF2c/KoUW_4kVfMg/s320/francais.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
so all in all...I am quite busy this fall...but am not complaining, I like having a full life!<br />
Above that all, I am preparing baby steps towards my goal for eco living, and my dream farm, and I've been training for it this Saturday:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ux4Lqs1GFy0/Ukk2wGMyECI/AAAAAAAAF14/ggB3B36b4yI/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ux4Lqs1GFy0/Ukk2wGMyECI/AAAAAAAAF14/ggB3B36b4yI/s320/IMG_0989.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGuRh-WvpEE/Ukk2vib-WQI/AAAAAAAAF1w/_f4_ZfrpxzQ/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGuRh-WvpEE/Ukk2vib-WQI/AAAAAAAAF1w/_f4_ZfrpxzQ/s320/IMG_0990.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
...this in not the actual farm, of course, but my friend Tunde's little garden behind her new house makes a good practice ground. We took Beby with us to help us dig holes...much on grass...etc.. and decided to clean up her garden, just for training...and planting two trees. It was awesome, we've been working for about 3 hours with two small brakes, but it gave me that necessary energy to last for a week. It's really strange how working with nature can give you so much energy, even though the work isn't easy; but while working in the office your brain gets drained-out of power...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hJLg9JgUdg/Ukk2v3v_uqI/AAAAAAAAF10/Ba2F4FyBxfY/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hJLg9JgUdg/Ukk2v3v_uqI/AAAAAAAAF10/Ba2F4FyBxfY/s320/IMG_0991.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I have to admit I like it, I love it in fact, and I can do this for hours. Mind me, I'm not a city girl..I've been doing this kind of work since infancy, until I came to Timisoara, and started working here; but I've always worked my garden back home at Racasdia. Since my home there is empty now, I've decided to transform part of my huge garden into an orchard, and I've been proudly presenting my first steps <a href="http://anasblogana.blogspot.ro/2013/05/my-life-in-photos.html">here</a>. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0a18soTSug/Ukk2xCfAZpI/AAAAAAAAF2E/3pkdKy2iLTk/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0a18soTSug/Ukk2xCfAZpI/AAAAAAAAF2E/3pkdKy2iLTk/s320/IMG_0992.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Now I intend to work harder into becoming that for which I truly believe I was destined to be: a farmer, since my connection with nature is palpable for me, and probably for some of the people that know me better. I know working a small garden, or even planting ten trees is far from some big project; but I find it challenging to start from the bottom and go up step by step, working my way with my own two hands. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzSR_9f6dOg/Ukk2xfAeedI/AAAAAAAAF2M/rB9X9diThc8/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzSR_9f6dOg/Ukk2xfAeedI/AAAAAAAAF2M/rB9X9diThc8/s320/IMG_0993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So, besides eating yummy raw food, there should also be some activity that is healthy and lifts your spirit. It doesn't have to be working in the garden like me, although it is recommended to at least plant something once in a while (the satisfaction of watching it grow is unmeasurable!), but is should be something that makes you truly happy, and it should be outdoors; basking in the sun, absorbing all those good autumn sun rays.<br />
<br />
Going back to smoothies, I've tried something new: banana+ kiwi + pommegranate:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EaYIt2WdKuo/Ukk7Jf6uM5I/AAAAAAAAF2k/5Qdee3hEywE/s1600/pomm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EaYIt2WdKuo/Ukk7Jf6uM5I/AAAAAAAAF2k/5Qdee3hEywE/s320/pomm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and it was great; I just have to admit that I didn't like the color of it...I mean I like my smoothies to be vibrant, and this was just not it...so I'll be more careful when choosing ingredients for my special drinks...It proves once more that you have to experiment until you find the combinations that go for you and your taste buds, and your eyes also! <br />
I've also received a lot of quinces...I'll have to try one in a smoothie...just have to let them ripe a little more...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jCRakqmjXE/Ukk8LsZS0WI/AAAAAAAAF2w/63_duIymguk/s1600/gut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jCRakqmjXE/Ukk8LsZS0WI/AAAAAAAAF2w/63_duIymguk/s320/gut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In another order of ideas, I've been using some special detergent for the past week:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tJAV_oxjuA/Ukk-HhbAKcI/AAAAAAAAF28/p-VLKl1NOU0/s1600/nuci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tJAV_oxjuA/Ukk-HhbAKcI/AAAAAAAAF28/p-VLKl1NOU0/s320/nuci.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
...soap nuts: they clean clothes exceptionally well, surprisingly well in fact!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LcgCXBuxK0/Ukk-SkOyvrI/AAAAAAAAF3I/i7kcdSNKfN4/s1600/nuci2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LcgCXBuxK0/Ukk-SkOyvrI/AAAAAAAAF3I/i7kcdSNKfN4/s320/nuci2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSnEQAyzeFs/Ukk-SgwaywI/AAAAAAAAF3E/QYOGfCKZGpY/s1600/nuci3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSnEQAyzeFs/Ukk-SgwaywI/AAAAAAAAF3E/QYOGfCKZGpY/s320/nuci3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
..this is the best way of showing being <b><i>eco-friendly </i></b>can be cheap and interesting....as this bag of 1 kilo of nuts will last for at least 3 months, and it was way cheaper then conventional detergent. I just have to buy some lavender essence to use as a conditioner; in order to make clothes smell good. I've been using a little bit of vinegar and the clothes smell fresh, but I like them to have a little bit of flowery- aroma. But I wholly recommend this detergent. For Romanians, we can buy these nuts <a href="http://www.nucidesapun.ro/">here</a>. <br />
And here's how they look like:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGw5bMLy-Wo/UklA6zdJOrI/AAAAAAAAF3o/vucCpVBIZtg/s1600/nucs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGw5bMLy-Wo/UklA6zdJOrI/AAAAAAAAF3o/vucCpVBIZtg/s320/nucs2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I truly recommend them to anyone who has to wash clothes that are moderately dirty, but I have to say I've washed M's clothes that he uses in his mechanic shop...and they turned out pretty clean (as clean as they can get, from vaseline, and diesel, and all kinds of oils...), so I'm really satisfied with the result. I don't appreciate the hard smells of chemicals on my clothes, so that's a plus also, I've given the alternative to conditioner, and black clothing will be black longer with a little bit of vinegar, so there you have it: eco solution, good result, nice smell, longer lasting colors and all in all: cheap alternative!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIFmkpD0jss/UklB75sjP-I/AAAAAAAAF3w/_R2534mWbQk/s1600/nucs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIFmkpD0jss/UklB75sjP-I/AAAAAAAAF3w/_R2534mWbQk/s320/nucs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So what would be our mantra further on?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><i>Eat healthy, living foods, bask in the sun, work the earth with your own hands, try to be friendlier with our water resources, and above all, respect life!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1882203436"></span><span id="goog_1882203437"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5940854142186299229.post-46247303152187304922013-09-25T05:11:00.001-07:002013-09-25T05:11:42.619-07:00Reasons I love autumn....Apart from being my birth season, and making me feel alive and may eyes find joy in all the color...<br />
<br />
.....no need for excuses to drink tea over and over again during the day and afternoon....after my heart's desire...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zwG_1b7-c_E/UkLHxqwQ3jI/AAAAAAAAF0M/EyuMqX2lD00/s1600/CHAI2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zwG_1b7-c_E/UkLHxqwQ3jI/AAAAAAAAF0M/EyuMqX2lD00/s320/CHAI2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...as I'm a huge Lipton fan....but any other good tea will do...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5h3ak5NdLkw/UkLIGI-ilUI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/VDZEjwuw45U/s1600/sacou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5h3ak5NdLkw/UkLIGI-ilUI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/VDZEjwuw45U/s320/sacou.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
wearing layers.....over layers...staying more at home...and reading....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WBBt2Ct0PA/UkLJyh9T6AI/AAAAAAAAF0s/26kKcTb4VDY/s1600/shheeeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WBBt2Ct0PA/UkLJyh9T6AI/AAAAAAAAF0s/26kKcTb4VDY/s320/shheeeb.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
...and then read some more...until I fall asleep.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCMV442vTuo/UkLJ-uQT4-I/AAAAAAAAF00/JErUqWIhTKs/s1600/jackie+book1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCMV442vTuo/UkLJ-uQT4-I/AAAAAAAAF00/JErUqWIhTKs/s320/jackie+book1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
...and have some more tea and maybe a little bit of wine...and then there are the landscapes..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TC7kwaV7MJE/UkLMAwHKL5I/AAAAAAAAF1E/3eW9_vF0-u0/s1600/padure2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TC7kwaV7MJE/UkLMAwHKL5I/AAAAAAAAF1E/3eW9_vF0-u0/s320/padure2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9F36Zqfwi0/UkLMA5wTuuI/AAAAAAAAF1A/P9a9RptD9J0/s1600/padure3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9F36Zqfwi0/UkLMA5wTuuI/AAAAAAAAF1A/P9a9RptD9J0/s320/padure3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1X9ZT2HQhI/UkLMA2qoQTI/AAAAAAAAF1I/hGhenaOWchI/s1600/padure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1X9ZT2HQhI/UkLMA2qoQTI/AAAAAAAAF1I/hGhenaOWchI/s320/padure.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source for all 3: <a href="http://moonandtrees.tumblr.com/">tumbrl</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...and then there's the fog I love so much...<br />
and sometimes cold days are the best days....oh, how much I miss staying in my cozy living room, with my cats all over me, reading a good book and sipping on tea! I think I need a long vacation...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893334650511188688noreply@blogger.com0