Stay, Work & Play at Home Family

These last few weeks have been immense for us Earthlies. In the midst of it, it has been total chaos and an emotional, physical and soul-wrenching rollercoaster of a ride across stormy seas and through balmy, lotus-filled waters alike.

My office today :)

Sometimes I have wondered why I am here, sometimes I have thought of giving up everything. Everything.

And then, in a moment of rare clarity, it came to me. I am so blessed.

Here I am, spending each and every day striving to follow my dreams - to follow our dreams - and to ensure our lives are fulfilled, happy, free...

Spending every day in the company of the wonderful Father Earthly - who is no longer tied to a desk job - and my gorgeous kids, in the comfort of my own home, in a beautiful retreat near the sea. Spending every day working towards my life's purpose (or not as is sometimes the case!). Knowing that if I need to, I can often take a break to go and chat with friends and neighbours, play with my tinies, cuddle Father Earthly or even if time and transport permit, nip to the beach for an ice cream and a paddle.

I have to pinch myself when I remember all those things. How incredibly awesome is my life?!

And yet in the moment and in the midst of the chaos of running around making meals, changing nappies or taking to the loo (and letting the decrepit Dog Earthly out too), finding painting materials and keeping up with the demand (more paper, more paint, more patience...), trying to wee in peace and find time to get my own food (without it being stolen), breaking up arguments over toys and pacifying over tiredness at nap time... Sometimes - and no wonder - I do feel utterly lost. On the days the kids are at nursery I often find myself just zoning out completely, as if my brain is in awe of this unaccustomed reprieve on the usual demand for its resources. That precious time when I could be doing so much, just being wasted as my brain attempts to catch up on some non-conscious time!

There are so many things which would help me bridge the gap - my own workspace, my own computer, regular dates with colleagues and mentors...

But all that will come, I know.

Remember this: wherever you are in life, whatever the obstacles, there is a part of your life that glows. Learn to notice, appreciate and nurture it.

Be here, now.

xxx

Coffee Hit, Raw-Style: The Macaccino

Chocolatey-coffee-style goodness!

Some days I just can't get by without a mocha. Or as some like to call it, a mochaccino (or variations thereof). It's been this way since boy Earthly appeared on the scene. Just call it immense fatigue and his obvious desire for sugar and caffeine!

Of course, nowadays I realise (more and more with every lapse back into my old habits) I JUST can't do dairy. Or sugar. And even in those rare instances I could get a soy version, it just doesn't do it for me. It's not the same, and besides, I don't really want to be consuming processed soy either.

I've struggled and struggled with this. I clearly have an addiction, most likely emotional. But you know what? I'm ok with that! Now just give me my damn mocha!

I've come across lots of recipes for "raw coffees" of all sorts, and raw "hot chocolates". But nothing hit the mark, not least because the vast majority of them resort to using nut milks. Bleurgh! Sure, I can eat almonds but I simply cannot be bothered with the faff that it takes to make a milk out of them, just for this rare treat (even if it does end up being daily)!

The solution? Meet the Macaccino. He's a real beaut, if I must say so myself. Once you meet him, you'll fall head over heels in love. Just imagine Sundays on the sofa curled up with this and a great book...

The Macaccino (makes approx 300 ml)
Ingredients
1 ripe banana
1 tbsp sultanas
2tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp maca powder
1 tbsp date syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mug of filtered water
1-2 drops raw coffee extract (optional)

Blend well until smooth, frothy and the consistency of chocolatey-creamy-coffee :) Serve in your favourite espresso cup or go with the French thang and have a bowlful. Sit back, relax, and dream of warmer climes and long, lazy days. Yummmm.

Riding Ze Wild Donkey: Take 2

 "No man is an island entire of itself..." - John Donne

No Woman is an island

Last year, I read a lot about self improvement, health, and getting going in a home-based business. I read a lot, absorbed a lot, but actually, didn't end up DOING a lot. And you know why?

Because of my ego. I thought, as I always have done, "I can do this myself."

Despite all the help that was being urged my way, all the promises of wonder and bounty, all the invitations to be part of a bigger whole... I determined that I would go it alone, because that's just who I am.

And because, deep at heart, I'm a skin-flint and hate to spend money on something I think I can do myself. Want a new hand-crafted handbag? Why yes, here's one I made earlier. Want a glittery new necklace, or funky dress, or want to CHANGE YOUR LIFE, from the inside out. Well, yes, I'm sure I can take that on....

Enter Goddess Leonie. Beautiful mermaidy free-spirited chum, entrepreneur and all-round hippy-chic full of goodness and light. Last year, I read a lot about her. She popped up everywhere in fact - on friends' Facebook pages, blogs, projects, interviews and even in my own inbox. I saw her become the biggest driving force behind many of my own inspirational bloggers, creators and life-coaches. And what did I say to myself?

"I can do it on my own".

Even when the lovely, lovely Lucy of Dreaming Aloud - who has been a huuuuge inspiration to me - also succumbed to the Goddess' charms, I thought to myself, "But that's not for me. I am different. I don't have that kind of money to spend on stuff I already know and can already do, if I just put my mind to it..."

So I ignored all the signs of the universe and sat down to my own lonely task of changing my world. Of changing mySELF. All the while ignoring the biggest problem I had - I could NOT do this alone!

Sure, some things I've achieved, and some things I can feel proud of. But I finally realised this week, that you really do get out of life what you put into it. On SO many levels.

Yesterday I revisited Goddess Guidebook (for the umpteenth time). And this time, I thought, "YES! This is for me! The time is now!!"

But still I hesitated. Could I trust myself to use it well? What if I just dipped my toes in the water first? So I lurked around and gazed at all the goodies she has on offer, and I downloaded the fabulous and FREE Biz and Blog Star Workshop, and gobbled it up straight away. Oh yes, I thought, I need MORE of this...

But still, should I really pay out money for something to help me get where I need to be? Why not just build on what I know, in my own way and in my own time?

So I slept on it. And although I had a bad night's sleep (littlest Earthly is poorly again), I awoke feeling energised and excited. After my morning yoga session (which have recently been erratic to say the least), I knew what I had to do.

I must Ride Ze Wild Donkey... Because that is the only way things are gonna change around here. And because it is the place where dreams come true.

Want to know more? Can you see yourself in this story?

"Once upon a time, there lived a hippy who loved to make art & do soulful hippy things. She also worked in a cubicle job, until one day she could stand it no longer. She went for a walk in a field, and decided that within a year she would learn all she needed to know about business and turn her little hobbies into a big thriving business."


That hippy? What is she doing now?


"And she did it. Every year since then, her business has doubled in size, and has now become the sole income for her family – letting her & her husband both be stay at home parents and move to tropical paradise."


How did she do it? What did she go through? How can you get there too? She's here to help!


"The Business Goddess e-course is everything she learned along the way about how to become a Business Goddess.

It is complete guide–over 190 pages!!–for how to make money online, the blueprint of how she did it, 100+ ways to market magically, mindfully & joyously, and how to sane & joyful when business gets BUSY!

It comes chock-full of bonuses too: profiles of inspiring business gods & goddesses & the Magic Money Maker kit!"


The time is now. Not tomorrow, not next week, not even in ten minutes time... Don't waste time like I did, jump on that donkey and RIDE it baby.

Want to be a business goddess and earn a living doing what you LOVE, right now? Join the Business Goddess E-Course now!

Or, even better, come and join in the Goddess Circle, where ALL of Leonie's goodies - her workshops, workbooks, year planners, project books, meditations, videos, tips, tricks and secrets, stories and inspirations are FREE for you to use.

Just one thing - you have to promise to come back and tell me how you get on :)

And I'll be doing the same- check in often to see where this ride takes me....