Health

I've not been blogging overly much these past few months. I think I mentioned that I've suffered with Thyroid problems before but never really gone into detail as the medication I take has pretty much dealt with the symptoms over the years. However, over the last couple of months I'd been feeling a little out of sorts but I'd just put down to the crazy/busy of modern life and the big changes we've been going through this year. Writing it all down helps as I tend to keep a lot in while I'm in the process of going through it.

There's been quite a bit going on; Emmy unexpectedly falling pregnant and moving into her own apartment, the horrible bout of illness I had in the Spring that led to low white blood cell count and a six month recovery, my Mum's several hospital stays, Tani's new job along with much longer commute, and  my best friend returning to Albania. Plus of course the ending of our seven year homeschooling journey as our three youngest girls started attending the local village school.

Without homeschooling to worry about I have more time to nurture my own needs but the change still feels very emotional and difficult to come to terms with at times. The house feels very empty between 9 and 3. Homeschooling was an enormous part of our lives and the memories of those years together are incredibly special. Perhaps the transition is particularly poignant as in the same year my eldest begins to found her own family unit. Our nest seems just that little bit barer. I find myself looking with wonder, laughter and a fair few tears at the baby photos. That crazy, messy, magical, wondrous, bleary-eyed, sleep deprived, shimmering time and wondering how it went so fast.

By Boxing day evening while I was tidying up the birthday things (Boo was born on Boxing Day) my heart started to pound and an intense swell of adrenaline flushed across my chest. It really scared me and for the next few hours I felt jittery, shaky and weak. During the following days I began to feel better but  knew I would check my symptoms further. When I spoke to my sister in law who is a OB/GYN she suggested that it could be my thyroid again.

So I have had all the required blood tests and wait to find out for certain.

For such a small gland it sure can cause a lot of problems. I remember when I first went to my doctor  12 years ago and was prescribed antidepressants which did nothing to ease my symptoms. Eventually I moved to another surgery where they did a full blood analysis which revealed that my Thyroid was under-active. Once I began taking Thyroid replacement my symptoms all but disappeared. I often wonder how many people get misdiagnosed and treated due to an underlying Thyroid issue.
Small changes in the function of the Thyroid Gland can lead to myriad of symptoms from lethargy, low mood, difficulty concentrating and dry skin to hair loss, anxiety, palpitations, severe headaches and weight gain or loss.

Since April last year I have cut out caffeine, alcohol and most processed sugar. I've also found benefits from cutting down on my gluten intake too.  I'm exercising a little more (although I usually like to think my life is exercise enough :) been taking multivitamins and pro-biotics and dedicating at least 15 minutes a day to meditation/quiet/prayer time so all in all my body has had to absorb lots of lifestyle changes. 

 I don't know what inspired me to take pictures of my dinner, (below) except from time to time I manage to surprise myself by cobbling together a plate of something reasonably healthy, and not too unattractive. These pictures were taken over the last few months (not days) so I don't always manage both at the same time.

Quinoa, Wild Rice and Mixed Grain with Samphire, Carrots, Garlic, Red Onion, Peas, Chilli and Corriander.

Roiboos Tea with Natural Yogurt, Rhubarb Syrup, Chia Seeds,  Irish Soda Bread and Strawberry Conserve.

Wild Mushrooms with Rocket Salad, Raw Garlic and Irish Soda Bread.

Especially yummy with a poached egg on top!

Simple lunch of Dr. Organic Pitta with Organic Hummus, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Chilli and Milled Black Pepper. Oh and  Wheatgrass Juice.

.
Health is such a precious gift.
This year in particular has made me think especially of those who suffer daily, maybe even for years with ill health. As well as those who have limited access to good medical care. It also makes me very grateful for our hardworking health professionals, healers and the wonders of medicine in all it's forms.
May I never take the gift of health for granted.

Hoping this new year will  be a happy and healthy one for you too  xx

Simple Autumnal Pleasures {multitudes on monday}

simple Autumnal pleasures...

apples baking
their lingering sweet musk steeping
the house in hearth warmth
and memories
that wrap a soul in cotton dishcloth
place it close to it's kin
in thin wicker baskets brimming
anticipation...

to make:
core some whole apples. place them in a baking pan filled to about a centimeter with water. Put half a teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon of butter inside the cored centers then sprinkle with a little cinnamon. Place in a hot oven till the skins have burst and the fruit is soft.
Perfect served on it's own as a warming Autumn tea time treat or with a scoop of ice-cream for pudding.







Even the fading blooms bring their own fragrance, their own beauty, their own wisdom.



Some others speak memories of summer.



The little garden spiders, each one named and known by my little girls, just keep spinning, spinning, spinning. A silent world of life within a world of life.



and the leaves from the sycamore just keep falling.
one
by
one.
faint
mute
swelling with a secret
spring,
glowing gold within
their fragile skin.



..and speaking of autumn... here is a lovely little autumnal poem by one of this years national trust competition winners...

enjoy :)

Untitled
By Emma Lister

“It’s really something” -
standing out of the sunroof,
we are not dead yet.
In November, we’ve valleys,
houses leaning, nestled
among those fields
outlined in hedgerows -
and the trees are wet under
miserable sky.
Grow tall, leaves. Unfold.
Bring a cowlick of summer -
with meadows, poppies -
When you lie back down,
the grass curls over your face
and there’s a heavy
bee; autumn is kind
to him. The water in springs
tastes like last winter.

Easy No knead dough! Irish Soda Bread... A Simple Sunday Supper

We love making bread, but often find that the process is difficult to fit into our day.
Irish Soda Bread is a wonderful healthy "no knead" alternative that tastes really homely and warming. It is quick and easy to make and we often enjoy it for lunch with soup or salad, at teatime with butter and jam or as a simple Sunday supper.

My favourite version is the "teatime version" spread thickly *right to the edges" with golden butter and homemade plum jam.

But it also goes wonderfully well with soup...
To make a perfectly simple lunch or Sunday evening supper.

To make one loaf:

Mix 400 grams of plain flour with 100 grams of wholewheat flour.
Stir in 100 grams of porridge oats, 2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda and a couple of pinches of salt.
When the dry ingredients have been mixed through rub in 25 grams of soft butter.
Make a little "pond" in the middle of the mix and pour in 500 ml of buttermilk (when I've run out of buttermilk I use the same amount of ordinary milk with a couple of teaspoons of a sweet vinegar whisked in and it has always worked ;)
Stir the mix together VERY quickly with a table knife before bringing it together into a loaf shape (the mixture will be very "wet" at this point)
Place the dough onto a floured baking sheet and shape it so that it is around 8 inches in diameter.
Score it three times across with a bread knife to ensure it cooks right through.
Sprinkle some more porridge oats and seeds on the top before placing it in a preheated oven of 180C or gas mark 6 for around 35 minutes (or until the bottom sounds hollow when you tap it.)

Simple Winter Joys and a Simple Winter Salad Recipe

 
The perfect Winter Salad.

One small red cabbage shredded.

4 good sized carrots grated.

3 sharp green apples grated.

1 large red onion finely sliced.

1 beetroot chopped

A little salt and pepper.

A squeeze of lemon.

A glug of olive oil.

A splash of balsamic vinegar.

Late afternoon light. Sepia spilled beauty.

Winter inspiration. Frosted petals. Icy snowflake flowers, Glass buttons.

Three embroidery rings and a handful of scraps.

= a morning of quiet concentration for three small girls.

A Beautiful Morning.... Wandering Wednesday

I woke so early this morning.
Early mornings always seem to set the day peaceful.

Giving myself grace all the while for those times when my bed just feels too wonderful and my body too weary to rise from it at first light.

Tani rose at 4 am to take our dear nephew who has been staying with us a while to the airport. I couldn't get back to sleep so I surrendered to the soft, gentle sunlight that was already beginning to filter and stream over the houses and trees outside my window.

First I made tea.... Fair trade red bush with a little milk.... and what goes best with tea? Cake of course.


We baked apple cake and banana bread yesterday in anticipation of an early morning and a long journey today.


 I cut myself a thick slice and layer it with butter.

I found my favourite spot, beside the window to read...




"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. "

Soon my soul is full too.



Before long the sound of little feet find their way to my spot by the window and then inevitably two little hands find their way to my cake.




Another slice is served with a cup of blueberries for the kitten sitting on the box beside her. For a little while... "All is peaceful in the old white cabin, everyone has his own job to do everyone is happy"...until...



Until she remembers the baby twins Sylvie and Goldie haven't had their breakfast yet!
"Listen, day are kying Mummy! Day need Dare Booberries ana cake too!"



While the babies eat I take out a pile of cleaning cloths and begin morning chores of cleaning, floors, sides, doors, windowsills.



But this little girl who likes to do everything her Mummy does must have her own cloth too.
She diligently "helps" and I get a nice smeary ahem, I mean "shiny" window for her trouble.



Soon pair of feet number two find their way downstairs, Lured by the smell of sweet treats for breakfast.



I wander outside while all is quiet and check the veggie plot.

I pick off a few pesky snails and spray some of my homemade chili, garlic, onion soap and water pesticide on the bugs that have nibbled away three of my bean plants.

I'm thinking to myself, that the smell alone should do the trick!



I peep through the window, the girls are stacking building blocks.

With a moment to myself.

I take this photo. Inspired by Gardenmama's "Wandering Wednesday".




Then since we are all about getting real and "taking off the layers;)" And our clover patch of a lawn did look so inviting, green, fresh and cool I decided I'd set my feet free.

It felt wonderful!

My un-manicured feet, dewy wet and fully woken now to the day ahead.

Barefoot and happy, I fill a watering can to the brim and take it to our rather sad and limp looking potted tomato plant.



But wherever you find me.... You'll be bound to find these two too close behind.
 "Here Mummy taste dis storeberry,"

Tiny, green strawberry gratefully received and not half eaten already and I am bestowed " a reeealy beeefull flower Mummy.... For your's hair."




The wild flower seeds we planted in the Fairy garden in Spring bring so many butterflies and Bumble bees to our garden! Bug lover Fina inspects.

Those fairies are such good hard working gardeners.






Fina finding a piece of wood to make her own horsey...


And the day beckons.... So off I go too.

Running two steps behind but enjoying the journey.

Beautiful morning to you Friends!