Voluntary Simplicity Tribe APRIL

litlwons · 2006-04-03

Here goes a new thread! Happy April Everyone! Love, Kathleen

a-sorta-fairytale

· #2 · Apr 3, 2006

it is so beautiful and spring like here - we are off to play outside!

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phathui5

· #3 · Apr 4, 2006

Just so you all know, Barnes and Noble University has a free online course starting tomorrow on The Simple Living Guide which you can get at the library.

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mother nurture

· #4 · Apr 4, 2006

Thanks for starting our spring thread! I have been doing a lot of spring cleaning and simplifying. I feel so refreshed, however dh is about to go crazy!

I'd like to hear more about that online class!

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mariposita

· #5 · Apr 4, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mother nurture

I'd like to hear more about that online class!

me too! i tried to look it up last night and couldn't find anything.

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G&B'sMama

· #6 · Apr 4, 2006

Where is everyone on their journey?

I am focusing my efforts on non-material simplifying by practicing mindfulness.

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litlwons

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 5, 2006

Although I am trying to get stuff out of this house and catch up on much needed de-cluttering (gosh does it breed on its own or what?). I am trying to sit down and take a few moments in the morning (as many as I can get) to just light a candle, breathe and meditate. I would love to add a before bed time a well, but one step at a time. The days I am able to take this time, just run more smoothly.
I am also trying to take notice of how much I am talking just to be talking and thinking about what I say, trying to be mindfull of it.

love,
kathleen

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francesca'smom

· #8 · Apr 5, 2006

HI I'm subbing to the new month. I read the thread all the time, and have really simplified my life over the last few years. I don't post much becasue I'm never sure if I'm just repeating what someone else has already said. I love reading all your comments though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by litlwons
I am also trying to take notice of how much I am talking just to be talking and thinking about what I say, trying to be mindfull of it.

Thank you so much for that reminder. I am so trying to learn to think before I speak.

I think this link should get you to the online class:

http://educate.barnesandnoble.com/ed...roductId=19354

I signed up because I have the book out of the library right now, and I love it. I'm not sure I'll have the time to do the course though, it seems like a lot of time.

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oldermamato5

· #9 · Apr 5, 2006

Hi mamas

subbing for April.
I feel like life is kinda crazy right now but I know this too shall pass. I'm journaling alot.
Love you mamas,
Kim

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mother nurture

· #10 · Apr 6, 2006

I have been doing a lot of purging this month. Right now I am working on keeping life simple. I find that a lot of times I feel I am being pulled in many directions. I get overwhelmed trying to please other people beyond me, dh, and dd and I find that gets me stressed out. I am trying to keep our life simple and at ease right now without any chaos-thus being grounded.

I try to practice yoga and meditation daily. I am actually offering a free parent and child workshop next week for local parents and children.

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litlwons

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 10, 2006

Okay I am one of those simple mamas who dosn't like to cook really at all.

Because of this I find myself eating out way too much.

I want this to change...

What are some of your most simple, yet very healthy meals you could help me out with.? We are not vegetarian, but eat mostly vege., open to all ideas.

Thank you,
Kathleen

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oldermamato5

· #12 · Apr 10, 2006

We mainly graze.

What I mean is I put out assorted veggies,fruit,beans with pita bread or tortilla shells,maybe diced hard boiled eggs,etc. And we just eat like that. Also how about soups? They are soo easy. Yesterday I made a 5 bean soup with homemade breadsticks. I made the dough in my bread machine so it was painless to make. I mean I literally opened 5 or 6 CANS of organic beans and threw them in a soup pot with some garlic and onion and diced tomatoes.
I don't enjoy cooking all that much either. Now baking is another subject.
Blessings,
Kim

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jlazx2

· #13 · Apr 10, 2006

:

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litlwons

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 10, 2006

Thank you Kim. I love grazing as well! My DS1 seems to be on his way as well. Hard to get my DH away from his "meals", but hey it is food. I have to do more soups, I feel so great when I eat them.

Kathleen

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oldermamato5

· #15 · Apr 10, 2006

My dh likes meals too,so I know exactly what you mean. Probably 2 or 3 nights out of 7 I will fix more of a *meal* for him. He has been a veggie for years but he's very easy to please. On those meal nights I fix stir-fry or a veggie casserole.

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tinybutterfly

· #16 · Apr 11, 2006

Just subbing. My big plan is to take pictures of my terrible basement, post them on my blog, then document my progress , which will probably be slooooow. I figure this might help me stay accountable.

I am also wanting to move some furniture around, change what some rooms are used for, ditch some furniture and buy more bookshelves ( my biggest vice.)

I am technically on break from here, but was reading in. This thread is helpful and supportive and so a good thing.

How I want to live and how I am living are two different things. I'd like to make more progress towards what I really want...stuff, time and relationships all need to be reorganized and settled for me to feel more settled.

Nice to see you mamas!

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G&B'sMama

· #17 · Apr 11, 2006

Welcome tinybutterfly! Nice to see you here.

As for meals...
We eat a lot of stuff from the crockpot. Especially beans because we are vegetarian and are currently on a no soy, limited dairy diet due to food sensitivities. So we often cook up a pot of beans and at dinner time toss in some veggies and grains and call it dinner. Most of our meals are some version of this. We love to eat out too, but it is so expensive and most of the time not organic- so we try to limit it.

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oldermamato5

· #18 · Apr 11, 2006

hi tinybutterfly

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kathirynne

· #19 · Apr 12, 2006

I am really focusing on simplifying my life lately. However, as a single mumma of 4 kids (ages 13.5 to 5) there are a few "givens" that I have to accomodate. For instance, I have to work to support my family, my kids have to go to school, we have to participate in our church, we have to do housework, shopping et cetera. (Keep in mind, I don't resent any of these things...)

What I need is some advice on how to prioritize so that the important stuff gets done. (I am under no delusion that it will all get done - I just don't want the important stuff to slide in favour of less important stuff, kwim?)

Any input is appreciated!!

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simplespirit

· #20 · Apr 14, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by G&B'sMama
Where is everyone on their journey?

I am focusing my efforts on non-material simplifying by practicing mindfulness.

Hello sisters! I haven't fallen off the face of our beautiful planet; I'm still here. I can't even say I have been busy. I just haven't been at the computer very much.

My days have been full of quiet, peace and mindful activity. I have marked our garden plot and have began planning which veggies I will plant. My intent this spring is not only to clean to to cleanse.

Cleanse stagnent energies away with the dust and cobwebs. Lighting candles, using water fountains and directing as much sunlight as possible into the house acccomplishes this. I love the book "Sacred Spaces" which uses ancient and native american cleansing principles for creating a peaceful, spiritual refuge.

Writting and organizing my writing is how I spend the majority of my computer time. Once the sun shines and the spring breezes blow, it is difficult for my spirit to sit still.

One large purchase was made this spring. I completely indulged and purchased a beautiful digital camera. This is thie first nice camera I have ever owned and I am in love! It is a lot of camera for me and I llok forward to growing and learning how to capture even a portion of this beautiful life on film.

I hope to continue to drop in and say hi more often. I have missed all of you and the connection we share.

Namaste'

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