Hello Spring!

After a very long, cold winter, it was totally invigorating to spend the last two week-ends outdoors with my family. We’ve been cleaning up the fallen trees, discovering this lovely wild crocus peeking out from under the leaves, prepping our vegetable gardens and even dusting off the bikes for a short spin around the hamlet where we live near Lake Scugog. It felt wonderful to re-connect with nature, and enjoy the sun on my skin once again. Hello Spring!

No, Jason doesn’t come on the girls’ retreat. I did once convince him to check it out on a day trip.

Every spring, I also look forward to my annual girls’ yoga retreat with my friend Maria Carr of Port Perry Flowyoga. We head for a week-end of delicious vegetarian food, Thai yoga massage, meditation and of course, several yoga classes a day at Shanti Retreat on Wolfe Island.

In preparation for our girls’ getaway this week-end, I have been contemplating a spring cleanse. Some of the girls at work are doing a raw food/juice cleanse, but given my penchant for carbs I figured that a good first step would be to keep focused on the reducing my caffeine intake (which is an ongoing challenge), and finding enjoyable alternatives for coffee. A few weeks ago, my husband came home with this tasty alternative to coffee from Seven Sisters Teacompany based in Durham Region. The “Yogi” Tea is an aromatic and stimulating herbal blend that contains citrus peel, chamomile, orange blossons, lemongrass, spearmint, hibiscus and rosehips. Divine! I just add some unpasteurized Wildflower Honey gathered by Jon Todd in Durham Region, and I have a truly satisfying caffeine-free drink.   I pick up Jon’s honey from Hank’s in Port Perry, by the way.

My husband Jay chose a Yerba Mate-Organic traditional tea from Latin America. Yerba mate is an excellent energy and immune system booster as well as a great caffeine-free choice for those of you who are looking for caffeine-free options.

While I have not had the discipline to completely give up coffee yet, I love the fact that the tea culture in Durham Region is gaining in popularity. Now to figure out how to drop 10 pounds and get in the best shape of my life. Any suggestions?