Called Home

I finished both of Karen DeBeus' ebooks, and I give them a thumbs up! I am going to take her advice in Called Home and declare a moratorium for a few days on researching and planning our homeschooling. This is the time when many mothers are getting their curriculum materials together, or those new to homeschooling are frantically researching methods. We have so much information at our finger tips, with tons of books, websites, blogs, email and Facebook groups, that it is easy to look to outside sources for validation and guidance. We are blessed to have all of this support, but it can also be terribly distracting. Developing a solid philosophy and having a method that works for your family is important, but "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you."

I've actually had my planning done for months, but I still have been ordering additional books to use, and I've continued to dwell upon what Catholic Natural Learning will look like come fall. I have been praying rosaries for the intention of receiving the wisdom I need. It is dawning on me that there really are no limits to true freedom if I am always following the will of God. If my will is aligned with God's, then the boundaries of the Faith will be a garden of roses, and I need not fear the thorns. Our homeschool will be unique, like no one else's. So now I want to really focus on the word of God, prayer, and contemplation, and do nothing else. I will look to the Church for her writings on education soon and begin a deeper study of those teachings, but for now, it's just me and God (and Mary of course, who always leads to Divine Wisdom). It's time to go inward, be still, and listen. No FB groups, no reading of others' blogs, no planning in my journal. Just prayer and reflection, breathing, and sitting at the feet of Jesus.

It's Detox Time!

If you are in tune with your body, you know the signs that a detoxification is in order. You are feeling tired, perhaps not sleeping well. This may be the result of too much caffeine, the physical illness of yourself or a child you are caring for in the night, insomnia (the infamous "monkey mind"), or just not going to bed early enough. Maybe the coffee is causing digestive issues, or maybe you just haven't been eating healthy enough--not enough whole foods and fresh fruits and vegetables. Get thyself to the farmers market! Maybe too much meat or processed foods are dragging you down. In my case, I injured my foot and haven't been able to be as active as usual, which is undoubtedly part of the lower energy equation.

If you are in a summer slump, then join me in a simple detox program for the next month. I'm beginning today with Yogi DeTox tea, a natural herbal supplement available at health food stores and on line at vitacost.com. Up to 10 tea bags can be used per day, every day for up to 30 days. The box says: "As everyday impurities find their way into our bodies, we may be left feeling tired or out of balance. Yogi DeTox is a gentle way to help the body cleanse itself by aiding the two primary filtering organs, the liver and kidneys. Our tea uses the time-honored purifying herbs Burdock and Organic Dandelion to support the liver. Juniper Berry aids kidney function. The traditional Ayurvedic cleansing blend called trikatu (Ginger, Black Pepper, and Long Pepper) aids blood flow, while Indian Sarsaparilla adds spicy flavor."

In addition to the tea, don't forget to drink plenty of water during these hot summer months. I am additionally cutting out refined, added sugars as much as possible from my diet. We all know that sugar prematurely ages us and causes inflammation that leads to disease. It also zaps our energy when we crash from a sugar high. With all of the family reunions, graduation parties, and weddings we attend in summer months, it can be hard to avoid the processed sweets. But we don't have to deprive ourselves entirely. Eat treats at those special events sparingly. When at home, choose natural sweeteners with health benefits such as honey, maple syrup and molasses, and those lower on the glycemic index, such as agave nectar. Cut the sugar in your recipes, and use raw instead of white whenever possible.

While you are cleansing your body, don't forget to purify your mind and spirit with yoga, prayer, meditation, and sacred scripture. Get out into nature rather than staying cooped up in the air conditioning, which does not allow your body the natural purification process of sweating. Even try fasting once a week, beginning with the practice typically used at Lent of eating only one full meal and two small ones, with no snacks in between. Skip meat, or dairy products if you are vegetarian, once a week. I am going to look into fasting practices and get back to that in another post.

Let me know how you are feeling during the detox process! Keep a journal and track what works to restore your body to balance and vitality. Remember, most of all, to breathe, fully filling the belly with each inhalation, and completely releasing on the exhale. Just breathe...