I don't usually have a 'word' for the new year as I know many people do, but this year I have decided I will. my word for the year is KINDNESS. To begin with that means being kind to myself.
In a busy stressful word it is easy to forget that looking after your body and mind is the best way to stay happy and healthy.
I have been vegetarian all my adult life and eat vegan meals regularly but have never tried going the whole way and doing without any animal products.( Vegan means no meat, dairy,eggs or fish )
I'm not a preachy sort of vegetarian but I have often wrestled with my conscience about dairy farming, so being KIND to my animal friends for a month is a good start Thr.ee weeks in and I am feeling better physically and mentally.
To aid me in my new Vegan adventure, my new best friend the nutribullet....
yes.... I know I don't often get excited about kitchen appliances but this one is great! It whizzes up just about any veg/fruit/nut stuff into juice...
I'm Drinking lots of Kale and spinach combos.... it really isn't as bad as it looks. ;)
I also have been using the excesses of Christmas in creative ways..........
What did you do with all your discarded gift wrap?
I saved mine to use for collage and paper cloth making.
The paper cloth will be sewn into ' wild' sewing pieces, the collages are WIP at the moment for forthcoming exhibitions.
I asked a number of my friends to save paper for me this year, which they duly did ( Thank you so much my dear buddies) Saving paper from the re-cycling bin means being KIND to the environment, turning waste into good things. That has got to be a good thing!
Hi there, I just found you whilst blog hopping for Copper Beech Crafts I think ? Wow I could have written this post. I'm a vegetarian (tho I confess I do eat fish so really a pescetarian) and I constantly feel guilty about eggs and dairy. Maybe will try going vegan one day. I love to keep stuff and save it from landfill. I'm intrigued by paper cloth- never heard of that, must look it up! I'm sure I'll visit more. would be nice to see you over at mine too emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk
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I've been exploring your blog, oh my goodness I am DESPERATE to create pieces of art the way you do, I love papercraft, and mosaics, and this seems to encompass both. I hadn't heard of gesso (have since googled it lol) but still intrigued to fully understand how you make your pieces. wonderful :)
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Kindness is a pretty good word for the year. I don't have a specific one this year. Good idea keeping all the Christmas paper as it'll be hugely useful for your mixed media art. That's great you're doing veganuary. do you think you'll stay vegan at the end? I've heard great things about those nutribullets but I don't know how I'd get on with juices instead of solid foods, I always imagine I'd still be hungry if I don't get to chew!!
ReplyDeleteI saved some lovely bits and pieces from christmas and birthday! I'm looking forward to using them after I've finished the illustration project I'm doing at the moment. I want it to be over so that I can spend some time painting again!
ReplyDeleteI have a juicer so I know how delicious your juice is. I put pineapple in the green ones, so yummy! My favourite has beetroot in it, beautiful colour juice too! xx
Well, your word for the year is applicable to lots of things, and I'm looking forward to what else you'll be doing with it. I think it's very brave of you to go vegan. I always wonder what on earth vegans eat. There's eggs and milk in almost everything. I have tried all kinds of juices but I find that after a few days I'd rather eat nothing than another one of those shakes .... I love your collaged pieces of gift-wraps! I keep mine too, but haven't really been using it yet.
ReplyDeleteLovely word and sentiment. Fantastic collage "cloth" in progress, can't wait to see what you create with it.
ReplyDeleteKindness is often under-rated, it's a good word to choose, being kind to oneself and to others.
ReplyDeleteYour embryo paper cloth is looking tremendous (I double-clicked on the picture), what a great use for Christmas paper, no matter how rumpled it is.
You've started the year very well, it all looks and sounds very healthy your way. I have started to have more vegetarian meals lately and even ordered some vegetarian cook books for new ideas. I don't take dairy and haven't for years now cause of allergies.
ReplyDeleteA great way to collect and use papers again, I like to keep all the pretty paper too and have a box filled with it, I need to use it though a bit more ! I haven't got one word, but a few that feel good when needed like" soft", "flow" and "surrender." They all resonate with me. "Kind" is a great one too, amazing the power of word, some words just feel so good.
Something to think about for next year Morag, and I certainly think it's a better idea than making resolutions I can never stick to! Love your recycled wrapping paper cloth, and will look forward o seeing the end results!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great healthy start to the new year - and that's a pretty smart looking gadget! I love your vegetable drawing - that bright blue absolutely zings (not quite a technical term but you know what I mean!) I'm looking forward to seeing how you use your beautiful wrapping paper cloth - the colours are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteVedgetable art piece is great. Love the colours and wonderful composition.
ReplyDeleteHealthy life is so important to us and it makes easier to be kind.
Happy PPF ♥
super healthy starter - looking forward to seeing how you use it!
ReplyDeletewe love our nutri bullet a crazy amount,... they are amazing right... and I love your vegie drawing... beautiful...xx
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine how you'd need the word "Kind" since you are always so kind! But this works perfectly! I understand the nutribullet, my daughter has a ninja she is in LOVE with...and is hoping to win an even fancier blender one day! We have many vegan meals these days. We start the day with a drink full of fruit, either kale, spinach or blanched beets...chai seeds, hemp heart and pumpkin seeds, sometimes almond butter..that is breakfast. We only use Avocado oil now, very little dairy, some cheese and on rare occasion sour cream, I am so curious to check out the book by a UK nutritionist called cook, nourish glow. She helped Sam Smith, Boy George and James Cordon slim down without dieting. Just eating good food!It's a new way of thinking about food that's for sure!Good for you... I think more and more people are become vegan..and vegetarian. Lovely illustration. We don't exchange gifts with each other so there wasn't much paper...we use reusable bags as do any friends we exchange with. B.C. has a very strict recycle program. I have always kept the paper and bow anyway...I'm old school. My word is,"Improve"
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!
Hugs Giggles
Your word of the year is a good one for a lot of things, personally I don't choose a word. Your paper cloth is going to be beautiful and you're so good at doing them. I forgot to keep the papers this year. I'm a fruit and veggie lover so I probably could do a month of vegan food, but it would turn handyman crazy I'm afraid. LOL.
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with the wrapping paper, so creative. My word is Balance. One I have to constantly work on.
ReplyDeleteKindness is a wonderful word and so true that it does begin at home.
ReplyDeleteWish I had stock in the Nutribullet :-)
I am a vegetarian too. I applaud you for going the extra mile!
Your painted food looks good enough to eat and so colorful.
Happy PPF
oxo Patty #47
Well, you have started the year out beautifully all around! Good for you to go vegan awhile. I grapple with it too having been mostly vegetarian for much of my life . As Laila says though it might be hard for me as I have two men to cook for and contend with:):) I have that Nutri Bullet and have posted about it along with my green drinks and I love it too! My very fave is kale and mango combination-YUM! Your mosaic of bits and pieces looks so beautiful just as it is. Happy PPf and remeber to be kind to yourself this weekend:)
ReplyDeleteKindness is an excellent choice for word of the year, I think, although I also don't do the word of the year thing myself. Your quilted wrapping paper art is gorgeous! I could probably be vegetarian but I just don't want to spend the time it takes to go vegan. I don't have a Ninja or such, only a blender. I like to chew so I don't think a liquid diet would go over well here. I'd probably compensate by loading up on chocolate. Love your painting. Very colorful.
ReplyDeleteI wish everyone in the world would choose KINDNESS as their word for the year. The world would be a much better place if they did. I am 99% vegetarian but have never tried going vegan. I do like cream in my coffee, a bit of yogurt, and the occasional piece of cheese. I applaud you for doing this. And also for saving your Christmas paper for art projects. Fantastic!! Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful! Your post is so inspirational! Kindness is a wonderful word! I haven't thought about a word for my self but your post has inspired me to. Lovely artwork I love the veggies! how wonderful! What a lovely journey it is to try and eat no animal products. A lovely cleanse for the body and mind. Truly wonderful and inspirational post. Thank you for sharing and Happy PPF! :)
ReplyDeleteluv this creativity of kindess and recycling
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF
much love...
Good for you! I am vegan and it has helped me with my health issues immensely. I am a vegan for the animals more than anything. Who knows--you may stick with it! Good luck. Lovely art here too. xo
ReplyDeleteKindness is a very good word. I agree with Giggles, you are a kind person already, so it is amazing that you want to push yourself further.
ReplyDeleteI usually keep all of my wrap and bows, but try to use mostly reusable cloth and paper gift bags.
It will be exciting to see your wonderfully textured and colourful art unfold. The cherries look yummy. I am working on liking kale.
Best wishes to you!
I don't have one word, but I am trying to remember to only do things with "Heart", things that matter to me and not things I have to do that I feel pressured to do. Use my heart to think of others and myself and help myself and others.
First love what you are doing with the wrapping paper. Your word, I agree is much needed in our world. I am vegetarian, I have gone the vegan route myself but I hate the taste of Kale, and as a women with lupus I need the nutrients that dairy provides. I do agree that "kindness" to our farm animals is so very much needed.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great word "kindness" :) I've chosen "harmony". I donated my gift wrap as you know ;o and now I wish I had kept some back because i had forgotten about making paper cloth with it! Will you repost the blog link for making paper cloth? I'm sure your nutri-bullet is seeing plenty of action, we throw in spinach, kale, apple, hemp, nuts & seeds and supergreen powder in ours for our breakfast smoothie. x
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog. I checked out many of your posts and your work is beautiful. Although I am not vegetarian, I can relate to the necessity of compassion towards animals in raising them humanely. I volunteer at an animal shelter as well. I have an art and exploring blog at saltairand pistachios.com if you would like to visit.
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