Third Quarter Moon and Third Sunday of Lent

Today is the third Quarter moon. This waning third quarter moon energy is yin - quiet, internal, heart-driven, intentional Being-ness. At this phase we can ease off a bit on actively pursuing goals, slow down, go within, and attend to inner work, renewal, and self-care.

This is also the third week of Lent. My theme this year for Lent is Down-to-Earth Simple Living: I plan to ease back to the basics of living my life: Eating, playing, home and garden, family and art.

At Lent I allow myself to be slow, simple, and thoughtful. I spend time each day in focused study and prayer. This Lent, I plan to continue to explore my relationship to the natural world, the cycles of the seasons, and down-to-earth living, with the simplest of actions. 

Agenda Today:

1. Read and journal

2. Simple steps plan

3. Renewal plan

4. Evaluation House

5. Monthly journal brainstorm

6. 

Oatmeal Apricot Breakfast Muffins

1. Read and journal: 

One of my intentions this year is to dive into various web sites that offer information on simple living themes. I've looked at simplifying my schedule, simplifying my stuff, and simple steps towards physical resilience.

This week I've decides to research simple eating - ways I can reduce buying processed foods (like my favorite granola bars and go-to snack foods), and weekly habits for simple food preparation.

2. Simple steps plan:

I know this doesn't sound "simple". Simplicity doesn't mean easy! My plan is to:

1. Sunday: Make breakfast muffins for the week.
2. Monday: Experiment with making crackers or sweet potato chips.
3. Tuesday: Shop for nuts and dried fruits.
4. Wednesday: Prepare a container of veggie snacks and hummus 
5. Thursday: Make a healthy sweet treat
6. Friday: Plan new vegan recipes and shop
7. Saturday: Make bread

3. Renewal plan:

I try to renew all four dimensions of my life (body, mind, heart, and spirit), as Stephen Covey taught: I spend about an hour each day on a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual regeneration activities, plus work to improve my social skills and relationships. Today's waning half moon is my opportunity to review how I'm doing, and make note of new ideas for the month ahead.

This week is transition time - March is a season of renewed activity, so I need to get my energy up:

1. Simplify my schedule: Be clear on my priorities and cut out whatever is extraneous.
2. Breakfast: Work out a healthier breakfast routine.
3. Daily Walk: Continue my short walks with Artie, with Sadie, and/or with friends.
4. Co-regulation skills: Model smooth transitions, paying attention, and one-thing-at-a-time.

4. Evaluation House:

Today I get to reflect back on the first 3/4 of the Holiday Moon lunar cycle that I'm passing through. My theme has been Stillness. I reviewed the intentions I set at the new moon and drew a house with 2 rooms: 

• A room for celebration of all I have accomplished already this month.
• A room for discerning what to do with the unfinished parts (Some of these I will finish in the next couple days, some I will save for next month, and some I will release because they have become irrelevant or didn't go as planned.)

5. Monthly journal brainstorm:

At the new moon (next week) I will transition from one focus to another, and a whole new field of opportunity. This week I'll take time to write down my goals, dreams, and exciting ideas for the next 30-days, including at least a few crazy, improbable notions. 

-Start with a list of seasonal themes and celebrations, vacations, and other events.

-Write about my biggest priorities this month, how they might fit into my life, and how they connect to my values and principles.

-Write about possible obstacles and factors such as the weather, upcoming schedule changes, or money problems.

-Write about the parts that excite me and the parts that might be hard to find motivation for.

6. Oatmeal Apricot Breakfast Muffins:

One of my goals is to make something to substitute for my packaged granola bars. I found this simple muffin recipe that might work:

Ingredients: 

• 1 c. oats
• 1 c. dried apricots
• 1/2 c. butter
• 2-1/2 c. flour
• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 c. whole milk
• 2 tsp. grated orange zest

1. First, cook the oatmeal as instructed. 

2. Chop the apricots, and add to hot oatmeal with butter; stir until butter is melted. Cool for 5 minutes. 

3. In anther bowl, combine the dry ingredients. 

4. Beat the eggs a little, and add to wet ingredients, with the milk and orange zest. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

5. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400° for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks.