The Gracious Pantry Goes To Ireland

The Gracious Pantry Goes To Ireland

We all have, what I like to call, an internal hamster wheel. How fast we run on it depends on the level of stress in our lives. This hamster wheel continuously spins and we, without fail, keep it going with busy schedules, goals and agendas. But on occasion, we get to step down off that wheel and just take in the moment around us. Not the moment that is filled with seconds, minutes, hours and endless to-do lists, but the bigger, overall moment.

Yesterday, that moment came for me when I was on my morning bike ride. I was peddling along, enjoying the sunshine and the surrounding Sonoma county farmland while breathing in the scents of horses, cows and tall grasses. Even the highway that runs parallel to the path I was on was just busy enough to remind me that I live in a slow place. A place that allows me many bigger moments. A place that restores my soul and offers me deep breaths that fill me down to my tennis shoe covered toes.

Along this path there are benches at certain intervals. Most of which overlook beautiful sprawls of farmland and trees. I stopped to take it all in, and sitting on that bench, I had the first few moments of healing after many years of upheaval. Staring out over the tall grasses with the sun glimmering over their tops like tinsel on a Christmas tree, I actually managed to get off that ever-present hamster wheel and just sit. No thoughts of things I had to do or places I had to be. No self-depricating ideas or moments of self doubt. I just sat and took in the moment. A truly meditative and restorative moment.

Sometimes, the exercises we do that have little to do with the body, carry the biggest benefits. It’s easy to forget how critical our minds are when we are working hard to regain or maintain our health. But it’s worth noting that health is 100% a mental process. It’s our mental state and thoughts that dictate if we will have a good day, a healthy day, or a day filled with bad attitudes, fast food and seemingly bad luck.

It’s critical to remember that where health is concerned, our mental health and disposition are just as critical as the workout we do or the food we eat or the sleep we get. Because our mental state will dictate if or how all those other things get done.

So remember to breath. Remember to just take a moment when you need it. Because doing so will allow you to bring far more to the table in all areas of your life.

And in my quest to find a few more moments of peace and tranquility, I’m leaving my beloved kitchen behind and heading for the land of sheep and endless green landscapes. Mini Chef and I are going to Ireland! I’m absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity and will be blogging about my experiences as I go.

Please note that in order to keep my sanity while I’m trying to relax in the upcoming weeks of vacation, I created the recipes I’ll be sharing ahead of time. But the blog posts themselves (the content that comes before the recipe) will be real time. I will be blogging as the trip progresses so that I can share my experiences with you as they happen.

I’ll also be Facebooking about the trip, so if you don’t follow on Facebook, now would be a fun time to start!

Talk to you soon from Ireland!

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12 Comments

  1. JC Carter says:

    I went to Ireland last year! We rented a car and drove around. It was amazing!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      JC – Thanks! We are doing the same! 🙂

  2. Have a wonderful time. I am from Ireland so I hope you enjoy it and that the weather is kind to you 🙂

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Laura – Thank you! The weather has been beautiful so far!

  3. Ann Marie says:

    AMAZING! I am truly jealous, but in the best way of course. Hoping to go myself someday, so I’m looking forward to following your adventure.

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Ann Marie – Thank you! I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my mom. 🙂

  4. Welcome to Ireland! When you are making your trip, and what parts of the country are you going to? You will love it here!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Lynda – I just arrived in Dublin and we will be driving across country to Dingle and back. Thanks! 🙂

  5. Ireland is one of the most wonderful places I’ve ever been to. Hope you have a fantastic time! Oh, and make sure you visit the Cliffs of Moher!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Rachel – I will try! Thanks!

  6. Heather @ Beyond the Aisle says:

    Have an amazing time on your well-deserved trip with Mini Chef! I was able to visit Dublin and Galway in college and fell in love with Ireland.

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Heather – Yes!! It’s amazing! I absolutely love it here.