The Ghost of Lee-Press On Nails

This is the first time I’ve ever written an entry so late in the day…my apologies, I didn’t mean to leave you hanging.  It’s just that when I plopped myself in front of my computer, every cell of my being wanted rest.  It was a long night and a long weekend of energy work that it’s no wonder I almost did a face plant on my keyboard.  What’s more, is that last night, I do believe I saw a ghost.

Allow me to preface this to say that as a child I was scared shitless of Casper the Ghost who would visit me on a nightly basis in my dreams.  Yes, I know, Casper is suppose to be the friendly ghost but no, not to me he wasn’t. So seeing yet another ghost now in my adult life surely didn’t bring back warm and fuzzy memories.

It all started just after 9pm when I was done work.  While a part of me was tired, the other part wanted to sit down with my scratch pad and enjoy a glass of wine somewhere.  I wanted nothing more than to doodle or write out my thoughts that were swirling over my head.  Pulling up a seat at the bar, I placed my order and scanned the bar.  Glances from what must have been regulars peered over at me.  Hello there pretty lady.

Using my hand as cover I grabbed the swirling words from above my head and threw them down on paper.  Take that! I was beginning to feel better until…

May I ask you what you’re writing?

I raise my head slightly and there she is…the Ghost of Lee-Press On Nails picking her teeth with her long fire-engine red nails.

Just thoughts…ideas.  You know…long day.

Oh I remember when I had those…ideas.  I was filled with them.  When you’re young there’s so many.

I’m sorry?

Look at you, so pretty.  I was quite the gem also.  Hard to believe eh? She begins to cough. Well that’s good sweetie, I don’t want to disturb you.  You just remind me of me when I was young.

[Melissa freezes]

Slowly turning back to look at my scratchpad, I begin to feel the life sucked right out of me as the Ghost of Lee-Press On Nails beside me eats my spirit and picks the remnants of me out from in between her teeth with her red nails.  Somehow writing a eulogy at this point seems more fitting.

Staying for no more than five more minutes and a couple sips, I smile politely at my ghostly neighbour, pay my bill and make my exit.  Getting home shaken, I make myself a cup of tea to calm my nerves and go on sexy food therapy autopilot and begin to prepare the next days breakfast.

IN THE RAW OATMEAL
1 cup oatmeal
2 tbsp ground flax or chia seeds
1/4 cup cranberries
1/2 apple sliced
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
grated nutmeg
1 tbsp coconut milk for topping
Unpasteurized honey
Water

Placing all ingredients in a mixing bowl except for the coconut milk, cranberries and apple, add water to just cover the surface.  Let soak covered overnight outside of the fridge and the next morning, pour into a bowl, top with apples, coconut milk, cranberries and unpasteurized honey. Yes, it’s that easy.  Enjoy.

As you know, oats are probably one of my favourite breakfasts which I believe can be enjoyed all year round.  So when I was in Trinidad last year in the sweltering heat this was certainly something that was easy to whip up, filling for the hours ahead and nourishing.  Not to mention, oats are a wonderful nervine and are nourishing to the heart.  While in no shape or form am I a raw foodie, I do begin to incorporate it more in my diet in the warmer months.  I’m not one to place labels on myself.  No I am not a vegetarian, a flexitarian, a raw foodist or a sole meat eater.  Why put a label on ourselves?  We’re all unique. I simply eat well and eat sexy for the love of the food and the love of me.  That simple.

So after having my encounter with the Ghost of Lee-Press On Nails, I will admit to having some anxiety of the future. Was she right?  Was I simply a hopeless dreamer who will only ever amount to coppery blonde hair rooted in darkness?  Would I be one of those hopeless writers stuck in the illusion that it might all take off to only land tragically in faux leopard print fur?

[Melissa's heart begins to race]

Making my zombie walk to my bed, I collapse, the birds and the world around me become quiet as though someone whispered in the ear of the world to say shhhh…the day is done.

[The world's TV turns off]

Waking up this morning, I make my crusty eyed way to the kitchen and thank myself for the 5 minute prep of yesterday.  Eating my breaky, I begin to have an internal dialogue in my head that goes a little somethin’ like this:

Pick yourself off the ground and talk to your fear in the corner if you must.  You have to keep going even when it seems impossible. It’s just an illusion…you know that.  You will never wear leopard print, nor be caught dead in coppery blonde hair with black roots.  This is just a test like any other of your strength.  Today will be a better day.

And while it was almost noon, I would still eat my late breakfast and share the recipe with my family of sexy food readers and add it to the menu for next week’s 28-Day Detox Date. I would push on for the great things that lay ahead.

I was determined to feel better and decided to take the day off because I deserved one day out of the week to myself.  I listened to some music, later watched TED.com for some inspiring videos and began to really get excited for next week’s cleanse.  I was going to learn from the experiences presented and become one stronger, healthier and empowered woman who will most certainly not ever wear Lee-Press On Nails.

[Melissa shutters]