tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40388151489434587232024-03-13T16:10:59.612-07:00Return to the GardenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-40449784999189342382019-03-14T13:20:00.000-07:002019-03-15T05:55:52.684-07:00DILL CHICKEN SALAD with celery, apples, and sunflower seeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ3oEzo4Y47gBj4dLBxTXrDp_edI5zCyQE4WALRTedgyvDDyvuXJsaATEXCVlwj-IFmFKJG3QC0HSsx6TNWQmVLCeiB_VpJ-btAG4WMKGb2PexkdigYX58qLBqJFBfLP-HbeR_3e9Oqz_/s1600/ChickenSalad_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZ3oEzo4Y47gBj4dLBxTXrDp_edI5zCyQE4WALRTedgyvDDyvuXJsaATEXCVlwj-IFmFKJG3QC0HSsx6TNWQmVLCeiB_VpJ-btAG4WMKGb2PexkdigYX58qLBqJFBfLP-HbeR_3e9Oqz_/s640/ChickenSalad_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spring is in the air. And the ground. The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and thunderstorms grace the skies. It's a glorious time - my favorite in fact. Lately I've been craving chicken salad. Light yet substantial. Versatile and at the ready for park time, bike rides, and all the outdoor fun that comes with this season. Enjoy!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
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1 - 1.25 lbs chicken breast (I love <a href="https://www.creswickfarms.com/">Creswick Farms</a> chicken), cut into large chunks or strips (2 15-oz cans of garbanzo beans to make vegan)<br />
2 tablespoons of ghee or butter (avocado or <a href="https://www.thrivealgae.com/">algae oil</a> for vegan)<br />
sea salt and freshly ground pepper<br />
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1 cup celery, chopped into small chunks<br />
2 small or 1 large sweet apple, chopped into small chunks<br />
1/2 heaping cup of raw sunflower seeds<br />
1 tablespoon of dried dill or 1/4 cup fresh dill leaves<br />
1/2 cup vegenaise or mayonaise (I love <a href="https://followyourheart.com/products/soy-free/">Soy-Free Vegenaise</a> or <a href="https://chosenfoods.com/products/avocado-oil-mayo-12">Chose Foods Avocado Oil Mayo</a>)<br />
Freshly ground pepper, to taste<br />
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In a large cast iron or stainless steel skillet, melt ghee or butter (or oil). Gently spread chicken (or garbanzo beans) out in pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 5 - 7 minutes. If using garbanzo beans in lieu of chicken, shake the pan over the burner from time to time to stir. When the pan side of the chicken begins to brown, flip and cook another 5-7 minutes until browned. Cut into a slice of chicken to make sure it is cooked all the way through. Turn off heat and let cool for 10 minutes.<br />
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While chicken cools, combine celery, apples, sunflower seeds, pepper, and dill in a large glass or stainless steel bowl. Mix well.<br />
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Chop the chicken into really small pieces (lightly crush garbanzo beans if using). Add the chicken and vegenaise/mayo and stir until all of the mixture is coated evenly. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator for up to a week.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-42175581519393907282018-12-18T09:46:00.000-08:002019-01-02T13:03:02.377-08:00HOW TO MEDITATE.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD7sqlxM6Xh_ANKvMUxwERzIr8TjD_qZkKnZ2IMhovCGdvpEki9bSs5XgtfnWhXFEbcS4EKFFV879uURUcGGZOd4k4Dx_5_3_CHMhu2vvr0d0AmEVDHemk8ljFtOZfti7zO7rgIN-VN1p/s1600/pinetreepic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD7sqlxM6Xh_ANKvMUxwERzIr8TjD_qZkKnZ2IMhovCGdvpEki9bSs5XgtfnWhXFEbcS4EKFFV879uURUcGGZOd4k4Dx_5_3_CHMhu2vvr0d0AmEVDHemk8ljFtOZfti7zO7rgIN-VN1p/s640/pinetreepic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
At nearly every retreat I lead and meditation class I teach someone(s) will ask me "How do I meditate?" or comment that "meditation is really hard" and, you know, "just not working" for them.<br />
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"I tried it this one time...." they continue, "and my mind just wouldn't stop....is that normal?....maybe it's not for me....I'd like to try but I don't know how....is there an easy way?....what's your trick?...."<br />
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Sound familiar?<br />
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I've been there. <i>Trust me. </i>I'm there a good chunk of the time still.<br />
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I've begged my teachers for the formula. For the answer. For something! I was convinced they knew the secret that would take meditation from rip my hair out to, well, effortless. Let me rephrase. In asking for the easy way out I was asking them to help me hop, skip, jump over the rock-bottom work of meditation and deliver me queen-like in a struggle-proof carriage directly into the hands of enlightenment.<br />
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Essentially I was told dream on. And knock it off.<br />
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They wisely told me and remind me still - quoting from the Bhagavad Gita - that I am what I seek. Or Tvam Tat Asi - "Thou That Art".<br />
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It's taken me years, a lot of frustration, and what feels like many, many, many failed attempts to experience the wisdom in this statement. I am what I seek. I am what I seek. I am what I seek. And here's where I pause. Sorry. You have to do the work and sit with this one. Obligatory "leave you hangin" here as sometimes words simply fall short. Consider this incentive.<br />
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My oh-so-wise teachers also shared, with I swear a twinkle of mischievous enjoyment in their eyes, that it's all - the entire experience - meditation. And when they said all, they meant <i><u>all</u></i>. The batshit crazy voices blasting themselves into the walls of my mind. The mysterious pains that I never feel elsewhere but somehow become life and death on my cushion. The fact that my left foot passes out and then hammers itself with needles in its listless stupor when I shift position. The dreaded "who cares? does this matter? what am I doing? this is crap." that plays on repeat in the least opportune moments. The sliding from bed to floor, mala in hand, wondering what makes this more important than sleep. The falling asleep, hereto with mala in hand and the best of intentions of course. I've had every known disease and a few I discovered. I've come up with solutions to every world problem, with humility of course. I've committed numerous crimes, climbed many mountains, fixed my kids and husband and everyone else I know, and single-handedly secured world peace. All this without leaving my seat. All while the players of my mind charade - critic, scientist, creative, dreamer, victim, parent, teacher, good girl, bad girl, shamed girl, acclaimed girl, hurt girl, strong girl, little girl, grown girl - consistently show up uninvited and demand immediate attention. Apparently they're all welcome. All of this really. All teachers. All part of the gig.<br />
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That being said, I'm only coming around to such wisdom because I stuck, and am sticking, with it - meditation that is. It takes sitting nearly every day. Every. Single. Day. Turns out there's a massive amount of trust and faith involved, a fair share of doubt (you know, just to keep it interesting), and absolutely no shortcut. None. Nada. Zilch. I've looked.<br />
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So here's the truth with no artificial sweetness: Meditation can be hard (really, really hard), especially at first. In fact, I'm more and more convinced difficulty has been hardwired in. You can thank the cosmic jokester(s?) for said insanity and (sense my grudging hesitation) - brilliance.<br />
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This brilliance in a nutshell?<i> The challenge makes us want it.</i><br />
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What "it" is may be ambiguous for a long, long time. But that "it" keeps us going. More or less pulls us forward, toward, into.<br />
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<i>It's</i> pretty sweet (albeit sometimes in a sour sort of way).<br />
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And difficulty is what actually delivers some of the gifts meditation has to offer.<br />
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Small things like discipline, desire, surrender, compassion, grace, connection, endurance, focus, selflessness, self-reflection, and peace. <br />
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I love the way Elizabeth Gilbert's friend Richard puts it:<br />
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"You can't get to the castle if you don't swim the moat."<br />
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Yup. It's like that.<br />
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All that to say (thanks for humoring my chatter), I've distilled the process of meditation down to this:<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Stop.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Sit.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Stay.</span></b><br />
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That's it. That's my recipe for meditative success, if there is such thing, void of goal, ending, and public affirmation. Oh and no promise of enlightenment though I can promise your efforts will not be wasted. It's like saving a million dollars one penny at a time. They only add up.<br />
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Of course there's a bit of shameless bait and switch happening here. Said recipe sounds simple (geez there she goes with another "s" word!) but, as you can and should expect, is far more deep than a surface glance reveals. Each of the three - Stop. Sit. Stay. - have layers to be peeled (blame quantum physics). So here we go. We begin to peel.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">STOP.</span></b><br />
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Meditation demands the first thing we do is stop. Stop the busyness of life - the tasks, the lists, the emails, the calls, the scrolling, the liking, the chatter, the doing, the outward interacting. It may mean stopping the alarm and stopping the sleep. We have to drop it all. It's in this moment that we make the choice: stop so we can sit or...not. To stop means turning things off, shutting things down, closing conversations and doors and saying no so we can say yes to this one thing. In the stop lies the gate. This is where we choose to enter through the smallest of doors into the secret garden of soul. For some it's the most difficult step. For some it may never happen. The pull of life is so strong. But for others who choose to enter through the stop, this - <i>this</i> - is where it all begins.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">SIT.</span></b><br />
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There's no trick here. I mean what I say - sit down. Sit on a chair, a cushion, a blanket, a ledge. Sit on the grass, the sand, a bench, or the floor. Sit in a closet, a class, or a park. Sit. Sit. Sit. Make yourself as comfortable as possible (no sense in fighting what can be adjusted) and then sit. Some may find it easier to come with a plan. Maybe a specific <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2017/03/what-is-yoga.html">mantra</a> or <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2017/03/what-is-yoga.html">pranayama</a> (breath) practice. Maybe it's a visualization or <a href="https://www.bhavanaholland.com/store">guided meditation</a>. This can be really helpful at first as mental activity may be stuck in hyper mode for awhile. Essentially, dog meet bone. Give your mind something to play with. Then ask it to sit.<br />
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PS - You may find it helpful to set a timer. Olympians rarely wake up at the Olympics. Meditation is similar. Start small. Like a minute (you laugh now...). Build each day. I find it more helpful to build on my (perceived) success rather than resent my (perceived) failure. Set a timer then forget about time. Be in it for as long as you're in it.<br />
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Which leads me to...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">STAY.</span></b><br />
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Through it all - the discomfort, restlessness, loss of desire, immediacy of thoughts and feelings, tiredness, schedule change, anxiety, fear, lack of "progress", frustration - through it all, stay. Stay in your stopping and your sitting. Stay with your practice. Stay in it. Listen. Feel. Soften. Look in. Bring your mind back time and time again to the point of your focus (or the emptiness if that's what you're doing) and stay. Sense the millions of other people who are meditating around the world and stay. Sense those you love fiercely and stay. Sense the wiser you pulling you forward and stay. Sense the tradition, the teachers, the purpose, the depth and stay. Let the difficulty roll through you and over you and stay. Let the practice be whatever it is, whatever comes up, whatever does or doesn't happen and stay. Stay for you. Stay for us. Stay for the world. Stay because your practice does make a difference. I've come to believe that faith is the combination of discipline, resolve, and hope. Meditation takes tremendous faith. When you doubt, stay with it. When you believe, stay with it. When you don't care, stay with it. When you're bursting with love and connection, stay with it. When you're empty, stay. When you're full, stay. When you're the fullest kind of empty, stay. Stay with it and without fail it will stay with you.<br />
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So here it is my friends. My not-so-simple simplified recipe for meditation. Know that I cheer you on, I'm here if you have questions, and I have the deepest gratitude for the beautiful force you bring to the world through your meditation.<br />
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To the light within.<br />
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Namaste.<br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-f65fef96-7fff-4eed-618f-933cca639137"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">End Note: As always, please do not consider this a one-size-fits-all prescription. Each of us are different and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">carry a variety of experiences within us. Some of those may be traumatic and painful. If this is you, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I urge you to talk with a qualified professional as you begin your meditation rhythm. This is especially </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">necessary if you find meditation draws forth experiences that create excessive fear, stress, and anxiety.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Y</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre;">ou’re not “doing it wrong.” Ask for help. Seek what you need so you find what you search for.</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-57052365318007254362018-08-01T17:54:00.000-07:002018-08-01T18:35:42.854-07:00IS "DO-IT-YOURSELF" MAKING US SICK?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today I went to the Farmer’s Market. My favorite place really. Well, tied with the beach. Lately I’ve been walking the path that leads through the stands with a deepened sense of gratitude. The result (or gift mostly) of traversing the path of hard-knocks I’m only recently emerging from.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">Let me explain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">After my first baby was born I acted out what I’d been meticulously planning for months. Pregnancy </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">makes you </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">crazy</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. To my point, I canned a books worth of food (seduced by calling it "small batch"</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">),</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">convinced filling our pantry would offer some sort of respite or security or peace. Something. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I baked everything from scratch, grew a quarter of an acre worth of food and actively shamed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">myself if anything, including my time, went wasted or failed. Like a bat out of hell, I was out to prove </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that I could do it. I could give my newborn daughter the best of everything and I could make it myself </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and it would be done perfectly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">It doesn’t take a trained professional to see where this was headed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">Massive burnout, complete depletion and immense disappointment. No one told me there would </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">always be more to do, and that more could be done better. Or maybe they did and I wasn't ready</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> to listen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">About that time Pinterest had come on the scene, all sequined and shiny and irresistible. Canning </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was sexy (or so they said) and the Do-It-Yourself movement erupted. Instagram went crazy (and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">so did we) with “Look what I made Mom!” photos. All promised a sense of satisfaction, success </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and extra cash in our pockets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">And yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">So many people I know, including myself, paid a price for “doing it ourselves”. We lost money </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">(because let’s be serious, none of us made it like the picture the first go-round), time (10 minutes </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">my ass), health, sanity, and picked up a good dose of self-loathing in the process. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">It leaves me wondering if the Do-It-Yourself movement is nothing more than pendulum backlash </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">against the machine of pre-packaged junk and big business nonsense. We’re tired of being duped </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">by superficial marketing and know we could do it better than </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. It was for me. I stuck it to the man</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">alright. And put myself right in the docs office trying to undo my defensive mess. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">But back to the market.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Today as I handed over my $6 to Kristine at </span><a href="https://saundersfamilybakery.com/" style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Saunders Family Bakery</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and placed a freshly baked</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">loaf of gluten-free bread in my basket my heart swelled with connection and thanks. She was quick </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to share her story - that she had family and friends with allergies and she so badly wanted to offer </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">them a good, healthy loaf of bread safe for them to eat. How she tried countless recipes to get it just </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">right, for them and for us. Geoff at </span><a href="https://www.sacredkombucha.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sacred Springs</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> excitedly told me that they have a new location </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">opening as he filled up my howlette with chamomile kombucha. John at </span><a href="https://bodhitreejuiceco.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bodhi Tree Juice Co.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mentioned they are looking for a storefront in Holland, recognizing we need them and their products </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">so badly here. I wholeheartedly agreed! As I picked up tomatoes and cucumbers from </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.groundswellfarm.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Groundswell Farm</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and berries from </span><a href="http://organicblueberries.co/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Organic Blueberries LLC</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">, granola from <a href="http://www.madebygoodlife.com/">Good Life Granola</a>, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I offered sincere and deep thanks to each vendor. They’re offering me food, sure. But what they </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">may not know is they’re giving me time, peace and space as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">In making their bread and kombucha and granola and juices and veggies - doing their sacred </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">work in the world - they’re giving me space and freedom to do mine. To write, to teach, to practice </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and study yoga, to parent. They’re allowing me the liberty of baking for fun rather than force and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">spending more time cooking rather than frantically weeding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">They’re gracefully showing up in their community, in their way, so I can too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">Yoga calls this dharma. Rooting out our essence, what makes us "us", and living from there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">I find it mutually beneficial in the best possible way. Rather than stressing about paying for </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">something “I could just do myself” or actually trying to do it myself, I offer monetary support so </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">these amazing people can create and sustain a business. When we invest in our communities - </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">through markets and small shops and classes - we enter into more than a simple transaction. We </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">reach beyond service or product and into relationship. We step towards building community and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">connection. Ultimately we step towards ourselves. In supporting the work of others we may find </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">we support the work of own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">My dream isn’t to be a baker - but someone’s is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">My dream isn’t to be a juice bar owner - but someone’s is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">My dream isn’t to own a vegetable farm - but someone’s is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">And all these someone’s live in my community! And yours too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">Of course this isn’t license for fast food and cheap spending. Some things we really do have to do </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ourselves. Like making meals, holding space around a table along with conversation, and creating </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a home built on love and respect. What I’m pointing to is intention. When we dive head first into </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">doing-it-ourselves, what is our intention? And what might we be taking from another? It’s okay to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not do it all, all by ourselves (in fact it sounds a bit prideful really). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">In fact, stepping back to take in the bigger picture may help us move from independence to </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">interdependence</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">Basically into the place where we all give a damn. A place where we are seen and known and see </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">We get to celebrate when a business thrives and show up when others are on the verge of collapse. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We get to cheer and become ambassadors and be a part of something. We walk down the streets </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">or through the market and know people by name. There’s something really large in its smallness. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">There greatness in its simplicity. </span><br />
<i style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">We move from Do-It-Yourself to Do-It-Together.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">So maybe next time it comes up that you “do it yourself” consider a few things:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">1. What is the True Cost (time, trials, money, driving, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">2. Does this support your sacred work in the world?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">3. What is your intention?</span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;">4. Is there someone in your community who is already doing this, and doing it well?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">May we set down our pressures, our pride and our pushing and realize we can't gain it all by </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">attempting to do-it-all ourselves. Here’s to people supporting people and dreams supporting dreams.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Here's to dharma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">Peace to you, peace to our communities, peace to the world.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-46967389011905471772018-05-07T11:38:00.000-07:002018-05-07T11:38:34.304-07:00TANGY NO-LEMON BERRY-ADE with goji berries, blueberries, and apple cider vinegar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H_VNYpFuq4qXf69MYuYBdVbbxpq9H13zgBplVq8aHt23y_FODTwa-b1JOgtKoZBtbeyq61wRvDLFdSQMjY4pUvgW_ywyW4cvSm6Y36eRJ384DXEr4YH3wCNEHXhPxvm-H_51OCHVy_I2/s1600/DSC_8824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5H_VNYpFuq4qXf69MYuYBdVbbxpq9H13zgBplVq8aHt23y_FODTwa-b1JOgtKoZBtbeyq61wRvDLFdSQMjY4pUvgW_ywyW4cvSm6Y36eRJ384DXEr4YH3wCNEHXhPxvm-H_51OCHVy_I2/s640/DSC_8824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm nuts about spring. I get straight up kooky-dooks for warm weather still tinged with a hint of cool, early morning light, asparagus and spring greens, and sun. Oh how glorious the sun.<br />
<br />
That being said, spring also carries with it an absurd proliferation of pollen. Pollen turns some of us into red-nosed, bloodshot eyed, shattering sneeze wonders. Immune responders are on full alert, looking to extricate invaders using whatever means possible.<br />
<br />
And so we adjust.<br />
<br />
Over the years I've had to learn the art of flexibility when it comes to food. And for this girl, flexibility ain't easy. Not so much a fan of irony either but it seems that all things edible provide me a good, hard lesson in both. It's funny to me that foods are so vibrantly colored when they live in the land of grey area. There's no black and white when it comes to eating as much as certain people attempting to sell certain foods (or food plans) want desperately for you and I to believe. Life presents us with new and different and changing every day and it only makes sense that the essentials of life would tend to follow.<br />
<br />
Which leads me to berry-ade. This spring I've taken a vested interest in reducing foods that elevate histamine levels. My tastebuds, on the other hand, have taken a desperate interest in lemon/limeade. It could be the warmer days and elevated thirst or time spent digging in dirt but there's nothing like citrus on ice to quench a thirst. If you've googled histamine no-no's you'll find citrus there. On. Every. Single. List. Trust me I looked for the loophole. There's none.<br />
<br />
With no bone to bite onto, we get creative.<br />
<br />
Apple cider vinegar. Raw, unfiltered, and histamine...weeelllllll...it depends on where you look. Some reporters are purists and throw ACV right in the heap with all other vinegars (although some research shows it has antihistamine properties). Others set it on a pedestal as the one outlier (quoting said research). Which tells me this is the ideal case for personal exploration and experience.<br />
<br />
And because I was desperate and thirsty, I strapped on my explorer suit and dove right in. If you deal with spring allergies you'll have to decide for yourself whether or not to give it a go, however if you're looking to add apple cider vinegar to your diet this is a really nice way to do it. You can google the benefits. That being said, ACV isn't for everyone and is, like everything else, not the cure-all. Taste, test, be curious and try. Learn to listen to your body by engaging in the conversation and taking time to notice. There's no quick-fix or short cut when it comes to understanding what keeps you tickin'. It takes attention, practice, patience and a good helping of go-with-the-flow. Challenges come with a gift though - immense growth. Now that's something to go a little nuts over.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
<br />
1/2 cup of dried goji berries soaked in hot water<br />
1/2 cup of blueberries, fresh or frozen<br />
4 cups of water<br />
3 - 5 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar<br />
1/4 - 1/3 cup of raw, unfiltered honey<br />
<br />
Place all in high-speed blender and blend to smooth. Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer and compost or discard the pulp. Drink at room temperature or over ice. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-72024573232591946012018-03-20T04:00:00.000-07:002018-08-01T18:48:59.120-07:00AND THEN IT'S SPRING!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<img height="375" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/UonzqOPPeZPPGhTlw4wLMkq5De8gmCkiFRjSyVQUd2BfsWO7bIAaMA6IkU754R6bbyExbC3DHDODAbK8NLOlvfbQNADFuqvd4TlRIrHuQBsgqNKHQsa2_2CO0_XH3CtzHWVv4pUA" style="border: none; color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; transform: rotate(0rad); white-space: pre-wrap;" width="624" /></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">At the threshold of each seasonal transition my kids and I plod down to the storage room and rummage </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">through bins searching for a particular set of books. In June we dig for pages lined with sunshine and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">beaches, in September the topics we seek are school and apples and harvest. December we hunt </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">snowflakes, christmas trees and colorful lights. And then comes March. March maybe holds the most </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">anticipation. Christmas has it’s obvious excitement but March has a charm all its own - spring. For </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">months we wait through ice and snow and all things winter. We enjoy the powder while longing for </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">green. We cuddle up by fires, warm liquid tucked between our hands and soak up the short days and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">long rest. Then the month turns to three and we stretch out our limbs, open our hearts and turn to the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sun. “Awake!” our bodies cry. Take a deep breath, get outside and take in the joy that brings us </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">northerners to tears. And we do. When the thermometer hits fifty and the sun shines bright, we throw </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">open our windows, tuck our boots away and slip into our shorts as quickly as possible fueled by a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">little fear that the warmth might not stay. We know better of course and yet we do it anyway. We </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">breathe into the spaces that have been hunched over, tight and playing defense and we exhale deeply. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And then it’s spring. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Julie Fogliano may have coined it first. Maybe not. Either way </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gQFVg9nmy0" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And Then It’s Spring</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> maintains its </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">place at the top of the list as our favorite springtime book. It pulls at my heartstrings as it narrates </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">so aptly our journey through spring. The hope, the worry [Will it ever come? Will it stay?], the </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">preparation and finally the transformation. The more I ponder and observe the more I’m convinced</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">that spring is a mirror for the journey that unfolds within us. We step out in faith that something will </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">happen. We meditate, practice asana and pranayama, we eat well, learn and find our teachers. We </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">spread seeds and hope for rain. It doesn’t look promising at first, bleak even, and our path may be </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">filled with a mirage of change but we step anyway. We plant anyway. Fools play really. And then a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">hum awakens within us. The hum feeding something but we’re not quite sure what. We trust it’s </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">important - a sign maybe or sweet song encouraging us to keep on. We do so with childlike glee. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">Even if it snows a little, we’ve built up enough momentum to get us through. Change pulses through </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">our bodies and enlivens our minds. And still we wait, ears tuned and hearts ready. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This is spring. The push/pull, desperation and euphoria, beautiful anticipation of it all. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">One of the things I find most helpful as the seasonal transition occurs is to stay grounded and balanced. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Spring draws dormate energy up as seeds spring to life and thrust skyward seeking the sun. Branches</span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">transform from lifeless to budding and the wombs of creatures pulsate with expectancy. There’s a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">vibrancy and beat about spring. It’s easy to lose our feet and sail to space. Couple this with a body </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">sloughing off hibernation and the heaviness of winter, we can quickly find ourselves congested, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">anxious, on edge. So we ground, we root and then we rise. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Below you’ll find a handful of practices to incorporate this spring. Based on Ayurveda or “the science </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of life”, these suggestions are built on an ancient tradition rather than the here today, gone tomorrow </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">health culture we currently experience. My hope is they’ll help you set roots so your growth can be </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">anchored, enduring and alive with pleasure. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">May you stay firmly rooted as your inner child dances with excitement and radiates the promise of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">spring. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">FIVE AYURVEDIC PRACTICES FOR SPRING</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dry Brushing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like. Brushing your dry body. At first glance this may fall in </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the kooky category but it’s a simple practice with immediate gratification. Dry brushing helps to </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">slough away dead skin while stimulating circulation and lymphatic movement. This practice is best </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">integrated into your morning routine as it is invigorating by nature. I love dry brushing because it’s </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">easy to incorporate, accessible and simple to do. For more information and detailed instructions </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">visit </span><a href="https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/article/Dry-Brushing/2692" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Joyful Belly</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">, </span><a href="https://www.mynewroots.org/site/2007/10/a-brush-with-health-2/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">My New Roots</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> or </span><a href="https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/blog-the-banyan-insight/details/what-is-ayurvedic-dry-massage-and-why-you-should-try-it" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Banyan Botanicals</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. Note: If you have a significant vata </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">imbalance this practice may not be appropriate for you at this time. Skip ahead to the oil massage and</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre;">enjoy that while working with your diet and, if possible, an Ayurvedic professional to restore harmony. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Abhyanga or Oil Massage</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The word “massage” may be enough enticement to give this one a try. One of the most balancing and </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">grounding practices Ayurveda has to offer, self-massage with oil truly connects you with the loving, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">nurturing one within. It’s benefits are many: imparts muscle tone, lubricates the joints, increases </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">circulation, stimulates the internal organs, assists in detoxification, calms the nerves, deepens sleep </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and on and on. Sunflower oil is a fantastic choice for the spring season as it’s one of the more neutral </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">oils. For instructions visit </span><a href="https://chopra.com/articles/the-benefits-of-ayurveda-self-massage-%E2%80%9Cabhyanga%E2%80%9D" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Chopra Center</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> or </span><a href="https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/lifestyle/self-oil-massage-enveloping-the-body-in-love/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Banyan Botanicals</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Traditionally known as the season of Kapha, early greens tend to be astringent for a reason. Mucus </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">has a way of building up over winter and spring invites a mass exodus of phlegm. If you’re no </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stranger to the springtime sniffles, nettle may be a buddy to invite over to play. Nettle aids in </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">strengthening the nervous system, increases circulation, reduces inflammation and histamines, and </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">increases </span><a href="https://lifespa.com/got-ojas-nourish-your-vitality/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ojas</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> (put very simply, the essence of assimilation). </span><a href="http://www.purushaayurveda.com/articles/2016/3/24/nettles-the-ayurvedic-perspective" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Purusha Ayurveda</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> has a lovely overview </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">if you’d like to learn more. It’s worth noting that although nettle is beneficial for all three doshas, if </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">taken in excess an imbalance in vata may occur. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Food & Water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Spring ushers in an overwhelming urge to purge. We clean our homes, clean our cars and look to </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">switch up our diet. It’s tempting to hop on the pendulum and let it carry you away from the heavier </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">foods of winter on to singing the salad balad. The thing about transitions is that they are just that - </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">transitions</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. Moving from one extreme to other can be detrimental (think backbend to forward fold - </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ouch!). I’ve found the best foods for seasonal shifts are simple, easy to digest and relatively bland. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Kichari/kitchari (</span><a href="https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/diet/how-to-make-kitchari/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">traditional</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> or </span><a href="https://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2017/10/kitchari-soup-for-cold-flu-season.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">soup</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">), </span><a href="https://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/ghee-clarified-butter.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ghee</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">, stewed fruit, seeds (pumpkin and sunflower), and cooked </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">root veggies offer balanced nutrition without creating stress for your digestive system. Specifically in </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">spring, the earth offers early growth like cilantro, stinging nettles, asparagus, ramps and leeks perfect </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for gently clearing out stagnant mucus. When choosing food think warm, light and easy to digest, just </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">like the season itself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And then there’s water. I can’t emphasize strongly enough the importance of drinking pure water. For </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a more in depth look at water check out </span><a href="https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/ingredient/Water/17" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Joyful Belly</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. Dr. Vasant Lad recommends Ayurvedic Gatorade </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to increase the proper absorption of the water we do drink. Spring may be a nice time to add a splash </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of apple or pomegranate juice to aid in the dispersal of excess mucous. I will also add that slightly </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">warmed water is ideal. I keep a pump thermos on the counter filled with warm water so it’s on hand </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the whole day through. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dr. Lad's Ayurvedic Gatorade</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">pinch of raw sugar, honey or maple syrup</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">pinch of salt</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">juice of one-half lime or seasonally appropriate juice (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">1 cup water</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Mix the sweetener, salt and water together until well blended. Add the juice and mix again. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #434343; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Bare your Feet</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As soon as it’s warm enough, throw off your shoes, spread your toes, sink your heels into the earth </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and walk barefoot in the grass. Listing here all the benefits may be helpful but in my experience </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">there’s no substitute for trying it yourself and letting your own participation speak. Walk slow, feel </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fully, breathe deeply. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Peace to you, peace to all.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Namaste.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-83087154507787154812017-11-02T15:25:00.000-07:002017-11-02T15:25:14.089-07:00HOT CHAGA with carob, cinnamon and cayenne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCvkAtiqCd0v395XrcuN5W1s5kx3gkRZ7Gmh2ySfn0bMteaJXODIJLDe4aKnSMT8SrSMi82sH7wL5MwpANgS8_vGp89kdEstAHHvzUmDfqTqN-UgBQ5vTDsIXd3z1atMLYgfR6TOBz40b/s1600/DSC_8760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCvkAtiqCd0v395XrcuN5W1s5kx3gkRZ7Gmh2ySfn0bMteaJXODIJLDe4aKnSMT8SrSMi82sH7wL5MwpANgS8_vGp89kdEstAHHvzUmDfqTqN-UgBQ5vTDsIXd3z1atMLYgfR6TOBz40b/s640/DSC_8760.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I get the feeling this recipe may need a little introducing.<br />
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Here's the deal. I love hot chocolate however on some days it can make me a bit jittery especially when I'm feeling overwhelmed or stressed and is no bueno as an evening drink, which is generally when I get the hankering.<br />
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As does happen most of the time, problems offer us a place to be creative and resourceful.<br />
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This is my version of evening hot chocolate. Made with carob powder [chaco look-a-like], chaga mushrooms [immune booster!], <a href="https://www.chopra.com/articles/what-is-ashwagandha#sm.000091lr4a15gcfbmwdn90zqrz6zv">ashwagandha</a> [relax and rest], <a href="http://www.chopra.com/articles/the-benefits-of-triphala">triphala</a> [tri-doshic powerhouse] and few other more recognizable ingredients.<br />
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What I love about this drink is it's calming quality and sink-into-a-chair-with-a-good-book-and-fire invitation.<br />
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If you're curious and want to give it a try, you can find the ingredients [local to me] at <a href="https://www.globalinfusion.net/">Global Infusion</a>, your local health foods store or online through <a href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/">Mountain Rose Herbs</a>.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqX_Fs_VOKfzM7OWtz5hssjyqIHduUn2HmftGj2Prmo-aykzfDGv5jpoJaMMptvEfPAFZL4MxgzRrTdq_7pGY1YNasbiW7nlUZeFgadkLwfzT1ZNR4DfX2iLDFnKsxOkwZnr4VIlgHGhX/s1600/DSC_8750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqX_Fs_VOKfzM7OWtz5hssjyqIHduUn2HmftGj2Prmo-aykzfDGv5jpoJaMMptvEfPAFZL4MxgzRrTdq_7pGY1YNasbiW7nlUZeFgadkLwfzT1ZNR4DfX2iLDFnKsxOkwZnr4VIlgHGhX/s640/DSC_8750.jpg" width="640" /></a><b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE] </span></b><br />
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1/4 cup roasted carob powder<br />
1/4 cup coconut sugar<br />
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon chaga mushroom powder<br />
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
1 teaspoon ashwagandha powder<br />
1 teaspoon triphala powder<br />
2 large pinches of smoked [opt.] sea salt<br />
1 pinch cayenne pepper<br />
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Place all ingredients in dry blender container, spice or coffee grinder. Blend on high until a fine powder is achieved.<br />
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Mix one tablespoon of blend per every eight ounces of boiling water or warmed milk of choice.<br />
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Top with additional cinnamon, cardamom and/or <a href="https://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2015/02/ginger-molasses-hot-cacao-homemade.html">homemade marshmallows</a>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-32067897309342799112017-10-30T11:03:00.002-07:002017-10-30T11:23:04.581-07:00WHAT IS IT YOU CHASE?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkyGG6nBs9GEN4h6OdZqr2dbEASJVKNqPRUo5pawh8xu7S0rOtZO554ZURItwDg2GGAQn-mKNAhw6jIiFDZZuHtAHiB3EJKsQ2Abv0r8c2CQqHM4FRDhQ4RCxRlgLpW69L3csQs6ZEY0a/s1600/iStock_000013247213XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkyGG6nBs9GEN4h6OdZqr2dbEASJVKNqPRUo5pawh8xu7S0rOtZO554ZURItwDg2GGAQn-mKNAhw6jIiFDZZuHtAHiB3EJKsQ2Abv0r8c2CQqHM4FRDhQ4RCxRlgLpW69L3csQs6ZEY0a/s640/iStock_000013247213XSmall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from reddotblog.com</span></div>
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Last week I was shocked by a podcast. Not because of a story or anecdote or person but more because it held the answer to something I've been wrestling with for a while. I sat there stunned and then cried. I wrote and re-read and at some point just stared.<br />
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As this season's weather has haphazardly ping-ponged back and forth I've felt a similar experience happening within. Of course the climate and transition can affect us, and does, however this was a bit more than that. I felt rushed and overwhelmed, as if I was chasing something but couldn't exactly put my finger on what "it" was and had a sinking sense that I'd never actually catch it. A feeling that has plagued me a good chunk of my life. Most things had become a task to be completed, a list that didn't really end. I would get to the end of the day not really feeling like I'd finished what I had set out to do, leaving me with a sense of disappointment and regret. <br />
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And then the podcast pummeled me. Or maybe scooped me up and rocked me. Probably both.<br />
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Ambition.<br />
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Ambition is every bit temptress and hero, equal parts effective and debilitating. For me, ambition had disguised itself as productive, achievement, and good. Although, I couldn't explain what "making it" looked like, I knew that if I didn't I'd be left behind. And behind was a place I didn't want to be.<br />
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It had lured me into the chase, never offering the goal. Instead of experiencing all that was promised, ambition had left me exhausted, empty and confused. I was pushing myself and I had no idea why. Why am I rushing my shower and folding the clothes so quickly? Why can't these dishes get done faster or this drive time be less? Why am I multi-tasking brushing my teeth? How can I shave a little time off here so I have more time there? Body tense, jaw locked, nerves alert - full 'bout it mode.<br />
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Last month in teacher training [500 hour!] we were asked to write our teaching mantra - the thing that keeps us coming back to our mat and back to our classes. The thing that guides us in sequencing, words and practice. I had this really nice mantra prepared. Something about challenging and nourishing and growth. All true but not quite the core of why I teach.<br />
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After a guided meditation our instructor asked us to write down our mantra and what came up for me was both unexpected and, to be honest, a bit of a let down.<br />
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The root of why I teach isn't because I want to offer something great to the world. It isn't because I have this grandiose plan or insight and want to share it. It isn't even because I want to be successful.<br />
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Nope.<br />
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I teach because I love yoga.<br />
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That's it.<br />
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I teach because I feel alive and whole on my mat. Because I can't think of anything else I would rather put my life towards.<br />
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I was so blinded by ambition, I couldn't even see the depth of beauty in this.<br />
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It took me a lot of writing and sifting to realize that ambition got scared. Ambition was let down that deep inside, where I'm striped of all the layers I've put on, something was preserved. A truth that remains untainted and pure. <i><b>The knowledge that there's no greater gift we can offer the world than ourselves fully alive and whole, loving what we do. </b></i><br />
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And so, more often than I care to count in one day, I remind myself that ambition isn't in charge anymore. That it's okay to have goals and dreams and to name each one. And then to remember that striving isn't why we're here. Chasing and achieving isn't what we're meant to do. I bring myself back to my center, over and over again, knowing from experience that some day living from this place will be my normal.<br />
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With practice and attention I'm getting better at recognizing the rising panic within that screams "I have to get this done quickly because I have so much else to do!" I relax my body and heart and mind. I soften my breath and feel - feel whatever it is that I'm doing. When the anxiety starts to brew I ask myself, "What is it you chase?" Most of the time I can't come up with an answer.<br />
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This morning as I sat by the fire and did my morning pages [more on this another day], I watched and listened to my kids. I was filled with gratitude and overwhelmed with joy simply because I get to be a part of their world. I watched them, fully present, play and act and create. I listened to their words and felt their presence. No worries or thought about past or future. My teachers in tiny form.<br />
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Moments like these await us when we set down our striving and chasing and ambition. The work is part reclaiming the beauty of the present we once knew and part learning how to live from this place in the reality we now have. It takes time, practice and compassion. It requires trading the sweet taste of completion, achieving, striving and the chase for a pace that's sustainable, a deep sense of worth and a life that feels that much more whole.<br />
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Today, ask yourself this: what is it you chase? Can you name it? Is it fulfilling or sapping you of energy and life? Ask yourself why you do what you do [work, parenting, hobbies, etc.]? What keeps you coming back? Keep asking that question until you get to the core. The place that first brings a knowing smile to your face if only for a second. Or maybe the place where you know it's time to give that thing up or reconfigure.<br />
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Peace to you, friends.<br />
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PS - If your curiosity is eating you alive, <a href="https://robbell.podbean.com/e/what-to-do-with-your-ambition/">here's the podcast</a>. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-33533829795454085292017-10-23T09:26:00.000-07:002017-10-23T09:34:27.390-07:00PUMPKIN CHAI with tumeric and ginger + HOLDING THE LONG VIEW<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy-rZ3cJgmBzo9Ntw3CXV44MAP50WeFFCAMJB2uGwPmjNe5Faf76KeI40MJ3ayfTBByrphgJhCQNrDpE75OVUgpXig3186fpAuevCrJ-xaEi2JomPto3gBbLcnGgqASmdGay3j4DSypDj/s1600/pumpkinchai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy-rZ3cJgmBzo9Ntw3CXV44MAP50WeFFCAMJB2uGwPmjNe5Faf76KeI40MJ3ayfTBByrphgJhCQNrDpE75OVUgpXig3186fpAuevCrJ-xaEi2JomPto3gBbLcnGgqASmdGay3j4DSypDj/s640/pumpkinchai.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I was walking with my friend Kim and in her normal fashion she shared thoughts and insight that had me thinking for awhile after. I find myself so often wishing we had our conversations recorded. This time I strapped my head on and asked her to write down her thoughts [if she could remember them] as I thought they could benefit more than simply me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She did!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so I share them here. May the embrace of her words carry you this rainy morn.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
Oh, and before you read, maybe you make yourself a warm, pumkin-y treat. I'm been dreaming of this recipe ever since cucurbits hit the market.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #444444;">For the Concentrate:</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons cinnamon chips</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons dried ginger, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 tablespoon dried turmeric, minced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 teaspoon whole fennel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon whole cloves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon whole peppercorns</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">small piece of whole nutmeg [take a hammer and smash whole one] or a few sprinkles of ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4 cups water</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the Chai:</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup milk of choice</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2 tablespoons pumpkin puree</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 - 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1 cup of concentrate</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Place all ingredients in a medium size saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, warm milk, pumpkin puree and honey in small saucepan until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and pour into blender. Blend until very smooth [make sure your blender top has a way for steam to escape].</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Strain and place one cup of concentrate in a single mug. Reserve the rest for another time. Store in refrigerator for a couple days.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
Add milk to concentrate in mug and stir. Taste and add more sweetener as necessary.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">[HOLDING THE LONG VIEW]</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCVw6L88GCZAqyoxvPlR6Z5-DB5Cyej6jDz66NxIyCSTa4yh1HxBdnCgMXkVNdJ8qXmjY09PYK99FGOc4riCHHaAVKKsHQ3zKtlebYF4ABR3WroTpRaXawa7jpJ9gndgilAuxYmQ4O60-/s1600/Kim_Handstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1186" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCVw6L88GCZAqyoxvPlR6Z5-DB5Cyej6jDz66NxIyCSTa4yh1HxBdnCgMXkVNdJ8qXmjY09PYK99FGOc4riCHHaAVKKsHQ3zKtlebYF4ABR3WroTpRaXawa7jpJ9gndgilAuxYmQ4O60-/s400/Kim_Handstand.jpg" width="295" /></span></a></div>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some time ago I heard or read a definition of faith that was different than the the definition I have lived by most of my life. I often do not remember where I read or heard something. The point is that I remember it. Many great insights go in and around and through me in a day, but when I remember it the next day and the next, then I know that particular wisdom holds a key to my growth. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The new definition went something like this: faith is putting oneself on the path of those that have gone before. To put myself on the path of those that have gone before me instantly struck me as a cooperation between discipline and trust, effort and hope. Being an optimist by nature, I’m really good at the hope and trust part. I think at one time faith even came up on a spiritual gifts inventory that I completed. I suppose it is a blessing of sorts to be able to trust so easily, to expect that it’s all going to work out, not to worry my pretty little head about things I can’t do much about.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, lately I’ve realized that my old working definition of faith short-circuited the formation of discipline in my life. It zapped the satisfaction of working hard to achieve a goal. Maybe my definition of faith looked more like a definition of fate. If I was meant to have anything, it would come to me by way of chance or a gift from Providence. Sometimes you get what you want and sometimes you don’t. Oh, well. Spin the wheel again.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My yoga teacher encourages, “Hold the long view.” She tells me this when I am struggling again with my short hamstrings or my weak mid-back muscles. She tells me this when I want to be in handstand, but I can hardly make it through the first preparation step. She points out others in my class who seem to effortlessly pop their feet right up and tells me how long they have been practicing.They were practicing while I assumed it just wasn’t in the cards for me to be able to do or even say</span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Adho Mukha Vrksasana</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Sanskrit for “handstand”).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Practicing. Yes, that’s it. The counterpart of faith. The steps along the path that others have trod to reach a destination that I am walking toward. I cannot hold the long view without taking each step toward the destination. I cannot expect the full expression of my body in Yoga without going to my mat to practice between Thursday night classes. I cannot expect to deepen my awareness without consistent contemplative prayer. I cannot expect to discover my creativity without doing the work to confront my fears. The fruit of any path cannot be mine without a faith of action and hope.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I really want to be able to do Adho Mukha Vrksasana so you know what? I am on my mat most days doing fingertip Cobra push-ups and half-handstand holds at the wall. I am holding onto a faith that requires action. I am walking in the way of those that have gone before and finding the joy of discipline along the way. The ones who have gone before me have become the ones to encourage me and offer accountability. Another wise one said, “The road to heaven is heaven.” But perhaps that is a reflection for another post.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-c4e62658-4a01-c6b8-4ec4-c26682ee60c5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With heart forward,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kim</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhDIGM0du_mG0NEymjqjlr9MhwFruVSgAaZ88B2Ft-KaMSaAx0_3iMOG74BIRqkn5tunJuM-QjQZFc4f6JDciQhspcjMBGhwglp0y_9qFKZAC4CQi7jUPaeWmIvPfBZIKTawiGB57FAcU/s1600/KIM.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhDIGM0du_mG0NEymjqjlr9MhwFruVSgAaZ88B2Ft-KaMSaAx0_3iMOG74BIRqkn5tunJuM-QjQZFc4f6JDciQhspcjMBGhwglp0y_9qFKZAC4CQi7jUPaeWmIvPfBZIKTawiGB57FAcU/s200/KIM.webp" width="167" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kim is a Certified Spiritual Director. She has been practicing for the past two years with <a href="https://dominicancenter.com/">The Dominican Center at Marywood</a>. Spiritual direction is a path for growing in awareness. As one begins to notice authentic movement in one's life, discerning a response to this movement becomes possible. Kim finds joy in creating a compassionate space where directee and director discover together the opening toward clarity, love and transformation. </span></span>Kim is currently training for her RYT 200 certification with <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-content="http://www.fromtheheartyoga.com" data-type="external" href="http://www.fromtheheartyoga.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">From the Heart Yoga and Tai Chi Center</a></span>. Yoga has been a constant companion and teacher to her for the past five years. The mat is like a mirror, always reflecting back the struggle or celebration that is within. Yoga provides a way to meet the Self, a space to hold the truth gently and a platform from which to step forward.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-90659157722030520112017-10-01T15:48:00.000-07:002017-10-02T07:19:47.231-07:00CRISP CUPS with blueberries, cardamom and ghee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqDwbQTWoRhzYZA5MKLIXjmSo2zFIiFaXphZszRYF6II3S2t1YfU4VpFLoPCcfUD0pMUQ5y2YmP4WERLhhfHexbnc5eQz2_fL14Pl-yyGN-CYZmUagcwN65C0_4bdJBZaoF2vwuvKDAe7/s1600/DSC_8444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqDwbQTWoRhzYZA5MKLIXjmSo2zFIiFaXphZszRYF6II3S2t1YfU4VpFLoPCcfUD0pMUQ5y2YmP4WERLhhfHexbnc5eQz2_fL14Pl-yyGN-CYZmUagcwN65C0_4bdJBZaoF2vwuvKDAe7/s640/DSC_8444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This is one of my daughter's favorite lunch time treats. I take one out of the freezer to thaw overnight and pop into her lunch bag in the morning. These also make for a fun dessert - an artsy spin on a common favorite. Use any berries or fruit you have on hand and spice as you like.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
<br />
8 - 10 small 8oz jars with wide mouths [<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kerr-00500-Mouth-Glass-Mason/dp/B00A0KUGYU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1506953907&sr=8-5&keywords=8+oz+ball+jars">Kerr</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Packs-Ball-Mason-Wide-Mouth/dp/B00T8GCOEM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1506953907&sr=8-3&keywords=8+oz+ball+jars">Ball</a> work well]<br />
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8 c. frozen or fresh blueberries, reserving a handful whole<br />
1 c. apple juice [optional]<br />
1 T. vanilla extract or <a href="https://www.fustinis.com/vinegars/balsamic-vinegars/vanilla/">vanilla bean balsamic vinegar </a><br />
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3 - 4 c. old-fashioned rolled oats<br />
1 c. oat flour<br />
3/4 c. ghee, melted [use coconut oil for vegan option]<br />
3/4 c. maple syrup<br />
2 T. cinnamon<br />
1 - 2 tsp. cardamom [to taste]<br />
1 tsp. sea salt<br />
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Place jars on a rimmed stainless steel baking pan and set aside.<br />
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In a medium saucepan, warm blueberries and apple juice. Cook over medium heat until just soft.<br />
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While blueberries cook, in a large glass bowl mix oats, oat flour, ghee, syrup, cinnamon, cardamom and salt. Taste and add more of any ingredient if needed.<br />
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Remove blueberry mixture from heat and add vanilla extract. Fill each jar half way with blueberry mix and top with a couple whole berries. Fill remaining space in jar with oat mixture leaving a little space at the top of the jar.<br />
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Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until berry mixture is bubbling and oat topping beginning to brown.<br />
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Remove from heat and allow to cool. If freezing, cool completely, place entire baking sheet in freezer and leave until completely frozen. Secure a lid AFTER completely frozen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-85204967423067756832017-10-01T15:20:00.003-07:002017-10-01T15:20:47.134-07:00KITCHARI SOUP FOR COLD + FLU SEASON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSofu9LjjVMU9xrAzbgE-V11MjmBtr3vn3oIENRIi7B4oR4s7wIuoCkeKYgRgzagp9OIj8x1HrTC6jqDNZ5_9BZWhwGAhO-ovx9Q0OhL1lUlL2NlZhvGikk7m1Jaxk3IJ7VbsnO-NZwWNY/s1600/DSC_8486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSofu9LjjVMU9xrAzbgE-V11MjmBtr3vn3oIENRIi7B4oR4s7wIuoCkeKYgRgzagp9OIj8x1HrTC6jqDNZ5_9BZWhwGAhO-ovx9Q0OhL1lUlL2NlZhvGikk7m1Jaxk3IJ7VbsnO-NZwWNY/s640/DSC_8486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Colds seem to have hit many I know as school starts, weather fluctuates and allergens fly. This soup is a favorite of mine. Really easy, adaptable and a wonderfully nourishing meal in times of illness, pregnancy-related nausea and anytime a warm cup 'o something sounds really grand.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
<br />
1/4 c. ghee<br />
1 T. sea salt [more as desired]<br />
1 c. chopped maitake mushrooms [or mushroom of choice]<br />
1 T. ginger, minced very fine<br />
1 c. chopped leeks or onions<br />
1 c. celery root [optional]<br />
1 1/2 c. sweet potatoes and/or carrots<br />
1 1/2 c. potatoes [red or yellow skinned]<br />
2 c. garbanzo beans<br />
2 c. basmati rice<br />
4 c. chicken or vegetable broth<br />
4 - 6 c. water<br />
1 - 2 c. peas [depending on preference]<br />
<br />
Warm ghee over medium heat in large soup pot. Add mushrooms, onions [if using] and ginger. Saute until mushrooms are golden brown [5 - 8 minutes] stirring frequently. Add leeks [if using in place of onions] and celery root. Saute an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.<br />
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Add sweet potatoes, carrots, potatoes, garbanzo beans, rice and salt to pot and mix well.<br />
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Pour in broth and 6 cups water. Bring liquid to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low or at a temperature that will maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 40 - 45 minutes. Check at the halfway point and add more water if mixture seems too thick.<br />
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With about 5 - 10 minutes remaining of cooking time, add peas and continue to simmer.<br />
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Remove from heat, add salt as desired, and serve!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-63734184016847638862017-06-25T19:13:00.000-07:002017-06-25T19:13:42.824-07:00PEPPERMINT PATTIES with coconut butter filling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_usRisxAF7YzQa-RxxfS7YYiFv_Q6s8vYXWW3qqOCQf-tttKPxo16iZ8vwQ-B4_neBronLbea65nL8nhli85bPG0DRU8Gtp4GiHY0J3barLwdXs5j13ekCEsAECCfQkex50ZqErSWMmqq/s1600/DSC_7548_USE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_usRisxAF7YzQa-RxxfS7YYiFv_Q6s8vYXWW3qqOCQf-tttKPxo16iZ8vwQ-B4_neBronLbea65nL8nhli85bPG0DRU8Gtp4GiHY0J3barLwdXs5j13ekCEsAECCfQkex50ZqErSWMmqq/s640/DSC_7548_USE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For my birthday this past year I found a little green bowl of seed butter-stuffed chocolates in my refrigerator placed there by someone who knows my affinity for both chocolate and homemade gifts. When I asked for the recipe, it was provided in about three sentences. Three sentences, two ingredients! You can fancy it up by drizzling extra chocolate on top, play with the filling, or make as is. I've brought this as dessert and without fail, the crowd is pleased. This recipe is truly the creativity of my friend Kim with me making only a few adjustments to the filling. Have no fear, I'll thank her profusely on your behalf.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3amJIOCNX2DCRL0sho2w90WTJ2jMN8i64Ed7HeBRNDg05auFEkfHSWq3RhYtsx1vF-OBMcZX5qNAGh9lDCpbqtDDMxigh-U5UnX4QiQ8BJCHnBERxiI5m1xa5Ga-iPOPLsnKY_bDHc40/s1600/DSC_8020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3amJIOCNX2DCRL0sho2w90WTJ2jMN8i64Ed7HeBRNDg05auFEkfHSWq3RhYtsx1vF-OBMcZX5qNAGh9lDCpbqtDDMxigh-U5UnX4QiQ8BJCHnBERxiI5m1xa5Ga-iPOPLsnKY_bDHc40/s640/DSC_8020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
<br />
1 bag <a href="https://www.vitacost.com/enjoy-life-semi-sweet-chocolate-mini-chips-10-oz-3">Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips</a><br />
1 bag <a href="https://www.vitacost.com/enjoy-life-morsels-regular-sized-dark-chocolate">Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips</a><br />
1 cup <a href="https://www.vitacost.com/artisana-organics-coconut-butter">coconut butter</a><br />
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut [optional]<br />
1/2 - 1 cup maple syrup [to taste, begin with 1/2 cup and add as needed to get a nice, sweet filling]<br />
2 - 3 teaspoons <a href="https://www.vitacost.com/frontier-co-op-organic-peppermint-flavor-non-alcoholic">food grade peppermint oil/flavor</a> [more or less to taste]<br />
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2 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=silicone+jello+mold&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asilicone+jello+mold">silicone molds</a><br />
1 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=silicone+food+brush">food brush</a><br />
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Place chocolate in medium sauce pan and melt over low heat, stirring occasionally.<br />
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While chocolate is melting, place coconut butter and maple syrup in a small sauce pan and soften over medium-low heat until smooth and well combined, stirring frequently. Add shredded coconut if using and peppermint oil and mix well. Taste and add additional maple syrup and peppermint oil as needed. Set aside.<br />
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Once the chocolate is melted remove from heat. Using the food brush, brush the silicone molds with a relatively thick layer of chocolate [1/8" or so]. Place mold in freezer for about 5 - 7 minutes to harden chocolate.<br />
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When hard, remove from freezer. Add a dollop of the coconut butter mixture to each indent [see picture above]. Top with melted chocolate so that the indent is filled to the top [see above photo].<br />
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Place mold back in freezer for 20 minutes or so to harden. Remove from freezer and test one. If chocolate cracks freeze for a bit longer. Once solid, remove all chocolates from mold and serve or store in refrigerator.<br />
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Product links above are through Vitacost and Thrive Market. <a href="https://goo.gl/tOHnfh">Click here for $5 off your first order</a> or <a href="http://thrv.me/R648TB">here for 15% off your first order</a>.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-84571530221170040472017-06-10T10:57:00.000-07:002017-06-10T11:05:22.603-07:00BLISSFUL MAMA TEA BLEND with rosebuds and vanilla bean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj1L5LskEp-7lGjOJ9wCNTxJISrqlqmy5f2WKWfv_I5kY_jXTb4VxFYoTZz324mysG8TU43XRt0ryDGBzdymCxoumPsqlep3N4kPCOoAhvojD00TcsNhcOv_7IZE0vXHB1P2an6Zcud0j/s1600/DSC_8035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj1L5LskEp-7lGjOJ9wCNTxJISrqlqmy5f2WKWfv_I5kY_jXTb4VxFYoTZz324mysG8TU43XRt0ryDGBzdymCxoumPsqlep3N4kPCOoAhvojD00TcsNhcOv_7IZE0vXHB1P2an6Zcud0j/s640/DSC_8035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">This past week my oldest daughter and I went on a date and ultimately found ourselves sipping suntea from </span><a href="https://www.globalinfusion.net/" style="text-align: center;">our very favorite tea shop</a><span style="text-align: center;">. Normally it's a no brainer for me - order the chai. Always. But this particular day was warm and sunny with a clear blue sky overhead. Sun tea sounded fantastic. So we ordered and headed outside to collect our share of vitamin D. </span><br />
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This little outing launched us into some serious at-home sun tea making.<br />
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The blend below is fantastic for the nervous system as the base of the tea is built with herbs specifically known as nervine tonics. Fantastic for times of stress and anxiety, not only are the herbs helpful but the act of sitting down and enjoying a glass of tea [hot or cold] is a way of encouraging relaxation. Raspberry leaf is considered an important herb for women's reproductive health and is high in vitamins and minerals. Rose, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon have their own specific benefits while finding common ground in instilling a sense of well-being. <br />
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<i><b>A note about parts:</b> </i>measuring in "parts" [also called the "Simpler's Method" is an easy way to combine herbs without needing to be super specific. The trick is to keep the part measurement consistent throughout the recipe. For example, if one part equals 1 tablespoon then 2 parts would be equivalent to 2 tablespoons, 1/2 part would be 1/2 tablespoon and on and on. You can measure parts in cups, spoonfuls, by weight, etc.<br />
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For ingredients check out <a href="https://www.globalinfusion.net/">Global Infusion</a>, <a href="https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/">Mountain Rose Herbs</a> and <a href="https://www.bulkherbstore.com/">Bulk Herb Store</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55NQDD3LtMlxwLDhB0EWx0VIy_4CJgMV40sPdnEqi9NPTA9Ry35aXqsuV0l2JUsOnhmgjrnXzmojimbFJQ1uQsMO0aIGQ8OBlPNEOXkLcexO8jxrYe-5zyKAPlR0gxjSLLX7Vl5I6W1PW/s1600/DSC_8038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55NQDD3LtMlxwLDhB0EWx0VIy_4CJgMV40sPdnEqi9NPTA9Ry35aXqsuV0l2JUsOnhmgjrnXzmojimbFJQ1uQsMO0aIGQ8OBlPNEOXkLcexO8jxrYe-5zyKAPlR0gxjSLLX7Vl5I6W1PW/s640/DSC_8038.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Inspired by recipe in Mary Janes Farm Magazine / Apr-May 2014 Issue / p. 18</i></span><br />
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2 parts skullcap leaf<br />
2 parts oat tops<br />
1 part raspberry leaf<br />
1 part rosebuds<br />
1/2 part vanilla beans<br />
1/4 part rosehips<br />
1/4 part whole cardamom pods<br />
1/4 part cinnamon chips<br />
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Combine all herbs in a medium size glass bowl or quart-size Ball jar with lid. Mix or shake and either make into tea bags or store in cool, dark location using as desired.<br />
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<b><i>For Sun Tea:</i></b> place 1 tablespoon of tea mixture into a reusable cotton tea bag or compostable tea bag. Place in a quart size Ball jar and cover with water to about 1/2-inch from top of jar. Put jar in a protected, sunny spot outside and let steep in sun for 6 - 8 hours. Remove herbs and store tea in refrigerator. Add ice and honey or maple syrup as desired.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-70678770732973671832017-06-07T16:32:00.000-07:002017-06-07T16:32:24.702-07:00BLANCHED ASPARAGUS with crunchy garlic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjjDImLmuiTKVCpsZ-JiN-o4Qmzsf2XhCjWoMXC0fjdwff_aQO9cU624pD7__hjrQdvjAkuhybfPkSnoKPZ6Z-YwTUgLY1H_3lxjARfG7yjWMgVz3RB7RBKPaRLhqTD6NrHAGxzWMEqBw/s1600/DSC_8000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjjDImLmuiTKVCpsZ-JiN-o4Qmzsf2XhCjWoMXC0fjdwff_aQO9cU624pD7__hjrQdvjAkuhybfPkSnoKPZ6Z-YwTUgLY1H_3lxjARfG7yjWMgVz3RB7RBKPaRLhqTD6NrHAGxzWMEqBw/s640/DSC_8000.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
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1 bunch of asparagus<br />
3 cloves of garlic<br />
2 - 3 tablespoons of olive oil [ghee or avocado oil]<br />
sea salt to taste<br />
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Peel garlic cloves and roughly mince. Place oil and garlic in a small saucepan and warm over low to medium-low heat. Stir occasionally. Cook until garlic is a golden brown color.<br />
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Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to boil. Slice asparagus on a diagonal. Once water is boiling add asparagus and simmer for about 90 seconds. Asparagus should be bright green and just tender with still a bit of crunch. Remove from heat and drain water immediately. Run asparagus under cold water for 30 seconds or so to help stop cooking process. Place asparagus in a bowl.<br />
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Drizzle garlic and oil over asparagus. Sprinkle with sea salt to taste.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-51716976732790429462017-06-07T16:26:00.000-07:002017-06-07T16:26:22.791-07:00MASHED SWEET POTATOES with ghee and sea salt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt3Kk7mQuceychPbx6bof-TJ_uYCrt-jUrE4t-YImouemou4hHWIcVOWJTz_d_PU5dNzLgDY8IT2LunX_xGXn68C9v-dthSPv8hpQqi49ZheReGq9Xe9AbP7cCWvnw7CUfaR3TvicKUez/s1600/DSC_7994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt3Kk7mQuceychPbx6bof-TJ_uYCrt-jUrE4t-YImouemou4hHWIcVOWJTz_d_PU5dNzLgDY8IT2LunX_xGXn68C9v-dthSPv8hpQqi49ZheReGq9Xe9AbP7cCWvnw7CUfaR3TvicKUez/s640/DSC_7994.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
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3 large sweet potatoes<br />
3 - 5 medium Yukon or Idaho potatoes<br />
4 - 6 tablespoons of ghee or butter [can use broth and olive oil if vegan]<br />
sea salt to taste<br />
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Wash and peel potatoes. Cut into 1-inch chunks and place in medium-large pot. Cover with water so that there is about an inch of water over the potato line. Add a pinch or two of sea salt and bring water to boil. Reduce heat just enough so a strong simmer in maintained and cook until potatoes are soft when poked with a fork. Remove from heat.<br />
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Strain water [I like to use a lid to keep potatoes in and pour water out]. Add ghee or butter [start with 4 tablespoons and work up] to potatoes and a few generous pinches of sea salt. Whip with beaters until very smooth. Taste and add salt and ghee as needed.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-15027560559978789232017-05-14T14:59:00.001-07:002017-05-14T15:06:30.297-07:00TO THE MOTHER WHO CONNECTS US ALL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9anNqopjfQdZmdvFtqVQBlS4yiWC4qjqFofApb_5IekuCDQW_R4_QzdUoPvNW0wbl2jZMZssLgojCsL-Vuf3rmecfcqIBtkuQ_fL9LmBiE4VigJazQArYif-UuU9pwv6ebr2LYU_q1V5/s1600/pexels-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9anNqopjfQdZmdvFtqVQBlS4yiWC4qjqFofApb_5IekuCDQW_R4_QzdUoPvNW0wbl2jZMZssLgojCsL-Vuf3rmecfcqIBtkuQ_fL9LmBiE4VigJazQArYif-UuU9pwv6ebr2LYU_q1V5/s640/pexels-photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">OUR MOTHER EARTH</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">by Shweta Banerjee</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I walk across the earth,</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">thousands of things I get to see.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Birds fly high, soaring higher,</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and on the flowers I hear the buzz of bees.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sun at the dawn, rises within the hills.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mountains covered with snow,</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shining like the crown of silver. </span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the waves touching the cliffs.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The waterfall flowing down</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the green-blue mountains.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rivers forming a dream delta </span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">before entering the sea.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And while walking on the beach at night,</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel the cool and sweet smelling breeze.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The slashing sound still feels like</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the sound of love and peace.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The moon over the sea,</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shining like a ball of gold.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And in every step my eyes hold wonder.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I bend on my knee</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to thank the mother earth,</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And is the truth.</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it's a great pleasure for me,</span><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to live in this wonderland.</span><br style="font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br style="font-family: Nunito, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "nunito" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Poem Source: </span><a href="https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-mother-earth-wonderland" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/our-mother-earth-wonderland</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Photo Source: <a href="http://pexels.com/">pexels.com</a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-10505576220575571322017-05-03T07:08:00.000-07:002017-05-03T07:16:36.216-07:00SPRING GREEN-ING SMOOTHIE with kale, pineapple, banana and parsley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhvkVyhHIhuOT4ecrdxIrxldSY5EWI95Vy3hoHihGer16ezZJI0R0EHfrGZa6GXzaeSsHx8sK_qX-reuqWfT-1kO61SCe74Lay-HH1vQXxTvnzX5CXayNRuG9OSYbJaIAWFO17RMOlNmR/s1600/DSC_7592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhvkVyhHIhuOT4ecrdxIrxldSY5EWI95Vy3hoHihGer16ezZJI0R0EHfrGZa6GXzaeSsHx8sK_qX-reuqWfT-1kO61SCe74Lay-HH1vQXxTvnzX5CXayNRuG9OSYbJaIAWFO17RMOlNmR/s640/DSC_7592.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Spring kicks me into smoothie mode. All winter I roast fruit and blend into warm concoctions but spring allows me to transform this routine into something a little less planned out, a little more random and a lot more green. Make this recipe as shown below and then begin to experiment. Add what you like, change up the fruit or juices, maybe throw in a few add-ins or test out some herbs. Maybe, just maybe, summon the courage to forage your yard for a dandelion leaf or two or saddle up the gloves and hunt down some nettle [FYI - blending well removes the sting].<br />
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Take your smoothie outside, enjoy the sunrise and toast to a new day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7J7qnde-nQ4Jh2ryd3ogV3X39rjAvQRkVotDmFvVvKgMULuhVfkf6TEIBDGMEf7EXG9Yb5g4UyjElpbHz9EiKwD88wyK_c7A-3XcMCLogyZ1kcLkmelgWiiyJmoU7kjExO5_nbIXrV0J/s1600/DSC_7579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7J7qnde-nQ4Jh2ryd3ogV3X39rjAvQRkVotDmFvVvKgMULuhVfkf6TEIBDGMEf7EXG9Yb5g4UyjElpbHz9EiKwD88wyK_c7A-3XcMCLogyZ1kcLkmelgWiiyJmoU7kjExO5_nbIXrV0J/s640/DSC_7579.jpg" width="640" /></a><b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Makes two 8 - 10 ounce servings</span></i><br />
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<i>Note: using frozen fruit will give you a more common thick, frozen consistency whereas using fresh, room temperature fruit will allow for a gentle temperature but be more juice-like in texture. Adding avocado will thicken the consistency if that is desired.</i><br />
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1 cup frozen or fresh pineapple<br />
1 banana, sliced frozen or fresh [optional]<br />
1 large handful of chopped kale leaves or roughly 2 cups loose packed<br />
1 tablespoon sunflower seed butter or nut butter of choice<br />
1 1/2 cups milk of choice [dairy or dairy-free works here - I love tigernut milk and rice milk as both are lighter and more mild in taste]<br />
1/2 - 2/3 cup pineapple juice [start with 1/2 cup and add more as desired to increase sweetness]<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #444444;">Optional Add-Ins / Substitutions:</span></i></b><br />
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1/2 cup fresh parsley<br />
1/2 avocado<br />
1 teaspoon maca powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon bee pollen granules<br />
1/4 teaspoon spirulina or chlorella powder<br />
1 teapsoon chia seeds<br />
1/8 - 1/4 cup hemp seeds<br />
Sub one pear and pear juice for the pineapple<br />
Sub chard for the kale<br />
Small amount of fresh dandelion leaves<br />
1/2 cup of strong brewed herbal tea<br />
Small chunk of ginger and/or turmeric<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaANwtjdZynzWvOv_L5g9kBaoom19l2fX82vzNt-rDPIGBZDRD5IEfaW4dbUzmarH_7FKBVLPpxqRXhfylNfx9Om-AuCv7hBrMQGks0IlZEWCoPKfrWf3ZZ51IRv27-pa-W4nbKQo4Ft40/s1600/COMBO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaANwtjdZynzWvOv_L5g9kBaoom19l2fX82vzNt-rDPIGBZDRD5IEfaW4dbUzmarH_7FKBVLPpxqRXhfylNfx9Om-AuCv7hBrMQGks0IlZEWCoPKfrWf3ZZ51IRv27-pa-W4nbKQo4Ft40/s640/COMBO.jpg" width="640" /></a>Place all ingredients in high-powered blender and blend on high until very smooth and bright green. Taste and adjust as needed [add more fruit to thicken, more juice to sweeten, more milk to decrease sweetness].<br />
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Serve immediately. I've found this particular smoothie stores well in the refrigerator for at least a day more. Shake and enjoy again.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-801240053266694552017-05-03T06:36:00.001-07:002017-05-03T06:36:19.063-07:00CARROT SALAD with garbanzos and chili-lime dressing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH71xepF17q0nAeTAqDOC8kcGuCkv6ENQEN9R_QrbZMro1UYPLc87yzrz16MbMMmRDozXLz1fE2gGujEgiYtxWl916MwaCYavheoQNz2LhKgds7tBP0hzneYFCTu4Kv490lZkQ3x3irD_B/s1600/DSC_7537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH71xepF17q0nAeTAqDOC8kcGuCkv6ENQEN9R_QrbZMro1UYPLc87yzrz16MbMMmRDozXLz1fE2gGujEgiYtxWl916MwaCYavheoQNz2LhKgds7tBP0hzneYFCTu4Kv490lZkQ3x3irD_B/s640/DSC_7537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a recipe born out of my desire to enjoy one of my favorite restaurant's salads at leisure. I find it to be a great spring go-to. Light and fresh yet maintaining a certain kind of density that is satisfying without dropping like a boulder in the gut. The best part? It get's better with age. Make the full batch as shown below and enjoy all week. Play with different ways to garnish and test a few base grains. Take it outside, sit in the grass and soak up all the earth has to offer.<span id="goog_869193630"></span><br />
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May spring fill you with random creativity and the feeling of being fully alive.<br />
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Peace.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
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20 medium to large carrots, peeled and thin-sliced at a diagonal<br />
15-ounce can of garbanzo beans [I love Eden brand] or 2 cups homemade<br />
1/2 red onion, cut in half and finely sliced<br />
6 radishes, cut in half and finely sliced<br />
1 heaping tablespoon ghee or avocado oil<br />
sea salt<br />
ground pepper<br />
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Bring to boil a medium size pot of water. Add sliced carrots and blanch for two minutes. Eliminate heat, pour carrots into a strainer over sink, and rinse with very cold water. Let sit for 5 - 10 minutes to allow water to fully drain.<br />
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Meanwhile, dump garbanzo beans into a fine mesh strainer and rinse well with cold water over sink. Shake to remove any remaining water. Heat 1 heaping tablespoon of ghee or avocado oil in a large skillet or frying pan. When hot but not smoking, carefully add garbanzo beans and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Shake pan frequently to stir. Sauté for 3 - 5 minutes or until beans just begin to show golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool in pan for a few minutes.<br />
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Place carrots, sautéed beans, onion, and radishes. Gently mix with wooden spoon. Add half of the dressing and stir until dressing thoroughly coats the vegetables. Taste and add more dressing as needed.<br />
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For best results, make a day in advance and refrigerate over night. Serve room temperature over a bed of rice or quinoa and garnish with toasted almonds, fresh cilantro or parsley, avocado, and remaining dressing.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #444444;">For the Dressing:</span></i></b><br />
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1/4 cup maple syrup [more to taste]<br />
juice of 4 limes<br />
2 - 3 teaspoons of chili powder<br />
1 teaspoon cumin powder<br />
1 teaspoon garlic, minced<br />
salt, to taste [start with 1/2 teaspoon and add as needed]<br />
ground pepper, to taste<br />
1 loosely packed cup fresh cilantro leaves<br />
3/4 - 1 cup avocado oil or olive oil<br />
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Place all ingredients <u><i>except</i></u> oil and cilantro in a blender or medium size glass jar with tight fitting lid. Blend on low-medium to combine or shake well for 1 - 2 minutes. If using blender, turn on low and slowly drizzle oil into blender container until dressing begins to thicken. Dressing consistency should be more than watery yet not thick. Add cilantro and blend on medium-low to combine. Cilantro should look like small flakes. If your using a glass jar, add oil and shake for 2 minutes until dressing thickens. Add finely chopped cilantro and shake once more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-16068025138526666352017-03-31T04:00:00.000-07:002017-04-09T19:08:05.642-07:00WHAT IS YOGA?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4lJRQ0LW8LEUPAcBV1rrrDL0QaAfyCHaRYtfBRKn-ZtNybSV9khFZ_zfhm2vw3eJDLeNOAJ9e8ODC50fcqEgCxx6ZQofogLHOhqp03lU93rDV5Txqvei5zB34LSVkixgNG1uhr7DkHGR/s1600/yoga-2238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4lJRQ0LW8LEUPAcBV1rrrDL0QaAfyCHaRYtfBRKn-ZtNybSV9khFZ_zfhm2vw3eJDLeNOAJ9e8ODC50fcqEgCxx6ZQofogLHOhqp03lU93rDV5Txqvei5zB34LSVkixgNG1uhr7DkHGR/s640/yoga-2238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first time I practiced yoga I was scared. </div>
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Not that I wouldn’t be able to do the poses, although the thought did enter my mind. Not that I wouldn’t understand the teacher or the rather certain possibility I’d collapse embarrassingly mid-class, although these concerns hovered nearby. </div>
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None of these held up to my spiritual fear. I was scared because the religious system in which I was raised had conditioned me to be afraid of most things outside of the system. </div>
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Hippies, hell, emotions and desires, punishment, failure, perfection, imperfection, wrath, “pagan” religions and people, strong women, questions, doubts, tardiness, sin, being too happy, being too sad. </div>
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The list was long. </div>
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Some of it was subtle, some quite blatant, none of it directly intentional I don’t think. Even still, fear was the foundation of my faith. </div>
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<i>[Note: I speak of fear here as it applies to a common held posture towards yoga but want to be sure it is understood that I received many beautiful gifts from this religious tradition as well. One of them being the notion of resurrection. The understanding that no matter how difficult life may seem, light will emerge. Transformation patiently waits.] </i></div>
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So there I was, on my mat, afraid of eternal damnation. Convinced more likely than not I’d be struck down on the spot. </div>
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But for some reason I didn’t run, although I did send out desperate internal prayers. I remained anchored in place, certain that beyond the fear something was waiting. </div>
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What blossomed from that point was the beginning of a journey. One swollen with hope, faith, beauty, gratitude, challenge, forgiveness, grief, peace and the embrace of infinite love. </div>
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Over time something began to unfold. A picture emerged, one that seamlessly brought together the person I claimed to follow with the practices and philosophies that cultivated understanding and revelation. I quickly realized I had to give up nothing in order to embrace yoga. I simply had to extend my arms wide. </div>
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Slowly I recaptured an innocent belief I carried within me, planted in childhood - that Holy is everywhere, Divine in all things. </div>
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With this came an immense freedom to fully experience life. All of it. The beauty, the pain, the different and uncomfortable. I was given permission to dive headfirst into curiosity while provided boundaries to keep me connected to this place of unalterable grace and peace. I call it soul peace. </div>
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It’s through this experience, and all the ones leading to this point, that I offer this: a holistic picture of yoga. </div>
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If you’re curious about yoga but hesitant, wonder if you’ve been misinformed, or find yourself in a similar place as I was - fearful but drawn - my hope is that the information found here offers you a foundation from which to move forward. Know that fear does not necessarily mean something is bad or wrong. We all have our biases whether we choose to acknowledge them or not. Part of our work is to recognize those biases or fears accumulated through experience or passed on to us in childhood and ask: “Does what I’m fearful of have the possibility of making me a more loving, kind, compassionate human being?” / “Can I see that change in those around me?” / “Is this my fear or one I’ve been given to carry?” / “Whose voice is this?” / “Am I afraid because it’s different?” / “Have I been allowed to be curious?”</div>
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In Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, there is this word “Namaste”. <b>Namaste</b> has a number of similar translation variations all essentially meaning “The Light in me sees and honors the Light in you.” It’s a beautiful way of acknowledging the sacred, beauty, goodness and Divine in each of us. At its most basic it is a way of acknowledging a universal equality and peace. </div>
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<i><b>Namaste, friends.</b></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[WHAT IS YOGA?]</span></b></div>
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<b>Yoga</b>, from the root word “yuj” [pronounced “yug”], means to yoke, to bind, or be in union with the sacred [or God if that is familiar to you]. Similarly, the Hebrew scriptures use the word “yada” which is translated as “to be intimately joined to the sacred”. </div>
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Yoga is a system or philosophy, not of beliefs, but of disciplines and guidance for enriched living that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. It offers a universal framework for spiritual growth and techniques for quieting cravings of the body and chatter of the mind. </div>
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Yoga is best understood as a compliment to any religion rather than a religion itself as the practice of yogic living aids in deepening whatever healthy religious beliefs may already be held and encourages the release of those that are not. I liken it to a hand extended - one that connects the practices, rituals and beliefs you hold dear - and draws you further into a depth of understanding. For example, the Eight Limbs of Yoga, created from the Yoga Sutras [see next paragraph for explanation], can aid in a further understanding of both the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes as these essential disciplines or codes of ethics include non-violence [ahimsa], truthfulness [satya], contentment [santosha], and self-study [swadhyaya]. While the commandments provide concrete boundaries the Eight Limbs of Yoga and Yoga Sutras offer insight into the why and how. In this way, the goal of yoga is not conversion to any one religion but expanded awareness and vibrant wellbeing, ultimately connecting us to the common goodness [Divine or God] that resides within. </div>
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The <b>Yoga Sutras</b>, considered the classical text of yoga, were written around 200 BC by Patajanli who was revered as a great prophet in the yogic tradition. The Sutras are thought to hold the essence of yoga compiled into written form. The <b>Eight Limbs of Yoga</b> are based on the second chapter of the Yoga Sutras and offer tools to build character through discipline in order to gain an expanded awareness and ultimately cultivate wisdom both personally as well as communally.</div>
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<b>Asana</b>, the physical practice of posture or position, is a facet [or limb] of yoga. There is great emphasis on connecting the mind, body, breath and spirit [soul or heart]. The practice of yoga asana has been embraced in the West as a form of exercise but was originally intended to open, release or prepare the body and mind for meditation as well as build discipline and commitment in one's life. </div>
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<b>Meditation</b> [also a facet or limb of yoga] is “single-pointed focus” and occurs when the mind sustains extended attention on whatever single-point it is focusing on. That being said, you can’t “do” meditation rather it is a state of being that happens to you. Meditation takes discipline, persistence and great patience. The meditator’s role is to set up the conditions necessary for meditation and then surrender to whatever state of being may arise. Meditation is such a state of focus on one point, idea, thing or presence that the barriers between the point of focus and meditator dissolve and there remains no difference between the two. In other words, the meditator merges completely with the point of focus. The Bible talks about this when it speaks of meditating without ceasing. Ultimately, the aim is to become one with God and then live out of this union. </div>
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Meditation and mindfulness are often used interchangeably even though there are distinct differences. <b>Mindfulness</b> is the practice of living in the present moment with awareness, attuned to all of the physical sensations that arise. It cultivates a “be here now” mentality. I like to think of mindfulness as a stepping stone towards meditation. </div>
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Frequently, <b>Pranayama</b> or breath control, is used to aid or invite a meditative state. “Prana” is life force energy and “Ayama” means extension or expansion. Thus pranayama is to extend or expand our life force energy. The life force energy that resides within us is directly related to our breath. Because there is such a strong relationship between the two we can effect the movement of this life force energy by regulating our breath in specific ways. A very basic example of this is by drawing the breath into your middle back and allowing the oxygen to expand there, you multiply the life energy within your lungs. Gentle repetition of this action can increase the oxygen in your body which affects alertness and clarity of mind. There are a variety of pranayama techniques, each designed to have a specific effect and ranging from basic to very advanced. That being said, pranayama is powerful and shouldn’t be practiced in ignorance and without an experienced guide. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[WHY THE FEAR THEN?]</span></b></div>
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There is a common-held belief in some religious systems that in practicing yoga you engage in worship of Buddha or Hindu gods. I think this misunderstanding arises for a few reasons. </div>
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First, there is the assumption that Yoga is synonymous with Hinduism or Buddhism. The earliest yogi-like pictograph is thought to date around 3000 BC and is linked to the Indus Valley civilization. Hinduism is thought to have been formally recognized around 2000 BC and Buddhism much later, 563 BC. The Hindu scriptures [or Vedas] include the word “yoga” but refrain from expanding on a particular practice. As is true of history, era builds upon era and beliefs and systems either evolve or are left behind. All religions and spiritual practices are a product [whether reactionary or growth] of this movement in time and all are connected by history. The people of India have protected the tradition of yoga within their heritage but do not hold it with tight-fisted ownership. They have guarded it as sacred thru the generations and generously gift it to us all. </div>
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Secondly, us Westerners can be quick to package up all things Eastern in one big box. Many of us are familiar with the Moses-Aaron-Golden Calf story [we’ve seen the movie] and shudder at any mention of idol. So the many gods of Hinduism [and the various sized statues of said gods] make us, to put it mildly, nervous. Here’s the thing - Hinduism fairly quickly evolved from a belief in many gods to an understanding of one God. One creative force or energy behind all we experience as reality. The multiple gods are various representations or imagery of the limitless characteristics of this one God. For example, Ganesha [the representation of wisdom, strength, and the remover of obstacles] is a symbolic image of the aspect of God that makes way for expansion and growth. It's easy to agree that the infinite nature of God is hard to grasp with a human mind and every culture, tradition and religion has created ways to better understand the complex mystery of the Divine. It's important to note that our misunderstanding of yoga may be directly connected to our misunderstanding of the Hindu faith, Buddhist tradition, and Eastern culture as a whole. Eastern thought is much less literal and far more metaphorical than Western thought. Thus, it is easy for misinterpretation to arise and take root. </div>
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Third is quite basic. Fear keeps us in. I’m not talking about bear-chasing-you-run-for-your-<wbr></wbr>life-fear. I’m talking about the sort of fear that keeps us from growing, discovering, and curiosity. The fear that keeps us tamed - fenced and controllable. Fear is powerful, especially when used on people already frightened. Often we don’t even know what we’re scared of, we’re just told to be afraid. I’ve found yoga to be wonderfully inclusive and when something is built on exclusivity, inclusive is a threat. So fear is quickly employed. With fear comes manipulation [even if unintended], bias and the stretching of fact to fit and further the fear. It’s not a far leap to say we are a relatively anxious culture. Fear finds solace in sameness and is aggravated by different. When threatened, we tend to long for “home” - for something we understand. And so, as our culture tries to navigate this place of fear, many of us are desperately fleeing different and unknown for same and comfortable. </div>
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One of the invitations of yoga is the shedding of fear. When we lose the baggage, the voices, the weight we’re able to see with clarity, wisdom, and openness. But it takes courage. It takes a step away from same and towards different. This was demanded of every saint and every historical figure we admire. Each had a choice - build a wall or step into. Step toward. </div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>[WHAT’S WITH THE CHANTING?]</b></span></div>
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<b>Sanskrit</b> is thought to be the oldest known language, linked to roughly 4000 BC but some argue it dates much older. The Sanskrit language was created to systematically follow the natural progression of sound in the human mouth and, from a spiritual perspective, each sound represents a different aspect of creation. </div>
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<b>Mantras</b> were then created from these sounds. Just as a certain musical cord or song can illicit an emotional response, mantras were specifically designed to cultivate a state of being [ex. peace of mind or harmony]. As with every sound, there is a specific vibratory rhythm connected. If you hum “mmmmm”, for example, you’ll be able to sense these vibrations. Therefore, mantras provide a vibratory rhythm for the mind to become absorbed in - allowing for a stilling or calming of the mental chatter we so often endure. Ultimately, mantra is hearing with your whole body. </div>
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<b>Chanting</b> is the repetition of these mantras, although not restricted to the Sanskrit mantras. The point of chanting is to use the energy the vibrations of sound awaken in the body to generate a meditative mind. My experience with chanting is this: I quickly found comfort and ease on my yoga mat but chanting was something that continued to plague me with nervousness well into my yoga teacher training. One of the most beautiful gifts my teachers gave me was permission to go at my own pace and refrain as needed. It was a true testament to the heart of yoga - a tradition devoid of pressure and full of compassion. A tradition that urges the practitioner to find and listen to their voice within, acknowledge the fear and discomfort, and proceed when ready. As I began to understand the history of Sanskrit and reasons for chanting, I tiptoed forward working hard to keep an open heart and mind. Starting with OM I tested the waters. For awhile I was content to listen rather than participate. Over time, in the same way communal singing brings a sense of harmony, chanting cultivated in me a sense of community and peace. Whether it’s Sanskrit mantras, biblical scripture, sutras, quotes, poems or prayers - the continual repetition of meaningful, intentional, powerful words and sounds now envelope me like a Divine embrace. </div>
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<b>“OM”</b> [pronounced “Aauumm”] is the sound thought to hold and represent the universe - past, present, future and all that is beyond the constraints of time. It is considered the most sacred syllable in yoga and is universal in nature. When in deep meditation, some have said to hear the word “OM” reverberate within their being. In yoga, OM is sometimes used as a way of bringing together our communal voice of peace. Participation is always optional. </div>
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I've found yoga to be a tradition full of beautiful paradox. It’s relaxed, yet disciplined. Demands effort, invites ease. Encases the serious within a playful cloak. It breaks down walls and barriers, all-the-while building an infinite house. Yoga encourages us to show up with our whole selves - the goofy, weird, sad, angry, happy, hurt that lies within us all. It invites us to embrace what’s there and then sift. Like sand moving through a fine mesh strainer, the work of our yoga mat, meditation cushion, and the disciplines we uphold are there to clear out what causes us to stumble through life. We’re asked to release what keeps us imprisoned and entrenched, fully surrender to the process of refinement, and urged toward a place of greater understanding, humility and compassion. </div>
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Yoga encourages us in a life of curiosity. It illumines our perceived edges and dissolves theses boundaries so we can experience more - more of the physical posture or pose, more of meditation, more of our self, more of life, more of God. The other day I entered into a standing forward fold just prior to a class. It's the posture where you stand with your feet together or with a little space between the two and extend your chest forward as you fold down towards the floor. So often the backs of my legs begin to scream about midway down. I breathe into the discomfort but succumb to the belief that this must be my edge - the point at which I stop and hold. Through the discipline of practicing yoga, I've learned that if I release the first boundary I come to [usually mental disguised as physical], I incrementally go deeper into the pose. What awaits is this overwhelming combination of fear and peace. If I surrender my fear and trust peace to wash away the debris I can actually find my edge - the point at which my body wisdom asks me to stop. Yoga does this - it clears the clatter of the mind so we hear the voice of the soul. </div>
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Of course there is much left unsaid here as it takes years, a lifetime really, to grasp this deep tradition. That’s the beauty of yoga. There is no end point. No goal. Only the desire for greater connection to and love for ourselves, our planet, our fellow inhabitants, and the beautiful Infinite within it all [you may know this as God]. </div>
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It’s the journey that’s important. The journey that’s the gift. Settle in, release the goal. Release the expectations and destinations. That’s the essence of yoga and of resurrection really. You have to die many times over to your goals, expectations, desires, pride, fears and with humility accept the grace that has always been. In the surrender, peace awaits. </div>
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May you release fear and embrace understanding. </div>
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May you step towards what is different. </div>
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May you have courage to be curious. </div>
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May you ask, seek, knock. </div>
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Grace and beauty.</div>
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Hope and love.</div>
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Peace.</div>
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Peace. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">SOURCES:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">My experience with yoga and the information presented here continues to be influenced by the teachings, writings and work of</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://prairieyoga.org/">Lori Gaspar</a>, </span><a href="http://www.eogandcysyoga.com/cascade-yoga-studio.html" style="font-size: small;">Viki Distin</a><span style="font-size: small;">, <a href="http://www.prajnayoga.net/tias-little/">Tias Little</a>, <a href="http://www.sanskritsounds.com/nicolai-bachman/34/index.html">Nicolai Bachman</a>, </span><a href="https://www.capitalfitness.net/team-member/ellen-mckenzie" style="font-size: small;">Ellen McKenzie</a>, <a href="http://www.alimodell.com/" style="font-size: small;">Ali Modell</a>, <a href="https://www.yogananda-srf.org/" style="font-size: small;">Paramahansa Yogananda</a><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><a href="http://heartbeatjourney.org/j-p-newell/" style="font-size: small;">John Philip Newell</a><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><a href="http://merton.org/chrono.aspx" style="font-size: small;">Thomas Merton</a><span style="font-size: small;">, and </span><a href="https://kripalu.org/about/kripalu/staff/danna-faulds" style="font-size: small;">Danna Faulds</a><span style="font-size: small;"> along with a host of others not mentioned here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">Photo Credit</span></b>: earlbrown.info</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-62565657439063619452017-03-22T16:12:00.000-07:002017-03-29T18:06:39.783-07:00CARDAMOM + PEAR SMOOTHIE with vanilla, nutmeg, maca and ashwagandha root<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk4rhyBiSnFF4GV4ujPKD5lq4npHHOjon_s0rfMOdx2FjKpVGQj5c-n6XiCC_sxKdZq0i4vyNPMSqV615pspA2rr-UtK39AVDnX0RNSUl1ywKQ0GUQXeKZBBiE5P2H1CTkQDrEF4Ju1_2/s1600/DSC_7347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk4rhyBiSnFF4GV4ujPKD5lq4npHHOjon_s0rfMOdx2FjKpVGQj5c-n6XiCC_sxKdZq0i4vyNPMSqV615pspA2rr-UtK39AVDnX0RNSUl1ywKQ0GUQXeKZBBiE5P2H1CTkQDrEF4Ju1_2/s640/DSC_7347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
So. This recipe. It comes directly from my own need for an easy breakfast that would carry me through the morning as well as combat my vata-crazy in this seasonal shift. Something light but substantial. Easy to digest but filling. Something that wouldn't leave me feeling chilled inside and out. And something with cardamom. Because, well, I straight up love the stuff.<br />
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It's good friends. Really, really good.<br />
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Allow me a few notes about some of the lesser-known ingredients:<br />
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<b>Ashwagandha</b> root is a revered herb in Ayurveda medicine [ancient sister science to yoga] known as a tonic for longevity and vitality. Tonics are substances that stimulate energy [chi] in a beautifully balanced, sustainable way. It's specifically used where an imbalance of vata is found in the body [for example, feelings of cold or dryness, nervousness or anxiety]. I've found it to be helpful in deepening my sleep, allowing for more rest.<br />
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<b>Maca</b> is similar to ashwagandha and prized for its adaptogenic and nutritive [nourishing] properties. An adaptogen improves resistence to stress and supports an overall balance within the body.<br />
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<b>Lucuma</b>, made from the fruit of the lucuma tree, is known for both it's caramel-like taste as well as it's anti-inflammatory affect in wound healing. It provides 14 essential trace minerals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD5aYWOMw_VRHu5ZnrHkxQZD9F3ZJN0p8ZENLoeHnOofwcyjtepO7FSL4KheeUPnRmAlPY_JoBuzylEOu9fF7z6SMFe-HlD7aXJnR-o6eTCsoq-OrxaSmuK7PO_EsiM2GLgcfrEnKC-4W/s1600/DSC_7340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD5aYWOMw_VRHu5ZnrHkxQZD9F3ZJN0p8ZENLoeHnOofwcyjtepO7FSL4KheeUPnRmAlPY_JoBuzylEOu9fF7z6SMFe-HlD7aXJnR-o6eTCsoq-OrxaSmuK7PO_EsiM2GLgcfrEnKC-4W/s640/DSC_7340.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
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2 cups milk of choice [<a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2015/07/tigernut-panna-cotta-with-mixed-berry.html">Tigernut milk</a> is delicious! Scroll to bottom of link to find instructions for making your own.]<br />
1/2 cup stewed pears*<br />
4 dates, pitted and soaked**<br />
1 teaspoon ashwagandha root powder<br />
1 teaspoon maca powder<br />
1 teaspoon lucuma powder<br />
1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder<br />
1/2 vanilla bean [use both seeds and peel]<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*To make stewed pears: peel and cut two medium to large pears into small chunks. Place in a small saucepan, add 1/3 cup of water, pinch of sea salt and a drizzle of maple syrup [optional]. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and then reduce heat to medium-low or a soft simmer. Cook down to about one cup of mixture or until it reduces by half. Set aside to cool. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">**To soak dates: place dates in medium glass jar or bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 10 - 15 minutes. Either drink water or strain and save for other recipes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until very smooth. Smoothie with be more liquid than thick. If a thicker mixture is desired, add fresh or frozen chunks of bananas [note: this will cool the over all affect of the smoothie and is not </span>advisable<span style="font-family: inherit;"> during winter months or when vata dosha is prominent] or half an avocado. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>[BONUS RECIPE! CARDAMOM + PEAR SMOOTHIE CHIA PUDDING]</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Mix 2 cups of smoothie mixture with 4 tablespoons of chia seeds. Stir well, let stand for 10 minutes, and then stir again. Refrigerate for an hour or until mixture reaches pudding-like consistency. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-18651471445215556372017-02-05T14:36:00.001-08:002017-02-08T03:11:43.381-08:00WINTER "JUICE": STEAMED CARROT + APPLE[SAUCE] + GINGER + TURMERIC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NAJ3r_bOrYmKNFORDHUaNtYbTfdS9zC5YcRlS6zyriWGqc4-FAuabR1GohL6dN_v7oOej5UwgndN1GkAl2HrH8LfxIUbItsPyJq0DamCp90Ro-L9bnvX0hpSmy2kQ0L_liDxEzMzjspD/s1600/DSC_7279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NAJ3r_bOrYmKNFORDHUaNtYbTfdS9zC5YcRlS6zyriWGqc4-FAuabR1GohL6dN_v7oOej5UwgndN1GkAl2HrH8LfxIUbItsPyJq0DamCp90Ro-L9bnvX0hpSmy2kQ0L_liDxEzMzjspD/s640/DSC_7279.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's amusing to me that the most popular time for juicing is January when a host of people undertake "detoxing" and virtually zero fresh stuff grows. Call me crazy but raw fruits and vegetables don't sound good, especially concentrated in liquid form, when the temperatures dip below freezing. The habitual internal cold I commonly sport [and maladies that come with it] is only exasperated by frigid weather which means I take seriously the idea of warming in winter.<br />
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Cooking foods, using warming herbs [like ginger and cinnamon], and choosing produce specifically designed for the winter months [root veggies and winter squash] goes along way in maintaining a comfortable balance within. <br />
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That being said, I love carrot juice with ginger and apple. The blend of flavors, the spicy bite of ginger, the pretty color - everything about it makes me happy.<br />
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Yesterday I saw the sun. For the entire day. It's been, what's felt like months, since I've seen a sunrise, felt the warmth of rays, turned by body to meet its brightness. Yesterday I saw it and immediately dove head first into spring fever. In February. The beginning of February. Today brought me back to reality but the longing for spring still had me craving something juicy.<br />
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Sometimes when we sit with boundaries, challenge, and disappointment and allow rather than trying to alleviate the discomfort we generate space for creativity and truly tasty things can happen.<br />
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This is that happening, the gift of such allowing.<br />
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Similar to the juice I love yet cooked and warm with food kept in whole form, this "juice" is my winter sun. Well, a stand in at least.<br />
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Shine on, friends.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i>Serves 2</i></span><br />
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1 heaping cup of carrots cut into 1-inch chunks [peels on if organic]<br />
1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger [peel on if organic] <br />
1 1-inch piece of fresh turmeric [peel on if organic]<br />
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce<br />
1 teaspoon of Korma powder [see recipe below]<br />
3/4 teaspoon of ashwagandha powder [optional]<br />
juice from 1/2 a fresh lemon squeezed [about 1 tablespoon]<br />
2 cups of milk of choice [I love homemade <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2015/07/tigernut-panna-cotta-with-mixed-berry.html">Tigernut milk</a>, scroll to bottom of link for instructions]<br />
1 tablespoon of maple syrup or 4 - 6 pitted dates, soaked*<br />
ground cinnamon, garnish<br />
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*To soak dates: place dates in medium glass jar or bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 10 - 15 minutes. Reserve water to be used in recipe.<br />
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Steam carrots until just soft when you poke them with a fork. I recommend making a larger batch so that they are readily available throughout the week. I chopped and steamed eight carrots, measured one cups worth, and refrigerated the remaining in a glass container.<br />
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Place all ingredients in a high powered blender and blend until bright orange and very smooth. Divide between two glasses and garnish with a large pinch of ground cinnamon.<br />
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Drink smoothie slightly warm [if you've used freshly steamed carrots] or at room temperature.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;"><i>Korma Powder Recipe: </i></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">Recipe from <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Taste-Heal-Ayurvedic-Cookbook-Modern-Living/dp/0976917009/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486333541&sr=8-1&keywords=eat%2C+taste%2C+heal">Eat, Taste, Heal</a></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. whole coriander seeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. whole cumin seeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. whole fennel seeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. whole mustard seeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. whole fenugreek seeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. whole cardamom seeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. poppy seeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. whole pepper seeds</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. ground cinnamon</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. ground ginger</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 T. ground turmeric</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">1 tsp. ground cloves</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;"><br /></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #3f3822;">Place all Korma powder ingredients in a spice grinder or Vitamix dry container. Blend on high until a very fine powder is achieved. Transfer to an glass container with tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dark place.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-88192204158084728802017-02-04T11:15:00.000-08:002017-02-04T11:15:06.308-08:00VEGAN LENTIL AND BEAN SOUP with miso<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been cold for the last few days. Really cold. At least to me. I've found the best way to cure the cold is to warm from the inside out using food, beverage in the form of warming teas or ginger water, moxa [a Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy] and yoga. Soups are my friend these days and this, my latest creation. Allowing my body to lead, I follow my tongue when creating the recipes found here. May sound kooky but when it comes to needs, my body knows best.<br />
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A bit crazy to admit, this is my first foray into using miso and I'm hooked. A food I've wanted to try for quite sometime, this seemed like a great way to give it a go. Miso is a fermented soy bean paste with a strong salty flavor. As with most foods, the fermentation process increases digestibility thus making the nutrients contained within more available to our digestive process. It happens to be a fantastic substitute for meat-based broths.<br />
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I use here and am partial to <a href="https://www.edenfoods.com/store/">Eden Foods</a> for a few reasons: they are a company local to my state and have impressive environmental standards, have a great fermentation process, cans are free of BPA, and Eden is one of the only store-bought brands of beans I can digest without uncomfortable side effects. You can find this brand at your local health food store and possibly your general grocery store or through <a href="https://goo.gl/tOHnfh">Vitacost</a> [a discounted healthy food online ordering option - sign up using <a href="https://goo.gl/tOHnfh">this link</a> and you'll receive $10 off your first order].<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>[THE RECIPE]</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span>
Soak the lentils the night before by placing measured lentils in a glass bowl. Cover the lentils with water so that the liquid rises about an inch over the lentils. Add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar. Cover with a lid or a plate and let soak over night or for 8 hours. After 8 hours, drain lentils and rinse well. Set aside.<br />
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Prepare vegetables [carrots, celery, mushrooms, ginger, garlic, onions, and turmeric] by chopping and mincing prior to making the soup.<br />
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3 cups chopped carrots [4 - 6 whole]<br />
3 cups chopped celery [1 small bunch]<br />
1 cup finely chopped shitake mushrooms<br />
1 medium - large onion, finely chopped<br />
4 - 6 garlic cloves, minced<br />
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced<br />
1 tablespoon fresh turmeric, minced<br />
3 - 4 tablespoons avocado oil<br />
1 tablespoon each: dried thyme and oregano, ground cumin and coriander, Herbamore [optional]<br />
2 - 4 teaspoons of sea salt<br />
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper<br />
1 whole bay leaf<br />
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes [no added salt]<br />
4 cups green lentils, pre-soaked<br />
1 15-oz can <a href="http://www.edenfoods.com/store/aduki-beans-organic-bpa-free-lined-can.html">adzuki beans</a> [Eden brand]<br />
1 15-oz can <a href="http://www.edenfoods.com/store/cannellini-beans-15oz.html">cannellini beans</a> [Eden brand]<br />
8 cups water<br />
2 tablespoons <a href="http://www.edenfoods.com/store/shiro-miso-non-gmo-organic-rice-soy-reclosable-pouch.html">miso paste</a> [Eden brand]<br />
1/2 bag frozen leafy greens [chard, kale, spinach]<br />
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Heat the avocado oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. When the oil is warm, add the onions, garlic and mushrooms to the pot. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes [stirring frequently], add ginger and turmeric, and continue to cook the mixture for another 3 - 5 minutes or until onions become soft.<br />
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Add carrots and celery, herbs, salt and pepper. Cook for another 5 - 7 minutes, stirring frequently.<br />
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Add tomatoes, lentils and water to the pot and increase the heat to high. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to a strong simmer and add the beans. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.<br />
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Let soup simmer for 20 - 30 minutes or until lentils become soft.<br />
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Blend the about 1/3 of the soup in either a blender or using an immersion blender.<br />
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Add miso paste and leafy greens. Taste and add salt if needed. Reduce heat to low for 3 - 5 minutes.<br />
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Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes prior to serving.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-8116952537257345642017-01-24T19:17:00.000-08:002017-01-24T19:17:24.414-08:00TURKEY LOAF with mashed sweet potatoes and sauteed kale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is one of my very favorite winter meals. It's my take on an old-time crowd-pleaser, is my style of comfort food and happens to be hearty meal that doesn't require a large amount of effort. Enjoy!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #444444;">For the Meatloaf:</span></i></b><br />
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1 lb pasture-raised ground turkey<br />
1 small onion, minced<br />
4 garlic cloves, minced<br />
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped [optional]<br />
juice from 1/2 a lemon [appx. 1 tablespoon]<br />
1 teaspoon dried thyme<br />
1 teaspoon maple syrup<br />
3/4 teaspoon <a href="http://www.herbamare.us/avogel-seasonings#">Herbamare </a>[or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder + 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder]<br />
1/2 teaspoon ground rosemary<br />
1/4 teaspoon chaga mushroom powder [optional]<br />
Ketchup [optional]<br />
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Mix all ingredients [except Ketchup if you are using] in a medium size, glass bowl. Pour mixture into a glass bread baking dish and press down firmly. Squeeze ketchup over flattened loaf if desired.<br />
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Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes.<br />
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Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes to allow the juices to soak back in a bit.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #444444;">For the Mashed Sweet Potatoes:</span></i></b><br />
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2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed<br />
2 medium white potatoes, peeled and cubed<br />
1 small celery root, peeled and cubed<br />
ghee<br />
sea salt<br />
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Place potatoes and celery root in a medium pan. Fill with water so water comes about 1-inch above the veggies. Add a pinch of sea salt and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium [or to simmer] and cook until veggies are very tender when poked with a fork.<br />
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Remove from heat and drain water. Add 2 - 3 large tablespoons of ghee and sea salt to taste. Blend with mixer and crush with potato masher. Add more ghee or salt as needed.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #444444;">For the Kale:</span></i></b><br />
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4 cups kale leaves, shredded<br />
1 tablespoon ghee<br />
granulated garlic<br />
sea salt<br />
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Melt ghee over medium-high heat in large cast iron or stainless steel skillet. Carefully add kale and sprinkle with garlic and salt. Mix to coat kale in ghee and seasoning. Stir frequently until kale has wilted, softened, and turned a bright shade of green. Remove from heat and serve immediately.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-26590869510598724552017-01-22T10:02:00.000-08:002017-01-22T10:13:50.076-08:00FENNEL STEAMED RICE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are big time rice lovers in the VKlok household. Rice with butter or ghee and always with a pinch of salt; sometimes with broccoli and sunflower seeds and dressing; rice with stir-fry, rice in soup, in <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2016/11/5-layer-warmest-winter-bowl-with.html">winter bowls</a> and alongside <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2015/10/masoor-dal-with-onions-and-garlic.html">dahl</a>, <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2013/05/spring-risotto-2-ways.html">risotto</a> [and more <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2012/11/pumpkin-risotto.html">risotto</a>], <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2011/02/roses-dolma-recipe.html">dolma</a> and <a href="http://returntothegarden.blogspot.com/2016/01/kitarchi-with-sweet-potatoes-leeks-and.html">kitchari</a> . Lots of rice!<br />
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What I have yet to reveal here is the dappling I do in combining herbs with rice. Fennel, cumin, cardamom, celery seed, cinnamon, cloves - they all can turn basic rice into something a bit more magical, changing both the depth of flavor and over all energy. Each spice adds it's own, unique dimension and nutritional qualities. </div>
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Take cardamom for example. Outside of it being my favorite flavor, cardamom is warming [hello winter!] and helps dispel damp, phlegm, mucus, and cold from the body among many other things. Add 2 - 3 whole cardamom pods to your rice while cooking, and boom!, magic. </div>
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Here I use fennel which improves digestibility as well as calms an upset stomach [stomach flu anyone?]. It's a warming herb that aides the bladder, kidneys, spleen, stomach and liver. Good for indigestion, gas, and kicking out excessive mucus in the lungs. </div>
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So next time you make rice, try adding a bit of your favorite spice. Use the whole seed rather than ground. No need to remove herbs like fennel, celery seed, and cumin but I would recommend composting cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves prior to serving.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bon appétit!</span></span> </div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">[THE RECIPE]</span></b></div>
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2 cups uncooked organic basmati rice [or rice of choice]</div>
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1 1/2 cups water</div>
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1 tablespooon whole fennel seed</div>
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1 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin, cold-pressed olive or avocado oil</div>
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sea salt</div>
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In a small skillet, heat fennel seeds over medium heat to toast. Stir constantly until seeds become fragrant and just begin to brown. Immediately remove from heat and set aside.</div>
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Pour rice into a fine mesh strainer. Over sink, run cold water through the rice until water runs clear. Let all of the water drain completely. </div>
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Place rice in a medium size saucepan and add water, a pinch of sea salt, and toasted fennel seeds. Bring water to boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce temperature to low and cover to steam until rice is tender and water is gone. This may take anywhere from ten to thirty minutes depending on the variety of rice you use. Turn off heat and let sit covered for 10 minutes.</div>
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Drizzle oil over rice and use a fork to fluff. Add sea salt to taste. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-72666966270039461242017-01-22T07:20:00.001-08:002017-01-22T07:33:57.585-08:00CHASING CLOUDS, EXPOSING EXPECATION<br />
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Expectations. We've grown up on a healthy dose of them haven't we?<br />
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Sometimes I wonder if expectations are the key to our undoing. That maybe expectations lead to more suffering than healing, more separation than unity, more pain than peace. That maybe expectations are costing us far more than they're worth.<br />
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As children, we're expected to act a certain way, fill a certain spot in our family, play a certain role. Meeting such expectations is met with reward. Failing is met with shame. For me this took the shape of perfectionism. The more I succeeded, the more I strove to be "good", the more I was covered with acclamation and praise. Apparently working really hard to be perfect makes for a really good kid, student, family member, employee, and on and on. Expectations were piled on like bricks, one perfect rectangle stacked on top of the other until I was trapped inside. This created a really strong, tall fortress.<br />
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Walls I continue dismantling to this day.<br />
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Maybe you were expected to be perfect or maybe you found yourself put in the place of trouble maker, the mischievous one, the funny kid, the fat kid [I'm so sorry], the athlete, the musical one, you fill in the blank.<br />
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And then we live into it. We create our lives around it.<br />
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We raise our kids from this voice.<br />
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For me, perfect led to sick. For the greater part of my life I charged ahead with the perfect flag as my guide. I worked to design the perfect building, find the perfect diet, introduce food to my new baby in the perfect way, parent and feed my kids perfectly, keep the house a perfect sort of clean, practice a pose perfectly - keep up, never stop, push, chase the perfect. This pursuit kept me so occupied, every warning sign my body so kindly provided went unnoticed or ignored until it had to scream to get my attention.<br />
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The irony is, perfect is an illusion. Expectations a mirage. Kind of like shapes in the clouds. You can see them and fully believe that cloud is a dragon. You can do everything possible to convince yourself it's true, but it's still very much a cloud. And in a moment it may transform into a bunny or turtle or fish or dissipate completely - the entire time actually being a collection of moisture in the atmosphere.<br />
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It seems so silly and yet most of us live out of this place. We chase and push and work ourselves sick. We eat believing this is who we are. We workout thinking there actually is an ideal. We crack jokes to keep people laughing, hoping they don't see the "other side". We self-destruct because, well, it's expected. Or for any number of reasons, spurred on by the voices loudly clanging around in our head, we stay imprisoned.<br />
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But what would happen if you took one expectation and set it aside. Maybe you begin with your kids. Is there an expectation you have for them you could test living without? Or maybe you try it on your spouse or your friends? Are you expecting them to show up in a way they simply can't?<br />
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My youngest child has a way of expressing herself that comes on with strength and intensity. This is generally followed by a sense of deep shame equal in force. She has big feelings and needs to express them immediately. My first instinct is to react just as intensely, demanding she doesn't talk to me that way, making sure she knows how wrong that is. However, by releasing the expectation for her to act a certain way, I'm able to see her as she is - a child that needs to be heard and understood. So I let her react and then I hold her and let her cry and then, when I feel her relax in my arms, I tell her I hear her and believe her and understand how she feels. We talk about words she could use to express herself in a way I can understand and that won't be hurtful or unkind. Overtime she's been able to use these words and her intensity has come down a notch or two. Not because we expected it out of her but because she's needing that intensity less and less. More importantly, she's being given the space to show up honestly with what's inside of her, use her own unique voice, and can trust she's okay and still lovable.<br />
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But it had to begin with me releasing how I thought she should be [an expectation I was living out of from my own childhood] and instead hold this sacred space for her to grow in authenticity.<br />
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Ultimately, sustainable change comes from within. It comes from recognizing that the voices you've taken on as your own are not truly your voice. They may be the voices of your parents or grandparents or boss or partner but they are not your authentic, genuine voice. Once you become aware of the difference you can begin to lean in and listen.<br />
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For me this has come through meditation, yoga, and work with teachers from varying backgrounds and expertise. It's also come from being in the garden, the woods, and on the shore. From watching my kids play and listening to their giggles. It's come from slowing down and chasing less. From creating space in my house, my relationships, and my life.<br />
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And from choosing this every day.<br />
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Waking up with the intention to live well [not perfectly] this day I've been given. Going to bed releasing the guilt and shame and disappointment I may carry and covering myself with grace, knowing I did the best I could with what I have. <br />
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<i>May you find a way to release an expectation, even the smallest of one. May you trust you are enough. And may you live from a space that flows freely from the goodness that lies within. </i><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038815148943458723.post-47295796732783369022017-01-13T03:58:00.002-08:002017-01-18T18:03:37.697-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I listened to a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxyGmyEby40">speech by Meryl Streep</a> the other day. Maybe you heard it too. In it she challenged the group of people she was speaking to not some things become normal.<br />
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Yesterday I listened to a podcast that detailed out four Jewish words. I'm not Jewish but what strikes me about the tradition is the emphasis on remembering. Remember your time in slavery. Remember the great exodus. Remember, remember, remember. Many of their rituals are steeped in this call to remember. In fact many religions worldwide have rituals created to remember and guides for living that provide boundaries to keep us repeating disasters from the past.<br />
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I think we're living in a time where we need to be reminded to remember. We have all the tools necessary to easily forget: denial, media, busyness, work, adventure, travel, food, movies, shopping, gossip. You name, we have it. There isn't much call to remember.<br />
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Things become normal. Quickly.<br />
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We become numb. Quickly.<br />
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Things that may have been shocking, revolting, humiliating, and offensive just one year ago are now "the way things are" or "how he/she is" and "that's just what they say or how they do it" or "they're just crazy".<br />
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So this year, in 2017, my challenge to us all is to remember.<br />
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Remember, there was a people group who traveled across the ocean in hopes for freedom. And they're part of our family tree.<br />
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Remember, some of those same people who risked their lives for freedom later enslaved the lives of others.<br />
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Remember, it tore a country apart.<br />
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Remember, we made it through but we're still healing.<br />
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Remember, there was a time when two drinking fountains existed.<br />
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Remember, there was a back of the bus and a front of the bus. People who could sit and people who had to stand.<br />
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Remember, if we're human our birthright is dignity and respect.<br />
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Remember, there was a time when women didn't vote. Or have a place in an office, or science, or most any other profession.<br />
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Remember, we're still working to create that space.<br />
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Remember if it's created, it probably wasn't by you which means it's a gift.<br />
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Remember freedom isn't given - it's earned through hard work and cost.<br />
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Remember, the people we admire most turned to love and forgiveness. The times in history we most regret were plagued with anger and violence, hatred and division.<br />
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Remember, hatred isn't normal. Putting people down isn't normal. Words laced with arrogance and intolerance and lack of compassion aren't normal. Violence isn't normal. Racism isn't normal.<br />
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They may seem normal. They're not.<br />
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Put on your armor and fight <i>this </i>- not each other.<br />
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Because if this becomes normal - if hatred and intolerance and treating anything or anyone with less dignity then their birthright or created Spirit demands - if this becomes acceptable and we become numb, then it becomes life.<br />
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Don't let it be normal.<br />
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For the love of God, this nation, your children, this earth, your neighbors, humanity, yourself - don't let it become normal.<br />
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<i><b>Remember. Remember. Remember.</b></i><br />
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Namaste, friends.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0