Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Dia de los rabanos







My brother, Sam, grew some radishes for me. He let them grow quite awhile- until the tops flowered. They were so beautiful that I had to capture it on camera.

A 10-Year Reunion And A Dirty Sunset







Celeste and Joe (and the world's cutest pup)













On health and other matters

I had a cold in April, but haven't been sick since then. This is literally the longest stretch of uninterrupted health I've had in my adult life. It feels like a miracle. There are many things I attribute my health to. Of course eating right, exercising, and sleep are important, but I've always done those things. In 2010 my health got so bad that I was forced to make some major changes. Here are a few of the things I've done.
1. I began to exercise less intensely. I hate plyometrics, sprinting, and intense cardio. It does not work for me. Instead I've taken to long walks, weight work, and yoga. I haven't gained any weight by cutting back on intensity. In fact, I am able to work out more consistently because I'm working less hard.
2. I spend more time relaxing, resting, and connecting with nature. I love to sit out in my garden or take long walks outside. I read. I am alone. These activities are remarkably healing and allow me to process the constant stress and information I am receiving on a daily basis.
3. I eat a diet that is more nearly vegan than before. I don't digest animal proteins well. I am not eating a ton of processed food and I still eat animal foods several times a week. In general, however, I am eating plants. I am also eating cooked food. Raw food can be great in the heat of summer, but warm cooked soups, beans, and vegetables have remarkable healing power.
4. I've added more garlic, onion, and radish to my diet.
5. I stopped taking medications including oral contraceptives. This has made a huge impact on my energy levels.
6. I get plenty of sunshine.
7. I do yoga. Yoga has remarkable healing powers. It stretches my body, improves alignment, and reorganizes the body's energy.
8. I have changed some of my paradigms. I am much more likely to see life as a perfect and complete whole rather than as something that is lacking and needs improvement. I am much kinder to myself. I am much more content with the life that I have. I am able to see the changing of the seasons and the fleeting nature of all things. This helps me live more fully in the moment with a greater appreciation for the preciousness of life.
9. I am more willing to feel things fully and to be completely honest with myself and those around me.
10. I use a neti pot every single day.
11. I am practical. I don't go to extremes. I don't follow a particular diet. I follow my inner guide and allow each day to be what it is. I don't expect one day to be identical to the preceeding one. Sometimes I need to burn off energy. Other times I need to hibernate and build up. I can see things as a cycle. I can approach myself and others with compassion.

Overall, I am very happy with where I am now. I see all struggles as invitations. It is through our suffering that doors open and we learn. I am not afraid of life. I am having a relationship with it. The result is that I am becoming a person who is healthy in body and spirit. I am not defined by my body. I have no rules or restrictions to impose on others. Total health requires a total transformation. Its not just about eating vegetables or avoiding junk food. Its about living fully in your body and being absolutely present to life. It is also about allowing yourself to heal. It is about compassion. Ultimately, it is about compassion for all living things, but it must begin with yourself. You cannot give what you have not lived.

Favorites













It is silly to have a favorite number, but my favorite number is 13. I suppose some things speak to us louder than other things. All colors are beautiful, but my favorite color is red. I am an absolute people person and love (most) people, but my cousin Tom has got to be near the top of the list (maybe just below myself).







Tuesday, July 5, 2011

First Love Life

First, love life. The rest will follow. Love life, love yourself. Your pulse, your breath. Love your courage and faith, your beauty, your hopeless and unending faults. Love these things. Because at least you are alive.
When you love, love fully. Don’t hold back. And when you lose, let loose. It was never yours to keep. This is the nature of everything. Spring turns to summer and summer turns to fall. And we all fall down. But all around you at any given time are a million saving graces waiting to pick you up. We are saved. Saved from ourselves by life. A clouded sky, a gentle smile, a song on the radio. You can’t stop life. Birth comes, death comes, it was never ours to keep. You can’t stop the winter from coming. And why would you want to? A life with no darkness is blinding. Winter turns to spring, spring turns to summer. You can’t stop the ocean from flowing.
We exhale to make room for more breath. We build things up just to have them washed away. We are alive. And we feel that life in the forest, in the breath of wind on our face. The city, too, has a pulse. We see life all around us. We see life in the pigeons with their dazzling, purple-grey feathers, and life in the pigeon shit. To love life is to love the sun on your face, but also the freezing darkness at your back. Life is the long, lonely night, and the gently beckoning dawn.
Do not be afraid of life. Love it. Love it with your whole heart because it only happens once. The only thing more terrible than the long, dark night is being so dead that you can’t tell the sun from the shadows.
First love life and everything will take care of itself. Life proceeds according to its own perfection. In this moment, everything is perfect. Don’t worry. Don’t cut yourself with useless fears. First, love life.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Fiesta!

Tio Fredy and Reid-o

Celeste and JOE!




Dad and Uncle Tom

Nana and Reid-o.


I cannot wait to turn 60. Life just keeps getting better.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Simple Food



Dinner tonight was simple, yet delicious. The details can really make a meal. Salad with mixed baby greens, black beans and black eyed peas, shaved carrots, slivered almonds (roasted for 7 minutes at 350 degrees) and a homemade vinaigrette:



1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil



1 Tbsp. agave nectar



1 1/2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar



1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice



1/4 tsp. sea salt



Shake and pour. Wraps made with hummus, red onion, carrot, avocado, and salsa.

Monday, May 30, 2011

What's for Dinner

This first recipe is absolutely the best. I have had it 3 times in the past 2 days and it get more and more delicious each time. The lime juice at the end is essential to the delicious-ity. I improvised this based on a recipe I found at:
http://www.mynewroots.blogspot.com/
I love this blog. Tons of great health information and also some yummy recipes. This soup requires that you soak and cook your own beans. This means that before making the soup you need to boil your beans and let them simmer about one hour. I used 1 cup black beans and 1 cup black eyed peas.

Bean and Sweet Potato Soup
4 cups cooked beans (from 2 cups dried) + 4 cups cooking liquid
1 large red onion
8 cloves garlic
1 large sweet potato
4 carrots
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. ground corriander
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. crushed red peppers
14 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 Tbsp. olive oil
sea salt
cilantro
2 limes

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add spices. Stir until fragrant.
2. Add chopped onion and cook for a few minutes until vegetables begin to wilt a bit. Add garlic, the rest of the chopped vegetables and tomatoes. Stir occasionally.
5.. Add cooked beans to the pot
6. Simmer on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
7. Season to taste. Add the juice of 1 lemon, olive oil, maple syrup, and cilantro.
8. Serve immediately with a good squeeze of lime juice, sliced avocado, queso fresca, some chopped cilantro, and a chunk of toast. Store leftovers in the fridge; freezes well.









We got a bag of cole slaw from the food co-op. I wasn't sure what to do with it as I am not a big mayo person. Then I came across this recipe.
WARM CABBAGE SALAD
½ cup sunflower seeds
1 tsp. sucanat
Sea salt
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 red onion, diced
3 medium garlic, minced
1 package cole slaw mix (chopped cabbage, carrots, and radicchio)
¼ cup raisins
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
A bit of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to garnish

Roast the sunflower seeds in a dry skillet until they start to brown. Sprinkle on the sugar and salt and stir until the sugar melts and coats the seeds. Transfer immediately to a plate and set asie.

Now, sauté the onion in olive oil for a few minutes. Add garlic, cabbage, raisins, and vinegar. Stir just a few more minutes until cabbage begins to soften. Do not overcook. Remove mixture to a bowl. Add sunflower seeds and feta. Serve topped with parmesan











Indian lentil and sweet potato stew









Easy stir-fry- recipe to follow.










These baked apples are delicious. The secret ingredient here is vanilla bean. Everyone should bake everything with a vanilla bean just for the scent alone. Simply quarter some apples, then top with vanilla bean, almonds, raisins, pumpkin pie spices, lemon juice, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Serve warm with coconut milk ice cream.













Just a few of the many, many recipes I've made lately. All of them are delicious. The quality of these photos is poor and does not do the food justice. Trust me- they taste awesome. As for the other recipes, well, sometimes you're so hungry that you don't want to wait for a photo before eating.
















Long Weekend in Mexico


Boo thought he could come along, so he jumped in my suitcase. Sorry, Boo, no dogs allowed.
Here is the wall that separates the United States from Mexico. Don't you just love that someone painted Mickey Mouse on it??
The rebel in me decides to climb the wall and cross the border!!!
Fredy and I had the most romantic dinner at this restaurant. We were the only ones there. When we walked in there was a 4 piece band serenading us, candlelight, amazing food. So beautiful!
Some of the architecture in Balboa Park, San Diego.

Fredy and I spent last weekend in Mexico where we thoroughly enjoyed each other's company and several naps. We went because Fredy's boss was speaking at the graduation of a local university. We stayed at a nice hotel where we got the top floor suite.

Yogi Boo



I was rolling up my yoga mat after cleaning it and Boo thought he would do a few... I don't know, downward facing doggies?

Agua de Watermelon


Here is a delicious recipe from Fredy. Simply cut the rind of watermelon, cube, and blend with fresh cold water and a sprinkle of sugar.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

On pain and other things

I had a thought a couple of weeks ago while taking Boo for his daily walk. I thought about our human tendency to avoid pain. The strange thing is, as we allow ourselves to feel and experience our own pain,a miracle occurs. Our pain softens us. It opens our hearts. Where we were once closed, we can feel empathy and connection with the suffering others are experiencing. We begin to see the interconnectedness of all things. As Jack Kornfield says, "as we allow the world to touch us deeply, we recognize that just as there is pain in our own lives, so there is pain in everyone else's life. This is the birth of wise understanding. Wise understanding sees that suffering is inevitable, that all things that are born die. Wise understanding sees and accepts life as a whole. With wise understanding we allow ourselves to contain all things, both dark and light, and we come to a sense of peace. This is not the peace of denial or running away, but the peace we find in the heart that has rejected nothing, that touches all things with compassion."
Certainly I have felt pain. Things have not always gone as I've wanted them to. I have lost loved ones. I have been sick and tired. But once I stopped fighting against the "is"ness of my life, I opened to the pain. And out of that opening came peace and wisdom. Now I consider suffering my greatest teacher. I am sure I will run away from pain again, but I am also sure it will find me and present the opportunity to soften a little more and open my heart a little wider. This is simply part of the purpose of life- to bring us to a realization of our interconnectedness. When we allow ourselves to open and feel we are suddenly connected to everyone else who has felt what we are feeling. Certainly we are not the first ones to experience pain... or anything really. This realization enhances our ability to love and appreciate not only others, but ourselves. This, in part, is why it is important to allow ourselves to feel fully and to treat ourselves with gentleness and loving kindness- for what you do unto yourself, you do unto others.

Verse 29

Do you want to improve the world?
I don't think it can be done.
The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.

There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion;
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous;
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.

Love and Blessings

I have a new favorite song. For 10 years my favorite song has been "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye. Paul Simon's new album has a song that has given that one fierce competition. It haunts me in my sleep.

The Art of Doing Nothing

Do you know what I like to do more than anything in the world? Nothing. That's right. I really, thoroughly enjoy doing absolutely nothing. I only recently realized this because my entire life I was taught that doing something was a virtue and doing nothing was for lazy people. I am not lazy. I've never been lazy. I understand the value of work. Work is a part of life. Man was born to work. And, unless you have a trust fund or are a trophy wife (which is a job in itself) then you will work everyday of your entire life. We don't need to go looking for work. We don't need more to do. So I've been practicing the art of doing nothing and I intend to keep practicing it (sh... don't tell my boss). I'm not great at it yet. Doing nothing means that you sit still. You hardly even think. You can do it outside. You can do it with a friend. You can do it all alone. You can do it for 5 minutes or 5 hours. Why don't you give it a try?

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

5 Element Fitness

As you might know, I love physical fitness. I enjoy strengthening my muscles. I enjoy moving out of my mind and into my body. I like a good sweat. However, I am often disappointed in fitness "gurus", exercise magazines, and modern wisdom on the subject. I hate boot-camp style trainers who shout at their clients to "push harder". I don't like the idea that we need to spend hours in the gym to achieve our goals. I don't want to work out until I puke. I don't want to kill myself. If I go to the gym or exercise elsewhere I do it because I love myself and I want to feel good. I am developing my own fitness philosophy based on the 5 components of physical fitness: balance, strength, speed, endurance, and flexibility.
The profound thing is each of these components are not limited to the physical realm. Characteristics such as balance and endurance are essential to the survival and enjoyment of life.
According to Alan Watts, "we have been taught to neglect, despire, and violate our bodies, and to put all faith in our brains. Indeed, the special disease of civilized man mmight be described as a schism between his brain and the rest of his body." So if our body and our brain are interconnected, it would make sense that we would want to strengthen both in all facets. Here are some preliminary thoughts:
1. It is easy to fall out of balance. The good news, is you can always come back into balance. Balance in the physical realm requires core strength. Balance as a characteristic also requires that we draw on our core integrity. The principles of balance are kindness, patience, and consistency. This means it is better to small amounts of exercise consistently than to do large amounts of exercise sporadically.
2. In our modern, fast-paced world everything is high speed. In fact, the word speed connotes quickness. However, speed actually refers to how fast OR SLOW something is moving. It is much more difficult to move slowly than it is to move fast. This is due to momentum. During your next workout, ask youself "how can I do this slower?"
3. Endurance has a lot to do with persisting. It also relates to intensity. We can do intense exercise (and similarly handle intense life situations) for brief periods. Endurance has a lot to do with choosing a load that is neither too light nor too heavy.
4. Flexibility requires that we regularly stretch ourselves (physically and metaphorically) to avoid injury. Above all, flexibility requires an open mind. As we become more physically flexible, particularly by stretching the muscles of the chest, our heart literally opens.
5. Strength comes with ease when we go with the flow. Strength is not so much about weight or momentum as it is about connecting mind to muscle and using proper form.

The principle of the interaction of these changing characteristics, as the changing seasons, and elements is the foundation of everything in creation. Pay attention. Are you nurturing each of the five elements in your fitness? Or is it always about how fast you can run?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Inner Guide

One of my all-time favorite books is Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford. It is a 600+ page book with spiritual and physical wisdom. The author draws on observation, zen training, and Oriental traditions to explain the "nature of everything." It is truly amazing. I've been revisiting it lately and will post about some of the pieces that have stood out to me the most. This morning I read that the purpose of the book is to help everyone "follow their inner guide with diet and all other aspects of life." This is excellent advice for at least two reasons. First, every BODY is different. What works for one may not work for all. Second, following your inner guide clears up a lot of confusion as we are bombarded with advice from others constantly. I think the more we allow ourselves to listen to our inner voice, the stronger that voice will become. Here are some things my inner voice says to me:
balance work with rest, feel your spirit, if you eat dairy you will catch a cold, go outside, stay at home, too much cardio exercise breaks down your body, treat others with kindness, treat yourself with kindness, indulgences (like coffee, sugar, and alcohol) are delightful when used rarely and sickening when used in excess.

This inner voice stuff isn't something crazy and mystical. A lot of it comes from our own experiences or even our own common sense. The wisdom of the heart is here, now. It has always been here and it is never too late to find. The Hindus tell a story of the god Rama. He had a gift to give to the people, but he was a little upset with them. The people who were madly running around looking for answers and perfection. He decided instead to hide the gift. Rama asked a friend where to hide the gift. "On the top of the highest mountain," his friend suggested. No, they will climb the highest mountain looking for it. "Deep under the sea," said the friend. No, humans will go to the depths of the sea to get it. "In the wind," said the friend. No, people will go chasing after the wind. Finally, Rama decided to hide the divine gift within each person because "they'll never think to look there."

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Life is a Gift


  • "All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be." -Pink Floyd


  • A fellow teacher and a good friend passed away this week from ovarian cancer. She was true to herself and had a great love for life. She was practical and patient. She always treated me as an equal- never as though I had something to prove. She faced her cancer with bravery and even gratitude. These are her words from her funeral program:


  • "Having never been a religious person, I have tried to understand my soul, and one thing really rings clear for me. Humanity is a circle that thrives on the do unto others universalist concept. Your heart and soul are your deeds and wishes upon the earth... what you sprinkle carefully around. It takes some years and wisdom to be ginger, but I hope I have mostly followed this concept. I know that life is a gift- and I give thanks. It's the simple things in life that makes life grand... notice them and your life will be greatly enriched." -Nan Bigler

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Spring Clean


Spring is here! Which means that mixed with our lingering snow are crocuses and moments of sunshine. It dawned on me today that I could use a light spring cleaning. I've never done a "cleanse." I enjoy food too much so I wouldn't be any good at one. What I do think is in store is a transition from the warm, building foods of winter to the cooling, cleansing foods of summer. Think fruit salad and hummus platters instead of steaming bowls of chili and baked potatoes. The body is constantly going through phases of cleansing and building. Most foods and activities are not entirely one or the other. For example, nuts are high in fats and proteins so we might consider them building. On closer look we see that they are also high in fiber (cleansing). Weight lifting might seem like a very building activity. However, it is also cleansing as it breaks down our muscles and burns up fat. Aside from a few extremes (all liquid diets, diets composed mainly of animal product) most of us eat a diet somewhere in the middle of the build-clense spectrum. Spring is an excellent time to move towards more cleansing foods. Personally, I am choosing to cut back on animal products (a near vegan diet), include more fresh fruits and veggies, and drink a lot of liquids. I became aware that this change was necessary because I found myself feeling sluggish, feverish, and thirsty. It is amazing how our bodies can give us signals.
For more information on this subject, check out this article by Michael Fisher:
Michael has a lot of excellent information on his website (including a post from me! see Sprouted Wheat Soup). I wish I had written the article, but, alas, at least he did. Check it out. And consider in what ways your body is asking you for a cleaning. It doesn't have to be anything big. You could give up one food for a week (i.e. animal foods or coffee), or simply switch out bread and crackers for fruit. Remember- we want to moisten, alkalize, mineralize. Now take care, and give thanks for all the signs of life poking up from the wakening earth.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

VSK in SLC


I read in the City Weekly that Vegan Soul Kitchen author, Bryant Terry, was coming to speak in Salt Lake City in January. I knew I had to go. I love Bryant’s cookbook and have made at least a dozen of the recipes. I love his message: 1. Start with the visceral (growing, cooking, and eating food) 2. Move to the cerebral (comprehending / pondering our choices and their relation to the lives we live) 3. End with the political (collective action to bring about collective changes). He gave an inspiring lecture and finished it by making the entire audience collard greens with citrus and raisins.

La Caille


My handsome, talented husband entered a design contest for the owners of La Caille restaurant. His entry was rushed as it was one more thing piled onto his very full plate. And he still won 2nd place. His prize included a scholarship and dinner for 4 at La Caille. Saturday, January 22, 2011 we went with my parents. We had a wonderful time. I could really enjoy this good life. When the waitress brought the bill (not to be paid, just to be gawked at) I realized this good life comes with a price tag, and one I could never afford.

Recovery from Illness


I think when any illness arises, it is a message telling us to slow down. That is probably the #1 prescription: Rest. Sleep, read a book, stop your constant doing. I always give up on coffee and exercise when I am sick. Coffee will wake you up and also dehydrate you a bit. Exercise does the same. To really heal, you need to sleep and hydrate. In the early stages it is good to drink as much herbal tea as you can. Homemade broth-y soups are great. I believe in the magic of chicken soup, but veggie broth is also healing. Your broth could include mushrooms and as many onions (or onion family members) as possible. And, finally, the magical radish is a powerful healer. This little veggie alkalizes the body. It breaks fevers. It clears the body of excess mucus. It gets rid of heat. Eaten regularly, radish can prevent the common cold and other viruses.

Bibimbap, or, a Mixed Meal with Friends




My friend Taeyoung came over last night and showed us how to cook the traditional Korean dish, bibimbap. Literally translated, it means mixed meal. The night began with a shopping trip to 2 different Asian markets. We brought the ingredients back and got to work. It is quite an undertaking and could be made many different ways. Your basic ingredients are short grain rice, vegetables, egg, and seasonings (probably miso and chili paste).


You can go gourmet or simple from there. Here is a glimpse of our version: *Cook white sushi rice in rice cooker (we made 6 cups) *Sautee sliced carrots with salt, pepper, and garlic *Combine sliced cucumber with diced red onion, vinegar, chili paste, and paprika *Saute zucchini with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika *Boil soy sprouts just until soft. Drain and add garlic, paprika, diced green onion, cayenne, salt, and pepper. *Saute fresh oyster mushrooms (yum!) and shiitake mushrooms(yum!) with sliced leeks, salt, garlic, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and balsamic vinegar. *Steam some spinach. *Steam some eggplant and sprinkle with paprika and cayenne. *Softly fry some eggs (so the yolks will break when everything is mixed) *Top with special sauce: miso, garlic, chili paste, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, green onion, and rice vinegar.


*Also, Taeyoung prepared traditional Korean meat dish called bul-go-gi. Very delicious! I will definitely be trying out some of these seasonings and cooking methods. I also purchased some wakame and nori from the Asian market which I hope to incorporate into more of my meals. Seaweed gives us important vitamins and minerals from the ocean. In addition to a mixed meal, we had a mix of good friends and family: Fredy, myself, Taeyoung, Ben, Elizabeth, Tom, Sam, and Stephanie. Food tastes better when you have someone to share it with.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Immunity Boosting Potato Soup


So... I wanted to clean out the fridge and I had some potatoes, onion, and broccoli. I thought a little, searched a little, and came up with this delicious, creamy soup. It can be made vegan super easy although mine was not. (I was also using up what was in my pantry). Try this yummy winter dinner.


1 Tbsp. ghee (for vegan use olive oil)

1 yellow onion, diced

2 red potatoes

2 yukon gold potatoes

2 Tbsp. dried parsley (or herb of choice)

2 cups water

2 cups organic chicken broth (for vegan use veggie broth)

dash of salt

pinch of fresh ground black pepper

broccoli

Sautee onion in ghee until it is fragrant and soft (about 5-10 minutes). Add diced potatoes and sautee another 5 minutes. Add broth and water. Bring to a boil, then lower to simmer. Add seasonings. (I just thought red pepper flakes would be yummy and warming). Simmer 20 minutes. Puree in batches. At the very end, add chopped broccoli. I didn't want to cook the broccoli too much and end up with mushy, gray looking stuff. I also didn't want to dice it all up and make a mess so I left long pieces in. This is personal preference. I served mine with left over corn muffins (had chili on Sunday) but it is really good on its own or with toast.


*Note: red potatoes are great for building the kidneys. Onions prevent all kinds of disease. And everyone needs to eat more green foods. I found recipes that called for flour or cream or butter, but this soup turns out super creamy and comforting without any of that junk. *

Monday, February 21, 2011

Shhh... Secrets to a Happy Life


-Whatever you feel the world is withholding from you- give that

-Greatness is an illusion. Life is made up of moments and each moment is very small.

-Make peace with each moment. Make peace with difficult moments in order to get out of the difficulty. What you resist, persists.

-Become friendly with your life exactly as it is. Right... now.

-There is sacredness in our difficulties if we allow for it.

-Stop looking for grand spiritual practice- your life is your spiritual practice.

-Remember, you are life. You are not separate from life. Begin to see the interconnectedness of all things.
-No matter how active we are, our state of consciousness creates our world. No amount of action can compensate for this. What you do is always secondary, who you are is primary.
-Its not what you do, but how you do it, that counts.
- In our modern world we know much about doing and almost little about being. What we don't realize is that it is the "being" that gives our "doing" meaning.
-People become very unhappy when they are focused on the surface of their lives. Even intelligence, without connection or depth, becomes destructive.

-Finally, how spiritual you are, how happy you are, has nothing to do with what you believe and everything to do with your state of consciousness. Be present now. Be at peace. Who you are will radiate and (the best part) you don't have to worry about it!

-Now go out and have a great week.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Curry Noodle Soup

No photo, but very warm, yellow, and spicy!

1 onion
1-2Tbsp. coconut oil
4 small garlic cloves
1/4 cup chopped cashews
1/2 carton of button mushrooms
1/2 cup frozen shittake mushrooms
1 cup frozen peas and/or carrots
1 package Asian whole wheat noodles
3 cups broth
3 cups water
1 Tbsp. curry powder
1 tsp. sri racha (or sambal)
1/2 tsp. ginger
sea salt to taste
juice of 1 lemon

Saute onion in coconut oil. Add cashews and garlic. When golden and fragrant, add broth, water, spices, and veggies. Bring to a boil. Add noodles. Simmer 7 minutes. Squeeze lemon over the whole thing. Ladle into big bowls and slurp it up!!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

JOE!







There are few things in life better than a little brother. Especially when that little brother is Joe. Rock on, Tyke! Play fair, stay safe. I love you. Have a nice day.

Green Soup



This is a recipe I made, but did not make up. It came out of Anna Thomas' Love Soup book. I love it because you literally fill up your soup pot with all kinds of delicious, healing greens.

Original Green Soup
1 bunch spinach
1 bunch kale
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. sea salt
2 small Yukon Gold potatoes
1 medium yellow onion
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups veggie broth
cayenne
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
freh ground black pepper
Instructions: Combine all green ingredients with 3 cups of water, salt, and potato. Bring to a boil and then simmer 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, saute onion in 1 Tbsp oil until soft and golden. The longer you cook it the better- at least 20 min. Keep an eye on the onion. You want golden brown, not charred black. Add onion to soup.
Pour 1/2 Tbsp. oil into skillet and saute garlic a couple of minutes. Add this to the pot and simmer 5-10 more minutes.
Puree mixture in an upright blender. Return to the soup pot. Add cayenne and black pepper and lemon juice. Garnish with a drizzle of fresh olive oil and a sprinkling of cheese. Serve with a crust of bread.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Sprouted Soup For The Dead


There is a huge celebration in Fredy's hometown. It is called Dia De Los Muertos (day of the dead) and is a mix of Halloween and Memorial Day with a dash of Mexican chispa. Fredy tells me that families gather together and have a picnic in the cemetary. They cook the favorite meals of their loved ones who have passed on and the whole family sits and eats together with the dead.
I have wanted to do this ever since I heard. Last Saturday was the day. I took the leftover sprouted wheat (from the fermented rejuvelac I had made) and turned it into a soup. Then I packed it up, drove to the cemetary, and ate it with my brother and grandmother. There I sat on the earth between the two, watching the sun set, eating my soup, and talking to 2 of the people I love most.
So I offer you my sprouted wheat soup recipe in honor of Charlie and Grandma. On their shoulders I stand.

Sprouted Wheat Soup
5 cups water
1 large bunch collard greens, stems removed, chop leaves into strips, stems diced
1 large onion
2 small carrots
1 Tbsp. olive oil or ghee
1 cup wheat sprouts
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 Tbsp. dried herbs (I had basil, thyme, and oregano)
2 tsp. miso
1 Tbsp. Bragg's aminos
(I also threw in a dash of garlic salt and topped it with hot sauce because I love pungent hot sauce and I live with a Mexican. Oh, and my brother likes hot, punget things and this was for him, too. You could leave these things out if you eat more purely than I do.)

I boiled the water and then turned off the heat. I didn't want to boil the miso, sprouts, or greens. In a skillet, saute onion and carrot in oil until soft. Add cooked onion mixture, collards stems and leaves into the pan with other ingredients except miso. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Put soup in your bowl and stir in 1 tsp. miso. Yum!

Life is Happy, Life is Precious

I received this in an email from a good friend. It was written by a Korean teacher named Haejin. It is probably translated into English, but the beauty of the words are not lost in translation. Here it is:

We often say someone or something is precious to us. This is easy to say but its meaning is not to be treated lightly. Because of the precious, the path of our life is determined; there arise things we must do and things we must absolutely not do; and we may put ourselves in a situation where we have to risk our life. Because of the precious, a favorable situation may suddenly turn against us but because of it we are also able to overcome even the most painful and extreme situation. Based on our understanding of the precious, we are able to make our decisions with no regrets at the moment of choice hundreds of times every day. What is interesting is that people often forget about the precious. Unless we consciously ask ourselves what is precious to us, we forget about it as we forget about the existence of air. But even when we consciously ask ourselves the meaning of someone or something being precious to us, we may not always be able to answer with certainty. In other words, what is precious to us is often obscure and confusing. In any case, 'what is most precious to us in life' is a question we must seriously ask ourselves first before we ask what we are going to do in our life.

Friday, February 4, 2011

My First Attempt at an Educational Mashup

Health - Health: "NOTA - Health%20-%20Health"

Technology: Good or Bad?

KUER: 1/31/11: What Technology Wants (2011-01-30)

This RadioWest (yes, I am a shameless Doug Fabrizio fan) has a thoughtful discussion about technology. I find myself at various times drawn to and repulsed by technology. Interesting note: because the Amish have fewer labor saving devices, they have more free time.

Fredy's Hometown


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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Simple Joys of Life

I just recently re-watched a favorite movie, Stranger Than Fiction. I love the movie, the message, and the presentation. It is about a man who faces his own death, and thus, learns to really live. The closing words are beautiful:

"Sometimes when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And fortunately when there aren’t any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or a subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort… not to mention hospital gurneys, and nose plugs, and a little danish, soft spoken secrets, and fender Stratocasters, and maybe, the occasional piece of fiction.
And we must remember that ALL these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties which we assume only accessorize our days are in fact here for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange. But I also know that is just so happens to be true."

Sun in the Winter







These pics are a little old (say, last week of October 2010). I took a break from blogging, but a recent technology class has me back at it. So much sun, so much fun :)