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Living. Loving. Getting Feet Wet and Dirty. Rockin.
I was taught it is best to write about your experience, life lesson, recipe, tip for health, etc after you had gone through it for yourself. Experience- learn- then teach.
This is such great advice. Wonderful really. It helps you to hone your craft, learn from your life's experience, and teach others to learn from theirs. Listen to your body, listen to what your friends and family teach you about yourself, pay attention to the world around you.
But then I got stuck.
I stopped writing.
Life was looking messy. My 2 year old, my relationship, my business, my self. So many areas to pull from, I was in the middle of SO many of life's lessons. In the middle of it all, life shifting daily, new challenges, new dishes, and new experiences all around. Was it ever going to end? Would I ever make it to the either side…and what would that look like? Perfection? Ha!
I found myself blocked with seemingly nothing mastered. And so I waited…and waited.
Then I received a message from an old friend (an actual message, not a hoodoo voodoo message, though I will take it as such—synchronistic). Apparently something about my half-truthed, half learned, half experienced teachings were of value to her. She was picking up what I was throwing down and a little disappointed that I had stopped throwing down. Her words were not only encouraging, but also so obviously the answer I was looking for…perfection in all of life’s imperfection.
A lesson learned it seems. The value of imperfection. The cycle of life challenge turned lesson learned will continue to shine as imperfect perfection. Confused?
So am I, and apparently that is the gift to us all.
When I am feeling sticky and spacious (I like that better than stuck and spacey) I know I need a little pick me up and not of the caffeine persuasion. A cleansing meal does just that. This soup is my go to. It is warming, grounding, cleansing, and de-li-cious.
Miso/ Dashi Broth (shown here with mushrooms, seaweed, and scallion)
· 1 sm packet of bonito flakes
· 1 sheet kombu (kelp)
· 32 oz water or vegetable broth
· let simmer for 20-30 minutes
· strain
· 1 Tbl sesame oil
· 2 Tbl soy sauce
· add vegetables (carrot, onion, garlic, ginger, mushroom, broccoli, spinach, etc)
· add shrimp (optional)
· Let simmer till soft
· Add 1 Tbl of fresh sweet white miso in bowl pour broth over and mix
I know not everyone has bonito flakes and kelp in their cupboard. Don't let that stop you! Your local health food or chinese grocer will have them for you--you can up the nutritional ante of your dry storage and once you see how easy this soup is to make, you'll be making it again and again.
Poor body image is not in our heads! Every one of us has to put aside the Star* magazine critic in our heads (nevermind NOT buy the magazines), and make peace with our unique shape. (And isn't this just disgustingly cruel?!)
This time of year is always a little tough for me, transitioning from our isolated, insular family in the winter, to working opposite schedules, and living in the center of town during the summer. It's like BA-BAAM (!)-- it is on.
This year the seasonal transition is dredging up some old beliefs and feelings about myself, my body, and my life.
Settling into the summer, in the land of tans, bands, and beach parties (I just coined that--a little corny, but I think it works) I start to feel a little out of place.
I am no longer the young college girl I came out to Block Island as, and I work to resist the urge to feel like I must fit in. Fitting in is something from my past. When I was in high school I worked to fit in and be popular-- I dressed up every day, wore tight clothes, lots of make up, and valued myself based on my appearance and how people perceived me.
As the beautiful, young, fresh faces of summer start to arrive, I find myself looking in the mirror a little more. I focus more on the clothes I choose, I judge my body's appearance, I start to doubt the woman I am and revert back to looking more at my physical value.
Something I have learned (somewhere between college girl and woman/mother) is
where there is discomfort or dis-ease, there is an opportunity for growth.
---I am reminded to show my body love--every inch--even the cellulite on my thighs, and my soft breasts from nursing my boy.
---I am reminded to eat well and drink water to feed my brain, my skin, and to teach my young son how to love and nourish himself.
---I remember to surround myself with people who reflect my life as it is now. People who seek to live a life without the fears and beliefs of their past (no matter how often, or what time of year they come creepin'). Those who choose to take time out of the crazy-hazy and care for themselves--drink water, eat fresh healthy foods, and give themselves some space and compassion. And I know that in the fast pace of summer, "my tribe" can get pretty busy and it takes work to seek each other out.
This year, transition into summer has worked one over on me, but I am coming around the bend-- remembering to seek growth from the experience (I forgive you, 17 year old Persephone) and, despite the discomfort, put myself out there again.
Calling all TRIBE MEMBERS----
1 ½ cup ww flour
1 cup grain cereal (rice or oat baby cereal
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
3-4 4 oz jars baby food
1 cup pureed raw spinach
¼ cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla
pecans
Mix all ingredients, put in muffin tin. Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes.
Then I discovered coconut flour. I had always wanted to try it, but Wesley was my motivation. High in fiber and protein, and gluten free. This is a superfood flour for baking.
Wesley's Muffins
1 cup coconut flour
2 bananas
2 Tbl butter melted
2 Tbl coconut oil melted
2 Tbl milk
3 Tbl honey, agave, or maple syrup
1/2 cup berries
1 cup pureed raw spinach
1 tsp b powder
½ tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients, put in muffin tin. Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes.
Kale and Spinach Smoothie
Kale, spinach, whole orange, frozen strawberries, frozen mango
Try adding some herbs, too! I LOVE parsley–it’s so healthy, cleansing, and refreshing
Kale avocado salad
Kale torn into small pieces
1 avocado cut into chunks
1/4 red onion chopped
1/2 red bell pepper chopped
drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice and massage in (if you're up for it)
A little bit Roast Beef
I felt SO 50's the other night. Chop and I hosted my boss and his wife (they are also our neighbor's, landlords, and friends) for dinner and I made a roast! Ha! Meat is still a relatively new adventure for me and I am always trying something I've never had before. Roast was good, perhaps it was a little over cooked, but that's just perfect for me, as bloody meat has yet to grow its appeal. Of course I always buy and condone buying the highest quality meat you can afford and this means, No antibiotics, No hormones, and grass fed or pasture raised.
After a meal of grounding winter foods like meat and potatoes I feel a little sleepy, but full and satisfied, in a way that I like to feel about once a week (since I started nursing my son).
Roast
(3-4 lbs)
4 cloves garlic mince, dried basil, dried oregano, and nutmeg. Rub into top and sides. cook in oven 500* for 20 minutes--lower temp to 350* cook for 1 hour 15 minutes
I have an awesome RB picture, but my camera connecting wire is not here and I'm afraid I will never get this post up if I wait. Maybe next week when I write about some food that has no relation to roast beef I'll post the picture. wacky stuff
Ever evolving, ever cleaning up and clearing out.
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