What Are Your Goals for 2013?

In thinking back over the past year, I realize just how many amazing moments and milestones I experienced. I got engaged to the love of my life, learned that I was expecting, and started a new job (all in the space of a few months!). I traveled to Mexico to get to know my fiancé’s hometown and relatives. I moved to a new apartment. I deepened my spirituality and, in doing so, found a wonderful religious community that is diverse, open-minded, and accepting. I made new friendships. I immersed myself more in the natural world and strengthened my connection to the earth and its beauty.

My new years resolutions for 2013 are straightforward because I know that these goals are much more likely to get accomplished if they are simple and realistic.

So, what are my goals for 2013? 

1.     Smile more. Laugh more. There is nothing like a good chuckle to brighten up a day and I realize that oftentimes, when I am tired and stressed after a long day, I tend to focus on the negative. My goal is to let go of that negativity and learn to enjoy the present with a smile and an open heart.

2.     Get outside. Though I think I did a pretty good job of getting back to nature this year, I did not manage to go camping or explore Yosemite (two things I want to make sure I accomplish this year). Being out in nature is so important to mental, physical, and spiritual health. Not to mention, there is some pretty neat research coming out about how being outdoors can improve creativity and problem-solving skills by as much as 50% (http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/getting-back-to-nature-inspires-creativity-new-study-shows).

3.     Understand that parenthood is a learning experience. It’s easy to get stressed out and overwhelmed about becoming a parent. Some days I wonder if I’ll have what it takes and if I’ll be able make the right decisions for my child. Then I remind myself that parents are regular people who make mistakes, too, and that mistakes are all a part of learning to parent. The most important thing is that my child feels loved, safe, and cared for.

4.     More soy-based products, less meat. This has been a goal for a while and I have been successful in incorporating more tofu in my cooking and using soy milk instead of cow milk (which I have never liked). By soy-based products, I don’t mean fake meats and other highly processed substitutes made from soy. I’m referring to more natural soy products like edamame, tofu, and tempeh, all of which are great alternatives to meat.

5.     Write more. I’m a bit embarrassed with how little writing I have managed to accomplish over the past six months. Understandably, I have been pretty busy with other things, but I would like to make writing and blogging a main focus of my life this year. I’m hoping that the extra time provided by my maternity leave will give me an opportunity to write more…but then again, this may be a lofty and unrealistic expectation, since I know motherhood will encompass a whole other set of challenges!

So here's to a new year filled with possibility, challenge, and acceptance. An opportunity to improve ourselves, to meet and overcome life's hardships, and to accept ourselves for the beautiful beings that we already are. 

 

What are your goals for 2013?

Greens, Peas, and Rice Soup

It’s been a while! I apologize for the lack of updates lately, but the pregnancy and full-time job are keeping me busy. My genuine attempts at eating healthy throughout this pregnancy have been met with varying degrees of success. I find that most days I am pretty exhausted from my workday and just want to sit and relax, instead of stand in the kitchen and cook dinner. However, I am making an effort to eat whole, unprocessed foods and fresh fruit and vegetables as much as possible. This soup turned out surprisingly well, so I thought I’d share it. I have a fridge full of veggies from my CSA box last week, so I threw in a combination of vegetables that I thought would work well together, and it turned out splendidly.

Greens, Peas, and Rice Soup

Ingredients

2 TBS butter

½ of a yellow or white onion, chopped

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1-2 carrots, chopped

½ tsp red pepper flakes

2 TBS chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)

½ tsp salt

black pepper to taste

1 cup of fresh peas (or frozen)

6 cups of vegetable, chicken, or beef broth (I used organic beef broth)

1 bunch collard greens, roughly chopped and stems removed (or whatever greens you have on hand—kale would work well too)

¾ cup short-grain rice (I used Arborio)

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (but cheddar will work too)

Directions

Melt the butter in a stockpot set on medium heat until sizzling. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, red pepper flakes, parsley, the salt and pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the peas (I used fresh peas because they are so much more flavorful but frozen will work just fine) and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. Add the greens and simmer for another 2-3 minutes (they cook very quickly).

Process half of the soup in a food processor or blender (or all of it, depending on your preference) until smooth. Return to the pot, stir in the rice and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked.

To serve, sprinkle soup with grated cheese.

A Home Away From Home

One thing I have truly missed since moving out to California has been the yearly visits I used to make to our family cabin in Wisconsin while I was living just two and half hours away in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jorge and I would always go up at least once in the summertime to indulge in bonfires, warm swims in the lake, and 4th of July fireworks off the dock. Sometimes I joined family there for the holidays in the winter as well (when I wasn't flying back to Idaho) to enjoy the pristine frozen lake, snowy walks through the forest, and cozy conversations by the fireplace.

I am realizing now that I sometimes took the cabin for granted while I was living so close to it. I miss the peace of mind it provided, the relaxing warm atmosphere, the family gatherings, and the beautiful forest and lake. The sanctuary it provided was nourishment for my soul and so healthy for my well-being. I was reminded of this after reading a short vignette in a magazine sent to me by my cousin, Nadia, about a cabin by a lake:

 "We're not so different from elephants. We travel in groups, we prioritize family, and like the elephants of Sri Lanka, we migrate annually toward water. Every year during the dry season, these elephants congregate with their families on the shores of Minneriya Lake. Researchers have noted that here, by the lake, the elephants renew old friendships and play together. They eat and flirt and bathe and drink. They are lazy. They swim in the sun, and rest in the shade. Like us, they are social and ritualistic and proud. 

In many ways, our annual migration out of our urban lives to a familiar shore can be understood scientifically: the air is hot, the water is cool; the cities are smoggy, the country is fresh; human eye muscles are most relaxed when settled on the horizon line; swimming is physically redemptive and psychologically meditative; beer tastes better on a dock. Perhaps, though, there is much that can't be so systematically reduced. Were we to be observed the way elephants are, by researchers from a distance trying to better understand our peculiar habits, would they notice that we open up to each other when we spend a few days in a cabin? How conversation gets easier and relationships strengthen? Would they notice how lying on our backs on the dock at night reminds us of when we were kids? Would they notice that we fret less about what and when we are going to eat, but more regularly and eagerly gather around food? Would they notice that our tendencies change: that we read more, sleep more, fuss less over details?

At the lake we don't mind that the shower keeps breaking or that the stove never works properly--we have affection for the dumpy and rusty and rickety things because we associate them with last summer, with childhood, with feeling small and content in a big and slow-moving world. We love the lake partly because it is not our home. Like the elephants, we accept that our life cannot always be so idle, leisurely, and peaceful. We accept that we can't always play cards until 2 a.m., skinny dip under the stars, and live off avocado sandwiches and pickles. Yet, like the elephants during dry season, we indulge for a couple of weeks each year in this necessary luxury, and return to ordinary city life more at home and more alive."

From Kinfolk: A Guide for Small Gatherings (Vol. 4)

Baby #1 is On the Way!

We’re excited to announce that we are expecting a baby in February of next year! Though the pregnancy came as a bit of a surprise to us, this child is a true blessing and we cannot wait to become parents and start our family together.

If you have noted a decrease in the frequency of posts on here recently, now you know why. We have been busy planning for the next few months and preparing for the arrival of a new person in our lives. (I have also been cooking a lot less these past few months because of first trimester nausea that has made it difficult to be in the kitchen for any significant amount of time!)

Though everything seems so new, exciting, and a bit scary right now, I am doing a fairly good job at keeping my mind at ease and remaining stress-free about all of the big changes happening in my life. When you accept change openly and are comfortable relinquishing some level of control over your life, you are able to live a simpler and happier existence. Working towards positive changes in life is important, but we should try not to “force” reality to conform to our every wish, or we risk ending up unhappy and dissatisfied. Many surprises in life are beautiful and I strongly believe that we often try too hard to control everything in our lives and that this just leads to more stress and unhappiness in the end (when things don’t turn out as planned). One of the biggest causes of frustration and sadness is the gap between how we want things to be and how they really are. Even if you don’t necessarily believe in some sort of deity or universal power having a say in how your life turns out, it can be amazingly freeing to just let go and allow nature to decide certain things for you. Remember that everything in life is temporary and that you will have to let go of everything eventually.

Though I think it is important to be in a committed and loving relationship before you start thinking about having kids, babies don’t always need to be “planned” or to fit perfectly within your “10-year plan”. The timing of our child may not be ideal in the eyes of some (we have a wedding to plan for next year, I have a new job starting this week, and perhaps we aren’t as financially ready as we should be), but we strongly believe the universe has a plan for us and that things will work out just fine in the end. Life is full of miracles and you may miss them if you are too busy trying to control every little detail around you. The only thing you have control over is how you respond or react to the circumstances in your life. We couldn't be happier. =)

“Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books in a foreign language. Do not now look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the question. Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day.

-Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Lentil Love!

I have always enjoyed the rich earthy taste of lentils. Besides being incredibly good for you, lentils are also known for being one of the more climate-friendly forms of protein out there (http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/10-food-rules-to-live-by) because their production and cultivation produces far fewer greenhouse-gas emissions than, say, factory-farmed animals. They are loaded with iron and fiber, and their high levels of folate and magnesium can help protect your heart.

Lentils can be prepared in many ways (soups, salads, dips…) but I find that my go-to lentil recipe is still dahl, a classic Indian vegetarian dish. It is is amazingly simple to make, flavorful, and nutritious. You can find really easy and delicious dahl recipes online, but the recipe I have below is slightly more complex and one of my favorites.

This recipe is adapted from an online Fine Cooking recipe I found a while back. It makes quite a bit, so it is better to half the recipe if you are only cooking for 2 or 3 people.

Spicy Red Lentil Dahl

(Serves 6)

-       1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped

-       4 medium cloves of garlic

-       2 TBS peeled and chopped fresh ginger

-       1 jalapenos or Serrano chile, stemmed and chopped

-       2 TBS vegetable oil (I use grapeseed oil)

-       1 TBS curry powder

-       1 ½ cups red lentils

-       4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

-       2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

-       1 tsp ground turmeric

-       salt & freshly ground pepper

-       1 cup fresh cilantro (optional, but recommended)

In a food processor, blend the onion, garlic, ginger, and chile until finely chopped (you may need to add a little water). [Alternatively, you could also just chop these very finely and fry them for a few minutes beforehand instead of blending them, if you prefer.]

Heat the oil in large pot over medium heat. Stir in the curry powder, onion mixture, lentils, carrots, potatoes, turmeric, 6 cups of water, and 1 ½ tsp of salt.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the cilantro. Serve with basmati or brown rice. Enjoy!

"Vitality and beauty are gifts of Nature for those who live according to its laws." - Leonard Da Vinci

 

Achieving Work-Life Balance in the 21st Century: Lessons from a Small Mexican Village

I'm back! I've spent the past two weeks traveling in central Mexico with my fiancé and his parents. Though we visited two large cities for a few days (Guadalajara and Zacatecas), we spent the majority of our time in my fiancé's hometown, El Remolino, a small rural village about three hours from Guadalajara.

It was amazing to see the differences in culture, lifestyle, and work-life balance between my life here in Oakland and life in these small Mexican towns. El Remolino is largely an agricultural village, so many people own land that they farm on or raise animals on. During the day, the streets are empty (most men are working the fields while the women stay home to attend to childcare and/or household duties). Every day there is a two-hour period where all businesses close (even banks!) so that the employees can take a break and have a long lunch. Many businesses are also closed on Thursday afternoons.

There was one central plaza where people would congregate in the evenings to socialize with one another and to enjoy the cooler night air. People would also sit outside of their homes together at night and greet friends and neighbors as they walked by. All in all, life moved much more slowly there and it seemed as if people simply had more time to focus on non-work related things in their lives, especially cultivating relationships with people and playing an active role in their communities. Everyone seemed to really cherish the strong bonds they had with friends and family (this seemed to come above everything else, even their work); they made an effort to spend several hours a day socializing with each other.

I contrasted this way of life with my own in the U.S., and it made me realize how little socializing I do on a daily basis compared to them. Yes, I interact with my coworkers all day, but I think this type of socializing is inherently different than the interactions that happen outside of the job sphere, when we are not brought together simply because of our jobs. I feel that I spend so much time working every day that I have very little energy left for socializing when I get home in the evenings and perhaps I don't place as much value on my relationships with others as they do in these small towns (though I would like to think this isn't true!). I also have chosen to live in a place that is far from most of my family, which I feel is a pretty rare thing in many of these towns where several generations of family members live side-by-side (or, at most, a five-minute walk from each other).

I'm not sure if people in El Remolino worked less every day and had more time for socializing or if they just placed more of a priority on sustaining healthy, happy relationships with others on a daily basis. Either way, it certainly made me rethink my own priorities in life and, even though I have never been one to place work/career above other things in my life, this trip certainly made me realize that I have not been immune to the cultural mindset in the U.S. that encourages us to strive for "personal growth" and "independence", even if it comes at the expense of less community engagement and less of a focus on sustaining relationships with people I care about.

Food Cures From the Garden

I picked up a wonderful book at the library the other day called Rx from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You can Easily Grow Now written by Kathleen Barnes. Though the only gardening space I have right now is on my small deck (using containers), I still want to get an idea of what I would try to grow if I had a yard. I also would like to learn more about which foods can be used to treat--or at least alleviate the symptoms of--certain common health issues. The first half of the book outlines the different foods and herbs you can use to treat ailments such as arthritis, high/low blood sugar, headaches, stress, depression, hair problems, eyesight deterioration, and more. The second half of the book provides instructions on how to grow the corresponding vegetables and herbs in your own garden.

Garlic and onions are two of the most prominent players in this book, which is no surprise since they are so loaded with many health-giving nutrients. Garlic is a powerful antibiotic and both garlic and onions have been shown to stop or slow the growth of a variety different cancerous cells.

I was also glad to see chili peppers listed as valuable vegetables in treating a variety of health problems because I love cooking with them! Chili peppers contain capsaicin, "...a powerful painkiller that is relatively unique in the plant world because it provides quick relief. In many ways, it works like aspirin without the potentially harmful side effects and it temporarily blocks a compound called 'substance P' that transmits pain signals along the nerves to the brain" (p. 24). Some of the ailments it is supposed to help with include: osteoarthritis, back pain, bronchitis, and colds/flu.

I recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn more about how certain foods can serve as medicine. Why not first resort to natural cures before loading ourselves up with the potentially harmful toxins and side effects found in most conventional Western medicine?

 "One of the biggest tragedies of human civilization is the precedent of chemical therapy over nutrition. It's a substitution of artificial therapy over nature, of poisons over food, in which we are feeding people poisons trying to correct the reactions of starvation."  
 -Dr. Royal Lee, January 12, 1951

The Spread of Diabetes and Obesity

Diabetes is on the rise, even among adolescents. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics and outlined in the New York Times, "Two-thirds of American adolescents ages 12 to 19 are of normal weight, 16 percent are overweight, and another 18 percent are obese" (to read the full NYT article, go here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/diabetes-on-the-rise-among-teenagers/?ref=health). That means 1 out of 3 American adolescents is now overweight or obese. Also, according to this specific study, nearly 1 in 4 adolescents now has Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

These astounding statistics are difficult to tackle because we know there are a number of different factors that are likely to be the cause of rising rates of diabetes and obesity among young people. A sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and the increasing use of technology (leading to inactivity) are thought to be the main culprits in this epidemic. As the article explains, the increase in diabetes could also be due to higher numbers of minority adolescents, who are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. For instance, Mexican-Americans are two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic white Americans of the same weight (http://www.public.asu.edu/~squiroga/azhar.HTM).

Still, regardless of the reasons for these increases, the fact that rates of diabetes and obesity are rising so dramatically in this age group is a scary finding that ought not to be dismissed. School cafeterias need to do a better job with the kinds of meals they serve to young people. We need to push for healthier alternatives that include more fresh fruit and vegetables, the consumption of water rather sugary drinks, and a reduction in the amount of frozen and/or highly processed foods that are available to students. Parents also need to take a stricter stance when it comes to healthy living and teach their children how to make healthier choices in relation to eating and exercise:

• Encourage involvement in extracurriculars and limit time spent in front of the television and computer. Children do not need technology to be entertained, so teach your child how to play by themselves and how to be entertained with regular toys instead of screens. Many public schools are resorting to cutting time out of recess or P.E. classes (or getting rid of them all-together), so it is absolutely crucial for parents to keep their children active after school and on the weekends.
• If your child doesn't have access to quality food at school, take the time each day to prepare healthy homemade lunches for them. Once they are old enough, teach them how to make their own healthy portable meals to bring to school. Even doing this just a few times a week can make a noticeable impact on overall health. At the vegetarian preschool where I work, I get to see all of the awesome healthy food that the director prepares for the kids (there is a salad every day and lots of beans, rice, tofu, tempeh, etc.--the kids love it!). I can only hope that these kids will have access to such healthy foods for the rest of their school years.

The fight against the spread of diabetes and obesity requires a joint effort from parents, schools, legislative bodies, and the community at large. We can all play a role in creating healthier environments for our children to develop in, so let's start now.

"It seems that some consideration should be given to the cause of our mounting physical disabilities, but instead of going to the root of our troubles--wrong habits of eating and drinking--we rush to the medicine shelf and smother our uncomfortable and distressed symptoms under an avalanche of pills, potions and palliatives." -Brother Roloff
 

Apple & Berry Compote

Lately, I have found myself craving apples, even though they aren't in season. In particular, I have been longing for sweet applesauce served as a warm, comforting after-dinner dessert. My mom sometimes makes a delicious apple compote, but I could not quite recall how she made it, so I scoured the web until I found this great recipe, which I adjusted slightly.

Apple & Berry Compote

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/6 cup sugar
• 1/2 vanilla bean (optional but recommended!)
• 1 tablespoon brandy
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2-3 apples, peeled, cored, and cubed
• ¼ cup of blueberries or other kind of berry

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, brandy, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and bring to a boil. Boil gently until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

Add the apples and berries and return to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very tender and the mixture thickens, about 20 minutes.

Remove from the heat and take out the vanilla pod. Enjoy!

On Faith and Science

The following excerpt is from a novel called I Married You for Happiness by Lily Tuck:

            She is not religious. She does not believe in an afterlife, in the transmigration of souls, in reincarnation, in any of it.

            But he does. “I don’t believe in reincarnation and that other stuff and I don’t go to church but I do believe in God,” he tells her.

            Where were they then? Walking hand in hand along the quays at night, they stop a moment to look across at Notre-Dame.

“Mathematicians don’t necessarily rule out the idea of God,” he answers. “And, for some, the idea of God may be more abstract than the conventional God of Christianity.”

            At her feet, the river runs black and fast, and she shivers a little inside her leather bomber jacket.

“Like Pascal,” he continues, “I believe it is safer to believe that God exists than to believe He does not exist. Heads God exists and I win and go to heaven,” he motions with his arm as if tossing a coin up in the air. “Tails God does not exist and I lose nothing.”

            “It’s a bet,” she says, frowning. “Your belief is based on the wrong reasons and not on genuine faith.”

            “Not at all,” he answers. “My belief is based on the fact that reason is useless for determining whether there is a God. Otherwise, the bet would be off.”

            Then, leaning down, he kisses her.

This was one of my favorite passages in the book. I think using reason to “prove” or “disprove” any kind of spiritual belief is mostly pointless and counter-productive. Spirituality is not meant to be something than can be proven through science. We must allow people the freedom to explore spirituality, intuition, metaphysics, and abstract concepts, without fearing ridicule and rejection from the scientific community.

Allow your intuition and your emotions to guide your faith and to enrich your understanding of the transcendental realm of life. Understand that not all things can be proven; not all things can be seen; and not all things can be understood by everyone. Your spiritual beliefs are a culmination of all of your past experiences, fears, hopes, and dreams, and it is foolish to assume that others will necessarily experience spirituality exactly the same way you do (or even experience it at all). Thus, let’s not waste our precious time debating the existence of God and whether we can prove God. Let’s remember that rational thinking is not all there is and that it is not the only lens through which to view our existence.

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." -Buddha

The Importance of Leisure

Relax. Take a deep breath.

We tend to live in an accelerated state of being. Our lives are way too hurried, hectic, and over-scheduled. Oftentimes, we pack so much into a single day that we forget to enjoy the simple things in life: a good book, an unhurried home-cooked meal shared with a loved one, a lazy carefree afternoon with good friends. I have met people who become stressed out when they have "too much free time" or do not have their lives scheduled down to the very minute. These people become so accustomed to being constantly on-the-go that they often do not even realize that such a fast-paced lifestyle can have dire consequences on their mental and physical health. Here's a great resource with more information about the physical and emotional effects of stress--which is often the byproduct of an overly busy lifestyle--on the body: http://www.stress.org/topic-effects.htm

Don't forget to give yourself time every day to relax, meditate, read, or just sit and think. If you can, use this time to do whatever it is you love but never seem to have the time to do.

Start now:
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRAvTGYt0P8

"Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some."
- Robert Fulgham

Allowing Nature to Support and Heal You

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” –Einstein

Nature is my religion. That is what I often tell people. Anytime I am out in nature, whether it be hiking through a forest, walking along the beach, or laying on the grass looking up at the sky, I am always immediately overcome with feelings of calm, peace, and acceptance.

I have gone on a hike every weekend for the past month and half or so. Usually it is in one of the many parks and nature preserves nearby, but still far enough that I am removed from urban life for a while. I find that these weekly outings are incredibly beneficial for my wellbeing. Not only do they provide me with beautiful scenery, fresh air, and quietness, but I am also in the company of good friends, which make these trips all the more pleasant and rejuvenating.

Though I enjoy experiencing the wonders of nature with others, it is also important to experience nature by yourself sometimes. The universal connection we share with all living beings and the grandeur and beauty of life are often best absorbed when you are completely alone in a natural setting (of course, we are hardly ever “alone” in nature since we are surrounded by so much life). I strongly encourage you to take a walk in nature by yourself every once in a while, even for just a few minutes. It is impossible not to feel revitalized when doing so. Journeys into nature help to quiet the mind. If you allow them to, these outings will bestow you with a sense of serenity that is rarely achieved elsewhere, especially in our hectic urban lives.

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” –Emerson

How often, when walking around outside, do we actually use our sense of touch to physically feel our natural world? If you can, try to experience nature in the most “natural” way possible. This does not necessarily mean stripping off your clothes and running around naked (though you are certainly welcome to try that, too!) but giving yourself the opportunity to experience the outdoors the way nature intended us to. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot for a while. Lose the hat and sunglasses and allow the sun’s rays to penetrate your skin for a few minutes. You may suddenly feel very vulnerable, but these sensations will make you realize how disconnected with are from nature a lot of the time. Allow yourself to touch the various textures of the outdoors (bark, stones, grass, dirt, leaves, etc.). Lay on the ground and feel the reassuring support of the strong earth beneath you. 

We have a lot to learn from nature. Let mother earth support you and guide you through times of hardship, pain, and suffering. If only we would let it, nature would provide us with all we really need to live happy, peaceful, and healthy lives.

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." -Anne Frank

Airports: A Love Affair

Airports are sort of beautiful in a strange way. The wait, the excitement in the air, the stress, the smell, the exhaustion, the luggage, the babies crying and kids running around….it all combines into something unique and wonderful that no other environment in our world can provide.

I feel like I’ve grown up in airports. Some of my earliest memories are of traveling with my mother to the United States from France during summers or the holidays. I remember waking up early (when it was still dark out!) to catch our plane to the U.S. I remember walking quickly through the airport and going through security and waiting impatiently at our gate until we were allowed to board. [Somehow security was much less scary then!].

Take-off was always a rush--a mixture of pure excitement and dread. What if something malfunctioned and we didn’t make it off the runaway? I remember saying a little prayer every time before taking off. Just a little something to make sure all went smoothly. Once in the air, I would wait expectantly for the flight attendant to go over the all too familiar safety briefings. I remember looking around at the people around me, adults who always seemed to be ignoring these important safety instructions, and thinking to myself, “Wow, these people are so ungrateful for their lives! What if something went wrong and they died because they didn’t listen to the instructions? Look at them reading their newspapers while the flight attendant is talking! I should pray for their safety too…”. And so I did. And when our plane landed safely I would thank the all-powerful deity I believed in at the time [my religious/spiritual beliefs have always been fluid…as they are to this day]. I would exit the plane full of excitement and wonder at what new adventures awaited me.

I still enjoy the atmosphere of airports [unlike most people]. Of course, the stress and hurry aren’t ideal, but these are only minute details that are part of a greater whole—a “whole” that becomes what is an airport and the implications thereof. The most obvious implication is travel, which in itself, opens up a whole world of opportunities and new experiences. Travel means learning and re-inventing yourself. Airports have become, in my mind, an indication of possibility, potential, exploration, and renewal . We travel to lose ourselves and to become ourselves. We leave to move on and forget, only to return again and remember [but this time with a brand-new perspective and a fresh outlook]. We explore other worlds to be destroyed and re-built. To be enriched and debunked. When you forget to travel, you forget to grow. You miss out an opportunity to expand and become.

So next time you are in an airport--undoubtedly stressed and impatient to get to your destination--stop for a moment and take it all in. Notice the hussle, notice the children’s voices, notice the ugly carpeting, notice the airplanes coming and going….coming and going….coming and going.
See it. Feel it. Love it. And go.


Note: This passage was originally written on December 31st, 2009, after I had done a lot of traveling and spent quite a bit of time in airports. 

Negativity: An Asset in Times of Trouble?

I watched a beautiful movie last night called Melancholia and directed by Lars Von Trier. The movie tells the story of two sisters (Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg), one of whom struggles with severe depression (Dunst), as they come to the realization that the earth is expected to collide with a blue planet called Melancholia. Both sisters take a radically different perspective toward the news of their imminent death, with Dunst appearing calm and accepting of the fact, while Gainsbourg remains agitated and distraught up until the very end. I found it to be a hauntingly beautiful story about depression and its effect on the human psyche during a disaster. It seemed that Dunst's character was able to passively accept her impending death because she had already come to terms with the idea that "bad things happen". In one sense, her negativity and defeatist outlook on the world ended up being a strength that enabled her to accept her fate and make the best of her last few hours on earth.

Trailer for Melancholia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzD0U841LRM

So, the movie left me thinking: What evolutionary advantage is there to having a negative outlook on life? Is our ability to experience pessimism actually a tool/asset conferred upon us to help us get through times of tragedy? Is it best to view our whole existence through a negative lens since we are then better able to cope with the many hardships and disappointments we will undoubtedly face in our lifetimes?

I am sure the answers to these questions depend greatly on our particular perspective at any given time since, after all, we are all subjected to the highs and lows that life throws our way. Our outlook on life is, more often than not, easily influenced by the specific details of our day, week, month.

For now, I continue to choose positivity and happiness. And I hope you do, too.

In the words of Swami Vivekananda (an Indian spiritual leader):

"If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience."

Finding a Piece of Sunlight on Rainy Days

It has been a rather cloudy and rainy past few days here in the bay area. We had an unusually dry and sunny winter (at least, so I am told…it was my first winter here!), so the rain was a much-needed blessing. Even so, I find it can sometimes be hard to stay positive, light-hearted, and energetic on days when the sun never shows its face or only peeks through the clouds for a few brief moments during the day. My energy level has always been heavily influenced by the weather, with sunny days usually accompanied by vitality, stamina, and a get-up-and-go type of enthusiasm, while cloudy/rainy ones tend to invite lethargy and idleness. I have the hardest time simply waking up on rainy days and never seem to snap out of a heaviness that weighs on me physically and emotionally.

I am aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder and know that part of what I experience on those days may be related to that, but I think this feeling of lethargy is more common than we realize. In fact, I have talked to many people who struggle with similar feelings on dark, rainy days and have a hard time functioning when rain persists for longer than a day. Though I am continuously working on overcoming my own battles with this, I found a few things to be quite helpful on dark days when you just can’t seem to wake up/get out of the house/get things done/feel content:

1.     Listen to happy, upbeat music that makes you want to dance. I am not normally a huge techno fan, but today I decided to try out the “Vengaboys” Pandora station and I found that it really did make me want to get up and move! One song in particular really got me going:

                                                          "Lucky (Hot Stuff Short Mix)" by Lucky Twice

2.     Go on a walk. Though it was the last thing I wanted to do today (trust me), I forced myself to put on some warm clothes and head out for a nice stroll around the neighborhood. In doing so, I got some fresh air, exercise, and even discovered a lovely small park in my neighborhood that I never knew existed. (If it is pouring rain, this may be more difficult to execute, but I still encourage you to put on a raincoat, grab an umbrella, and make the most of your outing).

3.     Bake. There’s nothing better than warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven, melt-in-your-mouth cookies on a cold rainy day. Bust out the apron and bake up a storm! Plus, having the oven on will create a warm, toasty atmosphere that is irresistible.

4.     Brew yourself a cup of coffee and write in a journal. I know, I know: it’s cliché. But seriously, when else are you going to have the time? Not to mention, a rainy indoor day is a great time for thoughtful reflection and for looking inwards to discover purpose and direction.

5.     Be thankful. This one never seems to fail me. Whenever I am feeling under the weather or just down, I remind myself of all the good in my life and all the things I have to be grateful for.

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
                                                                            - Martha Washington 

  

Fresh Salsa

Homemade salsa is truly a gem; it's easy to make, delicious, and can save you a lot of money in long run. All you need are a few key ingredients.

Here's the basic recipe I use:

Fresh Salsa 

Ingredients

• 2 cans of diced tomatoes
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, whole and unpeeled
• 1-2 green onions (depending on the size), chopped
• 1-3 jalapeño peppers (depending on your desired spice level)
• 1 TSP ground cumin
• 1/4 TSP salt
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 TBS fresh lime juice

 

Directions
Cook the jalapeño peppers and garlic cloves (unpeeled) in a frying pan on high heat until the skin on the peppers and garlic are charred. Remove from pan and let cool. Meanwhile, throw all of the other ingredients in a blender, including the juice from one of the cans of tomatoes but not the juice from the other (I find that using both makes it too watery). Peel the peppers and garlic and add them to the blender. Coarsely chop ingredients in blender and....voilá!

"The cure for cancer will not be found under the microscope; it's on the dinner-plate."
- Biochemist Paul Stitt

 

Science of Mind: My Own Path to Spiritual Expansion

A few months ago, Jorge and I started seriously looking around for churches or spiritual centers we could attend on a regular basis so that we could bond spiritually and expand our own spiritual awareness. We have both always been spiritual people and have sought out, and experienced, that spirituality in different ways over the course of our lives. However, until now, we had not found a place where we could go that felt right for the both of us. We wanted a church that fit our values and that was open-minded enough to accommodate for a wide range of belief systems and a wide range of people. At the East Bay Church of Religious Science, we found just that.

Having never been one to attend church services while growing up (apart from the occasional Christmas Eve service), I have always been skeptical of churches. I always entered them feeling a sense of defensiveness, distrust, and, sometimes, even anger. What I realized over the past few years though, is that my idea of what a "church" was had been greatly influenced by all of the negativity that surrounds religion, and none of the positive stuff. When I entered churches, I thought of sexism, racism, patriarchy, hypocrisy, and close-mindedness. Surely, all of those things are still very present in some churches and among some believers and, unfortunately, give a bad name to religion as a whole. But I also believe that these negative things come about through the human tainting of religion, misreadings and misinterpretations of religious texts, and even a true lack of religiosity among even the strongest of "believers". You can't claim to be a true Christian and still be racist or believe that we shouldn't help the poor! When I started to comprehend religion in this light, I began to shed some of my initial misgivings and started on a quest to find a religious/spiritual community that was right for me.

I entered the East Bay Church of Religious Science with an open mind and, luckily for me, was greeted with just that. Religious Science (or Science of Mind) is a New Age spiritual philosophy that is "a correlation of the laws of science, opinions of philosophy, and revelations of religion applied to human needs and the aspirations of man" (as explained by Earnest Holmes, its founder). It is a non-denominational, progressive, and open-minded spiritual community that encourages living in the present, adapting your beliefs to fit your experiences, and that unconditional love is the first step in spiritual transformation.

"We believe that love is the answer to all human discord and that peace begins in our own hearts, our own homes and in our own communities. When we love and accept ourselves and every person as a Divine Being, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation, there is no room for conflict." - Rev. Dr. Elouise D. Oliver (East Bay Church of Religious Science)

The building it is housed in looks nothing like a church and, in fact, the ministers and practitioners there refer to it as a "spiritual development center" not a church. The first half hour of every service is devoted to meditation, which is truly a wonderful way to begin any exploration of spirituality. The attendees are a diverse group: young, old, hipsters, hippies, business men and women, and people of every race/ethnicity. It is a genuine reflection of the diverse community where we live. The services are not preachy and encourage you to apply the philosophy to your own life in a way that works for you. Here, "God" is an open-ended concept that can be defined however you want. I tend to define "God" as the Universal Spirit or Presence that is most profoundly felt when you are in nature, but this is a fluid definition that is always open to revision and expansion.

I have finally found a spiritual center that is exactly what I want. We look forward to attending the Sunday services every week, and I love the peace, happiness, and calmness of mind I gain from being a part of such a welcoming, diverse, and inspiring community of people. Did I mention that it's also only a 20 minute walk from our house? We get to work exercise into the outing, which is a lovely way to start off our Sunday mornings. :)

For more information on the Science of Mind philosophy, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_Science. Or, delve even deeper, and read Ernest Holme's The Science of Mind. We just ordered it from Amazon and I can't wait to read it!


"Continuous spiritual expansion is my highest good, and I am fearless in my pursuit of love and wisdom. My greatest path lies within me. I willingly and quietly follow wherever it leads me." 
- Science of Mind Magazine, March 4, 2012

Sautéed Chicken & Asparagus

One of my favorite resources for easy healthy recipes is the World's Healthiest Foods site (http://www.whfoods.com/). I signed up for their electronic newsletters and now get a recipe in my inbox every day. The website itself is a bit strange and it may feel as if they are just trying to sell you stuff, but once you get past all of the ads, you actually find some pretty useful information about different foods. I started trying out the recipes a while back and have been pleasantly surprised. The other night we made the "15-minute Healthy Sautéed Chicken and Asparagus" and it was delicious. We served it over white rice.

We tweaked just a few things and here's the way we made it:

Sautéed Chicken & Asparagus (from the World's Healthiest Foods website)

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 medium cloves, minced
• 2 TBS olive oil
• 1 TBS minced fresh ginger 
• 3 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (preferably organic), cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups when cut)
• 3 TBS soy sauce
• 1 TBS rice vinegar
• pinch red chili flakes
• salt and pepper to taste
  
  Directions:
• Cut onion and mince garlic
• Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet. Sauté onion in oil for about 2 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
• Add ginger, garlic, chicken, and continue to sauté for another 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add asparagus, soy sauce, vinegar, and red chili flakes. Stir together and cover. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. This may have to cook for an extra couple minutes if the asparagus is thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  
  
  "God, in His infinite wisdom, neglected nothing, and if we would eat food without trying to improve, change or refine it, thereby destroying its life-giving elements, it would meet all requirements of the body." - Jethro Kloss
  
  

A Holistic Approach to Health

In holistic medicine, the emphasis is placed on healing a person as a whole, rather than treating a specific symptom or problem. When you become sick, it is often the result of some imbalance in your life, and rather than focusing on just one or two symptoms, it is best to view yourself as one whole that is made up of interrelated parts (emotional, social, physical, and spiritual aspects), all of which affect your overall health and depend on one another for your well-being. When one part is disrupted, it affects the other parts.

• "The physical you requires good nutrition, appropriate weight, beneficial exercise and adequate rest.
• The emotional you needs to give and receive forgiveness, love and compassion; needs to laugh and experience happiness; needs joyful relationships with yourself and others.
• The mental you needs self-supportive attitudes, positive thoughts and viewpoints and a positive self-image.
• The spiritual you requires inner calmness, openness to your creativity, and trust in your inner knowing."
                     Wellness from Within: The First Step, 2003, American Holistic Health Association

Of course, a holistic approach to health is most usefully applied when one isn't sick or, more specifically, as a way to avoid getting sick in the first place. Once you already have a sore throat, for instance, you're much more likely to resort to treating that one specific soreness rather than worrying about any other part of your self (and with good reason!). The trick, then, is to think about keeping your whole self in balance when you are healthy, rather than waiting until you are sick to address the problem(s). This, naturally, is much easier said than done, especially in a fast-paced society that values short-term solutions instead of long-term lifestyle changes.

The beauty of a holistic understanding of health is that it gives you so much power over your body and your well-being. You become an active part in your own health and healing process.

The American Holistic Health Association has a really great publication available online for free called Wellness from Within: The First Step that explores how to achieve wellness using a whole-person approach. To read it, follow this link: http://ahha.org/ahhastep.htm.

"We can be sure that the greatest hope for maintaining equilibrium in the face of any situation rests within ourselves."
  -Francis J. Braceland

 

Delicious Coleslaw

I've been getting a lot of cabbage, carrots, and beets in my CSA boxes recently since they're in season, so I wanted to find a great coleslaw recipe. Up until now, I haven't much success in finding a coleslaw recipe I truly enjoyed. Many were bland and others had either too little or too much mayonnaise. I'm a purist when it comes to coleslaw, so I think you do need to include some mayo, but there's no need to overdo it. After some research and trial and error,  I came up with the following recipe. I always like a good kick in my salads, so I usually include pickled jalapeños but, obviously, you should adjust to your own preferences.

Coleslaw

1 head of green cabbage, thinly shredded

1/2 cup onion, finely diced (I've used both green onions and yellow onions and either one seems to work well)

2 large carrots, grated

1 small or medium raw beet, grated (these can be a lot of work to grate when raw but the addition brings great flavor and a pretty color to your salad)

chopped pickled jalapeños (optional)--I usually put in about 1/4 cup

chopped kalamata olives (optional)--also about 1/4 cup

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

Toss the veggies together in a large bowl. Combine the dressing ingredients in another bowl, stir together, and mix into veggies. Let sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. I've found that the longer it marinates, the better the taste. For best results, use fresh veggies.

Starting Seedlings Indoors

By far the cheapest way to grow your own food is to start your vegetables from seed. You can buy a whole pack of seeds for less than you would spend on a single vegetable plant. Granted, it does require a little more effort, time, and patience to start from seed, but I think the the final result is well worth it. By starting from seed you can also guarantee that your vegetables will be raised organically. Growing from seed is the ultimate way to have a complete say over where your food comes from and how it was grown from seed to harvest.

Below is a picture of my tomato seedlings. I started these from seed a few weeks back and they're doing great so far. As soon as the rain stops and the weather is warm enough, I'll transfer them to containers outside. All I did with these was cut the bottoms off of a few containers (you can use old plastic water bottles, milk containers, etc.), poked a few holes on the bottom, and filled them up with a nutrient-rich potting soil. I used cherry and grape tomato seeds from Botanical Interests.

Looking forward to seeing how they do when I transfer them outside! There's really nothing better than a sweet, juicy, freshly-picked tomato on a hot summer day!

"The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition." -Thomas Edison

Finally!

Wow... I finally realized what I should've been doing all along! My passion for writing and my interests in psychology, human development, and health seem to have manifested themselves in a desire to write about all issues related to health. I can't believe it took me this long to start a blog about this topic... but here I am. I'm excited to begin sharing tips for healthy living, including recipes, spiritual insights, and strategies for positive thinking.


"It’s a cruel and random world, but the chaos is all so beautiful." ~Hiromu Arakawa