Category Archives: Veggies

Disconnect from the Great Connector

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I love food! I’m one of those people who is thinking about food while I am eating food. Meal planning is a favorite hobby of mine and a game my mom and I used to play involved coming up with the most delicious thing you wished you were eating.

I was once a very picky eater and now am picky by choice. I’ve been a vegetarian my entire adult life and I try to stay in the realm of what I would consider healthy. Although it hasn’t always been the case, it’s getting easier and easier to be vegetarian, especially in California. I can typically always eat something close to what everyone else is having or will be offered an acceptable alternative.

My acupuncturist recently asked me to do a liver detox to address some imbalances he detected. I knew that I was going to have to do something like this so I have been mentally preparing. For three weeks I am giving up most of the tasty things I enjoy including dairy, gluten, sugar, alcohol and pretty much anything processed. I am only 7 days into a 21 day process but I am noticing how much food connects us to social experiences and pleasure.

In the last week I have been in various situations where I have had to decline the food being offered. It feels isolating to be the girl either not eating or eating something completely different. But I know it is temporary and it is tolerable. My health is my goal and that is so very worth it. Also, it is purely privilege that I am even able to restrict my diet for a specific purpose.

I can’t help but think about the parallel to life in this experience. How many people feel isolated and disconnected from society as a whole on a regular basis? How many people are always the ones who don’t fit the mold in any given situation? And for how many people is it not at all temporary?

It’s definitely not the first time I have felt disconnected from what’s considered the norm nor will it be the last but I find it interesting to observe the feelings that arise. Longing, worry about being judged, sadness, and feeling left out are just a few and this is only food folks!

The life experiences that this parallels are much larger and more permanent issues. It leaves me with a sense of compassion for the outsiders of the world. I am motivated to finish this challenge not only for my own health but also for the perspective that it grants me.

Healthy Happy Holidays

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There is no denying it now…the holidays are here! This time of year can be joyful and fun but can also come with stress, sickness and obligation. Here are my best tips for making the most of it and staying sane:

Emotional/Energetic Health

*Hell yes or no! – When you are asked to attend that party, bake 12 dozen cookies, shop the crowds, etc, etc take a moment to ask yourself if you really want to go. If your whole self doesn’t say “hell yes, that sounds awesome” then say no. It is easy to get overwhelmed with plans and then feel drained. Do only what nourishes you. I understand that some family obligations may not be a hell yes but you still have to or want to go. I get that, but minimize this as much as possible and if a family gathering is really not going to be in your best interest, give yourself permission to say no to that also.

*Get quiet & relax– nature dictates this as a time of year to go within ourselves and reflect. The days are shorter and the weather is getting colder. It’s natural to want to stay home and cuddle up but this has been made into the busiest time of the year for many. Make time to sit in meditation, take a gentle yoga class or just lounge around and watch Netflix.

*Loving-kindness – Being around family (or not having family) can stir up old hurts. Ram Dass wisely says “If you think you are enlightened, go spend a week with your family” We can easily get caught up in re-living the past, the unsavory political dinner conversations or feeling attacked for your life choices. The ancient practice of loving-kindness can shift this feeling in you in the moment or over time. There are different versions of this, some more adapted for Westerners but it goes something like this. You can do this formally in meditation or say this to yourself toward someone during an encounter with family. Another thing that I like to do if I am struggling to listen or relate, is to imagine energy flowing from my heart to theirs. In whatever practice you choose, remember to first love yourself!

*Fresh air/nature – We end up being inside more this time of year but don’t forget to get some fresh air and connect to nature. This helps us stay grounded and reduces stress. Getting your bare feet in the earth may not be an option but make contact with a tree trunk and feel the energy flow. Tree hugging is a thing and it’s good for us! 🙂

Physical Health

*More H2O – It’s easy to forget to drink water when it’s no longer warm outside but your body needs water in the winter too. Drink just as much water, if not more, than you would during the warmer months. I like to start the morning with warm lemon water with a dash of cayenne pepper. It helps me to start drinking water in the morning so I continue the trend throughout the day.

*Essential oils – I have several go-to oils for my health. Thieves, peppermint, oregano and lavender are my recommendations. Thieves is great for sickness prevention and keeping the immune system strong, peppermint and lavender are the best all around oils for a long list of things and oregano is natures antibiotic. I use the oils topically, diffused and internally. Make sure you have therapeutic grade in order to ingest them, not all oils are created equally. I use Young Living but there are other brands out there that are high quality as well, please do your research.

*Green smoothies/juices – I love veggies as much as the next girl and I cook with and eat them often. But for me, the best way to get tons of green goodness into my system is to make a juice or smoothie. Lately I have been giving my Vitamix a lot of love and have a formula that I more or less follow.

80/20 veggies to fruits and fruits that are low on the glycemic index like apples and berries (many folks make the mistake of making a very fruit forward creation that is high in sugar), vary your greens and veggies, water as base instead of fruit juice, chia seeds, spirulina, cacao for a treat, fresh ginger, cinnamon, cayenne. Winter is typically a time for soups and stews which I say yes to as well but I add the ginger, cinnamon and cayenne to bring that warming quality that we desire in the winter. I happen to love ginger and include it most of the time anyway but especially in winter.

*Vitamins/herbal supplements – Putting good food in your body is critical but I also take certain vitamins and herbs to ensure I stay well. A good quality multiple is helpful but I also take a B complex, vitamin D (more during the winter), vitamin C (extra if I feel under the weather) and Maca root when I need an energy boost. I also drink herbal tea regularly and either buy loose leaf or the Traditional Medicinals brand that is most often organic and is formulated by herbalists. This blend of things is what helps me most but every body is different. As my good friend and health coach says “if your supplements don’t make you feel better, it’s just expensive urine” Explore and find out what works best for you.

Spiritual Health

*Sing, dance and be merry – Let the spirit of the season envelop you. If you don’t love it all, choose what you do love and go with that. Song and dance have great power and when done correctly (correct = whatever you resonate with) can be a spiritual experience. Move your lips and your hips and do it with love.

*Celebrate ceremoniously – Holiday traditions are sometimes deeply rooted or newly minted. Find something fun about this time of year and make it sacred. If what you’ve been doing isn’t working or no longer fits your mold, change it! Ceremonies are important but only if they make you feel awesome. I love getting out my holiday decorations and looking at my recap of last year and hopes and dreams for this one – I keep them in the decoration boxes. I also have this great collection of sweet collectors bears that make me smile year after year.

May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be free from suffering. May this holiday season be filled with joy and love.

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Nip Sickness in the Bud Miso Soup

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I have a handful of recipes that I make on a regular basis. Some of them are written down and others (like this one) I just throw together when I need. I always make this soup for breakfast if I wake up feeling a little off. It might be a sore throat or achy body but if my first thought is “oh no, I hope I’m not getting sick,” this is my go-to recipe. I always have what I need to make the bare bones of this soup and then I add extras according to what is in my fridge. I learned awhile back (when I kept pushing myself and got pneumonia in grad school) to take care of myself before I get really sick. This soup along with some extra relaxing and hydration usually does the trick.

Now, I know the verdict is out on whether soy is good or not. Many say no and my take is to eat only in moderation and to eat it at home where I can buy organic or only go to places where I know they source good soy products. Miso is a soy product but it is fermented which comes with added health benefits. It is good for digestion, is high in antioxidants, helps the body detox from environmental contaminants and is known to improve your immune system. It is also very high in sodium so not something that I eat everyday for sure.

Ingredients:

Measurements are approximate. I usually make only one serving and sort of wing it when it comes to how much. This is why I am a cooker and not a baker (precision is not my strong suit)

1 clove garlic chopped

1 inch ginger diced or grated

1 TBS organic Miso paste (I use white or yellow-red is a much bolder flavor)

1 tsp toasted sesame oil

1 tsp soy sauce

a couple squirts of Sriracha (if you like spicy)

veggies (mushrooms, zucchini, shredded carrot, spinach, kale, other greens, whatever you have!)

juice of 1/2 lemon

green onions

Preparation:

Heat sesame oil in saucepan over medium heat, add garlic and ginger and saute for a few minutes until soft. I usually add the soy sauce now since the grated ginger will sometimes stick to the pan and this de-glazes it a bit. Also add veggies (except greens) Cook for a few minutes. Add Sriracha if using.

Add 1 1/2-2 cups boiling water (I boil it in my tea kettle first because I usually want to get this in my body fast!) Let simmer for a few minutes.

Dissolve the miso in warm water and slowly add to the soup. You don’t want to add it directly to the boiling water, it can kill some of the health benefits. Also, make sure not to cook for too long after miso is added.

Add greens and simmer just until wilted. Turn off heat and add juice of lemon and chopped green onions.

Eat right away saying to yourself “this soup nourishes my body and gives me exactly what I need to stay healthy and happy” 🙂

Keep the basics in the fridge and add any veggies you have

Keep the basics in the fridge and add any veggies you have

 

Enjoy! YUM

Enjoy! YUM

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This little guy always make me feel better too! Cuddles with him while eating the soup are a bonus.

 

Buddha Breakfast Bowl

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buddha bowl 2This is one of my favorite recipes because it is delicious, easy to make and you can make enough for several days. Oh yeah, and it’s super good for you! 🙂  I like to have it for breakfast but it is really good for any meal. The triple alliteration was just too good to pass up. Credit for this recipe goes to one of my favorite yoga teachers Elena Brower

  • Cook up quinoa, brown rice or any other grain according to the package.
  • Lightly steam kale or other leafy greens.
  • Add any other veggies that are in season to your grains and greens. Pictured is roasted butternut squash but I have added broccoli, zucchini, sweet potato, avocado, cauliflower.
  • Some grilled or baked tempeh makes it a little more hearty.
  • Top with lemon-miso dressing, sesame seeds, seaweed flakes, tapatio, etc.
  • Have fun, mix it up, make it your own!

Lemon-Miso Dressing: caution this stuff is amazing and you may want to put it on everything!!

  • Equal parts (50-150ml depending on how much you want to make) fresh squeezed lemon juice and oil of choice (I usually use olive or grapeseed)
  • One or two heaping spoonfuls of miso paste (white or yellow seem to work the best)
  • I make it in a mason jar and just shake it up
  • You can mix up the citrus that you use as well. I’m pretty partial to lemon though.

*organic is best for all the ingredients, especially the kale and soy products.

I store the ingredients in glass tupperware and make up batches throughout the week. YUM!

Honoring my juicing slump

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I got a juicer for Christmas in 2011 and I became a juicing fool. I would literally plan the night before what I would juice in the morning and get excited about it like it was my outfit for the first day of school. Juicing became a meditative act and I loved the way I could feel my cells vibrate as they absorbed nutrition. When I told my partner that last part I think he probably thought I was losing it! But, it gave me more energy and I couldn’t tell enough people about how much I was loving juicing. I have continued with my juicing on most days since I first got my juicer and it has become a great way to use any leftover veggies from the CSA. There have been days or stretches of days where I haven’t felt like juicing. At first I would try to force myself to want to juice because it is good for me. I have since backed off on that practice because when I was loving my juicing the juice itself was full of love. When I try to force it, I am drinking resentment and obligation!

I haven’t juiced in a few weeks now and I have decided to embrace the break. I know partly it started when I went on vacation and was off my routine but I am also respecting the fact that maybe I don’t need it right now. I was feeling like I was constantly battling off illness for awhile and during that time juice was my constant companion and wellness warrior. I still manage to eat healthy and incorporate a lot of veggies into my diet but I would rather return to juicing when I am happy and excited about it. I’m not saying we can sit on the couch and eat junk as long as we think loving thoughts (although that might work just fine, who knows?!) but I will say it feels good to honor what I need, or don’t need, right now.

On Monday I was up bright and early steaming kale and chopping veggies to have healthy food to eat throughout the week. It did not include any juicing but it felt joyful and it always helps me feel more grounded and prepared to know that I don’t have to worry about making good food throughout the week.

In what ways can you honor your body right now? Are you forcing anything that is not ultimately serving your joy in life? Let it go with a smile! 🙂

healthy food

Healthy food ready to go! Pile for the compost in the background.