There is a Vitality

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.

- Martha Gram

Blueberry Spinach Smoothie

 
1 c frozen blueberries

1/2 c fresh spinach

1 c coconut water

1/2 of a banana

Blend in the blender + enjoy!

It is in this way that we must train ourselves: by liberation of the self through love. We will develop love, we will practice it, we will make it both a way and a basis, take our stand upon it, store it up, and thoroughly set it going.

-The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya

Red Lentil Dahl with Coconut Milk

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1" ginger, minced
1 onion (small/medium) chopped
1 cup tomatoes chopped
1-2 tablespoons madras curry powder OR 1 tsp each turmeric, cumin and coriander
2 green chili or ¼ cayenne (optional)
3 cups water

1 cup red lentils, well rinsed
¼ cup coconut milk
½ lemon juiced
½  bunch of cilantro

½ teaspoon sea salt

1. Heat olive oil in a soup pot on medium heat.  
2. Add curry/spices,  chilies/peppers, garlic, ginger, onions and tomatoes, sauteing until onions are soft. 
3. Add water and lentils, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Cook for 20-30 minutes, until lentils are soft, you may need to add extra water if the water absorbs but the lentils aren't fully cooked.  
4. Stir in coconut milk, lemon juice, cilantro and salt (to taste).

Ghee Fried Toast with Avocado

Perhaps one of my favorite winter time snacks!  Ayurveda suggests to increase fats and oils during the winter months and this certainly does it!

2 slices of bread (my favorite is Udi's Gluten Free Brown Rice Bread)

1 tbsp ghee

1/2 ripe avovado

salt + peper

1. Heat 1 tsp of ghee in a frying pan on medium heat, I prefer cast iron
2. Spread ghee on each side of bread slice
3. Fry bread until each side is browned
4. Spread slice or spread avocado on toast
5. Sprinkle with salt + pepper to taste

Celebrating Winter Solstice

Bowing in infinite gratitude, releasing that which no longer serves and setting intentions to illuminate the path.

The Winter Solstice is the longest night and the shortest day. The dark triumphs but only briefly. For the Solstice is also a turning point. From here (until the Summer Solstice), the nights grow shorter and the days grow longer, the dark wanes and the Sun waxes in power. From the dark womb of the night, the light is born. A mighty battle between the dark and the light in which the light always prevails.

Solstice ritual assists to release the old and illuminate the path ahead. It uses the elements of fire and water, along with winter energy to allow us to surrender our shadows and the transformations that the new year will bring. It is aimed at creating a timeless stillness, which is much like being in the womb...a celebration of rebirth. It is a creative vortex, which penetrates our inner physical bodies and weaves the outer manifestations of our daily lives.

As we ignite the flame we ask to be lead from untruth to truth, darkness to light, and death to immortality.

OM
Asatoma Sat Gamaya
Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya

My Grandpa's Two Cup Bean Soup

2 cups great northern beans 

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cups onion, chopped
2 cups celery, chopped
2 cups carrots, chopped
2 cups ham, cubed
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp fresh thyme
10 pepper corns

6 cups filtered water

1/2 tsp salt (added after beans are fully cooked)

1. In a large bowl, soak the beans overnight in 2-3 times the water as beans.  After soaked, rinse beans well. 

2.  In a large soup pot, heat oil on medium heat.  Add onions, celery, carrots and bay leaf, sauteing until the onions are translucent.

3.  Add the well rinsed beans, ham, thyme and 6 cups filtered water.  Bring to a boil, then cover, and turn down heat to a simmer cooking for 1-1 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender.

4.  Wait to add the salt to taste after beans are cooked as it hardens their skin prolonging cooking time if it is added sooner.

5. Garnish with fresh thyme.

Lamb Curry

1 lb lamb

1 cup frozen peas

1 tbsp olive oil

1 cup onion chopped

1 tomato chopped

1 tbsp minced ginger

2 tsp cumin ground

1 tsp coriander ground

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup water

1. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat adding onion, tomato, ginger and all spices.  Cook for until mustard seeds pop or a few minutes.

2. Add lamb, sauteing until lamb is browned on all sides.

3. Add water, reduce heat, and cover for 20-30 minutes or until lamb is tender (stir periodically + add more water if necessary).  

4. When the lamb is cooked, add peas and cook until they are warm. 

rain drops coming down
sitting in the the not knowing
the incense smells sweet

Salmon Patties with Caper Aioli

Salmon Patties

3- 6 oz cans salmon

1 slice of bread, crumbs

1/2 c mayonnaise

1/4 c onions, chopped

1/4 c fresh parsley or dill chopped

juice of half a lemon

2 eggs beaten

2 tbsp olive oil

Caper Aioli

1/2 c mayonnaise

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp capers, chopped

For the salmon patties, in a large bowl, place salmon using a fork to flake and to find any bones that you may want to remove.   Add all other ingredients (except olive oil), mixing well with a fork or your hands.  Using a 1/2 c at a time, form patties.   In a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil on medium heat.  Fry each salmon patty side for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. To make the aioli, mix mayo, lemon and capers.  


Makes 5 patties

Sweet Squash Soup

1 butternut squash
1 pie pumpkin 
1 tbsp olive oil 
1 onion, diced
1" ginger, minced
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tbsp fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cups veggie stock
¼ c maple syrup
½ c cream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Pierce squash + pumpkin several times with a sharp knife, place them on a baking sheet and bake for one hour or until fully cooked.   Once the squash + pumpkin are cooked, carefully (they will be incredibly hot) cut them open to scoop out and discard the seeds, then scoop the flesh out of the skin.  Set aside.

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil on medium heat.  Saute onion, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice, bay leaf and thyme until onions are tender and translucent.  Add squash, pumpkin, veggie stock, maple syrup and cream, stirring well.  Then blend in the blender until smooth, adding water if needed for thinner consistency.  Place back into the large soup pot, cooking on medium until fully heated.   Garnish with fresh time + a sprinkle of all spice or cinnamon depending on what you like more!

Autumn Omelets

As a child my grandparents owned a bed + breakfast in southwestern Wisconsin along the Mississippi river.  I spent many summers learning the fine art of making beds and omelets.  In my eyes, my grandfather was a master omelet maker.  Omelets allow for infinite creativity and variety.  I love that omelets adapt to the seasons, below are a few of my favorite autumn omelets.

1. In a non-stick skillet, heat 2 tsp olive oil on medium heat.

2. Add desired seasonal vegetables and cook until tender, see below for ideas, remove from skillet and set aside.

3. Whisk 2-3 eggs in a side bowl, add a shake of salt.

4. Add another 2 tsp of olive oil to the skillet, and then pour whisked eggs into the hot skillet.

5. Watch closely, as soon as the egg is slightly firm on the bottom side + flip able, flip.

6. Place cooked seasonal vegetables in the center. Fold the egg ‘disc’ in half around the filling.  Press the omelet with the spatula to get out any liquid from center to cook fully.

7. Flip the omelet one more time to ensure both sides are cooked but not too brown. 

My favorite fall seasonal fillings for omelets:

Crimini mushrooms, spinach, leeks and cooked bacon 

Chard, leeks and kalamata olives

Roasted fennel and butternut squash 

Arugula, red peppers and onion

Zucchini, basil and onion

Raspberry Lemon Mini Pies with Raw Nut Crust

the crust: 

1 cup raw pecans

1 cup raw almonds

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ginger powder

1 cup medjool dates, pitted

1. Blend nuts and spices in food processor until finely ground.   
2. Add dates and process until well combined.   
3. Place mixture into muffin tins and press evenly onto the bottom and sides.  Chill the crust while preparing the filling.

the filling:

2 1/2 cup frozen raspberries

2 cup apple juice

2 tbsp agar agar powder

1 tbsp arrowroot or flour dissolved in 2 T. apple juice

1 tbsp maple syrup

pinch of salt

zest of one lemon

1 tbsp lemon juice

1. Combine first three ingredients in saucepan and simmer over low heat until agar agar is dissolved, about 10 minutes.   
2. Turn heat up to light boil and stir in dissolved arrowroot.  Take off heat, add maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt.
3. Pour into already prepared mini pie crusts, chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to set.
4. Garnish with mint leaves + lemon zest. 

  Makes 12 mini pies

Chilled Cucumber Soup

I am amazed at how incredibly delicious + simple this summer soup is!

2 large cucumbers, peeled + seeded

2 ripe avocados

2 cups water

juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp or more of fresh tightly packed mint leaves

1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Place all ingredients in the blender, blend until smooth.  Serve chilled + garnished with a mint leaves.

Serves 2

Chocolate Goji Berry Bombs

1 cup dried goji berries

½ cup almond butter

2-3 tbsp maple syrup

4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa (i used dagoba)

1/4 cup finely grated unsweetened coconut (divided)

Place goji berries in a food processor with an 's' blade and process for a few minutes until loosely ground, then add the remaining ingredients mixing well.  Roll into tablespoon size balls + coat with shredded coconut, top with a goji berry. 

Mango *Lassi*

Whether I am at my favorite restaurant in Madison, Himal Chuli or in India, I love mango lassi's although the dairy often doesn't fair well for my sinuses.  My mango lassi at home swaps out the yogurt with coconut milk.

1 cup frozen mango

1/2 cup coconut milk (unsweetened)

1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp maple syrup (optional)

Blend all ingredients in the blender until smooth + enjoy!

Granola

4 c oats

1 c chopped pecans

1 c sliced almonds

1/2 c raw pumpkin seeds

1/4 c chia seeds

1-2 tbsp brown sugar

1/4 c maple syrup or honey

1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon

big pinch of salt

1/2 c dried fruit (optional)

mix all dry ingredients (except dried fruit) together.  mix maple syrup or honey with vanilla, then add to dry mix, stirring until well coated.  bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes, stirring each 10 minutes, until it's lightly browned and a bit crunchy.  remove the granola from the oven to cool and add dried fruit such as blueberries or cranberries. serve with fresh berries + milk.

*thanks sheryl for the original inspiration

Hokusai Says by Roger Keyes

Hokusai says look carefully.  He says pay attention, notice.

He says keep looking, stay curious.  He says there is no end to seeing.

He says Look Forward to getting old.

He says keep changing.

You just get more who you really are.

He says get stuck, accept it, repeat yourself as long as it is interesting.

He says keep doing what you love.

He says keep praying.

He says every one of us is a child, every one of us is ancient, every one of us has a body.

He says every one of us is frightened.

He says every one of us has to find a way to live with fear.

He says everything is alive -Shells, buildings, people, fish,

Mountains, trees, wood is alive.

Water is alive.

Everything has its own life.

Everything lives inside us.

He says live with the world inside you.

He says it doesn’t matter if you draw, or write books.

It doesn’t matter if you saw wood, or catch fish.

It doesn’t matter if you sit at home

  and stare at the ants on your veranda

    or the shadows of the trees

    and grasses in your garden.

It matters that you feel.

It matters that you notice.

It matters that life lives through you.

Contentment is life living through you.

Joy is life living through you.

Satisfaction and strength is life living through you.

He says don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid.

Love, feel, let life take you by the hand.

Let life live through you.

Asparagus + Bacon Egg Bake

This has evolved from my love of quiche + my quest to find a dairy + gluten free version:)

1/2 lbs bacon

1/2 lbs asparagus chopped in 1" pieces

8 eggs

salt + pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large skillet fry the bacon until crisp.
3. Remove bacon, sauteing asparagus in the bacon grease until tender.
4. Oil a 9x11 baking dish, layer asparagus then bacon.
5. In a separate bowl, scramble the eggs, then pour into baking dish.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until eggs are lightly browned + firm.

If you can enjoy dairy, a bit of milk scrabbled in the eggs + grated cheese would be delicious additions.

Coconut Pancakes + Baked Apples

Baked Apples 

1 apple sliced

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup water 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place apples, cinnamon and water in a pyrex baking dish.
3. Bake until apples are tender, about 15 minutes. 

 
Coconut Pancakes

3 eggs

3 tbsp plus 1 tbsp melted coconut oil

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/2 tsp honey or maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 salt

1/2 cup coconut flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup water (more or less)

1. Whisk together eggs, 3 tbsp oil, coconut milk, honey/syrup, and vanilla.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together all the dry ingredients, then to the egg mix, stirring until smooth.
3. Add the water to thin the batter out until it reaches that desired consistency.
4. Heat 1 tbsp+ coconut oil in a large skillet.
5. Cook pancakes until golden brown on each side.
6. Serve with baked apples, crushed walnuts and maple syrup.

Makes 5 large pancakes.  The Coconut Pancakes are from 'The Primal Blueprint Cookbook.'

High Energy Porridge

11/2 c water

1/2 c millet or quinoa

2 figs, chopped

2 dates, chopped

1 tsp minced orange peel (i used dried)

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

1 pinch clove

1 tsp ginger

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp maple syrup or honey

1 tbsp ground almonds

1 tbsp cacao nibs (optional)

Place water and well rinsed millet or quinoa, in a small pot.  Bring to a boil. Then turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  Stir in figs, dates, orange peel, chia seeds, cinnamon, clove and ginger.  Let simmer for 10 more minutes or until grains are soft, you may need to add additional water.  Once grains are fully cooked add the remaining ingredients. 

Enjoy warm or cold, great for breakfast or pack into small containers for a snack.

It is time…for all of us common ones
to locate ourselves by the real things
we live by.          
                             --William Stafford

Blueberry Pie with a Raw Nut Crust

the crust: 

1 cup raw pecans

1 cup raw almonds

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cardamon

1/4 tsp ginger powder

1 cup medjool dates, pitted

1. Blend nuts and spices in food processor until finely ground.   
2. Add dates and process until well combined.   
3. Place mixture into a deep dish 9 inch pie plate and press evenly onto the bottom and sides.  Chill the crust while preparing the filling.

the filling:

2 1/4 cup frozen blueberries

2 cup apple juice

2 tbsp agar agar powder

1 tbsp arrowroot or flour dissolved in 2 T. apple juice

1 tbsp maple syrup

pinch of salt

1 tbsp lemon juice

1. Combine first three ingredients in saucepan and simmer over low heat until agar agar is dissolved, about 10 minutes.   
2. Turn heat up to light boil and stir in dissolved arrowroot.  Take off heat, add maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt.
3. Put in already prepared (baked) crust, chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to set.

 
*Thank you Kira for this amazing recipe!

Raw Chocolate Truffles II

1 cup raw walnuts

1 cup pitted medjool dates

2 tbsp almond butter

2 tbsp coconut butter

1 tbsp maple syrup

4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa (i used dagoba)

1/2 cup finely grated unsweetened coconut

   1. In a food processor, drop the dates through the feed hole one by one. Scrape the processor bowl and run until the dates are smooth.

   2. Add remaining ingredients except for the coconut. Run until smooth and scrape the processor bowl with a spatula as needed.

   3. Roll the mixture into 12 one-inch balls and roll in coconut to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.

Makes 12 pieces

Sitting in Solidarity at the Wisconsin Capitol

The yoga studio or mediation hall is not the most appropriate place for political debate.  However, these practices have great tools to offer and can serve as a message of peace as we navigate political upheaval.  Yoga and meditation can teach us to stay grounded when the ground feels groundless.  The practice can teach us to keep our hearts open in the face of diversity and adversity.  The practice can help us to widen our circle of compassion beyond those in our immediate circle and fuel a passion to stand up for the rights of all beings.

Up to 100,000 people have gathered at the Wisconsin state capitol, rallying each day against a bill that threatens to strip union collective bargaining, restrict voting, take away vital state aid and health benefits, and sell off power plants on no-bid offers.  If you read the bill you discover it is filled with hidden agendas.  Meanwhile, the Governor has said he will not negotiate and the democratic senators have fled the state in order to slow it all down.

Inside the capitol, an around the clock sleep-in protest is being held with speakers from both within our community and across the country, including Tammy Baldwin, Jesse Jackson, Amy Goodman, and Tom Morello.  We’ve been in the press around the globe.  Thirteen days into the peaceful protests, there has been no violence.  The police officers and state troopers are often seen protesting when they are not on the clock.  As you enter the capitol you hear and feel the sound of the conch shell being blown, the drum circle raging, and thousands of people chanting.

There are infinite ways to stand up for what you believe in and to rally for peace.  If you spend the night or arrive early you will find people practicing yoga.  On Saturday, a few of us gathered to meditate for an hour and then practiced sun salutations for another hour on the first floor of the rotunda; it was incredible to feel the positive energy of the space and the intentions in our hearts infuse the protests and our practice.

Alicia Wright had the brilliant idea of organizing ‘hands around the capitol.’  On Monday, with our signs in hand, we ran and chanted around the outer sidewalk of the capitol, encouraging hundreds of people to hold hands and create a giant circle of solidarity around the building.  Within minutes, the entire circumference of the capitol was encircled with chanting, smiling, radiant people. 

If you wind up the marble stairs to the third floor west balcony you will come upon those sitting in solidarity, meditating to increase peace and compassion.  We sit every night from 7:30-9:30 pm; people come and go, and each day several more sit.  Many who haven’t sat before, but are curious, join in too.  If you can sit and breathe, you can meditate.  The energy is high and the drums are loud--there is not a moment of quiet, yet the deep stillness that can be experienced as your bones vibrate from the sounds of drums and chanting moving through you is profound.  The beauty of hearing thousands of people singing the national anthem or chanting, "What does democracy look like? This is what democracy looks like!" brings forth a deep well of joy and hope. To see how our community and communities across the nation have come together in peace to stand up against this bill makes me proud to be a Wisconsinite and part of the global community protesting peacefully for change.