tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91451746392681159062024-03-13T13:39:00.682-06:00breathe through this...and you won't look back. (life. love. yoga.)Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-11355922511113109152019-08-09T19:39:00.001-05:002019-08-13T15:09:29.533-05:00Sakara OBSESSION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Food contains information. Every bit of food you eat broadcasts a set of coded instructions to your body - instructions that can create either health or disease." -Dr. Mark Hyman<br />
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"Food is information that tells your genes how to best replicate and repair. Each bite is an opportunity to instruct your body to heal." -Danielle Duboise and Whitney Tingle, Sakara co-founders<br />
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S A K A R A<br />
(<i>suh</i>-KAR-<i>uh</i>) Sanskrit.<br />
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adj: With form. Or giving form to that which does not have form.<br />
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n: 1. The physical manifestation of Brahman - in Hinduism, the ultimate principle of the universe. 2. The action of turning thoughts to things and dreams to reality.<br />
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I've been coveting the <a href="http://fbuy.me/nvzMV" target="_blank">Sakara</a> signature meal delivery program for years. YEARS. Every meal is vegan, organic, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and contains no refined sugar. Three days of Sakara meals flood your body with over 100% of your daily requirements for protein, essential vitamins and minerals, more than 15 cups of leafy greens to heal your gut, 100+ disease-fighting, youth-promoting phytochemicals and antioxidants, 200% of the fiber you need daily to support digestion, and more than 100 unique ingredients for ultimate health.<br />
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Do you know how much planning, shopping, prepping, and cooking it would take to do that yourself? A LOT. I know a fair bit about nutrition, and I'm a good cook. I've done lots of cleanses and meal plans; I've prepped three-day cleanses for myself and my sister over the years. IT IS A TON OF WORK. When I think about trying to create that kind of meal plan for myself, the price tag on Sakara starts to make a lot more sense to me.<br />
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Let's just get this out of the way: the Sakara meal delivery program is expensive. It just IS. For me, it was a long-anticipated splurge. I found a long-lost Visa gift card someone gave me at Christmas, and also happened to make some extra money editing a poetry collection for a friend last month. It's certainly not in my standard budget. But if you are able to swing it, it is categorically worth every last penny. And because the entire program is designed around the idea of food as medicine, and because the people behind it work with doctors, scientists, and healers to create exceptionally thoughtful, delicious, and nourishing meals, what you're paying for goes far beyond the meals themselves (which are absolutely divine) and includes your overall health, your productivity, your mood, your ability to enjoy your life and feel good in your body, and so much more.<br />
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When I finally (FINALLY) ordered three days of Sakara meal-delivery, I had high expectations - in fact, I had extremely high expectations. Probably the highest of expectations! My yoga crush, Kathryn Budig, had been Instagraming about Sakara on the regular, and I know she knows good food. I had poured over the website longingly enough times to know that everyone from Oprah to supermodels raved about it, and had picked up on the fact that Sakara often had menus created by Michelin star chefs by following all of their social media accounts. And although I've tried a lot of food delivery services that I've really enjoyed, and regularly use a couple that are within my budget (Daily Harvest and Hungryroot are both fantastic and affordable), I've never had my mind completely blown by anything I've tried. Until now.<br />
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My nine Sakara meals - plus the Detox tea (roobios, lemongrass, and rose - it's SO SOOTHING) and their probiotic that comes with your meal delivery order - absolutely exceeded every expectation that I had. There were a couple of meals that rank among the best things I've ever ate, EVER, and I've been lucky to go to many excellent restaurants. This food is something seriously special. It's beautiful. It's fresh. And it is DELICIOUS. I mean slowing down and savoring because every single bite is a treat, licking the bowl, feeling emotional when it's all gone DELICIOUS.<br />
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Those three days were absolutely amazing. And not just because every meal felt like unwrapping a present and was absolutely delicious. By dinner on Wednesday, I knew something was happening. I felt so much more energetic, I was already less bloated, and I wasn't hungry in between meals. I didn't crave junk food or late-night snacks. By breakfast on Thursday I was noticing my mood: namely that my mind felt less cloudy and I was feeling unusually happy. By Thursday dinner I felt downright giddy and clear-headed in a way I didn't realize I was missing. I stuck with plant-based eating after my meals were gone (but I absolutely had martinis and fries on Saturday night) and on Sunday I actually felt like exercising.<br />
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If you want to try Sakara, you can use <a href="http://fbuy.me/nvzMV" target="_blank">my link</a> to get $50 off your first meal delivery order. And full disclosure: I'll get $50, too. And that would be awesome because my dream life involves being able to flood my body with this kind of super-power nutrition as often as I can! And I hope the same for you.<br />
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So without further ado, here are my nine glorious Sakara meals, from packaging, to what's inside, to plated. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://fbuy.me/nvzMV" target="_blank">Click here to order Sakara and get $50 off!</a><br />
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Tuesday dinner:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxaBOTFnuwU/XU4B7qgr8aI/AAAAAAAACk8/nCZD-fOSDEExx6wGq1sViq-EgTGowPFzgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxaBOTFnuwU/XU4B7qgr8aI/AAAAAAAACk8/nCZD-fOSDEExx6wGq1sViq-EgTGowPFzgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner #1 - Tuesday</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxaBOTFnuwU/XU4B7qgr8aI/AAAAAAAACk8/nCZD-fOSDEExx6wGq1sViq-EgTGowPFzgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHvBJp12SmY/XU4B-eaN2AI/AAAAAAAAClg/PTqOjL9OMU8EXt46YNl4o_eSvGxOUCH8gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHvBJp12SmY/XU4B-eaN2AI/AAAAAAAAClg/PTqOjL9OMU8EXt46YNl4o_eSvGxOUCH8gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4122.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty Blend Salad. This dressing was so flavorful and the seed covered avocado did, actually, change my life.</td></tr>
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Wednesday breakfast:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgXnA5NHWjY/XU4B7pjfmKI/AAAAAAAACk4/pmAnu2KkU7QEozxZ39qCvHGxOlmAU8hjQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgXnA5NHWjY/XU4B7pjfmKI/AAAAAAAACk4/pmAnu2KkU7QEozxZ39qCvHGxOlmAU8hjQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0004.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast #1 - Wednesday</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxUMbwYqJuE/XU4B-ecjZfI/AAAAAAAAClk/rlKOXgikc609_Gi0wS96L3XstpRpCcpzgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxUMbwYqJuE/XU4B-ecjZfI/AAAAAAAAClk/rlKOXgikc609_Gi0wS96L3XstpRpCcpzgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of the most delicious things I've ever had for breakfast. I could eat it for dessert. It was like a banana pudding Tira Misu. That vanilla specked cream was revelatory. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn5xvALyxT4/XU4B-l2ZbPI/AAAAAAAAClo/3u-dk13ZaNIGMGC4bTIv0fApPvKan7S3ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn5xvALyxT4/XU4B-l2ZbPI/AAAAAAAAClo/3u-dk13ZaNIGMGC4bTIv0fApPvKan7S3ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4149.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a good breakfast to have in the bath.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Wednesday lunch:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYaUtUg7koE/XU4B8SzoXMI/AAAAAAAACm0/9m5B-vP3N-Ect9J2VSqMZOwfIYbWoi1-ACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYaUtUg7koE/XU4B8SzoXMI/AAAAAAAACm0/9m5B-vP3N-Ect9J2VSqMZOwfIYbWoi1-ACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch #1 - Wednesday</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iyMrwQfADY/XU4B_D-DqDI/AAAAAAAACls/ipj7hi8NFAoWJy3xXOm8820fbKLb_zROQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iyMrwQfADY/XU4B_D-DqDI/AAAAAAAACls/ipj7hi8NFAoWJy3xXOm8820fbKLb_zROQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4158.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the metta meditation.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMzdLTh3q2E/XU4B8hN_6UI/AAAAAAAAClM/6gFE4mz268k5b-lGFY6hq2B-7UW9QcjnACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMzdLTh3q2E/XU4B8hN_6UI/AAAAAAAAClM/6gFE4mz268k5b-lGFY6hq2B-7UW9QcjnACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet beet and toasted cashew medley. The ginger glow dressing was amazing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Wednesday dinner:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwmEacZTegI/XU4B8PyVo_I/AAAAAAAAClE/MY-5O1JRPhcEZT4VpJ2F2CDAz9YLGmCDQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwmEacZTegI/XU4B8PyVo_I/AAAAAAAAClE/MY-5O1JRPhcEZT4VpJ2F2CDAz9YLGmCDQCLcBGAs/s640/FullSizeRender-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner #2 - Wednesday </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LFMAmfYrLw/XU4B9HizTmI/AAAAAAAAClQ/gs9FEIXNtVM7Wh9UHPWvnN9xzh4tGe9dQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0017.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai Burger and Root Fries. Still thinking about this one. Especially that sauce.</td></tr>
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Thursday breakfast:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Lf--D1VAa8/XU4B9TyNL3I/AAAAAAAAClU/E_60DHg_1Jwiunrp7tdSJ4Sw-RNdvwz9gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Lf--D1VAa8/XU4B9TyNL3I/AAAAAAAAClU/E_60DHg_1Jwiunrp7tdSJ4Sw-RNdvwz9gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0018.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast #2 - Thursday</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nxRLmpAxyY/XU4B_toLbyI/AAAAAAAAClw/HTp6A4m7JHYjFmJAY3wsG1a0Djwwej6_QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nxRLmpAxyY/XU4B_toLbyI/AAAAAAAAClw/HTp6A4m7JHYjFmJAY3wsG1a0Djwwej6_QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4168.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks can be deceiving. This doesn't look like much in the package, <br />
but it was actually incredibly substantial and unbelievably delicious!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB0fPNttHNM/XU4CACL9whI/AAAAAAAACl0/s0kvrnWWoSE5H_7XsO-T_WSkeXFSgLz5gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB0fPNttHNM/XU4CACL9whI/AAAAAAAACl0/s0kvrnWWoSE5H_7XsO-T_WSkeXFSgLz5gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4169.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The muffin was so moist. That lemongrass butter was like candy. This was such a pleasure to eat.</td></tr>
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Thursday lunch:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-eL9tsJ2jk/XU4CAkYRu9I/AAAAAAAACl8/S3bhY9quHBM_LYWbmB-iuKw3l6bEe16AwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-eL9tsJ2jk/XU4CAkYRu9I/AAAAAAAACl8/S3bhY9quHBM_LYWbmB-iuKw3l6bEe16AwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4175.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch #2 - Thursday</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pC66fbN4SJE/XU4B9s5JJzI/AAAAAAAAClY/AoNLAqYsyXwqAgeqD7gl8_CuktvgrQTaACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pC66fbN4SJE/XU4B9s5JJzI/AAAAAAAAClY/AoNLAqYsyXwqAgeqD7gl8_CuktvgrQTaACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0023.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watermelon radish is beautiful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7vD9vEjvimA/XU4CAiLuz3I/AAAAAAAACl4/z622uRPjQSwYSuf_C5JuUPXKvL_5a1TdgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7vD9vEjvimA/XU4CAiLuz3I/AAAAAAAACl4/z622uRPjQSwYSuf_C5JuUPXKvL_5a1TdgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the meal that took me over the edge. It was unlike anything I've ever had before, and just spectacularly tasty. One of the best things I've ever had to eat all told, not just via a meal delivery service. SO. GOOD. I get emotional about it. :)</td></tr>
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Thursday dinner:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9twZNILrCYA/XU4CAwFepAI/AAAAAAAACmA/Z1AgCn3_5YYRumMUryd7TywlolN1R__tQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9twZNILrCYA/XU4CAwFepAI/AAAAAAAACmA/Z1AgCn3_5YYRumMUryd7TywlolN1R__tQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4190.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner #3 - Thursday</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tpvu_pXLe84/XU4B9goxsqI/AAAAAAAAClc/5sFLAnunU44tNhCA7iaDNrGjxTIuZyvPwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tpvu_pXLe84/XU4B9goxsqI/AAAAAAAAClc/5sFLAnunU44tNhCA7iaDNrGjxTIuZyvPwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This felt so indulgent! The sunflower "chorizo" actually blew my mind. So did the crema. Just amazing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Friday breakfast:<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbWWWAjTO9Q/XU4CBlEzkDI/AAAAAAAACmE/fWD1Qy3FHrQ-9vJTiLymljkW9yQYH6v5wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbWWWAjTO9Q/XU4CBlEzkDI/AAAAAAAACmE/fWD1Qy3FHrQ-9vJTiLymljkW9yQYH6v5wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4209.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast #3 - Friday</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBjoyUHvsAM/XU4CBlAtk1I/AAAAAAAACmI/KkygnWSIoJ0_ZknCYvpp27QfxhpSjMjiwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBjoyUHvsAM/XU4CBlAtk1I/AAAAAAAACmI/KkygnWSIoJ0_ZknCYvpp27QfxhpSjMjiwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4213.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love granola. I had high hopes for this one, especially after hearing Kathryn Budig talk about how her wife, Kate, always eats all of the Sakara granola as soon as they get a delivery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Lr7jLNAs4/XU4CB6SZCcI/AAAAAAAACmM/RDaDkYDwzCYO8Ksu-mrBFVEc8IKQGEuTwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Lr7jLNAs4/XU4CB6SZCcI/AAAAAAAACmM/RDaDkYDwzCYO8Ksu-mrBFVEc8IKQGEuTwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably the best granola I've ever had. And that MYLK! This was so decadent but left me feeling amazing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Friday lunch:<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JdnkW8cqiIo/XU4CCAHuT8I/AAAAAAAACmQ/mJJfnr6rkh0ihcGdMvN2ir4A0Gfk0ZzTgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JdnkW8cqiIo/XU4CCAHuT8I/AAAAAAAACmQ/mJJfnr6rkh0ihcGdMvN2ir4A0Gfk0ZzTgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4225.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch #3 - Friday</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOEUuEL6_xc/XU4CCppecrI/AAAAAAAACmU/-H7FImeH4HooRPLdD-4Esm9I8liUJ0W2wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOEUuEL6_xc/XU4CCppecrI/AAAAAAAACmU/-H7FImeH4HooRPLdD-4Esm9I8liUJ0W2wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4226.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunshine Curry Bowl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNLBC-zYBuM/XU4CCtMl9PI/AAAAAAAACmY/2Q2qWf61vcI60OnKRah-mxqfYJlGYooTgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNLBC-zYBuM/XU4CCtMl9PI/AAAAAAAACmY/2Q2qWf61vcI60OnKRah-mxqfYJlGYooTgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4229.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was so delicious, but also so FRESH. The vegetables were actually beautiful.</td></tr>
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If you are able to try Sakara, please use <a href="http://fbuy.me/nvzMV" target="_blank">this link</a>; you will get $50 off your first order, and I'll earn $50 off a future order, which would be the best thing ever! Happy eating and healing!<br />
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Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-86682315258408194772016-04-08T23:34:00.004-05:002016-04-08T23:34:35.656-05:00Day 5. SUCCESS. I'm not sure watching FoodTV is the best idea. I'm really, really, really hungry. I truly cannot imagine how anyone does this for more than a day. Hell, I'm not even sure I can make it a full day yet. I was hoping that the fact that these Invigoration Cleanse juices don't actually skimp on sugar would mean I'd have no problem sticking to just juice, but I'm really struggling. I probably just need to go to bed sooner rather than later. But I still have another cashew milk "juice" and I'm sure as hell not missing that. I'm having ALL OF MY JUICES, DAMNIT.<br />
<br />
They are talking about DUCK FAT on FoodTV. Why am I doing this to myself? OMG.<br />
<br />
I would so break this cleanse for duck fat tater tots and a cocktail at Merchant's in downtown Nashville. The fact that I live in rural western-Kentucky is totally saving my cleanse right now.<br />
<br />
I just want to at least last a full day. No booze, no food, just water and the cleanse drinks. Okay, and I had a cup of coffee, but there was coffee IN this cleanse, anyway. That is totally legit.<br />
<br />
The Blue Print juices are smooth as hell, and most of them have been downright delicious. I would love to have easy access to them, not so much for the purpose of cleansing (I really don't dig the liquid diet. I miss chewing) but as a super healthy daily addition to my diet, when I don't have the chance to juice at home or break out the Vitamix for a green smoothie.<br />
<br />
Okay - drinking my last one now, so we have a breakdown of the day:<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AssGWALERGA/VwiCt-PfnUI/AAAAAAAACQs/ZQlmoxCIp2cbhQv7QdNN9sBzBRgAhsJUw/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AssGWALERGA/VwiCt-PfnUI/AAAAAAAACQs/ZQlmoxCIp2cbhQv7QdNN9sBzBRgAhsJUw/s320/IMG_0432.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxpTn9D9TVU/VwiCI-jVSNI/AAAAAAAACP4/tLwWQz0Z4doUD95IItgRXhwFAS4Rb7c0w/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxpTn9D9TVU/VwiCI-jVSNI/AAAAAAAACP4/tLwWQz0Z4doUD95IItgRXhwFAS4Rb7c0w/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Es3hT3WiVFk/VwiCiUOC6OI/AAAAAAAACQY/RDuATsl3REgMjlm3id1vgamPfVzQJDCDQ/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Es3hT3WiVFk/VwiCiUOC6OI/AAAAAAAACQY/RDuATsl3REgMjlm3id1vgamPfVzQJDCDQ/s320/IMG_0436.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYJ6LTDrql0/VwiCaOL3fsI/AAAAAAAACQI/XCpUaNCg_XY589QUKB_UrdpXrQyC5EGsQ/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYJ6LTDrql0/VwiCaOL3fsI/AAAAAAAACQI/XCpUaNCg_XY589QUKB_UrdpXrQyC5EGsQ/s320/IMG_0433.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUbhoMAME84/VwiCpKPb_UI/AAAAAAAACQg/ESku_cz4KTwlpnhnhr4V9Pj7rSpx0sDmA/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUbhoMAME84/VwiCpKPb_UI/AAAAAAAACQg/ESku_cz4KTwlpnhnhr4V9Pj7rSpx0sDmA/s320/IMG_0434.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwC60RjoZEM/VwiCevwloBI/AAAAAAAACQQ/2zvL5aPliVIA1L6HsXPifcA-MDCcB2U9A/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwC60RjoZEM/VwiCevwloBI/AAAAAAAACQQ/2zvL5aPliVIA1L6HsXPifcA-MDCcB2U9A/s320/IMG_0437.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tb27cyaOrnQ/VwiCW3mrcHI/AAAAAAAACQA/taFVDkPdtIQd2rPR1zBl5wypufeDBx53w/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYJ6LTDrql0/VwiCaOL3fsI/AAAAAAAACQI/XCpUaNCg_XY589QUKB_UrdpXrQyC5EGsQ/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwC60RjoZEM/VwiCevwloBI/AAAAAAAACQQ/2zvL5aPliVIA1L6HsXPifcA-MDCcB2U9A/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Es3hT3WiVFk/VwiCiUOC6OI/AAAAAAAACQY/RDuATsl3REgMjlm3id1vgamPfVzQJDCDQ/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
At 7:30am I had a fresh squeezed lemon in room temperature water, which is how I've started almost every single day for the past five years or so. I taught a yoga class at 8am, and drank a ton of water during and after. My morning was a bit chaotic; I didn't get to my first juice until after 10am. I had a massage after work and didn't get to my fourth juice until a bit late, which didn't give me time to wait at least two hours between the last two juices, and I'm also planning to be in bed by midnight, which, according to the Blue Print folks, isn't idea (you're supposed to have your last juice two hours before going to bed) but hey - the fact that I actually made it through this is enough to celebrate! Now I just have to NOT bounce back hard - tomorrow needs to be full of nutrients and chewing, NOT binging.<br />
<br />
I'll be interested to see how I feel tomorrow! If nothing else, it will feel good to be fully hydrated.<br />
<br />
Now I better go to bed before I end up eating chips. I've actually done it! I managed a full one-day Blue Print cleanse!! WOO-HOO!<br />
<br />
Namaste.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-37782954001915420472016-04-08T14:37:00.001-05:002016-04-08T14:37:22.901-05:00Days 3 and 4 and onto 5.Oh, man. I wish I could write up the past two days and say that I stuck with all of my intentions and do another checklist of being awesome, and yet at the same time, I hope that my #realityyogi experience helps someone out there wanting to chuck it all because they fucked up. I don't believe in fucking up, anyway - I think it's all about balance and staying present moment by moment to what is happening -- I didn't fuck up, per se, but I did adjust based on what was going on in my life.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N3yhHYVhdL0/VwgGFt0Q5ZI/AAAAAAAACPQ/2sxw0txL_1stMusv6xWs0J-2xcQR3iVrw/s1600/IMG_2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N3yhHYVhdL0/VwgGFt0Q5ZI/AAAAAAAACPQ/2sxw0txL_1stMusv6xWs0J-2xcQR3iVrw/s320/IMG_2521.JPG" width="320" /></a>On Wednesday I followed the Blue Print <a href="https://store.blueprint.com/products/cleanses/inspiration.html" target="_blank">Inspiration Cleanse</a> through juice #4. And then I met the family for sushi, which was my niece Lily's choice because she had her sedated MRI the next day, and - I'll own up to it - I had beer and sushi. My sister and I talked and decided that it would make more sense to do day #2 of the cleanse on Friday seeing as we would traveling two hours round trip and be stuck most of the day waiting at the hospital for Lily on Thursday, so yesterday I started the day with lemon water and juice #5 from the Inspiration Cleanse, had a turkey-bacon breakfast sandwich and a non-fat cappuccino from Starbucks for breakfast, a big salad from the hospital cafeteria salad bar for lunch, and a steak, salad, and baked potato for dinner. It was a long, stressful day, and I can honestly say it was the right adjustment to make; I can't fathom being on a juice cleanse under the kind of emotional and physical stress that Lily's MRI days involve. And all told, it wasn't an awful day in terms of food, and I did stay hydrated.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i91UdxClql4/VwgGM1YcLcI/AAAAAAAACPU/Iz2FpxR5n9gCgtuyaFxpJKpZe38JKv25w/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i91UdxClql4/VwgGM1YcLcI/AAAAAAAACPU/Iz2FpxR5n9gCgtuyaFxpJKpZe38JKv25w/s320/IMG_2567.JPG" width="320" /></a>So today, Friday, we're back at it. I'm following the Blue Print <a href="https://store.blueprint.com/products/cleanses/invigoration.html" target="_blank">Invigoration Cleanse</a>, and so far (I'm two juices in) it feels like a walk in the freakin' park compared to the Invigoration Cleanse. Which is not surprising; even the Blue Print folks point out that the Inspiration Cleanse, with its five green juices, is no joke and not for beginners. I was just attracted to all of those green juices and excited about watercress and dandelion (two things I certainly can't get where I live.) I would love to be able to incorporate those juices into my normal diet, but even the Breville juicer, which is supposed to be one of the best, doesn't do a great job with greens.<br />
<br />
In any event, the coffee, cashew, cinnamon, and vanilla drink that I started out with this morning was absolutely decadent, honestly. The apple, lemon, cayenne, and ginger I just had was phenomenal. I was feeling hungry before I drank it, and I actually feel surprisingly satisfied now.<br />
<br />
So today, day 5, my plan is to be super clean - no booze, no food, just this juice. Part of me wishes I could have a do-over on the Inspiration Cleanse because I really only lasted 12 hours/4 juices, but at least I can give this one a fair shot. I have a busy day at the studio - three classes, two privates, and a to-do list a mile long, but I'm going to have a massage after I close up here, and then take it really easy tonight. I haven't though through tomorrow yet, which I need to do at some point; Saturday is actually my busiest day at the studio and I need to stay fueled. I'll probably pack a green smoothie, some sardines, and see what vegetables I have on hand. I'll take Sunday off to get organized for the whole foods cleanse Kathryn Budig has in her new book, Aim True.<br />
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Namaste, friends.<br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-69118574615645688472016-04-06T00:43:00.002-05:002016-04-06T00:43:42.262-05:00Day 2 - aiming trueI have to admit that the preparation and work it takes to maintain a clean diet is INTENSE. I feel like I spent most of my time today in the kitchen cooking or washing dishes, or in the grocery store, or in the car getting from my kitchen to the grocery store and back again. The good news is that I have two prep-free days ahead - Rhian and I are embarking on two days of the BluePrint Cleanse. But that's also the bad news, because I'm really not sure I can possibly manage living on juice alone for two days - especially the first day - we're doing the <a href="https://store.blueprint.com/products/cleanses/inspiration.html" target="_blank">Inspiration Cleanse </a>which is five green juices and one cashew milk drink. On Thursday we're trying the <a href="https://store.blueprint.com/products/cleanses/invigoration.html" target="_blank">Invigoration Cleanse</a> which includes a coffee drink right off the bat, and has a beet juice and two lemon based juices. I'm looking forward to both days, although truth be told, I'm not giving up my three shots of espresso either day, or a glass or two of red wine at the end of the day, unless I feel really inspired for some reason to do so. Honestly, I am a big advocate of SUSTAINABLE, do-able changes, and after all of these years going up and down the scale, even while maintaining a relatively vigorous asana practice, I just know that when I go to far one direction, I tend to bounce over the other way. So with THAT said, if I need some quinoa and vegetables at the end of the day, in addition to six juices, I'm not going to go to into starvation mode. We'll just see. I am INCREDIBLY excited, though - I have wanted to do the BluePrint cleanse for FOREVER. I almost can't believe I finally have these juices in my possession!<br />
<br />
So here is how today went.<br />
<br />
I got 8 hours of sleep. Check.<br />
I oil-pulled with coconut oil. Bonus check!<br />
I had lemon and lime water and said hello to the sun. Check.<br />
I drank more than enough water. Check.<br />
I walked 30 minutes in the park. Check. GORGEOUS day.<br />
I meditated for 10 minutes, and will mediate for 10 more minutes before bed.<br />
I ate on point:<br />
12:30pm-juice (beet, apple, carrot, ginger, lemon, beet greens) and a smoothie (parsley, beet greens, orange, grapes, lime, ginger, cayenne pepper, coconut water, flaxseed oil). Espresso.<br />
5:15pm-spoonful of almond butter<br />
8pm-salad (spinach and spring mix) with avocado and carrot/ginger dressing.<br />
8:30pm-Easy Creamy Quinoa from Kathryn Budig's new book, Aim True, with sautéed kale, cabbage, and asparagus. Red wine.<br />
11:30pm-apple with sunbutter<br />
I had a shot of ACV and turmeric and crunched a few black peppercorns after dinner.<br />
I took my probiotics. BAM.<br />
<br />
So tomorrow it's juice and juice and juice (and juice and juice and...more juice) - two classes, two important meetings, and a massive to-do list. Given how clean and nourishing I've eaten the past two days, and the walking I've added in the past three days, I feel relatively prepared for a day of juice. Time will tell.<br />
<br />
Namaste.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-43241217867711993372016-04-05T01:27:00.000-05:002016-04-05T01:27:37.352-05:00Spring Cleanse 2016 - Day OneI am fascinated by the patterns I see in my life. Thinking back on it today, I realized that it's not uncommon at all for me to move into a space of cleansing and rejuvenating during the spring. That's the positive spin; the more realistic spin is that between Thanksgiving and Easter I seem to do nothing but eat, and by the time April rolls around, I'm physically uncomfortable in my body and need to refocus on healthy choices. #realityyogi for the win.<br />
<br />
But, it's all about balance. Someone once said to me, "everything in moderation, including moderation." I think that's a really good rule of thumb.<br />
<br />
So this week I am focusing my practice on the following:<br />
<br />
1) 8 hours of sleep a night<br />
2) 20 minutes (minimum) of meditation a day<br />
3) Clean eating; vegetables, healthy fats, fruits, protein (fish/chicken/beans), gluten-free grains (quinoa, brown rice, etc.)<br />
4) lemon water every morning, apple cider vinegar/turmeric/black pepper every night.<br />
5) water-water-water (fully hydrated every day)<br />
6) 30 minute walk outside every day<br />
<br />
Today I had:<br />
9am-lemon water and coffee<br />
11am-smoothie (orange, grapes, spinach, lime, ginger, cayenne, flax oil, coconut water)<br />
2pm-sardines (wild planet)<br />
4:30pm-spinach salad with red onion, avocado, and homemade carrot-ginger dressing / spoonful of almond butter<br />
8:45pm-chicken-kale-quinoa soup / champagne (balance, remember?)<br />
11:30pm-spoonful of tamari<br />
<br />
____<br />
This month marks the first anniversary of teaching yoga in my own studio location. The last year has been an absolute blur, and yet it feels like I've been doing this forever. I'm so caught up in the day to day (to day to day) of building this business, and so focused on short term goals and managing the non-stop unexpected issues that need to be dealt with, that sometimes it's hard to stay present or to create the time to reflect. I keep trying to find the time to assess the last quarter, and to game plan for the next quarter, while simultaneously thinking about the future, and also managing the many other layers of my life... suffice to say I COMPLETELY understand the overwhelm my students and clients talk about and struggle with, and am living proof of the power of the practices I teach. Because god knows I would not be remotely sane without my yoga and meditation practices. ;)<br />
____<br />
<br />
In honor of my teacher, Kathryn Budig, it's Aim-True April at hOMe. Kathryn's brand new book, Aim True, came out last week, and it's absolutely beautiful. There is a 5-day cleanse in the book that looks fan-freakin-tastic, although a shit-ton of grocery shopping and cooking. I'm going to try to pull it off next week, though. It's three fabulous meals and two snacks every day, and the kind of food I love (like a maple roasted brussels sprouts bowl, and baked avocado eggs, and steamed artichokes with lemon butter and wild arugula and peach salad...OMG YUM)Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-43523694530050478142015-05-31T22:33:00.003-05:002015-06-01T13:13:30.537-05:00roller in the coaster and shine in the sun<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rzdo8FvCQIc/VWxqlSFyJVI/AAAAAAAACIk/6ZHBSadoWxk/s1600/lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rzdo8FvCQIc/VWxqlSFyJVI/AAAAAAAACIk/6ZHBSadoWxk/s320/lily.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
This is Lily. She loves life more than anyone I know, never misses an opportunity to jump in a muddy puddle, obsesses over animals, (particularly dogs) and is always up for a dance party. She wakes up happy every single day; her eyes open and her sweet smile is never far behind. <br />
<br />
<br />
She also has <a href="http://www.tsalliance.org/pages.aspx?content=2" target="_blank">Tuberous Sclerosis Complex</a>. Up until now it has not had a discernible effect on her life beyond having to take blood pressure medication daily. <br />
<br />
<br />
She is a treasure.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
One day, Lily sent this video to her favorite musician, <a href="http://www.justinroberts.org/" target="_blank">Justin Roberts</a>.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N9fW_dwx2Sw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9fW_dwx2Sw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
And then this happened:<br />
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And then this:<br />
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And this:<br />
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And every single other song on her list happened, too. This also happened: <br />
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I think the THANK YOU is pretty clear.<br />
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<br />
As terrified as we all for what might happen when my niece Lily was born and transported via life-flight helicopter to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital on October 12, 2009, the last five years have been fairly uneventful in terms of her health. Despite her diagnosis with <a href="http://tsalliance.org/" target="_blank">Tuberous Sclerosis Complex</a> (TSC) in utero Lily has developed normally, and blossomed into a vibrant, loving, hilarious, and compassionate human being with a zest for life that is unmatched. This child wakes up happy, excited for even the most mundane details of the day ahead. She is just an absolute joy. To know her is to love her, truly. <br />
<br />
Lily LOVES Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players. She has always seemed to hear and experience music and lyrics on a different level than other kids, and has developed a very specific connection with Justin Roberts. We had been counting down to his concert at Kenyon for MONTHS when the results of Lily's yearly MRI came back. After so many years of "see you in 6 months" we never expected her nephrologist to say she needed surgery. For a moment it wasn't even clear that she'd even get to go to Ohio at all. Thankfully, her nephrologist cleared her to fly and surgery was scheduled the week after the concert. The entire trip took on a poignancy that was, at times, painful. <br />
<br />
I am so lucky to count Justin Roberts, Liam Davis, and Gerald Dowd friends, and when I let them know about Lily's situation, Justin immediately asked what her favorite songs were. I am so grateful to Justin, Liam, and Gerald for making Lily feel recognized, seen, and loved. I took as much video of the concert as my iPhone would hold, knowing how precious the memories would be, even as I tried to stay present as they were happening. <br />
<br />
And so sweet Lily is having surgery this week. Two of the cysts in her right kidney are dangerously large, and have to be drained. Because of her medical situation, after surgery the only pain medication she is permitted to have is Tylenol. She will begin a <a href="http://www.afinitor.com/angiomyolipoma-tsc/patient/index.jsp?site=PC008442&source=01030" target="_blank">course of treatment</a> upon recovering from the surgery that has potentially nasty side-effects, in order to (hopefully) suppress the growth of both new and existing kidney cysts. <br />
<br />
It's hard for me to wrap my mind around what is ahead. It's heart-breaking and terrifying and unfair and overwhelming. Lily is too young to fully understand what is happening, but she is very scared. <br />
<br />
Because people have asked, I thought I would go ahead and offer a mailing address for Lily this week. If you'd like to send something her way (she is heading to Memphis on Monday, surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, and they expect to be there until Saturday) you can do so via the following address:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Lillian Solise</b><br />
<b>c/o FedEx Family House</b><br />
<b>918 Poplar Avenue</b><br />
<b>Memphis, Tennessee 38105</b><br />
<br />
"...the road up ahead might be a rocky one but we'll get it done, then we'll roller in the coaster and shine in the sun." <br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-87591147631766927982013-11-26T15:59:00.002-06:002013-11-26T16:04:09.236-06:00Thanksgiving!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the first time in four years I am serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday,
making everything from scratch, and I couldn’t
be more excited. Maybe it's a testament to the benefit of taking a break from tradition.
For years I have told just about anyone who would listen that Thanksgiving
is the most overrated holiday meal of the year; over-hyped, anti-climactic,
and chock full of boring, heavy, bland food. The last time I prepared a full
traditional dinner I really tried to prove myself wrong, driving all the way to
Nashville to buy an over-priced free-range, organic, local, Ph.D holding turkey from Whole Foods and the equally over-priced William-Sonoma brining bags and brine mix everyone on the Internet was swearing by. I made picture perfect red
potatoes, cut in half with a full sage leaf carefully pressed into the fleshy
skin before roasting. And of course all of the other usual suspects were on the
table. It was good. I’m sure some people would have called it great. But I was
unimpressed. It was a shit-load of work (especially that whole wet-brine deal) for very little pay off. I couldn't tell a differnce in the turkey from any other Thanksgiving turkey I'd ever had or made. The next year, having decided to put my own culinary energy into a Christmas feast (which I will ALWAYS, always, ALWAYS do, no matter what I do on Thanksgiving, see exhibt A <a href="http://hilarylowbridge.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-dinner-with-side-of-emotions.html" target="_blank">here</a>), I catered Thanksgiving dinner from Whole Foods, and hit a
deer on the highway on my way back home from picking it up on the night
before Thanksgiving. The turkey and I both survived the terrifying wreck, but
my beloved Honda did not. I think that soured me even more on Thanksgiving, and
for the next two years I wouldn’t touch a turkey with a 10-foot pole. We made
our own sushi feast one year, complete with the most beautiful sushi-grade tuna
you’ve ever seen, and did a Thai extravaganza the next year, with fresh rolls
meticulously crafted by hand, fish curry, and ice-cream on top of sweet sticky
rice. Happy Thanksgiving to the Lowbridge-Solise family!</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLN1ae6tgSU/UAsL9hemrNI/AAAAAAAAB1s/x0cfN1344cw/s1600/blogger-image-1740237525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLN1ae6tgSU/UAsL9hemrNI/AAAAAAAAB1s/x0cfN1344cw/s320/blogger-image-1740237525.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not our Thanskgiving sushi feast from 2011, but a sushi feast nonetheless.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now it has been four years since I last wrestled with a turkey
(and reminisced about the one and only fight my parents had each and every year,
or at least the one and only fight we were privy to. We'd
hear them from our bedrooms before the sun was up arguing about how to clean and
prepare the turkey), and I’m ready to give it the old college try again, and
prove to myself that a traditional Thanksgiving dinner can be thrilling,
delicious, and worth every last bit of hype thrown at it. The challenge? I’m
also staying local for all ingredients (no trips to the Fresh Market in
Evansville or the Whole Foods in Nashville – if I can’t find it at Walmart,
Kroger, or Marketplace in Madisonville, Kentucky, it isn’t gonna be on the
table), and keeping the budget under $200 from start to finish. I’m dry-brining
a 20 pound bird this year (it’s all the rage in the foodie world, I’m told)
using my own combination of the LA Food Section’s Zuni Café inspired method, and
a garlic-herb rub from Bon Appetit (minus the salt & sugar) for the last 8 hours when the
birds sits uncovered in the fridge, plus the good-old herbed butter
under the skin technique I mastered back in 2009 (if you’ve never had your
entire forearm underneath the skin on a turkey, you haven’t lived). There will
be mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, there will be sweet potato biscuits and
cornbread stuffing (I made the cornbread this morning), and, a tip of the hat
to my mother: a traditional French’s green bean casserole (but I’m frying my
own onions, doncha know). We’ll have the creamy-Dijon braised Brussels sprouts
I made for an after-Thanksgiving dinner party last year, and a new cranberry
technique – an uncooked relish with lime and bourbon. My sister is making a
pecan pie, complete with her signature gluten-free pie crust that you’d never
guess was gluten-free. Don’t tell my sister (I already had to convince her we
NEEDED the green bean casserole), but I’m thinking that we’d be remiss not to
have a pumpkin pie on the table, and I am probably going to burn the midnight
oil making one tonight. I don’t even like pumpkin pie (or any pie for that
matter – shhh, I KNOW) but now that I’m in the zone it seems silly to leave it
(and the iconic can of Redi-Whip) out. I’m truly hopeful that this meal is
going to blow my mind, and that I’ll be joining the chorus of die-hard
Thanksgiving fans who sing the praises of this meal so beautifully. It really
might – a lot of these are tried-and-true recipes we’ve used for
non-Thanksgiving dinner parties that I already know I love. I think it’s really
going to come down to the turkey, and based on my research, the dry-brine thing
is a winner. Cross your fingers, and let me know what kind of Thanksgiving you
are having this year! </span></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cocktail<br />
</span></u><a href="http://acozykitchen.com/cranberry-thyme-gin-tonic/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://acozykitchen.com/cranberry-thyme-gin-tonic/</span></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beer and wine: assortment. I like Pinot Noir with turkey,
but I’ll have some white on hand, too. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Turkey<br />
</span></u><a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/food/thanksgiving/la-fo-turkey19-2008nov19,0,5791531.story#axzz2lmbbR9My"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.latimes.com/features/food/thanksgiving/la-fo-turkey19-2008nov19,0,5791531.story#axzz2lmbbR9My</span></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/food/thanksgiving/la-fo-saltedturkey,0,5687234.story#axzz2lmbbR9My"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.latimes.com/features/food/thanksgiving/la-fo-saltedturkey,0,5687234.story#axzz2lmbbR9My</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/garlic-and-herb-dry-brine"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/garlic-and-herb-dry-brine</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gravy<br />
</span></u><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/11/giblet-gravy/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/11/giblet-gravy/</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mashed potatoes<br />
</span></u><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/delicious_creamy_mashed_potatoes/</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stuffing<br />
</span></u><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/stuffing_dressing_my_favorite_thanksgiving_food/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/11/stuffing_dressing_my_favorite_thanksgiving_food/</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sweet potato biscuits<br />
</span></u><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2011/11/sweet-potato-and-marshmallow-biscuits/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2011/11/sweet-potato-and-marshmallow-biscuits/</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cranberry relish<br />
</span></u><a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cranberry-lime-relish/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cranberry-lime-relish/</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brussels sprouts<br />
</span></u><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2011/11/dijon-braised-brussels-sprouts/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2011/11/dijon-braised-brussels-sprouts/</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Green bean casserole<br />
</span></u><a href="http://www.frenchs.com/recipe/green-bean-casserole-and-variations-RE0277"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.frenchs.com/recipe/green-bean-casserole-and-variations-RE0277</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Pecan
pie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Pumpkin pie (maybe)</span>Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-33396891229930525562013-02-24T14:52:00.001-06:002013-02-24T14:53:24.650-06:00On Eggs.I have four very specific, early memories of eating eggs. All are from when I was four or five years old. I remember eating fried eggs at the dining room table at 1073 Allston Road in Cleveland Hts., Ohio with my dad. The eggs were fried the way my dad would later teach me to fry eggs: in a pan of hot fat (butter, oil, or on special occasions- BACON FAT) on med-low heat. When the whites are mostly cooked, tip the pan carefully so that you can spoon the hot fat over the egg until a nice film forms over the yolk. My dad served the perfectly fried eggs with "soldiers" - a piece of toast cut into half-inch strips, perfect for dipping in the runny yolk. But I so vividly remember that on that same morning he also taught me that if you ever were without bread, the proportion of white to yolk was just right to dip your bites of the white INTO the yolk and never have a bite of one without the other. He had me eat one of my fried eggs with the toast "soldiers" and the second practicing taking the right amount of white and yolk together to eat the egg just right. In retrospect, his upbringing in post-war England is strikingly obvious, but at the time I truly learned it as a lesson - we were lucky to have bread. Perhaps most children of fathers born in the UK in the 1940s learned to count their blessings in a similar fashion. Brilliant parenting, if you ask me.<br />
<br />
My second memory is my dad making me soft-boiled eggs and serving them in egg cups, while simultaneously introducing me to great literature, religious warfare, and satire by using it as an opportunity to discuss Gulliver's Travels, big-endians, and little-endians. "But that's so silly," I probably would have said when he explained that deciding a right and wrong end from which to crack open your soft-boiled egg (by tapping it demurely with a knife, of course) was reason for a divide between people. "That's the bloody point," he probably would have said.<br />
<br />
I learned the upside of differing opinions via this third memory: my cousin Pam, 3.5 years my elder and the person I looked up to and loved more than just about anyone in the whole wide world, to whom I'd later pen long hand-written letters during my teenage years and save quarters to call from the pay phone outside of Dublin High School, with whom I'd share a real "Best Friends" split-heart necklace eventually, my cousin Pam and I were sitting against the wall in my playroom at Allston Road, each with our own hard-boiled egg. "I don't like the yolks," Pam said. "I don't like the whites!" I responded, gleefully. The answer was clear. Two yolks for me, two whites for Pam, and we could get back to playing the imaginary world we had decided upon together and were functioning in quite happily until my mom interrupted us with this annoying thing called lunch. <br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-22669562198639699872012-12-24T13:09:00.004-06:002012-12-24T13:25:53.617-06:00Christmas Dinner with a Side of Emotions, 2012<b>The toast I meant to give last night, for Christmas dinner: </b><br />
<br />
"Life can be hard.<br />
Life can be challenging.<br />
Life is also precarious.<br />
And ultimately fleeting.<br />
<br />
Life is also be full of beauty, and wonder, and grace, and love. And it is up to us to witness it... or not.<br />
<br />
So as we sit down to this meal together again - after a year of ups and downs (like most years, I'd say),<br />
I simply ask that you make the choice to be here, now. To be present to each bite, each laugh, each moment. To try just for a short while to let go of everything else - stress, anxiety, worry - and to be here, and experience this meal and the joy of each others company. The beauty is here- right here, right now. The least we can do is try to be here, too.<br />
<br />
Cheers to right NOW! To good food, great wine, and family! Let's eat!" <br />
<br />
<b>This is the toast I gave last night, for Christmas dinner:</b><br />
<br />
Life can be....oh my fucking GOD, I'm going to cry! Shit. Shit. I'm crying. Okay, okay, okay <i>(my 3-year old niece, Lily, is having a meltdown stage left and screaming) </i>-oh, come here Lily, give this toast with me... <i>(picking Lily up, now holding Lily AND a glass of champagne)....</i><br />
Okay, so life can be hard. But life is also full of.... <i>(cry, clear throat, sniff, sniff)... </i>so you guys know life is hard, duh, okay - I'm sorry, am I being too emotional? Oh my GOD.. okay, so I wanted to quote Annie Dillard - to paraphrase her - that beauty and grace are performed whether we will or sense them - the least we can do is try to be there - <i>(sniff...) </i>I just really love you guys, so here's to being here, you know....now.... I love you all.... <i>(tears....Now I sit down awkwardly with Lily in my lap, who proceeds to have another meltdown, weeping "where MY dinner....")</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Geez. Christmas making me all nostalgic and grateful and emotional and shit. Whoa. =)</b><br />
<br />
<u>2012 Menu </u><br />
<i>Sunday, December 23, 4pm</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tD5R9_7ik0/UNilq-dEkLI/AAAAAAAAB9E/m2Aqu_Ma4k4/s1600/blogger-image--1610146649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tD5R9_7ik0/UNilq-dEkLI/AAAAAAAAB9E/m2Aqu_Ma4k4/s320/blogger-image--1610146649.jpg" width="240" /></a><u>Cocktail hour (4-6pm) </u><br />
<ul>
<li>Candy cane cocktail (vanilla vodka, white chocolate liquor, peppermint schnapps) </li>
<li>Cheese board</li>
<li>Olives</li>
<li>Linda McCartney's Green Herb dip with crudités</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Appetizer (6pm)</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Confit of pork belly (form Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home)</li>
<li>Broccoli rabe sauteed with garlic and red pepper flakes (Ad Hoc at Home)</li>
<li>Champagne</li>
</ul>
<u>Impromptu Cocktail hour to buy time because <strike>Hilary</strike> the POTATOES mess<strike>es</strike> up the timing (7-8pm) </u><br />
<ul>
<li>Scotch or bourbon over smoked ice (Bruce made the ice from Bon Appetit you can read about <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Smoke-Signals-364691" target="_blank">here</a>!)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_h3v0t0YD9Y/UNilqXogpYI/AAAAAAAAB88/-AAP1hp6xGE/s1600/blogger-image--1199097237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_h3v0t0YD9Y/UNilqXogpYI/AAAAAAAAB88/-AAP1hp6xGE/s320/blogger-image--1199097237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<u>Main Course (8pm)</u><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDXnCw5dsLc/UNilpKwsirI/AAAAAAAAB8s/k888Eog69uo/s1600/blogger-image--732948242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDXnCw5dsLc/UNilpKwsirI/AAAAAAAAB8s/k888Eog69uo/s320/blogger-image--732948242.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roast BEFORE going in the oven...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Standing rib roast (4 ribs/10 pounds). *Salted, left uncovered in refrigerator overnight. Brought to room temperature for two hours, cooked low and slow at 200 degrees for about 4.5 hours to a perfect medium rare - about 125 degrees. Rested 1.5 hours. Blasted at 500 degrees for 10 minutes before carving for perfect golden, salty crispy crust. I don't feel like I can take credit for how well this roast turned out. It was the best I think we've ever had, and I think it was because the meat from Fresh Market was really high quality.</li>
<li>Horseradish cream (Ad Hoc at Home) *This was SO much better than the sour cream version I usually make. It's so worth it to seek out the Sherry vinegar and whip it up yourself. Best new addition (other than pork belly, of course!)</li>
<li>Yorkshire pudding *This was my first year making it gluten free and even the non-gluten free folks liked it better than last year!</li>
<li>Mashed potatoes (Pioneer Woman) *If you make these the night before just note that they take longer to heat through than she says,even if you do bring them to room temperature for 3 hours - word to the wise! This threw my timing off big time. We were supposed to eat at 7pm. Luckily the combination of the pork belly to start and Bruce distracting everyone with his magical smoked ice saved the day! </li>
<li>Brussels sprouts two ways: whole roasted (Ina Garten) and shredded sauteed with pecans and cranberries (Alton Brown)</li>
<li>Caramelized creamed pearl onions (Tyler Florence)</li>
<li>Sweet potato biscuits with marshmallows (Smitten Kitchen) *Also gluten free, and also an enormous hit with the non-gluten free folks!</li>
<li>Carrots</li>
<li>Wine (I chose a cabernet sauvignon to pair with the meat) or beer (my dad is allergic to wine!).</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VC3aRL0Pb4w/UNilphY_WCI/AAAAAAAAB80/yicf9mP3T9s/s1600/blogger-image--246646428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VC3aRL0Pb4w/UNilphY_WCI/AAAAAAAAB80/yicf9mP3T9s/s320/blogger-image--246646428.jpg" width="320" /></a><u>After Dinner Drink (10pm)</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Glogg with almonds and raisins *a gift from Christi's mom, Tina, who was with us last year! We missed you!</li>
</ul>
<u>Dessert (11pm)</u><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Flourless chocolate cake with ice cream and raspberries</li>
<li>Coffee</li>
</ul>
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Yes, this was an EVENT, to be sure. Exhausting. Thrilling. Relatively successful. I think my mom would have been proud. =)<br />
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!<br />
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<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-64101835429075888232012-12-24T12:57:00.002-06:002012-12-24T12:57:50.705-06:00 <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WDXnCw5dsLc/UNilpKwsirI/AAAAAAAAB8s/k888Eog69uo/s640/blogger-image--732948242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WDXnCw5dsLc/UNilpKwsirI/AAAAAAAAB8s/k888Eog69uo/s640/blogger-image--732948242.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VC3aRL0Pb4w/UNilphY_WCI/AAAAAAAAB80/yicf9mP3T9s/s640/blogger-image--246646428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VC3aRL0Pb4w/UNilphY_WCI/AAAAAAAAB80/yicf9mP3T9s/s640/blogger-image--246646428.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_h3v0t0YD9Y/UNilqXogpYI/AAAAAAAAB88/-AAP1hp6xGE/s640/blogger-image--1199097237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_h3v0t0YD9Y/UNilqXogpYI/AAAAAAAAB88/-AAP1hp6xGE/s640/blogger-image--1199097237.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6tD5R9_7ik0/UNilq-dEkLI/AAAAAAAAB9E/m2Aqu_Ma4k4/s640/blogger-image--1610146649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6tD5R9_7ik0/UNilq-dEkLI/AAAAAAAAB9E/m2Aqu_Ma4k4/s640/blogger-image--1610146649.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dTEgNfxr9ow/UNilrc5ObcI/AAAAAAAAB9M/IOfgKTHXpW4/s640/blogger-image--2083539131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dTEgNfxr9ow/UNilrc5ObcI/AAAAAAAAB9M/IOfgKTHXpW4/s640/blogger-image--2083539131.jpg" /></a></div>Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-55871334053350352272012-10-14T12:59:00.001-05:002012-10-14T14:01:50.353-05:00The Color is GREEN!In my continual online perusal of all things yoga related, I happened across something on Yogaanonymous the other day that has me lusting for backbends, excitedly making plans to make all those juicy (terrifying) heart-openers the focus of my practice again. <br />
<br />
I went through a big backbending revolution at the beginning of 2011 and even took a workshop with the iconic Kathryn Budig in early April. I was determined to open myself up to life, to love, to connection, to other people... and then I started to feel too open, too vulnerable, and that fall I quickly retreated to the safety of my beloved forward-folds. The place I'm most comfortable: with myself. <br />
<br />
Can you be an extroverted introvert? Or like...a closet introvert? I think I am both. I'm vivacious in social situations - bubbly, overly-enthusiastic, loud (LOUD!!! I'm REALLY loud. Seriously. It's embarrassing) and full of energy, but I actually feel the most comfortable and the most safe when I'm ALL. BY. MYSELF. Answering only to me. Completely alone. If I wasn't such a wuss about nature (I know, I KNOW), and if I didn't have such an aversion to camping, I think I could go into the woods for a weekend alone, no problem. In fact, right now, I think it would be heaven to check into one of those lake lodge rooms and spend the weekend outside. (Avoiding all ticks, bugs, snakes, etc. of course). I'd take a yoga mat, a journal, a few bottles of wine and a good bottle of scotch, comfortable clothes and LOTS of blankets. Turn my phone off. Leave the computer at home. Disappear for a bit. Oy, that sounds FABULOUS.<br />
<br />
BUT RIGHT. The point is I need to open my heart again - be more open to the world and the people in it - so I'm TRYING. I joined an online book club my friend Emily invited to me and I even sent an EMAIL with some thoughts about the book and tried not to worry too much if the people on the other end of the email would think I was TOTALLY NOT SMART AT ALL!!! (<em>This Is Where I Leave You</em> by Jonathan Tropper. I LOVVVVED it). And I'm reaching out to friends and trying to say yes more than I say no. (I resent Josh Radnor a little bit for putting cutie-yet-smoldering-Zac Efron in my brain telling me <strong>"Fortune never smiles on those who say no"</strong> all god damned day, every day. JESUS, little Zac Efron, LEAVE ME ALONE! He also tells me to <strong>"BE LOVE!"</strong> too, but that one I don't resent as much). <br />
<br />
Oh! So the thing from Yoganonymous was in an article is called <a href="http://www.yoganonymous.com/yoga-research-five-proven-facts-that-make-yoga-awesome/" target="_blank">"Yoga Research: Five Proven Facts That Make Yoga Awesome"</a> by Ashley Josephine: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This may be the biggest breakthrough of all for practical application and yoga language. There are 12 pairs of nerves in the brain that control motor and sensory function, but one of those nerve pairs is extra special—it takes on double duty and controls both at the same time. It starts from the brain and moves down either side of the neck connecting first at the heart.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagus_nerve" title="Vagus nerve">vagus nerve</a>, or wandering nerve, this little guy connects with every major organ in the body. The nervous system works by being stimulated through chemical and electrochemical stimulation, but also responds to mechanical stimulation. Thus, when you do a heart opening posture, you’re mechanically stimulating the vagus nerve. When you take a deep breath into the kidneys, you’re mechanically stimulating the vagus nerve. And when you pull your leg into your chest, you’re mechanically stimulating that wondrous nerve.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When this nerve is stimulated, signals are sent to the organs to control function. For example, research now proves that yoga can increase your variable heart rate, which leads to overall greater health. Rather than expecting your heart rate to beat at exactly the same intervals, it is optimal for some variability to occur between each beat (we’re talking thousandths of a second here).</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It makes sense when you think about it. If your heart beats with the same amount of time in between each pump, you’ve conditioned your body to perform in a very specific state all the time. What happens when you enter into a new state? You freak out. But, if there is some variability, you’ve actually conditioned your body to respond to a variety of different situations. In other words, you’re able to deal with whatever comes at you. That is why when we backbend and breathe deeply, we stimulate the vagus nerve, which sends signals to the heart to increase variability (motor function).<br />
</blockquote>
Okee DOKEE. Got it. For someone who has been having weird bouts of hypochondria and anxiety and even had a few panic attacks this calendar year, finding out that I can condition my body to NOT FREAK OUT in a variety of different situations and deal with whatever comes at me is really compelling. Where do I sign up? Oh, right. That YOGA THING I signed up for, unknowingly, when I was 18 and bought Patricia Walden's Yoga for Beginngers VHS (yes, children - VHS) tape.<br />
<br />
So my sadhana this week is going to focused on backbending, the heart chakra, and the color GREEN. Wait, who remembers the seed sound for the heart chakra and can tell me! (Oh, how I can reminisce about Devarshi's amazing circle sadhana during YTT with all of that chanting!!! Sooooo amazing! I wish my students wouldn't freak out if I started om-ing up a storm every single class).<br />
<br />
And if you take class with me this week, you'll probably see a little more backbending than I normally teach. I got a message in a yoga nidra cloud* a few weeks ago that told me to "do something different" (luckily I hadn't seen Liberal Arts at this point, or my cloud would have been a he's-too-damn-young-to-be-so-strangely-attractive Zac Efron telling me "fortune never smiles on those who say no" - seriously. IT WON'T STOP!) and I've been trying: <br />
<ul>
<li>I got my nose pierced. WHAT A REBEL.</li>
<li>I've made some dietary changes; namely cutting all grains out of my diet except for a little bit of quinoa. For me this basically means exchanging gluten-free bread and pasta for starchy veg like sweet potatoes and squash. I've also cut out cow's dairy and only occasionally have goat's or sheep's milk dairy. It's sort of a paleo-ish-but-OBVIOUSLY-I'm-not-giving-up-wine-and-chocolate/gluten-free hybrid sorta thing. And once a week I cheat, like - FRENCH FRIES cheat).</li>
<li>I've made exercise changes by increasing the intensity of my intervals and adding back non-yoga strength training.</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71aQnzRAslM/UHr-jLxr9xI/AAAAAAAAB7c/ToiKr0ykkzw/s1600/heart_chakra_green-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71aQnzRAslM/UHr-jLxr9xI/AAAAAAAAB7c/ToiKr0ykkzw/s1600/heart_chakra_green-300x300.jpg" /></a>So the next change: backbends. Practice and teach more of them. I do think that I skimp on the backbends in my classes for selfish reasons and I need to challenge myself there. One of my most regular students (she literally comes to a minimum of seven of my classes a week) asked me to teach yoga mudra because she hates yoga mudra. I ALSO HATE YOGA MUDRA. My shoulders don't like to cooperate with yoga mudra. I feel slightly embarrassed that I'm the teacher and I prefer to use a strap. I know that should be a good thing - reality yogi and all of that - but...BLARGH. It's sort of the same with backbends. So yeah - this week. Backbends and Yoga Mudra. Totes awesome. (I'm glad I ordered myself a sampler pack of <a href="http://www.nikkiscoconutbutter.com/" target="_blank">Nikki's Coconut Butter</a> the other day. I'll use it as a reward for going out of my comfort zone this week. Someone call Geneen Roth about my use of food as reward. Yes, I've read all of her books. No, I'm not changing my mind about the coconut butter, thankyouverymuch).<br />
<br />
Who wants to open their heart with me this week? The only requirement is one dance party to Open Your Heart by Madonna, and then you're in the Hilary's Heart-Opening Club. Send me a video of your dance party and you get a PRIZE! I'm going to try to remember to post some links to practices that will help people open their heart at home, and also document a few of the classes that I teach to be used as home practices. I have no idea if anyone has ever done the sequences I post on my blog (see above: Reality Yogi Sequences) but just in case. =)<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/snsTmi9N9Gs" width="560"></iframe>
JAI!!<br />
<br />
<em>*I had a friend once get really excited about my zodiac situation (triple-Pisces) and then apologize by saying "sorry I got all woo-woo on you." I had never heard that term, but I liked it. And four years later, I am apparently the "woo-woo" one, because I just typed something about a message from a yoga nidra cloud with complete sincerity. ;)</em><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-27733702678359062972012-10-13T14:49:00.001-05:002012-10-13T15:05:28.196-05:00On Food: Eating to Live, Living a Life that FEELS GOOD.I haven't ever talked about going gluten-free on my blog. I felt almost ashamed, like I was jumping on board one more ridiculous fad diet (no, really, let's have coffee and talk about my 20s. I've done them ALL). But now that I've been wheat/gluten free for almost seven months, with no real intention of ever going back, I'm ready to talk about it. Just in case you were on the market for ramblings from your favorite reality-yogi. :) To be continued- for now a placeholder to upload some photos! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HmpX9Ywn1mc/UHnFkfR6AMI/AAAAAAAAB5g/Jc5eG53wQmQ/s640/blogger-image--1561172636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HmpX9Ywn1mc/UHnFkfR6AMI/AAAAAAAAB5g/Jc5eG53wQmQ/s640/blogger-image--1561172636.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seared tuna steak with white and black sesame seeds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WN_cqeOXbfg/UHnFlUJiuHI/AAAAAAAAB5o/OkNxmdJ4Kfc/s640/blogger-image--1213909358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WN_cqeOXbfg/UHnFlUJiuHI/AAAAAAAAB5o/OkNxmdJ4Kfc/s640/blogger-image--1213909358.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch at my desk: salad of massaged kale dressed with lemon and olive oil, leftover asparagus, zucchini, squash and filet mignon, raw almonds. some people add mayo to anything and call it a salad - i think a salad is anything i can mix up in bowl all together and eat with a spoon. ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8WvokC8o-S8/UHnFmZbabZI/AAAAAAAAB5w/80rY24pKR8k/s640/blogger-image-1213345047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8WvokC8o-S8/UHnFmZbabZI/AAAAAAAAB5w/80rY24pKR8k/s640/blogger-image-1213345047.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">google the health benefits of coconut oil. i guarantee you'll soon buy some. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5c0zAexNu4M/UHnFnTp3roI/AAAAAAAAB54/HUggUr_8RrE/s640/blogger-image--831253824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5c0zAexNu4M/UHnFnTp3roI/AAAAAAAAB54/HUggUr_8RrE/s640/blogger-image--831253824.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my morning smoothies make me feel confident that if nothing else, i'm getting a huge hit of nutrients and plenty of fruits and leafy green veg at least once a day. i usually throw between six and eight fruits and veges (always starting with kale and/or collards and blending with coconut water) into my friend the ninja and drink it up. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TCaGxCfaPCM/UHnFo3F97oI/AAAAAAAAB6A/cPyFrLfVwVw/s640/blogger-image--1082553112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TCaGxCfaPCM/UHnFo3F97oI/AAAAAAAAB6A/cPyFrLfVwVw/s640/blogger-image--1082553112.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">roasted pork loin (high quality meat) with roasted apples in a mustard glaze, carrots roasted in coconut oil, kale and collards sauteed in grapeseed oil with garlic. this is a plate of leftovers. you should have seen in the night of. YUM.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ga9miyxzxlk/UHnFqBirL8I/AAAAAAAAB6I/1zr7O0dWGi8/s640/blogger-image-1736932054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ga9miyxzxlk/UHnFqBirL8I/AAAAAAAAB6I/1zr7O0dWGi8/s640/blogger-image-1736932054.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can't beat the wine flight at the crowded house. three four-ounce pours for seven dollars and change. i kid you not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nb2BXM7zAQw/UHnFrc46_sI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/KJ8IRlnZ2E8/s640/blogger-image--1688705523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nb2BXM7zAQw/UHnFrc46_sI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/KJ8IRlnZ2E8/s640/blogger-image--1688705523.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jn6_T1K4Go8/UHnFsACu-UI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/l81ezLkoS1M/s640/blogger-image--929763024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jn6_T1K4Go8/UHnFsACu-UI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/l81ezLkoS1M/s640/blogger-image--929763024.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the new machine at the gym. i'm fairly certain that it is an accident waiting to happen for me. i have visions of tripping down the stairs and face planting. i think i'll stick with the machines closer to the ground. =)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-caYlQQTccAY/UHnFtJ_urFI/AAAAAAAAB6g/QDHjoeRjn08/s640/blogger-image-580755486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-caYlQQTccAY/UHnFtJ_urFI/AAAAAAAAB6g/QDHjoeRjn08/s640/blogger-image-580755486.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my girl, christi. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ws9CHgfNWtk/UHnFum5xlOI/AAAAAAAAB6o/1KUoMfW0zL0/s640/blogger-image--893746777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ws9CHgfNWtk/UHnFum5xlOI/AAAAAAAAB6o/1KUoMfW0zL0/s640/blogger-image--893746777.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">multi-tasking! kale and collards- some for the smoothie, some for making braised greens ahead of time for dinner that night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kq2p6cltc2U/UHnFvn918QI/AAAAAAAAB6w/Nn5ITh1gHYQ/s640/blogger-image-562163743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kq2p6cltc2U/UHnFvn918QI/AAAAAAAAB6w/Nn5ITh1gHYQ/s640/blogger-image-562163743.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you have to have fun. girl's night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kgLCM36kFPw/UHnFw07Y4aI/AAAAAAAAB64/h6Eq0c-ypZE/s640/blogger-image--172636498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kgLCM36kFPw/UHnFw07Y4aI/AAAAAAAAB64/h6Eq0c-ypZE/s640/blogger-image--172636498.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you are not going to BELEIVE THIS CAKE. rhian gets all of the credit for finding the recipe. it's grain free, soy free, dairy/casein free, gluten free....and it is probably the best flourless chocolate cake i've EVER HAD. you won't believe it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t2--cpC0ddE/UHnFx2YHdVI/AAAAAAAAB7A/xu8I8-PBGz8/s640/blogger-image--134779536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t2--cpC0ddE/UHnFx2YHdVI/AAAAAAAAB7A/xu8I8-PBGz8/s640/blogger-image--134779536.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i actually took this pic to show my girl, molly, that i still wear the scarf she gave to me almost three years ago when i was visiting her in southern california. that trip was where my dream of becoming a yoga teacher took shape. as a side-note, i got my nose pierced a week ago and only one person in my day to day life, outside of my immediate family, noticed. Huh??? It just looks that natural? Or is it so horrifying everyone is ignoring it?? ;) </td></tr>
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Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-81951585166042403322012-09-13T01:33:00.003-05:002012-09-13T08:16:26.024-05:00Stressed? Overwhelmed? What REALLY Works.<ul>
<li>Supta Baddha Konasana in divine heart opener on a folded blanket.</li>
<li>Red wine.</li>
<li>An authentic connection with a dear, dear friend; feeling truly seen, loved and accepted. Admired, even. </li>
<li>Did I mention red wine?</li>
<li>A good book. Preferably fiction. </li>
<li>FoodTV.</li>
<li>Getting the house really, REALLY clean. </li>
<li>Cooking Network. </li>
<li>Imagining running a healthy food truck that serves all gluten free, whole foods.</li>
<li>Perfect pan-roasted chicken breasts. Two-nights in a row.</li>
<li>Did I mention red wine?</li>
<li>Sukasana. Deep, full breathes.</li>
<li>A tried and true bedtime playlist.</li>
<li>Throwing yourself completely into something you are passionate about - so if you're me: teaching a yoga class, and being truly present for that hour, for my role as teacher, even when everything outside of that hour is truly shitty and overwhelming. </li>
<li>Laughter. </li>
<li>A wee-dram of scotch before bed.</li>
<li>And, as my dear friend Molly knows: sometimes you just need potato chips. ;) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-85570012305248717402012-08-30T12:08:00.000-05:002012-08-30T12:10:17.290-05:00Thursday Morning. I have a crick in my neck.I fell asleep on the couch last night watching Bravo. Gallery Girls, specifically. Which I actually loathe, really, except my disgust with the show is exactly why I can't stop watching it. Rich, anorexic 20somethings judging each other for living in the wrong hip NYC neighborhood and openly explaining that their "daddy" has "a ridiculous amount of money" and set up a trust so that they could "go out, party, and be part of the art world" - which apparently means showing up two hours late, approximately once a week, for an "internship" at a gallery run by someone just like them but 30 years older. <br />
<br />
There has been very little ART in Gallery Girls thus far. But a lot of very red lipstick and collar bones. <br />
<br />
In any event, I fell asleep on the couch watching this bullshit, and it's a reasonable punishment, I think, that I slept in an odd position on an odd shaped pile of couch pillows and now the right side of my neck hurts to the touch. I woke up at 5am and managed to get to my bed to sleep for a few more hours, but the damage had been done. I have a headache, my brain feels fuzzy and I want a do-over on my day.<br />
<br />
But it's only noon, so there is still time to fix my day, right? (MY day? Yes, everyone, I OWN Thursday, August 30, 2012. It is MINE). This latte will be a cure-all. I'm sure of it. I would take a picture of my latte but my phone is in the other room and the latte is almost gone and it seems like a lot of work for a boring photo.<br />
<br />
Also, I didn't blog yesterday like I said I would. Oops.<br />
<br />
-fin-<br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-27408853481303369682012-08-28T11:04:00.001-05:002012-08-28T11:56:04.735-05:00Tuesday Morning. I would rather be reading.I have an on again, off again relationship with my Kindle.<br />
<br />
And right now we are pretty hot and heavy. <br />
<br />
I've actually referred to my Kindle as my boyfriend for years. I dated a guy once who, on our third date, told me that he wanted to "replace" my Kindle.<br />
<br />
His word choice alone - and the implication therein - should have saved me the disaster of a relationship that followed, but c'est la vie, right? <br />
<br />
I go back and forth between thinking a LOT about the past and trying to be as totally and completely PRESENT as I possibly can. I read Ekhart Tolle's books, <i>A New Earth</i> and <i>The Power of Now</i>, in July and was really compelled to be more aware of my ego and how it was actually interacting with people FOR me, to be more connected to the present moment and being okay in it, and to seeing the sheer nature of my consciousness and being as something divine and ENOUGH. (Okay, okay - full disclosure - <i>A New Earth</i> was riveting and actually SORT OF sometimes made sense to me, in an obtuse and esoteric kind of way. <i>The Power of Now </i>is kind of choppy and I haven't ACTUALLY finished yet).<br />
<br />
The thing is, and maybe this is one of my proverbial crosses to bear, I've always been overly sensitive and aware of TIME PASSING. The story continuing on and on and on and on. Staying content in the present without bringing the past with me is so damn difficult. I was 18 years old finishing my freshman year of college, (and I got to go to my DREAM COLLEGE and I loved, loved, loved it SO much), and I remember thinking, as I walked out of Gund 212 to take a box down to the minivan, "I'm 25% done with college. Oh NO!"<br />
<br />
That's not really living in the moment. That's creating anxiety about time passing.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_e9AYs9dWcU/UDz1S1frdnI/AAAAAAAAB5E/j-wWc1CvX5o/s640/blogger-image-1836332301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_e9AYs9dWcU/UDz1S1frdnI/AAAAAAAAB5E/j-wWc1CvX5o/s640/blogger-image-1836332301.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon water. First thing. Every morning.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But I've always had this underlying anxiety about time passing. And I can look back on anything and everything - EVEN YESTERDAY FOR CHRIST'S SAKE - through rose-colored glasses and I start to MOURN it. I mourn the passage of time in some small way every single day. And I sort of hate living like this. It all but paralyzes me sometimes.<br />
<br />
But I see life like this big, interwoven, fascinating STORY, and it's why I love to read so much, or maybe my love of reading from such a young age is WHY I see life like this big, interwoven, fascinating story. And I get frustrated that the only part of the story I can really hold on to, or READ, is the past, and I can't quite seem to make the present or my future into what I want it to be yet.<br />
<br />
So I try to be really present and aware in the now, this now, AND THIS NOW, and this now (and I teach it day in and day out in yoga classes) and present to the reality of my consciousness - my spirit - that is the same divine spark of awareness that is the essence of ALL beings. And it makes sense for a split second here and a split second there, and I guess that should be a good place to start. <br />
<br />
But mostly I just want to read, read, read - to devourer books that tell the stories that I would sort of like to tell with none of the apologies I feel like I have to offer in regards to how I see and feel and experience the world. Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-8116219953489645812012-08-27T11:04:00.000-05:002012-08-27T11:05:24.769-05:00Monday Morning. It feels like fall.I adore autumn. For me, this is the true New Year. (I also despise New Year's Eve and the month of January, generally, so this just works out better for me, anyway). I realize it's August 27, and therefore not ACTUALLY autumn at all, but the weather has been a bit gray and rainy and it just feels like the seasons are shifting. I think the insane heat of July, during which I got accustomed to a heat index of 120 degrees for WEEKS on end, has made the 80s feels downright chilly. When I make it back north it's going to take me some time to readjust, but I don't think it will be difficult. I was the 6-year old who decided, while laying in a huge snow drift in Cleveland Hts., Ohio, that I must be some kind of snow fairy, because I wasn't cold. I was angry that my mom made me get out of the snow drift and come inside. "Of COURSE I won't freeze to death, mom! I'm a SNOW FAIRY! Don't you KNOW?!?"<br />
<br />
Last week I spent all of my time fending off a cold. My friend Cleo introduced me to the most amazing supplement EVER, called Ultimate Immunity. I have never seen such dramatic results from a supplement in my entire life. I was feeling AWFUL. I started taking them on Wednesday night - on the intensive schedule per the bottle - and by Friday morning I knew I was on the other side of this monster of a cold. Thank you, Cleo. This week I want to focus on getting even healthier, and maybe more regimented. With my eating. Exercising. My yoga and meditation practices. Keeping my house clean. Taking baby steps toward goals I have. Etc. After months away, I'm considering turning back to the blog for accountability and consistency. But I'm bad at long term goals - they tend to overwhelm me and I shut down. So instead, a five day goal. I'm going to write every morning for the next five days. It doesn't have to be long, remotely creative or even a bit eloquent. But I'll write. Something.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y__pI53zcYw/UDuaVAGyARI/AAAAAAAAB4s/22cXnNjtrKU/s640/blogger-image--1794246843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y__pI53zcYw/UDuaVAGyARI/AAAAAAAAB4s/22cXnNjtrKU/s320/blogger-image--1794246843.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For today I will write this: if you want a hit of greens in the morning, throw collard greens into the Ninja with a cup of coconut water. Blend, blend, blend. Add a banana and 4-5 ice cubes. Blend, blend, blend. It ends up tasting like banana deliciousness, and you don't have to chew the little pieces of greens like you do when using kale. Life lesson: collard greens work WAY better in smoothies than kale. And according to this big sign I saw at Whole Foods many a month ago, they are actually rated higher than kale in some arbitrary nutrition rating thing that Whole Foods makes seem very important.<br />
<br />
Fret not, Cassie. I still love kale. I love kale the very best. More than collards. But I like eating kale sauteed with garlic and grapeseed oil, then simmered in vegetable stock for 20 minutes , or crisped up as kale chips, or in soup. In smoothies it never quite blends up enough.<br />
<br />
Today I had collards in my breakfast, I'm having spinach as part of my lunch, and kale as part of my dinner. Three different greens in one day!! I'm a huge dork for being excited about this. I know.<br />
<br />
Also, two years ago today I graduated from yoga school at Kripalu, which is how I first began eating copious amounts of kale on a weekly basis. Thank you, Kripalu.<br />
<br />
The End. =)<br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-66717220008086551822012-07-21T15:08:00.001-05:002012-07-21T16:02:07.770-05:00A Summer of Food Porn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0Mq36NQlBis/UAsLyBlde3I/AAAAAAAAB00/2s_H3zhqP_M/s640/blogger-image-1505144680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0Mq36NQlBis/UAsLyBlde3I/AAAAAAAAB00/2s_H3zhqP_M/s640/blogger-image-1505144680.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked salmon, black quinoa, mixed greens, avocado cups with goat cheese and tomatoes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nlXaHCyTeA/UAsWjwMI3ZI/AAAAAAAAB3o/tA_MM13VnCg/s640/blogger-image-894056547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nlXaHCyTeA/UAsWjwMI3ZI/AAAAAAAAB3o/tA_MM13VnCg/s640/blogger-image-894056547.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kabobs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gd5WiPnXirs/UAsWkvnccVI/AAAAAAAAB3w/NSqrb1-rHss/s640/blogger-image--2122465209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gd5WiPnXirs/UAsWkvnccVI/AAAAAAAAB3w/NSqrb1-rHss/s640/blogger-image--2122465209.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watermelon cocktail and guacahummus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9_NPk2063QA/UAsL00FCyQI/AAAAAAAAB1E/o1PYvYqgZqg/s640/blogger-image-318308215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9_NPk2063QA/UAsL00FCyQI/AAAAAAAAB1E/o1PYvYqgZqg/s640/blogger-image-318308215.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy Hippie Hash and a mimosa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-59S02Nc4IJA/UAsL3YajVcI/AAAAAAAAB1M/C1LW6fYUDlA/s640/blogger-image-558957190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-59S02Nc4IJA/UAsL3YajVcI/AAAAAAAAB1M/C1LW6fYUDlA/s640/blogger-image-558957190.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 Veg Dinner: quinoa pasta with fresh pesto, various types of squash, tomatoes and four types of greens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0TP1zXjgnbU/UAsL6srFKcI/AAAAAAAAB1U/eOB5DDzlVeE/s640/blogger-image--1322014865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0TP1zXjgnbU/UAsL6srFKcI/AAAAAAAAB1U/eOB5DDzlVeE/s640/blogger-image--1322014865.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberry Gin Fizz.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RkId2HVvNAY/UAsWlsMrKnI/AAAAAAAAB34/iZzDCL8DbAI/s640/blogger-image--906152927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RkId2HVvNAY/UAsWlsMrKnI/AAAAAAAAB34/iZzDCL8DbAI/s640/blogger-image--906152927.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed veggie salad, gluten-free flatbread.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ur43MkdffIE/UAsWmZAem2I/AAAAAAAAB4A/sSoMFxKjlKE/s640/blogger-image--4170887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ur43MkdffIE/UAsWmZAem2I/AAAAAAAAB4A/sSoMFxKjlKE/s640/blogger-image--4170887.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy Hippie Hash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CkKm3jTmP38/UAsWnEEhHaI/AAAAAAAAB4I/cadHUx1pG5o/s640/blogger-image--417065457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CkKm3jTmP38/UAsWnEEhHaI/AAAAAAAAB4I/cadHUx1pG5o/s640/blogger-image--417065457.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggs in avocados.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zl3JJIqnrWA/UAsWn58taFI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/QQ0chFYyOt0/s640/blogger-image--616084584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zl3JJIqnrWA/UAsWn58taFI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/QQ0chFYyOt0/s640/blogger-image--616084584.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sardines on toast with avocado, local tomatoes, spinach salad with walnuts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I1Qt3vUW9_8/UAsL7jHbu_I/AAAAAAAAB1c/nw1gWkO9OSI/s640/blogger-image--1101983512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I1Qt3vUW9_8/UAsL7jHbu_I/AAAAAAAAB1c/nw1gWkO9OSI/s640/blogger-image--1101983512.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salad with roasted beets, goat cheese and avocado; seared tuna.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kb8CsKdnWaw/UAsL8n9NzhI/AAAAAAAAB1k/Z5osPdYgOxU/s640/blogger-image-1744420879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kb8CsKdnWaw/UAsL8n9NzhI/AAAAAAAAB1k/Z5osPdYgOxU/s640/blogger-image-1744420879.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marinated and grilled fish for tacos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KUmjOSNn13k/UAsWpJpwDYI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/4IPEQCJvAI4/s640/blogger-image--504837325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KUmjOSNn13k/UAsWpJpwDYI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/4IPEQCJvAI4/s640/blogger-image--504837325.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portobello burger with pea shoots and roasted carrots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bLN1ae6tgSU/UAsL9hemrNI/AAAAAAAAB1s/x0cfN1344cw/s640/blogger-image-1740237525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bLN1ae6tgSU/UAsL9hemrNI/AAAAAAAAB1s/x0cfN1344cw/s640/blogger-image-1740237525.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sashimi night with an upside down heart. GIVE LOVE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cdCla4cEWwY/UAsL-ipdXOI/AAAAAAAAB10/Ne922L86ywk/s640/blogger-image--1020011247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cdCla4cEWwY/UAsL-ipdXOI/AAAAAAAAB10/Ne922L86ywk/s640/blogger-image--1020011247.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray martini with hand-stuffed blue cheese olives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jZZuF6sPs00/UAsL_hKjZSI/AAAAAAAAB18/-Y-0x2jz-Ag/s640/blogger-image--1552119714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jZZuF6sPs00/UAsL_hKjZSI/AAAAAAAAB18/-Y-0x2jz-Ag/s640/blogger-image--1552119714.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue cheese stuffed olives. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KhpZTuZYaYo/UAsMA5LFWMI/AAAAAAAAB2E/7AvDsltjOls/s640/blogger-image-1004155489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KhpZTuZYaYo/UAsMA5LFWMI/AAAAAAAAB2E/7AvDsltjOls/s640/blogger-image-1004155489.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinoa pasta with pesto, roasted eggpalnt, tomatoes and kale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w6VUlLTcT1s/UAsMCMhTa5I/AAAAAAAAB2M/9QjKvLiK0VY/s640/blogger-image--1578326765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w6VUlLTcT1s/UAsMCMhTa5I/AAAAAAAAB2M/9QjKvLiK0VY/s640/blogger-image--1578326765.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late night snack: broiled tomatoes with goat cheese, garlic and basil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1dXTeO6_IhY/UAsMC1YjNeI/AAAAAAAAB2U/7BKR00jtO7w/s640/blogger-image--1418731480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1dXTeO6_IhY/UAsMC1YjNeI/AAAAAAAAB2U/7BKR00jtO7w/s640/blogger-image--1418731480.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beet burger with wilted spinach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Xw5JvRKu3LM/UAsMD6dd5QI/AAAAAAAAB2c/msrFwlEmfsM/s640/blogger-image--2056090901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Xw5JvRKu3LM/UAsMD6dd5QI/AAAAAAAAB2c/msrFwlEmfsM/s640/blogger-image--2056090901.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broiled tomatoes and Merlot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JGVW7h5QKr4/UAsMFRX5U9I/AAAAAAAAB2k/wYyJ7zNSjFI/s640/blogger-image--1681435101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JGVW7h5QKr4/UAsMFRX5U9I/AAAAAAAAB2k/wYyJ7zNSjFI/s640/blogger-image--1681435101.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gluten free pizza night love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NrLQ59VAILQ/UAsMGdaOQQI/AAAAAAAAB2s/ptT8c_qU6n4/s640/blogger-image-715425303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NrLQ59VAILQ/UAsMGdaOQQI/AAAAAAAAB2s/ptT8c_qU6n4/s640/blogger-image-715425303.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmers Market bounty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h2_VdxkvyIE/UAsMHTyllgI/AAAAAAAAB20/XqR847jxeO8/s640/blogger-image--2078802140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h2_VdxkvyIE/UAsMHTyllgI/AAAAAAAAB20/XqR847jxeO8/s640/blogger-image--2078802140.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanqueray martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z7n_Sh-SkMQ/UAsMISq44EI/AAAAAAAAB28/1dbNpP_Ef5s/s640/blogger-image--137427510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z7n_Sh-SkMQ/UAsMISq44EI/AAAAAAAAB28/1dbNpP_Ef5s/s640/blogger-image--137427510.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy black bean soup with lots of fixings and margaritas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YGRiEf30jAc/UAsMJC2wKHI/AAAAAAAAB3E/BeuCwtwiuPI/s640/blogger-image--2084929109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YGRiEf30jAc/UAsMJC2wKHI/AAAAAAAAB3E/BeuCwtwiuPI/s640/blogger-image--2084929109.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmers Market Happiness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zJlnNT_WpZs/UAsMKn2OojI/AAAAAAAAB3M/nwxoxNG-oTo/s640/blogger-image-625516300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zJlnNT_WpZs/UAsMKn2OojI/AAAAAAAAB3M/nwxoxNG-oTo/s640/blogger-image-625516300.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KALE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e1rzIsiugWA/UAsMLmGMUfI/AAAAAAAAB3U/Pj00QGW6nz8/s640/blogger-image--496700721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e1rzIsiugWA/UAsMLmGMUfI/AAAAAAAAB3U/Pj00QGW6nz8/s640/blogger-image--496700721.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish tacos on corn tortillas with sriracha cream, homemade white and sweet potato fries, coleslaw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2aiPMhUQ9Dc/UAsMM74ylwI/AAAAAAAAB3c/12U89uxy9ws/s640/blogger-image-698293455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2aiPMhUQ9Dc/UAsMM74ylwI/AAAAAAAAB3c/12U89uxy9ws/s640/blogger-image-698293455.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmers Market Bounty in baskets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-72786421288119965702012-06-16T17:45:00.001-05:002012-06-19T12:30:05.123-05:00Kenyon and Sodexo: An Overwhelming Amount of Information<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJIImQWDYr4/TJ0GPHDOVtI/AAAAAAAABiE/geCnPh8c2t8/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJIImQWDYr4/TJ0GPHDOVtI/AAAAAAAABiE/geCnPh8c2t8/s320/IMG_0447.JPG" width="240" /></a> <i>*As of June 18, 2012, Kenyon College has officially suspended negotiations with Sodexo. Scroll down for a continually updated timeline of links to pertinent information regarding this situation.</i><br />
<br />
If you are reading this, you most likely know that the administration of Kenyon College is planning to sign a contract which will outsource the maintenance department to the multinational company, Sodexo, next week. <br />
<br />
I realize that I am opening myself up to criticism by being vocal and passionate about the situation at my alma mater, Kenyon College. I am also aware that a significant number of my friends and acquaintances from Kenyon, many of whom I would have absolutely expected to take a stand against Kenyon outsourcing the maintenance department, have, in fact, remained deafeningly silent about what is going on. I am uncertain as to what to make of this. I do not claim to have full access to all of the information there is regarding the contract with Sodexo. I do not claim that I know how to run Kenyon College any better than the President and Board of Trustees . However, I have been diligent in reading everything written on every single website I know of regarding this matter, studying the official responses from the administration of the college, watching the community forum live on Friday morning, communicating with trustees and other alumni who do not believe this contract to be a misstep for Kenyon, and I believe that I have given measured thought to all sides of the argument. <b>With the information I have now, and having witnessed nothing short of a firestorm within the extended Kenyon family, I am quite certain that something has gone very wrong at Kenyon, and I want to be part of the solution. </b><br />
<br />
I have often wondered over the past week and a half, as a private joke, while making public posts on Facebook and Twitter indicating my concern and my disappointment over what is happening at Kenyon, exactly when the Kenyon College Alumni Office is going to let me know that I've been discharged from the class agent position that I have held for eight years. I am the person who has sent bi-annual letters to my entire class each of these past eight years, not to mention countless emails,
imploring them to not only stay connected with Kenyon but to give Kenyon
their hard-earned money. Just the week before the Sodexo contract was
announced, my classmates received an email from me telling them that Phil Chase wanted them to give to Kenyon. I feel
personally responsible for communication with my class, for my
volunteer role as the liaison between the college and the class of 1999,
and I take it very seriously. Of course, the Kenyon I know would not expect a volunteer to toe the party line, but I am feeling more and more unsure that I know Kenyon at all, given the current situation. <br />
<br />
I have called myself a "Kenyon poster child" for many years. I think even as a student I started referring to myself in this way, because my love for Kenyon College was widely known. For the seventeen years that I have been officially tied to Kenyon College, this has remained true. I am not giving the following examples to be immodest, I simply provide this information for anyone reading this who does not know me personally so that there is no question of my devotion to Kenyon: In addition to many other activities I participated in as a student, I was actively involved in student government all four years, and this included serving as the Student Chair of the Trustee Committee on Student Affairs, alongside Buffy Hallinan who was Trustee Chair. Since graduating I have volunteered extensively for Kenyon - from representing the college at college fairs, to serving as my class agent, to chairing reunion planning committees. In 2008, inspired by the profound experience of our 2007 reunion, I organized almost 30 years of Chamber Singers alumni to fund a special luncheon for the 2008 Chamber Singers, compiled messages to the students from alumni, and made a video to be played on their tour bus while they were, unbeknownst to them, en route to this lunch at a seafood restaurant on the water in Baltimore. (If you're so inclined, you can watch said video <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-757853940170024626" target="_blank">here</a>). When someone who currently holds a very important position at Kenyon told me it couldn't be done, "not in this economic climate", I redoubled my efforts and raised well over what was needed to shower the current singers with this support and love. I did this because I believed it mattered. Between 2007 and 2009, as I was living within an hour of campus, I made a point to be an active alumna, singing in the Community Choir, attending Kenyon events, and forming deep and lasting relationships with students, staff, and community members, even teaching a student - now an accomplished alum from New York City - how to drive over the course of a semester. Because I was active on campus and part of the community, I even had the honor of <a href="http://youtu.be/IJQopqw8zo8" target="_blank">introducing the Kokosingers</a> at the fall concert in 2008. For the past two years I have taught free yoga classes as part of reunion weekend which have been well-attended and well-received.<b> Doing all of this and more as an active alumna and Kenyon College volunteer has only been a privilege and an honor.</b> To this day I feel humbled and embarrassed by the opportunity I was given to attend Kenyon College, to have the experience I did, to be part of a community of some of the most amazing people I have ever known, to have received an education that truly taught me to think critically and value education for its own sake. I am the lucky one. I thank Kenyon for ALLOWING me to do all of the above. I am sure, though, there is much more I could have done for Kenyon. I know that there are many alumni with a far more interesting and distinguished list of alumni volunteer achievements. I am also sure - in fact, I KNOW - that there are many, many people who have given far more money to Kenyon than I have or probably ever will. But I have given my time, my energy, my love, and my commitment to Kenyon, and I have always believed that it meant something.<br />
<br />
So let me be clear<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"> - I love Kenyon College. I do not believe that questioning
the administration means that any of us who are doing so do not love Kenyon College. In
fact, I would argue that it probably means we love Kenyon College even more. I have not
rushed to judgement without the facts. I have patiently and thoroughly
followed and read everything that has been posted and published about the impending contract that will outsource Kenyon maintenance workers to the multinational corporation with a disturbing human rights record since
this first came to light. <b>And I am deeply concerned that this decision -
both the decision itself and the way it has been handled, as well as the way the
administration has responded to community concern - could truly damage
Kenyon, perhaps irrevocably.</b> And because I do love Kenyon College so very much, I
want to find a compassionate, reasoned way to keep this damage from
happening, or, at least, to begin healing the damage that has already been done. Do not question or doubt my loyalty or my love of Kenyon, "our mother." I am upset about what is happening precisely BECAUSE I am "still
obedient to some strange spell."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">I stand by the Kenyon maintenance department. I have signed the petition linked below. I believe outsourcing the maintenance department to Sodexo to be a huge error on the part of Kenyon College. This is my opinion.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">As I believe in transparency and easy access to information for all community members, I have compiled all of the pertinent links I know of regarding this situation. Please note: I am not suggesting that all of the information contained in the links below is accurate. This is the age of social media, immediate communication and a 24 hour a day news cycle. There is a lot of opinion and editorializing going on right now. However, I believe it is of the utmost importance to know and understand what everyone is reading and how they are responding in order to even begin to have a handle on the magnitude of this situation, and to begin to form an opinion. If I have missed anything, please bring it to my attention. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Still obedient to some strange spell, I remain, </span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Hilary A. Lowbridge, Kenyon College class of 1999</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>Links regarding the Kenyon and Sodexo partnership: </b></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><i>U</i><i>pdated June 19, 2012, 12:30pm </i> </span></span><br />
<br />
<ul><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--irsL3hr4YI/T90IU47Nc-I/AAAAAAAAB0Y/1IT8rXL_hRY/s1600/169677_317283888359572_340692086_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--irsL3hr4YI/T90IU47Nc-I/AAAAAAAAB0Y/1IT8rXL_hRY/s320/169677_317283888359572_340692086_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">The College <a href="https://today.kenyon.edu/node/274" target="_blank">announces </a>a new maintenance partnership with Sodexo on Tuesday, June 5. <br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Facebook Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/185579338236293/?bookmark_t=group" target="_blank">Tell Kenyon College to Stop Outsourcing Good Jobs.</a> Over 1,400 members and numerous comments, discussions and links. <br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">The <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/kenyon-college-stop-kenyon-from-partnering-with-sodexo" target="_blank">petition </a>created by Rebecca Chowdhury '13 demanding an alternative to outsourcing maintenance. As of June 16, 2012 at 4pm CST it has 2,353 signatures and hundreds of eloquently written, thoughtful comments which are more than worth reading. Several comments from Kenyon College faculty members, including Andrew Niemiec saying </span></span><i><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"To publicly espouse one set
of values, yet to behave in accordance with a different set of values is
clearly disingenuous. Any future mention of a Kenyon “community” by
this administration will likely be greeted with sneers of derision—and
rightfully so! Secret backroom deals, such as this, demonstrate not
simply a lack of respect for the community, but contempt for it. There
IS a Kenyon community and it is comprised of good people who care about
the College and each other, people who understand and value each other’s
contributions to the work and life of College. Regrettably, such
concern and dedication is no longer valued by the College
administration."<br /><br /> </span></i></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">June 7, 2012 post on The Thrill: <a href="http://thekenyonthrill.com/2012/06/07/breaking-kenyon-contracts-with-controversial-multinational-corporation-to-manage-maintenance/" target="_blank">Breaking: "Kenyon Contracts with Controversial Multinational Corporation to Manage Maintenance"</a> which includes the text of the following allstu, allemp email: </span></span><blockquote>
<i>[redacted] [redacted@kenyon.edu]</i><br />
<i>Dear Kenyon “Community”,</i><br />
<i>I hope all of you are as sickened by Kenyon’s decision to contract
out our jobs to a foreign company with a bad reputation. This company
has paid out 100 million dollars in response to lawsuit’s involving
sexism and racism since 2005. The skilled trades workers at Kenyon were
never approached by Kenyon and asked about cost-saving ideas or
concessions. The administration simply waited until June 5<sup>th</sup>,
the very day the workers and supervisors had set up to bargain for a
new contract, and it was sprung on us. We are currently exploring our
options, but it is sure you will see us marching nearby in the village
protesting. Please come out and join us and say <b>“SHAME ON YOU KENYON”</b> and put a stop to this. You and your job may be the next to go.</i><br />
<i>Sincerely,</i><br />
<i>Robert Smith</i><br />
<i>President, UE Local 712</i></blockquote>
<i></i></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">The Thrill's June 8, 2012 post, <a href="http://thekenyonthrill.com/2012/06/08/faculty-responds-to-sodexo-partnership/" target="_blank">"Updated, Faculty Responds to Sodexo Partnership"</a> - including responses and concerns from several long-time, well-loved Kenyon professors, such as Vernon Schubel, Steve Van Holde, Michael Levine, Royal Rhodes, Jennifer Clarvoe and Fred Baumann.<br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">June 8, 2012 article from the Mount Vernon News: <a href="http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/12/06/08/maintenance-workers-at-kenyon-get-shock-from-college.php" target="_blank">"Maintenance Workers at Kenyon get shock from college"<br /></a></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://today.kenyon.edu/news/sodexo" target="_blank">Kenyon Today's Sodexo website</a>: "</span></span>All college communications and updates about Sodexo will be made available on this site"<br /></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Sarah Young's (class of 1995) <a href="http://moominmuppet.livejournal.com/1669224.html" target="_blank">open letter</a> to President Nugent, the Board of Trustees, and the Kenyon Community. <br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">President Georgia Nugent's <a href="https://today.kenyon.edu/node/280" target="_blank">first of two open letters</a> regarding the Kenyon/Sodexo agreement, published on June 12, 2012. <br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">The Thrill's post: <a href="http://thekenyonthrill.com/2012/06/12/kenyon-sodexo-the-story-so-far/" target="_blank">"Kenyon & Sodexo: The Story So Far"</a>
- with 123 (as of June 16, 2012 at 4pm) thoughtful, informative
comments from members of the Kenyon Community. <br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Contained within the above post is a <a href="http://thekenyonthrill.com/2012/06/12/kenyon-sodexo-the-story-so-far/#comment-4167" target="_blank">letter from Robb Forman Dew</a> (the granddaughter of John Crowe Ransom) to Kenyon President Georgia Nugent, posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 which includes the statement: <i>"</i></span></span><i>I mourn the loss of my connection to Kenyon, and I regret the necessity
of having to return my honorary degree, but I see no other acceptable
course of action. The step Kenyon is taking flies in the face of
everything I believe, and I think the damage caused by this step will
alter the Kenyon experience in ways that you have not fully imagined. I
hope for all our sakes that you reconsider this step while involving the
entire Board of Trustees."</i> <br /></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">President Georgia Nugent's <a href="https://today.kenyon.edu/node/281" target="_blank">second of two open letters</a> regarding the Kenyon/Sodexo contract, published on June 13, 2012, in which she </span></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">reduces HUNDREDS of thoughtful and eloquently written concerns to the
lowest possible common denominator, using two examples that in no way reflect
the overall community response.</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> Anyone who had not been keeping up on the comments from
alumni, faculty, staff, and others that have been posted on the online
petition, published by The Thrill, and posted in various places on
Facebook, would read her second letter and think that Kenyon people are
incapable of thought and analysis. (My opinion). <br /></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Mount Vernon News: <a href="http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/12/06/14/kenyon-outsourcing-decision-protested" target="_blank">"Kenyon outsourcing decision protested"</a> - and the <a href="http://youtu.be/dhkPF1ntyJA" target="_blank">video </a>is heartbreaking.<br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Sarah Young '95 posts an <a href="http://moominmuppet.livejournal.com/1670121.html" target="_blank">unattributed transcript from the emergency faculty meeting</a> that was held on Wednesday, June 14, along with her reflections on the day and a lot of excellent links to more (yes, there is more) information. <br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Facebook group: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PreserveOurKenyonCommunity" target="_blank">Preserve Our Kenyon Community</a>.<br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Anonymous <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KenyonWorker?sk=info" target="_blank">Facebook account for Kenyon's maintenance workers</a> to share their perspectives.<br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">The <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/KenyonCommunity" target="_blank">Twitter feed</a> from Preserve Our Kenyon Community. <br /></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">A link to watch the archived <a href="http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/kenyonadmin.portal#" target="_blank">video of the community forum</a> held on June 15, 2012. Choose it from the "on demand" tab. If, for some reason, you can't watch a video at present, you can read Matt Lavine '97 present a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_339532261">"</a></span></span><span class="docs-title docs-title-disabled" id="docs-title" role="button"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L15c0ZfiqtYs5IVsTbwpWUeWARyo5Ez5k3ndmK-KNWs/edit?pli=1" target="_blank">RAW, APPROXIMATE paraphrase-transcript of first Kenyon-Sodexo forum" </a>on google docs. Union representative, David Painter, who works with Sodexo currently, claims that despite the administration's claims otherwise, Sodexo benefits are not comparable with Kenyon benefits, and that the Sodexo health insurance costs are so high that only 20% of the workforce can afford them. President Nugent says that she will investigate. <br /></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">The Thrill's June 15, 2012 post, </span></span><a href="http://thekenyonthrill.com/2012/06/15/anti-sodexo-protest/" target="_blank">"At Protest, Professors and Union Workers Voice Objection to Sodexo Deal"</a> <br /></li>
<li><a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/" target="_blank">Kick Out Sodexo!</a> <b>(NEW LINK, 6/17)</b> From this website: "For too long, our universities have awarded multi-million dollar
contracts to Sodexo, while this giant multinational food service
corporation flagrantly violates the most basic rights of workers on our
campuses and around the world, and drives up costs for students and
universities just to raise their own profits."<b><i> Students are campaigning at...</i></b> <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/ohio-state-university/">Ohio State</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/university-of-washington/">Washington</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/george-mason-university/">George Mason</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/tulane-university/">Tulane</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/emory-university/">Emory</a> |<a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/georgia-institute-of-technology/"> Georgia Tech</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/georgia-state-university/">Georgia State</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/northeastern-university/">Northeastern</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/loyola-university-new-orleans/">Loyola-NOLA</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/purdue-university/">Purdue</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/western-washington-university/">Western Washington</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/ohio-dominican/">Ohio Dominican</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/university-of-tampa/">Tampa</a> | <a href="http://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/tag/ursinus-college/">Ursinus</a> | and many more.<br /></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">The beginnings of a powerful, beautiful and devastating Kenyon student-led tumblr response: <a href="http://outsourcemekenyon.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">"Outsource Me, Kenyon"<br /></a></span></span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/steve-dew/release-award-winning-author-returns-honorary-degree-to-protest-kenyon-union-bus/10150965888159906" target="_blank">RELEASE: Award-Winning Author Returns Honorary Degree to Protest Kenyon Union-Busting</a> <b>(NEW LINK, 6/18) </b></span></span>Robb Forman Dew is the author of six novels, the most recent of which,
"Being Polite To Hitler," was published by Little, Brown & Co. in
2011. She sits on the advisory board of The Kenyon Review, which her
grandfather, the poet and critic John Crowe Ransom, founded in 1939.
Ransom Hall, which is named after Dew's grandfather, is the home of the
Kenyon College admissions office.<br /></li>
<li><span><b>Faculty Letter to President Nugent and Board of Trustees</b>:<br /> June 17, 2012<br /> To President Nugent, Chairman Schwartz and the Board of Trustees:<br /> We the undersigned members of the Kenyon Faculty are writing to affirm our commitment to the<br />
Kenyon community. By “community” we mean all of those people on the staff, faculty, and<br /> administration who work to promote the success and distinctive quality of this institution as<br /> employees of the college. By “commitment” we mean the willingness to sacrifice collectively<br />
for the common good and to work to the best of our abilities to ensure that all members of that<br /> community are treated fairly and respectfully.<br /> We do not believe that the recent decisions of the administration and members of the Board of<br />
Trustees reflect this understanding of community or a commitment to what it stands for. We do<br /> not come to this decision easily. We regretfully arrive at this conclusion based on the decision to<br /> discharge members of Kenyon’s maintenance staff and outsource their employment. These<br />
actions reveal, to us, a willingness to peel away important members of the Kenyon community,<br /> to redefine what that community is and who belongs to it.<br /> That this decision was made without consulting broadly across the college is deeply disturbing to<br />
us not the least because it implies a far narrower understanding of Kenyon and its community<br /> than we think is appropriate. We fear, in fact, that key members of the administration and Board<br /> of Trustees may be operating with a very different model of the college than that entertained by<br />
many of the faculty. We fully realize that Kenyon must adjust to thrive under changing<br /> conditions and that some of these transformations may not be easy. Kenyon has made many<br /> such adjustments in the past and will continue to evolve for many years to come. We believe<br />
however, that such profound redefinitions of the college as are implied in the decision to<br /> outsource employment of some of our maintenance colleagues require deliberations across the<br /> college and that they not be presented as a fait accompli.<br />
Since our financial situation is difficult but not desperate, as Board Chairman Barry Schwartz<br /> assured us on Friday, June 15 at the campus forum, we call on the Kenyon administration and the<br /> Board of Trustees to organize such conversations in a measured and timely manner. We strongly<br />
petition the administration and board to postpone any moves to outsource the employment of<br /> Kenyon community members until those deliberations are completed.<br /> Sincerely,<br /> Jianhua Bai, Professor of Chinese<br /> K. Read Baldwin, Associate Professor of Art<br />
Michael Barich, Assistant Professor of Classics<br /> Fred Baumann, Professor of Political Science<br /> Sarah Blick, Professor of Art History<br /> Julie Brodie, Associate Professor of Dance<br /> Jim Carson, Associate Professor of English<br />
Jennifer Clarvoe, Professor of English<br /> Melissa Dabakis, Professor of Art History<br /> Adele Davidson, McIlvaine Professor of English<br /> Miriam Dean-Otting, Professor of Religious Studies<br /> Juan DePascuale, Associate Professor of Philosophy<br />
Ruth Dunnell, James P. Storer Professor of Asian History<br /> Eugene Dwyer, Professor of Art History<br /> Ennis B. Edmonds, Associate Professor of Religious Studies<br /> Kathryn Edwards, Professor of Biology<br /> Claudia Esslinger, Professor of Art<br />
M. Siobhan Fennessy, Professor of Biology<br /> Paul Gebhardt, Associate Professor of German<br /> Yutan D.Y.L.Getzler, Associate Professor of Chemistry<br /> Mort Guiney, Professor of French<br /> Barry Gunderson, Professor of Art<br />
Marcella Hackbardt, Associate Professor of Art<br /> Bruce Hardy, Associate Professor of Anthropology<br /> Kate Hedeen, Associate Professor of Spanish<br /> Sarah Heidt, Associate Professor of English<br /> Sheryl Hemkin, Associate Professor of Chemistry<br />
Dane Heuchemer, Professor of Music<br /> Karen Hicks, Associate Professor of Biology<br /> Judy Holdener, Professor of Mathematics<br /> Haruhiko Itagaki, Professor of Biology<br /> Jennifer Johnson, Associate Professor of Sociology<br />
Nurten Kilic-Schubel, Assistant Professor of History<br /> William Klein, Professor of English<br /> P.F. Kluge, Writer in Residence<br /> Deborah Laycock, Associate Professor of English<br /> Michael P. Levine, Professor Emeritus of Psychology<br />
Sergei Lobanov-Rostovsky, Professor of English<br /> David Lynn, Professor of English<br /><span> Wendy MacLeod, James Michael Playwright-in-Residence/</span><span></span>Profes<wbr></wbr>sor of Drama<br /> Ellen Mankoff, Instructor of English<br />
Theodore Mason, Professor of English<br /> Robert Mauck, Associate Professor of Biology<br /> Janet McAdams, Robert P. Hubbard Professor of Poetry, Associate Professor of English<br /> George McCarthy, Professor of Sociology<br />
Patricia McCulloh, Assistant Professor of Art, retired<br /> William E. McCulloh, Professor Emeritus of Classics<br /> Kim McMullen, John Crowe Ransom Professor of English<br /> Maria Mendonca, Associate Prof. Asian Music and Culture, Anthropology, Music Departments<br />
Linda D. Metzler, Professor of Spanish<br /> Robert Milnikel, Associate Professor of Mathematics<br /> Sarah Murnen, Professor of Psychology<br /> Kimmarie Murphy, Associate Professor of Anthropology<br /> Andrew Niemiec, Associate Professor of Neuroscience<br />
Natalia Olshanskaya, Professor of Russian<br /> Wade Powell, Associate Professor of Biology<br /> Royal Rhodes, Donald L. Rogan Professor of Religious Studies<br /> Joel Richeimer, Professor of Philosophy<br /> Victor Rodríguez-Núñez, Associate Professor of Spanish<br />
Donald Rogan, Emeritus Professor of Religion<br /> Clara Román-Odio, Professor of Spanish and Latin American Literature<br /> Peter Rutkoff, Professor of American Studies, Co-Director of the KAP Program<br /> Edward Schortman, J. K. Smail Professor of Anthropology<br />
Vernon James Schubel, NEH Distinguished Teaching Professor of Religious Studies<br /> Marta Sierra, Associate Professor of Spanish<br /> Wendy Singer, Roy T. Wortman Distinguished Professor of History<br /> Joan Slonczewski, Professor of Biology<br />
Elly Smith, Assistant Professor of Mathematics<br /> Judy Smith, Professor Emerita of English<br /> Linda Smolak, Professor Emerita of Psychology<br /> Tim Spiekerman, Associate Professor of Political Science & Humanities<br />
Mary Suydam, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies<br /> Hideo Tomita, Professor of Japanese<br /> Patricia Urban, J. K. Smail Professor of Anthropology<br /> Kristen Van Ausdall, Associate Professor of Art History<br /> Steve Van Holde, Associate Professor of Political Science<br />
Joseph Venosa, Visiting Assistant Professor of History<br /> Stephen Volz, Associate Professor of History<br /> Katharine Weber, Richard B. Thomas Visiting Professor of Creative Writing<br /> Rebecca Wolf, Assistant Professor of Drama<br />
Roy T. Wortman, Emeritus Professor of History<br /> Yang Xiao, Associate Professor of Philosophy<br /> Addition after physical delivery<br /> Bruce Kinzer, Professor of History<br /> </span></li>
<li><span><a href="https://today.kenyon.edu/node/284" target="_blank">Official announcement</a> from Kenyon College that contract negotiations with Sodexo have been suspended. <br /></span></li>
<li><span>NBC4i.com story: <a href="http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/jun/18/5/kenyon-college-workers-fear-their-jobs-jeopardy-ar-1074924/" target="_blank">Negotiations Suspended; Kenyon College Workers' Jobs Safe<br /></a></span></li>
<li><span>The Thrill's June 18, 2012 post: </span><a href="http://thekenyonthrill.com/2012/06/18/breaking-college-suspends-negotiations-with-sodexo-will-form-advisory-panel/" target="_blank">BREAKING: College Suspends Negotiations with Sodexo, Will Form Advisory Panel.</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">*If you have something to add to this list of links, or any feedback (I love and appreciate ALL feedback), please feel free to contact me via the comments section below, or via email: hlowbridgeATgmailDOTcom (the actual symbols, not the words AT and DOT). Shanti. xoH</span></span> <br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span> <br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-47531859331991346992012-04-18T10:20:00.000-05:002012-07-21T15:22:29.847-05:00Wonderful Weird WecipesYes. I know how to spell recipes. I'm trying to be funny. Geez. =)<br />
<br />
These aren't just wonderful and weird, they are also delicious, nutritious, vegan or vegetarian and gluten-free. <br />
<br />
<b>Kale-Quinoa Salad</b><br />
I originally created this as a way to save time. I was having kale chips and quinoa and I thought "I could mix these together and this whole eating thing would go a lot faster." (Not that you should EVER rush eating, unless you have somewhere to be in 20 minutes and won't get to eat for another eight hours after that. Cut me some slack, here). =) As it turned out, the crispy kale was a lovely texture to compliment the soft quinoa. An idea was born. Soon thereafter I was making dinner, and decided to get a bit more creative. I roasted cherry tomatoes AND kale, and mixed both with quinoa. It was DELICIOUS served hot alongside poached salmon! Hooray! I had some leftovers and realized it was even good cold the next day, and although the kale was no longer crispy, it did still have a lovely roasted flavor. That led me to try a version intentionally served cold, almost like a pasta salad to have with a cookout. I also played with garlic, herbs, the cooking liquid for the quinoa, adding additional roasted vegetables like beets for color contrast, adding nuts; the possibilities are really endless. Here are two versions I like - one hot and one cold.<br />
<br />
<u>Warm Kale-Quinoa Salad</u><br />
<i>(serve on its own - quinoa is a complete protein, you know! - or as a side dish with fish). </i><br />
Ingredients:<br />
1 bunch fresh kale, destemmed, rinsed, and pat dry with paper towels.<br />
1 box (about 1.5 cups?) cherry tomatoes <br />
1 cup quinoa (if it isn't pre-washed, you need to rinse it).<br />
2 cups water or vegetable stock.<br />
2-6 cloves of minced garlic. <br />
1 tsp cumin (or whatever you're in the mood for, honestly. I love cumin).<br />
2 tablespoons olive oil (approximate. You'll roast the kale and cherry tomatoes in it and need some to saute the garlic for the quinoa. I don't really measure olive oil, normally! Sorry I can't be more precise). <br />
salt to taste (optional)<br />
lemon or vinegar to taste (optional) <br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Toss your kale with about a tablespoon of olive oil and a light sprinkle of salt. On a separate baking sheet, toss your cherry tomatoes (DON'T cut them) with just enough olive oil to lightly coat them and a light sprinkle of salt. Remember when salting the components that they are all going to end up in the same bowl, so you don't want to overdo it! This is like Jenny Schecter's book, you guys. Any L Word fans know what I'm talking about?? Roast in the 325 degree oven and check every 10 minutes, shaking the tomatoes to roll them around and flipping your kale over. You want the kale to be mostly crisp and not too brown. <i>(The reality is if you put an entire bunch of kale on one baking sheet, it's never going to get perfectly crisp. So if you have two ovens (lucky!) and lots of baking sheets, you can be crazy meticulous about spreading your kale out so it ALL gets perfectly crisp. I don't have the time or the luxury. Alas)</i>. The tomatoes will get all nice and wrinkly like they spent too much time in the bathtub. It usually takes about 20-30 minutes, but check back frequently! <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, heat about a teaspoon of olive oil in a saucepan <i>(that you have the matching lid for on hand. Not that I have mixed and matched pots and pans in MY house)</i>, on medium-high heat. Saute your garlic and cumin for about a minute, until it just gets golden, and then add the quinoa. Stir, stir, stir, and listen to the lovely sound of the quinoa beginning to roast and pop. <i>(Toasting quinoa DRAMATICALLY improves the flavor, in my opinion. You can (again) be really meticulous (with your 12 ovens) and do this on a cookie sheet so each individual grain turns the same lovely color of brown. I, however, cheat and stir it up in the pot for about a minute. I'm getting really jealous of your 12 ovens, though).</i> You'll start to recognize the SMELL that means it's as toasted as it's going to get without burning. =) Add the water or vegetable stock, stir, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook for 10-15 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.<br />
<br />
Put your quinoa in a big bowl. Add the roasted kale and the roasted cherry tomatoes. Mix it all up and taste it. You might dig the rich, olive oil flavor and be good to go. You might want some acid to balance it and squeeze a lemon into it, or sprinkle some type of vinegar over it - I like red wine or apple cider. Ohhh, but I've not tried balsamic with this... hmm! <br />
<br />
EAT IT. Yum. =)<br />
<br />
<u>Cold Kale-Quinoa Salad</u><i><b></b></i><br />
Ingredients: <br />
1 bunch fresh kale, destemmed, rinsed, and pat dry with paper towels.<br />
1 box (about 1.5 cups?) cherry tomatoes <br />
1 cup quinoa (if it isn't pre-washed, you need to rinse it).<br />
2 cups water or vegetable stock.<br />
2-6 cloves of minced garlic. <br />
1 tsp cumin (or whatever you're in the mood for, honestly. I love cumin).<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpPcreoQsIg/T47bBbYYjbI/AAAAAAAABvs/2e7jQ172d1c/s1600/blogger-image--1000109315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpPcreoQsIg/T47bBbYYjbI/AAAAAAAABvs/2e7jQ172d1c/s320/blogger-image--1000109315.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold Kale-Quinoa Salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2
tablespoons olive oil (approximate. You'll roast the kale in it and need some to saute the garlic for the quinoa. I don't
really measure olive oil, normally! Sorry I can't be more precise). <br />
salt to taste (optional)<br />
lemon or vinegar to taste (optional)<br />
1-2 ripe avocados<br />
<br />Directions:<br />
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Toss your kale with about a tablespoon of olive oil and a light sprinkle of salt. Roast for about 20-30 minutes, checking and turning/tossing every 10 minutes or so. I like the kale as crispy as possible for this one, but not burnt. Prepare your quinoa as directed above. Mix it all up and add olive oil and an acid (lemon or vinegar) to taste. Toss the qunioa with the kale and refrigerate. When you are ready to eat it, add the cherry tomatoes (sliced in half) and the avocado (cubed) and toss together. Check for seasonings - add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes - whatever floats your boat. SERVE! Yum.<br />
<br />
<u>Poached eggs in Cabbage Nests</u><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1P4iJprMEM/T47a_vyg6iI/AAAAAAAABvc/VcA5Ml0vmCM/s1600/blogger-image--1973027128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1P4iJprMEM/T47a_vyg6iI/AAAAAAAABvc/VcA5Ml0vmCM/s320/blogger-image--1973027128.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poached eggs in Cabbage Nests</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Quarter a Savoy cabbage and cut out the core. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Pour a bit of olive oil (a teaspoon, perhaps) onto each of four squares of aluminum foil. Roll the quarters in the oil so it is covered and season with salt and pepper, then wrap the aluminum foil tightly around the cabbage. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for another 15 minutes until they are roasted to your liking.<br />
Serve one or two poached eggs inside each quarter of cabbage. If you really want your eggs to be in a nest, remove a few of the inside leaves (and eat them!) so the eggs have somewhere to go.<br />
It's a weird but super delicious combination, and avocado goes well with poached eggs ALWAYS.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-16396216477806801522012-04-18T10:17:00.001-05:002012-04-18T10:17:28.873-05:00Photos<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m1P4iJprMEM/T47a_vyg6iI/AAAAAAAABvc/VcA5Ml0vmCM/s640/blogger-image--1973027128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m1P4iJprMEM/T47a_vyg6iI/AAAAAAAABvc/VcA5Ml0vmCM/s640/blogger-image--1973027128.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W03uxy84enc/T47bAVRbbbI/AAAAAAAABvk/AfeITrYP3Po/s640/blogger-image--1009589577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W03uxy84enc/T47bAVRbbbI/AAAAAAAABvk/AfeITrYP3Po/s640/blogger-image--1009589577.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wpPcreoQsIg/T47bBbYYjbI/AAAAAAAABvs/2e7jQ172d1c/s640/blogger-image--1000109315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wpPcreoQsIg/T47bBbYYjbI/AAAAAAAABvs/2e7jQ172d1c/s640/blogger-image--1000109315.jpg" /></a></div>Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-75668266230307832282012-03-18T15:31:00.000-06:002012-03-19T09:05:41.327-06:00Food, Panic Attacks, and Aiming True.<i>This is a heavy blog post. To deflect that a little bit, I will be interspersing it with photos of food I have been enjoying as of late. Who doesn't love food? </i><br />
<br />
Here I go. The typical "wow, it's been awhile, soooo much has been going on, blah blah blah, this and that and something else, now I'm going to blog again on the regular because clearly everyone has missed my updates in this little corner of the internet OH so much" post.<br />
<br />
Except it's not.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhzpyrbGfKo/T2ZSM33HobI/AAAAAAAABrc/0inEix1fVcM/s1600/blogger-image--236919048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhzpyrbGfKo/T2ZSM33HobI/AAAAAAAABrc/0inEix1fVcM/s320/blogger-image--236919048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ezekiel bread w/ raw almond butter is my go-to breakfast.<br />
Coconut water keeps me from cramping in yoga.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
See, if you read my blog even semi-regularly, you know that I started 2012 with this <a href="http://hilarylowbridge.blogspot.com/2012/01/aim-true-day-one.html" target="_blank">little idea</a> to take all of Kathryn Budig's YogaGlo classes and write about them. I said it wasn't a New Year's resolution. It wasn't. And I think that's key, because even though I haven't been doing Kathryn Budig's practices regularly and writing about them (or writing much at all in this blog), I haven't been failing. In fact, I've been succeeding, and in a huge way. It's BECAUSE of my Aim True challenge. I'd be remiss to not document it, if for no one else than myself. (But what I secretly hope about blogging, and especially about somewhat PAINFULLY HONEST blogging like this, is that someone out there will read it and feel just a little bit less alone in the world. I'll be honest - it scares me to put this out for public consumption. But again - here I go). <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ybn4yaogG4/T2ZSInUrNdI/AAAAAAAABqs/4hbmOazY1vA/s1600/blogger-image--831481116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ybn4yaogG4/T2ZSInUrNdI/AAAAAAAABqs/4hbmOazY1vA/s320/blogger-image--831481116.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I have more time, I <3 poached eggs! With spinach!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I called it the Aim True challenge because that is Kathryn's brand, but more importantly, it's her <a href="http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/02/make-my-aim-true-a-greek-goddess-shows-me-the-way/" target="_blank">philosophy</a>. At least in as much as what I can claim to know about her based on what I've read online and what I've learned taking her classes. At the time I was feeling horribly out of shape, and knew that her athletic vinyasa flow classes would help start getting me back to where I wanted to be physically. But it wasn't just about feeling out of shape (and feeling like a fraudulent yoga teacher, because really, doesn't everyone expect their yoga teacher to be perfect, especially in matters of health and wellness? Oh the PRESSURE). I knew I needed to do SOMETHING, I needed to do it IMMEDIATELY, because what I ultimately needed was CHANGE. But back in January, the amount of change I needed to make was so much that it felt overwhelming and insurmountable to even think about. So I just picked one thing to do, and I did it. Yoga. With Kathryn. Because I dig her a lot.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bppa3SDmJQ/T2ZSJN3JHtI/AAAAAAAABq0/W9e92F6rJY8/s1600/blogger-image--1829799242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bppa3SDmJQ/T2ZSJN3JHtI/AAAAAAAABq0/W9e92F6rJY8/s320/blogger-image--1829799242.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm, hummus. Mmm, avocado. Mmm, Lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Things didn't go according to the imaginary script that I had secretly already written before I even began. I sort of thought that I would just do class after class, day after day, and start getting super strong and lose a bunch of weight and start doing this whole life thing pretty much perfectly and by this point I'd have finished 40+ KB YogaGlo classes and be writing about profound insights and life-changing moments. Oh, and I'd probably have my own column in Yoga Journal and be writing for all the major yoga blogs like MindBodyGreen and Elephant Journal, and actually, Kathryn Budig herself would have probably hired me to be her personal yoga teaching assistant to travel to Bali with her to conduct transformational workshops. I'd be the "Reality Yogi" doing ToeSox ads involving clothes and Child's Pose.<br />
<br />
Instead, by late January, after 18 of Kathryn's YogaGlo classes, I had to face the fact that this old shoulder injury I have wasn't digging on the daily vinyasa practice. Downdog to plank to chaturanga to updog to downdog is a rotator cuff nightmare if your alignment is off, OR, in my case, if you have a weak spot from injury that might never quite be the same as it was when you were 25. I had to take a break.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOKU6Ir0RWM/T2ZSIIszEOI/AAAAAAAABqk/Nkg7yy95h-0/s1600/blogger-image--1343494939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOKU6Ir0RWM/T2ZSIIszEOI/AAAAAAAABqk/Nkg7yy95h-0/s320/blogger-image--1343494939.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahi tuna, spinach dressed with olive oil and lemon.<br />
With avocado. Of course. My fave lunch this week.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So I moved away from Kathryn (even though I do love her oh so much) and toward my Kripalu yoga practices. Stephen Cope's Dynamic Kripalu Yoga DVD, <a href="http://www.nourishyourlight.com/about.html" target="_blank">Danny Arguetty's</a> audio practices, <a href="http://kripalu.org/article/1205/" target="_blank">online Kripalu practices</a>. And I recommitted to my own meditation practice. (Have I already mentioned that being a <a href="http://www.hilarylowbridge.weeby.com/" target="_blank">yoga teacher</a> is hard? The pressure to practice what you preach, so to speak, is immense. And it's not even the external pressure that is hard as much as it is the internal pressure - at least for me).<br />
<br />
So I gave the script a little rewrite. I mean, really, what kind of script doesn't have the obligatory challenge for the protagonist to overcome? The hiccup was the shoulder injury, I shifted my practice to accommodate my rhomboids, DAMNIT, so now me and yoga sail off into the sunset together as I get super strong, lose a bunch of weight, and write about profound insights and life-changing moments (and go to Bali with Kathryn). Right? Right?!?<br />
<br />
<b>I started having panic attacks.</b><br />
<br />
This was absolutely NOT part of the script. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gdcOkud_vs/T2ZSLT2yOKI/AAAAAAAABrM/dMJwXv7CzAs/s1600/blogger-image-1808102408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gdcOkud_vs/T2ZSLT2yOKI/AAAAAAAABrM/dMJwXv7CzAs/s320/blogger-image-1808102408.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Ahi tuna. Homemade sweet potato fries.<br />
Roasted green beans!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have a part-time job to supplement my teaching, and I was sitting at my desk one day when all of the sudden I thought I was having a heart attack. I was short of breath. My chest felt tight. I was sure I was dying. There was NO rhyme or reason behind it. <br />
<br />
And thinking I was going to die - really, truly, honestly think I was going to DIE scared the SHIT out of me.<br />
<br />
This happened about four different times, completely out of the blue. Different times, different places, different circumstances. I saw that my local hospital was doing a free heart screening day, and it even included an ultrasound of my carotid artery. I showed up bright and early, certain I was going to learn that I was, indeed, dying of heart disease and that I didn't even HAVE a carotid artery.<br />
<br />
Nope. My heart is a-okay. I do have a carotid artery and it has exactly 0% build-up. (I asked the lady doing the ultrasound if that was good or bad. She laughed at me).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x1PSqd7fJa0/T2ZSK3XRAMI/AAAAAAAABrE/eohYtIVeqn8/s1600/blogger-image--522201549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x1PSqd7fJa0/T2ZSK3XRAMI/AAAAAAAABrE/eohYtIVeqn8/s320/blogger-image--522201549.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinoa pasta is AMAZING. Kale with garlic.<br />
Christmas plate in March. So?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So now I had to re-write the script yet AGAIN. I asked a close friend who knows everything about everything (I'm serious. He knows everything about everything. I'm so glad he's my friend) and who I trust implicitly for some advice. I was forthright about what was going on. And I took his advice. Little bits and pieces at a time.<br />
<br />
Instead of relying on yoga for everything, I got back to high intensity interval training, strength training, and made some nutritional changes he recommended. I've been a RAGING insomniac for years and have gotten by; I set an 11pm bedtime, 7am wake time for myself and stuck with it. Even on the weekends (usually), I get up, I drink lemon water, I say hello to the sun, I meditate, I exercise...and THEN I have coffee. One cup. I'm incredibly mindful about what I put into my body - I do a little Michael Pollen/Weight Watchers combo that is working for me. “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” (and then track the WW points. It really helps with the "not too much" part). I drink a ton of plain water - about 100 ounces a day. I keep track of my sodium (aren't iPhone apps the best?) and try to stay below 2300 mg a day. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_dfvYyQqns/T2ZSJwEwAeI/AAAAAAAABq8/pqtdhqg6Kuo/s1600/blogger-image-883376265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_dfvYyQqns/T2ZSJwEwAeI/AAAAAAAABq8/pqtdhqg6Kuo/s320/blogger-image-883376265.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chimichurri salmon, roasted carrots, lemon risotto w/ cherry tomatoes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And for the past few weeks I've slowly but surely started feeling better...and better..and better...and so much better, comparatively, that I've had moments of euphoria. <br />
<br />
Another dear friend of mine, who I'm also so glad is my friend, and who I also trust implicitly gave me some really sage advice, though. Don't get too caught up in the euphoria. Don't be obsessive. Take the middle path. (Can anyone guess where both of these friends went to college? ;) <a href="http://www.yogaartandscience.com/poses/restpos/sbk/sbk.html" target="_blank"></a><br />
<br />
And I'm still practicing yoga in some way, shape or form every day, of course, and I'm teaching 10+ classes a week. In fact, I even did a Kathryn Budig class this week, for the first time in over a month. And it was SO, so, so, so great. I had to modify some stuff for my shoulder, and I'm not going to be able to do more than one to two KB practice a week, but it was SUCH a treat. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfUMFFh8F6w/T2ZSLxDvGeI/AAAAAAAABrU/tvDVpb_Z0kc/s1600/blogger-image-1444267634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfUMFFh8F6w/T2ZSLxDvGeI/AAAAAAAABrU/tvDVpb_Z0kc/s400/blogger-image-1444267634.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me, NOT having a panic attack.<br />
I like NOT having panic attacks, thankyouverymuch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There is no ending. There aren't any credits. I'm not done. This is where I am right now. And I just keep praying, <i>"Artemis, huntress of the moon, make my aim true. Give me goals to seek and the constant determination to achieve them."</i>Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-39663830349700102862012-02-26T00:54:00.004-06:002012-02-26T12:17:38.743-06:00Yoga Babies<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCl7clZC-QU/T0nUTF6855I/AAAAAAAABqA/5hkAmT_C1eQ/s1600/blogger-image--140481632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCl7clZC-QU/T0nUTF6855I/AAAAAAAABqA/5hkAmT_C1eQ/s400/blogger-image--140481632.jpg" width="300" /></a>I have two amazing nieces, Madeline and Lily. Madeline is eight and such a unique, beautiful, complex little soul who is chock full of LOVE. She's also exceedingly bright, always a skeptic and often a comic. In a lot of ways, I see a lot of myself in Madeline. She can be VERY private, and I always get the feeling that there is a lot more going on behind the eyes than she lets on. She's really sensitive to other people (and bugs/animals/the earth) being hurt. She's always been immensely creative (my sister says it's because she wouldn't stop Madeline from doing things like artistically decorating her entire body with lipsticks at 2 years old - HA!!!) Madeline was a god-send for our whole family in a lot of ways; she was born just three months before my mom died - an incredible juxtaposition of joy and sadness. Lily is two and has an exuberance and vitality about her that is just breath taking. She's been matching pitch since she was less than a year old, which I'm convinced means she is going to be a musical genius, and she has the most captivating eyes, smile and demeanor about her that you can imagine. And she's HILARIOUSLY funny. She is also affectionate, shy, respectful (sometimes) and ritualistic; she likes to close all of the doors, throw things away, and sit on a specific rug (the one next to the yoga mat in the kitchen, as a matter of fact) to eat bowls of berries. Her love of berries is one of our connections - when she stayed with me while my sister and her family went to Disney World in December, she ate an entire container of blackberries, an entire container of strawberries and an entire container of blueberries in approximately 30 minutes.That was a fun diaper. (Ew).<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0G8JRxzMyM/T0nUSd_JnGI/AAAAAAAABp4/wSzNv-JRnks/s1600/blogger-image--1832477592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0G8JRxzMyM/T0nUSd_JnGI/AAAAAAAABp4/wSzNv-JRnks/s400/blogger-image--1832477592.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOjqBmv3GVk/T0nURX-cNzI/AAAAAAAABpo/a8KJsevYdAI/s1600/blogger-image--730023264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOjqBmv3GVk/T0nURX-cNzI/AAAAAAAABpo/a8KJsevYdAI/s320/blogger-image--730023264.jpg" width="240" /></a>Madeline has actually taken a couple of my public yoga classes at the YMCA. Lily is just a complete MIMIC, and incredibly limber. Tonight my dad gave me a Manduka Black Mat Pro for my birthday. I rolled it out as soon as I opened it, but before I could give it the good old Downward Facing Dog Test, Madeline and Lily beat me to it! Thank goodness for iPhone cameras in easy reach! I really couldn't believe it.<br />
<br />
I adore my two little yoga babies. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdZ8fjjXdUE/T0nUR3MtEGI/AAAAAAAABpw/FzIBSWSod00/s1600/blogger-image-595604032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdZ8fjjXdUE/T0nUR3MtEGI/AAAAAAAABpw/FzIBSWSod00/s320/blogger-image-595604032.jpg" width="240" /></a>xo<br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-22128803153705340722012-02-24T20:11:00.000-06:002012-02-24T20:19:30.956-06:00Reality Yogi Aims True: HabitsFebruary is almost over! My <b>birthday </b>is on Monday, February 27, which is fun, but what is even MORE exciting is that on Wednesday it's <b>FEBRUARY 29TH</b>! I love, love, love, love <b>LEAP YEARS</b>! I'm really excited that it's a Wednesday, too, because that means I lead my meditation group on the EXTRA, SPECIAL DAY we only get once every four years. It's gonna have to be a special one. =)<br />
<br />
So the second month of 2012, and you might think I've TOTALLY failed at my Aim True challenge. Well, I haven't. <i>(Have I struggled feeling as though I failed because I needed a break from vigorous vinyasa with Kathryn Budig? Yes.) </i>But the reality is, I actually feel as though I'm starting to aim more and MORE true. I've still been practicing and teaching a LOT of yoga. But I've moved back toward the power of KRIPALU yoga these days, and it's incredibly therapeutic and personal. I know I'll start to work some more of Kathryn's classes into my practice, but maybe just one or two a week. I still want to finish all of her classes by the end of 2012.<br />
<br />
In other news, but totally related, here are two habits I am starting to get a firm grasp on:<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Sadhana every morning.</b> This doesn't have to be yoga practice,
although it could be. Any combination of asana, meditation, pranayama,
music and silence for at least 30 minutes. I have my own little
6-motions of the spine practice/warm-up that I do (almost) every
morning, which developed out of both my personal practice and my
teaching, that takes all of two minutes. I try to do at least 8 to 10
minutes of some pranayama, which could be as simple as soft-belly
breathing, but is usually some combination of Dirgha, Ujjayi and Nadi
Shodhana. I also do a 20 minute seated breath, mala bead, or mantra
meditation every morning. Right now I've gotten really into metta
meditation - sending positive energy out into the world, usually toward
someone specific. I was completely taken by this passage in the book <u>The
Wisdom of Yoga</u> by Stephen Cope:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d6du_FVgK4Y/T0hBfwIJUnI/AAAAAAAABpg/fyVFXMEw5zQ/s1600/blogger-image-285330546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d6du_FVgK4Y/T0hBfwIJUnI/AAAAAAAABpg/fyVFXMEw5zQ/s320/blogger-image-285330546.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo has nothing to do with the passage, but was a yummy dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Jake
was holding the most intriguing piece for last. "Here's the most
amazing thing. I discovered that there were tracks coming back the other
way."</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Susan knit her brow. "What?"</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Rudi
got it. "It means that Fiona had been praying for Jake, too. Jake found
the tracks of Fiona's prayers coming back toward him."</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"She has been praying for me. Praying for me for years." said Jake.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Of
course, she hasn't been praying for the right things, exactly. I mean
she's been praying, I assume, that I'll get married, give up yoga.
Whatever. Be a good dog. Get the Devil outta me. But I don't think it
matters. It's the spirit of well-wishing itself that makes the tracks."</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Jake
later discovered that, indeed, Fiona had her own prayer group of
Catholic ladies: the St. Mary Society. They had all been praying for
Jake for years."</i></blockquote>
For some reason, perhaps oddly, this calls to mind my <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/179622" target="_blank">favorite E.E. Cummings poem.</a><br />
<br />
(Oh, and I hope you ALL can feel my well wishes for you. =)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-qsZyxKXBI/T0hBfIUPb1I/AAAAAAAABpY/Pjx5xNj2ZQs/s1600/blogger-image-873216194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-qsZyxKXBI/T0hBfIUPb1I/AAAAAAAABpY/Pjx5xNj2ZQs/s320/blogger-image-873216194.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger tea while I blog. =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Ginger tea every night after supper.</b> Signifying the end of eating for the day. This was ritualistic for me at Kripalu. There is really no snacking at Kripalu, unless you buy goodies at the little shop during the day. And I didn't. I stuck with the cafeteria food - which is pretty EXTRAORDINARY. (Okay, except for OCCASIONAL afternoon coconut waters and ginger chews. Sheesh).<br />
<br />
Also trying to: <br />
<ul>
<li>Limit snacking</li>
<li>Continue drinking lots of water (about 100 oz a day on a good day, um, ESPECIALLY if you include La Croix!)</li>
<li>Drink a little bit
LESS La Croix (just as an experiment...I was drinking at least six a
day).</li>
<li>Read a BOOK at least two hours a day. </li>
</ul>
Wanna know the one habit I cannot seem to get a grasp on? <b>GOING TO BED AT A DECENT HOUR. </b>Another one? <b>WATCHING LESS REALITY TV</b>. Housewives, Kardashians, Top Chef... I even got sucked into ICE LOVES FREAKIN' COCO THIS PAST WEEK! Come ON, Hilary. ;)<br />
<br />
Tell me, tell me...what habits are YOU working on these days??Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-39503659965838708722012-02-16T11:55:00.000-06:002012-02-16T11:55:08.572-06:00Reality Yogi: Kitchen YogaSometimes it's really hard to make the time for yoga practice. Especially when it becomes one of those things - you know all about those THINGS. Things that you need very specific set of circumstances to do CORRECTLY. In my perfect yoga world, every day there would be 90 to 120 solid, consecutive minutes, falling exactly three hours after I last ate <i>(a light, healthy, organic, free-range, local meal)</i> in a day that I was perfectly hydrated <i>(but for some amazing yogic reason, I wouldn't have to pee during those 90 to 120 minutes)</i> and wearing the perfect yoga outfit <i>(and it would have to be Lululemon from head to toe, because what is more ironic than a $300 yoga outfit?)</i> in a room that had been smudged with <i>(organic)</i> white sage approximately 30 minutes before I began my practice, candles <i>(I made myself)</i> lit, and a perfect playlist cued up.And of course I'd be on my <a href="http://www.manduka.com/us/shop/categories/products/mats/black-mat-pro/" target="_blank">Manduka Black Mat Pro</a>. Duh. <br />
<br />
I think those exact circumstances happened once. Well, except for the Lulu outfit. Oh, and I've never made a candle in my life. And I don't have a Manduka Black Mat Pro, except I think I'm getting one for my birthday!! But yeah, something like that happened one time. In 1996. That's the ticket. <br />
<br />
Okay, it never happened.<br />
<br />
And let's face it - it probably never will.<br />
<br />
But you don't need the perfect amount of time, the perfect space, the expensive mat, and definitely not the $300 yoga outfit to practice YOGA. You can practice yoga anytime, anywhere.<br />
<br />
Today I did some yoga in my kitchen. In between folding laundry and drinking coffee. And thinking about how I need to start eating more celery because it's supposed to be good for your heart, or at least that's what I read in some magazine yesterday.<br />
<br />
Luckily the beauty of yoga is that I stopped thinking about celery for a hot second and had a very fleeting moment of blissful peace and concentration.<br />
<br />
You can, too. <br />
<ul>
<li>Stand with your feet a little wider than hip with apart. </li>
<li>Being to twist, allowing the arms to gain momentum like empty coat sleeves of a trench coat draped over your shoulders. Lift the opposite heel as you look behind you. </li>
<li>Coordinate it with some strong pranayama practice - a sharp inhale through the nose as you come through center, a forceful "HA" breath out the mouth as you twist. </li>
<li>Let the momentum build and build, and let your hands hit you wherever they may (it's probably somewhere you have a big concentration of lymph nodes, and they need a love tap now and then!) </li>
<li>Continue for a minute or two, then let the momentum slow down, like the battery in the toy is slowly dying.</li>
<li>When you are finally still, notice how you feel. Breathe deeply. </li>
</ul>
<br />
This incredibly simple twist is SO therapeutic and beneficial. It's a nice squeeze and soak for all of the organs in the abdomen - flooding them with freshly oxygenated blood, and it also keeps the spine supple and creates space for all of the nerves traveling out of the spine to the rest of the body. Hooray! <br />
<br />
Or go throw on your Lulu clothes, roll out that Manduka, light the candles, smudge the room and have that perfect, enlightening two hour practice. I'm jealous already. ;)<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
The Reality Yogi<br />
<br />
<br />Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9145174639268115906.post-28634114492711162842012-02-10T01:35:00.001-06:002012-02-10T01:35:37.705-06:00Reality Yogi: Deep Relief for Aching ShouldersStart in SUKASANA. Bring the attention to the breath. Do it again. Do it again. Everytime you notice that the mind has wandered, bring the attention back to the breath. Do it again. Again.<br />
<br />
BREATHE. Deeply. Dirgha-Ujjayi if you dig it. Five minutes. Or more.<br />
<br />
GENTLE RESTORATIVE CHEST OPENER on a folded blanket. Knees bent, soles of the feet on the floor. Knees fall together, feet apart. Five minutes. Ore more.<br />
<br />
CHEST OPENER ON TWO BLOCKS. Legs in BADDHA KONASANA. Breathe. Breathe some more.<br />
<br />
Table - cat/dog spine stretch.<br />
<br />
Step one foot through. KNEE-DOWN LUNGE. Arms up. Drop arms down like you could reach the edges of the mat. Work the heart center forward, shoulders down. Breathe.<br />
<br />
WIDE STANCE DOWNWARD FACING DOG. Floss the shoulders - drop the heart through. Moving toward 5-point pose.<br />
<br />
Walk back to STANDING FOWARD FOLD - UTTANASANA.<br />
<br />
SLOWLY roll up to stand.<br />
<br />
TADASNA. Raise arms for FULL UPWARD SALUTE.<br />
<br />
STANDING YOGA MUDRA ARMS with or without a strap. Shimmy and floss the shoulders. Repeat at least two times. Three for good measure. Breathe, breathe, breathe. <br />
<br />
Standing. Release the neck with a positional therapy move: bring one arm over the head, droping the inside of the elbow onto the head and leaning the head toward the raised arms. Repeat on the other side.<br />
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SAVASANA. Relax. Let go.Hilaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777169829014328316noreply@blogger.com0