Saturday, May 31, 2014
Food, Fun + Lots o' Fucking Yoga
Friday, May 30, 2014
Food for the Soul
THIS IS THE AMAZING MENU THAT BREEZIE CREATED!!!!
Friday Dinner
mixed bean sprouts, tempeh and rainbow radish in a three herb ginger pesto over butter leaf lettuce.
tahini espresso bites.
Saturday Breakfast
grapefruit apple juice
home made sprouted granola served with homemade almond-walnut milk, topped with banana, mango, coconut and hemp seeds.
Saturday Lunch
cilantro lemonade.
raw taco salad with walnut and sundried tomato taco meat, fresh corn, over mixed greens with heirloom tomatoes and a tangy avocado dressing.
Saturday Dinner
everything green curry with kale,cabbage, broccoli rabe, and zuchinni topped with crushed pumpkin seeds and pistachio, served with brown rice.
chocolate lavender macaroons.
Sunday Breakfast
turmeric banana orange julius.
buckwheat and oat porridge with orange juice marinated berries topped with bee pollen.
Sunday Lunch
energizing ginger brew.
steamed collard wraps stuffed with quinoa tabouli served with cumin scented carrot salad.
Sunday Dinner
ribboned zucchini and soba noodle pasta puttanesca with assorted olives, white wine blistered cherry tomatoes and spicy pumpkin seeds.
blonde macaroons.
WEEKEND RETREAT.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Hasta Luego San Diego!
Last night I headed to San Diego for a "girls afternoon" with Brookie, Sarah and michaela...shopping, yoga and girl talk. Then we all BBQd and said our farewells. My final day was spent in Encinitas with my beautiful friends Rachel, Lauren, and Gray. We lunched, slid some super fun waves at Pipes and then had farewell cocktails at Solace in town. I am boarding my flight now for the east coast with a full heart. This life is so abundant. Thank you California for another nourishing stay!
GOLDEN BUDDHA GEAR
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
One More Maya...
May Cause Miracles...Rd 2!
Last summer I facilitated a "May Cause Miracles" 40-day meditation journey, and I'd like to do it again this summer!! Being a part of this email group with people from around the world not only inspires but holds you accountable. If you are interested to do this (whether for the first time or the second time around) you'll need the book "May Cause Miracles" by Gabrielle Bernstein, a journal, and some discipline (about 10minutes in the morning and evening). The group will begin on *SUNDAY JULY 13th*. To enroll in this FREE 40 Day journey out of FEAR and into LOVE email me at GoldenBuddhaMCM@gmail.com ❤️
Turmeric Paste!!!
It's no new news that turmeric is incredibly healing, especially concerning joint health and inflammation. Duh. So now, let's get creative in how we consume it (though I like to justify my enormous plates at the Indian restaurant with "well...there's lots turmeric in this which is good for me....[thank god for stretch pants]...). My mom turned me on to "Golden Milk", or more simply, just a turmeric paste that you pre-make and keep in the fridge.
********************
To make TURMERIC PASTE:
-1/4 cup organic turmeric powder
-1 cup water
-pot
Pour 1/2 cup water into a pot and set over medium heat. Once the water starts to warm up, pour in your turmeric powder. Don't leave the stove!! For ten minutes allow the turmeric to cook over medium to medium low heat, constantly spinning (with wooden spoon) so that it doesn't burn. Throughout cooking it you want a liquidy-paste consistency so add water accordingly. After ten minutes VOILA! Uber-healing paste that you can put into GLASS Tupperware and leave in your fridge for up to two weeks. Add to tea, coffee, smoothies and juices!!
******************
GOLDEN MILK:
-1 cup homemade almond milk
Simmered on the stove for 4 minutes with
-1 heaping teaspoon of turmeric paste
Pour into mug and sweeten with agave or xylitol and add
-1 teaspoon UDOS OIL or coconut oil
*******************
Thanks to Allie from Grace and Glory for sharing this recipe...
Inflammation-Fighting Golden Turmeric Smoothie
1 cup unsweetened, plain coconut milk (or almond, hemp or rice milk)
3-4 ice cubes
1/2 tsp. organic turmeric powder
(**turmeric releases all of it's healing goodness by being cooked, which is why it would be good to substitute a scoop of your premade turmeric paste here instead of the turmeric powder****)
1 tsp. organic coconut oil
Generous dash of vanilla
Maple syrup or coconut sugar to taste
Dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, cardamom (optional)
Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender. Add ice.
Blend on high for 10 — 20 seconds until thoroughly mixed and ice has been crushed.
Pour into a tall cup, sprinkle with your favorite spices, and enjoy!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
LA: Full Power, 24 Hour.
"The past is just a story we tell ourselves
Falling in love: A form of socially acceptable insanity.
I can overthink everything and find a million ways to doubt myself.
I realize, I'm only here briefly. And I while I'm here I want to allow myself...joy. So, fuck it.
None of us are who we were even a moment ago, and we shouldn't try to be, it's just too painful.
The heart is not like a box that gets filled up- it expands in size the more you love. "
Full and buzzed we went to bed. The next morning I kept the 'forbiddens' going and enjoyed some coffee with my favorite Auntie D. Then I was on the road and headed to Echo Park to have breakfast with my darling Josephine. Jo and I did the 500hr training in India this winter, and it was great to not only reconnect, but to start to get into detail about some collaboration work that we have planned in the near future. After breakfast we made her way to Joshua Tree (where she's working on an art installation...check out her blog Desert Jewels) and I headed to Venice beach for a meditation workshop. En route I stumbled upon an epic flea market where I picked up some wicked beaded "Indian princess" earrings and two vintage dresses. With my treasures in the trunk I continued on to my ultimate destination-- Exhale Yoga Studio for a meditation exploration with the famous Lorin Roche, author of The Radiance Sutras. He was amazing, it was amazing, and I have a whole new understanding of what meditation IS and CAN BE. What a cool man...a super laid back, 65-year-old, soul-surfing meditation maestro. We talked about doing a retreat together in the near future and we parted ways with an aMazing hug and a promise to work towards a collaboration sometime soon! I did the workshop with Mimi, so afterwards we stopped in at AREAL on the corner of Ashland + Main for their happy hour where we snacked and sipped a glass of wine. We (excitedly) mapped out the BIG plans that we have for international projects to give people the tools to live a most epic, fulfilling, healthy life. We hugged it out, loved it up and then I was off...but the day wasn't over yet. I met my beautiful friend Erin and her ammmmmazing husband David down the road for dinner. We talked, and talked, and talked and LAUGHED and laughed and reminisced. It. Was. Amazing. I love Erin, and hadn't seen her since Seattle a while back. It was great to catch up and meet her hubby. We said our goodbyes and no-- my day still wasn't done. In the car, one hour south, and I'm here at Brookies house. Their neighbor was having a BBQ so I popped in and enjoyed an adult beverage while listening to the neighbors rocking out on the banjo. Life is good. Full power- 24 hour.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
Mimi!!!!
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIGGIE!
Yoga at Bergamot
Wednesday 6:30pm
HIPHOP BIGGIES BDAY FLOW!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
New Now.
Yesterday in class I was talking about honoring the process, our practice, and the whole of our lives by inserting a (much needed) PAUSE. We moved through a somewhat hatha-based practice, with several short savasanas peppered-in, a chance for the body and mind to breathe, relax, reflect. It's in these sacred spaces between the chaos that we can hit the reset button and come back to the miraculous present moment- free from worries of past or future. It's a moment to revel in all of the beautiful, good, hardwork that you have done...and an opportunity to rest in that.
"Yoga is something to do all the time, remember. "All the time" means now. The now is now, even right now. You are always in the New Now. You will ALWAYS BE in the New Now. Therefore, the only time or place you can ever do Yoga is in the New Now you are always and only in. That is why the homework has been to say the sentence, "What is the truth of this new Now, really?" and then be attentive to the New Now moment you will always be in. Another way of doing the same thing is, "Just exhale and relax."
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a pause as:
Main Entry: 1pause
Pronunciation: \ˈpȯz\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein to stop
Date: 15th century
1 : a temporary stop 2 a : a break in a verse b : a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts 3 : temporary inaction especially as caused by uncertainty : hesitation
I want to address this definition. I love the second part..."a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits and relations of sentences to their parts". A pause is the necessary action so that we can become more aware of the limits and relations of our thoughts, emotions and actions to our world. Does that make sense? And to agree as well as disagree with part three of the definition- I believe "uncertainty", though often viewed in a negative way, is actually the opposite! To be uncertain means to inquire, and this is why the pause is beautiful...taking a moment to inquire, "Is this my truth? Does this feel good? Is this honoring my path?"...
This morning I was researching some teachers that I plan to study with, one of which is Erich Shiffman. And so, I went onto his website and go figure...the talk that he gave the other day was about taking a pause! He breaks down the "New Now" so beautifully that I had to share...
"There are many different ways of talking about this. I call it the conscious pause, or the holy instant, or the sacred pause. Call it whatever you want. Just do it a lot. Do it a lot! Pause frequently… relax… and be conscious of the New Now you are currently in. When you do this, you will find yourself being in the New Now with less of your usual agenda. When there is less of your usual agenda you will have a clearer (truer) experience of the New Now you are in.
The Insight is "Wow, there is way more going on here than we are usually hip to." In fact, "Wow, we are in the middle of the Awesome Movement of Life. Wow! Everything you see is God-expressed, really. Really, really, really, really."
Be curious. Remember to do this. Do it a lot. Whenever it occurs to you, just exhale and relax and then pay attention to the New Now you are in."
Monday, May 19, 2014
BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN
I didn't sleep last night. Only here and there, tossing and turning. I swear that I was haunted by the movie that I watched yesterday, a Dutch film, THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN. It brought up a lot of emotions around death, fAith, and love....the three of which have been center stage in my life these past two years. The heartache in this movie is incredibly tangible and wrenching....and if it weren't such a beautiful film then I don't think that I would have enjoyed it or would recommend it. I actually still am not sure how I feel about it....if it was good for me, or set me back in the healing process. But no matter, it sparked some emotion which I think could be healing. So despite the tears,I recommend this film. If you have PRIME on amazon then it's one of the free ones at this moment. The acting is incredible. The filming is unbelievable, but mostly it's the bluegrass music that will blow your mind.
Listen to the song here: http://vimeo.com/48954220
They covered "IF I NEEDED YOU"....a haunting rendition of a song that has been done a thousand times over, but I think that this version is the best. It reminded me of my dad. ...
(Townes Van Zandt)
Emmylou Harris & Don Williams
"If I needed you would you come to me
Would you come to me, for to ease my pain
If you needed me I would come to you
I would swim the sea, for to ease your pain.
Well, the night's forlorn and the morning's born
And the morning's born with the lights of love
And you'll miss sunrise if you close your eyes
And that would break my heart in two.
If I needed you would you come to me
Would you come to me, for to ease my pain
If you needed me I would come to you
I would swim the sea, for to ease your pain.
--- Instrumental ---
Baby's with me now since I showed her
How to lay her lily hand in mine
Who could, I'll agree she's a sight
To see a treasure for the poor to find.
If I needed you would you come to me
Would you come to me, for to ease my pain
If you needed me I would come to you
I would swim the sea, for to ease your pain..."
A review of the movie that really hits the nail on the head:
""The Broken Circle Breakdown" opens on a tight shot of a group of down-home, country bluegrass musicians performing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." They may be "down home"—but not in the country you think. Though their English sounds flawless, they are actually Flemish musicians in Ghent 2006. And that American country classic they're singing? It's actually a religious hymn written by an Englishwoman over a hundred years ago. But the universal landscape circumscribed by that song—a spinning wheel of reason and faith—propels the heartbreaking tale that's about to unfold and the questions it raises: Is there life after death? Will the circle be unbroken?
"The Broken Circle Breakdown" fleshes out a meditation on the answers—to well-deserved acclaim on the international film festival circuit. It's a rich, raw, heartache of a film, a beautifully composed, soul-stirring drama about love, family, sex, sorrow, faith, and music. The movie—in Flemish with English subtitles—is adapted from a play co-written by Johan Heldenbergh who also stars here as Didier—a tall, handsome, soft-spoken bluegrass musician who loves America, the land of the fresh start. Didier falls passionately in love with a beautiful, vivacious tattoo artist named Elise-Veerle Baetens ("Best Actress" for this performance at the Tribeca Film Festival). She has covered her own body with the tattooed symbols of her life, the history of her broken romances etched into her skin. Now, Elise joins Didier's band (the actors do all their own remarkably good singing!), and soon they marry. Together they create a full, real and sensual life, so earthy you can smell the air they breathe. And one day, there are three: Maybelle is born and their little threesome blooms among a warm group of extended family and friends.
Suddenly, their little girl develops a serious illness—and we witness every wrenching twist and turn in this journey. I have never seen a more developed, charismatic, and poignant performance by a child this young in a film. Five year-old Nell Cattrysse plays Maybelle like a little sparkler, the light of her parents' life. She is equally authentic in every moment, happy and sad, a fully realized person onscreen. In fact, director/co-writer Felix Van Groeningen with Carl Joos) has elicited strikingly visceral, detailed performances from all of his actors, as well as an exquisitely tactile world. The intensity of Didier and Elise's lovemaking, as well as the sharp agony on their stricken faces in times of trial, will cut you up. The intimacy of the connection we feel to this family is palpable.
The bluegrass score is gorgeous—old and newly written tunes interwoven as musical interludes punctuating the film's themes. In fact, the film itself is structured like a bittersweet bluegrass song; the movie begins in the middle of Didier and Elise's relationship, then unwinds like a tune circling a recurring refrain, back and forth in time, between present and past, in an ever-widening circumference, deepening our understanding of their inner lives. Gradually we realize that Elise's attraction to the symbolic world, and the scars she wears—will lead her on a collision course with Didier's pragmatism and affinity for the "can do" optimism of America. The climactic crack-up occurs one night, right in the middle of a performance, literally center stage—before a live audience, who sit there aghast and confronted: Is the life we live, see, touch and feel, here and now—all there is? Is religion for cowards? Where shall we put our faith?
It's a wild scene of pain and desperation, and leads to the film's equally shocking and final blessed moments, which take us back to the film's beginning: Didier's band of musicians hovering—sometimes in the background, sometimes nearby—like a cowboy chorus, singing the songs of life, as celebration, as benediction, as commentary, as pure emotional release, singing in the void for all they are worth, singing that somehow we will all get through it —unbroken."
Bergamot.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Missing My Dad.
Almond Milk.
-1 cup raw organic almonds
*soaked in water overnight
*drain
*place in blender, add
-4 cups water (distilled!)
*blend blend blend
*pour into nut-milk bag
*squeeze
VOILA.
DELICIOUS. NUTRITIOUS.
Will keep for about 4 days in the fridge. Seriously, do it. This can be done with anything...hemp seeds, cashews, walnuts, you name it! Better yet, save the leftover almond grinds and you have 'almond meal' which you can use for baking.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Yoga Bound ... Carlsbad
I'm super excited to be subbing a class at YOGA BOUND in Carlsbad tomorrow evening! I hung out with the owner, Alana Bray Barrey today, and she rocked my world. We talked about yoga (obviously), fermented foods and broth, and the trials of navigating India! I felt super comfortable in her presence, and she's the surely the "real deal". I'm going to take her yoga therapy class at 11:30am and then will be teaching at 5:30pm! I hope to see you!
Yoga Bound
3043 Harding St, Carlsbad, CA
Beef Bone Broth for Better Health
If you ever told me that I would be slamming mugs of bone broth I would laugh in your face. I don't eat much meat, and I have always been grossed out by bones. But desperate times call for desperate measures...and I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have heard from countless resources, doctors and nutritionists that I should be consuming beef bone broth. I assure you, it is much tastier than it sounds. Well, now that i am finally settled (for two whole weeks!!), i decided to give it a go. As with anything (juicing, broth, smoothies, etc), you absolutely must be buying organic. This is no different....organic, grass-fed. So, I headed to WHOLE FOODS. To my delight, when I asked the butcher about the ingredients for beef bone broth, he walked me over the freezer aisle which had prepackaged organic grass fed beef bones, as well as a broth that was already made, which he said they make every day! I bought both...one for instant gratification and the bones so that I can slow cook them all day tomorrow. I was even told today by Alana Bray (the owner of Yoga Bound studio in Carlsbad....an amazing chick, who's mother suffered from horrible candida overgrowth), that her mother cooks the bones all day, and then uses her vitamix to blend the bones with a bit of the broth, making an "Alfredo" sauce to put over veggies. It sounds gnarly, but it's delicious....and for any of you Paleo fanatics out there, this is what's up. So, here I sit, at my friend Grays house, all alone (he's in Mexico, surfing big big waves), sipping beef bone broth, and enjoying every single glorious second of this solitude! I am listening to"yoga music" (Benjy werthimer + john de kadt) and lounging in my pjs. I have been going nonstop and it feels amazing to take a moment to nourish myself. I added a touch of salt to my broth, and with every sip I can feel it healing my gut, my whole body, and even my Spirit.
So, for those of you who want to know WHY BONE BROTH?????........
"Simply put, bone broth is homemade stock made from animal bones such as fish heads or oxtails. You can use whole turkey or fish carcasses or parts of lamb, pig, venison – or any other animal of your choosing. The point is to simmer the bones (typically from one animal) in water for hours or days. The longer you cook it, the more nutritious it gets and the bette the product breaks down and pulls out all the nutrients.
Bone broth is known as a super food. The cooking process breaks down bones and connective tissues – including proteins, minerals and fat – that heal the body in various ways. And because bone broth comes from pure nature, it's sometimes more beneficial than taking supplements, especially for people with severe digestive problems.
When you ingest bone broth, it feeds the body with collagen, which is the building block of cells to bones, ligaments, cartilage and the brain. Gelatin, a form of collagen used in food, is used (among other benefits) to help digestion because the liquid gets absorbed into the body quickly and without much effort. Making bone broth excellent for people with food sensitivities and gastrointestinal disorders because it is usually very safe and tolerable for the body.
There are other virtues of bone broth. Bone marrow helps the immune system by carrying oxygen to cells in the body. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are essential for maintaining healthy bones and generating energy. And using cartilage-rich bones such as knuckles and chicken feet is said to be effective in treating arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases."
RECOMMENDED OILS FOR COOKING:
-Coconut oil has been used by many cultures over the centuries for its broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial abilities. It contains a lipid called Lauric acid, which is used by the body to make Monolaurin, a compound found in mothers' milk that protects the infant from viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. I use it primarily when making bone broth to enhance the medicinal properties of the broth.
-Other oils that can be substituted are palm kernel oil, grape seed oil, or animal fat, such as lard.
MIREPOIX
3 onions, quartered
3 carrots, peeled and quartered
3 ribs of celery, halved
1 white part of leek, washed and halved
• BOUQUET GARNI - Wrap herbs within the green part of the leek. Tie with a string. 6 sprigs celery leaves
6 sprigs thyme
6 sprigs parsley, including stems
2 bay leaves
1 green part of leek (about 5 inches long)
WHITE CHICKEN OR BEEF BONE BROTH (Yield: 7-8 quarts)
INGREDIENTS:
• 5 lbs. chicken bones and/or parts OR 5 lbs. beef bones and/or parts • 1.5 gallons water
• 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• Mirepoix
• Bouquet Garni
• 20 peppercorns (optional)
• 8 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Place all ingredients into a 12-quart stockpot.
2. Pour water into stockpot until ingredients are covered.
3. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium-low, and simmer.
4. Let simmer for 6-24 hours (chicken) or 12-72 hours (beef).
5. Skim any impurities / scum from broth.
6. When stock is finished, let cool and strain with a chinois/fine mesh strainer. Store in heatproof and freezer proof containers. Stocks can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 6 months.
7. A tip for cooling stock down quickly is to fill your sink, or another large stockpot, with ice water, and then place the stockpot into the ice water. Stir with a large ladle to speed up the cooling process.
Resources: www.doctorauer.com
Juicing to Better Health!
Finishing up day 3 now and feeling really good. I was tired today...slept until 8am, took a nap from 10-11, and then a two hour nap in the afternoon. I have been going going going, traveling traveling traveling, doing doing doing, and giving giving giving for these past few months. It felt great to just take it easy. Went to Katie B's class at YogaSix tonight and though I was a bit weak, it felt amazing to be in the presence and guidance of one of my favorite teachers. Treat your body well...you only have one! Jai Bhagwan!
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