"It can be as Easy as it is Hard"

How often do we block ourselves from experiencing joy and freedom that is right in front of us - only we can’t see that we are doing that? And why on earth do we do that?

I’ll give you an example. Yesterday, I was scheduled for oral surgery. I already had a full agenda with no time to spare leading up to my appointment. A dear friend & spiritual mentor said, “Laura, you need to lie down in a fetal position for at least 10 minutes before your procedure, its important for self soothing and support.”

And then my mind said this: "But, I don’t have 10 minutes, I’m not at home, I’m on the road and this guidance isn’t helping me lower my anxiety about the surgery right now…"

Until…I let it go; so that a new thought could come in: “It can be as easy as it is hard.”

My friend and I had been texting each other as I was in Bed Bath & Beyond shopping for new curtains. Wait a minute….right around the corner from the curtains were beds! Big ones, little ones, made up to look oh so comfortable! So yes, I listened to my friend, and curled up on a bed. Somehow in those next few minutes, everything shifted. I felt a lightness of being, a sense of courage was edging in on the vulnerability.

You see, my friend was partnering with me through her text and a shared vision. It was a playful moment that unfolded with compassion for what was to come.

I offer this as a thought, to take some time today to listen and digest impressions through the eyes of someone who loves you. It’s truly amazing what will unfold!

And remember... “It can be as easy as it is hard.”

 

To Eat & Live in Balance

Often I am asked about detoxing and how to go about resetting the natural rhythms of vibrant health. I'd like to offer a vision for what that might look like. Honestly, if you choose any one, five, ten or all sixteen of these suggestions you'd be moving in the direction of letting go of what no longer serves you. You see, you can't quite indulge in a sabotage and at the same time participate in a higher vision of what you want to attract. For instance, focus on the vision of staying hydrated and you'll begin to feel all the systems in the body detoxing effortlessly and freely because you just provided something so valuable for optimal cell function.

Here's to staying vibrantly healthy!

1. Drink Water | Hydrating the body is a key component to good health. Drinking water can clear up a host of illnesses and diseases; not to mention clearing up skin, eliminating toxins, and helping maintain regular bowel movements.

2. Breathe | We cannot live without air. breathing gives the body something very precious - oxygen! Without it we wouldn't have a body to take care of. Breathing with vision makes us conscious of the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms. It is a sacred act that we share with all living things. 

3. Chew | Chew slowly for maximum absorption of nutrients. Chewing food also allows your body the time to realize that you are satisfied from a meal - it helps to prevent overeating and therefore assists in weight loss.

4. Eat fresh, seasonal, local, organic, foods that are grown with consciousness - no chemicals, gmo's or harmful pesticides please! | Especially vegetables, whole grains and beans. They are the purest and richest form of vitamins and minerals. They keep the body alkalized and the immune system strong. The fiber from whole food aids in the body's natural process of elimination.

5. Eat moderate amounts of protein | Determine the type that is best for you, whether it's plant or animal protein.

6. Eat moderate amounts of healthy fats | Think unrefined olive oil, flax seed oil, ghee, avocados, fish, seeds, nuts, coconut. Avoid hydrogenated oil.

7. Choose natural forms of sweeteners | Uncooked raw honey, molasses, coconut nectar, agave nectar, stevia or pure maple syrup used sparingly will balance the body's natural craving for sweets. Conversely, white sugar and chemicalized artificial sweeteners deplete the body's natural resources. Left unchecked, these destructive forces create insatiable food cravings; inflammation; and disease like diabetes, hypoglycemia, kidney / liver / pancreatic disease, osteoporosis and premature aging. I like to use this reference when thinking about the affects of sugar.

8. Exercise | Move the body in any way that feels right for you and your body type. This can be walking, running, tai chi, yoga, biking, swimming, dancing, climbing trees, etc. 

9. Relationships | Putting time and energy into positive, loving relationships can increase overall good health and well-being. Hugs are important. We live in a touch-starved world.

10. Give time to Spiritual Practice | There are many Helpers, Angels, Guides and Higher Beings who are patiently waiting to assist in the nourishment of your soul and spirit. A spiritual practice can take many different forms. Find what is right for you whether a personal or group practice (or both!).

11. Career | Discover what it is you like to do and do more of it - with joy and enthusiasm!

12. Self Care | Take the time to be loving toward yourself. This can take the form of massage, body brushing, hot towel scrub, tongue scraper, hot water bottle, aromatherapy, foot soaks, baths...or asking a friend for help. 

13. Sing, Dance, Play, Laugh | Laughter reduces stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, lowers blood pressure, improves alertness and creativity. It also gives the diaphragm, face, leg and back muscles a good workout!

14. Rest & Relax | Even a 5 minute time out in the middle of the day will regenerate and rejuvenate your body on a cellular level. And be sure to get enough sleep each night.

15. Cherish the Time for Creative Pursuits | Composer, sculptor, painter, poet, artist, dancer, chefs, prophets & sages are the makers of the after-world; the architects of heaven. The world is made more beautiful because you have lived....without you, laboring humanity would perish.

16. Know Yourself | There is no greater understanding than the one you give to yourself.

The Making of Peppermint Patties

I first started making peppermint patties when it dawned on me that rather than purchasing store-bought chocolate, I could make it myself. It was part of a much longer process of realizing that I had a sugar addiction that had gotten out of hand. I went a few weeks of removing processed sugar from my diet, only to find myself binging on other food groups (salty tortilla chips, sweet potato fries, you name it). 

Rather than completely eliminate sugar from my diet, I gave myself a new mantra: "You can have whatever dessert you want, so long as you make it yourself." So began a 2 year long process of developing my own recipes that were intended to remove some of the guilt from eating dessert. Peanut butter cups made with real peanut butter, brown rice syrup, cacao powder, coconut oil? SO much better than a Reese's. Beyond the satisfaction of great tasting treats was the feeling of accomplishment that comes from experimentation. 

This recipe for peppermint patties was born out of a chocolate fudge recipe that I had developed months prior. And it has since given birth to a recipe for Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. What I love most about this journey with sugar is the artistic outlet it has provided for me. Maybe the first time you make this recipe you'll follow it to a T.... but I encourage you to have fun with it and put your own twists on it after! Here's to experimentation! 

PEPPERMINT PATTIES
Inspired by Emma Galloway, "My Darling Lemon Thyme"

INSTRUCTIONS

1)   PEPPERMINT FILLING: Melt coconut oil and allow it to cool a little. Combine all ingredients in a food processor, blender, or Magic Bullet.
2)   Put mini muffin baking wrappers into ice cube tray molds. Pour peppermint filling into each mini muffin baking wrappers.
3)   Place trays in the freezer for ~20 minutes.
4)   DARK CHOCOLATE COATING: Melt coconut oil and combine with all other ingredients in a bowl. Whisk together.
5)   Pour a think layer of chocolate into each ice cube tray mold.
6)   Once peppermint fillings are firm, carefully take them out of the wrapper and place them in the ice cube tray molds.
7)   Pour chocolate over peppermints fillings so that they are completely covered.
8)   Place trays back in the freezer for ~10 minutes.
9)   Once patties are firm, pop out of molds to enjoy! Store in freezer.

INGREDIENTS

PEPPERMINT FILLING
½ c cashews (soaked in cold water for 1-3 hrs)
½ c coconut oil (melted)
¼ c brown rice syrup
2 tbsp almond milk
½ tsp peppermint extract
Handful of fresh peppermint leaves

DARK CHOCOLATE COATING
½ c coconut oil
1/8 c carob powder
¼ c cacao powder
2 tbsp coconut nectar or agave
½ tsp vanilla
½ c almond butter
pinch of salt

Delicata Squash & Cutting Along the Lifeline

Have you given this beauty from nature a try? When I first saw delicata squash I was intrigued not only by the shape and color, but also thinking the size was just perfect for one or two people to share. But I was also a little intimidated as to how to cut and cook it, until I started to study and learn more about the Science of Ayurveda. While attending the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda, in Candler, North Carolina, Maya Tiwari taught us how to Om with the cows, chant while grinding spices, understand the psychospiritual nature of the body types, meditate while making ghee and yes, she taught us how to cut and prepare the vegetables!

The Sadhana of the Vegetables: Firstly it starts with reverence and respect for the universal intelligence that knows. What this means to me is to honor the plants themselves, for they hold the genetic blueprint of their shape, size, color, and purpose in the great cosmic scheme of existence!  We learned that the natural grain of each vegetable will tell you how it is to be cleaned and cut.

For delicata squash, we begin by cutting off each end, representing the top and bottom energy of the vegetable. The next cut is along the lifeline, moving from the top, through the middle and then the bottom of the squash. Scoop out the seeds and stringy fiber with a spoon. (You can save the seeds for future planting, or order seeds from some of my favorite seed suppliers). The following is a recipe I'd like to share with you to enjoy during these months of Thanksgiving and Peace.

Delicata Curried Crescent Moons (serves 4-6)
3 delicata squash
3 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil
1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

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1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2) Wash and dry the squash. Cut off each end, then cut lengthwise along the lifeline.
3) Scoop out seeds with a spoon, then cut across the squash into 1/2 inch crescent moons. Place in a bowl.
4) Melt the ghee or coconut oil in a small saucepan. Allow to cool slightly, then drizzle the oil onto the squash. Add the curry powder and salt, mix to blend. 
5) Place squash on a baking sheet and roast in the oven approx. 15 -20 min per side, until golden

Yum! And the best part is that the skin is edible!!

Health benefits of winter squash: Squash is considered a warming food that is medicinal to the spleen-pancreas and stomach; it improves energy circulation, is exceptionally high in complex carbohydrates and is medicinal for diabetics and for those with digestive problems. It provides vitamins A and C, potassium, iron, riboflavin and magnesium and is very low in sodium.  Most winter squashes are tridoshic, meaning they are foods that are common to all constitutional types.

Cosmic Roots, Flow, Energy & Tai Chi of Garlic

According to the principles of biodynamics, the best time to plant garlic is on Root Days in November/Early December. Stella Natura has a great planting calendar that I use as inspiration and guidance for all the herbs, vegetables, flowers, fruits and trees that grow on our small plot of land in Old Greenwich, Ct.  

I just wanted to share this vision with you of how easy it is to plant garlic this fall for harvest in July of 2017.  

Not only will you receive the most amazing health benefits of garlic (I'll talk about this in a forthcoming blog post!), but the plant itself can take you through a process that I liken to a tai chi movement of the leaf, stem, flower and tiny seed pods that are waiting to burst through next spring!

Here's the plan:

Remaining Root Days in 2016 are November 14, 15 or 23, December 3, 10, 11, 12, 13. Plant your garlic on a Root Day!

1. Find a mostly sunny part of the garden and prepare the soil to receive a clove of garlic (take one head of organic garlic and break it into individual cloves leaving the paper on).
2. Dig a hole about twice the height of the garlic clove (about 1 1/2 inches deep).
3. Place the clove in the hole, pointy side up. You can do a row of garlic, spaced about 4-6 inches apart. 
4. Cover the cloves with the soil, a little water, and then top with about 3 inches of salt hay or leaves to keep them warm for the winter.  I like to offer a prayer of intention, welcoming them to the garden and thanking them for sending their roots into the soil, may they find their way effortlessly and freely into another dimension of themselves in the coming year.