Shiny & warm

This morning I woke up to the rain, feeling achy and sleepless. I had a case of pesky cramps, but it didn't matter. I happily rolled over and back to bed to begin my 'staycation'. I took today off a while ago, knowing that the previous week and weekend were both incredibly busy. Turns out my timing was perfect since yesterday began at 6:30 a.m. and ended with wine at The Spoke Club at 11:30 p.m...it was a wonderful, but long Monday. So even though I woke up with both cramps and tension in my lower back and stomach, I smiled that neither my alarm clock nor "time for work" mode went off. I was cocooned in my bed as the rain lulled me back to sleep. In essence, it was a beautiful Tuesday morning

After I peeled myself out of bed and into the kitchen for breakfast, I made my way to the gym for a light workout. Surprisingly the gym was quite busy for a Tuesday mid-morning. The second my iPod was in sync with my movement I began to daydream about those around me. I wondered if the runners beside me had a stressful work life, or if they were enjoying a 'staycation' day too. Where they happy? Sad? Were they counting burned calories or simply daydreaming on the treadmill like I was? Then I thought of my own life and how happy I am to feel my inner passions and dreams burning bright; how balanced I finally feel to be aware of my own breath. As I laid down on the mat to stretch I let out a sigh; a sigh of relief, gratitude, and happiness. The rain had stopped and I was at the gym, on a Tuesday, with nothing to do but whatever I wanted in the world.

Later in the afternoon Nadine and I finally went to see Eat Pray Love. I have yet to read the book, but Nadine thinks I'll enjoy it (she is currently reading the India chapter). Dressed in casual, yet acceptable-in-public, pajamas I picked Nadine up for our 4:00 p.m. movie. She too was sporting comfy attire, which is the only way to fully enjoy an afternoon movie in my opinion. Naturally we came armed with fresh fruit and even stopped at DavidsTea for two banana bread teas to-go. Delicious and warm. 

During the movie I teared-up on more than one occasion. My heart murmured for what's to come and my soul yearned for Australia.

"Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions."

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. 

I look forward to cracking open the book. It's been propped on my bookshelf for the entire summer, accumulating dust no doubt.

Driving home I turned to Nadine and said "Gee, I haven't blogged in a while...I've been meaning to, but it just hasn't happened." She replied with "Ya, it's like working out...miss a week and then, oy".


Oy



Once I got home I knew it was time to cook, blog and be merry. My dinner turned out to be an incredibly tasty experiment. I decided on some light buckwheat noodles with steamed kale, avocado, red pepper, and basil.


Steamed Kale & Buckwheat Noodles

Ingredients & quick directions

• Buckwheat noodles
• 1 cup steamed or lightly cooked kale
• 1/2 steamed or lightly cooked red pepper
• 1/2 avocado, cut into cubes
• 3-6 basil leaves, for garnish
• 1 tsp cumin, sprinkled on top
• 1 tsp olive oil, for kale and pepper
• 1-2 tsp balsamic vinegar, drizzled on top
• pepper to taste

Back in bed, but not yet under the covers, I let out another sigh of relief, gratitude and happiness. Tomorrow I'm back at the office, but I'll be shiny and warm from my staycation...and it's hump day.

Wipe down the window feel
rush of air around my face,
Breathe in and back,
we're warm feel the outside going in,
Look at the trees in the dark bending
like a bony finger,
Cry for the face on a little moon by the tree,
Yeah yeah

Shiny and Warm,
Shiny and Warm,
Head in the storm,
Gona drive that home to you,
- Goldfrapp, Shiny & Warm

Lost in Cyberspace

For approximately 24 hours my lifeline was cut off, aka my blackberry malfunctioned. It began with a little freezing, which then progressed to a state of permanent frozeness. I couldn't unlock my phone and the screen was black. Stricken with panic and frustration I took out the battery and tried to reboot and reboot some more, until I half-heartedly gave up and went to bed. But just as I was about to fall asleep I immediately shot out of bed...damn damn damn I thought, my blackberry is my alarm clock. Groggy and tired I rummaged for my iPod in order to set my morning wake-up call, praying the tiny iPod with headphones intact would suffice.

It's amazing how attached and depended we are on technology. We cannot leave the house without our smart phone, iPod, sometimes computer and more, in tow. We love our tech and gadgets when they work, yet hate them when they leave us paralyzed from a sad MAC face or unexplainable black screen.

Well after a full day of not being able to answer my calls I went to a recommended iPhone/MAC/tech repair shop near by. Right away I was told my Blackberry had water/moisture damage 0_0. I was devastated... until approximately 15 minutes later when the repair man worked his repair magic and said it was good as new. "Really?!" I exclaimed in awe..yes, really, he assured me. To my surprise my Blackberry was fast, shiny, and new again =) It felt good to regain a sense of connectedness however, I wasn't in a rush to make a slew of calls. Instead I hopped on the subway, walked home, and enjoyed a tech free evening (err...minus this quick blog post? Don't judge me).

I made a delicious chick-pea salad (which I'll share soon) then bundled up for a post-dinner evening walk. I left my iPod at home and walked, with my own thoughts, feelings, and breath. Instead of blasting Lady Gaga I tuned into the sound of my feet, pressing against the pavement, and cool wind, picking up dead leaves and sweeping summer away. The air felt crisp and refreshing, reminding me how much I love this time of year.

After my evening walk I warmed up with a cup of Banana Bread tea and got ready for an early nights sleep.

Lost in dreamland, safe from technological cyberspace.

Begin it now

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back -- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." - Goethe

My best friend posted this quote on my Facebook wall and I simply had to share it here on my blog. It gives me goosebumps. Thanks, Nadine <3

Pass the turmeric please!

Turmeric has a good rep going on, and I can see why. If there was a "spice of the year" award turmeric would win, consecutive years. When I was recovering from my rash I took turmeric capsules to help reduce both the topical heat and inflammation. I've recently started taking turmeric capsules with lunch and dinner in order to help aid digestion.

Traditionally Turmeric was called "Indian saffron" due to its deep yellow-organe colour. Throughout history it has been used as a condiment, healing remedy and textile dye [note: when cooking with turmeric, ensure to wash your hands after! It stains just about anything]. It comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and has a tough brown skin and organe flesh. It has both an interesting taste and aroma...it's somewhat peppery, warm, and quite bitter. It smells a little like ginger and orange..and something else that I can't put my finger on yet.

If you're on the fence about turmeric here are 10 reasons why you should love it.

10 Reasons to incorporate turmeric into your diet

1. Natural liver detoxifier 
2. Natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent
3. Powerful natural anti-inflammatory
1. anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to be comparable to the potent drugs as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin.
4. Anti-cancer activity
1. Preliminary studies indicate that turmeric may slow the growth of certain tumors. Demographic research has shown that people in areas where turmeric is abundantly consumed have some of the lowest cancer rates in the world.
5. Helps break down fats and ease digestion
6. Helps with eczema and various other skin irritations
1. For wet, infected eczema, Kristen from Pure + Simple has recommended sprinkling powder onto the area to dry it out and disinfect while still having a soothing action on the skin.
7. Promotes wound healing
8. Helps to reduce acne and other skin related inflammations
9. Helps to strengthen your immune system and prevent the flu
10. Anti-asthmatic properties
1. Clinical studies have shown turmeric to be effective in treating bronchial asthma. 

Cooking with turmeric can be tricky because it has such a distinct and overpowering taste. But with the rainy weather and a tub of organic turmeric powder sitting in my cupboard, I decided to venture into experimental territory. I wanted something light and slightly sweet (in order to balance tumeric's bitterness). After rummaging in my cupboards (and finding some hidden goodies) I decided to make a cool, crunchy, and waldorf inspired salad.

'Pass the turmeric please' Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 pink lady apple (Nadine got me hooked on these apples!)
• 2 celery stalks
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/4 cup rasins
• Sprinkle of pumpkin seeds
• Sprinkle of sunflower seeds (soaked for 1 hour, if possible)

Simply chop the apple, celery, cucumber, and mix-in the rasins and seeds.

Dressing:

• 2 teaspoons turmeric 
• 2 medjool dates, de-pitted
• 1/4 cup water, or as desired
• 4-6 raw almonds

Blend all the ingredients together and do a quick taste-test. If it's too bitter for your liking, add another date or more water if necessary. I found that two dates was more than enough, especially when mixed with the apple pieces.

It turned out great! The apple, rasins, and dates added the perfect amount of sweetness! Turmeric comes in powder and capsule form. I buy both my spice and capsules from my local natural health foods store; however, you're likely to find it at your nearest grocery store.

Easy, refreshing, and full of anti-oxidants! What a wonderful rainy day =)

Keep calm and carry on

I'm so happy and somewhat relieved that the Labour Day long weekend is upon us. With the heavy humidity in the air and depleted motivation at work, I felt tired, uncomplacent, and blah (for a lack of a better word). Come Thursday afternoon my instincts told me to shut my office door (love having my own office), call my Dad and have a little cry. Yes, I called my Daddy and cried. And it felt great.

In Ayurveda, crying is healing. Releasing tears not only stimulates the energy powerhouse in your third chakra, but helps to balance your stress hormones and release toxic emotions from your body. I'm an incredibly sensitive person, I feel and embrace so much, sometimes it hurts. That's just how I am and how I've always been. When I was a kid - not yet built for thick skin - my lips would tremble and I'd turn red if tried to hold back my tears. And of course, I never could.

Now, more than a decade later, I've grown stronger and am able to let certain things slide without even flinching. However, when I feel a negative ball of energy in the pit of my stomach, or if something swipes me sideways, all I can do is cry and release it. I realize now that it's healthy and so refreshing to let the tears drop from time to time. So, that's exactly what I did when I phoned my Dad. He is often my go-to when I'm overwhelmed and have many decisions ahead of me. If it's something more personal, or boy related, I wil call Nadine.

Once I dabbed my tears and finished up at the office, I went straight to the market for some fresh produce. Crying takes a lot of energy out of me so I was hungry for something mouth watering. I made a batch of guacamole and decided to try something new...with barbecued beets!

I saw cabbage wraps on a blog somewhere, so I decided it would be fun to experiment a little!

Veggie-sprout bbqed-beets cabbage wraps! It's a mouth full, literally.

...waiting for the bbq beets

Ingredients:

• 1 green organic cabbage (I think butter lettuce would work perfectly too)
• 1/2 avocado 
• 1 small tomato 
• Brussel, pea, or broccoli sprouts (I used brussel) 
• 3-5 inches of a cucumber
• Beets! (1-2 beets, cubed, and cooked to your fancy)
• Pepper to taste
• Lemon to squeeze
  

Simple, fresh, and beetalicious. 

Can you feel the beet? 

Barbecued Beets! They turned out wonderfully, and they were incredibly easy too.

All you need is a little balsamic vinegar, pepper, and an herb of your choice. I used rosemary and personally think thats best, especially for the bbq. If you're barbecuing, toss the beets in all the ingredients, wrap in tinfoil (love the tinfoil trick), and bbq for approx 18-25 minutes (depending how small your beets are). Voila! 

Red beets are high in carbohydrates, low in fat, and are an excellent source of folic acid. They're also a great source of iron and vitamin A. With that perfect health record, who wouldn't love fresh beets?

***

I woke up this morning feeling rested and rejuvenated. Thankfully, my eyes weren't puffy from yesterdays cry. 

I went to work feeling calm and recharged. Due the long weekend, I left the office at 1 p.m. and treated myself to an eyebrow wax and hydrating facial at Pure + Simple. I love the team at Pure + Simple, Eglinton. Because I am there so often, some of them have become friends. They're all so supportive, fun, and full of positive energy, especially the store manager. Even if I am walking by, I'll ensure poke my head in to say hello...which usually results in me buying a new lip balm or face mask. But I mean, who doesn't need an extra lip balm or face mask?! My boyfriend always knows when I've made a trip to P+S. I can try and hide the evidence, but he always finds out.

I'm blessed to have such an amazing group of people committed to my health, happiness, and wellbeing. From my naturopath to the friendly faces at P+S, my journey wouldn't be the same without them. 

And now, time to enjoy the looong weekend. I have some fun things planned :)

Keep calm and carry on *

It’s nice when the heart
The heart is beating faster
Feeling alive when there is wanting
Always the same
I jump too quickly
Be still my soul 

Workout Recovery

After much deliberation, consultation, and personal research the verdict is in: I need to allocate more recovery time into my incredibly active (and sometimes strenuous) workout routine. I think this realization dawned on me during my recent healing process. Because while my personal training and workout routine is plotted to a T, I need to give my recovery time just as much focus.

After four straight days of intense exercise, my body hit "slow down and cool off" mode. Walking around in the 30+ heat doesn't help either. Easily aggravated by the heat and still shaken from my recent heat-like rash, I knew today called for some anti-pitta cooling foods, ample rest, and relaxing recovery.

I have many recovery remedies, from smoothies to cooling soups, but I also like to experiment any chance I get.

Here are a few of my classics...

1) Amazing-grass green monster

Dear Mr. Spinach, I love you. 

2) Vega chocolate smoothie infusion

Chocolate! Enough said. I am a big advocate for Vega products. I admire Brendan Brazier - author of Thrive Diet, Thrive Fitness, and formulator of Vega - and I appreciate that Vega prides itself on plant-based, raw and alkalinizing products. While I no longer use Vega for my post-workout protein shake (my naturopath recommended something new), I recently got hooked on their Vega Shake & Go Smoothie. It's delish and the nutritional facts prove it:

Chocolate Smoothie Goodness

• 2 heaping tablespoons of Vega shake & go smoothie, chocolate
• 1 organic banana, peeled
• 1 (or more) cup of almond milk (I prefer unsweetened plain or unsweetened vanilla)
• dash of cinnamon 

The smoothie infusion is also a perfect addition to chia pudding, just add 1 tablespoon to the mixture and stir!

3) Hot & delectable vegan oats

Breakfast is my arguably my favourite meal of the day. The Ayurvedic philosophy believes the first thing you ingest sets the mood for the remainder of the day. With that notion in mind, a balanced breakfast is crucial. I often gravitate toward fruit, veggie juice, or vegan oats in the morning. It's never smart to skip breakfast, but I don't think you should overindulge either.

Delectable oats

• 1 cup organic, wheat free, oats
• 1 tea spoon of agave 
• dash of cinnamon 
• 1/2 banana, chopped

Add 1/2 cup of water, or more, to your oats and heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes; or, add boiling water to the mixture. Once your oats are all cooked up, add a tiny amount of almond milk and a dollap of almond butter. Stir and enjoy! Yummy. 

I skipped the gym this evening and got creative in the kitchen for dinner (which I'll share later). After some light stretching, I'm going to hop into bed early...and hey, whadda know, I feel a little more recovered already ;)