Autumnal Stirrings

It's Autumn equinox....one of the two times in the planetary calendar when the length of the day and night are approximately equal at every place on earth, and Fall is in full swing here in Virginia.   Already the leaves are starting to change the acorns have been falling and the early evening air is crisp and chill.  The fruits of summer are starting to fade while the farmer's markets are filling up with all kinds of winter squashes, gourds, pumpkins and all the different variety of apples.   It is the beginning of soup season and so I made soup today as I was craving it all week... I'm posting the recipe below,  it is very easy and cooks in no time flat. Autumn is a time of major transition and change on so many levels and it is definitely stirring me up.  I am overflowing with a multitude of new ideas and I can barely contain myself.

My study station

Part of this is because I am learning so much through my studies at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.....I can hardly wait to get up to my woman cave to study each night after a full day's work.  You can see my portable workstation where I spend most evenings listening to lectures and watching videos and doing exercises to increase my own self awareness, release old patterns from my past and learn new and invigorating ways to build my future and my health coaching practice.  I'm working hard to build my new website which will be completed soon.  I am making new friends and connecting with health coaches all over the country and the world.  Can you tell how excited I am?   In coming posts I will definitely share with you some of the new teachers, books and resources that I'm finding amazingly helpful and inspiring. 

I'm also excited because I have been making many new connections here in my town and at the same time I am deepening existing friendships. I am indeed being nourished on many levels and that is really what it takes to feel grounded and whole and happy.   Food of course nourishes us and healthy food choices really help but the food we eat is just not enough....we need deep nutrition on all levels to live our best lives.

Taking time to cook our food is a nourishing activity and of course takes time. First we have to decide what to eat, then go buy the ingredients and on and on.  It does help to have the pantry stocked with good food so when you the urge to cook something nourishing comes you have everything you need at your fingertips. Some of the best recipes can be whipped up in very little time ...the soup I made for lunch today was a recipe that took  5 minutes to prepare, 30 minutes to cook and it was made up of all very basic staples that every natural food kitchen should have (a future blog post no doubt).  So here is the recipe for Soothing Soup which was adapted from a recipe that I obtained many years ago from a Waldorf School Parent Cookbook.

Soothing Soup (serves 4)

This is truly a favorite and it really is soothing. This will be a recipe you turn to again and again.  It is extremely easy to make and takes about 30 mins to cook.  

Make sure you have red lentils on hand all the other ingredients are staples. You can add  a TBS of chopped fresh ginger and garnish with cilantro. 

1 onion, peeled and chopped

2 T olive oil 

          1 clove garlic, minced                            

1 1/4 cup split red lentils                                  

4 cups water

2 Tbs lemon juice

sea salt and black pepper to taste

Saute onion and garlic in oil til soft.  Add lentils and water.  Boil until the lentils are soft usually 20-30 minutes. Can blend in blender or use hand blender or leave as is.  Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.  You will probably want to double this the next time.  Reheats well.

                                         for a printable version of this recipe click here

I'm off now to work and explore more of what the Autumn and my life is calling me to do....learn, connect, create, cook, enjoy the weather, relax and so much more. Please feel free to comment and share in the dialogue with what is stirring with you this season.....I'd love to know.

                                                          Be well and at peace,

                                                                        Lisa

                               

New beginnings

I'm really excited and also proud of myself!   Remember one of my last blogs where I said I was feeling like I needed some big changes in my life?... well I acted on those feelings ....and I acted big....or at least big for me. First I had major fun redecorating three rooms in my house and I have my sights on the rest of the house but these 3 rooms were the most doable. One was my sewing room, one of my daughter's room as she has moved out and the third was the garden....Boy was it fun.....traipsing through thrift stores, antique/junk/treasure shops and yard sales...this was very therapeutic and ever so satisfying finding treasures at amazingly bargain prices... I think I could dedicate a whole blog just showcasing all of my finds, perhaps I'll do that in the future.  I am excited to have my sewing room now as I have sewing in my blood and  I dream of opening up an ETSY store to start selling some of the many dolls that are living inside of me...but one endeavor at a time or I get too dizzy. So I got very sentimental after selling my daughter's bedroom set...it was just too many pieces to keep.... I couldn't bear to see her room empty......then from somewhere I got the idea of making her room a very beautiful bohemian lounge/woman's cave/ sanctuary which of course will still be her place to rest when she comes to visit. The way it all flowed and came together was a  truly magical experience......here I was preparing this room when actually it almost felt like the room was preparing me....preparing me for what?????

I don't know the full extent of that yet....but what I do know is I absolutely love this space....it is lusciously inviting and has become my crash pad after supper where I study.....study? You ask....yes I am a student once again.   I am now offically enrolled in Health Coach/Nutrition School!    This is a 12 month course of online study of cutting edge dietary theories and holistic nutrition through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.  Yay!....I'm so excited to be doing this. This a chance to deepen my education and be of greater service.   So....after a day's work I retreat to the lounge to catch up on my learning modules, phone or Skype a fellow student to exchange health histories.   I'm having fun with Skype looking forward to connecting with students in London and Hawaii as well as the states.  I do alot of research on health and nutrition already and now to have it all organized in a program is just fantastic for me.......Thanks for reading a quick update of  what's new and exciting with me.... I promise to start posting some recipes again soon. Until the next post.....take care and be well,

Lisa




To the left is a picture of one of my yard sale finds.... an ornate cement elephant/ Ganesh planter....this was $3.00 a remarkable steal. He is now revered and beloved  and filled with purple flowers spilling out .....I see him as Ganesh the Hindu God who clears obstacles for sincere seekers........so now he resides in my garden blessing our garden and our home and clearing the way and  removing any obstacles so dreams may come true.

Springtime Blessings

Spring blessings to one and all......Has the earth been speaking to you lately? Many say today is the first day of Spring.

I beg to differ. It seems to me that the birds have been heralding Spring since early February when the first bulbs starting poking up through the earth. In the Lunar calendar the first day of Spring is usually sometime in early February and coincides with the Chinese New Year. The Equinox not only signifies when day and not are of equal length but to me it says we are in the middle and that makes total sense as early Feb was about 6 weeks ago However one does not need a calendar to tell when the seasonal energies are changing, all one needs to do is fully engage the senses to feel the changes. I can

always tell by the quality of the birdsong...all of a sudden it is different, the breezes blow differently and so on. By May 1st the trees where I live are usually fully leafed out and are just beginning their summer cycle and I always hear the birds start their trilling birdsong as you would hear in midsummer. By the way....June 21 the summer solstice is also called Midsummer...which tells me summer is half over...... So....just go outside and listen to the sounds, smell the air, feel the breeze, watch the animals....all of these signs will tell you what season it is or what season is coming.

I received this poem by Master Ni and Maoshing Ni in my inbox today and thought it was so beautiful I just had to share it.

Happy Spring Blessings,

Lisa

When the Universal Mother Speaks to Me

When the Universal Mother speaks to me,

she speaks through the sky, sun, moon and stars.

She speaks through the Earth, oceans, rivers, lakes and streams.

And she speaks through the mountains, trees and meadows.

She speaks to me through all her natural creations.

They all carry her voice.

All of Nature is her utterance.

Each time I stop my busy mind,

my heart overflows with love for her,

like water from a mountain spring, pure and clean.

Without a mother's love,

a child cannot smile and an adult cannot mature.

Mothers are the first to teach love to the lives of the young.

A mother's unconditional love is the foundation of all love.

A mother is the gentle, sweet spirit that

makes unhappiness and worries disappear.

The world is full of suffering

because people do not see the true nature of a mother's love.

They lack insight into the interconnectedness of all beings and things.

The all-pervading love of Nature is the inter-beingness that

connects through and with all.

The beauty of the Hue River embraces and deeply inspires me.

The water of the river, running forever, is

like my love for the world and its people.

Though this river may live outside of me,

I have a life river inside of me.

Though all beautiful waters impress me,

they are but the semblance of the river inside of me.

The river that impresses me most deeply is the river of life.

It has no beginning and it will have no end.

It is always there.

So many streams have entered it,

nourishing and supporting the flow of life.

The river of life is always transforming.

Although its face may change from time to time,

its original purpose is always there,

providing continuous support to all forms of life to grow and thrive.

It is the stream of my life to be more than alive.

When I allow my life to be with Nature's vastness,

I touch deeply each life and each thing I encounter.

I walk mindfully along the path of life and

understand the need to help others who are but

parts of the one, whole being that is inside and outside of me.

There is deep compassion and kind love that

runs forever like the continuous flow of rivers.

My life speaks from the range of its own being

through the deep support of the Mother Universe.

˜ Hua-Ching Ni and Maoshing Ni, Love of Mother Universe, page 202

Resurfacing

Did you ever feel like you've just been awakened from a deep sleep but what

really is happening is you've been too busy for too long and not having the time to do what you REALLY want to do and all of a sudden you come up for a breather and whoosh.....a snippet of inspiration has come and you snatch it and run with it? Well that about sums this post up for me. It's been about a year and a half or more since I've written on this blog I've written many posts in my mind but never was able to get fingers to keyboard.....but here I am now feeling a whoosh of inspiration and I have some time on my hands so here goes.

I've been in a confusing, disorienting and somewhat unsettling developmental stage of my life, I'm going through a growth spurt and at the present moment I want to reinvent the whole of my life. I'm going to change that word from want to need.....This is absolutely necessary for me to move forward in my life. I need to redecorate every room in my house, I need to make some changes in my career, perhaps go back to school even if it is online. I am reevaluating my relationships and the way I react and communicate....I am changing from the inside out.....metamorphosizing...is that a word? This is very exciting to me as I look forward to my bright future and the new me. But what do I do with the time in between?

This is not a new feeling. If we are conscious and aware people we know when we need to make changes. It could be a lack of energy, aches and pains, physical ailments, anxiety, depression, weight gain or maybe you're irritable with your mate, your friends or your kids. You definitely know you must make some lifestyle changes you have inner and outer voices driving this, so what do you do in the present moment when you are still uncomfortable, unsettled, not there yet? This is the time to take action while learning patience. Small steps before big leaps.

After being at the home of a new friend recently, I got very inspired by the way she has her house decorated. She has beauty in every corner, fountains, huge plants, small plants placed in just the right pot and in just the right place. I stopped at Joanne Fabrics and found some beautiful silk flowers to use to decorate. I've always sort of poo-pooed fake flowers...but her use of them is truly inspiring.....so I got a beautiful bouquet of luscious reddish, pink roses which I set in a pretty vase and put them in my bathroom....WOW! Aren't they beautiful? The effect is spectacular and it makes me happy every time I look at them. This is a small step on my longer journey. I look forward to the next small step that affirms forward movement.....what small steps can you take to change your lifestyle and move in the direction of your dreams? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments below so we can all be re-inspired.

Have a beautiful day!

Love,

Lisa

Stay tuned for a new recipe.....my new favorite addiction.....

until the next post!

May Greetings

Gosh It's May already! Yikes just where is the Springtime going? It's been downright busy! Time flies when you're having fun! So much to do and lots of activities calling out for attendance and attention. The garden needs energy and thank goodness too because it is so comforting to work in the soil and then admire the work and the beauty of the flowers and veggies you've planted. Besides being such a busy and vibrant time....the Spring offers so much to nourish the senses.....that lush bright green when all the trees are newly leafed out, the sun setting through them and casting the serene shadows you only see at this time of year....the birdsong all around not to mention the farmer's markets are open again. It's so fun to visit with the farmers and the vendors and to buy all the fresh yummy produce again. The abundance of flowers and plants and local produce is almost overwhelming.

Going to my son's lacrosse game last week I was pleasantly surprised to be surrounded by the intoxicating fragrance of the locust trees in full bloom. Another highpoint this Spring was having breakfast with two dear friends at one of their homes. My friend's home was set back through hill and dale on the most lovely piece of land it felt like paradise to be there. We had a delicious breakfast with farmfresh eggs, and her homegrown sauteed garden spinach, simple yet sublime. I noticed my friend had a beautiful bouquet of lilacs on her table....before I left I asked her if I could cut some to take home. Of course she cut me a bunch and the fragrance and beauty of those lilacs fed me on so many levels. It is the simple things that take you the distance through all the busyness of life.

Speaking of farm fresh eggs....We get delicious eggs delivered to us every Wednesday by a local farmer who has lived in these rolling hills of Virginia all her life. Her hens are very happy free- ranging chickens. The yolks are as golden as they get. I've never eaten more delicious eggs in my life. She brings us 8-10 dozen eggs a week and we sell them dirt cheap at $2.50/ doz. It is a service we provide for our patients and we help her out also, it's a nice arrangement. The other nightafter a long workday I had no real idea in my mind for supper so I decided we'd just have egg pancakes. These pancakes were inspired by recipe in a Taoist cookbook but I winged it that night and oh boy were they ever good. My daughter Veronica liked them so much she said "I'm going to be making these alot Mom!"

Egg Pancakes/Eggrolls

These pancakes have no flour in them, just a random mixture of whatever veggies you have on hand and beaten eggs. I used probably 2 0r 3 scallions sliced fine, red cabbage, chopped fine, 1 cup of frozen peas, some minced chives and cilantro and a red pepper, chopped fine and 6 beaten eggs. I seasoned the mixture with salt and pepper. I heated 2 skillets (we were hungry and wanted to cook them faster)and swirled some extra virgin olive oil in the pans, then dropped spoonfuls of the egg/veggie mixture in the pans. I cooked them on medium to low heat and flipped them when the egg looked set. I removed them to a plate to keep warm till all of the egg mixture was used up. We served these by rolling them up in sheets of toasted nori that's when we call them eggrolls....so delicious and nutritous. These can also be served with toast or rice. This recipe fed 3 hearty appetites, just figure about 2 eggs per person and you can put as many veggies as you want in them.

Click here for the printable version of this recipe!

Well I hope all is well with you on your side of the world and I trust that you are enjoying the simple pleasures that bring you joy and peace and a light heart,

May Blessings,

Lisa

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

Spring has spruuuuuuuuung and how are you? Obviously we are all so relieved to finally have the lovely warmer weather and the swelling buds and the crocuses and daffodils. The excitement with all the fresh clean energy around us our eyes can't help but simultaneously see the toll that the winter has taken. Taking inventory of our homes and gardens we clear out the gardenbeds, empty the gutters and clean the debris out of the yard. The work now is to clean up to make way for the new growth that is pushing up. Spring energy fills us with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of vitality and so we may start to ask what new growth is springing up within us and at the same time we can't help but take inventory on the toll winter has taken on us.

To begin with ...Does your exercise program need reviewing or even resuscitating?I know my movement plan needed a jumpstart and once again my walks feel appealing as it is a pleasure to be outside in the warm sunshine taking in the sights of the flowers and the lively happy birdsongs. It is especially fun to walk with a friend which has been a great motivation for me.

Perhaps you feel the need to lighten up, drop a few pounds and get moving again. Spring has a way of waking us up and thank goodness for that .....we feel glimmers of hope and the promise of warmer and longer days ahead....Yahooooo!

My eating plan needed adjusting as well and I have taken on my springtime detox by cutting out sugar, wheat, eggs, dairy, and soy....and eating tons of fresh veggies especially of the cruciferous family which to name just a few includes broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collards, cabbage, brussel sprouts. I've been eating lots of onions , leeks, garlic, radishes and anything green that I can get my hands on. I've been enjoying the simple flavors of apples and pears and other fruits as well as brown rice and quinoa and healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil and flaxseed oil. I'm also taking a rice protein based medical food designed to support liver detoxification and give me optimal nutrition. It's amazing how delicious veggies and fruits can taste when you make simple dietary changes....your taste buds really come alive. My energy has been good. The detox has been a good excuse to shift my energy and get focused again. It's a good time to lighten up and do a little bit of spring cleaning and I should be done in time for a nice simple Easter celebration.

I can't seem to grow tired of the lowly cabbage all varieties and colors. I've been roasting wedges of it in the oven with olive oil, seasalt and fresh ground pepper, splashed with a dash of fresh lemon juice. I've been slicing it super fine and making a coleslaw with apples (check out the recipe in a previous post). Making a simple soup with vegetable stock, onions and caraway seeds. The photo below is Simple Sauteed Cabbage. I started by just swirling some olive oil in a pan, then tossed in some finely sliced leeks and very finely sliced red and green cabbage. Stirred and sprinkled with fresh ground seasalt and black pepper and it was done in 5-8 minutes tops. Yummy.....! The idea of this side dish is vibrant color, interesting texture and delicious flavor without much fuss and bother!

And finally.....the fourth and final installment for Handbook 2010:

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change...
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.. The best is yet to come...
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

So there you have it. You should be good to go! Enjoy the Spring and your life!

All my Best,

Lisa

Waiting for Spring

Wheweeee! This winter sure has been a doozy....like no other. Lately everyone I talk to is so over the top eager for Spring and why not after all this snow and wind and cold. The good news is Spring is coming it's already here except for the temperatures and the snow that is slooooowly melting. The Lunar calendar ushered in the Spring in early February despite the fact that we were having a very large snow here in Virginia. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to notice the change in the birdsong and their change in behavior. While I was out there hefting the snow shovel the birds truly were singing in that Spring- like tone. I finally saw a few of my bulbs poking through the snow yesterday.....another sure sign. And of course the robins have returned......it's only a matter of time before we have some warmer temperatures.

On February 14th the Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year coincided with Valentine's Day....how auspicious! And this New Year is the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger being very strong ,unpredictable and courageous....many people have forecasted this year to be one of turmoil, unpredictability and social upheaval....evidence for this already abounds and likewise challenges us to have more patience, calm and adaptability to ride the tiger to a place of equilibrium. Success is assured if we adapt, adjust and accommodate, and continue to strive for yet more inner peace. If you want to read more about the Year of the Tiger go to the following links:

https://www.fengshuishopper.com/astrology.php?pid=5

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/23890/2010-forecast-year-of-the-tiger/

So the challenge as always is maintaining peace under all circumstances.....a somewhat tall order, especially when we're tired and weary. I'm just trying to be patient and hold on until the energy truly shifts and I feel my own sap rising....I know I will have greater energy to carry out all of the new ideas that have been percolating within me and coming to me through my winter dreaming. But for now I will continue to do my best and try to eat well, rest well, exercise as much as possible and nurture myself as I want to be ready when the rest of Spring arrives. I am also trying to get clear on just when to do my Spring Detox....I am so looking forward to getting lighter in body mind and spirit. More on Detoxing in another post.

While the weather is still wintery.....Soups and stews continue to be very satisfying even though I do find myself craving lighter flavors. Tonite in my hurried preparation of dinner I made some Awesome Roasted Veggies (recipe in bold) along with baked sweet potatoes and roasted chicken. I first decided I would roast some chunks of red onion, and decided to throw in some sliced brussel sprouts and then my tastebuds wanted something light and sweet so I threw in some sliced apple, stirred it all up ..... the olive oil got drizzled on and then the salt and pepper and it went into the 400 degree oven and baked for about 40 minutes, stirring every so often. It was yummy and delicious and not much fuss at all!

Remember the Handbook 2010? Here is the third installment, it has to do with how we can relate to society and it seems even more fitting considering the Year of the Tiger!

SOCIETY:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least 3 people smile everyday.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Stay warm, Stay peaceful, Be easeful and useful, Blessings on us one and all,

All Ways, Lisa