Tulips and Tea

Lately

2012-01-13T06:57:00.000-08:00

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Analiese on Pinterest

Skipping the gym in favor of hot vinyasa classes at my favorite yoga studio. Loving the peace of mind and detox effects that come with renewing my commitment to regular practice. Feeling a sense of health and a glow that only yoga brings me. Not missing the treadmill.

Slowing down the pace. Allowing myself the time and space to focus inward and take it easy. Writing more. Drawing more. Sitting down with this book and a cup of tea for several hours at a time.

Cooking homemade meals almost daily (a ritual that got a little bit lost in the craziness of the holidays). Trying new flavor combinations. Paying close attention to what I'm hungry for, and cooking nourishing meals that satisfy me with their warmth and depth of flavor. Paying less attention to strict ideas about "healthy" and "unhealthy" food, and instead, letting my body guide me toward what it needs.

Sending fewer emails, both work and personal. I'm lucky that my workplace instituted an "email savasana," meaning we make an effort to email minimally or not at all, instead connecting in person when we next see that person. It's amazing how much mental space an empty inbox has created. I've committed to regular in-person "check-ins" with my manager and my direct reports, and look forward to our catch-up sessions.

Listening to lots of new-to-me music and rediscovering old favorites.

Dreaming of the gourmet food shop I will open one day. It will feature local and sustainable products, and will serve as a community gathering spot for cheese tastings, cooking demos, and wine happy hours.

Saying no to social events in favor of quiet evenings in with the husband and dog. Sharing a homemade meal followed by a movie has become my ideal Friday evening.

Feeling a new softening and gentleness toward myself and others, deep in my soul.

You?

Saturday Inspiration: A Problem Worth Having

2011-12-10T07:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a much-needed time for solitude and introspection. After many consecutive days of appointments and obligations, I cleared my schedule as a day-long retreat from the world. A day that included many cups of tea, many pages written in my journal, and a leisurely solo grocery trip taken at a relaxed pace that allowed me to savor the process of choosing nourishing and wholesome foods for the weekend. Aside from my interactions with the grocery store clerk, I did not speak to another human soul (the dog doesn't count) until greeting my husband upon his return from work. The space and time I created to turn my focus toward my own heart - to hear my own voice amidst the chaos of the outside world - was so restorative. As with yin yang yoga (a stye that tempers active, warming yang poses with passive, cooling yin poses), I felt so beautifully balanced by the yin-paced day at the end of a decidedly yang week.

Today. Waking early, but staying in bed for some doggie and husband cuddling time. Freshly made coffee with coconut milk, scrambled eggs with arugula and herbs. Smiling at the memory of last night's phone call with a best friend across the country, a conversation filled with laughter and plans for the future, spoken in that special shared language of a friendship that has withstood many years and miles. Feeling my energy revived and creativity renewed by yesterday's inner journey. Pulling up my new MacBook Air to engage in some delicious new projects, chief among them a business plan that speaks to a newly discovered career goal.

Perhaps it's the second cup of coffee (a weekend indulgence) or the crispness in the air, but I am feeling so alive and alert. Every fiber of my being is so eager to soak in new possibilities for doing and being.

I have been meditating a lot on something I heard said recently. I'm sure I'm not quoting verbatim, but it was along the lines of this:

"For most of us, the problem is not that we have problems. It's that our problems aren't big enough or worthy enough of our time and energy. If your problems in life are things like an ornery boss or a forgotten utility bill that's now doubled in size or the number of emails in your inbox, look carefully at what you're devoting your life to fixing. Are these the problems worth your life? No. Get a problem that's worth your life. Get a bigger problem."

The idea of getting a bigger problem - one devoting your life to - is sort of an interesting proposition, isn't it? What would be worth devoting your life to? This is the question I'm inspired by as I create new possibilities and new directions for myself this morning. The resistance is there of course. The voice that questions where I would find the time, the money, the resources, and the knowledge, to accomplish such lofty goals. Those, however, are small problems compared to, say, the problem of making the world a healthier, happier place to live. Or teaching people the power of goal-setting to change their lives. Or enabling a more sustainable and innovative private sector.

Take a second and ask yourself. What would be a problem worth having? Worth devoting your life to? What's the bigger purpose you're unable to see or hear through the noise and dust of the smaller problems in your life?

xox

Image via Valorie

December Intentions

2011-12-02T05:26:00.000-08:00

I'm keeping my intentions for this month pretty simple.

1. Drink a glass of fresh green veggie juice every day.

2. Practice hot yoga 2-3 times per week.

3. Give and spend mindfully, buying handmade (or making gifts myself) wherever possible.

4. Write and send holiday cards to family and friends, near and far. I picked up these and these the other day, the former by one of my favorite artists Charley Harper and the latter as a nod to our dachshund, Basil.

5. Carve out 30 minutes of time myself every single day (regardless of how packed my schedule is) to sit and read with a cup of tea, watch the sunset, or simply sit and be with the flickering light of my favorite vanilla & peppermint holiday candle.

What are your intentions for this month? I'd love to hear.

Thanksgiving + Tree Trimming Rituals

2011-11-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday all! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The past year was not without its challenges, but on the whole, there was much to be grateful for : family, friends near and far, my husband, an exciting career path, great co-workers, good food, comfy dwellings, yoga, books, almond milk lattes, doggie snuggles, my health, art, and everything else good in this world.

After indulging in some yummy food, football, and family time, Jason and I spent a lovely evening trimming our tree. In the three years we've lived together, it has become our tradition to decorate our tree while enjoying some appetizers and a glass of wine (or two).

This year, we sipped a bubbly rosé and enjoyed slices of smoked gouda and fresh mozzarella, followed by a Caesar salad with homemade dressing and some delicious crab cakes. We listened to some of our favorite Christmas music as we unpacked our favorite ornaments from their storage containers and unwound lines of twinkling white lights. The ritual of our yearly tree-trimming is such a simple pleasure, and one I look forward to all year. I love the subtle glow the lit-up tree adds to our living room.

Have you begun decorating for Christmas yet? Do you put your tree up right after Thanksgiving (like I do) or do you wait till later in the month?

Mondo Beyondo Dreams Revisited

2011-11-20T07:54:00.000-08:00

Sunday mornings are the perfect time for dreaming and scheming. This morning I sat down with my favorite coffee mug and spent a few minutes reflecting on the Mondo Beyondo list (essentially a "bucket list") I created in early 2010. It was amazing to see how many of my dreams I'd accomplished since the time I first wrote my list. I adopted a rescue dog. Traveled Italy. Grew an herb and vegetable garden. Went white-water rafting. Began a journey toward my healthiest self that revealed a passion for holistic health and wellness.

It was also interesting to see how my list has changed and evolved. Certain dreams remain the same. (Be a mom. Buy a bungalow. Play piano daily. Get certified to teach yoga. Begin a non-profit yoga & wellness center.) Certain others have been edited or taken on different forms, and some have been deleted altogether.

As 2011 winds down, it feels like the right time to update my list. To start fresh with a set of goals & dreams that ring true for me right now, at this moment in time. I'm sure the list will continue to evolve, as I grow and learn more about myself.

Updated Mondo Beyondo Dreams

Travel & Adventure

Surf Goddess (surf, yoga, & spa) retreat in Bali
Explore Spain's Costa Brava, Pyrenees, and Barcelona by bike
Complete Baron Baptiste power yoga Level 1 training in Hawaii
Spend a month backpacking Thailand, Nepal, and India with no specific plans or itinerary
Go wine-tasting in Chile & Argentina
Visit the elephant sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN
Kayak the San Juan Islands
Attend a Squam Art Workshop

Personal & Health

Get a tattoo
Earn my 200-hr yoga teacher certification
Eat dinner on on organic farm
Eat at The French Laundry
Celebrate my 30th birthday at a quiet and romantic restaurant with my husband, sipping wine and dining on oysters and Caesar salad
Have a family
Cook an entire menu from Chez Panisse, from scratch
Take hip-hop dance classes (<--took my first one last week!)
Spend a week at a wellness spa
Buy a bungalow in a metropolitan city in the Pacific Northwest
Set aside money for monthly deep tissue massage and acupuncture treatments
Learn to speak Italian
Ride my bike to work
Purchase a piano and play daily

Career & Community

Start a non-profit wellness center that provides complimentary yoga classes, health counseling, and other holistic health services, housed in renovated townhouse with an adjoining tea room and café
Give a TED talk on the power of possibility and goal-setting
Donate 10% of my income to charitable causes
Host a community-wide charitable event with proceeds benefiting local farmers and access to local foods
Write a column for Whole Living
Become lululemon's Head of People Development and/or Director of Possibility
Serve on the board of The Awesome Food Foundation

It feels a little scary to put all this out there, but really good and exciting at the same time.

Have you updated your bucket list lately? I'd love to read yours, if you'd like to share. Have a lovely rest of your weekend, and happy dreaming.

An Update

2011-11-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

Why, hello there. It's been quite a while since I've posted here on Tulips & Tea. Perhaps you've been following my adventures in health and wellness at Green Plate Studios, or perhaps not (which is okay too).

To be really honest, I've found myself missing this space. When I launched Green Plate Studios, I did so with a craving for a fresh start. A clean slate on which to sketch my new life's path. It was a transitional moment in my life in many ways, and I felt the urge to renew my online presence alongside my evolving vision and goals.

Right now in my life, I feel myself drawn back toward the things I grew to love about Tulips & Tea, which began as a way to express myself, and grew into a channel for reflecting upon life's simple pleasures and the quest to infuse joy, creativity, and mindfulness into my everyday experience. In many ways, I think the self-discovery prompted by Tulips & Tea enabled me to create a new possibility for myself within the world of health and wellness. And while I remain firm in my commitment to the holistic lifestyle that inspired Green Plate Studios, I feel myself coming full circle in my journey toward balance. A balance that includes a love of life's colorful details, and a willingness to be in a state of wonder about the whole self.

I suppose all of this is a long way of saying that I'm itching for a return to the coziness of the community we created here on Tulips & Tea. You can continue to follow along with my health and wellness pursuits at Green Plate Studios if you'd like, but you can also expect more frequent snippets of life's loveliness here on Tulips & Tea. I will welcome your voice into the dialogue wherever you choose to join in.

Thank you for being you.
xox

Introducing Green Plate Studios!

2011-03-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

What a whirlwind of a week! A few days ago, I launched the website for my new health coaching business, Green Plate Studios. I'll be blogging there about eating for wellness, mindful living, and lots more. If you haven't already, I hope you'll stop by and check it out!

What does this mean for the future of Tulips & Tea? I'll be honest...I don't know for sure. I'm going to be focusing my time and energy on Green Plate Studios for the time being, but I'm sure I will re-visit this space from time to time.

Thank you again for all of the support and encouragement you've given me throughout this career transition. I honestly feel like it was the momentum from the community I found here that helped spark my passion for living my juiciest, most vibrant life - and helping others do the same!

Things that are good for the soul

2011-02-23T13:46:00.000-08:00

Yin yoga.

Doggie kisses.

Orchids in bloom.

Talks with kindred spirits.

Homemade vegan apple ginger crisp.

Freshly squeezed organic orange juice.

Hummus made with caramelized onions and red wine.

A piping hot bowl of butternut squash and collards soup.

Driving with the windows down and good music on the radio.

A rosewood and cedar-scented candle burning slowly on the table.

Little and big synchronicities that make me feel like the universe is reading my mind.

A Non-Cheesy Valentine's Day Playlist

2011-02-14T14:31:00.000-08:00

For Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share some of my favorite love songs.

Arms of a Woman - Amos Lee

Maybe You Can Owe Me - Architecture in Helsinki

If You Find Yourself Caught in Love - Belle and Sebastian

For Emma - Bon Iver

Sea of Love - Cat Power

I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie

The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

Love and Some Verses - Iron & Wine

Both Hands - Jay Brannan

Helium Hearts - Jason Reeves

I'd Rather Dance With You - Kings of Convenience

Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Always Love - Nada Surf

Slow Show - The National

Such Great Heights - The Postal Service

Loving You - Paolo Nutini

Samson - Regina Spektor

To Be Alone With You - Sufjan Stevens

Enjoy!

All links lead to iTunes.

This weekend

2011-02-14T05:10:00.000-08:00

A challenging hot yoga class.

Day trip to Patapsco State Park for a hike along the river.

Side trip to Conscious Corner (so-named for its cluster of green and socially conscious businesses ), where we collected organic produce from Roots Market, browsed eco-friendly home goods at Nest, and savored a divine meal at the vegan bistro, Great Sage. (Jason, a devout omnivore, raved about his green chili enchiladas and chocolate lava cake.)

Freshly pressed green juice from my new juicer: kale, romaine, cucumber, celery, apple, carrot, and ginger.

A bath infused with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil where I enjoyed the latest issue of a favorite publication.

A single perfect mini phalaenopsis orchid plant, my Valentine's Day gift from Jason.

Speaking of which...Happy Valentine's Day! I'll be back soon to share a playlist of my favorite non-cheesy love songs.

This week

2011-02-03T06:17:00.000-08:00

This week has been about:

Slowly easing back into yoga (I took a week off while sick with the flu) and enjoying the sensation of re-inhabiting a strong and healthy body

Apple cinnamon oatmeal with blueberries and almond milk

Writing content for my new website, to be launched next month (more on this soon!)

Pondering an incredible IIN class on the tenets of Ayurveda by Dr. John Douillard

Enjoying chewy sesame cookies and peppermint green tea via a sweet care package from my mom

Anticipating the changing of seasons, as days grow longer and the teeniest, tiniest suggestion of spring seems to hover in the air (I can't stop looking at pictures of flowers, like the one above)

Conversations with Jason about our goals and dreams, exploring the possibilities of the various directions life might take us in the coming years

Swooning over a sample of raw vegan triple-layer coconut cake from Whole Foods (oh.my.god.so.good.)

Reading and re-reading Mark Bittman's A Food Manifesto for the Future

Catching up on my blog reading

What's new in your world this week?

On speeding up, slowing down, and what the flu has to do with it

2011-01-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

Isn't it funny how, when life's moving full-speed ahead and we're struggling to keep up, our bodies will force us to slow down?

This past month, I've been struggling to balance work, school, preparation for the launch of my health coaching business, and spending time with family and friends. Add to that mix: attempting to cook healthy meals from scratch nearly every night and maintaining my near-daily regimen of yoga and/or running.

I hope this doesn't sound like a complaint, because the fact is...I love it all. I love working at lululemon, surrounded by amazing co-workers and a vibrant company culture. I eagerly soak up the knowledge of food and nutrition in my IIN studies. I am ecstatic about my budding health coaching career, and am over-the-moon excited to launch my practice. Spending time with Jason (and Basil) is, without fail, the highlight of my day. And, of course, preparing nutritious homemade meals and moving my body fuels my energy for all of the above.

I recognize how lucky I am to be overwhelmed by these many passions. (In fact, sometimes I've overwhelmed by that fact alone.)

And yet, the body knows when it needs a break.

I woke up yesterday with a fever, muscle aches, chills, and a sore throat. Forgive me the overused hyperbole, but my first coherent thought was I feel like I've been hit by a truck, closely followed by that other cliché, I CANNOT afford to get sick right now.

Have you ever noticed how it's always those times that we "can't afford" to get sick that we do? This is not just some unfortunate coincidence. When we're stressed, our bodies respond, first by polite request. Perhaps some mild fatigue, a headache, or other not-too-serious symptoms, many of which we either ignore or suppress with a pill, at which point our bodies become more insistent. It's then that we're forced to rest, by, for example, waking up with the flu as I did yesterday.

I used to feel terribly guilty about taking a sick day, always wondering if I should chug some Dayquil and "power through." I now wonder: What could possibly be shameful about recognizing my body's need for rest?

In that spirit, I'm honoring my need for rest today. You'll find me on the couch, huddled beneath a pile of blankets, a dachshund on my lap, a Nook in one hand and mug of tea in the other.

Thank goodness for the body's wisdom.

Book Review: Poser

2011-01-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

Poser: My Life in Twenty-Three Yoga Poses by Claire Dederer

Part memoir, part meditation, Poser is the witty and moving tale of one woman's journey through marriage and motherhood, distilled through the prism of yoga. Faced with the hyper-political correctness of her ultra-hip late-90's "liberal enclave" neighborhood in North Seattle (a place where "people don't have BEWARE OF DOG signs...they have PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF DOG" signs), Claire Dederer pursues yuppie virtue with a vengeance: breast-feeding, cooking organic meals from scratch, eschewing plastic toys, volunteering at the childcare co-op, working full-time, and arranging date nights with her husband. Physically and emotionally burnt out, Claire turns to the practice of yoga, a practice she begins with vague notions about stress relief, but which becomes increasingly a therapeutic refuge from that idealized version of womanhood to which she had so desperately aspired.

Each chapter of the book is anchored by a yoga pose, the asana providing a metaphor for her musings on a particular aspect of her life (Child's Pose for recalling salient pieces of her own childhood and so on). Through yoga, Claire eventually comes to better understand both her own neuroses and the sub-cultural forces that had whipped her and an entire generation of her peers into the frenzied pursuit of perfection.

Some critics have compared Poser to Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love, but aside from the obvious parallels of being female autobiographies that employ yoga-as-metaphor-for-life to varying degrees, the two are, in fact, very different stories. While Gilbert finds salve in the external--her travels illuminating key revelations about herself and her failed marriage--Claire ultimately rejects the trappings of the external world, instead turning inward to discover that the "reality" she'd unquestioningly accepted her whole life is, in fact, an illusion.

Yogis especially will appreciate Claire's encounters with the various styles of yoga (vinyasa, restorative, etc.), with humorously observed descriptions of each, but non-yogis will just as strongly relate to the universality of Claire's journey. In fact, a large part of the book's appeal was in recognizing pieces of myself in Claire and the ensuring catharsis of commiserating with her anxieties (many of which mirror my own) and then laughing with her (and by extension, at myself) as she so aptly dissects those same worries and fears.

Bottom line? Poser is an engaging reminder of the counterintuitive beauty that happens when we stop trying to be good--at yoga or in life--and instead allow ourselves to just be.

Have any of you read it? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Why food doesn't fill us up: an update on my IIN classes

2011-01-05T06:17:00.000-08:00

A couple months into my IIN program, I am even more excited about my new chosen career path than when I first began. I have been learning so much about food and nutrition, and the more I learn, the more knowledge I crave. The guest lectures on the various dietary theories fascinate me. David Wolfe on the benefits of raw foods. Andrea Beaman and Lawrence Kushi on macrobiotics. Joshua Rosenthal (IIN's founder) on all the varying modes of vegetarianism. Walter Willett on the (many) shortcomings of the USDA food pyramid and Marion Nestle on the politics that enable the perpetuation of the Standard American Diet (SAD). I absorb their words eagerly, mentally weaving threads from each viewpoint into my own philosophy toward food and my approach toward counseling.

While I'm enthralled by the nutrition facts and dietary theories, I'm especially affected by the program's emphasis, at every step, that food is, in fact, not our primary food. What actually feeds us is the quality of our relationships. Our level of spiritual fulfillment. Our level of satisfaction with our career. Our physical activity. The strength of our connection to our community.

These are the things that truly fulfill and sustain us, and part of the reason our culture is so screwed up about food is that we believe, mistakenly, that it has the power to fill that deeper void we might feel in other areas of our life.

True wellness is not only about adopting a healthier diet and hitting the gym more often (though these things are good and would undoubtedly yield benefits for much of the population). Rather, it's recognizing that every aspect of our lives - relationships, spirituality, career, physical activity, community, etc. - has the potential to fill us up or to starve us to death.

The quality of our diets is hugely important to our physical health, but the food itself is only part of the equation, and to change our relationship with food, we must first examine any imbalances we're experiencing in other parts of our life.

I love being a student again. I especially love being a student of wellness, which, as I'm learning, is really about improving the quality of our lives, and the potential we have in doing so, to change the way we experience the world.

Image via IIN.

Happy New Year's Eve (and some fun news)

2010-12-31T10:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's Eve! Whew...where did the past couple of weeks of 2010 disappear to? I feel like I have so much to share with you all!

First, our Christmas was lovely. We spent Christmas Eve at home, just the three of us (counting Basil). We drank wine, enjoyed a wonderful dinner (penne with a garlic and white wine sauce), and opened our gifts from one another. Jason gave me a Nook Color, which I absolutely love...I've already devoured two books on it! We spent Christmas Day with Jason's family, and enjoyed more amazing food, laughter, and generous gifting. I was excited to receive a yoga bolster, an essential oils starter kit, a gift certificate for a deep tissue massage, and many more goodies. We also delighted in opening a generous gift my parents had mailed to us: a gift certificate for the tasting menu at Volt (the restaurant of Michael Voltaggio, of Top Chef renown), which we've been dying to try!

My big news is something that I actually began a couple months ago, but that I haven't yet shared here. I have a new job! While I wanted to focus on school for the next year, I also wanted to find ways to network within the local community, hone my business skills, and bring in some additional income. So, I accepted a position with a company that I've long loved and admired...(drumroll please)...lululemon! I love it so much, I can't even tell you guys. I've already met an amazing group of people (fellow co-workers and guests to the store), and I get to talk to people about yoga, running, health, etc. all day. And because the company truly encourages its employees to live healthy, balanced lives, we have the benefit of attending any yoga or fitness class at any gym/studio in the area - for free! With the extra space in my schedule (it's literally a 5-minute commute and I'm working about 25 hours per week), I've had time to focus on school and fit in 1-2 hours of yoga and/or running daily. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I've located balance for myself as a whole person (emotional, physical, spiritual) and it's an amazing feeling.

This afternoon, I'm ringing in the new year by running a 5K with Jason and some lululemon co-workers (or lulus, as we call each other) this afternoon. I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited to get some racing experience. Afterward, we'll get showered and dressed up to go out to dinner at a fancy seafood restaurant and then meet up with some friends before midnight. I can't wait!

Happy New Year guys! Thanks for helping to make 2010 the incredible year it was. Here's to new adventures in 2011! xoxo

Image via Come to Believe.

Reverb10: Try

2010-12-21T09:10:00.000-08:00

December 18 Prompt: Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?

Wow, where to begin? I feel as if I always have tons of stuff on the "to try" list. Some essentials for 2011 include:

-Trying new (to me) holistic modalities (esp. acupuncture and chiropracty)
-Making my own aromatherapy-infused lotions and potions using essential oils
-Eating more raw and alkaline foods (a la the lovely Kris Carr and her amazing new book)
-Different styles of yoga. I've been hearing such good things about Kundalini yoga, which is devoted to awakening the body's energy or life force. Has anyone tried it?
-Beginning my morning with 20 minutes of meditation
-Increased philanthropy and volunteer work with causes dear to my heart
-Daily morning pages
-Continued culinary experimentation...I'm always looking for delicious and healthy recipes to try
-And perhaps most significantly, launching my health coaching business. My vision for my business continues to evolve in exciting ways, and I can't wait to share it with the world. While there's certainly some anxiety (as there is with any new and unknown venture), I'm incredibly excited to try my hand at entrepreneurship in 2011!

2010 was a year of transition for me, filled with new faces, places, sights, sounds, tastes, emotions, decisions, and dreams. Of all the things I tried, the most life-altering was my decision to become my healthiest self. Honestly, I didn't know I was capable of making such a powerful change until I tried. Tried going meat and dairy-free and felt a psychic weight lift from my conscience. Tried stepping off the sugar rollercoaster and felt better than I had in years. Tried giving up my morning coffee (something I never thought I'd be able to do), and noticed a calm and steady energy I'd never experienced in my caffeine-addict days. Tried challenging myself to a higher level of physical activity, and, in the process, re-claimed a deep connection to and appreciation for my body and its abilities. Throughout the process, I tried locating my "edge" (to borrow a phrase from yoga), and then tried pushing past it. I'm so glad I did.

This post is part of Reverb10. (Kudos to my dear friend, Kaileen Elise, for such a juicy, thought-provoking prompt!)

Reverb 10: Friendship

2010-12-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

December 16 Prompt: Friendship
How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

My sister is my best friend. Sometimes it's hard to believe she's the younger one; she's truly one of the wisest, coolest, most courageous people I know. I could sing her praises all day, but what really impacted me over the past year was the example she set for me by following her passion. She was thriving in a great job as a Technical Writer, but she knew her real calling lay elsewhere. A talented poet, she decided to quit her job and apply to MFA programs. Watching her pursue her creative dreams prompted me to take a good look at my own career path and re-evaluate what I really wanted in life. My sister encouraged me to explore a career in holistic health, and with her support (and the support of other friends and family), I quit my job and enrolled at IIN.

Reverb10 catch-up

2010-12-13T04:55:00.000-08:00

I'm trying my hardest to stay current with my Reverb posts, but I've slipped in the past couple of days. In the spirit of not making excuses for myself (see #10 below), I'll be honest and say that I'm finding it difficult to post on a daily basis because of the time and energy it requires. (While Reverb participants certainly don't have to answer every prompt, I wanted to challenge myself by trying.)

December 11 Prompt: Things

What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

1. Clutter. I love clean, open spaces and clear surfaces, so clutter drives me crazy. This year,

I need to pare down the amount of unneeded, unwanted stuff that I have.

2. Distractions. TV and mindless internet surfing are two of my biggest. These things are fine in moderation, but I find that living with intention requires cutting down on "background noise" and listening to what's real.

3. Mindless consumerism. For reasons of the wallet and the soul, I'd like to spend more mindfully in 2011.

4. Feeling guilty about saying "no." To requests for favors, social obligations, and other demands on my time and energy. I struggle with being able to prioritize and assert my own needs, but I'm getting better at it. It's an ongoing process.

5. Comparisons. I tend to compare my own life to others' lives and feel jealous of those who "have it all, " even though I realize it's impossible to really know what someone else's life is like. In 2011, I'd like to replace comparison with compassion. Compassion for myself and for the challenges that others undoubtedly face, even if their lives seem perfect on the surface.

6. Self-doubt and negative thinking. Replacing them with self-confidence and positive thinking in 2011.

7. Obsessing over my to-do list. Being organized is good. Scheduling an unrealistic number of tasks in my planner and then beating myself up when I inevitably fail to get everything done? Not so much.

8. Wishing. "I wish my living room were decorated differently..." "I wish I had more time to paint and draw..." Usually the things I "wish" for are within my control, and I would be better served by calling myself to action.

9. Biting my tongue. When I find a joke or statement to be offensive and/or bigoted. When I want to stick up for a cause or issue I believe in. When I witness rudeness, unfairness, or general jerkiness. There's certainly virtue in keeping the peace, but I tend to veer too far in the opposite direction for fear of being judged, and then later wish I'd stuck up for myself and/or my viewpoint. (See #8.)

10. Excuses. My own and others'. In 2011, I'd like to stop making excuses and just be honest with myself about the issue at hand. And while I can't control whether others' make excuses, I can be more assertive about my expectations and then hold them accountable in an authentic, compassionate way.

11. Lack of follow-through. I tend to get big, exciting ideas and then quickly abandon them because, honestly? Details sort of bum me out. I have the capacity and intelligence to deal with the details...I just find them boring. My challenge is to realize that anything worth doing is going to require some amount of mundane grunt work, and to find the excitement in the less glamorous aspects of any given project.

December 12 Prompt: Body Integration

This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?

I can't point to a specific moment, but yoga has this effect on me. When I'm on the mat, I feel a profound integration of body, mind, and soul. I'm a firm believer in the power of yoga, and I think it's power lies in its ability to infuse our conscious thoughts with an awareness of our body and breath, a consciousness that, in time, begins to show up in other areas of our "off the mat" lives. To me, this is what it means to "live your yoga." To take that feeling of cohesion - of being fully alive and present - and to bring that same awareness to our everyday lives.

Reverb10: Party

2010-12-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

(Jason and I entering the reception hall.)

December 9 Prompt: Party.
What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

Without a doubt, my favorite party of the year was...my wedding! Laughter, tears, amazing food, amazing friends and family, and lots of dancing. It truly rocked my socks off. You can check out more photos here.

This post is part of Reverb10. Learn more here.

Reverb 10: Beautifully Different

2010-12-08T04:17:00.000-08:00

(A recently rediscovered family photo of my sister and I dressed as bumblebees for Halloween. For some reason, it felt like an appropriate accompaniment to this post.)

December 8 Prompt: Beautifully Different

Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

Wife.

Daughter.

Sister and prototypical first-born.

Friend.

Dog mama.

Yogini.

Runner.

Writer.

Student of wellness.

Morning person.

Dog person.

Big picture person.

Aspiring holistic health coach and natural foods chef.

Wannabe entrepreneur.

Highly creative.

Visual learner.

Perceptive.

Intuitive.

Spiritual.

Empathetic.

Seeker.

Called to heal.

At home in nature.

At home surrounded by art.

At home in the kitchen.

Interested in all things food and nutrition.

Interested in catalyzing transformation in self and others.

Interested in what's real.

Interested in what's possible.

Firmly grounded free spirit.

Inspired by beauty.

Motivated by harmony.

Constantly evolving.

Always learning.

Adventuress.

Avid reader.

Recovered coffee addict and sugar junkie.

Recovering perfectionist.

Learning to embrace my imperfections.

Learning to embrace my sensitivity.

Learning to embrace my curly hair.

Hunter of knowledge, gatherer of innovation.

Believes in:

the inherent goodness of humanity;

that we are what we eat;

and that whatever the question, compassion is always the answer.

This post is part of Reverb10. Learn more here.

Reverb10: Make

2010-12-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

December 6 Prompt: Make
What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

I've always found cooking to be an incredibly creative, therapeutic process. The act of planning a menu, choosing and gathering the best ingredients, the meditative chopping and dicing, and the way you can create something completely new each time...it's a deeply satisfying, full-sensory experience that nourishes my spirit and feeds my soul. As part of my quest to live healthily and with intention, I try to cook a homemade meal almost every day, and the last thing I made was last night's dinner. Inspired by Jamie Oliver's recipe for Spaghetti con Gamberetti e Rucola (Spaghetti with Prawns and Arugula, pictured above), my husband and I created our own healthy version using brown rice penne in place of regular spaghetti. (We also omitted the shrimp in favor of extra arugula.)

Jason puréed about 10 sun-dried tomatoes with olive oil in our food processor, while I cooked 1 lb. of brown rice penné. We heated more olive oil (Jamie calls for "three good glugs") in a medium-sized pan, and tossed in 2 finely chopped garlic cloves and 1 tbsp. red chili pepper flakes. As the garlic began to brown, we added the sun-dried tomato purée to the mix, along with about a half cup of white wine. The mixture was naturally salty from the sun-dried tomatoes, so to season, I simply added a little bit of freshly ground black pepper. When the penné was ready, we drained it in a colander, and tossed it with the sauce, along with the juice of one lemon, and 4 cups of organic baby arugula. (It will seem like a lot of arugula at first, but it wilts down quite a bit.) We ate the pasta with a little bit of lemon zest grated on top, along with plenty of fresh chopped basil (Jamie's recipe doesn't call for the basil, but I find it to be a refreshingly sweet counterpoint to the savory flavor of the sun-dried tomatoes.)

Interestingly, the cooking theme carries over into the second part of the question: something I want to make, but need to clear some time for. I know for certain that I want to launch a holistic health coaching business and my studies at IIN will provide me with a foundation for doing so, however, I also know I need to create a specific vision for my business, along with actionable steps for achieving my goals. It's an ongoing process, and not necessarily something I can just sit down and do in a single afternoon, but I have had a big revelation: I've realized that I want to incorporate a healthy cooking aspect into my health coaching practice. Cooking is so much a part of who I am that I almost take it for granted, forgetting that there are so many people hungry (literally!) for knowledge about preparing healthy, delicious food. So, my vision for myself as a health coach is evolving to emphasize this culinary aspect, but I still need to cultivate a specific plan and brand identity for the business itself.

One day at a time, right?

This post is part of Reverb10. Learn more here.

Image via Jamie Oliver.

Reverb 10: Let Go

2010-12-05T04:31:00.000-08:00

December 5 Prompt: Let Go
What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?

The first thing that came to mind upon reading this prompt was the weight I lost over the course of this past year. Since January, I've let go of 40 pounds. It feels great (amazing, actually), but as anyone who's lost a significant amount of weight can tell you, losing weight is about so much more than the weight itself. So, I asked myself, in the process of losing the weight, what things was I actually letting go?

I let go of a way of eating that - when I got really honest with myself - was not aligned with my values of compassion, ahimsa (the yogic principle of non-violence), sustainability, and the well-being of our bodies and the earth. After this realization, I let go of meat, dairy, processed food, and refined sugars, and embraced a plant-based diet with an emphasis on local, organic produce.

I let go of a pretty sedentary lifestyle and gave my body the activity it craved through regular running and yoga. Eventually, my reawakened love for regular movement helped me to realize that the whole commuting/desk job thing was no longer working for me, so I let go of that to make room for a healthier, more active lifestyle and to begin classes in holistic nutrition!

Perhaps most importantly, I let go of some self-limiting beliefs about myself, what I deserve, and what's possible for me. A year ago today, if you'd told me I would let go of 40 pounds over the next year, I would've thought, Yeah, in my wildest dreams. But it turns out, when you let go of that same self-doubt, your wildest dreams start seeming not-so-wild, and in fact, begin bearing an uncanny resemblance to reality.

What (or whom) did you let go of this year?

Image via Sabino.

Reverb 10: Moment

2010-12-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

December 3 Prompt: Moment.

Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

It is early evening. A sea the colour of wine sparkles beneath the lights of the cruise ships and fishing boats anchored just off Santa Margherita, in Liguria, Italy, where we are spending a magical couple of days on our Italian honeymoon. We navigate a slow, painfully twisting road up a steep hill in a van driven by our Backroads tour guide. When we arrive at our destination, a restaurant called La Stalla dei Frati, we are greeted by beautiful candlelit tables, and a view overlooking the entire Gulf of Tigullio.

Santa Margherita’s elegant buildings are graceful silhouttes in the dark; the snug embrace of the marina wraps big white yachts and dark wooden fishing boats; and, out to sea, the silvery glow of the moon shimmers upon the midnight blue waters. The earthy scents of pine and salt perfume the night and the gentle sounds of laughter and music drift up from the bay.

Lovingly arranged on the table lies a feast for the senses. Tiny, shiny Taggiasca olives, dazzling red and yellow peppers, white anchovies glistening in pale golden olive oil and lemon juice—and that’s just the starters.

Next is real pesto, the aroma of basil billowing in the mouth in a perfect counterpoint to the homemade trofie ( a type of pasta). There follows platters of vegetables and seafood, grilled Ligurian style, drizzled with oil and lemon and couched with olives and potatoes, washed down with a glass of clean, crisp white wine.

We toast to our unbelievable good fortune to be dining on what just might be the most incredible food of our lives in the Italian Riviera, quite possibly the prettiest, most charming place in the world. We feel so lucky, so in love, and so very alive.

Reverb 10: Writing

2010-12-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

December 2 Prompt: Writing
What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?

Today's prompt, from the great Leo Babauta, struck a serious chord for me. I consistently avoid writing (on this blog, in my journal, or elsewhere) by telling myself that I can't take time to write until I've completed the other things I "need" to get done first. Laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, schoolwork, walking the dog...the to-do list goes on and on, and it seems to grow especially long and overwhelming during this busy time of year. Writing, and other creative pursuits, become luxury activities that I indulge in only when all "important stuff" has been taken care of.

The paradox is that, when I survey my so-called priorities, I've got it all backwards. The creative moments, the writing, drawing, dreaming up new recipes, dancing, and otherwise romancing my inner muse...that is the "important stuff." Yes, the dishes need to be done. The dog needs to be walked. And God knows my sock drawer could use some organizing. It's a constant challenge, but I'm slowly realizing this: there will always be more stuff to get done. If I waited to write or otherwise create until that mythical moment in time that I've checked off every single item on my to-do list, well...I'll be waiting a long, long time. And at the end of that long time, do you think I'll look back and say, "Gee, I'm sure glad I spent all those hours vacuuming"? No? Me, neither.

When I'm struggling to find the time to write, I try to remind myself that we do have time for what's important to us if only we are willing to get 100% clear about our priorities and then actually prioritize those thing.

Reverb 10: One Word

2010-12-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

December 1 Prompt: One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

2010 was, by any measure, a big year for me. In the span of 12 months, I got married, took a dream trip to Italy with my new husband, got real about my health habits and lost 40+ pounds, unearthed my calling to help others reach their health goals, quit my job, enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to begin training as a holistic health coach, and achieved a life-long goal of welcoming a beautiful little rescue pup into my life. When I reflect back on this whirlwind of transitions, several words come to mind, but the loudest drumbeat is one of discovery.

In 2010, I discovered.

The generosity of friends and families who helped to plan a magical wedding day. The bliss of marriage. That you keep falling in love, in different ways, even after you say "I do." A country beautiful beyond description. That I wasn't being honest with myself about my health. The self-awareness I needed to make big changes to my lifestyle. A reserve of dedication and courage that I didn't know I possessed, and that enabled me to reach goals I'd previously believed impossible. A passion for holistic health and wellness, and a desire to help others experience the same healing changes. The incredible joy of being greeted daily by an unconditionally loving little dachshund (who's currently snoring on my lap, I might add.)

And the discoveries continue. I've no doubt that 2011 holds changes of all kinds, some of which I probably can't guess right now. However, when I imagine it's one year from today, the word I'd like to capture 2011 is perseverance.

Now that I've experienced these major transitions, I'm calling upon myself to persevere. To do the work. To show up for myself and the important people in my life on a daily basis. To stay motivated in achieving the new possibilities I've created for myself. To get ultra-clear about my career goals and what it will take to reach them. To continue being present to my own needs. The common thread throughout all this is the discipline to persevere.

What word encapsulates 2010 for you? What word would you like to capture 2011?

Reverb10: Are you in?

2010-12-01T05:16:00.000-08:00

When I heard that my dear friend @kaileenelise had joined forces with the talented @gwenbell and the effervescent @caligater to create an online initiative, I knew the result would be a powerfully creative experience, and something I'd want to be a part of.

Now the much-anticipated Reverb 10 is here, and I'm beyond pumped to participate - and honored to spread the love as a member of The Crew!

So what exactly is Reverb 10?

Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.

How to participate

Prompt Starting December 1, check in here for daily creative prompts (some of which will be from published authors). You can also subscribe for complimentary inbox delivery, and watch for updates on Twitter.

Create Respond to the prompt. In a post on your blog, through a tweet, with photography, or however else you desire.

Share Participate and share your reverberations using the #reverb10 hashtag (on Twitter, Delicious or Flickr). Learn from the reverberations of fellow participants.

Click here to get started.

The first Reberb 10 prompt is live. I'm putting water for tea on the stove and getting ready to dig in! Check back later today for my first Reverb 10 post!

Happy, Healthy, Creative Wish List

2010-11-30T09:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday, and happy (belated) Thanksgiving! I hope your holiday was wonderful. My mom was in town, and we enjoyed five days of laughter, togetherness, yoga, and eating (too much) amazing food.

Today, I'm sipping green tea, munching on leftover apple, date, and ginger crisp, and working on my holiday wish list. I thought I'd share my list with you all. Maybe you'll find some inspiration for your own wish list, or a gift for that creative someone in your life!

1. Yoga bolster by Hugger Mugger. A bolster is the ideal gift for the yogi who wants to create a restorative ("yin") yoga practice at home. It's blissful placed along the spine in supine poses, or under the knees in savasana. As a bonus, it's filled with organic cotton batting. Ommm.

2. Essential Oils Kit by PlantLife. This is a fantastic starter kit for anyone interested in the many beneficial uses of essential oils. These highly concentrated oils can be used as aromatherapy when added to a diffuser (or your bath, lotion, face masque, etc.), or simply dabbed on the body as perfume.

3. Create Stillness retreat with @katecourageous of Your Courageous Life. Imagine a weekend spent on the Monterey peninsula in Pacific Grove, CA, dedicated to slowing down and getting courageously present. Did I mention the in-room jacuzzi and fireplace? Yes, please.

4. Eat, Pray, Love soundtrack. You loved the book. You loved the movie. Listen to the beautiful soundtrack and be inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert's incredible journey of self-discovery all over again.

5. Grub: Ideas for an Organic Urban Kitchen by Anna Lappe and Terry Bryant. Part cookbook, part lifestyle how-to, this book would make the perfect gift for the health-conscious foodie on your list.

6. Tea of the Month Club from Teavana. Spoil the tea-lover in your life with a new variety of tea each month, available in 6 or 12-month subscriptions.

7. Type Bird Moleskine by tabidesigns. A gorgeous take on the classic moleskine notebook. Perfect for jotting down bits of inspiration throughout the day.

8. Root Over Rock water bottle by Sigg. Hydrate in style with this pretty and functional water bottle. An ideal gift for any yogi or active girl on the go.

9. The Creative Entrepreneur by Lisa Sonora Beam. A visual, step-by-step instructional guide for turning your creative dreams into a viable business. A must-have for the aspiring entrepreneur!

What's on your wish list this year?

"The way you move is the way you live."

2010-11-22T09:57:00.000-08:00

This morning:

Waking slowly to a misty, overcast sky.
A warming bowl of organic rolled oats with a drizzle of agave and maple almond butter stirred in.
A mug of green tea (my current favorite, genmaicha, sweet with the flavor of roasted brown rice).
Planning the week's menu, highlighted by a wholesome, soul-comforting autumn-themed meal of herbed quinoa, red cabbage slaw, and apple-ginger crisp.
Nearly two hours of heart-opening vinyasa flow.
The way you move is the way you live, the instructor says. Do you fling your limbs wildly through your practice, hurdling ahead to whatever's next? Or do you move your limbs with intention, taking time to enjoy the sensation of movement itself?
Post-savasana, stepping outside to find the fog has dissipated, replaced by a bright and clear sky.
Taking the dog for a long walk, and noticing how she pauses to savor the breeze against her face and how she takes in the sights and smells that we humans bypass without a thought.
Settling into a hot bath, the steaming water scented with clary sage and lavender. Skipping the usual reading during the bath routine, and instead, taking time to just breathe the fragrant air.

The way you move is the way you live. My intention for today is to move mindfully, to live on purpose.

Doggie meditations

2010-11-19T06:29:00.000-08:00

Discomfort...and what Yin Yoga can teach us about embracing it

2010-11-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned last week, I recently discovered a great Yin Yoga class. I've attended this class twice in the past two weeks. Both times, I've left class feeling not only incredibly relaxed but also profoundly aware of my relationship to discomfort. Specifically: all the ways I resist it, and the strange and wonderful things that happen when I stop doing so.

But let me back up a couple of steps.

Yin Yoga, as you may know, is a style of yoga in which you hold each asana for prolonged periods of time, usually 3-5 minutes. As you first enter a given pose, there can be pretty significant discomfort, especially in the hips and lower back area, parts of the body where we - women, especially - carry emotional tension. During the first minute of the pose, the discomfort intensifies, as the muscle resists pushing past what the mind perceives to be its limit.

However, if you can breathe through that discomfort, something unexpected happens around the 1-minute mark. The muscle actually relaxes, releasing its tension, which allows you to access the deep connective tissues and to stretch beyond what first seemed possible. Practiced regularly, Yin can increase your range of motion, protect against injury, and help keep the body healthy and young.

What I find so moving about Yin is that it echoes so perfectly the way we deal with discomfort off the mat. When faced with challenging emotions, our impulse is to resist. We tense up at the first sign of potential pain, attempting to protect ourselves against feelings we don't believe we are strong enough to survive. Our mind has us utterly convinced that we simply cannot bear to actually experience the pain, to the extent that this belief seems like reality.

It is at this point that many of us "numb out" in a desperate bid to distract ourselves from having to feel at all. (We turn to food, shopping, TV, partying, etc. And to clarify, I don't believe these things are inherently bad; it's when we use them as an that we get into trouble.) But as with Yin, the great paradox is that it's only when we are able to embrace the discomfort - to be with it - that the tension releases, and we are able to relax into ourselves, and - engage more fully with our lives.

As I mentioned, I've been meditating on this point during these past couple of weeks. It is, of course, an ongoing practice (as with yoga, and as with all things). We will always feel discomfort, and we will always resist it. It's not realistic to expect ourselves to suddenly embrace our discomforts, left and right. But maybe if we can at least be aware - at least nod in recognition, call it by its name - we wouldn't resist it quite so much.

We might even get a little bit, well...comfortable.

Ten good things

2010-11-10T06:37:00.000-08:00

1. Receiving amazing emails from blog readers filled with kind words about my new career direction. Your words mean more to me than you know. Thank you!
2. Having time to practice yoga almost every day...and discovering an amazing yin yoga class.
3. Half (or "one-legged") Pigeon pose. It's amazing for the hips and lower back. My body has been craving this pose so much lately!
4. Anticipating my mom's upcoming visit.
5. Planning a yummy and healthful Thanksgiving menu...details forthcoming.
6. Having time to take Basil on lots of long walks and watching her pounce gleefully on the crunchy leaves.
7. My new favorite green tea. The roasted organic brown rice lends a sweetness that makes it not at all bitter like some green teas.
8. Making delicious vegan enchiladas (sautéed kale + sweet potato + onion, wrapped in Ezekial sprouted grain tortilla with red chile enchilada sauce, topped with diced avocado and a spritz of lime juice).
9. Reading two amazing books (yes, simultaneously...I can never seem to stick to just one at a time): Deepak Chopra's Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul and Debbie Ford's The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse.
10. Last, but not least, learning so much about health and wellness through my IIN courses! I am just filled with so much gratitude every day that I'm able to pursue this passion.

What's new and good with you? I would love to hear.

Image via Happiness is Like a Sunny Day.

Scenes from an autumn weekend in Louden County, VA

2010-11-08T04:03:00.000-08:00

As a joint birthday gift, Jason's parents gave us a gift certificate to The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, in beautiful Louden County, Virginia. We decided to make a weekend of it by exploring the surrounding area in all its autumn glory.

Louden County is home to some of Virginia's best wineries, so our first stop was the highly recommended Sunset Hills Vineyard in Purcellville.

(I didn't get a great shot of the vineyard, so the photo above is from the Sunset Hills website.)

We enjoyed a little wine tasting, and picked up a few bottles to give away as holiday gifts.

The winery was housed in a 130-year-old restored barn.

(You can see some of the barn's interior in this shot of Jason.)

After some vino and a delicious lunch at Magnolia's at the Mill, we hit up The Old Lucketts Store, a sprawling antiques emporium in Leesburg. I'd heard great things about this place, and I was not disappointed.

Their selection of antique and vintage wares was incredible. Each room was so artfully arranged...it felt like a museum!

(Image above via the store's website.)

I loved these Parisian-themed tea towels. Aren't they perfect?

We also stumbled upon a really beautiful rustic-style sunburst mirror.

I snapped a few photos of the grounds surrounding the store, including this one of a wilting rose (I think it's a rose...someone correct me if I'm wrong.)

There was something about the way the flower was beginning to decay but hanging onto its original beauty that took my breath away.

After checking into our bed and breakfast (more on that in a minute), we enjoyed an incredible meal at The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm in Lovettsville, a restaurant that uses fresh (and obviously local) ingredients from the organic farm on which its located.

The restaurant was happy to accommodate my request for a vegetarian tasting menu. The meal began with a sampling of autumn radishes, and progressed to an ethereal butternut squash "cappucino", a vegetable medley composed of Matsutake mushrooms, parsnip mash, handmade butternut squash tortellini, and swiss chard gelée, and finally, for dessert, a "jelly donut" - a handmade cinnamon donut filled with fresh blackberry preserves and accompanied by dulce de leche ice cream and chestnut sauce.

(I didn't take photos of the food because I tend to feel a little awkward whipping out my big camera in restaurants, especially nice ones.)

Everything was incredible, made even more so by the freshness of the ingredients and the knowledge that it came from the very land on which we were dining! It was truly farm-to-table cuisine at its best.

Back to the bed and breakfast....

After reading reviews online, we decided to stay at the Stone Manor Bed and Breakfast, a beautifully restored Civil War-era manor home in Lovetsville. Upon our arrival, the owners Beth and Spencer greeted us with warm smiles and glasses of wine. It was just the most wonderful, hospitable experience. (I prefer staying in bed and breakfasts because they just feels so much more personal than hotels.)

Here's a little video of the charming Blue Delft Suite, where we stayed.

(Video via Stone Manor's website.)

The best part of the bed and breakfast? The breakfast, of course! On Sunday morning, we dined on German apple pancakes, white chocolate cherry scones, turnovers featuring veggies from the garden, and the most amazing pineapple-cheddar grits.

Obviously it was a rather decadent weekend, food-wise, but I didn't mind indulging a bit, knowing the dishes were made of high-quality organic and local ingredients.

Should you ever have the opportunity, beautiful Louden County is definitely worth a visit!

Ways to Nourish Yourself

2010-11-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm loving this list of ways to nourish yourself (by Emma of Graceful Balance).

Get adequate sleep and make it a priority to be well rested
Move your body: stretch it, tone it, and allow it to play
Eat foods that support wellness (Most of these grow in the ground)
Spend time daily being quiet
Connect with uplifting friends
Have fresh flowers in your home
Supplement your diet with the appropriate vitamins and herbs
Remember to be grateful
Stay hydrated
Play with a pet
Find reasons to laugh
Practice financial responsibility
Stay in the present moment
Read spiritual books
Get creative. Paint, sculpt, sew, build or draw.
Spend time in nature
Create rituals that support, soothe or heal
Learn to breathe deeply
Continue to learn
Know what you want
I would add to this list: make a pot of soup, practice yin yoga, bake a loaf of whole grain bread, write in a journal, and sip green tea. How do you nourish yourself?

Routine, structure, and prioritizing what's important.

2010-11-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

Good morning! You may have noticed that it's been a little quiet around here this past week. I finished up at work last week, and amidst the all of the changes, I took a little break from blogging. Today (the first day of my "new life" as Jason and I have jokingly dubbed it), I'm feeling refreshed and ready to jump back in.

Something I've been thinking about a lot lately is routine. I am, by nature, someone who thrives on routine. I like knowing what's going to happen next. I find it comforting to have a schedule, and stick to it. A schedule enables me to be more productive, because I know I only have X amount of time to complete Y, and I'm less likely to procrastinate. So, while I'm excited about all of my newfound free time, I'm also seeking a balance between latitude and structure.

For example, I've decided that I want to continue waking up early. People have been asking me if I'll be "sleeping till noon" with my newly flexible schedule, but my creative energy actually peaks in the morning, and I know it will be important for me to "show up" (as Julia Cameron says) and be present to my most important tasks during those hours.

Speaking of which:

"What, exactly, will you be doing all day?"

Since quitting my job, I've been fielding variations of this question (though usually not phrased quite so bluntly). Here are the priorities, or intentions, I've identified for the next few months.

1. Schoolwork
Listening to lectures, completing assignments, participating in sessions with my IIN health coach (a nice benefit of the program is that we're assigned our own health coach for the duration of the program), studying for tests, and meeting regularly with my new study buddy to talk about what we're learning and support each other's progress.

2. Building my health coaching practice
My goal is to launch my own health coaching practice, including sessions with individual clients and group workshops in-person and via e-course/webinar. So, for the next six months, I plan to focus intensely on all of the things, big and small, that starting a business entails. More on this soon.

3. Lots of yoga, running, and other kinds of physical activity
One of the reasons I decided to leave my job is that I could no longer bear the sedentary 10+ hours a day of commuting and sitting behind a desk. Even though I was able to fit in workouts before or after work, 4-5x per week, my body was crying out for frequent, intense, and varied movement. And, as a health coach-in-training, I realized it was critical for me to "walk the walk" of designing a lifestyle that honors and supports my body's needs.

4. Writing
I've found the blogging community to be an amazing source of support and motivation. In fact, I credit my ability to make this change in my life partially to the inspiration I've found through all of you. I hope to up the quality of my posts (as opposed to just the quantity), and to spend more time nurturing the relationships I've built with fellow bloggers. You'll continue to find my Foodie Friday posts on Tranquility du Jour. I also plan to begin submitting articles to other health and wellness publications.

5. Taking care of myself
In addition to exercising more, I want to continue eating healthily and I'm excited to have more time to shop for and cook healthy meals. The self-care category also includes things like engaging in a meditation practice, spending more time in nature, reading, spending quality time with Jason (and Basil!), hot baths, and artist's dates.

There are other things, of course, like the highly glamorous task of cleaning our second bedroom (currently functioning as a storage room with our laptops buried somewhere underneath layers of extraneous stuff) and turning it into a workable office space, and other projects I've been putting off due to lack of time. But the five areas above encompass the areas I'll be consciously devoting the most time and energy.

How do you structure your time, and what role does routine play? How do you prioritize the important stuff? I'm curious to hear...whether you work from home, work outside the home, own your own business, etc.

Thank you and a question

2010-10-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you, all, for your incredible response to the news I shared earlier this week. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for all of your support and well wishes! It is especially encouraging to hear from those of you who have made changes of a similar magnitude in your own lives, and are now happily living your bliss.

While I'm excited to be following my passion, I must admit I'm a little bit nervous about diving headfirst into the unknown. However, when I think back on times in my past that I've stepped outside of my comfort zone, I see that it is these periods of transition and uncertainty that catalyzed real growth, and with that in mind, I'm eager to engage fully in what will surely be an interesting, probably challenging, yet also exhilarating year.

This weekend's plans are focused on getting a few logistical things in order, including cleaning up our office and equipping it for my school and business needs, and shopping for a new car (though Jason and I have been happily sharing a car since we moved in together, it looks like our newly divergent schedules will necessitate a second vehicle). I'm hoping to squeeze in a run, a hot vinyasa flow class, and an outing to the dog park.

You readers are always such a great source of information, so I'm wondering if I can pick your brain for a minute. I hinted that I foresee some changes in store for Tulips & Tea. Have you ever re-launched/re-branded your blog? If so, what difficulties did you face, if any? Any tips, tricks, and resources would be much appreciated!

Have a wonderful weekend! xo

A really big decision (and the soul searching behind it)

2010-10-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

A little background
As you probably know, throughout the course of the past year, I've become really passionate about holistic nutrition and wellness. Back in January, as part of my 2010 New Year's resolution, I vowed to make real and lasting changes to my lifestyle. I took a hard look at the kind of food I was consuming on a daily basis, and realized that it wasn't providing me with the energy and vitality I was so craving. After some pretty intense soul searching and lots of research (via books, documentaries, etc.), I decided to transition to a primarily plant-based, whole foods diet.

A turning point
I began by experimenting with healthy, home-cooked meals centered around new (to me) and colorful ingredients. I soon discovered a whole world awaited beyond romaine. Curly kale, technicolor rainbow chard, and peppery arugula began making their way into my meal rotation, soon followed by a whole host of delicious vegetables: squash of all kinds, eggplant, cucumber, broccoli, collards, watercress, scallions, leeks, beets, parsnips, radishes, sweet potato, cabbage, and more. Realizing that I could build an endless variety of simple and fulfilling dishes around natural foods - around plants - was a turning point for me, and I never looked back.

On a roll
I started replacing the refined carbs in my diet with whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, barley and millet. Realizing how amazing I felt after just a few days, I was eager to continue down this new and healthy path. Having noticed how heavy and tired I felt after eating animal products, I soon cut out dairy and most meat, a change that also aligned with my growing disgust at the ethical and environmental ramifications inherent in our food system. Legumes, nuts, seeds, and the occasional piece of sustainably caught fish became my new sources of protein. Feeling truly healthy for the first time in years, I was inspired to make even more changes. So around this time, I also kicked my daily coffee to the curb, stopped drinking alcohol (aside from the very occasional glass of wine), and sent my sugar addiction packing - for good. I lost 37 pounds and my energy levels were higher than ever. People began commenting on my "healthy glow", and I felt incredible - physically, at least.

Questioning
Of course, true wellness isn't just about the food we eat. You can drink all the kale and almond butter smoothies in the world, but if the other elements of your life are out of whack, can you really call yourself healthy? With the newfound clarity that accompanied my dietary changes, I began to see how my other life choices were affecting me, and when I dug beyond the surface, I saw an often stressed-out and anxious person, intensely frustrated by what I perceived to be my unfulfilled creative dreams. Yoga and running helped alleviate the stress and anxiety, but I realized that those were merely symptoms of a deeper yearning for genuine fulfillment. I felt that I was being called in a new direction, but couldn't yet articulate what it looked like. I spent about six months in emotional flux, knowing that my "true North" was out there somewhere, yet at the same time confused by the possibilities and scared to make a major change.

The "Aha" Moment
It was around this time that I first heard about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which, in partnership with Purchase College, SUNY, offers a certification in holistic health counseling. I vividly remember reading those words, "holistic health counselor," and knowing with a strange certainty that that's what I'm supposed to be doing. I wanted to share my newfound passion for wellness with others. It made so much sense. Of course, upon realizing this, I spent several more months in turmoil, agonizing over whether I could really leave behind the safe little life I'd built to pursue a completely new direction. Could I really make such an unconventional career change? What would everyone think? Did I really have it in me to follow my passion?

Saying yes
Turns out, I did. After much consideration (and countless talks with my amazingly supportive husband), I enrolled. (It's a distance learning program, so no, we didn't move to New York!) A year from now, I will be a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. My goal is to begin a private coaching practice helping busy and stressed-out women find balance and vitality through holistic food and lifestyle changes. (Sound familiar?) I also decided, after much consideration, to leave my full-time office job - and the commute - behind. While I was lucky to have wonderful co-workers and satisfying work, I realized that I needed to focus my time and energy in this new direction.

Speaking of which...
I've been contemplating what direction I want to take Tulips & Tea for a little while now. I definitely plan to continue blogging about living a healthy and creative life, and look forward to sharing my new adventure with you. There may be some changes in store for the blog, and possibly a re-launch of some sort as I attempt to merge my blogging more closely with my new career path. I promise to keep you posted!

Thank you so much for your support. You guys are the best!

Colorado recap

2010-10-14T17:59:00.000-07:00

I realized today that I hadn't even told you guys about my birthday weekend in Colorado!

As expected, we had a wonderful time. We spent quality time with Mira, ate lots of yummy meals, oh..and went hiking in Chautauqua Park in Boulder, which was absolutely gorgeous.

Other highlights included:

green tea, saag paneer, and the best hummus I've ever had at Dushanbe Teahouse

unexpectedly seeing a dear friend from high school

playing with Mira's cute doggie Shadow

vegetarian noodle soup with roasted squash and mustard greens at Bones

the tofu breakfast burrito at Watercourse Foods (an all vegetarian restaurant/bakery in Denver)

beautiful mountain scenery

staying at Mira's cozy and beautifully decorated apartment

(sorry for the dark picture...the black lump in Mira's lap is her dog, Shadow!)

Thanks Mira, for being such a great hostess!

Only this moment is life.

2010-10-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis

on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without

rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment.

Only this moment is life.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Image via HerLightBearer.

Birthday intentions

2010-10-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Happy 26th birthday to me! Today's been absolutely lovely so far: a beautiful card and lavender vanilla-scented soy candle from husband, many calls, texts, and emails, a gorgeous rose bush from my co-workers, and a relaxing solo lunch at Teaism, plus a surprise gift from a very thoughtful blog friend!

Yesterday, I reflected on the best moments of the past year. Today I'm sharing my 26 intentions for the coming year! In no particular order:

1. Continue to eat healthily and increase my knowledge of nutrition
2. Make more of an effort to incorporate whole grains, fresh veggie juices, leafy greens, and other superstar foods into my regular food rotation
3. Deepen my yoga practice and explore the possibility of signing up for a 200-hour yoga teacher training program
4. Continue a regular running routine
5. Run a half-marathon
6. Exercise my creativity by making the time to draw (a childhood passion of mine)
7. Indulge in regular artist's dates
8. Expand my organic garden to include more herbs - and maybe even some vegetables
9. Start a weekly walk-in-the-woods ritual (I always find walking in the woods so restorative)
10. Expand my culinary know-how by signing up for a knife skills class (I've always loved chopping, slicing, dicing. Something about the repetitive motion feels meditative to me. I would love to learn the professional techniques!)
11. Re-examine my wardrobe and donate old, ill-fitting clothes and clothes that don't feel like "me" anymore
12. Slowly add a few beautiful, high-quality "authentically me" pieces to my wardrobe
13. Deepen my friendships with people who uplift and inspire me
14. Enjoy my first full year of marriage to my wonderful husband!
15. Seek out outdoor adventures (kayaking, rafting,hiking, skiing, etc...oh, and I want to try snowboarding this year!)
16. Budget for regular massages
17. Learn about holistic pet care and incorporate practices into our care for Basil
18. Try acupuncture for the first time
19. Be more conscious of my relationship with technology (specifically, be more selective about what I do online as opposed to just surfing around aimlessly)
20. Finish a first draft of a cookbook
21. Continue to improve my photography skills
22. Bring more laughter and play into my daily life
23. Plan several more trips to parts of the U.S. (Maine and Oregon are both on my list)
24. Practice saying "no" to things I don't have time for or don't really want to do
25. Submit food and health-related articles to several publications
26. Last, but certainly not least, continue to connect with all of you wonderful fellow bloggers!

Reflections on my 25th year

2010-10-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned, tomorrow is my birthday! While I'm excited about the day itself (plans include breakfast in bed, deep tissue massage, sushi, and prepping for Denver), I'm also taking time to reflect upon the past year and set intentions for the year to come.

I'll admit, I'm a teeny bit sad to bid my 25th year adieu. It was an amazing 12 months defined by lots of big life changes (all good!) and personal growth. On numerous fronts, I felt myself becoming the healthy, happy, and balanced me that I've always envisioned as my best self.

Here's what I consider to be the top 25 moments of my 25th year:

1. Married the love of my life and celebrated with friends and family at our joy-filled wedding
2. Explored Florence and hiked the back roads of the Cinque Terre and Chianti regions on our honeymoon in Italy
3. Became a contributing food writer for one of my favorite blogs, Tranquility du Jour
4. Went whitewater rafting on the New River in West Virginia
5. Kayaked in Key West
6. Transformed my understanding of and relationship to food, which inspired me to cut out junk and processed foods and begin eating a mostly plant-based diet
7. Rediscovered my love of running and successfully completed my longest run to date
8. Joined a new yoga studio in Annapolis, and reinvigorated my practice
9. Through a combination of improving my eating habits and re-committing myself to exercise, lost 35 pounds
10. And more importantly, felt better than ever in my body
11. Connected with old friends and kindled new friendships with kindred spirits, both online and off
12. Discovered my Style Statement and began using Organic Creative as a guiding mantra in decisions large and small
13. Took the Mondo Beyondo e-course and articulated some goals I hadn't even realized were inside me
14. Planted an organic herb garden
15. Read more books than I can list here, The Kind Diet and Tranquilista being a couple of my favorites
16. Made an effort to revamp my morning routine
17. Made my first philanthropic gift with a donation to The Farm Sanctuary
18. Decided to make more space in my life (literally and figuratively speaking) and embarked on a project to de-clutter...physically, emotionally, and spiritually
19. Discovered a love of documentaries (and subsequently, was deeply affected/disturbed by Food, Inc. and The Cove, both of which deepened my commitment to a lifestyle that does not contribute to the unethical treatment of animals)
20. Visited the Art Institute of Chicago, SF MOMA, and the Dallas Museum of Art
21. Ate many delicious meals at numerous restaurants in various cities, and discovered a new farm-to-table favorite in my own backyard
22. Spent an amazing weekend in Chicago with my family and Jason's family, exploring the city and celebrating our marriage with friends and family who weren't able to travel to our wedding
23. Made an effort to regularly incorporate blocks of solitude and reflection into my schedule
24. Made myself a priority with lots of self-care
25. Adopted a rescue dog, a life-long dream come true!

Tomorrow I'll be posting my intentions for the year ahead!

Three things

2010-10-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

First, thank you all for your sweet comments about Basil! (Basil wanted me to tell you "thanks for the warm welcome!") It is so fun to watch as her personality develops. So far, her favorite activities seem to be curling up in my lap to watch football, burying herself under layers of blanket, playing with her hedgehog stuffed toy, and stalking birds (real and imagined) when she's supposed to be doing her "business" outside. She is a joyful addition to our family and we couldn't be happier.

Secondly, I'm excited to be featured as Kaileen Elise's Sparklista Sunday series today! As some of you probably know, Kaileen's blog is a treasure trove of creativity and inspiration. I was so honored when she asked to interview me! My favorite question she asked was: How do you make each day an extraordinary adventure? Head on over to Kaileen's blog to read my response!

Thirdly, this week is my birthday week! As my gift, Jason planned a trip to Denver to visit one of my best friends, Mira (you may remember her as one of my bridesmaids). We're flying in on Friday morning and staying through Monday morning. I'm looking forward to vegetarian brunch at Watercourse Foods, visiting the Denver Art Museum, dinner at locavore restaurant Black Pearl, some scenic running and hiking action, and of course, catching up with Mira. If there are any Denver connoisseurs out there...any other can't-miss things to do or see in the area?

The past couple of days, I've been contemplating my intentions for this coming year. I sense some exciting things in store, including some big changes which I hope to share with you soon!

Do you use your birthday as a time for reflection and/or intention-setting?

Guess what?

2010-10-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

She's ours!

This is Basil! She is a smooth hair dapple dachshund that we adopted from Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Washington, DC. She grew up in a puppy mill in South Carolina, before Lucky Dog rescued her. Since then, she's been in and out of foster homes. She's a resilient little thing though - in spite of everything, she's super healthy, 100% house trained, and has just the sweetest personality you could imagine.

It's been a long-time dream of mind to adopt a dog, and I've always adored dachshunds, so adopting her is truly a dream come true. I promise to share more pictures soon!

In the meantime, I want to thank Andrea for featuring Tulips & Tea on her blog the other day! Please stop by and check out Andrea's great blog, which is filled with a great balance of personal reflections and snapshots of her daily life.

Making space

2010-10-01T03:24:00.000-07:00

Empty your hands and your heart. Regularly.

Take deep breaths. Often.

And move stuff over and out.

Make space (what a creative act! space-making!)

The space is full of what you really need.

-Via the ever wise Danielle LaPorte of White Hot Truth.

Image via Houzz.

On today's to-do list: rest

2010-09-28T04:31:00.000-07:00

Despite my best efforts to stay healthy, I seem to have caught a touch of the cold that's been making the rounds at my workplace.

In the past, my usual reaction to an oncoming cold was to think I can't get sick right now, and to keep going at full speed. Of course, this only made things worse, and after 2-3 days of denial I would essentially collapse.

I realized recently that this pattern is a thing of the past - a product (of course) of having been out of touch with my physical self. As I've gained a greater respect for my body's needs throughout the past year, I've discovered that I'm able to detect even minor shifts in my energy level and my sense of well-being. Shifts that, a year ago, I went undetected amidst the constant fog of excess sugar, caffeine, etc. And, perhaps even more importantly, I'm now inclined to listen to what my body's telling me. And right now, my body is saying: rest. Rest and heal. There is nothing on your to-do list that can't wait.

So rest is the order of the day today. Along with generous amounts of tea, vegetable broth, and ginger juice.

How do you react when you feel yourself getting sick?

A couple thoughts for Friday

2010-09-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, my dears. Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on Wednesday's post. Sadly, we found out last night that the shelter is only willing to adopt this particular pup to a household that already has another dog or is willing to adopt two dogs at once. As much as I would love two dogs, it's just not feasible for us right now, so our search for the right pooch continues. I must admit, I shed a tear (or twenty) when we got the news, but I woke up this morning with a sense of peace and acceptance. I know the right doggie out there somewhere.

In the meantime, I'm playing caretaker to my husband, who is sans wisdom teeth as of this morning. I always find cooking to be deeply therapeutic, so a morning spent making chocolate pudding, garlic cheddar mashed potatoes, and egg drop soup (Jason's no-chewing-required food requests) felt good for my soul. Sometimes, a couple hours in the kitchen just clears the mind, you know? I think it has something to do with the physical repetition - peeling, chopping, stirring, etc. - not to mention the comforting aromas.

Speaking of cooking, I'd love for you to stop by Tranquility du Jour today to check out my Foodie Friday post on welcoming this new season. (If only it actually felt like fall outside...thankfully it's supposed to cool off quite a bit this weekend.)

Please tell me what adventures you have planned for this weekend so I can live vicariously through you, since we'll be laying low. Not that I'm complaining; it feels so good to have absolutely nothing on the calendar. xoxo

Waiting

2010-09-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Guess what? We submitted an adoption application for this little gal on Sunday. We're supposed to hear something within the week. I don't think I can remember a week ever going this slowly. I wasn't going to say anything until we found out one way or another, but I'm dying of anticipation over here and needed to get it off my chest.

She's a Daschund/Jack Russell Terrier mix. 6 pounds, 100% sweetheart. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but well...it's a little late for that.

It's been a long-time dream of mine to adopt a shelter dog, and after much consideration, Jason and I are ready to welcome a furry companion into our lives. It feels like we're so close...keep your fingers crossed.

A weekend to savor

2010-09-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

A Friday evening dinner date at the new Latin-inspired restaurant in our neighborhood. A glass of refreshing and citrusy Albariño. Spicy, chipotle-spiked guacamole served with crisped plantain, yucca, and tortilla chips. Sautéed zucchini squash, roasted carrot mash, and crispy yucca spaetzle with olive pasilla sauce. A long and challenging run on a wooded trail. A tranquil post-run bubble bath, scented with sweet orange, lavender, and sandalwood Shopping for fresh ingredients to cook two wholesome, savory dinners. Whole-grain spaghetti with arugula and a sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, basil, white wine, and garlic on Saturday. Tandoori-spiced salmon with curried vegetables and brown rice on Sunday. A suspenseful and thoroughly intriguing film. The seasonal ritual of storing summer clothes to make space for autumn's cozy sweaters, jeans, boots, and scarves. Savoring the latest issue of a favorite magazine. Making plans for my upcoming birthday weekend, which will be spent in Colorado with a dear friend, and for an early November sojourn to Virginia's wine country for a weekend of exploring vineyards, dining at an organic farm-to-table restaurant, and enjoying the fall foliage. Working on several for-fun writing projects while listening to mellow tunes. Finding the perfect black ballet flats. Savoring a restorative, creative, and restful weekend.

What adventures came your way this weekend?

Image via MyRecipes.

Falling for red

2010-09-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

In the past, I've shied away from the color red, feeling that it was somehow too strong, too assertive, too powerful. But lately, it seems like everywhere I go, I'm falling all over myself for all things red. (Case in point: I couldn't resist picking up these pretty russet-hued calla lilies from Whole Foods.)

Upon the advice of a very wise fellow blogger, I began researching what my newfound inclination might mean. One of the most interesting things I learned is that red is associated with the 1st chakra, which governs our sense of physical vitality and well-being.

Over the past year, I've made changes that have brought me into a greater awareness of my body and what it needs to feel healthy, so I was fascinated to learn that my craving for red might actually be related to this sense of "re-inhabiting" my body.

The other day, I bought what I think is my first article of red clothing ever: a beautiful hand-knit scarf. It might just be the power of suggestion at work, but I'll admit that, wearing this scarf, I felt a new sense of energy and connectedness to my physical self.

Do you ever feel inexplicably drawn toward a certain color? Have you ever noticed your mood or feelings affected by particular colors?

Healthy DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte

2010-09-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Each September, I look forward to the Pumpkin Spice Latte's annual appearance on Starbucks' menu. Spying the popular beverage pop up on Starbucks' seasonal chalkboard last week brought a smile to my face. However, like any coffee shop drink these days, the cost of a daily (or even weekly) Pumpkin Spice Latte can add up quickly. And, in the past year, as I've made significant changes to the way I eat, I find that I can no longer muster as much enthusiasm for the chain's ultra-sugary pre-made flavor mixes. Furthermore, since I no longer consume much dairy (and prefer almond milk to soy), I'm usually limited to ordering green or herbal tea in a typical chain coffee shop these days.

All that being said, I'll be darned if I didn't get a serious craving for a Pumpkin Spice Latte while writing this post the other day. The craving was so serious, in fact, that I simply had to have one that very day. What's a dairy-free, health-conscious, natural-ingredient-lovin' Pumpkin Spice Latte addict to do?

Some internet research and a trip to Whole Foods later, I was ready to satisfy my yearning and chart a brave new course for Pumpkin Spice Latte fans everywhere. Overly dramatic? Maybe. Insanely delicious? Definitely.

Healthy DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte
~~Makes 2 servings.~~ Oh, who am I kidding? I drank the whole thing.
2 cups low-fat plain or vanilla-flavored almond milk
2 tablespoons canned organic pumpkin (pumpkin should be the only ingredient listed...avoid canned "pumpkin pie filling" which usually contains added sugar among other things)
2 tablespoons agave nectar
2 tablespoons organic vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon no-sugar-added pumpkin pie spice (typically a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves)
1-2 shots of espresso or 1/2 cup pumpkin-flavored coffee (you can use decaf if you avoid caffeine)

Combine almond milk, pumpkin, and agave in a large saucepan, and cook over medium heat until steaming, stirring as needed. Remove from heat, add vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice, then whisk energetically until frothy. Pour into a large mug, and add espresso or coffee on top. Sprinkle a bit more pumpkin spice on top. Best savored on a crisp autumn morning, newspaper in hand. Enjoy!

Hike at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

2010-09-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

As part of my journey toward whole health, I've been trying to get in some kind of physical activity every day, no excuses. More and more, I find myself choosing the tranquility of the natural world over the gym. Don't get me wrong. I love the convenience of the gym with its array of equipment and variety of classes. When the weather's either too hot or too cold to exercise outdoors, an hour on the treadmill or elliptical is a nice option to have. Whenever possible, though, I've been enjoying these last few weeks of summer by getting outdoors, where I can run, hike, or kayak while enjoying fresh air, natural sunlight, and the sweet sounds of nature.

On Saturday, we took advantage of the relatively mild temperatures with a hike at nearby Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. I'd never been, and couldn't believe that this otherworldly little oasis exists a mere 20-minute drive from our home. In addition to the gorgeous scenery, we spotted several toads, a very feisty crawfish, and a lizard with an electric blue tail. It was such a nice little change from the typical Saturday chores n' errands routine. I've decided that we need to explore more of the many beautiful parks in our area before the weather really turns cold.

Do you prefer to exercise indoors or out? How are you soaking up these last few weeks of summer?

Thoughts on autumn + slow cooker vegan chili

2010-09-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

The past couple mornings I've awoken to weather that one might justifiably call crisp. While it's not technically fall just yet, I revel in this transitional time of year: when the mornings turn cooler, the leaves begin to take on lovely golden hues, and the idea of autumn seems to linger in the air. Although the air turns brisk and the days shorten in length, there is something so undeniably warm about these months.

Fragrant pumpkin pies fresh out of the oven

Warming chilly hands on steaming mugs of chai

Perusing the bountiful harvest at local farmers' markets

Cozy cable-knit blankets, slippers, sweaters, and scarves

Baked sweet potatoes and butternut squash, flavored with pinches of of cinnamon and tiny pools of maple syrup Apple-picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and local fall festivals

Cool nights on the balcony, laughing with friends over hot mulled cider

I've bookmarked Caiti's tips for savoring the season, and have found myself particularly inspired by her suggestion to "add some cozy meals to your dinner repertoire." As Caiti notes, cooler weather signals that it's time to break out the slow cooker, and yesterday, I happily found myself in possession of the ingredients for a slow cooker vegan chili.

Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

28-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (I use the organic Muir Glen brand)

14.5-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with green chiles (again, I use Muir Glen)

15-oz can navy beans (for beans, I like the Eden brand)

15-oz can kidney beans

1/2 cup water or organic veggie broth (the addition of water or broth will allow some liquid to evaporate during the cooking process without drying out your chili)

1 large green pepper, diced

1 large white or yellow onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tbsp. chili powder

1/2 tbsp. cumin

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tbsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Olive oil, to sautée garlic, onion, and green pepper

Handful of fresh cilantro, for garnish

Sautée garlic, onion, and green pepper in olive oil until just translucent. Combine garlic, onion, and green pepper with all other ingredients in slow cooker and stir. (I should note that this recipe fits easily into our 6-quart slow cooker, but you may need to modify if you're using a much smaller one.) Cook on high for at least 4 hours; your house will smell absolutely divine. Serve with a garnish of fresh cilantro, plus chopped scallion and avocado if you so desire.

Soba noodles with spicy peanut lime sauce

2010-09-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

I discovered soba noodles a few years ago, soon after I began dating my now-husband. Jason's a fanatic for Japanese food and culture, and in the past three years, he's introduced me to all kinds of great Japanese ingredients, including these amazingly versatile buckwheat noodles.

Despite its name, buckwheat is not actually a wheat. It's a whole grain derived from a fruit seed, and it's packed with fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients. In addition to their awesome health properties, soba noodles have a deliciously mild, slightly nutty taste and satisfying texture. And because buckwheat is naturally wheat-free, soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat are a great choice for those with wheat or gluten sensitivities.

Needless to say, I've fallen in love with soba noodles. They make a pretty regular appearance in our weekly meal rotation, so I'm always looking for new ways to dress them up. Yesterday, remembering the jar of organic chunky peanut butter tucked away in the back of our pantry, I was inspired to improvise a little spicy peanut lime sauce for the soba noodles we had planned for cook up for dinner.

Spicy Peanut Lime Sauce
(This may make more than you'll probably need for one meal, but it stores well in the fridge and can be re-used as a yummy salad dressing or sauce for all kinds of leftovers.)
5 tbsp. chunky peanut butter (I like Maranatha's organic, no-sugar-added peanut butters)
2 tbsp. tamari
2 tbsp. fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish
1 tbsp. agave nectar
1 tbsp. brown rice vinegar
1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes and/or drizzle of chili oil (if you use the latter, you can decrease the amount of toasted sesame oil you use)

(Note: you can tweak the proportions of agave, tamari, lime juice, and other ingredients to make the sauce sweeter, saltier, more tangy, etc.)

Combine ingredients in a food processor, and use right away or store in the refrigerator.

After cooking up a batch of soba noodles, I topped them with sliced organic cherry tomatoes, scallions, and fresh cilantro before drizzling the peanut lime sauce on top. The result was simple, healthy, and ridiculously good.

Have you tried soba noodles? How do you dress them up?

Clean, green (vegan) quesadillas

2010-09-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

After a weekend filled with fun and festivities, I was feeling the need to re-center myself with lots of simple, clean, green fare. And I mean "green" in the most literal sense of the word. Upon arriving home on Monday afternoon, I dropped my suitcase inside the front door, and then made a beeline for Whole Foods, where I filled my cart with copious amounts of fruits and veggies, including several kinds of leafy green vegetable.

Leafy green vegetables (think spinach, kale, chard, arugula, watercress, etc.) have become my go-to ingredients for quick, detoxifying meals. Not only are these veggies nutritional powerhouses loaded with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, they're simple to prepare and taste delicious with a minimal amount of seasoning.

To make these clean, green quesadillas, I sautéed minced garlic, spinach, green pepper slices, and zucchini slices in a small amount of coconut oil (my new cooking oil of choice...more on that soon), with a touch of Mexican seasoning (cumin + oregano + chile powder + garlic powder + onion powder + cloves + cinnamon) and a sprinkle of sea salt. Look at all that lovely green-ness!

Next, I spread the sautéed greens atop a sprouted grain tortilla, and added some cilantro, chopped scallions, and a thin layer of Daiya.

After topping the whole thing with another sprouted grain tortilla, I placed it under the oven's broiler for about 5 minutes (just long enough for the Daiya to melt and the top of the quesadilla to get a little crispy).

With a side of black beans, salsa, and 1/2 avocado, this was a delicious, nutritionally balanced, and vegan meal!

Weekend in Chicago

2010-09-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

Why, hello there! How was your Labor Day weekend? I realized on Thursday, while sitting on an airplane to Chicago's O'Hare Airport, that I completely forgot to even mention that I'd be in the Windy City for the long weekend. My parents hosted a mini wedding reception at their place for all the Chicago-based friends and family who couldn't make it to our Annapolis wedding. Jason's parents and sister joined us, and since they'd never been to Chicago, we had a blast showing them around.

Here are some of my favorite moments from the weekend.

Such a beautiful skyline, no?

Posing next to the reflective jelly bean at Millenium Park

Jason's mom and dad with their reflective alter egos

Here's a better view of the jelly bean itself

We took an architectural boat tour. Chicago has some amazing architecture, and even though I've taken this tour several times before, it never gets old.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

Here we are, enjoying my parents' beautiful backyard before the guests arrived

There were blondies, brownies, and blueberry tarts...oh my!

Hanging out with Kaitlyn, the daughter of my mom's cousin. Is she cute or what?

My parents' Italian neighbors have adorable little Italian sons named Luca and Mattheo. They made me this awesome accordion card.
It says, "Have a nice marriage! Analiese + Jason." How cute is that?!

It was a wonderful weekend, and I was sad to leave! I'm looking forward to this week though, which I'm dedicating to self-care, i.e. lots of fresh and healthy foods (I'll be posting some recipes this week!), yoga, running, and catching up on sleep!

A late-summer kayaking excursion

2010-09-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, we met up with our good friends Dan and Steph for a little adventure. We started off at nearby Quiet Waters Park, where we rented kayaks for the afternoon.

Here I am, trying to look suave in my life jacket and shades.

We decided to each rent our own individual kayak. I was a tad nervous about this because I've only ever kayaked in two-seaters, with someone else doing the steering. But I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to steer once you get the hang of it.

It was Steph's first time in a kayak. She was a quick learner!

Jason, Steph, and I, possibly observing one of the many jellyfish that were hanging out in the water.

(Dan was the designated photographer.)

In addition to jellyfish, we saw numerous great blue herons, an osprey, all kinds of fish, oyster farms, and one very wet golden retriever!

Between kayaking and the 3-mile run Jason and I did that morning, we'd worked up a nice little appetite. Clearly, some sushi was in order!

After sushi, we walked around Annapolis' historic downtown area and posed for some photos in front of the dock.

Dan finally makes an appearance! Aren't they a cute couple?

Dan and I used to work together, and over the past several years, Jason and I have become good friends with both Dan and his fiancée, Steph. (They are getting married in May of 2011!)

Steph and I, with our 50-foot yacht in the background. I can dream, right?

I've you've never tried kayaking, I definitely recommend giving it a whirl. It's a really great way to spend some time on the water, appreciate your natural surroundings, and get a little upper-body workout. Check out local parks for boat rental options. Many of them will rent kayaks (plus canoes, paddle boats, etc.) by the hour.

Now that I've tried whitewater rafting, I'm adding whitewater kayaking to the Mondo Beyondo list!

How are you taking advantage of these last few weeks of summer? I'd love to hear about your adventures!

Happy Yoga

2010-08-31T07:04:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I finished reading Happy Yoga by Steve Ross.

I was initially drawn to this book's colorful cover, but was happy to find true substance within the stylish packaging. From the description of Happy Yoga on Amazon:

"After studying yoga in India and traveling all over the world with traditional Vedantic masters, Steve Ross returned to his hometown of Los Angeles with a broadened point of view of what yoga could be. He was surprised to find that yoga classes at home were missing the humor, joy, and celebration that fueled his Eastern studies. Instead of expanding and enhancing the joy of being, Western yoga classes focused obsessively on correcting body positions and developing a picture-perfect physique. Determined to keep his yoga practice true to cultivating bliss and inner radiance, Ross started his own yoga studio and has created a yoga movement in Los Angeles that is, to put it simply, revolutionary.
Ross lives and teaches according to his belief that the secret to yoga is not obsessing over whether your feet are parallel or whether you can bend as far as the person on your left can, but about transcending the serious and allowing joy into your life, your body, your mind, and hopefully your yoga practice itself. It's about lightening up."

This was definitely an inspiring read about in infusing your practice - and your life - with joy and levity. I highly recommend it to all you yogis out there!

Image via Maha Yoga.

Healthy Living Blogs

2010-08-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was happy to learn that Tulips & Tea has been accepted to the Healthy Living Blogs database! Healthy Living Blogs is a new resource for the health blogging community. Created by Lindsey of Sound Eats, HLB is a site designed to enhance the positive community of the healthy living blog world. Bloggers and readers can explore the site and find more blogs to love, bloggers in their area, and forums to deepen healthy discussion and support.

As you know if you're a regular reader of Tulips & Tea, within the past year, I've made major improvements to my health and well-being. As a result, this blog has increasingly become a reflection of my path toward holistic wellness...which, to me, includes not only physical health, but emotional, spiritual, and creative balance. Registering with Healthy Living Blogs was an expression of my commitment to continue on this healthy path. I'm so grateful for all the support and encouragement you guys have shown me along the way!

If you're interested in having your site listed on HLB, you can find instructions here.

Image via Healthy Living Blogs.

The road you're on

2010-08-27T12:07:00.000-07:00

What keeps you going isn't some fine destination but just the road you're on, and the fact that you know how to drive.

-Barbara Kingsolver

Whether your weekend plans include hitting the open road or sleeping till noon, I'm wishing you a lovely, rejuvenating couple of days. Tomorrow, we're off on a kayaking adventure with dear friends, Dan and Steph, and Sunday we'll be tackling a long run (8 miles...maybe more?) and celebrating the birthdays of Jason's dad and sister at Level (yum!).

See you next week, mes amies! xoxo

Image via JustKelli.

If I just breathe...

2010-08-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hello! Wow - where did this week go? I feel like I blinked and suddenly it was Thursday!

We had an amazing time on our whitewater rafting/camping trip in beautiful Oak Hill, West Virginia. I didn't bring my camera because I was worried it would get lost, stolen, or drowned, so alas, I don't have photos to share. Believe me when I say though, that rafting on Class IV and V rapids is a serious rush, and I highly recommend trying it at least once in your life. Oh, and I got to meet up with a dear blog friend, Rachel, who happened to be rafting and camping the same weekend! She was just as sweet as I'd expected, and we totally hit it off. What a joy to spend some time with this kindred spirit!

Here's a little peek at what else I've been up to this week:

Savoring a deep tissue massage, the final of three that Jason gave me as a wedding gift
Working on a Wellness Manifesto (which I can't wait to share with you all)
Planning a kayaking excursion with our good friends, Dan and Steph, for this upcoming weekend
Reviewing and updating short and long-term goals
Devouring Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life (full of great info about the benefits of a plant-based diet, for athletes and the rest of us regular folks)
Dinner at Busboys & Poets with Jason, my sister, and Selena
Planning trips to Chicago (Sept. 2-6)and Boulder/Denver (Oct. 8-11) to spend time with family and friends
Crafting my next Foodie Friday post for Tranquility du Jour (to be published tomorrow)
Carving out time for running and yoga

It's definitely one of those weeks where my energy feels pulled in many different directions, and though much of it is fun stuff, I still find that it's important to stay centered. Deep breaths, pockets of solitude, and plenty of self-care help me focus and keep the monkey mind at bay.

How do you stay focused during a busy week?