Midweek Pause—Choose
January 28, 2015
Photo © 2015 Margaret Adie
“If you have embarked on this journey of self-reflection, you may be at a place that everyone, sooner or later, experiences on the spiritual path. After a while it seems like almost every moment of your life you’re there, where you realize you have a choice. You have a choice whether to open or close, whether to hold on or let go, whether to harden or soften, whether to hold your seat or strike out. That choice is presented to you again and again and again.”
— Pema Chödrön, Practicing Peace
Consider: how often you shut down and close without giving another chance.
Do: The next instance today that you feel yourself close up, whether it be to a person or an idea or thought take a breath and pause. Follow a few cleansing breath cycles allowing yourself time to realize that you do indeed have a choice. Your response is not fixed—you can choose. Reach down into your heart and find some softness and remain open.
Immunity matters!
Learn to support your health naturally with weekly tips
delivered straight to your inbox.
You may also be interested in:
Soy Sauce Noodles with Cabbage
Thank you, Hetty McKinnon, once again, for your inspiration. This is certainly one of those recipes that just writing it out prompts the desire to make it. So while you are reading, I will be serving myself. Ingredients 12 ounces dried or fresh thin noodles ( I subbed in Jovial GF Spaghetti which worked well)…
Heidelberren Streuselkuchen
There was a chapter of my life when a freshly baked cake came out of my oven several times a week. We lived those days in Germany, I taught high school and often the first thing I did after arriving home was to gather ingredients and bake. At the time, our house was full, and…
Leek and Pea Pilaf
Ingredients 2 young tender leeks, washed and chopped fine, omitting the tougher green ends 8 ounces of frozen or fresh-shelled peas 2 TBL olive oil 1 TBL vegan butter 8 threads of good quality saffron allowed to “bloom” for 10 minutes in a few tablespoons of boiling water (this saffron by Kiva) is exceptional. 3-4 …
Frozen Mint Slices
So yummy. This dessert will certainly have you sneaking back into the freezer for just one more bite. We can thank Oh She Glows for this marvelous recipe and Tanya Renner for turning me on to it. Ingredients THE FILLING: 3/4 cup (225 g) raw cashew butter* 1/2 cup (125 mL) pure maple syrup, room…
Spicy Samosa Wraps
A quick and easy weeknight meal prep ahead packed lunch. Ingredients Samosa Potatoes: 1 tsp oil 1/4 tsp cumin seeds 1/4 tsp coriander seeds 1/2 serrano pepper, chopped or other hot or mild green chili pepper (optional) 1 tsp ground turmeric 1/2 to 1 tsp ground cumin, preferably roasted 1 tsp ground coriander 1/3 tsp…
Polenta Soup
Ingredients 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve 2 large shallots peeled and minced 1-2 tablespoon herbs de Provence 1⁄2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or pinch of red chili flakes. 4 quarts veggie broth Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 cup coarse stone ground yellow cornmeal 1 can rinsed and drained…
Roasted Spiced Cauliflower & Chickpeas
Here’s my take on another Melissa Clark recipe that will warm your heart and fill your tummy. There are a few steps to get these veggies to the oven, but then it’s pleasantly hands-off until dinner. I discovered that there is just enough baking time to get a short walk in before the winter sun…
White Bean, Kale and Tomato Soup
Just home from shopping at the local co-op, I needed a comforting soup that would come together quickly. This tomato-based beauty worked like a charm. The ingredients are all pantry staples, and a package of frozen spinach could easily sub in for the kale. Ingredients Olive oil 2 large shallots peeled and finely chopped 1…
On Demand Sourdough Flatbread
This final week of meal prep before our cross-country move was made all the easier with a large batch of this Sourdough Flatbread in the fridge. If you’ve missed my sharing Aran Goyoaga’s sourdough starter, here it is again. Start it on a Friday morning, and by Wednesday, you will be making bread. Several things…
Mushroom and Walnut Bolognese
Adapted from Alexa Weibel’s Vegan Bolognese Trust me on this, double this recipe because you will surely want more later in the week ahead. Ingredients 1 cup (100 grams) shelled gently chopped toasted walnuts Kosher salt and black pepper 1.5 lbs fresh mushrooms (use a combination of shiitake and baby bella) olive oil, plus more…
Gluten Free Sourdough Bread
There was something incredibly comforting about baking this in the midst of packing and listing our home for sale. In a week that felt like a tangle of loose ends, this loaf was solid and real. My wish is that this is the recipe that convinces you to keep a jar of sourdough starter in…
Minestrone Soup
Direct from Lauren’s kitchen to yours. Ingredients Olive Oil 1 large late summer squash or zucchini- chopped in bite-sized pieces and oven roasted or sautéed in a pan until just tender but holding their shape well 1 onion peeled and chopped 1 large or four small sweet peppers seeded and chopped 2 heaping TBL…