Lesson in Vulnerability

I love this article from Psychology Today.  Do YOU believe that you are enough?  Right now, just as you are?  It's something I've been working on believing for the past year.  I realized I mostly believe,  "I'll be enough when I complete this, or accomplish that", but what about believing it RIGHT NOW?  It's a daily journey, moment to moment, even, and requires mindfulness, patience, and compassion for yourself.  I think Jaime Booth Cundy did a great job explaining.  And I love her recommendation to listen to uplifting music, too!  Any songs that pump you up emotionally?  Please share in the comments!    

Published on Psychology Today (http://my.psychologytoday.com)

---

Am I worthy? Lesson 1 in Vulnerability

By Jaime Booth Cundy, BSW, MAPP

Created Jan 24 2012 - 1:49pm

When I chose my "One word" for 2012 I knew that it wasn't going to be easy.  I know myself and how impossibly stubborn I can be and I knew that vulnerability was going to have to beat me over the head a few times before I started to understand.  I wasn't quite sure when I was going to have to learn my first lesson, but it happened to me this morning while having breakfast with my friend.
You know someone is your friend when they can look you dead in the eyes before you have had your first sip of coffee and ask: "Do you think that you are worthy of a genuine connection?".  As I half-choked/half-swallowed my coffee down I could feel my eyes fill with water.
"Pardon me?"
"Do you think that you are worthy of connection"?  She repeated without wavering.
Thankfully the time that it took me to catch my breath allowed me to think of my honest answer.  In those few seconds I realized something important - answering 'no' didn't scare me - answering 'yes' did.
I know what 'no' feels like.  I have lived 'no' for the vast majority of my life.  'No' is not a picnic and in fact it down right sucks.  But it's familiar... almost comfortable.  'Yes' on the other hand is brand new territory, and like a kid learning to ride a bike  I am a little wobbly.
I don't think that I need to describe what 'no' feels like.  Who out there hasn't felt shame and fear when thinking "I'm not _____ enough"?  I've even thought it when people were giving me a compliment.  My internal dialogue would drown them out thinking "If they knew what I was REALLY like...they wouldn't be saying that".
Thinking and acting like that just feels terrible.  It reminds me of when I used to smoke cigarettes.  When I was a smoker I was a great smoker.  I savoured every single drag of that cigarette.  Until one day I didn't.  I rationally knew that smoking was terrible for me and that every seemingly glorious inhale could be killing me on the inside.  That's when I knew I wasn't a smoker anymore.  It didn't happen over night, but I finally got to the point where having just one drag made me sick to my stomach.  I know the process of moving into vulnerability and into genuine connection will be similar to quitting smoking.  I have only just realized that I don't feel like I'm a 'no' anymore and the thought of feeling that way again makes me a little sick to my stomach.
I feel like I am once again standing on the precipice of the bloukrans bungee.  I am about to jump, and I hope that my emotional bungee cord is strong enough to save me at the bottom.
So when my friend looked across the table at me and asked 'do you think you are worthy'? The tears that welled up in my eyes were not because I wanted to say 'no' - they were because for the first time in a very long time I wanted to say 'YES!!!'.  The trouble is that I don't have the first clue in how to be a 'yes'.
So now what?
Brene Brown gave me some much needed insight into vulnerability in her humorous, informative, and very real TED talk.  She identifies some of the main traits exhibited by people who believe they are worthy, people she describes as "Whole-hearted".  As I listened to her speak I slowly began to realize how I had come to the point I was at now, about to jump.  I had been moving towards vulnerability for some time.  I just wasn't able to identify it as such;

Courage to be imperfect.

Brene describes this as the ability and courage to be who you are with your whole heart.  I think that I have begun to understand this, and have touched on it in previous posts about being 'fully'myself.

Compassion... for yourself first

This is a tricky one.  I have always been really good at neglecting myself; physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  I thought I was really good at covering it up by looking after everyone around me.  Looking back however I don't think that I was quite as good at it as I thought.
I have always been accused of being 'too nice'.  For the longest time I couldn't figure out how it was even possible to be 'too nice'?  Isn't being 'nice' a good thing?  While there is little doubt that I want to continue caring about those around me, there does need to be a balance.  I have been far too focused on one aspect of compassion.  I wasn't concerned with looking after myself; I was too busy looking after everyone else.  It wasn't a matter of being 'too nice' it was a matter of being nice to everyone BUT myself.  At the time I thought that this was a very noble path to take.  I felt a like a martyr and there was something poetic to the deep sadness that I felt within.  What I didn't realize was that by putting everyone else before me I was actually doing them a disservice.  I was preventing them from know the authentic me.  Even more so I was coming across as disingenuous.  When people were telling me that I was 'too nice' I think that it was because they didn't fully buy into what I was selling.  Whether they knew it or not they were seeing through my smoke screen and it unconsciously made them uncomfortable.
I think that by practicing patience over the past year I have begun to be more compassionate with myself.  Ironically as a result I feel like I am more genuinely compassionate with those around me.  There is no pretense this time.  I am not being 'too nice' to cover up for something else, I am doing it because it is real.  I am not concerned with projecting the perfect image because I am embracing my imperfections.  What I have come to realize is that the more I allow people to see me, the real me, the better I am at connecting... because I allow them to be imperfect as well.

Connection comes from authenticity. 

Brene found through her extensive study into vulnerability that the people who were able to experience true connection were those that, "were able to let go of who they thought they should be in order to become who they really were".  To me this seems to be easier said than done.  When you finally allow people to see who you are they may reject you and you can't protect your ego by saying that they didn't really know you.  That thought alone terrifies me.  The fear of rejection is something that we've all had to deal with because let's face it, rejection sucks.  Unfortunately the reality of this world is that you aren't going to be everyone's cup of tea.  Some people are going to see your imperfections and they will judge you, some will run for the hills, and some will straight up tell you how horrible you are.  You can't hide from this fact and I am not going to sit here and tell you that it is an easy fear to overcome.  Getting rejected for who you truly are hurts more deeply than I could have ever imagined. BUT the good news is that the benefits are well worth the risk.  While some people will look at your imperfections and run...some people will look at them and embrace you with open arms.  The feeling of being rejected for who you are may be horribly painful, but the feeling of acceptance...of true acceptance... is indescribable.  To know that you can be yourself and not have to put on an act feels like freedom...it is liberating and comforting all at once.  Dr. Seuss was a wise man when he said, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Vulnerability, fully embrace it!

What I really took away from Brene's talk was the knowledge that those people who are truly vulnerable - those who are truly 'whole-hearted' - recognize that vulnerability can be uncomfortable but they do not judge it to be good or bad.  They just accept that it is.  It seems to come from a very deep feeling of peace and true acceptance of oneself.  People that are fully vulnerable believe that what makes them vulnerable is what makes them beautiful.  To them its not comfortable or excruciating - it just is.  This is what allows them to do something where there are no guarantees, to invest in a relationship that may or may not work out.  To be the first one to say "I love you".
So as I sat in front of my friend I was scared, but I was still able to answer 'yes'.  I was able to lean into the discomfort, and say that I fully believe that I am 'worthy' of a true connection.  Instead of filling my mind with all the reasons that I'm NOT _____ enough, I will simplify and say:
I am enough.

(On a side note Music has always helped me to stay focused on a goal...and right now I can't get enough of 'Shake it Out'  by Florence and the Machine.  "Because it's hard to dance with a devil on your back..."  Feel free to share your musical inspirations here!)

More Healthy Recipes, courtesy of goop!

Loved this post on www.goop.com--SO many healthy recipes!   Healthy Recipes I’ve spent the last few days doing research on healthy recipes in preparation for the goop cleanse (featured last week), which I'm starting on Monday. For those of you who have already started, and in answer to many of the questions that have come in regarding healthy eating, we’ve come up with a few easy interpretations of some favorite recipes that you can enjoy regardless of whether you’re cleansing or not. Love, gp

Q: "What are some healthy recipes that you actually make for yourself at home?"

A: I make a lot of fresh salads with lean protein at home. They’re quick and easy for a late dinner or satisfying lunch. This interpretation of "My Ivy Salad" from My Father's Daughter is a great and clean combination for anyone looking for a healthy and delicious salad with the perfect combination of hot and cold ingredients.

My Ivy Chopped Salad Reinterpreted

Makes 2 1 large avocado 3 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise into ⅓-inch-thick slices 1 bunch scallions, white and light green parts only 2 chicken breast or salmon fillets (6 oz each) 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt 2 heads butter lettuce, leaves separated, cut into thick strips ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped ¼ cup fresh basil, roughly torn 1 lime, quartered Clean Balsamic & Lime Vinaigrette 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon brown rice syrup 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 6 tablespoons olive oil coarse salt freshly ground black pepper Whisk vinegar with brown rice syrup and lime juice in a bowl. Slowly whisk in oil; add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-low heat. Rub zucchini, scallions and chicken or salmon with oil; sprinkle with salt. Grill vegetables and protein for about 20 minutes until browned and cooked through, flipping once. Cut zucchini and scallions into a medium dice. Slice avocado in half, discard pit and dice. Break chicken or salmon into large pieces. Toss grilled vegetables with lettuce, avocado, cilantro and basil; place on a large platter and top with salmon. Drizzle with vinaigrette; serve with lime quarters.  download a printable version

Q: "I'm having trouble finding 'Clean' recipes in cookbooks. Can you suggest a few good ones?" A: We've re-interpreted some great recipes from cookbooks we love to make them clean and healthy for all... Clean Beet Carpaccio with Marinated Bean Salad

Inspired by Jamie Oliver’s recipe for Beef Carpaccio with Marinated Bean Salad featured in Jamie at Home, we swapped the beef for beets and added some toasted pine nuts for protein to create a beautiful and nutritious treat. This works great as a healthy appetizer or served with a non-gluten grain or starch for a cleanse-friendly meal option. Makes 4 4 medium beets ½ pound green or mixed beans, trimmed 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 2 shallots, finely chopped 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil sea salt freshly ground pepper Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash beets well and remove green tops if necessary. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil and place the beets in the pan. Coat them with a tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Cover the beets with aluminum foil, place in the oven to roast for about an hour or until tender. Beets are done once they can be easily speared with a fork. Remove from oven and let cool. Alternatively, if you have a steamer or steam extension, you could steam the beets for about 40 minutes, or until soft. Meanwhile, mix the shallots in a large bowl with the parsley, mustard and vinegar. Slowly whisk in the rest of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add the beans and let them cook for about 3 minutes. You just want to blanche the beans, not cook them through, so that they stay firm and beautifully bright green. Remove beans from the water and add them to the marinade. Once the beets have cooled, slice them as thin as you like, season with salt and pepper and arrange in a single layer over 4 large plates. Top with green beans, spooning any leftover marinade on top, and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.  download a printable version

Clean Black Cod with Miso

Photo: Paul Winch Furness An omega-3 fatty acid packed cold-water fish, black cod pairs nicely with the tangy flavor and sticky texture of white miso. Nobu Matsuhisa pioneered the now ubiquitous fish with miso, which he shares in his book, Nobu: The Cookbook Our recipe makes this modern classic even healthier by replacing mirin and sake (which contain sugar and alcohol) with nama shoyu, a raw, unpasteurized soy sauce for the salty and brown rice syrup for the sweet. Our cleaned-up version is perfect for those adhering to the cleanse. Makes 2 1 lb (2-3 fillets) black cod 1 tablespoon brown rice syrup 3 tablespoons nama shoyu ½ cup white miso paste 1 tablespoon olive oil Mix the brown rice syrup, nama shoyu and white miso paste in a container (with lid) and set aside. Clean the fillets and pat them dry. Place the fish into the container, coat them with the marinade, cover and refrigerate overnight. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the fish from the fridge and scrape off the marinade. Coat a grill pan with olive oil and set to high heat. Add the fish and cook until browned on each side, about 2 minutes. Transfer the fillets to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, until nice and flaky.  download a printable version

It can be only one song this week - the glorious "Glory" from Jay Z featuring BIC

Clean and Healthy Vegan Recipes from Candle 79

Like the classic Angelica Kitchen, Candle 79 is a vegan restaurant in New York that serves up upscale health food. Here are a couple of super healthy, vegan recipes to try from The Candle 79 Cookbook.

Smoked Paprika Hummus

Makes about 3 cups 1 cup dried chickpeas, or 2 (15.5-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 large cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, plus more for garnish ½ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1⁄3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish 1⁄3 cup tahini optional garnishes: roasted red bell peppers, roasted garlic, lemon slices, olives, mint or parsley sprigs If using dried chickpeas, put them in a saucepan or bowl and add cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Soak in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse. Put the chickpeas in a saucepan and add cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil, decrease the heat, cover, and simmer until the chickpeas are tender, 50 to 60 minutes. Drain and let cool, reserving ¼ to ½ cup of the cooking water. Combine the chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, cayenne, paprika, salt, pepper, parsley, olive oil, and tahini in a bowl and stir to mix well. Transfer the mixture to a food processor fitted with the metal blade and process until well mixed. Add ¼ cup of the reserved cooking liquid (or water or vegetable stock if using canned chickpeas) and process until smooth and almost fluffy. Add more liquid if necessary. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice. Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (The hummus can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated. Return to room temperature before serving.) To serve, drizzle a bit of olive oil over the hummus and sprinkle a bit of paprika. Serve with desired garnishes.  download a printable version

Black Bean-Chipotle Burgers

We’ve modified this recipe just a tad to make it that much healthier. Makes 6 to 8 burgers 1½ cups dried black beans, rinsed and picked over 1-inch piece of kombu 2 cups chopped yellow onions 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder 3 bay leaves 2 teaspoons salt pinch of freshly ground pepper 1½ cups brown rice 3 cups water 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 1 red onion and avocado, sliced, and fresh lettuce for serving Put the beans in a saucepan or bowl and add cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Cover and soak for at least 6 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Drain and rinse. Put the beans, kombu, onions, chipotle powder, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and the pepper in a large saucepan. Add water to cover by 3 inches and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat, cover, and simmer until the beans are tender, about 1½ to 2 hours. Most of the liquid should be absorbed by the beans, but add a bit more water if they seem too dry. Drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid. Discard the kombu and bay leaves. Meanwhile, put the rice and a pinch of salt in a saucepan and add the water. Bring to a boil, then decrease the heat, stir once, cover, and simmer until all of the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the pumpkin seeds, paprika, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and season with pepper. Cook the pumpkin seeds, stirring and shaking the pan, until they are lightly toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside to cool. Combine the rice, beans, and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl. Transfer half of the mixture to a food processor fitted with the metal blade and process until smooth, adding the reserved cooking liquid from the beans as needed to keep the mixture moist enough to stick together. Return the mixture to the bowl, mix everything together, and form patties about 3½ inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. To bake the burgers, preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush a baking sheet with olive oil and put the burgers on it. Brush the burgers with oil and bake until browned, 20 to 30 minutes, turning the burgers halfway through cooking. To pan-fry the burgers, coat a sauté pan with olive oil and heat the pan over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook for about 4 minutes per side. Serve over fresh lettuce, sliced onion and avocado. Reprinted with permission from Candle 79 Cookbook: Modern Vegan Classics from New York’s Premier Sustainable Restaurant. Copyright © 2011 by Joy Pierson, Angel Ramos, and Jorge Pineda. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, Berkeley, CA. Photo credit: Rita Maas.  download a printable version

Serve with our Healthy Fry Recipe: Butternut Squash Fries

Makes 4 1 butternut squash sea salt extra virgin olive oil Preheat oven to 425°F. Peel and de-seed your butternut squash before slicing it into fry shapes. Stick them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and salt and pop them into the oven. Bake for about 40 minutes, turning the fries halfway through. Remove from oven when they start to brown and crisp up.  download a printable version

Q: "What do you feed your kids when you’re cleansing or eating extra healthy? One of my kids eats virtually nothing while the other eats almost anything, but I’d love for them, and the whole family, to make healthier choices in general."

A: We’ve gotten lots of requests from readers for healthy recipes for kids. Renée Elliott of Planet Organic offers delicious solutions to the kid food/ adult food dichotomy with exciting and nutritious recipes for all in her new cookbook Me, You and the Kids, Too, which you can pre-order here. Each recipe was created with the entire family in mind, with slight tweaks on how to prepare the ingredients for infants 6-9 months, 9-12 months and then 12-months and up. Here are a few of her recipes.

Edward’s Ginger Chicken

Reneé and her son Edward Makes 2 adults, 1 child and 1 baby ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 3 boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets or 6 boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets 7 spring onions, finely sliced 2 ½ tablespoons finely chopped root ginger 1 ½ teaspoon chilli powder 2 cups chicken stock 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 1 tablespoon cane sugar (replace with 1 tablespoon brown rice syrup for goop cleanse) 1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce or shoyu soy sauce 1 tablespoon cornflour, ground arrowroot or crushed kuzu (use arrowroot or kuzu for goop cleanse) 2 cups cooked brown basmati rice 1 teaspoon salt steamed broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets, to serve Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Add the spring onions, ginger, chilli powder, stock, peppercorns, sugar and tamari to the pan. Bring to the boil over a medium-high heat, then turn the heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 30-35 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through. In a small bowl, mix the cornflour and 1 tablespoon cold water together to make a smooth paste. Remove the chicken from the frying pan and stir the cornflour mixture into the liquid remaining in the pan. Stir over a medium heat for 5 minutes or until the sauce is thick and glossy. Put the cooked brown basmati rice in a large bowl, add the salt and mix well. Serve the chicken with the sauce poured over the top and with the rice and steamed broccoli. For 6-9 month-old infants: Chicken, Broccoli & Brown Basmati Rice Purée Put 2 tablespoons of the cooked brown basmati rice, 1 ¾ oz of the browned chicken and a generous ½ cup boiling water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil over a high heat, then turn the heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of steamed broccoli and simmer, covered, for a further 10 minutes until the rice is completely soft and the chicken is completely cooked through. Transfer to a blender and add 3 tablespoons water. Blend for 30 seconds, adding extra water 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth. Serve warm. For 9-12 month-old infants: Chicken, Veggies & Brown Basmati Rice Put 2 tablespoons of the cooked brown basmati rice, 1 ¾ oz of the browned chicken, 1 teaspoon of the spring onions and a generous ½ cup boiling water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil over a high heat, then turn the heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of steamed broccoli and simmer, covered, for a further 10 minutes until the rice is completely soft and the chicken is completely cooked through. Transfer to a blender and add 3 tablespoons water. Pulse for 15 seconds, adding extra water 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture forms a lumpy purée. Serve warm.  download a printable version

Baked Salmon, Cauli & Capers

Makes 2 adults, 1 child and 1 baby 6 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 3 salmon steaks 1 cauliflower, sliced into rounds ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt 1 red onion, thinly sliced into rings 4 tablespoon small capers in salt or brine, drained and rinsed 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 4 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves freshly ground black pepper 2 cups cooked brown rice to serve Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a large baking tray with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Arrange the salmon and cauliflower in a single layer on the bottom of the baking tray and drizzle the remaining oil over the top. Sprinkle with the salt and season with pepper. Top each salmon steak with ⅓ of the onion rings. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cauliflower is tender and browned around the edges and the salmon is opaque and cooked through. Serve hot with the capers, garlic and parsley sprinkled over the top, and with the cooked brown rice. For 6-9 month-old infants: Salmon & Cauliflower Purée Remove the skin and any bones from 1 ¾ oz of the salmon. Transfer to a greased baking dish, add 6 cauliflower florets and bake as above for 20 minutes until the salmon is opaque and completely cooked through and the cauliflower is completely soft. Transfer to a blender and add 3 tablespoons water. Blend for 30 seconds, adding extra water 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth. Serve warm. For 9-12 month-old infants: Baked Salmon & Vegetables Remove the skin and any bones from 1 ¾ oz of the salmon. Transfer to a greased baking dish, add 6 cauliflower florets and 1 onion ring and bake as above for 20 minutes until the salmon is opaque and completely cooked through and the vegetables are completely soft. Transfer to a blender and add 3 tablespoons water. Pulse for 15 seconds, adding extra water 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture forms a lumpy purée. Serve warm.  download a printable version

Nori Hand Rolls

Makes 2 adults, 1 child and 1 baby 10 asparagus, woody ends removed and halved 40 green beans, trimmed 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 2 cups cooked brown sushi rice or brown short grain rice 10 nori sheets, halved lengthways ½ tablespoon wasabi (optional) 1 beetroot, grated 1 ¾ oz sprouts such as alfalfa, broccoli or mung (optional) For the Sauce: 2 avocados, peeled, pitted and mashed 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I'd use soy-free Vegenaise here for the goop cleanse) Put the asparagus and green beans in a steamer and steam, covered, for 5 minutes until the vegetables are cooked but still slightly crunchy. Add the salt to the cooked brown sushi rice and mix well. To make the sauce, mix together the avocados and mayonnaise in a bowl until smooth. To make a hand roll, spread 1 tablespoon of the sauce diagonally down the centre of one nori sheet, then add a little wasabi on top, if using. Put 1 tablespoon of the cooked brown sushi rice, 1 piece of asparagus, 2 green beans and 1 tablespoon each of the beetroot and sprouts, if using, on top of the sauce. Take the nori sheet in your hand and roll into a cone shape. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and serve. For 6-9 month-old infants: Green Bean, Avocado & Rice Purée Put 4 tablespoons of the cooked brown sushi rice and a generous ½ cup boiling water in a saucepan and simmer, covered, over a low heat for 10 minutes. Add 4 green beans and cook, covered, for a further 10 minutes until completely soft. Transfer to a blender and add 2 tablespoons of the avocado and 3 tablespoons water. Blend for 30 seconds, adding extra water 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth. Serve warm. For 9-12 month-old infants: Vegetables, Avocado, Sprouts, Beetroot & Rice Put 4 tablespoons of the cooked brown sushi rice and a generous ½ cup boiling water in a saucepan and simmer, covered, over a low heat for 10 minutes. Add 2 green beans and 1 asparagus piece and cook for a further 10 minutes until completely soft. Transfer to a blender and add 2 tablespoons of the avocado, 1 tablespoon each of the beetroot and sprouts, if using, and 3 tablespoons water. Pulse for 15 seconds, adding extra water 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture forms a lumpy purée. Serve warm.  download a printable version Note: Whole Foods is a great supermarket for all those hard-to-find ingredients like spelt and brown rice syrup. The goop Cleanse by Clean, in partnership with goop, is sold and distributed by The Clean Program Corp, a New York based corporation. This email is not intended as medical advice. The information in this email is just a suggestion and should be taken as such. Work with a doctor in your area who understands and is supportive of your cleansing goals.

Get Inspired!

I found this post on the outside blog, and these videos inspired me!  Maybe they will inspire you, too.  have you been to any of the places in the video?  learned any of things in the second video?  Please share!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: AROUND THE WORLD IN ONE MINUTE

By Adventure Lab

Who wants to shoot STA Australia's next web campaign? This past year, the travel company sent three guys on a 44-day round-the-world trip and then turned their journey into a series of three emotive 60-second videos. Director Rick Mereki shot the Eat, Move, Learn videos while traveling in 11 countries before publishing them this past August. He and his two friends used two cameras, gathered roughly a terabyte of footage, and saw an erupting volcano.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012