Yesterday, I completed the inaugural Encinitas half marathon. This pretty 13.1 mile course along the ocean had one long incline and two short, steep hills. Over 5,000 high spirited runners participated in this Sunday morning race. The energy was palpable.
What is uncooking??? The term comes from the “raw” diet but I’ve adopted it to mean something slightly different. To me, uncooking defines those times when I’ve lost my motivation to cook and instead of eating proper meals at set times, I allow my body to “decide” what it wants when it’s hungry. In some ways this is a more “reckless” approach to eating but I love that it allows me to break out of fixed patterns, routines, and food ruts. It’s a “re-set” for my body.
During this time, I usually crave healthy fruits and vegetables that I eat “raw” and why I’ve adopted the uncooking definition. I’ll make crazy salads with lots of red cabbage and raw broccoli or enjoy a bowl of fruit and seeds for dinner.
Several weeks ago, my husband and I hosted a BBQ with all the accouterments to make grilled steak sandwiches. Grilled meat (none for me), sliced red onions, crimson beefsteak tomatoes, Swiss cheese, spicy sweet mustard and organic mayo to spread onto warmed sourdough baguette. The spread was so appetizing but to my surprise, hardly anyone ate the bread. This is usually my favorite part of the meal. Instead, our friends ate deconstructed “carb-free sandwiches leaving us with 3 long uneaten baguettes.
I am loving this Quinoa and Edamame Asian Chopped Salad right now. I often get obsessed with new salads and they become the only thing I want to eat. So I make a big batch and keep it in the fridge adding it to greens, Buddha bowls, or scooping spoonfuls into a bowl when I want something light and delicious. You know what they say about eating the rainbow! Well, this rainbow in a bowl is snappy, crunchy, tangy, beautiful and HEALTHY so it checks all of my boxes. Throw this salad together for your family, guests, or a potluck/BBQ.
When I was growing up, Valentine’s Day was depressing. I always compared myself to my friends who received more cards, more gifts, and more attention. I convinced myself that they were prettier, more admired, and more lovable. By the end of the day I felt short changed and invisible. To protect myself, I stopped celebrating it.
As I’ve gotten older and more connected to the deeper aspects of myself, I use this day not to compare the number of cards or flowers I get, but to celebrate my own practice of LOVE and my goal of being a more loving person.
If you enjoy running, then entering a race, especially a half or full marathon, is a worthwhile endeavor. The discipline, the energy, the mind/body connection, and the accomplishment are all excellent rewards. I love to run causally but occasionally I enter races for the increased self-discipline, the joy of getting into shape, and the rush of being with other runners.
Do you ever get stuck when deciding what to serve your dinner guests? I do! Actually, I’m terrible at it. I fret and overthink it until I’m paralyzed. It’s a bad habit that can interfere with the joy of having company. This guest worthy French Lentil Soup will stop all that fruitless worry. It’s easy, delicious, healthy, and pretty enough to share with even your pickiest guests.
I’ve been engrossed in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic. In this enlightening book, she illustrates not only the importance of creativity but the idea that there is a touch of divinity or “magic” involved. Thus, it is critical for us to be receptive so when an idea or spark of genius comes flying towards us, we have an alluring vacancy sign attracting it.
Elizabeth is a beautiful writer whose sentences flow together like Tango dancers but she also understands and empathizes with the struggle of being creative. She recognizes the crushing perfectionism and self-doubt that hold us back. She’s been there herself and articulates it with heartfelt validation.
Picture yourself sitting at a primitive wooden table with your toes in the warm Mexican sand dipping tasty chips into this deliciously addictive roasted tomato salsa while sipping an icy cold Pacifico served with a fresh wedge of lime. The aqua blue ocean stretches out before you and festive Mariachi music plays on a small radio. Ahhhhh Mexico….a return to the simple pleasures.
I’m calling this an Everyday Kale Salad not because it’s ordinary but because you will WANT TO EAT IT EVERYDAY!! I recognize that not everyone loves kale the way I do – but this salad will change your mind. The thing you will love about kale is how HEARTY it is. It’s not “bird food” or fluffy like a butter lettuce salad. No, kale is strong and bold like Filet Mignon. It takes center stage as a complete meal that WILL satisfy your mind, body and spirit. Big shoes to fill?? Not for this green superhero.