Intention: Mindful & Peaceful Transitions

Wednesday night I summoned enough courage to attend a yoga class. It's been a while and I've fallen off the proverbial wagon as far as exercise and healthy decisions go. It was time for a little push; time for someone to tell me I'm pushing my right hip out and get back in line no matter how much pain, it is only temporary.

At the beginning of each class we are asked to set an intention or dedication for practice. My plan was to work on letting go. Letting go of physical and emotional pain; letting go of people, places and things who don't belong to me; letting go of success and failure; letting go of everything and anything so I'm only left with myself. This was my intention and at first it was strong, but then it started to suffocate my breathing.

While working on awkward standing positions my mind shifted to the thought of transitions. We were moving ever so delicately from one stance to the other and I felt as though I had 500lb weights on either of my arms or as if I had never taken a dance class in my life (mind you I was a modern dancer in college but I definitely did not embody a single graceful quality tonight).

Then it happened! It's not about letting go, it's about transitioning. It's about, to me and tonight, moving from one position/place to another with the most conscious and subconscious grace I could muster up. The movement between positions is indeed a position itself and should have as much intention as the destination.

So there we have it! In life, if too much focus is on letting go I'll never be able to fully submit without tending to the transition of submission. Aaaaaaah. Once I realized this, I was able to breathe. The rest of the class kicked my ass but those weights had been released.

Now for food? Well, I met with Lily yesterday afternoon and we planned the menu for our afternoon tea. I have to workout the recipes and test a few things, but the bottom line is: I'm psyched! Much more to come on this soon!!

Yee Haw Inspiration!!

I have been meaning to write for about a week now, but just haven't found the time and every time I sit down my mind goes... blank. Well, here I am in Franklin, TN with one of my best friends Ginny Priz.

My show has ended and a new one will begin a few weeks. After the holidays I hit a huge depression where it was hard to get out of bed, difficult to cook a healthy meal, impossible to concentrate, and forget about exercise. Yes, that was a post-holiday blues and I felt like victim #1.

Well, my friends, that time is over (as of last week). I woke up last Friday and counted every one of my blessings as I showered away the negative energy. I was sitting in the control room that day on 24 Hour Restaurant Battle where I have been graciously given the opportunity to act as Associate Story Producer. May not seem like much to those who have already accomplished this goal, but to me, this is the big times (I'm such a nerd).

Saturday, I had my Franklin Ave girlfriends over for a brunch of croissant french toast, breakfast potatoes, bacon and assorted fruit. YUM! While at Lily and Fig bakery, Lily, the owner/baker, asked me to come back Monday to talk about a project with her. I had mentioned my passion for cooking and she said she was looking for a sous chef... WHAT COULD IT BE?!

Then, Sunday (it just keeps getting better), I was Chef Carl Raymond's sous chef at the Astor Center for his Sauces Class! We started prep at 8:30am and were running around straight until 4:15pm. To say the least it was absolutely amazing and his encouraging words have me contemplating a basic culinary degree again. Me? A cooking teacher? Could that be in my future? Who knows!!!!

Sunday led way to Monday where I sat with Lily for about an hour planning out a Sunday Afternoon Tea for our neighborhood! I've sketched recipes for several soups, salads & sandwiches and cannot wait for February 13th. The best thing is that I can still go to church in the morning and then cook in the afternoon.

These are blessings. The people involved in these situations yanked me out of my funk and I swear to you, words cannot express my gratitude.

And now, here I am, with my dear, dear friend, Ginny, at her beautiful new home in Tennessee. She is blessed! Fantastic roommates, wonderful new friends, and INCREDIBLE FOOD all around her. Awesome!

So, today? Today we go wine tasting. YEE HAW!!

...Nope, just me

I hate to admit this but I've been having a major problem being single. I find it difficult to cook for one, when I open a bottle of wine I (most of the time) drink the whole thing (usually not the best of ideas but sometimes not the worse), and when I come home and want to talk to someone... well, I can't. On the other hand, I've been having a great time with my friends and even the occasional alone time is quite comforting.

When I came home from the holidays I was extremely depressed. All of this love and time spent with family and Lambertville friends was suddenly ripped from me. There I was, smack back in a reality that was both lonely and exhausting. I cried on the inside often and every once in a while a tear would sneak its way down my cheek.

Like I said, I'm not proud admitting all of this - it's actually quite embarrassing. I really wish I was one of those people who could just let things roll off my shoulders and go with the flow. I try so hard, I promise I do. But this season is super difficult and I have to face it.

So this morning when I got to work, I read this and it made me feel much better. There is a lot going for me right now and I need to focus on the positive. If I let this or that get me down everything I've worked my butt off for will come crumbling down. I can't let this happen. I don't need a man to hang up my art work or mirrors, I need a power drill; I don't need a man to tell me I look smashing in that dress, I know I do; I don't need a man to run with me or go wine tasting with me or shuck oysters with me or cook with me... clearly I can do all of these on my own.

So, I guess it's time I really start!

A Single Gals NYC Weekend

Friday - My first college basketball game since I was in college to support my friend's friend, who is the coach of the Hunter Girls' team. Then we moved onto karaoke where I sang "Pulling Mussels (From A Shell)" which is my favorite Squeeze song... no one knew it. Ha! But it was a blast, none the less.

Saturday - Lots of tea and lots of cleaning. I met Jess at Chelsea Market to buy the most delicious ingredients we could get our hands for our impromptu dinner party that evening. Here is what the menu ended up being (mind you, ALL was prepared with much love by myself, Jess, Ryan, Christian & Troy):

Oysters - Hama Hama, Baron Point, Beau Soliel, Malpeque, Otter Creek

Manilla Clam Sauce (Jess's uncles recipe)

Marinara with Assorted Sauteed Mushrooms (vegan)

Homemade Linguine (vegan)

Cashew Ricotta (vegan)

Simple Green Salad with lemon/agave vinaigrette

Garlic Bread (the way I used to make it in the restaurant)

I think that was it. We had some really fabulous wines and then completed the night with a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This dinner will go down as one of the best... honestly.

BUT then I came home to a flood in my kitchen. Realized the water was pouring out of my dishwasher (which wasn't on) and started sopping up all of my towels.

Sunday - Woke up to *drip* *drip*.... and another flood in my kitchen. Bailed out the dishwasher again, notified my landlords and headed to church. When I came home around noon I had every intention of going food shopping, but instead spent the next 3 hours with the plumber who ripped apart my kitchen. He left and I spent the next hour cleaning up the empty hole which used to hold a piece of equipment that made cleaning easier on me.... irony?

Then football. Disappointment. Damn you, Eagles.

Regardless of Super Bowl dreams being shattered, I was invited up for dinner with Susan and kids. It was delightful, delicious, and made me feel like I was back to being part of a family. Roasted pork, carrots, cabbage, rice pilaf, a green salad, and a glass of Sauv Blanc. Not to mention we discussed my karaoke choice from Friday and not only did Susan know (and love) that song... the kids did too!

Have a great week!!

A Simple Article With a Big Message

NY Times article Chop, Fry, Boil: Eating for One, or 6 Billion

Enjoy!

Meatless Monday (and one of my favorite shows)

While I'm not a vegetarian anymore (*sigh*) I am working on a conscious effort to not eat meat 3 days a week, Monday being one of them (haven't figured out the other two yet, woops!). Another conscious effort I do not have to work so hard on is my dedication to my favorite Monday night tradition: cooking dinner for myself and watching The Bachelor.

So, last nights Season Premier menu included a warm quinoa salad with fennel and curry chickpeas topped with a generous amount of lemon and parsley. Mmmmmmm and the best part is I have enough show gossip and leftovers for today's lunch!

The question now is what is the Tuesday night tradition? Possibly an evening run, followed by cleaning, and figuring out what to make for dinner.

Who said being single in Manhattan wasn't fun?! Oh the crazy life I do lead.

Welcome 2011

Today is January 3rd. I have been off with family and friends since December 23rd and I'm not quite sure I remember what my job is, where I have to go, how to get there, etc. Just kidding. I'll fall back into the groove of things by the time I'm out the door.

Here's my thought on the new year: while I want to pick up where I left off with some habits there are plenty of them I would like to lay to rest with 2010. And they are as such...

Habits I would like to keep:

1. Volunteering at Astor Center and continuing my culinary education

2. Experimenting more in the kitchen. I have a pasta maker and an oyster shucker sitting in a cabinet... why are they not being used?

3. Read daily and watch more movies

4. Yoga, running, and drinking tea

5. Forgive and love myself for being human

6. Host more dinner parties in my little, but cozy home

7. Visit more museums and galleries in this great city I'm in

Things I lay to rest with 2010:

1. Trying to be someone I'm not

2. Poor gardening technique

3. Experiments gone wrong in the kitchen

4. Worry, regret, resentment and any leftover anger... no room for this in 2011.

There are more resolutions, revelations, and regrets but this is not the time to boast on them. Instead, I leave my post here to prepare for the day. I did my 3 sun salutations and am drinking my tea. My apartment is silent except for the bustling family upstairs who are getting ready for their return to school. We're all in the same boat and we all have to return to reality today. While I'm sure concentrating will come and go today, I wish us all luck!