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Monday, September 23, 2013

Kale B’ Gone: It’s like magic!


Since it's now officially fall, let's ring it in with one of the great Autumn Vegetables! Kale! Guest post by Leesa King.

Don’t you just loovee when the produce drawer of your refrigerator is overflowing with kale? So healthy and innocent, full of beta-carotene (the pigment component of vegetables, precursor to Vitamin A) and yet you run for the cupboard at the mere thought of it?

Image source: veganyumminess.com
If you’re anything like me at the grocery store, you walk confidently towards the produce department and take one of every color and shape from the organic selection of seasonal items. [Recent favorites: green kale, summer squash, heirloom tomatoes, yams, blueberries, and melon] You then glide to the checkout counter with dignity and pride, imagining yourself dancing around the kitchen as the star of a 50’s musical as a modern foodie housewife. Yet, as Monday melts into Friday, the coconut date rolls are all gone and the kale remains. The guilt looms.

Even famous magicians can’t make kale disappear. It’s just too dang chewy.
Here’s a simple and easy way to prepare it, and even get your kids/husband to eat it. AND LOVE IT.

Ever heard the phrase “put a bird on it!”?
Or remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding where the dad sprays windex on everything?
Call me crazy, but I’m the bbq sauce lady. It’s my safety tool of choice in the kitchen. Just as long as there’s no high-fructose corn syrup involved.

Make your own version of this spicy asian bbq sauce or simply add your favorite store-bought BBQ to the kale once it’s done stewing. If making your own, learn to go with the ebb and flow of the ingredients with your taste buds in charge. Anti-recipes are much more fun and allow your inner Julia Child to shine!

Scratch BBQ:
As much minced garlic as you can handle
1 Tbs. Low sodium soy sauce, Tamari, or Braggs liquid aminos (I used a combination of braggs & soy)
1 Tbs. Red chili paste, or Roasted red pepper paste
Dash of olive oil & apple cider vinegar
Liquid smoke [seriously only use ⅛ of a teaspoon, this stuff is strong]
A sprinkle of: salt & pepper, red chili flakes, lemon pepper, paprika
4 oz tomato paste (or a few tablespoons for a small batch)
A timid or bold squeeze of the sriracha bottle for kick

Over low-medium heat, add all ingredients to a pot or skillet, depending on the size of your kale surplus, and simmer for about 5 minutes while you prepare the greens.

Wash kale thoroughly and tear the bottom half of the chunky stems completely off. [Throw this bit away, even the garbage disposal will struggle with it] Rip the rest up into pieces and send straight into the sauce with about 2 Tbs water & cover. Stir every minute or two so it all cooks evenly, about 7-10 minutes, again based on your preference. It’ll smell so good you’ll feel like you’re stirring a pot of witch’s potion. Muahaha! Try not to laugh mysteriously. Then serve it up hot & delicious and feed the frenzy, yelling things like “Get it while it’s hot!” And then, somehow, the kale is gone.

It’s a mirakale! Heh, heh. Cheers!



Leesa King is an avid traveler, photographer, and writer based in San Diego, CA.

She is studying kinesiology and nutrition while she hikes, runs, and marathons this great nation!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Monday Meditations: Mala Beads

Here's a short video on how to use your Mala Beads for Meditation, brought to you by Brenda Blanco.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Peace On Earth


I am re-posting this meditation from a year and a half ago. In honor of the victims of 9/11, who will forever be in our hearts, let us focus on peace and healingNot war, not retaliation, not anger, not hatred.

March 5, 2012
Courtesy of freedigitialphotos.com
I know I am not alone here when I say that the amount of bad news being delivered over the media 24 hours a day is overwhelming and disheartening. I have found that my Piscean tendencies make it difficult sometimes to filter out the negativity and not feel the weight of the world on my shoulders and in my heart.

Here is a mediation from Madonna Gauding's book, The Meditation Bible, that helps lessen fear and anxiety, promotes personal and world peace, and empowers us when feeling otherwise powerless amidst the strife and conflict that dominates our world. 

Here is what she writes:
Television and the Internet provide us with 24-hour, instantaneous news. Often that news is about violence, war, and conflict of all kinds. It is easy to feel hopeless and powerless, or to bury our feelings only to have them manifest in sleepless nights or other stress-related problems. Try this meditation when you are aware that conflicts are causing you stress, whether in your personal life or half-way around the world. 
Let's Meditate
1. Find a quiet place at home or outdoors. Sit in any way you find comfortable. Breathe deeply for a few minutes.
2. Think about a particular conflict that affects you. Try not to take sides, favoring one warring group over another. Acknowledge that both the aggressor and those transgressed upon are suffering. 
3. Generate the desire for all beings involved to hear their anger and pain. Include yourself in this wish. Visualize a sacred being - God, Buddha, Krishna, the Virgin Mary or your higher power. Imagine a cooling and healing white light emanating from that being to you, filling your body and calming any anger or fear you may feel.
4. From your heart, send out light to those at war.Visualize that they have ended their conflict and are beginning to live in peace. End your meditation session when you feel ready. 
We can all do our part to create more peace in the world by starting with ourselves. 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Celebrate National Yoga Month

Yoga can be a time for reflection, for strength, and for self appreciation. We set an intention and capture our very own reason for continually coming back to our mat.

In honor of National Yoga Month, please tell us… "What brings you to your mat?"

When you share with us, you'll receive your own promo code, good for a free hand-dyed silk ribbon with your next purchase. Tie it on your wrist as reminder to carry that intention with you throughout your whole day. <3

Instructions to receive your special promo code:
Just tell us on our Facebook wall hereWhat brings you to your mat?
Then, we'll send you the promo code via email automatically when you claim your coupon HERE, and thanks for joining in the Yoga Month celebration!