Tag Archives: kefir

Heavy Thoughts For A Lighter Heart

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15

Today I had two things in mind that I wanted to share… make that three, but the third would somehow be linked to one of the original two. So, Eeny Meeny Miny Moe!

I choose you!

You don’t have a soul, Doctor. You are a soul. You have a body, temporarily.

- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always found the mechanics and wonders of natural sciences to be incredibly fascinating, and it inspires my spirituality as well along with the idea of an infinite blank.

Lately, I’ve been transforming my mentality. A fews years ago my private life started to feel like a battle zone. Anticipating the fatal missile to launch at any moment, all the while landmines were going off one after the other. But it all seemed to happen all at once. It was a time that felt as brute as weapons and as fragile as a flake of snow. Those years deeply affected me, and I didn’t realize how much they did until recently… until I realized that its the heaviness in my heart. I came to a realization while I was punching down repeatedly with intensity during a kickboxing session. All of a sudden I started crying, and felt this surge of emotion running through me. I kept punching. Then an image came to my mind. Recently, I’ve been physically challenging myself in ways that have helped me tap into my feelings and uncovering the “whys”. I have a tendency to brush over my feelings, reflecting more on logic. Overtime that’s what I taught myself to do till it became second nature. Facing my feelings is something I’ve been wanting to do though, but I became so disconnected with them that I confused it with indifference. Maybe I didn’t feel those things?

A video I made a few years back.

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Let’s Make a Toast

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18

Let’s start this post off on a sweet note because that’s how I usually start my day. ‘Tis true that chocolate is usually the first thing I eat in my day. When did I become such a choco-aholic?

Something to savor

I finally tried the last kind of chocolate cup the folks at Newman’s Own Organic sent me. Three come in a package so that worked out very nicely for my family. Everyone approved – more than approved! This was the dark chocolate caramel cup. The dark chocolate melting  on my tongue and the gooey caramel! How could one go wrong?

Peach Cupcakes with Peach Buttercream Icing

Peaches are one my best friend’s favorite things! So these cupcakes sounded perfect to satisfy her incredible sweet tooth for Christmas! Do you see the bits of peach in the frosting?

I led her up to them with her eyes closed and I think she was very happy!

I usually don't like icing, but if it's homemade and like this - oi!

We had cupcakes with coffee and she got to try the vegan banana coconut cheesecake I shared in my last post. I was nervous about her trying it because it’s hard to satisfy her sweet tooth. I was stunned when she said she really liked it!

Some new things to try!

My dad noticed this seasonal flavor of Kefir at the local healthfood store. Sounds interesting, right? Personally, I wasn’t too keen on it. It just tasted fruity and not even tart. It doesn’t taste bad by any means, just not what I’d imagine cranberry creme brulee to taste like. I also got some Pico de Gallo tortilla chips by Garden of Eatin’. These looked like they’d be the most flavorful. They have this mild smokiness that I enjoy – even better with melted pepper jack cheese! I haven’t tried the chili yet though.

Lazy night

I had some chickpea dish my dad got at the Indian store with a methi paratha. Lately I’ve been loving raw collard greens.

Perfect drink to have before you drift off to sleep.

Just to make sure I would only have sweet dreams that night. Homemade hot cocoa with the delicious homemade marshmallows Maya sent me. One little thing I like to do to my hot cocoa is melt in real chocolate. I also made cups for my parents too because nobody wants nightmares!

I tried a new flavor!

I used another freebie coupon the people at Oikos sent me. Some of the things I like about Greek yogurt are its tartness, texture, and it’s high in protein!

This flavor was really yummy!

No weird artificial tasting flavor here! I even found real blueberries in it! So good.

Tortellini with Eggplant and Peppers

I used a four-cheese tortellini for this recipe I spotted in the Real Simple magazine the other day.

For dinner I made a recipe inspired by one that sparked my appreciation for capers.

Four-cheese tortellini with eggplant, tomato, roasted red peppers, and capers with Rice parmesan sprinkled on top. And the whole thing was drizzled with olive oil for extra flavor.

What a delicious landscape - where have we landed?

After dinner I went to go watch the movie Nine with some friends.

At the theatre they had a claw machine where you could win watches instead of stuffed animals!

My friend remembered her white cheddar seasoning for the popcorn - good thinking!

Today is the last day of 2009 and usually I find myself not coming up with a resolution because throughout the year I am constantly reevaluating things and see what I want to change. However this year I decided to make one. I want to practice more patience with my parents. Sometimes when they offer to help me, I usually brush it off because the thought of having to explain everything to them makes me anxious. But does taking a few minutes out of my time to go over something really need to be a big deal? No. I think the reason why it’s so hard for me to be patient with my parents is because I have patience for everyone else – and parents are unconditionally there for you. But I will work on that because I know that it also makes them happy to be able to help me out in any way. “Patience is a virtue, Virtue is a grace; both put together make a very pretty face.” Do any of you have any resolutions?

I plan on ringing in the new year with a bottle of this

and a box of chocolates! No matter what your aspirations or resolutions are for the upcoming year, I hope they help you seek more fulfillment in your own life. Not just seek but actually attain!

p.s. the next post is a fun one!