Hmmm…..

Brain bubbles that I thought were worth sharing

Getting rooted in an unsettled world

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butternut

Hello off-white readers!

Did you know that foods can helps us balance out the other energies of our lives. Of course you did, you are all savvy, aware people.  But in case any of you forgot (like I do), read ahead.

I love the Traditional Chinese Medicine model of the 5 elements to look at how lifestyle creates balance.  We have the following elements to play with in designing our personal wellness plan (PS: this is by no means a comprehensive view of the 5 elements, so seek out more info if you are so inclined):

Water – flow, dreams, winter, sleep, our “big dream” in life, fears, kidneys
Wood – our “get up and go”, spring, upward bound,  liver, ‘sergent’-like behaviors, awakening
Fire – charisma, social connections, inspiration, passion, summer, heart, anger
Earth – connection to earth, mother energy, compassion, “do I have what it takes”, getting grounded, warm, stomach/spleen/pancreas
Metal – completion, inward focus, constriction, large intestine and lungs

When I am feeling really out of balance, it is usually my liver that is whacked out.  Not really my “physical” liver, but the energy of the liver.   I often laugh at my “angry liver chi” because it makes me a tyrant that can’t stop working.  The liver, when imbalanced, is like the slave-driving boss who has no compassion or heart and works itself and others into burn out……..yep, that would explain me.  It’s also a very controlling (I want my way) kind of energy.  Every time I have any kind of energy/Eastern -thought minded work done on me its always about balancing my liver.  that dang little element very easily works its way into a stress-induced kunundrm in my life. 

The remedies: Yoga, nature and grounding foods, laughing, and letting things go (which means they may all fall apart around me and I have to just let it happen).  I need something to unwind the poor sergent so he can rest up, feel connected, be inspired, and ready to bring a spring like energy to the next day.

Root vegetable and slightly sweet foods are one way to augment the Earth element, which gets starved when the Liver is on a tyraid (Sp?).  With our world being what it is, I would imagine many of us are experiencing fear and stress.

See below for a recipe for a moroccon inspired root veggie dish, that when consumed in a loving way ina peaceful environment, might just do the trick!  Enjoy:

tagine root vegetables

If you don’t have a tagine, you can simply cook this in a covered pyrex dish.
Pre-set overn to 350 if using a glass dish, or 375 for ceramic/metal

1 Butternut squash, sliced into 1″ thick discs at the long end, adn 2″ cubes at the round end
1 sweet potato, sliced into 1″ discs
1/4 cup water

2 sweet onions, chopped
1/2 cup dried raisins/cherries or a mix of both
1/2 cup pistacios and almonds, mixed and finely chopped
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tbsp EVOO
a few pats of butter, melted or warmed (for topping the squash at serving)
salt, to taste

Once the oven is pre-heated and the squash is chopped, place the squash in the baking dish or tagine with the water on the bottom.  Make sure the dish is covered.  Cook for 40-50 minutes, or until the squashes are slightly soft but not mushy.  You may peel the discs before serving (easier than peeling raw).

Meanwhile, in a large, non-reactive skillet, cook the following:
sautee the onions with the oil and salt for 3-5 minutes
add the finely chopped nuts and cook on med heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly
add the raisins and spices, cooking for another 3-4 minutes, stirring the mixture well.  Keep warm until serving.

When the squash is done, place a few discs on each person’s plate.  Drizzle with 1 tsp warm butter each disc and top with the onion/dried fruit/nut mixture.  DELISH!!!!

Enjoy and may peace find us all, in our bodies and in our minds!

Mac n’ Cheese, Falafels, and friendship

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Yesterday I shared what will be the last meal for a while with a very dear friend, B.  I could actually credit the creation of this blog to her in part, as she has continuously inspired me and motivated me to go after what I really want most in this life.  

So it was rather funny to me that our last meal together would be mac n’ cheese with broccoli for her and falafels with a side of greens for me; eating off of paper plates at a crowded bar in Whole Foods in the Pearl.  So not what we expected, but that is what life gives you, isn’t it?  We had shared a fabulous and amazing spa service at Aequis Spa downtown that morning as a treat before she heads off to Bali for 6 months.  The “plan” was to have lunch at a little Tea cafe in Portland, which, after 30 minutes of driving around, we realized had been moved or shut down or something.  Weary and hungry, we headed to the safest bet: Whole Foods, because they have parking and we know there would be plenty to fill our now very hungry stomachs (Body work always makes me ravenous – all that relaxation gets the stomach fired up, I suppose).

The whole experience got me thinking about how special sharing a meal can be with somebody.  There is a reason so many of our social gatherings center around food.  Its a gift to break bread with somebody and nourish the physical body while nourishing the soul with good conversation, laughter, sharing of dreams, etc.  I know in many Eastern traditions they encourage eating in silence to stay fully connected with the food.  While I respect that concept and agree with the idea behind it, its just too dang much fun to eat with others.  I can’t imagine missing out on all the great conversations I’ve had over food.  Some of the biggest news of my life has come to me over food.  Some of the hardest good-byes, some of the job offer’s I’ve recieved, some of the most brilliant ideas, have come over a good meal, and I’d hate to miss that.

Sending B. off yesterday, belly’s full and hearts wide open, was a bittersweet moment.  I know it will be a while until we are in physical space again, but she is in so much of what I do when I am working on Off White Living that, like most good friends, she is always with me.  I’m so thankful for all the friends and loved ones I have to share my life and my food with, even if the meal is a motley mix of mac n’ cheese and falafels.  Its certainly a meal I won’t forget………

music to my ears

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(BTW: this pic has nothing to do with my post, but I just loved the colors- music to my eyes, perhaps)

Hey all,

Sometimes the sound of my own voice in my head is the music I need to hear.  Man, is that self-talk powerful stuff!!  Its been an amazing (read: hard as hell) week, with so much insight, cooking, and personal growth.  I’ve been looking at the power of my inner voice, especially as it plays into food and my relationship to choosing foods and why i choose them.  Matt’s transition to Davis really pulled the carpet out from underneath me.  My M.O. is totally to go into a  victim mentality, or a fear of “what is next”, and then put my self-care on hold.  Because I am prone to anxiety, I find myself wanting to back to my reliable tool of food (read: sugar) to calm the anxiety and mask  the feelings.  
This time around I’m a little more aware of that and have had lots of growth opportunities and ways to express myself instead of  going into the food, or staying in the food when I dabble in the white stuff (because I do – hey, I’m human)

One of the growth opportunities comes in the form of learning how to podcast.  I’m so excited to play with media sources for sharing Off-White Living.  Its really healing to me to express myself verbally, and hear others express themselves too.  I also attended an awesome yoga workshop at Flow yoga in Hood River, OR, which serendipitously gave me fabulous insight.

So, today I present to you my first podcast, which is a 5 minute insight on my relationship with my body and how yoga principles awakened in me a deeper love of self. Enjoy.

http://www.box.net/shared/9a0leynk6s

Rebecca

inspiration

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Now that Matt isn’t I have a lot more time on my hands.  Sometimes good things can come from free time, like inspiration.  Today I enjoyed some inspiration from a beautiful view of Wine Country near Dundee Oregon while attending a going away party for a dear friend, and off-white supporter, Sandy.

I know for a fact that I enjoyed the party and could feast my eyes on the view and feast my heart on the good company because I made good off-white choices.  Parties can be really hard for me because I suddenly want what I didn’t even know existed 5 minutes ago when I see a buffet table of food.  I’m so grateful for my choices tonight.

The inspiration continued on the way home as I enjoyed the fleeting moments of sunset and chatted with my husband, who was also enjoying the fleeting moments of sunset 500 miles away….aah, the sweet feeling of missing a person I love….

finally, check this out: New Thought Radio – her voice, her words and her message are all very loving and exactly what I was looking for tonight.

Good night, and (naturally) sweet dreams….

the sweet truth about HFCS

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I just about died today.  I’m happily watching a little TV on the Discovery Channel and I see this blasphemy:

 

OH MY GOD!!!!  Gee, I wonder who funded it ….oh, the corn growers association…hmm….big shocker.  Their big angle – “its just corn”……OH MY GOD x 2!!!!!!!  No, it is NOT just corn, and even if it WAS, the way its modified so much that it stresses the liver, increases blood sugar, and is more likely to contribute to carb addiction and the odd maladies that go with food sensitivities (headaches, constipation, bloating, inflammation).  It is NOT a food.  And just because it only has the same calories as regular does NOT MAKE IT OKAY!!!  This totally negates the notion that we really ought not to promote eating sugar.  Moderation will come when we focus on filling our diets with abundant wholesome foods.  Most of us don’t need to hear messages about eating sugar in moderation, as we get enough options to do so on a regular basis. 

The other part that baffles me is why this commercial landed itself on the Discovery Health channel.  What kinds of values does this channel embody if they allow such rubbish to be broadcasted.  How much money does it take to be willing to propagate a lie.  

My hope is that none of you Off-white readers will take this commercial seriously. Of course you won’t – you are all much too smart for that!! 🙂  Please tell your friends and family there is more to the story than these two lovely people sharing a popsicle in the park.  Its not innocent.  It’s deceptive. It’s wrong.  Now more than ever we need to continue educating through example and experience the benefits of eating real, wholesome foods.  Our children and our friends are looking to us to be models.  

Okay, off my soapbox!

Off White goes to youTube!!

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Hey there everybody,

just wanted to share my exciting news.  Just recently I purchased what might be the greatest gadget since the KitchenAid: a flip camera from Flip Video.

So, what a better way to debut, than to discuss Olive Oil…right???  Yeah, random topic but I was at Pike’s Place market in Seattle recently and decided to take the camera on its maiden Off-White voyage.  It was a mix of what was available to me and what wouldn’t get me kicked out of any shops or harrassed by other tourists.

So, with pleasure, I give you Olive Oil 101.  enjoy!

it’s not rocket surgery

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o

People overwhelm me.  In a good way.  Like this shirt – a gift to my husband from a client who always wore a shirt with this saying to his 6 am fitness class.  Now he is leaving, and we are simply feeling the immense gratitude and love that has been surrounding us both for the past 2 yrs in Oregon.

This is a picture of all the cards and well wishes we recieved in the past week from colleagues, clients, members of our center, and friends.  What was so incredible about all of this, is that many of the cards shared the same theme: “thank you for helping me change my life”.

Both my husband and I advocate the off-white way of being at work.  Sometimes its through a class, sometimes just a passing comment to somebody who asks a question.  I’m so deeply touched by how many people have been deeply touched and forever changed by this work.  One person mentioned how her husband no longer takes blood pressure meds because of the exercise and off-white cooking classes she has taken.  Wow.  Big.

I want to take a moment to express is the most public way I can right now how much I enjoy the community we are creating  through wellness.  Off-white is not just about recipes or good food ideas, but about people coming together to celebrate their lives with one another in a wholesome, sustainable way.  

There were many tears shed (of joy and sadness for good-byes) in the last 48 hrs, and it feels good.  What may have started as just education has moved into relationships, and we are now in a place to speak from the heart with many of the people who have crossed our paths.

I’m lucky: in 10 days, when I return from California, I know I’ll get to see the same amazing faces and glean more and more inspiration from THEIR inspiration.    My clients are my biggest teachers and my biggest motivators.  Tonight’s card reading ceremony was a huge reminder to me of how important it is that I stay the course and continue to fuel my own passion for Off-White Living.  There are just too many darn good people to connect with for me to even consider otherwise.

Thank you Oregon for taking us in and making us family.

Love

Matt and Rebecca

 

Livin’ la vida Loca

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I feel so fortunate to live in the Pacific Northwest.  Just today I was chatting with my good friend, C. at her local hangout called Cooper’s in SE Portland.  Lucky for us, the owner – a seemingly happy and inspired man, stopped at our table for a quick chat about all things local, community-based, and fun.    I got to thinking about how cool a place like Portland and its surroundings are because the people simply live a life dedicated to supporting the ‘little guy’, and that ‘little guy’ then provides everything from awesome food and a place to hang on a Saturday afternoon, to 2.5 lb Walla Walla onions, as seen in this pic.

How blessed am I to live here and experience this?  The icing on this cake: most of what is yielded from these locally inspired people is truly authetic (see last post), and very much in alignment with Off-White living.

We’ve been taking advantage of the flavors of our local region all summer long, and here’s a short list of what I’ve had the prviledge of experiencing:

sautees Walla Walla onions
Elk burgers from local Elk
Sheep cheese
berries that make your eyes roll into the back of your head
Amazing stories about Russian immigrants having to flee to Iran for 22 yrs before coming to the NW
Dinner parties that last well into the 11th hour, complete with heirloom tomato salads and quinoa pilaf
Trips to Bob’s Red mill
Rose hip infused dark chocolates served with our bill at the Park Kitchen restaurant
Laughing with friends at the Portland Saturday market, where you purchase all the ingredients to make this:

 

 

Livin’ La Vida Loca Burger

1 lb local ground Elk meat
2 tbsp fresh rosemary and thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
1 large (and I mean large) Walla Walla onion from the farmer’s market
1 bunch of varied lettuces, from farmer’s markets or your friends garden
1 slice of Dave’s Killer spelt bread
1 fresh cucumber, from farmer’s market or your friends garden 

take the elk meat and mix with herbs/salt/pepper.  Divide into 4 patties, set aside. Slice the onion into 1/4″ rounds, set aside.  Heat the grill to med heat and add a little butter or olive oil to the area where the onions will grill.  Add onions and elk burger patties to the grill, cooking the patty mostly on one side first before flipping.  mix the onions regularly so they grill evenly.  Add salt or pepper as needed.

Toast the spelt bread and add the condiments for a burger, to your liking.  Once done, add the burger patties atop the toasted bread and finish off with grilled onions, a little lettuce and perhaps a slice of tomato.  Serve with a simple side salad of mixed greens + cucumbers…..enjoy!!

aaaahhhh,  it is the good life here, and  I am so very grateful. 
 

Authenticity: in food and in life

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Okay, so this post is going to be a bit non-traditional, in that I’m not going to focus on the usual topics of recipes, food politics, and the like.  Recently I’ve been struck by a notion much deeper than that, yet it also relates to the concepts of Off White.

I want to talk about authenticity.  Its been a theme in my life lately, and I think there is a lesson in here for me somewhere.

Today at work, a very special person (we will call him J.) helped me see what is most important in my life, and that is being true to myself, my purpose, and from there living from a place of love.  No resistance, no emotional ‘junk food’ to toxify the soul.  Its much harder than it sounds, even though my experience tells me that being real, living in trust, and accepting what “is” sparks the fire of inspiration, synchronicity and peacefulness.

I can totally liken this to food too.  When I think about how our bodies respond to artificial, manipulated or contrived substances, like processed foods, or foods prepared without kindness or intention, the result is disease (in the long run) or discomfort.   My spirit is pretty much the same way.  Admittingly, I’ve been feeding my mind and my heart some junk food lately, because of fear and judgement.  And guess what…I feel totally sick and disassociated from my center.

So then I got to thinking a little deeper, and the work of Dr. Emoto came  to mind.  He is the guy who did all the work with images of water that were exposed to different words, music, and experiences.  his work is profound.  
Our bodies are mostly water, as is everything we eat.  I got to thinking about my mindset lately when I sit down to a meal.  Have I eaten in peace or with anger?  Have I hurried to eat my food becuase I’ve been over consumed by some other task or thought?  Do I even stop to appreciate the fact that I can go to the grocery store and buy anything I want.  Anything.  And what do I choose?  

To give you an idea of what Dr. Emoto’s work respresents, check out these pictures, taken from his website.  They depict the difference between purity, nature, and kindness and unconscious actions or negativity.  
         

Water from the cleanest river in 
Japan

I love these pictures because they remind me that nature is always going to create something more profound, more authentic and hence more beautiful than what is man-made.  Nature’s gentle way yields perfection.  When I extrapolate that to my thoughts and actions, I can see how being in flow, listening to my body, and trusting the process will bring a wellbeing far more profound than when I  try and force it or artificially recreate it.  I simply must allow and listen to the innate guidance we all have inside of us.

The deeper aspects of living Off White invite each of us to listen to that inner wisdom and learn from nature.    I have been humbled and inspired lately by this concept, and my hope is that perhaps you will to.  
A place to begin?  How about gratitude.  Think of something to be grateful for when you sit down to a meal or when you purchase food at the market.  Thing of something you are thankful for when you wake up and when you go to bed.  Its amazing how such a simple concept can really alter your perception of life, and hence the choices you then make, for the better.

I am so grateful for this blog, and the voice you all have given me to express myself.  The internet can be a powerful tool for connection, when the intentions are right.

Thank you 🙂
Rebecca