It seems that the school year began and suddenly all of my creativity in the kitchen and, more importantly, desire to cook has returned with it. It’s a more predictable schedule, perhaps this is why? Though still totally unpredictable as it turns out. I made dinner tonight and both William and Lindsey were out at sports or work, so, the illusion of predictability I suppose. Oh well. Jordan, Steve, Anders, Parker, and I enjoyed the enchilada casserole anyway. I sat down today with three cookbooks around me, and a pad and paper at my fingertips. I’ve written down the ingredients for a few things, namely Jennie’s Chicken Pelau from the Small Victories cookbook. Has anyone made it? Two things that make me a little leery: the first step which is basically to caramelize sugar, and the recipe calling for a jalapeño. I’m happy to use a jalapeño, but it would be a first for me. Am I going to ruin the recipe with too much heat? This is why I so often stick with what I know.
I listened to Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations podcast with Deepak Chopra last week while folding laundry. Guys. There’s so many reasons this was lovely: laundry-folding (and putting away! Something I often neglect!) flies by and is dare I say enjoyable when your mind is distracted, hearing Oprah’s voice again since I still miss my 4:00 Oprah show, and finally, the wisdom in it! It was full of it. Deepak Chopra may be one of the smartest men ever. I’ve skirted around the idea of meditation for like 8 years now, starting with this book. I do realize 8 years is a long time to “skirt around something” but meditation is really hard work. I am someone, though, who can get carried away with my thoughts–particularly the “unsolvable” negative ones–so to get to the source of all of that? To live mindfully and be in the present moment? Let the universe handle the details? Oh that is such a relieving thought. It was such a positive podcast, and I suggest you all listen to it. I’m definitely going to again. Let’s all learn to meditate!
Along with the creative boost in cooking, I’m discovering some new music and working on a new playlist. Drew Holcomb is a recent discovery and I just love him. Listen to all of his music, but Avalanche is a favorite right now.
P.S. The jeans really are awesome. I haven’t worn any other pair since getting this one!
Try using the headspace app, it’s really the only thing that works for me, there is a free trial and it often goes on sale other times, plus it has kids meditation that we do with our little one, it’s great!
I also highly suggest Headspace! I spend 10 minutes in the morning and it really does slow down my revolving door of negative/second guessing thoughts. You’re guided through each session so they basically teach you to meditate. It simplifies meditation into a structure that I can follow and have success. I don’t think I’d do it otherwise!
Try the jalapeno, if you remove most of seeds and core it won’t be too hot, BUT one piece of advice – wear gloves or put your hands inside plastic first. I have some unfortunate first hand experience with not doing that, then putting contacts in….and yes I washed my hands five times in between. It just doesn’t wash off with soap.
Perfect, been looking for new jeans recommendations for a while now.
Have a nice weekend!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I have been meditating pretty regularly for 5 months. As a fellow over-thinker I can say I feel it is helping me develop a sense of my habits of mind – and hopefully that is step one to working on shifting those patterns. Ive been using the Headspace app and I really like it. You can try it for free for a month I think. It’s the most down to earth app I’ve found for meditating. Good luck! Thanks for the podcast suggestion.
Sometimes I really do believe in the Universe… I’ve been working on meditation myself lately (been using the app, Headspace, highly recommend) and I was talking to a coworker of mine in the office kitchen this morning about meditation and then, you post this 🙂
Use the jalapeno!!! If you are too afraid of the heat, remove the seeds when cutting it. Make sure to not touch your eyes after cutting it. Wash your hands extra!!
Yes to the jalapeno! However, as stated above, wear gloves! I’m going to get TMI here, and I hope that’s okay, but one time, several hours (and hand washing episodes!) after slicing up a jalapeno for some recipe, my husband and I had . . . and intimate moment in the bedroom. Parts of my person were touched by what we thought were his jalapeno free hands, and there was pain. I’m sure I’m not the *only* one this has happened to, and more commonly than that is an rubbing your eye after slicing a jalapeno. Just…the gloves. Wear the gloves. And the jalapeno will add just a kick of heat.
ANYWAY, between the yoga classes I attend and just my own wandering musings, I’ve contemplated a meditation practice as well, but have never fully committed. You’re probably the 3rd or 4th person who has recently referenced that SuperSoul podcast with Chopra. Taking this as a sign from the universe to spend my solo evening at home to do something different than watching episodes of whatever on netflix.
dying! that’s awful! i will be very careful!!!