I'm taking a pause for a moment... with the move from LA to NY, the hurricane, apartment hunting, and starting a new job, things have been a little hectic. Not to mention I can't find my reading glasses, and my eyes feel like they might explode each time I look at my phone or computer. Will be back soon. xx

Not the best time to move to NY... Hurricane Sandy, please go away.

findings from notcot

oooooooo, yes please! 

Herbow is a planter for urban dwellers, allowing natural sunlight and rainfall for your plants and herbs. 

Thanks to my dear friend for introducing me to Gonjasufi. Love this song and the mesmerizing video.

Thanks NY Times. I know what's next on my reading list: Naomi Duguid's BURMA: Rivers of Flavor.

Interesting Podcast posted last month from Food for 9 Billion. Supermarkets are popping up in Africa, either giving potential to the local farmers to have a secure place to sell their goods, or possibly driving them further into poverty, if the markets decide to buy from cheaper, larger farms in the U.S. and Brazil.

How do you support local farms? How do you bring awareness to the people to buy local, when the imports from large farms are more affordable? In the States, buying local has become trendy and expensive: beautiful, artisan markets and restaurants, supporting local farmers and seasonal food. Yes, this is something we should support. But, how do you make it approachable and accessible to all?

findings from notcot

This might come in handy very soon...

I've struggled with how personal I want this blog to be. It comes in waves: you get a glimpse into my eating habits, my yoga practice, people who are close to me, and that's about it. Otherwise, I keep it simple and closed off, showing you things I find beautiful and inspiring.

I have been the same way in my personal relationships, allowing a select few inside. I think you should be cautious of who you open up to, but the reasoning behind it is something to consider. Was I closed off due to embarrassment, lack of energy to explain myself, self-consciousness?... A combination of them all. The more I grow, I become more and more comfortable with myself and what I share. The qualities I see as flaws are part of me, and I am learning to embrace them and use them to become stronger, more in tune with myself.

The past year has been a time of introspection, diving deep into what I want in this life and who I want to be surrounded by. As I questioned my path in terms of a career, I knew I wanted to write, travel, cook, and help others. I want to do something I am passionate about and have it be more of a lifestyle rather than a "career". So, how do I do that? I came up with a project, studying the human relationship with food, among different cultures. In about a year/year and a half, I will set off, traveling to different countries, diving into their culture, and examining how they look at food, how they acquire their food, what sitting down for a meal means to them, etc. In turn, I am hoping to promote local farming and nutrition in early education and at home, getting a grant to support and give back to the countries I visit. The complex relationship we have with food is beautiful, intricate, and often damaging. I want to study how others relate to it and form a healthy, caring, and symbiotic relationship with it, for not only myself, but all those who care about what they are putting into their bodies.

Shade Market will slowly become an avenue for my progression in this project. I think it's time to start giving a voice to this work.

yeaah gurl.

findings from notcot

More reasons to be in awe of tea: Tea House Bamboo Courtyard by HWCD Associates, in Yangzhou.

I tried out a new-ish coffee and tea bar in Los Feliz yesterday, called Bru. They had the most incredible iced green + coconut tea. 

findings from notcot

Tea. Beautiful tea. Andrew Gorkovenko has illustrated the origins in which these teas were made, using the tea itself.

smitten kitchen

Custards and puddings are hands-down my favorite desserts. In general, I'm a huge fan of all things that don't need to be chewed and you can just swallow: milkshakes, smoothies, cheese enchiladas... :)

I have an obsession with butterscotch pudding, which stems from my Boulder days at Pizzeria Locale. I had heard rave reviews about the butterscotch budino at Mozza. Being an east-sider, I don't make it west of Vermont all that often, unless I'm working. But, I found myself on Melrose and Highland this past weekend, so I popped into Mozza2go to try the famous budino. They nailed it. Rich, creamy pudding, with fluffy whipped cream and a salted caramel layer. oh.my.god.

love my city.

findings from notcot. Nightfall by Colin Rich.

Sending love and prayers to everyone in Hurricane Isaac's path.

Robot-Food

findings from tasteology

too soon? yes.

Slowly but surely, I will be re-introducing foods back into my diet, testing for allergies and sensitivities. Today: chocolate. No, I will not be having these Brownie Cookies with Maple Bourbon Buttercream... instead, raw cacao is back into my smoothies. The powerful superfood loaded with antioxidants, iron, magnesium, fiber, protein, calcium... The cookies will be tried at a later date.

Day 14.

Last day of the cleanse. This past week has been tough for me. I have been on some great highs and steep lows. My cravings have been blatantly glaring at me. Empowering myself, I did not give in... even though I want a cup of coffee SO badly. And, even though I was craving anything and everything, I realized that it wasn't about the food at all. The food was simply a comfort for something I felt I was lacking in my life.

So now, the greater challenge begins: how you come off the cleanse. No matter what I decide to eat tomorrow, my relationship with food has changed yet again. I have learned more about my own eating habits, where my vices stem from, and how I can look past certain cravings and see the root. I have been inspired in the kitchen to create different foods. I have been inspired to live a better life... as cheesy or cliche that may sound, it's true. Cleansing allows you to see how rich your life can be. My skin is literally glowing, I've lost weight, I'm sleeping incredibly sound, I have lots of energy, and my mental clarity and senses are stark.

Last year, when I came off the cleanse, I made a huge dinner and downed a bottle of wine... hoping this year, I've grown up a bit. The cleanse has been revised quite a lot, and this time around, coming off has been given just as many guidelines and care, as when you were on it. It's a time where we can test for allergens, which I find super interesting. Since our bodies are so "clean" right now, when we re-introduce the common allergens that we haven't been eating, we can see how our bodies react, and pinpoint what makes us feel great or not so good.

It's a program I highly recommend. It's not about losing weight or depriving yourself; it's about living a vibrant life. Check out Conscious Cleanse.

xo.

Week One of the cleanse came and went: I felt amazing, light, inspired, emotionally raw, and renewed.

Week Two comes, and all I want is a beer. My cravings have been super apparent. I have noticed that I am eating out of boredom or frustration. Even though I'm eating vegetables, I'm still eating when I'm not hungry. The fact that I am aware to it, does somehow make it a bit easier to deal with. I have been able to step back and really observe myself. I remember this same thing happening last year when I cleansed. Week one was fantastic, week two kicked my ass. My relationship with food has been such a whirlwind ever since I was little. For me, cleansing really puts it into perspective. I am able to see my habits and thought processes. When a craving comes up, I can look past what I am craving and see where it might be stemming from. I am able to see myself in new lights, as I remove shadows, and slowly get through more layers.

purify.

Day Seven.

Over the weekends of the cleanse, there is the option to take the detoxification to another level, by eating only fruits and vegetables. It's a time of rest, letting your body do some internal work and giving yourself the space it needs to heal. Creating this space allows us to let things come into our lives, as well as for them to leave. If we attach to thoughts, toxins, material items, bad habits, emotions, etc., we don't have room to let go, to let new opportunities come into our life, or truly grow. Having space within our mind and body, allows us to move with more ease and grace, as different things come our way.

We are creatures of habit and rely on food for so much more than pure energy and nutrition, whether it is used as a coping mechanism or you eat out of boredom. Eating purely fruits and vegetables not only gives our digestive system a break, but it opens our eyes to what food really means to us. Our cravings for food usually aren't about the food; it stems from something else.

Yesterday, I practiced yin yoga, in hopes to detoxify my body even more. Yin yoga is a gentle yoga, where you hold most poses for 3 minutes or so. Holding the poses longer creates a stretch in the scar tissue, rather than the muscles, and allows toxins to be released from deep inside. Toxins come in many forms, whether it be from years of smoking, drinking, eating poorly, emotions, past experiences, you get the idea. I could literally feel my body releasing negative energy that I had been storing. It was pretty powerful.

For me, this cleanse always blows my mind. The strength and insight you obtain from eating purely is sometimes hard to grasp. I think it allows for a glimpse into the beings we are are capable of being. I have been able to thoroughly observe how I react to certain situations, how I treat people, and what I can work on to improve my quality of life, as well as others. The below quote came up from separate sources twice last week, so I think it's worth sharing:

 "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

~ Marianne Williamson

happy weekend

For me, one of the greatest things about cleansing is it encourages me to be in the kitchen. Yesterday, I worked all day and night, so I brought this easy salad along in a tupperware.

black lentils
arugula dressed in lemon juice
raw shaved fennel
haricot verts
cucumber
avocado
fresh parsley, cilantro, and mint
turmeric, freshly grated
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper

Fascinating. This month's video from Food for Nine Billion.

In researching my own project for how different cultures look at food and their relationship to it, I'm reading The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan. Both his book and the above video touch on similar topics. It's really interesting to see how Americans eat and how small changes can make a huge difference, not only in the States but world wide.

smoothie love.

My friends know how obsessed I am with my smoothie. I really do believe this thing keeps me alive and well. I have it every morning... sometimes for dinner too. I just can't get enough. It might not look very appealing, but it tastes great, and it makes you feel amazing.

1 banana (or sub any fruit you like. frozen blueberries are a great option.)

8 oz. hazelnut milk (rice, almond, or any non-dairy milk - oat milk is yummy, when not cleansing**)

1 Tbl. flaxseed meal

1 Tbl. chia seeds or powder

1 tsp. maca powder

(when not cleansing, add 1 Tbl. raw cacao powder**)

1 tsp. raw almond butter

2 small to medium leaves of collard greens, stems removed

ice

Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender, until completely smooth.

*If ever the smoothie tastes too "green," I usually do one of the following: add more milk; add a tiny bit of vanilla extract, or if you have them, pure vanilla beans are outrageously good (but, quite pricey); or add more fruit or dates, but that increases the sugar content, which I try to avoid.

Day One.

The cleanse officially starts today. I have been "pre-cleansing" for the past five days, slowly cutting things, like alcohol, refined sugar, caffeine, gluten, and dairy, out of my diet. Already, I feel a huge difference: my eye-sight has become more vivid; my sense of smell has heightened; I have more energy and mental clarity. I am always astounded by the power in eating simply what nature provides for us. When I did this cleanse last year, it completely changed me. It greatly influenced the way in which I eat and look at food. Eating this "clean," allows room for you to look much deeper at yourself: I realized that I wasn't happy anymore in Boulder, I wanted to quit my job, and go to Bali to learn more about yoga.

In wanting to study the human relationship with food, across different cultures, I think it's crucial that I start with my own relationship with it. For me, this cleanse isn't about losing weight (obviously, that's a plus) or restricting my diet; it's about listening to myself and seeing how vibrant my life can be. Food can either give me energy and bring happiness or can make me depressed and sluggish. So, how do different foods affect me? I've said it before, but I have always had a love/hate relationship with food, and I believe so many others have. I think food can be a huge root to our suffering but also to our success.

Our bodies spend 80% of our energy on digestion alone. So, if we can make the digestive process easier on ourselves, by eating more whole foods and less processed items, don't you think that will leave us with more energy? Not only more energy, but it creates space within ourselves, and space leaves room for growth. "Creating space" was one of the biggest things I learned in Bali last year. I will touch on it more soon.

Check out Conscious Cleanse.

Never Mess With Sunday

Stumbled upon this song a few months ago on Pandora, and every time it comes on, I get soooo happy and relaxed...

findings from notcot

oh my. i want.

findings from notcot

demetriades + walker architecture: boardwalk house

Round Two

Last year, I did a cleanse that two of my yoga teachers in Boulder put together. It's called Conscious Cleanse, and they do them a few times a year. Honestly, this cleanse completely changed the way I look at food. I learned so much about myself, how food affects me, and the power of eating whole foods.

I have been struggling with trying to quit smoking for far too long now. Since I did my inversion challenge, I have significantly cut down, which is really inspiring. I started running again, practicing yoga (actually even started teaching private lessons twice a week), and continue to eat super healthy. So, I feel like the cleanse will only continue to push me in the right direction, and keep up this pace I've started. Falling back into bad habits can happen too easily, and I hope to finally put this vice to rest. So, if anyone feels so inclined to do the cleanse too, it starts on August 12th, but they start transitioning your eating habits a few days before, so sign up by Wednesday. The link is above.

Craving a sleek and quiet getaway. This will do.

And so, the research begins: diving into the relationship between humans and food, from culture to culture. I stumbled across an incredible project that has given me a lot of insight and inspiration: Food for 9 Billion.

from architectural digest to aubrey road to you are the river

I couldn't agree more: the open shelves are fantastic.

28 days later

Today is the last day of my inversion challenge. Can I say my life has changed solely because of the inversions? Most people would probably say that's debatable. Who's life doesn't change in 28 days? Can I say that I feel better, I think more clearly, and I have more motivation? Yes.

If we change one thing about our everyday, doesn't that cause a ripple effect? Whether it be inversions, sitting down for your meals instead of eating on the go, walking to work instead of driving, whatever it might be, it will gradually affect how you go about your life.

But, for something as simple as flipping upside-down for three minutes, I have noticed quite a difference in myself. I've tried to put into writing the exact results. In order to do so, the blog becomes far too personal or so vague that it's not worth mentioning. So, take it upon yourself.

Happy Summer

Having spent the last several years in hippie-central, Boulder, CO, summertime = folk and bluegrass music. I heard this song yesterday, and oh how it reminded me of college and Boulder summers!

Heading to Tahoe tomorrow to reunite with my dear college friends for the week. I had never seen this video until I looked it up today: it literally had me laughing out loud. We might not be doing a drum circle on the dock, but this song will definitely be blasting...

week two update.

"Yogas citta vrtti nirodhah." 

 - Patanjali, Sutra 1.2

"The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga."

-Sri Swami Satchidananda's Translation and Commentary of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

When I did my yoga teacher training last year, I was meditating everyday, multiple times a day.  I was astounded by the positive outcome of quieting "the mind-stuff".  For me, meditation has always been terrifying; it still is.  It takes a lot of commitment. It can be frustrating and sometimes boring. But, I have not one ounce of disbelief in its powers.  It's a hard thing for me to talk about, especially when my dedication to it is lacking, I really don't know too much about it, and I haven't been doing it for very long.  Even with a sporadic practice, it has altered my mind drastically.  My teacher in Bali taught me that one of the most important parts of meditation is the act of returning: I would sit cross-legged, eyes closed, and focus on my breath grazing the skin just beneath my nose. If countless thoughts took over, which they usually did, my most important lesson was that I could notice that had occurred, and return my concentration back to the skin above my lip, and focus on my breath.  She said as long as you could bring yourself back to your breath, you were improving. And once you had been exposed to it, the realization of that present moment, when the thoughts had disappeared and you were simply left with your breath, you could never forget that exposure. Over time, the thoughts became less, the meditation was longer, and I felt more in control of what I allowed into my mind.  I had a completely different view of how I moved, how I observed, how I processed things, and how I responded.  How I breathed, how I lived, and functioned in my body, mind, and soul.  The present moment became clearer.  And, when I can recognize and simply be in the moment, I become completely overwhelmed with gratitude and peace.

For the last two weeks, I have been doing three minutes of inversions everyday, as an experiment/challenge.  My physical yoga and meditation practice had significantly diminished over the past month and a half. I wanted to see if the inversions would inspire me to get back to it.  It has.  And, the three minutes of inversions have become a sort of meditation in itself. I have noticed how much more aware of my breath I am throughout the day.  My breath will interrupt my chatting brain and calm me, if only for a moment, the moments appear more frequently than before.  I really believe that our thoughts cause most of our suffering.  The energy and time wasted worrying about the unknown, creating scenarios, judging ourselves and others with misconceptions and lies... So, if I can decrease the "mind-stuff," the chatter, I think I would appreciate each moment of life so much more. Like I said last week, are these inversions really the reason for these changes? Who knows.  But, there has been a shift.

"They don't realize the limitations of thought."

-Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

Cheers: to whatever life throws our way.

"And I will show that there is no imperfection in the present, and 

can be none in the future, 

And I will show that whatever happens to anybody it may be turn'd to 

beautiful results..." 

Walt Whitman, Starting from Paumanok

Matthew Ward in charcoal. By the infamous and amazing, Matthew Ward.

week one update.

I started my inversion challenge a week ago. And, well, I have not reached enlightenment yet..., but!!!!!! I have seen some progress: I have definitely noticed an increase in my energy levels; I've had about 3 cups of coffee in the last week (which is much better than 12!); no cigarettes in the past three days, along with very few cravings; I've been working out a lot more; sleeping more soundly; and my body awareness and senses feel heightened.

Hmm... interesting. Is it because of the inversions, or did I just need some motivation? We'll see. Off to go stand on my head.

Yes. Premsela's upcoming exhibition.

somehow, someway, i found myself back in New York much sooner than i had anticipated. i had to go out for work, very last minute. it was nice to know that my love for the city is true; it wasn't just based off the excitement of getting out of town a few weeks ago. i was talking to a girlfriend last night, and she was saying how she could never live there, because she needed to be around nature. i totally get that, and i think surrounding yourself with wildlife is important. but, there is something so beautiful about the buildings, the art, and the urban life that i find captivating and just as important as seeing the stars at night. the city is a living thing in itself, or at least a representation of one. what do you think?

the power of inversions

i spilled coffee on my keyboard last week, and now the letter "i" doesn't work. so, i have to copy/paste it every time i use it. and i am not going to do that for capital "i's" as well... so, forgive me if posts are few and far between until i decide to get this fixed.

so, my lesson in this: cut back on coffee. i have had an infatuation with coffee since i was about eight or nine (the number "eight" doesn't work either). coffee is bold, sexy, masculine, dangerous, dirty, pompous... i just love it. but, i don't love being anxious, which caffeine definitely does to me, and i don't love relying on something. sometimes a cup of coffee is the only thing that will get me out of bed and to work. and, with the coffee, stems all the other addictions: you drink coffee because you drank too much whiskey last night; it pairs perfectly with your cigarette; that cup is the one thing that brings a smile, when you're doing shit you really don't want to be doing...

okay, so, if i scale back on my coffee consumption, will the other habits slowly fade as well? and then, what do you replace your time and need for satisfaction with instead? inversions.

twenty-eight day challenge: do an inversion for three minutes everyday, for twenty-eight days. an inversion, in yoga, is basically any pose that brings your head lower than your heart. for example, a handstand. it can also be something as simple as lying down on your back, with your legs up against a wall. my yoga teacher in Bali,  told us about a man who claimed that if you do inversions for three minutes everyday, for twenty-eight days, it would change your life. the benefits of inversions are astounding: they can help calm your mood or be incredibly energizing (depending on the type of inversion or your level as a student); inversions aid in digestion; they help blood circulation; strengthen upper body and boost confidence; heighten body awareness; just to name a few... but, what is most interesting to me is that inversions literally change your perspective on how you see things.

i have been trying to be aware of how i process events and people that come in and out of my life. and lately, i feel like my life has been moving in a lot of different directions; i'm not always sure how to digest it all. sometimes i handle it with grace, sometimes with frustration and doubt. so, how do i change my behavior and habits, so i am more mindful and present? i'm not saying inversions are the answer, but i think they might help.

The Book of Tea

The Book of Tea by Okakura Kakuzo. Admitted, embarrassingly, this is the first book I have read and finished in quite awhile. A book on living consciously; critiques on different cultures and their stigmas; art, architecture, flowers; history and religion; ceremonies; masters. I highly encourage everyone to pick it up. I was jotting down notes the entire time. Here, a couple of quotes that stuck:

"The Present is the moving Infinity, the legitimate sphere of the Relative. Relativity seeks Adjustment; Adjustment is Art. The art of life lies in the constant readjustment to our surroundings."

"It is not that we should ignore the claims of posterity, but that we should seek to enjoy the present more. It is not that we should disregard the creations of the past, but that we should try to assimilate them into our consciousness."

I have had this song on repeat for weeks now, and it's never getting old.

Lately, I have been using Japanese clay pots for steaming veggies and cooking rice. But, this... I am at a loss for words.

NYC

I promised myself a few years ago that I would live in NYC for at least a year. Last week, I visited my best friend Sally, and she convinced me that I need to make this happen sooner than later. I fell hard. Totally in love with the place. I am still trying to process everything that happened, but to say the least, I came home inspired and with more clarity about where my life is heading. 

We spent about 97% of the time eating, big surprise. My two favorites were Roberta's in Brooklyn and Eataly. The rest of the time, we walked, explored, shopped, went to the MET, Central Park, the list goes on. The people, the architecture, the weather, the smells, the subway, it is vibrant with limitless energy; it was all mind-blowing. I am thinking the next time I go back, my stay might be a bit longer. 

So, after six years, I finally move back to Los Angeles. My mom and I are having the best time being back in the same city. And, of course, I decide to go out of town the weekend of Mother's Day (which is upcoming on May 13th, for all those who might have forgotten). To make up for it, we had a great morning filled with baking and cooking at home.

Raspberry scones with meyer lemon whipped cream. Asparagus, mushroom, and manchego frittata. Intelligentsia Panama blend in the french press. Sparkling wine. Little Mosey spying from the window.

Asparagus, Mushroom, and Manchego Frittata. Serves 4.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 red onion, chopped

1 green onion, chopped

5 asparagus spears, diced

5 cremini mushrooms, sliced

handful Italian parsley, coarsely chopped

6 eggs

1/4 cup sour cream

1 1/4 cups grated Manchego cheese

kosher salt

Chives

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sautee onions with 1 tablespoon butter for 2 minutes, on medium heat. Add the asparagus and mushrooms, and sautee for another 2 minutes. Set aside.

Whisk eggs in a bowl until light yellow. Mix in sour cream. Stir in 1 cup Manchego and the onion/veggie mixture. Add the parsley and a couple pinches of kosher salt. Sprinkle the remaining Manchego on top.

Use the remaining tablespoon of butter to grease a small pan (I used a 6.5 by 7 inch square glass pan). Bake 45-55 minutes, until the egg is set and slightly browned on top.

Cut up the chives for garnish, and serve with additional sour cream, if you like.

Recipe adapted from "Egg Cookery".

I have been obsessing over Woolly Pockets for awhile now. I just need some massive walls of my own.

Last weekend at Coachella, I couldn't wait to see Santigold. She happened to be performing on the main stage, in the afternoon, on the hottest and last day of the weekend. The sun was blazing, I was tipsy/still hungover, and on the verge of a sunburn. So, like a rookie-festival-goer, I watched from afar in the shade, and could barely see anything.
Leaving Coachella, the only regret I had was not really seeing Santigold. Lucky for me that she is a total badass and decided to come to L.A. in between Coachella weekends. Last night, she played a FREE show at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, who is putting on a 17-day festival showing how audio and visual arts compliment one another (April 20th-May 6th).
The show was so fantastic: art, live music, tacos from Kogi, and booze. Everything for free. And, actually being able to see Santigold, up close, was incredible. She put on such a great show, was absolutely beautiful, funny, and yes, I am totally in love with her.

Coachella.

Ace Hotel, Palm Springs

My great friends, who I stayed with in Palm Springs, are getting married at the Ace Hotel next year. We got to spend the afternoon there at the Coachella pool party and check out the vicinity. So cool. Totally fell even more in love with the desert. 

What is it about the desert that makes it so sexy?