Lotus Meditation Cushions
More and more I am falling in love with my daily meditation practice and experiencing the benefits it brings me, to my life and that of our family. I even now hold a certification to teach an Introduction to Meditation workshop. Look for these workshops in the near future.
As it is known I love to get crafty and creative. Last year I came across a very unique cushion at a women's retreat, one I had never seen before. It was so cute! More importantly it was so useful! Of course I came straight home and tried to figure out how to make it myself instead of purchasing it. Especially since these are not your usual meditation cushions and are not easily found. Since then I have sold over a dozen and working towards updating my website to provide these lotus meditations cushions to everyone.
These cushions are not only unique in there design but help your posture and supports your body for your meditation or yoga practice. You sit in the center with one of the petals between your legs lifting you up a few inches off the ground. The other petals gently wrap around supporting your hips, tailbone and lower back. You can move around the organic buckwheat hull filling to give you support where you specifically need it most. These cushions are a perfect addition to help you in your practice.
Since I am not a computer person and a bit behind in setting up the store portion of my website I am currently only taking orders via email or phone. I offer two main sizes large and medium. And will be offering a few in the small (child) and tiny sizes periodically.
I love making them and love knowing I am helping to facilitate more people to incorporating a meditative practice into their everyday life. It is a lifestyle practice that is truly helpful in bringing bliss into your life.
Sweet Potato for Breakfast?
I have a love of everything sweet potato. It doesn't matter how you prepare it, I will eat it! Last night I baked some sweet potatoes for dinner in the oven so I decided to roast an extra one for my lunch today. But this morning, as I was making breakfast for my kids and I saw the extra sweet potato, my mouth watered and my culinary creativity perked up. You can call this a porridge or a pudding it doesn't matter as long as you enjoy eating it.
I love a good oatmeal or porridge for breakfast but more and more my body does not react well to grains of all kinds, gluten free or not. I often say "I love grains and dairy, they just don't always love me back." Although cow dairy seems to cause issues for me goat dairy does not so I have been experimenting more and more with goat dairy in my diet. My True Eating approach is to rotate my diet and limit those foods that don't love me back. With True Bliss Living as a goal it's always good to remember to release those things in our lives that do not serve us.
This recipe turns your plain baked sweet potato into a creamy and smooth porridge that you can enjoy at breakfast, as a snack, or a great side dish. It was quick to make minus the baking time. But more importantly it is heaven to eat and enjoy.
Sweet Potato Porridge Recipe
1 large baked sweet potato, peeled
1 tablespoon coconut oil or grass-fed butter
1/2 cup goat milk or non-dairy milk
Top with (optional):
pecans or other nuts you desire
rasins
drizzle of maple syrup
a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice
Blend the first three ingredients in a blender until smooth. Play around with the goat or non-dairy milk to get the consistency you desire, you may need more or less then what is listed above. Spoon the porridge into a bowl and top with your desired toppings. Most importantly, sit, eat and enjoy!
Kids Lunch 2/4/15
My kids are now 14 (9th grade) and 13 (7th grade) and since they have started school back in Kindergarten I have packed their lunch. The lunches have been complex, to super simple, to just plain old leftovers. I find that a lot of people over complicate the whole lunch packing process. With kids lunches it just has to be easy to eat in a short amount of time. A good tip for the younger kids, think finger foods. Kids don't have much time during their lunch break especially since it is a time for them to socialize with their friends. For years now I have blogged pictures of the lunches I have made but never with any consistency. Here is my attempt.
Today it was left overs for lunch.
Pasta with Bolognese topped with shredded goat cheddar
Cubes of cantaloupe
Gluten free chocolate chip cookies.
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
Since we are spending Thanksgiving in New York City we wanted to at least check out part of the Macy's parade. I do not enjoy crowds at all so I was lucky that they prepare for and start off the parade a block from my sister's apartment. So early this morning Ty and I took a mother son walk to check out the preparation for the parade. The streets were lined with people taking a peak at the huge balloons and floats. Plus the people in the parade chanting in preparation for being in the parade. The air was crisp this morning and the energy of the parade and thanksgiving filled the streets. So excited to be even a tiny part of this New York Thanksgiving tradition.
Protein Load Breakfast
Sometimes I wait too long in the morning running the kids to school and getting things done. When this happens my blood sugar can drop quickly which causes me to consume more sugary or gluten foods and still feeling starving the rest of the day. So I load myself up with a protein packed late morning breakfast to fill me up and keep me going for the day ahead. Eggs, chicken sausage, red onions with a side of salsa and hot sauce.
Amelia Island, Florida
Arrived on Amelia Island just east of Jacksonville, Florida late last night. The views and family time are incredible. Spent all day at the beach and then the pool. Can’t wait to be here for the next 7 days!
Namdaemun Marke
Shopping anyone? Korea is full of traditional markets. When I was growing up all we had was pretty much outside markets. Now Korea is full of very high end modern department stores and malls. However markets such as Namdaemun Market are the best places to shop for goods and get a bargain.
This market originally opened in 1964. It is the largest traditional market in Korea and has everything from bedding, to hair pins, bags, clothes, food, and pretty much anything someone might need. It is crazy busy and opens late morning and doesn’t close till 3:00 am. It is blocks upon blocks of independently owned shops. Some no bigger than a closet.
For lunch we went to the food area filled with food stalls and people eating side by side. As we walked through the aisle ladies were yelling out to us to sit and eat at their food stall. It was an experience! It was nothing Zoe, Ty and Michael had ever experienced. For me it just brought back tons of memories.
Jirisan Mountain
Every year my family meets for a long weekend at Jirisan Mountain National Park. This year because of the four of us and my mom visiting from the US we had a total of 27. It was a spectacular weekend of family fun, hiking, and of course eating.
Wang E is my cousin’s husband. That is not his actual name but a nickname which basically means “King E.” Wang E’s Great Aunt actually owns the Inn where we all stayed and run by his sister-in-law who does all the cooking. When we arrived we were greeted with the local fermented alcohol drink made with rice and local berries along with pig feet slices and Korean scallion pancakes. Great treat after a long drive from Seoul. Can’t you tell how happy it made Michael feel!
After most of our family arrived we set up for dinner where the Inn Keeper put out a giant spread of food. A massive table for all 27 seven of us. Cousins, kids, aunts and uncles whom I have not seen in 28 years! We all sat and feverishly devoured the food laughing and talking over each other with excitement for the weekend. Everything you see on the table is locally harvested locally and/or foraged by Wang E’s Great Aunt.
Wang E’s Great Aunt actually forages a lot in the mountains of Jirisan. She takes finds roots and other wild plants with medical qualities and makes tinctures. Some of these have been have been soaking for decades. She also finds wild plants and puts them in pots outside of the kitchen. I was totally fascinated!
The next morning we woke up and all headed for a visit to Suncheon Bay Eco Park. There was a caravan of 5 cars that all belonged to our large family. We took a long walk checking out all the little creatures that have a home in the bay. The sun was strong and it was packed with people simply taking a nice stroll and checking out the bay.
For lunch we walked across the street. Half of the group decided to eat Korean and the other American. Michael and I choose the seafood noodles but Zoe and Ty were determined to try American food in Korea. Zoe and Ty said the burgers were not bad, just different toppings and sauces. The amazing thing for me was the price, only about $2 for a fried chicken sandwich.
The next day we took a 4.5 hour hike up Jirisan and back. It was tiring but so much fun. Afterwards we dipped our feet in the icy cold creek which really helped our sore legs. Actually I ended up dunking my whole body in at one point.
We spent the last night hanging out and laughing. And of course it would not be a Kwan family get together without massive amounts of tasty food and playing Haw-tu a, Korean card game!
Bittersweet leaving Jirisan after such a amazing reunion. I really am so blessed to have such an incredible family who truly love to be together and enjoy each other’s company. This is what life is all about. This is TRUE BLISS LIVING.
