Yeah, yeah....
Its been a while. Business is crazy busy (good); and I'm about to head out to Arizona (yes again) to do some cycling, work, etc. I've also started two new blogs to track some thoughts I have and want to keep:
www.4urbs.com (which is a site on urban musings and development);
www.bwelling.com (which is a site on being well and increasing your awareness of health).
Subscribe to those (RSS feeds) to keep current on my thoughts. Or just stay here for the random notions that make it to muddled muses. You will either be amused or bemused. Cheers.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Creative Kitchen
Tonight I cooked in communion with some of my dearest friends. It has been nearly 10 months since my creativity spawned in the kitchen as the skill lay dormant. Ah, the feel of the knife in my hand, fresh herbs crushed by my fingers and the blend of complex and layered flavors complemented and amplified by a great wine.
Food is an experience and I find that the richness of its flavors and the complexity of the tastes also stimulates a parallel complexity in conversation. This is why I always pursue good food as it seems to stimulate the senses and awaken the soul to go places it wouldn't otherwise go.
Eat well but especially with good people. Explore your creativity experientially as it awakens more than just your palate.
Food is an experience and I find that the richness of its flavors and the complexity of the tastes also stimulates a parallel complexity in conversation. This is why I always pursue good food as it seems to stimulate the senses and awaken the soul to go places it wouldn't otherwise go.
Eat well but especially with good people. Explore your creativity experientially as it awakens more than just your palate.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Seth is Brilliant
Seth Godin is a brilliant business writer. His latest entry was as follow:
But I don't think he takes it far enough to what is beyond curiosity; to what incredible value rests within the next generation of workers. I think its a worker or partner that can separate themselves from work and the thoughts of work. A person who can listen to the true self and not go into automatic autopilotness (my new word - like it?) of the things or tasks that are largely comprising modern life. Much of that automatic response is also fear; fear of having to make a decision, to think and therefore be held accountable; fear that is really controlled by past or future and not about being present in the current moment.
A workaholic lives on fear. It's fear that drives him to show up all the time. The best defense, apparently, is a good attendance record.A new class of jobs (and workers) is creating a different sort of worker, though. This is the person who works out of passion and curiosity, not fear.
But I don't think he takes it far enough to what is beyond curiosity; to what incredible value rests within the next generation of workers. I think its a worker or partner that can separate themselves from work and the thoughts of work. A person who can listen to the true self and not go into automatic autopilotness (my new word - like it?) of the things or tasks that are largely comprising modern life. Much of that automatic response is also fear; fear of having to make a decision, to think and therefore be held accountable; fear that is really controlled by past or future and not about being present in the current moment.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Divine
Was today not divine? Seattle got a full day of sun today after nearly 6 or so weeks of mostly rainy with a few scattered hours of "partly sunny." Well...I ate it up; every ounce of the energetic rays. I did yoga in my sun room. I did a 3 hour bike ride. I went on a 2 hour walk around greenlake. I even took a nap with the sun hitting my face.
Glorious. Divine. Life giving! Tomorrow it changes. I tell you that dark days give the appreciation for a sunny one; or a symbolic need to long embrace the sun... just like sorrow helps you understand the blessing of joy. I've grown to dislike permanently sunny climates because you are numb to nice days; just like I believe a life without sorrow doesn't have joy.
Glorious. Divine. Life giving! Tomorrow it changes. I tell you that dark days give the appreciation for a sunny one; or a symbolic need to long embrace the sun... just like sorrow helps you understand the blessing of joy. I've grown to dislike permanently sunny climates because you are numb to nice days; just like I believe a life without sorrow doesn't have joy.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
I'm wacko
ok, I'm again in one of my experimental food stages. I just scanned my fridge and noted the following contents:
Umboshi plum paste
Hijiki seaweed
Adzuki bean miso (wow this stuff kicks booty)
Manuka honey (active)
GT's kombucha (trilogy flavor my favorite)
Raw sesame tahini (makes a mean dressing)
Berberre (an ethiopian spice mixture I made for rub on Salmon)
Sicilian green olives
Ancho chili jam
Amarone grape must (basically wine scum)
Rainbow swiss chard
Cooked Quinoa
Coconut water
Marinated Octopus (from Spain - oops need to shop local)
Oh...and a spicy V8
Umboshi plum paste
Hijiki seaweed
Adzuki bean miso (wow this stuff kicks booty)
Manuka honey (active)
GT's kombucha (trilogy flavor my favorite)
Raw sesame tahini (makes a mean dressing)
Berberre (an ethiopian spice mixture I made for rub on Salmon)
Sicilian green olives
Ancho chili jam
Amarone grape must (basically wine scum)
Rainbow swiss chard
Cooked Quinoa
Coconut water
Marinated Octopus (from Spain - oops need to shop local)
Oh...and a spicy V8
Oils
I've had this conversation with about 3 of my friends in the past week. So I post my knowledge here.
A) BALANCE OMEGAS - You NEED more Omega 3's because so many people get way too much Omega 6's (in olive, soy, canola, etc.). What???? We get too much Olive Oil? Yeah, worse yet...if you have these oils out of wack in your system, it triggers an immune system response (heat/inflammation). Yes...too much Omega 6 can cause an inflammation in the joints, heart, organs, etc. So how do you get Omega 3's. Well, I could tell you flax or salmon...but most of us can't each that much flax without causing major constipation OR choose to each that much Salmon every day twice a day. So supplement. The best source I've found is omega pure. Its potent and avoids issues with mercury or other chemicals you might ingest with too much fish.
B) USE COCONUT OIL! - Vegetable oils have antioxidants (because they are vegetables!). However, when these oils are heated...those nifty little antioxidants, oxidize. So? Yeah...oxidize is not good. What happens to metal when it oxidizes? It denatures and chemically changes. My friends NEVER, EVER heat/cook/fry with vegetable oils. If you must cook or heat with an oil, only use Coconut Oil as it is the most stable fat that will never denature in the body. Although it is a saturated fat, it is stable and health promoting. Other saturated fats (meats, etc) are less stable when put in the body. Coconut Oil is awesome for your skin and has been show to increase metabolism. Farmers actually gave Coconut Oil to their cows to fatten them up and had to change the Oil when the cows were running around loosing weight; they gave them Soy Oil and they fattened right up. Do get the virgin organic coconut oil at your healthfood store (I really like the Nutiva Brand and do note that it is solid at room temperature and acts like butter - and taste like butter with a little Himalayan rock salt - yum)
A) BALANCE OMEGAS - You NEED more Omega 3's because so many people get way too much Omega 6's (in olive, soy, canola, etc.). What???? We get too much Olive Oil? Yeah, worse yet...if you have these oils out of wack in your system, it triggers an immune system response (heat/inflammation). Yes...too much Omega 6 can cause an inflammation in the joints, heart, organs, etc. So how do you get Omega 3's. Well, I could tell you flax or salmon...but most of us can't each that much flax without causing major constipation OR choose to each that much Salmon every day twice a day. So supplement. The best source I've found is omega pure. Its potent and avoids issues with mercury or other chemicals you might ingest with too much fish.
B) USE COCONUT OIL! - Vegetable oils have antioxidants (because they are vegetables!). However, when these oils are heated...those nifty little antioxidants, oxidize. So? Yeah...oxidize is not good. What happens to metal when it oxidizes? It denatures and chemically changes. My friends NEVER, EVER heat/cook/fry with vegetable oils. If you must cook or heat with an oil, only use Coconut Oil as it is the most stable fat that will never denature in the body. Although it is a saturated fat, it is stable and health promoting. Other saturated fats (meats, etc) are less stable when put in the body. Coconut Oil is awesome for your skin and has been show to increase metabolism. Farmers actually gave Coconut Oil to their cows to fatten them up and had to change the Oil when the cows were running around loosing weight; they gave them Soy Oil and they fattened right up. Do get the virgin organic coconut oil at your healthfood store (I really like the Nutiva Brand and do note that it is solid at room temperature and acts like butter - and taste like butter with a little Himalayan rock salt - yum)
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Yoga New Year
I just spent 5 amazing days in the Sonoma valley (actually above the valley) attending a yoga and meditation retreat with Clayton Horton and 13 other amazing people. We had some great moments. These are all sacred contractual people for me (we have an agreement). Well, I wanted to share a breakfast recipe with my yoga friends and blog readers:
QUEEN WA YUM YUM
(as named by Nate)
Energizing Protein Breakfast that is perfect for the commuter:
Quinoa
Dried Fruits (my fav: figs, currants, mango) - chop small 'cause they get BIG
Nuts (raw - roasted is less nutritious favs: pecans, pumpkin, almonds)
Cinnamon (to taste but I use liberally)
Other Spices (energizing: favs ginger, nutmeg)
Vanilla (not alcohol extract - fresh from beans is best)
OPTIONAL - flax if you need more fiber and omega
MILK - fav is Almond Milk (soy is overused)_
DIRECTIONS:
Fill till soaked then add more 8 hours later to make sure it has plenty to drink. Soak for 18-24 hours (keep about a week in fridge - milk will look a little funny after 2-3 days if over soaked but still very good). Server hot or cold!
QUEEN WA YUM YUM
(as named by Nate)
Energizing Protein Breakfast that is perfect for the commuter:
Quinoa
Dried Fruits (my fav: figs, currants, mango) - chop small 'cause they get BIG
Nuts (raw - roasted is less nutritious favs: pecans, pumpkin, almonds)
Cinnamon (to taste but I use liberally)
Other Spices (energizing: favs ginger, nutmeg)
Vanilla (not alcohol extract - fresh from beans is best)
OPTIONAL - flax if you need more fiber and omega
MILK - fav is Almond Milk (soy is overused)_
DIRECTIONS:
Fill till soaked then add more 8 hours later to make sure it has plenty to drink. Soak for 18-24 hours (keep about a week in fridge - milk will look a little funny after 2-3 days if over soaked but still very good). Server hot or cold!
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