Sunrise.

Sunrise miles are still my favorite...

If I had the chance to go back again
Take a different road, bear a lighter load
Tell an easy story

I would walk away with my yesterdays
And I would not trade what is broken
For beauty only

Every valley, every bitter chill
Made me ready to climb back
Up the hill and find that

You are sunrise
You are blue skies
How would I know the morning
If I knew not midnight?

You're my horizon
You're the light of a new dawn
So thank you, thank you
That after the long night, you are sunrise

There's a moment when faith caves in
There's a time when every soul is certain
God is gone

But every shadow is evidence of sun
And every tomorrow holds out hope for us
For every one of us

-Nichole Nordeman, Sunrise

Lately I've been listening to this song on repeat... May you all know that dark nights always give way to new mornings...
 

"Spice of Life" Retreat

Hello, friends! I'm excited to announce that our next 1/2 day wellness retreat will be on September 19th. It'll be a fun day of cooking demonstrations, exploring the benefits of ayurvedic spices, and learning how to use them to balance your specific body. CLICK HERE for all the details!

We only have a FEW more spots left, so let me know if you're interested in joining us!

Japchae with Kelp Noodles

The feeling I get when something actually goes right in my kitchen...

Across the board with my Asian clients, I hear one lament- "I MISS NOODLES." I see the sadness in their eyes. It's like a bad break-up. All of those nights watching sappy movies and slurping noodles are gone. All those rainy days being comforted by hot noodle soup have been stripped away.

We all know that the best part of breaking up is the making up. So wipe those tears away, folks, because here is a recipe that will give you the mouthfeel and texture of noodles with only a fraction of the calories and some added nutrition. Change out of your sweatpants, put on some make-up, and do your hair. Noodles are back in your life.

Kelp noodles contain only 6 calories per serving (each bag contains 3 servings), along with calcium and iron. And the best part? You don't have to boil them! You just add them straight into your recipe and BOOM! You're done and can move on with your life.

I order Sea Tangle Kelp Noodles from Vitacost.com- it's the cheapest I've found anywhere, but you can also find them on amazon.com as well. Japchae is one of my favorite Korean dishes, and now you can enjoy this too, guilt-free and with added nutrients.

Kelp noodles are neutral, so they readily absorb the flavor and seasoning of whatever dish they're added to...

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 package Sea Tangle Kelp Noodles
• 2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 3 Tbsp tamari
• 1 Tbsp grated ginger
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms 
• 3/4 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup spinach or other greens (I used red chard)
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat 1 Tbsp sesame oil in a large wok. Add diced yellow onion, ginger and garlic and stirfry until onions are tender.
2. Add shredded carrots, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, green onions to the pan and continue to stir.
3. Add tamari and sesame oil (optional) to taste.
4. Meanwhile, rinse the kelp noodles under cold water. Using kitchen shears, cut into smaller pieces and add to the stir-fried vegetables. 
5. Stir together and sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish.
6. Enjoy!

Sunrise Musings.

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see. The longer I live, the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and the wonder of the world.”

— John Burroughs

Captivating rays captured this morning after descending from Redwood Peak....

The Beauty of Pausing.

“Let me
Keep my mind on what matters
Which is my work,
Which is mostly standing still
and learning to be astonished...”

— Mary Oliver

Chasing the sunset on Mt. Diablo...                                                     

Discovering Joy.

This morning while I was walking into the hospital, I looked up into the sky and noticed the way the clouds were perfectly positioned behind this gigantic tree. The vibrant colors of the sky illuminated the silhouette of the branches, and I stopped and just stood there in awe for a moment. I started on my way again, listening to my shoes click against the pavement, while wondering how many people had seen the same exact scene without really seeing the beauty.

I was reminded of my 30 Runs in 30 Days challenge where I documented the beauty I experienced on each run for 30 consecutive days. The benefit of keeping a blog is having the ability to see how much you've changed over time. Looking back, I completed that challenge during one of the darkest times in my life. I felt completely lost and depressed, and the 30 Runs in 30 Days literally forced me to find structure again in my daily routine. More importantly, it challenged me in a creative way to find something beautiful to capture, during a time when the whole world felt disgustingly dark and ugly.

“Someday you’re gonna look back on this moment of your life as such as sweet time of grieving. You’ll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing.”

— Elizabeth Gilbert

Find the beauty. Desperately search it out, even if you feel as though you're on your hands and knees with an unknown future. Still show up for your life daily even if it means adding a filter (those always help). I found that after 30 days, my brain became used to scanning the world for beauty, and gratitude happened to find its way in there too. I was starting to see the good, the positives, the beauty, one day at a time.

It didn't happen overnight. But I can see and feel big changes in the past three years. Back then, I'd ride my bike to cycle away feelings of grief, unworthiness and depression, Miles and miles of motion therapy, to give structure and so-called 'meaning' to my life. Looking back, I'm thankful for those dark miles...they taught me valuable lessons and forced me to examine my contribution (or lack thereof) to the world. 

Pure joy.... (thanks for the photo, Joseph!)                                                                                          

This picture was captured a few weeks ago by a dear friend. What he captured, more importantly, was the joy that has been restored in my soul and in my life. I share this to provide hope to those who right now can't see joy, can't fathom it, can't feel it.

Even when life feels dark and your grief feels bottomless, find one thing that is beautiful. Write it down. Post it on Instagram. Keep this habit up daily, and you will find, like me, that your brain will start to rewire itself and will begin scanning the world for beauty. You will also discover that your friends and family don't just 'like' you, they love you and are invested in the restoration of your joy, even if it takes months, or even years.

Sometimes it's all about how we see our outer world that dictates how we feel about our inner world.

Sometimes we just need a 'reframe.' We need a new filter on life.

And that's how hope and joy start to shine through.

Start.

“One day you’ll wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do them now.”

— Paulo Coelho

Climbing Half Dome.

Self-publishing that book.

Learning how to salsa dance.

Composing that song.

Applying for that job.

Asking that special someone out for something more risky than coffee.

Registering for your first 5K.

Initiating that phone call to reconnect with a long-long friend.

Moving across the country to follow your calling.

Creating the stepping stones to make your dream into an actual business.

What's the one thing that you cannot NOT do?

Start now.

Save the Date!

Redwood Regional Park

I'm thrilled to announce our second 1/2 day wellness retreat on 8/1. We still have a few more spots left if you'd like to join us for a day of hiking, yoga, arts and crafts, and meditation in the beautiful Redwood Regional Park to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. As dietitians, Praveena and I believe that food is also nourishing and healing, so a delicious plant-based lunch is included.  Donation-based, so all you need to bring is your open heart and open mind. 

Contact me to reserve your spot by 7/27.  More details here. See you on 8/1!

It's Not About the Lululemon.

So yesterday, this happened...

Proof that I don't ride my bike EVERY Saturday...

Enjoyed this view from the garden of Station House Cafe while sipping on our morning lattes.

Admired some beautiful flowers in the community garden just behind the farmers market...

Practicing with the sounds of birds and children playing outside... (I'm in the turquoise tank in the back left)

I am hyperaware of my right leg, unsteady and fighting for balance as I grasp my left knee and twist to face the left wall. My whole body is tense, as to not create any additional movement that can potentially cause me to tumble. 

Out of the corner of the room, I hear the instructor's sweet voice- Why do we practice yoga? Because it shows us that we can be in awkward or difficult positions, and if we simply return back to the breath and breathe through it, it'll all be ok. 

This definitely feels awkward. And difficult. I realize that I am holding my breath.

Breathe, what? Hold for five more counts...are you kidding me?!? 

I relax and start to breathe, and suddenly, it feels easier. This, my friends, is yoga. I am learning this. It is about gently quieting the mental chatter, returning to the breath, becoming aware of your body, then softening and lengthening and allowing grace to enter.

Perth Trail, Inverness

It is now two hours into our hike. The sun is peeking in between the trees and we are walking the same trails, but this time, in reverse. We are lost, meandering, finding a new trail, only to hike up one mile and see the lead hiker turn around and motion for us to turn back around. My right foot is throbbing and I tentatively place it over rocks and branches, shifting the pressure to my left foot. I ignore the pain and take another sip of water and wipe the sweat from my face.

The view overlooking Limatour Beach, right before turning back around.

I see and notice things along the trail- the purple wildflowers, the cushiony feel of pine needles underneath my feet, the curvature of the red Madrone branches- but I am not enjoying or cherishing them; I am using them as mental landmarks and trying to remember how far into the hike we are backtracking.

I recognize it again. The same clenching, the same tightness, the same constricting, the same insecurity. Except this time, I am off the yoga mat. 

Please don't make us descend back into the overgrown single track trail with poison ivy and ferns and prickly brambles. My ankles are already scratched and raw and irritated from clearing the brush with each painful step. 

I forgot to bring my machete...

To my dismay, I see the rest of the hikers in front of me make their way down that horrendous trail. It is my worst nightmare. I start down that dreaded part of the trail, and then I realized- this is yoga. 

This is uncomfortable and difficult and my mind is panicking and I am forgetting to breathe. This is my practice- to allow, to breathe through it, to realize its impermanence, to be present with each step, to be aware of my thoughts but not become them. And so I pay attention to my inhales and my exhales, the placement of the feet, and the hiker in front of me. I refuse to allow negativity and fear behave like the overgrown poison ivy and irritating brush. 

Yoga teaches us that we can choose how we react, that we can learn how to breathe through uncomfortable moments, that we can acknowledge that we have a choice whether we freak out or let the anxiety pass. That in each second, each minute, we have a choice.

To breathe.

To exhale.

To soften.

To release.

To offer up.

To open up.

To let it go.

Three hours later as we arrived back safely to our cars, I realized that I just did some real yoga on the trails. I'm thankful for all of the teachers in my life. Yesterday, I added yoga to that list (and I hope you will, too).

A delicious ending to a very fun-filled day with amazing company...

Brings Life To A Field

Matt Davis Trail, Mt. Tam

“It is not possible to complete yourself
without sorrow.

Sorrow is a vital ingredient that shapes
the heart and enriches it.

So endure sadness the best you can
when its season comes.

That rain that can fall from your eye
brings life to a field,

And on other days when you laugh,
a sun takes birth in a sky you will
someday know.

See how all the elements are inside of
you.

See how your soul is a sire of light. ”

— Hafiz

Flow States and Kelp Noodles...

The benefit of having a 7am roll-time start on a holiday is that there are absolutely no cars on the road... (Photo cred: A. Daluyaya)

Have you heard of flow states? It turns out that people who experience more 'flow' in their lives are more creative, more productive, and live more meaningful lives. The way we enter into 'flow' is unique for each individual...some people are able to enter flow states during intense physical activity or extreme sports, while others need introspective times of stillness, preferably surrounded by nature. If you are as obsessed about this as I am, read more about entering your own flow states here. One of the ways I enter flow is by riding my bike. I do my best thinking, mental processing and creation of ideas on two wheels. I think clearing out the lungs and clearing out the lactic acid in the legs also helps to clear my mind. 

Kelp noodles with broccoli, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, edamame and cilantro with a miso ginger tamari dressing. #vegan #glutenfree

Another way that I enter flow is by experimenting in the kitchen. Trying new recipes and branching out of my comfort zone is no longer stressful; I view it now as exciting. Time stands still, I feel like all of my good intentions are going into this new dish, and I'm always so pleasantly surprised. Tonight, I experimented with kelp noodles! Check out the full recipe for the Asian Veggie Noodle Bowl here.

My new mantra... #PlayHardDazzleOften

Kelp noodles are gluten-free, low in calories, and contain calcium and iodine. They come ready-to-eat and do not need to be cooked (leaving more time to lay out by the pool) and best of all, they are delicious. You can find kelp noodles online at Thrive Market or Vitacost.com. Let me know what recipes you come up with using kelp noodles, or what activities help you reach your own flow state...and Happy 4th!