LP : July 2013

EAGLES - AN AMERICAN BAND

L to R : Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, Don Henley, Randy Meisner, Don Felder

The other day while browsing my music library I came across my Eagle's Greatest Hits album. I listened to Desperado and Peaceful Easy Feeling and suddenly like music is known to do it made me reminisce...

The Eagle's Greatest Hits album reminds me of my dad. I have a loving memory of he and I exploring Golden Gate Park in San Francisco when I was a kid. We used to play hide and seek. He had the best hiding place.... up in a Eucalyptus tree. He could climb a tree swift like. He'd say my name and I'd look up and try to find which tree he perched in. We had many epic days in the park, hiking, climbing, hot tea and almond cookies at the Japanese Tea Gardens, dancing with the Hare Krishnas and rowing boats on Stowe Lake. On the way home, my dad would always turn up the music in the car, an 8-track at that time. We'd sing and he'd tap his hand on his leg and sometimes the dash-board to the beat of the song like drums. He LOVED the Eagles.

Maybe you listened to the Eagles when you were a kid too. They sound good. Go ahead click the pic below and have a listen...all their songs are wise. Take it easy...

Check out the Eagles greatest hits.... It will get the best of you.

COOKIES in HARMONY

Yin & Yang cookies perhaps? Half Dark Chocolate Chip & Half Peanut Butter

Perfect harmony between chocolate and peanut butter.
My kind of cookie. yep.

Here ya go...Simple to make.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
1 stick of unsalted butter - room temp/soft
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips - milk or dark your preference

Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
1 stick of unsalted butter - room temp/soft
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tblsp milk - I use full cream - no non fat for me.
1 cup chocolate chips - milk or dark your preference

Make each dough separately.
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
Cream butter and sugars together until creamy. Add peanut butter then egg then vanilla until combined. In another bowl...mix flour, baking soda and salt. Mix slowly little by little into the wet mixture. Don't over do it. Gently fold in chips.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Cream butter and sugars together until creamy. Add egg and vanilla until combined.
In another bowl...mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt. Mix slowly little by little into the wet mixture. Dough will be thick almost like brownie mix. Then stir the milk in with a spoon then fold in the chips.

CHILL BOTH FOR 2 HOURS. Very important.

Oven is at 350. Line cookie tray with parchment paper.
Roll each dough into a very small ball. Then combine the two balls and blend them together real good.... Roll them up so they become one! They should be about one inch round. The dark chocolate chip dough will be a bit sticky. You may have to wash your hands in between each roll. Bake 11 minutes. Should make just about 2 dozen? Sometimes it makes more or less just depends... Once they cool they will take a nice shape. Firm yet soft. Don't forget to share.

YOU WILL THANK YOURSELF

Thank yourself in advance for this amazing experience you're about to have.
Got 10 minutes? What's 10 minutes from your day? Nada. The experience will soothe you and you deserve a mindful break today.

YES, THERE IS A NATIONAL ONION ASSOCIATION

I love onions. Raw. Cooked. Roasted. Yellow. Red. White. Sweet. I'm a fan of the onion. I savor very thinly sliced white onions tossed in a kale salad their delicious flavor mixed with an apple cider vinegar and olive oil dressing is marvelous to me.

Some say onions were grown first in Ancient Egypt then eventually made their way to Rome and were given the Latin word UNIO which means, single, or one. Onions are hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. Our bulb friends are high in Vitamin C, B6, B1 and Folic acid. Onions are also rich in the trace mineral chromium which helps cells respond to insulin.

How to pick the best onion? Choose onions that are have a good round shape with dry crisp skin. Don't choose onions that have dark patches, a sign of decay. Stay clear of onions that are sprouting and have signs of mold. Basically, make sure the onion looks clean! Then, store your onions in a cool, dry, well ventilated place for up to two weeks.

And yes, onions have been known to make you cry. Try chilling the onion for 30 minutes before cutting. When you chop an onion the enzymes in a bulb onion called alliiinases break down to amino acid sulfoxide which generates sulfenic acid which then is acted upon by another enzyme LFS which gives another called syn-propanethial-S-oxide, a volatile gas known as the onion lachrymatory factor or LF. This gas soon reaches the eyes creating that stinging feeling then our tear glands make tears to flush out the 'onion gas.'

My fav. I cut up a yellow onion into big chunks. Drizzle a bit of olive oil on top. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt. Roast at 450 degrees for 30 minutes.This is a side dish for me.

There are different types of onions bred these days, like pearl, boiler or pickler onions. Of course we all know bulb onions which are white, yellow and red and young plants before bulbing occurs is a scallion. And yes, there is a National Onion Association!

TWIST INTO BLISS

One of our first modern day Yoga teachers in a twist...

I was on Lanikai beach in Hawaii some summers ago - early morning. The quiet sounds of the water inspired me to take in deep cleansing breaths. The early morning slight breeze was magnificent. I was ready to practice my Yoga. To practice Yoga in such a beautiful place was superb. I sat on my mat gazing into the ocean. I gently began to connect with my breath, soften my eyes and energize my spine. It was perfect. I started with a twist to energize. Left then right. Then something amazing happened, after a final exhale to find just a little more space in the twist I felt complete. I felt grounded. I felt a ripple of pure love energy zip up my spine into my head and into my breath. Woa. What a feeling. What a release. Was one single twist all I needed? Yes! Then, I jumped into the ocean and floated. I let my skin soak up the salt water. I listened to the breathtaking sounds of the ocean...Yoga rules. Yoga graciously gives you exclusive moments that are you and unique only to you.

Ardha Matsyendrasana - the basic twist. There is no doubt, the twist is a beautiful pose. There are many variations and they all offer amazing health benefits. Practicing twists regularly will massage and nourish the deep muscles in the spine and give it flexibility. Spinal twists promote extra blood to the spinal nerves, tone up sluggish abdominal organs and are great for the hips and waistline. When you practice the twist you will come to feel and know all the above.

Here is one very simple twist for you to practice today.
12 Easy Steps

1. Sit on the floor - Stretch your legs out
Keep both buttocks connected to the floor
2. Sit up - make your spine feel long - don't puff your chest out - imagine your lower pelvis tucking under
3. Connect with your breath - just be aware of your inhales and exhales
4. Step your right foot over your left leg
5. Right foot flat on the floor - Right ankle hugged near your left knee
6. Now - you can either hug the crook of your left elbow around your right knee
or simply grab your right ankle with your left hand
7. Gently wrap your right arm around behind you or if you're up to it wrap the back of your right hand around the lower left back
8. Now twist to the right easy
9. As you inhale find space in your spine by sitting up a bit straighter
10. As you exhale twist keeping the length in your spine
11. Since you are twisting to the right, I suggest when you inhale be conscious that you are lifting your left side spine a bit more, then as you exhale you twist beautifully to your right side
12. Switch to other side and do the same just reverse the steps!

There is no goal. Please twist into what feels good for you. Just make sure you are breathing. Stay relaxed. Stay focused on your breath. After all, your breath is your life.

ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING

My sweet nephew practicing alternate nostril breathing

Another round after finishing his Soba noodles!

When my nephew was five I taught him a very loose version of alternate nostril breathing. He was very much into learning this breathing technique because it was fun for him. Mostly we laughed when his nostrils would stay shut after he released his finger from retaining the breath. Now he's eight and the other day we were at a very delicious Japanese lunch and we were all engaged in conversation when I looked across the table and he was in his own world doing alternate nostril breathing. Then he said to me, "Auntie remember this..." as he showed me his fingers alternately shutting and closing his nostrils. I immediately got a huge smile on my face and said, "You remember!" He laughed and kept going. What was funny was watching him release his nostril and I could see in his face that he was hoping his nostril would stay shut because he would pause for a moment but then his nostril would open and he would continue with a very serious look on his face. I was very happy to know that my sweet little nephew knows about a very important breathing exercise and hopefully he will keep this with him throughout his life and learn more. Not to brag but he is a smart one! ;-)

Now, if I could give any advice, it would be to practice Alternate Nostril breathing and practice this awesome breathing exercise everyday. By the way, the Sankskrit term is Anuloma Viloma Pranayama. Breathing exercises are important to your vital energy and these rounds of breath will make you feel energized, centered and happy. Be good to yourself...Invest 5-10 minutes of your time each day for this breath work. You can practice Alternate Nostril Breathing anywhere. Although a quiet, comfortable and clean environment is ideal. I've been know to take five minutes and partake while sitting in traffic. I'm not a fan of traffic jams so a quick breathing exercise soothes me.

The goal of Anuloma Viloma is to allow the right lung/right nostril and left lung/left nostril to alternate in breath to eventually encourage a balance in the breathing pattern. If you breathe out of one nostril and one lung all day, there is definitely an imbalance in the system which could be the reason for fatigue and stresses in the body. The idea is to get the breath flowing through both nostrils and lungs and to set up equilibrium. Alternate nostril breathing will bring balance to the breath, clear the nasal passages, lungs and the mind.

GIVE IT A TRY!

Think 4:8:8
4 counts inhalation
8 counts retention
8 counts exhalation

Sit comfortably
Spine straight - sit on a pillow with legs crossed or on a chair with a comfy back.
All body parts relaxed

Keeping it simple with hand mudras...
Use your thumb and middle finger for the nostril holds.

I'm right handed so here's how it goes...
Hold your right nostril closed with your thumb then inhale through your left nostril for 4 counts.
(I like to count by saying to myself: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4)
When you reach 4 counts keep right nostril plugged with thumb.
Plug your left nostril with middle finger.
Retain breath with both nostrils plugged for 8 counts.
Now...keep the left nostril plugged, let the thumb go and right nostril open and exhale for 8 through right nostril
Now inhale through the right nostril for 4...
Plug both nostrils for 8 counts, then let the left nostril open and exhale for 8.
Now inhale through the left nostril for 4 and so on and so on and then continue this alternate nostril breathing....

So basically you inhale through one nostril, retain (plug) both nostrils, then exhale through the opposite nostril...and keep the pattern going for at least 8 rounds and you've completed alternate nostril breathing! I keep count every time I've inhaled through the left nostril.

I focus on 'watching' my breath move in and out of my body or sometimes I place focus on my third eye (Ajna Chakra) and watch my breath move in and out like a beautiful ray of light.

That's the basics. A good start. Seek out more...
Have fun with your breath work. I'm open for questions too.

BINDU for YOU

Bindu (Sanskrit बिंदु) is a Sanskrit term meaning "point" or "dot". The feminine term is Bindi which denotes a small ornamental, devotional dot that is applied to the forehead in Hinduism. We often focus on our Bindu during meditation...

You owe it to yourself to take a moment out of your day to breathe and to soar into your higher consciousness.

You're going to hit the play button below. Focus on your Bindu or Bindi at your third eye (just below the center of your forehead) and watch a gentle ray of light shine through. Breathe with your nose and make your breath even and relaxed. This is a chant so it's repetitive...

This track is called BINDU and it was recorded at Vivid Sound in Seattle a few years back. I'm on the mic and William Wolford is on beats. Hit play then close your eyes. OM to you.

Purchase BINDU here $1

TAKE A MINUTE AND 50.

Please take a moment to watch this meditation video I made...
Let it bring peace to your day... My friend William Wolford of Vivid Sound Productions just produced this amazing energy alignment music. William calls it vibrational medicine...the perfect dose of: calm. peace. relaxation. inspiration. Love, LPG
Turn up the volume... Feel the music. Let the vibrations touch you...

Buy song here

GLOBAL CITIZEN. DANA MEADOWS

My mother in law first introduced me to Donella 'Dana' Meadows' work around 2006...Thinking in Systems.

Dana passed away in 2001. It is because this woman was a true visionary that her writings are making a stronger than ever impact on our global thoughts about environmental and social issues. Do you see the vision in her eyes in this picture? I do. She is looking at something... something so profound that could sustain our world. I encourage you to read more about Dana. Please take some time out of your day and visit her website, The Donella Meadows Institute.
Thank you Dana...

AN IMPORTANT FILM ABOUT SOCCER

Landon Donovan, captain of the LA Galaxy

I played soccer growing up. I think many kids growing up in suburbia did so. For me, soccer started at under 8's and ended at under 18's. I loved playing the sport. I played goalie mostly and I split my head just once against the goal post and I don't think I can count how many times I got nailed by a foot in full kicking motion. When I wasn't in the goal I was a mid-fielder.

Galacticos is the inspirational true story of 11 boys from different backgrounds and cultures, unified through injury and adversity on a quest to be number one in the country.

I've seen some of the footage and trailer for this documentary and it's awesome.
This film is meaningful. Soccer is a sport that is becoming more relevant in the U.S. every day. Although soccer is the world's game it does not get the recognition as other sports in the U.S. This documentary aims to raise the awareness of the game and its opportunities and achievements to America.

Galacticos is an indie film and the team making this documentary has run out of funds. They're at the final minutes of the game and they need just one more goal to win! I commend indie filmmakers. They truly have heart and they make films they are deeply passionate about. Please do your best do donate and to share the posting with your friends. Support independent film makers! Thank you everyone! SCORE!

Galacticos features Landon Donovan, Captain of Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy Champions and all time highest scoring member of the U.S. Men's National team.

ANYONE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

causes is a free online platform that provides easy-to-use tools for driving change. They help passionate people share ideas, find supporters, raise money, and make an impact. Over 170 million people have taken action for over 500,000 unique campaigns all while using website templates causes offers via their site.

VISIT THEIR SITE. THEY'RE BUILT FOR SHARING.

COPPOLA WINERY POOL & CABINES

A good friend that I've known since junior high and her wife rented a cabine (cabana) at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery pool last weekend. We had a blast hanging out & catching up with friends under the sun.

My recommendation? Do the same. Swim. Play Bocce Ball. Drink Awesome Wine. Eat Delicious Food. Soak up a bit of Vitamin D. No need to bring a towel. They have plush poolside towels waiting for you.

Get more info about how you can spend a relaxing day in the Alexander Valley:
POOL & CABINES @ Coppola

The pool - great views and good wine.

Cool cabanas - you can rent for the day poolside.

Me peeking out of our cabana - glass of vino in hand!

I love these shelves behind the tasting bar that display Coppola bottles for sale.

Was very cool to see this one sheet hanging at the entrance of the tasting room.
I am very excited to see Sofia Coppola's new film, The Bling Ring. Love her pictures

I LOVE CAMBODIA & FISH AMOK!

My trip to Cambodia was an all-time favorite. Not only because it was my honeymoon but because the country is breathtaking and mind-blowing. A feeling of peace floats around in Cambodia. No matter how much chaos the Cambodian citizens have been through throughout its history peace is innate in them. We met so many soulful people. The other day I was thinking of our trip to Cambodia and how we ate Fish Amok almost everyday... not because we had to but because we wanted to. I was craving the flavors of this savory dish so I cooked Fish Amok for dinner last night. Recipe Below!

Just seasoned local halibut with red curry

Fresh Lemongrass Stalks and Kaffir Lime Leaves

Try this recipe from Fairly Cambodian, a website that promotes only ethical and fairly traded Cambodian products. Their cookbook Nyum Bai! (meaning – Have you eaten? Let’s eat!) gives 100% of the proceeds to Green Gecko, an incredible school for street children. Learn more

Cook it up!

FISH AMOK
1.5 to 2 pounds white fish. I use halibut or cod.
2 cups of coconut milk
2 cups of cabbage or spinach - I use a bit of both
2 tablespoons of lemongrass, minced
2 tablespoons of galangal or ginger, minced
2 teaspoons of turmeric (fresh or powdered)
4 large kaffir lime leaves
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
4 teaspoons fish sauce
4 teaspoons red curry paste

Mix together lemongrass, galangal or ginger, turmeric, garlic, salt, sugar, fish sauce and red curry paste together and set aside.

Chop fish into bite-sized pieces. Add fish to the lemongrass mixture and coat fish well. Then add eggs to fish and stir until coated well with egg.

Line an oven safe dish/bowl with cabbage or spinach and add fish mixture on top.
Place bowl in a pan of water and cook in oven (@400) for 12 minutes uncovered.

Add the coconut milk and kaffir lime leaves and cook 10 minutes more.

Using the bowl in a pan of water is a substitute for a steamer since most people do not have a steamer on hand. Also, traditionally banana leaves are used to wrap the fish but cabbage or spinach is a nice alternative. I made individual servings in smaller oven safe bowls.

Let me know if you have any questions...
It's going to be good! Serve over brown rice.

Fish Amok!

SHED - Unusual Offerings.

Kombucha tea, Kefir water, shrubs vinegar drinks....on tap. Sound unusual? Sure they are but that's what we like, right? These tasty fermented drinks will make you shine! SHED in Healdsburg, CA is not only a fermentation bar they also have an amazing espresso/coffee counter with delectable pastries and a café with a genuinely sustainable menu. You can shop there too for original food items and other sustainably specific provisions.
Keep on going...

SHED offers workshops in a variety of areas. They're a community resource for learning and they offer workshops in food crafts, gardening, farming and sustainable living. They also offer Sunday suppers, films, music, readings, cultural and social events. Doesn't this spot sound inviting and magnificent? It is.

Unusual Offerings...

SHED's cool marketing collateral

I Love Kombucha

I'm a huge Kombucha fan. Back in the 90's a co-worker of mine gave me a mother mushroom and I started brewing my tea. Kombucha tea aids the body's natural cleansing process (detox!). Packed with probiotics, Kombucha tea helps the liver to neutralize toxins in the body by supplying an organic gluconic acid, as well as, acetic and lactic acid, active enzymes, polyphenols, an other free radical fighting nutrients and it's super energizing. I hope you can make it out to SHED to experience its loveliness. See you there.

Amazing Space

Cool Energy at SHED

VISIT SHED

GRANDMA'S RECIPE - BIKO.

My grandmother on vacay in Japan circa 1955

The other day I was thinking about my beautiful grandmother. I have so many wonderful memories of her. I miss her laugh. She laughed often. I miss watching her exercise to Jack Lalanne's television show back in the 70's. My cousins and I would be there right along side her doing jumping jacks.

I miss her cooking. One of my favorite desserts she made is a Filipino dessert called Biko made with sweet rice and coconut milk. We often had this for 'merienda' our afternoon snack. Biko is absolutely delicious. I decided to make Biko today. It turned out awesome. Love you Lola. (that's grandmother in Pilipino!)

Here's the recipe: Have fun!

2 cups malagkit or sticky rice or sometimes called glutinous rice - I've used Mochi Rice too.
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3 cups coconut milk (my grandmother often used fresh coconut milk - she shred the coconut by hand)
1/2 tsp salt
Toasted shredded coconut for topping - I forgot the coconut this time.

Rinse the rice. Combine rice and water and cook either in a rice cooker or pot.
While rice is cooking up, combine coconut milk with brown sugar and salt in a pot.
Cook on low heat until it becomes thick in texture. Stir often.

Once rice is cooked add to coconut milk mixture that is still in the pot. Mix well. Continue to cook on medium to low heat until all liquid evaporates. This will take a bit... like 20 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on it so you don't over cook it! Stir often.

Transfer Biko to an eight inch pie or cake pan. Flatten out with back of spoon. Let cool & Set. Serve in slices.

My grandmother used to wrap up individual servings in banana leaves. I looked for banana leaves at my local Asian market but they were out. Next time!

Sweet Rice

Just added sweet rice to coconut milk mixture

Biko! Ready to eat.

What favorite dish did your grandmother make for you when you were a kid? Make it! Coconut milk and sweet rice one of my all-time favorite combinations!

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