Farm Life

Aaaahhhh….country living….where cell phones are replaced by land lines, road rage becomes directed at woodland creatures (though is exponentially small compared to driving in NYC), and making dinner from things found in your backyard is…well…normal.

Life has been like this: Hit the sack at 10ish, wake up around 8:30 or 9. Protein smoothie for breakfast while I sit on a chaise lounge in front of a picture window overlooking expansive grassy green meadows. I’ve missed this. In every residence I’ve had so far (aside from Jersey), I’ve had a giant window to sit in front of while I sip my morning whatever (usually coffee). Then it’s either off to train, run errands, or help out in someone’s kitchen. Somewhere in the middle, we come home, make lunch, maybe take a nap, and then get going again. Night time is for visiting with family, stretching, conditioning, and zoning.

I’m once again on my quest to give up caffeine. I’m also trying to limit my refined sugar intake which means cutting down on sweets…not an easy task with this massive sweet tooth. Been drinking chai tea in the morning along with my breakfast smoothie. The past few days have been in the lower 40’s, so a hot drink is always welcome to chase away the chill. I think because I’ve been replacing caffeine with vitamins and other natural foods to wake up my brain, it’s been quite a bit easier to do than when I was on tour. It’s not easy, though, when Willie and Quitas offer me coffee made from fresh green coffee beans which they roast in front of me. Not gonna lie…I’m weak. What can I say?

I took a Graham technique class tonight. I’ve missed dance so much. It felt amazing to move on the ground again. I find it silly that I’ve been in New York for almost a year, and I still have not gone to any dance classes. I think I’m intimidated. But tonight, my mission was to go into Madison and knock out a class. It was good for my soul…though I was thoroughly lost throughout the entire session. Graham technique makes no sense to me…yet. It think it’s something I’d like to explore further.

Amidst all this beauty, my spirit still struggles to find total peace. I try not to worry about the future, but really, all I want to be doing right now is performing regularly with Disa and Josh as a collective…and getting paid for it. Universe, please send an answer soon. How will we make this happen? I meditated tonight for the first time in oh so long. Getting in tune with my chakras again has become a bit of a rusty process. It was good…but I must remember to meditate more often.

Ok now…some recipes of simple, yet amazing food I’ve had out here so far….compliments of Miss Disa.

Sweet Potato Awesomeness

1 sweet potato
Goat cheese
Garlic
Barley
Tamari

Boil barley until cooked. Slice sweet potato and steam. Mince garlic (or put through press) and mix with goat cheese. Season barley with tamari. Spoon sweet potato slices on top of barley. Top with garlic goat cheese. Eat and be happy.

Power Smoothie (about one cup)

½ cup frozen blueberries
½ cup frozen strawberries
½ banana
Handful of spinach (you don’t taste it…but you get the nutrition!)
Orange juice (to taste)
Yogurt drink (I recommend Keifer…or just used yogurt….to taste)
Soy milk (to taste)
1 tablespoon soy protein powder
1 teaspoon spirulina or Trader Joe’s Very Green Powder
2 teaspoons raw cacao powder (AWESOME superfood…and makes your smoothie taste like chocolate!)

Berries and banana first (if you want one cup of smoothie, use one cup of fruit…it’s a good guide) Make sure liquids completely cover fruit. Add powders last. Blend. Love.