spring 2016 issue 19 design & content Cara Livermore sewindie.com sales & shipping Bob Lawton bob@chickpeamagazine.com
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dine-dash.com bebeauty.org Amanda Citarella is the Founder and Executive Director of non-profit Benevolent And Enlightened Beauty, a humane education program and summer camp for teenage girls. Amanda believes an ethical vegan lifestyle is the most beautiful thing of all.
Polish food stylist and photographer, currently based in London. Loves beautiful food, culinary travels, sauna and hot yoga.
theminimalistvegan.com Michael and Masha are a down-to-earth couple that believe in conscious consuming in a world filled with obstacles and distractions. You can find more of their work over at The Minimalist Vegan and download a copy of their free cookbook.
twig-leaf.com
elementseven.net
kelly beth is a gardening clinical herbalist in the foothills of colorado. this mama of two teaches her family how to live close and connected to the earth and organically grows herbs for her business, twig and leaf botanicals.
Amy is the mother of one amazing daughter, a nature-lover obsessed with capturing beauty through photography, and a believer in a healthy, holistic, plant-powered lifestyle. kyraskitchen.com kyra. is a licensed naturopath, bodymind chef, selftaught (food) photographer and award-winning health food writer.
being-pall.com Michelle is a photographer, surfer and blogger from the UK. In 2008 Michelle embarked on a life with less plastic, while living on the West Coast of Portugal. This change influenced many of her daily habits, food being one of the most important ones.
becleanshop.com Becky is a vegan business owner, wife and mom to a sweet old miniature dachshund named Scooby. A DC transplant lusting after a few good West Coast vibes, you can find her one of two places: working in her shop studio or eating food at any number of local, plant-friendly joints.
coutellerie.pl Marianna is an art historian by education, and a food lover, chef and photographer by passion. Based in Warsaw, Poland, she explores the person and story behind a meal and is always thrilled to share it on her blog.
veggieblackboard.com Morwenna is a graduate architect living in Scotland with a passion for all things food, design and sustainability.
nicolemrivas.com jessarnaudin.com Jess Arnaudin is NYC-based eco-makeup artist, holistic esthetician, social media strategist and product photographer. She is committed to supporting women-owned small businesses and loves helping people heal their skin from the inside out with organic beauty and lifestyle products.
bitbybitwellness.com As a 500-hour registered yoga teacher, holistic health coach, writer, and wide eyed explorer, Marisa specializes in helping others nourish their body and
Nicole Rivas is a prose writer, grad student, and creative writing instructor living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. When not writing, she can be found reading, hiking, and daydreaming about olives.
soul, allowing them to improve their lives bit by bit.
mykindcloset.com
communitycomposting.org Community Composting is a residential and commercial composting service in Rochester, NY.
Stephanie’s blog, My Kind Closet, provides her readers with helpful tips and advice for building a vegan wardrobe and using cruelty-free products at home. In addition to sharing travel adventures and general musings, she strives to help others expand their understanding of “ethical consumerism” to encompass consideration for both humans and animals alike.
paigestjohn.com Paige Patterson lives on the eastern end of long island where she tends to a massive and excessive garden and has chickens but doesn’t eat their eggs -- so her neighbors tend to love her a lot.
words by Michael & Masha theminimalistvegan.com Minimalism has been a buzzword on the internet for the last 10 or so years and more recently, it’s made its way into mainstream media. We have seen the word being used across various industries including fashion, design, food, technology, beauty, housing, and more. Heck we even named our company, Minimalist Company Pty Ltd. But when the hype dust clears, what does minimalism actually mean? Minimalism has traditionally been linked to simple, intentional art and design concepts. We believe minimalism is so much more than that. We define minimalism as the process of identifying what is essential in your life and eliminating the rest. The concept banks on the idea that less is always more. With so many distractions around us, we often find it difficult to create time and space to enjoy the simple things in life such as spending time with our loved ones, exercising, working on a creative project, cooking or simply doing nothing. We’re too busy being overwhelmed with physical, digital and mental clutter that leads to increased anxiety and an overall sense of dissatisfaction. What minimalism looks like day-to-day is making decisions consciously as it relates to the
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items you own, how many commitments you make, and with whom you choose to spend your time. It’s an empowering feeling to let go of things that aren’t adding value to your life. It ultimately means that you can spend the bulk of your time doings things that truly matter to you. Obviously, we’re passionate about simplification. However, we feel that minimalism in general has room for improvement. In fact, it can be amplified with the combination of vegan principles. Minimalism is, at its core, anticonsumerist and can be a way of showcasing “purchasing power,” or in this case, “nonpurchasing power.” Veganism can be used in the same way, and in many aspects, both movements are looking toward the same goal: being conscious of exploitative and wasteful practices for the purpose of our health, the environment, and the lives affected by unrestrained consumerism. (Whether human or animal.) The combination of the two ideals have the power to dramatically shift the demand for what we as humans consume. That’s why we work hard everyday to live a minimalist vegan lifestyle. It’s not perfect and we don’t always get it right - it’s just an ideal that we believe is worth pursuing.
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
For us, it all started about two years ago when we underwent major changes to become minimalist vegans. This decision happened within a 6-month time frame with minimalism leading the way, followed by veganism shortly after.
possible.
When people first hear of minimalism they think of someone in plain clothes sitting in a room with white space surrounded by nothing. At least, this is what we thought when we first heard about the concept. As we learned more about it from people like Leo Babauta from Zen Habits, we realized that this could be the perfect cure for what we call “the more virus” - a mentality of always wanting more.
We know that veganism and minimalism are powerful complementary lifestyles. The underlying theme that links them together is mindfulness; being mindful about what you consume, whether it is animal products or luxury goods. It’s about being aware of how every decision you make impacts you and what’s around you. For example, a minimalist vegan is not only picky about how many things they buy, but they’re also picky about how those things were made.
We used to take on many different commitments and spread ourselves too thin. We also had goals of working up the corporate ladder, buying multiple houses, having nice clothes and cars. Minimalism enabled us to see that there was a different way to define success, and not to follow what is (directly or indirectly) advertised to us. Minimalism gave us the confidence to effectively
quit things that weren’t adding real value, whether it was dead end jobs, things we owned but didn’t need, commitments, negative friends or businesses that we were no longer passionate about. All of a sudden, success wasn’t about materialism anymore, it was about having simple, enriching experiences on our own terms. Our journey towards veganism was similar to what many new vegans experience all the time. We gathered up the courage to watch Earthlings one evening and became vegan overnight. In fact, Michael was eating chicken kebabs earlier that day! For us, it was pretty much impossible to go back to consuming animals and their bi-products after making the connection. Both lifestyles have heightened our awareness drastically and have enriched our lives in ways we thought wasn’t
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
A lot of people ask us what correlation we see between the two belief systems. It’s a fun question to discuss as both lifestyles are unique in their own right.
That’s ultimately how we came up with the concept for our blog, The Minimalist Vegan. Our goal is to live with compassion and simplicity each and everyday. It’s a good ideal to have and to be aware of as we navigate a world filled with distractions and mixed messages.
On a deeper level it’s fascinating to imagine a world where everyone is a minimalist vegan. What would that look like? Largely, it would reverse the consumerist mindset that’s embedded so deeply into the way most of us live today. Some might argue a minimalist vegan society would be bad for business. We believe the opposite. If every person lived with such awareness, unethical businesses would be exposed and successful businesses would be ones who create ethical solutions that last longer and perform better. We hope that mindfulness will be the key motivator for both consumers and businesses moving forward. And it starts with all of us making better decisions about how we spend our time and money. So are you ready to embark on a minimalist vegan lifestyle? r
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CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
words, recipes & photos by Karolina Wiercigroch dine-dash.com
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
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1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1
gluten-free oatmeal waffles with blueberries spring vegetable curry with rice
large banana green chilli pepper garlic cloves shallot lemongrass stalk limes small piece ginger bunch fresh cilantro bunch Thai basil bunch mint bunch asparagus bunch arugula or baby kale 15 oz. snow peas 5 oz. tenderstem broccoli 5 oz. green peas 1 sweet potato 2 avocados 2 tomatoes 2 portobello mushrooms 2 buns 5 oz. blueberries one 14 oz. can coconut milk
portobello burger with sweet potato fries
coconut rice pudding with blueberries mashed avocado on a bun spring vegetable soba noodle salad with green curry dressing
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oat flour or oats rice baking powder ground cinnamon sea salt maple syrup coconut oil cumin seeds coriander seeds soy sauce muscovado sugar olive oil balsamic vinegar black pepper coconut flakes soba noodlesÂ
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
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words by Morwenna Calow veggieblackboard.com A little while ago I moved a few meters down the street. Same country, same city, same neighborhood - but everything changed. Together with my partner I bought my first
bloody unlikely.
mistake the colourful little pellets for food,
home: a tiny one-bedroom apartment in the
I fear I am not alone. It is a common tale; I
which eventually leads to starvation.
see it with my friends and family. We own
It’s not much better on terra firma. Almost
too much, and it takes up both physical
four million tons of solid waste are generated
and mental space. It clutters our rooms, our
every day, much of which goes to landfill.
hearts and our emotional state.
According to the Danish Fashion Institute
We populate a planet with finite resources,
the clothing industry is the second largest
using it like we have ten tucked away for
polluter of the world, second only to oil.
later. With a westernised social norm of
Our cheap t-shirt is produced by modern-
mass consumption we plough through our
day slavery labour. Animals tortured for a
fields, people and rivers with the result of
piece of fabric.
too much stuff, stuff that ends up under our
These are consequence to our actions; I
heart of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It’s a small space within a 1880’s tenement block. We moved from a generously-sized rented flat around the corner. This is where it starts. The realization kicks in - the need for less. We
consider
ourselves
fairly
non-
materialistic. Prior to this I was convinced we owned hardly anything and were surely the shining beacon of simple non-consumerist living. This transpired to be incorrect and awfully misguided. We own too much: car loads, boxes full with a small village worth of items stuffed under the bed. Every nook and cranny of our old abode had been filled. Once all had been brought to daylight, it accumulated into a nauseating amount of possessions. These surely will one day come in useful, at least that must have been the reasoning for keeping it all. Maybe I could wear that dress this summer for a brief magnificent moment when Edinburgh turns mildly warm, maybe I will frantically be scouring my shelves for a book on Vitruvius
beds to be forgotten until the end of time. (Or, the next time we move.)
am ever so lightly skimming the surface of what we are doing to our planet Earth.
I stop and think, glaring at my boxes
Collectively, we are all accountable. But it
crammed into the corner of our new living
is exactly the safety in numbers that numbs
room. We have still not fully unpacked. It’s
the sense of responsibility. Eyes wide shut,
been two months. We simply don’t have
we continue to consume.
anywhere to put it, the sugary-sweet yet
It was the small jolt of change that caused
bitter irony of talking of minimalism whilst my house is a mess.
the full-on confrontation with my habits of consumption and started the process of
For what it’s worth, I am mid-stream;
yearning for less.
somewhere on a journey trying to be part of
So how do we approach consumerism,
the answer, however let me dwell briefly on the problem.
not as a quick fix, but a carefully thoughtthrough process? How can we create a more
Scotticus one day, maybe I will start liking
In the middle of the ocean there is an
meaningful relation with what we own?
that pair of shoes again, despite their sheer
island twice the size of Texas. It is made up
How do we create beautiful, succinct and
unwavering ugliness, they are so practical
entirely of plastic; just a range of micro to
living-friendly environments that inspire
after all? And the truth is yes, maybe; but it’s
macro particles of plastic lumped together.
and seed happiness without costing the
Seabirds, turtles and other marine animals
Earth?
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CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
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When speaking of his aesthetic tactic in architecture Ludwig Mies van der Rohe often stated “Less is more”,
By holding on to what we treasure we learn to associate
a vastly over-quoted phrase, yet too appropriate not
what we own with value and importance, stepping
to mention when trying to channel your inner
away from a throwaway mentality. What we own
minimalist.
should be a precious piece of our life. Just as important as acquiring possessions is the process of letting go. Be
The first step is about paring back. Be brutal and
thankful for what you own but be mindful to when
minimal.
it becomes obsolete, a mere addition to your evergrowing pile, and pass it on.
RESOURCES
Only keep what you love, what brings happiness within your soul when you touch it or use it. The ideal
Every two months my local pub runs a clothing swap.
way to go about radical de-cluttering is by category.
Simple as can be, you bring the items you no longer
Collect every morsel of clothing you own, every last
want, then start shopping what others have brought.
silly sock, and spread it all out. Instead of scouring
Suddenly gaining and surrendering possessions
the selection of what you might be able to part with,
becomes part of the same circle and ritual. Most
go about it the other way around. Pick out the things
people leave with fewer items than they arrive with,
you love, adore, cherish. The rest must go. Not in the
largely because our need leans towards decreasing
bin though, make sure to pass it on to someone who
rather than increasing how much we own.
needs it.
The truth is the more I looked into the high street
believer of haptic qualities, items with a rich fabric, a
brands the more I was concerned. Workers earn
smell of nature or engrained patterns intuitively are
nothing close to a living wage, suffering unspeakably
held dear. An old timber chopping board with cracks
poor working conditions, and extremely long hours
running through, a crisp organic cotton shirt, a hand
with no chance of any basic trade union rights. Many
thrown ceramic bowl that neatly nestles perfectly
women are verbally abused and beaten on the job. So
into your palms as you sip your hemp milk chai
I asked myself: if I cared enough to go vegan for the
tea. Focus on the qualities of an item; the visual and
animals, why would I not care enough to buy fair-
tactile aspects of life matter. I truly believe beauty and
trade to support basic human rights?
good design make for a happier and a creatively more Thus it begins, a completely new way of shopping. Granted it takes longer, however the joy and love Three things that work for me are research, locality
you associate with each item is greater and fuller. The
and cost. Often delving deeply into who made your
cost is greater of course, resulting in fewer items that
coat, cup or shoes yields a willingness to pay more. We
make the cut. But wasn’t that the whole point from
see the people behind the products and care.
the start? r
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center.sustainability.duke. edu/resources/green-factsconsumers/how-much-do-wewaste-daily europa.eu/eyd2015/en/ fashion-revolution/posts/ europe-world-garmenttextiles-and-fashion-industry waronwant.org/fashionvictims-facts
I have trained in architecture and design. I am a strong
flourishing life. Take care in choosing.
5gyres.org
theguardian.com/usnews/2015/aug/23/pacificocean-plastic-trash-mappingmission garbagepatch.net/ garbagepatchintroduction worldbank.org/en/news/ feature/2013/10/30/globalwaste-on-pace-to-triple europa.eu/eyd2015/en/ fashion-revolution/posts/ europe-world-garmenttextiles-and-fashion-industry ecowatch.com/2015/08/17/ fast-fashion-second-dirtiestindustry/ trucost.com/blog/134/thecolour-this-season-is-green
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
words & photos by Jessica Hamm communitycomposting.org 18
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
The coffee grinder kicks up and the
the need to discard what we deem
published a post on Facebook asking
smell of fresh, dark roast beans begins to
weathered, outdated, useless or lost
Rochester residents to express their
permeate the air. Bright, fresh morning
without much thought and with great
interest in subscribing to a residential
light streams through the kitchen
speed. Remember that extra lettuce you
composting service, and the response
windows as you watch boiling water
bought? Did it get lost in the crisper
they received in return from community
bathe the soft bed of fragrant coffee
behind the other greens you forgot
residents was a resounding “YES!” The
grounds. The slow, stimulating drip
you already had? It's inevitable that
rest, as they say, is history; Community
mellows into the background as you
food waste will happen and we won't
Composting was born.
catch a spoonful of coconut oil gently
always be able to say no to a good sale,
sizzle, melting into a puddle on a warm
but how do we begin to scale back this
skillet. You bask in the warmth and
harmful and wasteful reality? We can
golden flame as you spice and stir and
become more aware of our behavior to
mingle with garlic, tomato and kale.
reduce buying more than we need, and
You coalesce with the others in the pan
turn to Mother Nature to recycle what
then prepare to dance on taste buds.
is no longer edible.
The peeled onion skin and leftover, discarded vegetable counterparts join the coffee grounds in a bowl on the counter top. The basin of discarded scraps is tossed and its future has a new twist. It’s a compost pile and it’s about to get dirty.
Rochester's food waste into a local resource,” says Arnold. “Many cities around the world have already adopted food scrap recycling programs and we had the chance to make it happen right here in Rochester.
We were
Composting, simply put, is the process
inspired by small businesses like
of organic matter decaying into a
Compost Now in Raleigh, NC, as
nutrient dense soil amendment. While
well as the people already composting
the premise of composting is simple,
in the city despite the complications
the goal is long lasting – responsibly
of maintaining a compost pile [in an
recycling food scraps in an economical
urban environment].”
and environmentally-friendly way. To
For most, tossing unused or leftover
some the process is intuitive; to others
organic matter into a kitchen trash
it requires learning how to scale back
can is the status quo. So much so,
while also (re)defining a personalized
that approximately one-third of food
approach to living consciously and
is wasted globally, while an average of
sustainably. Whether you compost in
40 percent of food goes uneaten in the
the backyard or actively participate in a
United States. Uneaten! The National
private or public program, composting
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
is an equal opportunity activity. Each
Kidney Diseases estimates that 150
one of us eats food, and so we can all
trillion calories are wasted in America
actively participate in this sacred and
each year. This is an alarming reality
healthy act. Composting is helping
and one that continues to grow.
to
We’ve heard it time and time again - we
“We were giddy at the idea of turning
promote
healthy
lifestyles
in
communities around the world.
Since its inception three years ago, Arnold
and
Kraft’s
business
has
garnered over 300 residential and commercial subscribers. Community Composting
works
closely
with
Vermigreen, an organics processing facility in Palmyra, NY. Vermigreen makes magic happen, combining the food scraps with farm residues and other locally sourced inputs, creating luscious, soft compost. This finished compost is returned to Community Composting subscribers every Spring, in addition to a selection of community
exist in a world that tends to gravitate
Brent Arnold and Steven Kraft had
gardens and organizations in the
toward immediacy, often at the expense
been composting in their Rochester,
Rochester. Collectively, the company's
of long-term foresight. While this
NY community for years before they
customers have diverted over 350,000
mentality of instant gratification can
realized that their backyard hobby
pounds of food scraps from the landfill,
be rewarding in the moment - Lettuce is
had potential to evolve into a working
averaging 4,000 - 5,000 pounds a week.
on sale! Buy three! - we are encouraging
model for their city. In 2013, they
Even more incredible, this diversion of
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
19
waste has spared our atmosphere 650
it only requires a handful of ingredients
and
tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
– carbon, nitrogen, water and heat.
process will allow your food scraps to
Sound easy already, right?
contribute to the creation of rich soil
Currently over 97% generated food scraps and waste end up in the landfill in
The carbon comes from woody materials
the US. This treatment of the material
such as yard trimmings, cardboard,
not only takes up precious space, but
leaves or straw. Nitrogenous materials
prevents the nutrients and energy latent
come from your food scraps. The key to
in the material from ever reaching fields
making a successful compost pile, and
and soil again. Organic matter that is
what is often the most common mistake
destined for the landfill breaks down
with backyard composters is creating
anaerobically (without oxygen) and
the correct balance between the carbon
produces methane, which is 21 times
and nitrogen. On average, there should
more potent than carbon dioxide as a
be about 25 times more carbon than
greenhouse gas. And as we all know,
nitrogen by volume, meaning all those
greenhouse gases are what contribute to
leaves you rake and all those dry, brown
climate change. More importantly, it’s
grass clippings from your summer lawn
critical that we replenish the soils where
mowing, can and should be put to
we grow our food each year. We can
good use. You can even toss in paper
follow the example of all sustainable
or soiled pizza boxes if you shred them
ecosystems where all that lives and
adequately. To get the water balance in
dies contributes to the nourishment of
check, stick your hand into the pile and
new life, through the soil. Composting
pull out a sample to assess the moisture
is a practical application of this
level. It should feel about as moist as
cycle. Putting these nutrients back in
a wrung out sponge: neither dripping
our fields and gardens prevents soil
water, nor too dry, either.
erosion, improves the nutrient density
materials,
this
used to make your garden grow. “It’s exciting to think food can be food again,” says Arnold.
We know tossing food scraps and waste in the trash is detrimental to the earth’s atmosphere, keeps the material from benefitting future food production, and contributes to converting our landscape into more landfills.“Waste is just a word to describe materials for which we haven’t thought of a good use,” says Kraft. Composting can contribute to a more viable and sustainable lifestyle, but our living situations dictate our opportunities to participate in the process. If your small apartment doesn’t offer the landscape to create a pile and your city doesn’t offer curbside service, what can you do to make a difference? Find a local operation like Community Composting. Start a
When selecting a place to begin your
community garden and compost with
pile, it’s important to find a spot that
your neighborhood. If sustainability is
is dry and shady. Permaculture design
central to the long-term success of any
would say it should be convenient
goal, action, relationship, or chosen
enough to access in all seasons, but be
lifestyle, it’s necessary that we support
With a bit of practice and the right
far enough away from your outdoor
and involve ourselves in the endeavors
recipe, backyard composting can be a
hangout space to reduce the possibility
that support us. Even if it starts in the
viable solution for those who have the
of drifting odors. If you can place it
kitchen.
space or live in a town where a pickup
near your garden it will save trips and
service is not offered. For many though,
make incorporating it into your beds
the idea of starting a compost pile in
much easier. Layering your food scraps
their yard can seem overwhelming.
under carbon material will help the
Will it smell? Does it require a lot
nitrogen to break down, given there’s
of attention? Will it attract rodents?
an appropriate amount of moisture
When broken down, the process is less
from your organics. Over time, and
daunting than one might suspect, and
with continual contributions of carbon
of the food grown in these areas, improves water retention, and reduces our dependence on petrochemical fertilizers.
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nitrogen-rich
The number of cities offering residential and commercial composting services is growing. To see if your town offers service style composting, visit Compost Now. r compostnow.org/compost-services
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
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words by Paige St. John Patterson paigestjohn.com 22
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
Okay, so the rabbits ate the peas again,
to rip it all up and plant dahlias instead.
all the cilantro bolted in the heat and
there. And my raspberries have grown into a tangled sprawling, out of control
the Genovese basil succumbed to powdery
I think I feel compelled mostly because
mess that is unharvestable unless you
mildew within weeks of being planted.
although I don’t really cook, I married
put on my bee suit and wade into the
Plus can we talk weeds? The beets were
someone who does. My husband Dereyk
morass as if for war.
swamped by an explosion of crabgrass,
is fantastic in the kitchen. Hand him a
crabgrass that appeared out of nowhere and
couple of ingredients, and he can invent
I’m not actually a complete failure when
dug its roots in with such determination
something delicious. Unlike me, with
it comes to growing edibles, but the
I’d have been impressed by if I wasn’t on
my reams of vegan cookbooks, blog
other problem is that we’re both sort
my hands and knees with my Japanese
printouts and my scales and measuring
of bad about going out and harvesting,
weeding knife, swearing my head off and
cups, Dereyk is improvisational. As long
so when I’m successful, we suffer from
trying to rip it out.
as I keep the refrigerator stocked, he’ll
the most amazing gluts. One year we
make dinner every night and all I have
had so many cherry tomatoes it was
And let’s talk about the thornless
to do are the dishes. It’s a great deal, and
upsetting. Some of the seven plants
blackberries that take up an amazing
of course, since I’m a gardener, I thought
must have followed me home, because
amount of garden real estate. Honestly?
I should grow him everything he needed
I don’t even remember planting three
The fruits are just terrible -- bitter and
just a few steps away from the kitchen.
of them. I pushed those orbs on friends
boringly bad. So after twelve years is it time to remove them and plant something
and family and the people at the post Doesn’t that sound perfect?
else in their place? And should it be food?
office. I brought them to work. I left them on the neighbor’s doorsteps. I
Okay, so the reality didn’t really work.
invited strangers to stop over and pick
Listen. I work in the gardening
Yes, Dereyk made an amazing Roasted
their own and still they sat there, fistfuls
profession. It’s how I make a living. But
Beets with Hazelnut Vinaigrette the
of them, rotting on the vines. Gluts are
I’ll be the first to confess - I’m sort of
summer of the crabgrass invasion, but
bad. Almost worse than failures because
over this veggie gardening thing.
did he use the guys I’d rescued from the
then there’s the guilt of all this food
ever-encroaching weeds? No, he grabbed
going to waste.
Now granted, there’s isn’t anything as
a bunch of big, beautiful beets from a
good as picking, steaming and eating
farm stand on the way home and made
I’ve learned to be very creative with
your own artichokes, and thanks to local
them baby beet size bites by quartering
overwhelming harvests, but remember:
starts of two, Tavor and Imperial Star,
them after roasting.
I’m not a cook. I tend to make salads
I’ve done that. But let’s be honest, I ate
and popcorn and have been know to live
two artichokes and the rest opened into
We’re fortunate in that we live in a
on microwaved potatoes and salsa for
their purple extraordinariness and were
place where you can’t go 50 feet without
months – luckily I actually grow a pretty
used in floral arrangements instead. It’s
tripping over a farm stand or a farmers
mean potato so I’m really somewhat self
one of the reasons I might not rip up the
market or a CSA and all those folks
sufficient, but the year I pickled up all
blackberries - their unripened fruits look
know how to do this vegetable growing
our excess veggies just left me with a lot
amazing in arrangements as well.
thing light years better then I ever have.
of uneaten pickles and a house cluttered
And although I stood at one of those
with vegetable-filled jars.
But I have over two acres of flowers. The
farm stands and watched an employee
kitchen garden should be for food. Or at
empty plastic containers of Driscoll
So before last spring, Dereyk and I laid
least that’s how I’ve always felt about it.
raspberries and blueberries into little
down some rules for the coming year’s
That I should have one. It’s one of those
green cardboard boxes, there are still a
garden. As much garlic as possible, since
things I felt compelled to do every year,
lot of good, straightforward folk, with
Dereyk considers his garlic scape pesto
and by the end of each season, I’d vow
honest, homegrown raspberries out
a personal kitchen basic. But no more
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peas, carrots or beets. (I ignored the pea
time and energy.)
please. I allowed myself to keep my
edict and planted a blue podded variety
asparagus and artichokes since they were
anyway, only to have the crop come
There’s enough thyme for the rest of our
both perennial, but had to think about
to perfection and not get harvested. It
lives and the same with sage but Dereyk
working them into my flowerbeds if I’m
was torrentially pouring on three of my
was all for banning basil. I know it
wasn’t going to harvest the buds.
days off last pea season – so the peas
sounds strange - a cook not wanting his
got bitter and I threw the whole crop
own homegrown basil, but I sort of got
So we followed all the rules and
on the compost pile. Sigh.) No more
it. Once garlic scape time was past, and
had another frustrating season. The
cilantro either, as ours has always just
we had pounds of pre-portioned pesto
nasturtiums went crazy, billowing out of
bolted right when he needs a handful.
stuffing the basement freezer, what was
their raised beds like newly fluffed down
No more lemon grass, no more oregano
Dereyk meant to do with those 12 basil
bedding, but there weren’t more than
or summer savory or lemon verbena.
plants all getting ready to flower and
three flowered salads. The rest went in
Yes to parsley, which for some reason
demanding to be harvested? Why not
huge armfuls straight into the compost
doesn’t overwinter for us although it
just get basil when we needed it?
pile. Such a waste. It’s not really, if I
does for everyone else. Yes to potatoes
pretend I’m growing a very fancy green
and no to spinach. Yes to onions and
We were torn over the tomatoes. The
manure for the garden. More compost
no to parsnips. Although in case you’re
heartache of losing the slicers each year
is never a bad thing, but every time
curious, if you neglect to harvest your
to blight has been discouraging for both
I walked past the billows of peppery
parsnips over the winter months, they
of us. Plus I know the fiasco of the 7
blooms I’d be saddened - and that’s not
have the most amazing acid yellow
cherry tomatoes plants that wouldn’t
the way I wanted to feel in the garden.
umbels that rock a bouquet and will
stop giving was scarring for the poor guy,
stump all the florists in town.
and kind of put him over the edge, but
The tomatoes were a mixed bag. Lots
they were promised as blight resistant
of cherries but only one slicer did okay.
We gave up on lettuce when we got
(and were!) so we compromised. Only 4
And neither of us really ever want to ever
chickens, who believe that what’s my
tomato plants. Besides, I wasn’t ready to
see a cherry tomato again. The eggplants
kale is their kale. But honestly with the
give up the taste of just picked in the sun
did okay, but they’d be ready when I
lettuce, all I had to do was look at the
and popped in your mouth tomatoes,
wasn’t in an eggplant mood. And when
stuff and it would bolt. Nor was I allowed
no matter what Dereyk decreed. And
I was, the ones I’d picked previously
to bring home any more enormous
finally, only one summer squash or one
were shriveled on the counter and
rosemary plants that needed to be
zucchini plant allowed. Not both.
nothing would be ready in the patch.
brought inside for the winter as each
The onions rotted and the edamame
year they look like they might survived
On the plus side, I could grow as many
were also enjoyed in leaf form by the
in the house, and then, as soon as the
beans and cucumbers as I wanted. And
rabbits. Frankly, we had a terrible bean
weather turned and it threatened to get
radishes. Also allowed were chives and
season. I’m not sure what happened,
warm, they’d bite the dust. Dereyk felt
as much dill as I could handle (which
but I think the plants got swamped and
terrible about the rosemary plant deaths,
is funny since we lose this crop to the
disappeared. Either that or elves stole
so just one smaller sacrifical one was
swallowtail butterfly caterpillars each
them. Regardless we did not harvest a
fine. No more arugula – thank you flea
year but I’d grow it for both of them
single haricot vert all season. I believe I
beetles. (Although if you want to try one
with pleasure, regardless of my success.)
even planted two crops. Terrible right?
buy Wasabi from Renee’s Seeds. It really
He encouraged nasturtium plantings
tastes like the Japanese horseradish, but
for salads, eggplants that he’d be happy
And did I mention that my potatoes,
it bolted very early for us. The thirty
to grill as long as he didn’t have to eat
which had always been an easy crop for
leaves we ate were amazing, but really?
them, and I could knock myself out with
me, were either dug up and eaten by
Thirty leaves? Not such a good return on
wax and hot peppers, but no habaneros
rats, rats that have come to the garden
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CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
to celebrate my adventures with chickens, or inexplicably
for clearing the head. I actually enjoy it. But the growing
collapsed into liquid puddles of nastiness? Oh yes, and even
season is also my working season, so invariably I’m trying to
with only one plant, there was way too much squash. I tried
fit a week’s worth of chores and errands and garden activities
an heirloom zucchini and we hated it. We tried feeding them
into one day off and weeding the beets and thinning the
to the chickens but they hated it too. Hello compost pile.
lettuce will always be deprioritized.
I love strawberries, but I know myself well enough to know
Nor am I motivated to check to see what needs to be
I will never maintain a strawberry patch perfectly, and why
picked everyday. I fulfilled that need with the big armfuls
should I when the farm stand on Wainscott Main Street has
of blooms I drag up and down my two acres, cackling with
such excellent berries right when they’re truly ready. They
glee at each fabulous find. If I’m out there with a basket,
also had the most incredible asparagus last spring, which
I’m probably filling it with something that’s pretty and frilly
put my poor little pathetic patch to shame. But I wasn’t
and voluptuous. And that’s okay. That’s who I am. That’s
embarrassed; I was grateful.
my passion and why I garden. It’s how I ended up with foxgloves overtaking and swamping the area where the peas
I’m happy to confess that I’m a bad veggie grower.
were meant to be.
I think it’s the maintenance that’s required. I’m not a big
So last fall, when my disappointment with the vegetable
weeder, I’m a planter. I believe if there’s an empty hole you
garden still outweighed the pleasure I got from growing
should fill it with a plant, or throw down a few more seeds or
my own food, I planted tulips instead. And when those are
pop in a bulb, a theory that doesn’t really work when you’re
done this spring I plan on stuffing the vegetable patch with
growing crops. Crops require thinning and weeding. Two
dahlias, verbena bonariensis, nicotianas and ammi mas.
skills that I really don’t have either the time or inclination
And I’m not going to beat myself up about it.
to pursue. It’s not that I’m not good at weeding, I am. And
weeding has always been some of my most grounding and
I’m a bad veggie gardener and that’s okay. Although I might
healthy time in the garden. Weeding is good for the soul,
be disappointing Alice Waters by no longer providing my
mostly because no one can weed when they are angry or
own sustenance from my own land, I imagine if she saw
distracted, so you have to be in the present or you’ll do
last years’ pathetic radishes she’d forgive me for giving up.
damage, ripping out good seedlings and plants you want
And if I explained to her that the way I was feeding myself
with the bad guys. When you weed you have to leave the
was that I was adding more flowers to stuff my soul, I think
frustrations, irritations and distractions of the world behind.
she’d be okay. Especially if I handed her a huge purple and
You have to see what you are doing and be aware. Weeding is
orange bouquet. r
one of the most Zen activities I know, and amazingly helpful
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words & photos by Jess Arnaudin jessarnaudin.com
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At every season we are called to listen to the earth and to our bodies. We respond to
I’ve come to realize that simplicity truly
longer in the sky, and to the bees that
eliminate the clutter, we discover daily
the soft urges of the sun staying a bit hum as the budding ground is roused to life. We slip yet again into the beautiful magic
that
is
springtime.
During
this
is the ultimate sophistication. When we self-care rituals that are simple, but not simplistic.
season of awakening we must tune in and
Streamlining your stash is not only about
full, nourished, and complete.
quality, and choosing products that are
ask ourselves what we need in order to feel
Sometimes
to
feel
full
we
need
to
get
empty, to surrender the things in our lives
less quantity; it’s also a commitment to made with good-for-you ingredients with no
harmful side effects. Download apps like
Think Dirty, Environmental Working Group
which no longer serve us. It’s a universal
Skin Deep, and My Conscience My Choice that
a collective craving to purge, to lighten.
empower you to shop more thoughtfully. (Make
impulse. With every vernal equinox we feel Love it or dread it, we call it spring
cleaning. Perhaps somehow this basic need contains more enduring universal truths for
our planet as a whole. Maybe each year we understand again that we must do more with less – and in doing so, learn to find bliss in life’s simple pleasures.
As a society, we speak the language of stuff.
We delight in having a rich storehouse of possibilities
at
our
disposal:
a
fully
stocked fridge, or a closet bursting at the seams with color, texture, patterns.
As an esthetician and makeup artist, my specific dialect was always a beauty bag overflowing
with
products.
Cornered
in
rate personal care products on safety and sure to always steer clear of the supervillains: parabens, phthalates, synthetic colors,
dyes,
and
fragrances.)
Another
consideration when downsizing quantity is to upsize value. Find sustainable products that work double time; perhaps your cleanser
is also supremely moisturizing, or your
body oil can be used as a hair serum to tame flyaway strands. The “do more with less” lifestyle
mantra
isn’t
about
depriving
yourself of luxurious sensory experiences.
Quite the opposite! It’s about honoring yourself, your skin, and the environment
by selecting only the best-of-the-best, and saying farewell to the rest.
clusters were varying colored glass bottles
Our lives are the reflection of our actions
my nightstand. Heaped into boxes beneath
to bring another product into your life,
and countless jars stacked haphazardly on the bathroom sink lived an apothecary of
tonics and masques and clay powders. There were the tucked away treasures, too, the
once-loved-now-forgotten lip balm, or the hand-poured vials filled with essential oils
scattered to pieces among tote bags and denim pockets. I found comfort in being insulated by endless options.
CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
and beliefs. Each time you make the choice you are in essence voting for that product – the manufacturing methods, the ingredients,
the packaging. You are placing your trust in that particular company. When examining
your self-care habits, take a look at every
aspect of the products that you bring into your home.
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In addition to the non-negotiable purity of the product, all of these factors play a role in the decision to purchase with intention.
Is the packaging recyclable or biodegradable? Are the products 100% cruelty-free? Who founded the line/whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s their story? Are the ingredients organic or wild-harvested? Does the company give a portion of proceeds to charity?
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CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
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31
words & photos by Becky Waddell of Be Clean becleanshop.com
props by Salt & Sundry instagram.com/saltandsundry
There seems to be a point in our lives when days mysteriously transform from hours long to minutes short, and our list of obligations stretches beyond our furthest horizons. There’s a point when adulthood creeps in and politely requests that we support ourselves financially, emotionally, and physically, all while being present for our family and confidants. It’s here where we start overlooking the details, and begin shifting from task to task instead of participating in the moments that shape our lived experience. Of this casual acceptance for missing moments, I may be more guilty than you. I easily and often forget to stop and smell the roses. My thoughts drift (read: run) toward the future, only to miss the infinite beauty that exists right in front of me. I want to remember these moments, and in a twist of trite fate, I’m doing so by stopping, and indeed smelling, the roses. And lavender. And mint. And sage. I’ll admit it: I’m falling in love with herbs. Though only in the very early stages of discover I’ve found that paying attention to their scents is almost meditative. Stepping away from overpowering fragrance, most notably the artificial scents found in everything from hand soap to room spray, has enabled me to uncover a world of subtle complexity in herbs. Do you know how many ways lavender can smell? I spend most of my time exploring the herbal creations of talented makers and herbalists, and it’s an incredible privilege. But recently, mindful moments call me to explore. These are a few simple recipes I’ve discovered so far, and though one takes longer than the other, it’s worth the time; indulge in the moment it offers.
Have you ever made your own nut milk? If so, you know how focusing the process can be. I am endlessly struck by the nuance of a homemade milk: the texture, the scent, the flavor. They’re so delicate and sweet. Here, I’ve softened the stronger flavor of pistachio milk with some almonds, brightened them both with roses and lavender, and kept things grounded with warm turmeric and vanilla. The herbs transform this humble milk into a refreshing drink, and I can envision it poured on ice and enjoyed over conversation on a sunny spring day. I recommend using organic ingredients and purchasing organic herbs from a reputable source for this recipe. Ingredients 3/4 cup raw soaked pistachios 1/4 cup raw soaked almonds 1 date 4 cups water pinch of sea salt 1/4 cup dried edible rose petals 1 tsp dried edible lavender 1/8 tsp powdered turmeric 1/4 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
Tools blender nut milk bag large bowl milk jar
Instructions 1. Place soaked and rinsed nuts in blender with the date, water, and salt. Blend on high for 30 seconds, or until liquid looks frothy and creamy, and no pieces of nuts or dates are seen in the blender. 2. Place nut milk bag in a bowl and slowly pour the milk mixture into the nut milk bag. Squeeze liquid out gently with clean hands until you’re left with pulp only. Discard pulp and rinse bag. 3. Transfer your pistachio milk to a storage container. If you stop here and just make the milk, add a pinch of cinnamon and enjoy! 4. Rinse your blender. Add 1 cup of milk to blender with the rose petals, lavender, turmeric and vanilla extract, and blend for 15 seconds. 5. Place nut milk bag in a bowl and slowly pour the milk mixture into the nut milk bag. Strain liquid out gently until you’re left with pulp only. 6. Pour your fresh glass of floral almond pistachio milk over ice and garnish as desired. Enjoy!
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CHICKPEA MAGAZINE spring 2016
For many years, during a time prior to unending to-do lists, I crafted my own tea with dried flowers from my local herb shop. This blend of chamomile, lavender and mint smells to me like a comforting cup of delicately crafted tea. Dominated by the aroma of chamomile, the oil is sweet and warm with subtle hints of crisp lavender and bright mint. The recipe below is only a suggestion; I enjoy the warm florals of this chamomile-forward recipe, but please explore and modify to your liking. This oil can be used as a light moisturizer for body and hair. Again, I recommend using organic ingredients and purchasing organic herbs from a reputable source for this recipe. Ingredients 6 oz. jojoba oil (I used USA-based brand Oro de Sonora) 1/4 cup dried chamomile 3 tbsp dried lavender 1 tsp dried peppermint
Tools 2 small sanitized glass storage jars with sealable lid (I used Ball jars) small clean muslin bag
Instructions There are multiple ways that you can prepare herbal oils. Because I don’t have reliable access to a sunny window, I used a stove top method but it’s quite time intensive. (The preparation must be checked regularly over several hours for safety reasons.) In deference to the reality of our schedules, and in the spirit of the springtime weather, I suggest trying the solar infusion method instead. 1. Place herbs in a sanitized jar and cover with oil. The oil should cover the herbs completely, plus provide enough coverage for herbs to expand about an inch. The jar also should have about an inch of space between the oil and the lid, so make sure to use an appropriately sized container. Label jar with ingredients and date for reference.
3. Once your oil and herbs have infused, carefully pour the mix through a muslin bag (which acts as a filter) into a fresh, sanitized jar. Some oil will naturally pour through, but you must also squeeze the bag to extract the rest of the oil. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands before squeezing the bag to prevent contamination, and perhaps wear a fresh pair of sterile gloves to play it extra safe.
2. Place jar in a sunny window and allow to infuse for 2-4 weeks 4. Discard your herbs (compost them if possible) and seal your (some resources suggest up to 6 weeks), making sure to gently jar. Label it with ingredients and the date, and store it in a cool, shake the jar daily in order to distribute the herbs and dislodge dry place. air bubbles. If you’re concerned about exposing the oil to sunlight, cover the jar with fabric or a paper bag. Notes You will have slightly less oil than you started with because it can’t be recovered 100% in the filtering process. I like starting with a small volume like this because it has allowed to me figure out which scents are stronger, and balance my batches according to preference. I am also more likely to use it all up before the oil reaches its shelf life of several months. As you become more experienced, you can make larger batches of your favorite blends! It is very important that your jars are sanitized, the herbs are totally dry, and that no water enters your oil batch. Water will encourage bacterial growth. Always perform a patch test to make sure you don’t have any adverse reactions to your herbal oil, and do not use any herbs or oils you are allergic to. Do not use your oil if it smells bad or has any growth. r
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words by Amy Hebert elementseven.net In a world that keeps us spinning round and round and upside down, that is ever changing, and that constantly offers us new information every minute of every day - it can be a challenge (to say the least) to remain grounded in a healthy lifestyle. Another cool event, another superfood, and yet another method to discover your passion! While entertaining, potentially helpful, and probably well intentioned - it’s important to decipher the relevant from the irrelevant according to your life, and actively seek the information that will be helpful in your world, as opposed to living in a reactive state.
The point of simplifying your life is to create more time and space for that which you truly love, and to live with more joy, less stress, and increased energy levels. It’s about separating yourself from the noise and distractions of life, and connecting with your truest desires and most authentic purpose. Focusing your purpose entails coming from an authentic place in all aspects of your life, including choosing food and cooking options that work for you and your life, committing to spending your time with people - and at places - that enhance and energize you, and making sure to carve out time for self-care. Clearing out both mental and physical clutter and implementing some guidelines can help you simplify your life, and create space for your mind to think clearly, your body to move with ease, and your soul to shine.
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If you are vegan, I am almost certain you have been asked
the energy of having to figure it out as I go. In this sense, how
this question, in one form or another: How do you manage
we eat is just as important as what we eat.
to survive/thrive without eating meat or dairy? As I evolve, I often respond that being vegan is not the challenge for me. The
Food is fuel for our minds and bodies. And digestion is key
challenge is staying healthy amongst a hectic schedule, which I
when it comes to being full of energy, and with that in mind -
believe pertains to anyone, plant powered or not. I have learned
simplicity is paramount. Though I love plates full of all sorts of
that it’s about making a healthy lifestyle work in my world,
vegan deliciousness, the simpler I eat, the less energy used up on
and being in tune with my needs enough to know what works
digestion, the better I feel.
for me, and what doesn’t. And that takes simplifying through planning. For example, if I don’t have a plan for what I’m going
Having a routine and a few meals that you consistently make
to eat that day, I could very well resort to eating a bag of chips
different variations of will help you simplify your life. Outline
and hummus for dinner - which is amazing and satisfying every
the components of an ideal dish. Perhaps it’s one legume, one
now and then - but could never be sustained long term and will
protein, and a few different veggies at each meal. In addition,
zap my energy in half. Planning ahead helps me simplify as it
a simple framework for recipes and how we eat throughout the
takes the guesswork and confusion out of the day, and saves me
day can do wonders for energy levels, and combating stress.
This may not be a perfect plan, but it works for me. I feel good and having this framework helps me keep my health and stress in check. It even helps when I go shopping so that I’m not aimlessly shopping the aisles.
Breakfast is almost always a smoothie. (After coffee, of course.) Typically it consists of whatever greens are on hand, almond butter, almond milk, chia seeds, a few berries or a frozen banana, and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Lunch is a salad or sandwich on bread of choice, tons of greens and veggies that I have on hand, and the leanest protein source possible, maybe tempeh or nuts/ seeds. As of late, my favorite combo has been arugula, avocado, carrots, sunflower seeds and a dressing made up of Dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar.
At dinner I like to bring on the carbs. A favorite - sautéed veggies in coconut oil, with a starch and flavorful sauce, always adding in spices like turmeric, cayenne, black pepper, and curry powder. Lately I’ve been doing a veggie burger or sweet potato with a portabello and as many veggies as I can fit on my plate. I also like to indulge in Treeline cashew cheese to brighten things up. (Bonus: it contains probiotics for better digestion.)
Other things I have found that help me simplify are shopping on the same days every week and having a set a meal prep day once or twice a week. On Sundays I think about planning for workdays and on Thursday as the weekend approaches, my plan shifts accordingly.
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Reducing clutter in your space - whether it be physical or space or in your schedule - can do wonders for reducing stress levels and increasing your creativity. When you create space, you make room to attract that which is meant to be in your life. Clutter can show up as a messy desk or hanging on to clothing we don’t like, for fear there may be some occasion down the road for which we will need them. Clearing stacks of old papers and any objects that don’t light us up when we look at them will allow us to operate our lives from a place of peace and clarity. Surrounding ourselves with things that are beautiful and which evoke great memories will inspire us regularly. Creating space can also be about how you organize your day. Are you always running late or filling your schedule with things that you don’t really don’t want to, or have to do? Choosing commitments that align with your greatest purpose will help you scale back. We don’t have forever on this planet, and making the most of your time will free up mental energy and promote clarity. It’s not easy, as we can feel pretty guilty about telling people no. A good friend shared a quote with me about guilt.
And I agree. Though I want everyone to be happy and don’t want to let anyone down or hurt their feelings, I know that looking out for myself and putting my needs first does not have to be selfish. On the contrary, it can be quite selfless. When you look out for your self and practice loving yourself through self-care, you become a kinder person. It’s really quite simple: I don’t want to be grumpy and stressed. So if that means I have to say no to an event and instead stop at a juice bar and go home to zen out in hot bubble bath, then let me be. Please. I’ll be a better friend in the long run.
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We have all heard by now that meditation is a remarkable tool to clear the clutter from our brains, but it can also feel like “another thing we have to add to our routine.” I think that meditation isn’t something we should add, but rather something we must add. The process does get easier with time, and it seems the more you need it, the harder it is. In other words, the more stressed out you are, the harder it will be to be still. Start meditation with an act such as walking. Then you are at least doing something, while actively focusing on breath and dismissing mind chatter/random thoughts. Speaking of which, physical activity is a great way to clear mental clutter and regain clarity. Sweating out your body, limiting thoughts, and confusion is a great way to start and/or end your day. Taking a break from technology will also provide you with more connection to what matters most to you. Carving time out time to be in nature or read great books that delight you can be great ways to reboot. Or you can make technology work for you. Headspace is a powerful meditation tool. When we are plugged in, even our laptops can feel the effects of too much stuff. Logging onto an organized laptop and having systems in place for blocking distractions can help us get our meaningful work done. Personally, Facebook simply cannot be open while I am working on a project. Though I’m happy for them, do I really need to hear about how my friends’ son made honor roll or how cold it is out when I have creative expression to attend to? And unless it simply won’t work for the work you do, it would be awesome to only check email 2-3 times a day. If at all possible, give all aspects of your life a reboot by taking a few days whenever you can to replenish yourself. Quiet time, simple foods, and a little sweat go a long way. Maybe you can only fit in an evening, but it will be worth it! Clearing clutter from these aspects of our lives will allow us to move forward and live more intuitively, and more in tune with our greatest, genuine purpose. r
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