Month Nine: All Things Ayurveda

The month of December will be dedicated to exploring Ayurveda.  I was introduced to Ayurveda during my yoga teacher training and have always been intrigued by the health and beauty benefits.  I originally thought of it as "the food branch" of yoga.  Since then I've learned that the word Ayurveda comes from ancient Indian Sanskrit and means the "science of life."  That's definitely something worth exploring.

My cookbook, Ayurveda: Inspired Cooking for your Individual Well Being, states that "this complete knowledge of life is a timeless reality, namely the laws of nature, which have been in effect everywhere since the beginning of creation."  Eating based on the seasons, current health conditions and individual dosha type seems like a smart way to live.

This month I'm going to start with some guidelines for eating with awareness.  They claim to improve digestion and ensure that I'm gaining maximum nourishment from my food. 

1. Eat in a quiet, settled and comfortable environment.
2. Eat only when you feel hungry.
3. Do not eat when you're upset.
4. Always sit down to eat.
5. Eat at a comfortable pace; stay conscious of the process.
6. Don't overeat; leave 1/3 of your stomach empty to aid digestion.
7. Eat freshly prepared foods.  Lightly cooked foods are preferable to raw or over-cooked foods.
8. Favor fruits, vegetables and grains, warm milk, almonds.
9. Include all 6 tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent) at every meal.
10. Sit quietly for a few minutes after finishing your meal.

These guidelines make sense to me.  However, they may not be easy to follow at all times.  Immediately I think about my rushed lunch break between teaching classes, but I guess that's part of the challenge.  I'm ready to increase my awareness and see what happens.  The idea of 6 important tastes is something I don't normally encounter in Western food ideologies.  I'm curious to experiment with these ideas in my cooking and eating.  Wish me luck as I slow down and (hopefully) absorb more.

Month Eight: Blog-Free

Hello dear blog.  It's been awhile.  The last few months I've been experimenting with time, love, work and all kinds of other craziness.  So I'm going to retroactively declare that my experiment was to go blog-free.  Kind of a cop-out, I know.  But now I'm back and ready to move forward. 

Here are a few things I've learned or relearned during my Blog-Free month(s).

1. I love to experiment and try new things all the time.
2. I dislike making changes in my life just to please other people, especially when they are not my idea(s).
3. I am passionate about writing (journal, blog, projects, cards, etc), and it helps me process all kinds of situations.
4. More people follow my blog than I realized.  (Thank you!)
5. My blog gives me an excuse and a reason to learn and research new topics.

I also realized that I want to know more about who is reading my blog.  Blogger/blogspot doesn't have a feature for that.  If you have ever wanted to leave a comment and didn't, I encourage you to comment now!  You will make me one happy little blogger.

Month Seven: Cell Phone Free

Let me be very up-front.  This experiment was only possible because I was travelling for the entire month and out of my normally cell phone-dependent life. Let me also express how lucky I know I am to be a teacher and have the opportunity to travel anywhere for an entire month.  I was so disconnected from my typical life that I couldn't remember little things like my social security number nor computer password when I got home.  It truly is a luxury to be able to forget and disconnect for awhile.

I'm big in Europe

This experiment has officially changed continents.  For the next 6 weeks I will experimenting with truth in France, Spain and who-knows-where-else.  I packed one small suitcase and a carry-on backpack.  I'm starting my trip with 5 dresses, one skirt and a bunch of underwear.  I have zero cell phones, hair dryers, straighteners, ipods nor close-toed shoes.  I brought one rain jacket and hope to never use it.  Wish me luck as I flit about Paris in dresses eating cheese for dessert and croissant for breakfast.

This weather isn't helping

I thought this was supposed to be June!  Everyone is crying out about the terrible, grey, wet weather. 

While they bellyache, I scan my closet for my turtleneck sweater dress and leggings.  Add a scarf and some galoshes, and I'm good to go.  Sheesh.  This month I had envisioned frolicking in light cotton dresses around beautiful parks with fountains bubbling in the background.  Instead I hear the swish of rain water under tires and drops pattering on the roof.  Despite the dreary weather, I did take my dog for a nice long walk in my sweater dress...with grey sweatpants underneath, an old fleece jacket and hiking boots.  Wow, what a look that must have been!  It's a good thing I don't know any of my parents' neighbors or I might have considering feeling embarrassed about my crazy outfit.  Just call me the kooky dress lady from now on.

photo courtesy of David J. Nightingale

No Dresses at Field Day!

Today my fifth grade students tasted the glory of their favorite school day all year: Field Day.  They each got dressed this morning fantasizing about sport centers, the playground waterslide, face painting and the snowcone station. 

Meanwhile, their teacher scoured her closet, searching for an appropriate skirt or dress for the occasion.  I have one jean skirt, but it's long and would be incredibly awkward with tennis shoes.  I dreamed of a sporty tennis dress, but realized that would be way to short for a teacher.  I perused my collection of leggings as a way to add coverage.  In the end, I admitted defeat and wore jeans and a school t-shirt for Field Day.  It is my first challenge, and I wimped out.

The whole experience reminded me of my childhood.  After two boys, my mom was thrilled to finally have a girl.  She proceeded to buy all of the pink, purple and lace she could find.  I remember watching the lace get torn and pulled off a pretty red dress as I pedaled along on a tricycle at daycare.  I remember complaining that my dresses flipped up when I twirled upside down on the bars in first grade.  I also remember rebelling and outlawing all pink and purple from my closet after getting teased by a classmate in fourth grade.  So here I am again, complaining about my dress (or lack thereof) on the playground.  Better luck next time, Senorita Nicole. 

Month 6: Pants Free

Don't get the wrong idea...I will be clothed.  In celebration of the upcoming summer season, I will be wearing all skirts and dresses all the time.  While in my house, I am allowed to wear pajamas and other comfy clothes.  But every time I leave the safety of my condo, I will be sporting some sort of feminine attire.  I am eager to feel my reaction to this extra effort and elevated fashion demand.  I don't own many casual dresses (yet), so it will be a month of dressing more fancy and formal than usual.  I'm ready to bare my legs, strap on some sandals and see how this experiment unfolds.