A New Tool for the Kitchen

This book just arrived from Amazon and it's a wonderful resource. Now that I have narrowed down my cooking ingredients to meats, vegetables, and healthy fats- my next step has been learning how to keep it interesting. I first realized the simple power of spicing things up when I dove into Indian Spices. But my understanding of adding spice combinations hasn't really expanded since then and I am ready to learn more. I am finally understanding the pleasure of cooking and more importantly the art of cooking. I need to follow the exact recipe over and over before I feel I intuitively understand it and can start improvising. And when I do get to that point where I am comfortably improvising beyond the basic recipe, it is a feeling a great empowerment...especially when it's delicious!

Well, this book is absolutely a great empowerment tool for my kitchen and I'm sure I will make many upcoming posts on my discoveries.

Here is what I have learned so far:

Flavor = Taste + Mouthfeel + Aroma + "The X Factor"

Taste = What is perceived by the taste buds
Mouthfeel = What is perceived by the rest of the mouth
Aroma = What is perceived by the nose
"The X Factor" = What is perceived by the other senses - plus the heart, mind, and spirit.

The book is essentially a large index that allows you to look up any ingredient and it gives you a list of other ingredients that magically compliment it and takes into account the 4 elements of flavor. I can already see that this book will introduce food combinations I would have never thought of...and this is a book years in the making with thousands of interviews with chefs all around the country. Lots of exciting flavor bursts await....
I will post my first recipe I experiment with this week.

My Morning Skies

I really enjoyed my workout this morning.
Very simple.
Felt Great.

3 Rounds:
50 squats
400m Run
20 Push Press

I used 20lb dumbells instead of 30lbs because I am still trying to be kind to my healing wrist. But I did not feel like I sold myself short...I made sure to keep those presses going at a fast pace.

Time: 14:42

Best part about the workout this morning was that I wasn't mentally struggling through the 400m runs. All the sudden I was back in the gym headed toward my dumbells and I realized, "Oh my gosh...I'm in the middle of a workout" Somehow my mind was drifting to fun places as I ran. What I love is how the sky changes on each run.

On the warmup up, the constellation of Orien is always perfectly placed in the sky. I looked at it and thought about how every single time I see Orien I remember when my dad taught me how to find it and I rember him telling me that was how his dad taught him how to find it. I don't think I have EVER looked at Orien and not thought about that story...and I will continue to do so everytime I see it.

By the final run of the workout the sky looks more like this:Second best part of the morning?
After I got home and ate my awesome breakfast I woke my husband up and had him do the exact same workout.
As I left for work he was returning from his 2nd 400m run.
And on his run the sky looked a little more like this:Happy Friday!

The Sniff Test no more!

We used to joke about the sniff test when I was growing up. You know what I'm talking about...when you really aren't sure if the food from your fridge is still good. Well, as the fridge in our house becomes more and more full of fresh ingredients I find myself performing the sniff test quite a bit. Fresh food usually doesn't come with an expiration date. Plus, I'm new to cooking...so I really don't know how long food can last. And I'm also new to gauging how much food can yield. For example, who knew a spaghetti squash could make so much food! So...how long can I milk that thing?

I found the perfect resource: www.stilltasty.com

You can enter thousands of foods into the search engine and it will tell you how long it remains fresh. It also offers great tips on how to keep your food the freshest. I'm book-marking this baby.

Sprouts

Last night I had the pleasure of attending another Goal Setting meeting at Crossfit Central. I attended my first one 3 months ago & we all set 3 month goals. We set goals for all aspects of our lives including our careers, family life, etc. After writing out what we want our life to look like in 10 years (which means I'll be 40...WOW!!), we set 1 year goals and 3 months goals as stepping stones for that life. I was pleased to see that 3 months later, I had accomplished all but one goal on my entire list. It never ceases to amaze me what starts to happen in your life when you set an intention. The simple act of writing goals means they are starting to get accomplished. When you really intend something and your whole being means it (and we have to really listen to ourselves because I have definitely set goals for things that I didn't actually want...I only thought I wanted it...but it didn't ultimately fit with who I am) the universe starts to open up opportunities all around you. Maybe these whispers of opportunities are always all around us...but when you clearly state your intentions to yourself and you truly align yourself with your goals and dreams...all the sudden these whispers turn into clear voices...and if you can let go of whatever it is that holds you back...you can walk the path of your dreams.

But what about those things that hold us back? In last nights meeting we got to address what the road blocks are between us and the life we want. What derails your plan? What delays your plan? What are the things we have control over and what are the things that we don't. Is it money? It is fear? When there are road blocks beyond our control, what attitude do we pick and how do we re-write our plan?
These are invaluable exercises to have some uninterrupted time to put some real thought into.

One of my favorite things from last nights meeting was some helpful tips on how to stay positive when life throws you some unexpected curve balls. What happens when you feel defeated? Carey introduced us to the idea of Sprouts. Whenever you feel down, just make a list of your sprouts! What are sprouts? Sprouts are the little tiny things that can happen in your day that make all stress seem silly. Little moments that you experience that remind you of why life is so good. I love calling these sprouts! Because when you experience them, I feel love sprouting in my heart.
I recommend writing down a list of sprouts even when you feel happy. I did it last night and it filled me up with such joy it made me giggle.

My Sprouts:
1) Any picture I receive of my nephew via email or text. Seeing a picture of him pretty much makes all stress irrelevant.
2) There is a certain look and a specific meow that my cat will give me that says, "Hey Buddy...you doing okay?" and it's almost always followed by a little nose nuzzle.
3) Anytime my husband reaches out for my hand while he is really concentrating on a task (like drawing or writing).
4) Anytime one of my employees does something really great and I get to tell them how appreciative I am for their work.
5) Anytime I get a text from one of my most favorite people in New York that simply says, "Thanks" and there is nothing specific attached to that thank you.
6) Hearing my sister-in-law sing.
7) Thinking about my breakfast on a drive home from my work out.
8) Any time my husband or any family member tells me they are proud of me.

Oh my goodness...and there are so many more. I feel very grateful for my life and my loved ones. Thanks Carey for giving me the gift of sprout lists. I can already tell I am going to have a great day after writing this list!

What are your sprouts?

Blog Overhaul

Okay...I finally did it! I now have 2 blogs: one for my art adventures and the other for my journey in wellness. In so many ways these two areas of my life are one, as there is only one me & both areas are always informing the other. But the truth is, I kind of want to be a nerdy blogger. I am afraid to post too many nerdy healthy thoughts on a blog that I am pointing many art folks towards in hopes to build my art career. I also don't want to post too many nerdy creative process posts because I don't want my favorite crossfitters getting bored of my ramblings. So sometimes I sit here, with thoughts and ideas overflowing...but I don't post much of anything. I want the freedom to make an entire post on how cutting zuchini into matchsticks makes it taste better and I also want to post nuanced art thoughts about line quality. And of course, I certainly want all of my favorite people to enjoy both! You know, this blogosphere is a powerful place where a lot of networking can happen. I want my art to weasle its way into people's hearts and homes and I need an all out art blog to do so. But don't be surprised if art inspired posts still show up here as I'm sure some Crossfit posts will make there way onto my art blog. Can't wait to see how it goes. Check out: Catherine Hart Art

Multitasking: Maintaining A Good Flow

I have been ridiculously busy. My husband has been ridiculously busy. So much so, that I keep finding myself worn out and needing to sleep a LONG time to recover. Last night for example: 8:30pm-8:30am...yep, slept right through my Crossfit class and woke up just barely in time to get to work. Long story short: I am balancing a lot of stuff. And I am not complaining...I actually kind of like it. But it means that the very carefully crafted flow I had going is starting to get fuzzy. While I consider myself a spontanious, easy going, go with-the flow kind of person, I still thrive off a strict schedule. I go to the grocery store the same time every week and follow the same path with my cart. My morning routine is always done in the same order at the same time or my day feels a little funky. I do the laundry ever Friday morning, etc, etc. But lately I have added way more to my to-do list. I am putting in extra hours at work, getting there earlier and coming home later, then I go right into being a maker & work steadily until I need to sleep...and sometimes way past when I need to go to sleep. I am determined and focused and I will get it done...but then my routine starts to slowly slip. I didn't get to the laundry on Friday. I missed class on Monday because I stayed up late finishing a drawing for my show (totally worth it) and had to sleep, which meant I didn't get to the grocery store like I'm used to...which meant I didn't have coffee to make this morning...which meant the laundry pile is spilling over...and once that happens why bother making the bed since the room feels messy....
So, I need to focus on a new routine that accomodes an even bsuier scheudle. Meeting my career goals with the job I currently have and my art goals at the same time is possible...but if it means I don't eat well, stay organized, and get to the gym that gives me so much eneregy and clarity, I need to rearrange something. I don't have kids right now so I have just enough time. But it requires focus. It require staying on track...and it requires knowing the "that can wait until tomorrow" thought is sometimes the right thing and sometimes the wrong thing. I need to focus on knowing the difference.
Thank goodness for the women's challenge to make sure that I stay on track...I can't let my teammates down. And right now, I have a fully loaded fruidge, laundry tumbling, my alarm set with a workout planned for my husband and I at 7:30am. And I even have the coffee prepped to brew so it's ready for us right when we are done with our workout! I am pressing my re-set button right now.
P.S. Thank God I have a husband who is in charge of all things trash and dishes...I'm bad at those things even when I am not busy!

Lots of Motion

Things are getting a move on all around. I always feel the buzz around this time of year when school is about to begin. Because my husband teaches and my store's business mirrors the school schedule, this always feels like the true start of the new year for me. And now that I am no longer in school, this is one of my favorite times of year (not to mention knowing it's going to cool down in the fall).
The All Austin All Handmade Bash was a huge success for me. While I didn't sell very many pieces, it was a wonderful networking event and I really got the ball rolling on making my jewelry business the real deal. Best Part: I will be selling my jewelry in a local store called Downstairs Apparel on South Lamar. Totally psyched. AND, as many of you know, I long to blow glass, one of the greatest loves of my life. Well, I met someone who is building a glass studio in East Austin and I almost cried when I found out. I'm almost afraid to write bout it because it seems to good to be true. Glass dreams are a movin'....

I was truly moved on Saturday at the premiere of The Movement.I cried twice during this film and cried again watching it on my own computer. I cried because there were so many people in that room and it was only a year and a half ago that the new gym didn't exist and there were only 5 people in my glass. I feel so blessed to have been present for this unbelievable ripple affect. I cried because I know that when Jeremy and Carey say that they love every single person they work with, they actually mean it. I cried because this is not about lifting weights or being better than anyone else, this is about being the Best You. It's about believing you deserve to feel good and empowering you with the tools to do so. I have a tattoo on my back that says "Make it Epic" and that tattoo isn't just about doing it, it's about MEANING it. Otherwise it's just fluff. I was touched to be in the presence of a family who truly has made it EPIC. The family and friends that put their hearts and souls into starting Crossfit Central knew that their passion was worth something beyond themselves. I want to take this moment to thank the Crossfit Central Family for spreading love and helping a community learn to love and take care of themselves from the inside out. What it has taught me is invaluable. And to get to be around so many people that are also empowering themselves to feel good is a privilege and motivating beyond measure. Thank you to my Crossfit family.

The Movement: worth watching.
Love and wellness is a movin'...

And my poor little wrist is a movin'....finally!
It still hurts, but I am starting to use it.
Day 18 no nightshades.
I know it takes about 6 weeks to really know if your body is reacting, but I feel like this is working. Maybe it is just the placebo affect and I just believe in it...but I think it's helping.
So, I am back on that pull-up bar.
Only, I forgot that I was away for so long and I attacked that bar like I had the strength and it was ROUGH.
I also forgot that my callouses were no longer there for protection and now i get to be one of those crossfitters that post a nasty picture of their hands:And, after even more pull-ups at Run-Tex on Saturday, my biceps swelled up and....well....now my arms aren't a movin'....
So there are a few rest days in store before I get back up and do it all again.
And the announcement of the Women's Challenge was just what I wanted! I'm sure there will be lots of posts on that soon to come.

Monday is the New Sunday

I know I promised a Sunday update, but I am just exhausted. I slept in until 12:30pm today! This is like EPIC-ly late for me these days. Can't remember the last time that happened. So, because I wore myself out & any post I would have created today would be half-hearted, I am updating tomorrow. Great things happening all over. LIFE IS GOOD. I'm still on a high from The Movement...thoughts tomorrow. :)