The Friday Five: the mindbody edition

This week's Friday Five are posts mostly from last week (wait, it might actually be two weeks ago) because I have a huge backlog in my Google Reader due to my blogging break.

First up, Joyfear.

{photocred: http://zenhabits.net}

Leo Babauta strikes again. His posts very often sing to emotions that I'm going though and usually right at the optimal time. In this post he talks about every defining moment in life being associated with this self-coined term, joyfear.

Grace Is Gone. I love the way this song makes me feel. It feels. Like, it's something tangible. The concept of letting go has become very central in my life and even though the words in this song are very sad and I don't necessarily empathize, I can really feel what he's ultimately saying to me; "it's okay to be sad. Embrace it and when you're ready, let it go."

Thanks Dave.

{photocred: animal-pics.org}

Porpoise...purpose...Live your purpose, not your fears.

{photocred: me}

The way Jason Mraz puts words to a page (or a song) really helps me understand Brandon as a musician. I know Brandon feels this way when he's working on new songs, and there are many things going on in our lives right now that we just need to embrace; let love in and let fear out.

Oh and Jason, I'm stealing your word: AWESOMAZING. 

{photocred: http://naperville-webdesign.net}

Instead of being our emotions and sometimes letting them take over, let's all greet our emotions as passing states of being. Try, "Good Morning, Frustration" instead of "I am frustrated".

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ok, ok, I'm sure you've been waiting patiently to see the winners of the ButtShield giveaway! Since only two different people left comments, EVERYONE IS A WINNER!

Congrats Jess and Kimi!!

Look out for an email from me soon!

peace+love for your weekend,

The Friday Five

My five things today is going to start with some Mraz-spiration and end with my favorite song of all time...

{photocred: lyricsbird.com}

I draw a lot of inspiration in Jason Mraz's blog. The other day he wrote about beginners. It reminded me of a quote from Dan Millman's The Way of the Peaceful Warrior:

Every infant lives in a bright Garden where everything is sensed directly, without the veils of thought - free of beliefs, interpretation, and judgements. You 'fell' from grace when you began thinking, about - when you became a namer and a knower...The birth of the mind is the death of the senses. -Soc

{photocred: http://t2.gstatic.com}

Aside from their 14-2 loss the other afternoon, the Tribe is still at the top of their division with the most wins in the American League. I went to their game last Saturday (win! vs. the Reds) where they were supposed to be giving away Choo jerseys...they underestimated the number of fans that were going to show up for that game though, because the stadium was sold out. By the time we got there, we got vouchers saying "log online in the next 5 days to register to receive your jersey withing 12 weeks" (and hop on one foot while rubbing your tummy and patting your head...) Cleveland Chick wrote a post about it that, I think, reflects Cleveland's general attitude toward the Tribe right now.

{photocred: http://brookshall.blogspot.com}

I don't read much poetry, but I love the beautiful pictures and haiku's on Yogic Muse. This one, in particular, is full of vibrant LIFE! 

{photocred: partnershipforhumanservices.org}

I seriously need to start budgeting. Emily sent me a great blank budget template to get started.

Ok and the moment I know you've all been waiting for, my favorite song of ALL TIME:

Africa, by Toto.

Don't laugh...just love me. 

:)

happy MDW,

The Friday Five

Thank goodness it's Friday. I seriously slacked on keeping up with my google reader this week, so it's super backlogged. I don't have anyone else's links to share with you today, but I do have five of my own random things to talk about... 

Thing 1

Yesterday, despite the fact that there was a dark and ominous thunderstorm cloud just southeast of us, we got out into the yard to work a bit on our raised beds and the in-ground garden! Here's a sneak peek of the raised beds

Thing 2

Saw my Cleveland Marathon race photos........

this is the only one I'm willing to share

I probably saw the cameraman and managed to eek out a smile!

Thing 3

I love the Indians. We are going to join a sold out crowd at the Jake on Saturday night to watch them play the Cincy Reds. Oh, and get a Choo jersey! Anyone up for a post-game meet up??

Thing 4

I am in the market for a new camera. More specifically, I want to get a dSLR. I've always liked Canon. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I want to buy just a body, so I can get an f/1.8 fixed focal length lens (per a recommendation from my boss, who's wife is a photographer).

{photo credit: http://www.bhphotovideo.com}

 I had a dream about buying the camera last night, so I think now's the time to do it. Let me know if you have any faves!

Thing 5

A recipe! Brandon and I had an awesome night in the garden last night, which ended with a most delicious (and pretty easy) dinner! I have a TON of asparagus (and green onions, and rhubarb!) from our spring CSA

so I used up some of the spear-grass (as my dad would say) last night on this awesome asparagus mushroom gratin. I wouldn't necessarily call it a gratin, per se, it's more like an asparagus and mushroom casserole. I made a few adaptations to the recipe, namely in the form of cheese. The original recipe called for Swiss or Gruyère, but I used the grass-fed Caraway Cheddar that we bought from the farmer's market last weekend. 

individual asparagus and mushroom casseroles

adapted from Vegetarian Times

serves 4

prep time: 20 minutes

cook time: 30 minutes

ingredients:

• 1 lb asparagus
• 1 cup mushrooms (any type) torn into half inch pieces
• 1/4 cup milk (I used vanilla soy and it came out awesome)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup cheese (pretty much any kind you have on hand will probably do)
• 1 stalk green garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for oiling ramekins

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 500°F, and place oven rack in top position. Toss asparagus with 1 tbsp olive oil on baking sheet, and season with salt and pepper. Roast 9 minutes then let cool.
2. Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in skillet over high heat. Spread mushrooms evenly across skillet surface. Cook undisturbed 2 minutes, until mushrooms begin to brown. Toss, and spread evenly across skillet surface. Repeat 2 or 3 times until mushrooms are golden brown. Remove from heat.
3. Cut off asparagus tips and save for later. Place stalks in bowl of food processor. Add milk, and process 1 minute or until pureed. Transfer to bowl then mix in eggs and cheese, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Turn oven down to 375°F. Brush four 4-oz. ramekins with oil. Fill prepared ramekins with egg mixture. Top with mushrooms and reserved asparagus tips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Top with chopped green garlic and enjoy!

Okay, so I know these pictures don't look wonderfully appetizing, but I promise you...it's delish!

Alright time gods, let's make this day move faster so I can get home and play in the garden some more!!

Peace, Love & Bagels,

The Friday Five

First off, check out my guest post over at my favorite blog for all things Cleveland, the wonderful Poise in Parma. Thanks for the opportunity to "stop by" Alicia! I wish you the best this Month and I can't wait for our carb fest on the 14th!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sorry guys, it's been an off week for me. I've hit the proverbial wall in just about all aspects of my life; work, blogging, cooking and running. It became an unsuspectingly busy week and I didn't run when I could have and I couldn't run when I was planning to. We were only supposed to do a couple of shorter runs, but I still can't get that sinking feeling out of my stomach that is plaguing me with self-doubt.

Am I ready for this marathon? Did I do enough?


Brandon reminded me this morning that we should be well rested and ready to run 26.2 miles next Sunday and that skipping a couple of taper-training runs is probably good for us. I did manage to get in a few good yoga sessions this week (one was even outside..in the sun!) So, I should be focusing on those positive things instead.

Let's talk about the fun links I thoroughly enjoyed this week...

I got a good freaking laugh out of some of these incredibly creative photos.  (photo credit: http://owni.eu)

Jen's post "25 things I know to be true" is really refreshing. It reminds me of my yearly bucket list, which had 25 things on it this year and will have 26 things on in October (since I'll be 26). Hmm, maybe I'll do a post about which items I've crossed off so far? (photo credit: Eat, Live, Run)

Somday, I want to make the jump from marathons to triathlons and I think, like just about every other runner out there that wants to "tri a tri", swimming is the most intimidating part. This post will be a great guide for me when I do take the plunge. (photo credit: No Meat Athlete)

I may have posted this song before, but Fireside Symphony is back in the studio!! This is on of my favorite songs to date, and Brandon currently working on a recorded version of it.  P.S. He's wearing my sweatshirt in this video.

Why Clevland? I'm taking this awesome month-long challenge to come up with 31 reasons (for the 31 days in May) to answer the question WhyCLE? Mom and Dad, maybe you'll finally be able to understand why I moved out here. (photo credit: Why CLE)

Alright, I have sufficiently quelled my worries about the marathon with some music, pictoral comic relief, and a good challenge. Have a wonderful (and hopefully dry) weekend!!!

Peace, Love & Bagels,

The Friday Five

Not only have I been struggling coming up with quality blog posts (which is weird, I haven't experienced writer's block since I had to actually do some creative writing...in high school) but it's been a pretty emotional week for me. I'm working on a new life plan, which I'll share with you sometime soon, I promise. 

In the meantime, let's keep busy with a little link love! Here are a few notable links for the day that I hope you'll find as useful/interesting/fun as I did!

I think I'm going to make these homemade tea bags for my mom and eventually-mother-in-law for Mother's Day (photo credit: Easy Peasy Organic)

I was completely shocked by some of the statistics that Katie reported from the clinic she went to on childhood obesity. Really looking forward to her next post about this! (photo credit: Healthy Heddleston)

Katy has some really great advice on blogrolls...and let's get real, I could use all the great blogging advice I can get!

“Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

~Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

(quote courtesty of Reading For Your Success)

Scott's post on how to enjoy a job you hate is hugely relevent to my life right now. Thankfully, I'm taking some of the steps he suggests to work on making it better.

Here's a great post on  marathon nutrition...even though Sarah posted this a while ago, I still find it a great resource for what to eat before, during and after edurance workouts (photo credit: Daily Nibbles)

What are some of your favorite links from the past week?

Peace, Love & Bagels,