I'm feelin good- How are you?

I had the limitless pleasure of attending one of Julio Olalla's speaking engagements a few weeks ago. Check him out on utube:


One of the features of his session which struck me were his comments on assessments. He posed the question "How much of your time is taken up with assessing? Assessing him, her, you, me?" And it got me thinking- I've actually got to spend some time with Jullio one-on-one and he has incredible mental capacity, intelligence and stamina. One reason why he can speak so eloquently, and think so creatively is that he has freed himself of the mental habit of assessments.
How much more space would you have in your mind if you eliminated the thoughts on how thin/fat, pretty/ugly, stupid/smart, incompetent/capable you or others were? Even silly ones like judging the color of that women's coat or his shoes unnecessarily limits your capacity for brilliant, intelligence and purposeful thinking.
Since his session I have caught my assessment thoughts more easily- but stopping them is an ongoing labour. I do guarantee you that even the awareness of each thought judging others or yourself will enable you to free yourself from them. So begin right now...you can start by stop assessing this post. :)
Enjoy your day, your afternoon, evening...your life!

Busy Hands, Busy Mind

My life is in a different sphere right now; my partner is in Las Vegas for a week and I am left with restless nights, and time on my hands. My care-taker personality is lost- absurdly out of control. Who can I channel all this energy towards? Who can I make breakfast- I'll take it over to Megan's! Doesn't my friend Irena need a casserole? Yes, she absolutely needs a huge casserole...PH! and Amber could use some cookies. STOP! How about taking care of yourself for a week?
I've gotten up every morning, and done a walking meditation on my treadmill. 45 min of incline walking at a very brisk pace (to do it yourself- put the treadmill on an incline of about 7, and speed of 3.5-4.0 mph). Concentrating on breathing, soft music, the river of thoughts in my head or this morning chanting I've gotten the activity I need with the clarity of spirit I often don't make time for. Also, I've included reading, for the first time, yoga publications. I picked up Yoga Fit and Yoga Journal when I was gasping for something to fill the void of time I have this week. Straying from my usual Oxygen mag addiction has had great payoffs. I'll share some insights soon. For now, I leave you with this meditative chant on Remembrance Day.
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi (Om, peace, peace, peace)

Cakey Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Astounding- that's what these were. They are my first cookie success with gluten free baking. I had to ask my family to leave a few for me at Thanksgiving this year because they were the only gluten free snack in my sister-in-laws house. Everybody liked them. I like large fat cookies- not crispy thin ones. These were more like little cakes, so I was pleased, and my crispy-thin lovin' husband was a little put out that I made another fat cakey cookie- but I saw him eating a few.


Cakey Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free)
½ cup grapeseed oil (or 1/2c butter)
1 cup splenda
½ cup turbinado sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4c gluten free flour mix
1 ¼ tsp xanthan gum
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
½ tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
Mix together wet ingredients
Mix together dry ingredients and add to wet mixture.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.