Kung Fu

Balance stems from so many sources that keeping it all centered requires a lot of will and concentration. The Kung Fu Body project guided me to built my muscles on a more equal level than they typically are, distributing weight evenly on each leg and throughout each fingertip.

Preparing food was also a highlight while engaged in the project. I am more likely to create yummy dishes while I am training then when I am not training. I believe this is because I am more aware of my mind and body, desiring to create on my plate at the same time I am creating inside.

I hope everyone has a beautiful fall.

I am going to turn into a watermelon!

Move to Austin and Travels, Complete!

Sort of..Moved into a temporary house in Austin a few days ago. I am back in the heat and loving it. Too hot to go outside in the August heatwave? Go to a meditation class and then to an hour and a half yoga class. Then, stay inside, read, and eat watermelon! When the sun starts to set, go to the bridge and watch thousands of bats emerge from the pillar feasting on the bugs that humans and plants attract. Then play.

Also, eat kick-high salads such as this crazy one:

Lots of greens (spinach, mixed springs)
Raw summer corn off the cob (carb allotment)
1/2 small turnip, sliced
1/4 diced avocado
1/3 cucumber, quartered
Pinch of pecan pieces
Pinch of gorgonzola cheese
PInch of diced cranberries

Dressing:
Blend a tbsp of cashews to get a butter consistency, add lemon juice, ground pepper and some thyme.

Day 60

I am testing PCP biscuits in the oven right now. I have a feeling the results are going to be pretty hilarious.

Day 56

Fresh grains for breakfast, expanded version

Quinoa and milk

Boil 1 1/2 cups water, add 3/4 cup quinoa (or any 2:1 ratio). Cover the pan. Lower heat to simmer. Cook for 10 minutes. Take off of the stove and crack the lid to the pan. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Fluff up with a fork.

I keep the quinoa in the refrigerator and weigh out the portions in the morning. It will last a few mornings.

.Quinoa and milk. It's fresh cereal.

....thats my fave

You can also add a drop of vanilla and a dash of cinnamon

Or try is with barley, spelt, rye...

to cook those just add water to an inch above the grains and boil, drain the water like pasta.

Or use yogurt instead of milk.

Day 55

Kung fu quinoa and milk for breakfast. Yum.

Day 54

Targeted punches!

The first day the ping-pong ball was up, this came to mind.


Will Ferrell

-:¦:-tam-:¦:- | MySpace Video

Day 51

I imagine us on the 10th floor of a building with an atrium below, punching a piece of paper at the same time and at the same speed off of the railing. Maybe we cut the paper into a flower shape, with a rectangular base, folded in three. All the flowers drift to the ground at the same time. Or maybe we cut out a lot and paper punch them in rhythm. Go go synchro KFB!

Day 50

Kung Fu in the cool summer woods+head cold and menstruation= breaking even

Day 49

Cleaning your environment cleans your mind too!

Day 48

Kung Fu Pancakes

1 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 tablespoon of baking powder

1 cup of milk
1/8 cup of pureed blueberries (or applesauce)
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon vanilla

Optional (but recommended), add to dry mix:
cinnamon
40 grams of apples

Mix all dry ingredient and all wet ingredients separately. Then add dry to wet.

This recipe pretty much covers all your carbs/eggs/milk allotment for the KFB breakfast. The tricky part is cooking them. You can either use a tiny bit of butter, or bake them in the oven at 375 and flip half way through.

Go crazy in the four area. This morning I used ground buckwheat, oats, and kamut. Making your own flour is super easy. Spelt, whole wheat, oats, ohh my.

They rocked!



The jam on top is pureed strawberries. Add dates for extra thickness.

Day 47

I am going to step it up and put my mind/body in the Kung Fu Body project. I have been very on and off with it, which I am not proud of, nor do I intend on continuing that way. Here's to KFB!


Mind and body balance is a tipsy scale that can fluctuate depending on the situation. Many stress the mind controlling the body, and to control the mind to control the body. It is also important to control the mind with the body. For example, taking an action that will benefit your mind, body and soul that your mind does not feel like taking but your body does. Jumping off of a rock into water. You know it will be fun, you know once you are in the water, it will be cold but you will be glad you jumped in. Your body wants to swim across the cove, but your mind says no because of fear. Taking that jump and listening to your body will result in the most fulfilled action. Calming the mind by deciding you will listen to the body, puts it at rest. Let me practice balancing mindfulness and bodyfulness.

Day 26

The 2nd grade class dances in the morning when the P.E. teacher plays a song over the intercom. About once every other week this song comes on and it's the jam that makes my morning awesomely danceable.

Twenty-Five

Strong hip flexors cure sciatica! Whoot whoot! Strong abs + balanced hip flexors + Piriformis stretching = happy nerves

Less pressure on the nerve because the muscles around it are strong and supporting the body weight.

This is great news for daily comfort levels.

Twenty

Balance was not my strength growing up. I did not focus on it until I began rock climbing. Then came asana. A few months ago someone told me i was graceful for the first time in my life; I was filled with happiness.

Focusing on balance on both sides of your body gives you a sense of every inch of your being, instead of just focusing on the part of the body you are using at that moment. You are simultaneously managing every little muscle, and all the other good stuff in between.

It also prevents injuries and nerve damage. By equally distributing the weight on both sides of your body, not relying more on the more balanced side, your nerves and bones are not crushed towards to ground with extra weight.

Go go gadget Resting Buddha!

Ten

Daily exercise/mindfulness leads a balanced body. It brings the body back to center, whether is it stocked with off the wall energy or low fuel. The body doesn't discriminate(but it does differentiate) when it comes to excess/lack of energy; it will set one back to the medium mark after swishing the blood around. What a rad little organism...

Three

Rabbit. This is the ultimate, "Am i doing this correct?" pose. I have not thought about it in awhile. I am hoppy it's back in my life!

Two

Awesome morning KFB!

Lots of veggies in the refrigerator! About to make a big mountain stew.

One

I was active today on trails, body fu kung, and boulders. Ahh, the weekend.

Made yummy za when I arrived home.

Have an amazing one!

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Rosemary Pizza Crust.

2 cups of flour (spelt/wheat...)
1 tbsp baking powder
dried rosemary
dried basil

2/3 cups of milk or water

Mix all dry ingredients together, then add milk or water.
Stir, and kneed about 7 times.

Roll out with a rolling pin, or in my house, a Mexican prayer candle.

Stack on vegetables (wash under water so they cook better), add some nutritional yeast or pepper for zing.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.