Kale chips

I love eating healthy. In my search for foods that taste yummy and are good for you, I've come across kale chips. They're like potato chips but healthier and with less sodium. When I know I'm going to be busy with holiday gatherings, I load up on kale chips. I made the batch below while visiting family this Thanksgiving.  It's simple.  It's easy. Here's how:   Turn oven to 350 degrees Wash a couple bundles of fresh kale and cut in small chip size pieces. Place in a large bowl and gently drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Lay pieces individually on a baking sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes. Allow time to dry and cool. Enjoy!:)

Urdhva Dhanurasana (back bend)

I did my first back bend today after recovering from an injury.  Felt so good!  Less than 100 days since my break and I'm back... literally.  Why am I so crazy about yoga and back bends?  Let me tell you a little more - better known as Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel pose) Urdhava means upward, dhana means bow or wheel.  The pose is said to replicate that of a bow as it arcs when pulled.  To properly hold the pose the soles of the feet are on the floor hip-distance apart and the hands are flat with palms on the ground.  The head and neck are relaxed and once the back arches up, leave hands firmly planted to receive a better arch and walk the feet back towards the hands.  This pose benefits the digestive system, respiratory system, cardiovascular and glandular systems.  Udrhva Dhanurasana places the body and nervous system in an abnormal, inverted position.  It causes one to have a strong respiratory system to lift up in the bow position.  I like the pose because I have to focus.  I am in the moment.  My body, my strength, my breath.  I like to do this pose when I travel...  Yes, back bend today... arm-balances and hand-stands tomorrow. 

Good News

Some of the best news I've received in a long time.  My friend is cancer free!  Yes, she had her treatments and was given a clean bill of health.  Oh Happiness!!!
I can't tell you how grateful I am.  A new start to life.  It's amazing how something like this can cause you to really see what is important in life.  It's not how much money we make or possessions that we have.  What is important is our health and the loving people that make life whole.  In this area, I feel rich.  Happy that my girl friend is free to move forward in her life with a strong body.  Feeling really grateful today! 

A-typical Tuesday?

I woke up this morning with no voice.  Had to go teach 2 yoga classes (note: sounding like a crazy with my voice is not ideal for promoting zen).  Was supposed to start a 30 day detox/cleanse program but with my immune system low I'm going to wait until I feel better.  Bought myself a cashmere sweater - when you're not feeling well and it's on sale at one of the yoga studios, why not?!  Wrapped myself in it all day and kept warm.  It's going to be my new travel wrap.  Cozy and stylish.  After some down-dogs I was off to visit my holistic doctor.  Dr Jing (practiced medicine in China where she worked as a doctor for many years).  This lady is the real deal.  Makes her own teas, etc.  She keeps me healthy.  Today was a session of acupuncture and then hot cupping done on my back to open up my meridians.  It was intense!  I have a new release in my body but also burns on my back.  I feel better but hope these marks go away fast.  I teach tomorrow and don't want to look like I got in a fight with small circles and the circles won.  Dr Jing took me out to lunch after and she ordered me a bowl of spicy noodles and in her broken English demanded that I eat the whole thing.  Said I needed to eat, sleep, and drink tea.  Let my body heal itself.  So, that is what I'm doing.  After two more yoga classes this evening (one in which I had my first real intuitive experience) I am at home, in bed with tea.  It's 8:30pm.  I just finished talking to my best friend who is having her cancer scan tomorrow morning to see if she is in the clear.  Praying for her and feeling emotional.  I'm under the weather.  My best friend is under stress.  I have circle burns on my back and I sound like a man! Sometimes you just roll with what life hands you even if that means you shed a tear or two as you lay your head on the pillow, bundled in stylish cashmere...

Wigs-Costumes-And Halloween

Missing Europe

I'm missing my second home.  Europe is in my blood.  Often I find myself yearning to be back in places with friends of other cultures.  After living in Europe, it has become a part of me in such a way that I one day desire to own property and have a second home all of my own - European style.  What country, I do not know... that doesn't really matter to me.  I have friends in so many places it just depends on timing and whom I'm with during that time.  Today I miss Europe.  I feel it.  I can see it, taste it, smell it.  Wishing I was in Europe yet loving my life here in California.  I'm blessed really.  Just this week a wise man said to me, "Katie, you're a blend.  You are this half European, half Southern California woman... unique."  What a nice complement.  Yes, that is true - I do feel half European and half American if that makes sense.  Talking to my friends in Europe weekly I stay connected.  I will go back sooner than later.  Until then, I'll keep my memories abroad cherished in my heart.  Today I am deeply missing my life and friends in Europe. 

A DJ?

Some people desire fortune. Others want to be famous. I desire not to be a fancy model or actress... Actually my alter-ego would be to rock as a killer DJ. Yep, I love music. A good beat can set me off in such a positive way. Every week I am creating new playlists for my job. I research music. There are DJ's in LA that I go visit and learn from them as they give me some of their mixes. I've also lived in Europe and have a deep appreciation for all things sounding Euro. Two of my friends are in the music industry in Europe so I often get music from them. Music makes people happy. Music is healing. Music creates community.
This week I was asked to DJ my first event (200 people). It was fun. Much harder than I thought, but fun. I have so much to learn. Good thing for me that I love to learn new things and I'm always up for the challenge. Now just to come up with a clever DJ handle and see where it goes. To the unknown... I'm Pretty Optimistic

Breakfast at Katie's

I work hard and often find myself craving a day off. Today is that day. I have nothing, no plans- just me. It's amazing! This usually never happens, but when the stars align and I'm free to just be... I'm so happy. One could say that I'm mastering 'The Art of Nothing'. In a world of go, go, go - it feels good to have a movie and PJ day. Couldn't be more content!
Today I'm watching Breakfast at Tiffany's. I love the scene where they walk into the store and steal cat and dog masks and walk out wearing them on the street. Fabulous! Maybe tomorrow when I jaunt up to LA I can talk my friends into some similar fun...
Since I work out for a living, here's to resting the body and turning off the brain. Everyone needs a movie and PJ day every once in a while. Here's to The Art of Nothing... I must say, I'm mastering pretty well.