This breath, this moment

The full moon tonight brings lots of energetic shifts and is known to "stir the pot" of life.  As we begin to see the seasons change, change of many different kinds occur as well.  Many times I find myself getting caught up in the  small changes and lose sight of the present moment.  A meditation technique/mantra I've been working with lately came to me when, during a lengthy personal practice, I began to slowly slip away from the present moment and thinking about what I needed to get done as well as other thoughts that so often cloud the mind.  Upon realizing I was focused more on my to-do list than my practice, I started to repeat "this breath, this moment".  As I inhaled, bringing attention to "this breath"; as I exhaled, "this moment".  Slowly, I started to come back to my practice and reach that moment of effortless consciousness (otherwise known as the crack rock of yoga).  In our day to day lives, it is easy to think too much of the many "bigger pictures" and lose sight of the gift each moment brings, breath by breath. 

Especially in light of the anniversary of 9/11, I am reminded more than usual of the importance of each and every breath we take, each and every moment we are alive.  Many times I catch myself wishing things played out differently or had gone differently than I had planned.  But by focusing on this breath, this moment, I am quickly reminded that I have already been given the best situation of all- I am alive! I can breathe! Really, think about it- you are breathing in and out while all the organs in your body are being nourished and maintained by that breath.  It's fascinating! From this perspective, life really is a set of tiny miracles, strung together by each breath, each moment. 

Kale and white bean soup

Happy Thursday!

Given the relentless rainy and cold weather in good ole east Tennessee, I thought I'd share one of my favorite soup recipes to feed the body & soul.  (click here to view the cookbook.) 

Kale and White Bean Soup

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 cup (130 g) peeled and chopped carrots
1 celery stalk, chopped
1/2 cup (75 g) peeled and cubed potatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
6 cups (1.4 l) water
2 tablespoons white miso paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander (or equal parts cinnamon and nutmeg)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups (135 g) chopped kale, with hard spine removed
1 (14-ounce/400 g) can white beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Pinch of Pepper

Directions:
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion and saute until golden brown, about 4 minutes. 
Add the garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes, and tomato paste, and saute until the ingredients are well combined. 
Add the water, white miso, cumin, coriander, and salt and bring to a boil. 
Lower the heat and summer 30 minutes. 
Add the kale, white beans, and thyme and simmer another half hour. 
Garnish with basil and pepper before serving. 

ENJOY! :)

In light and love, Ainsley