I’m back from the Midwest and back to eating a salad everyday, a kale shake for breakfast and watching my salt intake. Last week I not only had an Egg McMuffin, but I indulged in fried chicken at The Elks and delivery pizza that same night. Hey…when in the Midwest, as they say! I had forgotten how much I missed Illinois until I was there again in the midst of the most friendly people I’ve ever met, many of whom I was meeting for the first time, and mainly, I missed the cold! It was so refreshing to breath in winter air that I took my parent’s dog out for many long walks, relishing in the familiarity of it all. Living in California, I can say this state turns you into a real wuss with the sun shining everyday and the beach less than a mile away… but it sure is good to be back! 

Like most people, I truly dislike wakes and funerals in general. There is something so final about it even though we are suppose to be “celebrating” the life of the person we lost. And no matter who lies in front of us (coffin or ashes) I’m always imagining that it’s someone else in there or worse, it’s me. It freaks me out. But this time was different. The services for my step-grandma Norma Jean were beautiful; from the family who owned the funeral home to her many friends present, it felt more like the celebration of a wonderful life, 92 years long.

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Me and my Ma.

Death reminds me a lot of savasana, or that final pose at the end of a yoga class. It’s a pose that requires total relaxation or as I like to say, it’s a time to surrender to stillness. For many people it’s the hardest asana of all and that’s why many people bail and skip it, oddly enough. The purpose of Savasana? My favorite Yoga Journal contributor Richard Rosen puts it best, “We symbolically ‘die’ to our old ways of thinking and doing. The normally perceived boundaries of body image dissolve and we enter a state of blissful neutrality.” That’s where I’d like to think Grandma Norma is now, in a state of blissful neutrality, or a longer savasana, if you will.

There was a silver lining to the trip though and it was a visit with my best friend of 23 years, Lynn, who is now living in St. Louis, Missouri. Not to be confused with San Luis Obispo, the county I live in! She took me to the City Museum, in said town, which consists of repurposed architectural and industrial objects. As you approach the museum, you notice a huge school bus hanging off the top of the building and a large airplane in front that you’re able to climb into and explore! The museum is eclectic, fun, unique and surreal  all at the same time. We went down a 10 story high slide and we spun around on chairs that were impossible to knock over. I felt like a kid and was delirious for a couple of hours later!

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Okay, let’s get to some food, shall we? Today, I’m featuring Delicata squash from Branch Mill Organics right here in Arroyo Grande, CA! Fellow yoga teacher and friend Terry Hooker works there and he grows it, eats it and even teaches yoga at the farm! The Delicata squash is and tastes just how it should be; sweet, heavenly and fresh! I pulled out my slow cooker and while my soup came to life over three hours, I took a bath and read my book. Set it and forget it! Trader Joe’s sells these guys at $.99 a piece so it’s a wicked cheap dinner! Speaking of things that are wicked good… how about them New England Patriots??!!!

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Delicata Squash soup- serves two with leftovers

Ingredients:

-2 delicata squash, peeled and deseeded and chopped in cubes

-1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped

-1 bunch scallions (from my garden!)

-1.5 cups unsweetened almond or coconut milk

-1.5 cups water (or vegetable broth)

-1 veggie bouillon cube

-1/2 tsp each cinnamon, nutmeg, apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice

-1/4 tsp ginger

-salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Peel the squash using a vegetable peeler and deseed. Then chop into small pieces.

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2. Do the same with the apple and then load everything into your slow cooker.

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3. Cook on high for 2.5 hours or until squash is soft to touch.

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4. Using your blender, puree the mixture until smooth.

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5. Serve in a large bowl and wrap up the rest! I added nuts as a garnish too!

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Clean, fresh and green!

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Let’s end with books today as per usual. While in the Midwest I started and finished Donna Tartt’s The Little Friend. Just like The Secret History, (my all-time favorite now) I was hooked from start to finish and left with plenty of questions in the end as is her way of writing. I did think it was better than Tartt’s The Goldfinch, because it was such a complex theme and she took pains to describe the characters so you really understood their mindset throughout the book. I’ve just started listening to a new book about Janis Joplin by John Byrne Book who was her road manger while she was with Big Brother and the Holding Company band. I’ve read at least three books about Janis so we’ll see how On the Road with Janis Joplin measures up!

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While I write Yummy Yogini, Cord lies on a pillow and takes Savasana!

 

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