B
rahmacharya: Celibacy (also interpreted as fidelity), conservation of energy, or moderation. You can incorporate brahmacharya into your life by resting when you need to. Find ways to relax and recharge so that you have the energy to do things that are really important to you. Child’s pose is a great way tEo feel grounded and supported in rest.
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Espresso Meditation Shot
It is a miracle that this week’s yamma is Brahmacharya – Celibacy and finding ways to trust and relax through these COVID times. I am now waiting and finding that learning patience which is trusting that things will work out in the end. I am planning on beginning my Volunteer adventure onboard the Global Mercy ship next week. Part of the preparation I feel is different about this manifestation is that I am being fully present.
Changes are happening and like never before, I am learning how to lean into my new life and to create space where it had been filled with outdated beliefs, thoughts, habits which lead to self-sabataging behaviors. To sit with my fears of October 2 trauma of my flight being cancelled and living temporarily at Bunny Wilburn Home in Seattle. I came across this place to not only learn to handle challenges and to transform in ways that will manifest and actualize my dream. My mind reacted into complete fear and overwhelm and on the verge of propelling myself into despair and giving up.
I decided to use this time to learn to apply the Zazen meditation techniques I learned over the four months of my Kitchen Apprenticeship at Green Gulch Farm, Muir Beach CA. I learned the power of being still and sitting meditation over different time periods also known as Sesshins that would last from half-day to a week. Silence permeated the air and I was able to learn to be present in the Kitchen and to learn the Aryurvedic principles of Nutrition. That is when I fell in love with learning more about myself and the Bodhissatva. Learning more about my body’s constitution through understanding my Dosha which is Vata lead me to want to learn how nutrition and discovering my Dharma or Archetype would give me a better proscription for living the life I was meant to live.
On that note, here is a Holiday on the Side favorite – Raw Vegan Spinach Manicotti that is absolutely like Tasting Nirvana. Let me know what your thoughts are and give a LIKE to let me know how you felt about this post.
RAW VEGAN SPINICH MANICOTTI
Courtesy of EPINE UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 24, 2015
I love raw Italian Food! There are ways to mimic spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli, pizza, you name it, all using veggies, nuts and seeds. This manicotti is an impressive gluten-free and vegan dish that is a great way to introduce newbies to raw food. This makes quite a bit, so share the raw food love with family & friends!
In the Mix
For the Noodles:
- 4 medium zucchini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- For the Spinach & Sunflower Cheese Filling:
- 2 cups of sunflower seeds (from above)
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 8 cups spinach
- ½ cup parsley
- 1½ tablespoons Italian Seasoning
For the Herby Tomato Sauce:
- 3 cups of sundried tomatoes, measured after soaking (from above)
- 1 cup water
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- ¼ cup cold-pressed olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon basil
- 2 teaspoons rosemary
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- ½-1 teaspoon salt, only if your sun-dried tomatoes are unsalted
- 2 tablespoons hemp seed, for garnish, if desired
Putting it All Together
- Advanced Prep 1. Soak 2 cups of sunflower seeds in pure water for 4-6 hours. Drain and rinse. 2. In a separate bowl, soak 2 cups of sundried tomatoes in pure water for 4 hours or longer. Drain For the Noodles 1. Cut off both ends of each zucchini. Using a mandoline, slice the zucchini the long way so that you have long, wide noodles. If a mandoline is not available, use a knife, cutting as thinly as possible. 2. Place in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and toss very gently. For the Spinach & Sunflower Cheese Filling 1. In a high-speed blender, combine sunflower seeds, water, lemon, garlic and salt. 2. Blend well until smooth. Scrape into a large bowl. 3. In a food processor, process the spinach and parsley in batches until chopped but not puréed. Alternately, chop finely by hand. Pour into the bowl with the sunflower cheese. 4. Add Italian seasoning and mix well. For the Herby Tomato Sauce 1. To assemble, arrange 4 zucchini noodles horizontally on a cutting board, slightly overlapping one over the next by about ½”.
- Place ¼ cup of the spinach & sunflower cheese filling in the center and spread so that it covers the front to the back and about 1″ in width. 3. Roll the zucchini from left to right to create a filled manicotti. 4. Place two manicotti on a plate and top with ¼ cup of tomato sauce. 5. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of hemp seeds and/or Italian seasoning.
Bon Appetit!
Namaste!
Blessings to all…
In Gratitude,
Jan Marie
Eating your Dosha!!
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Plating Grace 