Posts by admin

Footfalls like Snowflakes

Posted by admin on Nov 8, 2012 in Featured, Running | 0 comments

I went for a beautiful run from Pipeline Trail out to Elden Spring and back. Although the trails were mostly dry, remnants of the previous snow were draped upon the east side of the mountains. It’s hard to tell whether winter is here to stay. The weather has roller-coastered in temperatures, not showing any commitment to fall or winter.

This is my favorite trail run, a mixture of ups and downs, curvy single track through forests, roadlike straights conducive to active meditation, furnishing dramatic changes of scenery–from boxed-in mini-canyons to spacious, grassy meadows.

I’m running in Saucony’s Kinvara shoe, new footwear for me. Vince at Flagstaff’s running store recommended them. It’s very light (7.7 ounces), made for racing, but works excellently as a minimalist trail shoe. The soft sole allows for sensitive pick-up of the trail’s changing shape and texture. Because the sole is not as protective as a typical trail running shoe, I have to be more careful where I place my foot. If stepped on wrong, a sharp rock can easily leave a bruise. But I’ve gotten so used to minimalist footwear, I don’t think I can go back to the heavily cushioned, raised heel shoes of my past.

One foot in front of the other, covering about 14 miles, each step similar to every other step, but, when I think about it, not really. I start focusing my concentration on the different feelings each footfall produces and think of snowflakes. In the midst of a snowstorm all of the snowflakes look similar, but up close every snowflake is different. Just the same with steps, I notice no two footfalls feel exactly the same.

As the terrain shifts underfoot, the pressure of my foot hitting the ground varies. Angles change, pebbles cause minute adjustments, soil density and softness and hardness vary. Energy waxes and wanes, affecting the way my foot hits the ground. A little soreness in my left knee sometimes causes me to protect it by letting my right foot hit the ground harder than my left. My footfalls create a varying landscape of sensation, not unlike a swirling snowstorm dropping a million different snowflakes to the ground.

The effort of mindfulness is repaid with a realization of the world as a dazzling cacophony of change. The ground of reality is constantly shifting, as is the ground below my feet. Intrusions and inspirations pace outside the door like restless phantoms. They await my attentive company. It will be snowing soon.

Sakyong Mipham on Running Meditation

Posted by admin on Jun 16, 2012 in Meditation, Running | 0 comments

Here is a great video on running meditation by the Buddhist master, Sakyong Mipham:

What is Homeopathy?

Posted by admin on Jun 15, 2012 in Health, Homeopathy | 0 comments

Homeopathy is a system of healing that treats the individual before the disease. It is based on the concept of “like cures like.” No matter the person’s ailment or diagnosis, symptoms are recorded and then matched to a substance in nature that can produce similar symptoms in a healthy adult. The similar substance is then highly diluted and succussed (or potentized) into a homeopathic remedy.

A practitioner using homeopathically prepared remedies is not necessarily practicing homeopathy. Homeopathy always goes “in the direction” of nature—it stimulates the immune system in a similar way as the existing disease, strengthening and energizing natural defenses to finally overcome the aliment. In contrast to Allopathy, or standard medicine, in which drugs usually go against the body’s natural defenses and suppress symptoms, homeopathy always adheres to the concept of “like cure like.”

The practice of homeopathy requires a deep respect for symptoms as they are sign-posts which can lead toward the correct remedy, and so, better health. By merely suppressing symptoms immediate relief may result, but this relief is usually short-lived. Our symptoms are the way the immune system, or “vital force,” is seeking to find homeostasis. Without the often bothersome expression of our vital force the disease would be allowed to go deeper and become more serious.

The goal of homeopathic treatment is to not eliminate symptoms but assist in deep healing—a healing only nature, through the vital force, can bring about.

eat-more-salad superfood-smoothie

Posted by admin on Apr 7, 2012 in Health, Raw Foods | 0 comments

Greens, like kale, romaine, spinach, collards, and, my favorite, swiss chard are superfoods. They are packed with sometimes hard-to-obtain nutrients like iron, calcium, and Bs, and they are very alkalizing. But I cannot seem to get enough greens in my diet eating salads so I now start my day with this smoothie. Don’t worry, the green taste is very minimal and light, almost not noticeable. This smoothie is not only packed with greens but other superfoods and is rich in healthy fats. I use a Blendtec high speed blender for this smoothie. This recipe makes a lot–Niki and I drink it throughout the day.

• Favorite greens: chard, romaine, kale, spinach, etc. In any combo or alone
• water or coconut water
• EFA cold pressed oils: I really like Vega oil (make sure it has lots of omega 3 since we nut-eaters get lots of omega 6)
• Hemp seeds (oh maybe about 1/2 cup or so, we pile it on)
• favorite fruits–berries work best here. Blueberries and cherries especially. Use frozen in the winter.
• banana
• raw cacao–a must!
• coconut meat (optional)
• avocado (also optional, but highly recommended)
• raw maca powder
• raw lacuma (optional yummy caramel flavor)
• optional: 85% raw sprouted 100% vegan protein power (Vega) — just in case.
• ice cubes

Place 12 oz water of coconut water in blender and one banana. Fill the rest of the pitcher up with roughly chopped greens. (I just kinda pull/tear them with my hands). Blend for a few seconds until you have a green chunky, kinda gross looking liquid. Add everything else. If you add too many powders at once they will start to stick to the sides so layer it up. I like to top with some ice cubes and then blend on high for about 45 seconds. If it is not sweet enough add more berries or some yacon syrup.

Raw White Chocolate

Posted by admin on Apr 7, 2012 in Health, Raw Foods | 0 comments

1/2 cup, raw cacao butter
1/2 cup, raw cashews
1/4 cup, agave syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
salt to taste

Place raw cacao butter in glass dish in dehydrator at 140. Blend all other ingredients in high-speed blender until smooth. Add low-temp melted cacao butter. Blend. Pour into non-stick 8 x 8 pan. Freeze for 30 min. Turn over and spank, chocolate should pop out. Score and break into pieces. This recipe is so great because it makes great solid bars, with an almost liqueur taste thanks to the raw cacao butter. A great healthy snack–the cacao butter gives me an instant lift!