While today doesn't necessarily have to be about literal pickles, I felt compelled to pickle nonetheless. And with no oil, sugar, or salt! Very captivated these days by sos-free food, as I see people's lives change so dramatically from cutting these things out of there diet. So, discovered a pickle need only vinegar and some spices... Excited about the simplicity of this new way of making pickles!! This was yellow onion, purple brussels sprouts, cardamom, and black pepper corns... and of course, apple cider vinegar!  

I was a dancer most of my youth and young adult life. An injury shifted my focus and I decided to pursue other avenues. The irony is that no matter how much I think I've left dance, it continues to find me again and again.

Today, about to leave the house - earbuds in and music sounding - I began to get my groove on. Felt good. Different. Intuitive. Got me thinking about a movement practice my dance teachers, Jim & T. were telling me about last year when I taught a reflexology class to the dancers at Mount Holyoke. Can't recall the name of the technique now, but I remember it was all about following and listening to the inner body. As I moved and grooved this morning this came to mind and I felt myself being led more than leading. Sort of like a contact improvisation with my inner body - very imperfect, very fun, very new! 

​What do you do today?

Well, hello there purple brussels... just when I thought I may have tried every veggie - impossible!

These were lightly sautéed with onions and garlic, fig balsamic, a squeeze of fresh grapefruit, and minced lemon peel.

It's not just the art, it's the reminder to get out. LOVED wandering about and seeing the art that is always beckoning to be seen.

Oh, I loved this one! Of course, I mean, PIZZA! 

This one is a Vegan/Veggie Pie with Pesto, Mushrooms, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Garlic, Kalamata Olives, Lemon, & Basil.

Preheat Oven to 450
- Trader Joe's Pizza Dough (let sit 20 minutes, knead, place on dusted dough sheet)
- Vegan Pesto (kale, cashew, basil)
- Yellow onion (sliced) dry sautéed (no oil, water, or salt)
- Shredded Daiya Mozzarella (vegan goodness)
- Shiitake & Cremini Mushrooms (sliced) also sautéed before putting on pizza
- Sun-dried Tomatoes 
- Garlic (used a whole bulb) ;)
- Bake 8 minutes
- Add Kalamata Olives & thinly sliced Lemons
- Bake another 5 minutes
- Add thick Basil ribbons & Cracked Pepper
and PARTAKE!! I mean, I PARTOOK - boy did I partake!! 

(all ingredients from Trader Joe's)

This one was difficult today... I ran across streets to beat light changes, quickened my pace to make a train that wasn't leaving for another 15 minutes, and generally just found myself rushing (even though Friday is my day off!).  Walking briskly is great, but when accompanied with a held heart it's more a habit than a nourishing exercise.  I discovered in all the moments that I rushed today, when I caught myself, the moment I stopped, my breath came in like a sweet friend beside me on a front porch taking tea - and then I relaxed. That New Yorker in me still swells... I'm going to continue to quiet it.  My pace may stay fast but my breath and my heart will be open and relaxed!

I think I'll be reminded of this day again and again as I go through this life. 

I recently watched a clip of Quincy Jones talking to Oprah about a near death experience he had. He said his life did flash before his eyes, but it wasn't all of his life. What arose were the things he wished he had done or said; projects he wished he had finished or hadn't even started. Or as he shared, "things I'm going to get around to."

After seeing this, I've been thinking about what I can do every day to ensure I'm experiencing and creating a life that is requiting my truths. It makes me think of all the things we say again and again. For instance, I really want to take that vacation. Or I have to clean out that room. Or call that person. Todays task is not different from this. In fact, I find when there are places in our homes that are untidy or cluttered our minds continually return to the monologue of, "I really have to do that..." That's precious real estate. I want my thoughts to be clean and focused on friends, family, art, life! So it felt timely, that Day Four was today. Tackling this freed up space in my mind and made room for "the goods" to come in!

What did you uncover, gut, reorganize, or eradicate?!

Inspired by a conversation I had with a client yesterday, who said they had the best reflexology in Thailand, I decided why not dream big and far far away!  While I often go to New York and various other states to teach reflexology, why not experience reflexology outside the U.S.  I've never done that, not even to the countries I've visited.... so, it's about time.

I begin simply, with a google search on flights from SFO to Thailand.  Then, best time to go. Where to go. Flights. Costs. Places.  Beaches.  Life lived.  And Sanctuary of Truth!!!  Um, yes.  

The day ends but this quest had not...!

I decided to peek at days coming up so I could best prepare for those that require a little more time. This one didn't require any preparation, per se, but in gazing at the words last night I couldn't help but smile myself to sleep. 

That being said, morning had a host of challenges that found me NOT wanting to smile. I persisted nonetheless and discovered that as I smiled throughout the day, despite the challenges, my body softened and I felt better. Amazing what a simple smile can do...!

Today I began the day looking hard for my "signs'.  Knowing I had a full day of work I thought I better use the morning for this activity.  Of course, the universe would have it that the harder I looked the more the signs evaded me.  Midday I decided to ask a question - been asking it for a while now.  Should I move to Petaluma? And should it be that place? In that moment I looked up and saw that there were three street signs clustered together.  But all I saw was "nth".  And I felt, and almost heard the message, "there are endless possibilities".  This is my photo from today.  Please share below what the signs offered up you today.  And if you have any photos please share on Facebook or Instagram using hashtag #SNEDbook so we can SEE what you saw.  Much love!