Quote #1

A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

-Albert Einstein

Recipe: Cardamom Mint Tea

I wanted something a little different than just the teas I had on hand so I decided to throw some additional ingredients in with my mint green tea. The amounts are all rough estimates.

Ingredients:

• 16oz milk of choice (I used rice milk)


• 1 TBS mint green tea


• 2 cardamom seeds


• 1 tsp pickled sushi ginger


• 1 tsp sucanat sugar

Directions:

1. Heat milk on high in a small saucepan stirring occasionally.


2. Gather tea, cardamom, and ginger in an infuser.


3. Once milk is boiling turn off heat and infuse for 10 minutes.


4. Remove infuser and stir in sugar.


5. Enjoy and repeat with same infuser if necessary!

Yields two servings.

The Perfect Day

I decided to ask myself what my ideal day would be if time and money weren't an issue. Here's my result:

• Practice approx 15 minutes of hatha pranayama.


• Practice aprox 20 minutes of Pilates (only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays).


• Practice at least an hour of hatha yoga.


• Eat brunch.


• Go for a bike ride.


• Work on music for a couple hours (practice, writing, theory).


• Eat meal two - should we create a new term lunner?


• Work on my French.


• More music work.


• Eat dinner.


• Go for a walk.


• Miscellaneous activities/read.


• Roam the net/blog.


• Bedtime!

However, if I were traveling my days would be much more spontaneous. In that case, it'd be more like having "The Perfect Week". It would involve the same things as above, but spread out a little more over the course of several days. Yoga and cycling would still be included daily and Pilates at least three days a week. But I'd spend more time on the new sights, sounds, and experiences surrounding me. Instead of working on music as much, I'd busk here and there and try to practice a new language at every opportunity possible. Amazingly, the perfect week is not too far in my future...

Social Cleanse

Would you voluntarily spend a month in solitude?

I've decided to abstain from any social events for a month. This even includes one on one time with anyone. Okay, so I admit I'm not going to be in complete solitude since I hold a full time job and am friends with my roommate. But any of my time away from work is going to be spent alone. I decided to do this because I want some space to clear my head. I've been working quite a bit of overtime lately and have not been focusing my free time towards any personal aspirations. I am definitely a social and outgoing individual (that ironically enjoys a lot of alone time as well) so if something fun is going on I probably want to be there. Even if I have planned to do something goal oriented, such as working on music, if I get asked to hang out there's a large chance I'll agree and then beat myself up for it later. I need to just let myself enjoy the calmness and clarity that comes only when one spends time away from others.

Recommended Reading: The Chainbreaker Bike Book

Until a little over a year ago I didn't know how to ride a bike. I always dreamt of being car free and knew that I'd have to learn in order to make it a reality. What I didn't realize was how fun it would be (although I should have known better since most of my friends are avid riders)! While riding around Portland I came across a great little zine/book shop called Microcosm and found this gem of a book.

I like riding so much that I decided to go on a bike tour. I felt it mandatory to learn more than just how to fix a flat if I was to take on such an endeavor. Imagine my excitement to find a manual that was obviously geared for individuals interested in diy culture. The first half leads you through bike parts and how to fix them while the second half reprints several of the Chainbreaker zines. It's co-written by Shelly Lynn Jackson and Ethan Clark. Clark even includes the best resume known to mankind - one in the form of a comic. Definitely worth the $12.

No Use For A Career

Too many of use try to figure out what it is we are supposed to be in life instead of just living life.

If you find a career path that suits you and makes you content and happy then so be it. But most people I've come across aren't too excited about their career path. Many of them are searching for yet another career option to get out of their current situation.
Although I never completed college, I went for several years and dabbled in many different career choices. Nothing ever seemed right. And then one day it finally clicked - I don't need a career. I've been much happier since.

Change #3: Forgo the Car

Ride a bike. Walk. Use your car sparingly (if at all).

I just got back from a nice, much needed bike ride all while running errands. Once you start weening yourself off your car you wonder why you relied on it so much in the first place. Running errands don't seem as mundane when you change your mode of transportation. Walking, of course, is nice when you need to go somewhere closeby. Cycling however can get you pretty far. And if you don't have the desire or willpower to do either of those, ride a bus or the subway if you have access. Instead of sitting in traffic, now you can enjoy that book you've been putting of reading, or knit a new scarf for the coming cold. Not only will you enjoy life more, you'll be helping reduce CO2 emissions as well as saving money normally spent on gas.

For more in depth information on how to make the switch check out the following links:
carfree.com
Benefits of Bicycle Commuting