DAY 14~ Child's Play

DAY 14

TODAY'S MISSION: CHILD'S PLAY

Imagine children playing outside with friends. At dinnertime the mother reminds the children, "Time to come in and eat." "No mommy, I'm not hungry yet," they respond. At the dinner table, the mother instructs the children to eat their food. Eventually, the children force down a minimally acceptable amount of food and rush out again to play. At the end of the day, the kids return, exhausted, and go to sleep without thinking about food at all.

All that we consider today as nutrition is really just a secondary source of energy. Think back to a time when you were passionately in love. You were floating on air, gazing into your lover's eyes. Your lover's touch and your shared feelings of exhilaration were enough to sustain you. You forgot about food and were high on life.

Remember a time when you were deeply involved in an exciting project. You believed in what you were doing and felt confident and stimulated. Time seemed to stop. You didn't feel the need to eat. Someone had to come by and remind you.

As children, we all lived on primary food. The same as when deeply in love, or working passionately on a project. The fun, excitement and love of daily life have the power to feed us so that food becomes secondary. Now think of a time when you were depressed, or your self-esteem was low; you were starving for primary food. No amount of secondary food would do. You ate as much as you wanted, but you never felt satisfied. Even in good times when we come home at night, we often look into the refrigerator for something to eat, when all we really want is a hug or a stimulating conversation.

Primary foods feed us, but they don't come on a plate. Elements such as a meaningful spiritual practice, an inspiring career, regular and enjoyable physical activity and honest and open relationships that feed your soul and your hunger for living all constitute primary food.

The more primary food we receive, the less we depend upon secondary foods. The opposite is also true. The more we fill ourselves with secondary foods, the less we are able to receive the primary foods of life. Every spiritual tradition encourages people to fast during the year so that individuals have time to reduce secondary foods, thus allowing for a greater awareness of primary food. Without completing this ancient not-super-healthy means of exploration, take the time to explore your primary foods as you journey through the last week of your challenge.



TODAY'S HEALTH TIP:

QUINOA

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) has the highest nutritional profile and cooks the fastest of all grains. It is an extremely high-energy grain and has been grown and consumed for about 8,000 years on the high plains of the Andes Mountains in South America. The Incas were able to run such long distances at such a high altitude because of this powerful grain.

Characteristics: Contains all eight amino acids to make it a complete protein; Has a protein content equal to milk; High in B vitamins, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium & vitamin E; Gluten-free; easy to digest; Ideal food for endurance; Strengthens the kidneys, heart, and lungs.

When quinoa is cooked, the outer germ surrounding the seed breaks open to form a crunchy coil while the inner grain becomes soft and translucent. This double texture makes it delicious, versatile and fun to eat. To save time, cook a lot of quinoa at once and eat it many times. Quinoa can be reheated with a splash of soy or nut milk for breakfast porridge; you can add dried fruit, nuts and cinnamon for a sweet treat. Add finely chopped raw vegetables and dressing for a cooling salad or add chopped cooked root vegetables for a warming side dish. Store dry, uncooked quinoa in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly closed glass jar for up to one year.

Before cooking, quinoa must be rinsed to remove the toxic (but naturally occurring) bitter coating, called saponin. Saponin, when removed from quinoa, produces a soapy solution in water. Quinoa is rinsed before it is packaged and sold, but it is best to rinse again at home before use. Place quinoa in a grain strainer and rinse thoroughly with water.

If you try the recipes below and you are not a fan of plain quinoa or quinoa salad, try hiding quinoa in your next rice dish. If your taste buds can't quiet tolerate quinoa on it's own yet, it is very easy to hide from them and from your family in dishes like rice pilaf, fried rice and even stuffing. I add quinoa to all sorts of food and my family has yet to notice. The nutritional benefits are completely worth your hide-and-never-seek chef games! 

TODAY'S RECIPES

Basic Quinoa

 Prep Time: 2 minutes Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water seasonings to taste

Directions: Using a fine mesh strainer, rinse quinoa with cool water until the water runs clear. Combine quinoa and water in a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and continue to cook covered for 15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes covered; fluff with a fork. Season as you like. *For a delicious toasted flavor, dry roast for 5 minutes in saucepan before adding liquid.

Quinoa Salad

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
3 cups water
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 cup scallion, chopped
1/2 cup tomato, diced
salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Using a fine mesh strainer, rinse quinoa with cool water until the water runs clear. Add rinsed quinoa to sauce pan over low heat; stir with wooden spoon until all water has evaporated and grains emit a faint, roasted aroma. Add water and a pinch of salt; stir once to dislodge any grains that may be stuck to bottom of pan. Cover and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered, for about 10-15 minutes, or until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand five minutes covered; fluff with a fork. Combine all ingredients in bowl and serve room temperature.

TODAY'S YOGA TIP: CHILD'S POSE

This super simple, as in, anyone can do it, pose has always been one of my favorites! I'm not sure why the original Yogi's called it the 'child's pose' but I could surely take a guess. For me, surrendering in this pose, facing the sun in the morning is one of the most relaxing while simultaneously stimulating poses in yoga. If you think about it, what is the mind-set of a child?? They are, in fact, free of worry and relaxed about life and simultaneously juiced up and ready to go in ever single moment. That is the feeling this pose invokes. 

Today, at the end of your yoga practice, get into child's pose. Spend a few minutes there, completely silent. After at least 5 minutes, say a simple prayer or positive affirmation before you rise. Something as simple as, "Thank You for the energy to complete yoga today, May I remain in this peaceful, yet ready state all day, Amen" will suffice. Enjoy.

TODAY'S HOMEWORK:

What do you think about the primary foods concept? 

Do you feel balanced between your primary and secondary foods?

Make a list of primary food that you are lacking?

TODAY'S POSITIVE AFFIRMATION

"Like a child, I am free of worry, energetic, grateful and high on life"