This past Saturday, while walking around the Victoria Health Expo, I gracefully stumbled upon the Triangle Healing booth.  Although I was excited to see a few of their products, energetically, I became immediately drawn to a pendant over on the opposite corner of the table.  From out of nowhere the pendant called out to me.  It felt like it held an answer to an unknown question that was lurking somewhere in my head.  I picked it up, pulled it to my chest and smiled.  I didn’t inquire about the price or ask any details about the product, but I knew it would come into my life.  A little while later, while hanging with my buddy E3 Johnny, he mentioned that we could get a deal on the necklace that I had just connected with.  Hmmmmm  

I must admit, I am not totally sensitive to energies, but when I initially wore the pendant, I felt a new sense of clarity.  Jumbled thoughts seemed to dissipate and I felt an overall sense of peace within myself.  Over the last few days, I have just noticed slight improvements to my life, which may or may not be as a result of the pendant around my neck, but it feels right so I’m going with it!   This brings me to this brings me to the point of this post.

 So I am currently training for a 100k foot race in May.  In the past, I have found myself logging in many hours of running, consumption of mass quantities of fruit, and really just beating up my body.  For me, this is not ideal.  Although I do enjoy spending lots of time outdoors and logging the miles, I do not enjoy sore muscles, cramps, tender calves, and the numerous other ailments that occur when training for ultras.   So I started thinking of how I can get more out of my training by doing less of it.  What a concept… Here’s what I have begun to think about and I am willing to put my thoughts into action over the course of the next few months.  

Water!!  First and foremost, the most important part of the diet.  We, I, tend to drink shitty water.  Tap, Bottled, filtered, whatever the source may be, we are drinking low quality water and our cells are paying the price for it.  Lack of proper hydration or asimulation has played a negative role in my training program before, and now I am looking to put a change to that.  Luckily I am able to drink fresh spring water from a close source here in Victoria.  The only downfall is that it is stored in plastic, which I know is less than optimal.  Once my car is back in my possession, I fully intend to begin bottling fresh spring water directly from the source.  Water is the blood of the earth and the major component in our bodies, yet we put it aside and settle for convience over quality.

Diet-  Training on a diet of mass quantities of fruit is far from ideal for me.  It worked, and it worked well, but I don’t feel it is appropriate or sustainable for me or the environment.  The number 1 reason for this was that just about every fruit that went into my body was shipped from outside of the country.  I am all for eating local and seasonally but consuming coconuts, mangoes, bananas, and dates day in and day out is not the sense of connection I am looking for.  Also, eating 30+ bananas a day kind of got gross after a while.  I mean sure, it brought in the nessesary calories, but it is just a bit overboard for me.  After spending a few weeks in Hawaii, I lost an appetite for any fruit shipped onto the mainland.  Hawaii spoiled me and no fruit has tasted the same since.  This is not to say that I do not enjoy fruit, but today fresh picked local pears and apples do the trick.  

When training and during races, I am sure I will consume fruit, but I will not rely on them as a major source of fuel.  So with this being said, how am I going to stay fueled and make for quicker recovery times??  Elixirs and concentrated food sources.  I plan to eat less, but get more nutrient dense foods into my body.  Learning about medicinal teas, and creating potent elixirs will play a large role in my training.

Yoga/Stretching-Having just been accepted into the work trade program at a local yoga studio, I have more incentive to go out and create more harmony and balance in my life.  Free yoga means unlimited classes and access to slow down the mind and channel my thoughts into spiritual gain.  When I took on running a few years back, I watched my steady yoga practice go down the drain.  Now, I have merged the two practices and feel a major positive shift from doing so.  Waking up in pain everyday is not one of my deep desires!  

Verbal Communication-So this seems like an odd topic to put into training but over the last month or so, I have gone through some heavy processing.  Deep Stuff! HA..  But what I have taken from all of my experiences, is when I am able to open up and communicate with those in my life, I am able to release tensions, frustrations, and fears that may be keeping me from reaching my greatest potential.  With more clarity, I am able to focus more on my ultimate goals and not on the little stuff.  

Sleep-Umm, well, I hardly ever go to bed before 1 am and I am usually up by 7 am.  I am trying to make changes to this cycle, to allow for proper rejuvenation and recovery, but it just seems like there are not enough hours in the day.

Breathwork-I have taken the fact that I can breathe for granted.  I may go through my day without giving much attention to my breathe.  Even while running I have never given it much attention, but I certainly realize the importance of raising the energy and spreading it out to the body.  With this, tensions will release and fresh oxygen will support all the cells in the body.  Different breathing techniques have come into my daily practice, and just taking a few minutes out of my day to focus on my breathe has helped bring joy and comfort into certain situations.

There are a lot more factors that will come into play over the next few months, but the ones mentioned above are on the top of the list.  Really what all of this comes down to, is the willingness to try new things and most of all, have fun.  I have been enjoying the journey of taking my body beyond normal functioning and look forward to new self experimentation.

So back to the pendant.  Can a highly charged pendant create a shield around my body to protect me from emf’s, negative energies, and unnecessary thoughts??  We shall soon find out.

Last Tuesday, I taught a class at Cafe Bliss on fermentation.  From pickles to Kombucha, I enjoyed sharing my journey on the fermentation path that I have been traveling down for the last 6 months or so.  I have noticed a great deal of improved health since not only incorporating fermented foods into my diet, but creating them in my own kitchen.  Getting my hands into a bowl of cabbage has brought forth a deeper connection to my food.  Realizing that the positive energy that is directed into the food  goes so much farther than the “supposed” nutritional value.  Sure, fruits and vegetables are high in nutrients, but when prepared with feelings of stress, hatred, disgust, or anger and then consuming or offering to others is less than excellent.  

So, with that in mind I share a few of my favorite recipes for sauerkraut, Kimchi, cheeze, yogurt and pickles.  Once I started to prepare the foods, I think the guests were amazed in how simple it was to prepare a batch of sauerkraut.  Plus it is extremely cost effective.  A one gallon batch of kraut coast less than $20 and to go out and by that amount would be well over double the price!!.  

Here are a couple of recipes and pictures from the class.  Enjoy! 

Dilly Pickles

Caraway Sauerkraut

 Sauerkraut

The Beginnings of Yogurts and Cheezes

Cheeze

Em*1, effective microorganisms(healthy bacteria)

My dear friend Kristen Tayler  of Bee Green Natural Foods in Albany, Georgia posted a great article about me in her daily newspaper.  I love my friends!!

Check it out HERE

With a cabinets full of wild and organic herbs, I was in my glory as I decocted a special brew for a quiet day out on Pender Island.  Into the pot went wild harvest Hawaiian pink peppercorns, chaga, hibiscus, orange peel, san pedro, cinnamon, clove, pau d arco, ginger, and a few extra secret goodies.

After slow brewing for a few hours, I strained it off, and added the tea to the blender.

In went Hemp hearts, purple corn kernels, maca root, local honey, salt, cayenne pepper, and BC bee pollen.

The blender turned this tea into a creamy aromatic elixir that was thoroughly enjoyed next to a warm fire.

Yes life is good!!

Watching Sarah create this business has been a real treat.  The momentum  that has grown in the last month is gaining speed and has helped me to excelerate  my business ideas!!  Like minded people coming together to co-create the best businesses ever??  What a concept!!

A week ago, at a tarot card reading, I was given a choice of decks.  While shuffling through the cards I was given three power cards.  These three cards, where ones I should be “looking” for throughout the reading.  One of those cards  was the Fool, no it doesn’t mean I’m a fool, well maybe sometimes, but I’ll give meaning  in a bit.  So after shuffling, I lay the cards down and was asked to pick a card. Feeling out the cards, I choose and gently placed it on the table.  It was the fool!  Was that a case of beginners luck?  Hmmmm

The fool represents, me coming into a situation with a set image or feeling of how something should be.  Stumbling a bit, I find myself out of place.  Situations change, but the outcome is bigger and more rewarding than what I originally thought I was getting into in the first place.  This would sum up the last 32 days spent in Victoria.

As mentioned in previous posts, my stay here has had its fair share of ups and downs.  A lot has to do with me, and the expectations I had placed upon my current situation. Not looking into the BIG picture had left me feeling down and out, and unsure of myself.  As I changed my perspective and began to see the amazing opportunities that lay ahead, my entire life had began to shift.  Last night brought upon more insight to my past, some may wonder why I choose to look back, but I know that old stuff must be addressed before  truly coming into my own.  For these experiences, I am so internally grateful for the friendship of 2 amazingly powerful women here.  Just in the last 24 hours, I have been guided into paths I have never gone down before.  Scary at times, but I know it is all for the best.

Looking back at my life, I see how so many years where spent being completely emotionally unsupported.  For me, this would mean numbing myself out by ways you can only imagine.   Much of my life spent unattached, and unsupported.

At 30 years of age, I haven’t experienced anything so real, since embracing live foods 3 years ago.  At first, a change of diet was to get me back into shape and shed some weight, but the interactions with people and the personal breakthroughs, have been priceless.

As new opportunities come into my life on a daily basis, I know that now is the time to step into my power.  I must be strong, filled with confidence, and use the ego, in a way that can take me to the next level of my life.  So often, I have sat back and waited for others to create  good for me.  I realize now, that it has only lead to disapointment.  So as I rise up, and take control, I see how I can create a life that is full of abundance and sweet experiences.  

Sometimes, it may take a few, or many years of grief and hurt to bring out the best in us.  

This weekend I spent my time over on Pender Island  working on a product line with a small company.  I am currently working on 4 products that are due to be on store shelves by the end of the month!!  This is exciting, and I look forward to sharing the products with all of you once they are dialed in and packaged up!

I love you all so much!

After weeks of couch surfing and computer facination, I have gotten myself back into my New Balance 790’s and went for a run.  I guess I would say that today is the beginning of my training.  On May 2nd I will take part in the Harrier’s Elk/Beaver Lake Ultra Race.  Looking back at the results over the last few years, I can see that only about 10  people take part in the 100k  option.  This can lead to a lonely race, but I can see why.  The trail is 6 miles long.  So for me it means, 10 laps…..

Although the course is only about a 20 minute drive  room where I reside, without a car, it looks like i’ll be sticking to the roads for a while.  Incorporated into my training will be regular Ashtanga Yoga as well as cycling.  The mild winter here in Victoria, makes for perfect training.

I look forward to covering new grounds and pushing my limits of endurance over the next few months!  Stay tuned!!

I have certainly not made the last few weeks the most enjoyable time in my life.  For those who know me, I am one for change and will rise to the occasion to, in an instant, pack my bags and head for unknown territory.  

Its funny how failure to meet certain expectations will lead to self loathing.  I made the mistake of expecting a certain scenario once located in Victoria, but when faced  with a whole new challenge, I let it blow up in my face, and totally get me down.  I know look back and see it as a perfect learning experience.  Having friends who truly care about me kick me in the ass, means a lot, seriously it does.

I take full responsibility in creating or dismembering my reality.  Over and over, I have made up every possible excuse for why things haven’t worked out and why it is best to retreat and start all over again.  But you know what?? When the next move comes, your faced with the same issues as before.  They won’t leave you, but instead will accumulate into a massive weight pouring over you. I can easily let it drown me, or instead, rise to the occasion, own my power, and be all that I know I can be.  

Maybe it’s the life long insecurities that hold me back.  Or can it be every reason why I’m not ready to be amazing.  Whatever it is, I’m ready to put aside and own my truth.  Own the reality that I am a leader, and a teacher, and a important part of society.

My lack of motivation  over the last few weeks has given me the opportunity to go inward like never before.  My running has slipped away, as well as my ability to make things happen.  Sitting back and expecting others to do things for me, hav left me with nothing but disappointment.  ”Sorry frank, but you did it to yourself.”  I know, I know!!  If I choose to go on like this, I just might fade away and disappear with nothing more than heartache and sorrow..  

I hope I didn’t disappoint any of you.  Maybe I’m letting the cat out of the bag a bit, but I am who I am.  I have never been one to share my real thought to the public, but I thought I would  share my truth.  We all have our baggage, right?

Today the question was brought up.  ”What do you think about me?”  Seriously, do we know what others really think of us?  Sure once in a while friends may tell it like it is, but do we ever know the truth?  Who is showing true authenticity  in relationships?  Are we afraid of letting others know what we really think, and is that fair to hold back from those we care about.  Hmmmm, these are the thoughts I ponder…

Tonight, a few minutes before midnight, I fully embrace all that I am and know that when the sun comes above the horizon, I will be another man.  One who is ready to rise to the occasion and shine a light out onto the world!  You’ve heard it here first folks, get ready!

A few months back, I created a wild rice stuffing for a prep class in Connecticut.  Although the recipe was taped, a few people wanted to see the recipe on paper.  So, here it is, enjoy!

Sprouted Wild Rice Stuffing-

This recipe makes a pretty good sized batch.  So you may wish to cut the recipe in half if wanting to enjoy between 1-2 people.

1½c wild rice, soaked in water for 24 hrs

½ c quinoa, soaked 2 hrs, strained, rinsed, and sprouted overnight

2c sunflower seeds, soaked 2 hrs, strained, rinsed

2c pumpkin seeds, soaked 2 hrs, strained, rinsed

1c walnuts, soaked 6-8hrs, strained, rinsed

1/2 onion, diced small

4 celery stalks, diced small

¾c golden flax, ground

2T fresh chopped thyme

1c dried mulberries

1t dried oregano

Zest of 1 lemon

Celtic sea salt, to taste

Fresh black pepper, to taste

Procedure:

-In a food processor, roughly chop sunflower seeds

Repeat steps with pumpkin seeds and walnuts

-Place in a bowl with the quinoa and wild rice

-Add herbs and seasonings, along with chopped veggies + mulberries

-Stir in ground flax seed

-Check seasonings and adjust as needed