from the ground up...

"Without rain, nothing grows." - Anonymous

The worst thing about adversity is that it tends to pop up out of nowhere. Life seems to be going great until - suddenly - it crashes down around you. While no one (myself included) enjoys these turbulent times, it does present a unique opportunity. From the worst kind of destruction comes change, rebirth, and new life. It seems appropriate that I find myself in wreckage just as the leaves fall off the trees and everything outside green turns brown and dead. I am hopeful because I know that I - like nature - will find new life in the spring, despite my current sense of bleakness.

Recipe: Nourish-Me-Soup
I made this soup out of the random items in my fridge. It isn't the prettiest-looking thing, but it tastes great and really nourishes the spirit. Feel free to substitute whatever veggies you have on hand.

- 1 yellow squash, diced
- 3 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 4 garlic cloves, separated but still in their skin
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 1/2 cup whole grain pasta
- 1 cup canned white beans, drained and rinsed

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a large baking sheet with olive oil spray and arrange the squash, tomatoes, and garlic evenly on it. Sprinkle with lemon juice and Italian seasoning. Roast for 20 minutes, until the squash are slightly blistered and the tomatoes start to break down.

Meanwhile, heat a soup pot over medium heat. Add some olive oil spray and saute the onion, carrot, and celery until tender - about 10 minutes. Add the stock and scrape the tomatoes and squash into the pot.

Squeeze the garlic out of their skins in a small bowl and add a few tablespoons of water. Mash the garlic with the water until it forms a paste. Add this to the soup pot.

Finally, add the pasta and beans. Bring to a simmer and cook until the pasta is cooked (I like mine slightly over-cooked here) and the beans are heated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. serves 2 

Posture: Paschimottanasana (posh-ee-moh-tan-AHS-anna) or "seated forward fold"
This pose is wonderful for stress because it relaxes the mind and is said to relieve mild depression. As the body folds into itself, the pose also encourages self-reflection.

1. Begin seated with your feet outstretched in front of you and your sit bones firmly planted into the floor. Keep your ankles flexed and feet pointed to the ceiling. Your legs should be completely straight, or slightly bent at the knee joint.

2. On an inhale, reach your arms overhead. Keep your shoulders down the back and your neck relaxed.

3. On an exhale, fold forward from the hips. Reach your hands towards your shins or feet. Try to keep your back lengthening from your tailbone through the crown of the head.

4. After a few full breaths of actively lengthening the spine, allow the forehead to retreat between the legs and the back to round. Hold this "ragdoll" version of the pose for a few more breaths.

5. Gently roll up through the spine, stacking the vertebrae as you go.